Player’s Guide

Player’s Guide
Lead Game & Setting DesignERs
Mattias Johnsson Haake, Mattias Lilja, Jacob Rodgers
Cover art
Martin Grip
Illustrations
Martin Grip

Graphic Design & Layout Event manager

Dan Algstrand Anna Westerling
(based on Symbaroum by Johan Nohr)
PR manager
Maps Boel Bermann
Tobias Tranell
Streaming
Project Managers Doug Shute, Matthew Jowett
Mattias Johnsson Haake, Mattias Lilja
Customer Support
Proofreading Jenny Lehto, Daniel Lehto
Brandon Bowling, Martin Lund,
Stefan Patey

Special thanks to
Adam Rawson, Alberto Meoni, Alessio “dottorblaster” Biancalana, Agnese “killbilla” Iannone, Anders, Anthony Reynolds, Ben Fabian, Brad Hawley,
Bret Jordan, Bret Smilyk, Caden K, Christer Malmberg, Claus Bo Christensen, Dan ‘Credorion’ Griffith, Dan Price, Daniel Z., Dillon Burke, Dojean C. W.,
Dr. Eric Johnson, Ph.D., Edrakerz, Emma Banfi, Eric Thomas Lentz, Erick Christgau, Erick Truman, Etienne Guerry, Gavin Call, Gaz Deaves,
Gordon Milner, Guido Conaldi, Guillaume “Lizardman” Moureaux, GuruPhil (The Dark Orb), Ian Bichmann, Ian C. Nodurft, Jacob Ryckman,
James L Smith, Jason Beasley, Jaz Darwin, Joerg Peters, Jonathan Pay, Judson Stubbs, Justin Bojarski, Kamil Wicki, Kathleen Kiker, Keith J. Farmer,
Kenneth Paul, Kyle M, Kyle Wood, Lorcan Starstrider, Lukasz Hankus, Marco Pagnini, Matteo Chiericoni, Matteo “ZheXian” Saletti‑Zampa,
Michael Kiker, Michael “Hassurunous” Loubier, Miguel Baluyot, Mike St. John, Narök, Nicolas Belley, Noah Karrer, Olivier Mangeon, Patrick Pryds,
Rafael Gutierrez-Torres, Richard “Rick” Moore, Richard Ruth, Robin, father of Logan., Robin Hagblom, Roland Karlsson, Ry Wymer, S. E. A.,
S. Y. A. Hartmann, Shawn P, Stephan Faber, Steven J Mathis II, Svante Morén, Tim Rudolph, Ulf Möller, Ursur1minor, Yule Panda

ISBN: Print:
978-91-89143-25-8 Standart Impressa UAB 2021

Product Identity Notice: The following items are hereby identified as Product Identity, as defined in the Open Game License version
1.0a, Section  1(e), and are not Open Content: all trademarks, proper names (characters, place names, etc.), new rules, classes, items,
backgrounds, places, characters, artwork, sidebars, and trade dress. Open Game Content: The Open content in this book includes material
taken from the Systems Reference Document. No other portion of this work may be reproduced in any form without permission.

Symbaroum is a registered trademark of Fria Ligan AB.

 THE SETTING CHAR ACTER
The Return of the Queen 8 OR IGINS
The Promised Land 9
The Ways of Life 10 Abducted Humans 44
Factions 13 Runaway 46
Davokar 20 Changelings 48
Important Settlements 24 Broken Home 50
Mage’s Assistant 51
Dwarves 52
Dreams of Doom 54
Life-debt 55
Outcast 56
Elves 58
Avenger 60
Exile 61
Mediator 62
Scout 63
Goblins 64
Laborer 66
Convert 67
NEW RU LES Wild 68
Humans 70
The Role of the Player 32 Common Folk 73
Traveling 34 Faithful of Prios 74
Rests 34 Houses of Nobility 75
Social Challenges 36 Merchant 76
Corruption and Shadow 37 Refugee 77
Time Within the Game 40 Scholar of Ordo Magica 78
Ogres 80
Learned in Magic 82
Raised by Common Folk 83
Sellsword 84
Trolls 86
Artifact Collector 88
Journey of Discovery 89
Undead 90
Revenant 92
 CLASSES RESOURCES
&  F E ATS Equipment 160
Economy and Money 160
Captain 96 Weapons 162
Merchant Master 98 Armor 169
Officer 99 Equipment and Services 172
Outlaw 100 Lifestyle Expenses 176
Poet-warrior 101 Food and Drink 178
Hunter 102 Trade Goods 180
Bounty Hunter 104 Alchemical Elixirs 180
Ironsworn 105 Lesser Artifacts 184
Monster Hunter 106 Traps 186
Witch Hunter 107 Listing of Spells 187
Mystic 108 Important Notes 187
Artifact Crafter 110 Sorcerer 187
Self-taught 112 Theurg 188
Sorcerer 113 Troll Singer 188
Staff Mage 114 Witch 189
Symbolist 116 Wizard 190
Theurg 118 Spell Descriptions 192
Troll Singer 119 Cantrips 192
Witch 121 1st Level Spells 192
Wizard 123 2nd Level Spells 196
Scoundrel 126 3rd Level Spells 200
Explorer 128 4th Level Spells 208
Former Cultist 129 5th Level Spells 211
Guild Thief 130 6th Level Spells 217
Sapper 131 7th Level Spells 221
Spy 132 8th Level Spells 223
Thug 133 9th Level Spells 223
Treasure-hunter 134
Warrior 136
Berserker 138
Duelist 139
Knight 140
Rune Smith 141
Tattooed Fighter 142
Templar 142
Weapon Master 144
Wrathguard 145
Feats 146
Boons 147
Burdens 151
Origin Feats 153
Class Feats 155
Introduction
Symbaroum is waiting for you and your friends! The book – the gathering of darkness to each character’s Shadow
in your hands is more than mere paper and ink. It is the (an ethereal aura that every creature possesses) and how,
gateway to another world: a world where you will get to left untended, it can manifest as terrible physical trans-
explore the vast Forest of Davokar in the hunt for treasures, formations and the eventual loss of the character entirely,
insights and fame; where you may visit one of the eleven as darkness consumes them mentally and physically. We
barbarian clans to trade or plunder their treasuries; where round out these rules with notes on time in the game and
you can establish a base of power among princes, guilds or how we track things from moment to moment, day to day,
rebellious refugees in the capital city of Yndaros; where you and month to month.
can fight for the honor of Queen Korinthia or ally yourselves Section three provides the rules to build a new character.
with the ancient guardians of the forest. Whichever path Each hero has an origin, and each origin provides one or
you choose to walk, unforgettable adventures are waiting more backgrounds appropriate to that origin, tightly inte-
behind every crest and bend. grating a character’s background with their history. Origins
Aside from the base core rules referenced in the OGL (see also provide key game stats, like the character’s Hit Dice,
page 32), this Player’s Guide contains everything you need which are based on their size (Small, Medium or Large).
to create characters and set out to explore the wondrous We then provide a number of Classes, each with multiple
world of Symbaroum. We provide this information in four Approaches (your subclass). This provides a tremendous
major sections: an introduction to the setting, new rules amount of customization; each approach always adds fea-
for gameplay, the rules for character creation, and a set of tures at the same character levels (starting at level 1), al-
resources for making characters and for use during play. lowing two characters with the same Class to function very
Let’s talk about each of these in a little more detail. differently within the game. The section ends with a set of
The first section provides basic information on the set- feats for optional use — some are available to anyone; others
ting, enough for the players to immerse themselves in the are tied to a particular origin or class.
game world. We provide the history of the local lands, most The last section presents a set of resources that you’ll use
especially the forest of Davokar, the clans that live there, during character creation and actual play. We provide a full
and the recently founded Kingdom of Ambria. We discuss listing of equipment, from war gear to trade gear, including
each of the major factions in Ambria, as characters will things like alchemical elixirs, lesser artifacts, and traps. We
sometimes need to negotiate the political currents of the then present spell lists for each of the Mystic class’s Ap-
kingdom, and then dive into the dark forest of Davokar with proaches (like Theurg and Wizard), followed by a detailed
its many secrets and dangers. Finally, we visit three of the listing of new and modified spells from the SRD for your
most important settlements: the capital city of Yndaros, the Mystic to use.
staging grounds of Thistle Hold and the stronghold of the The very end of the book includes a sample character
clanfolks, Karvosti. sheet (also available on freeleaguepublishing.com) and a
The second section covers new rules that we have added comprehensive index.
to help emphasize the dark fantasy nature of Symbaroum. We hope you enjoy exploring the Ruins of Symbaroum as
This includes changes to the rules for traveling and rests, much as we did bringing it all together. For a complete game
meaning that it is difficult for the characters to heal them- experience, look for the Ruins of Symbaroum Gamemaster’s
selves fully while in the wilderness. We then give the Game- Guide (massive support for GMs running games in the set-
master tools for handling negotiations and tense situations, ting) and the Ruins of Symbaroum Bestiary (dozens and doz-
by providing some structured rules for social challenges, ens of new monsters and their associated lore with which
and provide opportunities for both good roleplay and good to challenge the players).
stats to have important functions in the scene. Next comes
an introduction to the ever-present threat of Corruption Happy gaming!

Mattias, Mattias & Jacob

 SECTION 1

The Setting
Like a steel-­clad ship in a thundering storm, she cut through the waves of darkness
and dread. I was there to bear witness; I am one of few who stood in awe as the first
light of dawn got caught in her armor, transforming our young Queen into a mount-
ed, sword-­wielding sun – Korinthia Nightbane, our sovereign, slayer of the dark.
The blood that was spilt, the lives that were lost, the tears that keep falling from
red-­rimmed eyes; the skies filled with ash, the soils turned to dust, the rivers trans-
formed into muddy trenches. Such is the price we had to pay, for the Dark Lords’
betrayal, but also for the hardships that finally led us here, to the Promised Land.
Strengthened and enlightened, we begin again, the children of Alberetor matured
into the mothers of Ambria. The sorrow that blackens our hearts will be delivered in
tears of hope and joy, not of grief and despair. We shall harvest the fruits of earth
and forests, we shall harness the force of rivers and mountains, we will rise higher
than ever before. To the pleasure of Prios we shall ascend to a place where there
are no shadows, where darkness is no more. Because we are the people of Korinthia
Nightbane and we will never be vanquished!

Excerpt from Herakleo Attio’s New Year’s speech, the Triumph Plaza, Yndaros
 1 T h e S e tt i n g

Welcome to Symbaroum! Or, to be precise, welcome to the text, topics we have been forced to exclude because of space
region that in ancient times was ruled by the civilization of limitations. But we hope and trust that the included material
Symbaroum – an empire that by all accounts was advanced will prove to be enough for you to fill in the blanks yourself.
in the areas of architecture, spirituality, magical schooling Below you will find information on the setting’s history,
and the arts; a culture that without doubt suffered a both geography, population, and most powerful factions. You will
rapid and brutal downfall. also find a presentation of what can arguably be described
This section of the book contains an overview of the re- as the heart of the game world, the forest of Davokar, fol-
gion where the roleplaying game Symbaroum is set, a region lowed by an introduction to its most important settlements:
including the kingdom of Ambria, the vast forest of Davokar, Ambria’s capital city of Yndaros, the town of Thistle Hold,
the naked lowlands west of the woods and the mountain and the forest plateau Karvosti where the High Chieftain
ranges marking its southern and eastern borders. What may of the clanfolks resides.
be found outside this region will become the topic of future With the texts, images and maps of this section at your dis-
modules, although some information has been included here posal, we hope that you will feel welcomed to the setting of
– not least about Alberetor, the land south of the Titans which Symbaroum. We would also like to invite you to contribute to
the Ambrian people have been forced to abandon. its expansion. It is when this book reaches its readers that Am-
The reason for zooming in on a limited geographical area bria and Davokar truly begin to live and breathe, and we hope
is that we are aiming for a presentation which is compre- that you are willing to share your ideas, thoughts and creations
hensive rather than shallow, nuanced rather than sweeping. with the Symbaroum community. In this way, the improvement
That being said, you will still find blanks and gaps in the and development of the setting can become our joint venture!

The Return of the Queen

The Great War, the hungry hordes of the Dark Lords – a chieftain bowed before the superior power and the work of
nightmare that lasted for two decades and which left little to rebuilding Lindaros began in earnest – a task that mainly
hearten those who finally woke up. Instead they had all the was carried out by thousands of prisoners of war and as
reasons to grieve: tens of thousands had died; the maimed many so-­called volunteers, men and women who were on
and broken were beyond count; the land was ravaged by the run from already dead regions in old Alberetor.
death magic; there was famine and infertility. And even The Queen did not join the refugees until seven years after
though the young Queen had been rescued from the claws the war’s end. When she did, she declared that her new realm
of the enemy, she had returned a shadow of her former self, would be called Ambria, “the shining,” and the increasingly
with a lifeless mask covering her once radiant sunshine smile. well-­organized capital was to be named Yndaros in honor of
Twenty-­one years have passed since the Dark Lords were Korinthia’s father, the hero king Ynedar. Three years later the
vanquished and the Queen realized that her realm was dy- Queen’s armies also managed to overwhelm the barbarian
ing. She was forced to lead her people to safer grounds, that warlord Haloban and his clan warriors – a triumph giving
much was evident. And before long she was able to identify Korinthia and her people the opportunity to start exploring
where to start anew. North of the mountain range called the and harvesting the ample riches of Davokar Forest.
Titans lay the fertile soils which according to legend were Much has happened over a short period of time, so there
the ancestral home of her people. The time had come for has been no room for subtleties. Disobedient barbarians
Korinthia to claim her birthright. have been killed, banished or imprisoned by Korinthia’s ex-
During the past couple of centuries the region up north perienced and well-­equipped soldiers; the obedient ones
had been controlled by warring, barbarian clans and before have been used for labor under slave-­like conditions. The
that by the prosperous city-­state of Lindaros. According latter also holds true for many of Korinthia’s own subjects,
to legend, Lindaros suffered the wrath of celestial powers, namely all those who came from the south without person-
causing a most infectious bleeder’s disease to wipe out its en- al riches or sought-­after skills. If anyone bothered to keep
tire population. This occurred about two hundred years ago, count of how many people have died in the process of build-
after which more than a century passed before the nomadic ing Ambria the final tally would be in the thousands. But no
clans of the region dared approach the contaminated ruins. one does. To those who are alive nothing counts but the re-
No more than a couple of months after the decisive bat- markable result. Although the restoration of Yndaros is far
tle against the Dark Lords, Korinthia’s troops reached the from finished the city has grown to enormous proportions,
region in the north. At Lindaros they encountered a small and at the same time Korinthia’s knights have conquered all
barbarian settlement, established by the clan Kadiz that had the land between the mountains in the south and the woods
been evicted from its territory in Davokar fifty years ear- in the north. Now the nobles of Ambria are starting to plan
lier. After a siege that lasted only three days the barbarian for new conquests, in the north and in the west.

8
 The Promised Land 1

Seven years ago the uncrowned king of Ambria’s treasure-­

hunters, Lasifor Nightpitch, established the town of Thistle Timeline −1000 (approximate)
Hold. The construction was largely financed by the reward The civilization of
Lasifor had received for an armful of dried Twilight-­Thistle −500 (approximate) Symbaroum crumbles
– a rare herb, allegedly powerful enough to aid the gravely ill The clans of Davokar into oblivion
Abesina, mother of Queen Korinthia. Ever since then, the unite under a high
walled settlement of Mayor Nightpitch has acted as a safe chieftain to battle the −200 (approximate)
haven for Ambrians exploring Davokar, a forest full of natural Spider King. The city-­state The population of
resources and rich remnants of long lost civilizations; also of Lindaros is founded. Lindaros is wiped out
a forest full of rampant abominations, dark-­minded crea- by a virulent disease.
tures of otherworldly origins and a band of wardens most −21
unwilling to tolerate the damages done by human explorers. The Dark Lords conquer the −19
border city of Berendoria Alberetor strikes back
against the Dark Lords
The Promised Land −10 and The Great War begins
The region Korinthia is determined to conquer is dom- King Ynedar is killed;
inated by Davokar, a forest that in itself is as varied as a Korinthia is crowned the −5
continent. Traversing the woods from Thistle Hold to its Queen of Alberetor The sun god Prios is
northern edge would take weeks, if not months, and on the declared to be the
way one would have to face beasts as well as hostile elves, −2 One and the provider
blight-­stricken abominations and treacherous nature. Korinthia is taken captive of Alberetor’s laws
South of Davokar a rolling landscape of fertile plains by the Dark Lords
stretches out. Where they are not plowed by Ambrian farmers 0 (winter)
they are covered by pale green grass or small groves where the 0 (autumn) The Queen is rescued
birds and beasts of the lowlands find shelter. This is Ambria, a The barbarian settlement and the stronghold
kingdom divided into seven duchies encircling an eighth do- of Kadizar surrenders of the Dark Lords is
main ruled by the Church of Prios, the Sun God and the Giver and becomes Korinthia’s stormed; the war is over
of Laws. The Grand Duchy of Korinthia is by far the largest, foothold in the new land.
just as the capital city of Yndaros is larger than Thistle Hold, 5
Ravenia and the high seat of the Sun Church, Templewall. 7 The duchies of the new
The region is framed on two sides by towering moun- The Queen arrives, the new realm are established, from
tains – the wild and majestic Titans to the south and the realm and the capital city the Ravens in the east to
Ravens to the east, growing taller and steeper the further are given their names the river Eblis in the west
south one travels. Aside from some mining colonies and
the monastery of the Twilight Friars south of Yndaros, the 10 8
Ambrians are yet to establish any noteworthy settlements The clan Jezora is The Cathedral of Martyrs
in the mountains. Instead they have become a refuge for slaughtered and its in Yndaros is inaugurated
robbers, free-­thinkers and rebellious barbarians. And as for chieftain executed in
the dwarven realm of Küam Zamok, its inhabitants appear the Triumph Plaza 11
to be totally indifferent to humans, with the exception of the The eighth duchy is
few families that, for reasons unknown but wildly debated, 13 established and its main
have settled down in Yndaros. Thistle Hold is built town of Sevona founded
The climate is colder and more humid compared to what
the Ambrians are used to. Damp winds from the southern 16 15
oceans climb over the Titans and are not embarrassed to The Battle of Karvosti First Father ascends to the
drown Ambria in heavy rains, especially during the autumn. results in an agreement High Seat of the Sun Church
The winters are cold, with snow covering the streets of Yn- allowing the Sun Church
daros for a month or two, or even longer during the winters to restore the temple 19
that the barbarians call Istaros, when arctic winds sweep ruin on the plateau The Queen dictates that
down from the north, so cold that hearths which are allowed all crafters must be
to go out can barely be brought back to life and the blood 21 organized into guilds.
freezes in anyone who dares venture outside for longer than Present day
it takes to collect more firewood.

9
 1 T h e S e tt i n g

The Ways of Life

Since long before the arrival of Korinthia and her subjects, but in the end they have much in common. What they
the land north of the Titans was home to a motley array of share is probably best symbolized by the witches, the
creatures with diverse customs and an often complicated spiritual leaders of the clans and advisors to the chief-
relationship to one another. The presence of the Ambrians tains. Under the guidance of the witches, the barbarians
has affected the people of the region in different ways – in are fully aware that they are living in and consequently
part as a result of adaptation, in part as an effect of defiance are depending on nature for their safety and survival.
or at least a need to demonstrate some kind of uniqueness And they have all borne witness to what happens when
relative to the new lords of the land. one does not respect the taboos dictated by the Huldra,
This section offers a portrayal of the more or less civi- the head of all witches who lives on Karvosti alongside
lized creatures living in the woods and on the plains. The the High Chieftain.
depiction is brief and therefore simplistic – in actuality Finally there is the vague category called the Elder Folks,
there are lots of exceptions to what is said below. But if including elves, dwarves, goblins, trolls, ogres, changelings
you keep that in mind the text should provide a relatively and others. A majority of the individuals sorted under this
fair account of the people, cultures, traditions and conflicts label tend to see themselves as nature’s children, rather than
of the region. its owners or rulers. There are of course exceptions, not
least among the goblins who have gotten a taste of Ambri-
People an abundance and even more evident among the dwarven
In broad terms Davokar and its surroundings are inhabited families living in Yndaros.
by three distinct groups of people – Ambrians, barbarians But by and large, the Ambrians and the Elder Folks are
and the Elder Folks (for instance elves, goblins and ogres). very dissimilar in this respect. The disagreement, not to
If you were to ask any single representative of one of those say animosity, is most apparent in the conflicts between
groups about such classifications he would probably feel Korinthia’s subjects and the elves of Davokar. With refer-
uncomfortable being lumped in with individuals that to ence to a treaty that supposedly was signed by many human
him appear as more or less strange. But that does not alter lords around the time of Symbaroum’s fall, the wardens
the fact that there are some shared characteristics within of the woods demand that all Ambrians stay clear of the
those groups which make the categories justifiable. forest. They even claim that an ancient alliance called the
The Ambrians all stem from the dead realm Alberetor Iron Pact gives them the right to slay any human who vi-
south of the Titans. The Great War has made them tough but olates the terms of the treaty – a claim that Korinthia and
also forced them to become disciplined and organized, in her knights scoff at and which no dedicated treasure-­hunter
terms of the military and bureaucracy as well as regarding takes seriously.
trade and divisions of labor. In short: the war has civilized
the Ambrians as a people, even though it may have brutal- Spirituality
ized many of its individuals. Much changed in the wake of The Great War. The most radi-
The Ambrians are capable and experienced when it cal change was when the sun god Prios went from being one
comes to waging wars, but they are also characterized by of many accepted deities to being recognized as the One.
a profound spirituality and an aptitude for refined skills Where the Dark Lords represented darkness and death,
and nuanced knowledge. Other than that you will find a Prios came to symbolize the light of Alberetor and the life-­
common quality in their ambitions: they are a people bent giving power of the sun. Or as Jeseebegai, the current First
on conquest and ownership; they always strive for more Father of the Sun Church, has expressed it: “In the abyss, in
and better, whatever it concerns. Nature is regarded as a absolute darkness, was the spark which gave hope to the world,
resource, filled with supplies which can make life more com- the spark which in the care of we Ambrians will make Prios blaze
fortable, or in any case more tolerable, and many Ambrians as never before.”
would willingly risk life and limb in the hope of finding Today Prios is recognized as the Giver of Laws or as the
treasure, knowledge or rare goods which could secure them One, and almost all Ambrians adhere to His command-
a comfortable future. ments, as conveyed by the priests and theurgs of the Sun
When it comes to the barbarian clans they actually live Church. Prios is said to be everywhere beneath the heavens
in greater harmony since the arrival of the Ambrians. It and humans are tasked with cultivating His creation. Sadly,
is commonly accepted that the clan folks are descendants man has neglected this duty for a long time, which in turn
of Symbaroum, the civilization that ruled the region up means that Prios has lost much of His strength, so much in
until a millennium ago. There are of course huge differ- fact that He is dying. But according to the sermons there
ences between the clans in terms of lifestyle and customs, is still hope. If humans strive to correct the error of their

10
 Gaoia

Map covering the known parts of

T h e Way s o f L i f e 1
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Ambria & Davokar

Nw

Ne
Drawn by cartographer
tabeo Craneplume

e
0 100 km
Enoai

sw

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0 60 miles
n
h

scale 1:4,000,000
a
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S
ar
Sa

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Godinja
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T H E
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R AV E N S
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T I T A N S 11
 1 T h e S e tt i n g

ways – if they work harder, extract more crops from the Cultural Practices
soil, harvest more and richer resources from forests and Ambrians as well as barbarians are storytellers. The bar-
mountains, colonize more of the wilds – then Prios will barian folk value a good narrator almost as highly as a
grow strong again. skilled warrior, and the High Chieftain on Karvosti al-
In the quest to honor and strengthen the Sun God, Da- ways has one or two select storytellers living in his for-
vokar has a vital role to play. The wild, unruly forest is con- tress. These chroniclers are often chosen from among the
sidered to be the perfect example of what happens when participants of the annual contest held during the market
humans refrain from doing what they are obliged to do. days at the autumn equinox, and are considered to have
Davokar must be cleansed, its potency disciplined and its a special responsibility for remembering and recounting
resources cultivated. It is to advance that quest that the Cu- historical events.
ria, the high council of the Sun Church, sends missionaries Aside from the telling of stories, the leisurely activities of
as well as explorers to the depths of Davokar, and why they the clans tend to involve weapon games and rituals paying
already have established a temple on Karvosti, the age-­old homage to nature. It would probably be misguided to de-
Thingstead of the barbarian clans. scribe the clans’ relationship to Davokar in terms of worship,
In the shadow of Prios the abolished deities live on, gods but under the guidance of the witches all barbarians are
that actually bear a striking resemblance to the deities of careful to show gratitude towards the forest that feeds them
the clans. Concerning the religious beliefs of the barbar- and teaches them humility. In that, as in most other cases,
ian folks, many theurgs and learned masters have tried to the storytellers play a vital role – especially when it comes
describe and categorize the gods, spirits and divine beings to cautionary tales that account for what may happen if one
worshiped in Davokar. So far they have not succeeded. Ev- violates the taboos dictated by the Huldra.
idently the clans are very dissimilar when it comes to how Among Ambrians storytelling takes many different forms.
they relate to spiritual powers. As mentioned, some wor- The bards and poets who perform in taverns, restaurants and
ship deities similar to the gods banished by the Ambrians. inns are very popular, but the same can be said about prom-
For instance, the serpent god Uron revered by the Gaoia inent actors, dancers and artists. Within all these art forms
clan shares features with the Ambrian Earthmother; the portrayals of The Great War are common. Tales about indi-
Baiaga clan’s bloodwolf Arex is clearly related to the Ambri- viduals who have pleased Prios, so-­called Lightbringers or
an Pathfinder; and the spider Oroke, who is worshiped by Martyrs, is another popular theme. However, in recent years
many, has some qualities in common with the Executioner. a newcomer has appeared on the Ambrian stage: tales of
But among the clans you will also find worship of ances- Davokar – of fortune-­hunters who have found their fortune;
tors, holy grounds, beasts and sheer monstrosities like the of heroic encounters with arch trolls and lindworms; of
bestial Blood-­Daughter of the clan Saar-­Kahn. Regarding rich treasure chambers found in overgrown ruins. Addition-
religious rituals there are also great discrepancies between ally, the Ambrian storytellers have made it their business
the clans, from collective prayer sessions to downright to visit their barbarian colleagues to learn popular stories
deadly customs – as when the members of clan Enoai allow from them, including the ancient poems attributed to the
themselves to be bitten by venomous spiders, in order to legendary Huldra Aroaleta.
get closer to Oroke. Aside from the Ambrians making use of more forms
The Elder Folks appear to have a more relaxed approach of storytelling, there is another significant difference be-
to spiritual matters. Instead of worshiping or praying to tween the groups: while almost all barbarians take part
divine beings they seem content with showing gratitude in the rites of the witches and listen to tales told around
towards the spirits which, according to them, inhabit all the fire, the Ambrian people are divided into a number of
aspects of nature. They give thanks to the stream for let- sub-­groups. The nobles have their own venues for dance,
ting them traverse the rapid waters unharmed. They offer theater and music, and love to cover their walls in gran-
their gratitude to the hazel for letting its nuts fall to the diose tapestries with themes from battles or nature. Mer-
ground. They whisper thank you to the deer for allowing chants and craftsmen often visit the same salons, where
itself to get trapped. It is said that Elori, the elven emissary they place themselves according to fortune and status
in Yndaros, was asked about his beliefs during a visit to since the prices vary depending on where you sit. Free,
Queen Korinthia’s court. His exact response is obviously laboring Ambrians listen to tales told in the taverns while
only known to those present, but according to rumor he thralls, serfs and commoners in the countryside have to
replied with an insult: “It is a vain presumption to think that settle for the tall tales told by their elders as they assem-
the world would care about being worshiped or that it would ble for the evening meal. Of course there are exceptions,
listen to prayers; it is a presumption which mirrors man’s own but the principle can hardly be questioned: the subjects
desire to be worshiped and his expectation that he can force his of Korinthia are undoubtedly stratified in terms of both
will upon the world.” assets and interests.

12
 Factions 1

Areas of Conflict the expense of the common good, not least when it comes
Given that the three main populations in the region have to managing and distributing information, resources and
such a disparate relationship to Davokar, you would prob- treasure found in the woods.
ably conclude that the Ambrians always collide with the The latter also paves the way for joint ventures involving
Elder Folks, and that the barbarians are caught somewhere a mixture of Ambrians, barbarians and others. Instead of
in between. Of course it is not as simple as that. There are contacting factions like Ordo Magica or the Queen’s Rangers,
lots of individuals who do not fit that mold – Ambrians who many dukes and barons have initiated collaborations with
join the elves in their ambition to keep Davokar in peace as barbarian or goblin chieftains. And the wizards, scholars and
well as single barbarians, elves, changelings and ogres who Rangers tend to act in a similar fashion – better to pay the lo-
have made their homes in Ambria. cals for help than to divide any profit or advances with other
Nevertheless, the general climate of the region is one of Ambrians. The only exception from this is the Sun Church,
open conflicts, characterized by the Ambrian ambition to whose representatives are unwilling to mix with the “crea-
explore and exploit Davokar and the Elder Folks’ reluctance tures of the night”. On the other hand, they engage in mis-
to let them do so. Presently, Queen Korinthia’s people seem sionary campaigns and can in that way utilize the knowledge
to be the unchallenged rulers of the plains between the and skills of converted goblins, barbarians and ogres.
mountains and the forest, and it would probably take an all-­ In other words, to give a clear cut and straightforward
embracing pact of barbarians and elves to change that. But account of the relationship between the peoples of the region
in the woods the balance of power is more even. The Queen’s is both difficult and fundamentally misleading. In order to
army has a hard time functioning with full efficiency in understand how collaborations, quarrels and armed conflicts
the forest, while local knowledge and experience provide arise you have to take a large number of factors into account,
their counterparts with a great advantage. Furthermore, not least the factions described in the upcoming chapter.
the Ambrians have a hard time confronting the horrors Moreover, you must understand that in light of the escalating
of Davokar on a unified front. Special interests linked to threat from the corrupt powers of Davokar, basic necessity
factions, blood or personal gain are often given priority at may require the most unlikely alliances to be forged.

Factions
This section offers a brief introduction to the most pow- Queen on a couple of occasions has appointed counts against
erful factions of Ambria, along with a similarly short glance the will of the concerned duke and that some of the counts
at the clanfolks and the elves of the Iron Pact. In general command such authority that the people in the region show
terms these groupings can hardly be described as harmo- him more respect than they grant the official ruler of the duchy.
nious – power struggles are as frequent within as between Ranked first among the noble families is the royal House
the factions, and the goals of individual leaders may both of Kohinoor, personified by Korinthia Nightbane and five of
alter with time and be contested by subordinates. But in the Ambria’s six dukes, all of them closely related to the Queen.
end it is fair to say that power and influence are linked to That may sound like a harmonious affair, but according to
the formations described below, and that one would have gossip and campfire tales there are circumstances which
to be extremely clever to reach one’s goals without having complicate the situation. That the Queen’s mother married a
allies among prominent members of at least one of them. new husband, bore him the daughter Esmerelda and then fell
gravely ill is one of those; that Korinthia’s only living uncle
Houses of Nobility is bitter that he missed his chance at the throne is another.
Ambria, as Alberetor before it, is a hierarchical society, for Furthermore, when the Queen’s cousins are said to be in-
centuries governed by an assembly of noble families, called competent bordering on useless and when the other houses
houses. The families are ranked based on their position in long for an opportunity to dethrone the Kohinoors, anyone
the order of succession, and the rank affects what offices can see that Korinthia has had to reexamine the situation
their representatives may hold. carefully before appointing the dukes of the Promised Land.
Ambria is divided into seven duchies, in turn divided into On the other hand, one should not believe everything one
smaller domains, called counties or baronies depending on hears. Provided that appearances are not tremendously de-
their size. Formally, it is the Queen who appoints dukes, who ceiving, the rule of Ambria works as it should. There is steady
then appoints counts and barons to manage subjects and land. progress in the development of the regions, the army stands
But there have been lots of exceptions from that order of things. firm in the face of Davokar’s abominations and new colonies
For instance the Queen may nominate individuals to the title are established every other month. And even if the rumors con-
Prince of the Realm – a position which gives its owner a duke’s tain some small elements of truth, hardly anyone questions Ko-
power over a smaller piece of land. It is also rumored that the rinthia Nightbane’s ability to handle the odd domestic quarrel.

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 1 T h e S e tt i n g

Queen Korinthia and an escort from the Twilight Friars wander through Yndaros,
towards the Cathedral of Martyrs and a memorial service for the victorious dead.

Queen Korinthia
Head held high and with unwavering confidence, Queen Korinthia was freed from her prison and commanded a
Korinthia carries the hope and sorrow of her people. She decimated battalion of Templars in the decisive assault on
was not more than twelve years old when King Ynedar the Dark Lords’ fortress.
died on the battlefield, but she did not hesitate to pick up The years in captivity and the death of her homeland
where he left off. She inherited his mount, the legendary have not broken Korinthia’s spirit. Sure, her lacerated
Master; she had his broken lance restored; and she led the face is nowadays covered by a mask of glazed porcelain,
forces of light on a ten years long counteroffensive against but she is still the same: a triumphant warrior queen,
the armies of the night. given the honorary title Nightbane for her victory over
Two years before the end of the war, Master died, the dark.
gravely wounded by a poisoned spearhead, and Korinthia The rumors claiming her to be weak or even dying, or
was taken captive. The enemy celebrated without un- the ones declaring that she actually died in captivity and
derstanding that he had engineered his own demise. The that the woman behind the mask is someone else, are
desire to rescue the captured Queen gave her knights such never spoken except in wheezing whispers and in the
valor that not even death magic could make them falter. company of very close friends.

14
 Factions 1

Yndarien Narugor
The Grand Duchy of Yndarien is Queen Korinthia’s domain, The Duchy of Narugor stretches along Davokar’s southern
rich in rain, fertile fields and not least in people. About forty tree line and contains the fortifications Otra Senja and Otra
percent of Ambria’s population lives between the moun- Dorno, underlining that Duke Junio Berakka has been given
tains and the river Doudram, and new refugees arrive every a special responsibility to stop the darkness of the woods
day. Although most of them are passed on to other prov- from seeping out over Ambria. The duke himself – a hero
inces, especially to the colonies of New Berendoria, there of the people whose accomplishments have hoisted him to
are many who argue that the mountain passes should be a position of highest nobility – is an example of how the
closed off. And maybe they have a point – how much will war’s end and the migration have affected the previously
the Promised Land be worth if buried under a tidal wave rigid structures of the noble houses.
of diseased scavengers?
New Berendoria
Mervidun The popular belief is that Alesaro Kohinoor has not forgiven
Mervidun is officially ruled by Abesina, the seriously ill his niece, even if it was not her, but a group of military com-
mother of the Queen. In actuality the domain is governed by manders and prominent nobles who prevented him from
Duke Sesario, the man Abesina married during Korinthia’s succeeding his brother. The fact that Korinthia gave him
captivity and with whom she has the daughter Esmerelda. the duchy of New Berendoria is hardly a comfort, since she
From his high seat in Mergile he captains the trade in metals, probably appointed him to that barren and windy outback
granite and lumber – products that because of swift trans- in order to get rid of him. Be that as it may, current reports
ports along the river Noora have made Mervidun one of the from his high seat Sevona state that Alesaro is making new
richer duchies in Ambria. friends among the western clans.

New Beretor Prios Domain

New Beretor is ruled by Duke Ynedar, the son of Korinthia’s At the heart of Ambria lies Prios Domain, with First Father
brother Korian who died while trying to free his imprisoned Jeseebegai functioning as the steward of the Sun God. Where
sister. Ynedar, named after his grandfather, is no older than Ambria’s largest high-­roads intersect – the one between
the Ambrian kingdom and governs a region that can boast of Yndaros and Thistle Hold and the one between Kurun and
having great relations with the barbarians. The duchy also Ravenia – rests Templewall, high seat of the Sun Church,
takes pride in the ingenious methods developed to extract surrounded by rolling plains where the crops sway in the
fire oils from the wetland called the Marshes. wind and the cattle graze peacefully, assured that they are
safe from harm.
Seragon
When the immediate family is not enough to close the ranks The Barbarian Clans
you turn to more distant relatives, in the case of Seragon to When the Ambrians arrived in the region south of Davokar,
the son of the former king’s younger brother. The orphaned thirteen barbarian clans were living in the area. Since then
Duke Gadramei is accused of being a lackey who drinks more thirteen has become eleven, as clan Kadiz was subdued and
than he should, and who neglects his duties towards Queen integrated into the Ambrian civilization and clan Jezora was
and country. But even if Seragon is poorer and more unruly annihilated by Ambrian steel. Recently there have been ru-
than other duchies, its Duke has so far managed to protect mors swirling about a possible twelfth clan, the fiendish
the Davokar border with flawless efficiency – despite the brutes of the Beast Clan. But while the existence of such
fact that his province borders the territory of the aggressive a clan is yet to be confirmed, and especially since the bar-
clan Karohar. barians seem to be equally confounded by the flourishing
rumors, Ordo Magica and other authorities are ignoring
Kasandrien them, pending more reliable accounts.
The Queen’s half-­sister, the seventeen-­year-­old and very Lately the relations between the clans have changed, be-
spirited Esmerelda, is the Duchess of Kasandrien. The city cause of the arrival of the Ambrian people but also because
of Agrella is situated on the shores of Lake Ebel, making it of the slowly but surely escalating threat from the beasts
a vital node for transports along the rivers, and the Duchess and abominations of Davokar. Reasons aside, the clan chief-
is also honored by housing the head office of Ordo Magica tains have all declared themselves to be aspiring for peace,
in her province. Aside from that, Kasandrien is famed for and judging by appearance they try to live up to that promise.
being influenced by Esmeralda’s decree: “The victorious dead Sure, it is still turbulent in some borderlands, not least up
shall be celebrated and praised, not mourned!” Agrella is a city north as well as between Karits and Vajvods in the east. But
of eternal jubilation. at the moment the region is free from outright clan wars.

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 1 T h e S e tt i n g

Gaoia
The members of clan Gaoia living furthest to the north
The Huldra Yeleta are regarded as brutal and primitive, even by other bar-
Although he would hardly admit it, not even Com- barians. They are said to be allied with a lindworm, called
mander Iakobo Vearra, first among the Knights of the Grandfather Lint, and are hardly ever seen in the south.
Dying Sun, is comfortable looking Yeleta in the eye. The only exceptions are their rugged Wrathguards and
Her grotesque masks, her wild manners and thunder- the slightly more polished envoys that clan chieftain
ous voice are enough to frighten parents as well as Rábaiamon sends on a courtesy call to Karvosti every
children, and the stories told of her cruelty are hugely other year.
popular in the taverns of Yndaros.
Yeleta instills fear and fascinates. At the same time Enoai
most Ambrians cling to the belief that the Huldra – or The Enoais are tree-­people, living in tree-­tops or in caverns
the Arch Witch as some call her – never leaves her carved out under the roots of giant pines. One example of
home in the caverns piercing the cliff of Karvosti, and the latter is the legendary village of Enovak, where clan
some even claim to know that she in reality is nothing chieftain Karona resides. The settlement comprises about
more than a wise old crone, powerful but not at all evil. fifty households and a marketplace, all situated under the
That she is connected to the creatures of Davokar towering pine which shares its name with the clan.
is beyond doubt, but whether or not she is actually
allied with them is another question. Maybe she is yet Godinja
to decide which side she is on, the side of the beasts Many of the masks carried by barbarians are made by the
or that of the humans? Maybe she, and thus the bar- craftsmen of clan Godinja. Its proud people claim to be the
barian clans, will make a decision before long. descendants of old Symbaroum’s ruling elite – a belief that
members of the other clans question, but without indigna-
tion. Instead outsiders point to the fact that the Goeds up
until a couple of generations ago were closely associated
The barbarian High Chieftain, seated on Karvosti, is elect- with the elves of Davokar. And they are happy to echo the
ed for life during a gathering at the Thingstead held when rumor stating that Godinja’s clan chieftain, the mighty Vi-
the reigning “warlord” is nearing death. But he is not elected komer, has elf blood coursing through his veins.
to rule. Instead the role of the High Chieftain is to arbitrate
or, when necessary, act as a judge in conflicts within and Yedesa
between the clans, and only if requested to do so by the Compared to their northern neighbors, the Yedes actually
clan chieftains. have better reasons for being proud. Of the last ten High
The chieftains must of course pay heed to the opinions Chieftains six have been fostered by clan Yedesa, includ-
and wishes of their subjects, but they have no obligations to ing the current one. The reason for this may be that the
obey or even listen to some superior power. So even if there clan long ago abandoned a nomadic lifestyle, in favor of a
are similarities to be found between them, each clan has its few permanent settlements. Since the annihilation of clan
own structure of laws, customs and hierarchies. Jezora, chieftain Leonod’s stone fortress is clearly the most
What similarities exist can first and foremost be at- impressive construction of the barbarian people.
tributed to the witches. The leader of the witches is called
the Huldra, and just like the High Chieftain she resides on Baiaga
Karvosti. Four times a year (at the winter and summer sol- Aside from them often being seen on both Karvosti and in
stice, and at the spring and autumn equinox), the Huldra Thistle Hold, the Baiags are known for fighting alongside
assembles the leaders of the clans’ hex nodes, called Keepers. their tame bear beasts, called baiagorns. They live in small
It is said that the purpose of these gatherings is to discuss groups that roam the clan territory hunting and fishing,
the state of Davokar, but according to rumor much time is but many choose to leave the hunting grounds for varying
also allocated to talks about, and the search for solutions periods – something which other barbarians tend to regard
regarding, conflicts that officially are to be dealt with by as a sign of rootlessness or disloyalty.
the High Chieftain. The witches undoubtedly have a huge
influence over the High Chieftain as well as over individual Zarek
clan chiefs; so huge, in fact, that Levia Soleij, a respected The Zareks count among the barbarians who seem most
Master of the Order, claims that Yeleta, the current Huldra, willing to accept an Ambrian presence in Davokar. Their
has a greater hold over her people than Korinthia has over main settlements are situated along the northern shore of
the Ambrians. Lake Volgoma, and it is said that they have developed a close

16
 Factions 1

partnership with Alesaro Kohinoor – a partnership which

probably was established when Monovar, the chieftain of
Zarek, helped the Ambrians to destroy his arch enemy, Halo- High Chieftain Tharaban
ban of the dead Jezora clan. The High Chieftain of the barbarians has his seat on
the plateau Karvosti, about five days’ ride north-
Odaiova west of Thistle Hold. Pilgrims who have visited the
The territory of clan Odaiova spans between Karvosti and sun temple on Karvosti say that the High Chieftain
Thistle Hold, which means that the route between the two resides in an impressive stronghold, surrounded
settlements traverses their grounds. Hence, one should not by a curtain wall and protected by the Guard of the
be surprised that the Odavs have gotten used to the Ambrian Slumbering Wrath. Tharaban himself is not often
presence and learned to capitalize on it. It is often the people seen. Sometimes he can be spotted looking out
of Odaiova who act as intermediaries in contact and trade over Karvosti from a balcony on the stronghold, and
between Ambrians and barbarians, which means that the on occasion he has been observed walking over
clan chieftain, Embersind, lives a much more comfortable the plateau, on his way to meet with the Huldra or
life compared to other barbarian leaders. to the Thingstead, always surrounded by a dozen
Wrathguards.
Karohar Rumors describe him in contradictions, as a skilled
Unlike the Odavs, the warmongering Karits are distrustful, diplomat or a complete moron; as a mighty warlord
if not hostile, towards the new lords of the realm. This can or a weak figurehead whose commands are dictated
probably be explained by the fact that Ambrian treasure-­ by the Huldra. Whatever the case, backed up by the
hunters have invaded their territory during the past decades, ninety-­nine Wrathguards, the fur clad Tharaban is a
scaring game away and attracting elves. Or could it possibly force to be reckoned with.
have something to do with what happened to the former
ally of Karohar – Haloban and his Jezites? Regardless, the
territory of the Karits is far from safe.
nowadays often keep to the Ambrian side of the border. And
Vajvod it is said that the duke is making efforts to end the blood
Southeastern Davokar, particularly the area around the feud which rages between the Varak chieftain Didramon
stone fortress Vojvodar and the River Doudram, is the and Monovar of Zarek.
home of the Vajvods. The remote location and the relative
openness of its inhabitants have made it possible for the The Church of Prios
Ambrians to gain a firm foothold in the territory, clearly The Church of the sun god Prios governs a domain of its own
demonstrated by the colony Karo’s Fen, the trade ships sail- in Ambria, a territory large as a duchy centered around the
ing all the way up to the source of the river and the forward city of Templewall. The First Father of Prios resides in the
base that the Queen’s Rangers have in the area. city, selected for life by the Curia – the ruling body of the
Church, which is composed of the leaders of its three subdi-
Saar-­Kahn visions: the Priesthood, the Templars and the Twilight Friars.
The Saars of clan Saar-­Kahn speak in a guttural language, Jeseebegai who now sits on the Evening Throne at Templewall
barely comprehensible to other barbarians. They live in self-­ was elected from among the Twilight Friars six years ago.
imposed isolation around an ancient fortress, worshiping The theurgs and liturgs of the Priesthood are responsible
the beastly Blood-­Daughter and regarding themselves as for interpreting Prios’ commandments and for managing
the true heirs of Symbar. A couple of times a year, Saar- all His temples, from the cathedrals in Yndaros and Tem-
ian raiders attack other barbarian settlements, but clan plewall to the repaired shrine on Karvosti. Their current
chieftain Razameaman places all the blame on rebellious representative in the Curia is named Anabela Argona and is
separatists – claims which other clans have opted to believe, the sister of Count Alkantor Argona; a bond that the count is
until proven otherwise. accused of exploiting in the ambition to expand his domain
and influence.
Varakko The Knights of the Dying Sun, also called Sun Knights
Furthest south, close to the Ambrian border, the Varaks or Templars, are the armed wing of the Church. Its well-­
travel the plains in their wagons. They comprise the small- equipped and highly skilled Templars, who all stem from
est clan, which to a large extent is due to the fact that they noble families, played a crucial part at the end of The Great
are especially exposed to attacks from “rebellious” Saars. War – a fact which Knight Commander, Iakobo Vearra, never
With the express permission of Duke Alesaro, the Varaks lets anyone forget.

17
 1 T h e S e tt i n g

They arrange expeditions to both forests and mountains,

from which they bring curious artifacts to be studied in
First Father Jeseebegai search of their properties and applications. Instead of spir-
The man who sits on the Evening Throne at Temple- ituality the members argue that philosophy must be the
wall was born Demeon Soleij. He was a priest in the primary tool for expanding the understanding of the world,
battalion that liberated Queen Korinthia from the and in the end they rely on experience and evidence rather
Dark Lord’s prison, and was actually the one who than on faith – something which often causes its members
made the rescue possible. In a celebrated act of hero- to clash with theurgs and Black Cloaks.
ism he walked naked through the unholy firewall that But the single-­minded search for knowledge does not
held Korinthia captive and carried her out. The Queen mean that the order is totally cut off from the rest of civ-
escaped with mild burns while Demeon lost his eyes, ilization. Seldonio appears to be fully aware that he is in
his hair growth and sustained severe scarring over his need of others – for instance, he needs the Queen’s bless-
whole body. ing to explore Davokar, the silver thaler of the nobles to
Even so, nobody has ever heard the faithful Black finance expeditions, and the Rangers to take members
Cloak complain about his injuries. Unlike Korinthia he of the order along on their patrols. It should also be
has never made an effort to conceal the scars on his noted that the order strives to capitalize on knowledge
face; he has settled for a blindfold, if only to protect gained and discoveries made, as for instance shown by
his empty eye-­sockets from becoming infected. And the Vivisectory in Yndaros where ordinary people can
when the former First Father passed away there was pay an entrance fee to bear witness as the masters carve
little question who would succeed him. The Curia only into everything from farm animals to rage trolls and
needed an hour’s time before proclaiming the ascen- actual abominations.
sion of Convent Brother Demeon as First Father Jesee-
begai. And they could not have made a better choice:
No one loves Prios the way he does; no one fights
with such resolve to give the Ambrian people courage Grand Master Seldonio
enough to please Prios and to replenish His might. Many a mighty master fell during The Great War. Sel-
donio survived because he was the head of the order,
and therefore was needed at the war council far
from the front line. Exactly how old he is, he prob-
Finally, the Twilight Friars, also called Black Cloaks, is a ably does not know himself, but under the name
monastic order with its main seat south of Yndaros, up in Seldonio he appears in epics composed nearly two
the Titans. Aside from a handful of convents in Ambria’s centuries ago. And even if some people blame him
larger settlements, the order manages a convent school for having acted like a coward during the war, there
in Yndaros and is in charge of internal as well as exter- is hardly anyone who doubts that he counts among
nal intelligence activities. The spokesperson of the order, the mightiest mystics in Ambria.
Brother Eumenos, is often heard declaring that whilst the But most powerful he is not. Three other Mas-
Templars aim their swords towards Ambria’s outer ene- ters of the Order made it through the war alive:
mies, the knife points of the Black Cloaks are aimed at the stormweaver Variol, Kullinan of the dead
those within. House of Furia and, probably mightiest of them
all, the mind-­warper Elionara Yellowcat. It is said
Ordo Magica that these three pushed through the relocation
Roughly a year ago Ambria’s most prominent order for of the headquarters to Agrella against Seldonio’s
learned studies and mystical schooling, Ordo Magica, re- will – they wish for peace and quiet and time
located from Yndaros to Agrella on the shores of Lake Ebel. for studies, and have no sympathy for the Grand
Grand Master Seldonio governs an organization with chap- Master’s interest in Ambria’s men and beasts. This
ters in all larger settlements as well as a handful of outposts has resulted in a situation where Seldonio spends
in Davokar. Each chapter is run by a Chapter Master, under more time at the chapter in Yndaros than he does
which the Masters of the Order are sorted. The latter are in his chamber in Agrella. And if one is to believe
experts in their respective areas – for instance Botany, Elf what is whispered among adepts and novices, this
Studies, Beast Lore and Wizardry – and all have a number may very well mean that Seldonio’s days as the
of novices and adepts working for them. head of the order are numbered.
The primary ambition of Ordo Magica is of an explorative
nature: its members seek knowledge for knowledge’s sake.

18
 Factions 1

Beremo Herengol
Beremo stems from a long line of prominent command-
ers and is regarded by most as the crown jewel of his
house, especially because he was highly responsible for
the outcome of The Great War. He has been the realm’s
Field Marshal for twenty-­six years and is closing in on
The Queen’s Army his seventies, which has accelerated the speculation
Queen Korinthia is Ambria’s Commander in Chief, but most about him stepping down. But so far nothing indicates
of the day-­to-­day operation of the army is commanded by the that he or the Queen have any such plans – as late
elderly Field Marshal Beremo Herengol. The army is divided as during the New Year’s celebrations of Year 21 he
into six divisions, paid for and maintained by the duchies, spearheaded the honor guard and looked to be in great
and a seventh one belonging to the Grand Duchy of Yndarien, shape; according to some, in an unnaturally great shape.
serving directly under the Queen. Each division includes The rumors surrounding the second most powerful
infantry and cavalry, as well as archer and support units. commander in the kingdom are many. There are those
Additionally, the army incorporates the Rangers and the who claim that he already is exhausted but that the
Queen’s Guard, called the Pansars. The latter is commanded Queen refrains from dismissing him because of his
by General Jomilo and is stationed in a newly restored for- long and faithful service. Other gossip states that Ber-
tress west of the capital. The Rangers are in most regards emo is allied with dark forces that fill him with youth-
detached from the army at large, primarily focused on in- ful vigor, or that the old one has some kind of hold over
telligence work and reconnaissance missions in the border Korinthia which prevents her from relieving him.
regions. Their commander, Colonel Revina Kalfas, is said to
be one of the Queen’s closest friends and rumors have her

19
 1 T h e S e tt i n g

pointed out as the next Field Marshal, when the current one
is forced into retirement – rumors which makes the blood of
the army generals run hot. Envoy Elori
The task of negotiating with Queen Korinthia has ever
The Iron Pact since her arrival belonged to a towering elf named
The elves speak of the Iron Pact, but exactly what that is Elori. Before the migration, the Ambrians had never
and what function such an alliance would serve is high- had contact with the elven kind, and the unwilling-
ly debatable. According to legends told at the taverns in ness of the forest people to let them explore Davokar
Yndaros, the elf wardens of Davokar claim that the hu- has made them detest the “pointy-­ears” as intensely
man race consented to leaving the forest in their care and as they hate rage trolls. Elori himself seems to appre-
swore never to set foot in the depth of Davokar again. This ciate the situation. He is seldom seen on the streets of
promise is supposed to have been endorsed by a long list Yndaros, and when it happens he is always on his way
of human rulers, including Korinthia’s forefather Argalo to or from the royal palace, escorted by royal guards.
and the ancestors of the current clan chiefs Rábaiamon It is said that Elori has come to Yndaros in search
and Razameaman. It is also said that the human rulers gave of a peaceful solution to the conflicts between men
the elf lord Eneáno a gift to seal the treaty – six thousand and elves, but no one doubts that he primarily has
rings of iron. been sent to spy. This belief was greatly strengthened
Among the barbarians there are some legends which the other year when he had a visitor – namely Aloéna,
could be interpreted as proof of the existence and legitimacy the giant she-­being who otherwise resides in a grove
of the Iron Pact. On the other hand they could as well be on the cliff of Karvosti. What was said between them
based on lies told to the barbarians by devious pointy-­ears. is not to be known, but since then Elori is sighted
Evidently, the Ambrian nobility have opted to put their faith more often. The taunts and objects thrown at him
in the latter interpretation, even though the elves every day bother him as little as ever before.
make good on the threat to seek vengeance on humans who
violate the treaty.

Davokar
To produce a summarized account of Davokar Forest is Nightbane. It rests there with its enormous riches, in terms
a challenge – partly because of its varied and changeable of natural resources and treasure-­filled ruins. To leave it in
character, partly because so much of it is yet to be reliably peace is completely at odds with the Ambrian disposition.
mapped. For centuries the barbarian clans have kept to the Maybe that same disposition can account for the Am-
outer areas of the forest, from the edge to about four days’ brians’ obstinate attempts to explain the inexplicable? The
march inwards. description of Davokar found below is based on the Duality
The reason for this is said to be twofold. On the one hand, Principle, put forth by Mallianos, a renowned Master of the
the outskirts contain all they need in terms of prey and use- Order. It is perhaps the simplest and most comprehensible
ful plants; on the other hand they abide by a long list of strict description of Davokar to date. Hence, it is simplistic, in some
taboos that ban them from entering the deeper regions. The cases even misleading, but in the end it will give you a hint of
witches claim that Davokar is sleeping, that the forest must what awaits in the shadowy halls beneath Davokar’s tree tops.
not be disturbed, that death and destruction will follow if
the edicts are violated. Bright Davokar
The strategists and explorers of Queen Korinthia, includ- Mallianos is stationed as Master of the Order at the Yndaros
ing Ordo Magica, generally agree that the witches exag- chapter and is highly religious. The latter is evident in how
gerate. Instead they cling to the belief that the taboos echo he describes Davokar as divided into two main regions, based
threatening warnings made by elves, and that the edicts on whether or not the sunlight can penetrate the leaves to
primarily are devised to keep peace with the wardens of reach the ground. Many of his slanderers argue that he has
the forest. But the strategists also call for caution. The Am- designed the classification in close partnership with Father
brians still know far too little about Davokar’s past – about Peonio, First Theurg at the Cathedral of Martyrs in the capital.
the fallen civilization of Symbaroum and the origin of the Mallianos describes, not entirely incorrectly, the out-
abominations – to be able to rule out that the witches’ leg- skirts as strikingly beautiful and remarkably lush. During
ends contain one or two grains of truth. summer, beams of sunlight shimmer in humid air filled with
Whatever the truth may be, Davokar is there, at the soaring seeds and dancing insects, making the moss and
threshold of Ambria, the Promised Land of Korinthia ground blossoms gleam. The fiery splendor of the autumns

20
 D av o k a r 1

They say preparation and planning is as crucial as

skills and bravery when mounting expeditions into
Davokar. Still, the ruins of the forest often surprise
you in ways no plans can help you survive.21
 1 T h e S e tt i n g

is even more striking, and the virgin white of the winter threats lurk where one would least expect – threats in the
calm also has its fair share of admirers. form of bottomless streams, tiny but poisonous creatures,
However, Mallianos utters a word of warning: no matter overgrown sinkholes and carnivorous or bloodthirsty vines.
how beautiful the natural surroundings may seem, you can There is also talk of infections and parasites which make
be sure that they are full of hidden dangers – fruits and their victims insane, paralyzed, rabid or undead; of ancient
berries can be lethal to ingest, and many inexperienced wan- curses with similar effects; even of areas defying all reason,
derers have reached their end at the bottom of a marsh that where it snows in the summer, where plants shimmer from
was mistaken for solid ground. some inner glow and where nightmares inexplicably come
As for its creatures, Mallianos describes Bright Davokar to life. But neither Mallianos, nor Lukresia, nor some other
as the domain of barbarians and prey animals. Of course, authority on the nature of Davokar can claim to actually
this implies that it is here predators come to hunt – packs know which of these statements correspond with reality.
of mare cats, jakaars and etterherds as well as solitary rage If any.
trolls and even famished abominations. Adding to that, the The truth is just as uncertain when it comes to the in-
elves must be mentioned. The cautious spring elves appar- habitants of the deep. That there are raving abominations,
ently love nothing better than to subject human wanderers beastly rage trolls and packs of tricklestings and hunger
to all kinds of more or less deadly mischief, while the hot- wolves may be concluded from the stories told by returning
headed summer elves are happy to use the same travelers explorers. And maybe there is some truth to the rumors
as targets for their perfectly aimed arrows – not least if they about a predatory and bloodthirsty barbarian clan, even if
are in, or are traveling toward, areas deemed especially sen- credible evidence of their existence is yet to be found. But
sitive by the wardens. when there is talk about shapeshifting creatures of other-
Finally some words about the ruins of the outskirts. The worldly origins, bone-­pale elf warriors, possessed mast-
southern regions and the area surrounding Karvosti have odons and cunning dragons, the testimonies are far fewer
already been thoroughly explored by the Queen’s Rang- and even less reliable.
ers, Ordo Magica’s expeditions and independent fortune-­ The same goes for the barbarian stories about shadowy
hunters, leading to the discovery of sites like Serand’s Pyr- beings like Lord Bog and the Hawthorn Hag, ancient crea-
amid, the Columns of Haganor and the grand aqueducts tures who, according to legend, are as powerful as they are
of Clearwell. But that does not mean that there is nothing wrathful. The problem is that those who come across the
more to unearth. Even today, the lucky and well-­prepared residents of the forest do not often get the opportunity to
may still find untouched ruins close to the southern border. return with their tales. And a majority of the lucky ones
And if one dares to venture further north or to delve deeper return in a state which makes it hard to believe what they
down into the soil, the chance of interesting discoveries have to say.
is multiplied. What drives Ambrian explorers to defy the dangers is of
course the hope of finding treasures from the days of Sym-
Dark Davokar baroum. Mallianos makes no effort to hide the fact that the
Beyond the elusive border which Mallianos has established further into Davokar you travel, the greater is your chance
between bright and dark, there are regions that should not of finding well-­preserved and rich ruins. But he also points
be traversed without great care, detailed preparations and a out that, first, the ruins of the Dark are often overgrown or
sizable company of sword-­wielding companions. In contrast hard to find since all that remains is below ground; second,
to the outskirts, the depths are riddled with grave dangers that they always are inhabited by someone or something
and there are neither barbarians, nor Ranger patrols that ready to protect its turf. And even if one should take this
can come to your rescue. In short: one never ventures into “always” with a pinch of salt, reports from both the Rangers
the dark of Davokar without being prepared to risk one’s life and Ordo Magica suggest that his warnings are warranted.
in the hope of gaining riches, knowledge or fame. On the other hand, venturing into the Dark may still be
According to Mallianos, Dark Davokar is characterized by worth the risk. Judging by the fortune salvaged by Iasogoi
dense and wild vegetation that closes out all light. Here the Brigo during one single visit to the ruins of Odaban, one who
flaws of the Duality Principle are revealed – the few fortune-­ finds the path to places like Saroklaw, Dakovak or even Sym-
hunters who have traveled into the dark and returned with bar will hardly return empty handed. If they but return at all.
their health and minds intact testify that the sunbeams ac-
tually do reach the ground in there. They can also tell you Explorer’s License
that this certainly does not mean that the horrors go away. Since the autumn of Year 15, a person of Ambrian heritage
Whatever is true or false when it comes to the many pos- who wishes to venture into Davokar must obtain an Explor-
tulates by Mallianos, there are reports speaking of a very er’s License, formally known as “License for travels in and
devious nature in Davokar’s inner regions, a nature whose explorations of Davokar Forest”. The license can be bought on

22
 D av o k a r 1

a monthly or annual basis, at the headquarters of the city COSTS FOR AN EXPLORER’S LICENSE
watch in Yndaros or at the Queen’s Legation in Thistle Hold.
The cost varies depending on the number of people it covers: Number of Persons Cost per Month Cost per Year
the bigger the group, the higher the cost per individual. In Single person   2 thaler   9 thaler
other words, for a company of adventurers encountered 2–5 persons 10 thaler   50 thaler
by a Ranger patrol in the wilds, it is not enough to present
6–8 persons 25 thaler   90 thaler
individual licenses.
9–10 persons 50 thaler 180 thaler
Adding to the basic price there are a number of costs re-
lated to the aim and composition of the expedition. Whether Unlimited — 450 thaler
you aim to gather or harvest some resource or explore an Activity Add-­ons
area, there is no escape from paying the base price for those Gathering 3–10 thaler
three categories, since the licensor presumes that you at
Harvesting 5–12 thaler
least will gather firewood, harvest some berries and perform
explorations in the most general sense of the word. The ar- Exploring 5 thaler/person
bitrariness of the system angers most people, particularly Wagons 5 thaler/wagon
when it comes to the supplementary costs for incompetence Incompetence 5–15 thaler
and intentions – the former related to the wildlife experi- Intentions 5–50 thaler
ence of the group, the latter based on an assessment of to
Other 1–50 thaler
what degree the expedition’s aim may be considered dis-
turbing or provoking. But for anyone who wishes to travel
the woods without risking hefty fines or the loss of fingers/ meat on your journey, since the streams and springs of
hands there is no alternative but to come up with the sum the forest sometimes are infected and open fires tend to
dictated by the authorities. attract unwelcome guests to your campsite. In Davokar
every meal may be your last, if you are not careful to take
Travels in Davokar the right precautions.
As soon as you have acquired an explorer’s license you are Deeper in the woods riding is rarely an option, and having
free to set foot in the forest. If you keep to the charted route the equipment tied to a pack animal can be a very bad idea –
between Thistle Hold and Karvosti, or the one between the there is a significant risk that the animal will bolt at the first
forest edge and the outposts established in the woods, you sight or whiff of a rage troll, leaving you to face the horrors
can feel quite safe since they are patrolled by the Queen’s of Davokar empty-­handed. No, to Dark Davokar you never
Rangers. But should you divert even slightly you must be go without a number of companions, including a skilled
prepared for nasty surprises. guide who knows how to avoid dangers and who can find
In the outskirts it is possible to travel by horse, although clean water as well as edible plants and prey.
not at a very high speed since there are no paved roads. In the Ruins of Symbaroum Game­master’s Guide you will
In the long run it is often preferable to walk and lead the find more, and more detailed, information on travels in Da-
animal by the halter. If so, you can cover two to three miles vokar, but simply put: every journey into Davokar is haz-
a day, depending on the terrain and the density of the veg- ardous. Those who are not sufficiently prepared may very
etation. You would do well to bring lots of water and dried well find their first excursion to be their last.

Symbar
It is said that all barbarians in the Davokar region stem as yet no one has succeeded. Or, to be precise, no one has
from the same civilization; an empire called Symbaroum yet returned with credible and publicly announced stories
that supposedly had its high seat located in what today about a successful expedition to Symbar. But that does not
is the center of Davokar. The legends about the fall of deter fortune-­hunters from planning and launching new
Symbaroum are numerous, most of them variations on the expeditions, led by men and women who all claim to have
same theme: that its last emperor angered some form of irrefutable evidence to guide them. Because as long as
supreme being and thereby caused the empire’s ruin. the tales about Symbar’s treasures outweighs the stories
Many dream of finding the heart of Symbaroum, called about its horrors, the allure of the myth will live on. And
Symbar by witches and barbarians. Many have tried, but claim life after life after life…

23
 1 T h e S e tt i n g

Important Settlements
In the years since the Ambrians arrived to their new and From there you may crisscross your way south between the
promised land, they have established a large number of vil- warehouses, in which case you will reach the slummy neigh-
lages, towns and larger cities. Most of these are populated by borhood inhabited by the city’s many hardworking laborers
between a couple of hundred to a few thousand occupants, — construction workers, maids, servants, dock workers and
the residence cities of the dukes being the largest. In size, all so on. And should you continue further south, you would end
of them are dwarfed by the Ambrian capital of Yndaros, but up among the tents, huts and wagons of the refugee camp.
that does not mean that they are unimportant in a strategic Had you instead turned westward at the Cargo Port’s
or cultural sense. marketplace, called the Monger’s Square, you would have
In this section we look a little closer at Yndaros and two oth- passed through the wall of Old Kadizar. The city block is
er settlements of great importance for anyone who wants to composed of a combination of Lindaros’ ruins and barbarian
understand the Davokar region and its residents: the treasure clay houses, also mixed up with a few remnants of ancient
hunters’ town of Thistle Hold, and Karvosti, the clifftop home Symbaroum. The population is similar to the one occupying
of the High Chieftain and the Huldra. All of these are further the laborer’s quarters, possibly with the difference that the
explored in the Ruins of Symbaroum Game­master’s Guide, but criminal elements are more noticeable.
for anyone about to create a player character it will be good When stepping through the western gate of Old Kadizar
to have some insights regarding these important settlements. you are greeted by the sounds from the Harbor District. The
The following describes what could be the first impressions of port at the centre of the city is nowadays mostly used for
anyone visiting Yndaros, Thistle Hold or Karvosti. transporting passengers to the village Beren’s Berth on the
Doudram’s northern shore. The warehouses that once stood
Yndaros by the docks have been replaced by taverns, dives and other
The Ambrian capital Yndaros is situated about three days’ establishments for pleasure and relaxation.
march north of the Titans, a short distance west of where Gazing south when standing by the harbor basin you can
River Noora blends with the mighty Doudram. The city pro- see Korinthia’s palace reach for the skies, and you also get a
vides a sample of the kingdom at large: in Yndaros you will glimpse of the Artisan’s District which continues west of the
find the war-­related, the learned, the commercial and the Harbor District. The most skilled craftsmen, or at least the
cultured mixed up with barbarians, goblins and a growing most renowned, have their shops between the harbor and the
horde of impoverished refugees. It should also be men- palace, while those set up in the west must work harder, both
tioned that Yndaros is a construction site. Constructions in order to produce high quality wares and to entice customers.
are underway all over, and it is not unusual for relatively North of the westernmost artisan’s quarter is a shabby
new buildings to be torn down in order to make room for district that so far is the domain of the city’s more or less
newer and more functional ones. successful artists. If you instead walk further to the south
If you approach the capital by freighter along the Doudram, you will soon find yourself in Yndaros’ finest district. Here
you will probably disembark at the cargo dock in the east. the grand Cathedral of Martyrs lies a short walk from the

24
 Important Set tlements 1
4

0 700 m N
0 800 yards
scale 1:30,000 11

NW

NE
oc an
Bl emi
k
Beren’s Berth

E
B oh
r
8 d iza
Ka

sW

SE
d

Ol
7 3
New Town
S
Northern 9
Artisans'
District

Harbor district Laborers' district Slum District

Temple district
Southern artisans' district

2
camp
u ge e
13 R ef 12

10
5

6
Southern
Temple district
Palace district

Triplet Towers of Ordo Magica and, in another direction,

the Convent School of the Last Light. By the wall which sur-
rounds the Palace District you also find the well-­guarded   1. The Cathedral   7. The Legacy Gallery
residences and guesthouses where the lords and ladies of of Martyrs   8. The Steam Bath
the realm stay when visiting the capital.   2. The Triplet-­Towers   9. The Executioner’s
Regarding the atmosphere in Yndaros, one could de- of Ordo Magica Podium
scribe the city as being in a constant state of commanded   3. The Tower Ruin 10. Brother Humlu’s
euphoria. The people celebrate their victorious past, their   4. Fortress Doudram 11. Warehouses
glorious future and not least their beloved sovereign. One   5. The Palace 12. Sheds/tents
day a week is dedicated to festivities, parades and specta-   6. The Palace Park 13. The Dome
cles staged as a reminder of important incidents during
the War, or meant to demonstrate the Ambrian superiority
over barbarians and the new homeland. But underneath
the joyous surface are both the great sorrow over all things
lost and a great many problems that need to be handled. are the intrigues and schemes characterizing the dealings
Many hunger. Most people are forced to work extremely among the noble houses.
hard and under grim conditions, in the city or as serfs on Yndaros is a city of great contrasts, and just like the
the estates surrounding it. A vast majority of the refugees newly constructed buildings along the muddy banks of
are perceived as being unreliable or useless, and are kept the Doudram she is constantly balancing on the verge of
in check with alms and a harsh city watch. Adding to that total collapse.

25
 1 T h e S e tt i n g

34

37
5
16

3
19 18

11 12 20

10
39 28
22
36
23
15 25
9 21
2
26
35 7
38
14 24
32
30
1
17 8

31
29
N
13

NW

NE
27
33

E
sW

SE
0 150 m
0 150 yards
scale 1:6,000
S

Thistle Hold some of Ambria’s greatest explorers – Iasogoi Brigo, Ly-

The palisade, thirty feet high and made of heavy birch sindra Goldengrasp, Elmea Rabbit’s Foot and Goracai the
logs harvested at the forest edge, encircles a settlement Young, he who discovered the aqueducts and the sunken
that has become denser and more towering with time. city of Clearwell.
The broad streets that were deemed necessary to stop the The centre of town comprises the hub of all commerce
flaming bursts of Elven arrows from lighting up the whole in Ambria’s northern region, especially when it comes
town have with few exceptions been replaced by narrow to the trade in finds recovered from Davokar and hand-
alleys between buildings that have expanded in both width icrafts manufactured by the clanfolks. Lined up around
and height. To counteract the negative effects of such a the Bronze Well at the Antique Plaza are market stands
change, more of the woods have been cut down so that for buying and selling goods, but you will also find the
the distance between the North Gate and the forest edge Agency of Mother Mehira and Father Sarvola’s missionary
now spans about two hundred paces. Additionally, the station close by. To the east, west and north of the Antique
number of towers on the northern portion of the palisade Plaza, family homes, guest houses and taverns lay side by
has been doubled and all are equipped with both ballistas side, more mixed up compared to the southern district
and catapults. where family homes are in majority. An exception can be
Nonetheless, the Hold’s more prominent citizens have found in the district surrounding the Toad’s Square. That
chosen to build their homes on the south side of town. area has developed into the town’s centre for pleasures and
This is where you find the fenced wooden palace of Mayor intoxication – a development that gained serious momen-
Nightpitch, the Queen’s Legation, the tower of Ordo Mag- tum two years ago, as the pleasure palace called Salons of
ica and a number of fancy residences, many belonging to Symbaroum was established.

26
 Important Set tlements 1

 Taverns
  1. Afadir’s Triumph Tavern
  2. Brew
  3. The Dump
  4. Odovakar
  5. Blackbrew
  6. The Salons of Symbaroum

 Inns
  7. The Court and the Harp
  8. The Winged Ladle
  9. The Witch and Familiar
10. Arkerio’s Guest House
11. The Rose Garden
12. The Ruin
13. The Barracks
14. The Seamstress’ Rest

 Entertainment
15. Spectacle
16. Benego’s
17. Legends
18. The Hangman’s Pole
19. The Abomitorium

 Trade
20. Marvalom’s
21. The Rope and Axe
22. Big-­Basher’s Smithy
23. The Thaler’s Drugstore
24. The Treasury
25. Faraldo’s Novelty Store

 Other
26. The Town Seat
27. Nighthome
28. The Sun Temple
29. The Queen’s Legation
30. Ordo Magica
31. The Mission House
32. Mother Mehira’s
33. The Town Watch
34. The Beacon

 Squares
and parks
35. The Antique Plaza
36. The Queen’s Square
37. The Toad’s Square
38. The Eastern Square
39. Park of the Elders

27
 1 T h e S e tt i n g

W
0 200 m sW

S
0 200 yards

NW
scale 1:8,000

SE

N
NE
E

Karvosti
Today the plateau can be described as divided into three
1. The Thingstead main areas — those of the clanfolks, the Sun Church and
2. The Stronghold Aloéna. The road to the top winds up along the eastern side
3. The Pilgrim Camp of the cliff and ends at the combined meeting place and
4. The Shrine of the Setting Sun thingstead where visiting barbarians erect their tents and
5. The grove of Aloéna park their wagons — by the thousands during important
gatherings, considerably fewer on average days.
If you walk south through the shrubbery covering the
flat plateau you will soon pass the stronghold of the High
Chieftain and eventually end up at a fault line – a rocky wall
between thirty and fifty feet tall, spanning the surface from
east to west. At its midpoint is the entrance to the cavelike
Cuneiform scribblings found dwelling of the witch node, and should you follow the wall
on a castle ruin northwest of westwards you would soon arrive at a camp inhabited by
Karvosti; probably a more recent pilgrims and other visitors to the temple.
forgery, carved by a barbarian The quickest and easiest way to the upper level of the
or possibly even an Ambrian. fault line runs through the witches’ caves. But since they
are reluctant to have their home used as a transit route, a

28
 Important Set tlements 1

The High Chieftain’s fortress as it appears under Tharaban’s rule,

mostly composed of structures that are a hundred years, two hundred years,
if not three hundred years old. Yes, some are even older than that.

provisional bridge made out of two gigantic pine trunks the bronze bell of the stronghold warns about inbound
has been established next to the campsite. The temple beasts all past transgressions are forgotten and blood-­red
itself rests by the upper bridgehead, and further than Wrathguards are seen fighting side-­by-­side with Templars
that people seldom have the need or longing to walk, be- in shining armor.
cause in the towering grove found at the southern tip of Hopefully that order of things will prevail in the years
the cliff lives Aloéna — a female being, ten feet tall and to come.
believed to be of elven offspring, who is said not to be
very hospitable.
The atmosphere on Karvosti is characterized by a ner-
vous calm that sometimes turns into tense watchfulness.
The general feeling is that the threat from Davokar’s beasts THUS SPOKE AROALETA
and beings continues to grow, and adding to that is the con- “…and the day dawned, when the spawn of the Serpent
stant mistrust between barbarians and representatives of took to arms, when the crimes of countless days
the Sun Church. At times the calm is shattered — a priest must be counted and atoned for, horn by horn, fang
is attacked by harsh words or a thrown pebble on his way by fang. And the sinners wept with blinded eyes, they
across the plateau; a lone Wrathguard encounters a sim- moaned with severed throats, they fled on fractured
ilar situation while patrolling the camp site — instances limbs. And Symbaroum fell, into dreamless sleep…”
which make both groups fear the start of a revenge spiral.
But as soon as Elven arrows start raining from the sky or

29
 SECTION 2

New Rules
“Whoever you are, wherever you’re from, whatever you believe and think you are
able to accomplish – none of it matters! I’ve seen fully armored, battle hardened
knights weep from exhaustion; I’ve heard Masters of Ordo Magica try to yell with
throats closed up with fear; I know of one or two master burglars who’ve been mu-
tilated by its ancient traps.
No, tell you what, neither a strong arm nor a head full of smarts is enough to
survive Davokar. The squire outlives the knight if he only has perseverance enough.
The apprentices of the Master have a bigger chance to come back alive if they face
its horrors without fear. Yes, any child would fare better and live longer than the
Thief King of Ambria, if only they traded arrogance for caution.
You may scoff and sigh and roll your sky-blues, but be warned! A well-developed
aptitude, the right sort of schooling and pricey gear is not enough for the true ad-
venturer. With that you can get started, but it’s rarely enough to get you to your
destination and never enough to get you back out, if not combined with patience,
guts and a bewitchin’ amount of forethought!”

Truth slurred forth by Erdaro One-Eye at the Rose Garden, Thistle Hold
2 New Rules

In adapting the world of Symbaroum to the world’s most Next, we introduce formal rules for social challenges,
popular roleplaying game, we’ve tried to walk a middle road – allowing you to explore all of the various societies of Sym-
keeping familiar 5E skills and abilities, while providing new baroum, from danger-infested back alleyways to the even
origins, backgrounds, classes and feats to fit our setting the more dangerous courts of nobles and barbarian chieftains.
best. Due to the corruptive nature of the world, spellcasting The subjects of Corruption and the shadows of the living
also works differently – you might find it more flexible, but are inherent to the nature of the world of Symbaroum and
also more dangerous at the same time. This section provides the stories we tell there. The world is changing, a great dark-
information on the new rules you’ll use during actual play. ness is growing, and no one can escape it, at least not fully.
We first focus on the role of each player – you’re respon- Each living being has an ethereal shadow that some can see.
sible for bringing to life an adventurer and explorer of the As you adventure, your shadow is exposed to Corruption,
world of Symbaroum. Such characters have their own goals because of the places you visit, the blighted enemies you
and history but also are members of the group, which should fight and sometimes because of the magical gear you take
have its own goals that are perhaps separate from any one possession of or the magic that you wield.
character’s desires. Finally, we take a look at time within the game, including
We then offer rules and information for traveling, either character downtime and keeping track of the calendar, days
through the depths of Davokar, or the (relatively) safer of the week and, when required, moment to moment.
fields of Ambria. The Ruins of Symbaroum resting rules work One last note: all of these rules and suggestions build on
together with the traveling rules; it is difficult to recover top of the basic core rules. If we don’t mention a change to a
fully in the wilderness, so your characters will come to rule or concept, then it works the same as it does there. For
appreciate safe places where they can spend an extended example, there are no changes to the core rules for combat,
period of time recovering. so you would use the core in that case.

The Role of the Player

The players and the Game­master have an equal responsi- As a guideline, it can be said that some goals are inappro-
bility for the shared experience, even if their roles are a bit priate for characters and gaming groups. Goals that are an in-
different when playing. Below you will find suggestions re- evitable effect of playing and therefore lack dramatic potential
garding what aspects of the game session the players should fall into this category – for instance, “to get better equipment”,
take the main responsibility for. It is entirely up to you and “to get more money”, “to gain more Experience Points” and “to
your group if you wish to deviate from what is said below, have more and better abilities”. You will find examples of more
in which case the suggestions may serve as a guideline for suitable goals in the box The Character’s Goal below.
your discussions and decisions.
The Group’s Goal
Creating Characters It is good for the group to share a common goal besides the
The number of players in a gaming group preferably characters’ personal ones. Discuss with the other players
ranges between two and four, though it is fully possi- what your group would like to accomplish, in the short or
ble to play with only one player and a Game­master. The
number of players aside, each player is in control of one
character through which they experience and interact
with the game world. The Character’s Goal
Before you create your character it might be a good idea • Restore your family’s honor
to ask the Game­master about the upcoming adventure or the • Become the leader of a guild, chapter or an
campaign: what kind of character would be appropriate to organization
play? You should also talk with the other players in the group. • Become the acknowledged master of a particular
What are they playing and in what way can the characters area of expertise
complement each other? • Take revenge on a person or a creature
• Save a person from captivity
The Character’s Goal • Find a missing person
Establish at least one distinct goal for your character – some- • Lift a curse that has fallen on the character or
thing that he or she wants to achieve, defend or avoid. The someone else
goal(s) will change over time as the character evolves but • Retrieve a lost heirloom or weapon
there should always be at least one clear goal that helps in
propelling the game forward.

32
 T h e R o l e o f t h e P l ay e r 2

Ruins from the days of Symbaroum can be found all over the region,
this one on the northern slopes of the Titans, just east of Mergile.

Game­master will turn your initiative into a challenge, for

you or for the entire group.
The Group’s Goal
• Lead a large group of people to safety Develop Your Character
• Construct an organization together Allow your character to change as an effect of what he or she
• Establish a base for the group experiences and what happens in the game world – just as
• Obtain more land, ships or wagons Frodo and Bilbo are changed by their adventures. Depend-
• Gain control of a specific location ing on what he or she has to suffer through, it is possible
• Overthrow a leader for a character to change anything from beliefs and goals
• Become a force to be reckoned with in a specific to their appearance and the focus of their abilities. As you
location or in a particular area of expertise gain levels, you might choose features that correspond to
• Remove a serious and known threat towards what challenges you have faced, or acquire new abilities that
the group mirror the character’s hard-earned experiences.
• Lift a curse
• Form an alliance with another faction in the area Describe Future Plans
• Mediate peace between two fighting parties When a game session ends, describe what your character
• Fulfill a prophecy intends to do next, so the Game­master can prepare for it.
• Find a legendary artifact or site Should the session instead mark the end of an entire ad-
venture, describe what your player character will do until
the start of the next adventure.

the long run. Grander goals will probably be more constant

over time, while lesser ones may change and be replaced as
the game moves forward. The Role of the Game­master
The Game­master is the person who holds the game
Bring the Character to Life together, mainly by presenting the setting of Sym-
Describe your character to the group so that everybody gets baroum to the players and having their characters
a sense of who he or she is. Play and act as if you were there, face all sorts of dangers and challenges. The Game­
experiencing it all, and trying to achieve the character’s master should take some time to learn the content of
goals. When things happen, react to them. Describe what the Player’s Guide as well, since they may guide new
your character wants to do and the Game­master will explain players through the process of character creation,
what is needed for that to succeed. and teach them how to use the rules of the game.
Furthermore, the Game­master is meant to manage
Initiate Scenes the characters’ opponents – enemies and monsters
You should not be afraid to initiate things, to let your char- that are provided in adventures or in the Bestiary.
acter respond to and interact with the game world. Describe More guidelines for the Game­master can be found in
your intentions and the Game­master will decide what you the Ruins of Symbaroum Game­master’s Guide.
need to do in order to make it happen. Sometimes the

33
2 New Rules

Traveling
Travels in Ambria are extended affairs through mo-
notonous open farmlands, while traveling in Davokar
offers more excitement than most can endure – at least
if you are lacking experience and fail to read the signs of
danger in time. The following section offers a description
of the three different types of terrain presented in the
table below.

MODES OF TRAVEL AND TIME

The Plains Light Dark
Way of Travel of Ambria Davokar Davokar
Day’s March 10 miles 10 miles   5 miles
Forced March 20 miles 15 miles   8 miles
Death March 30 miles 20 miles 10 miles
Day’s Ride 20 miles 15 miles   5 miles
Forced Ride 30 miles 25 miles   8 miles
Death Ride 35 miles 30 miles 10 miles
Rests
Forced Marches and Rides Heroic though they might be, adventurers can’t spend
A forced march consists of an accelerated pace for an excep- every hour of the day in the thick of exploration, social in-
tionally long time – instead of spending 8–10 hours traveling teraction, and combat. They need rest – time to sleep and
at a reasonable pace, a forced march or ride might require eat, tend their wounds, refresh their minds and spirits for
the characters or mounts to travel from first light to com- spellcasting, and brace themselves for further adventure.
plete darkness at a quick pace. During forced marches you In Ruins of Symbaroum there are three different kinds of
cannot take long rests. rest that the characters can take.
If the forced march continues for a number of days be-
yond your Constitution modifier then you must make a Short Rest
Constitution saving throw each evening with a DC equal to Short rests require one hour of light effort, no more than
5 + the number of days force marched so far. On a failure sitting and talking, tending to wounds and the like. You gain
you gain a level of exhaustion. If it is a forced ride then your the following benefits when you complete a short rest:
mount’s Constitution modifier is used and they must make • You can spend one or more Hit Dice to recover hit points,
the saving throw instead. up to the character’s maximum number of Hit Dice, which
is equal to your level. For each Hit Die spent in this way, you
Death Marches and Rides roll the die and add your Constitution modifier to it. You
This type of travel takes no consideration for the needs of regain hit points equal to the total. You can decide to spend
the travelers and is continuously brutal and demanding. You an additional Hit Die after each roll. You regain spent Hit
cannot take long rests when traveling this way. If the death Dice upon finishing an extended rest, as explained below.
march continues for a number of days beyond your Con- • You reduce your temporary Corruption by your profi-
stitution modifier, you must make a death saving throw at ciency bonus.
the end of each day after that. If you fail three death saving • You can spend a Hit Die in order to reduce your tempo-
throws, you collapse and die from the strain of the march. rary Corruption by your proficiency bonus again. You can
When you do take a long rest you can erase one failed death continue to do this as long as you have Hit Dice to spend
save for each long rest. and temporary Corruption to reduce.

34
 T r av e l i n g 2

Example: Grumpa the Ogre is 3rd level and thus has 3 Hit to it. You regain hit points equal to the total. You can
Dice. She has a Constitution of 16 (+3). During a short rest, decide to spend an additional Hit Die after each roll. You
she decides to use one Hit Die for healing and recovers 6 (3 regain spent Hit Dice upon finishing an extended rest, as
on the 1d8, + 3 for Constitution) hit points. Feeling like the explained below.
roll was a bit low, she decides to use a second Hit Die and • You can spend a Hit Die in order to reduce your tempo-
this time gains another 8 (5 on the 1d8, +3 for Constitution) rary Corruption by your proficiency bonus again. You can
hit points. The total amount healed is 14 (6 for the first roll continue to do this as long as you have Hit Dice to spend
pus 8 for the second) hit points. She reduces her temporary and temporary Corruption to reduce.
Corruption by 2 (her proficiency bonus) and, since she is a
Mystic, decides to spend her last Hit Die to reduce her tem- Example: Agneisha completes a long rest. The human staff
porary Corruption by a further 2 points. mage recovers 10 hit points (8 for the 1d8 Hit Die, +2 for
Constitution modifier). She also reduces her temporary Cor-
Long Rest ruption by 6 (twice her proficiency bonus of +3). She chooses
A long rest requires around eight hours, six of which must to spend a Hit Die to heal 7 more hit points and one more Hit
be spent sleeping and the other two in light activity, such Die to reduce her temporary Corruption by 3 again.
as being on watch, reading, or conversing with others. You
gain the following benefits when you complete a long rest: Extended Rest
• You recover hit points equal to the maximum value of An extended rest requires at least 24 hours in a safe place
your Hit Die (e.g. 8 for 1d8) plus your Constitution mod- where you can sleep, relax and tend to your wounds with-
ifier. This does not count as using a Hit Die. out threat of interruption. Extended rests often mark the
• You reduce your temporary Corruption by twice your end of an adventure, or at least a significant break in the
proficiency bonus. action. You gain the following benefits at the end of an
• You can spend one or more Hit Dice to recover hit points, extended rest:
up to the character’s maximum number of Hit Dice, • You regain all of your hit points.
which is equal to your level. For each Hit Die spent in this • You recover all of your Hit Dice.
way, you roll the die and add your Constitution modifier • Your temporary Corruption becomes 0.

35
2 New Rules

Social Challenges
Social challenges are problems and situations where suggest? What does the target have to lose? What is the pos-
the players will have to roleplay their way out of trouble; sible cost of deciding to do something else? For a situation
tactics and just rolling dice is not enough. Sure, a social chal- to be a social challenge there has to be a real possibility for
lenge is often preceded by problem-solving or even combat, both success and failure on the player characters’ part, even
but during the challenge itself the players, portraying their if the odds may lean one way or the other.
characters, must convince someone or some faction to do
as the player characters want. The Social Challenge
Most social challenges consist of three elements: the intro-
Appropriate Social Challenges duction, discussion, and evaluation.
It requires more than just a couple of Charisma (Persuasion)
checks to have an exciting scene of social conflict. It will feel Introduction
more rewarding if the players roleplay out the bulk of the In order to have a meaningful meeting, the party’s subject
scene, using dice and ability checks only to establish the needs to know who they are and why their opinions, ques-
initial scene and to finalize the solution once the heroes tions or requests should be honored. For some non-player
propose a compromise. characters well-acquainted with the characters this might
A scene where a powerful person, creature or group be automatic, for others this will require a group check,
must be convinced makes for an interesting social challenge. using the appropriate skills – usually Charisma (Persua-
Meetings with less important persons can also be made into sion), but some characters might use Wisdom (Insight),
social challenges, if the outcome of the scene (profit from Charisma (Deception, Intimidation or Performance) in-
success, cost from failure) is of enough importance to the stead. Some groups might propose a single spokesperson
player characters. instead, the chart below gives results for a single roll in
Another option is to use the social challenge as the last parentheses. The Game­master sets the DC depending on the
step in an extended problem: the characters must bribe, con- subject’s reaction to the meeting (DC 10 – indifferent, DC
vince and trick a number of administrators, advisors and 15 – reluctant, DC 20 – opposed). The following outcomes
guards in order to get an audience with one of the Queen’s are possible:
dukes. This requires a series of ability checks, just like in an • Almost all succeed (success by 5 or more). The subject
extended problem-solving situation. The game then turns is convinced that this meeting is important. Unless the
into a social challenge when the characters finally stand in discussion changes their mind, the group has advantage
front of the duke or duchess. on the evaluation roll.
• More than half succeed (basic success). The subject
The Game­master’s Role is willing to conduct the meeting. The group might earn
In social challenges, the Game­master must decide what is advantage or disadvantage during the discussion but
at stake for the target of the player characters: what does currently has neither.
the target have to win from doing as the player characters • At least some succeed (basic failure). The subject al-
lows the meeting, but is predisposed against the group.
Unless the discussion changes their mind, the group has
disadvantage on the evaluation roll.
Example of Social Challenges • All fail (failure by 5 or more). The subject refuses the
• Making a baron release the player characters from meeting. The group cannot try again until something
captivity in exchange for them performing some significant changes.
dirty work for the baron.
• Convincing a lindworm with delusions of grandeur Discussion
that the player characters are too insignificant to Now the talk turns to specifics – what do the characters
be worth killing, and that it would be better to let want? What can they offer? The player characters, the sub-
them go so they can spread word of the serpent’s ject, and other non-player characters discuss the issue. The
unparalleled frightfulness. GM keeps a mental tally during the discussion – if most of
• Persuading a count to hand over the residency of a the proposals are reasonable and account for the subject’s
keep; the count must choose between making the opinions, powers, and feelings then the group might earn
characters vassals, installing one of them as baron advantage on the evaluation roll. The reverse is also true if
or letting the keep fall into ruin. the characters are arrogant, obstinate or poorly prepared.
Advantage here cancels out disadvantage on the introduc-
tion and disadvantage cancels out advantage as well.

36
 Corruption and Shadow 2

Evaluation awkwardness (for example perhaps they can’t offer any

Once the discussion reaches a decision point, one charac- of their warriors but can provide enough shillings that
ter in the group makes another check against the same DC the group could hire some mercenaries for a short time.)
used for the introduction. This indicates the final result of • Failure by 5 or more. The meeting breaks down entirely,
the meeting: perhaps the character misread the situation or the sub-
• Success by 5 or more. The subject agrees completely ject is completely unable or unwilling to aid the group.
with the group and does whatever they can to support Their only hope is to leave quickly and trust that the sub-
them. This may include reaching out to others in posi- ject has a short memory.
tions of power.
• Regular success. The subject is willing to help the group Experience
but has limitations on what they can offer. However, the If the challenge is of enough importance – if it greatly affects
primary objective of the characters is met. the player characters’ chances to achieve their goal by either
• Regular failure. The subject is unwilling or unable success or failure – then they should receive an XP award
to help the group in any significant way. However, for the social challenge, probably about 100 × their current
they might offer a minor concession to avoid future level for success or half of that on a failure.

Corruption and Shadow

In Ruins of Symbaroum magic has a real and immediate (mainly by humanity); in this fantasy we imagine that
price. Every creature has a shadow, an ethereal reflection nature lashes out in the form of Corruption, blightmarks,
of themselves. For most normal people, their shadow turns abominations and a darkening of the land. It is very much
gray as their life, with its disappointments, turnings and a matter of belief, action and feedback, but less about clear-
sorrows, passes. But for those who wield magic or delve cut good and evil. We do not think you need alignments to
into the most dangerous places of sorrow and memory, the play in this world. You can of course use them, if you want
deadly darkness of true deep shadow awaits. The darkness to; it’s not incompatible, just not necessary for the world
can overcome you, driving you to madness and despair. But to make sense.
it is also the only path to power. What will you dare?
Corruption
Shadow Power corrupts, and in Ruins of Symbaroum this is quite lit-
Each living creature possesses a Shadow, an aura around erally true. A fundamental principle is that when nature
them that can be seen by those with the talent to perceive is cultivated or violated it grows dark and vengeful – and
such things. In the world of Symbaroum, no one possesses strikes back! The darkness that comes alive in this way
a singularly bright-white Shadow, instead most folk have a feeds off and can continue to infect its surroundings. Since
shifting pattern of muted colors and grayness, representing Mystics bend and warp nature according to their will, they
a hard life full of sacrifices and suffering. Those who would are constantly threatened by Corruption. This principle is
brave the forest of Davokar or serve the Queen boldly might mirrored in the concept of Shadows and in creatures like
have brighter, more vibrant and more complex Shadows, but abominations and the undead.
for those heroes who choose to fight against the evil nature of Corruption starts at 0 and increases from there. Most
the world, gaining Corruption is inevitable. As Corruption in- Corruption gathered is temporary, your character struggles
creases, a Shadow becomes darker, more twisted and tainted. against a dark foe, or uses non-permanent magic and their
Natural beasts have green, red and white shadows or Shadow temporarily grows darker. However, sometimes you
sometimes another bright primary color. Civilized creatures will gain permanent Corruption, usually by taking up a pow-
have gold, silver, copper or sometimes other metallic shades. erful magical item or by exceeding your Corruption Threshold.
Corrupted creatures have dark shadows: blight beasts or For non-Mystic characters, your Corruption Threshold is
nearly-corrupt creatures are black and purple while less equal to the total of twice your proficiency bonus plus your
blight-stricken beings exhibit a slight change in their colors, Charisma modifier, as the influence of a darkening Shadow
like corroded copper, blackened silver, sickly green, red with makes most people gloomy and morose. So the formula is:
streaks of rust or white with flakes of ashen gray.
Corruption Threshold = ([your proficiency bonus × 2] +
Shadow and Alignment your Charisma modifier), minimum 2.
The underlying theme of Ruins of Symbaroum is the struggle
between nature and civilization, between creativity and During the course of the game, you will gain temporary
discipline – and what happens when nature is cultivated Corruption. You might also start with a certain amount of

37
2 New Rules

permanent Corruption, due to your equipment or mishaps

MARKS OF CORRUPTION
in the past. Your starting Corruption value can never be
lower than your permanent Corruption score. 1d20 Mark of Corruption
If your total Corruption (temporary plus permanent) 1–2 No mark, but you gain a point of permanent
exceeds your Corruption Threshold, you must make a Corruption. Erase all current temporary Corruption.
Corruption check, to see if you can bear so much dark- 3 Thirst for warm blood, must drink warm blood
ness. Roll a d20. If the result is equal to or less than the every day or gain a level of exhaustion.
amount by which your current Corruption exceeds your 4 Taste for cadavers, must feed on something
Threshold, you will gain a mark of Corruption. Roll 1d20 rancid every day or gain a level of exhaustion.
on the Marks of Corruption table to the right. The mark
5 Fangs, or nails in the shape of claws or talons.
fades 24 hours after your total Corruption drops below
your Corruption Threshold. 6 Taste for raw meat, must feed on fresh meat
every day or gain a level of exhaustion.
Example: Mira’s ogre mystic Grumpa has been casting sev- 7 Discolored skin, blemishes and severe rashes.
eral spells in a desperate bid to escape some unwise hunters. Disadvantage on Charisma checks.
Grumpa’s Corruption Threshold is 7 and Mira’s last casting 8 A festering wound that does not heal.
brings her current Corruption to 10. 10 (current Corruption) 9 Boils in mouth, throat and ears that burst at
minus 7 (Corruption threshold) equals 3. She rolls a d20 and if inopportune times. You are deafened.
the result is 3 or lower, Grumpa will gain a mark of Corruption.
10 Eyes that actually blacken with anger, hunger or
lust. Disadvantage on Charisma checks. Reduce
You only make a roll when you gain new Corruption and that
temporary Corruption by 1.
new Corruption exceeds your Threshold. If you receive the
11 Speaks in an unknown, evil-sounding language
same mark of Corruption twice then it can either intensify
while sleeping. Reduce temporary Corruption by 1.
or your GM can choose another result for you.
12 Degeneration of sight (you are blinded). This
Corruption and Shadow condition forces you to rely on other senses
As you gain Corruption, your Shadow changes. Temporary instead, like smell and touch. Reduce temporary
Corruption darkens the Shadow, muting any color that it Corruption by 1.
once possessed. 13 Cold as a corpse or feverishly hot without any
The category listing in the table below indicates how the signs of sickness or disease. Reduce temporary
theurgs of Prios would judge a person’s Shadow, based on Corruption by 1.
their holy smoke ritual (see page 195). Permanent Corrup- 14 Drawn to tainted artifacts and evil places while
tion affects it in the following ways: sleepwalking. Reduce temporary Corruption by 1.
15 Veins that bulge black when experiencing anger
CORRUPTION CATEGORIES or other strong emotions. Reduce temporary
Corruption to half, rounding down.
Permanent
Corruption Category Effect 16 A birthmark that with imagination may look like
a dark rune or an evil symbol. Reduce temporary
1 point Blight- Visible to those who can
Corruption to half, rounding down.
or more stricken see Shadows as black
spots moving within 17 A faint odor of decay follows you, despite you
the Shadow. feeling healthy. Disadvantage on social checks.
Reduce temporary Corruption to half, rounding
At half your Blight- Your Shadow is covered
down.
Threshold marked with darkness, causing
or higher great concern for those 18 Dark streaks in the blood, visible when you bleed.
who can see it. Reduce temporary Corruption to half, rounding
down.
Beyond Thoroughly Your Shadow becomes
your Corrupt completely black and 19 Breath that stinks of sulfur. Disadvantage on
Threshold your character must social checks. Reduce temporary Corruption to
become a NPC as you half, rounding down.
are overwhelmed by the 20 Eyes that glitter in the dark. Reduce temporary
burdens you bear. Corruption to half, rounding down.

38
Corruption and Shadow 2
2 New Rules

Time Within the Game

Since the adventures of a roleplaying game take place Downtime
in our imagination, we need a way to simulate the passing Between adventures, the GM might ask you what your charac-
of time, both to know how long different effects are active ter is doing during their downtime. Periods of downtime can
(such as the effects of elixirs or mystical powers), and to vary in duration, but each downtime activity requires a cer-
keep track of the movements and actions of individual char- tain number of days to complete before you gain any benefit,
acters. Ruins of Symbaroum uses the following divisions to and at least 8 hours of each day must be spent on the down-
clarify what is happening. time activity for the day to count. The days do not need to be
consecutive. If you have more than the minimum amount of
Standard Terms days to spend, you can keep doing the same thing for a longer
In situations where keeping track of the passage of time period of time, or switch to a new downtime activity.
is important, the GM determines the time a task requires. Downtime activities other than the ones presented be-
The GM might use a different time scale depending on the low are possible. If you want your character to spend their
context of the situation at hand. In ruins or other danger- downtime performing an activity not covered here, discuss
ous environments, an adventurer’s movement happens on it with your GM.
a scale of minutes. It takes about a minute to creep down a
long hallway, another minute to check for traps on the door Crafting
at the end of the hall, and a good ten minutes to search the You can craft nonmagical objects, including adventuring equip-
chamber beyond for anything interesting or valuable. ment and works of art. You must be proficient with tools related
In a city or wilderness, a scale of hours is often more to the object you are trying to create (typically artisan’s tools).
appropriate. Adventurers eager to reach the lonely tower You might also need access to special materials or locations nec-
at the edge of the forest hurry across those fifteen miles in essary to create it. For example, someone proficient with smith’s
just under four hours’ time. tools needs a forge in order to craft a sword or suit of armor.
For long journeys, a scale of days works best. Following For every day of downtime you spend crafting, you can
the road from Yndaros to Ravenia, the adventurers spend craft one or more items with a total market value not exceed-
three uneventful days on the move before a wild goblin am- ing 5 thaler, and you must expend raw materials worth half
bush interrupts their journey. the total market value. If something you want to craft has a
In combat and other fast-paced situations, the game re- market value greater than 5 thaler, you make progress every
lies on rounds, each encompassing a 6-second span of time. day in 5-thaler increments until you reach the market value
of the item. For example, a suit of full plate armor (market
Scenes value 500 thaler) takes 100 days to craft by yourself.
We often refer to scenes, which are comparable to scenes in Multiple characters can combine their efforts toward the
a movie: one location, a couple of characters and something crafting of a single item, provided that the characters all
important that happens (a challenge). A scene usually lasts have proficiency with the requisite tools and are working
several minutes, or up to an hour. The duration of many together in the same place. Each character contributes 5
features and spells allows them to persist for an entire scene. thaler worth of effort for every day spent helping to craft the
Scenes can be started by both players and the Game­master item. For example, four characters with the requisite tool
– a GM may introduce the characters to a challenge and the proficiency and the proper facilities can craft a suit of full
players get a chance for their characters to perform actions plate armor in 25 days, at a total cost of 250 thaler.
which make the game world respond in a challenging way. For While crafting, you can maintain a modest lifestyle with-
a situation to count as a scene, it has to include a challenge out having to pay your cost per day (see page 176), or a
and, hence, an element of risk or cost to the player characters. comfortable lifestyle at half the normal expense.
Successful scenes (even non-combat ones) should contribute
towards Experience Points, probably about 100 × the char- Enterprise Management
acter’s current level for success or half of that on a failure. If you have an enterprise (see page 148), you can check
in on it. In addition to withdrawing capital, you also can
Interlude afford a comfortable lifestyle as long as you are in the same
The interlude is a scene without a challenge. It is often an at- location as your enterprise.
mospheric scene, where the player characters discuss some-
thing important or plan for the future. It can also be a briefly Practicing a Profession
described journey. Interludes differ from scenes in that they You can work between adventures, allowing you to maintain
do not grant Experience Points. The reason for this is that they a modest lifestyle without having to pay. This benefit lasts as
lack any risk or challenge for the player characters to overcome. long you continue to practice your profession. If you are a

40
 Time Within the Game 2

member of an organization that can provide gainful employ- or “the Night Slaughter.” Another recent custom is counting
ment, such as a temple or a thieves’ guild, you earn enough to weeks and naming days, which was never done in old Albe-
support a comfortable lifestyle instead. If you have proficiency retor. According to a joint statement from the Queen and the
in the Performance skill and put this to use during your down- Sun Church, the weeks shall be divided into seven days – the
time, you earn enough to support a wealthy lifestyle instead. first five being named after the natural resources provided by
Prios for humans to manage and cultivate, while the last two
Recuperating are named in honor of the Ambrian people and the giver of
You can use downtime between adventures to recover from their laws. People in the countryside still care very little about
a debilitating injury, disease, or poison. After three days of weeks and days, although the local liturgs make sure to weave
downtime spent recuperating, you can make a DC 15 Con- their meaning into sermons and conversations.
stitution saving throw. On a successful save, you can choose
one of the following results:
DAYS OF THE WEEK
• End one effect on you that prevents you from regaining
hit points. Order Full Name Common Name
• For the next 24 hours, gain advantage on saving throws #1 The Day of the Earth Earthsday
against one disease or poison currently affecting you. #2 The Day of the Water Watersday
#3 The Day of the Wind Windsday
Researching #4 The Day of the Forest Forestsday
The time between adventures is a great chance to engage in
#5 The Day of the Mountain Mountainsday
research, gaining insight into mysteries that have unfurled
#6 The Day of the People Peoplesday
over the course of the campaign. Research can include poring
over dusty tomes and crumbling scrolls in a library or buying #7 The Day of the Sun Priosday
drinks for the locals to pry rumors and gossip from their lips.
When you begin your research, the GM determines The equivalent to months were previously eight in number,
whether the information is available, how many days of not all of them equally long, and named after the folk gods
downtime it will take to find it, and whether there are any – for example the Earthmother and the Executioner. Since
restrictions on your research (such as needing to seek out Prios became the One after His exaltation, these names have
a specific individual, tome, or location). The GM might also lost relevance. Instead the months are named after twelve
require you to make one or more ability checks, such as an Lightbringers – heroes who sacrificed themselves in The Great
Intelligence (Investigation) check to find clues pointing to- War. However, this new convention has yet to take root among
ward the information you seek, or a Charisma (Persuasion) the populace. Some still refer to Ynedar’s Month as the Earth-
check to secure someone’s aid. Once those conditions are mother’s Month, others as the High Summer Month, but to
met, you learn the information if it is available. For each day avoid confusion, most people simply call it the First Month.
of research, you must spend 1 thaler to cover your expenses. Likewise, Ofelya’s Month is also known as the Executioner’s
This cost is in addition to your normal lifestyle expenses. Month, the Midwinter Month or the Seventh Month.

Training MONTHS OF THE YEAR

You can spend time between adventures learning a
new language or training with a set of tools. Your GM Order Season Month Young God Common Name
might allow additional training options. First, you #1 Summer Ynedar Earthmother High Summer
must find an instructor willing to teach you. The GM #2 Fall Olandan Hostess Harvest
determines how long it takes, and whether one or #3 Fall Andonia Wildling Wither
more ability checks are required. The training lasts #4 Fall Tomol Pathfinder Slaughter
for 250 days and costs 1 thaler per day. After you spend
#5 Winter Serliela Pathfinder Rain
the requisite amount of time and money, you learn the
new language or gain proficiency with the new tool. #6 Winter Morangal Guardian Darkness
#7 Winter Ofelya Executioner Midwinter
Calendar #8 Spring Agani Executioner Indigent
According to the calendar established with the found- #9 Spring Elisial Arch Builder Thaw
ing of Ambria, Korinthia’s birthday marks the first day #10 Spring Verion Lifegiver Sowing
of the year, in the middle of summer, and is preceded
#11 Summer Konelia Lifegiver Blooming
by a five-day festival called The Scattering of the Eter-
nal Night, commonly referred to as “the Scattering” #12 Summer Leandro Earthmother Luscious

41
 SECTION 3

Character Origins
The group huddled in a booth at the back of the smoky tavern. Despite the ominous
atmosphere, Jela felt like laughing at the scene. Kasimer almost ended up in the
lap of Arron, and it was hard to tell whether the dwarf or the abductee was more
uncomfortable. Too wide for the booth, the troll Gormyx sat on a low stol. Even
sitting he was taller than the others, with horns that rose above their heads.
Their prospective mission-­giver sat at the far end of the table, shrouded in a
cloak and with eyes that glittered from within the deep hood. “She is… different,”
Agneisha had said. The staff mage’s aptitude for laconic understatements never
failed; a weak scent of formaldehyde surrounded the skinny woman whose voice
sometimes died out while she was speaking, as if she had forgotten to breath between
one word and the next.
“I have two demands,” the woman hissed. “First: the false theurg must die. And
second: you have to… take me along for the journey."
No one protested, but Kasimer coughed his voice to life: “Maybe not my business
to ask really, but what’s your name? And what do you want with the priest?”
She gave the dwarf a stern glare. “You can call me Sarli.” After a short pause she
added: “The priest… will die… because he murdered me.”
 3 Character Origins

There are lots of strange creatures in Ambria, and even (elf-­children substituted for stolen babies, who at first ap-
stranger life forms in the depths of Davokar. The world of pear human but grow into their elven features) and abduct-
Symbaroum contains a great number of different kinds of ees (those stolen children who now live among the elves);
folk, all living together in fairly close proximity in the North. and the strange new form of undead who have risen from
Which of these various peoples that the character calls family death and do not (yet) hate the living. Each is a valid choice
is referred to as their ‘origin’. (The undead and ogres are curi- as your character’s origin, or you may work with your Game­
ous exceptions, read on to learn more.) Each origin provides master to develop a custom origin.
suitable backgrounds for characters belonging to that group.
There are humans, both Ambrians and barbarians; Note: In Ruins of Symbaroum your hit points and Hit Dice are
goblins; dwarves, ogres and trolls; elves, changelings based on your origin, not your class.

Abducted Humans
It is believed that the elves of Davokar have always ab- Abductee Traits
ducted human children and left changelings in their stead. Though abductees were taken from different cultures and
Such children are called Abductees, and the reasons for them social strata, each of them was also changed by their time
being taken have varied. Initially it was to learn more about among the elves.
and better understand humans; later the motive changed to • Ability Score Increase. Increase your Dexterity and
wanting to foster ambassadors who understood the elves and Wisdom scores by 1 each, then add 2 to any other ability
could live among the clanfolks and teach them elven wisdom. score of your choice.
Nowadays (in the elven sense, meaning within the last • Age. Like other humans, abductees reach adulthood in
century), there has been an increasing need for warriors their late teens and live less than a century without mag-
within the Iron Pact – to replace elves fallen in battle, and to ical assistance.
offset the growing number of elves that do not survive their • Size. Abductees vary almost as widely in height and
first dormancy (see page 58); the darkening of Davokar build as regular humans but tend towards the shorter
causes fewer and fewer elves to wake to their summer phase. side. Your size is Medium and you have a d8 Hit Die. At
Hence, it is not uncommon to see abducted humans hunt and first level you have 8 hit points plus your Constitution
fight alongside summer elves in the warbands of the Pact. modifier. When you gain a level in any class, you gain
The elves have long since known that abductees are loyal an additional Hit Die and 5 (1d8) plus your Constitution
and good learners, but much to their surprise some of them modifier hit points.
have also proven capable of wisdom. Very few elves would • Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
ever admit this; to most elves the abducted humans are al- • Languages. Abductees speak Elvish but cannot read
most akin to faithful pets, useful and absolutely possible to ­elven writing if they do not have the Loremaster fea-
love, but never to be regarded as equals. ture (page 105).

44
 Abducted Humans 3

Writing discovered on a
demolished bridgehead
along the River Eanor. Playful
scrawl to some, the story
of a peace negotiation that
took place on the bridge
according to others.

What do elves, abductees, trolls

and dwarves know of Davokar?
Being an elf does not mean that you know everything
about Davokar or the intrigues, factions and history
Abductee Names of the Iron Pact. The same goes for representatives of
The abductees are named by their foster parents, often in a other peoples. You know what you have experienced;
way that sounds human to the elves and seldom with names aside from that you must put your faith in tales, leg-
consisting of more than two syllables. They should be easy ends and rumors – just like the average Ambrian. As a
to pronounce and remember, preferably also easy to roar if rule of thumb one can say that an elf or a troll knows
the need arises. Aside from that, the names often have more as much about its place of origin and its people as
consonants than vowels and almost never two consonants an Ambrian with the ability Loremaster knows about
in a row, just like elven names. elves and trolls – sometimes less, since a learned Am-
• Male Abductee Names: Awan, Beo, Eral, Gaer, Kael, Lo, brian probably has access to sources of information
Mael, Orel, Tham, Tir which young elves and trolls are not aware of.
• Female Abductee Names: Anga, Beha, Erli, Fera, Inda,
­Lonam, Una, Undi, Vird

45
3 Character Origins

Abductee Backgrounds Currency in Ambria

Abducted Humans tend to leave the Iron Pact for the same The most common coins in Ambria are the thaler
reasons elves sometimes do – as mediators, scouts, exiled or (a gold piece), the shilling (a silver piece) and the orteg
avengers (see page 60) – but may also have a much more (a copper piece). Read more about this under the
personal reason for becoming an adventurer: header Economy and Money, page 160.

Runaway
For some reason – curiosity, home-­sickness, abuse – the ab-
ductee chooses to flee to the realm of humans, to become a 1d6 Ideal
special sort of stranger. 1 Sacrifice. I am not important, the struggle against
• Skill Proficiencies: Nature the growing Darkness is.
• Tool Proficiencies (choose one): Cobbler’s tools, cook’s 2 Service. Freedom is an empty place, meaning
utensils, leatherworker’s tools, weaver’s tools comes from my obligations to others.
• Equipment: A kit to match your tool proficiency, leather 3 Nature. Only in nature do we find who we really are;
clothes and 1d6 ortegs.
civilization is just a stop on the way to Darkness.

Feature: Bushcraft 4 Fatalism. We do not have to win, we only have to fight.

You can survive on meager resources and are used to finding 5 Vengeance. The dark deeds of the past must be
food and shelter in harsh terrain. With a successful DC 10 washed away with the blood of the wicked.
Wisdom (Survival) check, the character can find enough food 6 Transcendence. The grand forces of the world just
and water to feed themselves while being on the move in the are, accepting all is the way to live a full and free life.
wilderness or among Davokar’s ruins. If the character is part
of a small group (up to five individuals), food and water can be
found for them as well (increase the DC for the check by one for 1d6 Bond
each additional person other than yourself), but that will take 1 I am compelled to protect changelings, it’s like they
much longer. The group cannot be on the move during that time. represent a missing part of me.
2 The secrets of Davokar must not fall into the wrong
Suggested Characteristics hands.
You have chosen to leave the relative safety of elven society
3 I have sworn to hunt down creatures of Corruption,
within Davokar and return to the human lands. Unfortu-
and this I will do.
nately, your welcome home is cold and cruel.
4 My elven parents are lost, and I need to find them.
5 My travel companions are like the family I never
1d8 Personality Trait
really had, they mean everything to me.
1 I listen to learn, I speak only when I have to. 6 I must find my human parents to become whole
2 Life is short and I want to master one thing, and again.
this is what I focus on.
3 I can adapt to any situation, and love seeking out
new places and people to learn from them. 1d6 Flaw
4 I am slow to trust and I have few friends. However, 1 I was raised by the elves, so my plans are always
I never, ever, let a friend down. better than non-­elven ones.
5 I always find a leader to follow, I do not function 2 I long for recognition from elves and will do
well on my own. anything to get it.
6 I speak my mind and expect others to do the same. 3 I resent elves for taking my human life away from me.
7 I look for patterns in the chaos of everyday life; 4 I resent my parents and by extension humans for
follow randomness far enough and you will find it allowing me to be taken by the elves.
tied to fate. 5 I do not know who I am, I feel like a stranger
8 I know I will not live long, and I am at peace with everywhere.
this knowledge. Trying to avoid danger is pointless, 6 I feel a rage in me, like an echo of the Corruption of
as I would only come back to this place another day, Davokar. Maybe giving in to it is the answer to my
in even worse company. loneliness?

46
Abducted Humans 3

47
3 Character Origins

Changelings
That the elves sometimes steal a human child from its • Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom score increases
crib and place a changeling in its stead has been known by 2. Increase any other ability score by 1.
amongst the barbarians for as long as the witches can re- • Age. By their 20th year changelings no longer resemble
member. Since the arrival of the Ambrians, changelings humans at all. Unless struck down by violence, they can
have started to emerge among them as well. While a rare live for centuries.
occurrence, it is still a traumatic experience for every fam- • Size. Changelings seem to be of the same size as elves, usu-
ily affected. It is unknown what exact purpose the elves ally at least five feet tall but rarely reaching six feet. Your
have for doing this, but Ordo Magica’s catalog of known size is Medium and you have a d8 Hit Die. At first level you
cases in Ambria implies that children have been taken have 8 hit points plus your Constitution modifier. When
throughout the entire population, literally from both high you gain a level in any class, you gain an additional Hit
and low. Die and 5 (1d8) plus your Constitution modifier hit points.
A changeling looks human during childhood and starts • Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
to develop more elf-­like features in their adolescent years, • Darkvision. You inherit your true parents’ ability to
though without ever becoming an elf in the true sense of the see in the dark. You can see in dim light within 60 feet
word. A changeling reaches adulthood at approximately the of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it
same age as a human; the changeling then continues to live were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only
a long life but apparently without taking any further steps shades of gray.
in the life-­cycle of the elves. This has made some scholars • Shapeshifting. You are eligible to take the Change Self
develop theories stating that changelings are a people of feat if your group allows feats. If so, you can take the feat
their own, created by elven magic. Others claim that change- instead of an ability score improvement.
lings indeed are elf-­spawn but that their natural life-­cycle • Languages. Changelings usually speak the local human
has been truncated in some mystical way by growing up language, either Ambrian or Barbarian. Some near Da-
among humans. vokar speak the language of elves as well.
A changeling’s lot in life is usually a hard one, since few
of them are allowed to stay with their families when their Changeling Names
true nature has been revealed. Changelings are sometimes Some changelings choose elven names when they are
taken in by witches or wizards to serve as assistants, but thrown out into the street or left in the forest, maybe in
most of them end up on the street where they have to fend an attempt to reclaim a lost identity. Others – like the infa-
for themselves as best they can. Exiled from human society, mous gutter mage Grimorio Abramelin in Yndaros – take a
the changeling wanders a long and lonely road, often bitter new and often bombastic name as a defiant gesture or an
and dark minded, in other cases frivolous and indifferent expression of independence.
to the hardship of others. • Changeling male names: Aka, Ardri, Eneáno, Feon,
Ganderald, Goriol, Ibliglin, Kalfu, Radomaramei, Sinue.
Changeling Traits • Changeling female names: Bekora, Danive, Yeloéna,
As changeling youngsters grow up, their elven nature is Elorinda, Hinéua, Kinlegelana, Riamata, Roha, Seanua,
gradually revealed. Varaneia.

48
Changelings 3

HYMN TO THE LEAFY

DEEP, BY TAUBIO

Shimmering curtains
of golden rays,
a heavenly scent
in the air,
everything dressed
in a misty haze,
a realm so
­remarkably fair.

Butterflies soaring
on wings so frail,
a fox cub is
trailing a deer.
That squirrel is
slumbering nose in tail,
so sure there is
nothing to fear.

But close by the ­squirrel,

mere leaps away,
all beauty is
withered and dead.
There ravenous beings
are stalking their prey,
with cravings too
great to be fed.

Murderous creatures
are everywhere
molded like
phantom or beast.
And flowers as deadly
as they are rare,
are welcoming you
to their feast.

Oh Davokar, take me
and hold me tight,
I’m yielding my
being to you.
To die in your arms
on some starlit night
is all that I long to do.

49
3 Character Origins

Changeling Backgrounds
1d6 Ideal
The following backgrounds represent some of the most
likely fates for changelings once they are discovered to be 1 Independence. I was left here to my own devices,
and I will follow my own path through life.
inhuman in nature.
2 Truth. My childhood was a lie, but my life won’t be.
3 Friendship. The world is horrible, close friends are
Broken Home all you can count on.
When you were revealed to be a changeling it tore your fam- 4 Wealth. The wealthy rule the world, and I will be
ily apart. Everyone seems to blame you (even you sometimes one of them.
blame yourself, although in your moments of clarity you
5 Passion. Our feelings are both the compass and
realize that you never had a choice in the matter). Still, you the destination.
move forward, taking what solace you can in a new, found
6 Kindness. No o
­ ne can make it without help from
family of your friends.
others.
• Skill Proficiencies (choose one): Athletics, Acrobatics,
History, or Nature
• Tool Proficiencies (choose one): Any set of tools 1d6 Bond
• Equipment: A kit to match your tool proficiency, clothes 1 Someone saved me from the mob. I am forever
and 2d6 + 3 shillings.
bound to this person.
Feature: Open Senses 2 One of my ‘human family’ did not give up on me
Ever since you finished your ‘maturation’, you have noticed even when my true heritage was revealed.
that you see more, hear more and sense more than your old 3 I seek the elf who swapped me for who I should
human family and friends. When you make a Wisdom (In- have been. I will demand an explanation.
sight or Perception) check you can focus your senses and give 4 I am a dedicated member of one of the world’s
yourself advantage on the check. Once you do this, you must factions; I cannot imagine living without them.
take a short or longer rest before using this feature again. 5 Somewhere out there is a human who’s childhood
I lived. We must meet to become whole.
Suggested Characteristics
6 I am sworn to help and protect changelings
Many folks have turned away from you. Your disappoint-
everywhere.
ment in them has given you a rock-­hard sense of indepen-
dence and a desire to learn more about where you come from.
1d6 Flaw
1d8 Personality Trait 1 I don’t really trust anyone, and I assume they will
1 I am curious about everything elven, changeling or leave me when I need them most.
Iron Pact-­related. 2 I’ve always felt different and special, now I know
2 I will likely do the opposite of what people expect why.
me to do, just to show who runs my life. 3 Humans are no longer worth my time.
3 I am cautious, always expecting people to abandon 4 I despise elves and enjoy seeing them struggle.
or turn on me. 5 I abandoned my earlier “friends,” and they are now
4 I prefer animals to other supposedly “intelligent” out to get me.
creatures. 6 I am envious of those who have more than me in
5 I can’t handle praise, something bad will surely life.
follow!
6 I speak my mind, no matter what.
7 I keep a bug out bag nearby at all times, always
prepared to run.
8 I am thankful for the smallest things, everything is
better than where I come from.

50
 Changelings 3

Mage’s Assistant 1d6 Ideal

You were very fortunate – most changelings are subject to
ridicule and rejection as they grow up, but at the first signs 1 Study. Nothing about my personal history matters,
only learning more magic.
of your inner nature a mystic visited your family and con-
vinced them to allow you to apprentice with them. Fascinat- 2 Purity. I must keep my body and soul free from
ed by your magical nature, you are well treated by your tutor, Corruption.
or at least better than you would be in your home village. 3 Fight fire with fire. Corruption is a gift, we must
• Skill Proficiencies: Arcana use it to win.
• Tool Proficiencies (choose one): Alchemist’s supplies, 4 Power. With enough magic I can do whatever I
glassblower’s tools, disguise kit, herbalism kit want, and no one can stop me.
• Equipment: A kit to match your tool proficiency, robes 5 Common good. Magic should be used to better
and 1d6 + 4 thaler. society for all.
6 Legacy. I will transmit all I have learned to the next
Feature: Student Of Magic
generation.
You have much practice in the ways of magic and the danger
of Corruption. Your Corruption Threshold is 1 higher than
it would be otherwise. 1d6 Bond
1 The mystic who brought me here saved my life.
Suggested Characteristics
Though most of your training time was spent inside, away 2 I feel a calling towards the forest, despite my fears.
from curious eyes, you are still awkward when meeting 3 I carry something from my childhood, to remind me
others or trying to convince them of your sincerity and of simpler days.
dedication. 4 I feel a connection with magic itself, more
important than any person.
1d8 Personality Trait 5 I have a tome of study that I always keep within me
1 I seek out the company of mystics whenever I can. – it changed my whole worldview.

2 I chose the opposing view in discussions, just to 6 I remember my ‘sibling’ weeping when my nature
make it more interesting. was discovered. I keep that memory forever.

3 I keep my knowledge to myself, unless it’s needed

for survival. 1d6 Flaw
4 I share my magical insights with everyone, whether 1 I deserve an explanation for my life, even if it must
they ask for it or not. be written in blood.
5 If a problem can be solved by using magic, I will use 2 I know magic will be the end of me, but I can’t stop
magic. longing for more of it.
6 I am careful to only use magic when it is really 3 I am caught between human and elven ways and
needed, preferring mundane methods if at all will never feel at home.
possible.
4 When people call me names, I am tempted to
7 I talk too loud and stand too close to people when I believe them.
do it. Feels perfectly normal to me.
5 I want to grow so strong in magic that no one dares
8 I can’t keep my mind on the topic at hand, I always question me.
find a more interesting tangent to explore.
6 I am superior to humanity and that is why they are
afraid of me.

51
3 Character Origins

Dwarves
The short and wiry people humans call dwarves have a
history shrouded in mystery. Looking at the dwarves set-
tled in Yndaros, they display no interest in the history of
their kind; they are a people on the move, aimed towards
the future, fleeing a dark past that has given them a sense
of community, but without peace or meaning. The dwarven
perspective is rooted in the sanctity of the family, the secrets
of the spoken word and the conviction that the world is their
common enemy. Gamalga of Kadizar, a sage interested in
dwarves, is said to have stated that: “The family is their shield,
the language their weapon and the world their battlefield.”
Gamalga also spoke of the origin of the dwarves. After
many fruitless conversations with the dwarves in Yndaros
and at the fortress Küam Zamok, Gamalga realized that she
would get better answers from elves and trolls, and that
they claimed to have never met dwarves before the fall of
Symbaroum. They were most likely created in the old empire
and Gamalga summarizes her meager findings as follows:
“They emerged as worms in the rotting carcass of the World
Serpent and were given wit by Symbaroum’s sorcerers, to make
them better slaves. However, the birth of the people forever bound
them to the world and its fate, and because of this bond they early
on developed a forceful counterculture which still marks them. The
ancestral mothers and fathers of the dwarves created a language
with hidden codes and secret double-­meanings, so intricate that
not even the masters could understand. The dwarves never wrote
anything down, since texts could be read, interpreted and even de-
coded by the lords of Symbaroum. The dwarves kept their dreams
to themselves and their voices echoed with the fate of the world.
Both elves and trolls confirm that there is power inherent
in some dwarven speech, and imply that those who made the
dwarves, Symbaroum’s princes, in time learned to hate their
creations and fear the power contained in their language. After
the fall of Symbaroum, the chronicle of the dwarven people de-
scribes an arduous journey in the shadow of death, continuously
attacked and hunted by others. Nowadays, the descendants of
the few who survived Symbaroum’s ruin have spread to many
places and their fates are seemingly very different.
Apparently, the families in Yndaros are members of a once
ruling elite in Küam Zamok, cast out after a bloody revolution
– hence, the organized villains encountered in Ambria’s capital
are in fact dwarven nobles, used to ruling and giving orders, but
incapable of creating even the most essential items themselves.
More dubious scraps of information say that their inability to
get along has to do with the order of succession in the realm they
left behind, and the right to a throne which none of them will
ever conquer.”
The people of Ambria have formed their opinions
based on the dwarves in Yndaros, and they are not a very

52
 D wa r v e s 3

welcoming sort. They demand nothing of others, other than • Pariahs. Dwarves are poorly understood or tolerated
being allowed to mind their own business. To dwarves, the among other peoples. They have disadvantage on social
will of the family – as interpreted by the elders – is superior checks with everyone other than fellow dwarves, elves
to the will of the individual, meaning that they often appear and trolls.
to have two sets of moral standards: one strictly coded and • Languages. Dwarves usually speak the local human
aimed at the family; another aimed at outsiders and often language, either Ambrian or Barbarian, but with much
described as “a lack of morality” by their neighbors – since more sophistication, adding in a series of code words
actions which only affect outsiders have no bearing on the that enable two dwarves to have a secret conversation in
internal family relations. public. Some near Davokar speak the language of trolls
The speech of the Yndarian dwarves is still today so or elves as well.
intricate and filled with codes, double-­meanings and ob-
scure idioms that their everyday conversations are close Dwarf Names
to unintelligible to bystanders, no matter how learned. It Judging by the dwarves living in Yndaros, they have a fond-
is also true that their voices have a particular power that ness for names which contain many hard consonants, such
some individuals know to make use of. Furthermore, their as k, t and r. Aside from that, there seems to be no difference
memory-­techniques are highly developed, making it possi- between male and female names: they are inherited with-
ble for them to run complex “businesses” in Yndaros without in the family and between generations without concern
writing down a single number or word. for gender. All dwarves also have family surnames, just
like the Ambrian nobles. However, it appears as if younger
Dwarf Traits dwarves must earn the right to call themselves by their
All dwarves encountered in Yndaros seem to have much family name, preferably by impressing their relatives and
in common. making them proud.
• Ability Score Increase. Your Intelligence score increas- • Dwarf Names: Artek, Bolkor, Brana, Dobril, Dranek,
es by 2. Increase two other ability scores by 1. Dusa, Jarok, Lazek, Margor, Mirek, Radmil, Stana,
• Age. The dwarven life-­cycle is not well known, but it Vesnek, Vlador, Yaruk
seems that dwarves are allowed their independence by
their second or third decade of life and remain active for
at least a century.
• Size. Dwarves range from four to five feet in height and Dwarven Families in Yndaros
are solidly built but not stocky. Your size is Medium and The most prominent dwarven families in Yndaros are
you have a d8 Hit Die. At first level you have 8 hit points named Valotzar, Alzerek and Baldysik, of which the
plus your Constitution modifier. When you gain a level first seems to have adapted best to the new conditions
in any class, you gain an additional Hit Die and 5 (1d8) of life. Other known families – among which most are
plus your Constitution modifier hit points. (permanently or at times) allied to the ones mentioned
• Speed. Dwarven legs do not permit the long strides of earlier – include Kalatra, Maretko, Obrutz, Skruztsa,
other folk. You have a base speed of 25 feet. Statzak, Vanoviz and Urbanik. Then there is the Merot-
• Absolute Memory. Dwarven memory is robust and com- zak family in Thistle Hold, though it is unclear if they
prehensive. They can remember anything they choose to are of the dwarven royal blood-­line or not…
commit to memory at any time and can remember even
incidental events up to a month after they occur.
• Earth Bound. Dwarves are bound to the bones of the
world. They have no soul – instead your current Cor-
ruption total reduces your current and maximum hit
points on a 1:1 basis. You do not roll for marks of Cor-
ruption and if your total Corruption equals or exceeds Dwarf Law
your current hit points you become unconscious until If an action against an outsider does not affect the
your Corruption is reduced or your hit points increase family, it has no consequence, no matter how cowardly
(an unconscious dwarf counts as taking a short or lon- or cruel it may appear to others. Among the people
ger rest if they are undisturbed). If you acquire more of Yndaros this is known as “Dwarf Law”; what a
permanent Corruption than your Corruption Threshold dwarf can get away with, he or she will likely do.
(see page 37) then your character is no longer play-
able. If slain, they cannot become undead or be resur-
rected. Even speak with dead fails.

53
3 Character Origins

Dwarf Backgrounds
1d6 Ideal
Dwarves who choose or are forced to leave their families
in Yndaros are lonely and often dangerous individuals. How- 1 Accuracy. There is no point in speaking to others
unless you can be precise.
ever, for some dwarves, the seclusion becomes the start of
the search for a new family, defined by other characteristics 2 Fate. All is as it must be, and all will become what
than blood. The following reasons may explain why you have it is meant to be.
left Yndaros to head out into the world. 3 The End is Near. Prepare for the end, because it is
coming.
4 Hope. In a world of certain doom, hope is all we
Dreams of Doom can cling to.
You are haunted by nightmares of doom and death, for your 5 Stoicism. I balance the brutal facts of existence
family or the world as a whole. You have left the community with the faith that we will prevail.
to become a seeker, hoping to determine the meaning of
6 Simplicity. Surrender your false needs. Work when
your dreams and, ideally, learn how to avert the disaster
you can, eat when you are hungry and sleep when
and protect all your loved-­ones.
you are tired. That is all.
• Skill Proficiencies: Insight
• Tool Proficiencies (choose one): Any set of tools
• Equipment: A kit to match your tool proficiency, simple 1d6 Bond
clothes and 4d6 + 1 shillings.
1 A doom haunts me, and I must prevent it from
happening.
Feature: Haunted
Your nightmares are sometimes prophetic. When you com- 2 I have a role to play in the realization of a beautiful
plete a long rest you gain a prophecy die, a d6. Before making vision.
a skill check, you can declare that something about the situ- 3 I will not make it, but I will make sure my friends
ation reminds you of your dreams and add the d6 to the roll. do.
You must do this before the GM declares the check a success 4 To die well is the only meaningful choice.
or failure. You recover the die with a long or extended rest. 5 I gave my word once, and I will honor it till my last
breath.
Suggested Characteristics
6 I will chronicle the last struggle of the world, and
Constantly harried by terrible visions, these dwarves have
to do that I must survive at all costs.
cut almost all family ties. But their despondent freedom
sometimes allows them to see the world in a new light.
1d6 Flaw
1d8 Personality Trait 1 I struggle with the dreadful sense that nothing
1 I finish people’s sentences. really matters.
2 I sometimes stop mid-­sentence as I sense a vision 2 I expect bad things to happen and often miss the
coming over me. good in life.
3 I am as carefree as only one who has truly accepted 3 I keep my distance from the people I like, the
death can be. thought of losing them hurts too much.
4 I often remind people that all is as it is meant to be. 4 In my despair I make everything about me.
5 When people get too happy, I tell them about my 5 I secretly fear that my visions are nothing but a
visions of doom. dark version of delusions of grandeur.
6 I talk a lot to drown out the voices in my head. 6 I don’t understand why you would only have one
ale, when you can have all of them.
7 I argue out loud with the spirits that haunt me.
8 I keep silent so as not to speak about the horrible
things I see.

54
 D wa r v e s 3

Life-­debt 1d6 Ideal

An outsider has saved your life without asking for any-
thing in return. You want to get free from this debt by 1 Pride. Slights not punished will stick to you forever.
serving the outsider and doing whatever he or she says. 2 Tradition. We used to do things a certain way, and
For a dwarf, this is an acceptable reason for being away it was always superior to this madness.
from the family. 3 Duty. I will do what is asked of me, on pain of
• Skill Proficiencies (choose one): History, Insight, Med- death.
icine or Nature 4 Companionship. Blood trumps everything, but
• Tool Proficiencies (choose one): Any set of tools this lot is not all bad either. I am proud to call them
• Equipment: A kit to match your tool proficiency, simple friends.
clothes and 2d6 + 3 shillings. 5 Greed. I promised to save their lives, not share
treasure with them.
Feature: Driven
6 Fame. I will return to my family with a fearsome
Your obligation to repay the outsider gives untold resilience –
reputation. I roar, the world trembles.
to fail to repay a life-­debt is the worst disgrace a dwarf could
face. When you fail a saving throw you can choose to have
a second chance at it, by rolling again (using any bonuses, 1d6 Bond
penalties or extra dice as before). Once you use this feature
1 I will not leave the side of the person to whom I
you must take an extended rest before using it again.
owe a life-­debt, otherwise I might miss my chance
to be free of it.
Suggested Characteristics
Somehow you have acquired a life-­debt and now owe some- 2 I need to find the love of my life, life-­debt or not.
one else your life, a nearly untenable position for you. 3 My family’s enemies are out there, and if I can
somehow get this lot to help me fight them, even
better.
1d8 Personality Trait
4 I must unravel the mystery of my people’s origin.
1 Time away from family and related duties is not all
bad; I’ll make the most of it. 5 I dream of reinvigorating my people; we are so
much more than this.
2 I long for the day when I can return home to my kin.
6 There is a darkness gathering in the world, and we
3 I’ll show these long-­shanks what a dwarf can do.
will all have to fight it in the end.
4 The world is so much larger and more wondrous
than I ever imagined.
5 I’ll bide my time until I can repay my debt in full. 1d6 Flaw
6 I actually like the creature I am indebted to – but I 1 The person to whom I owe the life-­debt has stolen
will never admit it openly. my own life.
7 I will repay my debt, and until that time comes 2 I seek to repay this life-­debt as soon as possible
I will make my creditor regret making me come and will create reckless situations in the hopes of
along on this demented quest. resolving it immediately.
8 I stoically accept my fate, whatever that will be. Or 3 I love my new life and secretly hope my life-­debt is
at least that’s what I pretend. never repaid, and I will delay the repayment if at all
possible.
4 I am more concerned with the well-­being of one
other in my company than the one to which I owe
the life-­debt.
5 Life-­debt, life-­schwebt, dumber tradition does not
exist. How do I get out of this mess?
6 I will repay the life-­debt, but no one said I need to
be sober doing it.

55
 3 Character Origins

Outcast 1d6 Ideal

You have behaved disloyally, maybe challenged the head of
the family or questioned the family’s position in the order 1 Family. I hope to accomplish something that will
allow them to forgive me.
of succession. For this, you are banished, temporarily or
permanently. To most dwarves, exile is a punishment worse 2 Righteousness. What I did had to be done and I do
than death. not regret my choices.
• Skill Proficiencies (choose one): Deception or Persuasion 3 Vengeance. Family or not, if you come at me or
• Tool Proficiencies (choose one): Any artisan’s tools mine be prepared to pay.
• Equipment: A kit to match your tool proficiency, thick 4 Forgiveness. I realize my old life was wrong, and I
working clothes and 1d6 + 4 shillings. seek forgiveness from the grander world.
5 Dwarven superiority. I will fight for dwarves every­
where, regardless if my own people want me or not.

A Spy 6 A worthy end. I will find a worthy way to end this

miserable existence, and hope that at least my final
You are not exiled but pretend to be, with the intent of gaining access
act will be worthy of remembrance.
to secrets that the family needs. ­Alternatively, you may have been sent
to perform some illegal deed, for instance hunting down a fugitive with
a stronger claim to the dwarven crown than the character’s family. 1d6 Bond
You can choose to be a spy instead of an outcast as part of select-
1 I did what I did to keep someone else safe. As long
ing this background. Beware, of course, that taking this alternative
as they are unharmed I can withstand anything.
too often will undermine the credibility of using the alibi.
2 I have replaced my family with a new group, and
give them my all.
3 My exile was the fault of someone else, and this
Feature: Quick Learner someone will pay.
If you are asked to use a set of tools that you are not proficient 4 I have a recurring dream, where dwarves will
in, you can easily determine the most efficient way to use play a huge role in the fight against the mounting
them. You add a bonus equal to half your proficiency bonus darkness. I will not back down from that battle.
(rounded down) to any ability checks made with the new tools. 5 Part of my family is lost, and I need to find them.
6 When I was young, I heard of a legendary dwarven
Suggested Characteristics
artifact. I seek it.
Many outcasts struggle with their dependence on a world
that does not make much sense to Dwarves. Some adapt
better than others. 1d6 Flaw
1 No one deserves an explanation for my actions; no
1d8 Personality Trait one can judge me.
1 Since I am exiled, the old rules do not apply to me. I try 2 I am a dwarf, and no one is above me.
to speak with strangers, though it often goes wrong. 3 I have a book where every insult towards me is
2 I stick to the old ways, regardless. chronicled; I will never forget.
3 I treat my new companions like a substitute for my 4 I am so afraid, this world with no family makes no
family. I will hurt anyone who looks weird at them, sense to me.
that’s just the way it is. 5 I actually like these other people; they can never
4 I will go to great lengths to avoid other dwarves. know or they will use it against me.
5 I am certain that I was given a purpose in life and 6 Returning to my family is worth every non-­dwarf
this is not it. life I encounter.
6 When you can’t forget anything, sometimes you
must be very cautious in what you say.
7 I expect everyone to play by the rules that I know,
even though I don’t tell anyone that.
8 There is no accounting for the other peoples, they
are not dwarves.

56
D wa r v e s 3

57
3 Character Origins

Elves
The elves of Davokar are but an offshoot of a greater however, a faint light in the gloom: more and more hu-
people; part of a holy guardian order. Initially, the order mans are willingly seeking to join the Iron Pact, and the
involved elves from the virgin regions to the west, where hu- elves working for alliances point out that there are even
mans have not yet reached and where the elven civilization Ambrians among them.
is in bloom. Unlike humans, an elf ’s long life is interrupted
by periods of dormancy wherein the elf grows into the next Elf Traits
stage of their life-­cycle. Most elves encountered are in their The following traits are for Summer Elves:
summer cycle, the second phase of elven life. See the Ruins • Ability Score Increase. Your Wisdom score increases
of Symbaroum Bestiary on page 172 for more information. by 2. Increase any other ability score by 1.
A majority of the elves in Davokar were born into the • Age. An elf that has reached the summer life phase is
order. This order – known by humans as the Iron Pact – is about a hundred years old and will be active for up to
tasked with preventing the evil that slumbers beneath a century and a half before feeling the call of the deep
Davokar’s roots and moss from awakening and spreading sleep again.
across the world. They have never been west and will never • Size. Summer elves are about five-­and-­a-half feet tall
go there; to them the elven lands of old are and remain a and average around 120 pounds. Your size is Medium and
dream that will never come true. From when they are young, you have a d8 Hit Die. At first level you have 8 hit points
they are told that their duty lies in Davokar and that they plus your Constitution modifier. When you gain a level
are not welcome in the old lands. The Iron Pact even has in any class, you gain an additional Hit Die and 5 (1d8)
a ceremony to initiate young elves into the order, where plus your Constitution modifier hit points.
weeping elders – led by Prince Eneáno – beg newly awakened • Speed. You have a base speed of 30 feet.
summer elves for forgiveness for having forced them to be • Darkvision. Accustomed to the gloom of Davokar, you
born, live and die in the Forest of the Death Shadow, Davokar. have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can
The life of the pact members is dangerous, their numbers are see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright
dwindling and the once so mighty Prince Eneáno is entering light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t
his soul’s winter – the increasing unpredictability of the discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Prince has made it possible for other, disagreeing leaders • Pariahs. Ambrians detest elves and the barbarians fear
to position themselves for the upcoming power struggle. them, so elves have disadvantage on Charisma checks
The dispute concerns the tactics of the battle against the with all humans. You can try to impersonate a changeling
dark – whether it should be fought with arrows and spears by wearing human clothing and imitating their behavior.
or by forging alliances. When directly interacting with a human, make a Cha-
The spirited fairies who wake up after their first dorman- risma (Deception) check against their passive Insight.
cy enter the phase of the summer elves, and it is they who On a failure, they recognize you as an elf and the Pariah
constitute the backbone of Davokar’s guardian force: vigi- effect applies.
lant hunters armed with spears and bows. Many of them die • Wisdom of the Ages. Through the eons, the elves have
in battle with abominations or taboo-­breakers from the less amassed a vast collective wisdom; a deep well of knowl-
and less cautious humans in the south. Those who survive edge and insights which many elves can access through
eventually reach their second dormancy, a time of tearful meditation. The character is one of those who may use
grief for the elves. The members of Davokar’s Iron Pact all the know-­how of previous generations to solve problems
live with the bitter truth that few elves will ever awaken at hand.
from their second slumber; most wither away before reach- When you take an extended rest, you can select a skill.
ing the next life phase. You are proficient with that skill until you take another
Perhaps it is for this reason that the holds and forest extended rest, at which time you select a skill (the same
castles of the Iron Pact always echo with sorrowful songs, or another).
lamenting the fallen and withered. Davokar’s elves grow • Languages. Elves speak their own language, and often
fewer and fewer; not even the ever increasing number know the troll languages as well. Those that have cause to
of abductions can fill the gaps in their ranks. There is, be in human lands also learn one of the human tongues.

58
 E lv e s 3

Elf Names
Spring and summer elves are all given double-­names that
follow them through the first dormancy; names mirroring
their character and/or hopes for what they will be like in their
prime. Most who wake up after their second dormancy choose
to remove part of the name or change it altogether, but not
all. This is up to the individual to decide, and is clearly more a
question of taste and style than of function or meaning.
Elven names often have more vowels than consonants
and the letter “X” is as uncommon as a name having two
consonants in a row.
• Male Elven Names: Alal-­Roak, Dorael-­Ri, Eloan-­Eo, Elori,
Godrai, Mearoel, Saran-­Ri, Tel-­Keriel, Kil-­Ano
• Female Elven Names: Ahara-­Vei, Eleanea, Leiána,
Gaina-­Anali, Keri-­Las, Mael-­Melian, Naelial, Tara-­Kel,
Teara-­Téana

Writings carved on a stone

close to the Marshes,
possibly a message to
travelers in the area, warning
them of hostile elves.

59
3 Character Origins

Elf Backgrounds
1d6 Ideal
As a suggestion, player characters of elven origin should
be summer elves, in the second phase of the elven life-­cycle. 1 Justice. It is only right to bring death to those who
have killed others.
Sure, it is possible to play older elves, but autumn elves
would fare better in a campaign where the other charac- 2 Knowledge. I must know why my quarry did what
ters are also very powerful since these elvish beings tend they did; I am owed an explanation.
to overshadow most humans in terms of skill, power and 3 Nature. Defending the forest against ignorance
insights regarding the deep mysteries of the world. and willful damage is all that matters.
In any case, elves are uncommon in human settlements 4 Duty. We will not succeed in defeating the
and need very strong reasons to travel to such places. darkness but we will fight none-­the-­less. Our
valiant struggle will echo through eternity.

Avenger 5 Finesse. Nothing is worth doing unless done with

style – vengeance in particular should have a
Elves tend to live, hunt and fight in small groups with strong certain dash to it, I think.
internal ties. Maybe the others died as a result of treachery
6 Redemption. I do not know if my failure to protect
by some supposed ally, and you survived, by chance or after
my kin can ever be redeemed; if it can I will find
having managed to escape or beat down the villain’s hench-
out how, and then I will spend the rest of my days
men? As the lone survivor you might feel guilty and will
trying.
not return home before the traitor has paid for their crime.
• Skill Proficiencies (choose one): Athletics or Acrobatics
• Tool Proficiencies (choose one): Gaming set or musical 1d6 Bond
instrument
1 I feel closer to the person I am tracking than to
• Equipment: A kit to match your tool proficiency, supple almost anyone else.
leather clothes and 4d6 + 1 ortegs.
2 The oath of the Iron Pact feels as real to me as the
Feature: Tracker day I first spoke it.
When you are in a wilderness area and in pursuit of a 3 My new companions are not that bad; I would
creature that you have seen before, you have advantage consider risking my life to save some of them.
on the first Wisdom (Survival) check of the day to follow 4 My bow has special meaning to me, and I long for
their tracks. the person that gave it to me.
5 Animals have always felt as close to me as other
Suggested Characteristics elves. I will not see them harmed.
Many avengers have taken their quest on as a personal bur-
6 All of the old peoples have a special place in my
den and you must choose how your mission has affected you.
heart. Humans not so much.

1d8 Personality Trait

1d6 Flaw
1 I am curious about the world outside the forest,
but not really engaged in it. It’s curious, but not 1 I won’t leave the trail, even for the best of reasons.
important. 2 Besting my quarry is more important than the
2 How can all these people not be aware that there is health of anyone I travel with.
a war on Corruption going on? 3 My quarry scares me senseless, and I am not sure if
3 These short-­lived folk intrigue me more than I care I can face it.
to admit. 4 I fear I will again let my companions down, and
4 I conserve my breath and strength until it is survive.
needed. 5 Non-­elven plans are worse than mine, for obvious
5 I stay in the shadows as I seek my prey. reasons.
6 I pretend to be casual and calm, but this place 6 One of my companions has my heart, and I will
terrifies me. forgo more important actions to keep them safe
from even the slightest harm.
7 The killers of my kin are out to get me too, I am sure
of it.
8 I need information and will trade what I know for it.

60
 E lv e s 3

Exile 1d6 Ideal

Elves who act against the rules of the collective are very
uncommon, but are not unheard of in corrupted Davokar. 1 Promises. I have guaranteed myself that I will once
again take my rightful place.
Maybe you are one of these? Alternatively, your exile is
self-­imposed, as a result of you feeling as if you had been 2 Exploration. I am seeking a secret place and I will
disloyal or dishonorable, therefore choosing solitude for a keep looking into dark holes until I find it.
while. Or forever. 3 Survival. I am more concerned with not losing,
• Skill Proficiencies (choose one): Deception, Intimida- than with winning; live to fight another day, I say.
tion or Performance 4 Mercy. Everyone – and everyTHING – deserves
• Tool Proficiencies (choose one): Carpenter’s tools, tin- another chance. It’s the only hope for good in this
ker’s tools, weaver’s tools or woodcarver’s tools. world.
• Equipment: A kit to match your tool proficiency, elvish 5 Knowledge. What is not known will be penned by
clothing and 10d6 ortegs. my hand.
6 Elven superiority. I am an elf, most others are not.
Feature: Unpredictable
They should not forget that, and I will remind them
You choose your own moments to act, even in the thick of
if they do.
combat. After you roll initiative, but before combat begins,
you can choose to change your initiative count to any num-
ber smaller than your result, to a minimum of your Dex- 1d6 Bond
terity modifier. Once you pick your new initiative count, it
1 I made my decision for the sake of others, my
remains fixed for the remainder of the combat.
personal feelings do not come into it.

Example: Elona-­Tel has a +3 as her Dexterity modifier. She 2 I have heard stories of a legendary exile, I seek to
rolls for initiative and her result is 15 (12 on the d20 +3). She emulate them.
can then choose to change her initiative to any number less 3 I have a book or other ancient thing that tells of a
than 15 and equal to or greater than 3. Listening to the other lost place.
players’ results she chooses initiative count 8 so that she 4 I made one last oath before leaving home, and I
can react after the knight’s turn. intend to keep that promise.
5 I long for my family, and would do anything to
Suggested Characteristics protect them if something threatened them.
You have taken on a life outside the forest and chosen to
6 Someone helped me when I first stumbled out of
interact with others, however this does not relieve you of
the forest; I owe this person a lot.
your obligations unless you have totally rejected elven life.

1d8 Personality Trait 1d6 Flaw

1 I try to surprise everyone with what I say, it amuses me. 1 I sometimes allow my doubts to overwhelm me
and make me indecisive.
2 I often feel my personal loss deeply, but hide it
from others. 2 I rarely stop and listen long enough to learn
anything new, I have to discover things for myself.
3 I feel a wanderlust that I can’t suppress, I need to
know what’s over the next hill. 3 Since I made that huge mistake, I refuse to make
any other decisions.
4 I avoid elves, and all things elven, it reminds me of
a dark time. 4 I will do almost anything to impress someone in
the hope that they can get my exile reversed.
5 I am drawn to changelings and other elven things;
they remind me of home. 5 I secretly feel special and am easy to manipulate for
those who play on this feeling.
6 I hide my elven features as best I can, better if
people think me a changeling. 6 I am jealous of those who have a special someone, I
will be happy if they break up.
7 I make other people’s problems my own, perhaps
to keep the loneliness at bay.
8 My curiosity gets me in trouble, but I just can’t help
myself.

61
3 Character Origins

Mediator 1d6 Ideal

You have been sent to establish relations with a group of
humans and try to teach them about the value of the forest 1 Discussion. If we can get leaders to the table there
is always room to negotiate.
and the dangers of exploration. Your mission can be self-­
imposed but is more likely based on the orders of some su- 2 Rule of Law. The law of the Iron Pact still applies,
perior autumn elf. no matter how old it is.
• Skill Proficiencies (choose one): History, Insight, Per- 3 Trouble. If I know what makes you upset, I also
formance, or Persuasion know what makes you happy.
• Tool Proficiencies (choose one): Any musical instrument 4 Self-­perfection. I am actually here to learn more
• Equipment: The musical instrument, elven clothes, and about myself; mediating in conflict is the best way
4d6 + 1 shillings. to get to know oneself.
5 Pragmatism. I am okay with dodging the truth to
Feature: Orator reach a lasting peace.
Your strength with words is such that you can make ene-
6 Wisdom. Some conflicts will not get solved, I
mies hesitant to attack you. If the enemy can hear and un-
accept that and move on to the next one.
derstand you, and you have spoken within 1 minute before
combat begins, then those enemies have disadvantage on
their initiative rolls. 1d6 Bond
1 My mentor gave me hope in this process but now
Suggested Characteristics
they are lost to me.
You have chosen, or been chosen to be a peace offering be-
tween your people and the others. You may not appreciate 2 Every time I meet others for a negotiation I feel a
this or you might have high ambitions. warmness in my heart.
3 I have a treasured old book that tells of various
ancient agreements and meetings.
1d8 Personality Trait
4 I am smitten by the representative for one of the
1 I believe in peace but that doesn’t mean I am not
warring factions.
prepared for war.
5 The Iron Pact must hold, at any cost.
2 Even the lowest mortal has a story worth listening
to. 6 I do this for the light I see in humanity; it’s all for
them.
3 It is not about winning or losing, it is about having
the best meeting possible.
4 I have been doing this a while and I’m starting to 1d6 Flaw
see the same old faces, time and time again. 1 I am so certain that a good speech will fix any
5 I do this because I was ordered to do it, just so dispute that I am often surprised by violence.
everyone knows. 2 I am certain that my proposal is the best of all
6 Just because I listen does not mean others get to possible ideas.
decide what the best course of action is. 3 Secretly, I wish that others would shut up and
7 Everyone lies to themselves sometimes. Everyone listen to me.
knows the truth also. 4 Deep down I think that war is inevitable; we should
8 War and diplomacy are the two sides of the same strike the first blow.
coin. 5 I fear that nothing I do will make a difference in the
end.
6 I am unconcerned with the price paid by non-­elves.

62
 E lv e s 3

Scout 1d6 Ideal

You have been sent to gather knowledge, to assess the ene-
my’s strengths and weaknesses before the battle that is sure 1 Tranquility. I try to co-­exist with nature instead of
making nature adapt to my presence.
to come. Your mission-­giver is probably a superior and older
elf, either a diplomat or a warmonger. 2 Observation. So many go through life without
• Skill Proficiencies: Stealth paying attention to what is happening beneath
• Tool Proficiencies (choose One): Carpenter’s tools or their feet and all around them.
mason’s tools 3 Testing. I will take any chance to sharpen my skills;
• Equipment: A kit to match your tool proficiency, thick one day all will depend on them.
working clothes and 1d6 + 4 shillings. 4 From the shadows. I want to shape things without
being seen as the one doing the changing.
Feature: Adept of the Wild 5 Oathbound. I am the embodiment of my oath.
When you are in a wilderness area, you can choose to take Without it I am nothing.
advantage on your Dexterity (Stealth) check. If you do so,
6 My enemy’s enemy. I am willing to find common
you can’t use this feature again until you take a short or
cause with lesser evils in order to destroy the main
longer rest.
threat.

Suggested Characteristics
You are a dedicated member of the Iron Pact, seeking knowl- 1d6 Bond
edge today to prevent disaster tomorrow. As you gain knowl-
1 Someone taught me how to hunt and track. I owe
edge of the world outside the forest will you remain resolute
them my entire life’s work.
in your decisions?
2 There is an animal in the forest that I have seen
more than once. I may never catch it, but I will
1d8 Personality Trait always seek it out.
1 I can understand the language of the forest better 3 I carry a bone with me. You will not see it and, if
than anyone else. you do, I will not explain it.
2 I pretend to enjoy the company of my enemies. It 4 I keep my word, always. I also rarely give it.
was way easier than I thought it would be.
5 I will not let my prey get away.
3 I have a hard time hiding my hatred for the enemy;
6 I speak bluntly and accept the consequences.
I must keep my distance from them.
4 Some on the opposing side are very good, I will
learn from them. 1d6 Flaw
5 I pretend to be a trapper with no agenda other than 1 I am impatient and rude to those without
earning money for my family. wilderness skills.
6 I walk and talk like a monster-­hunter, it gives me 2 I never explain myself.
access to places. 3 If I’m talking to any non-­elf, I speak slowly and
7 I am amazed by the world, I sometimes almost simply. How could they understand more?
forget my mission. 4 I do not count the cost to others when fighting the
8 I prefer the company of animals and often talk to true enemy.
them. 5 I fear I might not be able to go all the way.
6 I know I will die in this fight, and am given to bouts
of fatalistic apathy.

63
3 Character Origins

Goblins
Little is known about the origin of goblins, but their • Age. Goblins are adults at 10 and few remain in human
presence in the southern outskirts of Davokar is quite ob- lands past their 30th year.
vious. The tribe that left the darkness of Davokar to settle • Size. All goblins are under four feet in height and aver-
down close to Thistle Hold swarms and makes such a racket age around 50 pounds. Your size is Small and you have a
that they have made themselves quite unpopular among d6 Hit Die. At first level you have 6 hit points plus your
the town’s human populace. Their fiery temperament and Constitution modifier. When you gain a level in any class,
strange ways of socializing have contributed to the disap- you gain an additional Hit Die and 4 (1d6) plus your Con-
proval: “Hide the Boot”, “Tame the Ogre”, “Trim the Thistle”, stitution modifier hit points.
“Tighten the Temple” and “Want a Smack, Molok?” are party • Speed. Goblins scurry underfoot of the bigger peoples
games that outsiders are reluctant to even watch. but their strides cannot match them distance for distance.
The life of a goblin is short – a goblin is considered a You have a base speed of 20 feet.
youngster at the age of five, adult at ten and an elder at the • Darkvision. Accustomed to the gloom of Davokar and
age of twenty. To meet a thirty-­year-­old goblin is a rarity, as underground mines, you have superior vision in dark and
most of them voluntarily return to seek a lonesome death dim conditions. You can see in dim light within 60 feet
in Davokar before then. Meeting one who is forty is all but of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it
unheard of. The truth of the goblin life-­cycle is even more were dim light. You can’t discern color in darkness, only
remarkable, though few humans know it – when goblins feel shades of gray.
the pull of the forest not all of them die. Some are changed, • Pariahs. Goblins are poorly treated in society and have
becoming trolls or ogres. disadvantage on Charisma checks with other peoples.
The only reason why goblins are tolerated in Thistle Hold However, the insular tendency of Goblin society provides
is that they are practical when it comes to doing dirty work advantage on Charisma checks when interacting with
like draining marshes, emptying latrines and flailing about another goblin.
on scaffolding. Thanks to that, a gibbering horde of sinewy • Survival Instinct. While goblins are a loud and fractious
goblins flows into the town every morning to work hard people, they have a powerful will to survive. You can take
at a number of heavy, dangerous or thankless tasks. Come either the Dash, Dodge or Disengage actions using your
nightfall, they are once again driven away, and a bunch of bonus action. You also gain proficiency with the Stealth
uncharacteristically silent goblins march back to their beds and Survival skills.
in simple huts of straw and clay. • Languages. Goblins usually speak the local human lan-
Some goblins stray from this pattern, mainly treasure-­ guage, either Ambrian or Barbarian. Some near Davokar
hunters and goblins employed in the households of wealthy speak the language of trolls or elves as well.
individuals in Thistle Hold. A dozen or so goblin younglings
can also be found in the convent school in the capital city, Goblin Names
where a handful of extremely patient monks have com- Goblin names are varied and it is hard to see any clear nam-
mitted themselves to saving whatever soul resides inside ing conventions. It is also common for goblins to change
the wild whelps. The most renowned goblin to represent their names or add a syllable depending on what they expe-
both of these phenomena is Garm Wormwriggler, brought rience in life. If one were to attempt to point out something
up at the convent school to later become a successful general regarding their names, it would be that the length
treasure-­hunter. of the names usually goes hand-­in-­hand with the bearer’s
rank – the longer the name, the higher the status within
Goblin Traits the tribe.
All goblins encountered share a set of inborn tendencies • Goblin male names: Alfbolg, Barra, Goltas, Illefons, Ler,
and features. Rosti, Shigg, Tengel, Ul.
• Ability Score Increase. Your Dexterity score increases • Goblin female names: Aa, Fosa, Guhula, Hugalea, Tulga,
by 2. Increase any other ability score by 1. Udelia, Ufa, Wamba, Yla, Yppa.

64
 Goblins 3

Trolls, Goblins and Ogres

Trolls, goblins and ogres have a common origin, which
is known to all trolls.
With increasing age, all goblins feel drawn to the
lonely depths of Davokar. It is there they die, alone on
the road towards the Underworld – if they do not die
from illness or violence before then. The dying goblins
seek out a secluded spot where they undergo a remark-
able transformation; they pupate. Most of them die in
the cocoon, but for some the pupation is nothing more
than a new step in their life-­cycle, since they develop
into trolls while safely slumbering inside the cocoon.
At times, something goes wrong as the goblin ma-
tures in its cocoon and the progeny – who, without
claws, has to scratch its way to freedom – looks very
much like a troll but is without some of the defin-
ing features. Among Ambrians and barbarians such
creatures are called ogres. These “misshapen trolls”
also lack the rage trolls’ hunger and strong instinct to
head down into the Underworld. Instead, the ogres
often leave the depths of the forest and cling to the
first person they happen to encounter.
A worrying tendency is that more and more ogres
seem to be born, something the troll-­singers claim
has to do with Davokar growing darker. In general,
trolls regard ogres with mixed emotions, but for most
they are seen as a kind of distant cousin who deserve
their help or at least their compassion.

THUS SPOKE AROALETA

“… and as Eregan foretold: ‘the wise man’s road is

long, twice as long through murky woods; the foolish
man’s road is short, half as long through murky
woods, cut short by folly and bloody bashings’.”

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3 Character Origins

Goblin Backgrounds
1d6 Ideal
Three different backgrounds are provided for goblin
characters. However, the Laborer and Convert backgrounds 1 Tradition. My family has always worked here. I feel
obligated to my employers, at least for now.
can also be used for humans, especially members of the clan-
folks that were captured by Ambria. 2 Entertainment. I do almost everything I do for my
own sense of fun or to make others laugh.
3 Opportunity. It’s my right to try my own way, even
Laborer if it fails.
You are a daily worker, tolerated in town during the day as 4 Pride. I can say that I’ve accomplished something
you work but then forced to take your rest in either a central when I go to the forest to die.
resting area or outside the village. Think about the kind of 5 Work. When I’m bored I get in much more trouble.
work that you might do? Do you have any friends inside
6 Humor. What is the point of life if you can’t laugh?
town? Do you have a hated enemy among the other laborers?
Are you saving your scant coin for the future, or do you
spend it on drink and entertainment as soon as you get it? 1d6 Bond
• Skill Proficiencies: Athletics 1 I’ll take any amount of punishment to keep my
• Tool Proficiencies (choose one): Carpenter’s tools or fellow workers out of trouble.
mason’s tools
2 I actually feel something towards my employers.
• Equipment: A kit to match your tool proficiency, thick
working clothes and 1d6 + 4 shillings. They’re nicer than most humans.
3 I had one old hand who showed me the ropes. I
Feature: Tireless Worker wonder where they are now?
You are used to long days of physical work with little op- 4 I used to have a great love, but they had to leave
portunity to rest. As long as you do not have any levels of long ago. I miss them.
exhaustion you have advantage on any saving throws to 5 I trust my new friends, much more than my old
avoid gaining exhaustion. ones.
6 I have a tool that has been with me forever, I think
Suggested Characteristics
of it as a good luck charm.
Laborers are one of the lowest members of society and
are often ill-­treated. They are also easily ignored, and a
quick-­eared and quick-­witted person can learn much while 1d6 Flaw
they work.
1 I’m so used to meanness that if you show me a
kindness I’ll take it too far.
1d8 Personality Trait 2 I really don’t understand that other peoples don’t
1 I make friends easily, I don’t have time or energy to share our sense of humor or tolerance for pain.
fight anyone unless they truly do me wrong. 3 I’m not really one for plans, or planning, or
2 I’ve heard rumors of great opportunities outside of following instructions exactly.
the village and yearn to leave. 4 There is no reason to argue today about what I did
3 I like to be proud of my work and am sensitive to yesterday.
critique. 5 I’m often petty and direct my frustration at those
4 This is just a job and I look forward to when I don’t who can do nothing about it.
need to work anymore. 6 I get distracted by grandiose plans sometimes.
5 I like farm (or work) animals more than most Alright, all the time. So listen, I have this idea…
people. They’re more trustworthy.
6 I don’t understand humans very well at all, but I do
like money and food.
7 I don’t care about the work much, but there is
someone who matters to me here.
8 I heard a human say ‘work hard, play hard’ once.
That’s my motto now.

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 Goblins 3

Convert 1d6 Ideal

The teachings of the Giver of Laws says that all are worthy
of salvation and your teachers made every effort with you. 1 Faith. I am truly devoted to the Giver of Laws and
have no pretenses about my beliefs.
Eventually, they were successful, or at least you began to
give them the answers that they wanted to hear. And you’ve 2 Power. The humans say that the Sun God is the
learned amazing things from the Sun Church – history and chief god now. The humans have many victories to
theology that your people never knew. You’ve become inter- prove this, so I choose to believe them.
ested in what dark secrets lie in other old places… 3 The Word. What is written cannot be changed or
• Skill Proficiencies (choose one): History or Religion undone. That is power.
• Tool Proficiencies (choose one): Calligrapher’s tools or 4 Truth. I think everyone should be honest. Lies
cartographer’s tools dishonor the Lawgiver.
• Equipment: A kit to match your tool proficiency, reli- 5 The Sun. The day-­star seems permanent and
gious robes, and 4d6 + 11 ortegs untouchable, like a god itself.
6 Followership. I am not a leader, but I find worthy
Feature: Member of the Church
leaders and do their bidding.
If given the chance, you can prove yourself to be a member
of the Sun Church and gain shelter there for yourself and
your companions. Unfortunately, some of the faithful are 1d6 Bond
not as open-­minded as your teachers and the GM might re-
1 I would do anything to keep my teachers safe.
quire you to make a DC 10 Charisma (Persuasion) check in
order to receive healing or other Church services. 2 I feel like I have a personal connection to Prios.
3 Despite my new life, I still remember my family.
Suggested Characteristics 4 I have a huge regret from my earlier life and would
Goblin converts exist in two worlds: they are still goblins, do almost anything to set it right.
with short lifespans and a particular sense of humor, but 5 I carry my primer from when I first learned to read
they have been taught the ways of Prios and some of them and write still. It is a reminder of how far I have
see his teachings as a great opportunity for them to gain come.
status in the new kingdom.
6 I am obsessed with a member of the church,
perhaps even a member of the Black Cloaks.
1d8 Personality Trait
1 I repeat back things that you say to me. I’m not
1d6 Flaw
trying to be annoying, I want to make sure I
understand. 1 I am a passionate believer and often seek to prove
2 I’m always frowning and being very serious. I am others have less faith than me by pointing out
trying hard to not be a goblin, in other words. minor errors in their prayers or other rituals.

3 Let me tell you about all the great things I have 2 I am suspicious of my human teachers. Why are
learned from the Church! they so nice to me?

4 I am very open-­minded. If my teachers could accept 3 Deep down inside, I still wonder if this is real.
me, I can accept anyone. 4 I’m only pretending and going through the motions.
5 I think that everyone should be given the chances 5 I tend to be easily swayed by those who profess to
I was. share my beliefs.
6 I go to sleep every night with many doubts and 6 I am dismissive of unbelievers and other strangers.
fears in my mind.
7 The Church provides all the answers, even to
questions I didn’t know I had.
8 I make jokes on Prios’ behalf; I know he has a sense
of humor. Just look at me.

67
3 Character Origins

Wild 1d6 Ideal

While many goblins have found themselves under the thumb
of the newcomers, you and your clan have stayed away from 1 Fear. If you’re scared of everything you are always
cautious.
both the Ambrians and barbarians by staying in the darker
parts of Davokar. But the forest is changing, and the trolls 2 Wonder. Learn something new every day or you
and elves whisper that the humans have something to do have wasted your time.
with it. You’ve decided to explore these ideas but are also 3 Nature. Nothing built by people compares to the
cautious about who you befriend, since you have no desire truly wild places of the world.
to become a laborer. 4 Might makes right. I have learned the lesson well,
• Skill Proficiencies: Nature and soon it’s my turn.
• Tool Proficiencies (choose One): Carpenter’s tools, 5 Chaos. Randomness favors the underdog, so I
leatherworker’s tools, potter’s tools, weaver’s tools maximize chaos wherever I can.
• Equipment: A kit to match your tool proficiency, scant 6 Greed. What better legacy than a golden statue of
clothes and 2d6 + 8 ortegs.
the greatest goblin that ever lived?
Feature: Go to Ground
If you’re in the wilderness you can always find a hiding place. 1d6 Bond
You can choose to have advantage on a Dexterity (Stealth)
1 I keep a vision in my head of my little nook in the
check as part of your Hide action. Once you use this feature
forest. I’m going back there someday.
you must take a short or longer rest before using it again.
2 I made a promise and I will keep that promise, no
Suggested Characteristics matter how foolish others think me.
You are a goblin as they should have always been: wild and 3 I am convinced the gods love me, and I will not let
free and able to do anything you wish. Of course, you some- them down.
times see your cousins in the human cities, with their fancy 4 I swore to lead my people to a better place, and
clothes, weapons and flashing coins… this I will do.
5 Someone saved my bony behind and I am forever in
1d8 Personality Trait that person’s debt.
1 I am now realizing that the world is much bigger 6 I have an animal that I love, and will always protect.
than I thought.
2 I think that being free is the best way to be and will 1d6 Flaw
share that with everyone.
1 No one that knows me would confuse me for being
3 I will become a troll someday, so you better treat civilized. At all.
me with respect.
2 I crave attention, and will get it, one way or
4 I only have a few years to experience everything, so another.
let’s go.
3 Eating the hearts of my enemies will make me live
5 I want to know what is important but everyone has longer.
a different answer.
4 There is something about fire, I can’t explain it, it
6 I invite others to play goblin games, but almost just speaks to me.
nobody wants to join in. 5 Dressing like powerful people will make me more
7 I have a pet that I talk to, what’s weird about that? like them.
8 I cast bones to help me make decisions. They’re my 6 Kleptomaniac, klepto-­schmeniak. I love shiny
uncle’s bones, very wise goblin he was. things, that’s all.

68
Goblins 3

69
3 Character Origins

Humans
According to the scholars of Ordo Magica, the people of
Ambria and Davokar are descendants of the same tribe, al-
though the barbarians and the Queen’s Folk hardly consider
themselves so closely related. Queen Korinthia’s claim to
Ambria, the land south of Davokar forest, is motivated by
her ancestral connection to the region, and even the most
novice of Ambrian linguists can explain in what ways the
“gibbering speech of the barbarians and the melodious tongue of
the Queen’s Folk are similar.” More disputed are claims saying
that the two peoples originate from the same stem, rooted
in the old and long forgotten empire of Symbaroum whose
ruins are hidden deep within Davokar.
Whatever the case, there are significant differences be-
tween the two peoples in a cultural sense. The Ambrians
abandoned their blighted homeland Alberetor twenty years
ago, to settle down in the well-­preserved ruins of Lindaros.
On their journey they brought along their architecture,
knowledge, economic system and social hierarchies. Thanks
to its discipline the Ambrian army outmatches the barbarian
clan warriors when they meet in the open fields, but in the
woods where the skill of the individual becomes a decisive
factor they are more evenly matched. That, coupled with
the advantage of having greater local knowledge, has so far
kept the Ambrians from entering very deep into the forest
– with the exception of treasure-­hunters, religious fanatics
searching for lost sun temples and free settlers hoping to
escape the Queen’s control.
Since the days of old, the barbarians have been ruled
by chieftains, but enjoyed much greater independence and
freedom compared to the chastened crofters and peasants
in the south. Nor do the barbarian leaders seek to enforce
a strict or rigid way of life upon their subjects. The witches,
the spiritual leaders among the barbarians, rule with a light
hand in the form of taboos and general rules – revere nature,
never abuse it and avoid the darker parts of the forest. The
clans lead their lives independent from one another, with
the occasional exception of skirmishes over resources in the
border regions. By tradition, the clan leaders answer to the

70
 Humans 3

Other Worlds and the Origins of Humans

Folklore is full of tales of other worlds, parallel to the the gaps used as pathways between the worlds. Some spec-
physical world that is the home of the living. Some of ulate that the Corruption amassing in the world makes the
these myths also speak of the origin of humankind and triptych tremble and occasionally open up, allowing undead
there is a worrying pattern to the tales, a pattern indi- and abominations to enter where gaps occur.
cating that humans stem from somewhere else; stuff of According to the teachings of Katrandama, mystical
legend which has been granted support by the enormous rituals can also be understood in light of the three worlds.
stone ships found stranded in the far east, beyond the Ra- From the physical world comes the building blocks of both
vens and the desert where a human empire – sometimes flaming servants and the undead raised by necromancers,
talked about as the First Empire – is said to have blos- but it also requires control over the Spirit World – the gray,
somed and died. From whence the humans once came to barren land of ashes and lost spirits that borders Eternity,
this world is not known, but the existence of other worlds where no one alive may travel. Only spirits can enter the
is more or less an established fact, at least among scholars. infinite void, after which not even they may return. The
For mystics and others studying the subject there is no restless spirits and ghosts that spiritualists speak to and
doubt that this world is only one of many. There have been necromancers bend to their will travel the Spirit World.
attempts to establish a verifiable classification and one It takes the power of a god to send spirits back from the
of the most talked about is Katrandama’s Triptych, named Eternity beyond the Spirit World’s borderland, just as Prios
after a sorcerer who was burned to death in Kadizar in ap- sends Patron Saints to his most loyal servants.
proximately year −24. Katrandama left notes and drawings The Yonderworld is thought to be a mist-­shrouded
behind regarding the composition of the world. wasteland, easily mistaken for the Spirit World, yet vastly
Before her, most mystics believed the cosmos to be di- different: its nature is Corruption. Its fauna consists of
vided in two: the world of the living, and an un-­world inhab- abominations, from small Blight Spawns to ancient Blight
ited by spirits and abominations. Katrandama crushed this Beasts of immense power. As stated by Katrandama, the
dichotomous worldview and imagined that the worlds fitted Yonderworld is the world from which humankind fled to
together as the pieces of a three-­part altarpiece, with the this one – an idea that very few mystics are prepared to
physical world in the middle and the wings made up of the accept and the Curia has deemed to be contentious and he-
Spirit World and the Yonderworld. Normally, the triptych is retical; the humans came over the eastern sea from another
closed and all beings are caught within its frames, but aided continent, fleeing from idol worshipers and sun haters – at
by the powers of sorcery the wings can be pushed ajar and least according to the official teachings of the Sun Church.

High Chieftain on the plateau of Karvosti, but he is in reality Human Traits

more of an arbitrator between feuding clans than a strong All of human origin start with the same basic features and
ruler. However, the High Chieftain is expected to lead the then select a culture: either Ambrian or Barbarian.
united barbarians to repel any invaders, particularly the • Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases
Ambrians, if it ever comes to open war. by 2. Increase Dexterity, Constitution or Charisma by 1.
This possibility, a united barbarian resistance command- • Age. Humans reach adulthood in their late teens and live
ed by the High Chieftain, gives the Queen and her advisors less than a century without magical assistance.
nightmares, and would explain why the Ambrians official- • Size. Humans vary widely in height and build, from
ly are so cautious regarding Davokar. Since the battle in barely 5 feet to well over 6 feet tall. Regardless of your
Year 10, when Korinthia’s troops attacked and destroyed position in that range, your size is Medium and you have
Haloban and his Jezites, only the Templars serving the Sun a d8 Hit Die. At first level you have 8 hit points plus your
Church have made any outright attacks against barbarian Constitution modifier. When you gain a level in any class,
settlements. Most infamous is their assault on Karvosti in you gain an additional Hit Die and 5 (1d8) plus your Con-
Year 16 when they attempted to seize the plateau with force stitution modifier hit points.
of arms – an attempt which ended in a discouraging defeat. • Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.

71
3 Character Origins

Ambrian Barbarian Names

• Educated. Your Intelligence score increases by 1. Just like the Ambrians, barbarian female names usually end
• Contacts. Ambrians are very sociable and end up know- with –a, while male names tend to end with –mar, –mon
ing many folk. You might have served in an organization or –mer. It is customary that every other letter is a conso-
or traveled far and wide. With a successful DC 10 Charis- nant and a vowel; double vowels are common, while dou-
ma (Persuasion) check you can find out about a person ble consonants are almost never used. Like the Ambrians,
who should be able to help with a specific question or pre- barbarians tend not to use the letter j, instead changing it
carious situation. The contact may not be available – that to y. The greatest difference between the two people is the
depends on the GM’s judgment of your faction. When it barbarians’ love for the vowels a, o and u.
comes to specifying a faction for the character’s contact, • Barbarian male names: Adelar, Gadramon, Haloban,
suitable options include: a barbarian clan, the Queen’s Konarad, Lothar, Odaban, Rábaiamon, Taran, Tharaban,
Army, the Queen’s Rangers, witches, Ordo Magica, the Vikomer.
Church of Prios, a noble house or treasure hunters. • Barbarian female names: Adela, Aloeta, Eferneya,
­Elmea, Elda, Galoma, Horosa, Karona, Verama, Yagaba.
Ambrian Names
Female Ambrian names usually end with –a while the male
names end with –o, but there are many exceptions since
their native kingdom was so extensive. One distinct excep-
tion is that the names of most Ambrian male nobles end
in –gai, –goi or –mei. The use of the letter “x” is uncommon
but exists and the letter “j” is replaced by the letter “i” in
almost every case. The vowels e and i are used frequently.
Save the nobles with their houses, the people of Ambria
do not use family names. However, especially remarkable or
famous individuals can be given a sort of hon-
orary surname, related to that which makes
them noteworthy. A couple of examples
are Lasifor Nightpitch, Mayor of Thistle
Hold, and the treasure-­hunter Lysindra
Goldengrasp.
• Ambrian male names: Aro, Beremo, De-
meon, Edogai, Gadramei, Iasogoi, Jomilo, Karlio, Malliano,
Peonio.
• Ambrian female names: Abesina, Elindra, Elionara, Le-
via, Mehira, Ordelia, Revina, Suria, Variol, Vidina.

Barbarian
• Bushcraft. You can survive on meager resources and are
used to finding food and shelter in harsh terrain. With a
successful DC 10 Wisdom (Survival) check, the character
can find enough food and water to feed themself while
being on the move in the wilderness or among Davokar’s
ruins. If the character is part of a small group (up to five
individuals), food and water can be found for them as well
(increase the DC for the check by one for each additional
person other than yourself), but that will take much lon-
ger. The group cannot be on the move during that time.
• World-­canny. Your Wisdom score increases by 1.

72
 Humans 3

Human Backgrounds
1d6 Ideal
You can use some of the provided backgrounds for barbarians:
common folk, refugees and perhaps even some merchants that 1 Cycles. There is a time for everything and
everything has its time. Don’t try to force things to
have struck out on their own. You can also use the goblin la-
come too soon or think that you can prevent their
borer and convert backgrounds for barbarians. For Ambrians,
arrival.
you can use common folk, faithful of Prios, houses of nobility,
merchants, scholars of Ordo Magica and even refugees. 2 Simplicity. It is better for the mind to keep things
clean and uncluttered.
3 Worthiness. Those folks who work for what they
Common Folk have appreciate it more than those who are just
You are a member of the largest group of humans, those given things.
who work every day for their food and board. You might be 4 Work. I will work harder and longer than everyone
an Ambrian farmer with a field cut and measured for you else, and get out of here.
by the Queen’s decree and pay taxes to her representatives 5 Revolution. The rich live off the work of the poor.
for the privilege. Or you might be a barbarian, hunting or Time to change that I think.
gathering food in ancestral lands according to a schedule
6 Modesty. Don’t think you are something special; I
set for you by nature itself. You might be a worker in one of
certainly am not.
the many growing communities, as more and more people
settle down and learn trades.
• Skill Proficiencies (choose One): Animal Handling, 1d6 Bond
Athletics, Nature, or Survival
1 I love my simple background and the honest people
• Tool Proficiencies: Any one set of artisan’s tools there; I will always side with them.
• Equipment: A kit to match your tool proficiency, com-
mon clothing and 2d6 + 8 ortegs 2 I have found someone to take me out of here, and I
have that person’s back.
Feature: Close to the Earth 3 My tools mean more to me than just a way to make
You are used to being bound to nature to meet your needs. a living.
If you spend a moment considering it, you can predict the 4 Here and now matters; those I travel with, what we
weather for the next 24 hours with great accuracy. You also do. Who knows what tomorrow brings.
know the current phase of the moon to the day and the num- 5 I stay close to the people that come from similar
ber of days until the next solstice or equinox. circumstances; the high and mighty make literally
no sense to me.
Suggested Characteristics
6 I yearn for knowledge like my uncle yearned for the
Poets and philosophers often call you ‘the people of the
bottle.
earth’ and its certainly true that there is dirt beneath your
fingernails and between your toes. But that doesn’t mean
that you’re simple minded or lack ambition… 1d6 Flaw
1 I have a hard time looking beneath the surface of
1d8 Personality Trait people’s words and judging their intent.
1 I am content with very little, not because I wish to 2 Why be sober if you don’t have to. And you don’t
be poor but because my needs are small. have to, since someone else is already doing the
2 I dream big and talk even bigger. thinking.
3 I let my hands do the talking, both in work and in 3 I think education makes people morally corrupt. Do
arguments. not trust them.
4 I am careful not to offend anyone important. 4 Most people don’t deserve what they have; why
should I not take it from them?
5 I bow to no one, noble or not.
5 Dreams are dangerous; I’m sticking to what little I
6 I make talismans for luck, for friends too if they
have, thank you very much.
want them.
6 People that don’t look like me make me nervous.
7 I draw extensive conclusions about people’s
character from their looks.
8 I often start sentences with “back home…”

73
3 Character Origins

Faithful of Prios 1d8 Personality Trait

While the average citizen of Ambria gives due deference to
Prios as the Lawgiver, you have sought a deeper connection 7 I come from humble beginnings, and I remind
to your god. Even as a youngster you were taught the ways everyone of that fact.
of the Sun Church. You must choose how to serve Prios: 8 I sometimes make references to the Young Gods,
will you teach the masses as a liturg? Or work miracles in and correct myself. My family was into that heresy,
his name as a theurg? Will you bring his teachings to the I for sure am not.
uncultured as a Templar? Or keep his priests safe as a Twi-
light Friar?
1d6 Ideal
• Skill Proficiencies: Religion
• Tool Proficiencies (choose one): Brewer’s kit or herb- 1 Charity. I will help those in need, despite whatever
alism kit cost I must pay.
• Equipment: A kit to match your tool proficiency, priestly 2 Justice. The words of the Lawgiver are the
vestments and 2d6 + 3 shillings. foundation for a life worth living.
3 Leadership. We must be the beacon that saves
Feature: Shelter of the Faithful humanity from the evils of the world.
As a servant of Prios, you command the respect of the com-
4 Purity. Prios is the only way to a righteous life, all
mon folk, and you can perform the religious ceremonies need-
other ways are sinful.
ed in everyday life. You and your adventuring companions
5 Salvation. This life can be grim, but remember:
can expect to receive free healing and care at a temple or
Prios will judge all of us and grant eternal peace to
other established presence of Prios, but you must provide any
those he deems worthy. Shrinking away from pain
material components needed for spells. Those who share your
and challenge is not the way.
religion will support you (but only you) at a modest lifestyle.
You might also have ties to a specific home temple and 6 Deliverance. Prios will guide your steps in this life,
you have a residence there. This could be the temple where if your prayers are sincere. Success follows faith,
you used to serve, if you remain on good terms with it, or a and failure is a reflection of your doubt.
temple where you have found a new home. While near your
temple, you can call upon the priests for assistance, provided
1d6 Bond
the assistance you ask for is not hazardous and you remain
in good standing with your temple. 1 Everything I do is for the common people.
2 I want to impress the Church’s superiors.
Suggested Characteristics 3 My family brags about me and my missions.
The faithful are shaped by the experiences in the temples of 4 I want to leave behind my past and Prios helps me
Prios and his teachings. Such duties are rigorous, providing forget.
a common set of knowledge that unites the faith and sup-
5 There is one specific sinner I want to reach, and
ports the kingdom. Despite your religious upbringing you
hopefully change.
are still human and subject to human frailties and flaws.
6 I want to die a martyr of the Sun.

1d8 Personality Trait

1 I idolize a champion of Prios and constantly refer to 1d6 Flaw
their deeds and teachings. 1 I judge others harshly and myself even more severely.
2 My ancestors supported the Church and it is my 2 I can be blind to my faults, despite hearing them
time to give it my service. from others.
3 I was always destined for the Church and thus take 3 In order to present an open nature, I forgive all
it for granted. transgressions even when I should not.
4 I was lost before the Church found me and now I 4 This way was chosen for me, I am very despondent
finally feel at home. about my life because of this.
5 I want to help the less-­fortunate and the Church 5 I think myself chosen by Prios and I am certain he
seems the easiest way to do that. will forgive some of my transgressions.
6 I like the respect that I receive when I am in my 6 As I serve Prios others should serve me.
formal robes.

74
 Humans 3

Houses of Nobility 1d6 Ideal

You are a member of the nobility of Ambria, however minor
in station. You might be the third or fourth child of a baronet, 1 Responsibility. I owe my service to my betters
just the same as the common folk owe service to
your parents or grandparents granted a small measure of
me. I protect the common folk, just as the kingdom
land for their service in the war and as the family grows
protects me.
and the land-­plot remains the same size, your future be-
comes more uncertain. Or you might be descended from a 2 Trial of Arms. Prios ensures that the just are victorious.
once-­great house that no longer possesses any wealth other 3 Nobility. I must serve as an example to all of how
than your good name and intend to restore your family to to conduct oneself.
its rightful place. You’ve decided to embrace a life of service 4 Order. The world must make sense or my birthright
or adventure, hoping to make a name for yourself and win is in question.
rewards just like your forebears. 5 Rebuilding. I will make my house great again, like
• Skill Proficiencies (choose one): History or Persuasion in the olden days.
• Tool Proficiencies (choose one): Calligrapher’s supplies, 6 Fame. My name is everything, it and the deeds I
gaming set or musical instrument
have done will outlive me.
• Equipment: A kit to match your tool proficiency, a signet
ring, wax, paper and 3d6 + 50 shillings.
1d6 Bond
Feature: Privileged
1 My family name must not be tarnished; it may be
You are a noble by blood and are therefore given advan-
all that I have at present, but I will make it known
tages that others simply cannot have or must pay for, in
throughout the kingdom.
either silver or hard work, to obtain. You have advantage
on introductions for social challenges within your own so- 2 I have a favorite relative that I admire and look up
ciety unless you strive to accomplish something which is to at all times.
questionable or that may be next to impossible to achieve. 3 I place my faith in my war gear and companions.
4 I view the Queen as blood kin and will do anything
Suggested Characteristics to defend her.
Some members of the Houses of Nobility are still within 5 I took an oath whilst inebriated. Matters not, I
living memory of the service that awarded them titles. Oth- must keep my word.
ers are ancient houses of Alberetor, the lost kingdom of the
6 I have been handed a protégé to protect, and this
south, and have always held positions of privilege and pride.
I will do.

1d8 Personality Trait

1d6 Flaw
1 I am a good friend but a fierce enemy. Do not
wrong me, or I shall have my vengeance on you. 1 I did not venture forth from my family’s land by choice,
instead I embarrassed them and they made me leave.
2 I believe in the teachings of the Giver of Laws: All
have their rightful place under the sun, but the 2 I often act haughty and feel that my station
laborer in the fields is as necessary to society as my demands respect at all times.
service to the kingdom. 3 I am too eager to see every concern as right vs.
3 I tend to be blind to the needs of others and wrong; good vs. evil.
idealistic in my expectations. 4 I too easily enjoy the comforts of a noble’s life.
4 I use my station to get rewards but then often pass 5 I fear that before the end I will let my blood and
them to others. family history down.
5 I tend to over-­correct myself and stammer when in 6 I wish I was not noble, but of common stock, with
new situations. simple tastes and lower expectations.
6 Both the pen and the sword are weapons; you just
have to choose the right one.
7 I never fail to mention my glorious family history
when presenting myself.
8 I ask about other people’s family history, as I judge
their character by it.

75
3 Character Origins

Merchant 1d6 Ideal

As Ambria and its towns grow and reclaim parts of the wil-
derness, a new class of folk have arisen. Some travel be- 1 Noble greed. The profit motive drives the world
forward. Nobles, priests and politicians just
tween settlements bringing badly needed supplies, tools and
redistribute wealth created by the likes of me.
knowledge; others work in a single shop that also serves as
their home, preparing food or drink, making tools, tanning 2 Enlightened self-­interest. Give to them you pass
leathers and a dozen other useful endeavors. These are the on the way up, so that they can give to you on the
merchants of Ambria, and even some of the clanfolks have way down.
begun to welcome the tinkling bells of the merchant’s cart. 3 Hard work. Idle hands are Corruption’s best friend;
• Skill Proficiencies (choose one): Deception, Insight keep busy and Prios will help you.
or Persuasion 4 Risk and reward. If you do what others do, you get
• Tool Proficiencies (choose one): Any artisan’s tools, what others get. I go where few dare, to get the
a gaming set, a herbalism kit, any musical instrument, returns I crave.
navigator’s tools, a land or water vehicle 5 Reputation. I cannot do what I do unless people
• Equipment: A kit to match your tool proficiency, fine trust me. It is paramount.
clothing and 6d6 + 4 shillings.
6 Early retirement. I do things I hate for a while so
that I then can do what I love for the rest of my life.
Feature: Negotiation
You have made a careful study of the various peoples and
have an accurate sense of how they react to various situa- 1d6 Bond
tions. You can choose to have advantage on a Wisdom (In-
1 My business was handed to me from someone I
sight) or Charisma (Deception or Persuasion) check. Once
love, and I will not see it fail.
you use this feature you cannot use it again until you take
a short or longer rest. 2 There is this one charity that really speaks to me;
all I get is a good feeling from giving.
Suggested Characteristics 3 When I was down someone gave me a loan, and
Merchants are always looking for the best deal – all of them that saved me. The debt is repaid, but I still feel
look for the best deal for themselves, and the most successful obliged to help out.
seek the best deal for everyone involved. 4 I am indebted to some not very nice people, and I
will repay in full.
1d8 Personality Trait 5 The one I love comes from a fine family and I
must succeed in business to turn our betrothal to
1 I will trade with anyone.
marriage.
2 I love the negotiation as much as the gold.
6 I have a precious item that I will never sell. It
3 I measure my success in life in the amount of gold means too much to me.
I have.
4 I firmly believe everyone can win on a deal.
5 Everybody wants something, and I want to find out 1d6 Flaw
what. 1 I don’t think I could stop hoarding gold even if I had
6 I up the stakes so I have something to back down more than I could ever spend. It’s a compulsion.
from. 2 No matter how well I do, the empty and cold place
7 I gather gold to help my family or cause. inside me persists.
8 I want to make money and have fun. And making 3 I judge people on their net worth.
money is fun. 4 I don’t get people who value things other than
money.
5 I think my “friends” and “family” just want my
money.
6 I see people around me in terms of risk and return.

76
 Humans 3

Refugee 1d6 Ideal

With the fall of Alberetor in the south and the wars between
Ambria and the barbarians here in the north, there is no 1 Family. Now more than ever it is important to
remember that blood is what unites us. Strangers
shortage of refugees in these lands. Forced to leave your tra-
cannot be trusted.
ditional home, you are still in motion, hoping to find peace
someday. Until then, you make do with what you have and 2 Tradition. The preservation of our old way of life is
what you can acquire. what will save us.
• Skill Proficiencies (choose one): Nature, Sleight of 3 Opportunity. Some harp on about the past and
Hand, Survival miss the fantastic opportunities given here.
• Tool Proficiencies (choose one): Any artisan’s tools 4 Generosity. It’s important to give to those who
• Equipment: Simple clothes and 2d6 + 3 ortegs. have less, even if we have little.
5 Survival. We left the old rules back there, and the
Feature: Makeshift Tools laws of this place are not mine. I do what I must to
You have proven to be incredibly handy, even when you make it.
don’t have the proper tools. When you need to make a tool
6 The Chosen People. My tribe is chosen by the gods,
check with an instrument you are proficient with but do not
and right now tested by them. We will prevail, and
possess, you can substitute scrounged items instead. If you
become who we are meant to be.
are not proficient with the tools, you can choose to count
as proficient for this check. If you do so, you can’t use this
feature again until a long or extended rest. If you fail the 1d6 Bond
check your temporary tools are broken and you won’t find
1 The first person I met here was really nice to me. I
suitable replacements until after a long or extended rest.
will never forget.

Suggested Characteristics 2 I have this piece of jewelry from back home, and I
Driven from your homeland, you are constantly on the move will not part with it.
and hope one day to settle down in a new land. 3 My weapon is an heirloom, and using it feels like
honoring those that made it.

1d8 Personality Trait 4 I betrayed some people when we fled, to get my

family out. I am pretty sure I saw one of them here.
1 I am just happy to be alive.
5 There is this organization that helped me and my
2 I did not ask to come here; I will not live by your family when we first came. I want to do something
dumb rituals. for them in return.
3 I can’t seem to get a fair shake and will do what I 6 Someone dear to me died back there, and I want to
need to survive. give that person a proper burial.
4 I want to learn as much as I can to fit in and be
prosperous.
5 When I get drunk I cry and sing sad songs from the 1d6 Flaw
old country. 1 I feel out of place here, and fear I would feel the
6 I often point out that I am not like most of these same back home too.
other refugees. 2 I have nightmares about what happened when we
7 I sometimes get lost in the pleasures of this place. escaped.
8 I speak of going back and setting things straight. 3 I sometimes drink to forget.
4 I feel guilt for surviving when so many others did
not. I take silly risks to somehow make up for it.
5 I blame my bad habits on the past, which stops me
from changing them.
6 If someone insults my lost home I get really angry.
Not sure why, it was pretty bad and that’s why we
left.

77
3 Character Origins

Scholar of Ordo Magica 1d6 Ideal

You are a scholar, seeking the secrets of the universe, both
magical and mundane. For they are often intertwined, and 1 Knowledge. Learning something new justifies any
expense or danger.
the philosophy of the order requires investigation, experi-
ence and evidence, which often puts you at odds with those 2 Rationality. Emotions have no place in
who put all of their faith in Prios. But the Ordo is not wholly decision-­making.
impractical, its leaders know that without the silver thaler 3 Discovery. Only by pressing at the boundaries of
of the nobles and the protection of the Sun Church and the knowledge can we learn something new.
Queen’s forces it could not safely seek out answers to its 4 Secrets. I love being the only person in the world
questions. to know something.
• Skill Proficiencies: Arcana 5 Recognition. Accolades and trophies are proof of
• Tool Proficiencies (choose one): Alchemist’s supplies, my excellence.
painter’s supplies or tinker’s tools
6 Power. What I can do is who I am. The rest is just
• Equipment: A kit to match your tool proficiency, thick talk.
robes and 2d6 + 8 shillings.

Feature: Practical Knowledge 1d6 Bond

When you encounter a new task, there’s a chance that you
1 A warrior once saved my life when I faltered. Now I
have already performed something similar long ago. On a
make sure that they are always safe.
successful DC 15 Intelligence check you can declare that the
situation reminds you of a previous experience and gain 2 I owe my sanity to my teachers here. Otherwise the
advantage on that check. You cannot use this feature again darkness would have consumed me.
until you take a long or extended rest. 3 I am responsible for the others, they don’t
understand what I do.
Suggested Characteristics 4 I will do anything to advance the power of Ordo
The students of Ordo Magica sometimes seem aloof and Magica.
uncaring, this is primarily because they have a different 5 I am the disciplinarian of all that is chaotic, wild
outlook on life. When your master is centuries old, your and under-­developed.
connection to the common folk is strained.
6 I once made a silly bet to be the one recovering the
pure Arch-­magic. The idea is growing on me.
1d8 Personality Trait
1 When I leave the halls of Ordo Magica, I am certain
1d6 Flaw
that I am no longer among equals.
2 I like to be thought of as the smart one and often 1 I find it hard to explain my ideas and often get
over-­explain things. frustrated and expect people to just follow along.

3 I don’t like conflict and so I try to broker peace 2 I am easily distracted by new information.
among my friends. 3 I don’t have any sense of self-­preservation when
4 If I know that I’m right about something I’ll say so, given the chance to explore.
it doesn’t matter how it affects others. 4 I tend to think myself smarter than others even
5 I have a hard time keeping secrets. when it’s obviously not true.

6 I tend to brag about what I’ve done to help others. 5 I speak to myself when I get nervous, like really
loud.
7 I routinely use minor magics to impress the masses.
6 To die helping me fulfill my destiny is all mere
8 I use my magic sparingly, Corruption is everywhere.
mortals can aspire to. I do not grieve.

78
Humans 3

79
3 Character Origins

Ogres
Ogres are solitary and odd creatures that come wander- • Size. Ogres tend to be from 7 to 8 feet tall and weigh
ing out of the depths of Davokar, fully grown but devoid from 250 to 350 pounds. Your size is Medium and you
of memories and with no sense of identity. It is up to the have a d8 Hit Die. At first level you have 8 hit points plus
humans or goblins who eventually take them in to give them your Constitution modifier. When you gain a level in any
a name and teach them the ways of the world. class, you gain an additional Hit Die and 6 (1d8) plus your
The tales told of ogres vary from being hilarious to horrif- Constitution modifier hit points (see below).
ic. What is known is that the witches of Davokar sometimes • Speed. Ogres have long limbs and an incautious attitude,
take ogres under their wing and raise them to be guards your base speed is 40 feet.
and servants. Explorers have also reported that an Ambri- • Darkvision. Accustomed to the gloom of Davokar, you
an outpost near the Black Pitch Mire has adopted an ogre have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can
called Armstout and the soldiers there have the giant dig see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright
ditches, lift heavy equipment and draw the plow from time light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t
to time. A similar phenomenon is the ogres that are snatched discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
by goblin gangs in the slums of Yndaros to serve as heavy-­ • Pariahs. Ogres are often poorly treated in society and
handed enforcers. have disadvantage on Charisma checks with other peo-
In southern Davokar they tell of the companions De- ples. However, they tend to do well with goblins and make
terror and Vitrona, the latter a skillful scout employed normal Charisma checks when interacting with them.
by the witches and the former a huge ogre and the scout’s • Calmness. Ogres are slow to speak, slow to take offense
best friend. Word of the duo has also reached Thistle Hold and are possessed by a deep mental placidity. You have
where they have become the subjects of a series of popular advantage on Wisdom saving throws against enchant-
songs, supposedly recounting their adventures in the ruins ments and other mind-­altering magics.
of Symbaroum. • Tough Skin. Ogres can withstand more hurt than most
other creatures. When rolling for hit points, roll the Hit
Ogre Traits Die twice and use the higher result. If using the average
Though they do not realize it, all ogres share a common result, use 6.
origin and have many more similarities than differences • Languages. Ogres speak the language of whomever ad-
despite their varied upbringings. opted them.
• Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increas-
es by 2. Increase any other ability score by 1. Ogre Names
• Age. Ogres have no sense of their ‘birth’ and it is up to Ogres seem to lack any given names and are therefore nick-
other people to keep track of their age in whatever way named by people around them. These nicknames often al-
they see fit. The general consensus is that ogres can lude to the ogres’ size or the taciturn calm that many mistake
live for several decades at least, and at least one ogre for stupidity. Ordo Magica speculates that such lonesome
is known to have reached 100 years of service to the creatures actually have no use for proper names – the ogre
witches, plus however many years spent wandering in knows who it is and that is enough.
the wild before that. • Ogre names: Bauta, Ugly, Angry, Odd, Gawky, Heavy, Big
Brute, Roughneck, Freak, Oaf, Ox, Rageor.

80
Ogres 3

81
3 Character Origins

Ogre Backgrounds
1d6 Ideal
The following backgrounds represent three of the most
common outcomes for a newly discovered ogre. 1 Balance. The great forces of existence - nature,
civilization and Corruption - exist in a delicate
balance. It needs to be preserved if we are all to
Learned in Magic live.
You were discovered or brought to a group of mystics, most 2 Self-­discovery. Life is about finding out who you
often the witches of Davokar or Ordo Magica or possibly a are, and how you relate to the world.
troll singer. You made careful and quiet study of the tech- 3 Protection. I am a part of the mystic community,
niques you were taught and have proven yourself to your and I must defend it.
instructors and are now ready to prove yourself again to 4 Nature. From it we come, and to it we go. It’s the
the world. most important thing.
• Skill Proficiencies: Arcana 5 Civilization. Discipline turns creativity to use and
• Tool Proficiencies (choose one): Any musical ideas to value. It is the most important thing.
instrument
6 Corruption. Grossly misunderstood, what others
• Equipment: An instrument to match your proficiency, call “darkness” I call a tool of great power. I keep
tattered clothes and 1d4 + 1 shillings.
this to myself, and mumble about balance if asked
about my opinion.
Feature: Spellbound
Ogres usually have a little bit of their own magic about them
and those that study the magical arts gain a resistance to 1d6 Bond
force damage.
1 I have this staff, just a stick to me really, with these
feathers and carvings and color paints on it. I don’t
Suggested Characteristics
know what it means, but I keep it.
You are naturally attracted to the forces of magic and feel
like it is almost a personal concern for yourself. However, 2 The witch that found me walking mindlessly in the
it is difficult to give voice to these feelings, especially as woods taught me how to live.
everything seems at once new and old to you… 3 For the first time I have found somewhere I belong;
in magic, and with those that practice it.

1d8 Personality Trait 4 Goblins make me laugh, I like them.

5 I see myself as a wayward troll, regardless of what
1 Magic is the most wonderful thing in the world,
other trolls say.
regardless of Corruption.
6 There are very few people that mean anything to
2 Magic scares me, but I’m good at it, so what can I
me; for those that do I would do anything.
do?
3 Corruption makes me nauseous, but I can handle it.
4 I try to sound more lore-­wise than I am. 1d6 Flaw
5 I don’t say it if I can sing it. 1 I like the taste of Corruption, it’s like black honey
6 I enjoy simple pleasures in life: food, drink, singing. on my tongue.
7 I take myself very seriously and hope this means 2 I can’t stand Corruption, and refrain from doing
others will too. things that produce it if I can.
8 I am most often found with my nose in a book. 3 Most mystics are less competent than me, even
highly regarded ones.
4 I still feel like that lumbering oaf, wandering
aimlessly through a darkening forest.
5 I equate keeping secrets with being important; I
trade them only for more secrets.
6 Sometimes my anger gets the best of me, and I use
magic recklessly.

82
 Ogres 3

Raised by Common Folk 1d6 Ideal

You were discovered by the average folk of a village, town or
other community. Noted for your large size and endurance 1 Work. I have been taught that there is nothing
better than a true day’s labor, gladly given.
you were soon put to work. In exchange, you are fed, allowed
to sleep in a shed and sometimes, just sometimes, allowed to 2 Pastoralism. Sure, it is a lot of effort. But when the
listen in as a teacher instructs the children of the neighbor- sun is setting on the fishpond and you have all your
hood or an expert passes on their trade to junior workers. chores done, you can be happy.
• Skill Proficiencies: Athletics 3 Perfection. In my craft, you don’t always get it
• Tool Proficiencies (choose One): Carpenter’s tools, ma- right every time. But when you do, that’s special.
son’s tools or smith’s tools 4 Simplicity. I don’t need much, and neither does
• Equipment: A kit to match your tool proficiency, thick anyone else if you ask me.
working clothes and 3d6 + 2 shillings. 5 Privacy. I prefer to be left alone and show others
the same courtesy.
Feature: Unending Labors
6 Common folk. I will do anything for common folk,
You don’t tire as easily as the humans and you recover faster.
but don’t expect them to care more for me than
When you take a long rest and have some food and drink you
they do their animals. It’s always been like that.
reduce your exhaustion level by 2.

Suggested Characteristics 1d6 Bond

You were accepted by the sort of people who usually scream,
1 My first teachers made special tools for me, I keep
run and hide from ogres. That warms your heart and gives
them still.
you a bit of hope that you might have more in common with
other peoples than it would first seem. 2 The villagers used me as a beast of burden, and that
gave me purpose.
3 I have started to get this longing for the depth of
1d8 Personality Trait
the forest. It haunts me.
1 I’ve never known any other sort of life, so I think
4 Goblins and trolls feel both strange and strangely
this is the best possible place for me.
familiar to me.
2 I get confused around good manners.
5 I killed a fearsome beast with my hands. I still carry
3 I always seem to have something to eat in my its pelt at all times.
pockets.
6 These people gave me food, and I want to help
4 When I eat, pigs look at me with disgust. them.
5 I was taught manners by someone as a joke. I don’t
understand why others look so perplexed when I
do my very best to fit in. 1d6 Flaw
6 I don’t know where to look when someone is nice 1 I am very defensive of the little people.
to me. It’s so uncomfortable. 2 I despise physically weak people.
7 I always try to be useful. 3 I am afraid of fire, like I panic if I get too close to it.
8 I relate more to animals than people. 4 I decorate myself with trophies from the bodies of
those I kill, it gives me strength.
5 I am afraid of smart people, they see right through
me.
6 Without someone to tell me what to do, I don’t do
THUS SPOKE AROALETA
anything.
“... and remember from which roots this verdant beauty
springs; even the richest crop feeds on decay, and never
before has any harvest been as lush, or any soil as
black, as the one in the shadowy halls of Davokar.”

83
3 Character Origins

Sellsword 1d6 Ideal

You were pressed into service as a warrior almost as soon
as you were discovered. The people who found you might 1 Duty. The best thing I can do is my job. It’s why I’m
here.
have had good intentions and you might have defended a
village or patrolled a patch of roadway. But more likely the 2 Fairness. I protect the little people because I am
folks you fell in with were robbers and thieves and you were big.
taught that might made right, and your might helped make 3 Might. I am the biggest and the strongest, I get
them right more often than not. first choice.
• Skill Proficiencies (choose one): Athletics, Acrobatics, 4 Pragmatism. I will fight for the one who pays best;
Deception or Intimidation allegiance is just another word for paycheck.
• Tool Proficiencies (choose one): Carpenter’s Tools or 5 Companionship. The winner of the fight is the one
Mason’s Tools with the most friends.
• Equipment: A kit to match your tool proficiency, thick 6 Fatalism. No reason to worry about outcomes, we
working clothes and 1d6 + 4 shillings.
plan and the gods laugh.
Feature: Routine Punishment
You have been in many scrapes over the years and lost your 1d6 Bond
share of conflicts, but you you always got back up, every
1 The warrior that took care of me was harsh but fair,
time. You have advantage on your first death saving throw.
she taught me all I needed to live this life.
You must complete a short or longer rest before using this
feature again. 2 There is this goblin that annoys the hell out of
me, and I cannot imagine not having the creature
Suggested Characteristics around.
You haven’t known any other life than that of a mercenary. 3 I have found my leader and will follow that person
You might feel that you have done nothing but good with till the end.
your weapons, but there’s still some hint in the back of your 4 It’s all about the friends next to me, it’s as simple
mind that you were meant for something more than just as that.
killing people (even if you are really good at it). 5 I was left for dead by earlier “companions,” this
they will regret.
1d8 Personality Trait 6 My first job was for someone I really admire. I still
1 Everyone underestimates me because I’m slow to carry a piece of the battle standard we flew around
talk. But I want to be sure I say what I mean. my arm.
2 I stand too close to people on purpose; it makes
them more inclined to agree with me. 1d6 Flaw
3 I give one warning, and only one.
1 I don’t know any other ways of solving problems
4 I play dumb to lull my enemies into thinking this except by violence.
will be an easy fight.
2 I am freaked out by enemies as big as or bigger
5 I know people expect me to be slow so I than me; it takes away my only advantage.
overcompensate to come off as clever.
3 I hate fighting small enemies, it’s embarrassing
6 I love to talk, sing and drink. when they hurt me.
7 I plan meticulously for the next fight. That’s how I 4 I once deserted a unit I was in. They won the fight
was taught to do it. anyway.
8 I am always ready, and it shows in where I stand, 5 I become all giggly and silly when drinking, it’s just
sit, sleep and how I move. No one will have one up very un-­ogre-­like.
on me, ever.
6 I follow orders blindly, I know no other way.

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Ogres 3

85
3 Character Origins

Trolls
To all Ambrians and most barbarians, the word troll is Chapter Master Argoi at the Kurun-­chapter has described
synonymous with bloody death. Some witches and Ambrian this in the following way: “The physical and moral life-­style of
scholars know better and claim that there is much truth trolls is clearly demonstrated in the encounter with other folks,
hidden in the barbarian legends about troll kingdoms be- since such encounters provide no incentives for showing mercy.
low ground, where the trolls hold court and mighty hymns In fact, this brutal killer-­culture grows even crueler if the enemy
are sung in halls adorned with beautiful things crafted by surrenders or demonstrates any kind of weakness, because such
trollish hands. However, those who say that trolls can be behavior evokes a special kind of loathing. After all, an enemy
civilized also admit that individuals encountered on the who acts courageously is worthy of respect and may therefore be
surface are dangerous: if a troll leaves the Abyss, it often spared, according to troll logic.”
has a bloody reason to do so.
Trolls do not reproduce, that is for the goblins to do. Troll Traits
When goblins feel death breathing down their necks, they Trolls form a unified society in the Underworld and their
venture down into the Underworld. There they finally fall cultural tendencies show even in those who have chosen to
down and a cocoon-­like tissue sprouts out of their bodies explore the outer world.
until it covers them completely. Many die while slum- • Ability Score Increase. Your Strength score increases
bering, but the few who survive develop into the beastly by 2. Increase any other ability score by 1.
creatures that Ambrians call Rage Trolls. Some of these are • Age. Trolls are not born and thus don’t celebrate the pass-
found by other trolls while still in the hibernation phase, ing of the years like other peoples. With the emphasis on
and are brought to an underground realm for care and competition, most trolls die well before they show any
safety. The majority crawl upwards to the surface, naked signs of aging.
and famished, ready to feed on anything crossing their • Size. Trolls average just at or below 8 feet in height and
paths. Some of these crude creatures are found by sur- weigh 300 pounds or more. Your size is Medium and you
face lords – living Liege Trolls – who either dress them have a d8 Hit Die. At first level you have 8 hit points plus
in clothes and cultivate their nature, or whip them into your Constitution modifier. When you gain a level in any
obedience and make them the front-­line combatants in class, you gain an additional Hit Die and 6 (1d8) plus your
their robber bands. Constitution modifier hit points (see below).
The troll civilization differs a lot from human societies. • Speed. Trolls have long limbs and take long strides. Your
The value and worth of a troll are determined by what he or base speed is 40 feet.
she can bring to the community, whether in the form of a • Darkvision. Accustomed to the Underworld, you have
warrior’s protection, a craftsman’s items or a skald’s songs. superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can see
The most ruthless and vigorous trolls manage to secure a in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright light,
place among the leaders and become members of the Rulers and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern
Caste – a place they keep only so long as they can defend it color in darkness, only shades of gray.
through fighting and scheming. The trolls often challenge • Pariah. Humans are fearful of trolls so a troll making a
each other to contests as a part of the social game. In most check involving a human has disadvantage. A troll that
cases, the contest is physical, but it can just as well be about succeeds at a Charisma (Intimidation) check involving
who can keep singing longest or who can craft the most one or more humans however will mean that the humans
powerful artifact. Physical fights are by far most frequent are frightened of the troll for one minute or until the troll
and even though these confrontations are ritualized they leaves the immediate area (whichever comes first).
sometimes end in death, if only by accident. • Tough Skin. Trolls can withstand more hurt than most
Education through physical and spiritual challenges is other creatures. When rolling for hit points, roll the Hit
deeply rooted within their culture and most trolls aim to Die twice and use the higher result. If using the average
grow stronger, both as individuals and as a group. Duels are result, use 6.
regarded as the only viable method for achieving this hard- • Languages. Trolls have their own language, passed down
ening of body and collective. An often-­heard idiom which from other trolls since the beginnings of the world. Those
captures this says: “If I break you, our people grow weaker; if who wander often pick up ­Elvish and at least one of the
I let you get off lightly, you grow weaker.” human tongues in order to make themselves understood.

86
 Trolls 3

Troll Names
Just like dwarves, trolls see no difference between men and
women when it comes to names; a troll gets the name he or
she deserves. Also, they usually rename themselves several
times during their lifespan, depending on what they ex-
perience. It should be noted that the names differ
with age, or possibly between more or
less powerful trolls. This is most clear-
ly indicated by the use of the letter X,
which typically can be found in the
names of mightier individuals.
• Names of young trolls: Aka,
Aroha, Erula, Hibne, ­Ogmaka,
Raham, Riomata, Skadal, Verhar
• Names of old/powerful trolls:
Aravarx, Etaxa, Noxar, Ognyx,
Rirbax, Vouax, Uhux

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3 Character Origins

Troll Backgrounds
1d8 Personality Trait
By tradition, trolls are tightly bound to their societies and
need more than common curiosity to head out into the world. 8 I find that teaching troll-­lore makes people confide
Here follows a couple of examples or incentives which can drive in me, often revealing where they have seen troll-­
a troll character to adventure beyond the domains of its kin: made things. Also, I enjoy it.

Artifact Collector 1d6 Ideal

The crafting skills of trolls are held in high esteem even among 1 Beauty. There are universal rules that define when
elves, and many troll-­made artifacts have been given as gifts something is well made.
to allies – or been stolen by enemies. Trolls feel closely con- 2 Trial by fire. We must put pressure on everything,
nected to everything crafted by their kind and it is important that’s how we know what is strong and what is not.
to them that such objects do not remain in the wrong place That starts with ourselves.
or in the wrong hands. The character is sent to collect one 3 Heritage. Troll culture is built on artifacts, and
or more of these lost treasures, either from ancient tombs, losing them means losing ourselves.
Symbarian ruins or from unworthy, soon-­to-­be-­dead thieves. 4 Lessons from history. The past is a guide to what
• Skill Proficiencies (choose one): Insight, Investigation works and what does not. We ignore it at our own peril.
or Perception
5 Hierarchy. I will listen to those above me, they
• Tool Proficiencies: Any one set of artisan’s tools know more and can teach me how to grow.
• Equipment: Supplies/tools to match your tool proficien- 6 Opportunity. Those above me were strong once -
cy, over-­sized clothes and 4d6 + 6 shillings (troll minted,
that’s how they rose to power. I wait for weakness
but usually taken at face value for the metal content and
to show, and then I will show my strength.
that arguing with trolls is unwise).

Feature: Inspector 1d6 Bond

You have made a comprehensive study of various styles and
1 I would not be the troll I am today if it wasn’t for
construction techniques. If you make a successful DC 15 Intel-
one specific person. I owe that person a lot.
ligence (Investigation) check of a manufactured item, you can
identify which of the peoples made the item and might be able 2 My family is lost and I need to find them, or at least
to make a guess about the specific community of the crafter. learn what happened to them.
3 There is one troll who betrayed me, and I will make
Suggested Characteristics right on that slight.
You have made it your life’s work to recover the work of 4 I dislike the company of goblins, but they are our
others. Sometimes you wonder if it might have been better children or parents and need our protection.
to just make things yourself. You sometimes feel the call to 5 There is one troll artifact in particular that has so
take some rest and make something… far eluded me, I must find it.
6 We the trolls are the best people on and under the
1d8 Personality Trait land. Challenge me and I will show you what I mean.
1 Our heritage belongs to us and there is no
justification for you stealing it.
1d6 Flaw
2 I am awkward talking to people but need to do it to
1 I am too particular sometimes, and see flaws more
learn more about the things they carry.
easily than accomplishments.
3 I invite people to drinking games to learn more
2 I am impatient and do not like to listen to
about their secrets.
complicated explanations.
4 I prefer to be silent and observe. Words just get in
3 I feel lost in the wider world, but will never admit it.
the way of clarity.
4 I use artifact hunting as an excuse to get away from
5 I pretend to like people but I love things.
the repressive troll society
6 I genuinely love to hear stories from treasure-­
5 I know where a long lost artifact is hidden, but I am
hunters, there are life lessons in them.
afraid to go get it.
7 I prefer the direct approach; “that is troll-­made,
6 My rage is strong. I fear it will consume me and
how did you get it?” is all that is needed. After that
destroy that which I love.
comes gold, threats or violence.

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 Trolls 3

Journey of Discovery 1d6 Ideal

Trolls usually send their young ones abroad to learn about
the world and its creatures. The destination may vary, but 1 Preservation. The darkness is growing but I want
to at least have a written record of life before the
the goal is always to come to terms with the powers which
shadows destroy everything.
shape the world. Before, many traveled to the closest Iron
Pact settlement, but nowadays humankind and above all the 2 Moment of Truth. Pain, fear and death reveals
newly arrived Ambrians are as interesting, or more inter- who we truly are. Peace obscures truth.
esting, than the elves. 3 Responsibility. If I do not act on the things I know,
• Skill Proficiencies (choose one): Arcana, History, Med- what point is there to seek more knowledge?
icine or Religion 4 Legacy. The knowledge I will pass on to future
• Tool Proficiencies (choose one): Calligrapher’s supplies, generations is the measure of my life.
cartographer’s tools, painter’s supplies or herbalism kit 5 Mentoring. Seeing the growth of others is the
• Equipment: Supplies to match your tool proficiency, greatest reward in life.
large clothes and 2d6 + 8 shillings.
6 Power. Knowledge not used is a weapon left to
rust; watch me swing my mighty truth-­hammer!
Feature: Cunning Student
At the end of an extended rest, choose a skill that you are
not proficient in. You have a bonus to that skill equal to half 1d6 Bond
of your proficiency bonus rounded down. When you take
1 I brought something from home with me, I look at
another extended rest you must select a different skill, as
it every night.
your attention wanders to a new subject.
2 I have a favorite knick-­knack that I bought in these
Suggested Characteristics lands, I plan to keep it forever.
You are out in the world for the first time. Perhaps it will be 3 Someone taught me a special song or story, I
the only time? The world seems both exciting and frighten- thanked them for their gift.
ing and one moment you wish you were home and another 4 I make notes of my journeys in my precious
that you had unlimited time for your explorations. lore-­book.
5 I am caught up in a mystery, one I must unravel.
1d8 Personality Trait 6 I feel sorry for ogres, and want to help them rejoin
1 I am easily impressed by the works of goblins and the troll community.
humans. They are short-­lived but accomplish so
much!
1d6 Flaw
2 Everything I see is interesting, but nothing like
home. I miss it. 1 I am starting to think that troll society is very
flawed.
3 There’s so much to learn, I don’t think I could ever
keep track of it all! 2 I think that these strangers need more challenges
in their lives, they are too soft.
4 I can listen to stories all day long.
3 In my darker hours I find myself judging everyone
5 I feel I have much to teach as well, and do so at
and finding them lacking.
every opportunity.
4 I fear I am not as strong as I project, and take big
6 I am not comfortable talking to strangers unless
risks to prove my fear wrong.
I’ve had a strong drink.
5 I have ventured too far, and sometimes feel
7 I am more interested in the stories told by places
spiritually lost.
and things. People are just noisy.
6 I have visions of my own death, and that makes me
8 I sing all the time, even if it’s just low humming.
cautious in the eyes of men - and a coward in the
eyes of other trolls.

89
3 Character Origins

Undead
Something is not right with the world. The shadows
grow darker as the Corruption grows deeper, and natural
laws are failing in this twilight of existence. One clear
piece of evidence of this downfall is the increasing num-
ber of undead.
Undead, as in thoroughly corrupted creatures thirsting
for the life-­force of the living, are nothing new: the Dark
Lords confronted during The Great War awoke whole armies
of these gravely cold beings, and Davokar’s ancient tombs
harbor their fair share of vengeful undead.
However, a new kind of undead creature has recently
appeared in Ambria. People who die – or should have died –
rise again. The Black Cloaks, who secretly are investigating
the worrying rumors, seem to think that Ambria’s capital
is at the heart of this horrific development. Reports sent to
the monastery in the Titans include a slain cultist in Yn-
daros who clawed himself from his grave and disappeared
into the night; a man dead from old age who awakened as if
having slumbered and was chased away after having gone
to his work-­place; and a woman of noble birth who died in
childbirth and later escaped the family crypt to kidnap her
living child. All these three were later tracked and found,
one of them killed by a group of Templars, one captured by
Black Cloaks for study-­purposes and the third caught by an
angry mob but lucky enough to escape being burned at the
stake – all of them telling examples of what the undead will
face if revealed for what they are.
Common for all these new undead beings is that they
show clear indications of actually being dead – they are cold,
they do not bleed or eat or sleep – yet their minds appear
to be intact. And they are all very slowly decaying towards
their final death, which might come centuries after their
first death.

90
 Undead 3

The Hordes of Darkness

Despite the fact that more than two decades have brothers and sisters until they fell victim to the murder-
passed since the victory, the Dark Lords and the Great ous magic of the Dark Lords.
War is ever present in the lives of the Ambrians. The ones who were there remember. Those who have
Usually people only talk about the triumphs, about nothing but stories to go on fantasize. But with the excep-
the heroic deeds of the lightbringers, about how the tion of ravings caused by nightmares or too much to drink,
armies of Korinthia massacred hordes of undead crea- the Ambrians never talk about the fear and the horrors. No,
tures. All else is repressed – not least that the Queen’s Korinthia’s subjects try their very best to look ahead, no
soldiers were often forced to kill the same enemies again matter how difficult life may seem. They are determined to
and again; enemies that, in addition, had been their grow so strong that no one dares attack them ever again.

Undead Traits unconscious undead creature counts as taking a short or

Undead player characters are thoroughly corrupt from the longer rest if they remain undisturbed). If you acquire more
start. Like others of their kind, the undead character has permanent Corruption than your Corruption Threshold
a mind and free will; they are not howling abominations (see page 37) then your character is no longer playable.
bent on destruction.
• Ability Score Increase. Your Constitution score increas- Example: An undead sorcerer gains 1d4+3 temporary Cor-
es by 2. Increase any other ability score by 1. ruption for a 3rd level spell, rolling 2 + 3 for a total of 5. Their
• Age. Undead are exclusively human in origin. They can current and maximum hp totals are reduced by 5.
have died their first death at almost any age after attain-
ing adulthood. If they can maintain themselves (see be- • Undead. You do not sleep, cannot eat normal food, do
low), they can live for centuries. not need to breathe (except to talk). You can drink small
• Size. Undead are of human stock and thus vary widely amounts of liquid. You do not naturally heal during a
in height and build, from barely 5 feet to well over 6 feet short or long rest, instead you must either drink blood
tall. Regardless of your position in that range, your size or consume raw flesh during a long rest to restore your
is Medium and you have a d8 Hit Die. At first level you single Hit Die, which you can then use to regain hit points
have 8 hit points plus your Constitution modifier. When or reduce temporary Corruption. You can benefit from
you gain a level in any class, you gain 5 (1d8) plus your healing magic.
Constitution modifier hit points. You do not gain a Hit When you interact with the living, you must make a
Die, see Undead (below). Charisma (Deception) check against their passive ­Insight
• Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet. in order to fool them. However, a character with Shadow-­
• Darkvision. A creature of Corruption and death, you sight or an active spell that allows them to see Shadows
have superior vision in dark and dim conditions. You can might still recognize you as undead.
see in dim light within 60 feet of you as if it were bright
light, and in darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t
discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
• Languages. Undead speak the language they used in life, Magical Discretion
usually either Ambrian or Barbarian. An undead character that uses the elixir Twilight
• Physical Degeneration. The undead have no souls, and Tincture (see page 183) automatically passes their
any Corruption that they accrue instead causes phys- Deception check. In order to fool Shadow-­sight or
ical degeneration of their body. This is represented by similar magics, the ritual spell exchange shadow (page
your current Corruption total reducing your current and 198) can be used.
maximum hit points on a 1:1 basis. If you exceed your
Corruption Threshold, you roll for marks of Corruption
as normal.
If your total Corruption equals or exceeds your cur- Undead Names
rent hit points you become unconscious (but stable) until Undead names follow the patterns of human names, see
your Corruption is reduced or your hit points increase (an page 72.

91
3 Character Origins

Undead Backgrounds
1d6 Ideal
While each undead person has their own personal history,
they also share some commonalities as they have made the 1 Memory. I try to hang on to recollections of my
previous life.
transition from death into unlife. The new form of undead
has become known as revenants, those who have returned 2 Redemption. I got a second chance and have
for some reason. promised myself that I will use it wisely.
3 Vengeance. Someone killed me, and now they will
die by my hand.
Revenant 4 Mystery. How can I die and yet live? This unlife
You have been reborn in a way, or at least you did not stay must be understood.
dead. You didn’t choose this fate for yourself (or at least, 5 Hedonism. I will live like every day was my last.
that’s what you tell others) but you must constantly be on Besides, debauchery only harms the living.
guard against witch hunters and Black Cloaks.
6 Resurrection. I and others like me must return to
• Skill Proficiencies: Deception the living, there has to be a way.
• Tool Proficiencies: Herbalism kit
• Equipment: A kit to match your tool proficiency, clothes
to cover most of your body and 2d6 + 3 shillings. 1d6 Bond
1 I have something rescued from where I lived when
Feature: Undead
I was alive.
You are immune to poison damage and the poisoned condi-
tion. Diseases do not affect you. 2 I have a special treasure, something that may have
come from my grave.
Suggested Characteristics 3 My old family still needs me, even though they
The undead have a wide variety of beliefs and understand- can’t know I am still around.
ings. However, their need for secrecy and desire to under- 4 I worship the living around me and would gladly die
stand their new ‘life’ is nearly universal. for real for them.
5 There is one place where I still feel alive, and I will
1d8 Personality Trait not let it go to ruin.
1 I pretend to be who I was in life, and feel like a 6 My curse is tied to the darkening of the world; as a
phony doing it. last good deed I will fight the coming darkness.
2 I once knew someone that impressed me; I now try
to emulate that person. 1d6 Flaw
3 I keep to myself, even among those who know
1 I am beginning to forget what it’s like to be hot or
what I am.
cold because of the weather; I am forgetting to
4 I pretend to be a leper and sometimes even enjoy complain.
the horrid looks I get.
2 I was always a little careless, even in life. But now
5 I use copious amounts of perfume to hide the that I don’t feel pain, I’ve lost a few toes and even
stench I imagine surrounds me. a finger to accidents and I can’t afford to lose
6 My breath reeks of sulfur and doom, and I use it to anything else.
my advantage. 3 I only feel alive when I do something bad. Really
7 I try to come off as nice and optimistic, but end up bad.
being creepy. 4 I do not form feelings for people I didn’t already
8 I sometimes forget to breathe when I speak and know in life.
instead just hiss. Always makes me giggle, not sure 5 I am desperately scared that someone will find out;
why. and of what I will do to them.
6 I long for true death and might drag others with me.

92
Undead 3

93
 SECTION 4

Classes & Feats
The pool of blood spread across the floor around Jela; Kasimer pressed his strong
hands against her wound to stop the bleeding. Gormyx leaned against the door, try-
ing to keep it closed, and by the troll’s side was Agniesha, seated on the floor, hugging
her rune staff, exhausted. Arron lay dead in the corridor outside. There was no point
in fighting anymore; the bone crafts of the false cleric would soon breach the door.
Sarli, the group’s cadaver-­like employer, seemed unaffected by the mess, maybe
because she was already dead. She gazed through the cracks in the door. “We hit
them from behind.” She turned to Gormyx: “You won’t enjoy the ride.”
The troll muttered and adjusted his helmet. Agniesha stood up, supported by her
staff, and Jela removed Kasimer’s hands, replacing them with her own. “Go,” she
whispered. The dwarf nodded and kissed her forehead.
Sarli drew her sword and cleaved the air in front of her. She entered through
the rift to the Yonderworld and pulled the troll with her. The opening collapsed
behind them.
Jela felt the world around her grow darker. As if in a dream, she saw the door
collapse. Agniesha smashed through the floor before her with a single thrust of her
staff and the bone-­crafted acolytes that charged into the room tumbled down the
hole. From somewhere further away came the war song of Gormyx.
The last thing Jela perceived before darkness took her was Kasimer jumping the
hole and attacking the dark priest with his two axes.
4 Classes & Feats

The following classes are provided for use in Ruins – a ­Symbaroum goblin has additional features that make
of Symbaroum. They all have special features that allow up for their d6 Hit Die! We have provided class-­specific Hit
them a unique approach to exploring the setting. Note Dice information as well, just in case you want to import the
that our origins and classes are designed to work together classes into your own setting without the custom origins.

Captain
“War is not just won with soldiers, war is won in the planning • Hit Points at 1st Level: If you do not use your origin
tent and with leaders on the field.” to determine hit points, you have 8 + your Constitution
– Field Marshal Beremo Herengol. modifier.
• Hit Points at Higher Levels: If you do not use your or-
The captain class provides the battlefield leaders that igin to determine hit points, you gain 1d8 (or 5) + your
were so important in the defeat of the Dark Lords. They are Constitution modifier per captain level after 1st.
expected to lead both on the battlefield and off it, so they
possess both personal martial prowess combined with a ca- Proficiencies
pability to command and train others to improve the fighting • Armor: All armor, shields
ability of a group as a whole. • Weapons: Simple weapons, martial weapons
• Tools: None
Captains and the Origins • Saving Throws: Charisma, Constitution
Most captains are found among humans, especially the Am- • Skills: Choose four from Animal Handling, Athletics,
brian nobility. Barbarian tactics are usually more direct, but Deception, History, Insight, Intimidation, Percep-
they sometimes produce a chieftain that values long-­term tion, Persuasion and Survival.
thinking and strategy. Sometimes, exceptional ogres can
become captains, focusing less on complex tactics and in- Shadow
stead using ‘lead from the front’ tactics. Changelings are Your Corruption Threshold is equal to twice your proficiency
rarely trusted enough to serve as captains and the few goblin bonus plus your Charisma modifier, to a minimum of 2.
captains that exist tend to focus on leading goblin raiding
parties rather than adventuring groups. Equipment
You start with the following equipment, in addition to the
Captain Shadows equipment granted by your background:
The Shadows of young captains can glow like their burnished • (a) chain shirt or (b) studded leather armor, longbow, and
armor shining in the noon-­day sun. But for those captains who 20 arrows
have experienced battle and sent forth warriors on impossible • (a) a martial weapon and a shield or (b) two martial
missions, knowing that their deaths were part of a larger plan, weapons
they have darker spots where their soul no longer shines and • (a) a light crossbow and 20 bolts or (b) two handaxes
they might begin to coalesce into darkness as a captain realizes • (a) a dungeoneer’s pack or (b) an explorer’s pack
the futility of struggling against the world itself.
Approach
At 1st level you also choose your approach as a leader of oth-
Class Features ers. Are you a merchant master with a keen eye for prowess
As a captain, you have the following class features: as well as profit? A veteran officer of the Queen’s army? An
outlaw that leads others in schemes and skulduggery? Or
Hit Points a poet-­warrior, equally skilled with words and weapons?
• Hit Dice: If you are not using your origin to determine Your approach gives you benefits at 1st, 3rd, 6th, 9th, 13th
Hit Dice, your Hit Die is a d8. and 17th levels.

96
 Captain 4

The Captain Polearm Fighting

When wielding a reach weapon, you can
Proficiency
Level Bonus Features use your reaction to impose disadvantage
on a melee attack roll within your reach.
1st +2 Approach, Fighting Style, Tactical Acumen
2nd +2 Field Dressings (d6)
Shield Fighting
3rd +2 Approach, Bid to Action If you make a successful melee attack roll
4th +2 Ability Score Improvement or Feat you can use your bonus action to slam a
5th +3 Extra Attack (2) target within 5 ft with your shield. If the
6th +3 Approach target is your size or smaller, it must
make a Strength saving throw against 10
7th +3 War Stories
plus your Strength (Athletics) modifier.
8th +3 Ability Score Improvement or Feat On a failure you can choose to move the
9th +4 Approach, Field Dressings (d8) creature 10 feet in a line, or cause it to
10th +4 Ability Score Improvement or Feat become prone.
11th +4 Field Dressings (d10)
Snare Fighting
12th +4 Ability Score Improvement or Feat
If using a weapon with the ensnaring prop-
13th +5 Approach erty and you make a successful attack roll,
14th +5 Ability Score Improvement or Feat you can spend a bonus action to forgo do-
15th +5 War Stories (×2) ing damage, instead tripping the target and
16th +5 Ability Score Improvement or Feat causing it to fall prone. This only works on
creatures your size or smaller with two or
17th +6 Approach, Field Dressings (d12)
less legs, or similarly shaped targets.
18th +6 Extra Attack (3)
19th +6 Ability Score Improvement or Feat Two-­Weapon Fighting
20th +6 Unending Conflict When you engage in two-­weapon fighting,
you can add your ability modifier to the
damage of the second attack.

Fighting Style Tactical Acumen

You adopt a particular style of fighting as your specialty. Choose You are often more concerned with your group’s readiness at
one of the following options. You can’t take a Fighting Style the expense of your own. When combat begins and you are
option more than once, even if you later get to choose again. not surprised you can take disadvantage on your initiative
roll in order to give advantage on initiative rolls to a number
Archery of creatures equal to your proficiency bonus.
You gain a +2 bonus to attack rolls you make with ranged
weapons. Field Dressings
Starting at 2nd level, you can help wounded allies during a
Defense short or long rest. If you or any friendly creatures regain
While you are wearing armor, you gain a +1 bonus to AC. hit points at the end of the rest by spending one or more Hit
Dice, each of those creatures regains an extra 1d6 hit points.
Dueling The extra hit points increase when you reach certain lev-
When you are wielding a melee weapon in one hand and no els in this class: to 1d8 at 9th level, to 1d10 at 11th level, and
other weapons, you gain a +2 bonus to damage rolls with to 1d12 at 17th level.
that weapon.
Bid to Action
Great Weapon Fighting Beginning at 3rd level, you can spur others to act quickly.
When you roll a 1 or 2 on a damage die for an attack you make When a creature’s turn ends, use your reaction to nominate
with a melee weapon that you are wielding with two hands, a friendly creature to have its turn next instead of acting
you can reroll the die and must use the new roll, even if the on its normal initiative count. The creature must not have
new roll is a 1 or a 2. The weapon must have the two-­handed already taken its turn yet this round and retains its original
or versatile property for you to gain this benefit. initiative count for future rounds.

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4 Classes & Feats

Ability Score Improvement or Feat

When you reach 4th level, and again at 8th, 10th, 12th, 14th,
16th, and 19th level, you can increase one ability score of
your choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of
your choice by 1. As normal, you can’t increase an ability
score above 20 using this feature.
Instead of improving your ability scores you can instead
choose to gain a feat. See page 146 for more about feats.

Extra Attack
Beginning at 5th level, you can attack twice, instead of
once, whenever you take the Attack action on your turn.
The number of attacks increases to three when you reach
18th level in this class.

War Stories
Beginning at 7th level, you can tell encouraging stories to
steel the resolve of your companions. You may restore a
number of Hit Dice equal to your proficiency bonus to each
friendly creature you share a short or long rest with. Once
you use this feature you must take an extended rest before Assessment
using it again. As an action, you can observe a creature and make a DC 10
At 15th level, you can use this feature twice before need- Wisdom (Insight) check to notice a weakness that you might
ing to take an extended rest. exploit. With a success:
• If you make an attack roll against the creature you have
Unending Conflict advantage. Once you make a successful attack roll, you
At 20th level, when you roll initiative, you gain 1d10 + 10 no longer have advantage due to this feature.
temporary hit points. • If you make a contested ability check, you have advantage
on the roll. If you succeed at the check, you no longer
have advantage due to this feature.
Captain Approaches
Each captain is a superb leader of others but their Alternatively, you can assess an object instead. Make a DC
goals may be as unique as their personalities. When you 10 Intelligence (Investigation) check. You must be able to
choose an approach, you make a choice about what kind see and handle the object. On a success, the GM will answer
of leader you are and what benefits you offer those who one of these questions (your choice):
follow you. • Approximately how old is this object?
• Approximately how valuable is this object?
• Who is most likely to have made this object?
Merchant Master • What is the most likely purpose for this object?
These captains are those who have taken the lessons of mil-
itary life and applied them to ordinary affairs, especially After using this feature on a creature or object you must
mercantile concerns. After all, a merchant caravan in the take an extended rest before using this feature again on the
wild is in almost as much danger as a scouting party along same creature or object. You can’t detect magic, but might
the front lines. Many merchant masters lead expeditions suspect it based on appearance or origin.
paid for by future shares, see page 161. At 9th level, you can assess a creature or object using your
Some of the benefits from this approach provide equip- bonus action instead.
ment to the party members. These benefits are considered
to be paid for by the trading efforts of the group that mostly Constant Training
happen “off-­screen”. Also, if a character loses an item that At 3rd level, you have resolved that the folks you surround
the merchant master gave them for whatever reason its loss yourself with should benefit from consistent training.
should be temporary and its replacement automatic and at Choose a number of pupils up to your proficiency bonus.
no cost to the character. As long as you shared their last extended rest with them, you
can use your bonus action to remind them of their lessons.

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 Captain 4

Officer
You grew up in or around the military. You might have been
one of the children in the baggage train that every army
accumulates with no sure knowledge of your parents (or
at least your father’s identity), or you might have waited
at your parents’ estate for any news from the front lines.
As soon as you were able, you joined the battle and learned
even more then.
But now the war is over and most soldiers, even Offi-
cers, have been dismissed. You might find a sort of similar
satisfaction in watching over a misfit group of adventur-
ers, drilling them into something resembling a squad of
your soldiers.

Army Brat
Gain proficiency in the Medicine, Nature or Survival skill.
You also gain proficiency with siege weapons. Finally, you
gain proficiency with a gaming set of your choice.

Squad Orders
Each pupil has advantage on any attack rolls they make be- At 3rd level you can spend time training your fellow adven-
fore your next turn. You must take a short (or longer) rest turers to work together during combat. Choose a number
before using this feature again. of other characters equal to 1 plus your Charisma modifier
to join your squad (when your Charisma modifier increases
Consummate Haggler you can increase the size of your squad). You are automat-
Also at 3rd level you are experienced with making deals with ically a member of the squad and do not count towards
all kinds of people and guiding your friends with subtle the total.
signs. If an ally can see and hear you during a social situa- When you roll initiative you can give the squad one of
tion they have advantage on any Wisdom (Insight) checks. the following orders:
You have advantage on any Charisma (Persuasion) checks • “Be alert!” Each member of the squad has advantage on
used to negotiate the price of equipment or services. Wisdom (Perception) checks made in combat.
• “Brace yourselves!” If the member does not move on their
Exceptional War Gear turn, any melee attacks against them are at disadvantage
When you reach 6th level, you invest in your guards and until the beginning of their next turn.
loan them special gear. Each current pupil chooses to gain • “Stand fast!” Each member of the squad has advantage
either a non-magical +1 to a weapon’s attack roll or their on saving throws or ability checks to resist movement
armor class total. This bonus cannot be applied to a weapon effects.
or armor that already provides a bonus and cannot be used
on a shield. The command is the same for all squad members and the
effect of the command lasts for 1 minute.
Treasure Surveyor
At 9th level you have a keen eye for value and when you find Aura of Aggression
a curiosity or a Mystical treasure in a ruin you can double When you reach 6th level you are able to motivate others
its value at market. just by being present. You can activate this aura by using
your bonus action on your turn and shouting some choice
Superior War Gear invectives to spur your allies into being exceedingly aggres-
At 13th level, your commitment to those who join you in battle sive against your enemies. On their next turn, a character
spares no expense. Each current pupil can have a magical bo- that can hear and see you can spend their bonus action to
nus of +1 to a weapon for damage and attack rolls, or increase make an additional single melee attack roll against a target
their armor class total by a magical bonus of +1. This magical within 5 feet.
bonus causes no permanent Corruption. You cannot apply the You can do this a number of times up to your proficiency
bonus to a weapon or piece of armor that already has a bonus. bonus and then must take a short or longer rest before using
At 17th level, your pupils’ magical bonus becomes +2. this feature again.

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4 Classes & Feats

Additional Orders Outlaw

At 9th level you train your squad to execute some new orders: Not every captain fights on behalf of their higher-­ups. An
• “Braced fire!” At the start of their turn, a member of the Outlaw has broken free from their society and now dis-
squad can use their bonus action to reduce their speed obeys its laws. Human Outlaws, either from the barbarians
to 0 to gain advantage on their first attack roll with a or Ambrians, are often concerned with those their society
ranged weapon. has left behind. Others, like elves, dwarves or trolls may
• “Form ranks!” If a member of the squad is within 5 feet of have strained at their limitations and decided on plotting
another squad member when they take the Attack action their own way forward. Outlaws focus on stealth and ranged
with a melee weapon then the member has advantage on weaponry to even the odds and remain free.
their first attack roll.
• “Stay focused!” Each member of the squad has advantage Hard to Find
on saving throws against becoming charmed. You tend to avoid people, especially those associated with
authority. Gain proficiency in your choice of Deception,
The command is the same for all squad members and the Stealth or Survival.
effect of the command lasts for 1 minute.
Secret Signs
Aura of Confidence You have taught some of your companions (a number equal
At 13th level you and any ally within 30 feet of you are im- to your proficiency bonus) how to communicate by using
mune to the frightened condition. subtle gestures and movements of the body. This secret lan-
guage invented by you can only communicate basic concepts
Unwavering but during your turn you can use your bonus action to dis-
At 17th level, your commitment in battle is unparalleled. If creetly signal one of your companions.
you are reduced to 0 hit points, make a Constitution saving
throw (DC 10 or half the damage done, whichever is higher). Fleet-­footed
On a success you are reduced to 1 hit point instead. You must At 3rd level you become very light on your feet and are accus-
take a long or extended rest before using this feature again. tomed to running very quickly. Your base speed increases
by 10 feet.

Eagle’s Eye
At 6th level, you can use your reaction to give yourself or
a friendly creature within 30 feet of you advantage on a
ranged weapon attack, as long as they can see and hear you.

Natural Leader of the Common Folk

Also at 6th level, you have advantage on any Charisma
checks as long as half or more of the people who can hear
you are non-­noble members of your origin.

Archery Expert
At 9th level, you can use your bonus action to make a ranged
weapon attack.

Secret Folk
At 13th level you become an expert at hiding. If you are with-
in 30 feet of an ally, each ally gains a bonus to their Dexterity
(Stealth) check equal to twice your proficiency bonus.

Superior Marksman
At 17th level, you can shoot other missiles out of the air.
When targeted by a ranged weapon attack you may use
your reaction to make a ranged weapon attack roll, using
the opponent’s attack roll result as your target number. On
a success, the opponent’s attack fails.

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 Captain 4

Poet-­warrior
You became a captain not because you love war, or hate
oppression, or even wish to profit from your own safety. THUS SPOKE AROALETA
But instead you are a true philosopher of war, one that “… and the search goes on forever, for the hidden
observes and then acts with efficiency for its own sake. Ambal Seba, where the truth is spelled in gold, where
Your weapon becomes like your pen, a teacher in deeds, the keys to the primal power are etched in circles,
not words. And those that survive your lessons would do round and round the thirteen pillars. See, the mists
well to think on them. will never fade. Not even Fofar the Destroyer can
dispel the veil over a valley that does not exist.”
Reflection
When you take a short rest, you can meditate on an enemy
that you have fought before. This could be an individual or a
specific type of foe. You have advantage on attack rolls against
that enemy until you miss, after which the effect ends.

Withering Words
At 3rd level, you may use either your bonus action or your
reaction when a creature that can hear and understand
you takes damage. You sap their confidence using choice
phrases, observations and reflections on their character.
The creature takes an additional 1d6 psychic damage and
has disadvantage on its next attack roll.
Once you use this feature you cannot use it again until
your next turn.

Quiet Fortitude
When you reach 6th level, you have extraordinary sen-
sitivity to what drives people. When you roll initiative,
choose a number of allies equal to your proficiency bonus
that can hear and understand you. They are considered
proficient with all saving throws for the next minute as
your quiet words help steel their resolve. You must take
a long or extended rest before using this feature again.

Song of the Blade

At 9th level, choose a melee weapon that you are proficient
in. When wielding that weapon, you can use your bonus
action to make an additional single attack roll with that
weapon.

Subtle Words
At 13th level, when you use your Bid to Action feature, the
ally has advantage on their first ability check or attack roll
they make on their turn.

Dancing Blade
At 17th level, you can combine your skill with words and
weapons to inspire fear in your enemies. On your first turn
of a combat, choose a creature. If you succeed at a Cha-
risma (Intimidation) check they become frightened
of you until the combat ends. The DC is 10 or their
challenge rating, whichever is higher.

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4 Classes & Feats

Hunter
The hunters and their toil are of great importance, both Proficiencies
for the Ambrians and among the clans of the forest. To com- • Armor: Light armor, medium armor, shields
moners in Ambria, they may not appear to be any different • Weapons: Simple weapons, martial weapons
from your average rogue, but for many (especially among • Tools: None
those living close to Davokar) they are on par with true he- • Saving Throws: Strength, Dexterity
roes. Covered in the dirt of the wilds, eyes shining with the • Skills: Choose four from Acrobatics, Athletics, Insight,
light of the future, the hunters are vital in the project of Investigation, Nature, Perception, Stealth, and Survival
cultivating and taming the great forest.
Among both Ambrians and barbarians, the hunters are Shadow
often signified by their skillful use of ranged weapons and Your Corruption Threshold is equal to twice your proficien-
techniques. Exactly how they fight is primarily decided cy bonus plus your Charisma modifier, to a minimum of 2.
based on what they are hunting: criminals, monsters or
dark-­minded sorcerers. Equipment
But no matter the target, what unites the hunters is a You start with the following equipment, in addition to the
highly developed sense for where the prey has been, how equipment granted by your background:
it moves and to where it is headed – a sense that borders on • (a) a fencing sword or (b) a shortsword
supernatural precision. • (a) a longbow and 20 arrows or (b) a light crossbow and
20 bolts
Hunters and the Origins • (a) a dungeoneer’s pack, or (b) an explorer’s pack
All folk have their hunters, but in general it is primarily • (a) Studded leather armor and two daggers or (b) a lac-
elves, abducted humans and humans that excel in this role. quered silk cuirass
Still, in Thistle Hold you may very well come across goblins
and even a few ogres known as trustworthy guides through Wilderness Explorer
the wilds. Beginning at 1st level, you are adept at preparing and secur-
Dwarves are not usually seen as hunters in the forest, ing campsites in the wilderness so that some of your party
but some of Ambria’s most widely known bounty hunters can gain additional benefits during a long rest. Choose a
are dwarves who for some reason have left their families number of creatures up to your proficiency bonus to each
in Yndaros. regain an additional Hit Die. You can include yourself as
one of the creatures.
Hunter Shadows If you spend an hour in the wild and succeed at a DC 10
The Shadows of hunters can be as dark as the forest they Wisdom (Survival) check, you can supply enough food and
venture into but it depends on their quarry. Ironsworn and drink for your party for one day. You must take a long rest
monster-­hunters tend to be lighter shades of gray than before using this feature again.
bounty-­hunters or especially witch-­hunters, which have
to be careful not to become what they seek. Approach
At first level you also choose your approach, which deter-
mines the chosen prey of your hunter: are you a Bounty
Class Features Hunter that chases criminals, an Ironsworn that enforces
As a hunter, you have the following class features: the ancient treaty, a Monster Hunter that seeks out the most
dangerous creatures or a Witch Hunter that seeks corrupted
Hit Points mortals instead?
• Hit Dice: If you are not using your origin to determine Your approach gives you benefits at 1st, 3rd, 6th, 9th, 13th
Hit Dice, your Hit Die is a d8. and 17th levels.
• Hit Points at 1st Level: If you do not use your origin
to determine hit points, you have 8 + your Constitution Hunter’s Instinct
modifier. Starting at 2nd level, if you don’t already have a chosen
• Hit Points at Higher Levels: If you do not use your or- target, you can use a bonus action on your turn to mark
igin to determine hit points, you gain 1d8 (or 5) + your one creature as your chosen target. The first time you do
Constitution modifier per hunter level after 1st. damage to the creature on your turn add your proficiency

102
 Hunter 4
The Hunter
Proficiency
Level Bonus Features
At 14th level, choose two more skills. Your
1st +2 Wilderness Explorer, Approach
proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability
2nd +2 Hunter’s Instinct
check you make that uses either of these cho-
3rd +2 Approach sen proficiencies.
4th +2 Ability Score Improvement or Feat
5th +3 Extra Attack (2) Land’s Stride
6th +3 Expertise, Approach Starting at 7th level, moving through nonmagical
difficult terrain costs you no extra movement.
7th +3 Land’s Stride
You can also pass through nonmagical plants
8th +3 Ability Score Improvement or Feat without being slowed by them and without
9th +4 Approach taking damage from them if they have thorns,
10th +4 Ability Score Improvement or Feat spines, or a similar hazard.
11th +4 Hide in Plain Sight In addition, you have advantage on saving
throws against plants that are magically creat-
12th +4 Ability Score Improvement or Feat
ed or manipulated to impede movement, such as
13th +5 Approach those created by the entangle spell.
14th +5 Vanish
15th +5 Feral Senses Hide in Plain Sight
16th +5 Ability Score Improvement or Feat At 11th level, you can spend 1 minute creating cam-
ouflage for yourself and a number of creatures up
17th +6 Approach
to your proficiency bonus. You must have access
18th +6 Extra Attack (3) to fresh mud or other naturally occurring mate-
19th +6 Ability Score Improvement or Feat rials with which to create your camouflage.
20th +6 Expert Hunter Once you are camouflaged in this way, you
can try to hide by pressing yourself up against a
solid surface, such as a tree or wall, that is at least
as tall and wide as you are. While camouflaged,
bonus as damage (using the same type of damage as your you gain a +10 bonus to Dexterity (Stealth) checks. You can
weapon). If you are wielding a ranged weapon, you can use move at half-­speed without breaking the camouflage effect.
your reaction to make an attack when the creature uses Once you take an action, a reaction or move faster than half
its own movement, counting the range from the creature’s your speed, you must camouflage again to gain this benefit.
starting position.
Vanish
Ability Score Improvement or Feat Starting at 14th level, you can use the Hide action as a bonus
When you reach 4th level, and again at 8th, 10th, 12th, 16th, action on your turn. Also, you can’t be tracked by nonmagi-
and 19th level, you can increase one ability score of your cal means, unless you choose to leave a trail.
choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your
choice by 1. As normal, you can't increase an ability score Feral Senses
above 20 using this feature. Starting at 15th level, you gain preternatural senses that
Instead of improving your ability scores you can instead help you fight creatures you can’t see. When you attack a
choose to gain a feat. See page 146 for more about feats. creature you can’t see, your inability to see it doesn’t im-
pose disadvantage on your attack rolls against it. You are
Extra Attack also aware of the location of any invisible creature within
Beginning at 5th level, you can attack twice, instead of once, 30 feet of you, provided that the creature isn’t hidden from
whenever you take the Attack action on your turn. The num- you and you aren’t blinded or deafened.
ber of attacks increases to three when you reach 18th level
in this class. Expert Hunter
At 20th level, you have an uncanny knack for succeeding
Expertise when you need to. If your attack misses a target within range,
At 6th level, choose either Nature or Survival and one of you can turn the miss into a hit. Alternatively, if you fail an
your other skill proficiencies. Your proficiency bonus is ability check, you can treat the d20 roll as a 20.
doubled for any ability check you make that uses either of Once you use this feature, you can't use it again until you
these chosen proficiencies. finish a short or longer rest.

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4 Classes & Feats

A lone and broken pillar standing on the island

of Hael in the south of Lake Volgoma carries
this inscription, believed to tell of the escape
from something called “Symbaroum’s Bane”.

Hunter Approaches
Hunters might be Bounty Hunters, who seek the most
dangerous prey in city alleyways and other dark places, or
Ironsworn, defenders of the Iron Pact. They might elect to
become Monster Hunters and venture far into Davokar, or
they might be a Witch Hunter, seeking out blighted hu-
mans on behalf of the Church or their own personal quest
of vengeance.

Bounty Hunter
During The Great War there were deserters – many doubted
that a victory over the Dark Lords was possible. To deal with
the problem, King Ynedar, Queen Korinthia’s father, placed
a permanent bounty on the heads of the runaways. In doing Urban Tracker
so, he indirectly founded the guild of the Bounty Hunters. At 9th level, you can find or follow almost anyone in the
The tradition to pay for having fugitives caught lives on and maze of a city. You have advantage on Dexterity (Stealth)
nowadays the bounty hunters are often forced to venture checks to hide in an urban environment and for Wisdom
into the forest of Davokar, where the most desperate – and (Survival) checks to track someone in a city.
also most valuable – targets tend to seek refuge.
Precise Strike
Sturdy Holds When you reach 13th level, your ranged weapon accuracy is
If you have a creature your size or smaller grappled, that such that you can disarm a creature with a shot. Use your
creature has disadvantage on their attempts to escape the bonus action when making an attack to attempt a precise
grapple. strike; on a hit you don’t do any damage but the creature
must make a Strength saving throw against your attack roll
Delicate Conversations result or drop what it is holding.
You gain proficiency with the Deception skill.
Stunning Blows
Rough Fighting At 17th level, your attacks are designed to bring a foe down
At 3rd level, you’ve mastered such alleyway techniques as without killing them. Use your bonus action when making
“gutter-­kiss” (a head-­butt) and “goblin-­squeeze” (groin kick). an attack roll; on a hit, instead of doing damage, the target
You do 1d6 bludgeoning damage with your unarmed strikes. must make a Constitution saving throw against the attack
At 6th level you can use your bonus action to have ad- roll total. On a failure it becomes stunned. The creature can
vantage on an attempt to grapple a target that is your size repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, end-
or smaller. ing the effect on a success.

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 Hunter 4

Loremaster
At 3rd level, the character is educated and well-­versed in
the ways of the world: its cultures, its history, languages
and artifacts. For centuries heroes, monsters and kingdoms
have come and gone, leaving behind powerful items and
secret texts. This ability represents knowledge about such
objects. Through extensive studies a character with this
ability knows not only the story of an object but also its
properties and applications.
• At 3rd level, you can attempt an Intelligence (Investiga-
tion) check to determine the properties of a magic item.
On a success, if it is a magic item, you learn its properties
and how to use them, whether it requires attunement
to use, and how many charges it has, if any. You learn
whether any spells are affecting the item and what they
are. If the item was created by a spell, you learn which
spell created it. The DC is dependent on the kind of magic
item: common (DC 10), uncommon (DC 13), rare (DC 16),
very rare (DC 19), legendary (DC 22).
Additionally, you are proficient in both human lan-
guages (Ambrian and Barbarian).
• At 6th level, your understanding of artifacts is extensive
enough that you are not as affected by their corruptive
Ironsworn power. You may reduce your cost of a single artifact’s per-
The work of the Iron Pact is never done, which places great manent Corruption by 1, to a minimum of 1 Corruption.
demands on its agents, the Ironsworn. The pact was created • 9th level, you may cast spells of a level equal to or
At
by elves at the time of Symbaroum’s downfall, and after a lower than your proficiency bonus directly from scrolls
long time in the shadows its members are on the move again, and such parchments.
trying to stop the spreading darkness. Davokar must never You gain advantage on saving throws against magical
awaken, and it won’t, if the Ironsworn can help it. effects.
Nowadays, the Iron Pact recruits new agents from all ori- You are proficient in the spoken and written forms of
gins and cultures; anyone sympathetic to the struggle is test- Symbaroum and know many things about those ancient
ed in a series of both physical and moral challenges. Those people.
who make it with both life and loyalty intact are invited to
swear the Iron Oath. After that follows a time of training Sniper
and further testing before initiates become true members At 9th level, your ranged weapon attacks have extraordinary
of the Pact – agents devoted to the fight against Corruption. precision. When a creature takes damage from such an at-
tack, it must make a Constitution saving throw. On a failure,
Agile Combat its speed becomes zero until the end of its next turn. The DC
Your armor class when you wear no armor is equal to 10 plus is equal to 8 + your Dexterity modifier + your proficiency
twice your Dexterity modifier. bonus or the damage, whichever is higher.
At 13th level, you score a critical hit with a ranged weapon
Lore of the Wild on a natural result of 19 or 20.
You gain proficiency with the Animal Handling and Nature At 17th level, you double your ability modifier for damage
skills. with a ranged weapon.

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4 Classes & Feats

Monster Hunter
As more and more Ambrians settle down in the shadow of
Davokar, it grows more common that these settlements are
haunted by the famished, vindictive or even life-­hating hor-
rors of the forest. In light of this growing threat, actionable
individuals have developed techniques and skills for hunting
monsters – the often considerable price of monster trophies
is certainly another incentive! Also the barbarian clans have
their monster hunters, even though the people of the forest
adhere to the witches’ taboos and seldom live or travel in
monster infested areas.
A majority of the Ambrian Monster Hunters are mem-
bers of monster hunting societies, established in or around
places like Thistle Hold and Kastor. These groups both com-
pete and cooperate in the never-­ending work to keep the
border settlements secure and the members of the societies
rich. The latter part, the wealth, has attracted a growing
number of barbarian Monster Hunters south, where they
have turned into very successful trophy collectors, thanks
to their vast knowledge of Davokar.

Monster Hunting Societies

In Thistle Hold, the Monster Hunters have gathered
into a number of Societies, of which The Red Claw is
the most famous. Other such Societies of note are the
boastful newcomers Markas’ Impalers, and the more
serious teratologists belonging to Nikanor’s Taxider-
mists Guild, who collect monster carcasses in good
condition for study purposes. Many of these groups
have openly established outposts close to Karvosti
and frequently visit the newly opened store Crueljaws’
Traps, where the retired ogre who has given the estab- At 6th level, you can use your action during combat
lishment its name sells his ingenious hunting devices. to deploy a mechanical or alchemical trap within 5 feet
of your position. You are never threatened by the trap
but treat movement within 5 feet of a trapped area as
difficult terrain. You can use your action to make a Dex-
The Bigger They are… terity (Sleight of Hand) check to disable a mechanical or
You have advantage on all attacks against targets that are alchemical trap.
Large size or bigger. At 9th level, if you have time before a combat, you can
prepare an area with improvised traps. Each trap requires 10
Clever Fingers minutes of preparation and does 1d8 damage (bludgeoning,
You gain proficiency with the Sleight of Hand skill. piercing or slashing, depending on the trap design). See page
186 for rules on traps.
Trapper
At 3rd level, you become proficient with alchemical and Polearm Master
mechanical traps. You can use your action during combat When you have reached the 13th level, when a creature
to deploy a mechanical trap within 5 feet of your position. comes within reach of your weapon you can use your re-
You are never threatened by the trap but treat movement action to make a single attack using a weapon with reach
within 5 feet of a trapped area as difficult terrain. You can against that creature.
use your action to make a Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) check At 17th level, any melee attacks against you with a weapon
to disable a mechanical trap. The DC is given on page 186. whose reach is smaller than yours have disadvantage.

106
 Hunter 4

Witch Hunter
You have dedicated your life to fighting blight beasts, may-
be as a consequence of having your own life torn apart
by the growing and infectious darkness: a farm burned
to the ground, the grave of your family, a friend’s hor- THUS SPOKE AROALETA
rendous transformation – something that reminds you “… and troll-mother Vouax’s cauldron, lined with
of what will happen if the power of the blighted ones is the words of the weaver, smeared with the fat of the
not broken in time. wardens, fell down the abyss, fell into oblivion. The
You will stop at nothing in your fight against evil: you vessel brewing the downfall of all may never again
wield steel, fire and even rituals learned from defeated be heated, not by fire, not by the dark of the Abyss.”
sorcerers. You realize that the use of mystical powers may
ultimately corrupt you too, but you turn a blind eye to that
and instead fight on with the fervor of the fanatic.

Deep Knowledge
At 1st level you gain proficiency with both Arcana and Reli-
gion, representing your knowledge of transgressive magic
and the proper teachings of the Church of Prios.

Ritualist
At 1st, 3rd, 6th, 9th, 13th and 17th level choose a ritual spell
(one with the ritual tag) from the Theurg tradition list. The
spell level must be equal to or lower than your current pro-
ficiency bonus.
You gain permanent Corruption (see page 37) equal
to half the spell level, rounded up. If the ritual is a cantrip,
you gain no permanent Corruption. You can only cast the
chosen spell as a ritual – the ritual version of a spell takes
10 minutes longer to cast than normal and can only be cast
at its base level. You gain no Corruption from casting one
of these spells.

Deadly Need
Starting at 6th level you have learned enough of the sorcer-
ous arts that, if pressed, you can cast a spell at need. You can
cast one of the spells you know as a non-ritual spell but you
gain twice the normal Corruption since your understanding
of the magical arts is limited.

Steadfast
At 9th level, as part of your ritual learnings, you have de-
veloped both an iron will and stomach. You can use your
reaction to give yourself advantage on a Constitution or
Wisdom saving throw.
You can do this a number of times equal to your proficien-
cy bonus and then must take a short or longer rest before
using this feature again.

Retributive Rage
At 13th level, when you succeed at a saving throw granted
to you by Steadfast and the source of the saving throw was
a spellcaster, that creature takes 1d6 psychic damage.
At 17th level, the psychic damage increases to 1d12.

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4 Classes & Feats

Mystic
It is widely accepted that the world does not only consist Proficiencies
of matter, and it is obvious to everyone that there are indi- • Armor: Light armor
viduals who can manipulate the flows of both material and • Weapons: Simple weapons
non-­material energies. The use of mystical powers is in no • Tools: None
way commonplace, not in Ambria, nor among the barbar- • Saving Throws: Wisdom, then choose either Intelligence
ians. But it is common enough for many cultures to have or Charisma
formed traditions around it. • Skills: Choose three from Arcana, Deception, History,
There are many sources of mystical power in the world. Insight, Investigation, Medicine, Persuasion and Religion
These can be tapped by one who understands the underlying
laws of nature or through alliances with either the light of Shadow
the heavens, the spirits of the forest or the darkness of Cor- Your Corruption Threshold is equal to twice the total of
ruption. Some mystics consider themselves to be scholars your proficiency bonus plus your spellcasting modifier,
of reality and existence; others would claim they are part to a minimum of 4. See your mystic approach for more
of a pact that offers them an intimate relationship with the information.
source of their power.
Equipment
Mystics and the Origins You start with the following equipment, in addition to the
Changelings and humans dominate the domain of the mys- equipment granted by your background:
tical, at least according to public opinion. The stories of the • (a) a horseman's bow and quiver of 20 arrows or (b) a staff
witches of the barbarian clans are spread far and wide and it • (a) a scholar’s pack, or (b) an explorer’s pack
is near impossible not to notice the presence and influence • any one light armor, two daggers, and a component pouch
of Ordo Magica when in Ambria. The theurgs of the Light are
a less obvious group since they tend to keep to the temples Spellcasting
or move among the faithful, but the Lawgiver is known to You are a wielder of arcane might, drawing on unseen pow-
bless some of his champions with extraordinary powers. ers to bend the world to your will. However, such changes
Mystics among the goblins are shamans, bound to no are not without a price and mystics face a constant threat
mystic tradition but earning high status among their own of gaining Corruption that can ruin their body and soul. For
kind with their home-­brewed theories regarding the world more about Corruption, see page 37.
and its spirits. Changelings often have the mystical gift –
those who grow up among the barbarians are sent away to Cantrips
train with the witches, while changelings in the slums of At 1st level, you know six cantrips of your choice from the
Ambria become self-­taught mystics without any specific spell list for your mystical approach. When you cast most
tradition. Ogres with the mystical gift may seem like a rarity, cantrips (see Favored Spells, below) you gain 1 point of tem-
but Ordo Magica has documented a fair number of cases porary Corruption.
since the Ambrians arrived in the region.
Leveled Spells
You know two 1st level spells from the spell list belonging
Class Features to your mystical approach. When you gain a level in mystic
As a mystic, you have the following class features: you learn another spell, which can be any spell on your
list, up to the spell level shown on the Mystic table. You
Hit Points can also swap one spell you already know for another one
• Hit Dice: If you are not using your origin to determine of the same level.
Hit Dice, your Hit Die is a d8.
• Hit Points at 1st Level: If you do not use your origin to de- Casting a Spell
termine hit points, you have 8 + your Constitution modifier. To cast a spell you take an appropriate action and gain tem-
• Hit Points at Higher Levels: If you do not use your or- porary Corruption. A cantrip causes 1 point of temporary
igin to determine hit points, you gain 1d8 (or 5) + your Corruption while a leveled spell causes 1d4 plus the spell’s
Constitution modifier per mystic level after 1st. level points of temporary Corruption.

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 Mystic 4

The Mystic
Proficiency Favored Maximum
Level Bonus Features Spells Spell Level
1st +2 Spellcasting, Approach 2/1 1st
2nd +2 Ritual Casting 3/1 1st
3rd +2 Approach 4/2 2nd
4th +2 Ability Score Improvement or Feat 5/2 2nd
5th +3 Ritual Casting 6/3 3rd
6th +3 Approach 6/3 3rd
7th +3 Ritual Casting 6/4 4th
8th +3 Ability Score Improvement or Feat 6/4 4th
9th +4 Approach 6/5 5th
10th +4 Ability Score Improvement or Feat 6/5 5th
11th +4 Ritual Casting 6/6 6th
12th +4 Ability Score Improvement or Feat 6/6 6th
13th +5 Approach 6/7 7th
14th +5 Ritual Casting 6/7 7th
15th +5 — 6/8 8th
16th +5 Ability Score Improvement or Feat 6/8 8th
17th +6 Approach 6/9 9th
18th +6 Spell Mastery 6/9 9th
19th +6 Ability Score Improvement or Feat 6/10 9th
20th +6 Signature Spells 6/10 9th

Example: Mira’s ogre mystic Grumpa casts message, a Favored Spells

cantrip, and gains 1 point of Corruption. Later, Grumpa There are certain spells that a mystic has studied extensively,
uses knock, a 2nd-­level spell. She now adds 1d4+2 points so much that they can mitigate the corrupting influence of
of Corruption. the familiar magic.
At 1st level, you can select 2 cantrips and 1 leveled spell.
Some spells allow you to cast them using a higher level spell. When you cast a favored cantrip you gain no Corruption, and
You can cast up to your maximum spell level as long as you when you cast a leveled favored spell you gain Corruption
pay the additional Corruption cost. equal only to the level of the spell. Each time you gain a
level of mystic you can make more spells favored, as shown
Spellcasting Ability on the Mystic table under Favored Spells, the first number
Your mystic approach determines your spellcasting ability, is the current amount of favored cantrips and the second
which affects your Corruption Threshold, spell save DC and number is for leveled spells.
your spell attack modifier: When you cast a favored spell at a higher level you add
the new level as Corruption instead of the base level. For
Corruption Threshold = (your proficiency bonus + example, if you cast a favored 3rd level spell at 5th level,
your spellcasting ability modifier) × 2 you gain 5 temporary Corruption instead of 3.
Spell save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + Certain spells are poorly researched, unreliable, or on
your spellcasting ability modifier the edge of dark sorcery. These spells cannot be favored.
Spell attack modifier = your proficiency bonus + Unfavored spells are marked with an asterisk (*) in the spell
your spellcasting ability modifier lists found beginning on page 187.

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4 Classes & Feats

Approach
At first level you also choose your approach, which deter-
mines how you learned your arcane knowledge and how The Myth of Pure Magic
you understand the nature of the world. You might be an Within all traditions there is a myth of Pure Magic,
Artifact Crafter that makes magical items; a Sorcerer that the undefiled miracle. In different versions it tells
seeks shortcuts to power despite their danger; a Staff-­mage about a time when the world was unspoiled and
that gathers and binds power; a Symbolist that wields word-­ when the use of mystical powers yielded no Corrup-
magic; a Troll Singer that brings forth magic with their tion. Then something happened. Evil entered the
voice; a Theurg that wields the power of the Sun God; a world and with it came the blight.
Witch that follows the old ways; or a Wizard that learned Some mystics dream about recreating the pure
an orderly and philosophical approach to magic. Or you magic of yore by healing the wounds of the world,
might be self-­taught, without boundaries but a danger to expelling evil, slaying the World Serpent or reclaim-
yourself and others. ing the long lost arch magic. However, most mystics
Your approach gives you benefits at 1st, 3rd, 6th, 9th, 13th accept Corruption as a part of their trade and just
and 17th levels. something to be dealt with.

Ritual Casting
At 2nd level, you may choose a spell that you do not already
know that is on your mystic approach spell list, has the rit-
ual tag, and does not exceed your current maximum spell Mystic Approaches
level. If you do so, you gain permanent Corruption (see page The following approaches are available: the Artifact
37) equal to half the spell level, rounded up. If the ritual Crafter which invests magical power into objects, the Self-­
is a cantrip, you gain no permanent Corruption. You can taught mystic that treads a dangerous line, the Sorcerer
only cast the chosen spell as a ritual – the ritual version of who has already crossed that line, the Staff Mage which
a spell takes 10 minutes longer to cast than normal and can uses their weapon to focus their power, the Symbolist who
only be cast at its base level. You gain no Corruption from organizes and focuses magical thoughts in writing, the
casting one of these spells. Theurg who understands magic through their god Prios,
You may also learn another spell as a ritual using these the Troll Singers who best understand the magic of the
rules at 5th, 7th, 11th and 14th level. world and the Witches who lead the barbarians in their
worship of nature.
Ability Score Improvement or Feat
When you reach 4th level, and again at 8th, 10th, 12th, 16th,
and 19th level, you can increase one ability score of your Artifact Crafter
choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your The making of artifacts is a highly sought-­after art form
choice by 1. As normal, you can’t increase an ability score that for a long time was lost to elves and humans. How-
above 20 using this feature. ever, among the trolls it has been kept alive, as an almost
Instead of improving your ability scores you can instead sacred practice.
choose to gain a feat. See page 146 for more about feats. Lately, the knowledge has been revived by humans and
elves, in both cases thanks to the trolls of Davokar. The
Spell Mastery elves received it as a gift from a former ally, to aid them in
At 18th level, you have achieved such mastery over certain these dark days, but how Ordo Magica managed to get their
spells that you can cast them at will and gain no Corruption. hands on the lost art is not known. However it happened, the
Choose two 1st or 2nd level spells that you know. You can knowledge has spread so that every chapter soon will have
cast them at their base level without gaining any Corrup- at least one artifact crafter in its service.
tion. If you cast them as a higher level, you gain Corruption The sudden reemergence of artifact crafting among
as normal. mystics has made others question the source of the knowl-
edge. One belief is that the Ambrian mystics have stolen
Signature Spells it from the trolls – maybe even captured and tortured a
When you reach 20th level, you gain mastery over two pow- troll – while others suspect that the rulers of the Under-
erful spells and can cast them with little effort. Choose two world have traded this gift in exchange for something
3rd-­level or lower spells that you know. You can cast them very valuable. What version lays closest to the truth is
at their base level without gaining any Corruption. If you not easily guessed and the Grand Master refuses to speak
cast them as a higher level, you gain Corruption as normal. on the topic.

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 Mystic 4

Titles
While the trolls may have specific titles to go with the ever-­
increasing understanding of their artifact crafters, they
have not shared these with anyone else. In Ordo Magica,
artifact crafters share the same titles as other magic users
and those that are self-­taught can give themselves what
names please them best.

Corruption
Artifact Crafters use physical objects to mitigate the
effects of Corruption. They still understand Corruption
based on their origin and background – for example,
an Ordo Magica Artifact Crafter still views Corrup-
tion as a natural reaction to magic, just one that can
be filtered and reduced by the physical presence of an
artifact. Trolls see Corruption as one more piece of
evidence of the darkness now consuming the world
and strive to use discipline alongside their powers
to slow its conquest.

Spellcasting Ability
You use talismans to help manage the cost of Corruption
but otherwise use the normal mystic rules. You can favor
cantrips and spells as normal, and each talisman is bonded
to one spell, reducing its Corruption whenever it is cast. You
use Wisdom as your spellcasting ability modifier. You learn At 9th level, you are able to complete construction of a
spells from the Troll Singer tradition list. lesser artifact (see page 184) when you complete an ex-
tended rest (including the one before an adventure begins).
Talisman Crafter
During a long rest you can create a talisman to help you Talisman Master
channel the power of a spell. You begin an adventure with At 13th level you can use a number of talismans equal to
one talisman already prepared. You cannot have more twice your proficiency bonus. Making a new talisman still
talismans than your proficiency bonus. While you possess requires a long rest to prepare.
the talisman, when you cast that spell you gain half the
normal temporary Corruption (rounding up to a mini- Artifact Master
mum of 1). At 17th level you can create one artifact of greater power.
When you take an extended rest, you can divest yourself This is the work of a lifetime of learning and effort and so
of all talismans and then begin to prepare new ones with can only be accomplished once. The Game­master has further
the next long rest. rules and sample artifacts, see page 124 in the Ruins of
Symbaroum Game­master’s Guide.
Artifact Expert
At 3rd level, you know something about the powerful secrets
of the old rune smiths. At higher levels you are able to create
lesser artifacts. Complex Approaches
At 3rd level, you can attempt an Intelligence (Investiga- As you look at the various approaches available for each class, you’ll
tion) check to determine the spell associated with a talisman. find some of them contain more complexity than others. This is inten-
The DC is equal to 10 plus the spell level (DC 10 for cantrips). tional – after all, some folks enjoy working with the mechanics of the
If you do not know the spell invested into the talisman you game system to produce an interesting character. Others are more
cannot use the talisman. focused on the roleplay elements or the background story and prefer
At 6th level, your understanding of artifacts is exten- a more straightforward progression of mechanics. Simply select what
sive enough that you are not as affected by their corruptive you prefer, it won’t change the overall balance of the game.
power. You may reduce your cost of an artifact’s permanent
Corruption by 1, to a minimum of 1 Corruption.

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4 Classes & Feats

Corruption
With limited access to new spells and the innate understand-
ing of how to use your personal focus, most self-­taught mys-
tics think of Corruption as a secondary consideration. You
do not know how to favor spells and cannot have any favored
spells or cantrips. It is only as you gain power that the marks
of Corruption become more prominent and the watching
eyes of the villagers become colder and less trusting; then
you must choose between gathering more power or more
attention. The gift of freedom is double-­edged and darkness
is drawn to the gifted as envy to those with talent. The power
of Corruption cuts deep and must be kept under control;
many a free mystic has accepted the darkness although it
truly is a kiss of death.

Spellcasting Ability
Self-­taught mystics rely on learning and then applying the
inherent principles of magic by experimentation. They use
Intelligence as their spellcasting ability modifier. You learn
spells from any of the traditions lists other than the Theurg
(see page 187 and onwards).

Boundless Magic
With your Self-­taught approach, you can learn spells from
any of the given spell lists. However, you only know three
Self-­taught cantrips and one 1st level spell at 1st level.
You are a Self-­taught mystic, excluded from the traditions,
never accepted by your peers and completely uninterested Personal Investment
in the narrow worldviews they offer. However, your freedom At 3rd level when you cast a spell you can choose to put some
comes at a price: Corruption is lurking around each corner of your personal power into it. You cast the spell as if it was
and you are fair game to witch hunters and Black Cloaks. using the highest spell level you know but gain Corruption
Whether you wander from village to village or hide in a bus- as if it was cast at its base level. You then must make a Con-
tling city, you probably earn your living by offering your ser- stitution saving throw against your own spell save DC. On a
vices as an occult consultant or a finder of misplaced objects. failure you gain a level of exhaustion.
Particularly gifted individuals have always been able to
bend and break seemingly inescapable laws of nature, and Natural Alchemy
many scholars claim that it was through coalitions of such At 6th level, if you take a long rest in a wild area, you can
independent, or untamed, mystics that the traditions first prepare a number of tonics equal to your proficiency bonus.
arose. Whether this is true or not, there occasionally are Each tonic restores one Hit Die when consumed. The tonics
individuals who either choose or are forced to study on their do not keep well, and lose their effectiveness within 24 hours.
own, or in smaller groups.
Independent mystics are not burdened with the theories Steadfast
of a traditions, which gives them more freedom in their At 9th level, as a Self-­taught mystic, you have learned to have
choice of powers. However, they are also much more vul- both an iron will and stomach. You can use your reaction to
nerable to Corruption. Many untamed mystics tend to evolve give yourself advantage on a Constitution or Wisdom saving
their own understanding of the world and come to espouse throw. You must then take a short or longer rest before using
theories that contradict those of the established traditions. this feature again.
At 13th level, when you succeed at a Constitution or Wis-
Titles dom saving throw you take no damage from the effect. If you
As a Self-­taught mystic, you’re free to call yourself whatever fail the saving throw you take half damage from the effect.
you wish, although both Ordo Magica and the Church of At 17th level, when you succeed at a Constitution or Wis-
Prios take a very dim view of folks who use a title that they dom saving throw and the effect was caused by a spellcaster
have not earned. then that spellcaster takes 1d6 psychic damage.

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 Mystic 4

Sorcerer
The character is one of those who are arrogant or des-
perate enough to cling to the darkness. While other
mystical traditions do everything they can to avoid the
soul-­eroding powers of Corruption, the Sorcerer chooses
to do the opposite.
The legends are teeming with sorcerers: mystics who
draw their power from musty wellsprings or gain their
corrupt gifts from creatures of evil. It is harder to find
them in the real world, but those who know how to read
the Shadows can sense their presence or see traces of their
tainted work.
Korinthia’s people faced the undead servants of the Dark
Lords during The Great War, and while the Dark Lords per-
ished, their parasitic powers continued to drain the life
out of Alberetor, forcing the Ambrians to flee north. There
they instead faced the blighted creatures of Davokar, born
from another kind of evil that festers in the fallen ruins of
ancient Symbaroum.
Sorcery is the mystical tradition that comprises powers
and rituals fueled by Corruption and taint, whose usage
provides power in the short run, but corrodes the mystic’s
body and soul in the long run. Theurgs active among the
Twilight Friars gather rituals of sorcery as well as blight-­
stricken artifacts in an attempt to understand this new, dark
enemy. Within their monastery in the Titans, it is said that Corruption
the Black Cloaks hide dark vaults oozing with corruptive In the view of the sorcerer the world is dying or already
energies and echoing with the lamentations of the poor, dead, and Corruption is but one of many symptoms of its
tainted souls kept there for study. irredeemable state. To fight Corruption is like pretending
that death does not exist. Better to know it, and learn how to
Titles understand and use it as much as possible before everything
Would-­be Sorcerers begin as either lowly members of meets its fated end.
another Sorcerer’s cult, desperately believing that if they To walk side by side with darkness is a precarious act
please their master then they will be rewarded with pow- of balance, to say the least. Not to give in to darkness is
er. And, sometimes, this may be true, though most cult the key, for doing so would surely mean being completely
members are only useful to their leader as scapegoats devoured. Wise Sorcerers accept Corruption, and exploit it,
or sacrifices. while still keeping a distance from its cold embrace, for as
Still, some become acolytes, the first true step on the long as they possibly can.
path of sorcery. Changelings and others who already display
magical affinities can become an acolyte directly. All such Spellcasting Ability
students must be wary – while their master has much to Sorcerers rely on their willpower and force of personality to
teach them, the master might also feel threatened by a too-­ use their own reserves of personal power. You use Charisma
successful acolyte and decide to feed them to an abomina- as your spellcasting ability modifier. You learn spells from
tion. Still, the most powerful rituals require a great amount the Sorcerer tradition list.
of concentrated effort that only acolytes can provide, so the
Sorcerer needs their students, just like the student needs The Darkened Path
their master. You have proficiency in your choice of either Deception or
At some point, an acolyte will decide they know enough Intimidation.
and wish to escape their master before they find themselves Sorcerers are used to bearing Corruption as they seek
on the sacrificial altar. If they are successful then they may to gain ever greater power. When you make a Corruption
give themselves the title Sorcerer and begin to collect their check, you have advantage on the d20 roll. Note: this is for
own followers. If they fail, well perhaps their blood will be the initial roll to determine if you gain a mark of Corruption,
useful for the next ritual. not the roll to determine the mark’s nature.

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4 Classes & Feats

The Shadowed Slope Staff Mage

At 3rd level when you cast an unfavored spell of 4th level The mystics called Staff Mages have gotten their epithet
or lower, and you have permanent Corruption equal to the from the rune covered staffs they always carry. A rune staff
spell level or higher, you gain one less temporary Corruption is an expression of the Staff Mage’s strength as well as a
than normal, to a minimum of 1 point. powerful weapon – something that has led to some Wiz-
ards of Ordo Magica calling them by degrading names like
Example: Lightning Bolt is an unfavored spell and would “wand-­throwers” or “broomsticks.” To the Staff Mage, the
normally cause 1d4+3 points of temporary Corruption. A staff is an extension of their soul and to experienced staff
Sorcerer might gain only 1d4+2 temporary Corruption mages it may sometimes be difficult to tell where the mage
instead. ends and the staff begins; they are part of the same whole.
Whatever you call them, Staff Mages are said to descend
The Power of Corruption from an order of warrior monks, tasked with protecting
At 6th level, a Sorcerer can draw on their Corruption in order Symbaroum’s last emperor. After the fall of Symbaroum,
to power their spells. You can cast spells up to a level total they withdrew to their castle deep inside Davokar. It was not
equal to or lower than your permanent Corruption without until recent times that they became known to the people of
gaining any Corruption. Each spell must be equal to or lower the south; before that they only sought new recruits among
than your maximum spell level. When you take an extended the northern barbarian clans – individuals suited for an
rest your total of cast spells resets to zero. ascetic life in the shadow of death. Many of the potentials
tended to be changelings.
Example: If you have 5 permanent Corruption then you With the darkness spreading through Davokar, the Staff
could cast up to five 1st level spells, two 2nd level spells Mages have expanded their area of search to include the
and one 1st level spell, one 3rd level spell and one 2nd southerners and their realm. Hence, the plainly dressed
level spell, or any other combination totaling to five spell warrior monks with their characteristic rune staffs can
levels. Then you would need an extended rest before doing sometimes be seen visiting Ambria’s duchies and courts,
so again. hunting for novices and allies in the fight against the horrors
haunting the ruins of Davokar.
The Call of Darkness The Order of Staff Magic consists of a number of ascetic
At 9th level, the Sorcerer can make use of the shadows warrior monks who see themselves as descendants to the
that lie in the hearts of others. When you cast a spell that guard of Symbaroum’s last emperor. The Staff Mages live
requires a Wisdom saving throw, each affected creature in their castle deep inside the forest, in the wild parts of
adds its permanent Corruption to the spell saving throw DC. Davokar where ruins from the fallen empire constant-
If the creature is thoroughly corrupt (see page 38) then ly remind them of their past failure. According to their
this effect does not apply. myths, the fall of Symbaroum was directly connected to
the death of the emperor, and as his bodyguards it was
Revenant Strike their duty to keep him alive. Hence, in the minds of the
At 13th level when you kill a living creature on your turn, staff mages, the fall of Symbaroum was their doing and
you may choose to gain a point of temporary Corruption. If with the destruction of the empire, darkness entered this
you do so, you can use your bonus action to cause the slain part of the world.
creature to rise immediately as an undead (use Dragoul It is up to the now living Staff Mages to correct the errors
stats) under your control. It retains its initiative count but of the past, meaning that they must fight Corruption and
you now control the creature during its turn. This power finally resurrect the fallen empire. To fight against Corrup-
has no effect on abominations. tion they use their staff to capture and bind Corruption, but
After the combat, the creature collapses and cannot be there is danger in this as well. They have a valuable ally in
reanimated. the Iron Pact; even if the mages are not official members of
the pact, they often cooperate with the elves. However, the
Unholy Aura Iron Pact and the Staff Mages are not always in agreement,
At 17th level you are surrounded by a field of negative energy. particularly on the idea that a new emperor must take his
You can use your bonus action to cause each creature of your (or her) place on the legendary Throne of Thorns in Sym-
choice within 30 feet of you to make a Constitution saving bar – while the mages regard the emperor’s death as the
throw, inflicting 1d6 necrotic damage for each point of per- triggering factor, the elves remember the emperor himself
manent Corruption that you possess, or half that amount on as the root of all evil.
a success. You must take a short or longer rest before using Aside from attacking those who from ignorance or a hun-
this feature again. ger for power fraternize with the powers of Corruption, the

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 Mystic 4

Corruption
The order teaches that Corruption is a side-­effect of the
negligent exercise of power. Mages do not regard Cor-
ruption as immoral in itself, but emphasize that the Cor-
ruption of the mystic can become the enemy’s weapon; all
mages are taught that Sorcerers can use the mage’s own
Corruption against him or her, which is why Corruption
must be avoided.
The order also keeps older and darker lessons alive, les-
sons that claim the careless use of mystical powers, rituals
and artifacts not only affect the mystic who wields them,
but also the surrounding world. As proof of this, they often
refer to the deserted wasteland east of the Ravens – which
at one time is said to have been flourishing farmlands and
the cradle of humankind’s first empire. And since the order,
according to the mages, stems from the east, it is not unlikely
that their moral tales on the importance of mystical restraint
contain some grains of truth.

Spellcasting Ability
Staff Mages use arcane hand gestures and the movement
of their staff to draw forth their magical energies and di-
rect them. You use Intelligence as your spellcasting ability
modifier. You learn spells from the Wizard tradition list.
The staff mage does not need to attune to their rune staff,
it is an integral part of their magical practice and uses your
own internal energy.

Bonus Spell
At 1st level, you learn the detect magic spell in addition to
your chosen spells.

Staff Fighting
At 1st level, the staff mage is proficient with the rune staff,
which provides the following benefits:
• +1 to AC when unarmored.
• The rune staff counts as a finesse quarterstaff that weighs
3 lbs.
Staff Mages continuously seek “The descendant and right-
ful heir of the last emperor”. The search is as difficult as it At 6th level, the staff mage gains the following benefits for
is frustrating, with many mages in serious disagreement their rune staff:
regarding both how to orchestrate the search and how to • The staff is considered magical for the purposes of mag-
define the target. Most Staff Mages prefer the more tangible ical weapons and armor. The rune staff gains a +1 bonus
combat against abominations, Sorcerers and the few trea- to attack and damage rolls.
sure hunters who venture so far into Davokar that they get • You can use your bonus action to make an attack with
close to the heart of Symbaroum: the ruined city of Symbar your rune staff.
and its empty throne.
At 13th level, the rune staff gains these additional effects:
Titles • The staff now provides a +2 bonus to AC, as well as on
The order of Staff Mages has three titles: Staffless (appren- attack and damage rolls.
tices; i.e. established mystics who train with the order but • When a creature that is in your reach ends its turn you
have yet to earn a staff), Rune Staff (those who have received can use your reaction to make an attack roll against that
a staff) and finally the Staff Masters. creature.

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Staff Magic High Chieftain. It may lead to an explanation as to why the

At 3rd level, the staff mage gains the following benefits from Vajvods, for cultural and philosophical reasons, distance
the rune staff: themselves from Karvosti, and at the same time, are more
• A touch from your staff as long as you wield it counts as open to outsiders than other clans, Clan Odaiova excluded.
you touching a creature for spell effects. Rumor has it that Vajvod’s Clan Chieftain, Zoltar the Old, has
• When the staff mage gains a point of permanent Cor- not a witch but a symbolist by his side, likely one trained at
ruption they can assign it to the rune staff instead of the Azure Temple in the heart of the river lands.
themselves. Once the rune staff already has three or more
permanent Corruption, each time you add a point of per- Titles
manent Corruption to the staff, roll a d20. If the result is The symbolists have few titles and only differ between ap-
equal to or lower than the new total of permanent Cor- prentices and initiated members, often called “Followers”
ruption held by the staff then the staff splits asunder and and “Weavers”. The term “Master Weaver” is also used as
you gain the staff ’s permanent Corruption immediately. an honorary title for prominent symbolists. The followers
Creating a new staff requires an extended rest. are sometimes jokingly called “Spindles,” after the spin-
• The mage can use their bonus action to activate an ele- ning tool, since many symbolists think of the world as a
mental rune on the staff and add 1d4 damage to a single weave or painting which they remodel or repaint with
damage roll using the staff. The additional damage is your their powers.
choice of acid, cold, fire, or lightning.

At 9th level, the rune staff grants these additional effects:

• The elemental damage rises to 1d8.
• Once per long or extended rest you can cast an additional
spell of a level equal to half your staff ’s permanent Cor-
ruption total, rounded down. You gain no Corruption
from casting this spell.

At 17th level, the staff mage gains the following benefits from
the rune staff:
• The elemental damage rises to 1d12.
• The rune staff provides advantage on all Corruption
checks.

Symbolist
That symbols and signs have power is well-­known and made
use of in most mystical traditions, at least in rituals. Pure
Symbolism is a tradition that almost solely builds its pow-
er on symbols and signs. Symbolism was born in the east,
beyond the Ravens, and fleeing mystics brought it to what
is now Clan Vajvod’s territory in Davokar. The symbolists
predate the founding of Clan Vajvod, at least according to
the rune-­covered remnants that the clanfolks discovered
when they first came to the area.
Foremost among these remnants is the Azure Temple,
built in blue stone brought to Vajvod from beyond the moun-
tains and covered in runes carved by many generations of
symbolists. Still today, the blue temple is the scene of the
yearly Rune Meets, when new members are initiated into
the tradition.
Ambrian scholars suspect that Symbolism – strange,
powerful and decadent – is a vital clue to understanding
why the barbarians of eastern Davokar are in disagree-
ment with Karvosti and its authorities, the Huldra and the

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It is also customary for Weavers to take titles they think Example: Thurnia, a symbolist, prepares hold monster,
they deserve – from “Sign Carver,” “Fate Painter” and “Pat- normally a 5th level spell. She decides to create a rune as
tern Braider,” to “Rune Artist” and “Power Crafter.” At the if it were cast at 8th level (the maximum she can, as she is
Rune Meet, a yearly gathering where symbolists who are 15th level). When she activates the rune, it will affect four
able convene at the Azure Temple in Vojvodar, only Weav- creatures and she will gain 8 temporary Corruption.
ers may speak and vote, while Followers listen. Master
Weavers have no special authority besides that which is At the beginning of a long or extended rest, you must
granted to all Weavers, but naturally their opinions carry choose one of your runes to lose potency. That rune cannot
extra weight. be used to cast a spell until it is prepared again. At the be-
ginning of any rest, you can choose to destroy one or more
Corruption runes, in order to prepare different runes.
The origin of Symbolism can be traced back to the destruc- Runes can only be prepared during a rest. You may pre-
tion of the east, and many rune crafters explain the birth pare four runes during an extended rest, two runes during
of their tradition as based on the aim to resist and/or avoid a long rest and one rune during a short rest. You cannot
Corruption. As the east was drained of life and became have more active runes than twice your proficiency bonus.
the ruined, deserted wasteland it is today, the symbolists
were busy advancing their knowledge. Not until the empire Bonus Spell
beyond the Ravens fell and the surrounding region proved At 1st level, you learn the detect magic spell in addition to
to be devastated – the work of other mystics, according your chosen spells.
to symbolist legends – did the founding mystics of Sym-
bolism flee across the mountains to the uninhabited river Rune Tattoos
landscape that is today known as Vojvodar, the home of At 3rd level, you can make a rune tattoo that protects from
clan Vajvod. weather and wind like a full set of clothes. Also, when at-
The strength of Symbolism is its resilience to Corruption. tacked, you can spend your reaction and gain +4 to your
They suffer some Corruption when a symbol is activated, but AC until the start of your next turn and you gain 1 point of
less than the members of other traditions – as little as only temporary Corruption. As long as you choose to continue to
one point in temporary Corruption per activated symbol. gain Corruption at the start of your turn, you can continue
Symbolism’s weakness is that it is slow; a symbolist trades this effect for additional rounds.
their protection from Corruption for the time it takes to craft At 6th level, you learn how to make a rune tattoo that
the symbols. However, the rituals of Symbolism function glows when you take a wound. At the start of your turn,
just like the rituals of other traditions. you can choose to gain 1 point of temporary Corruption and
regenerate hit points equal to your proficiency bonus.
Spellcasting Ability At 9th level, you make a rune tattoo that adds power to
Symbolism requires the creation of intricate and complex your attacks. Use your bonus action to empower yourself
runes that contain and bind their magical power. Thus, a and gain 1 or more points of temporary Corruption. Add
symbolist uses Intelligence for the spellcasting ability modi- 1d8 radiant damage to a number of attacks equal to the Cor-
fier. You learn spells from the Wizard tradition list. However, ruption gained.
you do not cast most magic as a normal mystic, preparing
and activating runes instead. You do cast cantrips and rit- Protective Runes
uals as normal. You can favor cantrips as normal, but you At 13th level, you can prepare a special rune that you can use
use runes instead of normal spells otherwise. as a reaction. You must attune to the rune, gaining 1 point
Each rune is equivalent to casting one spell at a chosen of permanent Corruption. You choose counterspell or dispel
spell level (a symbolist cannot prepare a rune at a higher magic and can now activate that spell as a reaction. The spell
level than their maximum spell level). When the rune is ac- functions as if cast at 3rd level. You cannot use this feature
tivated, the spell is cast and you gain temporary Corruption again until you take a long or extended rest.
equal to the spell’s prepared level. An unfavored spell costs At 17th level, you can improve your special rune that you
double the prepared level. You decide the spell’s effective can use as a reaction for another point of permanent Cor-
level while preparing the rune and cannot change the spell ruption. It now provides the benefit of counterspell or dispel
level when you activate the rune. You can activate the rune magic (your choice) as if cast at 6th level. You cannot use
multiple times. this feature again until you take a long or extended rest.

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scholars and the learned whether witchcraft is older than

theurgy or if it is the other way around. Either way, the gold-
en age of theurgy is now. Ever since Prios earned himself
the devotion and faith of most Ambrians, the bearers of the
tradition have thrived. It is not important to them which
of the traditions came first and which is the oldest. As far
as the theurgs are concerned, the worshiping of moss and
veneration of trees are unworthy of mankind’s holy spirit,
and most consider witchcraft to be a path that leads only to
decay and sorcery. They regard wizardry – the mystical order
built on the foundation of older theurgy – in much the same
way, as a truly godless and morally questionable practice.

The Titles of Theurgy

The titles within the tradition of theurgy are intertwined
with the Church of Prios, since theurgs are the defenders
of the Church, chosen by the Sun God himself. Obedience
to one’s elders is both highly regarded and enforced, and the
punishments for disobedience are severe. Lowest in rank are
the initiates, who assist and are tutored by the Church’s Broth-
ers and Sisters, who in turn serve under the elder theurgs,
called Fathers or Mothers. Within the organization of the Sun
Church there are also priests who have not been granted the
God-­given powers of the theurgs, and they are called liturgs.

Corruption
The theurgs of Prios teach that Corruption occurs when
nature is allowed to grow without being cultivated and
tamed. Corruption thrives in the wild, in chaos, that which
is uncontrolled by humans – and in their encounters with
Davokar they seem to find all the evidence needed to support
Theurg this interpretation of the world order.
You are a theurg, a priest with mystical powers. Your faith Every devotee of Prios must accept the threat of Corrup-
in the Lawgiver is unwavering: Prios is the sun and the light tion and keep their inner flame burning despite the risk of
of the soul, the One who saved mankind from the bondage taint; just as the Lightbringer Ofelya Attio is said to have pro-
of the Young Gods, the creator of the world and protector claimed while standing at the threshold of the Dark Lords’
of all life. From this pure spring flows extraordinary pow- stronghold: “Fire shall with fire be fought, darkness shall
er. Your mystical knowledge would have been aimless and with darkness be vanquished!”
dangerous without your faith as a compass and foundation,
as is often shown when godless mystics wield their powers. Spellcasting Ability
Theurgy is nowadays understood as the teachings of the Theurgs rely on the teachings of the Sun God when inter-
mystical force that radiates from the sun and which burns preting his teachings or calling upon his power. They use
at the heart of the human spirit. Its powers are only found Wisdom as their spellcasting ability modifier. You learn
among the most loyal worshipers of the light: the chosen spells from the Theurg tradition list.
champions of Prios. The theurgs are considered the emis-
saries of Prios in the world of the living, and their burden Bonus Spell
is truly a great one. They lead the faithful in prayer, thereby At 1st level, you learn the bless spell in addition to your cho-
guiding the sun through the darkness of the underworld each sen spells.
night. And their passion keeps the heavenly light from fad-
ing; without their strenuous work the ailing Sun God would Turn Undead
surely die and the world would plunge into The Eternal Night. At 3rd level, you can use the power of the Lawgiver to rebuke
Theurgy is an ancient tradition, first developed by the the undying. As an action, you present your holy symbol and
priesthoods devoted to the Old Gods. It is disputed among speak a prayer censuring the undead. Each undead within

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30 feet of you that can see and/or hear you must make a air and dust, in rhythm with the tail of the World Serpent
Wisdom saving throw against your spell save DC. If the drumming against the bedrock.
creature fails its saving throw, it is turned for 1 minute or To trolls, the songs of the skalds together with the ham-
until it takes any damage. A turned creature must spend its mering of the smiths, and the warriors’ clawing at the stone
turns trying to move as far away from you as it can, and it walls of the Abyss compose the great hymn of life. The troll
can’t willingly move to a space within 30 feet of you. It also culture, yes even the existence of a single troll, is unthink-
can’t take reactions. For its action, it can use only the Dash able without the songs.
action or try to escape from an effect that prevents it from
moving. If there’s nowhere to move, the creature can use
the Dodge action. You can perform this a number of times
equal to your proficiency bonus before needing to take a
long or extended rest.
At 9th level, any affected undead with a challenge rating
equal to or lower than half your proficiency bonus (round-
ed down) are destroyed instead of turned. Player charac-
ters of the undead origin do not have a challenge rating and
cannot be destroyed by this feature, though
they can be turned.

Medicus
At 6th level, you can invest some of your
faith into healing energies that do not incur
any chance of Corruption to you. If you spend
an action binding a wound, you restore one Hit
Die to the treated creature. You can do this a number
of times equal to twice your proficiency bonus and then
must take an extended rest to recharge.
At 13th level, when you use this ability you restore 1d8
+ your Wisdom modifier hit points immediately and the
creature also regains the Hit Die.

Matter of Faith
When you reach 17th level, choose one of your ritual
spells. Remove permanent Corruption equal to half
its spell level, rounded up. This spell no longer
weighs on your soul, since you have internalized
its power as being provided solely by Prios.

Troll Singer
Singing as a source of power has its most evident expres-
sion in the troll-­singing skalds, whose voices lay mysteries
bare and win battles. Poetry and singing exist in all cul-
tures, but they are most powerful among elves, dwarves
and trolls – with the possible addition of ogres. In all of
these diverse cultures, singing is often combined with
physical attributes – most skalds are true warrior poets
that lead their allies to victory using the great power of
their voice and muscles.
As a tradition, Troll Singing is as old as the race of trolls
– at least, their collective memory remembers nothing be-
fore the songs. According to myth, the troll race was created
through the songs of the world, hummed by the spirits of

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Titles
Spell Level DC
Troll singers have no titles, but follow a simple appren-
ticeship system where a promising singer learns from a 1st 14
master. When an apprentice has learned enough they are 2nd 16
tasked with serving the rulers as best they can, and later 3rd 18
on the time comes to pass knowledge and skills on to some
4th 20
new apprentice.
5th 22
Corruption 6th 24
To willingly accept Corruption is unthinkable to most 7th 26
troll singers. Through the songs, the trolls remember the 8th 28
world as it was before the Corruption, long before humans
9th 30
arrived and started building their empires. When Sym-
baroum grew dark from hunger and rapacity, the trolls
welcomed the elven intervention; they supported the Iron Songs of the Dusk
Pact and contributed to the birth of Davokar. At least this At 3rd level troll singers have mastered the ability to invoke
is said in the songs. some of their ancient magic without the threat of Corrup-
Nowadays, the trolls live beneath the woods in the Abyss tion. You can cast spells with a level total of up to twice your
where darkness broods; in cavities and caves it gathers in proficiency bonus, with a maximum spell level equal to your
pools of malice. These birthplaces of abominations remind proficiency bonus without Corruption. You recover used
all trolls, singer or not, that the twilight or winter of the spell levels when you complete a long rest.
world has come. They also know that this twilight cannot be
expelled by the eerie lights glowing in their underground Example: If you are a 13th level troll singer, you could cast
halls; that this is a winter during which even the tempera- up to a 5th level spell without a saving throw and then cast
tures of the Underworld will not protect them from being two 1st level spells and a 3rd level spell, or any other com-
bitten by the frost. bination of spells totalling 10 spell levels.

Spellcasting Ability Songs of the Masters

As Troll Singing is dependent on the performance of singer At 6th, 9th, 13th and 17th level, troll singers can learn one of
and song, the spellcasting ability modifier is Charisma. You the following songs. You begin a song by using your action on
learn spells from the Troll Singer tradition list. your turn. Any creature affected by the spell must be within
Each spell must be sung, which always requires at least 60 feet of you and able to hear you. You must concentrate
one action. If a troll singer wishes to cast a spell at a higher on these magical songs just like spells. You can use a bonus
level they must sing an additional round for each level they action on subsequent turns to continue the same song to
wish to add. They then make their saving throw (see below) maintain it up to 1 minute. Singing a spell, singing a new
at the base spell level. song or ending the song causes the effect to end.
Spells whose casting time is longer than an action use
the same unit of time for each spell level upgrade. For Combat Hymn
example casting geas as a 7th level spell would require 3 There is a raw and untamed power in singing, and some
minutes (1 minute for the base casting, 1 minute for each mystics learn to sing while fighting to gain considerable
spell level upgraded). extra strength when battling the enemy. When you sing
this song, you and up to six allies gain a bonus equal to half
Songs of the Dawn your proficiency bonus (rounded up) to your attack rolls and
Troll singers do not gain temporary Corruption for sing- weapon damage rolls. Your weapon damage now counts as
ing their spells. Instead they must make a Charisma saving magical. You must take a short or longer rest before singing
throw for each leveled casting, gaining a point of perma- this song again.
nent Corruption on a failure. If a spell is favored, you have
advantage on the saving throw. If the spell is unfavored, Dancing Weapon
you gain disadvantage instead. Troll singers automatically When you sing this song, a simple one-­handed weapon that
succeed at casting cantrips. The DC is based on the spell belongs to you becomes animated and can hover up to 6 feet
level, using the chart below (the DC is equal to double the above the ground. Other than this, it remains as it was. If
spell level plus 12). it is magical, you can use any magical effect as if you were

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wielding the weapon yourself. On your initiative it can move Witchcraft is believed to be the oldest and most deeply
up to 30 feet and then make a single attack roll. It uses your rooted of the traditions. Some tutors at Ordo Magica even
Charisma modifier and your proficiency bonus for attack claim that witchcraft – despite its primitive flaws – forms
rolls and your Charisma modifier for damage. You must take the basis of theurgy, and because of this, both Theurgs and
a short or longer rest before singing this song again. Wizards have the wise Witches of old to thank for under-
standing the fundamental principles of magic.
Heroic Hymn
When you sing this song you and up to six friendly creatures Titles
gain advantage on Dexterity, Constitution or Wisdom saving Witches believe in independence, thus they are wary of ti-
throws (the same saving throw for each). You must take a tles and hierarchical structures. The harsh living conditions
short or longer rest before singing this song again. of Davokar have resulted in each barbarian village housing
a witch, and every witch is expected to have a helper (an ap-
Retribution Hymn prentice). Furthermore, within each clan there is a witches’
Choose an enemy creature that you can see. It must make node supervised by a Keeper, often called a Hex Mistress by
a Charisma saving throw. On a failure, when the creature southern scholars. All nodes convene at Karvosti, where the
does damage to you, you split the damage evenly between High Chieftain is advised by the Huldra, the foremost of
the two of you. In the case of an odd division, you receive all witches, whom outsiders generally call the Arch Witch.
the extra point of damage. You must take a short or longer
rest before singing this song again.

Sustaining Hymn
When you begin this spell and on the start of your turn as
long as you continue singing this song, you and up to six
allies gain a number of temporary hit points equal to your
proficiency bonus plus your Charisma modifier. You must
take a short or longer rest before singing this song again.

Weakening Hymn
As an action, you can force up to seven creatures of your
choice to make a Charisma saving throw. On a failure they
have disadvantage on all saving throws until the song ends.
On a success they are immune to this song for 24 hours. If you
continue your singing, then a creature that failed the saving
throw can repeat it at the end of their turn (with disadvan-
tage) in order to become immune for 24 hours as above. You
must take a short or longer rest before singing this song again.

Witch
Your home is the wilds; to balance your own needs with the
ones of nature is your calling. As a witch you have a strong
connection to the land itself and can add its primal powers to
your inner strength. You negotiate with the spirits of nature,
understand the flow and needs of the land, and your powers
are derived from the circle of life and death.
The witches’ world is composed of winds, blood and all
things growing, together forming the three hazardous paths a
witch has to wander: the white path where the wind wails and
spirits howl; the red path of the slow-­running blood; and the
green path, overgrown by thickets and roots. According to the
mythology of the witches, there are places where these paths
converge, such as the cliff of Karvosti deep within Davokar.

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Corruption The Green Path

For practitioners of witchcraft Corruption is viewed as na- These features interact with nature itself.
ture’s way of seeking balance; what the witch does to the • Forest Trails. You can find or create trails in Davokar
world strikes back against him or her. The Corruption must or wherever you go that make travel easier. You and a
be weighed against the necessity of what the witch is about number of companions equal to your proficiency bonus
to do and be handled accordingly. Some witches will choose have advantage on saving throws against Exhaustion due
to sacrifice themselves to the Corruption in order to save to travel.
their people; such is the fate of a witch according to the • Shapeshifter. You can use your action to magically as-
demands of life in the gloom of Davokar. sume the shape of a natural beast you have seen before.
You can use this feature a number of times equal to your
Spellcasting Ability proficiency bonus before you have to take a short or lon-
You are sensitive to the natural flow of magic and the ancient ger rest to regain your expended uses. Your mystic level
power of the land. You use Wisdom as your spellcasting abil- determines the type of beast you can transform into, see
ity modifier. You learn spells from the Witch tradition list. the table below.
• Nature’s Lullaby. By singing softly and focusing on a
A Chosen Path particular abomination that can hear you, you and your
At 1st level choose one of the following paths to follow. You companions can pass by it without it reacting – you are
receive the first benefit when you make the choice and an essentially invisible to the blighted creature. If anyone
additional benefit when you gain your next Approach fea- acts aggressively or you stop singing (to cast a spell, for
ture (e.g. if you choose the Red Path at 1st level you gain Lay example) the benefit ends. You can make use of this fea-
on Hands immediately, Nature’s Embrace at 3rd level, and ture a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus
Song of Spring at 6th level). At 9th level, choose another path, and then must take a long or extended rest before using
gaining one benefit now, then 13th level and finally 17th level. this feature again.

Beast Shapes
damage carries over to your normal form. For example, if you
Mystic
Level Max. CR Limitations Example take 10 damage in animal form and have only 1 hit point left,
you revert and take 9 damage. As long as the excess damage
3rd 1/4 No flying or Mare Cat
swimming speed doesn’t reduce your normal form to 0 hit points, you aren’t
knocked unconscious.
5th 1/2 No flying speed Skullan
• You can’t cast spells, and your ability to speak or take any
8th 1 — Giant Vulture action that requires hands is limited to the capabilities of your
beast form. Transforming doesn’t break your concentration on
You can stay in a beast shape for a number of hours equal to half a spell you’ve already cast, however, or prevent you from tak-
your mystic level (rounded down). You can then expend another ing actions that are part of a spell, such as eyebite, that you’ve
use of this feature to remain in the beast shape. You can revert to already cast.
your normal form as a bonus action and you automatically revert if • You retain the benefit of any features from your class, origin,
you fall unconscious, drop to 0 hit points, or die. or other source and can use them if the new form is physi-
While you are transformed, the following rules apply: cally capable of doing so. However, you can’t use any of your
• Your game statistics are replaced by the statistics of the beast, special senses, such as darkvision, unless your new form also
but you retain your personality, and Intelligence, Wisdom, and has that sense.
Charisma scores. You also retain all of your skill and saving • You choose whether your equipment falls to the ground in
throw proficiencies, in addition to gaining those of the crea- your space, merges into your new form, or is worn by it. Worn
ture. If the creature has the same proficiency as you and the equipment functions as normal, but the GM decides whether
bonus in its stat block is higher than yours, use the creature’s it is practical for the new form to wear a piece of equipment,
bonus instead of yours. If the creature has any legendary or lair based on the creature’s shape and size. Your equipment doesn’t
actions, you can’t use them. change size or shape to match the new form, and any equip-
• When you transform, you assume the beast’s hit points and Hit ment that the new form can’t wear must either fall to the
Dice. When you revert to your normal form, you return to the ground or merge with it. Equipment that merges with the form
number of hit points you had before you transformed. However, has no effect until you leave the form.
if you revert as a result of dropping to 0 hit points, any excess

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The Red Path far away from you as it can, and it can’t willingly move to a
These powers focus on your healing features. space within 30 feet of you. It also can’t take reactions. For
• Lay on Hands. As an action you can restore 1 plus your its action, it can use only the Dash action or try to escape
Wisdom modifier hit points to a creature. You can do this a from an effect that prevents it from moving. If there’s
number of times equal to your proficiency bonus before you nowhere to move, the creature can use the Dodge action.
must take a long or extended rest to use this feature again. • Call Spirits. You can seek to communicate with the local
• Nature’s Embrace. If you take a long rest in the wilder- spirits and learn something useful from them. You must
ness, you can use your knowledge of natural restoratives to spend 10 minutes preparing the area and then you invite
have a number of creatures up to your proficiency bonus the spirits to join you. Roll the percentile dice, if the result
regain a Hit Die. You can include yourself in this benefit. is equal to or lower than twice your mystic level you have
• Song of Spring. You can use your action to restore 10 been successful. The spirits might be able to provide you
× your proficiency bonus of hit points to a number of with extensive and helpful knowledge or a magical effect
allies equal to your proficiency bonus that can see and that resembles a spell of level equal to or lower than your
hear you. You must then take an extended rest to use proficiency bonus. You must take a long or extended rest
this feature again. before you use this feature again.
• Purification. Use your action to touch one melee weapon.
The White Path For the next minute, that weapon does radiant damage
These powers focus on your interactions with spirits. and adds 1d4 plus your proficiency bonus to its damage
• Censure Undead. As an action, you rebuke the undead. total. You gain 1 point of temporary Corruption.
Each undead within 30 feet that can see and/or hear
you must make a Wisdom saving throw against your Nature’s Bounty
spell save DC. If the creature fails its saving throw, it At 1st level you become proficient with Alchemist’s Supplies
is rebuked for 1 minute or until it takes any damage. A and the Field Laboratory, allowing you to create Alchemical
rebuked creature must spend its turns trying to move as Elixirs in the wild.

Wizard
You are schooled in the secrets of the old magic of the Order,
knowledge born in the southern kingdom and refined by a
millennium of research and education. To you, mystical pow-
ers are an extension of the fundamental laws of the world,
laws that you have studied carefully and know how to use
for effects both grand and impressive.
The powers of wizardry come from disciplined studies
into the fundamental laws of nature, and from insights re-
garding how those laws can be used and controlled by sheer
will and reason. It is a strenuous education, even without
the boring everyday tasks that the novices must perform
for their masters. Only half of those who begin their studies
with Ordo Magica see them through, but those who prevail
are rewarded with a deep understanding of the mysteries
of wizardry.
Wizardry grew out of early forms of theurgy, in a time
when the people of Alberetor still worshiped the panthe-
on of the Young Gods. Philosophers and scholars started
to renounce the metaphysical ideas of the priesthood, in-
stead regarding the laws of nature as independent from
the machinations of deities. To the founders of wizardry,
the Young Gods were seen as the creators of the world, but
not its shepherds. Instead the world is regarded as being
profoundly magical and not in need of any gods to function.
Nor is the world meant to be worshiped, merely understood
– and used.

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4 Classes & Feats

The Titles of Ordo Magica Loremaster

The titles of wizardry are closely linked to the competence At 3rd level, the character is educated and well-­versed in
and function, as well as the status, of the individual. The the ways of the world: its cultures, history, languages and
list of a novice’s duties is a long one, and the commitments artifacts. For centuries heroes, monsters and kingdoms
of the adept Wizard are considerable, though their new have come and gone and left behind powerful items and
title comes with a touch of authority and privilege. An secret texts. This ability represents knowledge about such
adept who is experienced enough to teach students car- things. Through extensive studies a character with this
ries the title Magistrate. ability knows not only the story of an object but also its
The Masters often have a specific area of expertise, and properties and applications.
the few obligations they have can usually be delegated to a • At 3rd level, you can attempt an Intelligence (Investiga-
novice or adept under their rule. Each order chapter (com- tion) check to determine the properties of a magic item.
monly called “Wizards’ guild”) is governed by a Chapter On a success, if it is a magic item, you learn its properties
Master, who represents Ordo Magica when dealing with the and how to use them, whether it requires attunement
local authorities. Ordo Magica as a whole is headed by the to use, and how many charges it has, if any. You learn
Grand Master, stationed at the chapter in Agrella. whether any spells are affecting the item and what they
The title of Arch Mage is no longer in use. Before The are. If the item was created by a spell, you learn which
Great War the Grand Master of the organization was spell created it. The DC is dependent on the kind of magic
chosen from within the circle of Arch Mages. But since item: common (DC 10), uncommon (DC 13), rare (DC 16),
all Arch Mages perished in the war, the Grand Master very rare (DC 19), legendary (DC 22).
is instead chosen by, and often from among, the acting Additionally, you are proficient in both human lan-
Chapter Masters. guages (Ambrian and Barbarian).
• At 6th level, your understanding of artifacts is extensive
Corruption enough that you are not as affected by their corruptive
According to Ordo Magica, Corruption is largely misunder- power. You may reduce your cost of a single artifact’s
stood, thanks to the sermons of hot-­headed theurgs and permanent Corruption by 1, to a minimum of 1.
the fairy tales of witches. It all comes down to a regulated You also become proficient in the ungainly tongues of
response; a reaction that occurs when a mystic uses their both elves and trolls.
power to affect nature. • At 9th level, you may cast spells of a level equal to or
This is not that different from what happens when some- lower than your proficiency bonus directly from scrolls
one jumps off the stern of a boat, simultaneously pushing and such parchments.
the boat forward with the same amount of force that goes You gain advantage on saving throws against magical
into the jump. If the jumper is reckless, he will drop into effects.
the water; if the jumper is careful, he will land on the dock You are proficient in the spoken and written language
with dry shoes. once used in Symbaroum and know many things about
that realm’s ancient people.
Spellcasting Ability
Wizards rely on the philosophy and knowledge taught to Overpowering Magic
them during their time with Ordo Magica to understand the At 13th level, when you cast a 1st - 5th level spell that requires
ancient secrets of the world. You use Intelligence as your an action to cast, you can use your bonus action to empower
spellcasting ability modifier. You learn spells from the Wiz- that spell. When you roll damage for the spell, you can reroll
ard tradition list. any 1s or 2s on the dice. (You must use the new value, even
if it is a 1 or 2.) You must take a long or extended rest before
Bonus Spells you use this feature again.
At 1st level, you learn the detect magic spell in addition to
your chosen spells. At 3rd level you learn arcane lock as a Ritual Mastery
bonus spell. When you reach 17th level, you can reduce your permanent
At 5th level you learn your choice of counterspell or dispel Corruption by 1 for each ritual spell that you know of 3rd
magic as a bonus spell. level or higher.

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 Mystic 4

The witches of Davokar can sometimes be seen in

the company of the strange, hulking creatures called
colossi. Ordo Magica’s attempts to catch a specimen
125
for study purposes have so far been in vain…
4 Classes & Feats

Scoundrel
In Ambria the word “scoundrel” is used broadly and refers • Skills: Choose three from Acrobatics, Athletics, Decep-
to all who “steal” something from others, be it their trust, tion, Insight, Intimidation, Investigation, Perception,
secrets, money or life. The calling of the warrior, to proudly Performance, Persuasion, Sleight of Hand, and Stealth
face an opponent face-­to-­f ace, is an exception to this rule: it
is the sneaky assassin that counts among the thieving scoun- Shadow
drels. In essence, warriors, craftsmen and scholars are the Your Corruption Threshold is equal to twice your proficien-
ideal occupations among the Ambrians; the rest are more cy bonus plus your Charisma modifier, to a minimum of 2.
or less regarded as scoundrels.
Equipment
Scoundrels and the Origins You start with the following equipment, in addition to the
People at large would say that changelings and goblins are equipment granted by your background:
synonymous with scoundrels, and are usually surprised • (a) a fencing sword or (b) a shortsword
when they realize that ogres and humans can also be found • (a) a horseman's bow and quiver of 20 arrows or (b) a
amongst their number. shortsword
• (a) a burglar’s pack, (b) a dungeoneer’s pack, or (c) an
Scoundrel Shadows explorer’s pack
The Shadows of scoundrels are invariably darker than their • (a) studded leather armor, two daggers, and thieves’ tools
fellows’, but the nature of their appearance varies based on or (b) woven silk armor
their focus. A charlatan looks like they’re wearing a mask or
hood of deep shadow while a thug is grim and gray all over. Expertise
Tendrils of darkness emerge from a treasure-­hunter’s heart At 1st level, choose two of your skill proficiencies, or one of
and a ranger is cloaked by a green so dark that it seems black your skill proficiencies and your proficiency with thieves'
and it obscures their movements. tools. Your proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability check
you make that uses either of the chosen proficiencies.
At 6th level, you can choose two more of your proficien-
Class Features cies (in skills or with thieves' tools) to gain this benefit.
As a scoundrel, you have the following class features:
Backstab
Hit Points Beginning at 1st level, you know how to strike subtly and
• Hit Dice: If you are not using your origin to determine exploit a foe's distraction. Once per turn, you can deal an
Hit Dice, your Hit Die is a d8. extra 1d6 damage to one creature you hit with a melee weap-
• Hit Points at 1st Level: If you do not use your origin on attack if you have advantage on the attack roll. You must
to determine hit points, you have 8 + your Constitution be proficient with the weapon used.
modifier. You don’t need advantage on the attack roll if another en-
• Hit Points at Higher Levels: If you do not use your or- emy of the target is within 5 feet of it, that enemy isn’t inca-
igin to determine hit points, you gain 1d8 (or 5) + your pacitated, and you don’t have disadvantage on the ­attack roll.
Constitution modifier per scoundrel level after 1st. The amount of the extra damage increases as you gain
levels in this class, as shown in the Backstab column of the
Proficiencies Scoundrel table.
• Armor: Light armor
• Weapons: Simple weapons, hand crossbows, longswords, Approach
rapiers, shortswords At first level you also choose your approach, the way that
• Tools: Thieves’ tools your scoundrel interacts with the world: are they an Ex-
• Saving Throws: Dexterity, Charisma plorer, a Spy, a Treasure-hunter, a Thug, or a Sapper? Each

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 Scoundrel 4

The Scoundrel
Proficiency Backstab Uncanny Dodge
Level Bonus Bonus Features Starting at 5th level, when an at-
tacker that you can see hits you
1st +2 1d6 Expertise, Backstab, Approach
with an attack, you can use your
2nd +2 1d6 Cunning Action
reaction to halve the attack's dam-
3rd +2 2d6 Approach age against you.
4th +2 2d6 Ability Score Improvement or Feat
5th +3 3d6 Uncanny Dodge Evasion
6th +3 3d6 Expertise, Approach Beginning at 7th level, you can
nimbly dodge out of the way of
7th +3 4d6 Evasion
certain area effects, such as an
8th +3 4d6 Ability Score Improvement or Feat ice storm spell. When you are
9th +4 5d6 Approach subjected to an effect that allows
10th +4 5d6 Ability Score Improvement or Feat you to make a Dexterity saving
11th +4 6d6 Reliable Talent throw to take only half damage,
you instead take no damage if you
12th +4 6d6 Ability Score Improvement or Feat
succeed on the saving throw, and
13th +5 7d6 Approach only half damage if you fail.
14th +5 7d6 Blindsense
15th +5 8d6 Slippery Mind Reliable Talent
16th +5 8d6 Ability Score Improvement or Feat By 11th level, you have refined
your chosen skills until they ap-
17th +6 9d6 Approach
proach perfection. Whenever you
18th +6 9d6 Elusive make an ability check that lets
19th +6 10d6 Ability Score Improvement or Feat you add your proficiency bonus,
20th +6 10d6 Stroke of Luck you can treat a d20 roll of 9 or
lower as a 10.

Blindsense
approach deals with subterfuge and a careful approach to Starting at 14th level, if you are able to hear, you are aware
problems, but they typically find themselves in different of the location of any hidden or invisible creature within
environments with drastically different foes. 10 feet of you.
Your approach gives you benefits at 1st, 3rd, 6th, 9th, 13th
and 17th levels. Slippery Mind
By 15th level, you have acquired greater mental strength.
Cunning Action You gain proficiency in Wisdom saving throws.
Starting at 2nd level, your quick thinking and agility allow
you to move and act quickly. You can take a bonus action on Elusive
each of your turns in combat. This action can be used only Beginning at 18th level, you are so evasive that attackers
to take the Dash, Disengage, or Hide action. rarely gain the upper hand against you. No attack roll has
advantage against you while you aren’t incapacitated.
Ability Score Improvement or Feat
When you reach 4th level, and again at 8th, 10th, 12th, 16th, Stroke of Luck
and 19th level, you can increase one ability score of your At 20th level, you have an uncanny knack for succeeding
choice by 2, or you can increase two ability scores of your when you need to. If your attack misses a target within range,
choice by 1. As normal, you can’t increase an ability score you can turn the miss into a hit. Alternatively, if you fail an
above 20 using this feature. ability check, you can treat the d20 roll as a 20.
Instead of improving your ability scores you can instead Once you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you
choose to gain a feat. See page 146 for more about feats. finish a short or longer rest.

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4 Classes & Feats

Scoundrel Approaches Monster Lore

We cover the Explorer approach for those who wish to get The character is schooled in the lore of beasts and knows the
into trouble in the wild, the Former Cultist for scoundrels secrets of most monsters. Many monsters possess special
with a dark history, a Guild Thief for one that follows (cer- abilities and unique attacks as well as weaknesses which
tain) rules, Sappers that attack the foundations of society, are good to know about when trying to bring them down.
Spies that seek secret information on behalf of their master, • Make an Intelligence (Nature) check with the DC equal
Thugs that serve as the chosen enforcers of other criminals to 10 plus the challenge rating (rounding down for frac-
and Treasure-­hunters that are only concerned with finding tional ratings) of any beast, giant, humanoid or plant. On
more valuables. a success, the GM must inform you of any vulnerabilities,
resistances or immunities the creature possesses and
provide you with a general assessment of its threat to
Explorer the party (‘minimal’, ’average’, or ’severe’).
You have chosen to turn away from civilization and strike • At 9th level, you can also make the same assessment of
out into the wilderness. Your home is in the deep forest or dragons, elementals, fey and monstrosities.
the mountain valley, where you hunt beasts for food and fur • 13th level you can make the same assessment for abom-
At
or to protect inhabitants and travelers from harm. You have inations, constructs, oozes and undead.
learned how to stay clear of your enemies’ reach while your
arrows still find their mark. Sixth Sense
When moving through dark forests or mountain tunnels,
Precise Shot one’s eyes are no longer very useful. Lighting a lantern or
You can add your backstab damage to a ranged weapon at- torch may attract dangers, so the explorer had better learn
tack. You must either have advantage on the attack or have to rely on their other senses. With dedicated training it is
an ally within 5 feet of the target and not have disadvantage possible to awaken these other senses and sharpen them to
on the attack. the brink of eeriness.

Wilderness-­master
You gain proficiency with the Nature and Survival skills
along with the Light Crossbow and Longbow.

Steadfast Watch
At 3rd level, you become so adept at preparing and securing
campsites in the wilderness that some of your party can gain
additional benefits during a long rest. Choose a number of
creatures up to your proficiency bonus to each regain a Hit
Die. You can include yourself as one of the creatures.

Specialties
When you reach 6th level, choose one of the following
specialties.

Marksman
Marksmen have their natural position in every army, scout-
ing party and band of brigands. You can inflict serious dam-
age on enemies with a bow or crossbow, hoping to either
bring them down or at least make sure that they do not reach
your allies who are equipped only for melee combat.
• At the start of your turn you can use your bonus action to
aim. Your speed becomes 0 and you now have advantage
on ranged weapon attacks.
• At 9th level you score a critical hit on ranged weapon
attacks with a natural roll of 19 or 20 on the die.
• At 13th level you no longer suffer disadvantage for being
at long range.

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 Scoundrel 4

• You can see in dim light as if it were normal light. In com-

plete darkness, you rely on your other senses to give you
blindsight within 30 feet. You never receive disadvantage
on Wisdom (Perception) checks due to darkness.
• At 9th level, you are always aware of your environment
and cannot be surprised.
• At 13th level, your blindsight increases to a 90-foot range.

Wilderness Home
At 17th level you are almost more comfortable in the wilder-
ness than civilization. You and a number of creatures equal
to your proficiency bonus can take long or extended rests
almost anywhere in the wilderness. Your camp is always
considered a safe location.

Former Cultist
Many sorcerers foster cults around themselves and their
beliefs, promising drug-­induced insights and black sal-
vation to those willing to follow the mystic into the dark.
Not many defect from such cults and those who do and
survive more than a few days are fewer still, hunted as
they are by both the cult they left behind and by witch
hunters and Black Cloaks. The situation is not made any
easier by the defector’s own burdens – memories of ser-
vices rendered to please their master and explicitly cruel
actions performed in the name of the cult weigh most
Former Cultists down and haunt their nightmares long
after leaving the master.
You might have been a deeply convinced fanatic, or
someone for whom the membership was more of a practical
choice motivated by ambition or greed. However, if one is to
believe the interrogation protocols of the Black Cloaks, des-
peration is the most common characteristic among cultists
– the injustices of life combined with a charismatic leader
who promises redemption and strength can be an attractive
combination. But no matter your background, the choices
of the cultist were never innocent; your hands are forever You know two cantrips and one 1st level spell from the sor-
colored by blood. cerer list, plus the detect magic spell. You do not have any
favored spells. You learn spells according to the following
Channeling chart, and can cast any spell you know at any time, gaining
You were taught some of the lesser powers of your sorcer- Corruption each time:
ous master. Like other Sorcerers, your spellcasting ability
modifier is Charisma. You learn spells from the Sorcerer
Cantrips TOTAL SPELLS KNOWN PER LEVEL
tradition list. Level Known 1st 2nd 3rd 4th
1st 2 1 — — —
Corruption threshold = (your proficiency bonus × 2) +
your Charisma modifier 3rd 3 2 1 — —
Spell save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + 6th 4 3 2 1 —
your Charisma modifier 9th 5 4 3 2 1
Spell attack modifier = your proficiency bonus + 13th 5 4 4 3 2
your Charisma modifier
17th 5 4 4 4 3

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4 Classes & Feats

The Darkened Path Poisoner

Like your former master, you are used to bearing Corruption At 6th level, you become bold enough to try your hand at
as you seek power. When you make a Corruption check, you the arts of poison. While taking a short or long rest, you
have advantage on the d20 roll. Note: this is for the initial can prepare a weapon or 20 pieces of ammunition with a
roll to determine if you gain a mark of Corruption, not the poisonous coating. Make a DC 15 Intelligence (Poisoner’s
roll to determine the mark’s nature. kit) check:
• If you succeed by 5 or more, the weapon adds (a) 1d6
Alchemy poison damage to any successful strike and (b) the crea-
At 3rd level, you gain proficiency with Alchemist’s supplies, ture must make a Constitution saving throw vs 8 + your
which you can use to produce elixirs (see page 180) or Intelligence modifier + your proficiency bonus or become
identify drugs and poisons, or to gain clues as to where they poisoned for one minute.
came from. You have a natural talent to create elixirs. You • you score a normal success, you can choose either (a)
If
can also make a DC 10 Intelligence (Alchemist’s supplies) or (b) but not both.
check to produce one dose of a weak or basic elixir. You • you fail by four or less, the creature must make a Con-
If
must take an extended rest before using your talent again stitution saving throw as (b), but the Poisoned effect lasts
to manufacture an elixir. only until the end of its next turn and it takes no damage.
• When you reach 9th level, you can make a DC 15 Intelli- • If you fail by five or more the poison has no effect.
gence (Alchemist’s supplies) check to produce one dose of
a moderate elixir or 1d3+1 doses of a weak or basic elixir. In any case, the poison lasts only until your next rest, at
You must take an extended rest before using your talent which time you must either reapply it or go without.
again to manufacture an elixir. At 13th level the poison damage rises to 3d6.
• When you attain 17th level, you can make a DC 20 Intel-
ligence (Alchemist’s supplies) check to produce one dose
of a strong elixir, or 1d3+1 doses of a moderate elixir, or Guild Thief
1d6+2 doses of a weak or basic elixir. You must take an The Guild Thief has a long, if not proud, tradition rooted
extended rest before using your talent again to manu- in Alberetor, a tradition that emerged stronger after the
facture an elixir. relocation to the north. Each of Ambria’s towns has at least
one Thieves’ Guild, larger ones often have one based in each
district or block.
Not just anyone is qualified to be a Guild Thief. Sure, pick-­
pockets and simplistic thugs may prove to be suitable re-
cruits but only the most cunning and agile can hope to gain
membership in the Guild. To strike unnoticed and know who
is untouchable are matters of principle to the Guild Thief.

Speciality
Each Guild Thief chooses one avenue to specialize in:
• Fence Work. Become proficient with Deception if you’re
not already. You have a Market contact.
• Overhead Work. Become proficient with Acrobatics
if you’re not already. Your climb speed is equal to your
normal speed.
• Special Work. You focus on higher-end targets. Gain a
Noble contact.
• Streetwise Work. Become proficient with Sleight of
Hand if you are not yet. You have an Alleyway contact.

If you gain a contact, this is a person you can have a social

challenge (page 36) with to learn appropriate information.

Blade Work
If you are wielding only knives or daggers, add your ability
modifier to damage with your off-­hand weapon.

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 Scoundrel 4

At 6th level, you are an expert at close-­in fighting. If Sappers, since those who discharge an alchemical firetube
you’re wielding knives or daggers in both hands and your often are at a worryingly short distance from the enemy.
opponent has longer weapons they have disadvantage on
their attack rolls against you. Natural weapons don’t trigger Blacksmith
this feature. All peoples in Ambria and Davokar have their own black-
smiths, which says something about their importance. Mas-
Cheap Shot ter smiths are revered in all cultures, but especially among
At 3rd level, you’ve mastered such alleyway techniques as Ambrians and trolls.
“gutter-­kiss” (a head-­butt) and “goblin-­squeeze” (groin kick). You become proficient with smith’s tools if you are not
You do 1d6 bludgeoning damage with your unarmed strikes. already. This feature may be used when you have downtime
At 9th level you can use your bonus action to gain one of (see page 40) to produce metal implements. The base time
the following benefits: requirement is 1 day per 5 thaler of market value, round-
• Make two additional unarmed attacks. ing up, and the material cost is half the market value. You
• Make a single strike that, instead of doing damage, may can make a DC 15 Strength (Smith’s Tools) check with the
stun your opponent. The target must make a Constitution following effects:
saving throw against 8 + your Dexterity modifier + your • If you succeed by 5 or more, you can both halve the ma-
proficiency bonus. On a failure, they are stunned until terial cost and the total amount of time required.
the end of your next turn. • With a regular success you can either halve the material
cost or the total amount of time required but not both.
Opportunist • With a regular failure there is no change.
When you reach 13th level, you have advantage on any op- • With a failure by 5 or more, either the time required is
portunity attacks. If you deal damage to a creature with an doubled or the material cost is increased by half (to 75%
opportunity attack their movement becomes zero. of the market value).

Trapper
At 17th level, you can use your action during combat to
deploy an alchemical or mechanical trap within 5 feet of
your position. You are never threatened by the trap but treat
movement within 5 feet of a trapped area as difficult terrain.
See page 186 for rules on traps.

Sapper
War can be won on battlefields or through sieges, and both
of these require advanced field-­works. In Ambria, most
such tasks are handled by Her Majesty’s Sapper Corps,
7th Army, Yndarien. Ordo Magica also has a department
for battlefield alchemy at their headquarters in Agrella.
Known as The Panzer Alchemists, this elite group of Sap-
pers serves the duchy of Kasandrien. The other duchies
also have Sapper squads, though not of the same caliber.
All Sappers are trained in the use of siege weapons, from
ballistae to trebuchets, and the most qualified can handle
alchemical weapons. Sappers are also trained to craft sim-
ple fortifications, like barricades for cavaliers, trenches
and undermining tunnels.
Ordo Magica has realized that ogres are well equipped to
be Panzer Alchemists and the Wizards are supervising at-
tempts to school a number of ogres in the use of alchemical
weapons. These pensive giants have also convincingly prov-
en that the heavy alchemical firetube can be employed as an
effective, two-­handed crushing weapon (counts as a great
club). This is assumed to increase the life expectancy of the

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4 Classes & Feats

Firetube
Also at 1st level, a Sapper can choose to relinquish their sword
and gain a portable alchemical firetube instead. You become
proficient with alchemical weapons. Untrained use is dan-
gerous and Sappers don’t loan out such weapons easily.
You become proficient with alchemist’s supplies if you
were not already. You can make firetube powders using
the DCs given and can make up to three powders per day
of downtime (see page 40). Each powder requires raw
supplies equal to half its market cost or one downtime day
of gathering materials from the wild.

Siege Expert
At 3rd level, you have been trained to identify weaknesses in
inanimate objects. You do double damage to such objects and
structures. You also become proficient with siege weapons.
When you reach 9th level, you can add your backstab
damage to an attack on an object. You then double the total
damage done, as above.

Weapons Specialist
At 6th level, you are extensively trained on using alchem-
ical weapons. You can now use an alchemical firetube to
do backstab damage as long as all other conditions of the
backstab are met.
short lives, constantly on the run from both enemies and
Fast Work their former superiors.
At 13th level you can use your cunning action feature to Some other organizations surely have a few spies placed
throw a grenade or set a breaching pot. in Ambria, causing many people to be suspicious of convert-
ed barbarians, changelings, abducted humans who have
Alchemical Expert returned, and other strangers.
By the time you reach 17th level, your alchemical experi-
ments have made you an expert in the field. You gain ad- Dissembling Words
vantage on any alchemist’s supplies check. Spies gain proficiency in the Deception skill.

Network of Contacts
Spy As a spy, you’ve built up a group of individuals that can pro-
Already during The Great War there were secret agents vide you with information. You number of contacts is equal
working for the King and the court in Alberetor. After the to twice your proficiency bonus. When you first take this
war, the agency lay dormant until the recent troubling times approach and each time your proficiency bonus increases,
made Queen Korinthia breathe life into what is called the you can select new contacts. You can learn appropriate in-
Royal Sekretorium. formation from them or arrange a meeting with a person
The Sekretorium consists of a number of reliable nobles of that social level by meeting with your contact (see social
who secretly enforce the Queen’s command to infiltrate challenges, page 36).
various operations and hunt for sensitive information – or Each belongs to one of the following types:
spread disinformation. The committee is led by high-­borns, • Alleyway Contact. This contact is in touch with the shady
while the field work is carried out by nobles of lower rank. A dealings of a community and the lowest rungs of society.
vital part of the operations is aimed at Korinthia’s own allies • Market Contact. This contact is involved in the trade
within the Sun Church, Ordo Magica, the military and also concerns of the community and the middle class mer-
the duchies of the realm, meaning the Queen’s close rela- chants and traders.
tives. Some Spies are not equipped to handle the intrigues • Noble Contact. This contact is involved in the political
and moral ambiguities; others are cast out in the cold after concerns of the community and the machinations of the
incriminating failures. Former Spies of the Queen often live royalty and other nobles for control of the community.

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 Scoundrel 4

Feint At 9th level you can wield a finesse weapon in each hand
You have developed techniques for feinting – handling a and add your ability modifier to damage rolls with each hand.
weapon in both a discreet and confusing manner. You must
be wielding a weapon with the finesse property to use these Poisoner
features. At 6th level, you become bold enough to try your hand at
At 1st level you can use your bonus action to intentionally the arts of poison. While taking a short or long rest, you
leave an opening free in your defense to take advantage of can prepare a weapon with a poisonous coating. Make a
later. Until your next turn, when an opponent attacks you DC 15 Intelligence (Poisoner’s kit) check and compare it
they have advantage on the attack but you can use your re- to below:
action to make an attack roll immediately after their attack. • If you succeed by 5 or more, the weapon adds 1d6 poison
Attackers lose advantage once you use your reaction. damage to any successful strike and the creature must
At 6th level, you can use your bonus action to make a feint make a Constitution saving throw vs 8 + your Intelligence
against an opponent. Make a Dexterity (Sleight of Hand) modifier + your proficiency bonus or become poisoned
check against an opponent’s armor class. If successful, you for one minute.
have advantage on attacks against that opponent until the • you score a normal success, you can choose one of the
If
end of your turn. above effects but not both.
• If you fail by four or less, the creature must make a Consti-
Twin Attack tution saving throw as above, but the Poisoned effect lasts
At 3rd level, if you are wielding a finesse melee weapon in only until the end of its next turn and it takes no damage.
your primary hand and a light weapon in the other hand, you • If you fail by five or more the poison has no effect.
add your ability modifier to damage rolls with your off hand.
In any case, the poison lasts only until your next rest, at
which time you must either reapply it or go without.
At 13th level the poison damage rises to 3d6.
At 17th level, the poison damage rises to 5d6.

Thug
The eastern districts of Yndaros are a wilderness as danger-
ous as Davokar, and just as rewarding for those who know
how to harvest its fruits. You grew up on streets whose gangs
have taught you the art of making a profit from others’ hard
work, right under the noses of the city watch. Other Thugs
rise through the ranks by becoming employed by barons or
counts, free to act as ruffians and enforcers without being
bothered by the Queen’s watchmen.
You have always preferred the direct approach, dispens-
ing violence directly against your enemies and your em-
ployer’s enemies.

Twin Attack
At 1st level, if you are wielding a finesse melee weapon in
your primary hand and a light weapon in the other hand, you
add your ability modifier to damage rolls with your off hand.
At 6th level you can wield a finesse weapon in each hand
and add your ability modifier to damage rolls with each hand.

Acrobatic Fighter
By 3rd level, if you are not already proficient with Acrobatics
you become proficient with that skill. When a weapon attack
targets you, you can use your reaction to make a Dexterity
(Acrobatics) check with the attack roll result as the DC. If
you succeed, you take no damage from the attack.

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4 Classes & Feats

Strangler Steel Throw

Once you reach 9th level, if you are grappling a living crea- At 1st level, you can use your Backstab feature if you make
ture your size or smaller and are not carrying anything else, a ranged weapon attack with a throwing weapon.
you may use a garrote to strangle the creature as your action. By 13th level, you have become an expert at throwing
If you have a creature garroted at the start of their turn, they weapons. You do not receive disadvantage with throwing
begin to choke and will become unconscious after a number weapons for being at long range and score a critical hit on
of rounds equal to their Constitution modifier. A garroted a natural roll of 19 or 20.
creature can’t call out for help, but might be able to get an
ally’s attention by other means. Tactician
At 13th level, when you have a creature garroted they Also at 1st level, you have extensively studied small-­scale
have disadvantage on their Escape attempts. combat. You have advantage on initiative rolls.
At 17th level, when you grapple a creature you can use
Dexterity (Acrobatics) to initiate the grapple. Alchemy
At 3rd level, you gain proficiency with alchemist’s supplies,
which you can use to produce elixirs (see page 180) or
Treasure-­hunter identify drugs and poisons, or to gain clues as to where they
The depths of Davokar hide many treasures; to locate, sal- came from. You can also make a DC 10 Intelligence (Alche-
vage and return them to civilization is your bread and butter. mist’s supplies) check to produce one dose of a weak or basic
You dream of overgrown ruins and fantasize about sunken elixir. You must take an extended rest before trying again
temples. Unlike many others, you have proven yourself will- to manufacture an elixir.
ing to risk your life in order to succeed. You have developed • When you reach 9th level, you can make a DC 15 Intelli-
an impressive set of skills in order to do just that and there gence (Alchemist’s supplies) check to produce one dose of
are few situations within Davokar for which you have not a moderate elixir or 1d3+1 doses of a weak or basic elixir.
prepared a strategy. You must take an extended rest before trying again to
manufacture an elixir.
• When you attain 17th level, you can make a DC 20 Intel-
ligence (Alchemist’s supplies) check to produce one dose
of a strong elixir, or 1d3+1 doses of a moderate elixir, or
1d6+2 doses of a weak or basic elixir. You must take
an extended rest before trying again to manufacture
an elixir.

Fast Hands
Also starting at 3rd level, you can use the bonus
action granted by your Cunning to make a Dexterity
(Sleight of Hand) check, use your thieves’ tools to disarm a
trap or open a lock, or take the Use an Object action.

Nimbleness
At 6th level, you gain the ability to climb faster than nor-
mal; climbing no longer costs you extra movement. In ad-
dition, when you make a running jump, the distance you
cover increases by a number of feet equal to your Dexterity
modifier. You also have advantage on a Dexterity (Stealth)
check if you move no more than half your speed on the
same turn.

Treasure Surveyor
At 9th level, you have a keen eye for value and when you find
a curiosity or a Mystical treasure in a ruin you can double
its value at market.

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 Scoundrel 4

You can hunt for fabled artifacts in the monster

infested forest, or you can aim for the coins and other
valuables hidden in the city of Yndaros. Not to say
135
that the latter is easier or less dangerous.
4 Classes & Feats

Warrior
The barbarian clans of Davokar and the kingdom of Am- Equipment
bria house many traditions of war and combat. Some warriors You start with the following equipment, in addition to the
are professionals – soldiers with a pragmatic point of view, equipment granted by your background:
regarding warfare as a vocation. Others stem from noble fam- • (a) chain shirt or (b) studded leather armor, longbow, and
ilies and bloodlines, and consider the glory of battle to be a 20 arrows
part of their heritage. To some the art of war is nothing more • a martial weapon and a shield or (b) two martial
(a)
than a method needed to survive, while others use their prow- weapons
ess in battle for a higher purpose, such as serving Prios the • a light crossbow and 20 bolts or (b) two handaxes
(a)
Sun God or restoring family honor lost during The Great War. • (a) a dungeoneer’s pack or (b) an explorer’s pack
Regardless of culture and origins, the warrior’s main
arena is the battlefield, where he or she often assumes the Battle Wind
role of a heavily armed shock trooper. The warrior can also You are familiar with the ebb and flow of battle and know how to
contribute to effective problem-­solving, mainly through defend yourself against the wild blows of desperate opponents.
their capacity to lead. When you are hit by an attack roll you can use your reaction
to gain temporary hit points equal to 2d4 + your Constitution
Warriors and the Origins modifier. You immediately gain the temporary hit points and
Ogres are commonly considered to be exemplary warriors, can apply damage from the triggering attack to them.
closely followed by humans and trolls. Changelings are sel- You can use this feature a number of times equal to your
dom regarded as classical warrior material, and the same proficiency bonus and then you must take a long or extended
goes for goblins. You can definitely find warriors among rest before using this feature again.
changelings and goblins, but these tend to rely on agility
and finesse rather than on raw physical strength. Fighting Style
You adopt a particular style of fighting as your specialty.
Choose one of the following options. You can’t take a Fight-
Class Features ing Style option more than once, even if you later get to
As a warrior, you have the following class features: choose again.

Hit Points Archery

• Hit Dice: If you are not using your origin to determine You gain a +2 bonus to attack rolls you make with ranged
Hit Dice, your Hit Die is a d8. weapons.
• Hit Points at 1st Level: If you do not use your origin
to determine hit points, you have 8 + your Constitution Defense
modifier. While you are wearing armor, you gain a +1 bonus to AC.
• Hit Points at Higher Levels: If you do not use your or-
igin to determine hit points, you gain 1d8 (or 5) + your Dueling
Constitution modifier per warrior level after 1st. When you are wielding a melee weapon in one hand and no
other weapons, you gain a +2 bonus to damage rolls with
Proficiencies that weapon.
• Armor: All armor, shields
• Weapons: Simple weapons, martial weapons Great Weapon Fighting
• Tools: None When you roll a 1 or 2 on a damage die for an attack you make
• Saving Throws: Strength, Constitution with a melee weapon that you are wielding with two hands,
• Skills: Choose three from Acrobatics, Animal Handling, you can reroll the die and must use the new roll, even if the
Athletics, History, Insight, Intimidation, Perception, and new roll is a 1 or a 2. The weapon must have the two-­handed
Survival. or versatile property for you to gain this benefit.

Shadow Polearm Fighting

Your Corruption Threshold is equal to twice your proficien- When wielding a reach weapon, you can use your reaction to
cy bonus plus your Charisma modifier, to a minimum of 2. impose disadvantage on a melee attack roll within your reach.

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 Wa r r i o r 4

Approach
At 1st level you also choose your approach
The Warrior to the profession of fighting. Are you a Ber-
serker, dangerous to friends and foes alike?
Proficiency
Level Bonus Features A studied Duelist used to combat against a
single opponent? A Knight who has pledged
1st +2 Battle Wind, Fighting Style, Approach
their very life to the protection of the king-
2nd +2 Action Surge
dom? A Rune Smith using custom weapons?
3rd +2 Approach A faithful Templar? Or one of the dangerous
4th +2 Ability Score Improvement or Feat Wraithguard?
5th +3 Extra Attack (2) Your approach gives you benefits at 1st,
6th +3 Approach 3rd, 6th, 9th, 13th and 17th levels.

7th +3 Indomitable
Action Surge
8th +3 Ability Score Improvement or Feat Starting at 2nd level, you can push yourself
9th +4 Approach beyond your normal limits for a moment. On
10th +4 Ability Score Improvement or Feat your turn, you can take one additional action.
11th +4 Extra Attack (3) Once you use this feature, you must finish a
rest of any length before you can use it again.
12th +4 Ability Score Improvement or Feat
Starting at 15th level, you can use it twice
13th +5 Approach before a rest, but only once on the same turn.
14th +5 Ability Score Improvement or Feat
15th +5 Action Surge Ability Score
16th +5 Ability Score Improvement or Feat Improvement or Feat
When you reach 4th level, and again at 8th,
17th +6 Approach
10th, 12th, 14th, 16th, and 19th level, you can
18th +6 Extra Attack (4) increase one ability score of your choice by 2,
19th +6 Ability Score Improvement or Feat or you can increase two ability scores of your
20th +6 Undying Courage choice by 1. As normal, you can’t increase an
ability score above 20 using this feature.
Instead of improving your ability scores
you can instead choose to gain a feat. See page
Shield Fighting 146 for more about feats.
If you make a successful melee attack roll you can use your
bonus action to slam the target with your shield. If the tar- Extra Attack
get is your size or smaller, it must make a Strength saving Beginning at 5th level, you can attack twice, instead of once,
throw against 10 plus your Strength (Athletics) modifier. On whenever you take the Attack action on your turn. The num-
a failure you can choose to move it 10 feet in a line, or cause ber of attacks increases to three when you reach 11th level in
the creature to become prone. this class and to four when you reach 18th level in this class.

Snare Fighting Indomitable

If using a weapon with the ensnaring property and you Beginning at 7th level, you can reroll a saving throw that you
make a successful attack roll, you can spend a bonus action fail. If you do so, you must use the new roll, and you can’t
to forgo doing damage, instead tripping the target and caus- use this feature again until you finish a long or extended rest.
ing it to fall prone. This only works on creatures your size
or smaller with two or less legs or similarly shaped targets. Undying Courage
At 20th level you can shrug off effects that would incapaci-
Two-­Weapon Fighting tate lesser warriors. When required to make a saving throw
When you engage in two-­weapon fighting, you can add your you can choose to pass it instead. If you do so, you cannot
ability modifier to the damage of the second attack. do so again until you take a rest of any length.

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4 Classes & Feats

Warrior Approaches
Those who fight have a variety of techniques from the
wild attacks of Berserkers to the controlled grace of the Du-
elist, the protective arts of the Knight or the Rune Smith, the
strange techniques of the Tattooed Fighter, the faith of the
Templar and the unwavering resilience of the Wrathguard.

Berserker
Spirits of rage follow you and fill you with uncontrolled
ferocity in battle. When you are not in combat you are of a
thoughtful and patient disposition, a contrast that makes
you both appreciated and feared. The barbarians speak of
the Guard of the Slumbering Wrath (see page 145), that
serve as the High Chieftain’s bodyguard – do you dream of
joining their ranks, or do you seek to defeat one of them as
revenge for taking your place among them?

Rage
In battle, you fight with primal ferocity. On your turn, you
can enter a rage as a bonus action. While in this raging
state, you gain the following benefits if you aren’t wearing
heavy armor:
• You have advantage on Strength checks and Strength first attack on your turn, you can decide to attack recklessly.
saving throws. Doing so gives you advantage on melee weapon attack rolls
• When you make a melee weapon attack using Strength, using Strength during this turn, but attack rolls against you
you gain a bonus to the damage roll. The bonus damage is have advantage until your next turn.
1 + half of your proficiency bonus, rounded down.
• You have resistance to bludgeoning, piercing, and slash- Mindless Rage
ing damage. Beginning at 6th level, you can’t be charmed or frightened
• If you are able to cast spells, you can’t cast them or con- while raging. If you are charmed or frightened when you
centrate on them while in a rage. enter your rage, the effect is suspended for the duration
of the rage.
Your rage lasts for 1 minute. It ends early if you are knocked
unconscious or if your turn ends and you haven’t attacked Brutal Critical
a hostile creature since your last turn or taken damage At 9th level, if you are raging, you can roll one additional
since then. You can also end your rage on your turn as a weapon damage die when determining the extra damage
bonus action. for a critical hit with a melee attack.
Once you have used your rage a number of times equal to At 13th level, this increases to two additional dice.
your proficiency bonus, you must finish a long or extended At 17th level, this increases to three additional dice.
rest before you can use this feature again.
Incredible Might
Reckless Attack Beginning at 17th level, if your total for a Strength check
Starting at 3rd level, you can throw aside all concern for de- is less than your Strength score, you can use that score in
fense to attack with fierce desperation. When you make your place of the total.

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 Wa r r i o r 4

THUS SPOKE AROALETA

“... and he who was called ‘first among equals’

was nevertheless the fastest, the toughest and the
Duelist most skilled with the spear; he was Maiesticar,
Honor and glory is everything for a warrior, and even better the pillager who thrust Spiderbane at the heart
if one can defend their name with some flair and finesse. of the Spider King, and all the way through.”
You have been living your whole life guided by that code
and the fact that you are still alive undoubtedly speaks well
of your talent.

Feint
You have developed techniques for feinting – handling a
weapon in both a discreet and confusing manner. You must
be wielding a weapon with the finesse property to use
these features. At 1st level you can use your bonus action
to intentionally leave an opening free in your defense to
take advantage of later. Until your next turn, when an
opponent attacks you they have advantage on the attack
but you can use your reaction to make an attack roll im-
mediately after their attack. Attackers lose advantage once
you use your reaction.
At 6th level, you can use your bonus action to make a feint
against an opponent. Make a Dexterity (Sleight of Hand)
check against an opponent’s armor class. If successful, you
have advantage on attacks against that opponent until the
end of your turn.

Twin Attack
When you reach 3rd level, if you are wielding a finesse melee
weapon in your primary hand and a light weapon in the
other hand, you add your ability modifier to damage rolls
with your off hand.
At 9th level you can wield a finesse weapon in each hand
and add your ability modifier to damage rolls with each hand.

Bladed Defense
At 13th level, when you wield two melee weapons increase
your armor class by 2.

Lightning-Quick Blades
Also at 13th level, if you wield two melee weapons, when
you use your reaction to make an opportunity attack you
make two attack rolls, one with each hand.

Acrobatic Footing
At 17th level, you are immune to the prone condition, as
you’ve trained yourself to roll with any blows and then im-
mediately regain your stance.

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4 Classes & Feats

Knight Two-­handed Force

You are a noble Knight who fights to break the enemy’s At 3rd level, if you are wielding a two-­handed heavy or mas-
lines or to hold your own. Heavily armored on the outside sive melee weapon and miss an attack roll, you can use your
and with a deep sense of duty on the inside, you fight for reaction to reroll that attack.
the favor of your lord, the lives of your allies or your own At 9th level when you wield a heavy or massive melee
family’s glory. weapon you score a critical hit on a roll of 19 or 20 on the die.
Maybe you dream of one day becoming a member of the
Queen’s royal guard, the Pansars, or a Templar fighting in Equestrian
the name of Prios. At 9th level, you are adept at handling mounts in combat
and can force an opponent to always attack you and ignore
Bodyguard your mount. You also gain proficiency in Animal Handling.
You are trained to put yourself between those you escort
and any danger. Man-­at-­Arms
You can use your reaction to take a blow meant for anoth- At 13th level you become an expert with armor, being able
er creature within 5 feet of you. You must be within 5 feet to position it for maximum effect and familiar with wear-
of the attacker. The attack roll against the original target is ing it. Your armor class is improved by 1 as long as you are
compared to your armor class and you take damage only if wearing armor. Furthermore, your time required to don or
it would strike you. doff armor is half the normal amount.
At sixth level, when you use your reaction for this fea-
ture you may also make a single attack roll against the Peerless Effort
attacking creature if you are wielding a weapon capable By 17th level, you have advantage on all melee weapon
of hitting it. ­attack rolls.

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 Wa r r i o r 4

Rune Smith the target’s Armor Class. If successful, a wooden shield

Among the trolls there are warriors who have sworn a shatters to splinters while a metal shield is torn from the
holy oath to only fight with weapons of their own making, opponent’s arm and dropped. The shield carrier also suffers
dressed in armor crafted by their own massive hands. These 1d6 bludgeoning damage from the heavy blow.
Rune Smiths count among the most skilled craftsmen of the At 13th level you can use your hammer to shove your op-
Underworld and are fierce warriors. It seems ogres are also ponent. After a failed attack roll, you can use your reaction
drawn to the fire of creation, just as elves appreciate the art to grip the hammer with both hands and use it to ram the
of the forge, the hammer often held by abducted humans. enemy. Make an opposed Strength check with the target. On
In Ambria, there are strong blacksmith traditions but a success, you can either move the target 5 feet or make them
even if blacksmiths are often seen wielding their own weap- prone. On a failure you and the target remain where you are.
ons, most of them lack the dedication the trolls show on
the battlefield. However, lately the old secrets have begun Iron Fist
spreading to Ambria, lifting its blacksmiths to new heights. At 17th level, you are trained to use your strength for maxi-
mum effect on a target in melee combat. You have advantage
Blacksmith on all strength based attack rolls. You may use your reaction
All peoples in Ambria and Davokar have their blacksmiths, to add your proficiency bonus to a melee damage roll.
which says something about their importance. Master
smiths are revered in all cultures, but especially among
Ambrians and trolls.
You become proficient with smith’s tools if you are not
already. This ability may be used when you have downtime
(see page 40) to produce metal implements. The base time
requirement is 1 day per 5 thaler of market value, round-
ing up, and the material cost is half the market value. You
can make a DC 15 Strength (Smith’s Tools) check with the
following effects:
• If you succeed by 5 or more, you can both halve the ma-
terial cost and the total amount of time required.
• With a regular success you can either halve the material
cost or the total amount of time required but not both.
• With a regular failure there is no change.
• With a failure by 5 or more, either the time required is
doubled or the material cost is increased by half (to 75%
of the market value).

Two-­handed Force
At 3rd level, if you are wielding a heavy or massive melee
weapon and miss an attack roll, you can use your reaction
to reroll that attack.
At 9th level when you wield a heavy or massive melee
weapon you score a critical hit on a roll of 19 or 20 on the die.

Hammer Rhythm
As a weapon, the hammer is ancient and its brutal simplic-
ity may in the right hands pound forth a deadly rhythm
echoing over the battlefield. You are one of those who,
through training and experience, can utilize the
force of the hammer, whether in its single-­handed
or heavy version.
At 6th level you can crush the enemy’s shield
with the hammer. After a failed attack roll where
the opponent defends with a shield, you may use
your bonus action to roll a Strength check against

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4 Classes & Feats

Rune Tattoos
The rune crafters of Clan Vajvod in eastern Davokar often
tattoo themselves and their allies with powerful runes. These
runes seem almost alive and glow red-­hot when activated in
combat. The character carries such tattoos, either self-­made
or granted to the character as a gift or a reward, likely for a
service of great importance for the symbolist who made it.
At 1st level, the rune tattoo protects from weather and wind
like a full set of clothes. When attacked, you can spend your
reaction and gain +4 to your AC until the start of your next
turn and you gain 1 point of temporary Corruption. As long
as you choose to continue to gain Corruption at the start of
your turn, you can continue this effect for additional rounds.
At 3rd level, the rune tattoo adds power to your attacks. Use
your bonus action to empower your weapon and gain 1 point of
temporary Corruption. Add 1d6 radiant damage to each attack
until the beginning of your next turn.
At 6th level, the rune tattoo glows when you take a wound.
At the start of your turn, you can choose to gain 1 point of
temporary Corruption. If so, you regenerate hit points equal
to your proficiency bonus.
At 9th level, the rune tattoo adds even more power to
your attacks. Add 1d8 radiant damage (instead of 1d6) to
each attack.
At 13th level the increased power becomes 1d10 radiant
damage per attack and at 17th level it is 1d12 radiant damage
per attack.

Templar
The church of Prios and its representatives are protected by
the Knights of the Dying Sun, heavily armed and with the fire
of faith burning behind their breastplates. The power of faith
Tattooed Fighter makes the armor of the sun knights harder than steel. Their
Many barbarian warriors have their bodies covered with mere presence repels abominations by the sheer radiance of
tattoos, but the Tattooed Fighters of Vajvod differ in that their conviction or by weapons burning with Prios’ holy rage.
they are tattooed by symbolists – mystics with a special un- Lately, a schism is said to have grown between the com-
derstanding of the power of symbols. The foremost among mander of the Templars and the Church’s Curia in Tem-
the tattooed fighters has the honor to serve as the guards plewall. Initially, the dispute was about how to handle the
of Clan Vajvod’s chieftain. ancient sun temple found close to Karvosti, but apparently
There are also goblins and trolls among the Tattooed there are other ideological differences between the Knights
Fighters, totally unrelated to the work of Vajvod’s symbol- of the Dying Sun and the Sun Church in general. What will
ists. Amid both trolls and goblins, these warriors comprise come of this conflict is not easily guessed; some dismiss
an elite among the elite. The Tattooed Fighters are often it as a natural effect of the Church’s development, others
seen fighting alongside their ruler on the field of battle, whisper of a possible division of the Church, in line with
be it down in the Underworld or in the shadowy depths the conflicting views that exist regarding the dying Prios
of Davokar. and humanity’s role in the drama.

Unarmored Defense Armored Mystic

While you are not wearing any armor, your Armor Class Despite your extensive training in weapons and warfare, you
equals 10 + your Dexterity modifier + your Constitution have also been introduced to the ways of the mystic (see page
modifier. If you are unarmored your base speed increases 108). Like other Theurgs, your spellcasting ability modifier
by 10 feet. is Wisdom. You learn spells from the Theurg tradition list.

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 Wa r r i o r 4

If your Wisdom modifier is higher than your Charisma move as far away from you as it can, and it can’t willing-
modifier, you can use it instead of Charisma to calculate ly move to a space within 30 feet of you. It also can’t take
your Corruption Threshold. reactions. For its action, it can use only the Dash action or
try to escape from an effect that prevents it from moving.
Spell save DC = 8 + your proficiency bonus + If there’s nowhere to move, the creature can use the Dodge
your Wisdom modifier action. You can do this a number of times equal to your
Spell attack modifier = your proficiency bonus + proficiency bonus before needing to take a long or extended
your Wisdom modifier rest to use the feature again.

You know two cantrips and one 1st level spell from the Medicus
Theurg list, in addition to the bless spell. You do not have any You can invest some of your faith into healing energies that
favored spells. You learn spells according to the following do not incur any chance of Corruption to you. If you spend
chart, and can cast any spell you know at any time: an action binding a wound, you restore one Hit Die to the
treated creature. You can do this a number of times equal
to twice your proficiency bonus and then must take an ex-
Cantrips TOTAL SPELLS KNOWN BY LEVEL
Level Known 1st 2nd 3rd 4th tended rest to recharge.
1st 2 1 — — —
Witchhammer
3rd 3 2 1 — — At 9th level, your weapons are imbued with the power of
6th 4 3 2 1 — Prios. Add 1d8 radiant damage to all of your melee weapons.
9th 5 4 3 2 1 At 13th level this becomes 1d10 and at 17th level it becomes
13th 5 4 4 3 2 1d12 radiant damage.

17th 5 4 4 4 3

Holy Aura
At 3rd level, your devotion to Prios and understanding of
his power has suffused your very muscles with magical
power. When you make a successful melee attack roll you
can choose to gain Corruption just as if you were casting a
spell that you know. Roll for temporary Corruption as nor-
mal and add three times that amount in radiant damage to
your attack.

Example: Brinana is a 3rd level Templar fighting a ­Blighted

enemy. She can cast up to second level spells and decides to
unleash that power when her sword strikes her adversary.
She gains 4 (1d4 + 2) temporary Corruption and does 12
points of radiant damage in addition to her weapon damage.

Theurgy
By 6th level, you have learned more of the secret arts taught
by the Church of Prios. You can choose either the ‘Turn Un-
dead’ feature or the ‘Medicus’ feature below:

Turn Undead
You can use the power of the Lawgiver to rebuke the un­
dying. As an action, you present your holy symbol and speak
a prayer censuring the undead. Each undead within 30 feet
that can see and/or hear you must make a Wisdom saving
throw against your spell save DC. If the creature fails its
saving throw, it is turned for 1 minute or until it takes any
damage. A turned creature must spend its turns trying to

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4 Classes & Feats

Weapon Master
You have dedicated yourself to the mastery of a single weap-
on. Among the warriors of Ambria and Davokar there are
those who have committed themselves to becoming true
masters of a specific weapon. Through persistent training,
these Weapon Masters have become very skilled with their
weapon of choice, and often adhere to a philosophy about
the struggle between life and death.
They are known as Sword Saints in Ambria, devoted
to perfecting their skill with the chosen weapon. Among
barbarians there are the Axe Artists, often wielding one
axe in each hand – a tradition also adopted by some of the
goblin tribes of Davokar. The elven equivalent to a weapon
master is called a Spear Dancer, an art form also practiced
by abducted humans. Among trolls, chain weapons are
considered extra noble, both very demanding and very
effective in the right hands. Such Flailers, in the form
of ogres, can often be found in the gladiatorial arenas
of Ambria.

Fighting Style Mastery

You gain the appropriate benefit based on your chosen weap-
on mastery:
• If you are a Sword Saint, then the Dueling fighting style • For Flailers, when an attacker fails on their attack roll,
provides +3 bonus damage. you can use your reaction to ensnare their weapon. Make
• If you are an Axe Artist, then one of your two weapons an opposed Strength check, if you succeed the attacker
used in Two-Weapon Fighting does not need to be light. is disarmed.
(It cannot be heavy, massive or two-­handed.)
• If you are a Spear Dancer, then your spear counts as hav- Combat Mastery
ing reach. At 9th level, your continuing dedication to your weapon
• you are a Flailer, when you use a bonus action to trip an
If training provides another feature:
opponent they also take damage equal to your Strength • For Sword Saints, you can use your reaction after a missed
modifier. melee attack to make a single attack roll against that at-
tacker with your sword if the attacker is in reach.
Acrobatic Fighter • Axe Artists, you score a critical hit with either of your
For
At 3rd level, if you are not already proficient with Acrobatics axes when you roll a 19 or 20 on the d20 for an attack roll.
you become proficient with that skill. When a weapon attack • For Spear Dancers, when you make a successful attack
targets you, you can use your reaction to make a Dexterity roll you can use your bonus action to force the target
(Acrobatics) check with the attack roll result as the DC. If creature to make a Dexterity saving throw with the
you succeed, you take no damage from the attack. DC equal to the attack roll. On a failure, the creature is
knocked prone.
Combat Speciality • For Flailers, when you miss with your weapon you can
At 6th level, your intense dedication to your weapon training use your reaction to whip the chain back and make a
shows itself with a new feature: second attack roll.
• For Sword Saints, you can use your reaction after taking
damage from a melee attack to make a single attack roll Man-­at-­Arms
against that attacker with your sword if the attacker is At 13th level you become an expert with armor, being able
in reach. to position it for maximum effect and familiar with wear-
• For Axe Artists, when you succeed at your first attack ing it. Your armor class is improved by 1 as long as you are
roll you can use your reaction to gain advantage on your wearing armor. Furthermore, your time required to don or
second attack roll. doff armor is half the normal amount.
• For Spear Dancers as long as you wield only your spear, At 17th level the bonus to your armor class becomes +2 and
you have a +1 bonus to AC. you can don or doff armor in one-­quarter the normal time.

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 Wa r r i o r 4

Wrathguard have been appointed to the Wrathguard after having left

The High Chieftain of Karvosti is guarded by a select num- their clans, and therefore refused to serve. But it is also said
ber of warriors in the Guard of the Slumbering Wrath. that the defiance of these defectors always ends up costing
Anyone who has met a Wrathguard in combat knows that them their lives, sooner or later…
there is nothing drowsy about them. On the contrary, the
blood of a Wrathguard boils with fighting spirit, and the Wrathful Fury
Huldra teaches them to use that passion effectively. To In battle, you fight with primal ferocity. On your turn, you
damage a Wrathguard is to wake their fury; to badly hurt can enter a wrathful fury as a bonus action. While in this
an experienced guard is like summoning a furious aboar state, you gain the following benefits if you aren’t wearing
in human shrouding. heavy armor:
Every clan sends their nine most skilled warriors to Kar- • You have advantage on Strength checks and Strength
vosti to become members of the Wrathguard. Nominations saving throws.
are made by the clan chieftains when one of their represen- • When you make a melee weapon attack using Strength,
tatives falls in combat or – in singular cases – retires. He you gain a bonus to the damage roll. This bonus damage is
or she who is appointed can hardly say no, partly because equal to 1 + half of your proficiency bonus, rounded down.
the mission is regarded as one of the most honorable a clan • you are able to cast spells, you can’t cast them or con-
If
warrior can be tasked with, partly because a rejection like- centrate on them while in the wrathful fury.
ly would mean exclusion from the clan or see the warrior
branded as an outlaw. There are tales of barbarians who Your wrath lasts for 1 minute. It ends early if you are
knocked unconscious or if your turn ends and you haven’t
attacked a hostile creature since your last turn or taken
damage since then. You can also end your wrath on your
turn as a bonus action.
Once you have used your wrathful fury a number of times
equal to your proficiency bonus, you must finish a long or
extended rest before you can use this feature again.

Blood Combat
At 3rd level, if you are in a wrath and current hit points are
equal to half or less of your maximum hit points (rounded
up), you have advantage on all your attack rolls.
At 6th level, if you are in a wrath and current hit points
are equal to half (rounded up) or less of your maximum hit
points, you add your proficiency bonus to your damage rolls.
At 9th level, when you are in a wrath and you do dam-
age to any enemy you recover hit points equal to half that
damage, rounded down. When you recover hit points you
cannot exceed your maximum hit point total.

Relentless
At 13th level, your wrath can keep you fighting despite griev-
ous wounds. If you drop to 0 hit points while you’re in a
wrathful fury and don’t die outright, you can make a DC 5
Constitution saving throw. If you succeed, you drop to 1 hit
point instead.
Each time you use this feature after the first, the DC in-
creases by 5. When you finish a short or longer rest, the DC
resets to 5.

Champion of the Wild

At 17th level, you embody the power of the wilderness.
Choose Strength or Constitution. Your chosen score increas-
es by 4 and your maximum for that ability score is now 24.

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4 Classes & Feats

Feats
A feat represents a talent or an area of expertise that The rules for feats are optional and each gaming group
gives a character special capabilities. It embodies training, must decide whether they add something positive to the
experience, and abilities beyond what a class provides. game or not. If put into play, these rules will primarily affect
At certain levels, your class gives you the Ability Score the way characters are created and developed. There are
Improvement feature. Using the feats rule, you can forgo three types of feats:
taking that feature to take a feat of your choice instead. You
can take each feat only once, unless the feat’s description • Boons and burdens provide interesting features and role-
says otherwise. playing hooks together in a package. Any character can
You must meet any prerequisite specified in a feat to take take a boon or a burden.
that feat. If you ever lose a feat’s prerequisite, you can’t use • Some feats are based on a character’s origin. Whether
that feat until you regain the prerequisite. For example, the endemic to a particular society or a matter of birth, only
Grappler feat requires you to have a Strength of 13 or higher. certain characters can choose these feats.
If your Strength is reduced below 13 somehow – perhaps by • Some feats are based on the character’s class. These feats
a withering curse – you can’t benefit from the Grappler feat either provide bonus features or unlock special knowl-
until your Strength is restored. edge based on the role you’ve chosen to play.

146
 Feats 4

The Marshes on the border

between New Beretor and
Clan Vajvod are protected by a
regiment of Queen’s Rangers,
but only a fool would believe
that their presence means
it is safe to travel the area.

Boons and Burdens

Boons and burdens provide additional roleplaying hooks and
many of them provide a bonus to an ability score at the same Boons
time. Choose from these lists to provide extra color to your Absolute Memory Forceful Personality
characters, setting them aside from a common origin or class. Archivist Green Thumb
Augur Heirloom
Beast Tongue Hideout
Boons Bloodhound Impressionist
The following feats generally provide limited benefits for a Blood Ties Manipulator
specific situation, or might allow a character to do something Cat Burglar Medium
that would otherwise be impossible. Many boons provide Commanding Voice Mirage
a bonus, increasing one of your ability scores by 1 as well. Con Artist Pathfinder
Contacts Pack-­mule
Absolute Memory Double-­tongue Pet
• Bonus: +1 to Intelligence Enduring March Poison Resilient
• Restriction: Dwarves cannot take this feat (they have it Enterprise Servant
as part of their origin already) Escape Artist Shadow Spawn
You come from a culture or tradition that does not use writ- False Identity Soulmate
ing, but which instead has developed memory techniques Fire Forged Storyteller
to preserve and transmit vital knowledge. You remember Fleet-­footed Telltale
everything seen or heard, which means that the player may Forbidden Knowledge Tough
ask the Game­master about details perceived by the player
character during their past adventures. The Game­master
must answer as thoroughly as possible.

147
4 Classes & Feats

Archivist Con Artist

• Bonus: +1 to Intelligence • Bonus: +1 to Wisdom or Charisma (your choice)
You are trained to organize and search for information. You You have been trained to quickly twist the truth, and to gen-
gain advantage on Intelligence (Investigation) checks when eralize or exaggerate when it is called for. You have advantage
researching in archives and libraries. on both Charisma (Deception) and Wisdom (Insight) checks
regarding lies; hence, both for making a lie and noticing when
Augur others are lying. The lie’s veracity is usually found out quickly,
• Bonus: +1 to Wisdom so the liar must hurry if they are to take advantage of it.
You have always seen signs others have missed, and easily
conduct rituals dealing with fate or hidden information. Contacts
When you learn a divination spell as a ritual you gain one • Bonus: +1 to Charisma
less permanent Corruption than normal, to a minimum of The character has served in an organization or traveled far and
1 permanent Corruption. wide, and has therefore spun a wide web of contacts. With a
successful DC 10 Charisma check, the character implores a
Beast Tongue contact to help with a specific question, precarious situation
• Bonus: +1 to Wisdom or other matter. The contact will help to the extent possible,
You can speak to creatures from the monster category Beasts. but rarely risks life or limb. The contact may not be available
Beasts have their limitations but can answer questions about directly – that depends on who is included in the character’s
which creatures are in, or have traveled through, an area, web of contacts. Suitable factions and people when it comes
and also estimate their numbers (one, two or many). The to specifying the character’s contacts are: the Queen’s Army,
beasts do not perform any services; they talk to you as equals. the Queen’s Rangers, Thieves’ Guilds, Witches, Ordo Magica,
the Church of Prios, the Noble Houses and Treasure Hunters.
Bloodhound
• Bonus: +1 to Wisdom Double-­tongue
You have a developed sense for finding people, no matter if • Bonus: +1 to Charisma
the traces of their presence are found on the ground, in a Double-­tongue is a language developed by the Thieves Guild
lair or among discovered belongings. You have advantage in Yndaros – you say one thing but mean another. This way,
on Wisdom (Perception or Survival) checks when pursuing sensitive conversations can be held within earshot of out-
a specific individual. siders. If multiple characters know Double-­tongue, they
can speak about secrets without risk – provided that the
Blood Ties bystanders do not know the language as well…
• Bonus: +1 to an ability score of your choice.
You have established a mystical blood tie to a creature of a dif- Enduring March
ferent origin. Because of this link, you can later on choose a • Bonus: +1 to Constitution
feat belonging to the origin of the blood-­friend (see page 153). After having marched many, many miles in military columns
It is most likely that the blood tie of the character is linked to or through the wilds, you have advantage on Constitution
another cultural origin, but beasts and other creatures are a saving throws during forced marches (see page 34).
possibility. The story of how the character came to enter into
the relationship is probably interesting and telling of your Enterprise
life history, and maybe also of your morals and worldviews. • Bonus: +1 to Intelligence or Charisma
You own some kind of establishment – a small tavern, a
Cat Burglar smaller store or some other simple craft service like a cob-
• Bonus: +1 to Dexterity bler or trinket shop. Other alternatives are a theater or a
You are trained to open locks, latches and bolts, and disarm troupe of acrobats. The enterprise can be stationary in a
traps. You are proficient with thieves’ tools. place often visited by the characters between adventures,
or it can be mobile in the form of a wagon or a river boat if
Commanding Voice that feels more reasonable.
• Bonus: +1 to Charisma During an extended rest, you may make a DC 15 Intel-
You have a well-­tuned and loud voice, able to rise above the ligence or Charisma check. A success renders a profit of
clamor of combat. As a bonus action, you can allow any allies 10+1d10 thaler, after all expenses have been paid. This goes
within 60 feet of you that can hear you to gain advantage into the enterprises’ reserves. A failure indicates a loss of
on Charisma saving throws until the start of your next turn. thaler equal to the roll. If the business does not have any
You do not gain advantage yourself. reserves to pay what it owes, it may operate until the next

148
 Feats 4

extended rest. If it fails again, the enterprise cannot try Green Thumb
again until you spend some downtime on site, correcting • Bonus: +1 to Wisdom
any issues. If more than one character has Enterprise, they The character has a mystical connection to all growing things
can be part of the same establishment or business. If so, and has advantage on Wisdom(Survival) checks related to
both characters roll a profit check each. Characters that visit challenges in the wilds, such as orienting in the woods and
the enterprise can withdraw money from the business’s finding food and shelter.
reserves, or add to the reserves from their own funds.
Heirloom
Escape Artist • Bonus: +1 to Strength
• Bonus: +1 to Dexterity You have inherited a family heirloom. Choose a weapon or
You have loose joints and have been trained to utilize this armor from the lists starting on page 162 that costs 50
in order to get free from bonds or squeeze through narrow thaler or less. You acquire the gear without paying for it.
passages. You can also get free from the clutches of an enemy
or out of traps such as nets and snares. In all these cases, you Hideouts
have advantage on the escape attempt. • Bonus: +1 to Intelligence
Many organizations and networks regularly establish hide-
False Identity outs in Ambria and the outer regions of Davokar; guilds and
• Bonus: +1 to Charisma factions like witches, the Queen’s Rangers and most barbar-
You have a false identity, complete with clothes, equipment ian clans maintain such places for their members. The char-
and papers to back it up. The identity is so well-­crafted that it acter knows of, and has access to, a series of such hideouts,
cannot be exposed unless the person who created it (usually linked to a specific group. There they can lay low and replace
a prominent member of the organization or faction to which or repair vital equipment, including weapons and armor.
the character belongs) discloses it – or if you do something When you need to find a hideout, make a DC 15 Intelli-
clearly revealing. gence check – a success means that you recall the location
of a place in the vicinity. The location is hidden, safe and
Fire Forged contains equipment to a value of 10 thaler; the character de-
• Bonus: +1 to Constitution cides what is kept in the hideout, items and/or coins. If you
You were born beneath a glowing celestial phenomenon or take something from a hideout, you’re expected to replace it
were the only one to survive a devastating fire. You are re- later, or at least report what was taken and for what purpose.
sistant to fire damage.
Impressionist
Fleet-­footed • Bonus: +1 to Charisma
• Bonus: +1 to Strength You are a skilled impressionist, whether trying to impersonate
You can move at an unusually high speed. You can use your a type of person belonging to your origin or imitating a specific
bonus action to Dash. individual. You gain advantage on Intelligence or Charisma
checks when trying to impersonate a type of person (for in-
Forbidden Knowledge stance a town guardsman) rather than a specific individual. If
• Prerequisite: You must be 12th level or higher you have a disguise kit then you have advantage on imperson-
• Bonus: +1 to Intelligence ating a specific individual that shares your origin. If you are
You have come to possess the secrets of the mystical process- impersonating a type of person from a different origin then
es regarding artifact crafting; maybe as a result of espionage you have disadvantage on the check; impersonating a specific
or after having served a far-­traveled master. During an ex- individual of a different origin is almost always impossible.
tended rest, you can create a lesser artifact, including those
belonging to the secrets of other traditions. Manipulator
• Bonus: +1 to Charisma
Forceful Personality You know how to manipulate others, using flattery, threats,
• Bonus: +1 to Charisma or a combination thereof. It takes time to influence someone;
You know how to be threatening in an effective way and can it requires a scene of emotional manipulations to achieve
scare people into acting according to your will, if only for a the intended effect. Once you’ve chosen a victim, you have
short while. You have advantage on Charisma (Intimidation advantage on Charisma checks for that manipulation. On
or Persuasion) checks pertaining to threats, interrogation the other hand, the influence lasts longer than when simply
and coercion. The effect is momentary; later the victim will lying – the victim accepts the sentiments as its own and will
likely retaliate against you when a chance presents itself. defend them long after the manipulator has left the place.

149
4 Classes & Feats

Medium Servant
You grew up in the presence of ghosts and have developed You have a personal servant. It may be an employed atten-
a connection to the realm of spirits. You have advantage dant, a serf chamber boy or something like that. The servant
on saving throws and ability checks regarding the spirits is loyal to you, but is otherwise useless in terms of skills. It
or the spirit world. can perform simple chores, stand guard at night or convey
messages to others, but it will not contribute in dangerous
Mirage situations. The servant is played by the Game­master and
You have a mystical gift and may weave momentary mirag- should be provided a suitable personality.
es from thin air; flames that emit no heat jump between
your hands, tiny figures of light dance in the air, and so on. Shadow Spawn
You can also weave false images over smaller objects, for • Bonus: +1 to Dexterity
instance making pebbles appear as shining coins. You can You were born during a solar eclipse and ever since then
cast prestidigitation without gaining any Corruption. shadows are drawn to you. You have advantage on any Dex-
With Mirage, you may make an opposed check – your terity checks when sneaking or hiding.
Charisma (Deception) vs their Wisdom (Insight) to dupe
someone into accepting fake goods or payment in the form Soulmate
of illusory coins, to a maximum “value” of a hundred thaler. You have a soulmate, either in the romantic or familial sense.
Also, Mirage can grant advantage on a Charisma check when Irrespective of which, you may telepathically communicate
you threaten someone with “powerful magic.” simple messages and feelings to your counterpart. You al-
ways know approximately where the other person is and if
Pathfinder they are in any kind of trouble. The counterpart may be a
• Bonus: +1 to Wisdom non-­player character important to the game or the character
You have well-­tuned senses for spotting and following tracks, of another player; talk to your gaming friends and decide
both below ground and on the surface. You have advantage what is best. In the latter case, it is enough that one of the
on Wisdom (Survival) checks when trying to follow a trail characters acquires the boon in question. If the soulmate
or find the way to, or back from, a place. perishes then after a period of grieving you can gain +2 to
an ability score of your choice as you redirect your energies.
Pack-­mule
• Bonus: +1 to Strength Storyteller
You can carry equipment weighing up to 20 times your • Bonus: +1 to Charisma
Strength score in pounds (9 times your Strength score in You are a gifted storyteller and no matter if you narrate
kilograms). legends, religious myths or burlesque tales, you will impress
the audience. You gain advantage on Charisma (Deception or
Pet Performance) checks when attempting to weave a credible
You have a trusty friend in the form of a jakaar or mare cat story to impress your listeners, and you are skilled enough
– any beast will do, so long as it is CR 1/4 or less. The pet is to earn an income from your performances (see Downtime,
unswervingly loyal to you. In combat and problem-­solving page 40).
you play it almost as a second character, but you must use
your bonus action to coax it to make use of its action. It Telltale
shares your initiative count and acts immediately after your • Bonus: +1 to Charisma
turn. It does not gain experience points and cannot develop You have ears and a tongue for gossip and can sniff out ru-
its stats. If the pet dies, the character can have it replaced mors and also pass them on to new places. You have advan-
at the start of the next adventure. tage on all Charisma or Wisdom checks in connection to
hearing, spreading or realizing the truth behind rumors.
Poison Resilient
• Bonus: +1 to Constitution Tough
By carefully exposing yourself to toxins, you have built • Bonus: +1 to Constitution
up a remarkable resilience. You have resistance to poison You have a tough body and a strong soul, meaning that your
damage and advantage on saving throws to avoid the poi- heart keeps beating when the hearts of others would give
soned condition. up. You have advantage on death saving throws.

150
 Feats 4

Burdens
Burdens are negative traits which add to the character’s
history and also provide opportunities to earn inspiration Burdens
by using the negative effects in game. Using burdens is con- Addiction Impulsive
sidered an optional rule (even more so than the choice to Arch Enemy Nightmares
use feats themselves), so the gaming group has to reach a Bestial Mystical Mark
common understanding on whether or not to do so. You Bloodthirst Seizures
might, for example, have each character begin with a sin- Code of Honor Sickly
gle burden, improving their stats but setting the stage for Dark Blood Slow
possible disaster. Dark Secret Wanted
Elderly Ward
Addiction
• Bonus: +2 to an ability score (see below)
You have developed an addiction and must have a dose of
your drug each day, or suffer from withdrawal symptoms.
The drug (wine (Constitution), dream snuff (Wisdom), daft Charisma (Intimidation) checks. As soon as they can, those
root (Strength) or similar drugs) costs one shilling per dose. subjected to your intimidation efforts – whether or not it is
An alchemist can create the drug for themselves or a friend successful – will report you to the Town Watch (or similar
for half that price. authorities) as a suspected abomination.
Each day without the drug, you must also pass a DC 10
Wisdom saving throw. If it fails, you will abandon all other Bloodthirst
projects and start hunting for the daily dose. Withdrawal • Bonus: +2 to Strength
symptoms give a level of exhaustion each day, with no non-­ You have a thirst for blood, easily awoken and hard to
magical way to recover the exhaustion. After the fifth day, quench. The thirst appears if you take damage and means
you begin to recover exhaustion as normal, and you become that you will not spare any enemies – not even if they
free of the drug once you have no exhaustion remaining. surrender. Trying to spare an enemy requires an almost
Once free, you only need to make the Wisdom saving throw overpowering effort; you must succeed at a DC 20 Wisdom
once a month or on a triggering event (GM’s discretion). saving throw.

Arch Enemy Code of Honor

• Bonus: +2 to Charisma • Bonus: +2 to Wisdom
You have, by actions or name, made an arch enemy. This You have adopted a very strict code of honor, applicable in
individual has devoted their existence to destroying – and all situations but especially burdensome in combat. The code
in the end, taking – your life. At least once during each might specify that all opponents must be defeated, or that
adventure, the influence of the arch enemy will show. They you never stand down from a fight or that every battle must
primarily act through others; hiring thugs or spreading be an honorable battle one on one. Work with your GM to
lies in the hope that others will make life difficult for the determine the specifics.
character. Exactly who this arch enemy is, why they hate
the character and what resources are at hand, is for the Dark Blood
player and Game­master to decide. However, it cannot be • Bonus: +1 to two different ability scores of your choice,
someone who is easily avoided or stopped from acting out +2 to permanent Corruption
their hatred. Dark blood flows through your veins, passed down from an
ancestor, or as a result of being cursed. Maybe you were
Bestial simply born in the wrong part of Davokar at the wrong time.
• Bonus: +2 to Constitution The dark blood always comes with some effect, roll on the
You have a bestial appearance, in the form of one (or a few) Marks of Corruption table on page 38. The listed mark
conspicuous traits – jakaar eyes, aboar tusks, lindworm is permanent.
scales on arms and neck, or something else arousing fear The character may acquire and develop the following
and disgust. monstrous traits by selecting them as feats: Natural Weap-
Concealing the traits requires you to pass a DC 10 Charis- on, Armored, Robust, Regeneration, Wings. (See the Ruins
ma saving throw. If the save is failed, you have disadvantage of Symbaroum Bestiary for more information). You gain 2
on all Charisma (Deception, Performance or Persuasion) additional points of permanent Corruption each time you
checks. However, the bestial exterior grants advantage on gain a monstrous trait.

151
4 Classes & Feats

Dark Secret for having a blight-­mark. In situations when it is relevant, you

• Bonus: +2 to Charisma must pass an opposed Charisma (Deception) versus Wisdom
You have some kind of dark secret, which threatens to de- (Perception) roll or attract unwanted attention (which can
stroy your reputation and life if revealed. Maybe you were take different forms depending on the situation).
a member of a corrupted cult, killed someone, or protected
a murderer and never got caught. Should the dark secret Seizures
become publicly known, you have disadvantage on Cha- • Bonus: +2 to Intelligence or Wisdom
risma checks whenever the other party knows (and cares) You are afflicted by a sensitive mind, meaning that you can
about the secret. be exposed to violent cramps throughout the body when
Once per adventure there is a risk that the secret will excited or stressed. If you roll a natural 1 on an ability check
be exposed; the character must make a DC 10 ability check, you become stunned for 1d4 turns. Afterwards you gain 1
with the ability chosen based on the circumstances. If failed, level of exhaustion.
someone discovers a clue which can lead to the truth. Maybe
some kind of physical evidence surfaces (a letter, for in- Sickly
stance)? Is it a witness claiming to have seen something or • Bonus: +2 to Wisdom
is the character talking in his sleep? Whether the suspicious You suffer from a chronic disease, making you weak but also
person is a non-­player character or a character, you must giving you insight into healing and your body’s structure.
lay their curiosity to rest or suffer the consequences. This Normally, your weakness does not show, but when you must
normally requires an opposed Charisma (Deception) vs Wis- make death saving throws they are at disadvantage.
dom (Insight) check. Note that a non-­player character may
want to extort, rather than expose, the character. Slow
• Bonus: +2 to Wisdom
Elderly You move at an unusually slow pace. Reduce your base speed
• Bonus: +2 to Wisdom by 10 feet, to a minimum of 10 feet.
You are past your prime and have both good and bad days.
If the first ability check of the day is a success, it is a good Wanted
day and everything seems to be alright; if the first check of • Bonus: +2 to Charisma
the day is a failure, it is a bad day – the gout sets in, all your You are wanted for a some kind of serious crime, either
joints are aching or you are out of breath even when seated. justly or falsely accused. The effect is that you risk getting
You have disadvantage on ability checks until you succeed recognized and hunted. Once per adventure, you must pass a
at one, at which time this effect ends. DC 10 Charisma (Deception) check to avoid being identified
by authorities.
Impulsive
• Bonus: +2 to Strength or Charisma Ward
You act before thinking. This means that as soon as the player • Bonus: +2 to Intelligence or Charisma
declares that the character does something, you act – and You are responsible for another person, your ward. The ward
cannot have second thoughts. The only way for you to re- can be a beloved child, an elderly but respected mentor, a
strain yourself is to take a point of temporary Corruption soulmate or just an annoying relative whose welfare is con-
as your internal conflict allows darkness to seep in. nected to a future inheritance for the character. You pay
your ward’s lifestyle expenses, which include basic care-
Nightmares giving, but also must sometimes attend to them directly,
• Bonus: +2 to Constitution for example the ward might get into trouble and need your
You are haunted by nightmares each and every night, possi- aid. The Game­master plays the ward, who has no stats and
bly because of something you have experienced, or for more gains no experience points for adventuring.
abstruse reasons, such as an ominous omen or the conse- If the ward dies or goes missing, you are afflicted by other
quence of a family curse. Each night, you must pass a DC problems; sorrow and remorse, mirrored by changing this
10 Constitution saving throw or gain a level of exhaustion. burden into a suitable burden (the bonus from this burden
fades and the bonus from the new burden is added). If you
Mystical Mark protected the person from love, burdens like Addiction or
• Bonus: +2 to Charisma Nightmares can be appropriate. And if the protection was
You have a mystical mark somewhere on your body, maybe a related to personal gains, maybe Wanted or Arch Enemy is
birthmark or a scar gained later in life, that requires effort to better – the relatives of the ward do not easily forget the
conceal. Whatever the origin, you are at risk of being mistaken character’s betrayal.

152
 Feats 4

Origin Feats
There are certain features that you might inherit because Elves
of your origin. In many cases, you might have always had the The study of magic, especially the nature-­based approaches
potential for this feature but only just begun to concentrate of the witches of Davokar, comes easily to the elves.
on developing and using it reliably in recent days.
Ancient Magic
Abducted and Humans At the end of a short rest, choose a number of cantrips from the
Some humans, including those abducted by the elves, have Witch approach (see page 189) equal to your proficiency bo-
the ability to see the shadows of creatures and people, if nus. You can cast these spells without gaining any Corruption.
they concentrate upon them.
Goblins
Shadow-­sight Despite their small stature goblins can endure a tremendous
Some humans are sensitive to the ethereal echoes of Shad- amount of pain.
ows and, when concentrating, can see them. If you take this
feat, you can spend a bonus action and take 1d4 temporary Tough and Stringy
Corruption to discern a creature’s Shadow, and judge it to When rolling hit points for a new level, if you receive less
be normal, blight-­stricken, blight-­marked or thoroughly than the average (4) you can reroll the Hit Die. You must
corrupt (see page 38). use the new value. If using the average value, use 5 on even
The Game­master will compare your passive Insight to the levels and 4 on odd.
target’s passive Deception. If you fail, you see the creature’s
normal shadow, as it looked before suffering any corrupting Ogres
influences. While ogres tend to be smaller than their cousins the trolls,
they are mere inches away from qualifying as Large creatures.
Changelings
Some changelings retain the ability to disguise themselves Big-­boned
magically. • Bonus: +1 to your Strength modifier.
You are just at the edge of Medium size and have more mus-
Change Self cle mass than most creatures your size. When determining
You transform your appearance. You decide what you look your carrying capacity and lifting capacity you count as Large
like, including your height, weight, facial features, sound (double the amount a Medium creature can carry or lift). You
of your voice, hair length, coloration, and distinguishing also count as being Large when creatures try to grapple you.
characteristics, if any. You can make yourself appear as a
member of another origin, though none of your statistics Trolls
change. You can only appear as a creature of the same size The trolls of Symbaroum are hardy creatures, some of them
category as you, and your basic shape stays the same; you seem to feel no pain at all in combat.
can't use this effect to become quadrupedal, for instance. The
effect ends at dawn, but you can use this effect again after a Robust
short or longer rest, so that you can continue the disguise as You are exceptionally sturdy and many hurts fail to do last-
needed.Suspicious folk might reveal the truth by making a ing damage to you. Reduce any nonmagical damage you take
Wisdom (Insight) vs Charisma (Deception) check. by an amount equal to your proficiency bonus.

Dwarves Undead
All dwarves hold grudges, but for some, the anger can man- The newly arisen undead are rumored to subsist on raw flesh.
ifest in a magical revenge against their enemies. Some of them seem especially revitalized by this unusual diet.

Retribution Ravenous Hunger

When you are in danger, you can speak a word of power as If your current hit points are less than 1/4 of your maximum
a reaction and select an enemy creature within 30 feet that hit points (rounded down), you are overcome by an almost
can hear you. For the next minute, whenever you take dam- undeniable hunger. If you take your action to feast on raw
age from the chosen enemy, it is divided in half and assigned flesh then you recover 1d4 plus your Constitution modifier
both to you and that enemy (you take the additional point in hit points. This effect ends when you start your turn with
if the damage amount is odd). After the effect ends, you more than 1/4 of your maximum hit points and will not
must take an extended rest before using this feature again. occur again until you take a short or longer rest.

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 4 Classes & Feats

The many sculptures and statues found throughout

Davokar come in different sizes, shapes, and postures,
and a good deal of them are horrifying to behold –
154
twisted and bizarre, more monster than human.
 Feats 4

Class Feats
A certain selection of feats are available to specific class- Trick Shot
es. These are additional features that only a specific class can • Prerequisite: Your Dexterity must be 13 or higher.
learn. For the mystic, some of these features provide access You have practiced performing exceptional shots with your
to spells that are otherwise unavailable. ranged weapon. You can use one of your attacks to provoke
an object interaction (such as shooting a lantern to put out
Captain its flame, hitting a switch or lever, cutting a rope, etc.) If
As a battlefield leader, you can train yourself to instill forti- you attempt to knock a weapon out of a creature’s control,
tude in your allies, aid them in combat and defend yourself it can make a Strength saving throw with your attack roll
admirably. as the DC to retain control of the weapon.

Battle Speech Mystic

• Prerequisite: Your Charisma must be 13 or higher. As a master of magic you might excel in combat situations,
As a reaction when you roll initiative and are not surprised, learn additional spells from your research or become in-
you can make a speech to fortify your companions. You and ducted into one of special orders within your magical
up to six other creatures of your choice that can hear and organization.
understand you gain temporary hit points equal to your pro-
ficiency bonus plus your Charisma modifier for the next hour. Combat Magic Expert
You have trained extensively to use your magic in combat.
Command Expert You gain a number of Combat dice (d6) equal to your pro-
You have trained extensively to lead others in battle. You ficiency bonus. On your turn you can use a bonus action
gain a number of Command dice (d6s) equal to your profi- to add a Combat die to your spell attack roll or your spell
ciency bonus. Using your reaction you can add a Command damage. You can use your reaction to add a Combat die to a
die to an ally’s weapon attack or damage roll. You regain any saving throw to maintain concentration.
spent Command dice when you take a short or longer rest. You regain any spent Combat dice when you take a short
or longer rest.
Parry
• Prerequisite: Either your Strength or Dexterity must Confessor
be 13 or higher. • Prerequisite: You have taken the Theurg approach and
You can use your reaction to a melee attack to add your pro- attained at least 11th level in the mystic class. You cannot
ficiency bonus to your armor class. If your new armor class take both the Confessor and Inquisitor feats.
is higher than the attack roll you take no damage. You must Some theurgs regard themselves as herdsmen of the people,
be wielding a melee weapon. as missionaries and healers. These Confessors primarily
work to enforce that which is good, keeping the flickering
Hunter light of Prios alive by providing it with fuel. They are often
As a master of ranged weaponry, you can become an excep- found in leading positions, within or outside the Church,
tional guard, and learn to deliver extraordinarily precise in order to reach as many people as possible when working
shots that can amaze and amuse your allies. to spread light and truth. Many of the highest leaders and
greatest theurgs in the Church of Prios wander the road of
Overwatch the Confessor. You gain the following benefits:
You can spend up to two hours each day in a state of height- You learn the following rituals: lifegiver, exorcism,
ened awareness, usually as part of your nightly watch duties. atonement. You gain only 3 permanent Corruption for
During this time you cannot be surprised, have advantage these rituals and do not gain any Corruption when you
on initiative rolls and have advantage (+5) on your passive cast them.
Perception checks that rely on sight.
Dedicated Focus
Ranged Expert • Prerequisite: Your spellcasting ability score must be
You have trained extensively in ranged combat. You gain 13 or higher.
a number of Ranged dice (d6s) equal to your proficiency Choose one of the schools of magic (abjuration, conjuration,
bonus. On your turn you can use your bonus action to add a divination, enchantment, evocation, illusion, necromancy
Ranged die to your ranged attack roll or your weapon dam- or transmutation). When you learn a spell of the chosen
age if you succeed with a ranged attack. You regain any spent school you can learn a spell of the same school that is the
Ranged dice when you take a short or longer rest. same level or lower.

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4 Classes & Feats

Demonologist understanding the darkness and tend to rely on cunning,

• Prerequisite: You have taken the Sorcerer approach and ambushes and assassination to reach their goals, never brute
attained at least 7th level in the mystic class. force like the Templars.
Beyond the world – or between worlds, if one believes in the To most inquisitors, sorcerers and their followers have
existence of multiple worlds – lays the Yonderworld. In the no right to exist, and for that reason no moral consideration
Yonderworld soul-­eating creatures roam, indistinguishable is necessary when they are fighting the dark.
from abominations to the common man. Sorcerers appre- You learn the following rituals: holy smoke, anathema,
ciate the likeness, but call them “daemons” in acknowledg- purgatory. You gain only 3 permanent Corruption for these
ment of their differing origins. The daemons can be forced, rituals and do not gain any Corruption when you cast them.
lured or invited into the physical world by those who know
of passages between the worlds. Necromancer
You learn the following ritual: summon daemon. You gain • Prerequisite: You have taken the Sorcerer approach and
only 1 permanent Corruption for this ritual and do not gain attained at least 9th level in the mystic class.
Corruption when you cast it at the basic option (see page 206). The Spirit World is the outer realm of the world, where the
dead journey towards their final rest – if they are not dis-
turbed by a necromancer on the way. Necromancers can
force the spirits of the outer realm to return, in order to
The History of Demonology relay their secrets or to occupy a dead body and serve the
Many demonologists regard their trade as vastly death mage as a dragoul or some other undead being. An
different from that of other sorcerers. In essence, understanding of the mechanics of death also gives the nec-
they see themselves as explorers, seekers of the romancer access to ghastly powers and rituals.
truth, and as more advanced compared to mossy You learn the rituals spirit walk, animate dead, commune
Wizards who are satisfied poking around in the with spirits. You gain only 3 permanent Corruption for these
soil of the “Here-­and-­Now.” Sadly, they will likely rituals and do not gain any Corruption when you cast them.
never gain the admiration and respect they think
they deserve. Pyromancer
According to many legends, the demonologists of • Prerequisite: You have taken the Wizard approach and
the past invited Corruption into the world, precisely attained at least 9th level in the mystic class.
because they were scratching and tearing at the For pyromancers, the element of fire has a special allure.
world’s fabric. Later stories blame them for having By studying the essence of fire, the pyromancer learns to
destroyed the once so lush realm of the Dark Lords, master the exothermic principle to such a degree that fire
Lyastra. If anything, the demonologists will always be is transformed into an ally and a shelter, rather than being
seen as the worst kind of sorcerers. a dangerous element.
You learn the following rituals: tale of ashes, flaming servant,
fire soul. You gain only 3 permanent Corruption for these
rituals and do not gain any Corruption when you cast them.
Extensive Learning
• Prerequisite: Your spellcasting ability score must be Secrets of the Order
13 or higher. • Prerequisite: You have taken the Staff Mage approach
Choose four spells on your spell list that are equal to or lower and attained at least 7th level in the mystic class.
than your maximum spell level. You learn those spells. You Deep within Davokar, ruined monasteries contain secrets
can take this feat more than once, learning four new spells practiced for generations. These mysteries are taught to those
each time. trusted by the order, or to its members who have achieved
much in their battle against Corruption. With knowledge of
Inquisitor these secrets a Staff Mage truly becomes one with their staff.
• Prerequisite: You have taken the Theurg approach and You gain the following three abilities:
attained at least 11th level in the mystic class. You cannot • Mastery. Twice per day you may invoke your mastery
take both the Confessor and Inquisitor feats. over your staff by using an action to magically fix it in
For some theurgs, whether among priests or Black Cloaks, place. Until you spend an action to release the staff it will
the hatred of the dark is so strong that they choose the in- not move, even if it is defying gravity. Whilst under this
quisitor’s road: to seek out and destroy the enemies of Pri- effect the staff may hold up to 8,000 lbs of weight. More
os. Inquisitors are happy to cooperate with Templars and weight than this causes the staff to release and fall. A crea-
other members of the Church; they are not interested in ture can make a DC 30 strength check, moving the staff

156
 Feats 4

10 ft. on a success. You must be able to see your staff and Skirmish Expert
be within 100 ft. of it to be able to activate this feature. You have trained extensively in close-­in spontaneous
• Unity. As a bonus action you may fuse your staff with combat. You gain a number of Skirmish dice (d6s) equal
your own body, drawing it into yourself. Whilst fused to your proficiency bonus. When it is your turn, if you
in this manner the staff weighs nothing and cannot be are unarmed or are using an improvised weapon, you can
detected or discovered by other creatures. As another use a bonus action to add a Skirmish die to your attack
bonus action you call forth your staff causing it to grow roll or damage roll.
from your palm ready to be used. After the first hour of You regain any spent Skirmish dice when you take a short
being fused with you, any permanent Corruption begins or longer rest.
to be drawn to you. At the end of the second hour the staff
loses a point of permanent Corruption and you gain that Warrior
point. This effect continues each hour until the staff has As a master of weapons and strength, you might learn to
no permanent Corruption left. bring your full weight and strength against your enemy, to
• Strength. You draw vigor from wielding your staff, whilst hold them steady and prevent them from hurting others or
you are touching your staff you have advantage on saving to wield your weapon with deadly grace.
throws against poison and diseases. In addition, while you
are wielding your staff as a weapon, you have advantage Bull Rush
on ability checks to resist being pushed or knocked prone. • Prerequisite: Strength 13 or higher.
If you move 20 feet or more towards a target that is at least
Scoundrel 20 feet away you have advantage on attack rolls (including
You are a master of stealth and thievery. You might focus shove checks) until the end of your turn.
on being flexible and fast, or disappearing into darkness or
surprising folks in combat. Grappler
• Prerequisite: Strength 13 or higher.
Nimble You’ve developed the skills necessary to hold your own in
• Prerequisite: Dexterity 13 or higher. close-­quarters grappling. You gain the following benefits:
You are extraordinarily dexterous: • You have advantage on attack rolls against a creature you
• Your base speed increases by 10 feet. are grappling.
• You can make a Dexterity (Acrobatics) check instead of • You can use your action to try to pin a creature grappled
a Strength (Athletics) check to climb surfaces. by you. To do so, make another grapple check. If you
• you suffer falling damage, you can make a DC 10 Dex-
If succeed, you and the creature are both restrained until
terity saving throw. On a success you take half damage the grapple ends.
from the fall.
Melee Expert
Shadow Walker You have trained extensively in the arts of war. You gain a
• Prerequisite: Dexterity 13 or higher. number of Melee dice (d6s) equal to your proficiency bonus.
You are an expert at stealth. You gain the following benefits: On your turn you can use a bonus action to add a Melee
• You have advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks as long die to your melee attack roll or your weapon damage if you
as you are obscured from any observers. succeed with a melee attack.
• you are hidden, a failed attack roll does not reveal your
If You regain any spent Melee dice when you take a short
location. or longer rest.

According to Master Malliano these signs, carved

in the tower ruin in Old Kadizar, seem to name
the settlement that lay there at the height of
Symbaroum’s power. He has proposed Agrathor
or Ergatharor as possible pronunciations.

157
 SECTION 5

Resources
Light fell through cracks in the ceiling, dancing with the dust that covered every-
thing in the room – the bottles of elixirs, poorly preserved monster trophies and the
matron herself, an aged changeling.
It was Kasimer who had led them to the cabin. Agniesha remained by the door,
apparently uneasy. Gormyx spoke for the group, partly because the steady voice of
the troll singer made him a great negotiator, partly because he knew more about the
Underworld than the rest of them combined. Knowledge of the Abyss was undoubt-
edly relevant in the situation; their nemesis had fled there after the confrontation
and the group had decided to hunt him down.
It looked as if the troll and the changeling had already agreed on a price for a
number of items and elixirs, but they were still squabbling over a brew that the
matron claimed could provide anyone with armor-­like skin, claws and even wings.
Gormyx was just about to present a new argument when Jela heard herself cry out,
“I’ll take it!” The others gave her puzzled looks.
In a calmer voice she explained, “I’ll take it. I’d rather die than allow the black
priest to escape again!”
 5 Resources

This section provides resource information that you’ll use level. This listing includes standard OGL spells, modified
during character creation and play. We first cover the economy OGL spells and brand-­new Symbaroum-­only spells.
of Ruins of Symbaroum, including listings of common equipment, The last section provides detailed information on
weapons, armor, services, elixirs, lesser artifacts, traps, enter- any of the OGL spells that were modified to fit Ruins of
tainment and trade goods. This helps with building the setting ­Symbaroum and all of the new spells. It is provided in or-
and giving you, the player, a strong handle on what is available. der by casting spell level and then alphabetically within
The next section is a listing of all of the spellcasting each level, allowing you to find a spell of an appropriate
traditions and the spells available to them at each casting level quickly.

Equipment
In this chapter you will find some basic information about may require when relaxing and recuperating. The objects
the economy and currency of Ambria, in addition to de- and services listed are available in all major settlements
scriptions of equipment that the player characters may need in Ambria but some can also be manufactured by skilled
during their adventures, along with items and services they player characters.

Economy and Money

The economy of Symbaroum is largely localized and based in thaler as well, but usually handle them in the form of
on the trading of goods. Ambrian barons pay their dukes days worked or goods. At the bottom of the Ambrian society
with armed warriors, and build their own fortunes on the the economy consists of favors, alms, beggar’s bread and
backs of laboring crofters who harvest the fruits of their lonely ortegs.
lands for them. In Davokar and on the western plains, the The following table gives the values of thaler, shillings,
village chieftains provide their clan chieftains with warriors, and ortegs in gold pieces, silver pieces and copper pieces.
and it is the work of the serfs that carries the economy of Essentially, a thaler is worth a gold piece, a shilling is equiv-
the households. alent to a silver piece and an orteg is like a copper piece.
The use of coins has been customary for Ambrians since
before they fled from Alberetor. With time the Ambrian
Coin Name GP Value SP Value CP Value
economy has become regionally accepted, so that trade be-
tween Ambrians and barbarians can be conducted in thaler. Thaler 1 10 100
An increasing number of vassals are also paying their liege Shilling 1/10  1  10
lords in actual coin, which has allowed the lords to hire mer-
Orteg 1/100  1/10   1
cenaries. Even the Queen has a standing royal regiment of
guards, paid in pure silver.
Writ of Debt
Thaler, Shillings and Ortegs The establishment of the thaler as a common form of curren-
The main currency is the thaler, which can be divided into cy has also spread the use of the Writ of Debt. Wealthy indi-
shillings (10 for each thaler) and ortegs (100 for each thaler). viduals can pen a Writ of Debt, wherein the person applies
Farmers rarely handle coins larger than a shilling, since their seal and before witnesses promises that the carrier
most of their transactions are made through trade, using of this writ (the creditor) can withdraw money from any
ortegs and shillings as change. The thaler is the coin of the member of the debtor’s family, alternately from a trading
merchants and often found in the form of a paper Writ of house or another institution which then demands the sum
Debt rather than actual coins. The nobles’ bailiffs count from the debtor’s family.

160
 Equipment 5

THUS SPOKE AROALETA

“… and under moss and roots, under the trails of

crawlers and wrigglers, there are caverns basking
in the gloom of the underworld; there thrive
implings and the bone pale; there the blight grows
on rocky walls and abominable shells; there the
weepers walk in the Halls of a Thousand Tears,
round and round a well about to overflow …”

Bribes Settlements and Equipment

Bribing is a common way to grease the wheels in Ambria. The The characters will want to purchase equipment as they are
size and value of a bribe depends on who is being bribed (in- out adventuring in the world. Different locations have dif-
come) and what kind of action or request the bribe is meant ferent possibilities of satisfying their needs in that regard.
to pay for (in essence, the risk for the one being bribed). The size of a settlement determines its supply of goods.

Level Settlement Single Item Total Value

of Risk Intent Size of Bribe Type (Max. Cost) Available
Low To do one’s job One tenth the person’s daily Lonely Farm 1 shilling 1 thaler’s worth
faster income. If less than an orteg, Solitary Village 1 thaler 10 thaler’s worth
bribes might be made with
Ordinary Village 3 thaler 30 thaler’s worth
food or similar items.
Trade Station 10 thaler 100 thaler’s worth
Moderate To break a rule One day’s income
Ambrian Town 50 thaler 500 thaler’s worth
High To break a law 10–100 × daily income, as
Thistle Hold 100 thaler 1000 thaler’s worth
well as an alibi or excuse for
the bribed person. Very few Yndaros 1000 thaler 10000 thaler’s worth
people will risk death or
exile just for money. Single Item: The highest cost for a single object that can
be purchased in the settlement. You can probably order
Future Shares more expensive objects to this place (depending on how
Future shares have evolved in Thistle Hold as a way to fi- isolated it is from the surrounding world), but there will
nance adventures into the depths of Davokar. The risks are be an added transport time, there and back, and the price
sky-­high, but may also yield exponentially greater returns. will be 50% higher than usual.
Future shares consist of a witnessed contract where inves- Total Value Available: The cost if you were to buy all of an
tors pay coin to a high-­risk enterprise with the promise of available item from that location. Divide this number by
a return of money in proportion to the investment. the cost of the item to calculate how many units of that
product are available for purchase.
Example: The characters need capital and choose to invest
in future shares. Grafoldo, the baron of Erebus, is about to Example: The player characters visit a solitary village and
launch an expedition to the Arc of Beremegos. The Game­ ask for Choking Spores (cost 10 thaler). The village wise
master tells the players that the adventure has a series of man mumbles something about a bad harvest – they do
challenges: it is worth five times the money invested if all not have any to sell, as only items costing 1 thaler or less
of these are overcome, while the characters will get their are available here. The characters then ask for rations (cost
money back, more or less, if half of the challenges are solved. 5 ortegs) which brightens the old man’s mood: he surely
If fewer than that are solved, then everything is lost. The has that! The characters purchase half of his entire stock,
characters invest a thousand thaler and accompany the which is 100 units (total value 10 thaler/single item value
expedition into Davokar in order to protect their investment. 0.05 thaler = 200 units total, half of which is 100).

161
 5 Resources

Weapons
Your class grants proficiency in certain weapons, The tables show the setting’s most common weapons, their
reflecting both the class’s focus and the tools you are price, weight, damage, and any special properties. The weap-
most likely to use. Whether you favor a longsword or a ons are classified as either melee or ranged. A melee weapon
longbow, your weapon and your ability to wield it effec- is used to attack a target within 5 feet of you, whereas a ranged
tively can mean the difference between life and death weapon is used to attack a target at a distance.
while adventuring. After each table notes are given on any unusual weapons.

SIMPLE MELEE WEAPONS

Name Cost Damage Wt. Properties
Club 1 shilling 1d4 bludgeoning 2 lb. Light
Dagger 2 thaler 1d4 piercing 1 lb. Finesse, light, thrown (range 20/60)
Greatclub 2 shillings 1d8 bludgeoning 10 lb. Two-­handed
Handaxe 5 thaler 1d6 slashing 2 lb. Light, thrown (range 20/60)
Javelin 5 shillings 1d6 piercing 2 lb. Thrown (range 30/120)
Light hammer 2 thaler 1d4 bludgeoning 2 lb. Light, thrown (range 20/60)
Mace 5 thaler 1d6 bludgeoning 4 lb. —
Quarterstaff 2 shillings 1d8 bludgeoning 4 lb. Two-­handed
Sickle 1 thaler 1d4 slashing 2 lb. Light
Spear 1 thaler 1d6 piercing 3 lb. Thrown (range 20/60), versatile (1d8)

Greatclub. A heavy stick. Portable firetubes, when used in Mace. A short-­handled rod with a heavy metal ball or
melee, also count. flanged head on one end.
Javelin. With a shaft that is lighter and shorter than a Sickle. A bent-­bladed device with the cutting edge inside of
spear’s, these weapons are built for throwing, usually at the curve, usually used for gathering crops, sometimes
the beginning of a battle. for ending lives.
Light hammer. Usually the tool of a carpenter or black- Spear. Easy to train with and adaptable, spears are often the
smith, this weapon is often found among militias. first choice of barbarians and Ambrian militias.

SIMPLE RANGED WEAPONS

Name Cost Damage Wt. Properties
Crossbow, light 15 thaler 1d8 piercing 5 lb. Ammunition (range 80/320), loading, two-­handed
Dart   5 ortegs 1d4 piercing 1/4 lb. Finesse, thrown (range 20/60)
Horseman’s Bow 10 thaler 1d6 piercing 2 lb. Ammunition (range 80/320), two-­handed
Sling   1 shilling 1d4 bludgeoning — Ammunition (range 30/120)
Spear Sling   5 thaler 1d6 piercing 2 lb. Ammunition (range 40/160), deep impact

Horseman’s Bow. Shorter than a longbow, this weapon can Spear Sling. The barbarians of eastern Davokar, and es-
be used while mounted and also works well on foot with- pecially the members of clan Karohar, prefer the use of
in the forest of Davokar. spear slings – a throwing arm with a hook that is attached
to the end of a short spear in order to throw it with tre-
mendous force.

162
 Equipment 5

MARTIAL MELEE WEAPONS

Name Cost Damage Wt. Properties
Assassin’s Blade 20 thaler 1d6 piercing 1 lb. Concealed, finesse
Axe 20 thaler 1d8 slashing 3 lb. —
Chain Staff 20 thaler 1d8 bludgeoning 3 lb. Ensnaring, reach
Crow’s Beak   5 thaler 1d8 piercing 3 lb. Deep impact
Double-­axe 30 thaler 1d12 slashing 7 lb. Massive, two-­handed
Estoc 30 thaler 1d8 piercing 3 lb. Deep impact, finesse
Executioner’s Sword 60 thaler 1d12 slashing 4 lb. Massive, two-­handed
Fencing Sword 25 thaler 1d8 piercing 2 lb. Finesse
Flail 10 thaler 1d8 bludgeoning 2 lb. Ensnaring
Grappling Axe 30 thaler 1d8 slashing 4 lb. Versatile (1d10)
Great Flail 20 thaler 1d12 bludgeoning 8 lb. Ensnaring, heavy, two-­handed
Greatsword 50 thaler 2d6 slashing 6 lb. Heavy, two-­handed
Halberd 20 thaler 1d10 slashing 6 lb. Heavy, reach, two-­handed
Lance 10 thaler 1d12 piercing 6 lb. Heavy, reach, special
Long Hammer 25 thaler 1d8 bludgeoning 2 lb. Versatile (1d10)
Longsword 15 thaler 1d8 slashing 3 lb. Versatile (1d10)
Maul 10 thaler 2d6 bludgeoning 10 lb. Heavy, two-­handed
Parrying Dagger   5 thaler 1d4 piercing 1 lb. Balanced, light
Pike 15 thaler 1d10 piercing 18 lb. Heavy, reach, two-­handed
Shortsword 10 thaler 1d6 piercing 2 lb. Finesse, light
Stiletto   5 thaler 1d4 piercing 1 lb. Deep impact, finesse
Whip   2 thaler 1d4 slashing 3 lb. Ensnaring, finesse, reach

Assassin’s Blade. The slender grip and the feather-­thin steel crow’s beak is a club whose metal head is fitted with a
of the blade makes this weapon easy to conceal without spike or a beak of steel, in order to punch through armor
sacrificing its bite. It is easily strapped to the wrist or more easily. After the escape to Yndaros, the smiths of
ankle, or even attached behind the neck with a lump of the Kandorian war pick settled down in the district of
resin. Special girdles or hidden pockets in clothes work Old Kadizar where they have continued to craft their
just as well. The weapon can be smuggled past guards, dreaded weapons.
to be used on secret missions or to be handed over to a Double-­axe. The barbarian double-­axe (not to be confused
prisoner. with the more common pole axe with its single-­edged
Axe. Preferred weapon of many barbarians. axe head) is aptly named after its twin axe heads and is
Chain Staff. The chain staff was developed by elves and has presumed to be a legacy from the fallen Symbaroum. In
been adopted by some barbarian clans. The weapon is those days the double-­axe was a weapon as well as a sym-
composed of a staff with a short chain attached to each bol of status and standing. Even though the knowledge
end, making it possible to use the weapon to ensnare a of metallurgy has dwindled since the fall of Symbaroum
target. The chains often end in a weight or a short blade, these powerful weapons can still be forged, often made
making it even more deadly. for particularly prominent warriors. Ambrians consider
Crow’s Beak. A less elegant, but still effective weapon is the double-­axe crude and savage, fit for barbarians and
the crow’s beak, also known as a Kandorian war pick af- few else, but its shape is well known because of its sim-
ter the city in Alberetor where it was first forged. The ilarity to the royal rune, Labrys.

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Estoc. This is a fencing sword but with a tapered blade that Great Flail. The great flail is a larger version of the regular
ends in a wedge-­shaped tip, intended to penetrate the flail. As might be expected, the heavier flail is slower but
target’s armor. has a greater impact on the unfortunates who are hit by
Executioner’s Sword. This giant sword is used by execu- its massive head.
tioners to end the lives of nobles – the axe is for mer- Greatsword. This double-­handed blade is the weapon of
chants and artisans, the rope for commoners – but there choice for some of the most famous knights of Ambria.
are also those who wield the weapon on the battlefield. Halberd. Known as the pole axe among barbarians, it com-
Fencing Sword. In Yndaros, the Ambrian fencing sword is bines the point of a spear with the head of an axe. It can-
considered to be of the highest fashion, an instrument not thrust as quickly as the spear, but its sweeping chop
with superior precision made from strong but flexible can have a devastating effect.
steel. It is often combined with the duelist’s favorite, the Lance. The value of this weapon should not be underesti-
parrying dagger, which gives the lightly armored fighter mated – the largest monstrosities of the Dark Lords were
a stronger defense in combat. often slain by lances in the hands of brave knights. The
Flail. The single-­handed cousin of the great flail. weapon was also used by the Ambrian cavalry to gain
Grappling Axe. This long-­shafted axe is often used during dominance over the lowlands and drive barbarians, packs
assaults. It can be held one-­handed, together with a shield, of predators and abominations into the forest of Davokar.
or alone when climbing ladders to the battlement where Long Hammer. This mighty weapon can be used in one
it is gripped in both hands to clear the top of the wall. hand together with a shield but will come into its own
Older models from The Great War were used in sea battles only when held in a two-­handed grip.
and have a grappling hook on the back of the axe head, Longsword. The master smiths of the Pansars forge the
in order to secure safe passage from one ship to another. finest weapons in Ambria, and the longswords of the

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Queen’s Guard are an exquisite testament to that fact, at Pike. The slender shaft and fire-­tempered steel point of
least when wielded by the right warrior. The weapon is the Ambrian pike slides towards the target with great
preferably handled with both hands but can also be used precision.
single-­handedly with a shield. Shortsword. A straight blade with a sharp point for thrust-
Maul. This weapon is a long-­handled hammer with a heavy ing attacks.
head of wood, lead, or iron. Stiletto. The slender and agile stiletto is a dagger whose ra-
Parrying Dagger. The parrying dagger, with its wide zor sharp point stabs deeply – the weapon of an assassin.
and v-­shaped cross-­guard, has become very popular Whip. This whip has been adapted from the common herding
in Yndaros, and is often wielded together with a fenc- or slave-­driving whip; its function is not only to drive but
ing sword. also to snare the target. Also, its length gives it a consider-
able flicking power able to wound lightly armored targets.

MARTIAL RANGED WEAPONS

Name Cost Damage Wt. Properties
Arbalest   50 thaler 1d10 piercing 18 lb. Ammunition (range 100/400), deep impact, heavy,
loading, two-­handed
Blowpipe   10 thaler 1 piercing 1 lb. Ammunition (range 25/100), loading
Bolas   5 thaler 1 bludgeoning 2 lb. Finesse, restraining, thrown (range 30/90)
Composite Bow   30 thaler 1d8 piercing 3 lb. Ammunition (range 80/320), deep impact, two-­handed
Crossbow, hand   75 thaler 1d6 piercing 3 lb. Ammunition (range 30/120), light, loading
Crossbow, heavy   25 thaler 1d10 piercing 18 lb. Ammunition (range 100/400), heavy, loading,
two-­handed
Crossbow, repeating 100 thaler 1d8 piercing 20 lb. Ammunition (range 80/320), two-­handed
Longbow   20 thaler 1d8 piercing 2 lb. Ammunition (range 150/600), heavy, two-­handed
Net   1 thaler — 3 lb. Ensnaring, special, thrown (range 5/15)
Throwing Wing   10 thaler 1d6 bludgeoning 1 lb. Returning, thrown (range 30/90)

Arbalest. This is a heavy Ambrian crossbow with a bow of from layers of horn and sinews over a wooden core; it is
feather-­light steel, which gives its bolts a bit of extra shorter and not as precise as the longbow but more pow-
punch. erful. Its size makes it perfect for use while on horseback,
Blowpipe. The purpose of this weapon is to fire a poisoned the driver’s seat of a wagon or the narrow platform of a
dart towards a target. The dart deals minimal damage battle chariot.
itself, but penetrates any protection worn on a successful Crossbow, hand. Among the thieves and gangs of Yn-
hit. See page 182 for more details on poisons. daros, a smaller and more easily concealed version of
Bolas. This weapon is used in Davokar when someone wants the crossbow is used. It can be held and fired in one
to capture the prey alive; or in order to slow down a target hand, but requires two to load and has nearly the same
before moving in for the kill. The bolas are made of two punch as the standard crossbow. Assassins often apply
or more weights tied together with ropes that, together, poison to the bolts, making the weapon very effective
are hurled at the target’s legs or arms in order to hinder for its size.
movement. Normally, such a weapon is thrown at the Crossbow, repeating. This is a mechanically advanced
opponent’s legs and if the attack roll is successful, the version of the crossbow. The weapon has a push lever
target becomes prone and restrained. It is harder to hit underneath, for quicker reloading. Only the most skilled
the arms of the target – this requires an attack roll at blacksmiths are able to construct such technically ad-
regular range with disadvantage. On a success the target vanced weaponry.
cannot use their arms. Removing the bolas requires an Throwing Wing. These weapons are designed to return to
action to attempt a DC 13 Strength (Athletics) or Dexterity the user if they miss their target. In the depths of Davokar,
(Acrobatics) check. throwing wings made from hardened wood are used to
Composite Bow. Among the wagon-­riding Varaks and Saars hunt small game, while the ones used in combat have a
who live on the plains west of Davokar, bow-­making is knife-­sharp edge of steel all around the wing.A proficient
a highly esteemed art form. The composite bow is made user can catch a returning wing as an object interaction.

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ALCHEMICAL WEAPONS
Name Cost Damage Wt. Properties
Breaching Pot (buried) 100 thaler* 3d10 bludgeoning 20 lb. Siege
Breaching Pot (ground) 100 thaler* 3d8 fire 20 lb. Area effect (20-foot radius)
Firetube, Portable 100 thaler* See Firetube 20 lb. Ammunition (range 0), area effect (20-foot cone),
Ammunition heavy, loading, two-­handed
Firetube, Stationary 250 thaler* See Firetube 50 lb. Ammunition (range 0), area effect (60-foot cone),
Ammunition immobile, loading, siege
Grenade   25 thaler 1d10 fire 1 lb. Area effect (5-foot radius), thrown (range 30/90)
* This is military cost, black market can easily be double this.

turn the weapon into a devastating flamethrower. This de-

vice requires proficiency with alchemical weapons to use.
Untrained Use of Alchemical Weapons
The alchemical weapons which may be used by
anyone entail risk for the untrained – they must roll a
d20, on a natural 1 the weapon blows up in their face. Using an Alchemical Firetube
If this happens the user takes damage automatically. Firetubes have an area of effect. Instead of making an
Any creatures within the area effect of the device attack roll, creatures in the area of effect must make a
must make a DC 10 Dexterity saving throw, taking Dexterity saving throw against a DC equal to 8 plus your
full damage on a failed save and half damage on a proficiency bonus plus your Dexterity modifier. Crea-
successful one. Trained users do not risk such cata- tures that succeed on the saving throw take half dam-
strophic failures. age, those that fail take normal damage and are subject
to any conditions until the end of their next turn.

Breaching Pot. This is a jar filled with volatile substances that

explode when ignited or crushed. If the breaching pot has Grenade. The alchemical grenade is the smaller cousin of
been buried close to a structure it has the siege quality; if the breaching pot – a sturdy ceramic vessel is filled with
it detonates in open air, it has an area effect instead. Note volatile substances that explode when ignited with a fuse
that whoever sets up a breaching pot must use a fuse to or when the vessel is crushed. The grenade is fist-­sized
avoid suffering from the effect. Anyone can use a breach- and is thrown by hand or with a sling. Anyone can use
ing pot but only those proficient with Alchemical Weapons this weapon but see the sidebar about untrained use.
can do so without risking a catastrophic failure. See the
sidebar. Breaching pots can also be used as ammunition for
catapults, in which case they have an area effect on impact.
Firetube, portable. This is a lighter version of the station- Throwing Grenades
ary siege weapon with the same name. When you throw a grenade, you can either aim for a
The portable version is made of a solid pipe, which is creature, in which case the to-hit roll is against its AC,
loaded with alchemical flammables that when ignited or aim for a specific spot on the ground which is AC 13.
turn the weapon into a flamethrower. Anyone can use On a failure the grenade lands somewhere else: roll 1D8
this weapon but see the sidebar about untrained use. for cardinal direction (1 = north, 2 = north-east, 3 = east,
Firetube, stationary. This weapon consists of a cylinder – usu- etc.) and 1d10 for distance in feet and explodes.
ally a hollowed log, but fully cast versions also exist – which
is loaded with alchemical flammables that when ignited

FIRETUBE AMMUNITION
Name Cost (Portable/Stationary) Wt. Effects (Portable/Stationary)
Bang Powder (DC 25)   8/24 thaler 2 lb./5 lb. 1d10/2d8 thunder damage, deafened
Burning Powder (DC 20)   12/30 thaler 1 lb./3 lb. 1d12/2d10 fire damage
Flash Powder (DC 25)   6/20 thaler 1 lb./3 lb. 1d6/2d6 fire damage, blinded
Shock Powder (DC 30) 20/50 thaler 2 lb./5 lb. 1d12/4d6 bludgeoning damage, stunned

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 Equipment 5

SIEGE WEAPONS
Name Cost Damage Wt. Properties
Ballista 200 thaler 2d12 piercing   450 lb. Ammunition (range 200/800), crewed (2), immobile,
reload, siege
Catapult 400 thaler 3d8 bludgeoning* 2000 lb. Ammunition (range 300/1200), area effect (5-foot radius),
crewed (4), immobile, reload, siege
Missile Battery 150 thaler 3d8 fire   300 lb. Ammunition (range 150/600), area effect (10-foot radius),
crewed (2), immobile, reload
Trebuchet 350 thaler 3d12 bludgeoning* 2500 lb. Ammunition (range 300/1200), area effect (5-foot radius),
crewed (4), immobile, reload, siege
* A breaching pot can be used as ammunition instead of a rock, in this case the breaching pot explodes as if it were on the
ground and uses those statistics and properties instead.

Ballista. Essentially, this is a massive, stationary cross- expend one piece of ammunition. Drawing the ammu-
bow, intended to fire at fixed targets, troop formations nition from a quiver, case, or other container is part of
on the field and monsters of the most robust sort. In The the attack (you need a free hand to load a one-­handed
Great War, the ballista was used against the undead draft weapon). At the end of the battle, you can recover half
beasts of the Dark Lords, with the intent of stopping their your expended ammunition by taking a minute to search
siege towers from reaching the ramparts. This continued the battlefield.
during the colonization of Ambria, with the tame beasts If you use a weapon that has the ammunition prop-
of the barbarian warlords as the primary targets. Even erty to make a melee attack, you treat the weapon as an
today, ballistae are aimed towards Davokar from atop improvised weapon (see “Improvised Weapons” later in
outposts and wall-­towers. the section). A sling must be loaded to deal any damage
Catapult. Ballistic devices have long been employed in when used in this way.
Alberetor’s many wars, and most frequently used, then Area Effect. This weapon’s ammunition explodes. Instead
and now, is the catapult. Compared to its bigger cous- of making an attack roll, the user designates an area and
in, the trebuchet, it is relatively easy to transport but each creature in the area makes a Dexterity saving throw
still very effective against both structures and troops. with the DC equal to 8 + the user’s proficiency bonus plus
It takes someone proficient with siege weapons to load, their attack modifier. A failed save means the target takes
aim and fire a catapult; it can be loaded with boulders or full damage and a successful save means that they take
with breaching pots, the former crushing buildings and no damage.
the latter more effective against weaker but flammable Balanced. The weapon is so well balanced that it is extra
targets, including hostile troop formations on the field effective when parrying. If you wield this weapon in
of battle. one hand with a weapon in the other hand increase your
Missile Battery. The missile battery is a siege weapon un- AC by 1.
suitable for use by anyone but trained Sappers. It consists Crewed. These weapons requires several individuals to op-
of a wooden frame into which dozens of missiles can be erate them successfully. The minimum crew is given in
loaded. When ignited, the burning, screeching missiles parentheses and at least one member must be proficient
rain down on the enemy troops. with siege weapons.
Trebuchet. The queen of siege weapons is the mighty tre- Concealed. This blade can be hidden on a creature’s body,
buchet, a ballistic device with power enough to raze the underneath clothes or armor. Make a Dexterity (Sleight
sturdiest walls, at least after a number of shots. The tre- of Hand) check when you hide it, and compare against
buchet can only be handled by someone proficient with passive Perception or an active search as needed.
siege weapons. Deep Impact. This weapon is built such that a precise blow
can cause extraordinary damage. If you score a critical
Weapon Properties hit with this weapon you double both the damage dice
Many weapons have special properties related to their use, and the damage modifier.
as shown in the Weapon tables. Ensnaring. This weapon can wrap around limbs, tempo-
Ammunition. You can use a weapon that has the ammu- rarily pulling an enemy off balance. When you make
nition property to make a ranged attack only if you also a critical hit with one of these weapons, if the target
have an appropriate type of ammunition to fire from is a creature it is knocked prone in addition to taking
the weapon. Each time you attack with the weapon, you normal damage.

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Finesse. When making an attack with a finesse weapon, you a dagger, you can use either your Strength or your Dex-
use your choice of your Strength or Dexterity modifier terity, since the dagger has the finesse property.
for the attack and damage rolls. You must use the same Two-­Handed. This weapon requires two hands when you
modifier for both rolls. attack with it. This property is relevant only when you
Heavy. Creatures that are Small or Tiny have disadvantage attack with the weapon, not when you simply hold it.
on attack rolls with heavy weapons. A heavy weapon’s Versatile. This weapon can be used with one or two hands.
size and bulk make it too large for a Small or Tiny crea- A damage value in parentheses appears with the property
ture to use effectively. – the damage when the weapon is used with two hands to
Immobile. Setting up this weapon or breaking it down can make a melee attack.
only be done outside of combat (several hours usually).
Light. A light weapon is small and easy to handle, making Improvised Weapons
it ideal for use when fighting with two weapons. Sometimes characters don’t have their weapons and have
Loading. Because of the time required to load this weapon, to attack with whatever is at hand. An improvised weapon
you can fire only one piece of ammunition from it when includes any object you can wield in one or two hands, such
you use an action, bonus action, or reaction to fire it, re- as broken glass, a table leg, a frying pan, or a wagon wheel.
gardless of the number of attacks you can normally make. Often, an improvised weapon is similar to an actual
Massive. Creatures that are Small or Tiny have disadvan- weapon and can be treated as such. For example, a table leg
tage on attack rolls with massive weapons. A massive is akin to a club. At the DM’s discretion, a character profi-
weapon’s size and bulk make it too large for a Small or cient with a weapon can use a similar object as if it were
Tiny creature to use effectively. When rolling damage for that weapon and use their proficiency bonus.
a massive weapon, roll the damage die twice and take the An object that bears no resemblance to a weapon deals
better result. This applies only to the initial damage die, 1d4 damage (the DM assigns a damage type appropriate to
not any bonus damage. the object). If a character uses a ranged weapon to make a
Range. A weapon that can be used to make a ranged attack melee attack, or throws a melee weapon that does not have
has a range shown in parentheses after the ammunition, the thrown property, it also deals 1d4 damage. An impro-
ranged or thrown property. The range usually lists two vised thrown weapon has a normal range of 20 feet and a
numbers. The first is the weapon’s normal range in feet, long range of 60 feet.
and the second indicates the weapon’s long range. If it
lists only 0, then the weapon fires directly, usually in Silvered Weapons
a line or cone shape. When attacking a target beyond Some monsters that have immunity or resistance to non-
normal range, you have disadvantage on the attack roll, magical weapons are susceptible to silver weapons, so cau-
or defenders have advantage on their saving throw. You tious adventurers invest extra coin to plate their weapons
can’t attack a target beyond the weapon’s long range. with silver. You can silver a single weapon or ten pieces of
Reach. This weapon adds 5 feet to your reach when you ammunition for 50 thaler. This cost represents not only the
attack with it, as well as when determining your reach price of the silver, but the time and expertise needed to add
for opportunity attacks with it (see chapter 9). silver to the weapon without making it less effective.
Reload. This weapon requires the crew to take the Reload
action after firing it and thus can only be shot every other Special Weapons
round. Weapons with special rules are described here.
Restraining. A successful hit with this weapon causes the Lance. You have disadvantage when you use a lance to attack
restrained condition. a target within 5 feet of you. Also, a lance requires two
Returning. If you miss with this weapon it returns to your hands to wield when you aren’t mounted.
hand. Net. A Large or smaller creature hit by a net is restrained
Siege. This weapon does double damage to structures. until it is freed. A net has no effect on creatures that are
Special. A weapon with the special property has unusual formless, or creatures that are Huge or larger. A creature
rules governing its use, explained in the weapon’s de- can use its action to make a DC 10 Strength check, freeing
scription (see “Special Weapons” later in this section). itself or another creature within its reach on a success.
Thrown. If a weapon has the thrown property, you can Dealing 5 slashing damage to the net (AC 10) also frees
throw the weapon to make a ranged attack. If the weap- the creature without harming it, ending the effect and
on is a melee weapon, you use the same ability modifier destroying the net.
for that attack roll and damage roll that you would use When you use an action, bonus action, or reaction to
for a melee attack with the weapon. For example, if you attack with a net, you can make only one attack regard-
throw a handaxe, you use your Strength, but if you throw less of the number of attacks you can normally make.

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 Equipment 5

Armor
The Armor table shows the cost, weight, and other prop- Shields. A shield is made from wood or metal and is carried
erties of the common types of armor and shields used in the in one hand. Wielding a buckler (a small shield) increases
world of Symbaroum. your Armor Class by 1, a regular shield increases your
Armor Proficiency. Anyone can put on a suit of armor or Armor Class by 2. You can benefit from only one shield
strap a shield to an arm. Only those proficient in the armor’s at a time.
use know how to wear it effectively, however. Your class
gives you proficiency with certain types of armor. If you Light Armor
wear armor that you lack proficiency with, you have dis- Light armor is easy to come by and does not limit the wear-
advantage on any ability check, saving throw, or attack roll er’s capabilities substantially in acrobatic situations or when
that involves Strength or Dexterity, and you can’t cast spells. performing stealthy maneuvers.
Armor Class (AC). Armor protects its wearer from attacks; If you wear light armor, you add your Dexterity modifier
an attack roll that is lower than your AC may still hit to the base number from your armor type to determine your
you but the armor prevents you from taking substantial Armor Class.
damage. The armor (and shield) you wear determines
your base Armor Class.

LIGHT ARMOR
Name Cost Armor Class Wt. Properties
Blessed Robe 10 thaler 11 + Dexterity modifier   5 lb. —
Concealed Armor 20 thaler 11 + Dexterity modifier   4 lb. Concealable
Order Cloak 10 thaler 11 + Dexterity modifier   5 lb. —
Skald’s Cuirass 30 thaler 12 + Dexterity modifier 20 lb. —
Studded Leather 20 thaler 12 + Dexterity modifier 15 lb. —
Witch Gown 10 thaler 11 + Dexterity modifier   5 lb. —
Wolf Skin   1 thaler 12 + Dexterity modifier 15 lb. Cumbersome
Woven Silk 50 thaler 12 + Dexterity modifier   6 lb. —

Blessed Robe. The priestly robes of the theurgs are blessed as well. For instance, wealthy duelists in Yndaros often
and protected by benevolent forces so that the Church’s color their cuirasses in personal colors, so that they can
finest can travel safely throughout the kingdom, and be recognized from afar.
beyond. Studded Leather. Also known as brigandine, this armor
Concealed Armor. Sorcerers have many reasons to stay has metal plates riveted (the ‘studs’) to a leather overcoat
hidden. To do this, they often weave mystically reinforced and cloth inner lining.
threads into their cloths, resulting in tunics and capes Witch Gown. The witches of the clans bind protective
that look ordinary but offer protection. Other groups, spirits in carved pieces of bone and the skulls of fallen
such as spies, would love to have access to such garments, enemies, and attach them to their clothing for effective
so they can avoid unwanted attention while still being protection.
ready for battle. Wolf Skin. For poor barbarian scouts the cheap, cumber-
Order Cloak. Most novice mages of Ordo Magica are giv- some wolf skin armor is a common alternative; skin that
en a protective cloak in time for their first long journey. has been tanned in the most simple way and sewn togeth-
These cloaks are embroidered with warding runes, which er into some kind of passable protection.
increases the chance of the novice surviving to complete Woven Silk. Woven silk is the finest light armor available,
their appointed task. since the close weave of its threads withstands stabs and
Skald’s Cuirass. Troll singers are often warrior poets and cuts far better than its weight suggests. Woven silk has
many wear a flexible armor of woven cloth- or leather-­ been used by both barbarians and Ambrians for a long
strips, strengthened with protective harmonies. The time and some scholars speculate that the technique orig-
Skald’s Cuirass is durable without hampering the wear- inally comes from the elves, possibly dating as far back
ers’ movement, making it popular among other groups as the days of the Iron Pact.

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Medium Armor
Medium armor offers better protection than the light ver- If you wear medium armor, you add your Dexterity mod-
sions but at the cost of being more restrictive to the wear- ifier, to a maximum of +2, to the base number from your
er’s movements. However, this downside is considered an armor type to determine your Armor Class.
acceptable trade-­off by most melee combatants.

MEDIUM ARMOR
Name Cost Armor Class Wt. Properties
Chain Shirt   50 thaler 13 + Dexterity modifier (max 2) 20 lb. —
Crow Armor   5 thaler 14 + Dexterity modifier (max 2) 30 lb. Cumbersome
Double Chain Mail 125 thaler 14 + Dexterity modifier (max 2) 40 lb. Noisy
Lacquered Silk Cuirass   60 thaler 14 + Dexterity modifier (max 2) 18 lb. —
Laminated Armor 150 thaler 15 + Dexterity modifier (max 2) 40 lb. —
Scale Mail   50 thaler 15 + Dexterity modifier (max 2) 45 lb. Noisy

Chain Shirt. A simple short-­sleeved shirt of chainmail that still around and there are blacksmiths who actually prefer
hangs down to mid-­thigh. them because of their greater protective capability. Some
Crow Armor. Medium armor is more expensive than light, of Ambria’s noble houses still dress in this type of armor,
which is the reason why many warriors have picked, riv- for sentimental… or, as they claim, “traditional” reasons.
eted and bound together a so-­called “crow armor” of their Laminated armor can only protect the torso, shoulders and
own. It is cheap, but far more difficult to move around in. hips – arms and legs are usually dressed in studded leather
Double Chain Mail. Double-­threaded chainmail can only (included in the Armor Class rating) to maintain mobility.
be crafted by the most skilled blacksmiths; with thinner Scale Mail. This armor consists of a coat and leggings (and
rings that interlock in layers they craft an armor which perhaps a separate skirt) of leather covered with over-
is as flexible as chainmail but even more durable. lapping pieces of metal, much like the scales of a fish.
Lacquered Silk Cuirass. Barbarian warriors that have The suit includes gauntlets.
earned their place in the guard of a wealthy clan chieftain
can sometimes be seen wearing a cuirass of lacquered Heavy Armor
silk, an armor that despite its apparent lightness pro- Those melee combatants that can afford it usually chose in-
tects like a breast plate. According to legend, the secret creased protection at the cost of even greater restrictions to their
of lacquered silk was given to humankind by the elves, movement. A self-­respecting knight wears chainmail enforced
in a time when the Iron Pact was still strong and humans by shoulder, knee and elbow plates, while those with the means
battled the parasitic darkness of Symbaroum. tend to order themselves a personalized set of full plate armor.
Laminated Armor. This is an older armor-­type, nowadays Heavy armor doesn’t let you add your Dexterity modifier
often replaced by the cheaper scale mail or the flexible to your Armor Class, but it also doesn’t penalize you if your
chainmail. However, some old laminated sets of armor are Dexterity modifier is negative.

HEAVY ARMOR
Name Cost Armor Class Wt. Properties
Chain and Plate 250 thaler 15 50 lb. —
Field Armor 500 thaler 17 70 lb. Cumbersome, Weighty (13)
Field Armor of the Pansars 750 thaler 18 70 lb. Noisy, Weighty (15)
Full Plate 500 thaler 16 65 lb. Noisy, Weighty (15)

Chain and Plate. A long-­sleeved, knee-­length set of chain- Field Armor of the Pansars. The master smiths working
mail with plates at sensitive joint areas like shoulders, for the Pansars can forge full plate armor using pleated
elbows, knees, etc. steel sheets while retaining the flexibility of standard
Field Armor. Field armor is a full plate forged with pleated plated armor.
sheets, making it less flexible than full plate, but even Full Plate. Full plate consists of shaped, interlocking metal
more impervious to slashing strikes and blows. plates to cover the entire body.

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 Equipment 5

Shields
These defensive devices are worn on one hand and used to
ward off blows. They increase your Armor Class.

SHIELDS
Armor Class
Name Cost Modifier Wt. Properties
Buckler   4 thaler +1 2 lb. —
Shield 10 thaler +2 6 lb. —

Buckler. This small shield is usually held directly in front

of the fist and is favored by those fencers who don’t carry
a parrying dagger.
Shield. This is a round or kite-­shaped wooden device
strapped to your forearm and usually big enough to cover
your entire torso.

Getting Into and Out of Armor

The time it takes to don or doff a type of armor or a shield is
shown in the Donning and Doffing Armor table.
Don. This is the time it takes to put on the item. You benefit
from its AC only if you take the full time to don it.
Doff. This is the time it takes to take off the item. If you have
help removing armor, reduce this time by half.

DONNING AND DOFFING ARMOR

Category Don Doff
Light Armor 1 minute 1 minute
Medium Armor 5 minutes 5 minutes
Heavy Armor 10 minutes 5 minutes
Buckler Object Interaction* Gesture*
Shield Action Action
* Characters receive one free object interaction on their
turn, which could be to draw and grip their buckler. Toss-
ing the buckler to the ground is part of the character’s
other free gestures and would not count as an action or
object interaction.

Armor Properties
The following are special properties related to armor.
Concealable. This armor can be worn under normal clothing.
Cumbersome. This armor is unwieldy and you have disad-
vantage on all Dexterity checks while wearing it.
Noisy. This armor tends to rattle or otherwise make loud
sounds. You have disadvantage on any Dexterity (Stealth)
checks involving hearing.
Weighty. This armor is especially heavy, you must have a
Strength score equal to or higher than the number given
in parentheses or reduce your speed by 10 feet.

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Equipment and Services

In the towns and cities of Ambria, a person with money in
EQUIPMENT
their pockets can purchase almost anything that adventur-
ers and explorers might need. There is also the possibility Item Cost Weight
to pay for numerous services, such as a bath and a shave, Bandages   5 ortegs —
having a map drawn or hiring the protection of bodyguards. Bear Trap   1 thaler 25 lb
Goods and services grow scarcer both in the countryside Bedroll   5 ortegs   7 lb.
and among the clans, so do not be surprised if the trader
Blanket   2 ortegs   3 lb.
asks for a favor rather than coins as payment, should you
actually find what you seek. Brass bell   6 shillings —
Climbing equipment   1 thaler 12 lb.
Cooking pan   1 shilling   5 lb.
Crayons   1 orteg —
Equipment Packs Crowbar   2 thaler   5 lb.
The starting equipment you get from your class
Drinking horn   2 ortegs 3 lb. (full)
includes a collection of useful adventuring gear, put
together in a pack. The contents of these packs are Firewood   2 ortegs   3 lb.
listed here. Fishing line, lures and   5 ortegs —
Burglar’s Pack. Includes a backpack, 10 feet of string, hooks
a bell, 5 candles, a crowbar, a hammer, 10 pitons, a Fishing net   1 shilling   4 lb.
lantern, 2 flasks of oil, 5 days rations, a tinderbox,
Grappling hook*   1 thaler   4 lb.
and a waterskin. The pack also has 50 feet of rope
Holy Symbol   5 thaler   1 lb.
strapped to the side of it.
Diplomat’s Pack. Includes a chest, a set of fine Hourglass 10 thaler   1 lb.
clothes, a bottle of ink, an ink pen, a lamp, 2 flasks Incense   1 thaler —
of oil, 5 sheets of paper, a vial of perfume, wax (1 hour’s worth)
seal, and soap. Ink and quill   1 shilling —
Dungeoneer’s Pack. Includes a backpack, a crowbar, Ladder   7 ortegs 25 lb.
climbing gear, 10 torches, a tinderbox, 10 days of
Lamp Oil   3 ortegs —
rations, and a waterskin. The pack also has 50 feet
of rope strapped to the side of it. Lantern   4 shillings   2 lb.
Entertainer’s Pack. Includes a backpack, a bedroll, 2 Lockpicks   1 thaler —
sets of clothes (your choice), 5 candles, 5 days of Needle and thread   3 ortegs —
rations, a waterskin, and a disguise kit. Paper   7 ortegs —
Explorer’s Pack. Includes a backpack, a bedroll, a
Parchment   4 ortegs —
mess kit, a tinderbox, 10 torches, 10 days of ra-
tions, and a waterskin. The pack also has 50 feet of Perfume   4 thaler   1 lb.
rope strapped to the side of it. Pocket mirror 10 thaler   1 lb.
Priest’s Pack. Includes a backpack, a blanket, 10 Rations   5 ortegs   2 lb.
candles, a tinderbox, an alms box, 2 blocks of in- (per day, per person)
cense, a censer, vestments, 2 days of rations, and Rope (per 50-foot section)   4 shillings   4 lb.
a waterskin.
Rope ladder   5 shillings   2 lb.
Scholar’s Pack. Includes a backpack, a book of lore, a
(per 10-foot section)
bottle of ink, an ink pen, 10 sheets of parchment, a
little bag of sand, and a small knife. Snare   5 shillings 10 lb.
Snow shoes   5 shillings   5 lb.
Soap   5 ortegs —
Spy glass 50 thaler   1 lb.
Tankard   1 orteg   1 lb.
Tent   5 shillings 20 lb.
Torch   3 ortegs   1 lb.

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 Equipment 5

EQUIPMENT CONTAINERS
Item Cost Weight Item Cost
Waterskin   1 shilling 5 lb. (full) Backpack 1 thaler
Wax candle   2 ortegs — Barrel 4 ortegs
Wax, seal   1 thaler   1 lb. Basket 2 ortegs
Weapon maintenance kit   5 shillings   2 lb. Belt pouch 5 ortegs
Whetstone   4 ortegs   1 lb. Chest, small 3 shillings
Whistle   2 shillings — Chest, large 1 thaler
* If the character has a grappling axe it can be used for the Clay pitcher 5 ortegs
same purpose. Coin purse 3 ortegs
Decorated box 2–10 thaler
BUILDINGS Glass vial 1 thaler
Building Cost Knapsack 2 shilling
Croft    20 thaler Quiver 5 shillings
Farm   150 thaler Sack 2 ortegs
Watch tower, wood   200 thaler
Watch tower, stone   500 thaler
FARM ANIMALS
Estate   1000 thaler
Animal Cost
Fort, wood   600 thaler
Bull 10 thaler
Fort, stone   2000 thaler
Chicken   8 ortegs
Keep   5000 thaler
Cow   1 thaler
Castle 10000 thaler
Dog   1 shilling
Ox   3 thaler
TRANSPORT Pig   1 thaler
Transport Cost* Rooster   5 shillings
Boat, rowing   15 thaler Sheep 15 ortegs
Canoe   10 thaler
Cart    5 thaler
EXPENSES
Galley 1000 thaler
Horde, draft   25 thaler Service Cost

Horse, riding   50 thaler Bath at an inn 3 ortegs

Horse, war   200 thaler Bed and meals, countryside 2 ortegs
hayloft (per day)
Mule    5 thaler
Bodyguard (per day) 1 shilling
Riverboat 2000 thaler
Sleigh   10 thaler Camp life, foot soldier (per day) 5 ortegs

Wagon   20 thaler Camp life, rider (per day) 2 shillings

Camp life, knight (per day) 1 thaler
* You can rent passage on a willing transport for 1/10 the
cost, per person, per day. For rowing boats, canoes and Cartographer (per day) 1 thaler
animals you must leave a deposit equal to 1/2 the cost, Inn, countryside (per day) 5 ortegs
or your expected bill, whichever is higher. Inn, town (per day) 1 shilling or more
Medicus 1 shilling plus elixir cost
Mystic, ritual 10 thaler or more
Road or city toll 1 orteg or more
Washing of clothes 7 ortegs

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 5 Resources

CLOTHING TOOLS
Clothes Cost Item Cost Weight
Sets: Cobbler’s tools   5 thaler 5 lb.
Rags 5 ortegs Cook’s utensils   1 thaler 8 lb.
Simple garb 1 shilling Disguise kit 25 thaler 3 lb.
Artisan work-­clothes 5 shillings Excavation tools 10 thaler 10 lb.
Burgher’s dress-­clothes 1 thaler Field Laboratory 25 thaler 20 lb.
Priest’s vestments   5 thaler or more Field Library 20 thaler 25 lb.
Noble’s outfit 10 thaler or more Forgery kit 15 thaler 5 lb.
Individual Items: Gaming sets:
Boots    1 shilling Cheating kit   1 thaler —
Cap   2–4 ortegs Dice set   1 shilling —
Cloak   2–6 ortegs Playing card set   5 shillings —
Coat 5–10 ortegs Glassblower’s tools 30 thaler 5 lb.
Dress 1–10 shillings Herbalism Kit   5 thaler 3 lb.
Gown   1–5 ortegs Jeweler’s tools 25 thaler 2 lb.
Hat   2–4 ortegs Leatherworker’s tools   5 thaler 5 lb.
Mask 5–10 ortegs Mason’s tools 10 thaler 8 lb.
Pants   1–5 ortegs Musical instruments:
Robe   1–5 shillings Bagpipe   1 thaler 6 lb.
Scarf   1–2 ortegs Birch-­bark horn   1 shilling 2 lb.
Shirt   1–4 ortegs Brass horn   1 thaler 2 lb.
Skirt 5–10 ortegs Drum   3 shillings 3 lb.
Tunic   2–7 ortegs Fiddle   3 thaler 2 lb.
Flute   2 shillings 1 lb.
Tools Hurdy-­gurdy   3 thaler 8 lb.
A tool helps you to do something you couldn’t otherwise do, Lute 15 shillings 2 lb.
such as craft or repair an item, forge a document, or pick a lock.
Mouth-­harp   5 shillings 1 lb.
Your origin, class, background, or feats give you proficiency
Shawm   5 shillings 1 lb.
with certain tools. Proficiency with a tool allows you to add
your proficiency bonus to any ability check you make using Spinet 15 thaler 200 lb.
that tool. Tool use is not tied to a single ability, since proficien- Navigator’s tools 25 thaler 2 lb.
cy with a tool represents broader knowledge of its use. For Painter’s supplies 10 thaler 5 lb.
example, the GM might ask you to make a Dexterity check to Poisoner’s kit 50 thaler 2 lb.
carve a fine detail with your woodcarver’s tools, or a Strength
Potter’s tools 10 thaler 3 lb.
check to make something out of particularly hard wood.
Smith’s tools 20 thaler 8 lb.
Tinker’s tools 50 thaler 10 lb.
TOOLS
Thieves’ tools 25 thaler 1 lb.
Item Cost Weight
Trapper’s Manual 50 thaler 3 lb.
Alchemist’s supplies 50 thaler 8 lb.
Weaver’s tools   1 thaler 5 lb.
Artifact Catalog 20 thaler 4 lb.
Woodcarver’s tools   1 thaler 4 lb.
Bestiary 10 thaler 3 lb.
Brewer’s supplies 20 thaler 9 lb.
Artifact Catalog
Calligrapher’s supplies 10 thaler 5 lb.
This well-­thumbed copy compiling all the troll smith Xava-
Carpenter’s tools   8 thaler 6 lb. undo’s knowledge was recorded by Master Balinda of Ordo
Cartographer’s instruments 15 thaler 6 lb. Magica and gives you proficiency with artifact crafting.

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 Equipment 5

Bestiary
A richly illustrated catalog of the dangers of the world,
including marginal notes from previous owners regard-
ing the best ways to avoid monsters – or how to combat
them effectively. The bestiary gives your proficiency to
identify such creatures and know perhaps their strengths
and weaknesses.

Cartographer’s Instruments
Writing utensils, parchment, compass, ruler and a sextant
are the base instruments of a trained cartographer.

Cheating Kit
Weighted dice, marked cards and game pieces give the player
character advantage on ability checks when gambling.

Disguise Kit
This pouch of cosmetics, hair dye, and small props lets
you create disguises that change your physical appear-
ance. Proficiency with this kit lets you add your profi-
ciency bonus to any ability checks you make to create a
visual disguise.

Excavation Tools
A couple of shovels, a small skewer, a strainer and a bucket,
together with brushes, a knotted measuring line and a loupe.
Excavation tools allow checks to find treasures in the ruins
of the world.

Field Laboratory
Burner, retort stand, pipettes, mortar and other instruments
needed by an alchemist. The field laboratory allows alchem-
ical operations while in the field.

Field Library
Half a dozen reference books along with a dozen scrolls on
more specialized topics. The field library allows you to make
reference checks in the field.

Forgery Kit
This small box contains a variety of papers and parchments,
pens and inks, seals and sealing wax, gold and silver leaf, and
other supplies necessary to create convincing forgeries of
physical documents. Proficiency with this kit lets you add
your proficiency bonus to any ability checks you make to
create a physical forgery of a document.

Gaming Set
This item encompasses a wide range of game pieces, in-
cluding dice and decks of cards. If you are proficient with
a gaming set, you can add your proficiency bonus to ability
checks you make to play a game with that set. Each type of
gaming set requires a separate proficiency.

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 5 Resources

Herbalism Kit to rhythmically accompany the music. It has long been

This kit contains a variety of instruments such as clippers, popular in Ambria (and Alberetor before that), but in
mortar and pestle, and pouches and vials used by herbalists Yndaros it has come to be associated with beggars. Many
to create remedies and potions. Proficiency with this kit refugees from the south earn their living by constantly
lets you add your proficiency bonus to any ability checks exposing those passing by to a cacophony of melodic
you make to identify or apply herbs. Also, proficiency droning, creaking and grinding.
with this kit is required to create antitoxin and potions • Lute. String-­instrument with a pear-­shaped base, played
of healing. with the fingers or a pick.
• Mouth Harp. The tiny mouth harp is carried by many
Musical Instrument daythalers, entertainers and jesters, and its sound can
If you have proficiency with a given musical instrument, often be heard in the background at gatherings in Am-
you can add your proficiency bonus to any ability checks bria’s simpler environments.
you make to play music with the instrument. Each type of • Spinet. The spinet is a fingerboard instrument (a harp-
musical instrument requires a separate proficiency. sichord) which is popular in the court of Yndaros and
• Bagpipe. A flute is attached to a leather bag which func- forms the backbone of Ambrian Court Music, together
tions as a bellows. This instrument is particularly popular with the lute.
among some of the clans, but versions of it can also be
found across the Ambrian countryside. However, it is Navigator’s Tools
never seen in Ambria’s finer salons… This set of instruments is used for navigation at sea. Profi-
• Brass Horn. A decent bellowing instrument for pompous ciency with navigator’s tools lets you chart a ship’s course
situations. and follow navigational charts. In addition, these tools allow
• Birch-­bark Horn. Commoners in the Ambrian country- you to add your proficiency bonus to any ability check you
side use these horns for multiple purposes, but mainly make to avoid getting lost at sea.
to scare away beasts and call on their livestock. The horn
is also used to send messages over long distances; a lone Poisoner’s Kit
herdsman can signal surrounding holdings from where A poisoner’s kit includes the vials, chemicals, and other
the message is passed on. Skilled horn-­blowers actual- equipment necessary for the creation of poisons. Proficien-
ly play in a unique way, so that everyone knows who is cy with this kit lets you add your proficiency bonus to any
sending the message: “here be baiagorn tracks,” “a cow ability checks you make to craft or use poisons.
is missing” or “goblins have stolen my cheese.”
• Drum. A rhythm instrument that comes in many forms, Thieves’ Tools
from the simpler drums heard among the clans of Da- This set of tools includes a small file, a set of lock picks, a
vokar, to the metal-­f ramed instruments of the Ambrian small mirror mounted on a metal handle, a set of narrow-­
army. bladed scissors, and a pair of pliers. Proficiency with these
• Fiddle. An often three-­stringed instrument, played with tools lets you add your proficiency bonus to any ability
a bow made from horsehair, very common among peas- checks you make to disarm traps or open locks.
ants in Ambria.
• Flute. There are innumerable kinds of flutes, from Trapper’s Manual
slender metal flutes to wind instruments made from A used copy of the famous ogre Crueljaw’s lustful tome, con-
reeds, tree branches and horn. Other known types are taining a lengthy and insightful record of traps, from simple
the panpipe and the Shawm, the latter identified by its mare snares and needle-­traps in box lids, to massive con-
shrill tone. traptions suited for a king’s burial mound. Learning from
• Hurdy-­gurdy. The hurdy-­gurdy is a string-­instrument this book (see Training, page 41) allows you to detect
with a crank handle that gives rise to a creaking sound and set traps.

Lifestyle Expenses
Lifestyle expenses provide you with a simple way to ac- At the start of each week or month (your choice), choose a
count for the cost of living in a fantasy world. They cover lifestyle from the Expenses table and pay the price to sustain
your accommodations, food and drink, and all your other that lifestyle. The prices listed are per day, so if you wish to
necessities. Furthermore, expenses cover the cost of main- calculate the cost of your chosen lifestyle over a thirty-­day
taining your equipment so you can be ready when adventure period, multiply the listed price by 30. Your lifestyle might
next calls. change from one period to the next, based on the funds you

176
 Equipment 5

have at your disposal, or you might maintain the same life- and your living conditions are clean, if simple. Ordi-
style throughout your character’s career. nary people living modest lifestyles include soldiers
Your lifestyle choice can have consequences. Maintaining with families, laborers, students, priests, hedge wizards,
a wealthy lifestyle might help you make contacts with the and the like.
rich and powerful, though you run the risk of attracting Comfortable. Choosing a comfortable lifestyle means that
thieves. Likewise, living frugally might help you avoid crim- you can afford nicer clothing and can easily maintain
inals, but you are unlikely to make powerful connections. your equipment. You live in a small cottage in a middle-­
class neighborhood or in a private room at a fine inn.
You associate with merchants, skilled tradespeople, and
LIFESTYLE EXPENSES
military officers.
Lifestyle Cost/Day Wealthy. Choosing a wealthy lifestyle means living a life
Wretched — of luxury, though you might not have achieved the so-
Squalid 5 ortegs cial status associated with the old money of nobility or
royalty. You live a lifestyle comparable to that of a highly
Poor 1 shilling
successful merchant, a favored servant of the royalty, or
Modest 5 shillings the owner of a few small businesses. You have respectable
Comfortable 1 thaler lodgings, usually a spacious home in a good part of town
Wealthy 2 thaler or a comfortable suite at a fine inn. You likely have a small
staff of servants.
Aristocratic 5 thaler (minimum)
Aristocratic. You live a life of plenty and comfort. You
move in circles populated by the most powerful people
Wretched. You live in inhumane conditions. With no place in the community. You have excellent lodgings, perhaps
to call home, you shelter wherever you can, sneaking into a townhouse in the nicest part of town or rooms in the
barns, huddling in old crates, and relying on the good finest inn. You dine at the best restaurants, retain the
graces of people better off than you. A wretched lifestyle most skilled and fashionable tailor, and have servants
presents abundant dangers. Violence, disease, and hun- attending to your every need. You receive invitations to
ger follow you wherever you go. Other wretched people the social gatherings of the rich and powerful, and spend
covet your armor, weapons, and adventuring gear, which evenings in the company of politicians, guild leaders,
represent a fortune by their standards. You are beneath high priests, and nobility. You must also contend with
the notice of most people. the highest levels of deceit and treachery. The wealthier
Squalid. You live in a leaky stable, a mud-­floored hut just you are, the greater the chance you will be drawn into
outside town, or a vermin-­infested boarding house in the political intrigue as a pawn or participant.
worst part of town. You have shelter from the elements,
but you live in a desperate and often violent environment,
in places rife with disease, hunger, and misfortune. You
are beneath the notice of most people, and you have few Self Sufficiency
legal protections. Most people at this lifestyle level have The expenses and lifestyles described here assume
suffered some terrible setback. They might be disturbed, that you are spending your time between adven-
marked as exiles, or suffer from disease. tures in town, availing yourself of whatever services
Poor. A poor lifestyle means going without the comforts you can afford – paying for food and shelter, paying
available in a stable community. Simple food and lodg- townspeople to sharpen your sword and repair your
ings, threadbare clothing, and unpredictable conditions armor, and so on. Some characters, though, might
result in a sufficient, though probably unpleasant, expe- prefer to spend their time away from civilization, sus-
rience. Your accommodations might be a room in a flop- taining themselves in the wild by hunting, foraging,
house or in the common room above a tavern. You benefit and repairing their own gear.
from some legal protections, but you still have to contend Maintaining this kind of lifestyle doesn’t require
with violence, crime, and disease. People at this lifestyle you to spend any coin, but it is time-­consuming. If
level tend to be unskilled laborers, costermongers, ped- you spend your time between adventures practicing
dlers, thieves, mercenaries, and other disreputable types. a profession, you can eke out the equivalent of a poor
Modest. A modest lifestyle keeps you out of the slums and lifestyle. Proficiency in the Survival skill lets you live
ensures that you can maintain your equipment. You live at the equivalent of a comfortable lifestyle.
in an older part of town, renting a room in a boarding
house, inn, or temple. You don’t go hungry or thirsty,

177
 5 Resources

Food and Drink

Bored nobles, homecoming treasure hunters and scraw-
FOOD AND DRINK
ny daythalers – they may appear to have nothing in common,
but appearances are deceptive: they all know to appreciate Dish Cost
a good meal! Beverages:
Then again, what they regard as a tasty meal, and what Table ale (watered stut)   1 orteg
they are prepared to pay for it, differs very much between Bottle of blot (mulled wine)   3 thaler
the representatives of these groups.
Bottle of ludendrink (mulled wine)   2 thaler
Below is a list of food dishes, beverages and other types
of stimulants. The listed dishes can be found on menus all Bottle of red wine (unspecified)   1 thaler
over Ambria and some of them can also be offered in the Bottle of white wine (unspecified)   1 thaler
settlements of the clans. But the prices listed must be seen Bottle of Southern Slopes 15 thaler
as a guideline, since they can vary considerably – Afadir’s (from Alberetor)
Triumph Tavern in Thistle Hold requests shining thaler from
Bottle of of Vearra’s Red (simple wine)   2 thaler
its customers, but in the Baiags’ settlement by the lake Big
Mere anyone can get a fantastic meal in exchange for a util- Cup of vesa   4 ortegs
ity item or a small service. Tankard of blackbrew (unspecified)   1 orteg
Tankard of stut (unspecified)   3 ortegs
FOOD AND DRINK Tankard of Adersel   8 shillings
(triple fermented ale)
Dish Cost
Basics: Tankard of Argona (fine stut)   2 shillings

Bread   2 ortegs Tankard of The Duke’s Relief   1 shilling

(simple stut)
Casserole   2 ortegs
Tankard of Kurun’s Honor   5 shillings
Cheese   2 ortegs
(triple fermented)
Feast, countryside (per person)   1 shilling
Tankard of Urtal   3 shillings
Feast, town (per person)   1 thaler (triple fermented red ale)
Desserts: Tankard of veloum (barbarian must)   2 shillings
Hack tray   3 shillings Tankard of Zarekian Blackbrew   1 shilling
Fried pastry   2 ortegs
Fruit pie   1 thaler
Fruit pudding   1 orteh
Fruit sherbet   7 thaler
Beverages
Vesa. A mix of buttermilk and goat whey enjoyed by
Ice cream & fruit   2 ortegs
all barbarian clans. Fresh and very tasty, albeit an
Honey-­roasted sorrel   3 shillings acquired taste.
Candied ginger   1 shilling Blackbrew. The rich beer of the clans, ranging in
Marmalade confectionery   3 shillings quality from very cheap Brutebrew to the reason-
ably tasty version brewed by Clan Zarek.
Nuts in chocolate   1 orteg
Stut. The most common type of ale in Ambria. Comes
Truffle-­buttered biscuit   5 ortegs in many types and brands, but the most popular
Sugar-­coated rose petals   5 ortegs and price worthy is brewed by House Argona.
Salty-­sweet needles   5 ortegs Veloum. A brighter kind of beer, common among the
Waffles with butter and honey   3 shillings clans north of Karvosti. Weaker than blackbrew
but just as rich and with more flavor.
Brutebrew. Hard alcohol mixed with spiced water, so
disgusting that the barbarians never drink it other
than in connection with bets or special rituals.

178
 Equipment 5

FOOD AND DRINK

Dish Cost Food Cultures
Fish: The food cultures of the clans and the Ambrians are
Fish sauce & crispbread   5 ortegs varied, but generally the Ambrians prefer processed
Trout pudding with turnips 15 shillings dishes (brawns, sausages, pâtés, etc.) while the
barbarian dishes are more rustic, such as stews and
Salted herring with turnips   5 shillings
barbecues.
Buttered walleye with mash 22 shillings
Porridge:
Watered porridge   4 ortegs
Ale-­porridge with butter   2 shillings
Spicy cream-­porridge   1 thaler
Meat:
Barbecued young-­boar with beats   6 shillings
King’s steak in gravy   8 shillings
Slow-­roast with stewed carrot   5 shillings
Hash patties with turnips   2 shillings
Roka sausage with mashed beats 12 shillings
Stuffed lung with black mash   4 shillings
Pies:
Fish pie   5 shillings
Offal pie   4 shillings
Cabbage pie   1 shilling Writing carved into the stone foundation of
Meat pie   2 shillings Otra Dorno and, though difficult to decipher,
believed to contain the symbol for what is
Trout pie   8 shillings
presumed to read “massacre” or “blood bath”.
Kidney pie   2 shillings
Mushroom pie   4 shillings
Stews:
Mixed stew   5 ortegs
Fish & turnips   1 shilling
Cabbage stew   3 ortegs
Meat & beats   8 ortegs
Root vegetable stew   4 ortegs
Soups:
Blood-­soup with dark bread   5 ortegs
Onion soup with crispbread   4 ortegs
Teas:
Fruit tea   1 shilling
Iron oak tea   8 ortegs Iasogoi Brigo brought this text from the ruined
Spice tea   1 orteg    city of Odaban. It is presumed to express a
Smoked tea   4 ortegs proverb, along the lines of: “In complete darkness
Herbal tea   2 ortegs the spark of hope shines the brightest.”

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 5 Resources

Trade Goods Tobacco

Trade is the life-­blood of Ambria and much of it goes on Many Ambrians enjoy a good smoke, almost as much as a
in Davokar as well. Goods do not always have a practical use; sturdy drink. After a meal, during work, after work or instead
instead they are the basis for different types of craft items. of work – any time is a great time for a stopping of tobacco!

TRADE GOODS TOBACCO GOODS

Good Value Good Value
Cardamom, one box   5 ortegs Tobacco:
Cinnamon, one box   1 thaler Chewing tobacco, one box 6 ortegs
Clove, one box   7 ortegs Fruit tobacco, one box 4 ortegs
Copper, one bar   5 shillings Herbal tobacco, one box 2 shillings
Cotton fabric, one roll   1 thaler Longbottom leaf, one box 8 shillings
Cumin, one box   5 ortegs Smelling snuff, one box 2 thaler
Ginger, one box   5 ortegs Utensils:
Gold, one bar 500 thaler Clay pipe 3 shillings
Grain, one sack   2 shillings Long-­stemmed seafoam pipe 1 thaler
Honey, one jar   1 thaler Smoke tube 5 ortegs

Iron, one bar   1 shilling Snuff box 1 shilling

Mint, one box   5 ortegs Wooden pipe 5 shillings

Oil (vegetable), one earthen jug   5 ortegs

Roka berries, one box   12 ortegs Alchemical Elixirs
Saffron, one box   50 thaler
The peoples of the Davokar region possess a vast knowledge
Salt, one sack   1 shilling of how to transform herbs, fruits and the bodily organs of
Silk, one roll   50 thaler animals into useful elixirs. Among the barbarians it is usually
Silver, one bar 50 thaler the witches who create the elixirs, while Ambrian decoctions
are often made b y specialized craftsmen and artisans.
Spices, one box   3 ortegs
The exchange of knowledge between alchemists in Ambria
Sugar, one sack   1 thaler
and Davokar causes ever more elixirs to become available to
Tar, one barrel   5 shillings the Ambrians. Some drugs can only be purchased on the black
Turmeric, one box   15 ortegs market in places like Thistle Hold, since they are illegal or at
Vinegar, one earthen jug   1 shilling least so inappropriate that selling (or buying) them will at-
tract attention from the authorities and witch hunters. Among
these are most elixirs that give Corruption; both Ambrians
and barbarians handle the trade in such decoctions discreetly.
Finding a specific elixir on the black market in Ambria
requires a DC 13 Charisma check by someone who has con-
tacts in the black market (most Scoundrels, some Hunters
THUS SPOKE AROALETA or anyone with the Unusual Contacts feat). Alternatively,
“… and deep down the world was violated, because someone with Alchemist’s Supplies can brew elixirs in civ-
the shell is suited for the force within; to add ilization; if they also have a Field Laboratory they can do so
power to power without bracing the hide is as in the wilderness. Supplies cost half the market value of the
inexcusable as it is inconsiderate. For when the elixir or require 1 downtime day of gathering.
shell ruptures the force released is multiplied The table below gives the DC to produce the elixir. If the
by the thousands, from anger and shame.” elixir provides a numerical effect this is also given. A slash
(/) indicates a choice between effects, which will be explained
in the elixir’s entry below. Consuming an elixir is usually an
object interaction, but the GM may require an action instead,
depending on the location of the elixir and external factors.
The chart also provides an average sale cost and likely number
of elixirs available.

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 Equipment 5

ALCHEMICAL ELIXIRS ALCHEMICAL ELIXIRS

Elixir Value Elixir Value
(Basic unless otherwise specified) (Amount Available) (Basic unless otherwise specified) (Amount Available)
Antidote: Transforming Draught:
Weak (DC 5, +2)   5 thaler (2d6) Weak (DC 13) 10 thaler* (1d4)
Moderate (DC 10, +5) 10 thaler (2d4) Moderate (DC 15) 20 thaler* (1d3)
Strong (DC 15, +10) 15 thaler (1d4) Strong (DC 17) 30 thaler* (1)
Antidote Candle: Twilight tincture (DC 17) 60 thaler (1)
Weak (DC 10, +2) 10 thaler (1d6) War paint (DC 15) 10 thaler (1d4)
Moderate (DC 15, +5) 20 thaler (1d4) Way bread (DC 10)   5 thaler (2d6)
Choking spores (DC 20) 10 thaler (1d4) Wild chew (DC 13)   5 thaler (1d6)
Concentrated magic (DC 15) 10 thaler (1d4) Wraith dust 20 thaler (1)
Drone dew (DC 10†) 20 thaler (1d8) * This can only be purchased on the black market.
Elemental essence (DC 15) 10 thaler (1d6) † This is the minimum DC, if you set a higher DC to make
Elixir of Life (DC 15) 10 thaler (1d6) the elixir that higher DC is also used to save against the
Eye drops (DC 13)   5 thaler (1d6) elixir’s effect.
Fire dye (DC 10)   5 thaler (1d8)
Antidote. This elixir provides a bonus to the next saving
Flash powder (DC 15) 20 thaler (1d4)
throw within 24 hours that a character makes against a
Ghost candle (DC 15) 40 thaler (1d4)
poison effect. While it helps stop the poison, it does not
Herbal cure (DC 10) 10 thaler (1d8) cure any damage the creature has already sustained due
Holy water (DC 17) 20 thaler (1d4) to the poison. For each level the DC to create the elixir
Homing arrow (DC 13) 10 thaler (1d6) and the bonus to the saving throw are given.
Homunculus (DC 17) 20 thaler* (1) Antidote Candle. When lit, this candle emits fumes that work
Poison: as an antidote on all around it. Everyone affected receives
Weak (DC 10, 1 round [+1] 10 thaler (1d6) a bonus to their next saving throw within 24 hours against
/1d6 poison damage [+3]) poison. Note this does not affect damage already suffered.
Moderate (DC 15, 1 round [+1] 20 thaler* (1d4) Choking Spores. This elixir is produced from Davokar’s
/1d6 poison damage [+3]) lichens and mushrooms. When applied to a garrote, a
choking victim becomes unconscious one round sooner
Strong (DC 20, 1 minute [+3] 30 thaler* (1)
than normal (they always get at least one round to at-
/4d6 poison damage [+9])
tempt to escape the garrote).
Poison Candle:
Concentrated Magic. A dose of mystical essence, which al-
Weak (DC 13, 1 round [+1] 40 thaler* (1d4) lows a mystic to reduce the temporary Corruption gain
/1d6 poison damage [+3]) from casting a spell by 1 point (minimum of 1 point of tem-
Moderate (DC 17, 1 round [+1] 60 thaler* (1) porary Corruption). Only one can be consumed per cast-
/1d6 poison damage [+3]) ing and the mystic must make a DC 15 Constitution saving
Protective oil (DC 17) 20 thaler throw or become poisoned until the end of their next turn.
Purple Sap: Drone Dew. This is a liquid elixir made from drone spores,
Weak (DC 15) 20 thaler (1d6) also containing accelerants. A living creature who ingests
Moderate (DC 17) 40 thaler (1d4) a dose of the elixir immediately must make a Constitu-
Strong (DC 20) 60 thaler (1) tion saving throw, falling unconscious on a failure or
becoming stunned for one round on a success.
Revealing light (DC 13) 10 thaler (1d4)
Elemental Essence. If you apply a dose of elemental essence
Shadow tint (DC 15) 15 thaler* (1)
then either one melee weapon, four throwing weapons or
Smoke bomb (DC 10) 10 thaler (1d6) all the arrows/bolts in a quiver deal an additional 1d4 ele-
Spirit friend (DC 13) 60 thaler* (1d4) mental damage for 1 minute. The alchemist must choose
Spore bomb (DC 25) 15 thaler (1) which element to prepare: fire, cold, acid or lightning.
Stun bolt (DC 13)   5 thaler (1d6) Elixir of Life. Consuming an Elixir of Life gives the drink-
Thorn beasties (DC 15) 20 thaler* (1) er regenerative powers that heal 1d6 hit points during
Thunder ball (DC 10) 15 thaler (1d6) 1d6 turns, at the start of the character’s turn. Sadly the
character also suffers 1 temporary Corruption for each
turn the elixir is in effect.

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 5 Resources

Eye Drops. These drops will immediately return the gift of Purple Sap. This elixir is made from a decoction of a purple
sight to a temporarily blinded creature. Lily of the Valley, a flower whose cleansing properties and
Fire Dye. Fire dye consists of salts that change the color of resistance to Corruption were discovered by the witches
any fire they are cast into. If the colors are ascribed a spe- of Davokar long ago. Purchasing the elixir is expensive,
cific meaning known to the user and an allied observer because the ingredient is so rare and few alchemists
it can be used for signaling over long distances. They are are skilled enough to brew it. The elixir has no effect on
also used for entertainment among the wealthy, and by permanent Corruption or on blight-­marks which have
charlatans to impress commoners. already appeared on the user.
Flash Powder. A finely grained powder that emits a blinding • Weak: This potion removes 1 temporary Corruption from
light when thrown (range 30/90). Creatures within 5 the soul.
feet of the effect must make a DC 15 Constitution saving • Moderate: The elixir immediately removes 1d4 tempo-
throw or become blinded until the end of their next turn. rary Corruption.
Ghost Candle. The fumes from this candle make visible all • Strong: This version removes 1d8 temporary Corruption.
invisible objects and creatures within a 30-foot radius.. Revealing Light. A wax candle that when lit makes living
Herbal Cure. An herbal cure consists of an alchemical creatures (not undead or abominations) glow softly in
poultice coupled with bandages. It smells vile but heals the dark, making it harder to stay hidden (disadvantage
1d4 hit points. A user must take a short or longer rest on Dexterity (Stealth) checks and advantage on Wisdom
between doses. (Perception checks) for everyone. This affects everyone
Holy Water. This water, instilled with the light of Prios, can within a 30-foot radius, including the one who lit the
heal wounds and sooth souls. It heals 2d4 + 2 hit points candle.
and reduces temporary Corruption by 1 point. Shadow Tint. This horribly sickening elixir was once used
Homing Arrow. The alchemist marinates an arrow in hom- by mystics wanting to hide just how close they were to
ing essences, thereby creating an arrow that flies past becoming thoroughly corrupt, making it a welcomed ad-
other combatants, i.e. it does not require a clear line of dition to all sorcerers’ collections of mystical decoctions.
sight and ignores cover effects. However, the archer must Whoever manages to force down the sludge distorts their
be able to see some portion of the target and must succeed shadow for 24 hours, making it appear as if their Corrup-
at a regular attack roll to successfully hit it. tion total is 2d4 points lower.
Homunculus. A seed is planted and one day later a min- Smoke Bomb. The smoke bomb is a ceramic vessel that
iature servant sprouts from the ground. The homuncu- emits dense alchemical smoke when crushed, causing a
lus is Tiny, has no skills or features and all of its ability sphere with a 15-foot radius to become highly obscured.
scores are 10 (+0). It serves its maker loyally then withers Spirit Friend. The miraculous drug called Spirit Friend is
away after a month; all it leaves behind is a pile of dirt. cooked in a cauldron, but it is not the liquid that is bot-
Creating a homunculus is a true violation of the natural tled, but the vapors. The gray-­white smoke is captured
order, meaning that the one using the seed suffers 1d6 in small ceramic jars and inhaled when needed. Spirit
temporary Corruption. Friend shifts the user into the ethereal for 1d4 turns, to
Poison. The DC for the poison is dependent on the type of the price of as many points in temporary Corruption.
effect selected. For example, a weak poison at its base Spore Bomb. The spore bomb can be thrown up to 30 feet
either causes the Poisoned condition for 1 round or 1d6 and affects all creatures within a 10-foot radius, requir-
of poison damage. Choose one effect and raise the DC for ing them to make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. On
the manufacture of the poison based on the total effect. a failure the creature has disadvantage on Constitution
The save against the poison itself is the base DC before saving throws for 1d4 + 1 rounds.
any modifiers. Stun Bolt. The alchemist covers a crossbow bolt in a fast
Poison Candle. A candle that emits poisonous fumes for 1 acting muscle relaxant; anyone hit by the bolt must pass
hour when lit; The poison is airborne and affects every- a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or become stunned
one within a 30-foot radius. The candle must burn for and prone. The victim can repeat the saving throw at the
1d4 turns before the poison is released, so the assassin end of its turn, ending the stunned effect on a success.
can light it and leave the room before it takes effect. In Thorn Beasties. A handful of seeds are thrown to the
all other ways it is the same as a regular poison, above. ground and one turn later 1d4 + 1 thorn beasties appear
Protective Oil. This alchemical oil protects against elemen- to serve the user. The thorn beasties are small, vaguely
tal damage by providing resistance to damage from one humanoid creatures made of thorns; they do not speak
of the elements for the duration of a scene. The alchemist but squeak and crack as twigs that are bent and rubbed
must choose which of the elements that the oil shields together. The beasties live for one hour before drying
against: fire, cold, acid or lightning. up to look like thorny witch dolls. The summoning of

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 Equipment 5

Thorn Beasty Twilight Tincture. This is an extract of dried stems and

leaves from the extremely rare Twilight Thistle. Up until
Tiny humanoid (Creeper)
recently the rareness of the herb (on occasion, one or a
Armor Class 13 couple of stems can be found among other offerings in
Hit Points 5 (2d4) the ruins of Davokar, rather than an actual growing site)
Speed 25 ft coupled with its moderate medical effect made it not very
sought-­after; it seems to have an effect on certain types of
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
eczema and possibly also on senility if consumed.
10 (+0) 16 (+3) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 10 (+0)
However, with the aging of the queen mother has
Senses passive Perception 10 come an increased demand from the court. Of course,
Languages understands the caster’s language the tale of how Lasifor Nightpitch bought the land on
Challenge 1/8 (25 XP, Proficiency Bonus +2) which Thistle Hold is built for an armful of Twilight
Manner rustling and crackling Thistles gave the herb a hefty boost in popularity among
Shadow same as the mystic fortune hunters.
Equipment none Lately, the twilight tincture has found another group
of users, and a new area of use: it has proven capable of
Pack Tactics. The thorn beasty has advantage on an
disguising a number of symptoms gained from being
attack roll against a creature if at least one of the
undead. Desperate unfortunates – some of them alche-
thorn beasty’s allies is within 5 feet of the crea-
mists – searched for ways to hide their death marks, and
ture and the ally isn’t incapacitated.
someone discovered that the twilight tincture (consumed,
Actions not smeared on the skin) temporarily made an undead
Sharp Talons. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach body come to life: the skin regained its redness, the body
5 ft., one target. Hit: 1 slashing damage. temperature rose, and the smell of the breath improved
dramatically.
The effect lasts for a week and then the undead crea-
the thorn beasties is a clear violation of the natural or- ture must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw. If
der, meaning that the one using the seeds suffers 1d6 + 1 the save fails, the effect lingers for one more day before
temporary Corruption. dissipating completely. On thoroughly corrupt creatures
Thunder Ball. An alchemical load that is thrown (range the effect only lasts for a day per dose, no saving throw
30/90) at a target and detonates in a 5-foot radius with is made.
a sudden, loud flash, causing 1d12 thunder damage. War Paint. Mystically charged paints can help a warrior in
Transforming Draught. This is a powerful mutagen which combat. War paint adds +1 to either your Strength mod-
transforms the body of the user in a monstrous way. ifier or Dexterity modifier for the next 10 minutes, and
During a scene the user is twisted into a half-bestiaal the warrior decides which attribute to boost when the
creature and has disadvantage on all Charisma checks paint is applied.
until the effect wears off. Waybread. One loaf of this rich waybread corresponds to
The draught gives the user a monstrous trait for the a week’s food supply for one person.
rest of the scene; the level of the trait is decided by the Wild Chew. This is a strong stimulant, making the chew-
strength of the elixir. In addition, each dose consumed er more spirited, less careful and very aggressive. One
deals temporary Corruption, also determined by the dose of wild chew adds Reckless. The creature has ad-
strength of the elixir. Of course, the physical transfor- vantage on its attacks and attackers have advantage on
mation and the corrupting effect is reason enough for their attacks against the creature. The effect lasts one
the elixir to be banned and only available on Ambria’s hour, after which the creature gains a level of exhaus-
black market. tion. Over time wild chew becomes very addictive and
The following monstrous traits (see Bestiaal in the Bes- severe withdrawal symptoms will occur unless the user
tiary) can be acquired, decided by the alchemist when consumes at least one dose each week, with the risk
brewing the elixir: of permanent madness or death. No known drugs can
• Weak. The elixir gives either Aggressive or Awareness, counteract this.
at the cost of 1d4 temporary Corruption. Wraith Dust. Wraith dust forces an incorporeal being to
• Moderate. The elixir gives either Bite, Claws, or Leathery take physical form for the next 10 minutes. The dust must
Skin, at the cost of 1d6 temporary Corruption. be thrown (range 5/15) at a target. While corporeal the
• Strong. The elixir gives either Blood Frenzy, Enlarge, Re- spirit takes damage as living creatures do (it loses any
duce, or Wings, at the cost of 1d8 temporary Corruption. resistances or immunities during this time).

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Lesser Artifacts
With the renaissance of artifact crafting, lesser artifacts Animal Mask. Green path witches tend to identify with the
have become available for purchase. These items are not nec- beasts of the wild, a sentiment embodied by the wear-
essarily more potent than alchemical elixirs, but are often of ing of animal masks. Every animal mask with mystical
a more permanent kind. Each artifact requires attunement properties symbolizes an animal and gives the wearer
but does not add permanent Corruption. advantage on one ability check for each long rest for the
Some lesser artifacts are tightly linked to a mystical tra- ability associated with that animal – Strength, Dexterity,
dition or a mystical power and of little use in more general Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom or Charisma.
terms, but many of them can be used by anyone and are Bark Mask. Green-­weaving witches often cover their fac-
sure to be a welcomed addition to the tools and equipment es with a mask of bark, as a symbol of their connection
of any treasure hunter venturing into Davokar. to nature. Many of these masks are infused with power
and provide advantage on one ability check per long rest
related to plants and anything growing.
LESSER ARTIFACTS
Burial Shroud. The spiritualists among the witches often
Artifact Cost wear a shroud over their head when contacting the spir-
Animal Mask 50 thaler its of the dead, since this makes the spirits calmer and
Bark Mask 50 thaler allows for a deeper connection. A mystic using such an
Burial Shroud 50 thaler artifact gains advantage on one saving throw per long
Death Mask 50 thaler rest involving the spirits of the dead.
Death Mask. The necromancers’ aspiration to dominate
Healing Spider 20 thaler
death has led to the use of hideous death masks that have
Iron Crown 50 thaler
been infused with power. A death mask gives advantage
Lucky Coin 40 thaler on one ability check per long rest for any check involving
Marlit Cape 20 thaler the intersections between life and death.
Meeting Stone 10 thaler Healing Spider. A small spider figurine which is placed
Mind Prism 50 thaler on an open wound, where it quickly covers itself and
Mystical Focus 60 thaler the wound in a web that heals 1d12 hit points over the
course of 8 hours. The spider cannot heal damage from
Order Medallion 10 thaler
poison or other internal injuries. If the Spider heals 1 or
Pest Mask 40 thaler
12 hit points then the spider has reached the end of its
Ritual Codex 20 thaler power, otherwise the spider creeps up from the wound
Ritual Focus 40 thaler to be reused on new ones. The one treated by the healing
Ritual Seal 60 thaler spider suffers one point in temporary Corruption.
Ruler’s Ring 50 thaler Iron Crown. Demonologists often wear a crown of rusty
Rune Staff 60 thaler iron when tearing at the world’s fabric. These crowns give
advantage on a single saving throw per long rest if the
Soul Stone 100 thaler
saving throw involves demonic or otherworldly entities.
Spark Stone 50 thaler Lucky Coin. A gold coin instilled with energies of good for-
Spell Seal: tune. The coin is carried in a pocket and gives advantage
Novice 15 thaler per spell level to one ability check per short rest. Whoever toys with
Adept 25 thaler per spell level such energies is at risk of suffering from the opposite
Spell Scroll: effect; if the result of the roll is a natural 20, the carrier
will have disadvantage on every ability check until they
Novice 10 thaler per spell level
can take a short (or longer) rest.
Adept 20 thaler per spell level
Marlit Cape. The skin of a marlit, a reptile known for its
Master 30 thaler per spell level sneaky hunting style, is treated with preserving alchemi-
Staff Foot* 50 thaler cal preparations so that it keeps its camouflaging proper-
Staff Head* 50 thaler ties after the death of the beast. The wearer has advantage
Sun Mask 50 thaler on one Dexterity (Stealth) check, and must take a long or
Toad Guard 5 thaler extended rest before using this benefit of the cape again.
Meeting Stone. A stone is loaded with an invitation to a
Transcendental Weapon 60 thaler
specific person, who upon receiving and touching the
Witch Braid 40 thaler
artifact instinctively knows where the stone’s owner is
* These artifacts do not need attunement

184
 Equipment 5

waiting. Only a Mystic (or a character that can cast one

or more spells) can activate a meeting stone.
Mind Prism. The illusionists of Ordo Magica often use a Examples of Mystical Focuses
prism to describe how the perception of reality may be Witchcraft. Mask made of wood or bone, often paint-
broken down and understood. Some of these crystals are ed or adorned with colorful beads.
filled with so much suggestive energy that using the stone Wizardry. Staff carved with power symbols.
when casting an illusion improves it so much that when Staff Magic. Staff head, often a stone entwined in
a viewer makes an ability check to detect the illusion it is filigree work or held by an ornamental claw.
at disadvantage. The caster must take a long or extended Sorcery. Rod of human bone, engraved with dark runes.
rest before using the stone again. Symbolism. A jar filled with air paint.
Mystical Focus. A tradition-­specific focus allows the user Theurgy. A holy symbol that glows softly in the dark
to cast spells that normally require minor material com- and shines when used.
ponents (i.e. a material component that does not give a Troll Singing. A crumhorn, birchbark horn or similar
cost and is not consumed with the casting). instrument that hums or plays quietly even when
Order Medallion. The medallions of Ordo Magica are giv- not used.
en to novices and stay with the wizards for their entire
career. When the wizard reaches adept (3rd) level, the
medallion transforms to symbolize this step; the same
thing happens when reaching master (11th) level. Some hand of its owner, the staff is also the instrument through
chapters have made the order medallion mandatory and which the mage wields their powers.
have also bound certain functions to it, such as the abil- Soul Stone. A Soul Stone is the item required to perform
ity to open doors which are closed to outsiders/novices/ the ritual with the same name.
adepts and to activate the chapter’s magic circle. Spark Stone. The power of a pyromancer is increased by
Plague Mask. In a world full of contagions and poisons it this glowing amber. The spark stone is a weaker version
is no wonder that many methods have been developed of the renowned sun stones that the master pyromancers
to resist such phenomena. The Confessors of the Sun of old could craft from summoned fire spirits. Nowadays,
Church, for instance, carry plague masks which allow the fire wizards have to make do with lesser artifacts, not
the wearer to have advantage on saving throws to resist as powerful but still a great help to those whose skills
sicknesses and poisons. Once used, it must be recharged relate to fire and burning. A pyromancer with a spark
with a long or extended rest. stone can reroll any fire damage dice that show a ‘1’ for
Ritual Codex. A ritual is penned down in a codex so that a single spell. The stone must then be recharged with a
another mystic can perform it without having previously long or extended rest.
learned the ritual. The codex can only be used once.
Ritual Focus. A tradition-­specific object which reduces the
time required for all rituals belonging to the tradition.
The ritual requires only an additional 5 minutes instead Examples of Ritual Focuses
of 10. [See examples to the right]. Witchcraft. Clothing in natural fabrics with woven
Ritual Seal. The artifact crafter binds a ritual to a seal; when power symbols.
broken, the effect of the ritual is triggered. The creator Wizardry. A collection of metal symbols, where
of the seal need not know the ritual, but must be in the different metals represent different elements or
company of one who does when it is created (or have principles.
access to a ritual codex explaining the ritual; the codex Staff Magic. A staff foot in metal, used to draw sym-
is destroyed with this act). He or she who breaks the seal bols on the ground.
suffers 1d4 temporary Corruption. Sorcery. Chalice shaped like the skull of a daemon, from
Ruler’s Ring. Prominent mind-­warping wizards often carry which sacrificial blood is drunk during the ritual.
a gold band on a finger, around the wrist or upper arm. Symbolism. Rune-­carving tools with glowing tips
To them, this represents the noble endeavor of the ruler. Theurgy. Shrouding from a lightbringer, carried like a
These rings are often instilled with the ability to dominate cape or draped over the object of the ritual.
all living beings. If so, the gold ring gives the target of an Troll Singing. Stone tablet, wooden board or bone
enchantment spell disadvantage on its saving throw. This shield with carved symbols, functioning as a note or
works only once per long or extended rest. song sheet of ancient hymns and powerful rhythms.
Rune Staff. The hallmark of the staff mage is their person-
al staff, carved with the runes of the elements. In the

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Spell Seal. An artifact crafter has bound a non-concentration Sun Mask. The sun masks of the theurgs bestow spiritual
spell at the novice (spell level) or adept (spell level plus 1) warmth to the cold-­hearted and spread light where no
level to a seal; when the seal is broken, the power is activat- other light can reach. Worn by a theurg, it can also assist
ed. Whoever breaks the seal suffers temporary Corruption in combat against undead and abominations. The mask
as if they cast the spell and the seal is spent when broken. radiates light around the wearer as if it is a torch; in the
Spell Scroll. Artifact crafters in Ordo Magica can bind a spell light’s radius (60 ft.) the theurg can invoke its power to
at the novice (the spell’s regular level), adept (the spell’s lev- provide disadvantage on saving throws against banishing
el plus 1) or master level (the spell’s level plus 2) to a scroll. spells or turning undead once for each long rest.
The power may then be activated by another character Toad Guard. A figurine in the form of a toad acts as an
who can cast spells of the spell scroll’s base level. Who- alarm. The user – who has to know at least one spell –
ever activates the scroll suffers temporary Corruption whispers a triggering condition to the figurine; the
equal to the spell scroll’s base level. The scroll is spent trigger has to be of a physical nature and must occur
upon activation. close to the toad guard, for example that “someone
Staff Foot. A staff foot forged with strengthening spells can passes through the grove” or “the door is opened from
give the staff of a staff mage extra power when used as outside.” If activated, the toad will wake everyone with
a weapon. The artifact is attached to the staff and gives a loud croaking.
the user advantage on one melee attack roll with the staff Transcendental Weapon. These weapons were forged to
for each short or longer rest. Even if this artifact most allow a wielder to strike from a distance. Only mystics
often is attached to a rune staff, it may be attached to an know how to use such an artifact. The attack is rolled
ordinary wooden staff with the same effect. as if in melee combat but may hit distant targets (up to
Staff Head. A special ornament at the top of the staff mage’s 60 feet away) and requires the wielder to see the target.
staff can provide extra focus. The staff head – often a Witch Braid. This braid is made from three types of hair
beautiful stone encased in meteoric iron – gives advan- or fur and keeps death at bay, giving advantage to death
tage on one spell attack roll for each short or longer rest. saving throws.

Traps
Traps come in two types, mechanical and alchemical. Me- When a creature comes within 5 feet of a mine, it triggers.
chanical ones can be handled by untrained users. When it The creature must make a Dexterity saving throw, taking
comes to alchemical mines, the rules for Untrained Use of half damage on a success. It continues to burn.. Each turn,
Alchemical Weapons (see page 166) apply. the damage reduces by 1d6. A creature within 10 feet of the
mine must make another Dexterity saving throw, taking
Alchemical Mine half damage on a success. Once the damage reaches 0 dice
Alchemical mines are crafted by an alchemist, usually in a the mine has burned itself out.
laboratory setting. If produced in the field, the alchemist
must make a Dexterity (Field Laboratory) check against the Mechanical Trap
listed difficulty to combine the ingredients correctly. On a Mechanical traps come in many designs: a snare is a loop
natural 1, the mine explodes on the alchemist, causing the of wire or rope that is tied to a spring or counterweight
listed damage. such that when an animal takes the bait they are lifted
into the air and strangled. Another common
TRAPS design consists of two jagged semi-­circles
that slam shut when triggered. A third uses
Trap Difficulty Damage Cost environmental features arranged so that a
Alchemical Mines: boulder or tree trunk smashes down onto
Weak DC 13 2d6 fire 10 thaler the creature’s head when it takes the bait.
Setting the trap requires a Dexterity (Trap-
Moderate DC 15 4d6 fire 20 thaler
per’s Manual) check at the listed difficulty. If
Strong DC 17 6d6 fire 30 thaler you’re not proficient, you have disadvantage
Mechanical Trap: on the check.
Weak (Snare) DC 10 1d12 bludgeoning   5 shillings If the trap you set is designed to restrain
the creature, the creature becomes grappled
Moderate (Bear Trap) DC 13 2d12 piercing   1 thaler
by the trap and the listed difficulty is the Es-
Strong (Dragon Trap) DC 17 3d12 bludgeoning   2 thaler
cape DC for the grapple.

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 L i s t i n g o f S p e ll s 5

Listing of Spells
The following provides a list of each mystical Approach’s There is one important exception to the normal rules – the
spells, from cantrips to 9th level. New spells and core spells that spell summon daemon is only available to sorcerers who have
needed adaptation for Ruins of Symbaroum are included in the taken the Demonologist feat. That is why it is not included
next section. Otherwise you can find the spells in the core rules. in this listing but is available in the detailed list that follows.

Important Notes
If a spell appears in the core rules without significant chang- the actual cost is half that value in thaler (e.g. a 100 gp material
es, it is listed here but not included in the detailed spell list. If component costs 50 thaler, a 25 gp component costs 25 thaler).
a spell that is not included in the detailed list has a material Spells in semibold italics can be cast as rituals.
component cost listed in gold pieces (gp) higher than 50 gp, Spells with an asterisk (*) cannot be favored.

Sorcerer 2nd Level Lightning Bolt* Seeming

Alter Self* Magic Circle Telekinesis
Cantrips Black Breath* Major Image Wall of Stone
Acid Splash Blindness/Deafness* Protection from Energy
Chill Touch Blur Sending 6th Level
Dancing Lights Darkness Sleet Storm Chain Lightning*
Fire Bolt Darkvision Slow Circle of Death*
Light Detect Thoughts* Stinking Cloud Create Undead*
Mage Hand Exchange Shadow Tongues Disintegrate*
Mending Gust of Wind Water Breathing Eyebite*
Message Hold Person* Water Walk Globe of Invulnerability
Minor Illusion Invisibility Mass Suggestion*
Poison Spray Knock 4th Level Move Earth
Prestidigitation Levitate* Banishment* True Seeing
Ray of Frost Mirror Image Black Tentacles*
Shocking Grasp Misty Step* Blight* 7th Level
Scorching Ray Confusion* Etherealness*
1st Level See Invisibility Dimension Door* Finger of Death*
Black Bolt* Shatter Dominate Beast Fire Storm
Burning Hands* Spider Climb Greater Invisibility Plane Shift*
Charm Person* Suggestion* Ice Storm Prismatic Spray
Comprehend Languages Web Polymorph* Reverse Gravity
Detect Magic Stoneskin
Disguise Self 3rd Level Wall of Fire 8th Level
Expeditious Retreat Animate Dead* Dominate Monster*
False Life* Blink 5th Level Earthquake
Feather Fall Clairvoyance* Animate Objects Incendiary Cloud
Fog Cloud Counterspell* Cloudkill Power Word Stun*
Jump Dispel Magic* Commune with Spirits*
Mage Armor Fear* Cone of Cold 9th Level
Magic Missile* Fly* Creation Gate*
Shield Gaseous Form Dominate Person* Meteor Swarm
Silent Image Haste Hold Monster* Power Word Kill*
Spirit Walk Hypnotic Pattern Insect Plague Time Stop
Thunderwave Larvae Boil Planar Binding* Wish*

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Theurg 2nd Level Remove Curse* 6th Level

Aid Revivify* Atonement
Cantrips Augury Sending Blade Barrier
Accurate Strike Blindness/Deafness* Speak with Dead* Find the Path
Acid Splash Calm Emotions Spirit Guardians* Forbiddance
Fire Bolt Continual Flame Tongues Harm*
Guidance Enhance Ability Water Walk Heal*
Light Find Traps Heroes’ Feast
Mending Gentle Repose 4th Level Patron Saint*
Ray of Frost Hold Person* Banishment* True Seeing
Resistance Inherit Wound Control Water
Sacred Flame Lesser Restoration Death Ward* 7th Level
Shocking Grasp Locate Object Divination Divine Word
Spare the Dying Prayer of Healing Freedom of Movement Etherealness*
Thaumaturgy Protection from Poison Guardian of Faith Fire Storm
Silence Lifegiver Plane Shift*
1st Level Spiritual Weapon Locate Creature Symbol
Bane* Warding Bond Stone Shape
Bless Zone of Truth* 8th level
Command* 5th Level Antimagic Field
Create or Destroy Water 3rd Level Commune Control Weather
Cure Wounds* Anathema Dispel Evil and Good* Earthquake
Detect Evil and Good Beacon of Hope Exorcism Holy Aura
Detect Magic Clairvoyance* Flame Strike*
Detect Poison and Disease Create Food and Water Geas* 9th Level
Guiding Bolt Daylight Greater Restoration* Gate*
Healing Word* Dispel Magic* Hallow Mass Heal*
Holy Smoke Glyph of Warding Insect Plague
Inflict Wounds* Judging Bonds Legend Lore
Protection from Evil Magic Circle Mass Cure Wounds*
and Good* Mass Healing Word* Planar Binding*
Purify Food and Drink Meld into Stone Purgatory
Sanctuary Protection from Energy Scrying*
Shield of Faith Purging Fire

Troll Singer Comprehend Languages 2nd Level Silence

Cure Wounds* Animal Messenger Suggestion*
Cantrips Detect Magic Blindness/Deafness* Zone of Truth*
Accurate Strike Disguise Self Calm Emotions
Dancing Lights Entangle Detect Thoughts* 3rd Level
Light Faerie Fire Enhance Ability Bestow Curse*
Mage Hand Healing Word* Enthrall* Clairvoyance*
Mending Heroism Heat Metal Dispel Magic*
Message Hideous Laughter* Hold Person* Fear*
Minor Illusion Identify Invisibility Glyph of Warding
Prestidigitation Illusory Script Knock Hypnotic Pattern
Vicious Mockery Longstrider Lesser Restoration Major Image
Silent Image Locate Animals or Plants Nondetection
1st Level Sleep Locate Object Plant Growth
Animal Friendship Speak with Animals Magic Mouth Sending
Bane* Thunderwave See Invisibility Speak with Dead*
Charm Person* Unseen Servant Shatter Speak with Plants

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Stinking Cloud 5th Level 6th Level Project Image

Tiny Hut Awaken Eyebite* Symbol
Tongues Dominate Person* Find the Path
Dream Guards and Wards 8th Level
4th Level Geas* Irresistible Dance* Dominate Monster*
Compulsion* Greater Restoration* Mass Suggestion* Feeblemind*
Confusion* Hold Monster* Programmed Illusion Glibness
Dimension Door* Legend Lore True Seeing Mind Blank*
Freedom of Movement Mass Cure Wounds* Power Word Stun*
Greater Invisibility Mislead* 7th Level
Hallucinatory Terrain Modify Memory* Arcane Sword 9th Level
Locate Creature Planar Binding* Etherealness* Foresight
Polymorph* Scrying* Forcecage* Power Word Kill*
Seeming Magnificent Mansion
Telepathic Bond Mirage Arcane

Witch 2nd Level Major Image Flesh to Stone*

Blood Bond* Remove Curse* Living Fortress
Cantrips Darkness Speak with Dead* Mass Suggestion*
Accurate Strike Enthrall* Tongues True Seeing
Chill Touch Hold Person* Vampiric Touch*
Eldritch Blast Inherit Wound 7th Level
Mage Hand Invisibility 4th Level Etherealness*
Minor Illusion Mirror Image Banishment* Finger of Death*
Poison Spray Misty Step* Blight* Forcecage*
Prestidigitation Ray of Enfeeblement* Dimension Door* Plane Shift*
Shatter Hallucinatory Terrain
1st level Spider Climb 8th Level
Charm Person* Suggestion* 5th Level Demiplane*
Comprehend Languages Contact Other Plane* Dominate Monster*
Entangle 3rd Level Dream Feeblemind*
Expeditious Retreat Counterspell* Hold Monster* Glibness
Find Familiar Dispel Magic* Scrying* Power Word Stun*
Hellish Rebuke* Fear* Telepathic Bond
Illusory Script Fly* Turn Weather 9th Level
Protection from Evil Gaseous Form Foresight
and Good* Hypnotic Pattern 6th Level Imprisonment*
Spirit Walk Larvae Boil Circle of Death* Power Word Kill*
Unseen Servant Magic Circle Eyebite*

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Wizard Continual Flame 4th Level Flesh to Stone*

Darkness Arcane Eye Freezing Sphere
Cantrips Darkvision Banishment* Globe of Invulnerability
Accurate Strike Detect Thoughts* Black Tentacles* Guards and Wards
Acid Splash Enlarge/Reduce Confusion* Instant Summons
Chill Touch Faraway Writing Control Water Irresistible Dance*
Dancing Lights Flaming Sphere Dimension Door* Mass Suggestion*
Fire Bolt Gust of Wind Fabricate* Move Earth
Light Hold Person* Faithful Hound Programmed Illusion
Mage Hand Invisibility Fire Shield Sunbeam
Mending Knock Greater Invisibility True Seeing
Message Levitate* Hallucinatory Terrain Wall of Ice
Minor Illusion Locate Object Ice Storm
Poison Spray Magic Mouth Illusory Correction 7th Level
Prestidigitation Magic Weapon Locate Creature Arcane Sword
Ray of Frost Mirror Image Phantasmal Killer* Delayed Blast Fireball*
Shocking Grasp Misty Step* Polymorph* Etherealness*
Ray of Enfeeblement* Private Sanctum Forcecage*
1st Level Rope Trick Resilient Sphere Magnificent Mansion
Alarm Scorching Ray Secret Chest Mirage Arcane
Burning Hands* See Invisibility Stone Shape Prismatic Spray
Charm Person* Shatter Stoneskin Project Image
Comprehend Languages Spider Climb Wall of Fire Reverse Gravity
Detect Magic Suggestion* Sequester
Disguise Self Tale of Ashes 5th Level Soul Stone
Expeditious Retreat Web Animate Objects Symbol
False Life* Arcane Hand
Feather Fall 3rd Level Cloudkill 8th Level
Find Familiar Blink Cone of Cold Antimagic Field
Floating Disk Clairvoyance* Creation Antipathy/Sympathy
Fog Cloud Counterspell* Dominate Person* Blood Storm
Grease Dispel Magic* Dream Clone*
Hideous Laughter* Fear* Fire Soul Control Weather
Identify Fireball* Geas* Demiplane*
Illusory Script Flaming Servant Hold Monster* Dominate Monster*
Jump Fly* Legend Lore Feeblemind*
Longstrider Gaseous Form Mislead* Incendiary Cloud
Mage Armor Glyph of Warding Modify Memory* Maze
Magic Missile* Haste Passwall Mind Blank*
Protection from Evil Hypnotic Pattern Planar Binding* Power Word Stun*
and Good* Lightning Bolt* Scrying* Sunburst
Shield Magic Circle Seeming
Silent Image Major Image Telekinesis 9th Level
Sleep Nondetection Telepathic Bond Foresight
Thunderwave Phantom Steed Teleportation Circle Gate*
Unseen Servant Protection from Energy Turn Weather Imprisonment*
Sending Wall of Force Meteor Swarm
2nd Level Sleet Storm Wall of Stone Power Word Kill*
Acid Arrow Slow Prismatic Wall
Alter Self* Stinking Cloud 6th Level Time Stop
Arcane Lock Tiny Hut Chain Lightning* Weird
Arcanist’s Magic Aura Tongues Contingency Wish*
Blindness/Deafness* Vampiric Touch* Disintegrate*
Blur Water Breathing Eyebite*

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Spell Descriptions
A detailed listing of new and modified spells follows. a saving throw before the spell ends, the target must roll a
Spells are divided by level and then presented in alphabet- d4 and subtract the number rolled from the attack roll or
ical order. saving throw.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 2nd level
or higher, you can target one additional creature for each
Cantrips level above 1st.

Accurate Strike Black Bolt*

Divination cantrip 1st-­level evocation

Casting Time: 1 action Casting Time: 1 action

Range: 30 ft. Range: 120 ft.
Components: S Components: V, S
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

You point a finger at a target you can see in range. Your magic You summon some measure of the darkness that plagues
gives insights into the target’s defenses. As long as the spell your soul and send it outwards as a bolt of blackness at a
remains active, you have advantage on your first attack roll creature within range. The creature must make a Dexterity
against the target on your turn. saving throw or be restrained by the magic as it envelops
them like shadowy tentacles. At the end of its turn, the crea-
ture can attempt a Strength saving throw to break free. If
1st Level Spells the creature’s size is larger than the caster’s it has advantage
on the saving throw.
Animal Friendship At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 2nd level
1st-­level enchantment or higher, you can target one additional creature for each
level above 1st.
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 30 ft.
Components: V, S, M (a morsel of food)
Duration: 24 hours THUS SPOKE AROALETA
This spell lets you convince a beast that you mean it no harm. “… such is the blight beast: born of flesh, twisted by
Choose a beast that you can see within range. It must see and sins lingering in water and soil and shimmering air;
hear you. If the beast’s Intelligence is 4 or higher, the spell the sin of Symbar embodied, that is the blight beast.”
fails. Otherwise, the beast must succeed on a Wisdom saving
throw or be charmed by you for the spell’s duration. If you
or one of your companions harms the target, the spell ends.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 2nd level Bless
or higher, you can affect one additional beast for each level 1st-­level enchantment
above 1st.
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 30 ft.
Bane* Components: V, S, M (a sprinkling of holy water)
1st-­level enchantment
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
Casting Time: 1 action
You bless up to three creatures of your choice within range.
Range: 30 ft.
Whenever a target makes an attack roll or a saving throw
Components: V, S, M (a drop of blood)
before the spell ends, the target can roll a d4 and add the
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
number rolled to the attack roll or saving throw.
Up to three creatures of your choice that you can see with- At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 2nd level
in range must make Charisma saving throws. Whenever a or higher, you can target one additional creature for each
target that fails this saving throw makes an attack roll or level above 1st.

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 Spell Descriptions 5

Burning Hands* • Approach. The target moves toward you by the shortest
1st-­level evocation and most direct route, ending its turn if it moves within
5 feet of you.
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 15 ft. • Drop. The target drops whatever it is holding and then
ends its turn.
Components: V, S
Duration: Instantaneous • Flee. The target spends its turn moving away from you
by the fastest available means.
As you hold your hands with thumbs touching and fingers • Grovel. The target falls prone and then ends its turn.
spread, a thin sheet of flames shoots forth from your out- • Halt. The target doesn’t move and takes no actions. A
stretched fingertips. Each creature in a 15-foot cone must flying creature stays aloft, provided that it is able to do
make a Dexterity saving throw. A creature takes 3d6 fire so. If it must move to stay aloft, it flies the minimum
damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a suc- distance needed to remain in the air.
cessful one. At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 2nd level
The fire ignites any flammable objects in the area that or higher, you can affect one additional creature for each
aren’t being worn or carried. level above 1st. The creatures must be within 30 feet of each
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 2nd level or other when you target them.
higher, the damage increases by 1d6 for each level above 1st.
Create or Destroy Water
Charm Person* 1st-­level transmutation
1st-­level enchantment
Casting Time: 1 action
Casting Time: 1 action Range: 30 feet
Range: 30 ft. Components: V, S, M (a drop of water for create or a few
Components: V, S grains of sand to destroy)
Duration: 1 hour Duration: Instantaneous

You attempt to charm a humanoid you can see within range. It You can either create or destroy water:
must make a Wisdom saving throw, and does so with advan- • Create Water. You create up to 10 gallons of clean wa-
tage if you or your companions are fighting it. If it fails the sav- ter within range in an open container. Alternatively, the
ing throw, it is charmed by you until the spell ends or until you water falls as rain in a 30-foot cube within range, extin-
or your companions do anything harmful to it. The charmed guishing exposed flames in the area.
creature regards you as a friendly acquaintance. When the • Destroy Water. You destroy up to 10 gallons of water
spell ends, the creature knows it was charmed by you. in an open container within range. Alternatively, you
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 2nd level destroy fog in a 30-foot cube within range. Any partic-
or higher, you can target one additional creature for each ulates in the water coat the container or the ground in
level above 1st. The creatures must be within 30 feet of each a fine dust.
other when you target them. • Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 2nd level
At
or higher, you create or destroy 10 additional gallons of
Command* water, or the size of the cube increases by 5 feet, for each
1st-­level illusion level above 1st.

Casting Time: 1 action

Range: 60 ft.
Cure Wounds*
1st-­level evocation
Components: V
Duration: 1 round Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
You speak a one-­word command to a creature you can see
Components: V, S
within range. The target must succeed on a Wisdom saving
Duration: Instantaneous
throw or follow the command on its next turn. The spell
has no effect if the target is undead, if it doesn’t understand A creature you touch regains a number of hit points equal
your language, or if your command is directly harmful to it. to 1d8 + your spellcasting ability modifier. This spell has no
Some typical commands and their effects follow. You effect on constructs.
might issue a command other than one described here. If At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 2nd level
you do so, the GM determines how the target behaves. If the or higher, the healing increases by 1d8 for each level above
target can’t follow your command, the spell ends. 1st.

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Detect Evil and Good A flash of light streaks toward a creature of your choice
1st-­level divination within range. Make a ranged spell attack against the tar-
get. On a hit, the target takes 4d6 radiant damage, and the
Casting Time: 1 action
next attack roll made against this target before the end of
Range: Self
your next turn has advantage, thanks to the mystical light
Components: V, S
glittering on the target until then.
Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 2nd level or
For the duration, you know if there is an aberration, blight-­ higher, the damage increases by 1d6 for each level above 1st.
born, celestial, elemental, fey, fiend, or undead within 30
feet of you, as well as where the creature is located. Similarly, Healing Word*
you know if there is a place or object within 30 feet of you 1st-­level evocation
that has been magically consecrated or desecrated.
Casting Time: 1 bonus action
The spell can penetrate most barriers, but it is blocked
Range: 60 feet
by 1 foot of stone, 1 inch of common metal, a thin sheet of
Components: V
lead, or 3 feet of wood or dirt.
Duration: Instantaneous

False Life* A creature of your choice that you can see within range
1st-­level necromancy regains hit points equal to 1d4 + your spellcasting ability
modifier. This spell has no effect on constructs.
Casting Time: 1 action
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 2nd level or
Range: Self
higher, the healing increases by 1d4 for each level above 1st.
Components: V, S, M (a small amount of alcohol or
distilled spirits)
Duration: 1 Hour
Hellish Rebuke*
1st-­level evocation
Bolstering yourself with a necromantic facsimile of life, you
Casting Time: 1 reaction (when a creature damages you)
gain 1d4 + 4 temporary hit points for the spell’s duration.
Range: 60 feet
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 2nd level
Components: V, S
or higher, you gain 5 additional temporary hit points for
Duration: Instantaneous
each level above 1st.
You point your finger, and the creature that damaged you
Fog Cloud is momentarily surrounded by hellish flames. The creature
1st-­level conjuration must make a Dexterity saving throw. It takes 2d10 fire dam-
age on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful
Casting Time: 1 action
one.
Range: 120 feet
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 2nd level or
Components: V, S
higher, the damage increases by 1d10 for each level above 1st.
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour

You create a 20-foot-­radius sphere of fog centered on a point Heroism

within range. The sphere spreads around corners, and its 1st-­level enchantment
area is heavily obscured. It lasts for the duration or until
Casting Time: 1 action
a wind of moderate or greater speed (at least 10 miles per
Range: Touch
hour) disperses it.
Components: V, S
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 2nd level
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
or higher, the radius of the fog increases by 20 feet for each
level above 1st. A willing creature you touch is imbued with bravery. Until
the spell ends, the creature is immune to being frightened
Guiding Bolt and gains temporary hit points equal to your spellcasting
1st-­level evocation ability modifier at the start of each of its turns. When the
spell ends, the target loses any remaining temporary hit
Casting Time: 1 action
points gained from this spell.
Range: 120 feet
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 2nd level
Components: V, S
or higher, you can target one additional creature for each
Duration: 1 round
level above 1st.

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 Spell Descriptions 5

Holy Smoke At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 2nd lev-
1st-­level divination (ritual only) el or higher, the spell creates one more dart for each level
above 1st.
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 10 feet
Components: V,M (incense)
Protection from Evil and Good*
1st-­level abjuration
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
Casting Time: 1 action
You light incense and choose a 10-foot cube within range.
Range: Touch
The smoke spreads among those present and gathers around
Components: V, S, M (holy water or powdered silver and
objects and creatures in relation to how corrupted they are:
iron, which the spell consumes)
the closer the smoke gathers, the more tainted the creature
Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes
in question is. The Game­master clearly states if objects or
creatures are blight-­stricken, blightmarked or thoroughly Until the spell ends, one willing creature you touch is pro-
corrupt. (See Corruption, page 38). tected against certain types of creatures: aberrations, blight-­
Holy smoke can be countered by the exchange shadow spell. born, celestials, elementals, fey, and fiends.
The protection grants several benefits. Creatures of those
Inflict Wounds* types have disadvantage on attack rolls against the target.
1st-­level necromancy The target also can’t be charmed, frightened, or possessed
by them. If the target is already charmed, frightened, or
Casting Time: 1 action
possessed by such a creature, the target has advantage on
Range: Touch
any new saving throw against the relevant effect.
Components: V, S
Duration: Instantaneous
Sleep
Make a melee spell attack against a creature you can reach. 1st-­level enchantment
On a hit, the target takes 3d10 necrotic damage.
Casting Time: 1 action
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 2nd level or
Range: 90 feet
higher, the damage increases by 1d10 for each level above 1st.
Components: V, S, M (a pinch of fine sand, rose petals or
a cricket)
Longstrider Duration: 1 minute
1st-­level transmutation
This spell sends creatures into a magical slumber. Roll 5d8;
Casting Time: 1 action
the total is how many hit points of creatures this spell can
Range: Touch
affect. Creatures within 20 feet of a point you choose within
Components: V, S, M (a pinch of dirt)
range are affected in ascending order of their current hit
Duration: 1 hour
points (ignoring unconscious creatures).
You touch a creature. The target’s speed increases by 10 feet Starting with the creature that has the lowest current hit
until the spell ends. points, each creature affected by this spell falls unconscious
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 2nd level until the spell ends, the sleeper takes damage, or someone
or higher, you can target one additional creature for each uses an action to shake or slap the sleeper awake. Subtract
level above 1st. each creature’s hit points from the total before moving on
to the creature with the next lowest hit points. A creature’s
Magic Missile* hit points must be equal to or less than the remaining total
1st-­level evocation for that creature to be affected.
Undead and creatures immune to being charmed aren’t
Casting Time: 1 action
affected by this spell.
Range: 120 feet
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 2nd level or
Components: V, S
higher, roll an additional 2d8 for each level above 1st.
Duration: Instantaneous

You create three glowing darts of magical force. Each dart

hits a creature of your choice that you can see within range.
A dart deals 1d4 + 1 force damage to its target. The darts all A Spell By Any Other Name
strike simultaneously, and you can direct them to hit one The names of some OGL spells appear a little different
creature or several. in this listing than other products. In short, we can’t use
anyone’s name, so if the spell is named after its famous
inventor, the name is left off or changed up. Otherwise,
the spells remain the same. 195
 5 Resources

Spirit Walk
1st-­level transmutation (ritual)

Casting Time: 1 minute

Range: Self
Components: V
Duration: 10 minutes

You become part of the spirit world for up to 10 minutes.

You are invisible to creatures in the material world but can
see (and be seen by) any local spirits. Unfriendly spirits
might attack you and you can use your reaction to end this
spell early.

Thunderwave
1st-­level evocation

Casting Time: 1 action

Range: Self
Components: V, S
Duration: Instantaneous

A wave of thunderous force sweeps out from you. Each

creature in a 15-foot cube originating from you must make
a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, a creature
takes 2d8 thunder damage and is pushed 10 feet away from
you. On a successful save, the creature takes half as much
damage and isn’t pushed.
In addition, unsecured objects that are completely within
the area of effect are automatically pushed 10 feet away from
you by the spell’s effect, and the spell emits a thunderous
boom audible out to 300 feet.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 2nd level or
higher, the damage increases by 1d8 for each level above 1st.

2nd Level Spells

Acid Arrow
2nd-­level evocation

Casting Time: 1 action

Range: 90 feet
Components: V, S, M (powdered rhubarb leaf and an
adder’s stomach)
Duration: Instantaneous

A shimmering green arrow streaks toward a target within

range and bursts in a spray of acid. Make a ranged spell attack
against the target. On a hit, the target takes 4d4 acid damage
immediately and 2d4 acid damage at the end of its next turn.
On a miss, the arrow splashes the target with acid for half
the initial damage and no damage at the end of its next turn.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 3rd level
or higher, the damage (both initial and later) increases by
1d4 for each level above 2nd.

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 Spell Descriptions 5

Black Breath*
2nd-­level evocation

Casting Time: 1 action

Range: 10 feet
Components: S
A wildly debated text, found at the northern
Duration: Instantaneous
entrance to Serand’s Pyramid, possibly stating
the name of the pyramid’s architect. With this spell the caster can heal those already tainted by
darkness, though at a danger of gaining more Corruption.
For each willing creature within range (including the cast-
Aid er), roll 1d4 plus your spellcasting modifier. If the result is
2nd-­level abjuration equal to or lower than their permanent Corruption then
they recover hit points equal to the result. If it is higher than
Casting Time: 1 action
their permanent Corruption then they gain the difference
Range: 30 feet
in temporary Corruption.
Components: V, S, M (a tiny strip of white cloth)
At Higher Levels. If you cast this spell at 3rd level or
Duration: 8 hours
higher, you add 1 to your result for each level above 2nd.
Your spell bolsters your allies with toughness and resolve.
Choose up to three creatures within range. Each target’s Blindness/Deafness*
hit point maximum and current hit points increases by 5 2nd-­level necromancy
for the duration.
Casting Time: 1 action
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 3rd level
Range: 30 feet
or higher, a target’s hit points increase by an additional 5
Components: V
for each level above 2nd.
Duration: 1 minute

Animal Messenger You can blind or deafen a foe. Choose one creature that you
2nd-­level enchantment (ritual) can see within range to make a Constitution saving throw. If
it fails, the target is either blinded or deafened (your choice)
Casting Time: 1 action
for the duration. At the end of each of its turns, the target
Range: 30 feet
can make a Constitution saving throw. On a success, the
Components: V, S, M (a morsel of food)
spell ends.
Duration: 24 hours
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 3rd level
By means of this spell, you use an animal to deliver a mes- or higher, you can target one additional creature for each
sage. Choose a Tiny beast you can see within range, such level above 2nd.
as a squirrel, a blue jay, or a bat. You specify a location,
which you must have visited, and a recipient who matches Blood Bond*
a general description, such as “a man or woman dressed 2nd-­level transmutation (ritual)
in the uniform of the town guard” or “a red-­haired man
Casting Time: 10 minutes
wearing a pointed hat.” You also speak a message of up to
Range: Touch
twenty-­five words. The target beast travels for the duration
Components: V, S, M (two fine silver chains, one for the
of the spell toward the specified location, covering about
caster and one for the familiar, 50 thaler total)
50 miles per 24 hours for a flying messenger, or 25 miles
Duration: Until dispelled
for other animals.
When the messenger arrives, it delivers your message You magically link yourself to your familiar to an even great-
to the creature that you described, replicating the sound of er degree, allowing you to share the burden of Corruption
your voice. The messenger speaks only to a creature match- between the two of you. The familiar’s Corruption Threshold
ing the description you gave. If the messenger doesn’t becomes equal to 2, plus any positive Charisma modifier.
reach its destination before the spell ends, the message is When you receive temporary or permanent Corruption you
lost, and the beast makes its way back to where you cast may direct all or part of it to your familiar.
this spell. If the familiar’s permanent Corruption becomes equal
At Higher Levels. If you cast this spell at 3rd level or to or higher than its Threshold, it becomes a blight-­born
higher, the duration of the spell increases by 48 hours for spirit creature and abandons the caster, possibly attacking
each level above 2nd. them as it escapes.

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Enhance Ability When you cast this spell you inscribe a message of 25 words or
2nd-­level transmutation less, which automatically appears in the other journal as well,
as long as it is on the same plane of existence. You can make
Casting Time: 1 action
simple sketches or draw symbols or letters that you do not know
Range: Touch
the meaning of as part of your message, a simple diagram is
Components: V, S, M (fur or feather from a beast)
equivalent to five to ten words in most cases. The keeper of the
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour
other journal must cast this spell themselves in order to respond.
You touch a creature and bestow upon it a magical enhance-
ment. Choose one of the following effects; the target gains Flaming Sphere
that effect until the spell ends. 2nd-­level evocation
• Bear’s Endurance. The target has advantage on Con- Casting Time: 1 action
stitution checks. It also gains 2d6 temporary hit points,
Range: 60 feet
which are lost when the spell ends.
Components: V, S, M (a bit of tallow, a pinch of
• Bull’s Strength. The target has advantage on Strength brimstone, and a dusting of powdered iron)
checks, and its carrying capacity doubles.
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
• Cat’s Grace. The target has advantage on Dexterity
checks. It also doesn’t take damage from falling 20 feet A 5-foot-­diameter sphere of fire appears in an unoccupied space
or less if it isn’t incapacitated. of your choice within range and lasts for the duration. Any crea-
• Eagle’s Splendor. The target has advantage on Charisma ture that ends its turn within 5 feet of the sphere must make
checks. a Dexterity saving throw. The creature takes 2d6 fire damage
• Fox’s Cunning. The target has advantage on Intelligence on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
checks. As a bonus action, you can move the sphere up to 30 feet.
• Owl’s Wisdom. The target has advantage on Wisdom If you ram the sphere into a creature, that creature must
checks. make the saving throw against the sphere’s damage, and
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 3rd level the sphere stops moving this turn.
or higher, you can target one additional creature for each When you move the sphere, you can direct it over barriers
level above 2nd. up to 5 feet tall and jump it across pits up to 10 feet wide. The
sphere ignites flammable objects not being worn or carried,
Exchange Shadow and it sheds bright light in a 20-foot radius and dim light
2nd-­level transmutation (ritual) for an additional 20 feet.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 3rd level or
Casting Time: 1 minute
higher, the damage increases by 1d6 for each level above 2nd.
Range: 60 feet
Components: V, S, M (a link to the target such as a lock of
hair, a splash of blood, or an object that once belonged
Heat Metal
2nd-­level transmutation
to them)
Duration: 24 hours Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 60 feet
You can exchange your Shadow with another creature. If
Components: V, S, M (a piece of iron and a flame)
the creature is unwilling, it is able to make a Wisdom saving
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
throw to resist the effect. A successful save prevents the
process and alerts the target. A failed saving throw indicates Choose a manufactured metal object, such as a metal weapon or
that the swap was successful and the target is unaware of a suit of heavy or medium metal armor, that you can see within
the exchange. Your Shadow appears as the target’s Shadow range. You cause the object to glow red-­hot. Any creature in
and their Shadow appears as yours. physical contact with the object takes 2d8 fire damage when you
cast the spell. Until the spell ends, you can use a bonus action
Faraway Writing on each of your subsequent turns to cause this damage again.
2nd-­level evocation (ritual) If a creature is holding or wearing the object and takes
the damage from it, the creature must succeed on a Consti-
Casting Time: 10 minutes
tution saving throw or drop the object if it can. If it doesn’t
Range: Special
drop the object, it has disadvantage on attack rolls and abil-
Components: V, S, M (a pair of high quality journals,
ity checks until the start of your next turn.
each worth 25 thaler or more)
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 3rd level or
Duration: Instantaneous
higher, the damage increases by 1d8 for each level above 2nd.

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 Spell Descriptions 5

Hold Person* You touch a nonmagical weapon. Until the spell ends, that
2nd-­level enchantment weapon becomes a magic weapon with a +1 bonus to attack
rolls and damage rolls.
Casting Time: 1 action
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 4th level,
Range: 60 feet
the bonus increases to +2. When you cast it at 6th level or
Components: V, S, M (a small, straight piece of iron)
higher, the bonus increases to +3.
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

Choose a humanoid that you can see within range. The target Prayer of Healing
must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or be paralyzed 2nd-­level evocation
for the duration. At the end of each of its turns, the target
Casting Time: 10 minutes
can make another Wisdom saving throw. On a success, the
Range: 30 feet
spell ends on the target.
Components: V
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 3rd level
Duration: Instantaneous
or higher, you can target one additional humanoid for each
level above 2nd. The humanoids must be within 30 feet of Up to six creatures of your choice that you can see within
each other when you target them. range each regain hit points equal to 2d8 + your spellcasting
ability modifier. This spell has no effect on constructs.
Inherit Wound At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 3rd level
2nd-­level necromancy or higher, the healing increases by 1d8 for each level above
2nd.
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 60 feet
Components: V, S
Scorching Ray
2nd-­level evocation
Duration: 1 minute
Casting Time: 1 action
Choose a creature within range. If it is unwilling, it can
Range: 120 feet
make a Constitution saving throw to avoid the effect. When
Components: V, S
you take damage from a weapon attack or a spell effect you
Duration: Instantaneous
divide the damage done between you and the creature (in
the case of an odd damage total, you take the extra point of You create three rays of fire and hurl them at targets within
damage). An unwilling creature can make another Consti- range. You can hurl them at one target or several.
tution saving throw at the end of its turn to end the effect. Make a ranged spell attack for each ray. On a hit, the
target takes 2d6 fire damage.
Invisibility At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 3rd level
2nd-­level illusion or higher, you create one additional ray for each level above
2nd.
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Components: V, S, M (an eyelash encased in gum arabic)
Shatter
2nd-­level evocation
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour
Casting Time: 1 action
A single creature that you touch becomes invisible until the
Range: 60 feet
spell ends. Anything the target is wearing or carrying is
Components: V, S, M (a chip of mica)
invisible as long as it is on the target’s person. The spell ends
Duration: Instantaneous
for a target that attacks or casts a spell.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 3rd level A sudden loud ringing noise, painfully intense, erupts from a
or higher, you can target one additional creature for each point of your choice within range. Each creature in a 10-foot-­
level above 2nd. radius sphere centered on that point must make a Constitu-
tion saving throw. A creature takes 3d8 thunder damage on
Magic Weapon a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. A
2nd-­level transmutation creature made of inorganic material such as stone, crystal,
or metal has disadvantage on this saving throw.
Casting Time: 1 bonus action
A nonmagical object that isn’t being worn or carried also
Range: Touch
takes the damage if it’s in the spell’s area.
Components: V, S
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 3rd level or
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour
higher, the damage increases by 1d8 for each level above 2nd.

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5 Resources

Spiritual Weapon Animate Dead*

2nd-­level evocation 3rd-­level necromancy, ritual

Casting Time: 1 bonus action Casting Time: 1 hour

Range: 60 feet Range: 10 feet
Components: V, S Components: V, S, M (a drop of blood, a piece of flesh,
Duration: 1 minute and a pinch of bone dust)
Duration: Instantaneous
You create a floating, spectral weapon within range that
lasts for the duration or until you cast this spell again. The This spell creates an undead servant. Choose a pile of bones
weapon can take whatever form you choose. When you or a corpse of a Medium or Small humanoid within range.
cast the spell, you can make a melee spell attack against a Your spell imbues the target with a foul mimicry of life, rais-
creature within 5 feet of the weapon. On a hit, the target ing it as an undead creature. The target becomes a skeleton
takes force damage equal to 1d8 + your spellcasting ability if you chose bones or a zombie if you chose a corpse (the
modifier. GM has the creature’s game statistics).
As a bonus action on your turn, you can move the weapon On each of your turns, you can use a bonus action to
up to 20 feet and repeat the attack against a creature within mentally command any creature you made with this spell if
5 feet of it. the creature is within 60 feet of you (if you control multiple
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 4th level creatures, you can command any or all of them at the same
or higher, the damage increases by 1d8 for every two levels time, issuing the same command to each one). You decide
above 2nd. what action the creature will take and where it will move
during its next turn, or you can issue a general command,
Tale of Ashes such as to guard a particular chamber or corridor. If you
2nd-­level divination (ritual) issue no commands, the creature only defends itself against
hostile creatures. Once given an order, the creature contin-
Casting Time: 1 action
ues to follow it until its task is complete.
Range: Touch
The creature is under your control for 24 hours, after
Components: V, S, M (the ashes of the object)
which it stops obeying any command you’ve given it. To
Duration: Instantaneous
maintain control of the creature for another 24 hours, you
This spell allows a mystic to read the ashes of a burnt ob- must cast this spell on the creature again before the current
ject and thereby discern what the object once was and what 24-hour period ends. This use of the spell reasserts your
happened when it burned – the mystic experiences all im- control over up to four creatures you have animated with
pressions from the fire, sees who was there and hears what this spell, rather than animating a new one.
was being said. A campfire can have much to tell about what At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 4th level or
happened around it. higher, you animate or reassert control over two additional
undead creatures for each level above 3rd. Each of the crea-
tures must come from a different corpse or pile of bones.
3rd Level Spells
Bestow Curse*
Anathema 3rd-­level necromancy
3rd-­level abjuration (ritual)
Casting Time: 1 action
Casting Time: 10 minutes Range: Touch
Range: Self Components: V, S
Components: V, S Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour
You touch a creature, and that creature must succeed on a
This spell blocks harmful magics. While in effect you have Wisdom saving throw or become cursed for the duration of
advantage on saving throws against magical effects and re- the spell. When you cast this spell, choose the nature of the
sistance to damage from spells. curse from the following options:
• Choose one ability score. While cursed, the target has
disadvantage on ability checks and saving throws made
with that ability score.
• While cursed, the target has disadvantage on attack rolls
against you.

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 Spell Descriptions 5

• While cursed, the target must make a Wisdom saving Counterspell*

throw at the start of each of its turns. If it fails, it wastes 3rd-­level abjuration
its action that turn doing nothing.
Casting Time: 1 reaction (when a creature within range
• While the target is cursed, your attacks and spells deal casts a spell)
an extra 1d8 necrotic damage to the target.
Range: 60 feet
A remove curse spell ends this effect. At the GM’s discretion,
Components: S
you may invent a different curse effect, but it should be no
Duration: Instantaneous
more powerful than those described above. The Game­master
has final say on such a curse’s effect. You attempt to interrupt a creature in the process of casting
At Higher Levels. If you cast this spell at 4th level, the a spell. If the creature is casting a spell of 3rd level or lower,
duration is concentration, up to 10 minutes. If you cast it at its spell fails and has no effect. If it is casting a spell of 4th
5th level, the duration is 8 hours. If you cast at 7th level, the level or higher, make an ability check using your spellcasting
duration is 24 hours. If you cast at 9th level, the spell lasts ability. The DC equals 10 + the spell’s level. On a success, the
until it is dispelled. Casting at 5th level or higher grants a creature’s spell fails and has no effect.
duration that doesn’t require concentration. At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 4th level
or higher, the interrupted spell has no effect if its level is
Blink less than or equal to the level of the counterspell you cast.
3rd-­level transmutation

Casting Time: 1 action

Dispel Magic*
3rd-­level abjuration
Range: Self
Components: V, S Casting Time: 1 action
Duration: 1 minute Range: 120 feet
Components: V, S
Roll a d20 at the end of each of your turns for the duration
Duration: Instantaneous
of the spell. On a roll of 11 or higher, you vanish from your
current position and appear in the Yonderworld (the spell Choose one creature, object, or magical effect within range.
fails and the casting is wasted if you were already there). Any spell of 3rd level or lower on the target ends. For each
At the start of your next turn, and when the spell ends if spell of 4th level or higher on the target, make an ability
you are in the Yonderworld, you return to an unoccupied check using your spellcasting ability. The DC equals 10 + the
space of your choice that you can see within 10 feet of the spell’s level. On a successful check, the spell ends.
space you vanished from. If no unoccupied space is available At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 4th level
within that range, you appear in the nearest unoccupied or higher, you automatically end the effects of a spell on the
space (chosen at random if more than one space is equally target if the spell’s level is equal to or less than the level at
near). You can dismiss this spell as an action. which you cast dispel magic.
While in the Yonderworld, you can see and hear the place
you originated from, which is cast in translucent shades of Fireball*
gray, and you can’t see anything there more than 60 feet 3rd-­level evocation
away. You can only affect and be affected by other creatures
Casting Time: 1 action
in the Yonderworld. Creatures that aren’t there can’t per-
Range: 150 feet
ceive you or interact with you, unless they have the ability
Components: V, S, M (a tiny ball of bat guano and sulfur)
to do so.
Duration: Instantaneous

A bright streak flashes from your finger to a point you choose

within range and then blossoms with a low roar into an ex-
plosion of flame. Each creature in a 20-foot-­radius sphere
centered on that point must make a Dexterity saving throw.
A target takes 8d6 fire damage on a failed save, or half as
much damage on a successful one.
The fire spreads around corners. It ignites flammable
objects in the area that aren’t being worn or carried.
Symbols carved on the ancient stone fundament on At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 4th level
which the palace of Mergile is built, likely a curse or higher, the damage increases by 1d6 for each level above
aimed at the lords and ladies who once lived there. 3rd.

201
5 R eFlaming
s o u r cServant
es
Medium elemental

Armor Class special (see below)

Hit Points special (see below)
Speed 30 ft At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 4th level
or higher, you can target one additional creature for each
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
level above 3rd.
16 (+3) 16 (+3) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 10 (+0)

Condition Immunities exhaustion, paralyzed, petri- Glyph of Warding

fied, poisoned, unconscious 3rd-­level abjuration
Damage Immunities fire, poison, psychic
Casting Time: 1 hour
Senses passive Perception 10
Range: Touch
Languages understands the caster’s language
Components: V, S, M (incense and powdered diamond
Challenge special (see below)
worth at least 100 thaler, which the spell consumes)
Manner always restless
Duration: Until dispelled or triggered
Shadow bright orange and red (Corruption: 0/4)
Equipment none When you cast this spell, you inscribe a glyph that later
unleashes a magical effect. You inscribe it either on a sur-
Summoned Creature. The flaming servant’s Hit Dice
face (such as a table or a section of floor or wall) or within
are equal to the caster’s proficiency bonus (2d8 =
an object that can be closed (such as a book, a scroll, or a
9 hp, 3d8 = 13 hp, 4d8 = 18 hp, 5d8 = 22 hp, 6d8
treasure chest) to conceal the glyph. The glyph can cover
= 27 hp) and its armor class is dependent on the
an area no larger than 10 feet in diameter. If the surface
armor provided as a material component. Its
or object is moved more than 10 feet from where you cast
challenge rating is dependent on the caster’s pro-
this spell, the glyph is broken, and the spell ends without
ficiency bonus (+2 to +3 = 1/2 CR, +4 to +6 = 1 CR).
being triggered.
Actions The glyph is nearly invisible and requires a successful
Sword of Flame. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, Intelligence (Investigation) check against your spell save
reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) fire damage. DC to be found.
You decide what triggers the glyph when you cast the
spell. For glyphs inscribed on a surface, the most typical
Flaming Servant triggers include touching or standing on the glyph, remov-
3rd-­level conjuration, ritual ing another object covering the glyph, approaching within
a certain distance of the glyph, or manipulating the object
Casting Time: 10 minutes
on which the glyph is inscribed. For glyphs inscribed within
Range: 10 feet
an object, the most common triggers include opening that
Components: V, S, M (a suit of heavy armor)
object, approaching within a certain distance of the object,
Duration: 8 hours
or seeing or reading the glyph. Once a glyph is triggered,
You summon a creature of living fire to occupy a suit of this spell ends.
armor that you provide. The summoned creature remains You can further refine the trigger so the spell activates
within 30 feet of you at all times and follows your commands. only under certain circumstances or according to phys-
It shares your initiative count and you can use your bonus ical characteristics (such as height or weight), creature
action to command it to take an action, such as attack a kind (for example, the ward could be set to affect only
target. It can suppress its fiery nature to interact with ob- abominations). You can also set conditions for creatures
jects normally or you can command it to use its action to set that don’t trigger the glyph, such as those who say a cer-
unattended flammable objects alight. If it is destroyed then tain password.
you cannot summon the creature again until the next day. When you inscribe the glyph, choose explosive runes or
a spell glyph.
Fly* • Explosive Runes. When triggered, the glyph erupts with
3rd-­level transmutation magical energy in a 20-foot-­radius sphere centered on
the glyph. The sphere spreads around corners. Each crea-
Casting Time: 1 action
ture in the area must make a Dexterity saving throw. A
Range: Touch
creature takes 5d8 acid, cold, fire, lightning, or thunder
Components: V, S, M (a wing feather from any bird)
damage on a failed saving throw (your choice when you
Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes
create the glyph), or half as much damage on a success-
You touch a willing creature. The target gains a flying speed ful one.
of 60 feet for the duration. When the spell ends, the target • Spell Glyph. You can store a prepared spell of 3rd level
falls if it is still aloft, unless it can stop the fall. or lower in the glyph by casting it as part of creating the

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 Spell Descriptions 5

glyph. The spell must target a single creature or an area. Lightning Bolt*
The spell being stored has no immediate effect when cast 3rd-­level evocation
in this way. When the glyph is triggered, the stored spell
Casting Time: 1 action
is cast. If the spell has a target, it targets the creature
Range: Self
that triggered the glyph. If the spell affects an area, the
Components: V, S, M (a bit of fur and a rod of amber,
area is centered on that creature. If the spell summons
crystal, or glass)
hostile creatures or creates harmful objects or traps, they
Duration: Instantaneous
appear as close as possible to the intruder and attack it.
If the spell requires concentration, it lasts until the end A stroke of lightning forming a line 100 feet long and 5 feet
of its full duration. wide blasts out from you in a direction you choose. Each
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 4th level creature in the line must make a Dexterity saving throw.
or higher, the damage of an explosive runes glyph increases A creature takes 8d6 lightning damage on a failed save, or
by 1d8 for each level above 3rd. If you create a spell glyph, half as much damage on a successful one. The lightning ig-
you can store any spell of up to the same level as you use for nites flammable objects in the area that aren’t being worn
the glyph of warding. or carried.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 4th level or
Judging Bonds higher, the damage increases by 1d6 for each level above 3rd.
3rd-­level enchantment (ritual)

Casting Time: 1 action

Magic Circle
3rd-­level abjuration
Range: Touch
Components: V, S Casting Time: 1 action
Duration: 1 month Range: 10 feet
Components: V, S, M (holy water or powdered silver
You allow pacifying light to flow through the chains or shack-
and iron worth at least 50 thaler, which the spell
les holding a person. This prevents that person from using
consumes)
mystical powers and provides disadvantage on Strength and
Duration: 1 hour
Dexterity checks and saving throws while bound.
You create a 10-foot-­radius, 20-foot-­tall cylinder of magical
Larvae Boil energy centered on a point on the ground that you can see
3rd-­level conjuration within range. Glowing runes appear wherever the cylinder
intersects with the floor or another surface. Choose one
Casting Time: 1 action
option: a) A mystic that knows the pattern to a permanent
Range: Touch
teleportation circle may communicate telepathically with
Components: V, S, M (a live wasp)
the attendant of that circle (see The Chapter Circles of Ordo
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
Magica on page 204). Or
Drawing from the force of wrath you can infuse an ene- b) Choose one or more of the following types of creatures:
my’s body with larvae that then start to eat their way out. celestials, elementals, fey, fiends, or phenomenons. The circle
Although it is loudly refuted by members of the court, per- affects a creature of the chosen type in the following ways:
sistent rumors say that this is how the hero king Ynedar • The creature can’t willingly enter the cylinder by non-
met his demise. magical means. If the creature tries to use teleportation
On a successful melee spell attack, the victim is in- or interplanar travel to do so, it must first succeed on a
fected with larvae. At the end of its turn, it suffers 1d4 Charisma saving throw.
piercing damage. On the next round the damage increases • The creature has disadvantage on attack rolls against
to 1d6 piercing damage, on the third round the damage targets within the cylinder.
is 1d8, and on the fourth round it is 1d10 damage, and • Targets within the cylinder can’t be charmed, frightened,
on the fifth and all following rounds it increases to 1d12 or possessed by the creature.
piercing damage. When you choose this option, you can elect to cause
At Higher Levels. If cast at 4th level, the victim takes 1d6 its magic to operate in the reverse direction, preventing a
piercing damage on the first round, which increases each creature of the specified type from leaving the cylinder and
subsequent round, to a total of 1d12 piercing damage per protecting targets outside it.
round. At 5th level, the damage starts off at 1d8 on the first At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 4th level
round, then at 6th level it starts at 1d10 piercing damage, or higher, the duration increases by 1 hour for each level
and at 7th level it starts at 1d12 piercing damage. above 3rd.

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5 Resources

Mass Healing Word*

3rd-­level evocation
The Chapter Circles of Ordo Magica
Casting Time: 1 bonus action
Each chapter of Ordo Magica has a permanent tele-
Range: 60 feet
portation circle and these are more or less always
Components: V
manned by a bored and/or studying novice, making it
Duration: Instantaneous
possible to always reach the chapter telepathically.
Telepathy is the transmission of direct thought, As you call out words of restoration, up to six creatures of
with no opportunity for subtlety or dissembling, so your choice that you can see within range regain hit points
wizards are generally reluctant to overuse telepath- equal to 1d4 + your spellcasting ability modifier. This spell
ic communication, especially with mystics they do has no effect on constructs.
not know very well. Even with trusted colleagues, At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 4th level or
transmissions are kept as short as possible – on the higher, the healing increases by 1d4 for each level above 3rd.
crowded career ladder of Ordo Magica there is no
room to give even a close friend any competitive Purging Fire
advantage, if you can avoid it. 3rd-­level evocation (ritual)

Casting Time: 8 hours

Range: Self
Components: V, S, M (holy incense, 50 thaler worth)
Major Image Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
3rd-­level illusion
You prepare yourself with songs and prayers before climb-
Casting Time: 1 action
ing onto a burning pyre to cleanse your body of Corruption.
Range: 120 feet
Each round you remain in the fire you take 1d12 fire damage.
Components: V, S, M (a bit of fleece)
If you do not lose concentration on the spell, you reduce your
Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes
permanent Corruption by 1 point. You must take damage in
You create the image of an object, a creature, or some other order to reduce your Corruption. Thus you can remove up
visible phenomenon that is no larger than a 20-foot cube. The to 10 points of permanent Corruption if you remain in the
image appears at a spot that you can see within range and lasts pyre for the duration.
for the duration. It seems completely real, including sounds, You cannot cast this spell for anyone else, only you may
smells, and temperature appropriate to the thing depicted. You benefit from it.
can’t create sufficient heat or cold to cause damage, a sound
loud enough to deal thunder damage or deafen a creature, or a Spirit Guardians*
smell that might sicken a creature (like a troglodyte’s stench). 3rd-­level conjuration
As long as you are within range of the illusion, you can
Casting Time: 1 action
use your action to cause the image to move to any other spot
Range: Self
within range. As the image changes location, you can alter
Components: V, S, M (a holy symbol)
its appearance so that its movements appear natural for the
Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes
image. For example, if you create an image of a creature
and move it, you can alter the image so that it appears to You call forth spirits to protect you. They flit around you to a
be walking. Similarly, you can cause the illusion to make distance of 15 feet for the duration. If you are blight-­stricken
different sounds at different times, even making it carry or uncorrupted, their spectral form appears angelic or fey
on a conversation, for example. (your choice). If you are blight-­marked, they appear fiendish.
Physical interaction with the image reveals it to be an When you cast this spell, you can designate any number
illusion, because things can pass through it. A creature that of creatures you can see to be unaffected by it. An affected
uses its action to examine the image can determine that it creature’s speed is halved in the area, and when the creature
is an illusion with a successful Intelligence (Investigation) enters the area for the first time on a turn or starts its turn
check against your spell save DC. If a creature discerns the there, it must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed
illusion for what it is, the creature can see through the image, save, the creature takes 3d8 radiant damage or 3d8 necrotic
and its other sensory qualities become faint to the creature. damage (if you are blight-­marked). On a successful save, the
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 6th level creature takes half as much damage.
or higher, the spell lasts until dispelled, without requiring At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 4th level or
your concentration. higher, the damage increases by 1d8 for each level above 3rd.

204
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205
5 Resources

Summon Daemon the end of the magic circle’s duration. You can talk to the
3rd-­level conjuration (ritual) daemon during this time, but it is under no compulsion to
speak or to give you truthful answers.
Casting Time: 10 minutes
If you succeed at the Charisma check then the daemon is
Range: Self
under your control for 24 hours. If requested, it will return
Components: V, S, M (candles, dagger and golden bowl)
to the Yonderworld, which ends your control of it. It will also
Duration: Special
carry out your orders, unless they involve a clear danger to
You summon an abomination from the Yonderworld, a dae- the daemon from the servants of Prios or another god. It
mon. The creature resists your control and you must make a takes its own turn and follows your commands.
contested Charisma check to keep it under your control. If When you cast this spell, you summon a Servant Daemon.
you fail and the daemon was not summoned into an inverted If you choose to gain a point of permanent Corruption you
magic circle, the daemon is free to do as it likes (including at- can instead summon a Vindictive Daemon, for two points
tacking you or your allies) and is free to roam until it chooses of permanent Corruption you can summon a Knowledge
to return to the Yonderworld (which it can do as an action) Daemon or for three points of permanent Corruption you
or it is destroyed. If it is trapped in an inverted magic circle can summon a Guardian Daemon. The stats for the daemons
it instead cannot move and returns to the Yonderworld at are included below.

Servant Daemon Vindictive Daemon

Small fiend Medium fiend

Armor Class 15 Armor Class 13

Hit Points 18 (4d6 + 4) Hit Points 82 (11d8 + 33)
Speed 30 ft, fly 30 ft Speed 30 ft, fly 60 ft
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
8 (−1) 20 (+5) 12 (+1) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 13 (+1) 11 (+0) 16 (+3) 17 (+3) 10 (+0) 10 (+0) 17 (+3)

Condition Immunities exhaustion, paralyzed, petri- Skills Perception +2, Stealth +7

fied, poisoned, unconscious Condition Immunities exhaustion, paralyzed, petri-
Damage Immunities fire, poison, psychic fied, poisoned, unconscious
Senses passive Perception 10 Damage Immunities fire, poison, psychic
Languages understands and speaks the caster’s Senses passive Perception 12
language Languages understands and speaks the caster’s
Challenge 1 (200 XP, proficiency bonus +2) language
Manner reluctant and cynical Challenge 4 (1,100 XP, proficiency bonus +2)
Shadow same as the caster’s Manner sniffing and prying
Equipment none Shadow a black, oily cloud dancing in hard winds
(thoroughly corrupt)
Actions Equipment none
Sharp Fangs. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach
Ambusher. In the first round of a combat, the dae-
5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d4 + 5) piercing damage.
mon has advantage on attack rolls against any
creature it has surprised.
Actions
Multiattack. The vindictive daemon makes two
attacks with its long claws.
Long Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5
ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) slashing damage.

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 Spell Descriptions 5

Knowledge Daemon Guardian Daemon

Medium fiend Large fiend

Armor Class 10 Armor Class 16 (natural armor)

Hit Points 71 (13d8 + 13) Hit Points 84 (8d10 + 40)
Speed 30 ft, fly 60 ft Speed 30 ft, fly 60 ft
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
11 (+0) 11 (+0) 12 (+1) 18 (+4) 19 (+4) 20 (+5) 26 (+8) 11 (+0) 20 (+5) 11 (+0) 15 (+2) 20 (+5)

Skills Arcana +10, Deception +11, History +10, Per- Saving Throws Dex +3, Con +8, Wis +5
ception +10 Condition Immunities exhaustion, paralyzed, petri-
Saving Throws Dex +3, Cha +8 fied, poisoned, unconscious
Condition Immunities exhaustion, paralyzed, petri- Damage Immunities fire, poison, psychic
fied, poisoned, unconscious Senses passive Perception 12
Damage Immunities fire, poison, psychic Languages understands and speaks the caster’s
Senses passive Perception 20 language
Languages understands and speaks the caster’s Challenge 8 (3,900 XP, proficiency bonus +3)
language Manner snorting and clawing the ground
Challenge 6 (2,300 XP, proficiency bonus +3) Shadow night-­black as bubbling and boiling tar
Manner fawning and wheezing (thoroughly corrupt)
Shadow calm blackness, like a pool of liquid bitu- Equipment daemon-­glaive
men (thoroughly corrupt)
Alertness. The daemon has advantage on initiative
Equipment none
rolls as long as it is not surprised.
Expertise. The daemon has expertise in all its skills.
Actions
Wrest Knowledge. The summoner can use its action
Multiattack. The daemon makes an attack with its
to make a contested Charisma check with the
Claws and a Daemon-­glaive attack.
daemon to receive information. On a success the
Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
daemon provides a useful answer to an open-­
one target. Hit: 14 (1d12 + 8) slashing damage.
ended question or a definitive answer to a yes-­
Daemon-­glaive. Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit,
or-­no question. On a failure, the daemon refuses
reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 21 (2d10 + 10) magi-
to answer any more questions. If the summoner
cal slashing damage.
offers a blood sacrifice they have advantage on
their Charisma check. Reactions
Preemptive Attack. When a creature comes within
Actions reach, the daemon can make a Claws or Daemon-­
Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft.,
glaive attack.
one target. Hit: 2 (1d4) slashing damage.
Dominate. The daemon selects a creature within 30
feet. That creature must make a Charisma saving
throw (DC 15) or become charmed by the daemon,
following its instructions (the creature will not
harm itself, however). At the end of its turn the
THUS SPOKE AROALETA
creature can repeat the saving throw, ending the
effect on itself. A daemon inside a magic circle ”…and the beings from beyond tore Symbaroum
cannot use this feature. apart, with claws and fangs, horns and spikes;
Life Consuming Kiss. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to invited but not welcome, called but not wanted;
hit, reach 0 ft., one target. Hit: The creature must they were the guests who in insatiable hunger ate
make a DC 10 Constitution saving throw or gain a and drank till there was nothing left to devour ...”
level of exhaustion.

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Vampiric Touch* Necromantic energy washes over a creature of your choice

3rd-­level necromancy that you can see within range, draining moisture and vitality
from it. The target must make a Constitution saving throw.
Casting Time: 1 action
The target takes 8d8 necrotic damage on a failed save, or
Range: Self
half as much damage on a successful one. This spell has no
Components: V, S
effect on undead or constructs.
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
If you target a plant creature or a magical plant, it makes
Just a touch from your shadow-­wreathed hand can siphon the saving throw with disadvantage, and the spell deals max-
the life force from others to heal your wounds. Make a melee imum damage to it.
spell attack against a creature within your reach. On a hit, If you target a nonmagical plant that isn’t a creature, such
the target takes 3d6 necrotic damage, and you regain hit as a tree or shrub, it doesn’t make a saving throw; it simply
points equal to half the amount of necrotic damage dealt withers and dies.
(rounded down). Until the spell ends, you can make the at- At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 5th level or
tack again on each of your turns as an action. higher, the damage increases by 1d8 for each level above 4th.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 4th level or
higher, the damage increases by 1d6 for each level above 3rd. Confusion*
4th-­level enchantment

4th Level Spells Casting Time: 1 action

Range: 90 ft.
Components: V, S, M (three nut shells)
Banishment* Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
4th-­level abjuration
This spell assaults and twists creatures’ minds, spawning
Casting Time: 1 action
delusions and provoking uncontrolled action. Each creature
Range: 60 ft.
in a 10-foot-­radius sphere centered on a point you choose
Components: V, S, M (an item distasteful to the target)
within range must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw when
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
you cast this spell or be affected by it.
You attempt to send one creature that you can see within An affected target can’t take reactions and must roll a d10
range to another plane of existence. The target must succeed at the start of each of its turns to determine its behavior
on a Charisma saving throw or be banished. for that turn.
If the target is native to the plane of existence you’re
1d10 Behavior
on, you banish the target to a harmless demiplane. While
there, the target is incapacitated. The target remains there 1 The creature uses all its movement to move in a
until the spell ends, at which point the target reappears in random direction. To determine the direction, roll
the space it left or in the nearest unoccupied space if that a d8 and assign a direction (N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W,
space is occupied. NW) to each die face. The creature doesn’t take an
If the target is native to a different plane of existence action this turn.
(such as a fiend) than the one you’re on, the target is ban- 2–6 The creature doesn’t move or take actions this turn.
ished with a faint popping noise, returning to its home plane. 7–8 The creature uses its action to make a melee attack
If the spell ends before 1 minute has passed, the target reap- against a randomly determined creature within its
pears in the space it left or in the nearest unoccupied space if reach. If there is no creature within its reach, the
that space is occupied. Otherwise, the target doesn’t return. creature does nothing this turn.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 5th level
9–10 The creature can act and move normally.
or higher, you can target one additional creature for each
level above 4th. At the end of each of its turns, an affected target can make
a Wisdom saving throw. If it succeeds, this effect ends for
Blight* that target.
4th-­level necromancy At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 5th level
or higher, the radius of the sphere increases by 5 feet for
Casting Time: 1 action
each level above 4th.
Range: 30 ft.
Components: V, S
Duration: Instantaneous

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 Spell Descriptions 5

Dominate Beast over there,” or “Fetch that object.” If the creature completes
4th-­level enchantment the order and doesn’t receive further direction from you, it
defends and preserves itself to the best of its ability.
Casting Time: 1 action
You can use your action to take total and precise control
Range: 60 ft.
of the target. Until the end of your next turn, the creature
Components: V, S
takes only the actions you choose, and doesn’t do anything
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
that you don’t allow it to do. During this time, you can also
You attempt to beguile a beast that you can see within range. cause the creature to use a reaction, but this requires you
It must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or be charmed to use your own reaction as well.
by you for the duration. If you or creatures that are friendly Each time the target takes damage, it makes a new Wis-
to you are fighting it, it has advantage on the saving throw. dom saving throw against the spell. If the saving throw suc-
While the beast is charmed, you have a telepathic link ceeds, the spell ends.
with it as long as the two of you are on the same plane of ex- At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 5th-­level,
istence. You can use this telepathic link to issue commands the duration is concentration, up to 10 minutes. When you
to the creature while you are conscious (no action required), cast at 6th-­level, the duration is concentration, up to 1 hour.
which it does its best to obey. You can specify a simple and When you cast at 7th level or higher, the duration is concen-
general course of action, such as “Attack that creature,” “Run tration, up to 8 hours.

209
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Ice Storm Phantasmal Killer*

4th-­level evocation 4th-­level illusion

Casting Time: 1 action Casting Time: 1 action

Range: 300 ft. Range: 120 ft.
Components: V, S, M (a pinch of dust and a few drops of Components: V, S
water) Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
Duration: Instantaneous
You tap into the nightmares of a creature you can see within
A hail of rock-­hard ice pounds to the ground in a 20-foot-­radius, range and create an illusory manifestation of its deepest
40-foot-­high cylinder centered on a point within range. Each fears, visible only to that creature. The target must make a
creature in the cylinder must make a Dexterity saving throw. A Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, the target becomes
creature takes 2d8 bludgeoning damage and 4d6 cold damage frightened for the duration. At the end of each of the target’s
on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. turns before the spell ends, the target must succeed on a
Hailstones turn the storm’s area of effect into difficult Wisdom saving throw or take 4d10 psychic damage. On a
terrain until the end of your next turn. successful save, the spell ends.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 5th level or At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 5th lev-
higher, the bludgeoning damage increases by 1d8 for each el or higher, the damage increases by 1d10 for each level
level above 4th. above 4th.

Illusory Correction Private Sanctum

4th-­level illusion 4th-­level abjuration

Casting Time: 1 action Casting Time: 10 minutes

Range: 60 ft. Range: 120 ft.
Components: V Components: V, S, M (a thin sheet of lead, a piece of
Duration: Special opaque glass, a wad of cotton or cloth, and powdered
chrysolite)
There are gaps between reality and our perception of it. By
Duration: 24 hours
casting this spell, the mystic takes advantage of these dis-
crepancies. While this spell is active, when you or another You make an area within range magically secure. The area
creature within range makes an ability check, attack roll, or is a cube that can be as small as 5 feet to as large as 100 feet
saving throw you can use your reaction to make a correction on each side. The spell lasts for the duration or until you use
of reality, either forcing another creature to reroll the d20 an action to dismiss it.
or allowing yourself to do so. When you cast the spell, you decide what sort of secu-
At the end of your turn if you have used your reaction rity the spell provides, choosing any or all of the following
since your previous turn, you must make a spellcasting abil- properties:
ity check to keep track of the differences between your per- • Sound can’t pass through the barrier at the edge of the
sonal reality and that which others perceive. The DC starts at warded area.
5 and increases each time by 5. If you fail the check the spell • The barrier of the warded area appears dark and foggy,
immediately ends (you cannot use your reaction to reroll). preventing vision (including darkvision) through it.
• Sensors created by divination spells can’t appear inside
Lifegiver the protected area or pass through the barrier at its
4th-­level evocation (ritual) perimeter.

Casting Time: 1 hour • Creatures in the area can’t be targeted by divination

spells.
Range: Touch
Components: V, S • Nothing can teleport into or out of the warded area.
Duration: Instantaneous • Planar travel is blocked within the warded area.
Casting this spell on the same spot every day for a year
As you cast this spell, you touch a number of creatures equal makes this effect permanent.
to your proficiency bonus. You can be one of those creatures. At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 5th level
Each creature’s temporary Corruption is reduced by 1d4. Any or higher, you can increase the size of the cube by 100 feet
excess points restore the creature’s hit points. for each level beyond 4th. Thus you could protect a cube
At Higher Levels. If you cast this spell at 5th level or that can be up to 200 feet on one side by casting this spell
higher, you can heal one additional creature per spell level. at 5th level.

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 Spell Descriptions 5

Wall of Fire carried. Medium targets count as two objects, Large targets
4th-­level evocation count as four objects, Huge targets count as eight objects.
You can’t animate any object larger than Huge. Each target
Casting Time: 1 action
animates and becomes a creature under your control until
Range: 120 ft.
the spell ends or until reduced to 0 hit points.
Components: V, S, M (a small piece of phosphorus)
As a bonus action, you can mentally command any crea-
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
ture you made with this spell if the creature is within 500
You create a wall of fire on a solid surface within range. You feet of you (if you control multiple creatures, you can com-
can make the wall up to 60 feet long, 20 feet high, and 1 foot mand any or all of them at the same time, issuing the same
thick, or a ringed wall up to 20 feet in diameter, 20 feet high, command to each one). You decide what action the creature
and 1 foot thick. The wall is opaque and lasts for the duration. will take and where it will move during its next turn, or
When the wall appears, each creature within its area you can issue a general command, such as to guard a par-
must make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, a ticular chamber or corridor. If you issue no commands, the
creature takes 5d8 fire damage, or half as much damage on creature only defends itself against hostile creatures. Once
a successful save. given an order, the creature continues to follow it until its
Either the inside or outside of the wall, selected by you task is complete.
when you cast this spell, deals 5d8 fire damage to each crea- An animated object is a construct with AC, hit points,
ture that ends its turn within 10 feet of the selected side. A attacks, Strength, and Dexterity determined by its size. Its
creature takes the same damage when it enters the wall for Constitution is 10 and its Intelligence and Wisdom are 3, and
the first time on a turn or ends its turn there. The other side its Charisma is 1. Its speed is 30 feet; if the object lacks legs
of the wall deals no damage. or other appendages it can use for locomotion, it instead
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 5th level or has a flying speed of 30 feet and can hover. If the object is
higher, the damage increases by 1d8 for each level above 4th. securely attached to a surface or a larger object, such as a
chain bolted to a wall, its speed is 0. It has blindsight with
a radius of 30 feet and is blind beyond that distance. When
5th Level Spells the animated object drops to 0 hit points, it reverts to its
original object form, and any remaining damage carries
Animate Objects over to its original object form.
5th-­level transmutation When you command an object to attack, it can make a sin-
gle melee attack during your turn against a creature within
Casting Time: 1 action
5 feet of it. It makes a slam attack with an attack bonus and
Range: 120 ft.
bludgeoning damage determined by its size. The GM might
Components: V, S
rule that a specific object inflicts slashing or piercing dam-
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
age based on its form.
Objects come to life at your command. Choose up to ten non- At Higher Levels. If you cast this spell at 6th level or higher,
magical objects within range that are not being worn or you can animate two additional objects for each level above 5th.

ANIMATED OBJECT STATISTICS

Size HP AC Str Dex Attack
Tiny 20 18   4 (−3) 18 (+4) +8 to hit, 6 (1d4 + 4) damage
Small 25 16   6 (−2) 14 (+2) +6 to hit, 6 (1d8 + 2) damage
Medium 40 13 10 (+0) 12 (+1) +5 to hit, 8 (2d6 + 1) damage
Large 50 10 14 (+2) 10 (+0) +6 to hit, 13 (2d10 + 2) damage
Huge 80 10 18 (+4)   6 (−2) +8 to hit, 17 (2d12 + 4) damage

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Arcane Hand Cloudkill

5th-­level evocation 5th-­level conjuration

Casting Time: 1 action Casting Time: 1 action

Range: 120 ft. Range: 120 ft.
Components: V, S, M (an eggshell and a snakeskin glove) Components: V, S
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes

You create a Large hand of shimmering, translucent force in You create a 20-foot-­radius sphere of poisonous, yellow-­
an unoccupied space that you can see within range. The hand green fog centered on a point you choose within range. The
lasts for the spell’s duration, and it moves at your command, fog spreads around corners. It lasts for the duration or until
mimicking the movements of your own hand. a strong wind disperses the fog, ending the spell. Its area
The hand is an object that has AC 20 and hit points equal is heavily obscured.
to your hit point maximum. If it drops to 0 hit points, the When a creature enters the spell’s area for the first time
spell ends. It has a Strength of 26 (+8) and a Dexterity of on a turn or starts its turn there, that creature must make
10 (+0). The hand doesn’t fill its space. When you cast the a Constitution saving throw. The creature takes 5d8 poison
spell and as a bonus action on your subsequent turns, you damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a suc-
can move the hand up to 60 feet and then cause one of the cessful one. Creatures are affected even if they hold their
following effects with it: breath or don’t need to breathe.
• Clenched Fist. The hand strikes one creature or object The fog moves 10 feet away from you at the start of each
within 5 feet of it. Make a melee spell attack for the hand of your turns, rolling along the surface of the ground. The
using your game statistics. On a hit, the target takes 4d8 vapors, being heavier than air, sink to the lowest level of the
force damage. land, even pouring down openings.
• Forceful Hand. The hand attempts to push a creature At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 6th level or
within 5 feet of it in a direction you choose. Make a check higher, the damage increases by 1d8 for each level above 5th.
with the hand’s Strength contested by the Strength (Ath-
letics) check of the target. If the target is Medium or small- Commune with Spirits*
er, you have advantage on the check. If you succeed, the 5th-­level divination (ritual)
hand pushes the target up to 5 feet plus a number of feet
Casting Time: 10 minutes
equal to five times your spellcasting ability modifier. The
Range: Self
hand moves with the target to remain within 5 feet of it.
Components: V, S
• Grasping Hand. The hand attempts to grapple a Huge Duration: Special
or smaller creature within 5 feet of it. You use the hand’s
Strength score to resolve the grapple. If the target is Me- The world is old and many spirits linger from days past; na-
dium or smaller, you have advantage on the check. While ture spirits in dirt and water, or dead heroes who have not yet
the hand is grappling the target, you can use a bonus passed over to the other side. You contact these spirits and ask
action to have the hand crush it. When you do so, the for their help. This help takes one of the following three forms:
target takes bludgeoning damage equal to 2d6 + your • You can ask the spirits what important thing occurred
spellcasting ability modifier. here in the past. Note that spirits have a very limited un-
• Interposing Hand. The hand interposes itself between derstanding of time, so a battle that occurred 500 years
you and a creature you choose until you give the hand a ago might be more interesting to them than the murder
different command. The hand moves to stay between you that happened yesterday.
and the target, providing you with half cover against the • You can ask them three yes or no questions that they will
target. The target can’t move through the hand’s space try to answer as accurately as possible. However, they
if its Strength score is less than or equal to the hand’s are limited by their knowledge and won’t do well with
Strength score. If its Strength score is higher than the questions outside their own experiences.
hand’s Strength score, the target can move toward you • You can name or describe an enemy. For the next 24 hours
through the hand’s space, but that space counts as diffi- if that enemy approaches within 30 feet of your current
cult terrain for the target. location the spirits will attack them. At the start of its
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 6th level or turn each specified creature must make a Wisdom saving
higher, the damage from the clenched fist option increases throw against your spell save DC. On a failure they be-
by 2d8, the damage from the grasping hand increases by come frightened of the area and take 1d6 psychic damage.
2d6, the Strength for the forceful hand increases by 2 for On a success they are not frightened but still take 1d6
each level above 5th. psychic damage.

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 Spell Descriptions 5

Cone of Cold Dispel Evil and Good*

5th-­level evocation 5th-­level abjuration

Casting Time: 1 action Casting Time: 1 action

Range: Self Range: 120 ft.
Components: V, S, M (a small crystal or glass cone) Components: V, S, M (holy water or powdered silver and iron)
Duration: Instantaneous Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute

A blast of cold air erupts from your hands. Each creature Shimmering energy surrounds and protects you from abom-
in a 60-foot cone must make a Constitution saving throw. A inations, celestials, elementals, fey, fiends, or phenomenons,
creature takes 8d8 cold damage on a failed save, or half as providing disadvantage on their attack rolls against you.
much damage on a successful one. You can end the spell early by using the following special
A creature killed by this spell becomes a frozen statue function:
until it thaws. • Break Enchantment. As your action, you touch a crea-
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 6th level or ture you can reach that is charmed, frightened, or pos-
higher, the damage increases by 1d8 for each level above 5th. sessed by an abomination, a celestial, an elemental, a fey,
or a fiend. The creature you touch is no longer charmed,
Creation frightened, or possessed by such creatures.
5th-­level illusion

Casting Time: 1 minute

Dominate Person*
5th-­level enchantment
Range: 30 ft.
Components: V, S, M (a tiny piece of matter of the same Casting Time: 1 action
type as the item you plan to create) Range: 60 ft.
Duration: Special Components: V, S
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
You pull wisps of shadow material from the surroundings to
create a nonliving object of vegetable matter within range: You attempt to beguile a humanoid that you can see with-
soft goods, rope, wood, or something similar. You can also in range. It must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or be
use this spell to create mineral objects such as stone, crystal, charmed by you for the duration. If you or creatures that
or metal. The object created must be no larger than a 5-foot are friendly to you are fighting it, it has advantage on the
cube, and the object must be of a form and material that saving throw.
you have seen before. While the target is charmed, you have a telepathic link
The duration depends on the object’s material. If the with it as long as the two of you are on the same plane of ex-
object is composed of multiple materials, use the shortest istence. You can use this telepathic link to issue commands
duration. Using any material created by this spell as another to the creature while you are conscious (no action required),
spell’s material component causes that spell to fail. which it does its best to obey. You can specify a simple and
general course of action, such as “Attack that creature,” “Run
Material Duration
over there,” or “Fetch that object.” If the creature completes
Vegetable matter 1 day the order and doesn’t receive further direction from you, it
Stone or crystal 12 hours defends and preserves itself to the best of its ability.
Precious metals 1 hour You can use your action to take total and precise control
Gems 10 minutes of the target. Until the end of your next turn, the creature
takes only the actions you choose, and doesn’t do anything
Adamantine or mithral 1 minute
that you don’t allow it to do. During this time you can also
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 6th level or cause the creature to use a reaction, but this requires you
higher, the cube increases by 5 feet for each level above 5th. to use your own reaction as well.
Each time the target takes damage, it makes a new Wis-
dom saving throw against the spell. If the saving throw suc-
ceeds, the spell ends.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 6th-­level,
the duration is concentration, up to 10 minutes. When you
cast at 7th-­level, the duration is concentration, up to 1 hour.
When you cast the spell at 8th level or higher, the duration
is concentration, up to 8 hours.

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Exorcism You place a magical command on a creature that you can see
5th-­level transmutation, ritual within range, forcing it to carry out some service or refrain
from some action or activity as you decide. If the creature can
Casting Time: 1 hour
understand you, it must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or
Range: 30 feet
become charmed by you for the duration. While the creature
Components: V, S, M (sprinkler of holy water)
is charmed by you, it takes 5d10 psychic damage each time it
Duration: Instantaneous
acts in a manner directly counter to your instructions, but no
You call out to Prios to purge the immediate area of any crea- more than once each day. A creature that can’t understand you
ture that is not native to the material world and anoint every- is unaffected by the spell.
thing else with his holy water. At the end of the casting time, You can issue any command you choose, short of an ac-
each extraplanar creature must make a Wisdom saving throw. tivity that would result in certain death. Should you issue
If you can see the creature as you cast the spell (for example it is a suicidal command, the spell ends.
trapped within a magic circle or otherwise confined) then it has You can end the spell early by using an action to dismiss
disadvantage on its saving throw. An exorcised creature cannot it. A remove curse, greater restoration, or wish spell also ends it.
return to the material world until at least 24 hours have passed. At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 7th or 8th level,
the duration is 1 year. When you cast this spell at 9th level, the
Fire Soul spell lasts until it is ended by one of the spells mentioned above.
5th-­level transmutation, ritual

Casting Time: 10 minutes

Hold Monster*
5th-­level enchantment
Range: Self
Components: V, S, M (pinch of ash) Casting Time: 1 action
Duration: 1 hour Range: 90 ft.
Components: V, S, M (a small, straight piece of iron)
Your eyes glow with a red light and you become extraordi-
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
narily hot to the touch. Creatures that touch you or attack
you from within five feet take 6 (1d12) fire damage. You are Choose a creature that you can see within range. The target
immune to fire damage and the first time you take fire dam- must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or be paralyzed for
age you instead regain hit points equal to half the damage the duration. This spell has no effect on undead. At the end
you would have taken, rounded down. of each of its turns, the target can make another Wisdom
saving throw. On a success, the spell ends on the target.
Flame Strike* At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 6th level
5th-­level evocation or higher, you can target one additional creature for each
level above 5th. The creatures must be within 30 feet of each
Casting Time: 1 action
other when you target them.
Range: 60 ft.
Components: V, S, M (pinch of sulfur)
Duration: Instantaneous
Insect Plague
5th-­level conjuration
A vertical column of divine fire roars down from the heavens
Casting Time: 1 action
in a location you specify. Each creature in a 10-foot-­radius,
Range: 300 ft.
40-foot-­high cylinder centered on a point within range must
Components: V, S, M
make a Dexterity saving throw. A creature takes 4d6 fire
Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes
damage and 4d6 radiant damage on a failed save, or half as
much damage on a successful one. Swarming, biting locusts fill a 20-foot-­radius sphere cen-
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 6th level or tered on a point you choose within range. The sphere spreads
higher, the fire damage or the radiant damage (your choice) around corners. The sphere remains for the duration, and its
increases by 1d6 for each level above 5th. area is lightly obscured. The sphere’s area is difficult terrain.
When the locusts appears, each creature within the
Geas* area of the sphere must make a Constitution saving throw.
5th-­level enchantment A creature takes 4d10 piercing damage on a failed save, or
half as much damage on a successful one. A creature must
Casting Time: 1 minute
also make this saving throw when it enters the spell’s area
Range: 60 ft.
for the first time on a turn or ends its turn there.
Components: V
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 6th level or
Duration: 30 days
higher, the damage increases by 1d10 for each level above 5th.

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 Spell Descriptions 5

Not all curiosities encountered in Davokar are

ancient and of Symbarian design. The clanfolks and
even Ambrian outcasts sometimes worship strange
215
entities – some fictional, some very much real.
 5 Resources

Mass Cure Wounds* At Higher Levels. If you cast this spell at 6th level or high-
5th-­level evocation er, you can alter the target’s memories of an event that took
place up to 7 days ago (6th level), 30 days ago (7th level), 1 year
Casting Time: 1 action
ago (8th level), or any time in the creature’s past (9th level).
Range: 60 ft.
Components: V, S
Duration: Instantaneous
Planar Binding*
5th-­level abjuration
A wave of healing energy washes out from a point of your
Casting Time: 1 hour
choice within range. Choose up to six creatures in a 30-foot-­
Range: 60 ft.
radius sphere centered on that point. Each target regains
Components: V, S, M (a jewel worth at least 1,000 thaler,
hit points equal to 3d8 + your spellcasting ability modifier.
which the spell consumes)
This spell has no effect on constructs.
Duration: 24 hours
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 6th level or
higher, the healing increases by 1d8 for each level above 5th. With this spell, you attempt to bind a celestial, an elemental,
a fey, or a fiend to your service. The creature must be within
Modify Memory* range for the entire casting of the spell. (Typically, the crea-
5th-­level enchantment ture is first summoned into the center of an inverted magic
circle in order to keep it trapped while this spell is cast.) At
Casting Time: 1 action
the completion of the casting, the target must make a Cha-
Range: 30 ft.
risma saving throw. On a failed save, it is bound to serve you
Components: V, S
for the duration. If the creature was summoned or created
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
by another spell, that spell’s duration is extended to match
You attempt to reshape another creature’s memories. One the duration of this spell.
creature that you can see must make a Wisdom saving throw. A bound creature must follow your instructions to the
If you are fighting the creature, it has advantage on the sav- best of its ability. You might command the creature to ac-
ing throw. On a failed save, the target becomes charmed by company you on an adventure, to guard a location, or to
you for the duration. The charmed target is incapacitated deliver a message. The creature obeys the letter of your in-
and unaware of its surroundings, though it can still hear you. structions, but if the creature is hostile to you, it strives to
If it takes any damage or is targeted by another spell, this twist your words to achieve its own objectives. If the crea-
spell ends, and none of the target’s memories are modified. ture carries out your instructions completely before the
While this charm lasts, you can affect the target’s memory spell ends, it travels to you to report this fact if you are on
of an event that it experienced within the last 24 hours and the same plane of existence. If you are on a different plane
that lasted no more than 10 minutes. You can permanently of existence, it returns to the place where you bound it and
eliminate all memory of the event, allow the target to recall remains there until the spell ends.
the event with perfect clarity and exacting detail, change At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at a higher
its memory of the details of the event, or create a memory level, the duration increases to 10 days at 6th level, to 30
of some other event. days at 7th- level, to 180 days at 8th level, and to a year and
You must speak to the target to describe how its mem- a day at 9th level.
ories are affected, and it must be able to understand your
language for the modified memories to take root. Its mind Purgatory
fills in any gaps in the details of your description. If the 5th-­level evocation (ritual)
spell ends before you have finished describing the modified
Casting Time: 1 action
memories, the creature’s memory isn’t altered. Otherwise,
Range: 30 ft.
the modified memories take hold when the spell ends.
Components: V, S, M (short piece of rusty chain)
A modified memory doesn’t necessarily affect how a crea-
Duration: Instantaneous
ture behaves, particularly if the memory contradicts the crea-
ture’s natural inclinations or beliefs. An illogical modified You choose a creature within range, it must make a Wisdom
memory, such as implanting a memory of how much the saving throw with its current total Corruption as the DC. For
creature enjoyed dousing itself in acid, is dismissed, perhaps thoroughly corrupt creatures the DC is 30. On a failure, the tar-
as a bad dream. The GM might deem a modified memory too get takes 8d6 radiant damage or half that amount on a success.
nonsensical to affect a creature in a significant manner. At Higher Levels. If you cast this spell at 6th level or
A remove curse or greater restoration spell cast on the target higher, you can target an additional creature for each level
restores the creature’s true memory. above 5th.

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 Spell Descriptions 5

Teleportation Circle up or down. When changing the winds, you can change its
5th-­level conjuration direction by one step (for example, from north to north-­east
or from south-­west to south, etc.).
Casting Time: 1 minute
Range: 10 ft. PRECIPITATION
Components: V, M (rare chalks and inks infused with Stage Condition
precious gems worth 50 thaler, which the spell 1 Clear
consumes)
2 Light clouds
Duration: 1 round
3 Overcast or ground fog
As you cast the spell, you draw a 10-foot-­diameter circle on
4 Rain, hail, or snow
the ground inscribed with sigils that link your location to a
5 Torrential rain, driving hail, or blizzard
permanent teleportation circle of your choice whose sigil
sequence you know and that is on the same plane of exis- TEMPERATURE
tence as you. A shimmering portal opens within the circle
Stage Condition
you drew and remains open until the end of your next turn.
Any creature that enters the portal instantly appears within 1 Unbearable heat
5 feet of the destination circle or in the nearest unoccupied 2 Hot
space if that space is occupied. 3 Warm
Many Ordo Magica facilities have permanent telepor- 4 Cool
tation circles inscribed somewhere within their confines.
5 Cold
Each such circle includes a unique sigil sequence – a string
6 Arctic cold
of magical runes arranged in a particular pattern. When
you first gain the ability to cast this spell, you learn the sigil WIND
sequences for two destinations, as determined by the GM.
Stage Condition
You can learn additional sigil sequences during your adven-
tures. You can commit a new sigil sequence to memory after 1 Calm
studying it for 1 minute. 2 Moderate wind
You can create a permanent teleportation circle by cast- 3 Strong wind
ing this spell in the same location every day for one year.
4 Gale
You need not use the circle to teleport when you cast the
5 Storm
spell in this way.

Turn Weather
5th-­level transmutation 6th Level Spells
Casting Time: 10 minutes
Range: Self
Atonement
6th-­level transmutation ritual
Components: V, S
Duration: Concentration, up to 8 hours Casting Time: 1 minute
Range: Touch
You influence the weather within 5 miles of you for the du-
Components: V
ration. You must be outdoors to cast this spell. Moving to
Duration: Special
a place where you don’t have a clear path to the sky ends
the spell early. You are able to lighten the spiritual burdens of a non-­
When you cast the spell, you change one of the current possessed, willing person; this is done by the sinner accept-
weather conditions, which are determined by the GM based ing to perform a task for the theurg on behalf of the Church.
on climate and season. You can change one of the following: The task must be time-­consuming, expensive, or dangerous
precipitation, temperature, or wind. It takes 1d4 × 10 minutes (or perhaps a combination of these factors). Upon comple-
for the new condition to take effect. Once it does so, you can tion of the task, the target’s permanent Corruption is re-
change one of the conditions (the same or another) again. duced by 1d3 + 1.
When the spell ends, the weather gradually returns to normal. If the target goes a month or more without making effort
When you change a weather condition, find the current towards the task, the spell ends and the target gains one
condition on the following tables and change its stage by one, point of permanent Corruption for failing Prios.

217
 5 Resources

Chain Lightning* As a bonus action on each of your turns, you can mentally
6th-­level evocation command any creature you animated with this spell if the
creature is within 120 feet of you (if you control multiple
Casting Time: 1 action
creatures, you can command any or all of them at the same
Range: 150 ft.
time, issuing the same command to each one). You decide
Components: V, S, M (a bit of fur; a piece of amber, glass,
what action the creature will take and where it will move
or a crystal rod; and three silver pins)
during its next turn, or you can issue a general command,
Duration: Instantaneous
such as to guard a particular chamber or corridor. If you
You create a bolt of lightning that arcs toward a target of issue no commands, the creature only defends itself against
your choice that you can see within range. Three bolts then hostile creatures. Once given an order, the creature contin-
leap from that target to as many as three other targets, each ues to follow it until its task is complete.
of which must be within 30 feet of the first target. A target The creature is under your control for 24 hours, after
can be a creature or an object and can be targeted by only which it stops obeying any command you have given it. To
one of the bolts. maintain control of the creature for another 24 hours, you
A target must make a Dexterity saving throw. The target must cast this spell on the creature before the current 24-
takes 10d8 lightning damage on a failed save, or half as much hour period ends. This use of the spell reasserts your control
damage on a successful one. over up to three creatures you have animated with this spell,
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 7th level rather than animating new ones.
or higher, one additional bolt leaps from the first target to At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 7th-­level,
another target for each level above 6th. you can animate or reassert control over four dragouls.
When you cast this spell at 8th-­level spell, you can animate
Circle of Death* or reassert control over five dragouls or two crypt walkers.
6th-­level necromancy If you cast this spell at 9th-­level, you can animate or reas-
sert control over six dragouls, three crypt walkers, or one
Casting Time: 1 action
crypt lord.
Range: 150 ft.
Components: V, S, M (the powder of a crushed black
pearl worth at least 250 thaler)
Disintegrate*
6th-­level transmutation
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
Casting Time: 1 action
A sphere of negative energy ripples out in a 60-foot-­radius
Range: 60 ft.
sphere from a point within range. Each creature in that area
Components: V, S, M (a lodestone and a pinch of dust)
must make a Constitution saving throw. A target takes 8d6
Duration: Instantaneous
necrotic damage on a failed save, or half as much damage
on a successful one. A thin green ray springs from your pointing finger to a target
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 7th lev- that you can see within range. The target can be a creature,
el or higher, the damage increases by 2d6 for each level an object, or a creation of magical force, such as the wall
above 6th. created by wall of force. A creature targeted by this spell must
make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, the target
Create Undead* takes 10d6 + 40 force damage. The target is disintegrated if
6th-­level necromancy this damage leaves it with 0 hit points.
A disintegrated creature and everything it is wearing
Casting Time: 1 minute
and carrying, except magic items, are reduced to a pile of
Range: 10 ft.
fine gray dust. The creature can be restored to life only by
Components: V, S, M (one clay pot filled with grave dirt,
means of a wish spell.
one clay pot filled with brackish water, and one 75
This spell automatically disintegrates a Large or smaller
thaler black onyx stone for each corpse)
nonmagical object or a creation of magical force. If the tar-
Duration: Instantaneous
get is a Huge or larger object or creation of force, this spell
You can cast this spell only at night. Choose up to three disintegrates a 10-foot-­cube portion of it. A magic item is
corpses of Medium or Small humanoids within range. Each unaffected by this spell.
corpse becomes a dragoul under your control. (The GM has At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 7th level or
game statistics for these creatures.) higher, the damage increases by 3d6 for each level above 6th.

218
 Spell Descriptions 5

Freezing Sphere Heal*

6th-­level evocation 6th-­level evocation

Casting Time: 1 action Casting Time: 1 action

Range: 120 ft. Range: 60 ft.
Components: V, S Components: V, S
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute Duration: Instantaneous

A frigid globe of cold energy streaks from your fingertips Choose a creature that you can see within range. A surge of
to a point of your choice within range, where it explodes positive energy washes through the creature, causing it to
in a 60-foot-­radius sphere. Each creature within the area regain 70 hit points. This spell also ends blindness, deafness,
must make a Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, a and any diseases affecting the target. This spell has no effect
creature takes 10d6 cold damage. On a successful save, it on constructs.
takes half as much damage. At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 7th level
If the globe strikes a body of water or a liquid that is or higher, the amount of healing increases by 10 for each
principally water (not including water-­based creatures), level above 6th.
it freezes the liquid to a depth of 6 inches over an area 30
feet square. This ice lasts for 1 minute. Creatures that were Living Fortress
swimming on the surface of frozen water are trapped in the 6th-­level transmutation (ritual)
ice. A trapped creature can use an action to make a Strength
Casting Time: 1 hour
check against your spell save DC to break free.
Range: 10 ft.
You can refrain from firing the globe after completing
Components: V, S
the spell, if you wish. A small globe about the size of a sling
Duration: Special
stone, cool to the touch, appears in your hand. At any time,
you or a creature you give the globe to can throw the globe You create a fortress of living trees and thorny bushes that
(to a range of 40 feet) or hurl it with a sling (to the sling’s erupt from the local growth. The fortress is approximately
normal range). It shatters on impact, with the same effect 20 feet on a side and no higher than 20 feet. Its exact layout
as the normal casting of the spell. You can also set the globe is determined by the caster. Each wall and the canopy roof
down without shattering it. After 1 minute, if the globe have 50 hit points, AC 15, resistance to non-­magical piercing
hasn’t already shattered, it explodes. damage and immunity to poison and psychic damage. At
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 7th level or the start of a round, a damaged section regenerates 5 hit
higher, the damage increases by 1d6 for each level above 6th. points of damage.
You can allow creatures of your choice to enter or exit
Globe of Invulnerability the fortress and teach them special words to allow them
6th-­level abjuration passage even if you’re not there. Inside the fortress it is al-
ways dry and a comfortable temperature. Other creatures
Casting Time: 1 action
who attempt to enter (or leave) the fortress must make a
Range: Self
Dexterity saving throw, taking 4d12 piercing damage on a
Components: V, S, M (a glass or crystal bead that shatters
failure or half that on a success.
when the spell ends)
The fortress lives a season (three months) and then the
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
spell must be cast again or the magic will fade and it will
An immobile, shimmering barrier springs into existence in start to wither away.
a 10-foot radius around you and remains for the duration.
Any spell of 5th level or lower cast from outside the bar-
rier can’t affect creatures or objects within it, even if the
spell is cast using a higher level spell. Such a spell can target
creatures and objects within the barrier, but the spell has
no effect on them. Similarly, the area within the barrier is
excluded from the areas affected by such spells.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 7th level
or higher, the barrier blocks spells of one level higher for
each level above 6th.

219
5 Resources Patron Saint
Medium celestial

Armor Class 17 (magical halo, shield)

Hit Points 136 (16d8 + 64)
Mass Suggestion* Speed 30 ft., fly 90 ft.
6th-­level enchantment
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
Casting Time: 1 action 18 (+4) 18 (+4) 18 (+4) 17 (+3) 20 (+5) 20 (+5)
Range: 60 ft.
Components: V, M (a snake’s tongue and either a bit of Saving Throws Wis +9, Cha +9
honey­comb or a drop of sweet oil) Skills Insight +9, Perception +9
Duration: 24 hours Condition Immunities charmed, exhaustion,
frightened
You suggest a course of activity (limited to a sentence or Damage Resistances radiant; bludgeoning, piercing,
two) and magically influence up to twelve creatures of your and slashing from nonmagical attacks
choice that you can see within range and that can hear and Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 19
understand you. Creatures that can’t be charmed are im- Languages telepathy with its summoner
mune to this effect. The suggestion must be worded in such Challenge 9 (5,000 XP, proficiency bonus +4)
a manner as to make the course of action sound reasonable. Manner proud and helpful
Asking the creature to stab itself, throw itself onto a spear, Shadow gleaming gold (Corruption: 0/13)
immolate itself, or do some other obviously harmful act au- Equipment none
tomatically negates the effect of the spell.
Divine Weapons. The patron saint’s weapon attacks
Each target must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a
are magical. When it hits with any weapon, the
failed save, it pursues the course of action you described
weapon does an extra 3d8 radiant damage (in-
to the best of its ability. The suggested course of action can
cluded below).
continue for the entire duration. If the suggested activity
Innate Spellcasting. The patron saint’s spellcast-
can be completed in a shorter time, the spell ends when the
ing ability is Charisma (spell save DC 17). It can
subject finishes what it was asked to do.
innately cast the following spells, requiring no
You can also specify conditions that will trigger a special
components:
activity during the duration. For example, you might sug-
gest that a group of soldiers give all their money to the first At will: detect evil and good
beggar they meet. If the condition isn’t met before the spell 3/day each: cure wounds (at 3rd level)
ends, the activity isn’t performed.
Magic Resistance. The patron saint has advantage
If you or any of your companions damage a creature af-
on saving throws against spells and other magi-
fected by this spell, the spell ends for that creature.
cal effects.
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 7th-­level,
the duration is 10 days. When you cast it at 8th-­level, the Actions
duration is 30 days. When you cast at 9th-­level, the duration Multiattack. The patron saint makes two melee
is a year and a day. attacks.
Flail. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
Patron Saint* target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) bludgeoning damage plus
6th-­level conjuration 13 (3d8) radiant damage. On a critical hit, the
target is knocked prone as well.
Casting Time: 10 minutes
Range: 120 ft.
Components: V, S (a bit of fleece and jade dust worth at
cleaning, mending, folding clothes, lighting fires, serving
least 25 thaler)
food, and pouring wine. Once you give the command, the
Duration: Special
servant performs the task to the best of its ability until it
You summon a guardian spirit to aid you, the soul of a fallen completes the task, then waits for your next command. The
Templar that has been given the honorable mission to once spirit will never venture more than 120 feet away from you.
again serve one of the Sun God’s chosen. The martyr mani- If it is somehow prevented from remaining within that dis-
fests as a being of light. It is normally invisible, but begins tance of you, it is dispelled when the distance between the
to shine when danger is close. two of you exceeds the range of the spell.
In non-­combat situations, the spirit serves as your as- In combat, the spirit becomes a glowing figure with a flail
sistant. Once on each of your turns as a bonus action, you made out of light and a halo above its head. Use the following
can mentally command the servant to move up to 15 feet statblock for the spirit, it acts independently. If slain, the
and interact with an object. The servant can perform simple spirit is dispelled. The spirit counts as a member of your
tasks that a human servant could do, such as fetching things, group, receiving a full share of experience points awarded.

220
 Spell Descriptions 5

Wall of Ice The spell’s base damage is 12d6. If at the end of your turn
6th-­level evocation the bead has not yet detonated, the damage increases by 1d6.
If the glowing bead is touched before the interval has
Casting Time: 1 action
expired, the creature touching it must make a Dexterity
Range: 120 ft.
saving throw. On a failed save, the spell ends immediately,
Components: V, S, M (a small bit of quartz)
causing the bead to erupt into a ball of flame. On a successful
Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes
save, the creature can throw the bead up to 40 feet. When
You create a wall of ice on a solid surface within range. You it strikes a creature or a solid object, the spell ends, and the
can form it into a hemispherical dome or a sphere with a bead explodes.
radius of up to 10 feet, or you can shape a flat surface made The fire damages objects in the area and ignites flamma-
up of ten 10-foot-­square panels. Each panel must be con- ble objects that aren’t being worn or carried.
tiguous with another panel. In any form, the wall is 1 foot At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 8th level
thick and lasts for the duration. or higher, the base damage increases by 1d6 for each level
If the wall cuts through a creature’s space when it ap- above 7th.
pears, the creature within its area is pushed to one side of
the wall and must make a Dexterity saving throw. On a failed Etherealness*
save, the creature takes 10d6 cold damage, or half as much 7th-­level transmutation
damage on a successful save.
Casting Time: 1 action
The wall is an object that can be damaged and thus breached.
Range: Self
It has AC 12 and 30 hit points per 10-foot section, and it is vul-
Components: V, S
nerable to fire damage. Reducing a 10-foot section of wall to 0
Duration: 8 hours
hit points destroys it and leaves behind a sheet of frigid air in
the space the wall occupied. A creature moving through the You step into the ethereal realm between the real world and
sheet of frigid air for the first time on a turn must make a Con- the Yonderworld, in the area where it overlaps with your
stitution saving throw. That creature takes 5d6 cold damage position in the real world. You remain in this border realm
on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. for the duration or until you use your action to dismiss the
At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 7th level or spell. During this time, you can move in any direction. If you
higher, the damage the wall deals when it appears increases move up or down, every foot of movement costs an extra
by 2d6, and the damage from passing through the sheet of foot. You can see and hear the real world, but everything
frigid air increases by 1d6, for each level above 6th. there looks gray, and you can’t see anything more than 60
feet away.
While ethereal, you can only affect and be affected by
7th Level Spells other creatures in the ethereal realm. Creatures that are
not ethereal can’t perceive you and can’t interact with you,
Delayed Blast Fireball* unless a special ability or magic has given them the ability
7th-­level evocation to do so.
You ignore all objects and effects that aren’t in the ethere-
Casting Time: 1 action
al realm, allowing you to move through objects you perceive
Range: 150 ft.
in the real world.
Components: V, S, M (a tiny ball of bat guano and sulfur)
When the spell ends, you immediately return to the real
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
world in the spot you currently occupy. If you occupy the
A beam of yellow light flashes from your pointing finger, same spot as a solid object or creature when this happens,
then condenses to linger at a chosen point within range as you are immediately shunted to the nearest unoccupied
a glowing bead for the duration. When the spell ends, either space that you can occupy and take force damage equal to
because your concentration is broken or because you decide twice the number of feet you are moved.
to end it, the bead blossoms with a low roar into an explosion This spell has no effect if you cast it while you are in the
of flame that spreads around corners. Each creature in a Yonderworld.
20-foot-­radius sphere centered on that point must make a At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell at 8th level
Dexterity saving throw. A creature takes fire damage equal or higher, you can target up to three willing creatures (in-
to the total accumulated damage on a failed save, or half as cluding you) for each level above 7th. The creatures must be
much damage on a successful one. within 10 feet of you when you cast the spell.

221
 5 Resources

Plane Shift* in the Yonderworld when this spell is cast, you are returned
7th-­level conjuration to the real world.
You can use this spell to banish an unwilling creature to
Casting Time: 1 action
the Yonderworld. Choose a creature within your reach and
Range: Touch
make a melee spell attack against it. On a hit, the creature
Components: V, S, M (a forked, metal rod worth at least
must make a Charisma saving throw. If the creature fails
100 thaler, attuned to the Yonderworld)
this save, it is transported to a random location in the Yon-
Duration: Instantaneous
derworld. A creature so transported must find its own way
You and up to eight willing creatures who link hands in a back to the real world.
circle are transported into the Yonderworld, or if you are

222
 Spell Descriptions 5

Soul Stone storm’s area of effect, move into the eye area, or find a struc-
7th-­level necromancy (ritual) ture that can be completely closed off from the storm’s effects.
On your turn, you can use a bonus action to move the
Casting Time: 10 minutes
cloud up to 10 feet in a direction that you choose.
Range: Touch
Components: S, M (special)
Duration: Special
Dominate Monster*
8th-­level enchantment
During desperate moments of the war, the battle mages of
Casting Time: 1 action
Ordo Magica took increasingly greater risks in the name
Range: 60 ft.
of necessity and thereby brought Corruption upon them-
Components: V, S
selves. To counteract this evil they dusted off an ancient and
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour
shunned ritual, by which one can capture the soul of a dying
creature in a crystal prepared for the purpose. That same You attempt to beguile a creature that you can see within range.
ritual proved to work well in order to drain Corruption from It must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or be charmed by
a wizard and transfer it to the soul in the stone. you for the duration. If you or creatures that are friendly to
With the first casting, the mystic uses a soul stone (see you are fighting it, it has advantage on the saving throw.
page 185) worth at least 100 thaler and a creature that dies While the creature is charmed, you have a telepathic link
as a result of the spell. The creature must have less than 10 with it as long as the two of you are on the same plane of ex-
hit points at the time you begin to cast the spell. At the end istence. You can use this telepathic link to issue commands
of the spell, the creature dies, and the spell collects the soul to the creature while you are conscious (no action required),
of the dying creature, turning the gem into a soul stone. Roll which it does its best to obey. You can specify a simple and
2d4 and add your spellcasting modifier; this is the amount general course of action, such as “Attack that creature,” “Run
of permanent Corruption that the soul stone can hold. over there,” or “Fetch that object.” If the creature completes
Subsequent castings allow the mystic to move 1d4 points the order and doesn’t receive further direction from you, it
of permanent Corruption to the soul stone. The soul stone defends and preserves itself to the best of its ability.
darkens as it fills up and detonates if its limit is surpassed. You can use your action to take total and precise control
The collected Corruption then rushes back to the mystic, of the target. Until the end of your next turn, the creature
often with a rather nasty result. takes only the actions you choose, and doesn’t do anything
You can only use a single soul stone at a time and cannot that you don’t allow it to do. During this time, you can also
create a new one while an old one exists. cause the creature to use a reaction, but this requires you
to use your own reaction as well.
Each time the target takes damage, it makes a new Wis-
8th Level Spells dom saving throw against the spell. If the saving throw suc-
ceeds, the spell ends.
Blood Storm At Higher Levels. When you cast this spell as a 9th-­level
8th-­level conjuration spell, the duration is concentration, up to 8 hours.

Casting Time: 1 action

Range: Self 9th Level Spells
Components: V, S, M (a few drops of your own blood)
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
Mass Heal*
You create a raging storm of blood 150 feet in diameter, with 9th-­level evocation
yourself and any nearby allies and enemies within the eye
Casting Time: 1 action
of the storm, a 15-foot radius, remaining unharmed.
Range: 60 ft.
The storm heavily obscures the area and those caught in the
Components: V, S
storm are blinded. In order to take an action, they must first
Duration: Instantaneous
succeed at a Wisdom saving throw. On a success they are able
to act this turn. A flood of healing energy flows from you into injured crea-
The blood storm also has a drowning effect; it actively aims tures around you. You restore up to 700 hit points, divided as
for the mouth and nose. If a creature starts its turn in the you choose among any number of creatures that you can see
storm, the creature must make a Constitution saving throw, within range. Creatures healed by this spell are also cured of
taking 8d6 necrotic damage on a failed save or half that on a all diseases and any effect making them blinded or deafened.
successful one. The only way to avoid the effect is to leave the This spell has no effect on constructs.

223
 INDEX
A Blink 201 Cooking pan 172 Envoy Elori 20 Ghost candle 181
Abducted Humans 44 Blood Bond 197 Corruption and Shadow 37 Equipment 160 Glassblower’s tools 174
Abductee Backgrounds 46 Blood Storm 223 Corruption Categories 38 Equipment and Globe of
Absolute Memory 147 Blood Ties 148 Counterspell 201 Services 172 Invulnerability 219
Accurate Strike 192 Bloodhound 148 Crayons 172 Equipment Packs 172 Glyph of Warding 202
Acid Arrow 196 Bloodthirst 151 Create or Destroy Escape Artist 149 Goblin Backgrounds 66
Addiction 151 Blowpipe 165 Water 193 Estoc 163 Goblins 64
Aid 197 Bolas 165 Create Undead 218 Etherealness 221 Grand Master Seldonio 18
Alchemical Elixirs 180 Boons 147 Creation 213 Excavation tools 174 Grappler 157
Alchemical Mines 186 Bounty Hunter 104 Crewed 167 Exchange Shadow 198 Grappling Axe 163
Alchemical Weapons 166 Brass bell 172 Crossbow, hand 165 Executioner’s Sword 163 Grappling hook 172
Alchemist’s supplies 174 Breaching Pot 166 Crossbow, heavy 165 Exorcism 214 Great Flail 163
Ammunition 167 Brewer’s supplies 174 Crossbow, light 162 Expenses, cost 173 Greatclub 162
Anathema 200 Bribes 161 Crossbow, repeating 165 Explorer 128 Greatsword 163
Ancient Magic 153 Brutebrew 178 Crow Armor 170 Explorer’s License 23 Green Thumb 149
Animal Friendship 192 Buckler 171 Crow’s Beak 163 Explorer’s Pack 172 Grenade 166
Animal Mask 184 Buildings, cost 173 Crowbar 172 Extended Rest 35 Grenades 166
Animal Messenger 197 Bull Rush 157 Cumbersome 171 Extensive Learning 156 Group’s Goal 33
Animate Dead 200 Burdens 151 Cure Wounds 193 Eye drops 181 Guardian Daemon 207
Animate Objects 211 Burglar’s Pack 172 Currency 46 Guiding Bolt 194
F
Antidote 181 Burial Shroud 184 Guild Thief 130
D Factions 13
Antidote candle 181 Burning Hands 193
Dagger 162 False Identity 149 H
Arbalest 165 Burning Powder 166
Dark Blood 151 False Life 194 Halberd 163
Arcane Hand 212
C Dark Secret 152 Faraway Writing 198 Hammer, light 162
Arch Enemy 151
Calligrapher’s supplies 174 Dart 162 Farm Animals, cost 173 Hammer, long 163
Archivist 148
Cantrips 192 Davokar 20 Feats 146 Handaxe 162
Area Effect 167
Captain 96 Days of the week 41 Fencing Sword 163 Heal 219
Armor 169
Captain Approaches 98 Death Marches and Field Armor 170 Healing Spider 184
Armor Class (AC) 169
Carpenter’s tools 174 Rides 34 Field Armor of the Healing Word 194
Armor Proficiency 169
Cartographer’s Death Mask 184 Pansars 170 Heat Metal 198
Armor Properties 171
instruments 174 Dedicated Focus 155 Field Laboratory 174 Heavy 168
Armor, donning
Cat Burglar 148 Deep Impact 167 Field Library 174 Heavy Armor 170
and doffing 171
Catapult 167 Delayed Blast Fireball 221 Finesse 168 Heirloom 149
Army, Ambrian 19
Chain and Plate 170 Demonologist 156 Fire dye 181 Hellish Rebuke 194
Artifact Catalog 174
Chain Lightning 218 Demonology 156 Fire Forged 149 Herbal cure 181
Artifact Crafter 110
Chain Shirt 170 Detect Evil and Good 194 Fire Soul 214 Herbalism Kit 174
Assassin’s Blade 163
Chain Staff 163 Diplomat’s Pack 172 Fireball 201 Heroism 194
Atonement 217
Change Self 153 Disguise kit 174 Firetube Ammunition 166 Hideout 149
Augur 148
Changeling Disintegrate 218 Firetube, Portable 166 High Chieftain Tharaban 17
Axe 163
Backgrounds 50 Dispel Evil and Good 213 Firetube, Stationary 166 History, Ambrians 8
B Changelings 48 Dispel Magic 201 Firewood 172 History, Timeline 9
Balanced 167 Charm Person 193 Dominate Beast 209 First Father Jeseebegai 18 Hold Monster 214
Ballista 167 Choking spores 181 Dominate Monster 223 Fishing line, lures and Hold Person 199
Bandages 172 Church of Prios 17 Dominate Person 213 hooks 172 Holy Smoke 195
Bane 192 Circle of Death 218 Double Chain Mail 170 Fishing net 172 Holy Symbol 172
Bang Powder 166 Class Feats 155 Double-axe 163 Flail 163 Holy water 181
Banishment 208 Climbing equipment 172 Double-tongue 148 Flame Strike 214 Homing arrow 181
Barbarian Clans 15 Cloathing, cost 174 Downtime 40 Flaming Servant 202 Homunculus 181
Bark Mask 184 Cloudkill 212 Drinking horn 172 Flaming Sphere 198 Hordes of Darkness 91
Battle Speech 155 Club 162 Drone dew 181 Flash Powder 166 Horseman’s Bow 162
Bear Trap 172 Cobbler’s tools 174 Duelist 139 Flash powder 181 Hourglass 172
Beast Shapes 122 Code of Honor 151 Dungeoneer’s Pack 172 Fleet-footed 149 Houses of Nobility 13
Beast Tongue 148 Combat Magic Expert 155 Dwarf Backgrounds 54 Fly 202 Huldra, The 16
Bedroll 172 Command 193 Dwarf Law 53 Fog Cloud 194 Human Backgrounds 73
Beremo Herengol 19 Command Expert 155 Dwarven Families 53 Food and Drink 178 Humans 70
Berserker 138 Commanding Voice 148 Dwarves 52 Food Cultures 179 Hunter 102
Bestial 151 Commune with Spirits 212 Forbidden Knowledge 149 Hunter Approaches 104
E
Bestiary 174 Composite Bow 165 Forced Marches and
Economy and Money 160 I
Bestow Curse 200 Con Artist 148 Rides 34
Elderly 152 Ice Storm 210
Beverages 178 Concealable 171 Forceful Personality 149
Elemental essence 181 Illusory Correction 210
Big-boned 153 Concealed 167 Forgery kit 174
Elf Backgrounds 60 Immobile 168
Black Bolt 192 Concealed Armor 169 Former Cultist 129
Elixir of Life 181 Impressionist 149
Black Breath 197 Concentrated magic 181 Freezing Sphere 219
Elves 58 Improvised Weapons 168
Blackbrew 178 Cone of Cold 213 Full Plate 170
Enduring March 148 Impulsive 152
Blanket 172 Confessor 155 Future Shares 161
Enhance Ability 198 Incense 172
Bless 192 Confusion 208
Ensnaring 167 G Inflict Wounds 195
Blessed Robe 169 Contacts 148
Enterprise 148 Gaming sets 174 Inherit Wound 199
Blight 208 Containers, cost 173
Entertainer’s Pack 172 Geas 214 Ink and quill 172
Blindness/Deafness 197 Cook’s utensils 174

224
Inquisitor 156 Modify Memory 216 R Spark Stone 184 Troll Life Cycle 65
Insect Plague 214 Monster Hunter 106 Range 168 Spear 162 Troll Singer 119
Invisibility 199 Monster Hunting Ranged Expert 155 Spear Sling 162 Troll spell list 188
Iron Crown 184 Societies 106 Rations 172 Special Weapons 168 Trolls 86
Iron Pact, The 20 Months of the Year 41 Ravenous Hunger 153 Spell Descriptions 192 Turn Weather 217
Ironsworn 105 Musical instruments 174 Reach 168 Spell Scroll 184 Twilight tincture 181
Mystic 108 Reload 168 Spell Seal 184 Two-Handed 168
J
Mystic Approaches 110 Restraining 168 Spells (listing) 187
Javelin 162 U
Mystical Focus 184 Rests 34 Spirit friend 181
Jeseebegai, First Father 18 Undead 90
Mystical Mark 152 Retribution 153 Spirit Guardians 204
Jeweler’s tools 174 Undead Backgrounds 92
Returning 168 Spirit Walk 196
Judging Bonds 203 Using an Alchemical
Revealing light 181 Spiritual Weapon 200
N Firetube 166
K Revenant 92 Spore bomb 181
Navigator’s tools 174
Karvosti 28 Ritual Codex 184 Spy 132 V
Necromancer 156
Knight 140 Ritual Focus 184 Spy glass 172 Vampiric Touch 208
Needle and thread 172
Knowledge Daemon 207 Ritual Seal 184 Staff Foot 184 Veloum 178
Net 165
Robust 153 Staff Head 184 Versatile 168
L Nightmares 152
Role of the Player 32 Staff Mage 114 Vesa 178
Lacquered Silk Cuirass 170 Nimble 157
Rope 172 Stiletto 163 Vindictive Daemon 206
Ladder 172 Noisy 171
Rope ladder 172 Storyteller 150
Laminated Armor 170 W
O Ruler’s Ring 184 Studded Leather 169
Lamp Oil 172 Wall of Fire 211
Officer 99 Rune Smith 141 Stun bolt 181
Lance 163 Wall of Ice 221
Ogre Backgrounds 82 Rune Staff 184 Stut 178
Lantern 172 Wanted 152
Ogres 80 Summon Daemon 206
Larvae Boil 203
Order Cloak 169
S War paint 181
Sun Mask 184
Leatherworker’s tools 174 Sapper 131 Ward 152
Order Medallion 184 Symbar 23
Lesser Artifacts 184 Scale Mail 170 Warrior 136
Ordo Magica 18 Symbolist 116
Lifegiver 210 Scholar’s Pack 172 Warrior Approaches 138
Origin Feats 153
Lifestyle Expenses 176 Scorching Ray 199 T Waterskin 173
Other Worlds and the
Light 168 Scoundrel 126 Tale of Ashes 200 Wax candle 173
Origins of Humans 71
Light Armor 169 Scoundrel Approaches 128 Tankard 172 Wax, seal 173
Outlaw 100
Lightning Bolt 203 Secrets of the Order 156 Tattooed Fighter 142 Way bread 181
Overwatch 155
Living Fortress 219 Seizures 152 Teleportation Circle 217 Ways of Life 10
Loading 168 P Seldonio, Grand Master 18 Telltale 150 Weapon maintenance
Lockpicks 172 Pack-mule 150 Self-taught 112 Templar 142 kit 173
Long Rest 35 Painter’s supplies 174 Servant 150 Tent 172 Weapon Master 144
Longbow 165 Paper 172 Servant Daemon 206 Thaler, Shillings Weapon Properties 167
Longstrider 195 Parchment 172 Setting map 11 and Ortegs 160 Weapons 162
Longsword 163 Parry 155 Settlements and Tharaban, Weaver’s tools 174
Lucky Coin 184 Parrying Dagger 163 Equipment 161 High Chieftain 17 Weighty 171
Pathfinder 150 Shadow 37 Theurg 118 Whetstone 173
M
Patron Saint 220 Shadow Spawn 150 Theurg spell list 188 Whip 163
Mace 162
Perfume 172 Shadow tint 181 Thieves’ tools 174 Whistle 173
Magic Circle 203
Pest Mask 184 Shadow Walker 157 Thistle Hold 26 Wild chew 181
Magic Missile 195
Pet 150 Shadow-sight 153 Thorn beasties 181 Witch 121
Magic Weapon 199
Phantasmal Killer 210 Shatter 199 Throwing Grenades 166 Witch Braid 184
Major Image 204
Pike 163 Shield 171 Throwing Wing 165 Witch Gown 169
Manipulator 149
Planar Binding 216 Shields  Thrown 168 Witch Hunter 107
Map Karvosti 28
Plane Shift 222 Shock Powder 166 Thug 133 Witch spell list 189
Map Setting 11
Pocket mirror 172 Short Rest 34 Thunder ball 181 Wizard 123
Map Thistle Hold 26
Poet-warrior 101 Shortsword 163 Thunderwave 196 Wizard spell list 190
Map Yndaros 25
Poison 181 Sickle 162 Time Within the Game 40 Wolf Skin 169
Marks of Corruption 38
Poison candle 181 Sickly 152 Timeline 9 Woodcarver’s tools 174
Marlit Cape 184
Poison Resilient 150 Siege 168 Tinker’s tools 174 Woven Silk 169
Mason’s tools 174
Poisoner’s kit 174 Siege Weapons 167 Toad Guard 184 Wraith dust 181
Mass Cure Wounds 216
Potter’s tools 174 Silvered Weapons 168 Tobacco 180 Wrathguard 145
Mass Heal 223
Prayer of Healing 199 Skald’s Cuirass 169 Tools, cost 174 Writ of Debt 160
Mass Healing Word 204
Priest’s Pack 172 Skirmish Expert 157 Torch 172
Mass Suggestion 220 Y
Private Sanctum 210 Sleep 195 Tough 150
Massive 168 Yeleta, the Huldra 16
Promised Land, The 9 Sling 162 Tough and Stringy 153
Maul 163 Yndaros 24
Protection from Evil and Slow 152 Trade Goods 180
Mechanical Trap 186
Good 195 Smith’s tools 174 Transcendental
Medium 150
Protective oil 181 Smoke bomb 181 Weapon 184
Medium Armor 170
Pure Magic 110 Snare 172 Transforming draught 181
Meeting Stone 184
Purgatory 216 Snow shoes 172 Transport, cost 173
Melee Expert 157
Purging Fire 204 Soap 172 Trapper’s Manual 174
Merchant Master 98
Purple sap 181 Social Challenges 36 Traps 186
Mind Prism 184
Pyromancer 156 Sorcerer 113 Traveling 34
Mirage 150
Sorcerer spell list 187 Treasure-hunter 134
Missile Battery 167 Q
Soul Stone 184 Trebuchet 167
Modes of Travel Quarterstaff 162
Soul Stone 223 Trick Shot 155
and Time 34 Queen Korinthia 14
Soulmate 150 Troll Backgrounds 88

225
 A heartfelt thanks
to our amazing backers !
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Jr., Kevin Perry, Kevin Ramsell, Kevin White, KFP Employee, MasterFireLord, Mat @ Steamforged Games, Máté Mór Jegenyés
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Gravert, Lars Eirik Holte, Lars Enochson, Lars Layton, Lars-Inge Matthew Priestley, Matthew Rice, Matthew Ross, Matthew
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Glover III, Leonardo Vencato, Leonie F. Trimpop, Leroy Noriega, Matthias Schramm, Matthias Vandaele, Matthias Weeks, Mattias
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230
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Tabla Dan Iulian, Tabletop Lenny, Tadd “CyberWraithe666” C,

231
player character orIgIn bacKgrounD
name name

class approach leVel Xp

strength DeXterIty constItutIon IntellIgence wIsDom charIsma

saVIng saVIng saVIng saVIng saVIng saVIng

throw throw throw throw throw throw

athletIcs acrobatIcs arcana anImal DeceptIon

exhaustion hanDlIng

sleIght DIsaDVantage hIstory InsIght IntImI-

oF hanD on checKs DatIon

proFIcIency halF speeD InVestI- perFor-

bonus stealth gatIon meDIcIne mance
DIsaDVantage
on attacKs/
saVIng throws nature perceptIon persuasIon
maX hp halVeD
+ = speeD Zero relIgIon surVIVal
DeaD
armor shIelD ac InItIatIVe speeD passIVe
Death saves InsIght

InspIratIon passIVe
perceptIon
temp. hp current hp maX. hp current hD maX. hD successes FaIlures

attacks & speLLcastinG corruption shaDow

attacK bonus Damage (type) propertIes
+ = /

temporary permanent current corruptIon

corruptIon corruptIon corruptIon thresholD
personalIty bonDs
traIts

IDeals Flaws

eQuipMent features & traits

coin & treasure LanGuaGe & tooL proficiencies

thaler shIllIngs ortegs other treasure

 treasure & speciaL Gear features & traits

speLLs known
cantrIps

1st
leVel

2nD
leVel

3rD
leVel

4th
leVel

5th
leVel

6th
leVel

7th
leVel

8th
leVel

9th
leVel
player character orIgIn bacKgrounD
name name

class approach leVel Xp

strength DeXterIty constItutIon IntellIgence wIsDom charIsma

saVIng saVIng saVIng saVIng saVIng saVIng

throw throw throw throw throw throw

athletIcs acrobatIcs arcana anImal DeceptIon

exhaustion hanDlIng

sleIght DIsaDVantage hIstory InsIght IntImI-

oF hanD on checKs DatIon

proFIcIency halF speeD InVestI- perFor-

bonus stealth gatIon meDIcIne mance
DIsaDVantage
on attacKs/
saVIng throws nature perceptIon persuasIon
maX hp halVeD
+ = speeD Zero relIgIon surVIVal
DeaD
shIelD ac passIVe
Death saves InsIght

InspIratIon passIVe
perceptIon
temp. hp current hp maX. hp current hD maX. hD successes FaIlures

attacks & speLLcastinG corruption shaDow

attacK bonus Damage (type) propertIes
+ = /

temporary permanent current corruptIon

corruptIon corruptIon corruptIon thresholD
personalIty bonDs
traIts

IDeals Flaws

eQuipMent features & traits

coin & treasure LanGuaGe & tooL proficiencies

thaler shIllIngs ortegs other treasure

 treasure & speciaL Gear features & traits

speLLs known
cantrIps

1st
leVel

2nD
leVel

3rD
leVel

4th
leVel

5th
leVel

6th
leVel

7th
leVel

8th
leVel

9th
leVel
 OPEN GAME LICENSE
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added to or subtracted from this License except as described by the able, such provision shall be reformed only to the extent necessary
License itself. No other terms or conditions may be applied to any to make it enforceable.
Open Game Content distributed using this License. 15. COPYRIGHT NOTICE: Open Game License v 1.0a Copyright 2000,
3. Offer and Acceptance: By Using the Open Game Content You indi- Wizards of the Coast, LLC.
cate Your acceptance of the terms of this License. System Reference Document 5.1 Copyright 2016, Wizards of the
4. Grant and Consideration: In consideration for agreeing to use this Coast, Inc.; Authors Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford, Chris Perkins,
License, the Contributors grant You a perpetual, worldwide, royalty Rodney Thompson, Peter Lee, James Wyatt, Robert J. Schwalb, Bruce
free, non exclusive license with the exact terms of this License to R. Cordell, Chris Sims, and Steve Townshend, based on original ma-
Use, the Open Game Content. terial by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson.
5. Representation of Authority to Contribute: If You are contributing Ruins of Symbaroum: Player’s Guide Copyright 2021, Fria Ligan AB,
original material as Open Game Content, You represent that Your Authors Mattias Johnsson Haake, Mattias Lilja, Jacob Rodgers.
Contributions are Your original creation and/or You have sufficient
rights to grant the rights conveyed by this License.

236
With the Ruins of Symbaroum game line line,, the acclaimed setting of Symbaroum comes to the
world’s most popular roleplaying game rules! This richly illustrated Player’s Guide introduces
setting specific rules and provides guidelines on how to create player characters for adventures
in the world of Symbaroum using the 5th Edition OGL ruleset!
ruleset!

Ruins of Symbaroum invites you to join in the adventure! Explore the vast Forest of Davokar
in the hunt for treasure, lost wisdom and fame. Visit the barbarian clans to trade or to plunder
their treasuries. Establish a base of power among princes, guilds or rebellious refugees in the
capital city of Yndaros. Or survive encounters with arch trolls, dark-minded blight beasts and
undead warlords. But whatever you do, never ignore the warnings spoken by the wardens of
the forest: tread carefully and do not disturb the ruins of old, for the darkness of Davokar is
about to awaken…

THE RUINS OF SYMBAROUM PLAYER’S GUIDE CONTAINS

• A player facing introduction to the lore, settlements • Five new character classes with a total of 32
and factions of thegame setting. new approaches (sub-classes).
• Setting specific rules on travelling, rests, social challenges, • New equipment in the form of weapons, armor,
and the blight of corruption. alchemical elixirs, mystical artifacts, and more.
• Nine player character origins with custom backgrounds. • Spell lists for the mystical traditions sorcerer, theurg,
troll singer, witch and wizard, including 24 new spells.

ISBN 978-91-89143-25-8
FLFSYM018

9 789189 143258