Gaz F5 The Western Alliance - Vaults of Pandius

WHAT EVERY CHARACTER LEARNS GROWING UP“Be bold. Be bold, but not so bold, lestthat your heart’s blood should run cold.”– A common admonition from mother tochild.The history of the Dale is well-documentfrom AC 735 onward. That is the date inwhich Essurian colonists settled the Daleand Ghyr to the east. Any studiouscharacter is freely aware of the eventsover the intervening 265 years.Otherwise, what characters learn of thepast is often encapsulated in nurseryrhymes or songs. Here is a collection ofrhymes that are common across thekingdoms. “Where are you, BrotherJack?” is meant to be sung.The Crimson Ettin ofKhavasz(On the mythic monster)The Crimson Ettin of KhavaszOnce terrorized the lands.And he'll come around once more,When the wee bairns do bad.He'll beat you and bind you,And then eat you for sure.Tis certain, ye be good,Gabrionus himselfWould quiver and quakeAnd the bishop cry to Od.Good Cador Hen(On the expulsion of theBishop at Roagendoch)Good Cador Hen wore a happy grin,And smiled with what he had to say.The feathers did fly, the bishop did cry,And the Roags danced all day.He summoned the harp,He summoned the pipe,He summoned them all with glee.And merriment ran for hours on end,For all of the north to see.Spots and Spots and Spots(On a bad outbreak of chicken pox)I went to the Vicar,I went to the King, but sawSpots and Spots and Spots.I went to the open field, and stillSpots and Spots and Spots.I went to the forest edge, fell illSpots and Spots and Spots.Now here I am in the ground, withSpots and Spots and Spots.The Legionnaire(On the Thyatian occupation)The Legionnaire went to the Dale,Upon Gabrionus’s command.Stood tall as a wall, wind in his face,And gladius in his hand.The Legionnaire loved the Dale,And proved the eagle might’.Moved heaven and earth, the watersrebirth’d,And set the kingdoms right.Shiny, Pretty(On the Prism Wars)Shiny, Pretty, Shiny Pretty, how Idream of you.Shiny, Pretty, Shiny Pretty, nowFifteen’s seven and two.Little Mary Hawkins(On the future queen’s choiceof a Roag husband)Little Mary Hawkins sat in a chair,Eating her favorite delight.Her father said please,Even down on his knees,But the court was sent afright.Where Are You,Brother Jack?(On the 6 th of Klarmont Battle)Where are you, Brother Jack?Where are you, my friend?The rain is falling,And I am calling,On the Fields Burthgledd.Where are you, Brother Jack?Where are you, my son?Too many did I see today,On the Shores of Taralon.Where are you, Brother Jack?Where are you, my friend?The hail is falling,And I am calling,On the Fields Burthgledd.Where are you, Brother Jack?Where are you, my dad?They say that you once were here,But I was just a lad.Where are you, Brother Jack?Where are you, my friend?The leaves are falling,And I am calling,On the Fields Burthgledd.Where are you, Brother Jack?Where are you, my wife?The children have been crying,But now there is no strife.Where are you, Brother Jack?Where are you, my friend?The snow is falling,And I am calling,On the Fields Burthgledd.Round the Chapel(On the disappearance of childrennear the Great Olde Woode)Round the Chapel, all three times,Against the sun, hear my rhyme,Round the Chapel, not again,The Elf-King's come to take with him.3

HISTORY AS THE IMMORTALS KNOW ITThe early history of the lands of theWestern Alliance mirrors that ofneighbors such as Ghyr. As part of theHill and Dale, the region was once at theedge of the old Arctic Circle and thecontinental ice cap. The Great Rain ofFire that devastated the world fourmillennia ago left the Dale in roughly thesame latitude relative to the newplanetary axis, but local settlements weredestroyed.The Dancing IceFollowing the catastrophic effects ofthe Great Rain of Fire, glaciers movedacross the region in their search for thenew north. The Dale was not totally freeof glaciers until 600 BC – 2400 yearsafter the Rain.The region was heavily covered duringthe first half of that period. Briefopenings in the west were occupied by anow-forgotten race of man thateventually gave rise to small chieftainstates.This state of affairs was overturnedbetween 1800 and 1700 BC. Glacialmovements had produced a large gapbetween the ice sheets that provided adirect route from the Borean Valley in thewest and the Ghyran Piedmont and otherareas in the east.It was through this path that thehumanoids of Loark’s Great Hordeentered the northern lands andsubsequently Norwold and the KnownWorld. The local humans were displacedby the wave, and some horde groupsremained in the area. Kobolds settled theParthenal, while others settled along thelength of the Ghyran Piedmont. Thehumanoids’ presence also prompted earlyRoags to travel north and settled inGhyr’s Clearwater Valley.The Dale was again sealed off from thewest ca. 1500 BC by ice sheets receedingfrom the Wildlands in the south. Thissecondary coverage reached its maximumextent in 1200 BC when the new icesheets met the pre-existing one. Only theLake Dolcimer area remained free at thistime.Just as quickly as it came, the ice left,and the main Dale was fully open by 800BC.NewcomersThe inhabitants of the Hill and Dalequarreled infrequently, but equilibriumwas quickly reached in the region. Thelater additions of Parthenal elves andhumans and Denagothians did little toupset this balance.The humans and elves who came to theParthenal hailed from the Realm ofForenath, an elf-human nation in theWildlands territory. A strange diseasehad wracked that Realm and induced afratricidal paranoia between the races.Those who made it across the Swamp ofthe Beast settled the hills but neverestablished a larger, national identity.The Denagothians came later to theGhyran Piedmont after findingthemselves on the losing end ofescalating conflicts with the Lothenarelves of the Denagothian Plateau.Even the Alphatians made a briefappearance in the east. It was during onethe Empire’s periodic expansions that theKingdom of Alinor was established. Thekingdom might have had a greaterpolitical impact on the region – had itsurvived the magical raising of itsmountain chains. The act generatedearthquakes that destroyed the kingdomand made other physical alterations to theShattered Plateau.Alphatian survivors fled back to theirhomeland, ventured further west, or wereabsorbed into the local populations. Thislast group was Alinor’s true legacy to theregion, and their earth-based sorcery waspreserved by the native humans withwhom they lived. In time, remnants ofthe earth-magic were folded into theancestral faith of the Roags, and theirdruidic tradition was born.The Dominion ofMaggorathAround 200 AC, a new transformativepower swept into the north in the guise ofa Denagothian named Maggorath.The warrior forged a loose empireanchored at the hills within the Swamp ofthe Beast. One of Maggorath’s firstdiplomatic stratagems was allying withthe kobolds of Parthenal. The warlord’ssuccessors pushed the Dominion’s reachinto the Hill and Dale, which placed theempire at odds with the Parthenal elves.The Dominion’s legacy was mixed.The Maggorathans introduced advancedgovernmental elements as their holdingsgrew, and their influence spread a versionof Idris worship that unified the disparateraces. This semi-racial harmony remainsin the Dale today. Elves were anexception to this inclusion, and theParthenali withdrew deeper into the hillsand the Great Olde Woode.Following a pattern similar to othernations where Idris-worship waspermitted, Maggorathans slowly preyedupon their pagan neighbors physicallyand spiritually, and they becameabominable in the eyes of theirneighbors.In the middle Fifth Century AC, theIcereach Barbarians began speaking ofHe Who Watches, and within ageneration, an inspired warrior led a waragainst the Dominion that ultimatelyresulted in its collapse in AC 530.The Essurian EagleThere was no successor power to theDominion, and the populations of the Hilland Dale persisted in a tranquil life. TheRoags moved west into the northernFlatlands above the Kaganus and as farwest as Havaburn.In 735, King Telles of Essuriacommissioned the formation of coloniesin the north. Essuria was the majorpower on the Denagothian Plateau at thistime. The Essurian settlements began inthe Ghyran Piedmont and proceededoutward into the Dale. The town of Ghyrprospered as the trade juncture for theHill and Dale.Faith in He Who Watches fanned outover the population, spurred by bothEssurian support and the heroic tales ofthe paladin Jason. Minor roadways werecommissioned along the Kaganus toconnect the far-flung towns and villages.Fifty years after Essuria first enteredthe north, a Thyatian adventurer aidedEssuria and the Wyrmsteeth dragons instopping a cabal known as the OnyxRing. This adventurer was GiovanniAugustus, an Isle of Dawn officer in theImperial Legion who would one day wearthe crown himself.4

HISTORY AS THE IMMORTALS KNOW ITAt the start of the Prism Wars were thefollowing kingdoms: Ghyr, Temaraire,Mork, Greendale, Deep Hollow, Faltings,Dauphins, West Haven, Havaburn, theScarlet City, the Verdant City,Nortopolis, the Cerulean City, Bethfield,and Snowden. Other communities wereindependent, but they did not aggrandizethemselves.Nortopolis and the Scarlet City were ajuggernaught that pushed east. OnlyDauphins managed consistent victoriesagainst their forces. The war quickly ledto consolidations throughout the region.Five years into the Wars, clergy of HeWho Watches presented Qasmar of Ghyrwith the Heartstone, a prismatic ruby.The Heartstone allowed Qasmar to seethe true nature of his fellow nobles, andhe was able to surround himself withgood and loyal men.Even with the Heartstone, victory wasby no means assured for Ghyr and herallies. The death of Frederick I ofNortopolis was unable to deter thatkingdom, and the Scarlet City reachedthe walls of Ghyr. Their preoccupationwith the east proved to be their undoing.West Haven and Dauphins were able tocut supply lines in the Greendale regionand trap the combatants.The Prism Wars concluded on thebloody fields near Galencourt, a townnear Ghyr. Afterwards, the kings of thenorth pledged themselves to Qasmar.During the celebrations of Armistice inGhyr, the Heartstone was stolen by theMaster Thief, Dahnakriss. It was neverrecovered.There services required elsewhere, thefinal Legion unit left the north bearingthe kingdoms’ final duties. It disappearedin the Northern Wildlands, and thefreedom buyout never reached ThyatisCity. The Empire never learned whatbecame of their former colonies.Armistice and theAlliance WarThe next two decades were quiet ones,but several important changes didtranspire. The first was the formalmerger of Nortopolis and the Scarlet Cityinto a single political entity under RobertI. Robert engineered this feat bymarrying off his son Engelbert to a halfgiantessprincess.The other important change was theleadership turnover in the kingdoms.Ever ruler, save King Claudius ofSnowden, passed away during theseyears, and the heirs were thinking of newambitions.When Prince Ganto succeeded Qasmarin Ghyr, only Greendale, Deep Hollow,and West Haven renewed their allegianceto Ghyr. The other kingdoms were heldto be in rebellion, but the new king didnot press his claims against them. It isunknown if such action would haveprevented the conflicts that afflicted thewestern kingdoms soon after.To eastern powers, the Alliance or DaleWar was more of a series of limitedengagements intermixed with brief showsof force over many years, but it resultedin a strengthening of Dauphins andNortopolis. And it all began with theruler of Taralon.Historians refer to the documents as theTaralon Letters – a set of officialcorrespondences from Queen Mabd I ofTaralon to several Roag populations,including those at Brest and the IvoryCity. The letters were requests for awestern alliance of Roags under theTaralon League. Dauphins interceptedthese letters and construed them as a callto war.Before cooler heads prevailed,Dauphins had marched on Brest,angering West Haven. The matterworsened as brigands used Faltings as abase of operations against Deep Hollowand Greendale. Rerprisals soonfollowed.Faced with this response, Dauphinscaptured Balais from the Taralon Leagueto prevent a repeat of its homefront siege.It then contended with its eastern front.Taralon lost its other ally, the CeruleanCity, when conflicts with Bethfield andSnowden forced the city to join withNortopolis. Against this strongerbacking, Bethfield relocated its court toRoagendoch.As the two strongest powers, Dauphinsand Nortopolis agreed to an alliance, buttheir incursions into the east wereblunted, and the two nations retired fromthat front.On the 6 th of Klarmont, AC 980, thebloodiest battle of the War transpired. Arag tag force from Snowden annihilatedtheir Cerulean opponents on the fields ofBethfield. Thousands fell, and theCeruleans are still affected by the defeat.Snowden’s control over the region wasacknowledged in return for a ceasation ofhostilities and membership in the newalliance.The war continued for another threeyears. West Haven, still angered overBrest, joined with Taralon in trying toretake Balais, but Dauphins defeatedthem. Bereft of its former allies, Taralonwas forced into the humiliation of joining“its” Western Alliance. As a furtherpeace condition, Queen Mabd was forcedto abdicate.6

HISTORY AS THE IMMORTALS KNOW ITDauphins took the war to West Havenbefore it, too, joined the Alliance. Atwar’s end, West Haven had lost Serleans,Sorchester, and the lives of King Edwinand the crown prince.Almost as an afterthought, Roagendochjoined the Alliance to protect winteringrights for affiliated nomads.Recent YearsThe Alliance’s first joint task cameafter undead began appearing in the west.Provisioned post houses were set up, aswere plans for patrols. They evencooporated in salting and denuding theland in an attempt to deny the feedingundead forms any sustenance.It has been seven years since then, butwandering undead forms occasionallyappear in the western nations.Ghyran TimelineBC 3000: The Great Rain of Fire.BC 2400: Humans established culture tothe west and north of the Dale.BC 1723: Around this time, the humanculture retreated into Norwold andparts north to escape Loark’s GreatHorde. Many kobolds stayed in theParthenal.BC 1600: Early Roags and humanoidssettled the Hill, the lands east of theDale.BC 900: Humans and elves fled toParthenal to escape the fratricide inthe southern Realm of Forenath.BC 300: In the far east, the AlphatianKingdom of Alinor incorporated localbarbarian nations.BC 260: Raising of the Alinor Chain anddestruction of Alinor. The ShatteredPlateau achieved its current condition.Local populations reasserted controlover their affairs, while survivingAlphatians joined the barbarians,returned to Alphatia, or migratedwest.AC 200: The Denagothian Maggorathformed in the swamps to thesoutheast.AC 220: Maggorath concluded treatieswith the Parthenal kobolds.AC 250: The Dominion of Maggorathextended into the Hill and Vale. Thisled to conflicts with the Parthenalelves and humans.AC 400: Idris traditions were absorbedinto the Roag belief system.AC 460: First mentions of He WhoWatches from the North.AC 485-530: The Dominion ofMaggorath was challenged byfollowers of He Who Watches until itcollapsed. Dale communities kept tothemselves.AC 735: Essurian colonies began tospread into the Hill and Dale.AC 785: Giovanni Augustus and theOnyx Ring adventure. Through hiscompatriots, Giovanni learned manytales about the surrounding lands.AC 800: Gnomes joined the peoples ofthe north.AC 852: Essurian colonies were grantedregional autonomy. The corruptionby the Cult of Idris was limited to theeast.AC 896: Chateau d’Ambervilledisappeared in the Known Worldnation of Glantri.AC 898: New immigration wavepeacefully hit Glantri.AC 900: Gabrionus IV, new emperor ofThyatis, began aggressivecolonization attempts worldwide.The Idrisian faith resurged along theGhyran Piedmont.AC 903: Thyatian Legionnaires reachedGhyr. Ghyr readily joined Thyatis inexchange for military assistance.AC 904: A Thyatian Legion marched duenorth from Glantri to Havaburn.AC 907: Thyatian settlers traversed theeastern Northern Wildlands.Representatives of many KnownWorld groups accompanied them.AC 908: Thyatian forces completed theirconquest of Provincia Gurrania.AC 910: Additional water from theKaganus was diverted to LakeDolcimer.AC 912: Construction begun on TaralonChannel.AC 914: Gabrionus V takes the throneand lets the Thyatian military decline.AC 915: Thyatian legionnaires andsettlers passed through Wendar intothe Northern Wildlands.AC 920: Completion of the TaralonChannel earthworks. Other regionallakes begin to receive additionalwaters.AC 925: Nearly exterminated by theforces of the Shadow Lord, Lothenarelves were granted sanctuary at Ghyr.AC 927: Thyatian Legionnaires in transitto Ghyr aided Wendar in the Wizards’War. Formation of the WittanCouncil in the Great Olde Woode.AC 928: Thyatian Legionnaires defeatedDenagothians in Almarea Forest, apart of the Wildlands.AC 930: Explorers to the Borean Valleybrought back tales of immense,deathly still cities. Subsequentexpeditions did not return.AC 933: Discoveries of a new type ofgemstone capable of holding magic.AC 936: Recall of the Legions.7

HISTORY AS THE IMMORTALS KNOW ITAC 937: More prismatic lodes werediscovered in the east.AC 938: A single Legion remaining toguard the peace. Squabbles escalatedamong the Gurranian lords, and manyproclaimed themselves kings.AC 940: The Prism Wars. The ScarletCity accosted Deep Hollow. PrinceGanto of Ghyr routed Denagothianwarriors at Temaraire.AC 941: Greendale defeated theKingdom of Mork. The Kingdom ofNortopolis controlled Magnitania, andthe Scarlet City captured Faltingsbefore entering Deep Hollow.AC 942: Dauphins defeated Nortopolisfor control of the Sentaburgh region.Sherrick, Thosh, and Southpoolpledged to Greendale.AC 943: West Haven asserted authorityover the Havaburn region. Landsbury,Serleans, Balais, and Taralon formedan alliance against Dauphins andNortopolis. The Kingdom ofBethfield skirmished with theCerulean City. The forces of theScarlet City and Faltings took Thoshand Southpool.AC 944: Nortopolis beat the Scarlet Cityfor the control of the Verdant City.Dauphins conquered Faltings. TheTaralon League besieged Dauphins,but the city was relieved by WestHaven. Joint forces by Nortopolisand the Scarlet City overran DeepHollow, Greendale, and Mork.AC 945: Ghyr united communities fromGalencourt to Temarairie and up theClearwater Valley. West Havenannexed Wexham.AC 946: The Quiet Year.AC 947: The Nortopolitan and ScarletArmies captured Galencourt andmuch of the GhyranWestern Forest.West Haven conquered Landsburyand Serleans. Brest allied with WestHaven.AC 948: West Haven, Dauphins,Snowden, and Bethfield agreed to analliance with eastern Ghyr. Inresponse, the Cerulean City joined theTaralon League. Nortopolitanscaptured Vhimagorg and the Sorrows,while Scarlet forces besieged Ghyritself.AC 949: Prince Ganto repelled Ghyr’sattackers and reclaimed the Sorrowsand Vhimagorg. West Haven andDauphins relieved Deep Hollow.Inhabitants of the Great Olde Woodeliberated Thosh and Southpool.AC 950: During the epic Battle ofGalencourt, Ghyr’s allies, includingWest Haven and Dauphins, prevailed.The kings of the all the northernrealms pledged their allegiance toGhyr. The last Thyatian Legionwithdrew from Ghyr.AC 964: Ganto became King of Ghyr.Greendale, Deep Hollow and WestHaven renewed their allegiance, butthe other kingdoms did not.AC 970: Interception of the TaralonLetters results in the first skirmishingof the Alliance War.AC 971: Dauphins’ knights capturedBrest. West Haven protested.AC 972: Brigands from Faltings annoyedDeep Hollow and Southpool. DeepHollow launched reprisals.AC 973: Greendale captured Thosh.AC 974: Dauphins captured Balais.Snowden and Bethfield harried theCerulean City.AC 975: The Cerulean City left theTaralon League and added its stripe tothe Kingdom of Many Colors.Dauphins beat back Deep Hollow atFaltings.AC 976: The Kingdom of Many Colorslaunched attacks against Bethfieldand Snowden. Bethfield relocated itscourt to Roagendoch.AC 977: Dauphins finally expelledGreendale from Thosh. Theindependent Ivory City joined theKingdom of Many Colors.AC 978: Dauphins and Nortopolis agreeto a formal alliance.AC 979: Nortopolitans won a pyrrhicvictory at Shotburn. Dauphins raidedSouthpool and threatened Greendale.Knights from Mork and Galencourtcountered the invaders.AC 980: Cerulean forces fought againstSnowden and Taralon over Bethfield.Snowden secured its claim by joiningthe Western Alliance.AC 981: Taralon and West Haven failedto retake Balais. Taralon agreed tojoin the Western Alliance.AC 982: Dauphins captured Serleans andSorchester.AC 983: West Haven joined the WesternAlliance as did the court atRoagendoch.AC 985: Undead began to appear on theborders of the western kingdoms.AC 988: Snowden and West Haven werebesieged by undead hordes. Alliancemembers responded to the threat.AC 990: Rumors of a land of the deadcirculated. An Alliance patrol systemwas set in placed.AC 991-993: Alliance membersestablished a denuded warning stripalong the edge of the Borean Tier.AC 1000: Time of the Gazetteers.AC 1001-2: Death of King Ganto ofGhyr and the Quest for theHeartstone.8

GEOGRAPHYThe LandThe locals refer to the larger region ofthe north as the Hill and Dale inrecognition of its topographic formation.It lies below the Arctic Circle, andwinters are brutal.The Dale itself is an expansive, gentlysloping plateau between the BoreanValley, to the west, and the ShatteredPlateau, to the east. The plain has severalzones that correspond to the shiftingclimatological biomes.The Plains of Khavasz is a term used byolder populations for the eastern regionof the Dale – roughly the trianglebetween the Scarlet City, Brest, andGreendale. The region sports lightlyarable or pastoral land, excellent accessto mineral water, and occasional woodstands.The central and northern parts of theDale are called the Flatlands. Thisincludes all of the Kingdom of ManyColors and some areas south of theKaganus. A few isolated hills rise abovethe shrubs, but they do little to diminishthe validity of the region’s name. Theland is still adequate for pastoral use, butagriculture is limited to the waterways.Those living in the interior can raiseenough for themselves, but little more.Tree stands are rare, but clusters of shortpines are spotted in the Flatlands. Thefauna of the Plains of Khavasz and theFlatlands can be found in the individualentries of various kingdoms.The Strathgledd is intermediategrassland transitioning into the northerntundra. The infrequent bush mixes withthigh-high grasses and tails, and latersedges. Pastoral activities are forced touse a greater amount of land, and mostinhabitants are at least semi-nomadic.Sedentary residents must make do withsmall beans, roots, and the abundantfungi for sustenance. For a representativefauna, see the Kingdom of LowlandRoags.Southwest of the Strathgledd is a rockydesert region. No one knows if thedesertification is natural or not, but thegravel and salt from the region were usedin creating buildings and the Borean Tierstrip.The Shonak Tundra marks the end ofthe Dale. The tundra’s permafrostcontinues for hundreds of miles into theArctic before reaching the permanentsnow and ice region.Shonak Tundra: insect swarm, normaland giant reindeer and carribou, giantarctic bee, polar bear, grizzly bear (eastonly), robberfly, tiger beetle, giant woodspider, snow leopard, wolf, owlbear,white dragon, hill and frost giant,yellow/white pudding, white rhagodessa,arctic wolf, yowler, ice wolf, snow owl,baldandar (south only), wychglow, whitedragonfly, wyvern, frost zombie, kobold,spectral hound, frost salamanderHillsThe Dale is outlined by threecontiguous hill lines. Evidence of recentglacial movement is common in all of thehills.The eastern Roaguncal stretches far intothe frozen north. Because of itspicturesque rising tier-like appearance,the hills are also known as the Staircase.The upper portion of the Roaguncal leadsto the Shattered Plateau. Onlywildflowers, weeds, and berry producingshrubs cover the land. The region nearthe Kaganus’s source waters is volcanic.Steam vents and geysers are morefrequent than lava flows, but the latterdoes occasionally happen. Sulfur, salt,zinc and other minerals are easily mined.The valuable prismatic stones are foundhere, too.Roaguncal: normal reindeer (openterrain only), giant arctic bee, giantcentipede, robber fly, tiger beetle, oilbeetle lava ooze, boneless, fyrsnaca, redworm, giant crab spider, steam weevil,polar bear, grizzly bear, snow leopard,wild goat, rust monster, white dragon,colddrake, hill and frost giant, wild man,rock golem, orcs, bullette, gargantuan,spectral hound, frost salamander, ice wolfThe Hills of Parthenal are a forestedridge running from the Kingdom ofGreendale in the east to the BoreanValley. The primary chain runs east towest, but numerous hilltops and valleysinterrupt the general pattern. Altitudemeasures around 1,500 feet in the eastand 800 feet in the west at the juncturewith the Borean Tier. The southernportion is particularly chaotic withsecondary ridges bulging upward. Unlikethe Roaguncal, the Parthenal sports treesfrom the large boreal forest system thatincludes the Great Olde Woode. TheHills of Parthenal and the Roaguncalmerge with the larger Ghyran Piedmontabout 100 miles east of Lake Dolcimer.Ownership of the Parthenal is oftendisputed between Greendale, the GreatOlde Woode, and various independenttribes of elves and kobolds.Hills of Parthenal: normal and giant elk,caecilia, giant centipede, purple worm,giant slug, normal rattlesnake, giantwood spider, rhagodessa, insect swarm,grizzly bear, lynx, fallow deer, dire wolf,normal owl, normal bat, giant skunk,giant toad, metamorph, fungoid, kobold,bugbear, gnome, elf, wight, bullette, giantsnail, giant crab spider, frogfolk (southonly), troll (rare, south only)The Borean Tier is the third hillyregion. It is a parallel formation to theRoaguncal, and it leads from the Daledown into the fabled Borean Valley. TheTier continues north and south. Thehills’ pattern more closely resembles theParthenal, and those traversing it willencounter peaks and valleys along theway. The western edge of the Tier hasbeen salted and laid waste by the Allianceto limit food sources for the undead.Borean Tier: robberfly, grey pudding,clear jelly, fungoid, gargantuan zombie,gargantuan skeleton, gargantuan ghoul,gargantuan spectre, dark-hood, ghoul,elder ghoul, vapor ghoul, wight, agarat,nightmare, lesser nightmare, giant crow,skeleton, zombie, nightshade (presentlyunknown)A fourth hill system exists, but much ofit now rests under the waters of theTaralon Channel. See the MistyKingdom of Taralon for details.9

GEOGRAPHYThe Great Olde Woode andthe ParthenalThe heart of the Great Olde Woode isancient. It was formed soon after theGreat Rain of Fire, and at its furthestextent the forest stretched from theClearwater Valley of Ghyr to the middleof the Borean Valley. At its smallest,only a few stands survived amid thecrawling glaciers that traveled the region.The continental treeline runs 200 milesto the north, but as a practical matter, theGreat Olde Woode is the northernmostlarge-scale arboreal habitat. The portionnorth of the hills was known historicallyas the Grindol. Today most consider theParthenal, the Western Forest, and theClearwater Forest as bodies distinct fromthe Great Olde Woode.The northernmost forest is taiga – smallstature needle trees over a highly acidicsoil. There is no undergrowth despiteabundant sunlight. In the main forest,firs, and pines mix with a few hardwoodssuch as the rowan tree. The trees aretightly packed, and travel can be tediousoff beaten trails.The name “Western Forest” has been asource of constant miscommunication inthe north. Essurians gave the name to theforest west of Ghyr, while Thyatiansthought that it meant the body aroundpresent day West Haven. Unfortunately,this homonymous pair continues to thisday.WaterwaysThe most important waterway is theKaganus River. It originates fromunderground springs beneath theShattered Plateau, and the river alreadypossesses a high volume once it entersthe Dale. The mineral rich water feedsseveral retention lakes. The majority ofthese lakes are natural, but some areartificial works from the Thyatian period.References exist for different segmentsof the Kaganus. The Upper Kaganusextends from the twin hill feeds to theDolcimer diverter. The Lower Kaganusgoes from Dauphins to West Haven. Theintermediate portion is the MiddleKaganus.The Taralon Channel is the largestartificial water retention. It was formedby blocking the original river that feed tothe Borean Valley and diverting the waterinto holding channels. As the river wasnever undammed, the Taralon Channelhas been slowly rising and swallowing upthe area.South of the Parthenal is the Swamp ofthe Beast. It is the largest swamplandsystem in Brun and perhaps all ofMystara. The Parthenal kobolds believeit was once the burial wallow for a greatgiant who arose during the Dance of Ice(the period of glacial migrations). Forfurther information on the swamp, seeGaz F3 and Gaz F4.Surrounding LandsThe Ghyran Piedmont is east of thejuncture between the Parthenal Hills andthe Roaguncal. This region is the hometo the Kingdom of Ghyr. East of theFlatlands is the the Shattered Plateau andeventually the Broken Chain andThundering Peak Mountains.The tundra to the north belongs to theShonak tribelands. Humans, kobolds,and others that have adapted to life in theArctic Circle live there.Southward, one encounters theNorthern Wildlands of the GenallethValley. This is the ancestral home of theParthenal elves and humans.The Borean Valley is immediately tothe west. Once responsible for birthingthe humanoid hordes, the Borean Valleynow is a source for an undead threat.Climate andEnvironmental NotesWinter is a deadly serious matter in thenorth. Temperatures can dip below -30°Farenheit in the exposed areas north ofthe Great Olde Woode. Highs aretypically only 5°, though rare good daysdo rise above freezing. These relativelywarm temperatures are borne uponsoutherly winds. The trees in the GreatOlde Woode and Parthenal Hills retainsome heat, and the region is 4-8° warmer.Snowfall is heavy in the west (19.7inches per month) and somewhat less inthe east. On the winter solstice, daylightlasts 4 ½ hours in West Haven, butRoagendoch is dark all day.The winter season lasts 4 months, fromEirmont 15 to Thaumont 15. Wintertimelingers in the more northernly locations.The remainder of Thaumont is the“brutish spring.” The weather hoverswithin 3 degrees of freezing. The Daledoes not get the constant precipitation ofGhyr, but the period is still wet.Preparatory work in the fields must bedone during this period, so that plantingcan be done on the first of Flaurmont.Spring covers Flaurmont to Klarmount14. Spring is a dry time in the Dale.Sudden shower bursts contribute only 1.8inches per month, and temperatures run40° to 65°F in West Haven. Places northlose a degree every 75 miles.Summer weather is restricted to onlynine weeks in the south. Temperaturessoar to 65°-95°, and it is often muggywith thunderstorms. Roagendoch’ssummer is seven weeks at 47°-75°.Autumn is the true gem of the north.Beginning Fyrmont 22, the temperaturedrops to a comfortable 55°-70° range,and the humidity subsides. In the GreatOlde Woode, the deciduous hardwoodsintermixed with the pines begin to turn,painting the whole north in a cacophonyof greens, yellows, and reds. Autumnrainfall comes from easterly windsblowing ice off the Icereach. Frost firstappears around Svirftmont 20.Other LocationsThe Old Death: The Old Death is asite north of the Ivory City that predatesthe Great Rain of Fire. Neither theresidents of the Ivory City nor the freeLowland Roags go near it for fear ofdisturbing the ancient spirits. Anunhealthy aura permeates the region, andthe deaths of some early discoverers wereblamed on the ruin. Some technologicalremnants survive (e.g. robot tigers),waiting for the command to rebuild theworld, but the primary residents are acoalition of twisted creatures.Old Death: ochre jelly, blast spore,giant black widow, giant shroud spider,mummified cyborg, rat, baldandar, Croneof Chaos, revener, rust monster,automatons, mek, robot tiger (ambergolem), proto-humanoids (mud golem)10

SOCIETYRacesThe populations of the WesternAlliance come from myriad stock. All ofthe major races, plus several of the minorones, can be found in the north.HumansThe most numerous humans are theRoags. They are a hardy race thatpredates other humans, occupying broadswaths of the hills, Great Olde Woode,and the north. Highland Roags inhabitthe Roaguncal, while the Lowland Roagslive a semi-nomadic existence in theStrathgledd grasslands. The LowlandRoags are futher divided into those loyalto Roagendoch and the Free Roags of theeast. No particular designation exists forcivilized and Great Olde Woode Roags.Roags stand 4-6 inches shorter onaverage. The men have thick beardsbraided or left in tangled fury. Jokesabout “giant dwarves” have led toaltercations far out of proportion to theslight. Northern trbes use thick wool andfur clothing (350 cn, 5gp, AC6) to keepout the winter chill. Lighter wool jerkinsare pulled out for the brief summer.A Roag custom that has been adoptedthroughout the Dale is that of the Johnnycake(the West Haven term). A youngman or woman who leaves home isgiving a sieving cup with which toretrieve water (a test of ingenuity – Ed.).The mother then bakes the Johnny-cakeusing the water. The child is given achoice of the entire cake and the mother’scurse, or half of the cake and a blessing(a test of wisdom and character – Ed.).For simiplicity, Deno-Essurian is acatch-all for those whose ancestors camefrom the Denagothian Plateau. Thisincludes the Ghyrans. The Thyatianphrase Personae Gurrani is used in thesame broad sense. Deno-Essuriansexhibit a wide range of appearance (seeGaz F2 Denizens of Denagoth or Gaz F4The Hidden Treasure of Ghyr).Thyatians and other Known Worldersround out the Alliance’s humanpopulation. West Haven has a largenumber of Glantrian anglaise, whileAveroignians have had significantinfluence on Dauphins, Serleans, Balaisand Brest.Civilized men keep their hair length inproportion to their age. Hair is closelycropped until majority (18), after which itis gown out half an inch per decade.Facial hair is either shorn or kept neat.Proper women wear some form of haircovering. This ordinance is frequentlyignored by women of Western Alliance.Crowns and coronets are acceptablecovers for noblewomen, and soldieringhelmets are appropriate for femaleadventurers, and it has become fashionamong court ladies to design fancifulheaddresses.Furs are an important element ofwardrobes for both sexes. Lesser-valuedpelts (beaver, wolf, or elk) are used bycommoners. Those of higher station usewolf, bear, ermine, sable, and mink.Summer dress is light, nominally madeof an undershirt or blouse and shortsbeneath a leather jerkin or jacket andtrousers. Women substitute a bodice andskirt.Demihumans andHumanoidsElves: Three different elvish groupsexist in the north. The Lothenar are thesmallest, numbering only a few dozensurvivors of a terrible war with theShadow Lord of Denagoth.The Parthenal elves (and humans) aredescendants of those who fled thedisintegration of the legendary realm ofForenath in the Wildlands. SomeParenthali have joined the community ofthe Great Olde Woode. They have a coolrelation with the Vyalians but acceptedtheir Lothenar cousins.Parthenal and Lothenar elves arenormally single-classed and favor fighteror thief over spellcasting classes.280 Vyalian Foresters remained in thenorth after the recall. They attempt toteach their native cousins Heimsleidh,Ilsundal’s philosophy, but they do nothave access to Trees of Life.Dwarves: There are Taralon Channelenclaves of Buhrohur dwarves who camewith the engineering cohort of theLegion.Halflings: Halflings are the leastcommon standard race. 230 hin reside inthe north, mostly in West Haven. TheLeehan shortfolk have recently openedtrade with the Hill and Dale, and onenever knows where the next ShadyDragon Inn francise will open.Gnomes: Since the destruction ofTorkyn Falls 500 years ago, gnomes haveslowly migrated into the north. Whiletheir integration into other regions wasgenerally smooth, the gnomes inParthenal have earned a sour reputation.These Forest Gnomes initiated a viciouswar against kobold villages, and theyseem particularly vulnerable to thenihilistic allures of the Idrisian cult.Gnomes have had a better time in DeepHollow and the Scarlet City, but theyshare the pathological fear of dragonscommon to all northern gnomes.Humanoids: The kobolds are theoldest extant population of the Parthenal-Dale region. Over time they inhabitedterritory territory from the Swamp of theBeast to well north of the tundra. Theywere taken aback by the gnomes’ recentaggression, unaware of the bloody historyof the Hardanger Range.Other humanoids settled the Hill andDale because of pressures in Denagothand Norwold. Goblins, hobgoblins,bugbears, and hill giants are present inmost kingdoms and are prominent in theKingdom of Many Colors.The Hillbans are an orc-dominatedmeta-group that inhabits the ShatteredPlateau. They sit apart from the Dale’spopulations.Hill GiantsThough the largest humanoids, hillgiants are often overlooked in censuses.Nearly all early hill giants accompaniedLoark out of Urzud, but they quicklybroke away on the Horde’s trek. Todaythey are found neigh-exclusively in a“7”-like distribution beginning in theWestern Alliance, cutting across thesouth of the Great Bay, and down theNorwold coast to the Northern Reaches.The hill giants who exist in the Dale areculturally intertwined with the Roags andthe other humanoids of the Kingdom ofMany Colors. The traditional occupationof hill giants was that of a herder andtanner, but with the advent of highercivilization, hill giants may pursue11

SOCIETYdifferent avenues.The average hill giant stands 12 feet talland weighs 1600-2600 pounds. Becauseof their great girth, hill giants have anendothermic inertia that allows them tobrave the harsh elements of the north.They do not have resistance, per se, but ahill giant would succumb to winter longafter a human would.Hill giants have two great fears. Thefirst is chicken pox. The childhooddisease is lethal to hill giants, and anyoutbreak creates a panic. The secondgreat fear is of things bigger thanthemselves. Hill giants are used to beingthe largest kid on the block, and they feelthreatened by the presence of greaterbeings, particularly true giants. One ofthe cruelest curses ever placed upon a hillgiant caused the victim to see everything– every blade of grass or butterfly – astwice his own size.Hill giants also harbor a jealousytowards humanity. They are so close andyet so far removed from that craved-fornormalcy, and they are keenly aware ofthat disconnect. This also causes hillgiants to shy away from pan-humanoidgroups. Dale giants are more at peacewith this than are wilder ones, and onlythe rare specimen acts on these feelings.Half-Giants and EttinsHill giants are reproductivelyincompatible with the other beastmandescendedraces. There are no halfgiant/half-trolls,for instance; however,there are records and modern examples ofhuman-giant pairings. Every successfulpairing has been between a male giantand a female human who possessedmagical abilities. Likely, a spell ofconception was involved.Half-giant children are all female andare statistically human. These ladies arestatuesque (6 to 7-foot), shapely, andwith better than average intelligence andstrength. Half-giantesses are cross fertilewith both parent stocks. Sons are therace of the father, while daughters arealso half-giantesses.Alliance folklore, and Roag lore beforethat, speaks of the Ettins: legendary twoheadedgiants. As with all legends, thereis a kernel of truth. Ettins do exist onMystara, but they are not a distinctbreedable race. Rather, ettins are aparticular form of conjoined-twins uniqueto hill giants. The ontologicaldevelopment of the ettin’s second head isakin to polyp budding – completelyunlike twinning in humans.The most commonly accepted reasonfor the ettin-ization of offspring is animbalance of nutrients given to the childduring gestation, but some maintain it iscaused by a peculiar sickness oravariciousness of one or both parents.One out of 100 births yields anettinized child. Healthy, separate twinsare unheard of. The physiology of theettin does not always align properlyduring development, and half of all ettinbirths die within the first month of life.Another quarter perishes by the teenageyears from compromised health.The remaining ettins are capable ofsurviving into their adulthood, thoughthey are afflicted with disabilities. Ettinsstand two feet shorter than their peers,and suffer -2 adjustments in Dexterity,Wisdom, and Constitution. Each headhas its own Intelligence, Charisma andpersonality. [Wisdom is “joint” in thesense that the body-mind intuition mustwork together to do anything –Ed.]Social StandingThe basic social division is commoner,nobleman, and royalty. The noblemanclass is further separated into the courtlord (inc. squires, ladies-in-waiting, andpages), and ranked nobles. Lords whohave been granted title to land have apecking order over the basic court lord,but “landed lords” is not recognized as adistinct level of nobility.The Alliance recognizes three rankednobles: baron, count and duke, though themeanings behind the titles differ fromtheir normal usage.A baron oversees a large settlement(village or town of 250), a countcommands a company of 15 knights ofrenown, and a duke is in charge of amajor battlement (armed force of at least100 men-at-arms supported by 150civilians). Existing duchies were onceindependent kingdoms that fell during thePrism and Alliance Wars.An individual may hold multiple titles,sometimes for the same real estate, andthe titled noble must meet allrequirements for those positions. It iseven possible for different titles to beconferred by different monarchs (e.g.Galencourt in Greendale).Barons, counts, and dukes may parcelout their personal or titled lands tosubordinants. These individuals arealways recognized as lords or knights.Knighthood sits apart from the basicnobility. Traditionally, it was grantedupon the completion of a heroic quest inwhich the individual established hismartial prowess. Today it is increasinglycommon for knighthood to be awardedon vouching by other knights and nobles.Only the king or queen may grant thisstatus. Those knighted are expected toparticipate in grand melees and jousts.Knights of Renown are those individualswho have achieved well earned praise fortheir feats (9 th level). For an in-depthlook at knighthood in the north, see GazF4 The Hidden Treasure of Ghyr.ReligionThe Church of Ghyr officially hasecclesiastical jurisdiction over not onlyGhyr but also Greendale, Deep Hollow,and the nations of the Western Alliance.Actual Church influence diminishes awayfrom the City of Ghyr. Other religions,except for the Cults of Idris and Stodos,are permitted, if not welcomed.The Church of GhyrThe Church of Ghyr is dedicated to thewisdom accrued from followers of HeWho Watches. At the head of the Churchis the Archbishop of Ghyr. Druidic faith,once a staple of the north, is vieweddimly by the Church of Ghyr. The“naturalism” aspects of druidism strikemost Watchers as too close to Idrisiannihilistic hedonism. Divisions ofemphasis and interpretation do existwithin the Church.The central tenet of the Church is thatHe Who Watches observes one’s deedsand heart as they go through life, seekingthose moments of truth and justice. In itsview, angels and fiends play a role in theworld, and Idris is the worst of the cruel12

SOCIETYtemptresses by letting people act as ifthere were no consequences to choicesand decisions.In the Western Alliance, the only placeto receive ecclesiastical training is atDauphins. The seminary also providesgeneral and theological education forthose with lay ambitions. Upongraduation (C3), the seminarian mustchoose to join the priesthood or become atemplar (adventuring cleric). Thisdecision is irrevocable.Below the office of Archbishop of Ghyrare the bishops who administer largepopulation areas. Every capital exceptRoagendoch has its own black-robed andskullcaped bishop, as do some of thelarge towns and villages. The Council ofBishops elects the new Archbishop andapproves the Archbishop’s nominees forbishopry.Priests (C3+) handle the dailyministrations to the congregations.Particularly small communities or thoseout of the way may be beyond theattention of the bishops. Local priests areeither self-appointed or serve at thedirection of the Archbishop.Monestaries and nunneries are anotheravenue for devoted men and women.These operate independently, and therestudents are known as friars. Monks andnuns are generally held below a templar.Tithe: 5 copper bits/ mo for laymenSeminarian Costs: 15 copper bits/moPriesthood Salaries: 5 silver bits/moplus 5 coppers for every year of serviceBishopric Salaries: 20 electrum bits/ moplus Priesthood SalariesPriesthood Privileges: Members of theclergy have basic housing provided bythe Church. Communities often providetheir local priests with foodstuffs.Roag MacCullanRoag Maccullan is the oldest faith ofthe humans of the region, and it is sharedby goblins and other humanoids. At itscore, Roag Maccullan is a druidic beliefsystem, but it has evolved away from theconventional interpretation of that term.The death aspect of nature is stressedmore than in other druidic traditions.Whether this is a function of environmentor Idrisian influence is unknown. Thesecret rites of the druids evolved from theearth-magic of the sorcerers that survivedAlinor’s destruction, and are thus moreelemental than vegetative in nature.Principal mythological figures areGharma, or the Lady of the Forest, andthe intrusive fairy warrior Od (or Wod).The druids pique the Ghyran clergy byequating He Who Watches with Od.All races are seen as brothers born ofthe earth, and they see no separationbetween themselves and the land. Manyfollowers adorn their bodies with tribaltattoos, and they traditionally dancenaked under the full moon, even in thewinter time.There are two “political” strains ofRoag MacCullen, and both call for a pan-Roag nation. There is an underlying anti-Watcher element to both movements.The first is led by Carwen, Heirophant ofthe Great Olde Woode, while the secondis supported by the Mabds of Taralon.Carwen’s strain emphasizes theconnectedness of life and death and areturn to the “old ways.” The Taralonsect is politically matriarchal, andemphasizes water, earth, and airelemental teachings.Clerics of Roag MacCullan also existindependent of the movements describedabove. They are most prevalent amongthe Lowland Roags.Other Faiths and TraditionsThe Cult of Idris currently has limitedimpact in the Western Alliance outside ofthe gnome populations. A large minorityof Known Worlders maintain theirancestral faiths, particularly Thyatians.Societies andOrganizationsThe High College: The High Collegeis a network of magic-users that trainspeople in the magical arts. Due toChurch restrictions placed on wizards,the most senior members are wanderers.Apprentices (1 st to 5 th level) accompanytheir masters on these journeys, therebyensuring that they have a full idea as towhat wizardry in the north entails. Thewandering is less strictly inforced in theWestern Alliance, and nobles mightretain the services of a personal magist.Requirements: Except hedge wizards, allmagic-users in the north areautomatically members of the HighCollege. A student can leave his or herapprenticeship at any time. The Collegeis led by a High Master who is selectedfor lifetime appointment by the mostsenior wizards. Masters, those of namelevel, mark their status by high collaredrobes. Magicians are not accepted intothe High College.Cost: None/ nonePrivileges: Access to advanced trainingduring apprenticeship. Food and othernecessities are provided by the master.Members of the High College have goodrelations with the druids.Responsibilities: Apprentices endure anindentured servitude to their master.Members must police the wizardcommunity and prevent further distancewith the Church of Ghyr.For more information on the HighCollege, see Gaz F4 The HiddenTreasure of Ghyr.The Thieves’ Guild: Dahnakriss’sunderworld network stretches fromTemaraire to the Borean Valley and evento Leeha. The guild performs traditionalthieving activities and serves as a spynetwork for foreign interests –particularly Idrisian interests. Phillip ofMarabone and Olwynn the White-Handsrun the western guild and recruit locally.Requirements: recruitment onlyCost: None/20% of profitsPrivileges: No freelancer hassles,eventful employment opportunitiesHindrances: Criminal status.LanguageA number of languages can be heard inthe north. Those that are most importantfor the Western Alliance are listed below.Thyatian: Thyatian is the courtlanguage for every northern kingdomsave the Lowland Roags in the farnorthwest.Roag: Roag is a multiracial languagespoken in the west. The most commonspeakers today are hill giants. Old Roagserves as the cant of local druids.13

SOCIETYEssurian: Learned scholars maintainthe Essurian language, sometimes calledGhyrian. The mages of the High Collegeuse Essurian as a cant.Barkyip: This is the common koboldtongue in the Hills of Parthenal.Elvish (Lothenar, Vyalian,Parthenal): With only a few dozenspeakers, the Lothenar dialect isconsidered dead. Parthenal is maintainedby independent groups of elves andfellow humans in Parthenal and the GreatOlde Woode. Elves in the “civilized”areas have the Vyalian accent.Gnomish: Gnomes have made theirway into the region. Preservation of theracial language is waning except in theWestern Forest.Hymsprach: Commonly known toother races as Giantish, Hymsprach is thelanguage for all true giant-folk in thenorth (fire and larger).Meggaran: This is a multiracial,Denagothian-based language spoken inthe Swamp of the Beast.Shonak: This is a human languageheard on the tundra to the north.Hillbanic: This is the multiraciallanguage of the Hillban tribes. It issometimes referred to as Skeleton BoneOrcish.A smattering of other Known Worldlanguages accompanied Thyatian.Econonomics andGovernanceDespite the Thyatians’ best efforts, theycould never get the northern kingdoms toabandon the Essurian bit system. Forsimplicity, one bit is equal in weight toone standard coin. The Scarlet City andDeep Hollow mine copper, while silvercan be panned in parts of the Kaganus.No gold lodes have been found anywherein the north, so any gold bits are fromforeign sources. A zinc-nickel alloymade in several communities serves thedenominational role of a half-copper, butoutside nations will not accept it. Barteris also very common.The Western Alliance is even moreremoved from the outside world than isGhyr, but some nascent trade is filteringfrom the east. Leehan speculators arecertain to appear in the next few years.See the sections on individual nations fortheir particular economic situations.Except for the Lowland Roags, eachkingdom’s ruler is nominally advised bya Royal Council composed of the rankednobility, a Church representative, andministers and knights of the regent’schoosing. Local governance is left toseneschals and other proxies. Sheriffs orbailiffs are appointed by the local lord.Taxation schemes are currently uniformacross the north. The remainder of localfunding derives from fines and tolls.Counts ordinarily offer their company’sservice for one month, but those in theWestern Alliance have recently begun tosubmit scutage (shield payment) equal tothe Duke’s fee in lieu of service. Subfeudallords do not pay the titled chargeto the crown; however, their liege maydemand some form of compensation tocover their own costs.Tax Amt. AssessedSubject of Lord 6 cb Monthly… of Ranked Lord +3nb MonthlySales (on business) 3nbper sbAnnual(Late Fall)National Tax 6eb Sum. Sol.Titled Land 100 eb AnnuallyBaron/Duke 150 eb AnnuallyThose living outside of a lord’s domaingenerally pay only the king’s tax, butsupport for local constabulary can be ashigh as 15 coppers per month in smallareas. Individuals with multiple chargesmust meet each obligation in full.Crime and PunishmentThe criminal codes of the kingdoms arelargely identical to that found in Thyatisand Karameikos in the Known World.Three important innovations reflect thelocal history of the region.Branding is used for thieves and thoseconvicted as worshippers of Idris andStodos. Worshippers also forfeit allpossessions and holdings. Thepunishment of the cults is not as active inthe Western Alliance.Next, adultery is punished by a week inthe stockade for both participants.Wintertime convictions are punished inthe late spring. Adultery with the queen,or the king if his position is by consort, isconsidered treason punishable by burningat the stake.Appeals to Trial by Combat are onlyused in the Kingdom of 200 Knights.Generic Military UnitsSeveral similar military units appear inthe Western Alliance nations. Theseforces are listed here for commonreference.Typical Count’s CompanyPersonnel: 15 mounted knights, 15mounted men-at-armsNon-combat Personnel: 15Leadership: Banner knight (F9)Troop Class: EliteBR 212Typical Baron’s CompanyPersonnel: 1 mounted knight, 10 men-atarms,15 soldiersNon-combat Personnel: 3Leadership: Banner knight (F9)Troop Class: Below AverageBR 52Typical Independent CompanyPersonnel: 20 soldiers or 20 archersNon-combat Personnel: 0 to 10Leadership: Banner man-at-arms (F3)Troop Class: Below AverageBR 54 (64)Typical Town GuardTown Guards will only participate inlocal defense. Town guards do not existat a location if a military unit is listed asperforming constabulary duties.Personnel: 25 F1 with swordLeadership: F3Troop Class: PoorBR 23Typical MilitiaSuch a militia can be put together within2 weeks from neighboring homesteadsand town residents. A militia will onlyparticipate in local defense.Personnel: 50 normal men and elvesLeadership: F3Troop Class: UntrainedBR 1014

THE KINGDOM OF WEST HAVENInspiration: Chaucerian EnglandRuler: King Limakhan I HawkinsOverview: West Haven is a modernkingdom whose cultural identity is tied tothe Known World. The Glantriananglaise have had a profound role inestablishing the character of the kingdom,particularly Wexham and Landsbury.The nation is situated in the southwestof the Alliance near the Borean Tier andthe Wildlands. West Haven rose toprominence during the Prism Wars underQueen Mary and King Caradoc.In contrast, the Alliance War provedcostly. The kingdom lost its king andcrown prince as well as Brest, Sorchester,and Serleans. The current king,Limakhan, has slowly rebuilt WestHaven to a position of strength.Today the nation is beset by themachinations of external lords, such asPhillip of Marabone, and an internalthreat in the guise of Warden ErnstZiegler. The annoying gnome-koboldfrictions of the south have the potential todraw in the inhabitants of the Great OldeWoode and the Hills of Parthenal.The undead coming from the west andsouthwest are the greatest danger to WestHaven’s survival. No one hasdetermined the cause for their presence,but it is no longer rare to hear of theirhabitation in abandoned buildings orwoods.The kingdom has three subfiefdoms:the Baronies of Wexham and Lansbury,and the County of Havaburn.HolidaysLady Hawkins Day (Yarthmont20): This day commemorates MaryHawkins rejection of a suitor chosen byher father in favor of the Roag leader,Caradoc. On this day, young ladies areallowed to choose any eligible escort forthe festival dance.MilitaryWest Haven currently has 23 knights ofrenown and 30 knights bachelor in itsservice. Half owe fealty to Havaburn,and the remainder serves King Limakhandirectly. The Garrions defend WestHaven in conjunction with one countyand two baronial companies. TheGarrisons doubles as the town guard forthe capital.The Garrisons of West HavenPersonnel: 36 mounted knights, 50mounted men-at-arms, 100 soldiers, and100 archersNon-combat Personnel: 60Leadership: Warden Ernst Ziegler (F10)Troop Class: GoodBR 125SettlementsWest Haven: The eponymous capitalhas a population composed of 3,000Known Worlders, 25 elves, 100 kobolds,10 dwarves, 200 halflings, 1,000 Roags,and 1,050 Deno-Essurians. It sits on theshores of Lake Cairn and was establishedearly by the Thyatians as a sistercommunity to Havaburn. It quickly grewinto the dominate center of the southwest.The elven contingent serves as wardensof the nearby forests, but they are not partof the military. Interestingly, the elveshave been aided by the expert knowledgeof the kobold community. West Havenproduces winter squash, fish, potatoes,and hunters bring in various game.Wexham: The baronial seat and itsenvirons are peopled by 200 KnownWorlders, 10 Vyalian elves, 50 gnomes,400 Roags, and 100 Deno-Essurians.Wexham preexisted as a Roagcommunity built atop an oldercivilization’s ruin, but its current guisewas conceived by an Anglaise traveler,the Earl of Wexham. Marginally isolatedfrom the rest of the north, Wexham bearsthe brunt of West Haven’s undeadincursions. Members of the gnomishcommunity often enter into the no-man’sforest for scuffles with the kobolds ofWest Haven.Havaburn: The hamlet of Havaburncontains 300 Known Worlders, 700Roags, 25 elves, and 200 Deno-Essurians. Havaburn is the oldestsettlement in the southwest. WestHaven’s success drained Havaburn ofmany of its residents. It was revitalizedas a military headquarters during thePrism and Alliance Wars.Krythonia: Krythonia (200 KnownWorlders, 500 Roags, and 100 Deno-Essurians) is a Roag settlement that alsosuffered under West Haven’s creation,but later immigrants infused a new lifeinto this cattle village. Krythonia is partof the County of Havaburn, but there isno subinfeudination of the village (i.e. itis not a barony).Lansbury: Lansbury (700 KnownWorlders, 50 dwarves, 100 Deno-Essurians) was created by the Thyatiansduring the massive earthworks projectthat resulted in the Taralon Channel.Today, most residents fish or crab,though some raise goats and cattle in thesouthern grass knolls. The people ofLansbury are bewildered by the oddbehavior of the Baroness, Lady Angela.Smaller communities: Anadditional 1,000 people live within thekingdom’s borders. Most are in the southaround Lake Cairn and the RiverKagunus. A lesser number reside nearLansbury. Only a handful of homesteadsline the interior trailways.In total, the Kingdom of West Havenholds 10,100 individuals (5,000 KnownWorlders, 50 Vyalian elves, 50 gnomes,50 dwarves, 200 halflings, 3,100 Roags,1,550 Deno-Essurians, and 100 kobolds).EconomyWest Haven is the only kingdom in thenorth that was able to implement anofficial coinage over the traditionalEssurian-bit system. Copper and silverare panned out of the Kaganus and gointo the penny and the crown,respectively. Some Thyatian coins stillcirculate, but coins of other metals arenot minted.Relations with OtherNationsFavorable: West Haven maintainsgood relations with Deep Hollow andGreendale in the extreme east. Mosttrade has been coordinated by Lansbury’sdwarven community. Preservatives andcure-dried meats are exchanged forprecious stones and horses.Friendly: West Haven is on fair termswith Snowden. Despite the proximity ofthe two kingdoms, there is little trade –mostly annual timber shipments for coin15

THE KINGDOM OF WEST HAVENor mutton.Neutral: West Haven is indifferent tothe Kingdoms of Lowland Roags andMany Colors. It is studiously neutral inregards to the 200 Knights and Ghyr.Unfriendly: West Haven has poorrelations with the Great Olde Woode andTaralon. Taralon is blamed for startingthe Alliance War that cost West Havenhalf of its holdings and for stirring upreligious strife. Difficulties with theGreat Olde Woode stem from thegnomish-kobold conflict and land-userights.Animals and MonstersSettlements and the GeneralInterior: cow, goat, pig, oxen, falcon,fungoid, brownie, kobold (south only),gnome (south only), human, elf, halfling,dwarf (north only), doll golem, snowgeese, chicken, crow, skeleton, zombie,ghost, ghoul, wight, lesser banshee, lesserphantom, possession, pookaThe Western Forest: normal andgiant elk, giant centipede, rattlesnake,giant wood spider, lynx, dire wolf,normal and giant owl, normal bat, giantskunk, gnome, kobold, skeleton, zombie,ghoul, wight, ghost, fungoid, quail,pheasant, turkey, giant ermine and mink,grizzly bear, pernicorn, falcon, smallgreen dragonTaralon Channel: giant crab,phygorax, spectre, clear jelly, weed eel,robberfly, water weirdPersonalitiesKing Limakhan: F4. When theAlliance War erupted, Limakhan was thesecond son of King Edwin Hawkins.Edwin and his eldest son were slain in thefighting, and the coronation of Limakhanwas recognized only after West Havenaccepted membership in the Alliance. Inthe intervening years, Limakhan hasstrove to be a just king. The King hasfive children: three daughters (Beatrice,Anne, Arelina) and two young sons(Harold, Joseph).Princess Arelina: NW. Arelina is theyoungest daughter of King Limakhan.The sixteen year-old is shedding herdemure nature and will grow into a hottempered, commanding, and sharptonguedwoman. Arelina’s hair is longand brown, which stands out against hergowns of West Haven blue.Ernst Ziegler: F10. Ziegler is theWarden of the Garrisons, a position thatcombines the generalcy with certaindomestic oversights. Ziegler hails from aline of Hattian footmen, though hismother is anglaise. A stalwart defenderof West Haven, the Warden harborsresentments toward King Limakhan andhas been plotting a coup.Penelope of West Haven: C12,Int7, Con8, C. Penelope is the Bishop ofWest Haven and an older lady whoexudes timeless beauty and grace.Outside of her official duties, the Bishopkeeps to herself, abandoning the formalblack garb of her office for a flatteringtan. She favors the Monks of Temaraire(see Gaz F4), and views her personalprofits are a sign of favor from He WhoWatches. Penelope’s armor is gilded,and rumors circulate that she holds afiend in bondage. She would not partakeof Ziegler’s coup, but neither would sheoppose it without explicit orders from theArchbishop.Equipment: club+2Angela Fletcher, Baroness ofLansbury: NW. Angela is the granddame of the lake communities, but hermental stability has deteriorated since themysterious death of her husband, the lateBaron Jessup. Angela is convinced thathe was murdered, and she often scrawls“murder” on the walls of the city, hopingto draw out the killers. Despite theoverall mental decline, Angela remainsvery perceptive to small details.Charles Thatcher, Baron ofWexham: F2. Charles is the first Baronof Wexham, though he prefers the title“Earl.” The baron gained control overthe region 30 years ago for service toKing Edwin I. He encouraged gnomishsettlements to the south and west ofWexham, hoping they would producesome technical marvels to combat therising undead problem. Those hopeshave been lost, as the gnomes seem moreintent on harassing the kobolds in WestHaven.Bors, Count of Havaburn: F7.Bors’s family led Havaburn before theThyatians’ arrival, after which they wereexiled. Bors’s father reasserted thefamily’s authority after the withdrawal.Bors was the Warden of the Garrisonsduring the last war, and he was relievedof those duties in its aftermath. TheCount is loyal to the kingdom, but theloss of his position still stings. Now 62,Bors is trying to reacquire Sorchesterthrough marriage.Rusak: Magician 13 (alternatively,MU4). Rusak is a master illusionist thatplies his trade among the westernkingdoms. He has a prickly sense ofhonor, and those who cross him will findthemselves victims of a humiliatingrevenge. Rusak is driven by the need forfame and fortune. During his travels, themagician often adopts specific guises,such as Kirkenny of Loch Glenfirg, astudent of Magister Throrogast in Balais– who is himself another guise of Rusak.Turef: NM. Turef is a loyal servant tothe royal family. He dotes on PrincessArelina as if she were his own.Petrof: F10, N, Str 17, Int8, Cha 7.Petrof is a lieutenant in the Garrisons.Despite many years of service, Petroffound it difficult to rise in the militaryleadership. Warden Ziegler has beenmanipulating this slow, outcast soldier,and he now has his complete trust.Equipment: Sword+2, shield+2,arrows+2, horn of blasting.16

THE KINGDOM OF WEST HAVENBerklai: F4, Int 16 (6 in AC5). Berklaihails from Landsbury where he earned areputation as a duelist. He cuts a dashingfigure with his feathered hat, light armorand a buckler shield opposite his saber.Awas: Magician8, Str8, Dex 17. Awasis an accomplished magician in WestHaven who specializes in targeting tricksand often employs a bullseye lantern inhis routine. He adds to the illusion bydonning an eyepatch over his (functional)left eye and leaning upon a quarterstaff.Equipment: dust of disappearance.Triak: C5, Dex 17, Con 16. Triak is theassistant to Bishop Penelope and runsmost of the day-to-day tasks of theclergy. He is an earnest man who worriesthat the bishop may need to be replaced.Equipment: splint mailPenchuri: T4, N, Dex 18. Penchuri isa half Thyatian-half Darokinian roguewanted by the Theives’ Guild in Ghyr forunauthorized activities that resulted in theloss of a smuggling cell. Now alone inthe west, Penchuri is trying to become abetter man.Equipment: boots of elvenkindKuat: F3 (Ranger3). Kuat is a Roagfrom the Great Olde Woode. Adventureand the desire for knighthood broughthim into the lands of the Alliance, and heis slowly learning the ways of a “true”fighter.Equipment: cloack of elvenkind, studdedleather, hawkSaudura: M3, N. Saudura is a minorhedge wizard who lives with her blackcat outside of Wexham. She views theworld as conspiring against women, andthe spinster occasionally wears a falsebeard and poses as a man on travels.Teman: C4, Cha8. Teman is a Deno-Essurian templar of He Who Watches.She is often mistaken as a man due to hercropped hair and masculine attire. Shemaintains the use of the Essurianceremonial head guard and incense stick.Ambil: T3. Ambil is a young thief fromHavaburn with a knack for escapingcapture. There is a standing warrant forhis arrest in Sorchester, but the bounty istoo low to interest hunters.Equipment: ring of protection +2, oil ofslipperinessRusak’s Vision (Levels 1-7)This is a series of basic to mid-expertadventures caused by the machinations ofRusak and Warden Ziegler. Thecharacters begin at West Haven or one ofthe other settlements during a LadyHawkins Day festival.Charlatan: The characters are in WestHaven for the festival. Much of theaction comes from negotiating the socialwaters of the festival: food fights andscuffles between gnome and koboldchildren, pursuit by infatuated maidens,commoner tourney list options (archeryand wrestling), and thieves. Theentertainment is provided by Rusak –actually an illusory Rusak. The magicianposes as another street performer, busilyfleecing the people with the aid ofaccomplices while the illusory versionacts on stage. The festival is meant to bea roleplaying opportunity, but ultimatelythe characters should realize (or beinformed) that someone is robbing thepeople and put a stop to it. Interferencewith his accomplices will earn Rusak’sire.Return of the Undead: While inWest Haven or Wexham, the party comesacross a funeral procession for an oldlady that died. Numerous graves havebeen disturbed, and the family worriesthat robbers will strike their dame. Theyhire the party as guards for the graveyard.Grave robbers have been working thearea on behalf of one of Rusak’s alteregos, but lesser corporeal undead havewandered into the area. Worse, ghoulsare feeding at the graveyard.The Kidnapping of PrincessArelina: Word spreads quickly thatsomeone has kidnapped Princess Arelina.Ziegler’s forces have the culprits trappedin an abandoned home (the House ofTowers) in the southern woods. Thekidnappers, Jahat and Jelek, threaten tokill the princess if the army moves onthem. This event has been orchestratedby Ziegler and Rusak. The partyspecifically has been hired to rescue theprincess, but the house is stocked withregional monsters and undead from theprevious encounter. If the characterssucceed, Ziegler’s actions would seemprudent. If they fail, one piece of theroyal family is removed and theprincess’s death will be on the heads ofthe party. Ziegler will “kill” Rusakshould he be captured, but Jahat andJelek will be bound over for execution.She Wrote “Murder”: Assuming theparty rescued Arelina, part of theirreward is a vacation to Lansbury. LadyAngela has been busy scribbling“Murder” on the town walls. Herchamberlain believes Baron Jessup’sdeath was accidental, but he hires theparty to investigate and hopefully easehis lady’s troubled mind. Others thinkthat the writing on the wall is a goodidea, and the spirit of Lord Jessup hasplans of his own.Framed!: The party has garned fame,and Rusak is ready to humiliate them.Using his illusory powers, he frames theparty for several crimes in Havaburn andKrythonia, including murder. There islittle hope of the party proving theirinnocence, and they must escape thekingdom.Rusak’s Revenge: With the heroes ofWest Haven gone, Warden Ziegler planshis palace coup. In a year or so, theWarden will kill the royal family. Rusakmakes it appear that the party wasresponsible and that the king electedZiegler as his successor. The only royalsurvivor, Princess Arelina, witnessed thehorror and has fled the palace. Rusak andseveral accomplices, including Phillip ofMarabone, now hunt her. And their pathruns back to the party who must save thehaughty princess.Arelina’s War: Arelina has beensecured from her persuers, but the coup isfar from put down. The determinedprincess begins to raise an army. Thiswar is open-ended, and Arelina’s victoryis not assured, even with the party’ssupport. The army is initially loyal toZiegler. Personal entreaties can bringLansbury to Arelina’s side, but Wexhamand Havaburn see a civil war’s long termweakening. If the war continues toolong, the Kingdom of 200 Knights willmove in to establish peace, somethingthat may be forced by Phillip ofMarabone, or his family.17

THE MISTY KINGDOM OF TARALONInspiration: sub-Roman periodcoupled with a resurgence of druidicculturesRuler: Queen Mabd IIOverview: Many could be excused forforgetting that Taralon existed. Thekingdom occupies an “island” within theTaralon Channel. Mists and fogsconstantly roil across the water’s surfaceand obscure distant glances of thekingdom. Only the baleful shepherd’spipes give evidence to the land’spresence.Originally, Taralon was hilly landoccupied by a few Roag shepherds. Asthe Thyatian earthwork projecttransformed the land, it and other smallerislets separated from the region.Those who settled Taralon soughtescape from outside hassles. This senseof removal continues to this day, and thepeople hide their secrets as well as themists hide Taralon.The kingdom was forged by thelegionnaire Nemius and his wifeMawgren. The land was initially part ofan association with other Channelcommunities – the Taralon League.Membership changed during the Wars,and today, the Kingdom of Taralon isrestricted to the Channel interior.The next ruler, Mabd I, was part of asecret resurgence in Roag MacCullen.The movement was particularly strongamong the Roag women, and it wasmarried to a matriarchal vision.Adherents increasingly viewed theKnown World faiths and that of He WhoWatches as threats, but their minoritystatus forced them to compromise with orconvert the outsiders.Taralon precipitated the Alliance Warwhen Mabd I sent letters of alliance toseveral communities. During the war, thequeen surreptitiously urged followers ofRoag MacCullen everywhere to fight theKnown Worlders and the Ghyran priests.As a peace condition, Mabd I was forcedto abdicate in favor of her daughter.HolidaysLost Souls Day (Ambyrmont 28):On this day, the people mourn those whohave died in the last year. Small candleboats are placed in the Channel to lightthe way for souls who need help movingforward. Many of these boats make theirway to Lute Point before extinguishing.MilitaryToday there is only a small company ofsoldiers deployed. None are knights.The men spend half their time bolsteringthe royal herders and tillers.The Royal Company of TaralonPersonnel: 50 men-at-arms, 100 soldiers,and 50 boltmen, 50 archersLeadership: Captain (F7)Troop Class: Below AverageBR 67SettlementsTaralon: 800 Known Worlders, 75dwarves, 100 Roags, and 100 Deno-Essurians inhabit the capital, Taralon. Itsits atop the remnants of the local hillcomplex from which the Channel wascarved. Despite the small population, thetown is well defended. Shepherds andgoatherds are common occupations.Corugan: Corugan (100 KnownWorlders, 200 Roags, and 100 Deno-Essurians) is a small fishing villageopposite Snowden. The village sits atopthe only land capable of grazing cattle, sothe residents also maintain about 35 head.Smaller Settlements: Piker’s Ferryis a small settlement (30) that handlestrade and travel to Balais. The remaining800 subjects of the Misty Kingdom workthe waters.Other Places of InterestLute Point: Lute Point is a rockyoutcrop in the north near the CeruleanCity. Drowning victims in the northernChannel often wash up here, as do thecandle boats on Lost Souls Day.Angwenness: This is the region of thesouthwestern marshlands. Undead havebeen sighted here recently.EconomyTaralon uses the Essurian bit-system ofprecious metals, but most trade is throughbarter. The royal income is only 20% incurrency, with the remainder in the formof goods and services.The productive capacity of Taralonrests with the herders and fishers. Fish,wool, mutton, and goat’s milk are theprimary exports. The land is incapable ofsupporting massive agriculture, and thereis little infrastructure for other industries.The Taralonians have developed onething that stands them apart from the restof the north: the creation of harpists,pipers, and bardic colleges. The dwarvencommunity in Taralon has beenimportant in this development, despitetheir “Known World” taint.Relations with OtherNationsFavorable: Taralon is very welldisposed towards the Kingdom ofLowland Roags. The Queen Mother senta wagon of goods to Roagendoch whenshe heard of the tarring and feathering ofits bishop.Friendly: Both the Queen and theQueen Mother have been makingovertures to the inhabitants of the GreatOlde Woode. They are looking oncemore to create an alliance. Queen MabdII has also developed a correspondencewith the Duke of Mork in Greendale.Because of the kingdom’s dwarvenminority, Taralon has made an effort towork with Deep Hollow. The Queen isparticularly interested in obtaining someof the prismatic stones coming fromDeep Hollow’s mines.Neutral: Taralon is neutral towardsSnowden and the Kingdoms of ManyColors and 200 Knights. Taralon’sdefensive position is precarious at themoment, and the queen cannot afford toanger these neighbors.Unfriendly: Taralon is at odds withWest Haven. It also does not care forGreendale or Ghyr.Animals and MonstersTaralon Channel: weed eel,robberfly, clear jelly, slime worm, giantleech, giant freshwater slug, giant catfish,giant crab, water weird, phygorax,banshee, spectre, phantom, kal-maru(ship’s bane), water elemental, nixie(unique)18

THE MISTY KINGDOM OF TARALONAngwenness Bogs: robberfly, waterweird, banshee, spectre, skeleton,zombie, clear jelly, spectral hound,fungoid, bogle, slime wormCentral Highlands: sheep, cow,goat, earth elemental, bogle, whitedragon (passing), bogle, sidhe, dire wolf.PersonalitiesQueen Mabd II: DR9, N. As part ofthe Western Alliance peace settlement,Mabd II replaced her mother as ruler ofTaralon. Her birth was a cause of somegossip as her parents were never wed.The current queen is more shrewd in theways of modern politics than was hermother, but she is committed to the samedream of a Roag-druidic matriarchy.Mabd, the Queen Mother:Druid16, N. The former queen lives inthe palace under house arrest, but sheholds sway with a sizeable portion of thepopulation. She tries to “help” herdaughter increase Taralon’s position andbring about the expulsion of outsiders.Mabd’s reign began shortly after thePrism Wars’ conclusion. Rumorspersisted during the Armistice that shehad sired a child while in the east, but noone has ever been able to substantiatethis.Kenwyn, Prince: NM. Kenwyn is theonly child of Queen Mabd II. His motherand grandmother were greatlydisappointed that he was not a daughter.His personal and royal growth neglected,the prince has no sense of himself.Bishop Price: C7. Price is the rankingmember of the Church of Ghyr in thekingdom. In addition to his clericalduties, Price keeps tabs on the QueenMother’s machinations for ArchbishopLoftos. Price does not yet suspect MabdII, an oversight which may prove fatal.Olwynn the White-Hand: T12, N,Cha8. Olwynn is a 6’ tall man whoseblond hair streaks gray. Wearing thecity’s dark green cape and yellow coat,he fancies himself a displaced noblemanfrom the Verdant City. Once he was aranking member the Theives’ Guild, butdisagreements with the Master Thiefcompelled the White-Hand to leave Ghyr.Olwynn then built up a small networkthat operates in Taralon, Snowden, andRoagendoch. He recently agreed tosubordinate his activities to theleadership of Philip of Marabone.Olwynn is distrustful of the clergy, but heis true to his word.Equipment: dagger+2Balin, Earth-son: D5, C. Balin is amember of the Taralon dwarvencommunity under the sway of the QueenMother. He has abandoned his faith inKagyar for Roag MacCullen. He is atroublemaker, but he has successfullyrecruited several disenchanted dwarves.Meredith: NW. This dispossessednoble girl works as a scullery maid.Disguised in her noble garb, she caughtthe eye of Kenwyn during a recent ball.Meredith seeks a return to nobility, aprince at her side, and her father’sapproval.Enara: NW. Enara is a 15 year-oldpeasant girl who was almost drowned byMabd I as a newborn to avert a propheticvision wherein Enara saved or destroyedthe Taralon royal line. A local fisherfound her floating in the Channel nearLute Point and raised her as his own.Maiden of the Lake: The Maiden ofthe Lake is a nixie who resides in theChannel. She grants wishes to those whoresist her temptations, but at the price ofa curse. The Maiden combs her hair witha golden comb with a pearl handle.The Secrets of Taralon(Levels 1-7)In this arc, the story begins innocentlyenough as the search for a lost girl, buther disappearance was not happenstance.The Queen Mother’s plots rise to fruition,and the party are wild cards in thisconflict.The Lost Child: With winter fastapproaching, a young child has run offinto the Angwenness. Strange shapes arewalking in the mists, and the girl hides ata strange stone structure, waiting forrescue. Carved within the stone are threecircles joined.The Setting Son: Lost Souls Dayapproaches, and a festival in the capital isheld beforehand. The local priest invitesthe party and introduces them to theBishop. They can also meet Meredithand the Prince, although meeting theMabds may prove difficult. Festivitiesare frayed as bogles let loose on thecelebrants, thieves steal royal items, anda silent hunter seeks Kenwyn.Enara: the Queen Mother has learnedthat Enara lives. She sends the child toan ally to have her killed, but the partyintercepts the execution orders. Theymust safeguard the child, and discoverher destiny.From the Dragon’s Maw: A maidenwas almost drowned by her sister, astudent of the Queen Mother. Now thedamsel is guarded at the waters’ edge bya dragon waiting to feast.The Bishop’s Request: BishopPrice quietly asks the party to look intothe symbol of the joined circles that theydiscovered on their first adventure. Butnosing into elemental matters can bedangerous.The Soul Cages: As Bishop Priceponders what the party has brought him,the PCs are beseeched to help with theMaiden of the Lake and free thosecaptive in her Soul Cages – but theMaiden might be able to help deal withthe Mabds.A Troublesome Priest: The QueenMother has reached her limit with theBishop and sends assassins to hisresidence. The party can try to preventthe murder or recover his last messagesto Loftos and get word out to the otherkingdoms that trouble brews behind themist. All while the Queen declares themcriminals and mobs wander the streets.19

THE KINGDOM OF SNOWDENFriendly: West Haven is a limited tradepartner for Snowden (mutton and coin fortimber), but the two nations have alwayshad a cordial relationship. As a counterbalanceto the Kingdom of Many Colors,Snowden has been cultivating arelationship with the court at Dauphins.A royal marriage could cement this.Neutral: In times past, Snowden andTaralon were close allies, but Mabd I’sactions and subsequent anti-Watcherprograms put King Claudius’s rule over aprimarily Roag population in jeopardy.Snowden has little interaction with Ghyrand Deep Hollow in the east or theinhabitants of the Great Olde Woode. Itis studiously neutral towards theKingdom of Many Colors.Unfriendly: The dispensation ofBethfield is a sore point betweenSnowden and Roagendoch. Relationshave further soured over Cador Hen’sexpulsion of the Church of Ghyr.Animals and MonstersTaralon Channel: weed eel,robberfly, clear jelly, slime worm, giantleech, giant freshwater slug, giant catfish,water weird, kal-maru (ship’s bane),water elemental, nixie (unique, seeTaralon)Bush Flatlands: insect swarm(summer only), shaggy auroch, snowleopard (winter only), falcon, pig, cow,goat, wychglow, fungoid, kobold, goblin,hobgoblin, bugbear, yowler, arctic wolf,ice wolf, grouse, giant ermine and mink,white and blue dragon (passing), ghost,ghostly horde (Bethfield), possession,arctic fox, arctic hareWestern March: skeleton, zombie, icezombie, ghoul, frost salamander (winteronly), white dragon (passing), agarat,fungoid, grouse, snow geese, arctic fox,arctic harePersonalitiesKing Claudius: F3, N. Claudius hasruled Snowden since the Prism Wars.Despite his age, he maintains his physicalvigor, but his mental and emotionalfaculties are slowly eroding. He adoreshis three daughters, but he fears that theydo not love him in return. His Roag wife,Alina, died of the flu thirteen years ago.Princess Sylvia: NW. At 23, Sylviais the youngest daughter of Claudius, andthe one who most loves her father. Shedoes not care for the idea of an arrangedmarriage, but Sylvia knows that Snowdenneeds help if it is to continue to exist.Princess Cordelia: MU4 (WiseWoman 4), C. Cordelia is the eldestchild of Claudius. She craves control ofthe entire kingdom behind a vaneer ofsweetness, and she is willing to kill kithand kin to achieve it. Cordelia isbetrothed to Lamerok of Bethfield.Princess Megan: Rake1, N. Megan isthe King’s middle child. She resemblesher late mother, and is always the belle ofthe ball. The 24 year old currently has acrush on Fallon, Captain of the Guard.Lamerok of Bethfield: F8.Lamerok is a knight bachelor in serviceto King Claudius. For the last threeyears, he has served as regent atBethfield. Lamerok is concerned aboutaggression from the Cerulean City. Heloves Cordelia, but he is blind to theambitions of the princess.Sir Fallon, Captain of theGuard: F10. Fallon is in charge of thedefense of the town of Snowden and thewestern march. The knight finds Meganattractive and her dowry even more so.Reyns, Lord Chamberlain: NM.Reyns coordinates the domestic affairsfor King Claudius. He is a loyal servantto the family.Trystan: T7, C. Trystan is theillegitimate son of the Lord Chamberlain.Though his father accepted him yearsago, Trystan nurses a deep grudge againsthis father and the King who employshim.Dame Elaine: F7. Dame Elaine is aknight bachelorette who currentlyoversees the Outriders. She suffersnightmares stemming from an encounterwith an agarat two summers ago andwakes in cold sweats. She is loyal to thekingdom, but she is ready to be done withthis tour and retire to Snowden.Bishop Kay: C6. Bishop Kay is theranking priest in the Kingdom ofSnowden. He corresponds often withBishop Price, his counterpart in Taralon.Kay is not above hiring adventurers toharass the Lowland Roags to the north,but he would disavow any knowledgeshould they be caught.Brother Bevis: C2, Str8. Bevis is a talland lean monk with a well-groomedbeard. Beneath his dark robes rests chainmail. The 29 year-old monk is merciful,and he studied at Dauphins before beingsent to Snowden. Despite his incompletetraining, Bevis has helped many of theBethfielders to see the light of He WhoWatches.Gwynne Cutpurse: T6, Int7, Dex17.Gwynne is an attractive ficture of theSnowden taverns, quietly slitting thebottom of drunkards’ purses. Her auburnhair drapes heavy bangs over herforehead, hiding the branded “T”. Thisscar came courtesy of the hated jailers atBalais. Gwynne has green eyes, andoften wears sky-blue and gray garments.Equipment: sling+1The Madness of KingClaudius (Levels 1-8)The pressures and threats to Snowdenhave slowly been eroding the stability ofKing Claudius. Trystan plays on thesefailings to turn the royal family againstone another. As the party grows instature, they can come to see the madnessand either avert disaster or rectify thematter.The 6 th of Klarmont: In honor of the20 th anniversary of the battle, KingClaudius orders inordinately lavishcelebrations including a reenactment.21

THE KINGDOM OF SNOWDENBut Trystan switches the Cerluean actorswith mercenaries who will ruin thefestivities and endanger everyone.The Kidnapping of PrincessSylvia: King Claudius considersmarrying his youngest daughter to PrinceFrederick of Dauphins. This is apotential threat to Sir Fallon, Cordelia,and Trystan, and one of them arranges forher kidnapping in Balais. Evidence is leftindicting the chamberlain or anotherinnocent target, and King Claudius thinksthat perhaps Sylvia faked the incidentherself. Bishop Kay asks the party toinvestigate, and their first stop should bewith the tavern wench Gwynne Cutpursewho can point the party in the rightdirection.A Cold Death: An Outrider patrol hasreached Snowden with news of anundead sighting. The Black Guard hasbeen mobilized, to confront the horde.Unfortunately, a few specimen approachfrom a different route, and the party is allthat stands between them and the peopleof Snowden.Patrolling the Outerlands: SirFallon arranges for the fighters to receiveman-at-arms status or bachelorhoods, asappropriate, in recognition of theirservice to Snowden. He futher arrangesfor the party to sign on for a tour with theOutriders, hoping that the undead candispose of these heroes.Outcast of Sylvia: Sylvia has beenexiled by her father, as has the LordChamberlain. He then divides his landsbetween his daughters Megan andCordelia. It’s a short road to theCerulean City, but a lot can happen. Theparty must ensure the princess is escortedsafely to the border.Two Weddings and a Funeral:Convinced that only Cordelia and Meganare worthy daughters, he agrees to theirmarriage to Lamerok and Fallon,respectively (or perhaps a PC). The spiritof the king’s late wife has started to walkthe halls and threatens to disrupt theprecedings. The party must put her spiritto rest as they dig deeper into the politicsof Snowden.Dragon Hunt: King Claudius has splithis realm between Cordelia and Megan.He wants to spend his time huntingdragons in the west and asks the party toaccompany him. Someone ensures thatthe king gets all of the excitement forwhich he had hoped.The Bastard’s Gambit: Frictionsbegin to arise between the new royalcouples and with Claudius. The partymust decide which of three power blocksto support and prevent the rise of Trystan.A wildcard is Princess Sylvia who maymarry one of the Fredericks and bring aforeign army into the Kingdom.Call of the Wild(Levels 1-7)This adventure arc is for characters in theneighboring Kingdom of Lowland Roags(see the next section).The party begins as part of one of thenomad tribes among the Lowland Roags.Humanoid and giant characters arecertainly appropriate. The harsh troublesof the wild lead the characters toRoagendoch and beyond as Laodegan ismade heir to Cador Hen.Wolf Pack: The characters are part ofgroup moving north into the Strathgleddafter the thaw of late spring. Thecharacters must protect their herds ofsheep and aurochs from wolves and othergrassland predators.Buzz Fear: With summer approaching,the standing water pools have come aliveas larval dragonflies and other insectsready for adulthood. These nuisances arenothing compared to the giant arctic beescoming out of the ground, and they needfood.The Test of Rivals: The Day WithoutNight can prove to be a heartache for theyoung men and women. Hurt feelingsfrom the celebration lead to a challengeto race into the deep north and retrievepolar bear pelt and meat. Complicatingmatters, during this time of year, thepolar bear’s fur is brownish, and thecharacters can easily confuse a grizzly fortheir intended quarry. During their hunt,the PCs may sight dragons in thedistance.Eye to the Clouds: The tribe’s pathcurves into the west as autumn arrives,and the party comes across a strangeman, Claudius Cloudgazer. The wizardis studying the clouds as a means offinding the the legendary World End’sWell. But Claudius isn’t the only onesearching – a murderous baldandar islooking too. The party must save themage from the illusory fiend.The Winter of Discontent: Theprevious adventure drew the party far offthe tribe’s standard route, and an earlywinter separates them. Their only hope isto reach one of the provisioned posthouses and huddle down. The charactersaren’t the only ones seeking shelter.Wild animals, undead, and one or moredragons call this post house home. Ifthey can survive the winter, the party willhave to journey to Roagendoch beforebeing able to locate their tribe.The New Tribe: The spring thaw hasreleased the party from their frozenentombment. After reachingRoagendoch, they learn that their band issomewhere to the east and having troublewith a Free Roag band led by a large hillgiant. The party can accompany PrinceLaodegan in dealing with this force.Victory could lead to another bandpledging to Cador Hen, while defeatcould cost them their family. Thisadventure can be developed into acampaign to bring Roag tribes under theauthority of Roagendoch.Ione’s Choice: Cador Hen hasdecided to marry Ione and Laodegan, buthis daughter refuses. The king expelsMark and places Ione under house arrest.Ione want to escape to the south. Theparty can help the princess escape to thesouth (West Haven), or help Laodeganget her back. Other nations will certainlytake interest in the affairs of the LowlandRoags.22

THE KINGDOM OF LOWLAND ROAGSInspiration: Gododdin kingdoms andCatuvellauni tribeRuler: Cador IIIOverview: The Kingdom of LowlandRoags is a nation with loosely definedborders upon the western Strathgledd, asystem of grasslands and meadows belowthe tundra line. In the native Roagtongue, the kingdom is known as theRoagen Sur Kith. Most of its residentsare semi-nomadic humans andhumanoids, and the borders are thegeneral range limits of their wanderings.The eastern extensions of the Strathgleddare held by Roag tribes who do notrecognize the authority of Roagendoch.This kingdom is unique in the north.Its court language is Roag, not Thyatian,and the Church of Ghyr has no standing.The last bishop sent to Roagendoch wastarred and feathered. Goblins, kobolds,and hill giants live among the namesakeRoags.Permament and semi-permanent homesare dug into the ground, and rocks arebuilt up around the hovel. The structureis topped off with a peat roof. Thesedomiciles can be quite extensive despitetheir crudity of construction, and they canfeature flock pens, chimneys, and storagechambers. Wintering in one of theseshelters in an unpleasant experience, butone will survive the bitter cold.The first King Cador was the DucesRoagarium during most of the Thyatianperiod. Cador I made an effort tomodernize his fellow Roags whilekeeping their heritage intact. The firstcourt was at Bethfield. The king diedduring the Prism Wars, and his son,Cador II, continued to straddle thecultural divide.This belief in a merged identity was notinherited by Cador II’s son. Cador Hen,the current king, increasingly rejectedKnown World and Ghyran influences asa prince and later as king. By the time ofBethfield’s abandonment in the AllianceWar, he was committed to a purelyRoagish nation.The current capital, Roagendoch, sitsupon the Arctice Circle, and it washistorically a site of religious importancefor the Roag druids. When a new bishopwas sent by the Church a few years ago,Cador Hen tarred and feathered the poorpriest and outlawed the Church of Ghyr.HolidaysThe Day without Night: On the dayof the summer solstice, Roagendoch hasno nighttime. Various fertility rituals areinacted on this day.The Night without Day: Similarly,Roagendoch experiences no daylight onthe winter solstice. A brief outdoordance is conducted au naturel to revivethe sun for the next year.MilitaryRoagendoch maintains a moderatecompany for defense, but in times of warthe kingdom can draw upon the Roagtribes.The Lowland Roags CompanyPersonnel: 5 F3 (longsword, chain), 150F1 (short sword, heavy hide/AC6), 10goblins (short bow, hide), 25 kobolds(light crossbow), all with daggerLeadership: Laodegan (F3)Troop Class: Below AverageBR 42The Lowland Roags HostPersonnel: 10 F3 400 F1, 50 goblins, 75kobolds, 25 hill giants (clubs)Leadership: Fin Tor (F17)Troop Class: Below AverageBR 67Settlements and SitesRoagendoch: Roagendoch is the onlylarge scale settlement in the Kingdom ofLowland Roags. 1500 human Roags livealongside 100 goblins, 200 kobolds, and40 hill giants. Most raise shaggy aurochin the southern half of the kingdom andare absent during the summer and fall.The Kingdom’s remaining 1500 Roags,200 goblins, 300 kobolds, and 160 hillgiants are either fully nomadic or live inisolated homes dug into the ground. Thenomads provision the watch posts in thenorth during their travels.During summer they go as far north asthe central Shonak Tundra (beyond themap) where polar bear hunts arecommon. Spring and fall see numerousclashes between the Lowland Roags andthe nomads of Snowden or the free roagsof the east. During winter, the nomadsreturn from their journeys and may eventake shelter further south in the Kingdomof Many Colors. The residents movetheir livestock into their domiciles toavoid the winter freeze.The World End’s Well: This magicwell is hidden in the far reaches of thekingdom. Those seeking humbly mayfind the three founts of wisdom (threedisembodied heads) that grant blessingsand curses. Also, seekers may find a keyto their future (e.g. a transformed prince).The path to the Well is guarded by razorhedges that move of their own accord anda terrible wolf of massive proportions.EconomyThe kingdom is dependent on the shaggyauroch and sheep herds for food andclothing. All transactions are conductedthrough barter – Essurian bits andImperial coins are worthless to theLowland Roags.Relations with OtherNationsFriendly: The Lowland Roags arefriendly to the royal court at Taralon, thefolks of the Ivory City, and theinhabitants of the Great Olde Woode.This owes mostly to a common Roagheritage.Neutral: The kingdom has little care forany of the nations south of the Kaganus.It maintains studious neutrality towardsthe Kingdom of Many Colors to preservewintering rights for the nomads.Unfriendly: The dispensation ofBethfield has been a sore point betweenthe Lowland Roags and Snowden. Thelatter has held the village in regency for aquarter century. The kingdom is also atodds with the free Roags of the east whorefuse to join the kingdom.Hostile: The Kingdom of LowlandRoags is hostile to Ghyr andrepresentatives of the Thyatian Empire.The Lowlanders resent that they couldnot be left alone during the occupationand had their culture stripped away.23

THE KINGDOM OF LOWLAND ROAGSAnimals and MonstersYear-round: goblin, kobold, hill giant,shaggy auroch, thick wool sheep, arcticfox, arctic hare, snow owl, snow geese,yowler, snow leopard, dire wolf, arcticwolf, ice wolf, frost zombie, spectralhound, ghost, white dragon, crystaldragon, yellow/white pudding, baldandar,agaratSpring Only: wyvern, giant arctic beeSummer Only: robberfly, dragonfly,tiger beetle, fungoid, giant arctic beeAutumn Only: grizzly bear (rare)Winter only: normal and giant reindeerand caribou, polar bear (rare), apparition,frost giant (once every 10 years), Shonakhunters, frost salamander, lupin (rare)PersonalitiesCador Hen, King of the LowlandRoags: Cador III rules this wild landfrom the stone castle at Roagendoch.King Cador Hen (literally, Old KingCador) is angered at the world. His twoeldest children were believed killedduring the evacuation of Bethfield,leaving him with only his daughter, Ione.Cador Hen has since remarried, and hetakes great pride in his step-son,Ladogen.The Roag nationalism of Cador Hen isone generated by the romantic myth ofthe manly noble savage of the north.Ironically, this myth was the product ofThyatian writers whose works Cador readas a child. In the short term, both theMabds of Taralon and Carwen, theHeirophant of the Great Olde Woode, arelikely allies for the king. Should theyprove successful, however, their alliancewould not likely hold.Goddau, Queen of the LowlandRoags: F2. Goddau was the widow of aprominent Roag chief. She marriedCador Hen ten years ago and settled herpeople at Roagendoch. She has littlepatience with Ione, whom she considersprissy. Laodegan is her son by her firsthusband.Ione, Princess: C1. Ione rebelsagainst her father’s vision of a Roag onlyworld, and she is a secret follower of HeWho Watches. Ione has long brown hair,and she insists on combing out anytangles and curls that might hint of a wildRoag woman.Her father wishes her to marryLaodegan, but she intends to marry hersweetheart, Mark. This could put her inharms way, and escape to the south maybe her only hope. An exiled or escapedIone would willingly join any Church ofGhyr or Thyatian movement to “restore”the Kingdom of Lowland Roags to thefold.Laodegan, Prince: F3 Laodegan isthe ambitious stepson of Cador Hen. Hehas proven himself in skirmishes with theFree Roags in the east, and Laodegan ispopular among the people. The princejealously loves Ione, and he will brook nointerference with his intended marriage.Even offers from princesses of othernations would be rebuffed.Balen and Bagdemus: F4, T3.These sons of Cador Hen were believedlost during the Alliance War. There wereactually kidnapped and now live inSerleans as the sons of Benar.Benar: F5. Benar was once captain ofCador Hen’s guard, but was banishedafter the disasters against the CeruleanCity. Benar kidnapped Cador’s sons,Balen and Bagdemus. He now resides inSerleans as a weaponsmith.Mark: T1, Str16, Dex16. The childhoodsweetheart to Princess Ione, Mark is askilled apprentice to a local lock- andironsmith. Mark cares nothing for status,and he would be content with a peaceful,simple life.Claudius Cloudgazer: MU2 (orHakamon). This hedge wizard learnedthe dwarvish tongue in his native homeof Deep Hollow. Like other Roags,Claudius is a short man (5’3”). The 29year old is cautious, and his watery blueeyes silently speak of hurt – a mourningof his brother who died fighting theeastern Roags. The Cloudgazer has spenthis last few years searching for the Wellat the End of the World.Equipment: wand of trap detectionAmbrose the Celt: C1, Int7. Thesolid Ambrose is deeply devoted to theinterracial brotherhood of RoagMacCullen. Armed with nothing morethan leather armor and a club, Ambrosewould never do more than knock anopponent out.Mildthryth the Mild: C11 (or Dr11),Int7. Mildthryth is a woman of averageappearance who braids her brown hair ina short cap. She is the senior priestlyfigure in Roagendoch, but one cannot yetspeak of a Church of the Lowland Roags.Now 35, she wears crimson robes withwhite stripes at the collar, hem, and cuff.Equipment: mace+2Barnabas Bladecutter: T2, Int7,Wis16, Dex16, C. Barnabas is a foulindividual, equally at ease killing a manor looting his dead body. His upper lip islined by a thin moustache, and he wearsbrown and buff clothing. Southerntroubles have forced Barnabas into theStrathgledd.Equipment: hand axeFinn Tor: F17, Str19. Finn Tor is achampion among the Roags that work theStrathgledd. His fabled strength rivalsthat of a giant. He fought on behalf ofthe Cerulean City during the Battle ofBethfield but retired north to raise sheep.Finn maintains a small hovel two daysnorth of Roagendoch where he lives withhis wife. Finn Tor has answered the callagainst the western undead, the northernShonak and frost giants, the easternRoags, and the Cerulean City.AdventuresSee page XX for the adventure arc“Call of the Wild” for an example of amini-campaign in Roagen Sur Kith.24

THE KINGDOM OF 200 KNIGHTSInspiration: Brittany and Englandunder Henry II, Canterbury TalesRuler: King Thales IIOverview: Militarily, the Kingdom of200 Knights is the strongest of the Dalekingdoms. It was successful againstothers in both the Prism and AllianceWars. Its common name derives fromthe 200 chargers which won control atthe Battle of Faltings. The number ofknights (bachelor and of renown) hasfluctuated over the years, but twohundred is a good estimate for theaverage.The official name of the realm is theKingdom of Dauphins. It is one of thetwo major players within the WesternAlliance – the other is Nortopolis.The kingdom occupies the Flatlandsbetween the the Kaganus and the GreatOlde Woode. The Channel communitiesand Brest were added during the AllianceWar. The large area within the royalborders is relatively empty.Communities cling to the waterways orthe timber line. Few individualshomestead in the western interior, thoughmore do so east of Brest.A newly crowned Thales II wasunwilling to pledge to King Ganto uponthe latter’s ascension to the throne ofGhyr. With the exception of WestHaven, the other nations quicklyfollowed suit.The Kingdom of 200 Knights was alsoresponsible for initiating the AllianceWar after intercepting the Taralon lettersto Brest and the Ivory City.The cavalier tradition is strong in thekingdom, though neighboring Greendale(see Gaz F4) is considered the pinnacleof the mounted knight. Dauphins’knights spend much of their timeparticipating in tourneys at home andabroad, or dealing with troubles from theGreat Olde Woode or the giants north ofthe Kaganus.HolidaysChargers’ Day (Ambyrmont 14):On this day, the kingdom celebrates thevictory over Faltings in 945. Jousts andtourneys occur kingdom wide, though thefestivities are toned down in the east.MilitaryDauphins is able to field a large host oftroops should war again come to theDale. Among the forces are four baronialcompanies (Serleans, Balais, Brest andSorchester), and two Count’s Companies(Sentaburgh and Thosh). A hill giant andfive bugbears augment the ThoshCompany (Elite, BR 225), whileSentaburgh has two hill giants (Elite, BR240). None of these units are used asconstabulary forces.Philip of Marabone, the Baron ofBalais, has built up a second unit for bothdefense and possible offense. TheSecond Balais Guard is supplemented byengineering crews for three fixed lightcatapults and two ballistae.The Second Balais GuardPersonnel: 1 Knight of Renown, 3Knights Bachelor, 5 men-at-arms, 10soldiers, 15 pikeman, 20 boltmen, 15archers, 4 hill giantsLeadership: Captain (F9)Troop Class: GoodBR 107The Faltings Company resides in asmall keep just to the west of thecommunity. Answering directly to KingThales II, day to day control rests withthe Lord Regent. The Company does agood job at defending against incursions,but it has had difficulty preventingraiders from slipping into Deep Hollowand Greendale. The keep maintains asingle trebuchet.The Faltings CompanyPersonnel: 15 Knights of Renown, 15Knights Bachelor, 15 men-at-arms, 50soldiers, 50 archers 20 hill giantsLeadership: Lord Regent (F10)Troop Class: ExcellentBR 157The Royal Army of Dauphins is theking’s personal army. At any given timehalf of the Army is on duty. The rest aregiven leave. Dauphins is defended by 3trebuchets, 2 heavy fixed catapults, and 3ballistae.The Royal Army of DauphinsPersonnel: 50 Knights of Renown, 30Knights Bachelor, 50 mounted men-atarms,25 men-at-arms, 200 soldiers, 300archers, 20 hill giantsLeadership: King Thales II (F14)Troop Class: EliteBR 185There are two other military units inoperation within the Kingdom of 200Knights. A large number of knights andheroes are retired or errant. In times ofgreat crisis, they would offer assistance.They are good naturedly known as theBrothers Jack.25

THE KINGDOM OF 200 KNIGHTSThe Brothers JackPersonnel: 20 Knights of Renown, 35Knights Bachelor, 35 men-at-arms, 70soliders, 10 hill giants, 25 bugbearsLeadership: Banner Knight (F11)Troop Class: AverageBR 100The Sarke Mercenaries are the lastmajor unit in the kingdom. Thismercenary troop is unique in that allmembers are Ochalean. They wereoriginally brought in as a support unitduring the Thyatian period and never left.They have worked for several kingdomsover the last 60 years, but the SarkeMercenaries have refused to integrateinto the society. Their dependents travelwith them, and they encamp outside thecommunities, derisively termed SarkeTown. Currently, the organizationresides a day’s ride from Sentaburgh.The Sarke MercenariesPersonnel: 50 swordsmen, 50 archers, 50pikemen, 10 clerics, all in laquered woodarmor (AC5)Dependents: 250 women and childrenLeadership: Commander (F8)Troop Class: GoodBR 117SettlementsDauphins: Dauphins is the capital ofthe Kingdom of Two Hundred Knights.It rests on the eastern bank of the LowerKaganus a few miles past the artificialdiverter. 3,200 Known Worlders, 50dwarves, and 25 halflings are joined with1,000 Roags, 4,000 Deno-Essurians, and150 hill giants. The last wereinstrumental in creating the earthworkproject.Sentaburgh: Sentaburgh sits at acritical position along the MiddleKaganus. The trade between the twohalves of the Kingdom, and withNortopolis, passes through Sentaburgh.Today 200 Known Worlders live among600 Roags, 1,000 Deno-Essurians, and 50giants.Faltings: By right of conquest duringthe Prism Wars, the King of Dauphinsholds the title of Duke of Faltings.Neither Thales I nor Thales II has seen fitto give their regents permanent status.The village of Faltings occurs soon afterthe Dolcimer splits from the Kaganus.Those wishing to enter Deep Hollow,such as raiders, must go through thiscommunity. 200 Known Worlders, 700Roags, 1,000 Deno-Essurians, and 200hill giants thrive here.Thosh: Thosh is an old Roagsettlement that predates Maggorath.Many homesteads dot the taiga andforests to the south. Thosh andSouthpool coordinate all trade transpiringbetween the Kingdoms of Two HundredKnights and Greendale. The village ishome to 1,250 Roags, 300 Deno-Essurians, 10 giants, and –55 bugbears.The villagers are noted for producing finecarpets.Brest: 300 Known Worlders, manyAveroignians, work with 300 Roags,1,200 Deno-Essurians, 40 giants, and 40bugbears in this lakeside town.Balais: Balais is an important porttown on the Taralon Channel. 500Known Worlders, 200 Roags, 800 Deno-Essurians, and 35 giants live in thevillage.Serleans: Serleans is a settlementbetween Balais and Lansbury that inrecent years has grown from a handful ofhomesteads to 1,000 human souls. 400Known Worlders, 100 Roags, and 500Deno-Essurians fish the waters, raisecrops, or tend to livestock. Serleans isdeveloping a reputation for exquisitefood preparation.Sorchester: Sorchester was once apart of West Haven, but it was cededafter the fighting two decades ago. Thevillage is still mostly Roag and Deno-Essurian (700 and 600, respectively).There are also 200 Known Worlders.Others: Besides those locales listedabove, there are numerous smallersettlements for Roags (3,150), Deno-Essurians (5,600), giants (1,440), andbugbears (95). Deno-Essurianspredominate along the rivers, while theothers occupy the interior or the forestregions.EconomyDauphins uses the Essurian bit system,but Thyatian and West Haven coins areaccepted. King Thales is considering aconversion to a royal mint, but he has notimplemented such a plan thus far.Relations with OtherNationsFavorable: Thales would be veryfavorable to a Thyatian return to theregion – provided the center of powermoves from Ghyr to Dauphins.Friendly: Snowden is regarded well, ifsomewhat remotely. A possible marriagebetween Frederick and Sylvia could beseen as a prelude to war for the CeruleanCity.Neutral: West Haven has been both anally and an enemy in the past, soDauphins treats its neighbor with aguarded eye. Despite working togetherto end the Alliance War, the Kingdom ofMany Colors is the obviouscounterbalance to Dauphins in Dalepolitics. The kingdom is indifferent toGhyr and the Lowland Roags. Taralon isa neutral trading partner, but Thales doesnot fully trust Mabd II or the QueenMother.Unfriendly: Faltings is a problem withrelations with Deep Hollow andGreendale. Raiders continue to use thevillage as a route into those lands. Thereis further rivalry with Greendale onwhich kingdom has the best mountedknights. The residents of the Great OldeWoode sometimes raid settlements orkidnap children. The incidence is toolow to organize for war – yet.Animals and MonstersTaralon Channel: weed eel,robberfly, clear jelly, slime worm, giantleech, giant freshwater slug, giant catfish,giant crab, phygorax.The Flatlands: shaggy auroch (east),insect swarm (south), cow, goat, pig,normal falcon, coltpixy (south), faedorne,dragonne (south), colddrake (DeepHollow only), brownie, faerie, fungoid,hill giant, cloud giant, kobold, goblin,gnome, dwarf, elf, wraith, amber golem,bullette (south), doll golem (settlements26

THE KINGDOM OF 200 KNIGHTSonly), giant boar (south), oxen, yowler(winter only), ice wolf (winter only),pheasant, hawk, crow, giant ermine andmink, randara, lesser banshee, lesserphantom, ghost, possession, ghoul,apparition, vision, ghostly horde,gargoyle (Dauphins and Serleans only),automatons (with magicians only),magen (Dauphins only), bone and woodgolem, hellhound, ettin (east and south)PersonalitiesThales II, King of 200 Knightsand Duke of Faltings: F14, N.Thales was a clear winner from theAlliance War. The king’s rule has been apositive one for his subjects, and theyhave prospered in both agricultural andindustrial activities. While he cares forall of his children, Frederick is his pride.He expects war to break out once more innext two decades, but whether is theambitions of Taralon, Nortopolis orsomething else, he does not know.Queen Katherine: MU5, Alchemist1 st circle. Katherine is a strong willedwoman of Averoignian ancestry. Now45, she has given Thales two sons,Frederick and Reynard, and a daughter,Camille. Katherine is a patron of arts,including the sumptuous cooking inSerleans.Frederick, Prince: F5, Cha17.Frederick is a dashing prince with hisfather’s build and his mother’s grace. Noexpense has been spare in his royal andmilitary training, and he already has areputation as solid jouster. King Thalesis considering a marriage betweenFrederick and Princess Sylvia ofSnowden, but he is still weighing herdowry.Reynard, Prince: NM. Theadolescent prince is eager to see the “realworld” and escape from the hustle ofcourtly life at Dauphins. Cloistered bythese experiences, the young prince isoverly trusting of people.Camille, Princess: NW. Camille is achild of 5. To the heartbreak of herparents, Camille still does not speak, anddoctors and priests have been unable tohelp her.Philip of Marabone, Baron ofBalais: Rake8, C, Cha16, Dex 17.Philip is the Baron of Balais and thesecret head of the regional Thieves’Guild (answering to Dahnakriss theMaster Thief). The nobleman’s preferredpractice is to seduce noble ladies for laterblackmail. Philip’s primary ambition isto be elevated to Duke of all the Channelcommunities. The baron maintainscontacts with the Magister Throrogast(Rusak) and Ernst Ziegler, Warden of theGarrisons in West Haven.Equipment: ring of regeneration,displacer cloakThrorogast, Magister: Throrogast isone of many guises of the illusionistRusak (see West Haven). As Throrogast,he is a functionary of Dauphins whohandles contracts and some court cases.Kirkenny of Loch Glenfirg, a student ofthe Magister, is another of Rusak’sguises.Mousette, Baroness of Serleans:Magician 7. Lady Mousette has an exoticaura about her, an effect she has spent alifetime cultivating. Drawing ontraditions of her Averoignian, Nuari,Traladaran, and Roag heritage, she is theconsummate fortune teller andspiritualist. Her appeal was enough tobecome wife to the late baron, but herforecasts landed her husband in a graveduring the Alliance War. Lady Mousettesees the con-man in Phillip of Marabone,and she is immune to his charms.Richard Halsy, Baron ofSorchester: F7. Richard was a knightduring the Alliance War who led thecampaign against West Haven. Hisreward was the captured town ofSorchester. Now a gentle grandfather,Richard must decide who to follow in hisplace. The Baron respects his neighbor,Count Bors.Heddwyn, Baron of Brest: hillgiant 7. Heddwyn was responsible forsecuring Brest after the exposure of theTaralon letters. His heavy-handednessled to protests from West Haven.Heddwyn is still a gruff giant, andrulership has only added to his irritation.Almuric, Count: F5. Almuricinherited the counthood at Sentaburghfrom his father. The court at Dauphinshas never permitted a baronial grant toSentaburgh, so Almuric’s family hasnever been able to fully tax the tradepassing through the village. Almuric hasrecently instituted a turnpike on the roadto Nortopolis to recover some of this lostmoney.Pellinore, Count: F16. CountPellinore is one of the most distinguishedknights in the history of the kingdom. Heholds a keep near Thosh, a gift from theking. His last great quest was the rescuefrom rogue giants of the Lady Lane, nowhis wife.Janette du Balais et Norgledd:F10, C, Cha 16, Int 16. Janette is thecurrent Lord Regent of Faltings, a postshe has held for three years. Her familycontrols parcels of land in both Balaisand Norgledd. The latter is a tract east ofBalais. Janette is a willing victim ofPhillip of Marabone’s seductions. Withonly a few years left as Lord Regent,Janette must cash in on the opportunity.She freely allows raiders to enter DeepHollow and Greendale for a cut.Thoref: F9, C, Wis8. Thoref is a knightof the Kingdom of 200 Knights. Heearned his spurs battling the giant knightsof the north. He cares little for theobligations of his stature, but Thorefloves its privileges. Today he roams thewestern region of the Alliance.Equipment: sword+3, girdle of giantstrength.Gavin Strongbow: F6, Int4, Wis6,Con5, C. Gavin is a shady character whohas ties to the Theives’ Guild. Hesuffered injuries during Ghyr’s DesertWar a few years ago that have had alasting impact on his health and mentalwell being. Gavin refuses to take off hisconical nasal helm in the presence ofothers, ashamed of his scars. Prior to hisinjuries, Gavin had won fame by holdinga pass against nine Den Brute warriors.Lancelin Open-hand: F11, Str17,Con 7, Dex 8, C. Lancelin was a night ofDauphins for many years before hedisappeared into the Great Olde Woode.Rumors say he married an elf while there,but now he works as a mercenary. Theformer knight has brown hair, is cleanshaven, and weighs 207 lbs. A spreadfingeredgauntlet graces his red cape.Equipment: broadsword +1, +3 vs.enchanted creatures27

THE KINGDOM OF 200 KNIGHTSFleur the Rose: Magician 6(originally MU4), Str8. The young Fleurhails from a Flatlands homestead, but shenow resides in Brest where she picked upthe bugbearish accent of Roag. Shefavors sleight of hand magic, but she iskeen to learn true magic. Whenperforming, she dons bright yellow orgreen clothes with a trademark flamepetalledrose on the left breast.Equipment: ring of fire protectionVychan the Little: F2, Wis 6, Dex7.Vychan is a lightly armed fighter who issensitive to his short stature. Because ofan incident in Deep Hollow, Vychandespises orcs and the dark. A bright redcloak hugs his shoulders.Cordelia the Cleric: C3, Int7, C.Cordelia is a young (25) and moodycleric who recently graduated fromseminary at Dauphins. She is now apriest of the Church of Ghyr at Faltings.She has little taste for combat, and wouldtend to the wounded instead.Aiden Ablefingers: Int4, T1. Aidenis a short (5’4”) man who exudesinnocence beneath his fair hair. Hecomports himself as a fighter, and claimsto be a forester from the Great OldeWoode. Whatever the truth of the claim,Aiden is a skilled hunter with the javelin.Lyle Stafford: Rake4. Lyle is a happygo-luckycoward who enjoys stealingother men’s wives and daughters, coin, orfood. This ordinarily gets him run out oftown. He has a nominal friendship withPrince Frederick, and the king frowns onthis influence.Miss Tayke: Magician 9, C. MissTayke is a woman in her mid thirties inSerleans. She is no longer an activeperformer, but she was once known forexquisite mechanical tricks and puppets.She retired following a horrible accidentwhen children interfered with an act.Now she sneaks out on the streets to givetreats to good children and to kidnap thebad. Those taken are placed in a twistedfun-house. The children who fail toescape are eaten.Jack: T18. While Count Pellinore mayhave been the greatest knight of therealm, Jack was its greatest adventurer.He has traveled the Hill and Dale, theParthenal Hills and the Great OldeWoode, the Swamp of the Beast, and theclouds themselves. He remains fit andalert, but those days of high adventure arepast. Jack is happy to sit in his cottagebetween Brest and Thosh, and sup onchicken soup. Those who crave tales offanciful journeys, or need advice for theirown, should locate Jack.Equipment: cloak of invisibility, shoes ofswiftness, sword of cleavingLord Felix Vulpine: Rake 5/Werefox7, C. The charming Lord Felix is a ladykiller– literally. The remains ofnumerous farm maidens and scullerymaids litter his manor near Brest, but he’slooking to move up in society.Jan the Knight of Thosh: NM.Jan is an old, blind knight who is beingcuckolded by his squire, Digory.Grogg, Togg, Bruna, Oly, andGalff: These are cloud giants whosefloating castle stays in the vicinity of theDale. Togg is married to Oly, whileGalff is the son of Grogg and Bruna.They are fed by a flock of regeneratingsheep. The giants also keep several gianthawks for hunting, and giant cat (Tabby,5HD) who keeps the keep clear of giantrats. The giants enjoy a good game ofwhistlespit.For the Love of a Maiden(Levels 1-7)As young adventurers, the party has littleto their names, but the plight of of ayoung woman puts them on the path tofame and the hazards that that entails.The Odd Little Man: The betrothedof a local nobleman has revealed that sheis plagued by a strange creaturedemanding her hand or child. Only thesecret the villain’s riddle (perhaps askingfor his name –examples: Tim Tit Tot,Terrytop) will safeguard the noble’s wife.He asks the party to solve the problembefore it is too late. Whether fey, fiend,or gnome, the creature inhabits the localwoods, but others in the village of Brestmight be able to offer some assistance.Be Not So Bold: The noble hasthrown a banquet in honor of the party,and the entertainment is provided byFleur the Rose. In attendance is thecharming Lord Felix Vulpine, who takesa liking to either the Rose or a femalecharacter. Will his secret be revealed, oris the young lady doomed to be his nextvictim?Giant, the First: Baron Heddwyn hastaken note of the characters, and in hisgruff manner, he commends them to thecourt of Dauphins. Enroute, the partydiscovers that Sentaburgh is beingharassed by Cameron, a large giant fromthe east. Count Almuric asks the party tohandle this menace, but little does thecount know that Cameron’s vengefulcousins, Blunderbore and Boran, have anenchanted castle in the woods and apenchant for taking noble ladies.A Knight on the Town: Word oftheir deeds precedes the characters atDauphins, and they are invited to a royalball at which they will be lorded. But theparty begins early, and the mischievousLyle Stafford might just get thecharacters hung before the celebrationsbegin. The social hazards only increaseas Phillip of Marabone prowls the ball.The Witch of Serleans: On a tour ofthe Channel communities, the party isapproached by a begrieved woman inSerleans whose wayward son has gonemissing. Is Miss Tayke at it again, or issomething else afoul?Giant, the Second: Baron Richardhas invited the PCs to Sorchester.Apparently, a two-headed giant has beencausing problems, and the baron need’sthe party’s help. But there is more thanone ettin involved, and not all are guilty.The party must sort through the cunning,the scared, the dim, and the viscious andreturn peace to the barony.Prince Reynard and the SilverStaircase: The prince has disguisedhimself with the cloak of the King’sMaster of Horses and escaped to thetown. There he obtains a magic urn thatcreates a Silver Staircase leading to acloud giant castle. The king asks thenewly returned heroes to find hiswayward son. [This adventure may bereplayed at other levels using the classicbeanstalk and the retrieval of the bag ofgold, the hen that lays golden eggs, andthe golden harp – Ed.] Successful partieswill be hailed throughout the realm andknighthoods are likely.28

THE KINGDOM OF MANY COLORSInspiration: Fairy tales, War of theRoses and Henry VIRuler: King Robert II SulwythOverview: The Kingdom of ManyColors takes its name from the nationalflag that bears colored stripesrepresenting the various towns that joinedwith, or were conquered by, Nortopolis.The country is officially recorded as theKingdom of Nortopolis and the ScarletCity.The Kingdom of Many Colors boaststhe most diverse racial composition of thenorth as well as the largest number ofcivilized hill giants. This racial harmonyis contrasted with the bickering amongthe ruling family and other noble houses.The validity of Robert II’s crown is indispute, as he was the nephew of hispredecessor, Engelbert I. Engelbert’sonly son, Aethylbert, died during theAlliance War, and his daughter, Mildryth,was only 17 at the time of his death.Unlike the other nations in the Dale,every major settlement was at one pointan independent kingdom. The PrismWars saw the consolidation of thecommunities directly north of theKaganus. The Cerulean and Ivory Citieswere added in the Alliance War.There are relatively few traditionalknights within the Kingdom, and they areconcentrated around Nortopolis. Theinstitution still exists, but the extremevariety of size in its citizens hasdiscouraged use of the cavalier model.The Kingdom of Many Colors claims alarge swath of territory, but control of theinterior is nonexistent. Eastern Hillbansand Free and Lowland Roags all pull intothe area at different times of the year.Understandings have been reached withthe Free and Lowland Roags, but theHillbans and Highland Roags are aproblem for the Scarlet City.The Kingdom was formed from theguile of Frederick I. A Hattian native tothe Dale, Frederick was theadministrative assistant to the governor atthe time of recall. He took initiative andproclaimed himself King of Nortopolis.His dreams of empire died with him onthe fields of Galencourt in 947.His son Robert maintained control andfurther pressed against Ghyr before beingdefeated by Prince Ganto at the secondbattle of Galencourt. He cemented thethe union of Nortopolis and the ScarletCity by marrying his son Engelbert to thehalf-giantess princess of the Scarlet City.A newly crowned Engelbert I was in nomood to bow down to Ganto upon thelatter’s ascension, and the Kingdom ofMany Colors did not repledge to Ghyr.Engelbert was succeeded by hisnephew, Robert II, 13 years ago. The sonof Victor Sulwyth has proven capable,but auguries suggest that the ursupationwill drive the kingdom to ruin. Robert IIinitially imprisoned his cousin, Mildryth,but he quickly repented, and sent her tothe Cerulean City.There are now four potential claimantsto the throne: Robert’s children,Frederick, Madoc, and Sarabeth, and theyoung son of Mildryth, also namedFrederick and conceived illegitimatelyduring a Day Without Night celebration.HolidaysThe Day of Silliness (Sviftmont16): On this day, people do odd things,like trying to rake the moon from a pond,jump into trousers, or hoisting cows ontothe roof. It is a good natured practice, ifodd.The Safety Dance: This dance is heldafter the second week of no snow, asdetermined locally. It is a Roagcelebration of unity, and guests areexpected to participate. “But if you don’tdance, then you’re no friend of mine” is acommon scold to the shy and lazy. Theterm “Safety Dance” came about when avisitor questioned the wisdom of a dancewhere creatures ranging in size fromkobolds to giants participate together, alltrying not to step on one another.MilitaryEach City has its own army, butMagnitania contributes to the Army ofNortopolis. Local defense is theparamount issue for each force, butreadiness varies from the Scarlet City(high) to the Ivory City (low). All cityforces double as constables.The Royal Army of NortopolisPersonnel: 25 Knights of Renown, 25Knights Bachelor, 50 mounted men-atarms,50 men-at-arms, 200 soldiers, 100archers, 100 kobold crossbowmen, 25bugbears, 50 goblin archers, 50hobgoblins, 25 hill giantsLeadership: Banner Knight (F9)Troop Class: GoodBR 118The Royal Army of the Scarlet CityPersonnel: 75 hill giants, 150 goblinarchers, 10 kobolds, 10 soldiers, 25gnomesLeadership: Regent Penbray (HG6)Troop Class: GoodBR 96The Verdant CompanyPersonnel: 15 hill giants, 20 goblinarchers, 20 bugbears, 25 soldiersLeadership: Duke Gareth (C7)Troop Class: Below AverageBR 58The Cerulean GuardPersonnel: 25 men-at-arms, 100 soldiers,50 kobolds, 20 bugbears, 50 goblins, 20hobgoblins, 10 hill giantsLeadership: Duke Brody (F12)Troop Class: AverageBR 86The Militia of the Ivory CityPersonnel: 50 hill giants, 100 hobgoblins,100 goblins, 20 kobolds, 25 soldiers;20% with magical abilities, 30% withspellcasting abilityLeadership: Kerra the White (Ko8)Troop Class: FairBR 84SettlementsCerulean City: Ecuman, theCerulean City, is a ringed citadel on theshores of the Taralon Channel. Likeneighboring Bethfield, the modern citywas built atop a Roag settlement duringthe Channel expansion. The CeruleanCity continues to influence the smallChannel communities that dot the way tothe Kaganus. The people of the Cityinclude 150 Known Worlders, 1000Roags, 200 Deno-Essurians, 600 goblins,29

THE KINGDOM OF MANY COLORS400 kobolds, 300 hobgoblins, 100bugbears, and 150 hill giants. Smiths,tanners, herders, and fishers are theoccupations of most residents. TheCeruleans have not psychologicallyrecovered from the 6 th of Klarmont Battle(see Snowden).Ivory City: The Ivory City sits in thenorth apart from the other towns of theKingdom of Many Colors. It isindifferent to its inclusion in theKingdom, and it rarely sendsrepresentatives to the court at Nortopolis.Consequently, it has no baronial or ducaldesignation. The 500 Roags, 1000goblins, 200 kobolds, 500 hobgoblins,and 500 hill giants are self sufficient, andmany suspect they have a hiddenindustrial capacity. The residents of theIvory City do have knowledge of the OldDeath, but they do not share this withothers. Thyatians did not learn of theIvory City’s existence until late in theoccupation, and they never bothered totake the quiet settlement.Scarlet City: The Scarlet City ofRothmegryd has existed since the time ofMaggorath. The City was one of the lastlocations conquered by the Thyatians. Itwas responsible for initiating the PrismWars, but its population has dwindledsince its incorporation into the Kingdomof Many Colors. A recent infusion ofgnomes have helped the Scarlet Cityestablish a new mine operation. Thereare 200 gnomes, 200 Roags, 700 goblins,200 kobolds, and 600 hill giants living inthe Scarlet City.Verdant City: The Verdant City,Argylon, is home to 20 gnomes, 200Roags, 100 Deno-Essurians, 200 goblins,200 bugbears, and 100 hill giants. It wasestablished shortly after Ghyr byEssurian colonists, and it was an earlyprize in the Prism Wars. The Citysurvives as an agricultural center as wellas a trade hub in the east, and the townoutline is dominated by the water millsalong the Kaganus.Magnitania: Magnitania is theThyatian name given to a peaceful hillgiant settlement on Lacus Gabrionus(also Thyatianized). Today, it is stillprincipally a giant community (400). 100Known Worlders, 20 gnomes, 100 Roags,and 100 hobgoblins have joined them infishing, farming, and cutting timber.Nortopolis: Nortopolis is the capitalof the Kingdom of Many Colors and thelargest city of the north. There are 800Known Worlders, 60 gnomes, 4,500Roags, 800 Deno-Essurians, 800 goblins,1,000 kobolds, 500 hobgoblins, 600bugbears, and 250 hill giants who live inthe former imperial center.Others: It is estimated that another500 Roags, 100 goblins, 700 kobolds,200 hobgoblins, 100 bugbears, and 175giants are scattered along the Kaganusand Taralon Channel or in the interior.Overall, the kingdom holds 1,050 KnowWorlders, 300 gnomes, 7,000 Roags,1,200 Deno-Essurians, 4,000 goblins,2,000 kobolds, 1,500 hobgoblins, 1,000bugbears, and 2,175 hill giants.EconomyThe Kingdom of Many Colors uses theEssurian bit system and barter. It is theonly nation in the Western Alliance thatcontains a prismatic mine. The mineextracts a crystal lode.Relations with OtherNationsFriendly: Despite occasionaldifficulties arising from the CeruleanCity, Nortopolis has decent relations withRoagendoch and the Free Roags.Neutral: West Haven and the GreatOlde Woode are too remote for anymeaningful relations. Taralon and theKingdom of 200 Knights are potentialrivals, but that has not soured things yet.No one knows how Nortopolis wouldreceive Thyatis.Unfriendly: The animosity inheritedwith the Cerulean City limits anygoodwill with Snowden. Relations havenever been good with Greendale or Ghyr.Hostile: The kingdom, specifically theScarlet City, has a bitter history withDeep Hollow, the Hillbans, and theHighland Roags.Animals and MonstersRoaguncal (the Staircase): giantarctic bee, giant centipede, robberfly,tiger beetle, oil beetle lava ooze,boneless, fyrsnaca, red worm, steamweevil, polar bear (rare, winter only),snow leopard (rare, winter only), wildgoat, rust monster, white, crystal and bluedragon, colddrake (near Scarlet Cityonly), hill giant, wild man (Roag), orc,gargantuan, spectral hound, frostsalamander, ice wolf (winter only),dragonne (summer only), bullette, ettinTaralon Channel: weed eel,robberfly, clear jelly, slime worm, giantleech, giant freshwater slug, giant catfishFlatlands: shaggy auroch, insectswarm (summer only), snow leopard,cow, goat, pig, normal falcon, faedorne,dragonne, colddrake (southeast only),fungoid (along Kaganus and the TaralonChannel only), hill giant, cloud giant,kobold, goblin, gnome (south and east),amber golem (Ivory City only), giantboar, oxen, yowler, ice wolf, pheasant,hawk, crow, giant ermine and mink,baldandar (north), lesser banshee, lesserphantom, ghost, apparition, vision,ghostly horde, automatons (withmagicians only), ettinPersonalitiesRobert II, King of Nortopolisand the Scarlet City: F3, N. Robertsaw limited action in the last two years ofthe Alliance War, but he was able toparlay that into support for his crowning.The 35 year old king knows that he is notthe equal of King Thales II at Dauphins,but he is ambitious, perhaps too much so.Queen Mary: NW, Cha 17, Wis6, Int6.Robert fell in love with Mary’s beauty,but her simple-mindedness wears on theking. He often sends her on travels justto be rid of her.Frederick, Prince of Nortopolis:Rake5, C. The 20 year-old prince isskilled in the ways of court, if not thebattlefield. Frederick is imperious withthose of low station, and he does not takewell jokes at his expense.Madoc, Prince of Magnitania:NM, Wis8, Int7. Robert’s 16 year-oldson is a good hearted young man who hasinherited some of his mother’s slowness.Sarabeth, Princess of Roags:NW, Int16, Wis16. Robert’s third childwas unexpected, and her title as Princessof Roags is an odd choice that has yet to30

THE KINGDOM OF MANY COLORSbe understood. Turning 15 this year,Sarabeth is likely to develop into a modeleducated noblewoman, but her blue eyeswatch and detect what others overlook.Mildryth, Duchess of the ScarletCity: NW. Despite her title, Mildrythhas never set foot in the Scarlet City.Today she lives on the opposite side ofthe country at the Cerulean City. Thoughnot under house arrest, she is watched byagents of the king. By all accounts,Mildryth is content with her life and withher 6 year-old son. Also namedFrederick, the boy is derided as theBastard in Nortopolis’s circles.Gareth, Duke of the VerdantCity: C7, N. Gareth was a priest with theChurch of Ghyr. The Archbishopgranted Gareth release to assume hissecular duties when his brother died.Because of the poor relations betweenNortopolis and Ghyr, Gareth is suspectedas a foreign agent by Robert.Wenna Penbray, Regent of theScarlet City: hill giant 6. InMildryth’s absence, Wenna has beenaccorded leadership of the Scarlet City.The giantess is a cousin to the duchess,though not to the king. Development ofthe prism mine and protection against theHillbans are the regent’s primaryconcern, but she secretly supports raidersinto Deep Hollow and Greendale andhopes to receive title to the city.Brody of Ecuman, Duke of theCerulean City: F12. Brody is a proudRoag and a proud follower of He WhoWatches – a combination that seems notto sit well with his neighbors to the northnor to the south. Brody was one of thefew Ceruleans who survived the 6 th ofKlarmont battle, after which he replacedhis father and accepted the status ofDuke.Kerra the White: Kobold8/Shaman3/Wokani3. Kerra is the closest thing to aleader at the Ivory City. In her youth,Kerra stumbled on to the secrets of theOld Death. She has spent her lifepreparing her fellows for what may comefrom the north.Apris the Wondrous: MU1, Int16,Con7, Dex7, Cha6, C. Apris is a short(5’3”) and spunky young wizardapprentice who left her master for theexcitement of adventure. Apris’sprincipal flaw is her obstinate need toalways go her own way. That attitudemay reduce her life expectancy.Equipment: wand of secret door detectionStanis the Brief: hill giant 1, Str 10,Con 8, Dex10. Stanis is a very short hillgiant – in fact, he is as short as a gnome.In older times, such a runt would havebeen put down, but his parents held himas a precious gift. Stanis now serves asKing Robert’s jester. He has angered thequeen by telling jokes that she cannotunderstand, and she occasionally sendsfunctionaries to harass the little giant.Stanis is accompanied by a well-groomedgiant rat, and his greatest foe is the giantspider.Humbert the Large: C7, Str5,Cha15, C. Humbert is a short but stoutman (5’4”, 186 lbs) with a deep resonantvoice and red hair. Grey vestments markhis membership in the Order of Friends, asmall, heretical monastic order ofWatchers dedicated to the good life andpersonal gain. The Order of Friends wasa spin-off of the Temaraire Monestary inGhyr, and has no representative with theCouncil of Bishops.Equipment: mace+1A Matter of Perspective(Levels 1-7)This arc is designed with giant charactersin mind, but other character types can bebe involved or serve as the focus ofattention. The arc concerns the Kaganuscommunities and the impact of WennaPenbray’s angling to increasing herstature. It takes the party from theVerdant City to halls of Nortopolis andthe hills of the Scarlet City.Whack a Dwarf: Raids against DeepHollow have generated a formal responseto the new Verdant Duke from thatkingdom and Greendale. Duke Garetharranges a special tourney for people’schampions to settle grievances with agrand melee replacing the traditionaljoust. The dwarves decide to level theplaying field, and arrange for many pits,tunnels and traps. Party members aretapped as people’s champions and mustwin the tourney.Stanis and the Spider: Thevictorious characters are invited to thecourt of King Robert, where they meetthe jester, Stanis. Stanis’s performanceenrages Queen Mary, she loudly ordershis death, and he flees for sanctuary. Thecharacters must negotiate the small worldof the castle majority, rescue Stanis fromhuman and arachnid hunters, andconvince the queen to rescind her order.The Unselfish Giants: Followingher latest outburst, the king sends his daftwife on another travel. The party isrewarded (for one or both prioradventures) with a garden stretch inMagnitania. Local children pester theparty to play in the garden. Whetherthere by permission or trespass, thechildren are kidnapped by several winteryelementals (Snow, Frost, the North Wind,and Hail). Prince Madoc is among thosetaken. The characters must rescue thechildren and beat back the threat ofeternal winter.Scarlet Fever: King Robert has cometo value the party, and he asks them tojoin his escort to the Scarlet City. Thiscoincides with an increased Hillbanraiding presence. Hillbans attack thecity, searching for a forgotten yellowdiamond, but they’ll settle for a ransomedking. Regent Wenna and the party mustrescue Robert from the Hillbans cavecomplex.The Dragons’ Maws: Robert hasrewarded his rescuers, though Wenna hasasked for “nothing as yet.” Returning toNortopolis, the king learns that a mixedflock of dragons have laid over in theFlatlands, and they are devastating theauroch herds. The party must head intothe north and deal with this hungerdrivenmenace.Head in the Clouds: It has beensome time since Mary was sent awayfrom the court, but she returns – with achild in tow. The dim queen named theboy Nothing As Yet until he could beproperly blessed in the presence of bothparents. At the same time, giantbeanstalks have risen up around LacusGabrionus. Robert sends the party tohandle the cloud giants.Nothing As Yet: see page 47.31

THE GREAT OLDE WOODEInspiration: Fairy Tales, pre-RomanBrythonic tribesRuler: The Wittan CouncilOverview: The true Great Olde Woodeis a forest that stretches from Ghyr in theeast to the Borean Tier in the west, andthe cold-clime cypresses of the Swamp ofthe Beast to the short pine taiga. Mostfolks today restrict the term to mean onlythat part of the forest north of theParthenal Hills.The forest floor is littered with standingstones quarried from deep in theParthenal and dragged to their presentlocations. The meaning of these stones(sacred, historic, etc.) varies fromlocation to location and race to race.The residents of the Western Alliancedo not venture deeply into the Great OldeWoode. Ghost stories terrorize children,but adults of a certain age rememberwhen those tales were all too real. Eventhrough the Thyatian occupation, wordcame of violent, profane acts within theheart of the woods. These acts includedkidnapping and devouring children, andvarious sacrifices.The Parthenal elves referred to theregion as the Grindol, and they did notenter the region until the combinedharassment of Maggorath and theParthenal kobolds drove them north.Roags and allied humanoids were alsomaking their way into the forest. Thesenewcomers clashed with one anotherbeneath the shady pines and rare rowanhardwoods.The darkness of the forest came fromits inhabitants, but none more so than therandaras. No one is certain how theseshapeshifters came to be here, but theirfondness for sentient flesh colored theimagination of everyone around the GreatOlde Woode. Sacrificial elements cameto be incorporated among local RoagMacCullen druidism, and they still persistin some traditions.During lean times, the Roags are knownto abandon their younger children in theforest wilderness. It is a necessarycruelity sanctioned by the druids.The seminal event that forged themodern Great Olde Woode was theformation of the Wittan Council at Hagh.The human, humanoid, fey, and elvenraces came together to expel the randaras.With the randaran threat reduced, theCouncil persists as a forum of discussion.Inter-group conflicts have mostlysubsided, but newcomers often perturbthe balance.During the Prism Wars, the WittanCouncil permitted forces from WestHaven and Dauphins to pass unmolestedto Ghyr, and some individualsaccompanied those forces.HolidaysThe Roags and some of the humanoidscelebrate the solstices in the same fashionas in the Kingdom of Lowland Roags.Individual groups have other celebrationdays of their own.MilitaryThere are no true military units in theGreat Olde Woode. Those responding toincidents will vary from one event to thenext, and not even a full invasion couldmobilize all available warriors.Settlements and PlacesHagh: Hagh is a large fortress deepwithin the confines of the Great OldeWoode. It serves as a capital of sorts –representatives of the different tribes meton the equinoxes. No one actuallyinhabits Hagh. It is a relic of the worldbefore the Great Rain of Fire with astrange stone structure that hasdilapidated after millennia of erosion.[No lost technology can be recoveredfrom Hagh – Ed.].Foredhon: This elven village of 90Parthenalli occupies the end of the beatentrail from West Haven. Those wishing toreach Southpool or parts east would needguides.Brookmere: This village (east of themap, see Gaz F4) has often changedhands between the elves and the kobolds.Today, it is the home of 80 Parthenalelves, 10 Lothenar elves, and 20 Vyaliansaffiliated with the Great Olde Woode.Stilldhon: This is the home of thelast of the Lothenar. Merely 38 elves liveat this outpost in the Parthenal Hills (eastof the map, see Gaz F4).Censused together, the Great OldeWoode holds 100 Vyalian elves, 48Lothenar elves, 1000 Parthenal elves,1000 Parthenal humans, 300 gnomes inthe east, 3,500 Roags, and two dozen hillgiants and 600 bugbears in the north.The number of fey creatures in the forestis unknown, and the druids think they arenot always present.EconomyAll transactions are conducted throughbarter. Those living adjacent to thecivilized kingdoms and who interact withthem would accept bits and coins.Relations with OtherNationsThe residents of the Great Olde Woodeare largely indifferent to the outsideworld and the various kingdoms of theHill and Dale with three exceptions.Taralon: Druidic elements among theRoags have been receptive to the Mabdsof Taralon.200 Knights: kidnappings and theftsby some small groups have createdproblems with this nearest neighbor.Parthenal: The Parthenal is the regionof greatest interaction. Parthenal elvesand humans who live in the central hillsdo not affiliated with the Wittan Councilas do those at Foredhon and othersettlements. The hill dogs (kobolds) areconsidered a menace that has been riledup by the western gnomes. This has notearned the gnomes much appreciation.Animals and Monstersnormal and giant elk, tiger beetle, giantwood spider, lynx, wolf, normal falcon,normal and giant owl, magpie, giantporcupine, coltpixy, Hsiao, werefox,small and huge green dragon, wooddrake,kobold, pernicorn, shambling mound(east), fungoid, giant centipede,robberfly, owlbear, metamorph, gnome(west), elf, carrion crawler, giant snail,giant rattler, giant hunting spider, grizzlybear, pheasant, quail, stirge, fungoid,giant ferret, unicorn, lesser banshee,randara, drake (all forms), dryad,brownie, pooka, ghoul (west), skeleton(west), zombie (west), wight (west)32

THE GREAT OLDE WOODEPersonalitiesPluto, King of the Fairies: pixie23. Pluto’s fairy realm intersects with theGreat Olde Woode during the full moon.He and his drakes are committed tohunting randaras and bogles during thesevisits.Proserpina, Queen of theFairies: sprite 30. The wanderingspouse of Pluto, she has been known toget mortals in trouble with her fetchingcharm. She often appears as a full grownwoman, but she is not a sidhe.Sir Oliphant: Hill giant 18. Oliphantis the guardian of Proserpina during hervisits to the Great Olde Woode. Whetherit is to keep her safe or mortal men is amatter of debate.Sir Thomas of Dauphins: P10. SirThomas is a chaste knight from the cityof Dauphins who has fallen for thebeauty of Queen Proserpina. He hasdedicated his life to a quest to win herhand in marriage.The Brown Bear of the OpenGlen: pooka 15. The Brown Bear is asubject of King Pluto who remains on themortal world. He guides those on noblequests and gives a comeuppance to thefoolish and haughty.Carwen: Druid 28, N. Carwen is theMyrrdin, or hierophant, of the druidicorders in the Great Olde Woode. He hasno truck with the matriarchal ambitionsof the Mabds of Taralon, but he doeswish to see a revitalized Roag traditionand the casting out of the upstartWatchers. By virtue of his position, hesits upon the Wittan Council.Misha the Blind: gnome5/shaman 2.Misha represents the western gnomes atWittan. Misha lost his sight throughinjuries while fighting kobolds.Minariel: EF 5. Minariel speaks for theParthenal humans and elves at Wittan.Her primary concern is bringing more ofher elven cousins into the fold andfighting the southern kobolds.Rhun: bugbear2. Rhun is the bugbearrepresentative to the Wittan Council.Rhun sees the lives his fellow bugbearshave been having in Thosh, and he thinksmodernization might not be a bad idea.Trefor: F8. The Roag representativesupports the raiding taking place inSorchester and Brest, and most of thoseinvolved are part of his clan group.Dinsdale: hill giant 4 (ettin). Dinsdaleis an ettin who represents both ettins andnormal hill giants, with each headspeaking for a different group.AdventuresMost of the adventures given here can beused as one-off (and occasionally silly)excursions for natives to the Great OldeWoode or for outsiders. The last five aregiven as possible campaign directionswith the Woode as the primary, seriousfocus.Away From Home Alone: you andyour siblings are left in the Great OldeWoode to fend for yourselves, where youcome across a house owned by a giant,his human wife, and their daughters. Thecharacters must see through the family’scharm, survive the night-time bashingand escape over the Bridge of One Hair.A local lord/nobleman/clan head asks thecharacter(s) to return to the giant’s homeand successively retrieve his sword, purseand ring.A Bitter Couple: The party comesacross a foolish man being beaten by hiswife. They ask the party to reverse hismisfortunes, get back his gold (lost over asuccession of bad barters), and preventlocal thieves from killing him.Three Little Orcs: Three quietHillban orcs have settled in the Woodenear Shanklin, a hamlet near Thosh.They are being terrorized by a large wolf,and no one is willing to help. Can theparty save the orcs’ chinny, chin chin?The Three Bugbears: Thief!Someone has broken into the cottage of abugbear family in the north. With thelittle tyke crying, mama and papabugbear ask the party to retrieve theirstolen goods. But was the perpetrator thegolden-haired girl, or the old crone?Death of the Maiden: A girl hasbeen killed by her wicked step-mother,and her spirit bird asks the party toretrieve several items so that she mayavenge herself and rest in peace.The Great Fire: Some challengescannot be resolved by strength of arms.Lightning from a summer storm ignitespart of the Woode in a fire that threatensto claim untold lives. The party mustsave the people, the animals, andthemselves while striving to limit theextent of damage.Three Bottles to Heal the Lord:A nobleman, or even a royal, has fallenill, and only three healing bottles canremedy him. The Brown Bear may knowa secret to the bottles’ retrieval.Disappearing Children: A randarahas kidnapped several children from oneof the local settlements. Can the partyfind and rescue the children before theyare eaten?Kate the Bold: Kate’s sister has hadher head replaced by a sheep’s, while alocal nobleman’s sick son is entranced byfairies. Can the party help Kate restorethem both?Pooka in Boots: A pooka in theshape of an adorable kitten inhabits afarm house. For a bit of wine, the pookawill take the party on an adventure to rida castle of a dragon and giant mage.The Gnome-Kobold Problem:The conflict between the gnomes and thekobolds has excited the entire koboldnation. The hill dogs do not limit theirreprisals to the gnomes, attacking theParthenal elves and the Great OldeWoode encampments. Externalsympathies and antagonisms drive thesouth into true war.Brotherhood of Three Elves: TheVyalia, Parthenal, and Lothenar elveshave strikingly different experiences andoutlooks. Can the Vyalians modernizetheir cousins, or will they be rebuked bythe independent and grieving clans?Heirophant: Carwen’s push fordruidism ascendant brings the Woodeinto the political arena of the WesternAlliance, and it may tear the Woodeasunder.The Dying of the Forest: TheForest is dying of an inexplicable cause.The characters must quest to find the rootcauses and save their home.The Randaran Sanction: Therandaras have returned to the Great OldeWoode, and a war for the forest and thefairy realm is unavoidable.33

PERSONALITIESHeroes and HeelsIl Pantero Nero: Magician 27. TheBlack Panther is perhaps the greatestmagician to have ever lived. Ashapeshifting dynamo, he is a devotedservant of He Who Watches who travelsthe Dale upsetting the plans of witches.Paulinus Ravenfriend: MU9, Str6,Con7, Dex7, Cha17, C., Paulinus is aneasily tanned man, clean shaven withlight brown hair. Paulinus is a seniormember of the High College, but he isoften at odds with Umberto the Ugly(Master of the High College) andWalwynn of Stonehill – a communitynear Ghyr. He travels with a raven, andthe image of the bird graces the leftbreast of his scarlet attire. When conflictarises, Paulinus is more interested insaving his own skin.Equipment: ring of animal controlMorag the Grim: E9, C. Morag is aVyalian elf who has gone native. He nolonger associates with other elves, andhas adopted a Roag name. The slenderand attractive elf wears black and darkblue. He rarely smiles. Morag changeshis mind often and can be indecisive incombat.Equipment: “Sleepmaker” sword +2Jack Milford: F3. Jack is a con-manwho trades on his service in the AllianceWar, but he never says for which sides hefought.Jahat and Jelek: F3 and F4, N. Jahatand Jelek are mercenaries that work inthe Western Alliance. Jahat employs thelongsword and crossbow, while Jelekuses the shortsword and crossbow.Ludovicus the Long: C10, Con5, C.This bald, 6’7” giant wears crimson robesover gilded armor. Ludovicus lovesmoney, and he was defrocked forpilfering the donation coffers. He oftenclaims, “Gods help those who helpthemselves,” but no one knows whichpower continues to help Ludovicus, buthe makes his living selling indulgencesand pawn off fake and real relics.Fairleaf: EM5, Int 16. Fairleaf is aParthenal elf who lives in the easternsection of the Great Olde Woode nearGreendale. The silver-haired maiden istimid and easily frightened.Parindes: MU9, Int17. Parindes is aDenagothian wizard working with thegreen dragon Viridis. They work onbehalf of the Onyx Ring syndicate andthe Shadow Lord of Denagoth tocomplete the destruction of the Lothenar.Brothers Willendall: M7 each.Should these three troublemakers survivethe Northern Wildlands, they couldstumble on to the Alliance. Randall isleader and cousin to the other two.Wendall is loyal to his brother, Stendhall,but that is not reciprocated. TheWillendalls were expelled from theGlantri School of Magic.Caius Lineus: Rake11. Caius is anambassador of Thyatis, and he will headthe imperial delegation to the kingdomsof Provincia Gurrania.Renia: F7. Renia is a loner with causeto despise soldiers. She wears a gold ringwith the emblem of a kingfisher, and sheis secretly questing to find clues to thefate of her kin and the mysteries of herown origin. The deadly truth is thatRenia is an heir to the throne ofGabrionus V. Her quest thus far has ledher to the town of Sylvair (Wendar), buther path will bring her into the north.Equipment: chain mail +2.The Autumn Knight: The AutumnKnight is a servant of He Who Watches.He periodically tests the worth of theWatcher’s followers and combats thedirect influence of the champions of Idris.He is a neutral figure among the druids.LJN NotablesThis list includes characters made famousthrough the LJN toy line for AdvancedDungeons & Dragons (1 st edition).Grimsword, Molliver, Hawkler, and Drexappeared in XL-1 The Quest for theHeartstone, and the others are alsoconsidered part of the Mystaran extendedfamily. Gaz F4 covers the other LJNcharacters. Your campaign may freelyuse these characters with the WesternAlliance or Ghyr, or you may run them inparallel or isolation.Molliver: T8, Dex16, Con16, Cha17.The beautiful Molliver is an experiencedadventurer around the Taralon Channel.From Lansbury to Snowden andBethfield, she has been a thorn in the sideof Phillip of Marabone, the regional headof the Thieves’ Guild.Equipment: boots of levitationHawkler: Forester6, Dex16. Hawkler isa valiant forester trained by the Vyalianelves in the Great Olde Woode. Hestands as a testament to what the KnownWorld elves can bring to their neighborsand to the other elves.Grimsword: F7, Str15. Grimsword isfearsome knight in the Kingdom of ManyColors. He is rarely in that nation,however, as he travels the region toterrorize the knights of other kingdoms.His helm is riveted to give the impressionof a jack-o-lantern grimace.Equipment: Sword+1 energy drain, flailDrex: F6, C. Drex is a strong and fearedmercenary of Denagothian extraction.He was cashiered from the Ghyranmilitary for actions taken during theDesert War.Equipment: leather+1, medusa skullshieldPulvereye: Pulvereye is the cyclopticchieftain of a band of Hillbans.Cyclopses are not normally encounteredin this part of the world, and some thinkhe is a cursed hill or cloud giant. Mostlikely, he comes from a small cyclopeangroup in the Thundering Peaks beyondthe Shattered Plateau. Pulvereye’sequipment is marked by the emblem of aone-eyed spider.Aurelia: E3. Aurelia is an elvenforester of the Vyalia clan. She staysnear the Great Olde Woode.Caruso: EF1. Caruso is a rare half-elffrom the Great Olde Woode. By custom,he was sent out of the community to seekhis own fortune and home.Garn Gray Gaze: Gn3/Wo2. GarnGray Gaze is a bizarre little gnomeillusionist-thief who travels the north insearch of answers to unasked questions.Despite his good nature, he wears out hiswelcome quickly.Filaree: ED3. Filaree was an outcasthalf-elf maiden, who was adopted by afemale half-elf druid of Roag MacCullen.Mandoom: Hill Giant 4. This goodwarrior wields a sledge hammer againstthe Hillban raiders. [Note: Mandoom wastowering in original LJN artwork, but notan actual giant – Ed.]34

CREATING CHARACTERS IN THE WESTERN ALLIANCEMuch of the information in this section isderived from GAZ F4 The HiddenTreasure of Ghyr. While differencesexist between the national characters ofthe region, they are demographically tiedto one another and to the the kingdoms ofthe Hill (Ghyr, Greendale, Deep Hollow).Available CharacterClassesAll of the standard human classes anddemihuman racial classes are available.The Thyatians imported the forester andrake classes into the region.If permitted by the referee, nonstandardoptions include gnomes (earth),low-level druids, and kobolds, andgoblinoids. Wise women and hakomonlikecharacters are acceptable among thewild Roags.Two new classes, the hill giant and themagician, are also available, subject tothe approval of the referee.Demographic Optionsin the DaleThere are many options for humancharacters. In declining order, they are:Roag, Known Worlder (Thyatian,anglaise, Averoignian, etc.), and Deno-Essurian. Roags dominate in the northand within the Great Olde Woode. Theanglaise are prominent in West Haven,while the Averoignians heavily influencethe Kingdom of 200 Knights. Deno-Essurians favor the east along theKaganus. A small contingent ofOchaleans forms the Sarke MercenaryTroop, but they ordinarily do notadventure.The majority of magic-users are KnownWorlders or Roags, clerics are likelyGhyran nationals, and druids are neighexclusively Roags. There are, however,no class restrictions with any groups.A final, isolated group of humans arefound alongside the Parthenal elves.Arcane or clerical magic is unknown tothese humans, but a few have becomedruids. They are restricted to thenorthern Parthenal and southern GreatOlde Woode.Vyalians are the best option for elvesthat interact with the Alliance. Vyaliansare traditional fighter-mages (foresters).The five dozen extant Lothenar elves arelimited to the the extreme easternParthenal (not shown on the map) or thecity of Ghyr. All are of adventuringstature. Parthenal elves are insulatedfrom the Alliance by the Hills ofParthenal and the Great Olde Woode.The overwhelming majority of Lothenarand Parthenal elves are single classfighters or thieves. See Realm of Wendaror The Northern Wildlands for specificson handling single-class elves in OD&D.Dwarves of the Western Alliance areeither clanless or belong to the Durwhyrclan – a branch of the Buhrohur groupthat rules Deep Hollow. A few Evefildwarves (see The Hidden Treasure ofGhyr) visit the Alliance nations, but noneare native.Gnomes in the north have no formalclan structure. They appear in all thekingdoms save that of the LowlandRoags. Resident halflings are clanless.Language in the DaleIn selecting a character’s startinglanguage(s), consider the followingclassification scheme. The two primarylanguages are a dialect of Thyatian(Ghyrian Thyatian) and Roag. Secondarylanguages include those languages thatcould be spoken in the home: KnownWorld tongues (Traladaran, Averoignese,etc.) and Denagothian Plateau languages.Tertiary languages are generallylanguages from satellite populations(Barkyip, Gnomish, Hillbanic,Hymsprach, Meggaran, the brutelanguage Denag, and Icreach Barbarian).Alphatian and Ochalean should be treatedas Tertiary languages.Initially, human and halfling charactersmust elect to learn a primary languagebefore taking a secondary one, and asecondary language before a tertiary one.The primary language of Wild Roags isRoag; for everyone else it is Thyatian.Note that druids and magic-users arerequired to have language skills in OldRoag and Essurian, respectively.Dwarves and elves from the KnownWorld use the standard languagepackages. Those native to the north havemodifications to these lists.North-born Durwhyr dwarves have aninitial language package of Dwarvish,Thyatian, Gnomish, and either Roag orHillbanic.Native Vyalian elves speak Elvish,Dwarvish, Thyatian, and Roag. LothenarElves speak Elvish (Lothenar), Essurian,Denagothian, and the brutish languageDenag. Finally, Parthenal elves knowElvish (Parthenal), Barkyip, and two ofGnomish, Roag, and Meggaran.Starting SkillsA character’s background shouldinform his initial skill choices. In the boxbelow, appropriate choices are listed.The DM is free to augment or ignorethese suggestions.Human, Nobility: one of riding (horse),needlepoint, etiquette, dancing (courtly),or music (any)Human, Commoner: one of labor,agricultural, professional or craftsmanskill, music (bardic – Taralon only)Wild Roag: two of herding, hunting,survival (subarctic plains or shatteredhills), nature lore, sewing, cooking,tanner, or astronomyElf: two of meditation, tracking, forestlore, regional history (last required ofLothenar elves)Dwarf: two of signaling (yodeling),metallurgy, prismatic studies, combatengineering, engineering, or a craftsmanskillFighter: two of bravery, riding (horse),grooming (horse), or an armor- orweapon-crafting skillCleric: Honor and a history (of the north)skillMagic-user (and Druid): two of:herbalism, alchemy, animal empathy,prismatic studies, nature lore, orhypnotismThief: two of survival (terrain), tracking,signaling, appraisal, and bargaining.Humanoids (General): as either ahuman commoner or Wild RoagMagic-Users and Druids also must beable to converse in either Essurian or OldRoag, respectively. If the character’sintelligence does not cover the language,he or she must apply a skill choice to35

CREATING CHARACTERS IN THE WESTERN ALLIANCEpurchase it. Picking up the cant languagemay be delayed until 5 th level, but it mustbe taken by then. Skills for hill giantsand magicians are covered in the nextsection.ArmorIn the northern realms, heavier armorchoices are favored. Average soldierswill don banded mail, men-at-arms (F3+)will employ plate mail, and knights ofrenown and paladins are adorned in fullsuit armor. Other armor types are left tothe clergy, archers, thieves and thedestitute. Wild Roags prefer hides (AC6-8) and leather armor.Squires wear only leather armor inrecognition of their status as non-warriorservants. Honorable knights and soldierswill not accost a leather-clad personbeyond the archer ranks.NamesWhat follows is a list of names thatcapture the cultural feel of the Dale. Thislist is not exhaustive, and players can optto choose other names.Demihumans follow the conventionsused elsewhere in the world (ex. Gaz F3),though many Parthenal elves (andhumans) use evocative descriptors suchas Mistdancer.Most Ghyran and Roag names resembleEnglish, Welsh, and Irish names from theArthurian period. Names with clearFrench influences have been sub-groupedas Averoignian-Ghyran, and those ofmore recent English vintage as Roaganglaise.Brythonic, Breton, Cornish,and Welsh names, or other pre- or sub-Roman cultures of Britain, are perfect forRoags or speakers of the humanoidlanguages.Essurian and Denagothian names taketheir inspiration from fantasy literatureand cinema. They have no real-worldcultural basis, but each has a distinctivestyle. For name examples, see Gaz F2.Goblinoids draw on both Roag andhumanoids naming traditions, though theoccasional Denagothian name is heard inthe southeast. Parthenal kobolds relystrictly on traditional humanoid names(GAZ 10 Orcs of Thar).Ghyran, Male: Abel, Aggravayne,Aithan, Aiden, Alfred, Almuric, Arthur,Bevis, Blamoure, Bleobris, Bowmarc,Brastius, Carados, Claudius, Cradilment,Dagonet, Dahnakriss, Deeth, Donal,Drex, Dynadan, Hector, Egbert, Galahad,Ganto, Gareth, Gavin, Helyn, Hernox,Horatius, Howell, Juhel, Kay,Keyhydyns, Loftos, Lucas, Ludovicus,Lyonel, Malidryn, Marhaus, Melyodas,Morganoure, Nentres, Palomides, Pellas,Pellias, Pellinore, Qasmar, Quintain,Reyns, Sean, Safere, Telles, Tharadodus,Theodoric, Torre, Tristram, Turlough,Ulphius, Umberto, Uryens, Uther,Vespen, VorlinGhyran, Female: Alana, Apris,Arwen, Aurelia, Beladore, Cordelia,Dione, Elaine, Fione, Gwyneth,Gwyneviere, Helyane, Igraine, Ione,Iseult, Isode, Leahra, Laura, MorganAveroignian-Ghyran, Male:Agglovale, Ambrose, Angwyschaunce,Bedivere, Clarivaunce, Claude, Clement,Charles, Ector, Evelake, Gawain,Gorlois, Harold, Joseph, Lancelin,Lancelot, Mellyagrounce, Mercious,Percivale, VychanAveroignian-Ghyran, Female:Anne, Beatrice, Camille, Elizabeth,Guinevere, Isabelle, Magdelene, Marie,Mercion, Mateline, Sophora, YvonneRoag, Male: Aled, Aneurin, Angwyn,Arthus, Asclabor, Atawn, Badouin,Bagdemagus, Balan, Ban, Bari,Barnabas, Berwyn, Bevan, Bledig, Bors,Brandegoris, Brecon, Brychan, Bryn,Brynmor, Cadan, Cadell, Cadogan,Caerwyn, Cador, Caradoc, Cledwyn,Cranog, Cynfor, Dafydd, Delwyn,Derwent, Dewi, Dillon, Dyfan, Dylan,Dornar, Elgan, Emlyn, Emrick, Emrys,Emyr, Gawen, Gaheris, Gerens, Gethin,Glyn, Gwilym, Gwyn, Harenbili,Heddwyn, Heilyn, Helake, Helyas, Huw,Idres, Idwal, Jacca, Jory, Jowan,Kenwyn, Lamerok, Laodegan, Llewellyn,Lot, Lyn, Mabon, Madoc, Mark, Merlin,Mordred, Morgan, Olwynn, Pedrog,Penrith, Penwyn, Perran, Rees, Rhun,Sawyl, Segwerydes, Sonnagh, Sulwyn,Talan, Tangwyn, Tecwyn, Teulyddog,Twedwr, Trefor, Uwayne, Walwyn,Wenlock, Wid, VortigenRoag, Female: Aderyn, Alana,Aneira, Angharad, Angwen, Ariene,Arweena, Awsta, Aylwen, Berwyn,Beryan, Bethan, Betrys, Beljan,Berthildis, Blodwen, Branwen, Briallen,Brigana, Bronwen, Bryn, Caitlin, Carys,Catrin, Ceinwen, Chesten, Crewenna,Denw, Dilys, Ebrel, Eiddwen, Eira,Eirwen, Enya, Eseld, Eurwyn, Fione,Gladys, Glenda, Gwen, Gwendolen,Gwenhyvar, Goneril, Gwawl, Gwynne,Gwrygon, Gwyneth, Goddau, Hafwen,Heledd, Helyane, Ione, Kerra, Kew,Leera, Lowenna, Mabd, Mair, Megan,Mellyn, Metheven, Mildthryth, Mirva,Modron, Morfudd, Morgan, Morgawse,Morrigan, Morveren, Morwenna, Nerys,Nyfain, Rhiamon, Rhiannon, Rhieinfellt,Rhonwen, Rowena, Sowena, Tamsyn,Tecca, Tegwen, Tregereth, Tyfdill,Wenna, YstradwelRoag-Anglaise, Male: Aeron, Alan,Albert, Bernard, Bertran, Bowen, Brit,Broderick, Brody, Christopher, Conway,David, Davy, Dewey, Dewitt, Digory,Dinsdale, Edgar, Edmund, Egbert,Ethelbert, Evan, Felix, Floyd, Frederick,Geoffrey, Giles, Glen, Griffith, Henry,Hopkin, Howell, Jack, Idris, Ives, Kenan,Lloyd, Maddock, Martin, Meredith,Merrick, Owen, Perry, Penrose, Powell,Price, Reese, Robert, Romney, Thomas,Trevor, WynfordRoag-Anglaise, Female: April,Carrie, Cordelia, Elowen, Eva, Heddy,Jenifer, Jenna, Kensa, Kerensa, Loveday,Maeve, Susanne, Sylvia, Melanie, Regan,Rhonda, Rosen, Tammy, Tegan,WinifredRoag SurnamesRoags traditionally did not use surnames,but they began to adopt the practice underKnown World influence. One method isto use the following prefixes with a placeor personal name: Ros (Heath), Car(Camp), Lan (Churchyard), Tre(Homestead), Pol (pool), or Pen (Head).Additionally, some novel surnameshave gained in popularity along theKaganus: Angove, Bell, Boden, Bray,Burrows, Collis, Cass, clews, Crocker,Drew, Ellery, Fenton, Goninan, Hawke,Hutchens, Keast, Lawry, Mayne, Odgers,Oliver, Perrin, Roberts, Thorne, andWarren.36

SPECIAL RULES IN THE WESTERN ALLIANCEHill GiantsThe Western Alliance is one of the fewregions of Mystara that boasts both wildand civilized hill giants, and they arepresented here as an optional characterclass for your game.Like other powerful creature-types, hillgiant chararcters present game-balanceissues. To make the character moreenjoyable with the possibility of earlyadvancement, the hit dice level and armorclass are reinterpreted. Here, a NormalMonster hill giant is less powerful thanthe statistics profile found in the ExpertSet or Rules Cyclopedia, but the twoforms have equal average hit points.In addition, hindrances have beenintroduced that are not part of thestandard hill giant.Hill GiantPrime Requisite: Strength andConstitution.Attribute Roll Modifiers: +3Str, +4Con;-3Int, -2Dex, -2Cha, -2WisAttribute Limits: Str 16/20, Dex 3/18,Con 16/20, Int 3/16, Wis 3/18, Cha 3/16Scores of 19 or 20 have adjustments +4and +5, respectively.Hit Dice: 3d8 at Normal Monster, and anadditional 1d8 per level up to 9th level(max. 12d8). Constitution adjustmentsapply per die. Starting at 10th level, +2hit points per level, and Constitutionadjustments no longer apply.Armor: Heavy hide (750cn, +1AC);large or tower shield only.Weapons: Armaments are large scalemodels of ordinary weapons that cause anextra die of damage. There are no giantbows or crossbows.Combat and Save Progression: AsFighter of same level. Giants receive a+2 bonus to Death Ray and Paralysissaves, and suffer a -2 penalty to Wandsand Spells.Special Abilities: Smash, sweep,hurling, slam, natural AC.Special Hindrances: phobias, to hitpenalty, small world problemsSpellcasting: Hill giants may becomeshamans or wokani (limit 8 th and 6 thlevel, respectively).Starting Skills: two of cooking,sleeping, drinking, herding, labor,intimidate, and tanning (leatherwork).Weapon Mastery: Begin with masteryof all bludgeoning weapons and thedagger. The giant receives additionalchoices as per a non-fighter.Smash: At first level, a hill giant mayuse the smash Fighter Option. At thecost of -5 to hit and loss of initiative, thegiant may add his entire strength score tothe damage. Smash may not becombined with multiple attacks.Sweep: At 5 th level, a hill giant mayattack all persons (allies as well) within10 feet in the forward half-circle arc.Opponents must be no taller than 8 feet.Hurling: the giant may throw largerocks.Slam: An opponent is thrown into theground or ceiling. Damage is discussedfurther in the Hurling subsection.Natural AC: An adult hill giant has anatural AC of 6 due to the toughness ofits skin, and receives a +2 bonus againstattacks by opponents 7 feet tall or shorterdue to reach.Phobias: Hill giants must save againstfear when in the presence of chicken poxand creatures at least 16 feet tall.To Hit Penalty: Hill giants suffer a -1penalty when attacking humans, elves ororcs, -2 against dwarves and goblins, and-3 attacking Halflings, gnomes orkobolds.Small World: Giants have difficultynegotiating a human-centric world. Hillgiants require a 6 foot width for passageand ceilings of 15 feet to avoid slumping.At the referee’s discretion, a giant may beforced to perform a dexterity check toavoid breaking something, getting stuck,etc.Growing Up GiantHill giants do not belong. That is thefundamental reality that every hill giantfaces over the course of his or her life.They are not human, but neither are theytrue giants.On Mystara, they are the largest of the“Urzudian” humanoids that includekobolds, goblins, hobgoblins, bugbears,orcs, ogres and trolls. These racesdescend from the ancient beastman linethat settled in the ruins of Urzud.As the largest specimens, they arephysically able to dominate the others,but there is no record of their leadershipin wild interracial groups. The hill giantsoften occupy the “champion” role in suchsettings as a means of garneringacceptance.Hill giants are used to being the largestindividuals in an encounter, so their senseof power is shaken in the presence of thetrue giant races (all save hill and stone).When faced with a true giant (or anothercreature over 16 feet tall), a hill giantmust save vs. spells or suffer fear as perthe cause fear spell. The giant also loses2 points of wisdom and morale. Thisimpact lasts for the duration of theencounter plus one additional hour.Fear is also caused by the chicken pox,but there is no loss of wisdom.Optional Rule: A hill giant who hasbeen in contact with chicken pox mustsave against disease (-10 penalty) orcontract the disease. Death results withina week.Giants often live in small family groupsin wilderness areas far from each other.These wild giants gather semi-annuallyfor celebrations of 50-200 giants. Thesegiants live in cave complexes or foresthovels. Tanning hides and treating fursare the traditional skills of giants.Civilized giants live in cottages withceilings 15-20 feet in height. They donot participate in the wild hill giantconclaves, opting instead for thecelebrations of their home countries.Giant children resemble human ones, ifa bit bigger. The abilities of young giantsdevelop gradually. Like humans, giantsbegin their teenage years at 13, whenthey stand five tall and have some skill.A hill giant gains a foot per yearafterward until adulthood at 20. Adultsstand 10-14 feet tall (9+1d4 feet +1d12inches).Weight gain is 25 pounds per annum inthe early years but exceeds 200 pounds atthe end of growth. Adult weight gain cancontinue for some years afterward.The skin begins to thicken at age 15,improving AC one point per year untiladulthood. The reach benefit kicks in at37

SPECIAL RULES IN THE WESTERN ALLIANCE18 and 20. Skills are gained at ages 13,15, 17 (young adult) and 20.Ability scores also change as the giantmatures. To approximate the change,apply the following cumulativeadjustments to the ability scores.Age ClassTeenager (13)1HD, -4400XPTeenager (15)1HD, -3300XPYoung Adult2HD, -2200XPAdult3HD, 0XPAbilityAdjustmentsStr-6, Wis -4,Con -4, Int-3Str+2, Wis+1,Dex +1, Int+1,Con+1Str+2, Wis+1,Con+1, Int+1Str+2, Wis+2,Dex-1, Int+1Con+2SkinAC9876*15 year-olds and Young Adults can hurlrocks for 1d6 points at ranges 10/20/30and 20/40/50, respectively, but theycannot slam an opponent.Mature (40) giants gain a point wisdomand intelligence, but lose one fromdexterity and constitution.Elder (55) giants lose 2 points ofstrength and constitution, but gain onepoint of wisdom. Elders must perform aconstitution check each year forworsening of faculties/eyesight, and a rollof 20 means death of old age.HurlingThe basic hurling distance is calibratedfor throwing a 20-pound (200cn) rockand causing 3d6 points of damage.Distance and mass are inverselyproportional, so a 50 pound object maybe thrown for 40 yards. A large human(200 lbs) could be tossed up to 10 yardsaway.When throwing different sized objects,assume 4d6 for inanimate objects over 50pounds and 5d6 for objects over 100pounds. Animate objects tend to havepoor aerodynamic properties and onlycause half damage.Giants may pick up smaller opponentsand throw them to the ground. This iscalled a slam. To perform a slam, thegiant must spend one round grabbing hisvictim (normal attack roll, no armorbenefit). The slam occurs automaticallythe next round.The amount of damage caused by a slamis harmonized with falling damage wherethe height, in feet, is set by the weight ofthe victim, in pounds. This weightincludes all equipment carried.Height = ( 3000 / weight ) + 10Weight Range Damage301+ lbs 1d6151-300 lbs 2d6101-150 lbs 3d676-100 lbs 4d661-75 lbs 5d651-60 lbs 6d6A giant may also throw the victim intoceiling. He suffers one fewer die per full10 feet of ceiling height above 10 feet(i.e. a 30-foot ceiling reduces damage by2 dice), but the next round the characterfalls from that height. Characters thrownaway suffer only half the number dice(min. 1d6).Giant EquipmentAs a general rule of thumb, hill giantequipment scales to inflict an extra diceof damage and quadruple encumbrance.The encumbrance multiplier forhammers, clubs, and maces is x5. Stavesand lancing equipment has anencumbrance multiplier of x3.Thus, a hill giant hand axe weighs 120cnand inflicts 2d6 plus strength, while amace weighs 150cn and causes 2d6 plusstrength.Giant-sized polearms are too prone tobreaking and are not made. Likewise,giant bows and crossbows do not exist.Improvising, a giant may use a ballista asa human might a heavy crossbow.The production of these items requires 8times the material and labor, and 10 timesthe cost. Most hill giants limitthemselves to what they can make forthemselves. Tree trunks from the taigamake excellent hill giant staves, and thegiants are renowned hide workers.Encumbrance rates are set for a 960pound capacity.Move Encumbrance0 (0) 9601+cn15 (5) 6401-9600cn30 (10) 4801-6400cn45 (15) 4001-4800cn60 (20) 3201-4000cn75 (25) 2401-3200cn90 (30) 1601-2400cn105 (35) 801-1600cn120 (40) 0 – 800cnHill Giant Progression ChartLevel XP HD HurlingTeenager -4,400 1d8 10/20/30YoungAdult-2,200 2d8 20/40/50Normal0 3d8 30/60/100Monster1 4,400 4d8 30/60/1002 12,600 5d8 30/60/1003 30,600 6d8 35/60/1004 65,600 7d8 35/60/1005 135,600 8d8 35/60/1006 275,600 9d8 40/60/1007 415,600 10d8 40/60/1008 555,600 11d8 40/60/1009 695,600 12d8 40/60/10010 835,600 +2 45/65/10011 975,600 +2 45/65/10012 1,115,600 +2 45/65/10013 1,255,600 +2 45/65/10014 1,395,600 +2 45/65/10015 1,535,600 +2 50/70/10516 1,675,600 +2 50/70/10517 1,815,600 +2 50/70/10518 1,955,600 +2 50/70/10519 2,095,600 +2 50/70/10520 2,235,600 +2 50/70/10521 2,375,600 +2 55/75/11022 2,515,600 +2 55/75/11023 2,655,600 +2 55/75/11024 2,795,600 +2 55/75/11025 2,935,600 +2 55/75/11026 3,075,600 +2 55/75/11027 3,215,600 +2 55/75/11028 3,355,600 +2 55/80/11529 3,495,600 +2 55/80/11530 3,635,600 +2 55/80/11531 3,775,600 +2 55/80/11532 3,915,600 +2 55/80/11533 4,055,600 +2 55/80/11534 4,195,600 +2 55/80/11535 4,335,600 +2 55/80/11536 4,475,600 +2 60/85/12038

SPECIAL RULES IN THE WESTERN ALLIANCEMagiciansReal magic in the Western Alliance is asubdued affair, with enchantment andillusory spells the norm. In fact most“magic-users” are not true wizards butrather magicians and charlatans playingto the crowds. Their on-stage personaecan be humorous, mysterious, or stoicallysilent, and their art ranges from escapeartists, mentalism, prestidigation, andillusion. Snake-oil salesmen,carnivalists, and spiritualists are alsogrouped under the magician rubric.Magicians know that the success of anact rests not just with the feats beingperformed but with the sell. A skilledmagician can take the simplest trick,draw out the entire process, and leave heraudience satisfied with the show. And,often as not, while the children delight intrying to find the string holding a floatingpen, the magician delights in pickingtheir parents’ pockets. It is a living, afterall.It is also a calling. Magicians want thefame of the performer and the notorietyof executing a new feat, and they guardtheir secrets jealously. A few evenmaster real magic.Typically, magicians are not theadventuring type. Their hit dice andattack progression are far less than thoseof the standard classes; however, they candevelop familiarity with many weaponsas a part of their stage act. Their uniquesuite of skills and hindrances makemagicians ideal for games with a heavyemphasis on role-playing.MagicianPrime Requisite: Intelligence, Dexterity,Wisdom and Charisma. To cast truemagic, a magician needs 13 in all four.Hit Dice: 1d4 plus Constitutionadjustments every two levels, up to 9 th .The magician gains +1 hp for eachskipped level and for every level over 9 th ,but Constitution adjustments do notapply.Armor: None.Weapons: Weapon options favor thosesuited for performance, but a few areutilitarian: dagger, staff, blowgun, net,flaming oil, holy water, thrown rock,sling, whip, normal sword, any missileweapon, hand axe, club, blackjack,throwing hammer, crossbow, bola,shortbow, and lasso.Combat Progression: As a Normal Manat first level, +1 to hit every 6 levels.Save Progression: As a Thief.Special Abilities: Performance magic,thieving abilities, true magic.Special Hindrances: none beyond thecharacter’s poor combat capabilitiesStarting Skills: Craft (Magic Trick), oneof Acting, Persuasion, Storytelling, JokeTelling, Hypnotism, or Soothsaying, andone of Animal Handling, Blind Shooting,Escape Artist, Juggling, Herbalist,Alchemy, or Cheating.Weapon Mastery: Begin with threemastery slots. Additional mastery slotsare earned as per a non-fighter.Performance Magic: The characterknows several stagic magic tricks withwhich to earn his living.Thieving Abilities: The magician has thePick Pocket skill and two other thiefabilities (player’s choice). Thecharacter’s skill grows as per a thief.Other skills may be purchasedindividually at the rate of one Thief levelper skill or magic trick slot.True Magic: A capable magician canperform real magical spells starting at10 th level.Magic Items: A magician may use anymagic item except scrolls that areavailable to thieves and magic-users. Amagician cannot learn from magic-userscrolls or spellbooks but can learn fromanother magician’s notes.The PerformanceFor the magician to earn his two bits, theaudience must be appreciative of theperformance. An act can last a round(pulling the coin from behind a child’sear), or it can last an hour. Performancesover an hour tend to lose audiences, eventhose of great magicians.The required skill options are the Craftskill, one communication skill, and onemethod skill.To determine the success of aperformance, use the formulae below.Base abilityA = sum of pre requisite adjustmentsB = magician levelBase ability = A x BSkill abilityC = slots spent on best comm. skillD = slots spent on best method skillSkill ability = C + DRoutine LevelTrick value = trick level x minutes used*Routine Level = sum of all trick values*Performance =(skill x routine) +base+1d20There is a minimum value of 1 for Aand B. Excessive time on the routine oran individual trick is penalized.The score is reduced if a trick is playedout for more minutes than trick level + 5.The Performance is dropped 5 points perextra minute. The score is reduced if theoverall routine lasts over 60 minutes.The penalty is 15 points per extra minute.Example:Fleur the Rose is a 6 th level Magicianwith +1 bonuses for Int and Cha, four 1 stlevel tricks, three 2 nd level tricks, and one3 rd level trick. She has spent two slotseach of her highest performance skills.Fleur wants to use every trick for themaximum length of time, but wants tospend 10 minutes on the 3 rd level trick(she needs the practice).Her base score is 12, her skill score is 4,her routine level is 96, and the routine39

SPECIAL RULES IN THE WESTERN ALLIANCElasts 55 minutes. Assume the dice rollgave 14.Fleur’s Performance is 410, but she ispenalized 30 points for going long on thelast trick. Her final score is 380. Thisscore helps Fleur in her professionalgrowth.Score Rating GP XP0-25 Ridiculous 0 026-50 Poor 1 151-100 Fair 5 10101-250 Adequate 15 25251-500 Amusing 25 50501-1000 Entertaining 50 1001001-2500 Wonderful 100 5002501-5000 Fantastic 500 10005001+ Legendary 1000 2500According to her score, Fleur gave anamusing performance and earned 50XP.At her next performance, she can chargethe host 25 gp. Those who do not haveorganized performances, like streethustlers, gain half the money at the timeof performance.Magicians who given an Entertaining orWonderful Performance gain a + 1reaction from those in the audience for amonth. Fantastic performances earn a +2reaction, and Legendary earn +3.The Economic LifeIt takes money to make money, and thisis no less true for magicians. Doves andrabbits must be fed, milk and eggs mustbe purchased, and assistants given wages.Below is a list of common costsassociated with magicians. Numbers inparentheses are monthly upkeeps.Rabbit, Dove .......................5gp (1gp)Duck ..................................15gp (3gp)Milk.............................................. 2cpEggs, Half dozen ...........................3spScarf ............................................15spScarf, Silk..................................... 4gpWand .............................................5spFloral bouquet ...............................3spTonic ingredients (10 vials).......... 1gpCrystal Ball................................. 50gpCards, Deck ...................................4spHat.................................................6spPoof Smoke (5 uses)..................... 1gpBasket, Large.............................. 10gpChest.............................................6gpRings.............................................2gpRings, Large .................................5gpBox, Saw ....................................15gpBox, Mirror ..................................6gpBox, Clear ..................................10gpBox, Disappearing ......................20gpCurtain..........................................5gpGuillotine....................................60gpGuillotine, Hand .........................15gpGuillotine, Finger .......................10gpMechanical Marionette. 250gp (10gp)String (100 feet)............................ 3spDove pan.......................................4gpDuck pan.......................................8gpTable, stand ..................................3gpTable, cloth................................... 4spFlash paper (50 uses)....................3gpAssistants receive 1 share to themagician’s 10 shares. This includesanything purloined during the act.Training an assistant costs 1gp/trick used.Real magic costs 1 gp in materials perlevel per use.Magic TricksTricks levels 1 to 3 are mundane sleightof hand and do not involve any magic inthe normal game use of the term. Someadvanced, but non-magical, tricks exist at4 th level and above; however, most higherlevel tricks are true magic. To develop anew trick a magician must either inventthe trick (cost and time as normal spellresearch), learn them from anothermagician (quarter cost) or take them fromanother’s notes (half cost).Magicians are noted for their magicalstyles (e.g. a mentalist vs. an illusionist).These styles are similar to magicalschools, but magicians may develop theirmastery in any and all styles.To be eligible to learn a magical trick,the character must know a trick in thatstyle of the preceeding level. Forexample, to learn a 6 th level mentalisttrick, one must know at 5 th level mentalisttrick.The styles are: Escape Artist (freedomand resistance), Dynamo (fire andlightning), Illusionist (sight and sound),Seer (knowledge and contact),Prestidigitator (production andtransformation), Kinetic (force), and theGeneralist/Naturalist style. If a mentalisttrick is preceeded by a successfulhypnotism check (preceding round), avictim’s save, if any, is penalized by -3.Mundane TricksWhat follows is a listing of various stagemagic acts that may be familiar to thereader. This list is by no meansexhaustive, and players are encouraged tocome up with routines for their owncharacters.Rope TricksIn this set, ropes are tied together, cut,and rejoined. In The Sliding Knot (1),the magician ties two ends of ropestogether, cuts the rope, and slides theknot off the rope, leaving a large piece ofrope and the knot. With the HattianRopes (3), one forms four rope hoops,cuts them, and changes rope sizes.Cups TricksCup tricks involve an array of cups withhidden items appearing, disappearing, ortransforming. The infamous Shell Game(1) hides the pea or coin underscrambling cups. The hiding object canbe replaced in the Shell Game withSwitch (2). Cups and Balls (2) is aclassic where balls pass through cup tops.Multiple balls are introduced during thetrick. A 3 rd level version introduces largesize objects (like 5 small balls becomingone giant ball).Card TricksCard Games range from Three CardMonte (Follow the Queen) (1), to PickAny Card (2) where the magicianidentifies or locates that card, and Deckof Picked Cards (3) where the entire decktransforms into that picked card. WithHunting the Jack (1), the magicianshuffles the decade until the Jack is“caught” between kings.Pan TricksIn pan tricks, the magician acts as ifbaking a cake. When flame is appliedand the lid is removed, out jumps ananimal. There are Dove Pans (2) andTurkey Pans (3). The Rabbit Pulled from40

SPECIAL RULES IN THE WESTERN ALLIANCEHat (1) trick is a related technique.Partitioned Apprentice TricksThe lovely apprentice is placed in a box,cut apart and then reassembled. Sawsand other implements may be used.There are many variations to this routine.The simple Saw Box (2) makes aseparation at the waist, while theadvanced version (3) has the lady danceand respond with her legs. The ThreeCut Saw Box (4) adds a greater degree ofdifficulty. The Stretched Apprentice (3)entraps the lady in a special stockade thatpulls her hands, feet, and head alongslides (the only body parts visible). ThePartioned Column (5) is an advancedversion that allows the head, torso, waist,and legs to rotate independently and bemoved out of the column.Wand TricksThe magician’s wand transforms ortelescopes. The Telescoping Wand (1)expands and contracts by a factor two.The Wand Bouquet (2) replaces the wandwith flower, while the Wand to Milk (3)replaces the wand with pourable milk orsand.Mirror Box TricksMirror Boxes are special boxes used tocause small objects to disappear orreappear. Rabbits and doves are goodsecondary objects (2). Clear Boxes havea higher level of difficulty (3).Carnie TricksThese tricks are often performed as partof a carnival or circus. Arrow Catch (2),Shot Taking (4), Catching a Sling Bulletin the Teeth (3), Fire Eating (1), SwordSwallowing (2), and Dagger or Axe Toss(2, 3 if blindfolded or spinning wheel, 4if both) are common.Levitation TricksIn levitation tricks, objects are seeminglyheld aloft by magical force. Floating Pen(1) dangles a pen or stick in the air.Traveling Coin (2) moves a coin fromone stack to another. Raised Apprentice(3) levitates the apprentice or balancesher on the edge of a chair.Phase TricksPhase tricks have objects interpenetratingone another. This can be aPen through Card or Coin (1), Bolt in theArm (2), the dangerous Shot with Arrow(4), often with scarf trail), or DrilledLance (5) where a lance or other longobject is drilled through the magician orapprentice, who can then be hoisted. Aspecial subgroup is the Guillotine Trickswhere a fast blade passes through aFinger (1), Hand (2), or Head (3) but iscapable of cutting objects below.Switchout TricksSwitchouts involve slieght of hand whereobjects are replaced. Cup Tricks and PanTricks are some examples. Grandpaslove to pull a Nickel Behind the Ear (1),but magicians can reveal MultiplyingEggs (2) between their fingers. AConsumed Egg to Chick (4) has themagician swallow an egg andregurgitated a chick.Milk TricksIn Poured Milk (2) the magician poursmilk into a rolled up paper, where itvanishes. In Milk Cups (3) Milk ispoured from a small cup to larger one(filling it) repeatedly until the last cupcan be emptied into all of the previouscups.Paper TricksPaper Tricks involve the cutting,restoration, and relocation of identifiablepaper. The Paper in Fruit (3) is aparticularly interesting one where a slipof paper has a corner ripped, is burned,and then is found in the center of a pieceof fruit.Escape and Disappearing TricksNo holds can bar the magician. He canescape Cuffs (1), Straightjackets (2), andbeing Strung Up (3). The mostdangerous stunt is the Water Escape (5)where the artist is bound in cuffs,straightjacket, and chains, placed in awaterfilled container, and locked in.Apprentice and magician can be made todisappear by a Box (1), Curtain (2), orCollapsing Box (2). Swords are thrust atan entrapped artist in the Basket ofSwords (3). Doing a person switch withany escape or disappearance act adds 1 tothe level.Other TricksRing Tricks involve linking andunlinking closed hoops (2). Thelegendary Trapeze Artist (5) has anunattatched doll, perfectly balanced andproportioned, that can perform on a twobar trapeze without fail. Flash (1) is astandard trick where a burst of flameoccurs.Magical TricksBelow are magical spells commonly usedby advanced magicians. A few areinappropriate for performances (e.g.Supernova), but most can be incorporatedinto a routine. The spells are grouped bystyles. Spells followed by “(M)” aredescribed below.Generalist/Naturalist4 th – Detect Magic, Snake Charm5 th – Dispel Fog (M), Precipitation (M)6 th – Growth of Plant, Growth of Animal,Speak with Animal7 th – Summon Animal, Remove Curse,Contingency8 th – Dispel Magic, Control Wind9 th – Word of Recall, Wizardry, WishKinetic4 th – Floating Disc, Snatch (M)5 th – Levitate, Hold Portal6 th – Wizard Lock, Hold Person, AnimateObject7 th – Animate Dead, Telekinesis8 th – Hold Monster*, Move Earth, Fly9 th – Reverse Gravity, Crush (M)Mentalist4 th – Suggestion (M), Slumber (M),Remove Fear*5 th – Charm Person, Sleep, Confusion6 th – Mass Charm*, Feeblemind7 th – Dance, Geas*8 th – Charm Monster, Magic Jar9 th – Alter Person (M), Juggernaught (M)41

SPECIAL RULES IN THE WESTERN ALLIANCEEscape Artist4 th – Detect Danger, Slip Bonds(M), FindTrap5 th – Resist Cold, Resist Fire, Knock6 th – Water Breathing, Haste*7 th – Protection Form Normal Missiles,Survival8 th – Protection from Poison, Teleport9 th – Timestop, Gate*Dynamo4 th – Chill (M), Produce Fire, DouseFlame* (M), Faerie Lights5 th – Light*, Heat Metal, ControlTemperature 10’6 th – Wall of Fire, Ball Lightning (M)7 th – Protection from Lightning, Wall ofIce8 th – Fireball, Lightning9 th – Battery (M), Supernova (M)Illusionist4 th – Faerie Lights (M), Obscure,Ventriloquism5 th – Mirror Image, Invisibility,Phantasmal Force, Light*6 th – Faerie Fire, Disguise (M)7 th – Project Image, Hallucinatory Terrain8 th – Massmorph, Mass Invisibility9 th – Impersonate (M), Unreality (M)Seer4 th – Analyze, Predict Weather, KnowAlignment*5 th – Detect Invisible, Locate Object,Wizard Eye6 th – ESP*, Find the Path7 th – Clairvoyance, Speak with Dead8 th – Precognition (M), Commune,Truesight9 th – Prophecy (M), LorePrestidigitator4 th – Entangle, Clothform, SummonObject5 th – Sticks to Snakes, Warp Wood,Create Water6 th – Lower Water, Create NormalAnimal7 th – Create Normal Monster, TeleportAny Object8 th – Polymorph Any (M), CreateMagical Monster9 th – Shapechange, Create Any MonsterNew SpellsSnatchLevel: 4Duration: 1 round per levelRange: 20 feetEffect: pull or push objects 1 pound orlessThe magician can “yank” small objectsfrom a distance, move coins and glassesalong a table, and perform other marvelsof movement.CrushLevel: 9Duration: 1 round per levelRange: 45 feetEffect: one victim crushedThis powerful verson of the hold spellactually crushes its victim, causing 10d6points of damage per round. The victimmay attempt to save against paralysis forhalf damage in that round. If themagician’s concentration is broken, hemay reestablish control the next round, ifthere is remaining duration.SuggestionLevel: 4Duration: until executedRange: 5 feetEffect: victim performs one act on triggerThe mentalist places a hidden suggestionin the victim’s subconscious that isactivated on a designated trigger. Thevictim’s single action must be executablewithin 5 rounds of the trigger.SlumberLevel: 4Duration 4d4 turnsRange: 25 feetEffect: one individualThis version of the sleep spell affects asingle individual whose Hit Dice or levelis less than or equal to magician’s level +4 (strength). A save is permitted, but it ispenalized by the difference in hit dice andstrength.Alter PersonLevel: 9Duration: PermanentRange: 25 feetEffect: one individualThe magician permanently alters thevictim’s personality to one of themagician’s choosing. The mentalist mayspend any number of rounds reinforcingthe spell. The victim has an initial +5bonus to the save, but this is penalized -1for each round of reinforcement. If thespell is interrupted, the accrued penalty isreduced by half. Remove curse cannotreverse this change, but dispel magic can.JuggernaughtLevel: 9Duration: 20 minutesRange: 5 feetEffect: one individualThe victim is so convinced of his or herinvulnerability that he or she actuallybecomes an unstoppable juggernaugt.Missiles and melee weapons bounce offthe victim, as do most spells andenvironmental hazards. Thejuggernaught is susceptible to mentalassaults. Preparation time is 5 minutes.Slip BondsLevel: 4Duration 1 round + 1 round/levelRange: SelfEffect: removal of bindingsThe escape artist can remove one bindingplaced upon the character each round.This includes robes, chains, weights,straight jackets and the like, but it doesnot cover room locks. Bindings areremoved beginning with the outermostand working inward.ChillLevel: 4Duration: concentrationRange: 30 feetEffect: 1 victimThe victim suffers 1 point of colddamage per round until a save is made(each round) or concentration is broken.BatteryLevel: 9Range: 30 feetDuration: 10 roundsEffect: absorbs energyThe dynamo captures and dissipatesenergy attacks. This includes magical,cold, heat, and lightning attacks. Unlike42

SPECIAL RULES IN THE WESTERN ALLIANCEa Dark Lord’s energy Containment,Battery does not work with life-deathmagic or other spells without an explicitenergy component. For previously castspells like Wall of Fire, treat Battery asDispel Magic.SupernovaLevel: 9Range 300 yardsDuration: 1 round per magician levelEffect: release of energyThe dynamo unlocks all of the energyarounding him in a terrifying, pulsatingwave. Those within 300 yards must saveagainst Death Ray or be blinded. Anyonewithin 30 yards suffers 5d6 pressuredamage, 5d6 magical damage, and 10d6heat damage each round (save vs DeathRay, Spells, and Dragon Breath for half).Damage decreases one die for every 30yards.Faerie LightsLevel: 4Duration: 2 rounds per levelRange: 40 feet + 10 feet per levelEffect: 1d4 lightsThis spell produces up to 4 moveablelights capable of illuminating an area, butnot as brightly as a light spell.Precipitation*Level: 5Duration: 1 round per levelRange: 20 feet per levelEffect: light rainRain covers an area whose diameterequals to 30 feet + 10 feet/level. Thereverse (Evaporation) removes 1 gallonof water per level over an equivalentarea. This spell is identical to the fairyspell of the same name, but magiciansmay not use the dehydration attack.DisquiseLevel: 6Duration: 1 dayRange: SelfEffect: change formThe illusionist can take the form of anyhuman, humanoid, or demihumanethnicity. The illusion affects all senses,alters the magician’s accent, and cannotbe dispelled by touch. This spell doesnot grant skills, special abilities, orlanguages, nor can it be used toimpersonate a specific person.ImpersonateLevel: 9Duration: 1 dayRange: SelfEffect: Adopt IdentityWith a minimum of 40 hours of study,the illusionist can assume the identity andappearance of specific individual. Theillusionist can replicate any taskperformed by or language spoken by thesubject during the period of observation.UnrealityLevel: 9Duration: 1 hour +5 minutes per levelRange: 1 mileEffect: MisperceptionUnder this spell, reality – as viewed bythe victims – becomes completelydisconnected. Animals talk, weaponsbend rather than penetrate, people shatterif they fall, and other preposterous ideasabound. Those who make a save againstspells -3 see through the unreality, butvictims are completely at risk to thewhims of the illusionist – subject to thereferee’s approval.Polymorph AnyLevel: 8The presitidigitator may use any of thepolymorph spell.PrecognitionLevel: 7Duration: 1 turnRange: 10 milesEffect: gain insight into the futureThe character using Precognition entersinto a trance (1 turn duration). Thecharacter must have in mind a particularindividual, place, or up-coming event tofocus the power. The informationgleaned is similar to a series of imagesviewed without context. The DM mustdetermine the nature of the images andany game mechanic consequencesappropriate to those images.ProphecyLevel: 9Duration: PermanentRange: GlobalEffect: Reveal or set in motion futureThe seer produces an allegorical story inthe future or rhyme that will come topass. Conditions and triggerrequirements must be set in the prophecy(Ex. the monster will be slain by a mannot born of woman). Prophecies cannotbe used for self-enrichment oradvancement. The DM is free todisallow the contents of the prophecy,and the player need not be informed ofthis decision (a Fool’s Vision).Douse Flame*Level: 4Duration: 1 round per levelRange: 50 feetEffect extinguish small flamesThe magician extinguishes small, nonmagicalflames such as candles andlamps. The reverse of the spell,matchstick, ignites candles and lamps.Dispel FogLevel: 5Duration: permanentRange: 20 feet per levelEffect: remove fogThis spell removes both natural andmagical fog.Ball LightningLevel: 6Duration: 1 round per levelRange: 180 feetEffect: 1 ball per 5 levelsThe dynamo produces multiple balls ofelectrical energy. The lightning ballsmoves 120 feet/rd to chosen spots andthen move randomly. They cause 1 pointper level of electrical damage. There is a10% chance of a ball coming to rest on aspot and causing fire.43

SPECIAL RULES IN THE WESTERN ALLIANCEMagician Progression ChartLevel XP 1 st 2 nd 3 rd 4 th 5 th 6 th 7 th 8 th 9 th1 0 2 - - - - - - - -2 1,000 4 - - - - - - - -3 2,000 4 1 - - - - - - -4 4,000 4 2 - - - - - - -5 8,000 4 3 - - - - - - -6 16,000 4 3 1 - - - - - -7 32,000 4 3 2 - - - - - -8 64,000 4 3 3 - - - - - -9 120,000 4 4 4 - - - - - -10 180,000 4 4 4 1 - - - - -11 240,000 5 5 4 2 - - - - -12 300,000 5 5 5 2 1 - - - -13 360,000 5 5 5 3 2 - - - -14 420,000 5 5 5 3 3 - - - -15 480,000 6 5 5 3 3 1 - - -16 540,000 6 5 5 3 3 2 - - -17 600,000 6 5 5 3 3 2 1 - -18 660,000 6 6 5 3 3 3 2 - -19 720,000 6 6 5 3 3 3 3 - -20 780,000 6 6 5 4 4 4 4 - -21 840,000 7 6 5 4 4 4 4 1 -22 900,000 7 7 6 5 4 4 4 2 -23 960,000 7 7 7 5 5 5 4 3 -24 1,020,000 7 7 7 6 5 5 5 3 -25 1,080,000 7 7 7 6 6 5 5 3 -26 1,140,000 7 7 7 6 6 6 6 4 -27 1,200,000 7 7 7 6 6 6 6 4 -28 1,260,000 7 7 7 6 6 6 6 4 129 1,320,000 7 7 7 7 7 7 6 4 230 1,380,000 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 4 331 1,440,000 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 4 432 1,500,000 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 5 433 1,560,000 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 5 534 1,620,000 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 6 535 1,680,000 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 6 636 1,720,000 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7Other Game SystemsThe Western Alliance is useable for gamesystems other than OD&D. Here areguidelines for translation.For First Edition, Paladins and cavaliersexist in the Kingdom of 200 Knights andWest Haven. Wild Roags supportbarbarians, and bards can be found inTaralon. Druids are in Taralon and theGreat Olde Woode. Thief-acrobats arelimited to the Channel communities andDauphins. Human and elven rangers arepart of the Vyalian trainining program.The Illusionist may be used as asubstitute for the magician. The monkclass is inappropriate, as are psionics.Under Second Edition AD&D, thefollowing kits: academician, acrobat,adventurer, adviser, animal master,archer, astrologer, axe for hire, bandit,barbarian, berserker, battlerager, beggar,buffoon, burglar, cartographer, cavalier,celtic bard, celtic druid, charlatan,chevalier, cutpurse, diplomat,entertainer,envoy, errant, expatriate, explorer, fence,gallant, giant killer, gypsy bard, hedgewizard, herbalist, huntsman, jester,jongleur, locksmith, mercenary, minerowdy, myrmidon, natural philosopher,noble, pardoner, patrician, peasant hero,preacher, savage, scout, seeker, shaman,squire, trader, undead slayer, villagedruid, wilderness warrior, and witch.Good choices for a specialist wizard areEnchantment/Charm and Illusion, butInvokers and Abjurers are not rare.For campaigns under 3.xE, it isrecommended that you use the prestigeclass option for paladins. The sorcerer isa perfect character choice among thenative northern populations, and it can beused in parallel with the Roag MacCullendruids. Sorcerers suffer the same culturalantagonism with the Church of Ghyr asdo druids and, to a lesser extent, themagic-users of the High College. TheHigh College does not admit sorcerers. Itis recommended that dwarven charactersnot be permitted to cast arcane magic.44

NEW MONSTERSMonstrous creatures are uncommon butnot rare within the northern kingdoms.The majority of encounters are withnormal or large animals, but dangerousfoes wander in from the surroundingareas. Regional lists are provided in theGeography section and within thedescriptions of the individual kingdoms.Some AD&D creatures not normallyassociated with Mystara appear in thelists. This fauna was established by theLJN product line. Of particular note isTiamat (see Adventures). Unlike othergame settings, Tiamat on Mystara istreated as a group of five distinct, hugechromatic dragons. See Gaz F4 forfuther details.Strange OneAC 5HD 5*Move 120 (40)Attack 2 slaps or whineDamage 1d10x2 or specialNo.1(1)AppearingMorale 10Alignment N/CIntelligence 8XP Value 300Habitat Isolated HomesteadsThe Strange Ones are not a part of thenatural world and are perhaps feycreatures specific to the north. They onlyappear to individuals or small groupswhom they have been sent to kill.A Strange One has a fun-house mirrorappearance with greatly distorted bodyparts. His or her head, hands, shoulders,hips, knees, and feet are huge relative anormal personal. The neck, arms, waist,thighs, and calves are similarly shorterand thinner than normal.Strange Ones do not converse, but theymay stop to listen to a speaker for a time,even one who they have been sent after.The standard attack is by slapping withthe two large hands, but a Strange Onemay also emit a disturbing whine. Thiswhine (“Aih-h-h wee-e-e-moul”) acts hasa hold person or cause fear spell(referee’s choice).The Crimson EttinAC -3HD 26*****Move 150 (50)Attack 2 clubs or 2 spellsDamage 4d4x2 or specialNo.UniqueAppearingMorale 11Alignment CIntelligence 16XP Value 20,000Habitat Prison PlaneChildren of the Kingdom of ManyColors have long been scared by the taleof the Crimson Ettin, a fearsome creatureof unbridled hunger and cruel intellect.Unfortunately, the nightmare is true.The Crimson Ettin is unique: a threeheadedgiant who was so ravenous he atethrough his mother’s womb. The beastwas finally subdued by other giants andsomehow trapped within a fairy-builtprison plane.The Crimson Ettin quickly conqueredhis new home and remade it in his image.He learned arcane and clerical abilites(his right and left heads, respectively) inaddition to his martial development. Hehas the capabilitites of a 27 th level magicuserand cleric (or druid). The giant nowawaits his release and return to the Dale.The realm of the Crimson Ettin is filledwith two-headed beasts. Each head bearsfour horns. These animals chargetrespassers, but those who can show nowfear (treat as a cause fear spell) will gounmolested.In melee the Crimson Ettin attacks witha large club in either hand. This iscoordinated by his central head. From adistance, his left and right head castappropriate spells. The Crimson Ettinhas learned how to interwine his handmotions to cast spells simultaneously.His prized possession is his silverwand. This wand can put victims intosuspended animation, turn them to stone,or disintegrate them.Only a prismatic stone (the YellowDiamond of Release), left at a particularhill-lock in the Flatlands on the night ofthe full moon, will break the seal on theEttin’s realm. From that point forward,he will be able to freely merge his fairyrealm with Mystara on nights of the fullmoon.The Ettin enjoys playing games withhis food, and he might engage in riddlingbefore devouring someone.BogleAC 8HD1d6**Move 150(50)Attack Dagger or specialDamage 1d4 or specialNo.1d4(1d4)AppearingMorale 6Alignment CIntelligence 12XP Value 7Habitat AnywhereBogles are evil exiles from the fairycourts whose abilities affect the minds ofthose they encounter.When a bogle moves, its form seems tojump or shudder. Anyone watching abogle for six (6) rounds will havedifficulty focusing their eyes for the restof the day (-2 to hit in melee, -4 to hitwith missile). Those attacking a bogleautomatically suffer this penalty. Thebogle can also teleport without fail up to150 yards.The creature can see invisible objectsbut cannot, itself, turn invisible. Threetimes a day, a bogle can cast confusion orfeeblemind. Once per day, it can performa Mind Freak.In a Mind Freak, the bogle presents itsvictim with an image or conceptimpossible to comprehend. Often, thisattempt is in the form of a riddle orpuzzle (-4 to save with object). A victimthat fails his save against spells acts as ifgeased to understand and solve theproblem. This can lead to reckless andlife-endangering acts on the part of thevictim.45

MAGICAL ITEMSStanding StonesStanding stones are huge, shaped stonesthat rise from the ground. They often areerected to mark sacred or magical places.This is especial true when multiple stonesare arranged to produce a larger structure.An individual stone weighs 1 to 25 tonsand stands 5 to 30 feet tall. Thetransportation of such rocks is a majorendeavor requiring the efforts ofnumerous individuals.A single standing stone is called amegalith (a shaped slab or a taperingobelisk). A trilithon is formed when threestones are placed in the form of a gate.Large sites often use several megalithsand trilithons to from circles or horseshoes.In the north, a few stand stones arefound in the Flatlands, but the vastmajority occurs in the Great Olde Woodeor the northern Hills of Parthenal.The following are examples of standingstones.Boundary Markers: The stones markthe borders of a sacred or political area.Sacred markers often represent a circle oftrees.Natural Observatory: The stonesserve as an archeo-astronomicalcalculator. The position of the stoneshelps locate eclipses, equinoxes, andother celestial events. A circle is onepossible configuration, but fields ofstones, many under 5 feet, can occurindependently or in conjunction withcircles. Creating a natural observatoryrequires two skills: astronomy andengineering (-4 to each roll). The actualquarrying and shaping of stones requireslabor (-4) or stone carving.Monuments: The stones mark thelocation of treasure or the burial sites ofnotable historical figures. A megalith ofthis type was placed on the fields ofBethfield to commemorate those whodied on the the 6 th of June Battle.Magical Standing Stones:Standing stones may become magicalthrough association with druidic or feyrites, Immortal intervention, or via thenormal process used to create magicalitems. Common powers associated withstanding stones are shown below. Thereferee is free to choose the powers fromthe list or substitute other powers. Add+1 to the roll for trilithons.Powers of Standing Stones (d4)1 Petrified Entity2 Stone Guardian3 Peaceful Stones4 Speaking Stones5 Trilithon GatePetrified Entity: The stone is actuallya huge being--often a giant or titan-- thathas been so weathered and overgrownwith moss or ivy over the years itsoriginal humanoid form is no longerdiscernable. It radiates magic and mayreturn to life if a dispel magic or stone toflesh spell succeeds. The restoredcreature may be grateful or hostile to itsattacker, depending upon its personality.Stone Guardian: Once per day, thesteward of the stone, a druid, can orderthe stone to come to life for one turn perlevel of the druid. The animated stonefights as a 16 HD earth elemental, but ifit leaves the grove it reverts to a normalstone and may not be reanimated untilreturned to the grove--a herculean taskfor the druid. Within the grove, the stonecreature heals at a rate of 1 hit point perturn.Peaceful Stones: The standingstones exert a calming influence on theearth. No earthquake spells may succeedwithin a radius that measures (in feetfrom the center of the stone or cluster) adistance equal to the number of stones inthe circle. Since no earthquakes orvolcanic eruptions occur in this area,peaceful stones often stand nearvolcanoes or faults. Removing themcould spell disaster for nearby forests andtowns!Speaking Stones: Any druid cancompel stones in the grove to speak (asper (AD&D or 3E) Stone Tell). Thispower may be repeatedly invoked, but thestones speak for no more than threerounds per day.Trilithon Gate: Characters passingunder the stones emerge from anothergate. Characters with a particular gate inmind will reach it; otherwise, they comethrough a random gate. This power canreach any gate in the world, no matter thedistance. Anyone can travel via trilithongate only once per day; it is impossible togo through and return again immediately.Other ItemsPrismatic Stones: These gemstonesare magically resonant, and can moreeasily be imbued with powers. (See GazF4 for more details).Staff of Recording: This ornamentedstaff bears a crystal orb. It records allevents within a 30 foot radius for up to24 hours. The staff may only hold theimages of one scene at a time.Amulet of Emotions: This curseditem projects an illusory transformationaround the wearer that represents his orher emotional state. Example: someoneangry will appear as an ogre.Medallion of the Mirror: This is asmall silver mirror set in a frame of cheapgemstones. It reveseres the results of anydetection spell (1d6+1 charges).The Demandes Joyous ofWynkyn de Worde: This fabled bookcontains all the riddles that a giant orbogle could ever ask.The Braying Ass: When its ears arepulled, coins fall from its mouthThe Table of Plenty: Uponcommand, the table will present a feast.The Stick of Banging: The stickwill beat a designated target or group oftargets until commanded to stop.The Harp of Conviction: This harpis made from the breastbone and hair of amurdered maiden and will play itself atan appointed time, explaining its story,revealing the killer, and then breaking.The Book of Sable and Iron: Thisbook is bound by chain and needs an ironkey. It speaks of the nature of allexistence, and how other worldlycreatures might be summoned andcontrolled.The Alchemist’s Table: The table’sapparati can change copper to gold andlead to silver.The Mirror of Everything: Thismirror can see anywhere in the world.The Whispering Shell: Those whoput the shell to their ear can hear thewords of anyone in the world.46

ADVENTURESA Matter of Perspective(Continued from page 31)Nothing As Yet: Wenna demands thenew princeling, and Robert is happy to berid of yet another heir – for a price.Robert’s political ambitions need to befulfilled, and he needs the Scarlet City’sArmy. Hastings, the offending DeepHollow, or the troubled Snowden are allpotential acquisitions. Meanwhile,Wenna seeks to marry off a half-giantessdaughter to Duke Gareth, and a sobbingQueen Mary wants the return of herchild. In this open-ended scenario, theparty must negotiate the political waters,participate in battle, and possible asserttheir own authority.Region-Wide AdventuresWe have already seen adventure arcsfor each of the kingdoms of the WesternAlliance and for the Great Olde Woode.Those adventures were independent ofwhat was happening elsewhere in theDale, but they could easily beintertwined. For example, you could run“Rusak’s Vision” (West Haven) throughFramed! and then partake of one-offadventures in the Great Olde Woode andthe 200 Knigthts’ arc “For Love of AMaiden” before returning for Rusak’sRevenge.An element of instability will likelyhave been introduced in one or morekingdoms, and this adventure section willmake no attempt to shoe-horn previousarcs’ resolutions. This section includesstorylines that could occur anywhere orinvolve the region as a whole.There is a great deal of flexibility builtinto these ideas, and the referee shouldfeel free to interlace the mini-campaignsor insert his or her own arcs. Levels areeasily adjustable.Though not used here, one possible arcstructure is the domino-campaign, wherethe final resolution of each adventuredepends upon the completion of thesubsequent adventure. All of theadventures are (relatively) quicklyresolved in reverse order at theconclusion of the last adventure.The Seven Curses of Lady Grey(Levels 8-14)Lady Grey is an eligible noblewomanwho is afflicted by seven fiendish curses.The curses have twisted the sweet womanmaking her wrathful, prideful and greedy.Lady Grey may hail from any nation, andher present residence need not be thesame. Family members beg thecharacters to intercede. In this minicampaign,errant characters travel theWestern Alliance to undo the anchors ofher curses and can win the hand of LadyGrey and other noblewomen ornoblemen. The adventures may becompleted in any order.Giant, the Third: The curse of wrathis anchored to the body of the ettin Felland Foul. The adventure begins as acousin of Fell and Foul holds captiveseveral commoners and nobles in hiscave or castle. The death of his cousinrousts the ettin for revenge.The Wages of Sin: The defrockedbishop, Ludovicus the Long, is sellingindulgences in the village. He also hassome relics for those with a bit to spare.This is nothing new for the exclergyman,but now he has some unholycompanionship in his work, the sprit ofavarice.Lazy Jack: Childe Jack is a lazy,unwise boy, unlikely to succeed in lifeuntil the curse of sloth is banished.Jack’s mother begs the party to take theboy under its wing and raise him right. Ifthey succeed, he might just cure themalady of Princess Camille with a welltimedlaugh. [Note: Childe and Burd areterms equal to young Master and Miss –Ed.]Foolish Apprentice: Theanchoring spirit of pride has convinced amagic-user apprentice that he cansummon great spirits, but the lad or lasscannot control them. The party mustdefeat the otherworldly forces and makethe apprentice see the errors of pride.The Maiden Quest: Guided by thespirit of lust, a knight has wronged amaiden, and he has one year in which tosolve her riddle or be hanged. The partymust help the man overcome his desiresand learn the answer to the mindbogglingriddle.The Green Wyrm: A sorcerous stepmotheris envious when step-daughter’sbeauty is recognized by a knight beforeher own. With the power of envy, sheimprisoned the knight and transformedBurd Melanie into a dragon that nowroosts at the Lonesome Heugh (Rock).The party must free Melanie and removethe anchoring spirit.Humbert is Hungry: Gluttonycould find no better friend than Humbertthe Large. The cleric spreads his mirthand cheer, dangerously depleting localfood stores. Will the village starve, orcan the party satiate the ravenous horde?Even after all the anchors have beensevered, Lady Grey herself must bereleased before the journey is complete.A Shady Assortment(Levels 15-18)Leehan Halflings are examining whereto put new franchises of the ShadyDragon Inn, and the Theives’ Guildwants a piece of the action. From theScarlet City to Snowden and Wexham,the speculative shortfolk are shadowedand cajoled. This arc can easily beinserted between “War of theUnderworld” and “The Idrisian Way”(see Gaz F4).Small Details: The representativesof the Shady Dragon Inn hire the famousparty as guides to the Western Alliance.The group wishes to visit several citiesand town, and each offers its own perils.Gwynne Cutpurse of Snowden mayprove a useful contact.The Miller Maid: As offers arebeing made, the daughter of a VerdantCity miller, and franchise candidate, isfound drowned. Was it an accident, foulplay from a competing interest, orsomething closer to home?Guild War: Shady Dragon Inns havebeen sited, but those without thefranchise are bitter. Recent losses inleadership in the east and west permit theaggrieved to wage a vendetta, and firesplague the inn constructions.The Wyrm of Idris: Even after themerchant conflicts are eased, trade routesfor the inns are imperialed. Malypir, alarge blue dragon of the Onyx Ring,47

ADVENTURESseeks to control the prismatic stone tradein Deep Hollow and the Scarlet City.She organizes the Orcs of the SkeletonBone, a tribe within the Hillbans, andother foul beasts to control the roads andall travel around the Kaganus headwaters.Once Upon a Starlight Fall(Levels 19-24)While upon the Strathgledd, ClaudiusCloudgazer witnessed a series of fallingstars in the the east and the west, and theauguries of Mildthryth the Mild suggestgreat troubles will plague the north - atime of disease, undead, and strangehorrors that begin harmlessly enough.Earthshaker!: It is festival time inthe west, when the lumbering shapeappears on the horizon. It is theEarthshaker – a colossal mechanical manpiloted by the Earthshaker gnome clan.A former West Haven roustabout, Milos,has returned home from his travels withhis new companions. Poor Milos wantsto recruit members for his new greatcircus, but the regional powers want hismechanical man, and the local gnomeswant help against the Parthenal kobolds.The characters are stuck in the middle ofit all.All You Zombies: In the wake ofthe Earthshaker come hordes of undeadfrom the Borean Tier and beyond.Whatever their differences and internaldivisions, the Western Alliance mustwork together to fight back the menacebefore all is lost.Battle of the Birds: The fields ofthe Dale are littered with corpses thatmust be disposed of. Hundreds of crows,large and small, fill the air and the fields.They are soon joined by owls and raptorsof every desription. Their aerial tumblethreatens to wreck the settlements.Worse, it threatens to attract hungrydragons near the inhabitants.The Deadly Pox: A deadly illness issweeping the north, and giants areparticularly susceptible. The super-strainof chicken pox could be a final legacy ofthe zombie invasion, or it could be theprecursor of something worse. Thecharacters must find a cure for the poxbefore it is too late.The Old Death: Kerra the White hassummoned the party to the remote IvoryCity. The audience unusual in itself,Kerra reveals her secrets of what is onlyknown as the Old Death. With warmachines, the undead, and plague havingtouched the lands, old protocols areactivated. Meks, protohumans, and otherlost horrors emanate from the Old Death,now at the control of the baldandars.The Thyatian Eagle(Levels 25-29)This mini-campaign is shared with theKindgoms of Ghyr, Deep Hollow andGreendale. The Empire of Thyatis hasfinally recalled that it once had dominionover Provincia Gurrania. The Empire isin dire need of new sources of income,and representatives have been sent to theformer colonies to demand levies.Loyalties to the Empire can completelyreorder the Alliance and the kingdoms tothe east.48

ADVENTURESDemand of Allegiance: TheCourts of the north have received noticethan an envoy from Thyatis, CaiusLineus, will be arriving in due course.The characters are tasked with escortingthe visitors through the north. Tourneysand fairs are held at various points duringthe visit, showcasing the prowess of thenorthern kingdoms. When the Thyatiansmake their demands, the characters musthelp their leaders decide the fate of thekingdoms and ensure the safety of theirThyatian guests. Outcast princes andprincesses (such as Sylvia, Arelina, andIone) might leverage allegiance for aid intheir return to power.The Secret Heir: Reacquiring oldpossessions is not Thyatis’s only goal. Acompetitive imperial line exists in theform of the adventuress Renia. Renia hasreached the Western Alliance, convertedto He Who Watches, and is now courtedby the Cerulean Duke. Roag MacCullenfollowers do not wish to see her rise, nordo factions of the Thyatian contingent.Assassination attempts and frame-upsabound. Others, affiliated with theunderground Order of the White Drake,will support her. It is up to the party tosave the lost princess and help herdiscover the final clues to her buried past.Roag Rebellions: The decisionover rejoining the Empire can split theentire north as old allegiances andanimosities rear their heads. Roagsacross the north will refuse the Thyatianyoke. At a minimum, civil war will eruptin Greendale, the Kingdom of ManyColors, and Taralon. Dauphins, too,might be imperiled. An emergentalliance of Roagendoch, the Mabds ofTaralon, and Carwen of the Great OldeWoode would split the Alliance andthreaten Dauphins and Nortopolis. Thecharacters must undertake diplomaticmissions to secure new alliances for thecoming conflicts and put out what firesthey can.The Lost Standard: The court ofGhyr has summoned that kingdom’s bestknights to find the Lost Eagle Standardbefore the war arrives. The other royalcourts, and some of the provincial ones,quickly follow suite. The filching exbishop,Ludovicus the Long, may holdthe key to the quest, but can the partyafford his price?The Faltings Rebellion: The faceof the north is irrevocably altered as openwar breaks out over the Thyatian Empire.The Regent of Faltings makes a bid forindependence from Dauphins, and ignitesthe larger conflict. Augmenting theThyatian-side is a Legion arriving inWest Haven and flyers of the RAFcoming over the Icereach Range in theeast. For an even more expansiveconflict, wildcard elements from theKingdom of Denagoth, Leeha, Alpha, thebarbarians, the humanoid communities,and even Wendar could all becomeinvolved in a pan-northern conflagration.Victorious characters may receive greattitles of their own, while the vanquishedmay be stripped of what they have.The Three Fredericks(Level 30)This single shot adventure can be usedas the conclusion of the “Thyatian Eagle”or used some years later. With theupheaval in the north, a new crop ofleaders take the thrones at variousstations. Among the leaders (or clearheirs) are Frederick of Dauphins,Frederick of Nortopolis, and Frederick,the (now grown) Bastard of the CeruleanCity. Courtly intrigue plays out as thethree Fredericks set themselves up as thestrongest leader of the north. Frederickof Nortopolis inherits his father’s ruthlessambition, and has his siblings and cousinarrested. Which Frederick will the partysupport? Or will they challenge for theirown supremacy?The Crimson Ettin(Level 31-36)At some point in the last few years, theYellow Diamond of Release saw the lightof the moon, and the locks on the prisonrealm of the Crimson Ettin were broken.The ravenous beast is preparing for hisreturn and punishment of the ScarletCitizens, the fairy-kin of the Great OldeWoode, and others who were complicit inhis incarceration.Giant, the Fourth: The powerstruggles of the past have given way to astabilized Dale, and peace has held forsome time. A castle suddenly appearsupon the Plains of Kavasz (or otherlocale). It is home to the terrible, foreigngiant Gartigantua (of any type), and hismagic-wielding associate. The giantbetrays knights and ladies, transformingthem into beasts. Upon a dragon-drawnchariot, Gartigantua steals a royal ornoble daughter and transforms her into awhite hind. The party must storm thecastle, guarded by all manner of creatures(such as griffons), and restore thereleased beasts.The Dark Tower: Noblekidnappings continue, now under Cauld,the self proclaimed Bogle Champion.Heroes of the north must locate his DarkTower (accessed only from a hillockduring the full moon), survive the oddrules of his fairy realm, and end hismenace.Earth, Wind, and Water: Threestrains of Roag MacCullen exist,paralleled by the three elements featuredprominently in its magical rites. TheMabds had sought (and might still seek) athird druidess to complete their owntriad. Now the three seem to no longercooperate. As divisions within the Roagtraditions unravel alliances, the elementsseem to rise up for their ownconfrontations. Earthquakes, tornadoes,river overflows and disappearances taketheir toll, while elemental powers warand support Roag factions.The World End’s Well: Too manycalamities have struck for this to be acoincidence. The heroes of the northmust locate the World End’s Well todiscover the cause of the new troubles.Tree of White Blossoms: TheThree Founts of Wisdom have revealedthe Crimson Ettin’s hand in this. Todefeat him, the party must first locate theTree of White Blossoms and Silver Fruit.It is a belief among hill giants, that if agood giant is buried beneath a tree, it willblossom white the next spring. Theburial tree of one truly good giant alsobore silver fruit, according to legend.The characters must find the tree andcollect the fruit, but no one knows if thestory is even true.49

ADVENTURESInto the Crimson World: Strangetwo-headed beasts have been ravagingthe countryside, and people have beendisappearing – food for the CrimsonEttin. Sarabeth, Princess of Roags, or thecharacters’ loved ones are among thosemissing. Armed with magic made fromthe silver fruit, the party must enter thegiant’s world and defeat him before all islost.Other AdventuresThe Western Alliance is brimming withenough adventures to keep a campaignbusy for a long time, but there are a fewother opportunities for excitement thatshould be mentioned.The Bastard Heir of Taralonand Ghyr: Rumors persisted some timeago that Mabd I had sired a child in theeast. The veracity of this claim is open tothe referee, but if chosen, it can be usedto connect Taralon with Ghyr. Ghyr’sadventure path ends with the ursupationof the throne by a stranger. This figurecould be the child of Mabd and eitherGanto or Qasmar.The Impossible Tasks: Thecharacters are given seeminglyimpossible tasks such as cleaningmassive stables, draining lakes, andgetting eggs from tall trees.The Golden Castle: A lad has wonthe hand of noble maiden with the aid ofthree powerful imps residing in a magicsnuff box. The lad’s snuff box andgolden castle disappear, and the partymust help him recover the castle or hismarriage is annulled. To find the castle,the party must visit the King of All LittleMice, the King of the Frogs, and the Kingof the Birds.The Peerage: This Ghyr adventure arccovered conflicts between Greendale andthe western giants. This mini-campaigncan be recast from the Allianceperspective, putting Count Lyonel in hisplace, and aiding the eastern elves againstthe dragon Viridis.Tiamat: As described in The HiddenTreasure of Ghyr, Tiamat is five ancient,huge dragons that were released at theend of the Avenger’s War. The dragonsterrorize not only Ghyr but the Dale andother parts, as well.LJN AdventuresThe LJN characters that appear in thiswork have three mini-campaign concepts.One deals with the eastern region, asecond with the Taralon communities,while the third focuses on troubles in theGreat Olde Woode.The Cyclopean Problem: Thecyclops Pulvereye has organized theHillbans to lay claim to the Flatlands andthe Scarlet City. Mandoom stands in theway of the horde, but he will not beenough. Word has been sent to hire theSarke Mercenaries, but Grimsword isalso in Sentaburgh, troubling the localknights, and the grating Garm Gray Gazeis troubling everyone. In the end, all thatmight turn the tide is divine intervention– in the form of a young titan.Molliver’s Twist: Molliver is oncemore troubling the Thieves’ Guild aroundthe Taralon Channel. But can she escapewith knowledge of plans for the ShadyDragon Inn franchises? The mercenaryDrex hunts the thief, and her onlyprotector might be the outcast half-elf,Caruso.In the Thick of It: Problems arearising in the eastern Parthenal, as theresidents of the Swamp of the Beast andkobolds pressure the eastern settlements.Can Hawkler and his Vyalian companion,Aurelia, work with the half-elvendruidess, Filaree, to avoid a plague offrogmen?For further development, Drex andGrimsword are the most accessiblevillains at a human level, while Hawklerand Molliver are the best known of theheroes. All four characters appear aspotential party members in the Quest forthe Heartstone, and there is nothing toprevent them from journeying east.Likewise, the other characters can appearelsewhere.In the LJN arcs included with Gaz F4,“Deeth’s Virtue” and “War of theUnderworld” are the two mostappropriate for the Alliance LJNcharacters.Adapting Published AdventuresRQ1 Night of the Walking Dead can beused in either West Haven or Snowden.The Great Olde Woode is a suitablesetting for N2 Forest Oracle. C4 ToFind a King and C5 Bane of Llywelyncould also be used, but the lost Llywelynis a Roag hero and not a former king.Timing the AdventuresIf your campaign operates under themeta-story in the Wrath of the Immortals,the Western Alliance is not an officialpart of the events that rock the south.However, it is a perfect site to play outcompeting imperial interests betweenThyatis and Alphatia. The ThyatianEagle campaign, anticipated to occurafter Emperor Thincol passes away, canbe run during his reign.CM5 Earthshaker! involves a pair ofdominions in Norwold. As presentedhere, the giant mechanical man passesthrough the Western Alliance first.Possible routes into Norwold includejourneying into the deep north beforerounding the mountains, the Leehan Trailrecently established north of Ghyr, ortraveling down the Ghyran Piedmont,curling around the Icereach into thebarbarian lands, and ending up in theWyrmsteeth region. Alternatively, thecircus can head south to Wendar andGlantri.The Idrisian SphereIf you enjoyed this work, be sure tocheck out the other entries in the IdrisianSphere collection, available free fordownload from the Vaults of Pandius.Gaz F1 Realm of WendarGaz F2 Denizens of DenagothGaz F3 The Great Northern WildlandsGaz F4 The Hidden Treasure of GhyrGaz F5 The Western Alliance50

THE IDRISIAN GRIMOIREIs this stuff canon? Is it canoncompatible? Is it compatiblewith other fan-works?No, this work is not canon. Neither I norany other fan can lay claim to canonicityfor an original work. Only the licenseholder, currently Wizards of the Coast,may do so. Even so, the incorporation ofsuch items is always at the discretion ofthe referee.The gazetteers were written to becompatible with the canon majority andseveral other fan-created works, but it isnot so with all other works. Even worksthat were used in the production of agazetteer may have been altered for betterintegration. Specific canonicityquestions are addressed later.What is “Canon?”Those new to Mystara and its history canbe bewildered at times with “canon”-talk.A “canon” is a set of texts recognized asauthoritative for an activity ororganization. In the context of RPGworlds, the term is nearly synonymouswith “official product.”Mystara has several distinct sets ofcanon that represent different productioneras. Many of the contradictions thathave arisen in the official products areunderstood better by known to whichcanon group a product belongs.The Moldvay/Cook/Mentzer canon ismade up of the boxed rule sets (BECMIfor short) and almost all modules. In theMCM sources, the world outside of thecivilized “Known World” region is verywild and empty of governmental forces.X11 and the seminal B10 and X10modules were part of this era.The Gazetteer-era canon included all ofthe Gazetteers (save Gaz14), the Dawn ofthe Emperors boxed set, three of theCreature Crucibles (PC1-3), and ahandful of late modules. The Gazetteerswere a revolutionary step in gaming aids,and the benchmark products of the midlateeighties. The previous adventuresX10 Red Arrow/Black Shield and X13Crown of Glory were arbitrarily placed inthe distant future.This was succeeded by the HollowWorld/Early Challenger-era canon. Inaddition to the Hollow World and theWrath of the Immortals boxed sets, therewere the DDA, HWA, and HWQadventures, three Hollow Worldgazetteers, and Gaz14 The AtruaghinClans. Product focus during this eradrifted away from mortal characters to anexpansive host of Immortals who wereinvariably involved in all activities in thegame world.Concurrently, the supervisor for theproduct line, Bruce Heard, contributed aseries of articles in Dragon Magazine.“Voyage of the Princess Ark”, the“Known World Grimoire”, and severalone-off articles on dragons, rakastas andother Mystaran fixtures make up this set.While not technically part of the officialproduct line, the articles were and still areconsidered a proper canon set, and theywere fundamental in shaping whatfollowed. The Heard canon renderedseveral modules (X4-6 and X9)incompatible or reset them to the distantpast and made Heldann an advancedgeopolitical player.The Almanac era continued the metastorylinegiven in Wrath of theImmortals, and provided a highly detailedoutline of how the game world was toevolve over the next four years. Thiscoincided with the approaching transitionto the 2E game system. At this time, thegame world finally received its name,Mystara. This era also saw the release ofChampions of Mystara – a boxed setbased somewhat on the “Voyage of thePrincess Ark” that completely reworkedthe Sind Desert and the Serpent Peninsula– and PC4 Night Howlers – a guide forlycanthropic characters and a farewellthrowback to the Gazetteer line. Thesetwo items are part of the Late Championline.The final, abreviated canon set was forthe adaptation to the 2E game system. Itwas marked by poor development thatproduced several canonical problems.The Red Steel sub-line by Tim Beach wasa revisioning of the “Voyage of thePrincess Ark” articles on the SavageCoast. Red Steel was noteworthy for asuperior production effort, an internallyconsistent setting presentation, and fullintegration into the 2E system, but it wasquickly discontinued. Red Steel differedfrom the Heardian view of the wallara(single-sex lizard folks vs. fine-scaledAborigines) and Bellayne rakasta (feudalJapanese vs. Elizabethan England).Is Mystara tied to DaveArneson’s Blackmoor?Blackmoor shortly preceeded Greyhawkas the D&D game’s first publishedcampaign world. Due to internalfrictions, TSR continued without Mr.Arneson, and Blackmoor was shelved.When the gazetteers were firstproduced, a decision was made (bywhom I do not known) to give a tip of thehat to Mr. Arneson and make Blackmoora part of Mystara’s deep past lost as aconsequence of the Great Rain of Fire. Ina further show of improved relations, theDA series of modules were released forthe then-current D&D system.As a practical matter, MystaranBlackmoor and Arneson’s Blackmoor areindependent, if parallel, concepts. Thereare no humanoids in MystaranBlackmoor, for instance – only beastmen.Fans are free to combine information fortheir personal games, and the d20 editionof Blackmoor did include some Mystaranelements.Are your elvish names Tolkienin origin? What do these elvishwords mean?Apart from one or two borrowings, theElvish presented in this line is unique toMystara. It is a mix of both canonicaland fan-based information. During thecompilation of Realm of Wendar, Inoticed certain recurring features and“reverse-engineered” the linguisticelements to give names meaning. Hereare some basic Elvish word elements:Genitive suffix: eth (m), ell (f), oth(external, non-elven), ath/all (vowelalteration after i); also used for showingthe embodiment of a trait or patrilinealdescent.Accusative prefix: n(V)Nominative/Dative affix: -el-, -il-, -al-,51

THE IDRISIAN GRIMOIRE-ol-City/town/site: -(r)ion (with a personalname, a magnifier)Stand (stead, village; adj. upright): -dhonFortress or keep: -narBeside or against: -(ol)asGold: laurielMist: nimbielUnwanted: lethirDespised: lethirionPlains: sonnolHills: emynDeep: lotheHome: heimSong: leidhNine: noi or neuGiven by: ethinRiver: -il, -inPrecepts or rules: orieMonk: itana, plural itanamNorth: forenMarch or boundary: markInspiring: thalHere are translations of different sitesand persons that have appeared in theIdrisian Cycle Gazetteers.Sonnoleth: the region of Sonnol (plains)– lit. The Plains PlainsLothenar: deep or hidden fortressHeimsleidh: home-songMuil: the Mu/Mur riverDenolas: beside the foreign DenNeuel-ethin-Orie: Precepts given by theNine (the Korrigans)Elanoitanam: the monks of the NineForenath: northern regionForenmark: start of the northKevareth: the region of Kevar (political),- the hills are Emyn Kevar.Why did the Wendarian historyseem to concentrate on theNorthern Wildlands?The historical information in Gaz F1Realm of Wendar did lean heavily on thearea to the north rather than Wendarproper. Various considerations were inplay during production, but one of the bigones was wishing to not step on any toesof previous contributors. There hadalready been a mini-gazetteer compiledby Thorfinn Tait, plus the older“WenDen” timeline of Marco Dalmonteand Shawn Stanley and Geoff Gander’s“Northern Wildlands” timeline. The lastwas crucial in providing a structure for anelven-dominanted Wendar.Wendar’s southern reaches were oftenoverlooked. Interested fans shouldconsult Marco Dalmonte’s updatedregional timeline. The information onThane Duncan can be treated as acompatible element of southern history.Is King Gylharen of Wendar ahuman or elf?Gylharen’s race was never explicit in X11Saga of the Shadow Lord; however, theTolkienesque design of that module leftmany with the impression that Wendarwas a human kingdom.The module-era view was altered inGaz3 The Principalities of Glantri byBruce A. Heard, which fixed Wendar aselven. This view was continued throughthe Wrath of Immortals/Almanac line.The Almanac line described Gylharenas elvish. In an ecumenical spirit, I madethe king human with elvish ancestry – orelvish with human ancestry – as are manyin Wendar. There is minimal impact tothe setting created by changingGylharen’s race if you so choose.Could you use anotherprismatic stone with Wendar’swells of power?Yes. The only caveat is that the wellsmust be attenuated to the specific stone.King Gylharen did this after the Wizards’War. A well may be attuned to only onestone at a time, and the stone must be inthe interior of the power line web.I just examined the map ofWendar. Why are there placesand landmarks that were nevermentioned in the gazetteer?Why are some names different?Gaz F1 Realm of Wendar was written toconform to the original map posted byThorfinn Tait. Mr. Tait has since revisedthe placement of a few locations, changedsome of the names, and introduced riversthat were entirely absent from theoriginal map. This updated map iscurrently the only one available at theVaults of Pandius – hence the confusion.Additionally, there has been somediscussion about further changes.For those wishing to synchronizenames, here is a current list ofequivalences and change explanations.Aebryn Lwynn: this village is in the west,between the Shrine of the Black Wingand the neighboring hills.Aelythnar: replace with AelthynarAmmalanleth: replace with the newAmmalanethAnorion: the wizard is Anorion, thetower is Antirion, and the surroundingdead land is Antiriath. The joint ofthree dead wood hexes (“J”) is 3 hexesSW of the Shrine of the Silent Hunter.Antirion is the cupped hex.Baamor Woods: equivalent to BaamorothBlynnfare Hall: Bynflaare is correct, andshould be 4 hexes SE of the top hill inthe Laughing Woods.Amoleth: Amoleth is 4 hexes due southof Bynflaare Hall.Yngvarsvall: The village is 4 hexes SWof the trade juncture to Lerian’s Tower.Forest of Bounty: eq. to Gwenneth ForestEnchanted Forest: eq. to Trindall orLauriathForest of Hope: This is a local name thatwill be given by Alfheim refugees.Greatwood: This is a cartographic error,or a future refugee name.The Heartlands: This name is notcurrently used.Elthanamir: this village will be settled byAlfheim refugees.Elven Pass: eq. to AelfpassEverway Keep: eq. to AllenarAlvar’s Stead: eq. to AlvardhonHawksgate: eq. to HawksnarKorrigan Forest: The Renatic name isGenallwald. Korrigan Forest is arelative new name. Visitors call it theForest of 1000 Butterflies.Altar of the Korrigans: At present, thisshrine does not exist, but it could beconsecrated.Dawnblossom-Qvar: Qvar is eq. toKavar, Kvar, and Wyrdal (emptyvalley). The resident dwarves are odd,and name variations occur.Uumarne: replace with Umarne52

THE IDRISIAN GRIMOIRELake Phyrroe: rep. with Lake FyrromarLaurianta: eq. to Lauriath, LauridhonShadowmere: This ancient place is notsubject to Wendar’s government, but istied to the dragons. FoxwoodShrines: The shrine names are fluid, butthe power of a particular well isconstant. Alternatively, new wellsmust be tapped periodically.Rivers: The region-spanning rivers arefordable their entire length. In winterand summer time, they reduce to smallcreeks or disappear entirely.Didn’t Camla already steal theHeartstone a century ago?The backdating of the adventure X11occurred in the Almanac-era canon. Aneditorial preference was made to nothistorize adventures whenever possible.This particular decision was supported bysuggestions for running Saga of theShadow Lord as a follow-up to Wrath ofthe Immortals using the Alfheim-borneplague as the disaster that strikes Wendar.To balance timelines, the Wizards’ Warwas moved from three decades ago tothree score ago, but the module isotherwise intact.In your history, you have Thyatisorganizing colonies and forcesin Glantri. Did Thyatis havecontrol over the Known World inyour history?No. As in the real world, nations oftennegotiate for travel and basing rights fortheir military units. With the permissionof a friendly Council, Thyatis was able touse parts of Glantri, likely Caurenze andNouvelle Averoigne, as a staging area.This corresponds to a period of timewhen Glantri was peacefully absorbingimmigrants and the d’Amberville familyhad disappeared. The Empire likelyreimbursed Glantri for this usage, andcaravan trains would have traversedDarokin’s toll roads.Where did you get the idea for aThyatian presence in the north?There are two Mentzer-era canonicalarguments for having the Thyatians in thenorth, one Gazetteer-era reason for thetiming of their presence, and oneHeardian justification for how it came tobe.X11 references an alliance of some sortbetween Wendar and Thyatis, and theinfamous Master’s Set world mapshowed the Empire stretching up intowhat this line calls the Hill and Dale.Now the opening issue of the “Voyageof the Princess Ark” boldly declared thismap to be wrong, and the narratorattributed it to the joking work of aThyatian general. The final piece of thepuzzle came from the well-documentedcolonization attempts of the Empire in900 AC.The map was not meant to represent theworld as it was, but to serve as ablueprint for expanding imperial holdings– a plan that ultimately fizzled. Thegenesis of the particular general restswith James Ruhland’s Thyatian historyand the Marco Dalmonte’s use of same inhis revised regional history.How could Ilsundal murderGenalleth and still be a goodImmortal?Genalleth was bent on reacquiringBlackmoor technology. In this line,Ilsundal was dedicated to destroying suchtechnology as he led his followers on apunishing journey to their eventual home,the Sylvan Realm. From Ilsundal’sperspective Genalleth’s goals were evil,and he had to be stopped. It was a formof compassion to allow Genalleth’sfollowers a dignified illusion about hisfate.How much involvement doesIdris have in the Idrisian Cycle?As a mortal, Idris was personallyresponsible for the destruction ofForenath and Soreth.As an Immortal, Idris involved herselfin the mortal world only once, amillennium ago, to say “worship me.”From that simple act, more kingdomsfell, abominable acts transpired, countlesslives were lost, the Wildlands weretransformed, and the Lothenar elves werepushed to extinction – all driven bymortal actors.How much involvement does HeWho Watches have in the world?There are no recorded instances of hisinvolvement in Mystara, and it is notimplausible to suggest that he does notexist as an Immortal. Unlike other gameworlds, Mystara’s clerical powers can beself-generated by deep belief andcommitment to concepts such asalignment (BECMI and RC supported).Each character, and referee, mut decidefor him- or herself the existence of theWatcher.How many dragons are there inthe Onyx Ring?The exact number is unknown, but agood estimate is 6-10 large dragons and15-25 small ones. The latter areoffspring of the former. They are foundin every region of the Idrisian Sphere andperhaps elsewhere, too.Are the frogfolk of the NorthernWildlands related to the Templeof the Frog?The Temple of the Frog was an evil frogworshippingCult in Arneson’sBlackmoor, and one of his adventureswas released under that name, DA2. In asci-fi overlap, alien crash survivors tookover the Temple and geneticallycombined humans and frogs, before theywere defeated by Blackmoor’s heroes.One possibility is that the frogfolk ofthe Wildlands are descendants orseedbank offspring of individuals whoescaped into the (old) north.Alternatively, they are a newly createdrace.53

THE IDRISIAN GRIMOIREAren’t Strongheart and Mercionsupposed to be rulers ofIerendi?Strongheart and Mercion were charactersin the LJN toyline commissioned by TSRto highlight the AD&D game. The linedid not particularly take off, but some ofthe characters became iconic within thegaming community, especially Warduke.Several characters appeared in artworkand as NPCs in XL-1 Quest for theHeartstone, and an overlapping set wasgiven statistics in AC1 Shady Dragon Innwith write ups that reflected thecompletion of XL-1.X10 Red Arrow/Black Shield listedStrongheart and Mercion as the rulers ofIerendi. In various iterations of thecanon, X10 has been set at present time(1000 AC), 1200 AC, and 1004 – 1010AC. Military information in X10 wasgenerally adopted in the Gazetteer era,but national leaders not always so. Gaz4The Kingdom of Ierendi had a smallthrow-away line in the monologue of atour guide that Figgen and others hadresidences in Ierendi, but Strongheart andMercion were not the rulers.As the Ghyr gazetteer assumes that theHeartstone Quest is to occur in theimmediate future, it provides guidance ongetting the LJN characters to Ierendi intime for the War with the Desert Nomadsin the Wrath Timeline.What is written on the lettersthat Archbishop Loftos sends tothe Sorrows nunnery?The recipe for chicken soup.Seriously, the Loftos Papers wereintentionally left vague for the referee touse as needed for his or her game. Thepapers can detail future calamities (epicor master level), possible signs, secretmagic, multiversal truths, contingenciesin the event of death, or news of the restof the world. They can contain more thanone thing, so the Loftos Papers could be arecurring hook to move your characterswherever their story goes.In the Master-level adventurearc for Ghyr, there was anangel, Joseph of Orcathia.Where is Orcathia?Orcathia is a Thyatianized version of aGhyran borrowing of a Roag loanwordfrom Denagothian. That is to say,Orcathia can be anywhere you wish it tobe. Northern regions near the Hillbans orthe hills along the southern Swamp of theBeast are good candidates.Did you use stuff from your owncampaign in producing thegazetteers?I cannot speak for other contributors, butmy answer is a qualified no. A fewEaster eggs were placed in the history ofMaggorath’s downfall, putting names topre-existing story points. There was alsothis cleric, Joe, who once drank a bottlein Castle Amber… The other gazetteersare free of these spots, as will be futureones.In a lot of the write-ups in thisgazetteer, you used the term“sub-Roman.” What is that?“Sub-Roman” is a term used by somehistorians to describe the period inBritain between the Roman withdrawaland the arrival of St. Augustine.Can a hill giant knight competein the tourney field and joust?Duly recognized giant knights maycompete in field lists and grand melees.A host can prohibit a giant’s entry, but itis bad form. To joust, the giant wouldfirst have to find a mount strong enoughto carry him. Jousting is so foreign to thegiant, he suffers a -5 to hit against othergiants and -8 against human-sizedopponents. An opponent can possiblydismount the hill giant only by inflicting40+ points of damage.Can my fighter learn somemagic tricks?Yes. The magician class can beconsidered a secondary, split-class aswere Merchants and Merchant-Princes.Also, the character could spend a skillslot to gain a magician level. Thecharacter cannot gain access to thethieving and real arcane skills of themagician by using skill slots. Undereither variant, the character gains neitherhit points nor saving throw progressionsin the magician class.How did you determine thelatitude markings on the map?Latitude has been problematic, withofficial global or hemispheric mapsdiffering on their placements of thetropics, Arctic Circle, and the equator.Using the Hollow World global map asa guide, 30° North Latitude was set 12miles due south of the Silt River in Sind(middle of the hex below the marsh).Scale was then set by trying to balancethe Equator tangential to the IzondianCoast and 80° North at Frosthaven’ssouthern point. Simplifying the ratio, onegets 6° for every sixteen 24mph hexes.This is a slightly larger estimate than isfound in the Almanacs, and the Earth’sactual curvature, but it fits the graphicalillustrations well.Incidentally, this method revealed thatthe Gander Davania maps were perfectlongitudinally, but were too compactNorth-South.The north shore of Norwold’s GreatBay is at 66° north. The Arctic Circle isat the top of the mountains.Is there any East-Westdistortion in the map?The cartographic realism is up to thereferee, but this line assumes that mapsare displayed orthographically (longitudecurves straight up and down) with thelatitudinal distances constant (24 or 8mphalways correct).If you wish to incorporate East Westdistortion, use 4° longitude for every nine24mph columns. At 60°N, the distortion54

THE IDRISIAN GRIMOIREratio is between .68 and .87.Math Alert. The exact value dependsupon where you wish to place the“Standard” measure and how muchcylindrical radial expansion you wish touse along the polar axis. No expansion isthe perfect sphere with holes model,implicit in the Hollow World Diagrams,but small expansions permit a smootherwrap into the Hollow World and generatepolar circles (true 90°).The no-expansion with the Belcadizstandard has less than 5% errorthroughout the Known World. TheZeaburg-Standard with a 100-mileexpansion means less than 10% error inthe Known World and 28% at 60°. TheHelskir-Standard with a 500-mileexpansion has Known World error of25% but there is only 13% error at 60°.What humans created the firstkingdom after the Great Rain ofFire?The humans who existed around theBorean Tier after the Great Rain of Firehave their own story, but you will have towait for upcoming gazetteers to see whothey were and who they became.What happened in the BoreanValley to produce undead?That, too, is a tale reserved for the future,although a more distant one. Mark yourcalendars for October 31, 2008 and stockup on holy water.How many prismatic magicalitems exist?There are four major items known toincorporate prismatic gemstones: theElvenstar of Wendar, the Heartstone ofGhyr, the Stone of Death in Denagoth,and the one-use Yellow Diamond ofRelease in the Dale.Smaller gemstones appear in traditionalmagical devices. The magician Rusakhas likely acquired many such gems.What else is on tap for theGaz F line?2007 will concentrate on the lands of theNorwold coast from Heldann in the southto fan-created Littonia and Karjaala in thefar north. There will also be an excursioninto the Sea of Dread and the legendaryThanegioth Archipelago.Assuming good fortune and sustainedinterest, 2008 will be a wild year,literally. A series of Creature Cruciblescovering goatmen, bhuts, geonids,undead, acteons and other monsters willbe interspersed with time spent in the Seaof Pearls and the Alatian Sea.Of course these projections are just that,and as has been seen already, theproduction schedule does change.What is so darn special aboutthe NPC Renia that she appearsin almost every gazetteer?Renia appeared as a pre-generatedcharacter in X11 and X13. Her kingfisheremblem is a sign of royalty, and the GazF line ran with the idea that she is ofroyal – rather imperial – birth.She represents a competing line for thethrone of Thyatis. When Thincol theBrave seized the imperial thrown in thewake of the Alphatian Spike, he purgedthe officer corps and inexplicably orderedthe extermination of the Order of theWhite Drakes, a branch of the Empire’s“air force.” One theory is that the Orderwas deeply loyal to another line in theimperial family and secreted thosemembers away. Renia now seeksanswers to who she is in the north, as herpast is tied to Gabrionus IV and V. Shewill likely appear as an NPC for futurelocales, as well.Do you have any suggestedreadings or viewings thatcapture the spirit of the region?The Denagothian Plateau took inspirationfrom various sword and sorcery moviessuch as The Beastmaster, but some ofRobert E. Howard’s Conan storiesgenerate the right level of decadentcivilizations in ruins that characterizeEssuria and Denagoth.Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur wasinvaluable in creating Ghyr. It is a bitdry, but it also puts Camelot in thecontext of the Roman Empire.The feel of the Western Alliance wasinspired by Shakespeare’s Histories andthe comedies Cymbeline, As You Like It,and the Merry Wives of Windsor. Alsoimportant were Chaucer’s CanterburyTales.Numerous diminutia and adventureideas came from English Fairy Tales byJoseph Jacobs (the “Be Bold…” saying isfrom the story “Mr. Fox”), The Book ofGiant Stories by David L. Harrison (giantfears), Celtic Fairy Tales by Neil Phillip,and the short story “The Selfish Giant”by Oscar Wilde.Though not used in production of theGazetteers, readers might look up MandaScout’s Boudica Quartet for parallels tothe Roag struggles against the Thyatiansand Ghyrans. Marion Zimmer Bradley’sMists of Avalon series is germaine to theMabds of Taralon, and the Alphatiansource of druidism was inspired by thesynopsis of Atlantean contributions.Finally, Michael Jeck’s A KnightsTemplar Mystery series (especially TheMerchant’s Partner) is good for murdermysteries in a medieval setting.55

VAULTS OF PANDIUSThe Western AllianceAn Unofficial Game Accessory“Fie, Fi, Fo, Fum! I smell the blood of a Thyatian!” bellowed thegiant. Alexandra tried to hide behind a column, but to no avail.The giant spotted his quarry and covered the distance in threebounds, flinging his coat aside. Alexandra trembled as the giantlowered his massive head to her level. She knew what wouldhappen next.“Milady, may I have this dance.”This is the fifth entry in a series of unofficial Gazetteergaming aids for enthusiasts of the world of Mystara.This work covers the Western Alliance, a collection ofsparsly populated kingdoms far to the west of Norwoldwhere Thyatian ambition failed to take hold.“The Western Alliance” provides descriptions of thehistory, nations, races, and personalities of a landwhere the simple tricks of the street magician delightthe children, and great giants fill their dreams. But notevery fairy tale has a happy ending, some monsters dolurk beneath the bed, and sometimes the king goesmad.This product also provides guidelines for playing hillgiants and a new performer class, the magician.