1

Created by

Stephen Delucchi & Marcus Lundin

Written by

Stephen Delucchi, Marcus Lundin & Alex Nealy

Cover Art

Tadas Sidlauskus

Interior Art

Nikita Cherkasov, Ekaterina Chesalova, Kurt Ferrer, Gaston Garcia,

Francisco Ruiz Nuñez, Isabelle Fischer (Yin Ichigo),
Canh Nguyen, Tadas Sidlauskus, Ren Tu

Cartography

Artemis De Laere & Alyssa Faden

Concept Art

Rachael Wong

Fundraising Campaign Visuals

Sarah Delucchi

OPEN GAME LICENSE

Open Game License Version 1.0a The following text is the property of Wizards of the Coast, Inc. and is Copyright 2000 Wizards of the Coast, Inc ("Wizards"). All Rights Reserved. 1. Definitions: (a)"Contributors" means the
copyright and/or trademark owners who have contributed Open Game Content; (b)"Derivative Material" means copyrighted material including derivative works and translations (including into other computer languages),
potation, modification, correction, addition, extension, upgrade, improvement, compilation, abridgment or other form in which an existing work may be recast, transformed or adapted; (c) "Distribute" means to reproduce,
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content does not embody the Product Identity and is an enhancement over the prior art and any additional content clearly identified as Open Game Content by the Contributor, and means any work covered by this License,
including translations and derivative works under copyright law, but specifically excludes Product Identity. (e) "Product Identity" means product and product line names, logos and identifying marks including trade dress;
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granted to print or photocopy this document for personal use only. System Reference Document 5.1 2 or "Your" means the licensee in terms of this agreement. 2. The License: This License applies to any Open Game Content
that contains a notice indicating that the Open Game Content may only be Used under and in terms of this License. You must affix such a notice to any Open Game Content that you Use. No terms may be added to or
subtracted from this License except as described by the License itself. No other terms or conditions may be applied to any Open Game Content distributed using this License. 3.Offer and Acceptance: By Using the Open Game
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may not Use any Open Game Material so affected. 13. Termination: This License will terminate automatically if You fail to comply with all terms herein and fail to cure such breach within 30 days of becoming aware of the
breach. All sublicenses shall survive the termination of this License. 14. Reformation: If any provision of this License is held to be unenforceable, such provision shall be reformed only to the extent necessary to make it
enforceable. 15. COPYRIGHT NOTICE Open Game License v 1.0a Copyright 2000, Wizards of the Coast, LLC. System Reference Document 5.1 Copyright 2016, Wizards of the Coast, Inc.; Authors Mike Mearls, Jeremy Crawford,
Chris Perkins, Rodney Thompson, Peter Lee, James Wyatt, Robert J. Schwalb, Bruce R. Cordell, Chris Sims, and Steve Townshend, based on original material by E. Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson. EN

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And a very special thanks to you,

the backers.

3
Chapter 1: Cultures – Page 5

The Celtic Rebellion – Page 8

Chinese Kingdoms – Page 14

Egypt – Page 19

Greece – Page 30

Illyria – Page 41

Kush – Page 46

Parthia – Page 56

Rome – Page 64

Telesinia – Page 75

Chapter 2: Pantheons – Page 77

Greco-Roman – Page 79

Celtic – Page 107

Chinese – Page 118

Egyptian – Page 129

Zoroastrian – Page 147

Sumero-Babylonian – Page 152

Chapter 3: Character Features – Page 174

Backgrounds – Page 174

Languages – Page 197

Subclasses – Page 197

Chapter 4: Magic Items – Page 230

Chapter 5: Adversaries – Page 274

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5
6
7
Chapter 1: Cultures
that attacked from beneath the land and
sea -reduced the Cessair to a
The Celtic single man, Fintan.
Rebellion Unable to cope with the
Capital: Venta heavy burden of
Icenorum (22,000) repopulation, Fintan
fled with the Cessair
Major Settlements: women in quick pursuit.
Petuaria (12,000) Cornered outside the
Leader: Queen Boudica cave that is now known as
Fintan’s Grave, he beseeched the
First People spirits of nature to assist in his
Though records are escape. Answering his
murky, it is widely call, the spirits of the
accepted that the first forest saw Fintan shed
people to settle The his mortal form and
Isles were the Cessair, transform into a mighty
led by their queen of the eagle. Just as the Cessair
same name. Exiles from far off closed in around him, Fintan took
lands, the Cessair faced immediate to the skies, never to return to his
crisis as their population had less than Boc Rawlen people. Though incredibly long
a dozen surviving men. In short order, lived, the Cessair women began to
accidents and warfare against the Isle’s dwindle over the next century until only
Fomorians –monstrous creatures Queen Cessair herself

8
9
 six-armed giant Cichol Gricenchos the
Fomorians intended to see the Muintir
remained. Her final fate is unknown and
wiped from The Isles just as they had the
some claim she still hunts Fintan across
Cessair three centuries earlier.
the world with the hopes of eventually
rebuilding their people. This war would last nearly a decade and
saw dozens of Muintir settlements razed
For three centuries the Isles would
and their inhabitants slain. But even as
remain uninhabited by man, left to the
they gained ground, the Fomorians,
Fomorians until the arrival of the Muintir
never high in number, found their
Partholóin, the Second People.
population stretched thin. King
Gricenchos decided to mass his forces for
The Fomorians
The Fomorians are a species of monstrous folk one final push on the Muintir capital
who have inhabited The Isles since long before settlement. This push culminated in the
humans set foot upon their shores. They are often great Battle of Mag Itha.
monstrous in appearance, with the heads of goats
and bulls. They often tower over humans in size. Though Partholón was victorious, it
The Fomori have always been few in number and would be a pyrrhic victory. The Muintir
lack any major settlements. They primarily subsist
off of hunting and gathering, though they have population was severely depleted, the
also long been known to raise ducks. Some Fomori survivors gathering together into one
live beneath the waves and often raid fishing small settlement. Though they would
villages, subsisting entirely off of what they catch attempt to rebuild, the next decade of
at sea. These Sea Fomori often have the features
from these creatures. Fish-like heads, webbed plague, drought, and continued
hands and feet, tentacles, and crustacean-like skirmishes with the surviving Fomori
claws are all common. would eventually see the Muintir vanish
On occasion a Fomori does appear that would be from The Isles just as the Cessair had
considered beautiful by human standards. These
rare few often serve as liaisons, speaking before three centuries earlier.
humans on behalf of the Fomori should it come to
that. The Third People
For centuries after the death of the last
Muintir, the Fomorians once again held
sole dominion over The Isles and slowly
The First Fomorian War their population was replenished. So it
The Muintir Partholóin, lead by the was that when the Third People, led by
wizard king Partholón, would establish King Nemed, arrived on the Isles, the
the first urban settlements across The Fomori wasted no time in attempting to
Isles. Unlike the more nomadic Cessair, repel these new invaders.
the Muintir brought with them the basic
tenets of agriculture, fishing, animal Initially the war went well for the
husbandry, and metallurgy. Many of the invaders as Nemed successfully bested
original Muintir settlements are still the Fomori in four major encounters
inhabited to this day by the Milesians, the culminating in the Battle of Ros
Sixth People. Fraechain in which he slew the dual
Fomori kings, Gann and Sengann.
The Fomorians viewed these settlements Mortally wounded in the battle, Nemed
as blights upon The Isles and made would pass just days after this victory.
regular raids against them. Led by the

10
With Nemed’s only son, Artur, killed in Having heard the stories of their exile
the third battle against the Fomori, there from their forebearers the Fir Bolg
was no clear line of succession. The expected fierce resistance from the
people of Nemed turned on one another Fomori when they arrived, but what few
as various figures from Nemed’s inner Fomori they did encounter fled before
circle jockeyed for control. them without a fight.

The new kings of the Fomori, Morc and Eventually they would learn that in the
Connand, would take advantage of this aftermath of their expulsion from The
internal warfare and launch another Isles, the dual kings, Morc and Connand,
massive campaign to expel the invaders. had thrown the Fomori into a long and
Locked in bitter war with themselves, the bloody civil war. The war would end with
people of Nemed were quickly overtaken no victor, both kings dead and the Fomori
by the resurgent Fomori and were forced forever weakened.
to flee the Isles. The survivors would split
In time, the Fir Bolg and the Fomorians
into two factions, those who wished
would come to an accord. With both
revenge against the Fomorians – the
peoples exhausted from centuries of war
Tuatha De Danann – and those who
and slavery, they agreed that The Isles
wished to begin anew elsewhere – the Fir
would be shared between them.
Bolg.
This peace would last four centuries,
The Fir Bolg would travel to Greece,
during which the Fir Bolg spread across
hoping to settle in the fledgling city
The Isles and established numerous new
states; however, they would quickly find
settlements as well as rebuilding many
themselves enslaved by the Athenians,
that had been original founded by the
who, viewing them as barbarians, used
first and second people. During this age it
them only for menial labor.
was not an uncommon sight to see
The Tuatha De Danann would travel Fomori dwelling among humans within
north from The Isles, their final these settlements.
destination still unknown.
Rise of the Tuatha Dé Danann
This truce on The Isles would not last.
During the twilight of the fourth century
The Return of the Fir Bolg
of peace the Tuatha De Danann would
The Fir Bolg would spend the next two
return. Appearing suddenly and without
centuries as slaves to the Athenians,
warning across The Isles, emerging
eventually coming to make up nearly a
wherever the veil between worlds was
quarter of the city’s population. In the
thin.
aftermath of Sparta’s sacking of Athens,
the Fir Bolgs staged a massive slave Their journey into the north had changed
revolt throughout the weakened city. them. Though few in number, each
Seizing what little remained of the Tuatha De Danann wielded tremendous
Athenian fleet, they fled back towards the power — great strength, powerful
only other home their people had known magics, control over nature, and near
before their enslavement. immortality.

11
Though they had come at first only to Gaul, these Celts had settled in northern
seek vengeance against the Fomori, they Iberia before journeying north to the
were disgusted to see their Fir Bolg kin Isles. Their arrival was well-received by
living in peace with their hated enemies. the Tuath De, who sought to expand the
More than vengeance, their time in the population that worshiped them. The
Otherworld had led the Tuatha De Milesians greatly outnumbered the Fir
Danann to believe that the Fomorians Bolg and soon found themselves the
were in fact cursed beings, born from dominant and favored human population
roiling chaos to exist as malevolent of the Isles. Today, the various tribes
beings. spread across the Isles all descend from
the initial Milesian settlers. The only
Wasting no time with diplomacy, the
territory not under their control is
Tuatha De Danann launched their attacks
Conchatta, the last refuge of the Fir Bolgs
against the Fir Bolg and Fomori allies.
who chose to gather together in an
This short war would culminate in increasingly small territory rather than
the First Battle of Magh be absorbed into the wider Celtic world.
Tuireadh in which the
The Tuath De soon found their worship
Fir Bolg champion
spreading from the Milesians to
Sreng would best the
the Celts in Gaul and central
Tuath De king, Nuada,
Europe, territory that now
in single combat,
falls under the control of
removing his right arm
the Roman Pantheon.
at the shoulder. Though
Sreng was victorious in Roman Invasion
this fight, the battle as a For nearly two
whole was lost. In millennia, the Tuath De
recognition of the strength would rule the Isles and
shown by their fellow Gaul, until the dark
descendants of Nemed, times – until the
Nuada agreed to allow the Fir Empire. The Roman-
Bolg to remain on The Isles so Celtic wars have raged on
long as they would swear to two for centuries. In that time,
agreements: They would break the Celts have found themselves
all ties with the Fomorians and always on the back foot.
assist the Tuath De in wiping
them from The Isles. They would First Iberia fell, then Gaul, then
also acknowledge the Tuath De as islets throughout the channel before
their new deities. The Fir Bolg finally the Romans launched their
agreed to both conditions and invasion of the Isles proper. Though
what is today the Celtic Pantheon northern Alba and Eerie still remain
began to manifest. free of Roman domination, the
majority of the Isles are now under their
Milesians Ascendant control.
In time a Sixth People, the Milesians
would arrive on The Isles. Originally from

12
The centuries of occupation in Gaul and him were nullified. The Romans
Iberia have driven the surviving announced they were taking direct
mainland Tuath De such as Cernunnos, control of all Iceni territory. Queen
who was a primary deity of the Gaulic Boudica and her daughters were all
Celts until their Romanization, to return publicly flogged before the Iceni people.
to where their people first ascended.
Believing the queen and her daughters
The Roman invasion was assisted by the broken and better used as pawns, the
treachery of multiple tribes in the south governor did not order their executions –
and east of Alba, who upon seeing the a mistake that he would quickly regret.
technology and power displayed by the Boudicca and her daughters would escape
Empire believed they would benefit from the Roman camp they were being held at
joining and be rewarded for doing so just a fortnight after their floggings.
peacefully.
Boudica, the warrior Queen, and her two
These traitor tribes would be well daughters now lead the Iceni people
rewarded by the Romans for the first few alongside power heroes such as the druid
decades, allowed to maintain their own lord Boc Rawlen, as well as volunteers
kings and chiefs, so long as they provided from Alba and Eerie, in rebellion against
a tax in goods and men to the Empire. the Roman conquerors. Rome’s
preoccupation with its new territories in
For a time, this worked well for both
Anatolia and the growing threat of the
sides, but as the decades passed and the
Germanic Tribes along the border have
Romans became more established, they
left little in the way of reinforcements.
began to impose more direct oversight of
His two legions stretched thin; the
the tribes. As the tribal leaders who had
governor is forced to rely more heavily on
originally joined the Empire died, their
the Romanized Celts who make up his
territory would be absorbed under direct
auxiliary forces.
Imperial governorship.
The governor understands this is a very
The traitor tribes also realized they
dangerous gamble. Should the Celts
would never be fully recognized within
under his command prove to be less loyal
the Empire. The Senatorial Provinces,
than they present themselves to be, his
those that elected the Roman Senate and
arming and training them could very well
held sway over the Empire, were limited
spell disaster for the Roman occupation.
to the Mediterranean. Even northern
Iberia and Southern Gaul, fully Though their territory is small, the Iceni
Romanized and Latin-speaking, were have multiple members of the Celtic
denied a place in the Senate. Pantheon directly fighting alongside
them. Though the Celtic Pantheon holds
The Iceni Rebellion strong resentment towards the Iceni for
Though the Iceni began as staunch their collusion with Rome, they also
Roman loyalists, this quickly changed realize they cannot unseat the Romans
after the death of King Prasutagus. The without the help of the traitor tribes. The
king’s will was thrown out by the Roman Romans, far from the core territories of
governor and the previous agreements their Pantheon, receive little support
that stated his daughters would succeed from their own gods to offset this.

13
 spiraled into a decade of turmoil and
Chinese Kingdoms brutal conflict that has seen it splintered
Capital City (former): Chengzhou into five warring kingdoms, each seeking
(1,200,000) to exert their claim on the Imperial
Major Cities: Dailang (500,000) Linzi Throne. The current most powerful of
(350,00) Shangqiu (325,00) Tang these kingdoms is ruled by Queen Dai of
(250,000) Yueyang (150,000) Ying Wei from the former Imperial city of
(100,000) Dailang. Though her kingdom
encompasses the heartlands of the old
Leaders: Queen Dai of Wei, King Jin Empire, it is beset on all sides and fully
of Qin, King Jianyu of Qi, cut off from trade with the world
Governor Shi Yi of Chu, at large. In the south the large
Council of Nine (Yan) yet underdeveloped Kingdoms
of Qin and Chu have allied
A vast empire rivaled only
together to launch an assault
by Egypt in age, China has
against Queen Dai of Wei, even as
been ruled by a powerful series
they eye each other’s land. To the
of dynasties for over three
north, the Xiongnu
millennia. Indeed, the
confederation, sensing the
Zhou Empire was the
reeling empire’s weakness
world’s preeminent power
has begun large-scale
until only a decade ago.
raiding. In the east, the
Rocked by the tyranny
mercantile kingdoms of Qi
and madness of the last
and Yan maintain a
Zhou Emperor, this proud land has
monopoly on trade and tightly control

14
what may enter Wei from the Korean and and the mystic; introducing fishing,
Japanese states. crafting, dam-building, and farming
alongside teaching the arcanely-gifted
Outside the borders of the Fallen Empire
mortals in the arts of healing, scrying
reactions have varied. The nearest
and defense.
neighbors, long vassal states of the
Empire, have used the opportunity to It was during these times that the vast
break free while distant Rome has used Golden Dam was built along the Yellow
the retreat of influence to increase their River. It was from the expansions of this
own across the states between the two. fertile basin that the Three Sovereigns
Parthia notably seeks a quick resolution first established the Chinese Empire. For
and reunification to the warring centuries there was growth,
kingdoms, both to balance out the power development, and prosperity under the
of Rome and so that the flow of trade may stewardship of the Sovereigns.
resume.
As the centuries passed Fu Xi began to
Sovereigns’ Founding believe that the Sovereigns’ time directly
The reign of the Three Sovereigns, Fu Xi, influencing mortals was coming to an
Nuwa, and Shennong saw these God- end. In the 322nd Sovereign Year, Fu Xi
Emperors impart great gifts upon the announced he was leaving the Sovereign
people of the Yellow River Basin. The Council to focus on a higher plane,
gods gifted mortals with the mundane leaving Nuwa and Shennong to continue
guiding the mortals. Fu Xi has not

15
manifested physically in the world since Enraged by the senseless destruction and
this time. slaughter, Nuwa vowed to take
immediate action and set about forming
Sovereign Academies a massive army, led by the warrior-
These first students founded the Three
mages of the academies.
Sovereign Academies – the three most
important institutes of magical teachings in
One of these was the mage Huang, who
the world. Even in the current times, students
from across the world make the trek across upon seeing the vast destruction caused
dangerous war-torn battlefields to study the by the Red Hand’s attack had already set
cast repositories of knowledge. Fu Xi about forming fellow arcanists into a
Academy, centered in the ancient capital of
force to strike back. When Nuwa found
Chengzhou, specializes in divination, illusion
and conjuration. Nuwa Academy, based in him and his soldiers, she named him her
Yuzhou, specializes in evocation, necromancy general and put him to marshalling their
and abjuration. Shennong Academy, based in combined forces.
Yuetang, specializes in transmutation and
enchantment. Through the great sacrifice of its
garrison, the Golden Dam survived until
Nuwa’s army arrived. In the face of Nuwa
The Great Flood and her warrior-mages, the Bronze
Where the Sovereigns sought to teach Beetle’s army collapsed and he and its
and build, other ruinous powers sought remnants were cornered on the Worlds’
to undo the work they had started in Mountain above the dam.
uplifting the mortals.
In the face of death at Nuwa’s hands, Hai
Gonggong - a powerful water deity and Shu chose instead to commit suicide,
dark mirror of Fu Xi- and his minister, bashing his skull against a jagged rock on
the nine-headed snake deity Xiangliu, the peak of the mountain. It was then
worked for years in secret, spreading that Gonggong’s true target would be
plagues and poisoning the waterways of fully revealed. As Hai Shu died, the foul
entire ecosystems to drive out what they energies Gonggong had gifted him tore
saw as the mortal taint. out of him and ripped a great hole in the
In the summer of the 372nd Sovereign sky from which began to pour vast oceans
Year, the Red Hand Confederation, a of water down upon the world below the
loose coalition of tribes to the Yellow mountain.
Basin’s north launched a surprise attack, As Nuwa moved to heal the wound in the
their coordination and dark magics sky, Gonggong made his appearance.
catching the defenders flat-footed. Their Though powerful, Nuwa and Huang were
leader Hai Shu, known as the Bronze losing ground quickly until the sudden
Beetle, surprised the defenders again, intervention of Shennong, who, spurred
bypassing the primary settlements along by Nuwa’s action, had followed her
the river on a blazing pace towards the armies to the Golden Dam. While
Golden Dam. The forces that tried to Shennong held Gonggong at bay, Nuwa
intercept were easily cut down, the reached the tear. Just as the wound was
Bronze Beetle and his army empowered about to seal, the serpent minister
by a dark force. Xiangliu struck. Appearing from the
shadows of the mountain with a poisoned

16
blade, his strike would not be true, as Shennong decided to remain in the
Huang intercepted the attack meant for material world, retiring as a hermit to the
the goddess. With the wound in the sky peak of the Worlds’ Mountain, he would
healed, Nuwa turned her powers on act as a source of wisdom and guidance
Xiangliu, who, being far less capable in for the first five Emperors. He still
direct confrontation than his master, was resides on the mountain’s peak and is the
quickly overwhelmed with his nine heads only Sovereign to have been seen directly
shrieking curses as they burned and in nearly three millennia.
withered away.
Huang Di, the Yellow Emperor, would be
The wound sealed and his minister dead, the first mortal to rule the Sovereigns’
Gonggong realized his final plan had domain. He would be followed by the
failed and made a quick retreat, his work White, Blue, Black, and Red emperors.
unfinished. These five represent the only mortal
rulers to ascend to a form of godhood
Huang awoke in this aftermath to find
after their reigns.
his wound being tended by Nuwa
herself, the only one who Road to Collapse
could cleanse Xiangliu’s The Empire founded
poison. As he thanked by the Sovereigns
the Sovereign, she would stand for three
assured him that it was millennia, growing
he who deserved the into the most
thanks of every powerful and
mortal in the populous state in
empire. It was the known world.
then Nuwa named Through five
him Huang Di, dynasties, all
Emperor. descended from
Nuwa decided during this Huangdi, they would see constant
time that Fu Xi was right, it expansion.
was time to focus less on the When the Hai dynasty fell four
material running of the centuries ago, the Imperial Throne
Empire and to instead focus fell to the small and distant Zhou
on ensuring such devastating clan. Previously too far removed to
attacks would never happen be considered for the highest
again. She and Shennong had come to an positions, the Zhou dynasty became
agreement; the Sovereign Council would obsessed with maintaining the purity of
dissolve and the mortals would be placed Huangdi’s blood within their line.
in charge of their own destiny.
When the man who was to be the final
Nuwa left in hunt of Gonggong, Zhou Emperor took the throne, he was
eventually cornering the vile water God stunted and crippled, unable to move
and trapping him beneath the Lion without the aid of a litter. The Emperor
Stones. She then departed the material was paranoid and prone to fits of rage. It
realm to join her husband Fu Xi.

17
was during the turmoil of his years that control maintained by subdivisions
the Imperial Army was converted from a governed by appointed ministers.
beloved protector of the Empire into its
The average person living within the
brutal enforcers.
various Kingdoms are much the same as
It was during the tenth year of the Mad they are elsewhere in the world. They
Emperor’s reign when renowned work and toil in silence while trying to
Imperial General Yuan Yi launched a avoid the gaze of those above them.
rebellion against the Zhou. Though
Though quite metropolitan in
bloody, the civil war was brief
comparison to many other nations,
and the rebels quickly found
the majority of the peasantry still
themselves in control of the
subsists off farming, fishing, and
Imperial Cities. It is believed
herding.
that all members of the
Zhou clan were killed when Primarily living in villages and
the palace fell. hamlets of less than one hundred
people, many live their entire lives never
Celebration quickly gave way to
leaving the area around their homes. In
more bloodshed as the various warlords
many of these villages magic is known
began to jockey for control in the power
only in tales, and even adventurers of
vacuum. Yuan Xi himself was killed less
small arcane skill can impress and
than a fortnight after victory was
frighten.
declared. After another decade of strife,
the various rebel powers had Within the major metropolises can be
consolidated into the current Five found markets and trade squares larger
Kingdoms. than any save the Great Bazaar of
Babylon. Here, fine silks, rare texts, and
Culture & Government ancient artifacts can all be found in great
Currently the warring states are divided quantity for those with the coin to pay.
into five kingdoms, though only three of Many western trade caravans out of
these are actually true monarchies. Wei, Egypt, Greece, and Rome can be found
Qin, and Qi, are all headed by absolute plying their wares and stocking up on
monarchs whose words and dictates are new ones for their journeys home.
to be treated as the Emperor’s once were.
Chu is under the command of the former Pork is the most commonly consumed
Imperial Governor for the Southern meat for the inner empire, though the
Provinces, Shi Yi, who maintains that he coastal cities and villages typically have
has a surviving member of the Zhou Clan higher fish diets. Soybeans, leeks and rice
in his care whom he means to install on are commonly grown vegetables. Rice
the Imperial throne. Meanwhile, Yan is wines and various teas are the most
under the control of a cabal of powerful popular recreational beverages.
merchant families that rule via the
Council of Nine.

The Kingdoms all use variations of the

old Imperial system, ensuring centralized

18
Egypt
Capital City: Alexandria (750,000) political upheavals. But the people of
Egypt are nothing if not resilient,
Major Cities: Memphis (800,000)
recognizing the fleeting nature of all
Thebes (600,000) Heliopolis(500,000)
things, even life and death.
Karnak (450,000) Abydos (225,000)
Luxor (100,000) The Nile
At the western edge of the In order to understand the
fertile crescent lies an history of Egypt, one must first
ancient land of towering understand the Nile. Believed to
monuments and warm sands. be the longest river in all of
At once a wonder and a creation, the Nile flows
contradiction, this oldest of northward out of central Africa
civilizations finds itself for over four thousand Roman
juxtaposed between the life- miles. Two major tributaries, the
giving Nile River and the barren White Nile and the Blue Nile flow
desert which surrounds it. together to finally culminate in
the Nile River Delta, which
Just as the banks of the Nile ebb empties into the Mediterranean
and flow, so too do the Sea.
fortunes of its people. Over
the course of its over Humans have gathered around
3,000 year history, Egypt the fertile banks of the Nile
has endured more than its fair for uncounted millennia, but it
share of foreign invaders and was by understanding and
harnessing the pattern of the

19
20
 settlements to propagate along the Nile,
eventually coalescing into two major
great river's routine flood cycle that a
regions: Lower Egypt in the north,
stable system of agriculture and
centered around the Nile River Delta, and
irrigation could be developed. Some
Upper Egypt in the south, ruled by the
credit the river god Hapi with this
man that would come to be known as
valuable lesson, while others point to
King Narmer the Uniter.
Thoth, god of knowledge and time.
Though successful in bringing together
In understanding that the flooding of the
the tribes of Upper Egypt, Narmer had
Nile was not some chaotic event, but
greater ambitions. Despite numerous
instead an ordered cycle, these early
territorial skirmishes with the tribes of
Egyptians were able to develop one of the
Lower Egypt, he believed that a unified
earliest known calendars, which balanced
Egypt was possible, and so set out to
the ebb and flow of the Nile with the
bring the two realms together.
movements of celestial bodies.
After a peace offering of gold and surplus
The year was divided into three seasons.
grain was rejected by the rulers of Lower
Akhet, the first of these seasons, denotes
Egypt, Narmer sought the counsel of the
the period of inundation in which the
god Horus. Thus it was with the blessing
banks of the Nile overflow. The middle
of Horus that King Narmer marched his
season, Peret is the season of growth and
army into Lower Egypt, overthrew their
emergence as the Nile's waters begin to
rulers, and became the first Pharaoh of
recede. Finally Shemu closes out the year
Egypt. For this reason, it is the blessing
with the season of harvest and low-
of Horus that grants Pharaohs their
water, when the Nile is at its most
power to this day.
shallow point.
Three Kingdoms of Egypt
Mountains of the Moon
According to the historian Iasonas Just as the Egyptian year is divided into
Spiteriades, the Greek merchant and explorer three seasons, so too can the millennia of
Eleonora Gerea is credited with discovering Pharaonic rule be divided into three
the fabled source of the Nile River. After major periods – The Old Kingdom, the
becoming lost on a sea voyage to India,
Eleonora landed at the African trading post of Middle Kingdom, and the New Kingdom.
Rhapta. Traveling inland for over one month Some thirty individual Pharaonic
led her to a place the locals called the Dynasties have ruled over all or part of
Mountains of the Moon, from which
Egypt over the course of the past three
numerous massive waterfalls emptied into a
river which flowed north. Knowing of only millennia, some of them concurrently.
one river which flowed in such a peculiar
direction, Eleonora concluded that she had Old Kingdom
indeed discovered the source of the Nile. The Old Kingdom period is perhaps best
characterized by its unrivaled
monuments, including the Great Sphinx
Rise of the Pharaohs and the pyramids of the Giza Necropolis.
The introduction of efficient and Power was consolidated in the Pharaoh,
predictable methods of irrigation and with the land divided among districts
agriculture allowed numerous thriving called nomes, each with its own nomarch

21
appointed and monitored by the Kleon, seventy kings of Egypt rose and
priesthood. fell in as many days.

The Pharaoh, with a direct connection to To complicate matters, a foreign army of

the gods, was worshipped as a divine skilled bowmen, perhaps urged onwards
being in his or her own right. Blessed by their own famine, poured from the
with an unaturally long life, the Pharaoh mediterranean to plunder the farms of
was also the first human guaranteed an the Nile River Delta. Led by Lukka the sea
afterlife. Funerary cults dedicated to Isis, king, these mysterious raiders
Osiris, and Anubis were founded in this disappeared as quickly as they arrived,
period, and, though their secrets and leaving empty fields in their wake.
spells were at first reserved only for the
Of the countless warlords and rival
Pharaoh, the priesthood and eventually
nomarchs that vied for power, one stands
all of Egypt would have a chance at life
above the rest: Nitokris of Het-Nesut.
beyond death.
After subduing a half dozen neighboring
Towards the end of the two rivals, Nitokris conquered Memphis,
hundred year reign of Sahure former capital of the Old Kingdom. His
of the Sixth Dynasty, the grandson, Menkaure The Mad, secured
power of the Pharaohs had an alliance with the warrior princes of
become increasingly decentralized. Siut before plundering the royal
Nomarchs across Egypt had necropolis of Abydos.
instituted policies of hereditary rule,
For, Khaba of Thebes, the desecration at
such that numerous small dynasties
Abydos was too great an insult to
now dotted the land.
ignore. Beseeching Osiris, he promised
Sahure's three sons all lived to old age, to punish Menkaure for the
but without the life-giving blessing destruction of a sacred tomb which
bestowed by the office of Pharaoh, each had once housed one of the god's
of his heirs died in turn. After his second severed limbs. With the blessing
century of life, Sahure was considered old of Osiris, Khaba marched his
even for a Pharaoh, and some believe his army into Lower Egypt.
reluctance to give up power even as the
nomarchs grew in influence angered the Middle Kingdom
gods. Others point to the brazeness of the Mirroring the victory of Narmer the first
nomarchs themselves as the inciting Pharaoh, Khaba conquered Het-Nesut
incident of the dark times to come. and toppled the tenth dynasty before
reuniting Egypt under what would later
The time between the fall of the Old become known as the Middle Kingdom.
Kingdom and the beginning of the Middle Crowned as Pharaoh of the eleventh
Kingdom was a period of drought, civil dynasty, Khaba moved the capital to
war, and foreign invasion. Widespread Thebes. It was at this point that Osiris
famine incited territorial conflicts became prominently associated with the
between nomarchs, and many of these rule of the Pharaoh, just as Horus had
local rulers saw fit to name themself during the dynasties of the Old Kingdom.
king. According to the Greek historian

22
When Ashotep the Pharaoh Queen died and the area of Upper Egypt immediately
without heirs, the twelth dynasty came to surrounding it untouched.
an end, and with it the Middle Kingdom's
With the deal struck, the Hyksos would
golden age. The subsequent half century
begin their occupied rule over Egypt from
of short-lived kings ruled without the
their capital in Avaris. Eventually,
Pharaonic blessing, and were woefully
however, it would be Salitis' choice to
unprepared for the armies of their
spare the Karnak kings that would be
Hyksos conquerers.
their undoing. Nearly a century of Hyksos
Foreign Pharaohs reign left the people of Egypt yearning
It is worth noting that many who claim the for a return to the prosperity of their
title of Pharaoh began as foreign invaders Golden Age. The Hyksos imposed
before adopting the culture and customs of
Levantine and Canaanite customs onto
their subjects. The last native-born Pharaoh,
Khalfani, ruled over three hundred years ago, their subjects, with cruel punishments
and led a spirited defense before finally being for those whom clung to the old ways.
driven out of Egypt by the Persians. Some say
Khalfani fled to Macedonia and even Taking advantage of a series of revolts
magically influenced the birth of Alexander against the fifteenth dynasty, as well as
the Great, but his final fate remains a
an ongoing Kushite border conflict,
mystery.
Sekhem of Karnak followed the example
of his forebears and marched his armies
The Middle Kingdom had stood for five into Lower Egypt. Just as Horus and
centuries, a period marked by relative Osiris had granted their blessing to
peace and consolidation in stark contrast Narmer and Khaba, Sekhem donned the
to the previous century's chaos. Even the crown of Amun and used its power to
invasion of the Hyksos, which saw the seize the Hyksos-occupied territory.
end of the thirteenth dynasty and the Sekhem did not live to see the Hyksos
reign of the first foreign-born Pharaoh fully driven from the Nile River Delta, but
was a relatively peaceful affair, if only his duel with the Hyksos Pharaoh Khyan
due to its incredibly one-sided nature. is legendary, with both Pharaohs using
powerful magic to mortally wound the
The Hyksos poured into Egypt out of the
other.
Levant, and with them came innovative
new weapons of war. With armor of Sekhem's son, Senusret took up the now
scaled bronze and the nearly unassailable combined Pharaonic mantle, and with a
heavy chariot, the Hyksos devastated liberated Egyptian army, tore through
militias of Egyptian conscripts armed the remaining defenders before driving
only with leather hides and copper- them back into the Levant. The siege of
tipped spears. Avaris is said to have lasted only a single
day, with the defenders throwing down
One by one the cities of Lower Egypt
their weapons before the Egyptian army
surrendered, with most never raising
just as the Egyptians had before the
sword or bow against their foes. Finally,
Hyksos a century before.
as the Hyksos general Salitis marched on
Karnak, king Nefer offered to grant him
the title and blessings of the Pharaoh. In
return, the Hyksos would leave Karnak

23
New Kingdom into the Levant was met with early
With the Hyksos defeated and the power success. Egyptian war chariots, both
of the Pharaoh once again invested in an lighter and faster than the native Hittite
Egyptian dynasty, the period which came chariots proved highly effective as they
to be known as the New Kingdom began. peppered their more sluggish
Eclipsing even the prosperity of the Old counterparts with arrows fired from
and Middle Kingdoms, the next five compound bows.
hundred years would see an Satisfied with his territorial gains and
unprecedented expansion of the meeting increased Hittite resistance,
Egyptian Empire both through trade Horemheb chose to return to Egypt to
and force of arms. celebrate his victories, but not before
Seeking to secure the newly ordering the construction of a series of
reunified Egypt against further border forts as an effective buffer against
foreign invasion, Horemheb of the potential foreign reprisals.
eighteenth dynasty led the first of a The Pharaohs of the eighteenth
series of campaigns into the Levant. dynasty enjoyed their newfound
What began as probing attempts to gauge wealth and security as their people
the strength of potential foreign foes no longer chafed under the rule of
evolved into a concerted and foreign invaders. With a powerful
expansionary military effort. army and bountiful resources at
Previously, Egyptian rulers were loath to their disposal, each subsequent
feed and fund large standing armies for ruler sought to make their mark on
extended periods, instead relying on local history by building powerful
militias commanded by regional monuments and temples to the gods.
nomarchs to suppress revolts and defend A new period of growth and
against foreign invasion. The reign and construction rivaling even that of the
subsequent fall of the Hyksos Old Kingdom began.
demonstrated the need for fundamental Perhaps most notable amongst these
change in the structure of Egypt's Pharaoh-Builders was Tausret, Queen of
military. Karnak. Credited with reestablishing
Pharaoh Horemheb is credited with trade relations with foreign lands that
organizing the newly formed Egyptian had been abandoned since the invasion of
military into regiments, each devoted to the Hyksos, Tausret sought to expand her
a specific god. Temple priests were empire though diplomacy rather than
assigned to each regiment, serving military might. Ships laden with Egyptian
directly under and advising the trade goods set out for distant lands, each
regimental commander, though some returning with foreign delights. Over two
powerful priests fulfilled dual-roles as dozen myrrh trees, not native to Egypt,
both military officers and spiritual were planted within the Karnak temple
leaders. complex.

Having borrowed the weapons and tactics

of the Hyksos, the Egyptian campaign

24
 Established Trade Amenemhet used this power to great
To this day the trade routes established by
Tausret ensure Egypt remains one of the most military effect, continuing to reinforce
prominent commerce centers in the known the Levant border against the Hittites,
world. Modern Egyptian merchants hold great but also in a series of campaigns against
influence over the trade of the Eastern the Kushites to the south. Kushite archers
Mediterranean, controlling both the flow of
goods and information. Merchants such as had served as renowned mercenaries for
Jabari of Alexandria are known to be favored centuries, so annexation of the Nubian
by the priests and politicians for their insight territory was no small feat.
into potential rivals.
Using the tactics learned in their conflict
with the Hyksos, the Egyptians secured a
This temple complex would large swathe of Kushite land, despite
eventually serve as her personal fierce resistance. Though it took several
mortuary, but despite its impressive years, the annexation of Kush as a
scope stands as only one of hundreds of vassal state was completed
grand building projects ordered during under the reign of
her reign. Many sites that had been Montuhotep. The first
previously left desecrated after the viceroy of Kush, Iufni, was a
invasion of the Hyksos were selected son of the Pharaoh, and it
for repair, with some restored was only through marriage,
temples dating as far back as the Old not bloodshed, that the
Kingdom. Kushites finally accepted his
Subsequent Pharaohs would follow rule.
this example, constructing
immense monuments to the
The Amarna
gods, or to themselves, Heresy
with increasingly The golden age
extravagant displays of of the New
wealth. One such Kingdom was
culmination of this marred by an
trend is Amenemhet's event that
temple complex at would come to
Luxor, where traditionally be known as the
Egyptian rulers accepted the Amarna Heresy. A brazen act of
Jabari of Alexandria
blessing of the gods and ascended hubris, the story of Thutmose
as Pharaohs. stands as a testament to the
corrupting influence of power.
As the wealth and power of Egypt grew,
so too did the office of the Pharaoh. The Pharaoh Thutmose rose to power at the
Pharaoh represented the link between the height of the New Kingdom's prosperity.
gods and humanity, a divine being in his With Kush secured as a vassal state and
or her own right. With each army Egyptian territory extending deep into
regiment dedicated to a specific god as the Levant, he turned his gaze inwards
opposed to a local nomarch or city, their and devised a means to increase his
loyalty to the Pharaoh had never been power to yet unreached heights. His
stronger. armies, though largely loyal to him, only

25
followed his orders out of devotion to the the pantheon — he sought to elevate
gods. Should he somehow prove himself alone.
unworthy in the often fickle eyes of the
In a Pharaonic decree that shocked the
pantheon, he could see himself stripped
entire empire, Thutmose announced that
of his power in a heartbeat.
all worship save that of Aten, and by
Jealous of the worship and devotion extension, himself, would be outlawed.
offered soley to the gods, Thutmose first All temples devoted to other gods would
set about moving the capital from be repurposed, and all priests would be
Thebes, to Amarna, a site upon which he retrained in order to properly proselytize
would construct a temple unmatched by the new state religion of Atenism.
his predeccesors. This temple was not
Across Egypt, revolts formed and were
devoted to a specific god, but instead
quickly and violently put down by
to the solar disc, which would come
Thutmose's armies. Factions loyal to
to be called Aten.
the Pharaoh hoped to gain favor by
It is said that Aten was the means showing their devotion to the
by which the gods bestowed the new religion. Statues and
power of the Pharaoh onto a monuments to the
mortal man. Through Pharaonic gods of the Egyptian
decree, Thutmose ordered that pantheon were
Aten was to be recognized as defaced or destroyed,
the true progenitor of all life, while priests of the
and that daily worship and old gods were
offerings were to be presented executed for refusing
to Aten. As Aten grew in to convert.
power, so too did the powers
Many priests agreed to
invested in the Pharaoh,
be converted and
and Thutmose became
retrained in order to
increasingly bold.
avoid punishment, yet
Though thought to be secret shrines to the old gods
strange by some, it was remained throughout Thutmose's
not the first time the reign. Some say it was these
pantheon had secret priests that called down the
been shaken, plague that was to come. Some
or that say it was the work of the
worship had Kushites, the Hittites, or even
been changed. Ra, Horus, Osiris, Set, Meritaten, his son.
Amun, all had seen their turn as head of
In any event, a solar eclipse, followed by
the pantheon. Had Thutmose stopped
an epidemic of unknown origin struck
there, perhaps Aten would have become
Egypt in the final years of Thutmose's
fully personified, no longer a mere
reign. Ravaged by the strange disease,
symbol of power, but a fully-realized
Thutmose was left horribly disfigured
power itself. But Thutmose wasn't truly
and ruled in his last days of life from
interested in creating a new god to rule
behind a ceremonial golden mask, which

26
was incorporated into the funerary dress defenses, elected to personally oversee
of his remains. the invasion.

Meritaten the boy Pharaoh took power Surrounded and outmatched, Nereus'
immediately following his father's death. trireme was set ablaze and quickly sank
He wasted no time in undoing the to the bottom of the Mediterranean along
damage his father had done, abolishing with the Pharaoh's silver. Clinging to the
Atenism in favor of a return to the old hull of Ochus' flagship, Nereus once
gods of the Egyptian pantheon. Though again proved his cunning by coming
his reign was short-lived, Meritaten within striking distance of the
remains as one of the most celebrated Achaemenid king. At spearpoint, with
Pharaohs of his time, having reversed the
almost universally hated edicts of his
father's rule.

Achaemenid Invasion
The end of the New Kingdom's golden
age came in the form of a foreign
invasion and a cunning betrayal. The
Achaemenid Empire had long sought to
make the wealth of Egypt its own,
employing Greek mercenaries to test the
strength of Egyptian defenses. One such
mercenary, Nereus of Rhodes managed to
infiltrate the temple at Karnak, coming
within striking distance of Pharaoh
Khalfani before being surrounded by his
royal guards. In spite of his position, the
mercenary offered a bold proposition: fill
the hold of his trireme with silver, and he
and his company would use their
intimate knowledge of Achaemenid battle what remained of his company being
strategy to defend Egypt's borders. The fished from the sea, the mercenary gave
Pharaoh, impressed by the Greek's his offer: grant him a fleet of silver-laden
fearlessness, agreed. triremes for the one he had lost, and he
and his company would use their
Nereus' company would fulfill their intimate knowledge of Egyptian defenses
bargain for the coming months, fighting to aid in their conquest. The King,
increasingly violent Achaemenid amused by the mercenary's candor,
incursions on both land and sea. Soon, agreed to grant Nereus a fleet, however,
however, the trickle of scouting vessels Ochus was no fool. The silver would come
and mercenaries would become a sea of only when the conquest of Egypt was
ships and soldiers as a full invasion force complete.
was mounted. King Ochus, having grown
weary of toying with Egypt's outer With Nereus' company replenished at
Cypress, the combined mercenary and

27
Achaemenid forces made quick work of Egypt, but none so handsomely as Nereus
the outlying Egyptian defenses, forcing of Rhodes. He received the fleet of silver
their way through Lower Egypt as the he had been promised, on top of being
Pharaoh retreated to Memphis. The siege elevated to the title of Satrap of Egypt.
of Memphis was set to last months as
Nereus would govern in Ochus' stead for
waves of
less than a year before becoming
Achaemenid troops
disinterested in his position,
were pushed back by
choosing to delegate more and more
the Pharaoh's armies
of his duties by the day before
and a fresh company
abruptly disappearing (along with
of mercenaries came to
his ships and his silver) across the
the Pharaoh's aid. Nereus,
sea. Though short lived, Nereus'
at Ochus' behest,
position as a Greek-born ruler
approached the mercenary
of Egypt would set an
camp. Though rivals,
important precedent for the
Ochus' great wealth and the
centuries to come.
promise of plundered
Egyptian gold were enough
to sway them to the
Achaemenid cause. Recent History
The Achaemenid
Unable to cow the
Persians controlled Egypt for
panicking populace and
less than a decade, but in
with a combined Greek and
that time a great deal of
Persian force at the gates, the
damage was done. The
Pharaoh fled south into Kush
sacking of Memphis was only
with a small retinue of
the beginning, as the
guards and retainers, but the
desecration of tombs and
Kushites did not accept him
temples throughout the land
as warmly as he had hoped.
became commonplace. Many
Some speculate he looked to
sacred codexes and papyri
Greece as a possible refuge,
were stolen or destroyed,
perhaps aiming
with the knowledge they
to bolster his
contained lost to all
depleted forces
but the gods. Priests
with yet more
and common practitioners
mercenaries, but if this is so, nothing
of the traditional magicks and religious
came of it, as Khalfani never returned to
rites of Egypt were harshly persecuted,
Egypt.
and loyalists to the exiled Pharaoh were
As Memphis was looted, Ochus crowned imprisoned or killed.
himself Pharaoh, officially incorporating
So, when Alexander the Great of Macedon
Egypt into the Achaemenid Empire. The
(a direct descendent of Jupiter through
mercenaries whom had been
Hercules) arrived in Egypt, he was
instrumental in his conquest were
greeted not as a conquerer, but as a
handsomely rewarded with the spoils of

28
liberator. Crowned Pharaoh and declared Pharaoh claims to now hold the
a hero of Egypt, Alexander would go on to legendary crown of Upper Egypt. So long
dismantle the Achaemind Empire piece as Amanirenas holds half of the Double
by piece. A city named for him, Crown, Lysandra's rule will always be
Alexandria, was founded on the Nile called into question.
River Delta, and would soon become the
To the east, the Parthians have subsumed
capital of all Egypt. It would also one day
and replaced the former Seleucid Empire.
hold his tomb.
Their victory was made possible in no
Upon Alexander's death, a violent war of small part by Lysandra's predecessors,
succession split his generals and whom saw fit to endlessly harry the
companions into rival factions, each Seleucid's border territories.
vying for a piece of the vast territory he Unfortunately, little was gained from
had conquered. Ptolemy I, Alexander's these incursions, and the Ptolemaic
half-brother and most trusted officer forces at her disposal remain somewhat
gathered his forces, and with Alexander's diminished. For their part, the Parthians
body in tow, marched on Egypt, meeting seem content to remain trading partners
no resistance from the mourning for the time being, but their wealth and
populace. excellent position on the newly formed
silk road make them a tempting prize.
Upon Alexander's burial, Ptolemy,
dubbed "the savior" would be crowned And to the north lies perhaps the greatest
Pharaoh of Egypt, beginning a dynasty threat and greatest opportunity. The
that has lasted three hundred years. Romans have long looked enviously
Pharaoh Lysandra, the current ruler of across the Mediterranean at the wealth
Egypt, maintains a careful balance and majesty of Egypt, and now their
between the forces under her control. military might has grown to rival any
From her temple-palace in Alexandria, force in the known world. Some would
she serves the dual role of Queen and see only a looming beast of an Empire,
High Priestess of the Egyptian religion. A another enemy to be feared, but Lysandra
masterful diplomat and linguist, she has recognizes the divisions already forming
thus far proven to be more than capable for the exploitable weaknesses they are.
of handling the rigorous demands of her Perhaps in pitting the Romans against
position, but those challenges become themselves, the young Pharaoh might
more numerous and severe by the day. solve her problems on both fronts.

To the south, most pressingly, the

Kingdom of Kush has staged a series of
open incursions into Upper Egypt,
claiming a swathe of previously
contested land as newly annexed
territory. Queen Amanirenas has declared
herself Pharaoh, staging what has
already proven to be a very costly civil
war, claiming retribution for conflicts
centuries past. Worse still, this upstart

29
 Led by a council of nine Archons and
legislated by a pair of assemblies, Athens
Greece is seen by many as the only true
Athens
democracy left in the world in the wake
Capital: Athens (300,000) of Jupiter and the Roman Senate
declaring Lucius Valerius Emperor.
Major Cities: Smyrna (90,000) Thebes
(50,000) Origins
Leader: High Councilor The founding of Athens is marred in
Nikodemos uncertainty. What is known is that the
city was once ruled by a series of kings
Athens, at the head of the Neo- whose dynasty had been blessed by
Delian League, is one of the Athena to rule the city that bore her
four primary powers of the name but that sometime before
Hellenistic world alongside the Persian wars they had been
Sparta, Macedonia and the overthrown by a wealthy
far-flung Indo Greek oligarchic cabal.
kingdom.
The chosen of Athena,
Though named for a war the Athenians found
goddess and quite themselves at the
capable in warfare, the forefront of the
city of Athens is today Persian Wars and
known primarily for its alongside their
arts, craftsmanship, and Spartan allies they led the
democratic form of governance. Hellenic world in a series of decisive
victories over

30
the Persian Achaemenid Empire. A loose It was in the aftermath of this league that
coalition of Hellenic states, the Hellenic Athens began to experiment with the
League, was formed with Athens, Sparta concept of democracy. The Hellenic
and Corinth at its head to continue the League had functioned on the basis of
efforts against Persia and free the majority vote among its members,
remaining occupied Hellenic lands. though the larger cities had been given
Though short lived, this coalition more votes.
managed to free Thebes, Macedonia and
The cabal appointed a nobleman named
the coasts of Anatolia from Persian
Draco, also known as Drakon, to create a
overlordship. It would also lay the
new written and codified constitution,
framework for the future Delian and
one whose laws would be known to all
Neo-Delian Leagues.
citizens.

31
Draco’s constitution would transform the elected Archon, the Zeugitae are still
cabal into the Ekklesia, an elected body limited to the Ekklesia and the Boule.
whose members were chosen by and Finally, The Council of Areopagus would
from only the wealthiest families within be the city’s high court, its members
the city. Hoplites were also eligible to would consist of all former Archons who
stand for office, though not to vote. had finished their year in office and did
not currently hold other office.
Birth of Democracy
Draco’s reforms were quite unpopular Though still barred from the highest
with all but the wealthy. The Thetai, the offices, the Thetai quickly found
lowest class within Athens, were left with themselves the dominate majority within
essentially no legal protections and any the Ekklesia, a power they still wield
who missed debt payments to those of a today.
higher class were subject to immediate
The Spartan Betrayal
enslavement and sale to foreign powers.
As Athenian democracy solidified, it
The Thetai were also subject to execution
quickly became clear that the newly
for minor crimes such as petty theft or
elected government was happy to live up
trespassing. The people chafed under
to their namesake’s warlike tendencies.
what became known as the “Draconian
Appointing the general Thrasybulus to
Constitution.”
lead the subjugation, soon all other cities
In the face of massive unyielding unrest within Attica were under Athenian
and constant riots, the Ekklesia control, each with its own elected sub
appointed the statesmen Solon to rewrite Ekklesia, though with Archons appointed
the constitution of Athens. Under Solon’s directly by Athens.
reforms, all current debts were abolished
Though Sparta had long been growing
and all debt slaves freed. Every Athenian
wary of rising Athenian military power
adult who had resided in the city for at
and the spread of elected governance that
least ten years would be allowed to not
followed in its wake, it was not until
only vote, but to hold office within the
Athens turned its eyes towards Corinth
government of the city, save of the
that Sparta declared war.
position of Archon which would still be
limited to the wealthiest citizens, now Though the Spartan forces proved
known as the Pentakosiomedimni. The superior on the ground, Athenian naval
penalties for petty crime and theft were supremacy combined with defensive
severely reduced and no Athenian citizen positioning prevented Spartan forces
could be turned into a slave, regardless of from entering Attica proper.
debt or crime.
Athenian naval dominance would only be
The city would be governed by an elected countered by what many Greeks still
council of nine Archons and legislated by considered treason to this day – the
the Ekklesia and the Boule, a new Spartans reached an accord with the
legislative body whose members would Achaemenid Empire. What was promised
come from the new middle classes, the and what was given remains shrouded in
Hippeis and the Zeugitae. Though the secrecy, but whatever the Spartans
Hippeis have since gained the right to be offered, the Achaemenid fleet swept

32
through Delian League waters. At the At the suggestion of Admiral Lysander,
battle of Egina the Athenian fleet was the Spartan King appointed a group of
crushed by the combined Spartan- thirty pro-Spartan and anti-democracy
Achaemenid force and its remnants Athenians to rule the city and purge it of
scattered across the Aegean. its democratic elements.

It was then that Smyrna, leading nearly The Tyrants quickly began stripping
half the Delian League, declared support power from the remaining institutions of
for Sparta and war on Athens. This ended Athens. The Areopagus, the cities highest
the supply of gold, silver, and food to court, was disbanded. It’s were powers
Athens and the Athenians soon found transferred to the Thirty themselves who
their territory reduced to Attica alone. would personally appoint the councils to
oversee each trial. The Ekklesia was
Surrounded, starving, and facing
disbanded and each of its five hundred
imminent revolt from its own people,
members sentenced to death, less than
Athens sent envoys to Sparta to declare
two dozen managed to escape the city
their unconditional surrender.
with their lives. The Boule was
Thrasybulus was furious and along with a
disbanded, though its members were
cadre of loyal soldiers attempted to force
exiled as opposed to executed.
the Archons to recall the surrender
declaration. However, these plans were Eight months into the Tyrants rule, five
frustrated and Thrasybulus imprisoned. percent of the Athenian population had
been executed and four percent had been
The Thirty Tyrants exiled including Thrasybulus.
After their defeat at the hands of the
Spartans the Athenians were spared the Thrasybulus and his supporting sailors
complete annihilation many of their fled to Samos where they met with the
vassals had hoped for. The Spartans remnants of the Athenian fleet that had
declared that though Athens must be yet to surrender. Here they gathered
punished it would not be torn down. The many others who had been exiled, both
new Council of Thebes was furious and by the Tyrants and the War Tribunal. This
demanded the city be torn down stone by collective resistance then
stone and its entire populace enslaved overwhelmingly elected Thrasybulus as
and sold to the Persian Empire. their leader.

The Spartan King Anaxilas intervened, Thrasybulus and his exiles made for
however, stating that Athens, though Corinth where the tyrant, chaffing under
guilty of many crimes, was a key member the even more brutal Spartan
of the Greek world. Citing their support in domination, agreed to join them. Raising
the wars against the Persians and their his arms in defiance, the tyrant had the
leading role saving the Greek world from Spartan garrison ambushed and
the horrors of the Bone Wars, when the slaughtered before laying in for a hard
exiled Egyptian Priest Sethon and his defense of the city. Spartan soldiers
followers attempted to conquer the supported by Athenian cavalry were
Hellenes with depraved necro-magics. quickly dispatched to retake the errant
city. As they began preparing their camps
for a long siege, the attackers were

33
shocked to see the Corinthians charge
forth from their walls and even more so
at the army of Athenian exiles that The Neo-Delian League
simultaneously swept in Indebted from the war, stretched thin by
from their rear. occupation, and reeling from their
Caught between defeat at Corinth, the Spartans
the two forces the realized they could not prevent the
Athenians and restoration of Athenian democracy
Spartans were or the independence of Corinth.
decimated. Likewise, Thebes knew it alone
could not face even a weakened
Thrasybulus then Athens and quickly began
turned his forces preparing defenses for the
towards Athens proper. inevitable retribution.
Gathering throngs of
supporters from across Indeed, with Corinth secure
Attica, he found the Thirty’s as an ally and a buffer
army nearly entirely dissolved between Sparta, the
by the time he reached the city Athenians quickly turned
gates. With the support of the their eyes north with
bitter citizenry, the rebels thoughts of revenge. Thebes
entered the city with almost no was unable to even slow
resistance. Sweeping through down the advance of the
the streets the Thirty, their vengeful Athenian forces and
supporters, and appointed was quickly occupied.
officials were seized and, in a Dissolving all intuitions of
mass showing, executed on government, Athens installed an
grounds of treason. appointed dictator who answered
directly to the Ekklesia.
The Ekklesia and the Boule
were immediately restored Their eyes then turned eastward
and new elections were held to fill the towards Smyrna, whose betrayal in
assembly. Thrasybulus was charged by the Spartan wars was not forgotten. As
the assembly to head the restored they had during those wars, the
Aislinn
democracy until it secured itself Athenians turned to the Persians for
against its enemies. assistance, offering them half the lands
held by Smyrna in Anatolia. Lacking
Local Legends support from any of its wartime allies,
Many notable heroes have emerged from the Smyrna soon found itself similarly
Hellenic world, some of these, such as
Heracles, become larger than life, while occupied to Thebes. With the capture of
others remain more common folk heroes. these two major cities and their smaller
Such is the case with druid Aislinn. Druidic vassals, Athens declared the Neo-Delian
magics are uncommon in the Greco-Roman League, this time dominated by Athens
world and she has used hers to attain local
fame. It was her actions toppling the petty- by rule as well as practice.
despot of Calydon that allowed the city to
recently embrace democracy.

34
To this day the Neo-Delian League diluted by generations of mortals, the divine
remains securely under Athenian rule as blood coursing through their veins is said to
grant them powers beyond their peers, with
one of the three major powers in the
fortunes to match. Fate can be fickle,
Hellenic world alongside Sparta and however, and though those with the blood of
Macedonia. gods often achieve greatness is their
lifetimes, sudden calamity is usually not far
Though geographically small compared behind.
to many of the world’s states, Athenian
influence is spread far.
Alexander I
Macedon Though his later namesake,
Alexander III, would certainly succeed in
Capital City: Thessaloniki (150,000)
eclipsing his deeds, Alexander I is
Major Cities: Byzantium (30,000), credited with being the first Macedonian
Nikaia (50,000), Thassos (22,000) king to compete in the Olympic Games, as
well as first to earn the title of
Leader: Phillip VI (Disputed)
Philhellene, an honor reserved only for
Situated in the highlands to the true Greek patriots— an especially
north of the Greek city states, Macedonia unusual circumstance given his position
is the birthplace of some of the most as satrap to the invading Achaemenid
influential leaders in history. The Persians.
founding Argead dynasty claimed descent
Early in his reign, Alexander I
from Temenus of Argos, one of the
desired to see and be seen by his Greek
Heracleidae or Sons of Heracles, and
neighbors, taking advantage of a relative
through Heracles, direct descent from
lull in the Greek and Persian hostilities to
the god Zeus. Despite this divine lineage,
organize a journey across the southern
the Macedonians have often been viewed
territories. Stopping at each of the city
as outsiders to the other Hellenistic
states in his path, Alexander made a
Greeks, their "barbarian" culture being
sacrifice to the relevant god of every
decried as outright hedonistic in
temple he visited before finally arriving
comparison to the epicurean ideals of the
at Olympia, where he formally requested
Thebans and Athenians, or the utilitarian
to compete in the games.
austerity of the Spartans. For this reason,
it has taken cunning diplomatic and A skilled athlete, the Macedonian
military strategies on the part of the king made quick work of the entry trials
Macedonian rulers to survive the often- and was set to run the opening footrace
tumultuous conflicts that plague the when several rival competitors issued a
Greek peninsula, and in the cases of challenge to his eligibility: as a foreigner,
Philip II and his son, Alexander the Great, he had no right to compete in the
conquer the entire region and beyond. Olympic Games. As soon as the judges,
known as hellanodikai, were assembled
Perseids and Heracleidae to make a decision, Alexander, having
Though few today can credibly claim descent
prepared for just such a challenge, made
from a demi-god, many influential dynasties
throughout the Greek States were indeed his case. He described how his ancestor,
founded by the offspring of such famous Perdiccas, himself a descendent of
heroes as Perseus and Heracles. Though

35
Temenus, had come to dwell in the upper Realizing it was his own schemes that
reaches of Macedonia— to deny his now threatened Delphi, Alexander again
Hellenisitic origins was to deny the Greek rode ahead to meet with the Greeks, this
nature of Heracles himself. time enlisting the Spartans in a
preemptive ambush.
Satisfied with Alexander's speech, the
hellanodikai agreed to allow him to Having expected little resistance
compete, and the games began with a from the typically passive oracles,
swift victory for the Macedonian king. Mardonius was surprised and
Alexander impressed many that day, overwhelmed by the Spartan forces that
and though some still viewed him as rose to meet him. Through this and
a barbarian, none could deny his subsequent Persian defeats, Xerxes
prowess. When it came time for the was compelled to retreat,
Persians to renew their conquest, abandoning his conquest of Greece
it would be these rekindled Greek to focus on growing unrest in
connections that spurred Babylon. Though Xerxes may have
Alexander to change the course intended to one day return and
of the war. complete his conquest, fate
would have other plans, as
As Xerxes I marched through
Artabanus, a powerful court
Greece, Alexander fulfilled his
official and priest of Marduk
obligation as satrap,
would orchestrate the
mustering a force of
assassination of Xerxes and his
Macedonian warriors and
son before seizing the throne for
joining the Persians as they
himself.
entered Thessaly. Determined
to play both sides of the Philip II
conflict, Alexander rode Philip II, though destined
ahead of Xerxes' host and met for greatness, spent much of his
in secret with the Greek early life in captivity. As a royal
defenders, alerting them to a hostage, first to the Illyrians and
plan to encircle them that then to the Thebans, Philip was
would surely have caught them introduced to the harsh realities of
unprepared. warfare and court life before he
In this manner, Alexander had yet reached maturity. The
continued to aid the Greeks Thebans educated him well in
whenever possible, with Xerxes' matters of diplomacy and war as
confidence in his loyalty blinding well as the magic inherent to his
him to the truth of his enemies' often bloodline, seeing in him the potential for
miraculous ability to foresee his battle a powerful Macedonian ally if properly
strategies. Believing Greek augury to cultivated.
blame for his recent misfortune, Xerxes Shortly after his return to
set his sights on Delphi, sending General Macedonia Philip's elder brothers both
Mardonius, fresh from the sacking of met untimely ends at the hands of
Athens, to punish the oracles there. usurpers and Illyrian invaders, leaving

36
the former hostage as regent for his three of them even as he accelerated the
infant nephew. Within a year, Philip was Macedonian expansion. Horse-racing
made king, and quickly set to work was his specialty, with his conquest of
punishing those that had wronged Thessaly providing some of the best
Macedon. With sweeping and innovative horses in the known world.
military reforms, Philip set the stage for
Philip took many wives over the
a remarkable career of conquest and
course of his reign, with Phillina and
expansion.
Nicesipolis of Thessaly, Audata of Illyria,
Instituting the now-famous and Meda of Odessa as well as multiple
sarissa phalanx, Philip first put his Scythian and Thracian princesses serving
military theory to practice in defeating an as primarily politically-motivated
Athenian expedition that had sought to marriages. Most famous of these,
take advantage of what they perceived as however was Olympias of Epirus, a
weakness on the part of the Macedonians. descendent of Achilles and mother of
Alexander the Great. A devout follower of
Over three thousand Athenian hoplites
Dionysus, Olympias was inducted in
were killed with remarkably few
numerous mystery cults and renowned
Macedonian casualties, a resounding
for her ability to control serpents.
testament to the effectiveness of the new
formation. The Panhellenic Games
The Olympic Games are only one of four
Turning now to the Illyrians that
tournament-festivals that comprise the
had slain his brother, Philip once again Panhellenic Games, each honoring a different
demonstrated the dominance of the deity. The Pythian Games (which honor
sarissa phalanx, defeating a host of 7,000 Apollo) are held at Delphi, with a focus on
archery and chariot races. The Nemean
and securing the alliances of the
Games, commemorating Heracles and his
neighboring tribes that had been defeat of the Nemean lion, focus primarily on
harassed by the Illyrians for decades. Not wrestling and boxing. In Sicyon, the Isthmian
content to simply watch his strategy Games honor Poseidon with horse racing and
swimming. Dedicated to Zeus, the Olympic
unfold from the sidelines, Philip waded
Games' pentathlon incorporates the long
into battle alongside his infantry, jump, discuss, javelin, a footrace, and finally
bolstering their efforts with his magic culminates in a wrestling match for the final
and strength at arms. prize.
Where previously the games were open only
This habit of personally to native-born Greeks, Roman influence has
ensured that these once strict rules have
participating in each combat would prove
slowly begun to relax, with athletes from
invaluable for the morale of his troops, around the world traveling for a chance to
but was not without risk. During his compete and prove themselves.
conquest of Thrace an arrow claimed his
right eye, an injury that earned him the
moniker "Philip One Eye" for the rest of
Even as Philip succeeded in
his life.
unifying all of Greece, (save for the
Philip, following the trend set by notable exception of Sparta) he set his
Alexander I, would compete in numerous eye on yet loftier goals. The Achaemenid
Olympic Games, claiming victory over Persians, having once conquered much of

37
the territory he now controlled, were a father left off, eclipsing the deeds of all
tempting prize, but one which would Macedonian rulers before or since.
require the full support of his allies and
vassals to claim. Alexander the Great
From the day of his birth,
Philip began to consolidate power Alexander III was destined for greatness.
in advance of his invasion of Asia Minor, The very same day that Philip claimed his
making a show of confidence in his first victory at the Olympic Games, an
position by touring the extent of the augur approached him with news:
territories of the Hellenic League with Philip's generals had claimed victory
minimal retinue. At the marriage of one over the Illyrians, Olympia had given
his daughters he reduced his bodyguard birth to a son during a fierce
considerably and appeared weaponless thunderstorm, and the Temple of
before the crowd, but in attempting to Artemis at Ephesus (one of the seven
put at ease the assembled Greek envoys, wonders of the world) had spontaneously
Philip invited disaster. One of the few burnt to the ground. Artemis, having
remaining bodyguards, Pausanias, been present at Alexander's birth, he
approached Philip from behind and claimed, chose to remain witness to this
impaled him through the chest before particularly auspicious event rather than
attempting to escape. intervene in the destruction of her
Nearly making it to a waiting greatest temple.
horse, the assassin was tripped by a vine These portents both excited and
before being killed by his pursuers. By, frightened Philip, with some even
then, however, the reign of Philip II had claiming that Zeus himself, not Philip,
come to an abrupt end. was the boy's true father. A son of such
Pausanias' motivations remain in potent destiny could prove a most worthy
question to this day, with theories successor, but also stood the chance of
ranging from a sordid love affair to a overthrowing him if Philip was
cunning plot by Olympias to ensure that incautious. He chose to keep his son at
her son— Alexander III— would inherit arm's length, entrusting his education to
the throne. The nature of Pausanias' the brightest minds at his disposal,
near-escape lends credence to the latter including, most notably, Aristotle. In this
possibility, some claim, with the way, he hoped to foster Alexander's
offending vine actually being one of power in the same manner that he had
Olympia's serpent thralls ensuring the been tutored at Thebes.
removal of loose ends. By the time of Philip's
No matter the truth, many assassination, Alexander was more than
believed that the golden age of Macedon prepared to take the mantle of king of
would die with Philip II, his dreams of Macedon. Having mastered the arts of
Persian conquest soon to be a distant war and statecraft, and having fought
memory. Nothing could be further from alongside his father, even saving his life,
the truth, however, as Alexander the in numerous battles, the assembled
Great would pick up exactly where his Macedonian nobles proclaimed
Alexander king without delay.

38
 News of Philip's death spurred the appointed commander of the western
widespread revolt of several vassal satrapies by Darius III.
states, including Thessaly, Athens, and
Having already tested the mettle
Thebes, but Alexander would make quick
of the Macedonians, Memnon urged king
work of these opportunistic rebels.
Darius to engage in a strategy of scorched
Marching his army over Mount Ossa,
earth; By scouring the lands that
Alexander surprised the Thessalians
Alexander was to conquer, they could
from behind, forcing them into surrender
deprive the invaders of the means to
without a single casualty before
supply their armies. Darius refused,
marching their now combined strength
however, trusting that Memnon
into the Peloponnese.
would prove victorious
When the Athenians and Thebans (having already
saw that the Thessalians had been so defeated a Macedonian
easily subdued and now marched against invasion once before)
them, they sued for peace, with without resorting to such
Alexander issuing a full pardon on desperate measures.
the condition that he be appointed
The Mercenary King made
Hegemon of the League of Corinth.
excellent use of Persian naval
Wasting no time, Alexander spoke
superiority, repelling an
before his assembled subjects,
Athenian incursion even as
urging them onwards towards
Alexander made landfall.
victory over the very Persians that
Hoping to force Alexander
had once attempted to subjugate
back to Macedonia with a
Greece.
counter-invasion,
Alexander's Asian Memnon sent Persian
campaign proved a envoys to several potential
resounding success, with Greek belligerents, including
victory after victory Sparta, and claimed multiple
demonstrating his Greek islands as a staging
shrewd battle ground. On the island of
strategy as well as Lesbos, however, Memnon's
once again schemes were cut short
vindicating when he was killed at the
the battle of Mytilene, his
effectiveness of his counter-invasion of
father's sarissa phalanx. In Greece dying with him.
Phrygia, Alexander met his first
After defeating the
major obstacle— the Mercenary Ja’sharra of Lesbos
remaining Persian defenders in
King, Memnon of Rhodes. Though
Phrygia, Alexander was met with
Greek by birth, Memnon was a loyal
a strange challenge: the Gordian Knot—
servant of the Achaemenid Empire, and
a complicated rope puzzle said to be
after his victory over the forces of Philip
nearly impossible to solve. As prophecy
II's tentative invasion force, was
would have it, the man to defeat the

39
Gordian Knot would become king of not The Wars of the Diadochi
only Phrygia, but the whole of Asia as Despite never being defeated in
well. Accounts differ as to the means by battle, Alexander met his sudden and
which Alexander defeated the Knot, with untimely demise after returning to
some claiming that his training under Babylon, with poison being a distinctly
Aristotle proved invaluable. Others, probable cause. Such was the disarray
however, say that upon being presented caused by his death that the resulting
with the puzzle, Alexander simply cut the conflict shattered the Macedonian
entangled rope with his sword and Empire, with each of his companions
declared it defeated. carving out a swathe of territory for their
In any event, the prophecy would own. In the end, each of Alexander's heirs
prove true, as Alexander proceeded to lay dead, with only Seleucus and Ptolemy
swiftly conquer the Levant, Egypt, and creating lasting successor states.
Babylonia. Darius III fled from The Seleucid Empire would thrive
Alexander's advance, but was soon held for nearly three centuries before being
captive by the very vassals from whom he dismantled by the Arsacid Parthians,
sought aid. Bessus the Bactrian saw a while Ptolemy's descendants still rule as
chance at glory, first making demands of Pharaohs of Egypt.
Alexander for Darius' return before
executing the Achaemenid king when he Though Macedon may not
refused to negotiate. As Bessus declared control the vast territory it once held
himself king, Alexander recovered the under Alexander, the kingdom still
body of Darius, making a show of burying maintains a degree of autonomy through
the executed ruler at Babylon before frequent tribute and diplomacy with
hunting down the usurper. Rome. Currently extending from Epirus
in the west to Thrace in the east, the
Thus, Alexander succeeded in Macedonians remain somewhat nostalgic
securing not just the subjugation of the for the days of centuries past. The current
Persians, but their admiration and loyalty "king," if he can indeed be called such,
as well. With Bessus finally dealt with by styles himself Philip VI, though his claim
Ptolemy, (a close companion of to that title is somewhat dubious.
Alexander's who would go on to found
the Ptolemaic dynasty in Egypt) Having stood before the Roman
Alexander continued his conquest senate with a scroll supposedly scribed by
eastward into the Indian subcontinent. Perseus himself, the young self-styled
With the defeat of the Achaemenids, monarch proclaimed that the throne of
Alexander the Great had succeeded in Macedon was his birthright. The senate,
fulfilling the grand vision of his father, unimpressed by his claim, elected to exile
but he, nor his fanatically loyal followers him to Sardinia, but having escaped his
were content. So long as there remained captors, he now wanders the Greek world
lands to conquer, Alexander would in hopes of garnering the support he
oblige. needs to reclaim what he believes is
rightfully his.

World Walker
Though perhaps the most famous Greek to
march east, Alexander is far from the only
one. Ja’sharra of Lesbos is today the greatest 40
living Greek explorer, having traveled from
Roman Britannia to the far reaches of China.
Illyria Cadmus and Illyrius
Capital: Salona (120,000)
A Phoenician prince and the
Major Cities: Risinium (100,000), Pota founder of Thebes, the hero Cadmus was
(55,000), Singidunum (32,000) a demi-god by nature of his grandfather,
Poseidon. Two millennia ago, Cadmus,
Leader: Queen Audata
renowned throughout Greece for his
East of Rome across the Adriatic heroic exploits, sought to retire from his
Sea lies a land bounded by the Balkans life of adventure alongside his wife, the
and the Danube known as Illyria. The goddess Harmonia. Finally settling in the
tribes and kingdoms of this region, land of Enchele to the north of
collectively called the Illyrians, Macedonia, Cadmus and
are renowned for their skilled Harmonia had four daughters
warriors and sailors, with a and two sons, the youngest of
fierce reputation for piracy which—
throughout the
Illyrius— would come to rule
Mediterranean. Their naval
the lands west of the
power once rivaled Rome's,
Danube. The sons of Illyrius
and though they now find would each found tribes of
themselves subject to
their own, encouraged by
Roman rule, recent their father to value
rebellion has demonstrated strength and self-reliance.
once again that the Illyrians
Aiding one another in times of
are not so easily cowed.

41
foreign conflict, but otherwise rivals, the The Pirate Queen
brothers and their descendants would Over two centuries ago, the
adopt the sea-faring ways of their majority of the Illyrian tribes were united
Phoenician grandfather, becoming expert for the first time under a king— Agron of
sailors and shipwrights. the Ardiaei. Under Agron, the Ardiaei
Those tribes that settled along the tribe had risen as the strongest both on
Adriatic coast had great difficulty land and at sea, and the other Illyrian
establishing much in the way of chieftains well understood the benefits of
agriculture, finding little fertile ground an alliance, with the few dissenters
amongst the sand and rocky terrain. quickly defeated and their territories
Fishing became a necessity, further annexed.
emphasizing the importance of Illyrian
naval dominance and, eventually, piracy.

42
 The Curse of Apollo raucously that he partied himself to
When several of the Illyrian tribes sought to death before the victorious army could
raid the Pythian Oracle at Delphi, they even arrive. His wife, Queen Teuta,
experienced firsthand the wrath of its founder refused to cancel the victory celebrations
and protector, Apollo. Chief among them, the
even as she buried her husband, insisting
Autariatae, were once deemed the strongest
of the tribes, with a warrior culture that had that the returning army not be denied
no room for weakness. When a series of their king's final feast.
plagues spread among all those that
participated in the raid of Delphi, the Queen Teuta was well loved by her
Autariatae were disproportionately affected, people. A skilled warrior and sailor in her
as their unforgiving dictates compelled them
own right, she had earned the respect of
to cull any who fell sick, leaving them
vulnerable to attacks from their rivals, the Illyrians long before she ever took the
including the Celtic Cimbri. Thus, without throne. Now as their ruler, she bolstered
firing a single radiant arrow from his mighty the mercenary and pirate fleets, ordering
bow, Apollo destroyed those that dared
desecrate his temple.
the construction of hundreds of new
Cadmus, though old, survived well vessels to support a new era of warfare
into the reign of Illyrius, but soon fell victim and piracy.
to Apollo's plague. Weakened and with
Harmonia at his side, Cadmus beseeched The burgeoning trade fleets of
Apollo to spare his son's people, caring little Rome and Greece made lucrative targets
for his own wellbeing. Apollo could no more
end the plague than he could unfire an arrow,
for Illyrian pirates throughout the
but felt pity for Cadmus, whom he knew to be Mediterranean, and many an overladen
a good man. Transforming him into an vessel fell victim to their depredations. In
immortal serpent, Apollo brought Cadmus to Rome, the senate was flooded with
the Elysian Fields, where he dwells with
Harmonia to this day. petitions by incensed merchant captains
who demanded retribution, but the
Roman navy was too preoccupied with
To the south, the Macedonians the ongoing conflict with the
saw the strength of the Illyrians as an Carthaginians to meaningfully intervene.
opportunity, and Philip V successfully
negotiated their support as mercenaries Roman inaction had its limits,
in their ongoing war with the Aetolians. however, and as the Punic War drew to a
One hundred Illyrian ships delivered close a particularly brazen act on behalf
Agron's mercenary forces to Medion, of The Pirate Queen would prove the final
where they took the defending Aetolians straw.
by surprise and quickly claimed the high When the city of Phoenike— the
ground. Descending from the hill, the most prosperous trade hub in Epirus—
Illyrians massacred the remaining was taken in a daring Illyrian raid, Queen
Aetolians and wasted no time in looting Teuta saw an opportunity for further
as much as they could carry before expansion of her pirate enterprise.
escaping back to the sea. Fortifying the city against attempts to
News of the shocking Illyrian reclaim it by land, she demanded an
victory spread quickly throughout unprecedented ransom for the end of the
Greece, and King Agron was overjoyed. Illyrian occupation while simultaneously
Ordering a massive feast in celebration, using the city's extensive port as a
Agron is said to have cavorted himself so staging ground for further sea raids.

43
 By the time the ransom had been encroaching Roman assault, instead
paid and the Illyrians departed, trade arranging a deal with the Roman consul
throughout the Mediterranean had been to betray his Queen and allow Corfu to
disrupted so heavily that Rome finally become a Roman protectorate on the
felt compelled to act. As the fleet was condition that the Romans would not
prepared, two envoys were sent to the harm Agron's son, who remained too
Ardiaei to attempt a diplomatic young to inherit the Illyrian throne. In
intervention. Queen Teuta, accepting an return, Demetrius was allowed to remain
audience with the Romans, quickly grew governor of the island, and, should the
irritated as they demanded an end to Romans succeed in defeating Teuta, he
Illyrian piracy and reparations for the would be named regent until the young
damages sustained. prince came of age.

It was against Illyrian custom for a With the Pirate Queen's best
ruler to hinder the raiding habits of general and naval staging ground turned
private individuals, she claimed, to which against her, Teuta quickly found herself
the envoy replied that it was a Roman under assault as the Roman legions made
custom to publicly punish the landfall, wisely electing to avoid
perpetrators of private wrongs. The engaging the Illyrians at sea. Though
envoys, unable to reach a compromise, they put up a fierce resistance, the allied
were escorted back to their ship. It tribes failed to halt the Roman advance,
remains unclear if the events that finally leaving The Pirate Queen's Ardiaei
followed were orchestrated by Teuta, but alone to face the invaders. As coastal
during their return voyage the envoys' towns were one by one occupied and
ship was attacked by pirates. One of the transformed into Roman protectorates,
envoys (notably the one who had traded the remaining Illyrian pirates found it
quips with the Queen) was killed in the increasingly difficult to find safe harbor,
ensuing boarding action, but the forcing many to give up their trade with
remaining envoy addressed the Roman no way to make use of their ill-gotten
senate after his vessel limped home. gains.

The murder of a Roman envoy was Though Teuta herself remained

more than enough to mobilize the navy too well defended at Reseneum to risk a
and several legions against the Illyrians direct assault, she could see that the
and their Pirate Queen, though even as harm to her people was becoming too
Rome prepared for their first Adriatic great to continue. After two years of
invasion, Teuta was busy claiming Greek devastating conflict, The Pirate Queen
islands. Corfu, one such island, was home finally agreed to abdicate her position,
to the city of Corcyra, an excellent signing a Roman treaty that greatly
staging ground for Illyrian piracy that limited the size of Illyrian fleets and
Teuta placed under the control of placed her stepson on the throne. True to
Demetrius of Pharos, a skilled general their word, the Romans installed
who had faithfully served King Agron. Demetrius as regent of the newly
annexed territory, a position he
Demetrius, however, had no
cemented in the marriage of Agron's first
intention to defend Corcyra against the
wife, Tritueta.

44
 Teuta's final fate is unknown, When Rome sought to institute a
though apocryphal tales of her captaining massive forced-recruitment effort within
a ship of her own throughout the Illyria to support its beleaguered troops
Mediterranean abound. Unsanctioned in Germania, the freshly equipped tribal
Illyrian piracy, though certainly auxiliaries turned against their Roman
diminished, would continue throughout counterparts, capturing numerous
Demetrius' regency, and the anarchic officers and instigating a full-scale revolt
spirit of Teuta's pirate empire would in the neighboring villages.
serve as precedent for the rebellions to
With each passing day more tribes
come. Demetrius himself would engage
join the rebel forces, striking at Rome's
in a spirited (albeit short-lived)
less fortified positions within Illyria and
resistance to Roman rule before fleeing to
vanishing into the forests and swamps
Macedonia, where he became a friend
before the superior forces of the legions
and advisor to Philip V.
can be brought to bear. Supporting these
The Illyrian Revolt rebels is a network of smugglers and
Since its annexation, the Roman pirates, regularly ferrying rebel forces
province of Illyria has provided the and supplies as necessary in the fight for
Roman legions with auxiliary troops, Illyrian independence.
often through brutal methods of forced Though led by the charismatic and
recruitment. Over the last two centuries, battle-hardened queen Audata, it
sporadic Illyrian piracy has continued to remains to be seen if the Illyrians can
be a thorn in the side of Mediterranean maintain their revolt in the face of the
trade, with harsh punishments meted out might of Rome. Even now, the senate
to the responsible tribes by their Roman discusses the ongoing conflict, with
overlords. Most recently, however, these rumors of over a dozen legions being
disparate tribes united for the first time redirected from Germania. What is clear,
since the days of Agron, staging a revolt however, is that the rebellious Illyrian
that threatened to destabilize Roman spirit will always refuse to be contained,
control of the entire region. no matter the opposition.
As the fires of rebellion have
begun to burn in Rome's more far-flung
territories, the typically unrivaled legions
have struggled to contain the growing
animosity towards the Empire's control.
Preoccupied in Britannia and still reeling
from the unmitigated disaster at the
Battle of Teutoburg Forest, the forces of
Rome are spread thin, with many seeking
to take advantage of their perceived
weakness.

45
Kush
Capital: Napata (200,000) with two of the three most prominent
temples to his worship residing in Napata
Major Cities (Kush): Kerma (100,000) and Meroe.
Meroe (75,000)
Kush is an absolute monarchy,
Major Cities (Upper Egypt): current ruled by Queen
Naqada (75,000) Nekhen Amanirenas. Her most prominent
(100,000) advisor is the exiled Gods Wife of
Leader: Queen Amanirenas Amun with whom she shares a
common dynastic ancestor,
The Kingdom of Kush is a Pankhy I.
mid-sized kingdom south
of Upper Egypt that has Kush is currently engaged
over the millennia warred in a large-scale war with
with, been a vassal of and Egypt after having made
even ruled over their legal claims on and invading
northern neighbors. Upper Egypt. Though they
control roughly two-thirds of the
Devout followers of the territory the jewel, Thebes,
Egyptian Pantheon, Kush is home to a
large number of massive temples and
monuments to the Gods. No god is so
revered within the kingdom as Amun-Ra

46
47
remains under the control of Pharoah The Fortifications of Neuserre
Lysandra of Lower Egypt. Built along the old border of Upper Egypt and
what is now referred to as Kush, from the
Kingdom of Kerma Fifth to the Seventeenth Dynasties these
fortifications were seen as wall against
Little knowledge remains of the ancient southern invasion. From the Eighteenth to
Kingdom of Kerma, even among its own the Twenty-Fourth, they were reminders that
descendants. while Kush may be under Egyptian Rule, they
were still not fully trusted. Under the Twenty-
What is known is that at its height the Fifth Dynasty however, control of these
Kermite Kingdom rivaled the combined fortifications was handed over to the Viceroy
of Kush. Today they still remain in the control
might of Lower and Upper Egypt in size of the Kush royal family and proved
and power. The former capital, Kerma, invaluable in the recent Kush incursion into
once also rivaled Thebes in population. Upper Egypt.
Still a major commercial hub, the city is a It was with the surrender of the Kermite sun
deity, now known as the Egyptian deity
shell of what it was millennia ago and few Amun, that the Pantheon finally broke. With
pre-Egyptian structures remain intact. most of their gods dead and the Pantheon
Those that do are considered holy and are officially disbanded by Amun, the priests,
protected fiercely by the current clerics and paladins of Kerma found their
magicks quickly withered away.
Kushites. Most important among these is
the Temple of Amun, once the head
temple for the entire Kingdom of Amun himself was not slain however, and
Kerma’s religion, though now only the in exchange for his recognition of Ra as
third largest temple to Amun after the true Sun God, he was allowed to be
Napata and Thebes. absorbed into the Pantheon, becoming
one of its most important gods. Such did
Kermite conflict with Egypt is recorded
Amun’s worship spread that for a brief
nearly as far back as records go. However,
period during the New Kingdom he even
both the Fifth and Sixth Dynasties report
found himself at the head of the
large scale military clashes across the
Pantheon, much to the Twenty-Fifth
borders of Upper Egypt and Kerma. Many
dynasty’s joy.
powerful fortifications were constructed
along the borders during this period in From the Eighteenth to the Twenty-
response to Egypt’s failure to annex the Fourth Dynasties the Kingdom of Kerma
southern state. remained an Egyptian colony, controlled
by an appointed Viceroy - the first of
Though several lesser deities managed to
whom was Pharoah Montuhotep’s son
be absorbed into the Egyptian Pantheon,
Iufni - the Kermites were subject to
most of their leading gods were killed by
heavy suppression of their native culture
the Egyptians prior to Amun’s surrender.
and large scale Egyptification took place
across the realm.

The Kermites for their part, even with

their Pantheon broken, would not be fully
content to serve as Egyptian vassals.
Regular rebellions broke out during the
first centuries, often lead by a minor

48
deity that had both survived and refused During the previous two Dynasties the
absorption into the Egyptian Pantheon. power of Amun and his cult had grown
considerably across Egyptian society. So
It is believed that several of these minor
it was that when Kushite Viceroy Kashta
deities may still be alive to this day.
entered Upper Egypt and was declared
Weakened and prayed to only in private
Pharaoh by the High Priest of Amun at
by a few, these gods bide their time in
Thebes, the people quickly and happily
hopes of one day restoring their own
accepted this new state of order.
Pantheon across Kush, with or without
Amun. Kashta’s daughter Ameniridis would also
become the first Kushite to hold the title
Beginning around the time of the
God’s Wife of Amun which had been the
Twenty-First Dynasty, Egyptian records
highest-ranking position within the cult
begin referring to the lands of Kerma as
of Amun until the Egyptian conquests –
Kush, and its people as Kushites. This
since Amun had been absorbed into the
shift seems to have occurred alongside
Pantheon. Though the High priest of
the Egyptification of the native Kermites.
Amun would continue to be an important
It was also during this reign that the title
position, it has been entirely superseded
Viceroy began to find itself successively
in standing by the God’s Wife of Amun
given to members of the native Kushite
who rules the cult from the temple at
elite.
Thebes.
The Twenty-Fifth Dynasty So important and trusted was this
It was during the New Kingdom, under position that many God’s Wives of Amun
the short-lived reign of the Twenty— during the Twenty-Fifth Dynasty also
Fourth Dynasty, — whose name, held the title Regent of Thebes, which
Tefnakht, was taken from their founder - allowed them to manage the territories
that the Kushites would see their chance north of Kush in the Pharaoh’s name. To
to seize power. By this time the former this day the women of the Pankhy have
Kermites were fully integrated into held the title without interruption.
Egyptian society and held several of the
most important roles in the Egyptian Though Thebes was the most populous
religion including the High Priest of city and Kerma the historic site of the
Amun. Cult of Amun Kashta decided to make his
capital and be crowned in Napata, which
When the second ruler of the Twenty- had served as capital of the Kingdom and
Fourth dynasty, Bakenranef, died he left Viceroyalty since the Egyptian
no living heir, only a pregnant wife. This annexation. So, the tradition was set and
power vacuum caused a brief period of all following members of the Twenty-
chaos within the otherwise stable New Fifth Dynasty would travel to Napata with
Kingdom period. Across Egypt various the God’s Wife of Amun to be crowned.
powers both spiritual and military
jockeyed for control. Though a son would Kashta would rule for the next thirty
be born after his death, it was too late to years as King of Kush and Upper Egypt
stop the warring factions to which he though his attempts to bring Lower
became no more than a pawn. Egypt under his control would be
frustrated throughout his life. It would be

49
Kashta’s son, Pankhy, who would finally her into an endless blood rage against
conquer the north and reunite the realm Amun and his followers while overriding
from Lower Egypt to Kush. It was also her typically caring personality. Then,
through Pankhy that the Dynasty gained with a wave of his hand, he sent her to
the family name it still uses to this day. the central chamber of a small temple to
Amun on the outskirts of Thebes.
His rule was solidified when
Bakenranef’s son swore loyalty to the Hathor’s appearance sparked great
Pankhy Dynasty in exchange for his life excitement among the priests, most of
and the title Lord of Memphis. This event who had never witnessed one of the gods
would set a precedent of mercy between in person before. A priestess of Amun
the Tefnakht and Pankhy families that approached manifested deity and asked
lasted a millennium. her bidding. Hathor considered this for a
moment before answering with one
It was during the Twenty-Fifth Dynasty’s
word, “Death.” A brief murmur swept
rule that the first new pyramids built in
through the assembled priests quickly
millennia would rise along the Nile.
replaced with terrified screams as Hathor
These monuments represented the
swiftly and easily tore the head from the
largest investments in construction since
kneeling priestess. Hathor then began a
the reign of Pharaoh Tausret whose
rampage through Thebes, attacking all of
grand mausoleum at Karnak still stands
the shrines and temples to Amun,
as one of the most impressive pieces of
slaughtering the priests and desecrating
Egyptian construction and engineering.
the grounds upon which they were built.
The most important of these being the
Though they attempted to defend
Grand Pyramid of Napata, before which
themselves even the most powerful
the Pharaohs would be crowned.
priests could not hope to stand before the
Ra’s Revenge might of a fully manifested deity, much
less one further empowering off the
Though most the Egyptian deities
bloody slaughter. Soldier and civilian
accepted the transition of Amun to head
alike fled her approach and when she
of the Pantheon, (it had shifted before
finally reached the plaza below the Great
after all) Ra was deeply humiliated to be
Temple of Thebes, she found no
placed below a god that he himself had
resistance left between her and her prize.
subjugated long in the past and vowed to
see this change undone quickly. Entering the Temple Hathor found the
Pharaoh, High priest of Amun and the
Ra enlisted the aid of his most trusted
Gods Wife of Amun within the central
companion., Hathor, who often rode the
chamber. Here these strongest of mortals
great Solar Barge at his side. Ra
decided they would make their stand. But
approached Hathor and confided in her
even within the halls of Amun their
that he needed assistance only she could
powers could not match Hathor’s and the
offer, but that he could not tell her the
High Priest of Amun was quickly killed.
exact circumstances yet. Hathor, with her
great trust in Ra, agreed to help in any It was then that Amun appeared between
way she could. In that moment Ra placed Hathor and the Pharaoh. His typically
a curse upon Hathor, one that would put calm demeanor replaced with one of fury

50
and confusion. He demanded to know knowing he had not only won, but that he
why Hathor had begun this slaughter but would be remembered by the people as
her only response was the one she gave to the one who saved them when Amun
the priests before “Death” before alone could not. Placing one hand on
continuing her assault. Amun’s chest Ra offered a brief
incantation before, in a flash of light,
Though Amun was, under typical
Amun was gone and Amun-Ra was born.
circumstances, more powerful than
Hathor, the curse of Ra combined with It was then Ra did what he could have at
her many blood sacrifices had greatly any moment and with a snap of his finger
empowered her and the loss of so many the blood curse was broken and a
of his priests in Thebes had noticeably confused and exhausted Hathor collapsed
weakened him. at the top of the steps. Ascending the
steps, he picked her up and turned to the
Despite their combined power, the
people of Thebes and announced that
Pharaoh and the Gods Wife of Amun both
they were now safe, the raging Hathor
fell in the course of the battle, their
had been stopped and the combined
deaths only further empowering the
might of Amun-Ra would ensure that
raging Hathor and further weaking the
such horrors never again befell the
already backfooting Amun. Once more
people of Egypt and Kush.
Amun demanded to know why Hathor
had betrayed him but he went In the days that followed Amun-Ra
unanswered as Hathor use the moment to would go about ensuring his continued
deliver a crippling strike. rule. Merging the priesthoods of Ra and
Amun, with the former Ra priests at the
So it was that Hathor dragged the badly
head. During this time power would shift
beaten Amun to the steps of the Temple
away from the Gods Wife of Amun-Ra
of Thebes and there, before the massed
and back into hands of the High Priest of
crowds of the city, cast his broken body
Amun-Ra. He also summoned the Lords
down.
of Memphis, and declared them the new
It was in this moment the sky turned red Pharaohs of the united Egypt’s. What
and blinding light enveloped the Temple would be done with the Pankhy Amun-Ra
steps. When it cleared Ra was there at the would leave to the new rulers.
base of the steps, standing above the
Though their dynasty no longer
broken Amun, looking up at Hathor.
controlled the breadth of Egypt the
Turning to Amun and speaking with
Pankhy would not, as so many before
feigned fear he stated that even side-by-
had, cease to exist. Instead, they would
side they could not defeat Hathor and
continue to rule as the Kings and Queens
that their only chance was to
of Kush, direct vassals to the Pharoah of
permanently combine their powers, for
Upper and Lower Egypt. Knowing that
Ra to absorb Amun. Realizing Hathor
ceaseless rebellions would plague his rule
may destroy everything they had built
should he try to assume direct control of
and not knowing of Ra’s masterminding
Kush post Twenty-Fifth dynasty,
the situation, Amun agrees and allows Ra
Pharoah Psamtik I – a direct descendant
to absorb him with no fight. Though stoic
of Pharoah Bakenranef – offered the last
outwardly Ra was jubilant inside,

51
son of the old Pharoah to bow down and allowing the archers to strike and retreat
swear fealty in exchange for his life and with few causalities.
the Kush Throne.
Annoying as these attacks were, they
Though Amun-Ra was hesitant, he were unable to halt the advance of the
allowed this after witnessing the Egyptian army deeper into Kush. As they
Kushite’s full embrace of himself as the marched down the river city after city fell
unified Amun-Ra. He knew that any and the monuments built by the Twenty-
future issues this mercy may cause would Fifth were razed one by one.
be for the mortals to deal with, his place
Though Psamtik II was successful in
had been secured in Egypt and Kush.
destroying many great monuments built
The Twenty-Sixth Dynasty across Upper and Lower Egypt, his true
Though the appointment of a Pankhy prize, the Grand Pyramid of Napata,
would pacify Kush for the time being. It would survive due to the intervention of
also lay the foundation for the current King Aspelta, known as the Archer King.
unrest in Egypt, undoing centuries of As the massed Egyptian Army set in for a
Egyptification and returning a sense of siege outside Napata, Psamtik II began a
identity and independence to the former grand show before his assembled vassals
Kermites. Psamtik I felt honor-bound to to demand the surrender of Napata and
do this however, as the Pankhy had the handover of the Pankhy family.
refused to wipe out his family line even as Knowing that allowing a siege would only
many had advised them to in case this end in defeat, Aspelta realized there may
very situation was to arise. be another way to defeat the Pharoah.
Things would not remain entirely Ascending to the top of the Grand
peaceful even then however, as Psamtik Pyramid Aspelta took aim and loosed a
I’s grandson, Psamtik II would, in his single arrow towards the massed
narcissism and fear, begin destroying Egyptian army gathered outside the
many of the monuments and Victory walls. The arrow flew true and there
Stela constructed during the reign of the before his generals, high priests and
previous Dynasty. Many believe he was most important vassals, Pharoah
jealous of the grand structures and great Psamtik II had the combined crown of
victories that had gone unreplicated Upper and Lower Egypt knocked from his
during his own Dynasty’s rule and feared head. Though he survived the arrow,
the people might rally behind a return of Psamtik II realized immediately that the
the Pankhy to power. This culminated in gods had made their will known and that
his expelling the Pankhy God’s Wife of he had lost.
Amun-Ra from Thebes and invading
Kush. As quickly as it had swept into Kush the
Egyptian army dissipated and Psamtik II
Psamtik II’s army was far larger than became a prisoner of his own vassal, the
what the Kushite’s could muster but still Archer King. Aspelta would send a
suffered great attrition from the hit and summons northward, demanding the
run tactics of the Nubian Archers. Horses, crown prince, Apries, ride south to
fairly new to Kush, proved invaluable in answer for his father’s crimes.

52
Apries, a very different man from his who would pay a mere pittance in taxes –
father, did so and arrived at the gates of and would allow the Pankhy born Gods
Napata with few soldiers and many gifts. Wife of Amun-Ra to continue as the
Here he prostrated himself before Aspelta religious leader of Thebes.
and begged mercy for his father. Taken
Apries agreed to this arrangement and
aback by Apries’ humility and reminded
Aspelta’s daughter, the current God’s
of the mercy his own family was shown at
Wife of Amun-Ra, emerged from the
the hands of Psamtik I, Aspelta agreed to
Grand Pyramid holding the double crown
allow Psamtik II to live, but only on three
of Egypt. There, before the Grand
conditions; Apries would agree to send
Pyramid, and with his father in
Psamtik II into permanent exile, would
attendance, Apries became the first and
recognize The Fortifications of
only non-Kushite Pharoah to be crowned
Neuserren and all lands south of them as
both by the God’s Wife of Amun-Ra and
a fully autonomous Kingdom of Kush –
in Napata.

The Egyptian Civil War

With the Greco-Roman conquests of the
north, it came to be that Egypt would be
ruled successively by the descendants of
Ptolemy I. While openly they have
embraced the Egyptian Pantheon, many
still remain unconvinced that the current
Pharaoh, Lysandra, isn’t secretly a
devotee of the Greco-Roman Gods.

Such uncertainty is what led

Amanirenas, Queen of Kush, to declare
herself the true Pharoah. As a direct
descendant of the Twenty-Fifth Dynasty
and legitimate Queen of Kush, her
declaration has been taken quite
seriously in Lower Egypt, as evidenced
by the massive royal bounty Lysandra
has placed on the renegade Queen’s
head.

Further complicating matters,

Amanirenas seems to be in possession of
the lost Crown of Upper Egypt, one half
of Narmer the Uniter’s coronation
crown. Missing since the Macedonian
conquests the crown of Upper Egypt had
been thought destroyed. The current
Ptolemaic dynasty has thus far ruled
with only the Lower Egyptian half of the

53
crown, further undermining their them against their rival deities in the
authority. With this revelation coming wars. The former, meanwhile, is
Amanirenas was able to move her forces scoffed at by the leadership of Lower
out of Kush and into much of Upper Egypt who still retain control of the
Egypt without resistance. Though largest population centers of Upper
roughly half the territory is under Egypt. Lysandra meanwhile has
Kushite control, the jewel of Upper Egypt countered this demand, offering the rebel
- Thebes - still remains firmly under the Queen and her followers amnesty and
control of Lysandra and Lower Egypt, continued rule as Queen of Kush in
whose fierce defense of the city has exchange for the crown of Upper Egypt
blunted the Kushite incursion. and a public swearing of fealty.

The Uniter’s Crown Neither Pharoah is willing to relent at

The Uniter’s Crown. The crown used by this point. Both have strong, fresh armies
Narmer the Uniter after successfully bringing at their command and the royal coffers of
both Upper and Lower Egypt under his rule,
the two Egypts has seen a mass influx of
the crown detaches into two separate pieces
that can be worn individually both of which mercenaries and adventurers hoping to
grant the wearer great power. When make their fortune in the chaos. For the
combined the crowns become much more time being the war appears to be locked
than the sum of their parts and grant the
in a stalemate.
wearer extraordinary abilities. The most
useful of these abilities being the crown’s
Though they have thus far sat by and
power to make its wearer’s words hold great
compulsion to those faithful to the Egyptian watched the war take its course the gods
Pantheon. are beseeched by both Pharaohs to join
their cause and put a quick end to this
war before outside forces take advantage
Amanirenas knows that everyday Thebes
of the internal turmoil.
remains outside of her control her claim
to Upper Egypt weakens, but with her
rapid push northward stalled she has
little choice but to attempt a siege of the
city and hope it capitulates before relief
from Upper Egypt can arrive in force.

As it stands Amanirenas will accept only

two outcomes: Egypt re-united under her
crown and dynasty, or full recognition by
Lower Egypt, Rome and the Greek City
states of her legitimate rule as Pharoah of
Upper Egypt and Kush – a formal
separation of Egypt. The latter option is
not well regarded among the Egyptian
Pantheon, some of which are wary that
splitting their domain into multiple
mortal realms (as the Greco-Roman
Pantheon has) will only further weaken

54
55
 fostered perhaps the greatest
trade empire in history in the form of the
Parthia over four thousand Roman mile long Silk
road. The sheer size and scope of this
Capital: Ctesiphon (700,000) union does however necessitate a delicate
diplomatic balancing act carefully
Major Settlements: Seleucia maintained by its Arsacid rulers. Recent
(400,000), Babylon (300,000), conflict with Rome and the
Ecbatana (125,000), Merv splintering of Imperial China has
(85,000), Hatra (60,000), somewhat shaken their tight
Assur (50,000), Uruk, (38,000) economic hold, but the Parthians
Leader: King Artaban II remain determined to cement their
place in history and outlast the
The Parthian Empire, series of Mesopotamian empires
with its cosmopolitan center that preceded them.
nestled between the Tigris and
Euphrates, is a remarkably diverse Cradle of Civilization
blend of cultures, languages, and Predating even the
religions. Stretching from early civilization of
the Mediterranean Sea in predynastic Egypt,
the west to the very edges nomadic peoples had
of India and China in the begun to settle in the
east, the Parthians have Mesopotamian region over ten
Lord Jericho Chirag
of House Suren

56
 millennia ago. It was here, Enlil, content with having finally
nourished by the primordial Tigris and united the Mes, offered them to Enki for
Euphrates rivers that the first systems of safekeeping, but Enki thought it best to
agriculture and writing emerged. The divide them amongst the other gods.
Sumerians, the first of many civilizations When it came time for Ishtar to accept
to call this land home, domesticated her portion of the Mes, she distracted her
beasts of burden and cultivated crops in father with a gift of divine wine before
such large quantities that the first cities taking the remaining Mes and making
could be built and supported. Uruk, the her escape. Upon recovering from his
greatest of these early city-states, made drunkenness, Enki realized what had
effective use of numerous societal and occurred and pursued Ishtar, but
technological innovations that allowed it discovered he was too late— she had
to dominate the region for nearly one already distributed the Mes to the people
thousand years. of Uruk.

The Mes The Kings of Uruk

These gifts of civilization are often credited to The city state of Uruk stood as a
the goddess Ishtar, having cleverly stolen
them from her father Enki before delivering beacon of civilization for nearly a
them to the people of Uruk. Enlil, god of the thousand years. While other regional
air, is said to have collected a series of divine settlements remained small and
decrees, each solidified into a physical form disorganized, they looked to Uruk in awe
known as a Me. Though the origin of these
Mes is unclear, some believe they were and jealousy, emulating their systems
created by Anu himself before being scattered and culture in attempt to share in their
throughout the cosmos. greatness. Eventually these smaller
settlements grew and became rivals in
their own right, with the Elamites chief

57
among them. It fell to the Priest-Kings of nobility to handle many affairs of state.
Uruk to defend their city against the Soon, however, the king's ire would fall
depredations of these rivals. on Sargon as well.

As aggressive raiding parties became Like his mother before him, Ur-
bolder in their conquest of small Zababa was granted visions in the form of
settlements, it became increasingly clear prophetic dreams which served to guide
that the protection offered by the maxim his decisions as king. In one such dream,
of safety in numbers would only go so far. Sargon sat upon the throne of Kish, with
In an effort to defend the city of Uruk, the goddess Ishtar at his right hand.
massive walls of stone were raised and Terrified both of losing Ishtar's favor and
improved upon over the course of of being overthrown, Ur-Zababa
centuries. Some credit the legendary prepared a scheme. Simply killing Sargon
demi-god Gilgamesh with this would risk angering the gods, so he
monumental innovation, but no matter ordered the royal smith to prepare a great
which King of Uruk first ordered their bronze mirror upon which a cunning
construction, none could argue their spell was cast: any whom passed through
effectiveness in deterring invaders. To its glass would become eternally trapped.
this day, the walls of Uruk stand
Summoning Sargon to his side,
unconquered, with only Sargon the Great
the king ordered him to carry a message
managing to claim the city by siege.
to Belic-tikal, the chief smith of the
The Conquests of Sargon of temple forge, where the mirror's trap lay
in wait. Sargon, en route to carry out his
Akkad duty was interrupted by a vision of
Beginning life as an orphaned Ishtar— a warning to not enter the
foundling, Sargon of Akkad was an temple. Waiting instead at the gates,
unlikely ruler, let alone conqueror of Sargon confronted Belic-tikal when he
what would become the first empire. An emerged. The smith, perhaps struck by
accomplished gardener, Sargon Sargon's divine countenance, confessed
impressed the king of Kish well enough to his part in Ur-Zababa's plot and
to become his cupbearer, a position begged his forgiveness.
which afforded Sargon an unusual
amount of political influence. Sargon bade Belic-tikal send a
new message to Ur-Zababa: the plan had
As the son of the legendary been a success. When the king arrived at
Sorceress-Queen Kubaba, Ur-Zababa of the temple forge to see the fruits of his
Kish possessed an extraordinary lifespan, scheme, he saw only himself in the great
with some estimating his reign as lasting bronze mirror, and realized his mistake
approximately four centuries. Though too late. With a push from Sargon, the
the magic inherent to his blood preserved king of Kish tumbled into his own trap
his body, over these centuries Ur- and became a permanent prisoner of
Zababa's mental state deteriorated what would come to be known as the
considerably. As his madness and Mirror of Ur-Zababa.
paranoia grew, he distanced himself from
his court of advisors, relying on Sargon,
an outsider to the politics of the Kish

58
 With Belic-Tikal's testimony and his concentrated force pushed through
Sargon's existing position as de facto Sargon's lines, but Sargon quickly rallied
vizier, a swift coronation was as the men encircling the city began to
orchestrated by the inner circle. Though pour upon Lugal-Zage-Si's flanks.
there was some dissent to Sargon's
As the Battle of Uruk raged on it
accession, Ur-Zababa had become an
was clear that Sargon's forces had the
almost universally disliked ruler, and
upper hand. Lugal-Zage-Si made a
Sargon's humble beginnings served as a
desperate attempt to retreat back behind
stark contrast to their previous tyrant in
the walls of Uruk only to find himself
the eyes of the people.
surrounded by his enemies. Throwing
Sargon moved quickly to down their weapons, the defenders of
consolidate his power, ordering the Uruk surrendered, and Lugal-Zage-Si
construction of a grand city which was paraded through the city in
would come to be known as Akkad. chains.
When news of a rival conqueror came
Emboldened by his success
to him, Sargon's ambitions only
at Uruk, Sargon went on to
grew. A former ensi of Umma,
annex a great swathe of
Lugal-Zage-Si, had recently
southern Mesopotamia for his
taken control of a number of
newly formed Akkadian
Sumerian city-states, and
Empire. Though the city-
issued a challenge to Sargon
states that had been cowed by
from behind his walls at
Lugal-Zage-Si saw a new
Uruk.
opportunity for independence
After raising his army, with his defeat, Sargon's mere
Sargon marched on Uruk, but appearance at their gates was
his men became uneasy upon enough for most to surrender to
seeing the legendary walls of the man that had defeated the
Gilgamesh before them. walls of Uruk.
Undeterred, Sargon ordered his
Sargon would reign for
men to encircle the city,
over fifty years, with the
putting his skills as builder to
Akkadian Empire he had
the test as trenches and
founded lasting just short of two
palisades were quickly erected.
centuries. The trade routes he
With their camp secure, the
established, extending from the
siege of Uruk began.
cedars of Canaan to the silver-rich
Lugal-Zage-Si, at first content Taurus Mountains set a precedent
to subsist off of Uruk's hoarded grain, for the mercantile empires that would
soon grew restless behind his walls. After follow.
ordering a series of small skirmishes to
test the defenses of Sargon's camp, he Rise of Babylon
assembled the bulk of his defenders and As an unprecedented drought and a series
charged forth from Uruk's main gate. The of Elamite and Gutian invasions toppled
king of Uruk's charge proved effective as several Mesopotamian city states, the

59
Akaddian Empire's dominance of the victory in Elam, Hammurabi wasted no
region began to dwindle. Babylon, a time in punishing Larsa, annexing its
relatively small, Amorite-controlled city territory and demanding a yearly tribute
persevered through this dark age before in reparations.
finally expanding into a sizable empire
In this manner, Hammurabi would
under the rule of Hammurabi.
go on to unite the whole of Mesopotamia
Having inherited control of under his rule. Though these conquered
Babylon from his father, Hammurabi lands soon chafed under the imposed
immediately set to work restoring order tribute, few can argue the effectiveness of
to what was now a sprawling, but largely the Code of Hammurabi in keeping order,
lawless and unruly city. Beseeching the with variations of these decrees being
gods, he was given a series of laws which utilized to this day.
were to govern the inhabitants of
Babylon, ranging from punishments for
crimes such as robbery and murder to the
The Folly of Andragoras
specific compensation owed to the victim
Just over three centuries ago,
of a debilitating injury.
Andragoras, an ambitious military
These divine laws, enforced by commander serving under the Seleucid
Hammurabi and his servants, were king Antiochus was granted the satrapy
largely successful in bringing order to the of the frontier provinces of Parthia and
city, allowing Hammurabi to focus on Hyrcania. These provinces, now merged
public works projects, erecting highly under Andragoras' rulership, lay far from
defensible walls around the city and the bustling hub of Seleucia, and it was
building grand temples to honor the not long before the newly appointed
gods. Impressed by Hammurabi's satrap became discontent with his far-
successes, Marduk bade him spread the flung position. Seeing an opportunity in
justice of the gods beyond the walls of Antiocus' preoccupation with the
Babylon, a task which Hammurabi ongoing Judean uprising, Andragoras
accepted with aplomb. sent messengers to parlay with the
nomadic Dahae confederacy, inviting
Through a series of cunning them to join in what would soon become
alliances and a dominant display of an open rebellion against the Seleucid
military prowess, Hammurabi succeeded Empire.
in expanding his territory into what
would come to be known as the Chief among these tribes were the
Babylonian Empire. First turning to the Parni, led by Arsaces, a legendary
aggressive Elamites of the Zagros bowman and rider responsible for uniting
Mountains, Hammurabi struck a deal the nomadic tribes under one banner.
with the King of Larsa to join forces and Arsaces chose to answer Andragoras'
divide Elam between them. Though the summons, bringing with him a host of
campaign against the Elamites was horse archers far beyond the satrap's
successful, Larsa proved to be a fickle expectations. The details of what
ally, failing to show at a key battle in a happened next are disputed and
clear act of betrayal. Fresh from his sometimes contradictory, but it is clear

60
that the meeting did not go as planned. Mithridates, King of Kings at the
The two parties came to blows, perhaps time, did not wishing to destroy the
at some unintended accident or insult, or former capital of Seleucia, instead
perhaps through deliberate treachery, seeking to elevate Ctesiphon to such a
but no matter the cause, Andragoras and degree that it completely overshadowed
his men soon lay dead and Arsaces' host the great cities that came before it.
flooded into Parthia.
Emulating Seleucia's own
The Parni under Arsaces were inspiration, Babylon, Mithridates raised
somewhat unique in their behavior. Not monuments and built temples to the gods
mere raiders like many of their nomadic before inviting far-flung artists and
contemporaries, the Parni soon settled in traders to help foster the burgeoning
the territories they had claimed from capital's role as a growing center of
Andragoras, adopting many aspects of culture.
the cultures they encountered there.
Satisfied with his work, Mithradates bade
his priests issue an open invitation to the
gods: survey the cities of Babylon,
Ctesiphon, and Seleucia, and decide
which among them most exemplified
their glory.

Ishtar, pleased both with this proposition

and the sacrifices offered at her newly
consecrated temple, agreed to judge the
three cities fairly.

A People’s King
Mithridates’ Parthian host was so vast that
even peacefully entering the surrendered city
of Seleucia would have been damaging. Had
Mithridates chosen to rest his army within
the city’s walls, famine and steep decline for
its peoples would have undoubtedly followed.

Arsaces' descendants would grow Babylon, long the seat of culture

the Parthian Empire at the floundering and religious significance, had fallen into
Seleucids' expense, with inner turmoil disrepair over the course of the rule of
and foreign influence making them the Achaemenids and Seleucids. Though
prime targets for Arsacid expansion. By home to impressive monuments, their
the time the remnants of the Seleucid state of decay offended Ishtar, and she
Empire in the west were finally annexed quickly passed her judgment.
by the Romans, the Parthian seat at
With a tremendous display of
Ctesiphon had been well established,
power, Ishtar raised great walls of earth
growing from a humble military camp to
and stone around Ctesiphon before
what could be described as the center of
culture and trade of the known world.

61
dismantling the Babylonian monument General Suren's usefulness is
with her namesake —The Ishtar Gate. beyond question (having unfailingly
defended the Empire against all comers)
Brick by brick, the Ishtar Gate was
for the time being, so it remains unlikely
reconstructed within the unnatural
that Artaban would attempt anything so
edifice of Ctesiphon — a gift for the city
drastic as having Suren killed, but as his
that had impressed her, and a
paranoia grows, so too do his fears of
punishment for the city that had
being overthrown in the same manner as
neglected her.
his father and brother.
Soon, pilgrims and travelers from
throughout the world would visit No King Rules Alone
Wary of Suren’s rising popularity, King
Ctesiphon to marvel at her divine gate, Artaban has turned to other advisors, most
with Seleucia becoming increasingly notably Anna of Arbela, named for Ishtar’s
overshadowed. archaic name, Inanna. A scholar of lost
magics and forbidden arcana, Anna has
Recent Events managed to quickly gain the Kings favor and
he is known to seek out her advise on a daily
The current Parthian King of basis.
Kings, Artaban II, has only recently
claimed the throne from his elder
brother. When their father, Artaban I,
was murdered, a short-lived civil war
was sparked with each brother accusing
the other of patricide. The House of
Suren came to Artaban II’s aid, and
with the charismatic General Suren at
his side, Artaban II defeated his
brother's army and claimed the
Parthian throne.

Under King Artaban II, General

Suren has overseen the defense of the
Parthian Empire against the
depredations of its neighbors.

Famous far beyond the Parthian

borders for his exploits, Suren is seen
as something more than a military
leader, elevated to heroic status by the
people. His enduring popularity has
made King Artaban II and his advisors
somewhat nervous. After all, Artaban II
rose to power through violent means
himself, and a second populist uprising
under Suren could prove disastrous for
Artaban’s somewhat precarious Anna of Arbela
position.

62
Rome
Capital: Rome (1,000,000) Crete and Sicily in search of a more
permanent home. Finally settling on the
Major Cities: Telesinia (200,000), western coast of the Apennine Peninsula,
Londinium (85,000), Syracuse (50,000), Aeneas encountered King Latinus, who
Malaca (150,000) Carthage (100,000) claimed that his augurs had foretold the
Leader: Emperor Lucius Valerius Trojans' arrival. So impressed by
Aeneas' story and of the great
Trojan Origins destiny which seemed to follow
Aeneas, the demi-god son of him, Latinus permitted the
Venus and the Trojan prince Trojans to settle in the lands of
Anchises was one of the few Latium, and offered to Aeneas his
survivors of the fall of Troy. He daughter's hand in marriage.
fought valiantly against the Greek Aeneas accepted, though Princess
invaders, but, outnumbered and Lavinia's previous suitor —
overwhelmed, he was forced King
to flee as the city burned. Turnus of the Rutuli —
Escaping by ship, Aeneas saw this as a betrayal.
led a group of Trojan Declaring war against the
refugees on a Latins, Turnus framed the
Mediterranean voyage that Trojans as foreign invaders as he
largely paralleled that of Ulysses, gathered a host of incensed tribes to
visiting numerous islands including lay siege to Latium and punish Aeneas.

63
Though Turnus' armies were formidable, Vulcan to forge a powerful sword and
Aeneas was not without allies of his own. shield for Aeneas, which he wielded to
The men of Tuscany and Evander, king of great effect.
the Arcadians, pledged their support to
The war would prove costly to
Aeneas in the war to come, with
both sides, with the Rutuli claiming
Evander's son, Pallas, becoming a close
several early victories before being sent
friend to the Trojan hero. Venus, proud of
back by the arrival of Aeneas' Tuscan and
her mortal offspring, succeeded in
Arcadian allies. Finally meeting under the
persuading
pretense of single combat with Turnus,
Aeneas was struck with a poisoned arrow

64
and nearly slain. As the Rutuli took Vestal Virgin. She accepted, but even
advantage of Aeneas' now leaderless under constant surveillance by her
host, Venus saw fit to intervene, healing uncle's servants, Rhea Silvia became
her son's near-fatal wound and urging pregnant. When her pregnancy became
him to pursue Turnus. too great to conceal, she confessed that
she had not broken her oath, as she had
Surprised by Aeneas' sudden
not lain with a mortal man, but instead
return, King Turnus attempted to flee,
with the God of War himself — Mars.
but was soon locked in the single combat
he had so treacherously avoided. Beaten Furious, Amulius first thought to
down and defeated, Turnus begged for rid himself of Rhea Silvia once and for all,
mercy, but Aeneas, seeing Pallas' belt but his priests urged him to reconsider,
hanging as the king's trophy, had none as the Vestals had chosen to back her
left to give. Having avenged his friend claims of a divine pregnancy. Though he
with a final swordthrust, Aeneas claimed doubted her testimony, Amulius was
victory over the Rutuli and established a unwilling to make an enemy of the
lasting dynasty in Latium from his seat at priesthood, let alone the God of War
Lavinium. himself in the unlikely event that her
claims proved true. That being said, he
could not abide a possible threat to his
Alba Longa still-tenuous power, and so reluctantly
waited to see if Rhea's offspring would be
Ascanius — son of Aeneas and
male or female.
Lavinia — founded a settlement not far
from the place where the Trojans first
made landfall. Alba Longa, as it came to
be known, was in many ways a precursor Wolf Twins
to the great city of Rome, with many of Upon their birth, Romulus and
Rome's patricians claiming Alban Remus proved to be the king's worst
descent. fears made real; not only were they the
rightful male heirs of Numitor, but they
For over four hundred years the
were twins — an auspicious omen. Upon
line of Aeneas would rule as the kings of
Amulius' orders the twins were seized
Alba Longa, until King Numitor was
from their mother and brought before the
overthrown by his brother, Amulius. As
king. Once again Amulius was cautioned
Numitor fled, Amulius sought to secure
by his priests, but this time the king paid
his new position as king, executing his
them no heed. The twins were to be
nephew, Lausus — his brother's chosen
hurled into the Tiber as a sacrifice to the
heir — and seizing Rhea Silvia, his niece.
river god Tiberinus.
Not seeing his niece as an
The man ordered to carry out this
immediate threat, Amulius instead
act of brazen infanticide was a priest of
sought to ensure she would never
Tiberinus, and, taking the twins in
produce offspring to challenge him. After
swaddled cloth, was escorted to a cliff
threatening to give her the same fate as
overlooking the Tiber by Amulius' elite
her brother, he offered an alternative—
guards. Offering a whispered prayer to
swear an oath to the gods and become a

65
the god of the river, the priest begged for resembled their Alban mother. These
the twins' safe passage before dropping assassins tracked the brothers into the
them to the waters below. Tiberinus, woods, staging an ambush in the midst of
having heard the priest's plea, calmed one of their midnight hunts, but soon
the Tiber's mighty waves and gently found themselves surrounded by wolves
deposited the twins at the base of the and at the mercy of the twins.
Palatine Hill.
Terrified, the king's assassins
There, at what would one day revealed the truth: Romulus and Remus
become the very center of the great city were the grandsons of Numitor, the
of Rome, Romulus and Remus were rightful king of Alba Longa, and Amulius
discovered by a wolf, who, having would not rest until they were dead.
recently lost her own pups to a storm, Calling off the wolves, the twins allowed
saw fit to raise the two foundlings as her the assassins to flee before seeking out
own. Dragging them by their swaddling their grandfather, the exiled king.
cloth to a nearby cave, the wolf nursed
Numitor had not been idle in his
the twins for weeks before their echoed
years of exile. Though he spent no small
cries attracted the attention of Faustulus,
amount of time and effort hiding from
a local herdsman.
his brother's assassins, his true goal was
With a gift of mutton, the not mere survival— he intended to build
protective wolf-mother was sated, and an army capable of restoring him to the
Faustulus claimed the two children, throne. This army of loyalist supporters
raising them as his own sons. For years, remained lean out of necessity, moving
the two brothers lived as the men of the from holdout to holdout and camping in
hills did, tending the herds and learning the woods most often.
the ways of the shepherd, though rumors
When Numitor's retinue became
of forays into the woods and moonlit
surrounded by wolves his personal
hunts with the local wolf packs made the
guards were prepared for a fight, but they
hill-folk uneasy.
soon became perplexed as the arrival of
As years passed, the boys grew Romulus and Remus calmed the beasts.
into young men, and word of the wolf- Numitor, having heard stories of the
born twins eventually made it to Alba twins' exploits was quickly overcome
Longa and King Amulius. Consulting his with emotion at their resemblance to his
priests, he came to fear that these were daughter, Rhea Silvia, and, when they
the very same twins he had sacrificed to had finished their tale, embraced them as
Tiberinus two decades ago. Their survival family.
only lent credence to their possible divine
Emboldened by the return of their
origin, with fate seeming to place them
king's heirs, the loyalists of Numitor
on a collision course with his claim to
gathered their strength and laid siege to
rule.
Alba Longa. Amulius, his worst fears once
First sending spies to observe and again realized, led a desperate defense of
confirm their identities, Amulius quickly the city, but many of the men under his
resorted to hiring assassins when it command switched sides when they saw
became clear that the boys so clearly

66
Numitor at the head of his host beside his construction of suitably sturdy
twin demi-god grandsons. structures, progress on the Aventine
settlement slowed as some supporters
Betrayed by his own inner circle,
grew weary of the back-breaking work.
Amulius was slain before Numitor's
forces even breached the walls of Alba The Palatine settlement continued
Longa. Once again declared king, at a more even pace, with much of
Numitor was reunited with his daughter, Romulus' efforts focused on motivating
who beheld her adult sons for the first his men and persuading Remus'
time. Romulus and Remus were praised supporters to join him. Remus, he hoped,
for their part in the restoration of the would come to his senses after his
kingdom, and many among the people of supporters abandoned him. After a
Alba Longa believed that one or even both violent altercation between the rival
of the brothers deserved the throne over settlements left several Albans dead,
the aging Numitor. Not wishing to however, Romulus shifted his focus to
jeopardize their grandfather's position, constructing a stone wall around the
the brothers elected to return to the hills Palatine Hill— if Remus would not join
that had become their home, taking with him, he would shut him out.
them a sizable group of Alban supporters.
Remus, growing increasingly
Arriving at the base of the Palatine bitter at his brother's provocations,
Hill where first they had been found and decided that he would demonstrate just
nursed by the wolf, Romulus declared how ineffective his wall really was,
that this should be the center of their new scaling it in the middle of the night and
city. Remus, the more practical of the mocking its construction. As Romulus —
two, pointed to the more favorably already incensed — approached, Remus
positioned Aventine hill as the ideal pulled a supporting stone from the
location for a settlement, unimpressed by unfinished wall and laughed as the whole
what he saw as Romulus' more structure collapsed.
sentimental choice. Though the brothers
Falling on each other like wolves,
had been known to bicker, the argument
the brothers fought viciously, a lifetime
that followed soon escalated beyond
of disagreements culminating in this
control, with their Alban supporters
final rage. Romulus, grasping a stone
forced to separate them as they came to
from the very symbol of his wasted labor,
blows.
brought it down upon his brother's head.
Now divided, the supporters of In the end, just as a wolf pack selects its
Romulus began to build their new alpha, so too did Rome find its first king.
settlement at the Palatine Hill, while the
Aventine Hill soon become the home of The Seven Kings of Rome
the supporters of Remus. Of the two, Despite the fratricidal nature of
Romulus proved the more skilled orator, his rise to power, Romulus proved an
staging lengthy sermons within earshot effective and popular ruler, with the
of the Aventine supporters in hopes of Palatine settlement soon growing to
drawing more to his cause. Though encompass what would come to be called
Remus' ingenuity aided in the rapid the Seven Hills of Rome. However,

67
Romulus was not destined to rule the city were to blame. Though the Celeres would
he had founded forever; Just as the be reinstated by his predecessors,
Palatine Hill would serve as the first of
the Seven Hills, Romulus would in turn A Worthy Rival
serve as the first of the Seven Kings. For a quarter of a millennium, the
Romulus, while inspecting his troops at Roman Republic thrived without the
the Campus Martius, was said to have menace of a true existential threat. No
been suddenly swept up by a powerful longer subject to the unchecked whims of
localized storm, disappearing before a singular monarch, Rome soon grew to
their very eyes. encompass the entire Apennine
Peninsula through the annexation of the
While some claim that city states of Magna Graecia. The
this was an act of divine remaining Greek colonies situated on the
retribution for Romulus' island of Sicily would prove to be the
treatment of Remus, or catalyst for the first of a series of
perhaps the Sabines, the wars with the preeminent
Romans still celebrate Mediterranean, maritime
what they believe to be power— Carthage.
Romulus' ascension
and apotheosis at the A North African civilization
hands of Jupiter, or founded by colonists of
perhaps his own divine Phoenician descent; the
father, Mars. Even now, Carthaginians were a sea-
they claim, Romulus faring people with a complex
wanders the Elysian Fields, system of government not
never having tasted death's unlike Rome's. Remarkably
sting. cosmopolitan, the city of
Carthage was the center of an
The six kings that unprecedented trade network
followed Romulus had much that spanned much of the known
to live up to, and none world. Carthage and Rome,
perhaps rose so well to this though destined to become
occasion as Numa Pompilius. A bitter enemies, began as friendly
Sabine by birth, Numa was the rivals, enjoying a military
one man capable of uniting the alliance cemented by strong
disparate peoples of Rome under trade relations. These two
one cause— not through war, civilizations, mirrors of each other
but through piety. Numa in so many ways, would find
established himself as a king of themselves at odds as their
peace, disbanding the king's personal expansionist desires for dominance of
guard as a symbol of his trust of the the Mediterranean collided.
people. Numa believed that his rule was
predicated on the people's belief in him,
and that if the people demanded his
death, it was his own failings as king that

68
The First Punic War pushed to the shores of North Africa.
Due to the wanton antics of an Were it not for the military expertise of
Italic mercenary company known as the the Spartan mercenary Xanthippus,
Mamertines, the first conflict between Carthage may have been destroyed then
Carthage and Rome began in earnest. The and there, but after heeding the cunning
islands of Sicily, Sardinia, and Corsica warrior's strategic advice, the
each became battlegrounds, with the Carthaginians cemented there place as
legions effectively cut off from their Rome's greatest enemy in the wars to
conventional supply lines. Compared to come.
the naval might of Carthage, the Roman Carthage's greatest general,
fleet was all but nonexistent, having Hannibal, proved to be nearly the
primarily been used to ferry merchants undoing of Rome itself, staging a bloody
and fend off the occasional pirate. campaign throughout the Apennine
Though the legions proved more than Peninsula that harried the Republic for
capable of rebuffing their opponents on over fifteen years. In the end, Carthage
land, Carthaginian naval superiority was proved its own undoing as it refused to
instrumental in securing a series of early supply Hannibal for fear of what he
victories. might do upon his victorious return.
Ever adaptive, the Romans Forced back to defend the land of
immediately began to devise a solution to his birth, Hannibal faced the Roman
their most obvious weakness, and, general Scipio in what would be the
having seized the wreck of a Carthaginian deciding battle of the Punic Wars. Scipio
quinquereme, attempted to backwards- had been but a boy when Hannibal
engineer the ship's design. Though this succeeded in marching his war elephants
first Roman vessel was a somewhat crude into Roman territory, and now faced the
copy of the original, the senate quickly man who had shaped his military career.
approved the assembly of a fleet of these Standing with Scipio were the previously
heavy warships, and they were deployed humiliated survivors of the massacre at
in remarkably short order. Cannae, and, hungry for a second chance
A costly defeat at sea forced Rome at glory, they proved themselves up to
to rethink their designs, however, and the task, earning Scipio the agnomen
soon, a more advanced warship was Africanus.
developed, making use of alternate The third and final Punic War was
materials to ensure the new vessels were a comparatively short and brutal affair,
lighter and more maneuverable than with the Romans taking advantage of a
their previous attempt. A novel boarding minor breach of their previous treaty
device, dubbed the corvus due to its with Carthage to instigate the conflict.
resemblance to a crow's beak, was Despite Carthage's attempts to appease
devised, along with the implementation the Roman invaders, the legions made
of a new form of naval infantry called the certain there would be no fourth war,
Marinus— marines. tearing down its walls and leaving the
With Carthage's naval strength city in ruins.
finally being challenged, the war was

69
 Over a century later the site of the denied their request for passage through
ruins of Carthage, though said to be his province.
cursed, has begun to be redeveloped into
Though not always peaceful in
a modern Roman port town. Despite the
relations, the Roman senate greatly
history and superstition surrounding it,
preferred the Gauls as their northern
Roman Carthage is rapidly becoming a
neighbors as opposed to the even more
burgeoning trade hub, with a population
barbaric Germanic tribes who would
nearing 100,000.
surely move in to take the place of the
Conquest of Gaul Helvetii.

Two Centuries ago, the Roman During his meetings with the Helvetii
Republic, ascendant from its successful negotiators Caesar became acquainted
conquests in Carthage and Iberia, turned with the nobleman Orgetorix, the most
its eyes north. vocal of the Helvetii elite that opposed
the migration. Caesar and Orgetorix
Led by the charismatic and began plotting a coup. Orgetorix, with
gregarious patrician, Gaius Julius Caesar, Roman backing, would assassinate the
the Roman Republic would wage a series other Helvetii aristocrats and seize
of wars against the tribal societies of control over the tribe, resettling them
Gaul, conquering each in turn and with the promise of Roman assistance
annexing them into the greater Republic. against the Germanic tribes.

The Helvetii Migration The conspiracy had barely begun

The first targets of this great to take shape before word of it was leaked
conquest would be the Helvetii. Long to the Helvetii leadership. Knowing he
alpine neighbors to the Republic, the would now never be accepted back by his
Helvetii had come under increasing people for plans of treason, Orgetorix
pressure from the Germanic tribes to committed suicide before he could be
their north and, fearing conquest, executed by his fellow aristocrats.
decided to undertake a great migration, Now wary of Governor Caesar and
with nearly all of the five-hundred Roman intentions, the Helvetii called off
thousand Helvetii electing to abandon negotiations and moved to march north
their lands and strike out towards the around the province of Transalpine Gaul,
less-populated western coast of Gaul. avoiding all Roman territory. Caesar had
Burning their villages, despoiling planned for this however and, during
their fields, and slaughtering what negotiations, had amassed nearly thirty
animals could not be brought with them, thousand legionary soldiers within
the Helvetii ensured there would be no Transalpine Gaul. With legionary scouts
going back. Reaching the border of trailing them, the Helvetii were under
Transalpine Gaul, the Helvetii attempted Roman watch the entire march. It was
to negotiate safe passage through the during the Helvetii crossing of the Saone
Roman territory with Governor Gaius River that the Romans struck. Waiting
Julius Caesar. Though the governor until nearly two third of the Helvetii had
entertained their diplomats and feigned made the crossing, the legions under
sympathy for their cause, ultimately, he Caesar struck those still behind,

70
slaughtering them to the last man, their century with both artillery and
woman, and child. defensive support against enemy casters.

In the course of a single day the The mages are looked upon by
legions corps of engineers erected a their fellow soldiers with a mix of
pontoon bridge and all thirty-thousand reverence and fear. Their great powers
legionaries completed the crossing often mean the difference between
through the night. victory and defeat, especially against
Druids and Spirit-Singers along the
The Helvetii, realizing they faced
borders. Still, seeing their destructive
slaughter if they met the Romans in open
prowess first hand leaves even the most
combat, took up a grueling pace,
skilled legionary feeling vulnerable
attempting to stay ahead of their
against the greater threats of the world.
pursuers. The injured, the sick, the old,
and the slow were left to fend for The advance took its toll,
themselves and none were shown mercy however, and Roman supplies quickly ran
by the advancing legions. Helvetii Druids thin as the supply lines failed to keep
captured by the Romans were subject to pace with the legions. Faced with
especially harsh treatment. Handed over starving soldiers, Caesar turned his
to the legionary Battlemages, the druids legions towards allied Gaulic territory of
were subject to intense magical torture in Bibracte to re-supply.
attempts to extract information that may
Having reached the territory of
be used against their deities.
two smaller but allied tribes, the Boii and
Roman Battlemages the Tulingi, the Helvetii convinced them
Mages serving in the Roman Legions are that now was the time to strike back at
segregated into their own corps. the pursuing legions, while they were
Unlike the standard legionaries who serve
unprepared and resupplying.
twenty-five-year long terms of service,
Battlemages typically serve for life, with their
extensive training not finishing until well The Battle of Bibracte
into their second decade in the legion. The Gaulic lord of Bibracte,
Though they may be retired along with other Dumnorix, though nominally an ally of
members of their legion after a successful
campaign, this is typically reserved for only Rome, had done what he could to delay
the eldest among their numbers. Battlemages resupplying the legions, hoping to give
join the legion between age thirteen and the Helvetii and their allies time to catch
sixteen and most commonly come from the hungry Romans. Catching up to the
aristocratic families with too many heirs.
Though nominally voluntary, most who join Roman rearguard, the Helvetii began a
have been raised since birth to make this series of attacks probing the weaknesses
choice. Only rarely does a child refuse to join of the Roman lines. Though caught
once their time comes and these often-
flatfooted, the Romans had defensive
become outcasts from their families.
positioning, having made camp around a
modest hill, the top of which served as
When in in combat the Caesars headquarters.
Battlemages are deployed to support the
Though outnumbered, the
regular soldiers, with one mage assigned
Romans’ superior training and
to each century. These mages provide
equipment allowed them to repulse a half

71
dozen Helvetii charges. Key to this relations. Caesar sent warnings to the
success was the massed barrages of Pila Lingones, threatening the same fate for
employed by the legion. From their high- them as had befallen the Helvetii should
ground position these throwing spears they render aid.
exacted a heavy toll on the Helvetii
Fearing a war with Rome, the
attackers.
Lingones denied the Helvetii access to
Sensing the Helvetii weakness their territory. Faced with no other
after the sixth attacks was repulsed, the options, the Helvetii surrendered to the
Legionaries drew their blades and waded Romans. The surviving aristocrats would
down the hill into the thick of combat face immediate execution, while those
and gave chase across the open fields few remaining druids would be given to
after the retreating Helvetii. It was during the battlemages, never to be heard from
this pursuit that the Boii and Tulingi again.
arrived with fifteen thousand men to
The remaining Helvetii, now
flank the Roman lines. At this moment
numbering only one hundred thousand,
the Helvetii ceased their retreat and
were forcibly marched back to their
turned on their pursuers.
territory east of Transalpine Gaul, where
Having considered this possibility, they would be made a Roman client tribe
Caesar had ensured to keep a pair of and used as a buffer between the Republic
Legions, as well as several thousand and the Germanic Tribes to the north.
Auxiliaries, in reserve. Though the allied
Orgetorix’s son would be placed by
Gauls outnumbered the Romans nearly
Caesar as the new head of the remaining
two-to-one, the discipline and strategy
Helvetii, and given a substantial Roman
of the legions proved to be too much for
retinue to act as his personal guard (as
them to overcome. Fighting late into the
well as to ensure his continued loyalty.)
night, the Romans eventually pierced the
Helvetii’s main line and seized their Gallic Merchants Alliance
baggage train, capturing the Helvetii After the conquest and upon completion of
supplies for their own use. Here the the Druidic Cleansing the Celtic people of Gaul
Romans also found the son and daughter found themselves with a power vacuum at the
top of their society. Though Rome and her
of Orgetorix, who had been held as appointed Governors had ultimate control of
prisoners since their father’s suicide. the territory the day-to-day and local affairs
were quickly taken over by the wealthy Gallic
With their lines split and their merchants.
supplies lost, the Helvetii and their allies Holding the majority of the remaining wealth
began a hasty and disorganized retreat in the hands of the Gauls, and encouraged by
the anti-druidic Roman governance, the
during which many units were hunted merchants rapidly expanded their powers and
down and slaughtered by the Romans. influence. Boosted by the greatly expanded
interest of the wealthy of Rome and Greece
Journey’s End but wary of being displaced by traders from
the Empire, the merchants established a guild
Reduced to a fifth of their original
throughout the Gallic lands to monopolize
numbers, the surviving Helvetii made for trade in the region.
the territory of the Lingones, a powerful The Romans, for their part, were content to
Gaulic tribe with whom they had friendly allow this, believing the Gauls would be easier
to control and Romanize if their own people

72
 were left in control of some of the more Republic. The senate still maintains
visible positions of power. This course of control over legislation, though it can be
action has proven mostly successful as the
vetoed at will by the emperor, and two
merchants quickly adopted Latin as their
primary trade language and this has begun to Consuls are still elected yearly who
trickle into wider Gallic society. nominally stand as the heads of
Today the merchant’s alliance has outposts in government, even as the emperor
all of the major cities of Gaul and their
members can be found in every market across
embodies the state of Rome itself.
the region. Though still dominated by the Together the consuls and Emperor form a
native Gauls, many of whom now identify as triumvirate that handles the executive
full Roman citizens, waves of migration from governance of the empire.
across the Empire have forced the guild to
begin accepting members of all Imperial
backgrounds
Of Roads and Rivers
Though today the Senate is often thought of
as a den of schemers and backstabbers, there
are still those who seek to do the public good
Birth of an Empire with their position. Such is the case with
In the aftermath of this victory Senator Virius Carinus Primus. A member of
the Senate commerce and infrastructure
over the Helvetii, Caesar would be given committees, he is committed to ensuring the
command of the Roman conquest of Gaul smooth transport of both goods and people
and Britannia. Succeeding beyond across the Empire and has sponsored
expectation, Caesar would grow to numerous pieces of legislation to fund new
roads and bridges, most recently in the
become one of the most powerful and surrounding territories to Telesinia.
well-loved men in the Republic.

Elected to the position of Consul,

many in the Senate grew to fear the
power Caesar was coming to wield and, in
an event known as the Great Betrayal, a
group of senators would conspire to see
Caesar assassinated within the very halls
of the senate. Though conducted under
the banner of democracy, this action
would lead to a bloody civil war in which
conspirators were defeated and Lucius
Valerius was named Emperor of Rome by
the remaining senators and Jupiter
himself for his actions in stabilizing the
new Empire.

Lucius Valerius is considered a

good administrator and skilled
commander, but he lacks the charisma of
Caesar and though widely supported by
the common people, he is hardly loved.

The Empire still maintains many

of the traditions and institutions of the Senator Virius Carinus Primus

73
74
 the elected magistrates of the city’s local
Telesinia
Vigintiviri, each of whom has control of
The Eastern Jewel of the Roman
the one of the city’s public institutions.
Empire, Telesinia is a sprawling
The institutions represented mirror
metropolis of nearly three hundred
those found in the Vigintiviri of Rome
thousand. Founded just over a century
and other major Imperial Cities.
ago, during the Roman annexation of
inner Anatolia, Telesinia has become the • The ten Judicandis – who run the
fastest growing city in the Empire and is city’s courts.
second only to Rome itself in the value of • The four Nocturni – who handle
the trade that flows through its ports. arrests, imprisonment, and
executions, including crucifixions.
Positioned along the mouth of the
• The four Monetales – who are
river Leucosyrus at the crossroads of
responsible for the local minting
Greece, Parthia, Egypt, and Judea,
of new gold and silver coins and
Telesinia is one of the most strategically
also provide oversight of the local
important cities of the Empire and has
merchant guilds.
become the lynchpin of Rome’s ability to
• The four Urbe Purgandis – who
trade with the eastern powers. Telesinian
oversee the construction and
merchants are a common sight from
maintenance of the local
Napata to Babylon and beyond. In recent
roadways.
decades traders out of Telesinia have
• The four Curators Aquarum – who
even begun to arrive in the warring
maintains the cities aqueducts and
Chinese kingdoms, returning with
water systems.
luxurious silks, strange potions, and
powerful magical items not before Elections are held yearly, with half
known to the western powers. the magistrates being elected at a
time, with two-year terms of
Governance office. The positions are open to
Telesinia is governed by the both Plebeian and Patrician
Legionary Astranacus, leader of the candidates, though the Patrician class
XXV Legion. The governor’s mansion has dominated the majority of the
and Legionary headquarters are roles since the city’s inception a
built upon a small pair of islets century ago.
south of the city’s main harbor.
The Collegia Opificum
Governor Astranacus is
Trade in the city is largely
widely regarded to be a fair
controlled by a pair of rival
man, though one more
merchant guilds, the
concerned with
Ploíarchoi Emporíou,
military matters
primarily
than with the day-
composed of Greek
to-day running of
speakers and the
a major city. As
Commercium
such, much of the
Dominorum who
city’s affairs are
consist mostly of
left in the hands of

75
Latins. Though ostensibly legitimate Setting fire to numerous
trade organizations, both guilds also Commercium Dominorum owned ships
maintain interests in the city’s and assassinating many of their key
underground activities and to many members, the Greeks began what would
(especially within the slums) the guilds become known as The First Telesinian
are viewed as little more than legitimized Trade War. The conflict would escalate
highway gangs. into a series of increasingly large and
bloody street battles throughout the city
The Ploíarchoi Emporíou are
in which numerous civilians found
headquartered near the northern wall,
themselves and their shops collateral
just west of the Gorgon Gate. While the
damage. The conflict threatened to throw
Commercium Dominorum are located
the city into chaos until the XXV legion
along the river within the Patrician
crossed the Basilisk Bridge into the city
Quarter.
and set about restoring order with brutal
The Telesinian Trade Wars efficiency.
Three decades ago, the Trade Though it lasted only two months,
Wars, a series of conflicts that started the conflict saw the death of nearly a
when the (Latin Guild) seized the crew thousand of Telesinia’s residents as well
and goods of a clandestine (Greek Guild) as numerous merchants in the local
ship that mistakenly docked at a (Latin regions.
Guild) controlled pier in the southern
slums, threw the city into chaos. In the end the guild leaders were
Discovering a trove of smuggled artifacts made to pay heavy reparations to those
from Judea, Parthia, and even distant affected and large fines to the city
China, the (Latin Guild) had the crew government but were ultimately spared
killed before setting the uncrewed ship to greater punishment.
sail back out to sea. Though never reaching the levels
Unknown to the Commercium of bloodshed seen in the first Trade War,
Dominorum was that the executed crew small scale conflict between the guilds
were not the regular brigands employed has remained common place and a
by the guilds for their underground second major incident a decade ago saw
activities, but were in fact led by the son more than two hundred dead after a
of Eutychia, head of the Ploíarchoi month of fighting. Though things have
Emporíou. When Antigonus failed to been relatively peaceful between the
make contact, the Ploíarchoi Emporíou guilds since the end of the Second Trade
began to grow suspicious and seized War, tensions have flared up again in
several members of the Commercium recent months as Cassia, the new head of
Dominorum and, under torture, the Commercium Dominorum, aspires to
discovered the fate of the crew. Enraged see the Greeks thrown out of the city and
by the execution of her son and the theft trade handed over entirely to the Latins.
of their treasures, Eutychia began a series
of targeted attacks against the
Commercium Dominorum and their
interests throughout the city.

76
 Greco-Roman Pantheon
Chapter 2: Pantheons Though originating in Greece, this
pantheon is now based out of Rome, with
Olympus serving as a secondary home.
The world is divided into The Pantheon is led by the council of
numerous Pantheons, each of which thirteen, with Jupiter serving as the head
maintains control over magic and and overall ruler of the Pantheon.
mortals of specific territories in which
they are venerated. On occasion, such as Egyptian Pantheon
in Parthia, multiple Pantheons may Though nominally headed by Ra,
coexist in peace, but typically they view the Egyptian Pantheon is currently
one another as threats and enemies, conflicted, with the gods looking to the
competing for the mortal worship needed raging civil war between Egypt and Kush
to fuel their power. and coming to different conclusions
about which side should emerge
Each Pantheon seeks to expand
victorious.
the size and influence of the mortal
realms that worship them in hopes of
further expanding their influence.

77
Chinese Pantheon
Sumero-Babylonian Pantheon
More loosely-organized than
Led by Marduk, the Sumero-
many others, Fu Xi serves as a first
Babylonian Pantheon is among the most
among equals to the deities of China,
well-organized and powerful of all the
with Nuwa and Shennong also holding
Pantheons. With one of the most
special respect. The deities of China are
expansive domains, though shared with
largely autonomous however, and
their Zoroastrian cousins, the Sumero-
primarily stick to their own affairs unless
Babylonian gods find themselves ruling
there is a looming threat to greater
at the center of the known world.
China.

Celtic Pantheon Zoroastrian Pantheon

The smallest of the established
Loosely organized and
Pantheons, there exist only two true
representing dozens of tribes with their
deities in the Zoroastrian religion,
own unique customs and practices, the
though numerous demi-gods are
Celtic Pantheon has formed closer ranks
present. In practice however, this is a
since the Roman conquests of Gaul and
Pantheon of one, as Ahriman is not
Britannia, with the surviving Gallic
publicly worshiped in any of the major
deities fleeing to the Isles to join with
cities of Parthia.
their cousin deities in defense of greater
Celtic survival.

78
 older than that. During their titanic fight
Greco Roman Pantheon eons ago, Cronus severed his father,
Uranus’ genitals and cast them into the
sea. Unknown to Cronus, his fathers
Asclepius severed appendage would spawn yet one
Son of Apollo and the Thessalian more child.
princess Coronis, Asclepius is the god of
Born in a torrent of raging seas
medicine, rejuvenation, and healing. His
and roiling primordial energy, Aphrodite
symbol is the Rod of Asclepius, a snake
would emerge just off the coast of
entwined staff that has come to represent
Cyprus. It was here that her veneration
medicine and healing across Greece and
first began and to this day the island
Rome.
remains known for its fanatical devotion
He has five daughters with his to the goddess. The Great Sanctuary of
consort Epione who all follow in his Aphrodite at Paphia is one of the largest
footsteps as healers to the sick and temples of the Greco-Roman world and
weary. The couple had a pair of sons, many pilgrims seeking the love
Podalirius and Machaon, both of whom goddesses’ blessing travel to the island in
were killed leading armies during the the hopes of securing true love for
Trojan war. The loss of their brothers in themselves.
war only solidified the sisters’
This puts Aphrodite as the sole
commitments to healing and mercy
child of Uranus who still maintains an
rather than warfare and bloodshed.
active role in the world and the only one
Hygieia, goddess of cleanliness. to sit with the Olympians in the Greco-
Roman pantheon. Though even she
Laso, goddess of recuperation.
herself in unaware of this fact.
Aceso, goddess of mending.
Though married to Hephaestus,
Aegle, goddess of good health. their relationship has grown strained and
distant. In recent centuries it has become
Panacea, goddess of the universal an open secret among the gods that she
remedy. prefers the company of Ares to that of her
husband. Though never confronted
Aphrodite/Venus openly by the forge master, Ares has
Goddess of love, beauty, pleasure begun to notice a pattern in his recent
and passion, Aphrodite is regarded even weapons failing at the most inopportune
by the other pantheons as one of the moments of war.
most strikingly attractive beings in all
The island of Cyprus finds itself in
creation. Her otherworldly beauty and
a strange place, though still entirely a
charm find even the strongest willed
part of the Greek world, it, like Crete and
mortals unable to resist her.
Rhodes, is nominally under the control of
Her exact origins remain largely a the Egyptian Pharaohs. Though
mystery to her mortal followers. Though Hellenistic in origin, the Ptolemaic
many believe her to be the daughter of Pharaoh’s seeming embrace of the
Zeus and Dione, her origins are much

79
80
 Egyptian deities has given the Hera’s wrath, the Cretans, strong
inhabitants, and Aphrodite herself, cause followers of Leto, hid her on the island of
for some concern. Pharaoh Lysandra, for Paximadia to their south. It was here that
her part, seeks to maintain the peace Artemis and Apollo entered the world and
between Egypt and the Greco-Roman it was not long before the people of Crete
gods, knowing that war with Greece and came to worship them just as they did
Rome would end in disaster for the their mother.
already embattled Egypt.
Though Hera and Artemis have
To help maintain the peace, each grown to find a mutual respect for one
of the island’s governors have been another, Hera still holds resentment
chosen from the native Greek population towards the people of Crete for brazenly
and have all sought Aphrodite’s blessing defying her commands centuries ago and
at her Sanctuary in Paphia before none of the Cretans have received the
ascending to rule the island. Part of the Queen of Olympus’ blessing since that
agreements between Rome and Egypt day.
also stipulate that the Greek populations
Much like Aphrodite, Artemis
under Egypt’s control cannot be
must contend with her island of
conscripted, thus the island pays its
veneration falling under Egyptian
fealty in gold, silver, and all manner of
control. It is here, however, that the
smithed goods. Though outwardly in
similarities between the two goddesses
agreement, Aphrodite seethes at her
end.
island being used as a bargaining tool to
keep peace between the mortal realms Artemis has never taken a lover.
and rumors flow -primarily from Though she fell for the huntsman Orion,
Dionysus’ mouth - that she may soon they never consummated their love
take action. before his death at her own hands, after
which she swore never to love again. To
Artemis/Diana this day the circumstances of Orion’s
Daughter of Zeus and Leto, twin death remain a mystery. Though many
sister to Apollo and the goddess of the have tried to swoon the goddess, she
hunt, the wilderness, and the moon, rejects their advances with a mix of
Artemis is one of the Greco-Roman apathy and contempt.
Pantheon’s most deadly fighters. Throughout her life she has also
Though her worship is widespread taken several actions that have damaged
throughout the Greek world, the center of her relations with the other Greco-
Artemis’ worship sits at the heart of the Roman gods. Most recently was her
Rome. Her temple upon the Aventine Hill execution of Adonis – a mortal lover to
is one of the largest in the empire. Aphrodite – which has earned her the
pleasure goddess’ wrath. Adonis had
The birth of her and her twin was a demonstrated his hubris by publicly
tumultuous affair. Hera, furious at her boasting of being the greatest huntsman
husband’s unfaithfulness, forbade Leto in the world, greater even than the gods,
from giving birth either in Olympia or on making him a target of the goddess of the
the earthly realm. Despite the warning of hunt. Aphrodite has sworn revenge.

81
82
She and her brother Apollo are also still Jupiter requested the aid of his
remembered for what many see as brother, Neptune, who produced a free-
treachery during the war with Troy. Both floating island for this express purpose,
heavily venerated by the city, the twin unconnected either to the sea floor or
gods, along with their mother Leto and solid ground. Here, suspended in the
the gods Ares and Aphrodite sided with boughs of an olive tree, Latona gave birth
the Trojans against the Greeks during the first to Diana, and then to Apollo, with an
war. Though ultimately unsuccessful in attendance of goddesses bearing witness.
their defense of the city, the siblings saw
The island which would come to
to it that a number of Trojan ships
be known as Paximadia soon became
successfully escaped the Greek blockades.
properly moored off of the isle of Crete,
During the fall of the city Artemis was
and would serve as a suitable home and
almost struck down by Athena – who had
later hunting ground for the deific twins.
already defeated Ares – but was saved by
Apollo and Diana are credited with the
intervention from Zeus, who, not
invention of archery (Apollo conceived
wanting to severely weaken the
the bow and Diana the arrow) with which
pantheon, pardoned those gods who
the precocious young Olympians
sided with Troy.
defended their mother from numerous
foes sent by Juno.
Apollo
Tityos, a monstrous giant, was the
last and most fearsome of these
Apollo is the Olympian god of attackers. Another child of Jupiter, Tityos
light, music, archery, as well as both was goaded into an act of jealous
sickness and medicine. As the founder of vengeance by Juno, who claimed that
the Oracle at Delphi, Apollo is also a god Jupiter had abandoned his mortal mother
of divination and prophecy, gifts he in favor of a new lover— Latona.
teaches to those wise enough to
comprehend such mysteries. Alongside Seeking to destroy the object of
his sister, Diana, Apollo is a prolific his envy at Paximadia, Tityos assaulted
hunter of monsters, vanquishing evil Latona before being peppered with
with swift arrows fired from aboard his arrows as Apollo and Diana came to their
solar chariot. mother's aid. A truly massive creature,
the twins' arrows barely penetrated his
thick hide as the enraged giant pursued
The Wrath of Juno the swift hunters into the deep woods.
Apollo's birth (along with that of
his twin sister, Diana) was the result of Smashing through tree trunks like
one of Jupiter's many philanderous mere twigs, Tityos came dangerously
trysts, in this case with the goddess close to grasping the young gods, but
Latona. When Juno discovered her through clever maneuvering and their
husband's indiscretions, she banished knowledge of the terrain they managed
Latona from Olympus, but not before to ensnare their pursuer within the
leaving her with a most insidious curse: overgrowth. Thus restrained, Tityos
she could never give birth on solid struggled madly to free himself from his
ground. arboreal bonds, but became instantly still

83
84
as a pair of arrows found their way into would use to track the Golden Fleece. She
his wide eyes. spoke in favor of Odysseus and his
companions before the assembled
Juno, satisfied with the death of
council of gods at Mount Olympus. She
one of Jupiter's illegitimate offspring,
even granted to hero Diomedes the divine
made no more attempts on the lives of
power he needed to wound Ares during
Latona and her children, and the three
the battle of Troy (an act for which Ares
lived together in peace for many years.
still swears vengeance.)

Athena/Minerva Despite this, Athena has been

Goddess of wisdom, justice, law known to be wrathful to those mortals
and warfare, Athena is one of the most she deems have betrayed or disrespected
prominent deities of the Greco-Roman her. In the aftermath of the Trojan war
Pantheon. Her worship and veneration her wrath fell upon the very Achaean
rivals that of her father, Zeus. leaders she had blessed beforehand when
they failed to punish Ajax the Lesser for
Athena is the patron god of his rape of the seeress Cassandra beneath
Athens, and the grand temple at the Troy’s statue to Athena. Though she
center of the city’s great Acropolis is allowed Diomedes and Nestor to escape,
dedicated to her worship. Larger even she conspired with her uncle Poseidon to
than her temples in Rome, the Acropolis see the rest of the Achaean leaders
is the seat of Athena’s power in the drowned at sea.
mortal world. Pilgrims from across the
breadth of the Greek and Roman worlds Ares and Athena are both Greco-
travel to Athens to seek the war goddess’ Roman gods of war. Two sides of the
blessing. same coin, they embody very different
aspects of the art. Ares represents the
It is in fact required for each of the roiling fury of the battlefield, fulfilled by
Roman Empire’s legionary Legates to blood and carnage, while Athena prefers
travel to Athens and receive her blessing the temperance of strategy and tactics,
before they may take control of their probing her enemy’s weakness before
assigned legion. On the rare occasion a delivering a fatal strike. Though the two
designated Legate is denied her blessing constantly butt heads when it comes to
they face immediate execution. For only how to conduct warfare, it has been their
someone who had lied and cheated their combined might that has truly allowed
way through the Legion’s ranks, or the Romans to conquer so far so fast.
someone who holds treason to the Though most pantheons have multiple
Empire in their heart could appear before deities that fall within the same domains,
her and be denied. it is a unique aspect of the Greco-Roman
Pantheon to have two war gods neither of
Athena is known to care more
which is subordinate to the other.
about, and intercede on behalf of, the
mortal folk far more than the other
Olympians. She advised the shipbuilder
Argos in his construction of the Argo, the
ship which Jason and his Argonauts

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 torrid affair that resulted in the
Demeter
conception of a child – Dionysus.
Goddess of agriculture, fertility,
and the harvest, Demeter is a life-giving Fearing what Rhea would do to the
deity and the keeper of sacred rites and child should she discover the truth, the
customs. At temples and shrines baby Dionysus was sent to Nysa, to be
throughout the Greco-Roman world raised by the Hyades – a sisterhood of
sacrifices of fruit and grain are offered up nymphs responsible for bringing the
in the hopes of a bountiful harvest, with rains – where he would grow without
her worshipers well aware of the seasons' fear of discovery.
inextricable link to their goddess'
As Dionysus grew, so did his fame.
wellbeing. During the spring, when her
Endowed with a strong body, a quick
daughter Persephone visits the surface
mind, and extreme beauty Dionysus’
world, Demeter is joyous and the world is
legend quickly spread beyond Nysa. Early
warm and vibrant. When Persephone
in his boyhood he discovered the art of
returns to her chthonic home in the
winemaking, and quickly spread this
underworld, Demeter's grim demeanor
talent to the few mortals of Nysa, who in
brings with it the winter's biting cold and
turn spread it further into the Greek
the growing things of the world shrink
world. This growing fame however soon
away.
caught the attention of Rhea. Sensing the
power of her lover within the young god,
Dionysus/Bacchus Rhea knew that Amun had been
God of wine, festivals, ecstasy, unfaithful.
and madness, Dionysus is well loved
among the gods and the people. The Though he refused to reveal the
patron of many of Rome and Greece’s identity of the boy’s mother to spare
greatest festivals, his name is Amalthea from Rhea’s wrath he was
synonymous with revelry and merriment. unable to make amends and Rhea soon
His cults are also known to be left him for the titan Cronus, with whom
particularly dedicated, often to degrees she would conceive the first generation of
others find disturbingly fanatical. Olympians.

Unique among the pantheon, Several centuries later, when

Dionysus’ origins lie not in Greece, but Dionysus had emerged fully from Nysa
across the sea in Egypt and Kush, where and begun settling into the Greek world,
his father, Amun, was once the chief he encountered Hera, daughter of Rhea
deity. Before the founding of either the and Cronus. Hera looked on Dionysus and
Greco-Roman or Egyptian Pantheons and his followers with disdain, viewing them
before her marriage to Cronus, the as no more than drunken rabble. She
Titaness Rhea took Amun as her lover. struck Dionysus with a curse to drive him
Though their union would result in no mad. For years he wandered, confused
offspring, it was during this time that and raving, unable to focus his mind until
Amun met the nymph Amalthea, a close he was found again by Rhea, who, taking
companion to Rhea and future foster pity on the boy who had once caused her
mother to Zeus. Though unknown to
Rhea, Amun and Amalthea would have a

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such heartbreak, cured him of her
Enyo
daughter’s affliction.
A lesser war goddess, Enyo serves
Though cured of the curse, as an attendant and lieutenant to Ares.
Dionysus would never be the man he once Enyo specializes in the complete razing
was. Forever altered by his years of of cities and her bloodlust and need for
insanity, he is still known to collapse destruction are said to far surpass that of
back into madness when too deep in his even Ares himself.
cups. The cults to Dionysus likewise view
It is also known that during his
madness as a sign of their god’s blessing
travels to India the god Dionysus fought
and many priests within his temples are
alongside Enyo in a battle against a
known to rant and rave incoherently
native deity. Though the exact
before their congregations.
circumstances remain unknown, the two
In the aftermath of regaining his seem to still share a connection.
sanity Dionysus, undertook a great
She and Athena are known to have
journey, traveling across the breadth of
a great hatred for one another, with
the world. From Greece, to Egypt, to
Athena viewing her as a destructive
Parthia, to India, and finally to China,
madwoman, and Enyo seeing Athena as
Dionysus traveled and learned, spreading
an obstacle on her own path to joining
the art of winemaking and with it his cult.
the Olympians.
Such did his teachings take hold that
upon reaching the Indus River millennia
later, Alexander the Great discovered a Eris
city named Nysa, whose inhabitants told An enduring theme or common
him their city had been founded long ago thread among the creation myths of the
by Dionysus during his travels. Today known world is the idea of a great void or
Nysa on the Indus is a part of the Indo- Primordial Chaos from which all
Greek Kingdom and remains a center for existence stems. From this sea of roiling
Dionysus’ worship halfway across the nothingness, light, order, and life
world. eventually came to be, with the
primordial deities shaping and guiding
Upon his triumphant return to creation towards the varied and complex
Greece Dionysus was offered a place by forms we know today. There are some,
Zeus among the Pantheon – much to however, that believe the world is
Hera’s great anger – which Dionysus destined to one day return to that Chaos.
happily accepted. Known for his These entropic malcontents often delight
gregarious and generous personality, he in twisting the carefully laid plans of
has become a favorite among the other mortals and gods, perhaps none so boldly
Olympians and has a very close, though as the goddess Eris.
entirely platonic, relationship with the
Huntress Artemis and the two are often Goddess of Strife
found feasting together. With Artemis The rebellious daughter of Jupiter
providing the meat and Dionysus the and Nyx, Eris (or Discordia as she is
wine. known to the Romans) has no public
temples dedicated to her, nor do mortals

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choose any specific day to venerate her As her youngest daughter, Eris
name. Paradoxically, her power has not held a special place in Nyx's heart, so
waned even as her worship is confined to when Eris asked for her aid in acquiring
hushed whispers and hidden rituals. the material, she would need to create the
Apple, she could not refuse. Having been
Some believe that she simply
present at the beginning of creation, Nyx
clings to her power like a miser, walking
was one of only few to remember the
amongst mortals and refraining from
process, but without hesitation she gifted
great displays in order to conserve her
a piece of Primordial Chaos to Eris before
strength. Those few that dedicate
returning to the darkness.
themselves to her secret cults know the
truth, however. Instead of fostering Eris was overjoyed and wasted no
priestesses and encouraging lavish time in using her mother's gift to fashion
sacrifice, Eris is content to draw her a golden apple of her own. Imbued with a
power from an unlikely source— conflict portion of her power as well as that of her
itself. mother, the apple proved more volatile
than even Eris could predict and quickly
In times of peace, her boredom
grew out of control.
motivates her to yet greater displays of
mischief, subtly pulling strings and Realizing her mistake, she
encouraging fights between otherwise summoned Mercury, whose magical
amicable neighbors. In times of war, she expertise proved enough to help contain
revels in the chaos, dancing unseen the destructive force she had unleashed.
across the battlefield as she savors every
To her surprise, Mercury did not
violent and anarchic detail.
scold her, but instead thanked her for
A masterful manipulator, Eris sees what he considered a thrilling diversion
little distinction in playing her tricks on from his myriad duties. In return, he
mortals or gods. It was in fooling both, confided in her a key piece of gossip: The
after all, that she indirectly sparked the gods were soon to meet at Olympus for
Trojan War. the marriage of Peleus and Thetis, but it
seemed Eris' invitation was
conspicuously absent. Bristling at this
The Apple of Discord perceived slight, she began to concoct a
plan.
Formed by Eris out of pure
Primordial Chaos, the Apple of Discord
would prove to be the crux of one of her Hebe
greatest feats of cunning and trickery. Daughter to Zeus and Hera, Hebe
is the Goddess of youth and forgiveness.
Having observed the golden She served for years as the cupbearer to
apples protected by her half-sisters in the Olympians until her marriage to
the Garden of the Hesperides, Eris sought Heracles when the role fell to the hero
to create an artifact equal to them in Ganymede.
beauty, and greater still in power. To this
end, she called upon her mother, Nyx, Hebe’s powers are unique among
goddess of the night. the gods and she alone can stop, or even

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reverse, the aging in mortals. Many of the winged helmet and shoes for Hermes, the
gods come to her when their favored Aegis for Zeus, Helios’ chariot, Eros’
mortals are reaching the end of their bow, and even Aphrodite’s famed girdle,
lifespans with the hope of having her for which he would earn her eye. But
return them to their youth. Some even most impressive of all was the grand
claim that it is Hebe that is responsible golden throne he had crafted for the
for the eternal life enjoyed by all the gods mother who had exiled him. Awed by the
of the Greco-Roman Pantheon. magnificence of the gift, Hera accepted.

She is known to enjoy taking the This final gift however was
form of an eagle with which she soars cursed, and upon taking the throne, Hera
across the skies of the earthly realm. found she could not, for all her might,
stand back up from it. Laughing at his
Hephaestus/Vulcan mothers’ plight, Hephaestus struck the
God of the forge, blacksmiths, tiles before the throne with his hammer
metallurgy, and volcanoes, Vulcan holds and in a flash was gone. Try as they
a special place within the Greco-Roman might, the other Olympians could not
Pantheon, responsible for the creation free Hera from the throne and soon
many of his fellow god’s, greatest arms Hermes was dispatched to travel the
and armor, as well as that of their many world in search of Hephaestus. Finding
champions. him on the island of Lemnos, Hermes
tried (albeit halfheartedly) in vain to
Born to Zeus and Hera, convince the forgemaster to return to
Hephaestus was shunned by his mother, Olympus and free Hera, however even
who, upon seeing her child born with a with the promise of a place among the
withered and deformed foot, cast him Olympians the fellow trickster was
from Olympus. Falling for a day and a rebuffed.
night, young Hephaestus landed in the
Ionian Sea, where he was discovered by Zeus then decided to try a
the sea nymph Thetis – one of the fifty different tactic, dispatching Dionysus to
Nereids and future mother of the hero treat with Hephaestus. The God of wine
Achilles – who would raise the young god gathered his greatest Ambrosia and made
as her own. for Lemnos. Once there, he shared with
Hephaestus his own tale of betrayal at
During his time with Thetis, Hera’s hands and how she had cursed
Hephaestus met the Sintians, natives to him with madness, nearly destroying
the island of Lemnos and renowned him due to her initial disgust at his and
smiths. Here he would learn the arts of his follower’s revelry. He explained that
the forge and metallurgy. Quickly though he held great resentment towards
surpassing his teachers, it was clear the her at first, he had moved past it in order
young god was destined to work the to take his place among the other
forge. Olympians and he urged Hephaestus to
do the same. Drunk on ambrosia and
Decades after his exile, the grown
swayed by Dionysus’ story, he agreed to
Hephaestus would return to Olympus,
return.
bearing great gifts for his fellow gods. A

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 Too drunk to make it on his own, any children that these relations may
Dionysus led him back to Olympus on the have led to.
back of the Divine Mule. Once they
She attempted to have Dionysus killed
arrived, and Hephaestus sobered, he was
twice, cast the infant Hephaestus from
brought to Hera. Entering the throne
Olympus, cursed Leto to be unable to
chambers they found Zeus, Poseidon, and
birth her twins, Apollo and Artemis,
Hades, the three brothers marveling at
anywhere in the heavens or earth, turned
the throne’s craftsmanship, much to
the Libyan Queen Lamia into a sea
Hera’s annoyance. Before the curse was
serpent before butchering she and Zeus’
lifted, Zeus made Hera and Hephaestus
children, and cursed the Nymph echo
agree to a truce – no further vengeance
with the trait of mimicry.
would by sought be either side for past
transgressions. Both gods agreed, and She is also said to have driven the hero
before the lords of the Sky, Seas, and Heracles insane, an incident that ended
Underworld, swore to seek no further with the death of his family by his own
vengeance against one another. With the hands. Later she would do what she could
pact sealed, Hephaestus lifted the curse, to make each of his twelve labors more
at which time the throne crumbled to arduous than the last. Bitter resentment
dust, freeing Hera while also remained between the two until Heracles
unceremoniously dropping her to the death.
floor.
She and Athena also, through an event
Hephaestus would come to take known as the Judgement of Paris, would
his place as the Olympians’ Forgemaster, sow the seeds that plunged the Greeks
crafting the greatest treasures of the and Trojans into war and threatened to
Greco-Roman world. In time he would tear the Greco Pantheon apart. This event
also come to wed Aphrodite. Though would also lay the groundwork for the
their passions once ran strong, they have eventual Roman state. Little did the
become estranged in recent centuries, goddesses realize that the Trojan war and
with Aphrodite preferring the company the events leading to it were an early
of Ares and mortal champions, while attempt by Eris to weaken the pantheon
Hephaestus has found new romance with and further the cause of Chaos.
Aglaea, youngest of the Three Graces.

Hera/Juno
Youngest daughter of Cronus and Rhea,
patron deity of the women, marriage,
family, and childbirth, Hera is the wife of
Zeus and Queen of the Gods.

Hera is known to have conflict with many

of the other Olympians, including several
of her own children. She is also known to
have inflicted harsh punishment on the
mortal lovers of her husband Zeus and

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 with the gods of the Greco-Roman
Hestia
Pantheon each ruling domains of their
First born of Chronos and Rhea,
own.
elder sister to Zeus, Hades, Poseidon,
Hera and Demeter and the Goddess of the Though most often concerned
hearth. with the affairs and grievances of the
gods, Jupiter's interactions with the
Though far from the most
realm of mortals cannot be ignored. A
powerful member of the pantheon,
prolific philanderer, Jupiter's many
Hestia’s place as first born is recognized
relations with mortal women have been
within the worship of the pantheon’s
the source of countless conflicts, most
followers. Offerings or sacrifices to
especially with Juno, Queen of the Gods,
Hestia typically take place first in order
whose cruel punishments are
of precedent.
often meted out against her
husband's demi-god offspring.
Jupiter
As lord of Olympus and patron Two of the most famous Greek
deity of the Roman state, Jupiter stands heroes, Perseus and Heracles,
at the head of the Greco-Roman were mortal sons of Jupiter,
Pantheon. Though first worshiped as and despite initial
Zeus by the Mycenean Greeks, the attempts by Juno to hinder
Romans have since adopted Jupiter as the them, would found lasting
chief deity of their state religion. Having dynasties and accomplish
venerated him above all other gods, the many great deeds with the
Romans believe that they have earned occasional aid of their deific
his divine favor, owing their father.
widespread success to his power and Thankfully, not all of his
glory. Though they are not the first, interactions with mortals were
and certainly not the only culture to motivated by lust, with Mercury
worship him, the Romans continue often acting as intermediary in his
to build great monuments and dealings, providing aid or counsel to
statues in Jupiter's image in order those of particular interest or worth.
to prove their worthiness and When he deigns to personally appear
devotion above all others. before mortal eyes, it is most often in
disguise, with his immense powers
Sky Father capable of transforming his godly form
After overthrowing his
into any number of more palatable
cruel father, the titan Saturn, shapes.
Jupiter and his two brothers
elected to divide the rulership of
the cosmos between them.
Neptune would rule the vast Blessing of Kings
seas, Pluto the chthonic As it concerns the Romans, one of
depths of the underworld, and his most notable encounters was with
Jupiter the endless skies. From the peak Numa Pompilius. Shortly after the
of Mount Olympus, Jupiter holds court, disappearance of Romulus, the senate

95
sought to elect a new ruler. Though the
Romans and the Sabines had come
together under the rule of Romulus, they
struggled to reach a collective decision.

Finally, after almost a year

without a king, the senate chose to
elevate Numa of the Sabines to the
position, but to their shock, he refused.
As an impassioned populace demanded a
suitable successor to the legendary
Romulus, Numa finally agreed under one
condition: he would consult with the
gods. Only with their blessing would he
take the throne.

Approaching Olympus, Numa

prostrated himself and requested the
judgment of the gods. None other than
Jupiter himself descended from his
heavenly seat, bringing with him the
rumble of thunder and torrential storms.
Despite the terror he must have felt in the Mars
presence of such power, Numa remained Mars, known to the Thracians who
stoic, and thus received the blessing of first worshiped him as Ares, is the
the King of the Gods. Olympian god of courage, violence, and
war. With the notable exception of the
Returning to Rome, Numa
Spartans, Mars is not well-liked by the
ascended to the throne with the blessing
Greeks. In stark contrast to Minerva, who
of gods and mortals alike, beginning an
represents such glorious aspects of war
ancient tradition which persists even
as tactics and battle strategy, Mars
now. Each time a ruler is chosen, it is
represents the brutal horrors of war in
Jupiter's blessing that holds the most
the form of chaotic, unadulterated
weight. To go against his divine will could
violence and bloodshed. Finding new
prove disastrous, with his wrath being a
respect and many scores of new followers
terrible thing to behold.
amongst the Romans, Mars has taken to
his role as patron deity of Rome's legions
with zeal.

Mars, Venus, and Vulcan

It is no secret that the marriage of
Venus and Vulcan is not a particularly
loving relationship. The ever-lascivious
Venus, not content with the god of the
forge's matrimonial ministrations,
inevitably sought another partner that

96
would give her the attention she felt she of Mars and Venus, though they might
deserved. Mars, beneath his heavy armor hesitate to bring the matter up in their
and callous exterior is said to be among company, even as rumors of a renewed
the most handsome of the gods, and soon affair persist.
caught the eye of the goddess of love.
In Rome, as in Thrace, Mars sees
What started as a simmering mutual
an opportunity to return himself to his
attraction blossomed into a legendary
days of glory. Diving headfirst into any
love affair, with the open secret of their
conflict, Mars hopes to erase the shame
clandestine relationship obvious to most
of his past, once more becoming loved
of Olympus.
and feared by all.
Vulcan, deeply-focused in his
work, remained blissfully unaware of his Mercury
wife's devious dealings with the god of Few gods can claim to be as
war until Mercury chose to reveal to him versatile as swift-footed Mercury. Known
the truth. Vulcan remained stoic, but a to the Greeks as Hermes, the sheer
cold rage brewed just beneath the number of domains and roles under his
surface. With Mercury's assistance, the purview is staggering, perhaps fitting for
two devised a scheme that would ensnare a deity nearly capable of being
the illicit lovers. everywhere at once. Mercury is the god of
Announcing that he would be messengers, wanderers, liars, thieves,
traveling in search of a rare ore, Vulcan heroes, merchants, shepherds, athletes,
made a show of leaving Mount Olympus trade, commerce, contracts, friendship,
for all to see. The moment he was gone fertility, games, luck, wit, mischief,
Mars wasted no name in attending deception, guile, grace, speed, invention,
Venus, but no sooner did they lay in sleep, dreams, public speaking, roads,
Venus' bed the trap was sprung. A coiling boundaries, medicine, and music. His
length of Vulcan-forged chain fell about usefulness to the other Olympian gods
the entwined gods and wrapped them cannot be overstated as he gracefully
tightly to the frame. Even the combined leaps between various roles as the need
might of the two Olympians was no arises, serving as herald, messenger, spy,
match for Vulcan's sturdy craftsmanship. scout, and guide. Also worshiped as a
chthonic deity, Mercury is capable of
Mercury, having announced to the effortlessly transitioning between the
other gods that Mars and Venus might be worlds of the living and the dead, an
in need of assistance, pulled back the ability which he utilizes to great effect as
curtains to reveal their shame for all to a psychopomp— a guide for the lost souls
see. Feigning shock, Mercury quickly of the dead.
retrieved Vulcan, who wordlessly freed
the two before returning to his forge.

Proud Mars, unwilling to stand in

humiliation before his peers, fled to
Thrace, remaining there for some years
as their patron deity. The Olympians, for
their part, still remember the humbling

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Excellence in Infancy playing a stringed instrument crafted
From the earliest days of his from a tortoise shell while fresh meat
existence, it was clear that Mercury was roasted over an open flame.
destined to accomplish great things, but More perplexed than angry, Apollo
to call him merely precocious would be complimented the young god on his
an understatement. As the product of music before explaining that the cattle
Jupiter's secret affair with Maia (the belonged to him. The punishment for the
eldest of the seven daughters of Atlas) theft of divine cattle was severe, but
Mercury's birth was concealed in a Apollo offered a trade: the new musical
humble cave from the watchful eyes of instrument in exchange for the cow that
the queen of the gods, as Juno was known Mercury had already slaughtered.
to exact cruel revenge on those who Mercury accepted and the musical
shared her husband's affections. instrument which Apollo claimed would
come to be called the Lyre.

The very day he was born the When Mercury was grown, Apollo
infant Mercury learned to walk, sneaking brought him before the other Olympians,
out of the cave as his mother slept. recounting the tale of his cunning and
Finding the rough terrain unpleasing to ingenuity. Jupiter, recognizing his own
walk upon, he collected reeds which he offspring, accepted him with open arms
shaped into his first invention— sandals, and it was not long before Mercury had
which he immediately strapped to his proven himself an indispensable member
feet. of the pantheon countless times over.

As he walked on, he discovered an Neptune

empty tortoise shell, which gave him an
Neptune, one of the three sons of
idea for another invention, but he had
the titans Saturn and Opis, rules the vast
grown hungry and would need to collect
oceanic depths as Olympian god of the
more materials to realize his design.
sea. He is known to the Greeks as
Soon coming upon a herd of radiant
Poseidon, but for the Romans that have
cattle, Mercury took up a fallen branch
adopted his worship, Neptune now fills
and began to usher them back towards
an important military role as divine
the cave, brushing away their tracks as he
patron of their formidable cavalry and
went.
navy. Though responsible for the creation
Apollo, returning to his sacred of many of the creatures of the deep,
field to discover the divine cattle missing, Neptune's favorite creation is a beast of
quickly took to the skies upon his solar the land— the horse.
chariot. With no discernible trail to
follow, the god of the sun was at a loss
until a strange sound filled his ears.
Following the sound to its source, Apollo
left his chariot behind and stepped
through a cave entrance to find Mercury,
surrounded by the missing cattle and

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Titanomachy of a great reward before imprisoning them in
the chthonic realm of Tartarus. There they
As a member of the third remained, until Jupiter freed them to serve in
generation of Greco-Roman deities, his own war with the very Titan that had
Neptune was consumed whole by his betrayed them.
Jupiter's thunderbolts, the Trident of
Titanic father immediately upon his
Neptune, and the Helmet of Pluto, were each
birth. Trapped within Saturn's immense gifts of the Cyclopes given as thanks for their
corpus alongside his brothers and sisters, freedom. The Hecatoncheires, save Briareus,
Neptune grew to adulthood before being would fight alongside the Olympians in the
Titanomachy, and, after their battles were
freed by a plot hatched by his mother,
won, elected to return to Tartarus alongside
Opis, and Jupiter— the only future Pluto, acting as chthonic prison guards for
Olympian to be spared from their father's the defeated Titans
cruel appetites.

The Cyclopes, having been freed Briareus, said to be the most

from the Titans' captivity by Jupiter, powerful of the Hecatoncheires, was the
forged great weapons, not least of which only member of his monstrous brood that
– the Trident – would come to serve as sided against the Olympians during the
the symbol of Neptune's power. With Titanomachy. Remaining loyal to Saturn
Trident in hand, Neptune fought even after having been imprisoned by
alongside the other Olympian gods and him and freed by Jupiter, Briareus hoped
their allies in a war which would come to to regain the trust of the Titans by
be called the Titanomachy. The Trident of defeating the upstart gods.
Neptune was capable of shaking the very
In a clash of literally earthshaking
earth when thrust into the ground, and
proportions, Neptune brought his
with its power, the young god proved his
Trident to bear against the hundred
worth against the forces of the Titans
swords of Briareus, each blow sundering
when he faced one of their most
blades and tearing great fissures into the
formidable champions.
earth. Neptune, unable to pierce Briareus'
Cyclopean armor, found himself
outmatched by the hundred-handed
Cyclopes and Hecatoncheires giant and, pushed to the brink of defeat,
Long before Jupiter led the Olympians in their
drove his Trident into the stone beneath
war with the Titans, Saturn sought to
overthrow his own father, Uranus, with the their feet.
aid of a number of monstrous allies. The
Cyclopes— one-eyed giants with a propensity As the seaside cliff that had been
towards the art of metalworking— would their battleground crumbled into the
forge an indestructible sickle which would ocean below, Neptune wrestled Briareus
serve as Saturn's primary weapon against his
beneath the waves, enduring countless
father, while the massive, hundred-handed
Hecatoncheires would each do the bloody swordstrikes before his opponent finally
work of an army of swordsmen. began to drown. The weight of his
Though they proved instrumental in immense armor, so effective at repelling
Saturn's successful coup, the ambitious Titan
Neptune's Trident, proved his undoing as
moved swiftly to remove any potential threats
to his hard-won power. In a stinging betrayal, he rapidly sank to the ocean floor.
Saturn gathered the monsters that had so
recently fought beside him with the promise

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 Emerging from the deep with the court. Freshwater flowed freely from the
body of Briareus in tow, Neptune would temple, and, distributed by aqueducts not
honor his foe with a shoreside tomb unlike those currently in Rome, ensured
which stands to this day, any citizen of Atlantis had plenty to
commemorating not just Neptune's drink.
victory, but also the discovery of his own
This Atlantean golden age would
aquatic affinity— a penchant Jupiter
not last indefinitely, however. As time
would seek to foster when it came to time
went on, the blood of Neptune grew thin
to divvy up the rulership of the realms.
amongst the realms' rulers, and the Lord
Rise and Fall of Atlantis of the Sea would grace his temple with far
Neptune, though ostensibly less frequency. The people became
married to the goddess Salacia, is not increasingly decadent, with growing
particularly fond of the concept of greed leading to internal strife. For the
monogamy, finding himself unwilling to first time since its founding, the
resist the temptation to pursue a long list Atlanteans saw fit to raise armies,
of mortal and deific lovers. Numerous ostensibly to dissuade each realm from
demi-gods and monsters have been born aggressions against the others, but soon
of these unions, with Neptune's exploits new treaties were drafted and broken just
rivaling even his famously promiscuous as swiftly.
brother, Jupiter. One realm, populated by the
One such mortal lover, Cleito, bore descendants of Cleito's firstborn, Atlan,
Neptune ten children, each of whom succeeded in subjugating the other nine
would grow to rule a portion of the vast realms in a war that shook the
island of Atlantis. These initial rulers, foundations of their civilization. Not
demi-gods all, would build a thriving, content with their victory, nor the state
prosperous civilization some millennia of their now war-torn island, the
before the rise of Rome. Atlanteans looked outwards, building
vessels of war to aid in a new campaign of
For centuries, the city-states of aggressive foreign expansion.
Atlantis would know peace and plenty,
the resource-rich island providing Assembling a fleet to rival any in
everything the people could need. the known world, the Atlanteans set out
Fabulous monuments and temples were with a singular goal: conquest. Sweeping
built to rival even those of the pyramid through the Mediterranean, the invaders
builders of Egypt, and bustling trade slaughtered all they came into contact
between the ten Atlantean realms with, their unprepared and
ensured the iniquities of poverty never comparatively underdeveloped
touched even the lowliest among them. opponents proving no match. Their
efforts, though devastating, were short-
At its center, a series of canals lived, however, as no sooner had they
formed concentric rings surrounding an made landfall in Greece, did Neptune
ornate temple complex dedicated to make his dissatisfaction with their recent
Neptune, from which the god of the sea behavior known. With a tremendous
himself was said to sometimes hold earthquake, the Atlanteans were turned

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back from their attempted invasion, rumors to the contrary, no claims of
retreating to their ships only to find successful Atlantean expeditions have yet
themselves swept out to sea by an been proven.
immense tidal wave.

Furious and with their naval Pluto

strength crippled, the Atlanteans limped Lord of the underworld and
home. Upon their arrival, the humiliated Olympian god of the dead, Pluto rules the
force marched past the ring of canals to chthonic realms of Erebus, Tartarus, and
the very center of the island. The Elysium, as well as the rivers and
Atlantean Temple of Neptune had shadowlands that constitute everything
remained untouched over the course of in between. This vast subterranean
the long war for control of the ten realms territory is collectively referred to as
as one of the few sacred places common Hades, the same name by which he is
to all of the conflict's belligerents. That known to the Greeks. Eldest of the three
would change, however, as the Atlantean sons of Saturn, the rule of the cosmos
soldiers renounced their god and could have been his by birthright, yet
brazenly desecrated his temple, making Pluto bears no resentment towards his
it known that they would not idly suffer younger brothers that now dwell in the
what they perceived as Neptune's sun; the darkness of the underworld suits
betrayal. him well enough.

Neptune, already disappointed in Persephone, Lady of Flowers

his errant children, was filled with an Save Mercury, the Olympian gods
unyielding rage. As the temple crumbled rarely visit Pluto's chthonic kingdom,
around them, the Atlanteans knew they though Pluto occasionally attends the
had made a serious error, but even as gatherings of the gods at Mount
they begged for forgiveness the Olympus. It was at one such gathering
destruction continued. In a single night that Pluto's brothers began to boast of
the great monuments and wonders of their latest romantic conquests. Jupiter
Atlantis were erased, along with all of its and Neptune were, of course, notorious
knowledge and splendor. As the entire philanderers, and thought it strange that
island and all its inhabitants sank Pluto remained unwed. At his brothers'
beneath the cruel waves, Neptune wept. urgings, the lord of the underworld began
to reluctantly survey the gathering for
For years, the area around the
romantic prospects.
sunken cities remained impassable,
condemning any ship that sailed its None caught his eye save
roiling waters to an aquatic grave. Now, Persephone, who in stark contrast to his
even this last grave marker of Atlantis is cold and stoic demeanor responded to his
gone, the final resting place of the fabled greetings with warmth and humor.
civilization lost to time. Some brave Sensing an immediate connection,
sailors still search for some trace of it, Pluto's reservations melted away, but
combing dusty records in hopes of their growingly flirtatious interaction
locating the untold wealth of the sons was cut short as Persephone's mother,
and daughters of Cleito, but despite Demeter, intervened.

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 Despite her daughter's protests, her Elysium, where the souls of the noble
Demeter, recognizing the beginnings of dead wandered fields not unlike those
their mutual attraction, insisted that the she had left behind, and he showed her
time had come for them to return to the Tartarus, where the wicked are punished
surface. Persephone relented to her for all time. Persephone, never before
mother's wishes, but not before leaving having seen such terrible splendor,
Pluto with a parting gift— a single flower became enamored with this strange new
in bloom. world in spite of herself.

Lovestruck, Pluto returned to his Finally arriving at the throne

brothers and asked for their aid in room, Pluto knelt and apologized for the
preparing a proper marriage proposal. nature of her visit before asking for her
Jupiter, overjoyed at his brother's change hand in marriage, promising to never
in opinion towards love, agreed to use his again mistreat her, regardless of her
position as king of the gods to choice. Persephone, not immediately
immediately authorize the marriage. providing her answer, began to wander
Neptune, however, pointed out that the great stone hall before stopping at
Demeter would never consent to giving Pluto's black throne. With a warm laugh
away her daughter, and insisted that she remarked that they would soon need
there was only one way for the marriage two.
to succeed— kidnapping.

Outfitting Pluto with a golden

chariot and four immortal black horses,
Jupiter and Neptune once again
impressed upon their brother the
necessity of their plan before sending
him onwards to the surface. Persephone,
who had been picking flowers in one of
Demeter's gardens, let out a scream as
the idyllic serenity of the pastoral
paradise was broken by the thundering of
hooves and a great shaking of the earth.
Snatched from the field by the strong
arm of Pluto, Persephone was carried
down into the abyss as a massive fissure
split the ground where she had stood,
closing shut as quickly as it had appeared.

Soon, the golden chariot

descended to the underworld, and as he
removed his helmet Persephone
recognized her captor. Below, the shear
vastness of the chthonic realms filled her
with awe as they passed over Erebus and
the rivers Acheron and Styx. He showed

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 Celtic Pantheon
Cailleach The Roman historian Atticus has even
The Cailleach has many names across the stated that the Romans have lost more
isles – the Old Crone, the Woods Witch, soldiers to the freezing elements than
the Veiled One, the Divine Hag, the Queen they have in direct combat with the
of Winter – though different tribes may Celtics tribes. This makes the winter
know her by different titles, all Celts pay months especially harrowing times on
her their respects. the Isles, with the Romans clinging to
their walled cities as the very nature of
The Cailleach holds a special place in the
the Isles rejects their occupation.
loose Celtic Pantheon. A creation deity,
she is credited both by the people and her
fellow gods as the creator of the isles and
the progenitor of the great forests. Pantheonic Magic
Priests, Paladins and Clerics receive their
The Cailleach is also seen as the deity powers from the gods they worship. While
most linked to sovereignty and rulership. this power typically originates from a specific
god, the overall power of a deity’s given
So it is that any Celtic tribal leader that Pantheon also impacts these blessings. If the
wishes to be truly recognized must seek head of a Pantheon dies or becomes
out and gain the acceptance of the weakened, a new god will typically ascend to
Cailleach. No Celtic leader has ever ruled their place, but should the Pantheonic head
surrender their powers to a rival Pantheon
more than a year without her blessing. this joint power dissipates and the remaining
gods will find themselves weakened and
Though described and often seen as a isolated.
diminutive old woman, this only tells half
the tale, for The Cailleach only truly
exists for half the year. During the Spring
and Summer, she is transformed into a
beautiful young woman, who, while
powerful, lacks the control over nature
that her other-self possesses. In the fall
she will transform back into her elder
crone appearance and regain her control
over the frosts of winter. This cycle pairs
oppositely with that of Brigid, the Exalted
Queen of Summer, who gains her powers
in the spring and loses them in the fall.

Despite being loath to partake in combat

the Cailleach has not sat idly by while the
Romans conquer the Isles and lay waste
to her proud and ancient forests. Using
her mastery of winter, she has directed
numerous storms and flash-frosts across
the Roman controlled territory.

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Cernunnos
Though a powerful and respected deity Though he was a peaceful deity back in
among the Celts, Cernunnos is none the Gaul the loss of his lands to the Roman
less an outsider to the Isles. A mainland conquerors has left him jaded and bitter.
deity, he was forced out of Gaul during He is prepared to do whatever he must to
the Roman conquests nearly two push the Romans from the Isles.
centuries ago and settled with those of He, aside from Cu Chulainn, has taken
his people who had fled Roman the most prominent role in the war
domination. against the Romans, leading strikes
Since that time, he has made a name for against their patrols and launching
himself in the hearts and minds of the attacks on legions as they march between
other Celtic tribes as a protector of the the walled cities.
forests and wilds of their Isles. As with
many others his name can vary tribe to
tribe – The Lord of the Wilds, the God of
the Wild Places, the Horned God – all of
these titles are now used to describe the
being that is Cernunnos.

Cernunnos has the look of a handsome if

slightly older man with a pair of large
antlers, often seen with a Torc in one
hand and another around his neck. He is
most often found in the groves of ancient
Oaks, with which he has a close affinity.
While the exact details are murky, it is
known that many witches view
Cernunnos as their patron and he is also
known (though only in hushed voices)
as the God of the Witches.

Cernunnos is especially renowned

for his Conjuration magic. Able to
summons vast swarms of vines,
roots and deadly pollens he has
made the forests themselves the
enemy of the Romans who must
always be wary, even in seemingly
pacified groves. For even if the local
population has been brought to heel, the
forests have surely not been.

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 god in the eyes of the Roman, Egyptian or
Cu Chulainn
Parthian gods. Though his patronage is
Eire’s greatest champion, Cu Chulainn
still a mystery to all, even himself,
hails from the north of the island. He has
Atticus postulates that he must be the
spent much of his life traveling Ulster
child of Dagda and a Celtic woman.
and Alba training with the greatest Celtic
Atticus compares descriptions of
warriors, living and dead, in order to
Chulainn’s martial prowess with that of
become the most powerful defender of
the great Heracles, both a testament to
the Isles, and a hero of justice for the
his skill and to his mortality despite all
Celtic people.
his power.
Though first made famous after slaying
Though Cu Chulainn is considered a
the Hound of Culain, a massive
warrior of honor he does hide a terrible
wolfhound ten times his weight, Cu
secret, the riastrad, or blood rage. When
Chulainn is most known for his victory
overcome by this frenzy Cu Chulainn
during the Táin Bó Cúailnge in which
loses all sense of himself and those
Medb, queen of Conchatta and devotee to
around him, striking down friend and foe
The Morrigan, launched an attack against
alike.
Ulster with the intent of stealing the
divinely gifted bull, Donn Cuailnge. Once this frenzy even caused him to turn
on Láeg, nearly striking down his life-
A curse from The Morrigan caused the
long companion as they rode, he was only
men of Ulster to be taken by a crippling
stopped by the intervention of Liath
illness and left the borders to be defended
Macha who, sensing the attack, knocked
by the only two who resisted the spell, Cu
Cu Chulainn from the back of the chariot.
Chulainn and his charioteer Láeg.
Though their hit and run tactics killed
many among Medb’s army they could not
halt its advance.

After meeting the opposing army at a

ford, Cu Chulainn issued a challenge of
single combat. Believing one man could
never defeat all their champions, Medb
and The Morrigan agreed. But after nine
days of constant challenges the
champions of Conchatta floated dead
down the river, slain by Gáe Bulg, the
spear of Cu Chulainn. Though he stopped
the advance in Ulster, Donn Cuailnge
would none the less be captured by a
group of scouts that took advantage of
the Battle of Nine Days.

The Roman historian Atticus notes that

Cu Chulainn, while a deity to the Celts,
would only fit the description of a demi-

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 gods, something that if true would make
Dagda
it truly unique in the world.
First among equals and last king of the
Tuatha Dé Danann, The Dagda is the Though his home isle of Eire has yet to
nominal head of the loosely aligned Celtic face the Legions of Rome, The Dagda has
Pantheon, though his direct control over been incensed to see the wanton
the other gods is, for all intents and destruction and deforestation that has
purposes non-existent, his words still plagued Albion. While he has not
hold great sway among Celtic gods and personally engaged in combat against the
men alike. He is known across the isles as Romans, he has given his blessings to
The Great God, a reflection of skill and numerous druids and warriors who fight
mastery over many domains more than in his name.
his personality.

The Dagda is said to have a hand in every The Morrigan

one of the Celtic domains including life The Morrigan, commonly known as the
and death, though he Is most commonly phantom queen, is a deity little spoken of
known for being the patron deity of the in the isles. This is due to her domains
isle’s druids. primarily concerning war and fate, things
the common folk would rather keep well
The Dagda appears as an older, though away from.
somewhat handsome man, his
appearance closely resembling that of One of the Goddess Ernmas’ three
Cernunnos save for far more unkept hair daughters, The Morrigan, then known as
and a shaggy goatee. A patron of the arts, Anand, grew up with her two sisters Badb
he is often found performing on his harp, and Macha. A trio of warrior sisters, they
Uaithne, both in the settlements and the forged their place in the Pantheon across
wilds. a thousand battlefields.

Powerful though he is, The Dagda hides a Unlike her sisters, who preferred the
great weakness: a wound inflicted on him thrill of the battlefield, Anand’s true
by the Fomorian Cethlenn during the calling would be in diving into the Sea of
second battle of Magh Tuiredh. Though Fate to see visions of futures to come,
he survived the battle, the cursed wound almost all of these involving the violent
has festered and grown over the deaths or mass destructions of various
centuries and its toll is starting to show. Celtic warriors and settlements. Fates she
also felt compelled to see brought to
He is known to carry the staff Lorg Mór, a fruition.
powerful magical artifact that can slay
dozens of men with but a drop of its It was in the deepest depths of the Sea
arcane power. The staff holds another that Anand would discover a presence, a
lesser-known ability however, a touch being, not an individual, but a force of
from its handle can resurrect anyone or pure primordial chaos. Speaking from
anything it touches. The Roman everywhere at once, it said:
Historian Atticus has found mention that
“All must return to one, one must return
it can even resurrect those killed by the
to all.”

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And with that Anand was back in the Isles confrontation Macha proved no match
with but one goal: to see every living once he unleashed his destructive eye.
being returned to one in a state of endless Though the wounded Balor fled, Macha
roiling chaos. So committed is she that was severely ravaged. The Morrigan
The Morrigan would even go on to managed to reach the wounded Macha
consume her sister Macha after the first before any surviving Fomorians could
battle of Magh Tuiredh. finish her.

Much to his shock and horror, the Roman Towering over her wounded sister The
historian Atticus also found sigils and Morrigan felt neither sorrow nor grief,
effigies that link The Morrigan to another for she knew this was fate and that she
deity closely associated with Chaos:
had only one course of action, to devour
Discordia.
Macha’s being and continue to use her
Atticus feared that these discoveries – power of war to bring about the final fate.
along with recent disturbing rumors Weakened as she was, Macha could only
about Set out of Egypt – may point to a briefly flee before her sister hunted her
deeper chaos conspiracy, one that crosses down and consumed her war essence.
not only political boundaries but the
Leaving her sister where she fell deep in
Pantheons themselves.
the bogs, The Morrigan reported to the
Tuatha Dé Danann that Balor had struck
Epona Macha down, a lie made easier by Balor’s
Epona is an outcast among the Celtic own belief in it.
gods, considered by the others to be little
more than an up jumped traitor. For This would not be Macha’s end however,
Epona alone among the Celtic gods has for much like The Morrigan Macha had
granted her favors to the Roman power within a domain outside of pure
invaders. That a young and growing war, she was also the patron of horses
Celtic god would do such a thing has sent and cavalry, and though severely
shockwaves through the Pantheon. weakened she survived and went deep
into hiding, knowing her sister would
However, the reason for this is that easily finish her were she to discover the
Epona is not who she truly claims to be, truth.
or at least, she hasn’t always been. She
was born Macha, Goddess of war and Though she spent centuries in hiding,
sister to Anand and Badb. Macha slowly emerged under the name
Epona, a minor deity on the very
Macha southern fringe of Albion. It was this that
Little is remembered by the common folk gave her contact with the Romans during
of Macha aside from her relation to The their first incursions. Seeing an
Morrigan and Badb. opportunity, Epona granted her favor to
the Romans (equestrians themselves) in
During the wars against the Fomorians, several early battles and her cult quickly
Macha would face off against Balor,
husband of Cethlenn, during the first
battle of Magh Tuiredh. Though she
outclassed him in their physical

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spread. Though concentrated primarily in people he still seeks to spread cheer
Roman Britain, Epona’s worship has among the people of his adopted home.
spread across the empire with several
temples now in Gaul and, controversially, Telesphorus
a small shrine in Rome itself. The loose
authority that makes up the Celtic The furthest from home, Telesphorus
Pantheon and the opportunity to use original hailed from what is now Roman
their own Pantheonic Magic against the Anatolia far to the east. The
Celts, has caused the Greco-Roman gods encroachment of the Romans saw him
to allow this for now. In time however displaced and wandering until he found
Epona will be expected to formally bind his way to The Isles. Before his exile he
herself to the Greco-Roman Pantheon or was worshiped by many of the Greeks of
face expulsion from their lands, a death Anatolia as well. A renowned healer, he is
sentence for her. known the be quiet and stoic, but friendly
to those who he treats.
Gobannus
A Gaulish deity originally, Gobannus
now finds himself a refugee in The Isles.
A rarity among the Celtic gods, he is a god
of smiths and the forge. Forced out after
the Roman conquests, his original lands
now sit under the control of the Greco-
Roman Pantheon. Using his specialty in
bronzeworking Gobannus hopes to
strengthen the remaining free Celts
against the encroachment of the Romans.

Gwydion fab Dôn

A magician, trickster and hero to the
Britons, Gwydion began his life a mortal
man before ascending. No stranger to
war, Gwydion has taken a frontline role
in the defense against the Romans.

Sucellus
Original from what is today Roman
Hispania, Sucellus was forced from his
homeland like many others in the face of
the Roman conquest of the peninsula. A
god of agriculture and wine, he is by
nature a jovial man. Though his joy has
been tempered by the loss of his land and

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 Chinese Pantheon The Three and The Five
Fuxi and Nuwa represent two of
the Three Sovereigns, personifying the
The Legend of Pangu
heavens and the earth respectively.
The myths state that Pangu, He
Legend states that Nuwa created the first
Who Was First to Stand, slumbered alone
humans from the mud of the Yellow River
in the empty world for eons. All that
while Fuxi instilled them with the skills
existed was the cosmic egg, the chaotic
to survive and thrive. They stand along-
and primordial representation of the Taii,
side Shennong, the deity personification
Yin and Yang. When he awoke into
of Human beings themselves. They who
nothingness Pangu set to creating the
served as the first three sovereign leaders
world. Separating the comic Yin and Yang
of the Chinese people. Together these
with a sash of his great axe Pangu would
three have found themselves the most
use them to create the Earth 9Yin) and
widely and highly venerated deities
Sky (Yang.)
across the former empire.
For the next 18,000 years Pangu
Long have they held a steady
raised the sky from the earth, pushing it
alliance with the Three Pure Ones, highly
higher each day. Once the sky was in
revered Taoist deities who in life as men
place Pangu died. His breath becoming
had paid their own reverence to the Three
the wind and air, his blood the rivers and
Sovereigns.
seas, his eyes the sun and moon, his body
During the Imperial era they also
the land and animals.
stood alongside, and above, The Five
The most important being to
Emperors, former men ascended to the
spring forth from his sacrifice was Hua
ranks of the divine. Today however that
Hsu, a mysterious and little known being
covenant is broken, The Five Emperors
who proved one of the most powerful to
having become the Wufang Shangdi –
spring forth from the body of Pangu. Hua
Five Forms of the Highest Deity. Under
Hsu would make her home in the lower
the leadership of the Yellow Emperor the
reaches of the Yellow River. It is here that
Five no longer recognize Fuxi as the
she would birth and raise two of the three
Heavenly Sovereign, declaring
Sovereigns, Fuxi the Heavenly Sovereign
themselves the Five Faces of the Highest
and Nuwa the Earthly Sovereign. Her
Heavenly Deity.
time after this is little known and today,
Though still more powerful than
she finds herself with few followers and
any of the five individually Fuxi and
fewer shrines and temples.
Nuwa have felt a slight wane in their
Though long dead the veneration
power as the cult of the Five is quickly
of Pangu is widespread across the former
spreading under Dai of Wei. They worry
imperial territories alongside his
that if direct action is not taken against
grandchildren Fuxi and Nuwa and there
this sudden surge that thy may find
Humanly counterpart Shennong. In
themselves replaced by the very children
recent years veneration of these beings
they once created and taught.
has been stifled in the Kingdom under
Dai of Wei who has chosen to embrace a
new cult to the Yellow Emperor focused
on centralization and order.

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Fuxi: Heavenly Sovereign
Fuxi and his sister-wife Nuwa,
sovereigns of the Heaven and Earth,
progenitors of the Chinese people and, if
the myths are believed, creators of all
mankind across the world.
Whether he created them or not,
Fuxi instilled great knowledge and skill
into the ancient peoples of China and has
shown time and time again that he cares
deeply for their wellbeing, teaching them
to hunt, to fish to write and to plan.
His mission to teach the humans
how to fish for themselves did not go
unnoticed however. Another powerful
being born from the body of Pangu
known as the Dragon King had dominion
over the animals of the rivers and seas.
Angry at what he saw as an attack on his
people the Dragon King demanded Fuxi
tell his people they were not allowed to
use their hands to catch from his rivers
and seas. Despondent Fuxi wondered the
land hoping to find new way to feed his
people. On this journey he encountered a
jade spider spinning a massive web,
caught within it were bugs and birds of
all sizes. This sparked a new idea in Fuxi,
if the humans were disallowed from
fishing with their hands, they would
build webs, or nets. Fuxi instilled his
children with this new knowledge,
enraging the Dragon King and starting a
rivalry that still goes today.
Fuxi is also responsible for
introducing The Bagua, the eight
trigrams that make up the fundamental
principles of the heaven and earth. Fuxi
was also responsible for elevating the
Eight Immortals, one to represent each
trigram.

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 She would spend the next month
Nuwa: Earthly Sovereign
repairing the hole in the sky, filling it
Nuwa and her brother-husband
with the five colored stones, Yellow, Red,
Fuxi were responsible for the creation of
White, Blue, Black, not knowing the
the first human beings according to the
repercussions to come from this
priests. Though themselves human-like
millennia later.
from the waist up they both had long
Though her children would
snake-like bodies fifteen feet in length.
survive Nuwa blamed herself for the
Their children would walk upon legs
flood that killed so many. Deciding it was
however, as many of the animals
her time Nuwa ascended to be with her
spawned from Pangu did.
lover Fuxi and left the sovereignty in the
The first humans were created
hands of Shennong.
carefully, each one specially made from
the mud of the Yellow River. It is these
first humans that would become the
nobles and wealthy of the world. After a
time Nuwa grew impatient with her work
and dipped her scarf into the mud,
flinging it overhead the mud that fell
from the scarf would become the lower
class and peasantry of the world.
Nuwa stood as Sovereign of China
after the retirement of Fuxi who wished
to move beyond to the heavenly plane.
During her reign she was known as
Empress Nuwa. A fierce warrior Empress
who leads her people in defense against
neighboring threats. Though the Dragon
King never took up arms there were
others who sought what Nuwa’s children
had. Hai Shu, known as the Bronze
Beetle, lead his people in war against
Nuwa.
Easily outmatched and trapped
upon the mountain of Nuwa and Fuxi,
Hai Shu believed himself forever shamed
for losing to a woman and begged for
death. Nuwa however offered him mercy
and to ad his people to her own. Unable to
handle what he saw as the ultimate
shame Hai Shu split his own head upon
the holy bamboo of Fuxi and used it to let
out a scream that tore a hole in the sky
itself flooding the earth and killing all
those save for the soldiers currently with
Nuwa on the mountain.

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 Eventually he would lead the Nine Tribes
Shennong: Human
against Shennong. Unable to defend his
Sovereign people Shennong turned to his old enemy
Shennong’s origins are clouded in the Yellow Emperor and begged his help
mystery far more so than the heavenly to save his people.
and earthly sovereigns that came before. The Yellow Emperor would lead a
It is believed that like their mother and war that lasted more than ten years
the Dragon King Shennong was born culminating in the Battle of Zhuolu in
from the body of Pangu. What is known is which he would personally slay Chiyou.
that he came to power after Nuwa, hand Shennong then realized the Yellow
selected by her to succeed in she and her Emperor was truly the leader of the many
brother’s place. He also already held the tribes and stepped aside, integrating his
title Yan Di, Flame Emperor, a title held tribe into that of the Yellow Emperor and
by his son, the Red Emperor. declaring him the one true Emperor. The
Shennong greatly expanded upon Yellow Emperor would in turn honor
the teachings of Nuwa and Fuxi, moving Shennong, ordering his veneration
the people beyond a pastoral hunter- alongside that of Fuxi and Nuwa, while
gather society and into the beginnings of allowing his son to retain the honorific
civilization. It was Shennong who title, Yan Di.
introduced the plow and hoe, irrigation
and well systems, farmers markets and
even the twenty-four solar term
calendar.
It was also Shennong who
introduced medicine to the people.
Teaching them to grow the blessed herbs
and perform the incantations needed to
heal the sick and wounded.
Shennong would continue to lead
the former tribe of Fuxi and Nuwa for
several centuries. By this time mankind
had spread and more than one tribe of
humans now called China home. It was
one of these tribes’ lead by the Yellow
Emperor who would finally end the reign
of the Sovereigns.
It was at the Battle of Banquan
that the Flame Emperor knelt to the
Yellow Emperor, continuing his
leadership of the tribe but paying tribute
to the Yellow Emperor.
Disgusted by what he saw as
weakness of Shennong’s former
lieutenants, Chiyou, set about taking
control of his own tribes in the south.

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 up his life of privilege to spend his days
The Eight Immortals
as a recluse in the mountains.
The Eight Immortals represent
It was during this time he
humans that were accepted by the deities
encountered the Immortals Lü Dongbin
and granted great power and
and Zhongli Quan who were very
immortality, though they are not true
impressed with his determination to live
deities and must act more directly if they
an honorable life. They taught him
wish to assist those who offer prayer or
secrets of divine magic and helped guide
sacrifice to their shrines. Respected as
him towards the Tao. Years after this
ideals of what human kind can achieve
encounter Fuxi would visit him, raising
the immortals receive veneration though
him up to the status of immortal
rarely outright worship.
alongside those who taught him. His
Apart from both the deities and
symbol is an imperial seal.
the people the Eight make their home in
the Bohai Sea on Mount Penglai.
Li Tieguai
Li Tieguai’s origins as a man are
He Xiangu
unknown to many though it is believed
Born somewhere along the Yangzi
he lived the life of a wandering beggar, a
River into a very poor family her father
man of no great importance who never
was a strong believer in the Tao,
the less had a noble spirit. In actuality he
instilling this belief within his daughter.
was the apprentice to Laozi, author of the
After a divine encounter with a yet
Tao Te Ching, first and guiding document
unknown deity, He Xiangu began a
to the Tao.
spiritual fast replacing food with
Of the Immortals he is the one
powdered mica. Though she grew weaker
most likely to walk among the people.
and weaker she continued her fast even
Disguised as a hunched, ugly old man
against her father’s wishes until one day,
needing the use of a large walking stick
o the verge of death, she was ascended to
he travels the vast lands looking for those
the heavens and granted immortality.
poor and downtrodden in need of
Her symbol is the lotus flower and
someone to fight for them. His symbol is
he cultivate a special type of these flower
an iron crutch.
on Mount Penglai, able to heal one, both
Lan Caihe
physically and mentally, these lotus
flowers are highly sought after though Lan Caihe’s life as a mortal was
offered willingly only to those he Xiangu spent traveling across the imperial
deems deserving. domains as a homeless minstrel singing
Cao Guojiu songs about philosophy and government.
While Lan would accept small payments
Though which is lost to history it
for songs this money would only be spent
is known Cao Guojiu was related to an
on food and drink, never anything to
Imperial dynasty. Unlike his brother
enrich themselves beyond that.
Guojiu did not use his station in life and
Lan is depicted as a beautiful
the protection of the Emperor to do as he
though androgynous youth of around
pleased. When the weight of crimes came
eighteen. Lan is known to take both male
down and his brother arrested and
and female lovers. Lan is known to enjoy
executed for abuse of power Guojiu gave

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copious amounts of alcohol, even among When he awoke his millet had
the other Immortals. cooked and he knew he had to make
Their symbol is a lute filled with flowers. preparations to leave immediately.
In Chang An he faced Zhongli’s
ten challenges and after passing all of
“Lan Caihe for song and dance, for
them he was gifted by Fuxi with the
song and dance!
power of the second of the Immortals.
How short our sojourn here below! His symbol is a scholar scroll with
millets strewn around it.
The ancients have passed away
like running water, never to return; Han Xiangzi
Patron of flutists and other
While the men of to-day are woodwind musicians Han is considered
pressing on in ever increasing one of the most jovial of the Immortals.
multitude.” Often visiting human cities and towns to
take part in festivals and to have an
audience to test his new songs.
Lü Dongbin He is known to have a romantic
Dongbin was born into a family of relationship with Longnu, The Dragon
some success, enough that when his Girl, 7th daughter of the Dragon King, lord
intelligence and love of writing began to of the rivers and seas. The two met when
show his parents sent him to become a Han visited the eastern sea and played his
scholar. It was during his times of study flute the first time as an immortal.
that he began to consider the Tao. Enchanted by the melody Longnu rose
from the seas to dance and the two soon
One night while he booked his became lovers.
millet Dongbin dozed off, dreaming of Not long after he was visited by an
his future. He saw himself pass the old woman who claimed to be Longnu’s
Imperial Exams and receive a high mother. The Dragon King had for-bayed
posting at the end of the year. He saw their romance due to Han’s connection
himself marry a woman from a noble with Fuxi and locked his daughter
family with who he would have a son and beneath the seas. Longnu had sent a gift
daughter. He saw himself become the with her mother, golden bamboo from
Chief Minister of State, the most the Dragon Kings garden. With this Han
powerful man outside the imperial crafted a powerful magical flute that
family. Then he saw what it took to get carries with him always as he still seeks
there, the enemies he made and jealousy to free his beloved from her father.
fostered towards him. He saw his wife His symbol is the golden bamboo
betray him, his children killed by bandits flute.
and finally himself, alone and beaten,
dying in the streets. He saw above him a
man, Zhongli Quan, who called for him to Zhang Guolao
visit Chang An, where he could face ten In life Zhang was a renowned
tests to avoid his fate. Fangshi, or Occult-Alchemist. He was a
known practitioner of necromancy and
claimed to be several hundred years old

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even before attaining immortality. He revealed his true form as Fuxi, the
was often invited to the courts of mortal Heavenly Sovereign. He anointed Zhongli
nobles and even Emperors but always as the first of his Immortals and
refused. instructed him to find others worthy of
He once killed and revived a rival the same gift.
necromancer by the name of Ye Fashan His symbol is the black fan which
who was highly favored by the imperial when waved can kill, resurrect, or turn
court after the man delivered him a stones int silver and gold.
scathing insult. It took the Emperor
begging forgiveness to convince Zhang to
resurrect Ye Fashan.
He has a great love of wine and
wine-making and is often revered by
mortal winemakers and toasted at
drunken parties.
He also developed his own style of
martial arts that is commonly practiced
by highly difficult to master involving
complicated movements such as backflip
kicks and shoulder stands.
His symbols are the white donkey
and fish drum.

Zhongli Quan
First to be raised to the rank of
Immortal Zhongli Quan has played a part
in the ascension of four of three of his
fellow immortals.
In life he was born into a powerful
family in the court of the emperor.
Falling his father’s path Zhongli became
skilled in the arts of war and rose to the
rank of general in the Imperial army. His
tenure did not last long however, during
his first campaign in Tibet he was beaten
badly and forced to flee alone into the
mountains. Freezing and starving he
came upon a hermit who offered him
food, shelter and spiritual guidance. He
stayed many months and learned the
secrets of alchemy along with crafting his
fabled fan of life and death.
Once Zhongli had proven himself
capable of wielding this power and wise
enough to know when to the hermit

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 murdered. Osiris, his uncle, had been
Egyptian Pantheon almost a surrogate father to the young
god, and, though Set offered Anubis the
Anubis Underworld as his domain to rule, Anubis
refused to ally himself with the traitor for
the sake of any prize.
As the god of death,
mummification, and the afterlife, Anubis Seeking out the exiled Isis, Anubis
oversees the vital mechanisms whereby offered his aid, and together, though it
the bodies and spirits of the deceased are took many years, they succeeded in
prepared for their transition to the next gathering and assembling the fragments
world. It was through the power of of Osiris. Anubis, with the combined
Anubis that Osiris was once again power of Isis' and his own magic,
revived, and it is only through imitating performed a series of rites upon the god's
this first embalming that mortals can shattered body, forging his divine corpse
hope to pass through the Gates of Duat into a vessel that could contain his lost
whole and intact. spirit.

With the aid of other chthonic Set, hearing of this latest attempt
deities such as Osiris and Thoth, Anubis to revive his fallen brother, took the form
stands at the Scales of Truth in judgment of a great leopard and attempted to
of each soul that passes through the interrupt the ritual by attacking his
Gates of Duat. Those souls that are rebellious son. Anubis, however, was
deemed worthy when their hearts are prepared, trapping his father within a
weighed against the sacred Feather of barbed net that Set could only escape by
Ma'at are allowed entry into the realms slipping free of his own skin. It is in
beyond, though their trials are by no commemoration of this victory that the
means over. Those souls whose evil deeds Sem Priests still wear the pelt of a
outweigh the Feather of Truth are leopard as a badge of their office.
condemned to oblivion, as Ammut, the
Body and soul now reunited, Osiris
Great Devourer consumes them.
rose again, and with Isis and Anubis at
Though rarely, Anubis has been his side, defeated Set and the forces of
known to show a form of mercy when the Chaos. In victory, Osiris entrusted Anubis
judgment of the Scales of Truth is with a most vital task: he would guard the
uncertain, devising a fitting penance for Gates of Duat and pass judgment on the
the soul to undergo before weighing souls of the dead, including his defeated
them a second time. Such was the case father. Perhaps as pity, or perhaps simply
when the god Set— his own father— for the sake of putting such a powerful
passed through the Gates of Duat. warrior to use, Anubis elected to forestall
the weighing of Set's heart. Until that day
As the only son of Set, Anubis was
of judgment comes, Set will do battle
placed in a unique position when his
with the Great Serpent Apophis each
father usurped the throne. Neglected by
night, little by little working away the
Set since birth, Anubis was not privy to
weight of his evil deeds.
his schemes, and was just as shocked as
the rest of Egypt when Osiris was

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Bastet
Ozymandias, King of Cats
As goddess of fire, cats, and the During a brief interregnum in the eighteenth
setting sun, Bastet is at once a fierce dynasty, a priestess of Bastet named Neferet
warrior and a gentle caretaker. In times sought guidance from the goddess of cats.
of peace, she protects hearth and home, The recently deceased Pharaoh had left only a
young heir whose mother had died in
fostering her mortal and feline charges childbirth, and the fight over the stewardship
while repelling the rodents, serpents, and of Egypt threatened to plunge the New
other vermin that taint the sanctity of Kingdom into another age of war and
homes and sacred places. In times of war, darkness. Bastet, hearing Neferet's pleas,
offered a solution: the former Pharaoh's
she is first to dive into battle, closest and most trusted companion would
demonstrating her ferocity as a daughter receive her blessing, holding the throne until
of Ra with unmatched skill with claw, the heir came of age.
blade, and flame.
At Neferet's request, the court advisors
Just as many of Ra's children, gathered in the palace, each making their case
before the altar of Bastet and patiently
Bastet has a role to play in the nightly awaiting the goddesses’ choice. To their
journey of the Atet, the solar barge. collective shock, the Pharaoh's cat,
Before Khepri can enact his power and Ozymandias, leapt onto the vacant throne as
the voice of Bastet filled the hall. "Here sits
restore Ra to life, Ra remains vulnerable
Ozymandias, King of Cats, steward of the
and insensate to the myriad dangers of throne of Egypt. Treat him well, for if any
Duat. In ages past, Ra was capable of should bring him to harm, they will suffer his
undergoing the journey alone and facing fate nine-fold."
off against the Chaos Serpent Apophis
without incident, but the great god's
powers have waned as time has gone on.
Now, even with the power of Amun
granting him the title of Amun-Ra, the
ancient deity requires a great deal of aid
in each cycle.

Bat
Bat was a goddess worshiped from
the earliest days of the Egyptian
histories. Primarily worshiped by
shepherds and farmers, she was seen as a
good of cattle and sheep. Her appearance
was said to be similar to that of Hathor, a
goddess of shared domains, whom,
during the blood rage instilled by Ra,
would devour the essence and power of
the lesser Bat.

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Hathor
Hathor, goddess of love, fate, Foreign Affairs
fertility, and music is a complex, dual- Though how they came to meet remains a
natured deity most often depicted with mystery, it is known that Hathor and the
the head or horns of a cow. As a daughter Chinese goddess Sunü maintain a close
friendship. Hathor is often seen playing an
of Ra, she, like many of her brothers and enchanted pipa gifted to her centuries ago by
sisters, holds court aboard the solar Sunü. The beautiful and largely unknown
barge Atet during the day, and by night music she plays with it make it a favorite
guides the celestial ship through the among the other gods of Egypt.
kingdoms of the underworld in the cycle It is uncommon, but not unknown, for
of renewal. friendships like this to develop between
deities of different pantheons and more
A protector of pregnant women, commonly occurs when the pantheons in
Hathor oversees the births of all those question share some distance between one
whom call upon her, acting as a sort of another, making the threat of war less of a
deterrent towards cordial relations.
spiritual midwife. It is said that Hathor
knows the fates of all those mortals she With the growing power of Marduk and his
helps birth, with some claiming that she pantheon some believe the friendship
between Hathor and Sunü could be the start
can influence the destinies of newborn
of a more concrete alliance between the
Pharaohs. In reality, Hathor has been Egyptian and Chinese pantheons.
known to swap newborns straight from
their cribs, denying Pharaohs with
particularly cruel fates the chance to rule.

A master of musical performance

and dance, Hathor entertains gods and
lucky mortals with joyful songs said to
bring mirth to even the darkest halls. The
sistrum, a musical rattle in the shape of
an ankh, is said to have been first crafted
by Hathor, and is commonly used in
rituals dedicated to her worship.

In these roles as nurturer and

protector, Hathor is rightly viewed as a
benevolent guardian of life and
humanity, but there is another, more
violent side to her. In her role as the Eye
of Ra, Hathor can be driven into a state of
unyielding rage and bloodlust. This
terrifying frenzy has thankfully only
been utilized once to punish mortals who
had turned away from Ra, but the shear
destruction of this event is said to have
stained the Nile red with the blood of
innocent and guilty alike.

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 Duat, and it is by her power that the great
Isis
serpent of Chaos, Apophis, is sealed away
Isis, goddess of magic, healing,
each night. Towards the end of each cycle
womanhood, and the cosmos is one of
when Apophis rises to swallow Ra, Isis
the most widely worshiped deities in the
summons a massive serpent of her
known world, with her wisdom and
own— Mehen. Mehen, though not the
power attracting followers throughout
equal of Apophis, is large enough to
Egypt and beyond. A spellcaster of
impede his attempts to sink the solar
unrivaled skill, Isis wields her
barge or strike at Ra directly, allowing
tremendous cosmic power with
Isis, Horus, and Set to focus on subduing
remarkable restraint, choosing to
the Chaos Serpent. Once restrained, a
primarily employ these powers in a
series of Isis' spells (granted yet further
protective or healing capacity as opposed
power by the nightly rituals of mortal
to a destructive or vengeful one.
priests in the overworld), chain Apophis
Isis' protection extends to all of for yet another day within the seventh
the lands of the Nile, but most especially realm of Duat. Though certainly powerful
to the women that call Egypt home, in her own right, it is the knowledge of
granting them special autonomy over Ra's secret name (a key component of his
their counterparts in neighboring realms. deific soul) that grants Isis her complete
Any man that attempts to control or mastery of magic. Ra, being extremely
dictate the dress or behavior of a woman, protective of this powerful aspect of
including his wife, should be wary of himself, was understandably reluctant to
drawing the ire of Isis. Men choosing to share it, so Isis devised a cunning
ignore the protection of Isis may find scheme. Knowing that only a piece of Ra
themselves subject to anything from himself could harm the sun god, Isis
small misfortunes to sudden and carefully filled a cup with his saliva as he
inexplicable death, depending on the slept before fashioning a venomous
severity of the abuse. serpent from the divine liquid.

Her consort, Osiris, dwells as Lord When the serpent struck Ra, the
of the Underworld from his kingdom in wound festered and he grew weak.
the third realm of Duat. Though betrayed, Summoning the other gods, each
murdered, and chopped to pieces by his member of the pantheon attempted to
brother Set, Osiris was successfully heal him, but to no avail. Finally, Isis
resurrected through Isis' magic after she offered her assistance, but reasoned that
managed to meticulously collect each of the wound was too great for her power
his severed body parts. Not quite living alone— only Ra's secret name could
nor dead, Osiris is confined to the realms grant her the strength to restore him.
of Duat which he rules. Despite being Begrudgingly, Ra uttered his secret name
separated by the veil of death, Isis' role to Isis alone, and with its power, she
aboard the Atet allows her to visit Osiris healed the wound her serpent had caused.
within the Underworld each night. Now undisputedly the most powerful
magic practitioner of the pantheon, Isis
As one of Ra's protectors aboard uses her abilities to protect the very god
the solar barge Atet, Isis aids in the ship's
she had deceived to claim them in the
navigation through the kingdoms of first place.

135
136
 common throughout Egypt. More
Khepri
powerful varieties, reserved only for the
Khepri, the scarab-headed god of
priesthood and the Pharaohs themselves
life, rebirth, and the morning sun has
are said to be capable of defying death
been worshiped by the Egyptians since
itself.
pre-dynastic times. As a solar deity,
Khepri is sometimes seen as an aspect of Gates of the Underworld
the sun god Ra, but whereas Ra's power is
The Gates of Duat are said to lie at
strongest at its midday height, Khepri's
opposite ends of the very edges of the
power stems from the light of dawn as it
world, each allowing passage in only one
emerges from the underworld.
direction. Each gate is placed at the peak
Khepri has no clear lineage, nor of a mountain and guarded by a pair of
has he sired offspring of his own. gigantic sphinxes known as the Akeru,
Instead, Khepri is said to have emerged with the eastern sphinx, Duau, guarding
fully formed from the oceans of Chaos at the peak of Mount Bakhu (where the Atet
the beginning of creation. Eventually emerges from the underworld), and the
drawn through the darkness to the light western sphinx, Sef, guarding the
of Ra, Khepri aided in the construction of entrance to the underworld at the peak of
the solar disc, as well as the celestial river Mount Manu.
that runs its course through the starry
sky above and the underworld below.

Dwelling deep within the chthonic

realm of Duat, Khepri awaits the solar
barge Atet as it ferries the body of Ra on
its nightly voyage through the
underworld. Khepri has perhaps the most
important role to play in this cycle, as it
is his duty to revive the insensate Ra
before the Atet reaches the Gate of Duat
at mount Bakhu so that the cycle can
begin anew. Without Khepri, the world
would be plunged into an eternal night,
granting Apophis— the colossal serpent
of Chaos— free reign over the mortal
realms.

As Khepri is a god of life and

rebirth, protective amulets depicting
Khepri in the form of a scarab are some of
the most widely sought-after magical
trinkets throughout Egypt and beyond.
Their effectiveness depends greatly on
the power of the priest that blessed them,
with relatively inexpensive scarab
charms said to ward off disease being

137
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 Set. Shrines dedicated to the resting
Osiris
places of each of these holy pieces of
As god of growth, resurrection,
Osiris still stand to this day.
and the underworld, Osiris rules over the
chthonic realm of Duat as well as the Finally, though it had taken many
uncounted dead that call it home. Once years, Isis successfully united the pieces
fated to take his place as undisputed of her fallen husband, and with the aid of
sovereign of both the living and the dead, the God of the Dead, Anubis, enacted a
Osiris' destiny was cut short by the ritual that had never before been
schemes of his treacherous brother, Set. successfully attempted. As Anubis held
open the gates of Duat, she spoke the
Millennia ago, as Ra was forced to
secret name of Ra and pulled Osiris'
devote yet more of his power to keeping
wayward spirit from the darkness of that
the Great Serpent Apophis at bay, it
realm. Osiris' body, having been properly
became clear that a new god must take on
prepared by Anubis, proved a ready
the responsibility of guiding and
vessel, and once again Osiris was
protecting the people of Egypt.
restored.
Immaculate Osiris, with the wise queen
Isis at his side, was the obvious choice. Not quite living nor dead, Osiris'
Though Ra was reluctant to cede power, new form, though powerful, would last
Isis had already more than proven herself only a short time in the realm of mortals,
in the safekeeping of Ra's secret name, so he made haste to the palace of Set,
and Osiris, for his part, had never gathering a host of gods and loyal men
demanded she share that sacred secret and women of Egypt. Though Set
nor the power it held. summoned great storms and took many
harrowing forms over the course of the
Isis and Osiris proved to be
battle, Osiris and his host proved
effective and beloved rulers, with Egypt
victorious, with Set laid low and his spirit
prospering greatly under their reign, but
cast into the halls of Duat.
as the realm flourished, Set's jealousy
only grew. Despite Isis' warnings, Osiris Osiris, entrusting the rule of the
trusted his brother, and upon returning living to Isis, took up court over the dead
from a foreign land, fell right into Set's within the Underworld. Here, he remains
trap. What began as a party celebrating even now, awaiting the day that the gates
his return soon spiraled out of control, of Duat are thrown open once again.
with Set and his mortal followers locking
Osiris inside an ornate sarcophagus and
hurling him into the Nile.

When Isis discovered what had

happened, it was too late. Set had
succeeded in tearing his brother limb
from limb, ordering his followers to
spread the dead god's pieces throughout
Egypt. Isis was forced into hiding as she
sought out each of these sacred limbs, all
the while being hunted by the forces of

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Ra Domains
The Egyptian Pantheon is both complex Ra is one of the oldest existing gods,
and ancient, with many of its gods and having been worshipped since time
goddesses having seen thousands of immemorial. For this reason, the list of
years of worship, warfare, and change. domains associated with his power is
The often violent upheavals experienced extensive. Over millennia the creation of
by the people of Egypt are reflected in new gods (many with overlapping
their sometimes fickle devotions towards domains) has led to a division of worship.
deities that rely just as much on their For example, as a sun god, Ra's
veneration and worship as the people rely association with the sky is indisputable,
on them. None, perhaps, exemplifies this but he now shares that distinction with
concept more than Ra. numerous others, including Amun, Nut,
Horus, Thoth, and even his own children
The Sun God Hathor and Shu.
Once the undisputed ruler of the Earth,
the sky, and the Underworld, Ra presided The Sun
over the Egyptian pantheon for First and foremost, Ra is a god of the sun.
millennia. However, much like the rising Much like Apollo of the Greco-Roman
and setting sun, Ra's dominion over pantheon, he guides the sun across the
humanity and the gods alike has come sky each day, and thus is responsible for
and gone. Though a series of rulers, providing light and warmth to the world.
including Osiris, Set, and Horus, have His worshipers give prayers of thanks at
succeeded him, he has never shirked his each sunrise, and especially at midday,
duties, even now assuring that the cycles when the sun reaches its apex in the sky.
of life, death, and renewal are never
It is said that his power reaches its peak
disrupted.
at high noon before beginning to wane as
Atop his solar barge known as The Atet, night draws closer, culminating in the
Ra travels across the sky on his daily sunset at which point Ra enters a
voyage before descending into the deathlike state. As described above, and
darkness of the Underworld. It is here, in more detail in the chapter concerning
within the chthonic depths beneath the the Underworld, the solar barge
world that he must overcome a series of continues beneath the Earth until Ra is
harrowing but necessary trials. Failure finally revived by the scarab god Khepri
could mean the destruction of the world. so that the cycle can begin anew.
Thankfully, he is not alone in his daily
task. A dozen goddesses, including his
Order and Creation
daughters Hathor and Bastet rarely leave Though the Egyptian stories describing
his side, each with a role to play in the the creation of the world are varied and
cycle. Osiris, Horus, Isis, Khepri, and often contradictory, there are a few
even Set, the god of chaos, lend their aid commonalities that temple priests agree
each night to ensure that Ra's ship upon from Heliopolis to Thebes. In the
always emerges intact. beginning, there was nothing save an
ocean of primordial chaos. From this
chaos the earliest gods formed, bringing

141
order to the tumultuous nothingness. Finally, Osiris himself, standing
Some priests claim Ra was chief among before the assembled crowd announced
these early gods, and that it was his light that he would make his attempt. Osiris
that brought life to the lifeless Earth. climbed into the box with ease, the
This is where beliefs begin to differ and sarcophagus having been meticulously
schisms such as the Amarna Heresy sized to his proportions. No sooner had
(which sought to use the sun disk of Aten he entered did Set leap forward, shutting
to elevate the role of the Pharaoh above the coffin's lid and urging his followers
the gods) begin to form. to aid him in chaining it shut before
piercing the box with hot lances and
Set hoisting it into the Nile.
God of chaos, storms, war, and the As steam still rose from the place
desert sands, Set is a complex figure that where the coffin sank, Set and his
is more often placated than outright followers made their plans. Knowing that
worshiped. Having once succeeded in Isis would no doubt attempt to restore
usurping rulership over all of Egypt, Set her husband, Set tore his brother's body
proved to be a bloody and merciless asunder, entrusting each of the
warlord before being defeated by the very fragments of Osiris to his conspirators to
brother he had betrayed and slain. scatter across the land.
Well into the rule of Isis and Though Set and his followers
Osiris, Set began to covet the power of diligently hunted Isis throughout Egypt,
the throne, and so devised a scheme. she was a master of illusion and disguise,
First, Set sought to draw Osiris away and cunningly evaded every attempt at
from Egypt, unleashing a powerful storm capture. Eventually, as rumors of the
upon the neighboring territories. return of Osiris reached his ears, Set
Gathering mortal conspirators to his gathered his forces and prepared for a
cause, he prepared a great party for his final confrontation with his vengeful
brother's return before constructing an brother.
ornate sarcophagus that would serve as
the bait for his trap. Taking the forms of a series of
colossal beasts, Set rampaged through
Upon Osiris' arrival, Set embraced his brother's forces, each new form more
his brother and made a show of brutal than the last. Osiris' new form
welcoming him home before beginning proved formidable as well, towering over
the festivities in earnest. To all mortal soldiers as he dealt a piercing
appearances, the party was intended to blow to his treacherous brother. Refusing
commemorate Osiris' return, but Set and to retreat, Set summoned a storm which
his conspirators had a more sinister threatened to consume all of Egypt, but
celebration in mind. Displaying the Osiris, empowered by Isis' magic struck
wondrous sarcophagus to all in true before it could be unleashed.
attendance, Set announced that it would Defeated, Set was hurled into Duat where
serve as a gift to the one whom it fit best. he would stand trial and be judged for his
One by one, each of the guests climbed crimes.
into the gold-inlaid box, but it was clear
that none quite fit the coffin's confines.

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Wise Anubis, having aided in Set's fall, Anubis. Those whose deeds weigh too
had prepared a fitting penance for his heavily on the Scales of Truth are denied
treacherous father, which Set continues entry to the afterlife, and their hearts are
to pay even now. Each night, as Apophis fed to Ammut, Great Devourer of the
breaks free from his bonds and attempts dead.
to destroy the solar barge, it falls to Set to
Understanding the plight of
defend the Atet from the Great Serpent of
mortals better than most, Thoth has
Chaos. Hurling himself into each of these
chosen to share the gifts of knowledge
nightly battles with reckless abandon,
with those priests and scholars wise
Set's very spirit is rent by Apophis'
enough to beseech him, often granting
venomous fangs, leaving him in a state of
glimpses of his sacred texts in dreams.
near-perpetual agony. Only noble Isis is
Even the moon, with its cycle of phases,
capable of restoring Set after each duel,
is said to have been a gift of Thoth to help
leaving Set at the eternal mercy of the
mortals number their days, as well as to
goddess he once sought to usurp and
light the night sky while the sun is
destroy.
hidden beneath the earth.

Sobek The Book of the Dead

Though Sobek is closely The original Book of the Dead is said to have
been written by Thoth, with numerous
associated with fertility and warfare his
incomplete variants and copies circulating
primary domain relates to the Apotropaic throughout Egypt. These copies, most often
magics. That is, the magics intended to transcribed by priests of Thoth, Anubis, or
turn away harm and evil influences to the Osiris, are intended to prepare mortals for
their inevitable transition to the afterlife,
soul. It is thanks to this power that he has
with hundreds of spells and funerary rituals
been named Warden of Set, tasked by Ra as well as thorough descriptions of each of the
with ensuring Set is kept clear of the kingdoms of Duat and the trials they will face
malign influences of Chaos as he defends before reaching the afterlife.
the solar barge.

Thoth
Ibis-headed Thoth stands as one
of the few gods to emerge alongside Ra,
fully-formed from the primordial Chaos
at the beginning of creation. A god of
time, knowledge, wisdom, and magic,
Thoth is credited with the invention of
the first system of writing, which he
immediately put to use in recording the
histories of all things to come.

As scribe and historian of the

gods, Thoth records the deeds of both the
living and the dead, sitting as final judge
over the fate of all souls as he oversees
the ritual weighing of the heart alongside

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 Ahura Mazda has also in the past been
Zoroastrian Pantheon associated with independent the deities
Apam Napat, Mithra, and Varuna but no
Ahura Mazda true pantheon was ever formed, and
Ahura Mazda stands at the head of the these gods have since gone their separate
Zoroastrian Pantheon — though it is a ways. The four are still known to be on
pantheon in name only. Ahura Mazda friendly terms, however.
stands alone as the sole true deity
Ahura Mazda spends his days preparing
worshiped by the Parthian Empire’s
defenses against the inevitable attacks
Zoroastrian followers.
each night. For his dark counterpart,
Though other divine beings, known as Ahriman, launches endless raids against
the Amesha Spenta, serve Ahura Mazda the earth realm. His hordes of chaos
and receive their own worship and creatures are forced back each night
veneration, their power more closely before they can fully manifest in the
resembles that of the Greek demi-gods. physical world. An endless struggle, this
The most prominent of these being Asha battle is often compared to that which Ra
Vahista, she who brings fire and must face each night on the Solar Barge.
luminaries. Asha is often seen at Ahura At his side each night is Asha Vahista, his
Mazda’s side when battle is joined. greatest servant.

His followers believe that Ahura Mazda For Ahura Mazda the nights are endless
created the earth, the heavens, and all battle while the days are endless regret.
humankind alone and that all other
deities across the world must trace their
origin back to him. In this way they see
him as the supreme deity, above even the
heads of the other pantheons. They still
recognize the divinity of other gods,
however.

Though Ahura Mazda himself is aware

this is not the case, he is more than
happy to allow his followers to believe
such. Though small in number compared
to many other pantheons, the followers
of Ahura Mazda lend him great strength,
both through their devotion and
concentration on a single true god.

Ahura Mazda is well-liked by the people

of the Parthian Empire, even those who
do not worship him, for he has proven
himself to be a just upholder of order.
The longstanding peace between him and
the Sumerian Pantheon has also allowed
his reputation to grow undisturbed.

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 brother. Though evenly matched at first,
Angra Mainyu
Spenta quickly gained the upper hand,
Angra Mainyu, stands in opposition to all
with the people’s belief and veneration
that Ahura Mazda seeks to uphold. For
giving him strength as they watched him
untold centuries they have been in
fight to protect them.
pitched battle against one another,
though this was not always the case. As she was on the verge of defeat the
whispers Angra heard became a true
Angra Mainyu and her brother Spenta
voice that, though distant, she could
Mainyu were born the twin sons of Ahura
finally understand. It was asking her a
Mazda, those he meant to eventually
question:
form a true pantheon with. Though
twins, the children could not have been “Do you wish the power to slay your
more different. Spenta was just, brother and those he protects?”
scholarly, and charismatic. Well-liked by
Angra affirmed this without hesitation
the people, his veneration had begun to
and immediately felt a change begin. The
spread quickly.
being that had been whispering to her
Angra meanwhile was wroth, inattentive, began to flood into her, imbuing her with
and charmless – several violent its powers, but, so too, its desires.
outbursts had made the Persian people
In a burst of darkness, Angra Mainyu was
quite wary of her and few ever openly
gone, replaced with Ahriman — a
worshiped her.
distorted mirror of her former self –
When confronted by her father, Angra roiling with the dark powers of Chaos.
dismissed his concerns, stating that the
Looking up to her brother he simply
mortals were beneath them and that the
stated:
deaths she had caused would serve to
remind them of their place. Deep “All must return to one, one must return
divisions began to run between Angra to all.”
and her family and they often found
themselves on the verge of violence. It And with one burst of chaotic energy, she
was during these times Angra began to rent Spenta, body and spirit, in twain.
hear faint whispers in the dark, though Sensing the death of his son, Ahura
she could not make out their words, she Mazda quickly appeared at the site of the
felt soothed by them, reassured that her battle and saw what had become of both
actions were the right ones. his children.
It was during another attack on a small Spenta lay dead at the hands of a dark,
human village that Spenta confronted evil, yet unmistakable figure, Angra
Angra upon the earth. Angra accused Mainyu.
Spenta of being weak and wasting
himself helping those that should be Realizing what his daughter had become,
serving him. Though Spenta had come Ahura Mazda launched an immediate
only to talk his sister down, things attack but found that the powers his
quickly turned violent as Angra, urged by daughter had received had made them
the growing whispers, lashed out at her perfectly matched. Their battle raged for

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weeks, causing great destruction
Amesha Spenta
throughout the lands. It was only with
The Amesha Spenta are a group of six
the intervention of Marduk that the fight
divine beings who serve Ahura Mazda in
finally came to an end, the two deities
his defense against Ahriman and Chaos.
using their combined might to force
Named for his lost son, they strive to live
Angra Mainyu back into the Pits of Chaos.
up to the just and noble intent that name
Though not dead, Angra Mainyu would be carries with it.
banished, unable to manifest herself as
Asha Vahista, she who brings fire and
any more than an apparition upon the
luminaries.
earth. The only way for her to return to
the mortal plane is by mass human Vohu Manah, she who watches the cattle
worship, something those few that still and the flocks.
remember her are loathe to give.
Xšaθra Vairya, he who mines and forges.
Creating a dark palace for her in the Pits
Spənta Ārmaiti, she who embodies the
of Chaos, Angra Mainyu took on a new
name – Ahriman – and vowed to see mountains and earth.
chaos’ will done and all beings, mortal Haurvatāt, he who tends the rivers and
and divine, returned to the roiling pits. the fish.
Using the powers given to her by Chaos, Amərətāt, she who is the forests and the
Ahriman would create for herself agents fields.
that could act for her on the mortal
realm. The most prominent of these (and Together these six help Ahura Mazda
her consort) is Jahi, a being who maintain a defense against Ahriman and
specializes in laying afflictions upon her hordes.
women, especially those who are Though not viewed as true deities, either
pregnant. Together, these two and their by their venerators or outsiders, they are
underlings strike out against Ahura recognized as divine beings in the same
Mazda and the Amesha Spenta in an vein as mighty Heracles, and those who
unending war to disrupt the light of their underestimate their powers will quickly
Order and replace it with the roiling regret it.
darkness of Chaos.
They are also far easier to contact than
They have also managed to infect many true gods, often found in the wilds or
other deities, spreading the potential for even visiting human cities the Amesha
a Chaos incursion across the world. In Spenta spend most of their time on the
The Isles, The Morrigan works tirelessly earth.
to bring about the consumption of all by
Chaos while in Greece and Rome
Discordia spreads the calling under cover
of her own reputation.

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 Sumero-Babylonian
Pantheon
Anu The Anûtu
Anu, primordial god of the sky, The exact form of the anûtu remains a closely
the cosmos, and divine authority is the guarded secret of the Anunnaki, with some
scholars and priests debating whether it has a
supreme deity from whom the Anunnaki
physical form at all. Some interpret the
descend. Though largely acknowledged to anûtu's heavenly power as merely the divine
be the most powerful of the Sumero- approval of Anu, while other's point to Enki's
Babylonian pantheon, he is rarely decision to bestow the anûtu upon Marduk as
evidence to the contrary.
worshiped directly and has little interest If the anûtu is indeed a physical
in earthly affairs. Having invested a manifestation of Anu's power, the
significant portion of his power in his consequences could be dire if it were
sons, Enki and Enlil, he now traverses the somehow stolen. Anu himself has been
notoriously indifferent to the affairs of the
vault of the heavens, only descending to lesser gods, refusing to directly intervene
earth when the mood strikes him. even as the earth was flooded by Abzu and
ravaged by Tiamat, so it remains to be seen if
Water and Wind the theft of the anûtu would be enough to stir
him to action.
From his union with the earth
If, as some theorize, the anûtu
goddess Ki, his sons Enki of the water functions as a sort of channel for mortal
and Enlil of the wind were born. Gifting worship, then it would certainly explain why
them a manifestation of his heavenly Anu has never sought to cultivate his own
temples and priests. It may be the case that
power— the anûtu— the two brothers
worshipers of Marduk are unwittingly
would be given dominion over the earth empowering Anu with every prayer and
and sea while Anu returned to the sky. offering, giving the sky god the freedom to
Together, the three would form a explore the cosmos at his leisure.
powerful Divine Triad which would last
until the son of Enki, Marduk, was When Marduk returned with Anu's
granted the anûtu in his war with Tiamat. net, the brothers of water and wind
Enki and Enlil were reluctant to accepted it as proof of their father's will
bestow Anu's powerful gift on Marduk, and granted him the anûtu, along with
but the threat Tiamat posed was great, the promise that, should he succeed, the
and they were unable or unwilling to face throne of the Anunnaki would be his.
her themselves. As they debated, Marduk Thus, with Tiamat's defeat, Marduk was
took it upon himself to beseech Anu made head of the pantheon and remains
directly, ascending to the heavens upon the steward of the anûtu to this day.
his wind-borne chariot and requesting an
audience with the sky god. Anu, meeting
Tablets of Destiny
his grandson for the first time, was Marduk would not forget the aid
pleased to see Marduk, and, though he granted to him by Anu. When he came
too refused to make an enemy of Tiamat, into possession of the Tablets of
granted him a divine gift— a great net Destiny— which, according to legend,
that would expand to encompass any foe. foretell the fates of all gods and men—

152
Marduk refused to read them, instead two infant gods were embraced by Ki and
choosing to give them to the sky god for brought to earth as the tumultuous
safekeeping. shaking finally came to an end.

The tablets presumably remain Anu and Ki would have more

with Anu somewhere within the heavens, divine children together, but it was these
though rumors of them falling to earth as first births that left the cosmos in much
a result of the sky god's indifference the state it is now, with a clear separation
persist. The tablets, said to be between earth and the heavens.
indestructible, would surely survive such
a fall, but it is unlikely that they would
remain together as a full set. A god or Lord of Water
mortal in possession of even one of these
When Enki and Enlil had grown,
legendary tablets would be able to
Anu judged them to be worthy of the
accurately predict or even change future
anûtu— a portion of his divine power
events if they were capable of translating
which granted them the right to rule.
the shifting portents carved therein. Fully
Together, they formed a powerful Divine
assembled, the tablets represent a
Triad, with Anu commanding the sky,
powerful existential threat to the status
Enlil the earth, and Enki the world's
quo.
oceans, lakes, and seas.

Enki Together, the Triad would prove

God of water, wisdom, and effective rulers, though as Anu became
creation, Enki, along with his brother increasingly disinterested in earthly
Enlil, are the first of the Anunnaki— the matters, the younger Igigi gods saw an
elder gods of the Sumero-Babylonian opportunity to test the brothers' power,
pantheon. Once ruling the pantheon in threatening to openly rebel against the
their fathers' absence, the brothers Anunnaki. Enlil, seeking to end the Igigi's
shared the mantle of leadership before rebellion before it began, asked Enki to
passing it to Marduk, Enki's son. Now, use his command over the oceans to flood
wise Enki dwells most often beneath the the earth to force the younger gods to
waves of his oceanic realm, advising his surrender.Enki, far more even-tempered
son in all aspects of warfare and than his brother, offered a compromise:
statecraft. the humans would fill the roles the Igigi
no longer wished to serve, with the ever-
looming threat of his floods to keep them
in line.
Earth Mother, Sky Father
The union of Ki, goddess of the
earth, and Anu, god of the sky, was a
momentous occasion, with the merging
of their divine bodies shaking the very
foundations of creation. For nine days the
two remained entwined, only becoming
separated with the violent birth of Enlil.
Enki emerged soon afterwards, and the

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 Like the water he represents, Enki As Enlil arrived at Kingu's
is extremely adaptive. When his elder predicted location, Tiamat, laying hidden
brother grew weary of leadership and beneath the earth, emerged with a
elected to travel the world, it was Enki cacophonous roar, leaving Enlil briefly
who took on the lion's share of their joint stunned. Reeling, but still determined to
rule, with the god of water overseeing the rescue the innocents present, Enlil
land in equal measure. narrowly avoided the deadly, venomous
fangs of his pursuer as he counter-
Now that Marduk has overcome
attacked with a violent tornado.
Tiamat and earned the right to rule, Enki
Gathering as many of the terrified
has just as quickly adapted to the role of
onlookers as he could with a sudden gust
advisor, providing his son with wise
of wind, Enlil quickly made his retreat,
counsel in times of war and peace alike.
but not before receiving a massive blow
to the back courtesy of Tiamat's
Enlil tremendous tail, shattering the nearby
Firstborn son of the supreme Anu mountain range as his battered form was
as well as a member of the original Divine cast through it.
Triad, Enlil, god of the winds, once held
dominion over the earth. Though Marduk Only stopping once he was certain
now leads the pantheon in his stead, Enlil the mortals he had saved were out of
bears no ill will towards his nephew, harm's way, Enlil was now certain of the
more than content to travel the realms he course the Anunnaki had to take. Though
once commanded as something other wounded, the greatest injury has been to
than a conqueror. Though rarely held in his pride, as he knew that even with the
one place for long, Enlil never shies from full power of the wind at his command,
a challenge, even facing Tiamat before Tiamat was too great a foe for him to face
her defeat at the hands of Marduk. alone. Thus, when it came time to decide,
Enlil (along with his brother Enki) chose
As Tiamat and her allies rampaged willingly to step down from his position
across the earth, many innocents fell in the divine triad, bestowing the Anûtu
victim to their ceaseless rage. Enlil, just upon Marduk so that he might succeed in
as the rest of the Anunnaki, was at first ending the War of Chaos.
reluctant to face Tiamat directly, but
could not sit idly while so many suffered. A firm believer in self-reliance,
Taking to the skies, Enlil observed the Enlil took care to not provide what he
movements of the forces of chaos, swiftly deemed to be too much aid or guidance to
warning those unfortunate enough to his children. Each of them in turn has
find themselves in the warpath and developed in accordance with this hands-
escorting them to safety. This worked for off parenting style. Nergal, given perhaps
a time, but eventually Kingu, Tiamat's
consort and general, utilized the Tablets
of Destiny to predict where Enlil would
next appear, laying a cunning ambush
that nearly brought low the god of the
wind.

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the most attention as Enlil's eldest heir, subservient husband-kings. These
was told that he would one day rule the consorts, often mortal, would rarely last
cosmos as head of the pantheon. When it long, leaving the position vacant more
became clear that his fiery temper and often than not. Now, for the first time in
impulsive nature would not suit the her long reign, Ereshkigal has met a god
throne, this sudden divergence in his she can call her equal— Nergal.
destiny left him resentful and
Meeting as bitter enemies,
directionless, but by following in his
Ereshkigal and Nergal's battle only
father's footsteps and becoming a
served to foster a hidden flame of
wanderer of the earth, Nergal soon grew
passion, and soon the two would join
to appreciate the freedom afforded him.
together in marriage. Ruling jointly,
The twins Ishtar and Shamash, these deific lords of the underworld
though enamored with Enlil's tales of oversee the countless souls of the dead as
battles past and victories won, each came they pass through the gates of Kur.
to their own conclusion regarding the
nature of justice. Shamash, though an
admirer of Nergal's skill at arms, vowed Kur
to become a very different sort of god Unlike other chthonic realms such as the
than his elder brother. Ishtar, judging Egyptian Duat, mortal souls that pass
Nergal to be cruel and Shamash to be through the gates of Kur are given no final
judgment. As each soul enters, its identity is
naive, developed her own philosophy impassively recorded and sent on to the
somewhere in between the two extremes, caverns of the shadow world, where the dead
exacting her own brand of justice and wander endlessly. Subsisting primarily on
becoming a cunning and brutally dust and mud, these shades find relief in the
offered libations of the living, distributed first
effective warrior in her own right. to the intended by the hands of the Gallu
demons with the excess finding its way to the
Ereshkigal hungry hordes.
In this way, the honored and
remembered dead are kept fed and cognizant,
while the maligned and forgotten are doomed
Ereshkigal, goddess of death, to slowly fade as they roam in search of dust
darkness, and Queen of the Underworld and scraps.
rules the realm of Kur alongside her
husband, Nergal. Ishtar's elder sister,
These souls, mere shades of their
Ereshkigal is a powerful deity few would
former selves, are beholden to
face willingly. Though her duties confine
Ereshkigal's commands. Though she has
her to the chthonic realm she rules, even
rarely exercised this particular aspect of
the gods fear her reach, as legions of
her power, the countless dead would
demons and the souls of the damned are
form a fearsome army if so ordered— a
hers to command.
threat powerful enough to dissuade any
Queen of the Underworld who sought to oppose the might of the
From her subterranean palace of underworld.
Ganzir, Ereshkigal has ruled the chthonic Hosts of demons, including the
realm of Kur for millennia, first as sole Gallu and Udug, also answer to
monarch, and then alongside a series of

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Ereshkigal and Nergal. The swift-winged Much to her surprise, Ereshkigal
Gallu in particular are dutiful servants, did not attack her, instead congratulating
performing all manner of administrative Ishtar on making it past the gates of Kur.
tasks, as well as dragging wayward souls Even without her objects of power, Ishtar
to the underworld. was a formidable foe, and even the ruler
of the underworld seemed unwilling to
Ishtar face her. Stepping aside, Ereshkigal
offered her the throne of Kur. Ishtar
elated at her simple victory, sat upon the
Ishtar, goddess of love, war, and throne and was immediately paralyzed as
the heavens, is a cunningly complicated her sister's magical trap was sprung.
deity worshiped primarily within the
borders of the Parthian Empire, though News spread of Ishtar's
shrines venerating her can be found disappearance, and soon Enki came to
throughout the Mediterranean and understand what had happened to her,
beyond. Equal parts fickle and fair, Ishtar choosing to send the god of light,
famously condemned her husband to the Shamash, to rescue his twin. Arriving to
underworld for his infidelity before find the gates mysteriously opened for
enlisting her twin brother, the god him, Shamash descended into
Shamash, to help free him. Ereshkigal's hall only to find Ishtar,
frozen and corpselike atop the throne of
Ishtar and the Underworld Kur.
Having established her power in Shamash produced a sudden burst
both the heavenly and earthly domains, of light, temporarily blinding Ereshkigal
Ishtar set her sights on Kur, the chthonic as he snatched Ishtar from her cursed
realm of the dead. Ereshkigal, as ruler of seat. Pursued by a swarm of Gallu
Kur, had long touted her superiority over demons, Shamash retrieved each of his
her younger sister, and when word came sister's items of power, awakening her as
that Ishtar intended to challenge her they arrived at her heavenly palace. The
power, she issued an open invitation for Gallu demons, whose numbers were
the goddess of love and war to visit her unending, threatened to tear the palace
within the underworld. to dust if Ishtar or a suitable replacement
Ishtar, not one to back down from could not be found.
a challenge, arrived alone at the gates of Ishtar, incensed and ready for war
Kur dressed in resplendent melam and with the underworld, sought her
carrying her objects of power. Each of the husband, Tammuz, who she was certain
seven gates of Kur refused to open until would be mourning her absence. Finding
one of her belongings was placed before him within her bedchamber with a bevy
it, with each slamming shut behind her of mortal women, Ishtar was deaf to his
as she went. Finally, stripped of her desperate excuses. As the Gallu demons
powerful artifacts, she arrived at the descended on the palace, she emerged
throne room of Ereshkigal, preparing a with Tammuz in tow, throwing him to
powerful spell as she approached her his fate as her replacement.
elder sister.

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 has happened in the past were thankfully
Ki
short-lived, but were it not for the
Primordial goddess of nature,
intervention of Ishtar the devastation
fertility, and the earth, Ki, through her
could have been catastrophic.
union with Anu, lord of the sky, birthed
the elder gods— The Anunnaki. Ki is fond Assembly of the Gods
of the wild places of the world, and A council of the most esteemed and powerful
considers all plants and animals upon the Anunnaki, these twelve or sometimes more
earth her children. Ki has a complicated gods oversee much of the day-to-day
decision making in the pantheon's
relationship with humanity, as, though administration. Often resented by the
they certainly number among the most younger Igigi gods who are considered
clever of her children, their rapid unqualified to join the assembly, it is the duty
expansion and subjugation of the natural of the assembled to protect the hierarchical
status quo.
world sometimes earns them her ire. The assembly is most often presided
over by Ishtar, though Ki, Enki, Enlil, and
even Nergal have filled this role in the past.
Debate and dissent are common, with
Children of the Earth decisions rarely being fully unanimous, and
Ki has given life to many beings the presiding god often being called upon to
break ties.
over the millennia, both mundane and Though the Divine Triad, and now
divine. Though the firstborn brothers Marduk, is the final authority in all matters,
Enki and Enlil are the most prominent, the assembly is perfectly capable of passing
all the Anunnaki (and by extension the judgment on gods and mortals alike, as they
did when Tiamat's consort and general,
Igigi) trace Ki as their progenitor. Kingu, stood trial for his role in the War of
Vegetation is said to spring forth Chaos. In that case, it was the assembly that
wherever she goes, with even the most demanded Kingu's death, and Marduk who
barren deserts becoming lush oases at carried out the sentence.
her mere presence.

Though she has love for all of her Humbaba and the Great Cedar
children, her grandson, Marduk, remains Forest
a particular favorite. Before he rose to the
Of all plant life upon the earth, Ki
head of the pantheon, the young deity
is said to favor the immense trees of the
was considered a god of agriculture and
Great Cedar Forest, which are said to
storms, two aspects that Ki went to great
grow to towering proportions and live so
lengths to foster. Now that he rules, Ki
long as to rival even the gods. The cities
offers him sage advice whenever asked,
of Mesopotamia, being devoid of such
and sometimes unbidden.
trees, often sent parties of men to fell
Occasionally presiding over the these immense cedars and return with
Assembly of the Gods, Ki is most often a plentiful bounties of wood.
fair and just judge, but when it comes to
Ki, angered by the disrespect these
matters concerning the desecration of
humans showed to such a sacred place,
nature, her temper can sometimes flare.
When angered, the very earth is said to
shake as great fissures swallow the guilty
and innocent alike. The few times this

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went before the Assembly of the Gods Uruk felled, two would be planted in their
and demanded that something be done. place. Though it pained her, Ki agreed to
Enlil, seeking to placate his furious Ishtar's solution, and the city was spared.
mother, set a monstrous guardian known
as Humbaba to protect the forest, and
soon the flood of wood-cutting men
slowed to a trickle as any who entered the Marduk
forest was torn asunder. Marduk, son of Enki and the
fertility goddess Damkina, stands as the
For many years few dared enter patron deity of the city (and former
the forest, as Humbaba was said to sense empire) of Babylon. Beginning as a local
the presence of intruders anywhere god of farming, Marduk rose to the head
within his domain and hunt them of the Mesopotamian pantheon by
relentlessly. Gilgamesh, the demi-god defeating Tiamat and ending the War of
king of Uruk, heard tales of the Great Chaos. For this reason, Marduk is
Cedar Forest and the monster that primarily worshiped as a god of order and
stalked its legendary trees. Gathering justice, but also retains command of his
fifty men and his enemy-turned-friend previous domains of healing, agriculture,
Enkidu, Gilgamesh set out to slay and storms.
Humbaba and claim the cedars for Uruk.

Humbaba was a fearsome foe, but

proved no match for the cunning and Igigi and Anunnaki
powerful duo. While Gilgamesh Before humans had yet stepped
distracted the giant by offering to foot on the earth, the elder gods, known
introduce him to the unwed women of as the Anunnaki, ruled. Chief among
Uruk, (who were actually the wood them was Marduk's father, Enki, god of
cutters in disguise) Enkidu struck from water and creation. When the Igigi—
behind, and together they managed to younger gods prone to acts of negligence
wrestle Humbaba to the ground and sever and rebellion— angered the primeval sea
his massive head from his shoulders. Abzu, the world was nearly consumed in
The wood-cutters, casting off a cataclysmic tempest, and so these new
their disguises, wasted no time in felling gods beseeched Enki for aid. Enki, as lord
a great swathe of sacred cedars; an act of water, had great reverence for Abzu,
which did not go unnoticed by the earth and refused to intervene even as the
goddess. Ki's anger manifested itself in a world was flooded, instead leaving the
tremendous quaking of the earth, her arrogant Igigi to solve the problem they
rage soon threatening to level the city of had created.
Uruk just as its people had leveled her Though it took much of their
trees. power, the upstart gods managed to
Ishtar, as patron deity of Uruk, finally subdue Abzu before the world
acted quickly to prevent the destruction could be fully destroyed by the primeval
of the city. Confronting Ki directly, she
was able to calm her with the offer of a
compromise: for every cedar the men of

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 sea, and the Igigi cast his great cast a great net crafted by the sky god
carcass into the depths of the underworld Anu upon her massive form.
from whence there could be no escape. Immobilized, Tiamat attempted to
But there would be no celebration, for swallow Marduk, but with her jaws held
their short-lived victory was soon open by the four winds, Marduk cast a
interrupted by the arrival of an even great arrow down her throat and into her
greater threat. heart.

Aftermath
Marduk wasted no time in
War of Chaos
splitting Tiamat's body into pieces,
Angered by the destruction and
commanding the four winds to scatter
imprisonment of her former consort,
them in the hope that they might never
Tiamat, embodiment of primordial
be reunited. Kingu, Tiamat's consort and
chaos, rose to avenge Abzu with an army
chief general of the armies of chaos was
of her monstrous offspring.
brought before Marduk as the gods
The Igigi, still reeling from their rejoiced. Ever contemptuous, Kingu
battle with Abzu were no match for the vowed that Tiamat would one day return
forces of chaos and were quickly forced to to wreak vengeance upon the gods.
surrender or retreat as the flooded earth Stripped of the Tablets of Destiny and
was upended once again. With many tried before a council of Igigi and
joining the forces of chaos, the remaining Anunnaki, Kingu was sentenced to
gods approached Enki once more and death— an execution meted out by
begged for assistance in their war against Marduk himself.
Tiamat, but still Enki refused to
Though the tablets in Kingu's
intervene.
possession were indeed powerful,
All seemed lost until Marduk Marduk did not choose to hoard them for
approached his father with a bold himself, instead granting them to Anu in
request. For but a portion of Enki's thanks for the great net that had proven
power, Marduk vowed to do what his instrumental in Tiamat's defeat. Anu, in
father would not. Enki loved his son, and turn, raised up a great temple upon the
despite his misgivings, agreed. very ground which had been Kingu's final
resting place. This temple, called Esagila
Marduk, aflame with the power of by the Babylonians, is said to have served
Enki's storms and spells, mounted a as Marduk's coronation chamber upon
chariot pulled by the four winds and his ascension to ruler of the Anunnaki
while a host of gods faced the scions of and Igigi gods, and served much the same
chaos, challenged Tiamat to single purpose for the Babylonian kings that
combat. Even with Enki's power, Marduk came after.
faced a nigh-invincible foe. The force of
her tail shook the earth and her bite
delivered a deadly venom, but Marduk
had come prepared with herbs and spells
Babylon
to neutralize this threat, and in her It was around the towering
moment of surprise at his survival, he ziggurat of Esagila that the first human

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settlements that would eventually Though ostensibly slain, Tiamat's
become the great city of Babylon formed. influence continues to pervade the
Once the undisputed largest city in the mortal world, and her monstrous
world, Babylon was the center of an offspring are no less dangerous with her
empire stretching from the in pieces. These scions of chaos can be
Mediterranean Sea to the Gulf of Persia. found primarily in the deep wildernesses
of the world, but the more cunning
Babylon may no longer be the
among them are capable of taking on a
empire it once was, but the great city yet
human form, making themselves at
stands as a jewel in the crown of the
home even within the walls of Babylon.
Parthian Empire. For centuries, pilgrims
from far-flung corners of the world came Those chosen by Marduk are often
to witness the colossal golden statue of given a test, usually unwittingly
Marduk as it was paraded through the encountering him as a veteran
Ishtar gate to herald the new year. The adventurer or an aged wanderer with
kings of Babylon would cast off their cloak pulled tight around his wizened
crowns and lordly raiment, prostrating frame. The test might vary in scale or
themselves before this golden avatar of scope, ranging from defeating a
their god to renew their vows of order dangerous foe to feeding a stranger in
and justice. In so doing, the blessing of need, but all are designed to test the
Marduk would protect the city for worthiness of a potential ally in the
another year, and the myriad woes so eternal struggle against chaos. Those
common to such vast metropolises would chosen by Marduk or his followers are
melt away like snow upon the hot sand. granted his blessing, and many become
paladins with oaths in his service.
This massive idol, more precious
than any of the treasures within the city's
vaults, has been plundered by invading Nergal
forces four times over the course of the God of fire, pestilence, and death,
last millennia, with the Hittites, the Nergal is a fierce deity with a reputation
Assyrians, the Elamites, and finally the for bloodshed and destruction. Favored
Persians claiming it as spoils of war. by warlords and conquerors, worshipers
of Nergal usually fall into two categories:
those looking to stave off plague and
destruction, and those looking to spread
God of the People
it. Though he finds himself at home on
Marduk, unlike many of his deific
any battlefield, his primary abode is the
contemporaries, does not dwell in some
chthonic realm of Kur, from which he
distant Olympus only deigning to
rules alongside his wife, Ereshkigal,
descend from paradise when the mood
Queen of the Underworld.
strikes, but instead prefers to live among
his people. Donning a mortal disguise War of Chaos
and carrying only a farmer's spade, As the son of Enlil, Nergal was
Marduk travels far and wide in search of groomed for leadership from a young
worthy allies in his fight against the age, but his impatience and often violent
children of Tiamat. temper made it clear that Enki's son,

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 Marduk, would be better suited for the Descent into the Underworld
role. Though bearing some resentment At the feast honoring Marduk for
for his cousin, Nergal was content for the defeat of Tiamat, Namtar, envoy of
many years to wander the earth, Ereshkigal, was sent in her stead. Nergal,
unconstrained by the burdens of refusing to show the proper respect to
responsibility. such an esteemed envoy, demanded to
When the War of Chaos began, know why the Queen of the Underworld
Nergal discovered his calling. While his did not attend herself. Namtar, offended,
father and uncle remained neutral, many explained that Ereshkigal's duties
of the Igigi gods were forced to choose prevented her from leaving the realm of
sides, with a sizable number allying Kur, and declared that she would soon
themselves with the forces of Tiamat. know of Nergal's impetuous slight.
Remaining loyal to the Anunnaki, Nergal Marduk, not wishing to risk a
sought to punish these traitors, joining conflict with the underworld so soon
the fight with a host of Igigi and Udug after the War of Chaos, told Nergal to
demons under his command. follow after Namtar and apologize to
Many traitor gods met their ends at the Ereshkigal directly. Nergal was furious,
hands of Nergal's host, with great clouds both at Marduk for suggesting he
of fire and pestilence marking their apologize and at Ereshkigal for her part
passage. Once Tiamat had been slain, it in putting him in this situation, but,
was Nergal who brought her greatest relenting to the new ruler's demand,
general, Kingu, before the assembly of gathered fourteen of his demons and
the gods, and it was his voice that spoke marched to the gates of Kur.
loudest in condemning him to death. Upon arriving at the first gate,
Neti, Gatekeeper of the Underworld,
The Udug
Powerful demons of shadow, the hulking explained that each of the seven gates
Udug absorb all light they touch, leaving an would require Nergal to leave one of his
empty darkness in their wake. Few have seen possessions behind. Nergal, having heard
their true forms, though they are exceedingly the tale of Ishtar's descent, knew that the
tall and their vicious claws drip with venom.
Dwelling primarily in the gates would shut behind him, and,
underworld, the Udug relish any opportunity though he discarded an article of clothing
to feed on the light of the surface, though at each gate, also left a pair of demons as
they can only absorb so much before
he passed. Having commanded each pair
becoming lethargic and retreating to the cold
darkness of their home. of demons to hold open their respective
Despite their appearance, most Udug gates, Nergal was prepared for any
aren't naturally aggressive, and will respond potential trickery on the behalf of
favorably to those that do not attack or flee at
Ereshkigal.
the sight of them. Deviants do exist among
them, however; most notably the Udug Hul.
Finally standing naked and
These shadow predators are thankfully rare,
but exceedingly dangerous. Capable of demonless before the Queen of the
melding with the shadow of an unsuspecting Underworld, Nergal found himself
victim, the Udug Hul can stalk prospective accosted by Namtar and mocked by
prey for hours before striking at the perfect
moment and disappearing into the night.

167
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Ereshkigal. All thought of apology sparing those gods and mortals alike that
evaporated. Effortlessly knocking the had surrendered willingly. Even the
envoy aside, Nergal charged Ereshkigal Aqrabuemelu Scorpion-Men, who had
with the intent to strangle her, but soon been ferociously cruel in their battles
found himself in a violent struggle with with the Igigi and Anunnaki, now serve
the goddess of death. willingly in Shamash's personal retinue,
escorting the god of light as he patrols
Their chaotic wrestling match
the earth each day.
continued for hours as the two deities
traded barbs and insults and the throne Though they often find
room crumbled around them, with themselves arguing opposite points of
neither seeming to claim the upper hand view in the Assembly of the Gods,
for long. Soon, however, what had begun Shamash and his elder brother, Nergal,
as a fight to the death soon became have fought together countless times on
something far more intimate as they a thousand battlefields. Nergal may not
consummated their mutual attraction. have the same commitment to justice as
his younger brother, but his
Nergal, never having met a
unquestionable mastery of the art of war
woman that could truly challenge him in
has helped forge a mutual (if sometimes
the way Ereshkigal had, asked for her
begrudging) respect between the warrior
hand in marriage, to which she accepted.
siblings.
Namtar, though horrified by the
culmination of these events, quickly set As Ishtar's twin, it often falls to
to work rebuilding the destroyed throne Shamash to steer her sometimes cruel
room— this time with two stone seats to impulses, tempering her rage towards
signify their joint rule of Kur. what he would deem to be more positive
outcomes. Both gods of justice, the twins
Shamash represent two halves of the same coin,
The son of Enlil and the twin with Shamash embodying the more
brother of Ishtar, Shamash is the god of merciful aspect of justice and Ishtar the
light, justice, and truth. Shamash more vindictive. When Ishtar condemned
commands his solar chariot as he rides her husband to eternal torment in the
forth from the heavens each day, aiding underworld, it was Shamash who
Marduk in his never-ending crusade convinced her to relent before aiding in
against the forces of chaos. Never one to freeing the hapless Tammuz from
turn down someone in need, Shamash Erishkigal's clutches.
heeds the pleas of desperate mortals,
dispensing swift justice before returning
to the skies.

Despite his relentless

commitment to justice, Shamash is also a
god of mercy. When Tiamat was slain,
many of her monstrous followers stood
trial before the Assembly of the Gods. It
was Shamash who made the case for

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Uttu
An elusive, often misunderstood Melam
deity, Uttu is the goddess of weaving, Used to describe both the wondrous silk of
oaths, and spiders. A daughter of the Uttu and the clothing itself, melam is highly
earth goddess, Ki, Uttu is responsible for sought after throughout the known world.
Melam fabric is said to be so light as to float
the invention of clothing, first worn by on the air, yet stronger than the sturdiest
the gods and now by humans as well. A bronze. Those lucky enough to have worn it
recluse by nature, she prefers to watch claim that it feels no different from wearing
the affairs of gods and mortals at a safe nothing at all.
Though melam began as the
distance, though occasionally she has gossamer garments of the gods, it has since
been known to tug their strings from her been seen (though rarely) in mortal hands.
shadowy web. Demons and other monsters have been
known to hoard melam for their own
purposes, and the kings of Uruk once draped
themselves in melam cloaks.
The Great Weaver Uttu, being notoriously reclusive, is
rarely called upon to spin new articles of
When gods and humans first melam, but if sought out, could potentially be
walked the earth, they did so naked. It persuaded to weave for someone willing to
was Uttu, with her great skill at weaving make a bargain.
that first shared this gift with the world.
For the gods, she crafted marvelous silk
garments known as melam, said to grant
Keeper of Oaths
those who wore them a great and terrible As goddess of bonds and
splendor. For humans, she taught the promises, Uttu abhors oath-breakers
secrets of her craft, demonstrating how above all else. With her web of eyes, she
sheep's wool could be transformed into a monitors every contract, binding
simulacrum of her own silk. agreement, and marriage betrothal,
keeping careful record of each promise
In part due to her monstrous appearance, kept and broken. Minor offenders often
Uttu has retreated from the light of find themselves experiencing strange
civilization, weaving extensive silken misfortunes, while particularly egregious
lairs in the hidden places of the world. offenders may merit a visit from the
Not wishing to completely abandon those spider goddess herself.
she left behind, Uttu has cultivated a
veritable army of spies in the form of the
spiders she commands. This web of
unseen informants shares every
meaningful detail with the spider
goddess, giving her thousands of eyes
across the world.

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 Chapter 3: Feature: No Secrets
When attempting to determine the origin
of a relic or ruin you always know which
Character Features culture created it, provided they belong
to the Old World.

Feature: It belongs in (my)

Backgrounds
Museum
Such is your penchant for collecting
antiques and oddities that it often
Antiquarian borders on kleptomania. You gain
Though Rome has grown to great heights advantage on any sleight of hand
in the eight centuries since its founding, attempts to steal antiques and relics.
there are many empires and cultures that
came before it. You have dedicated your d6 Personality Trait
life to uncovering the secrets of these 1. I know that I studied at the world’s greatest
ancient civilizations as a member of the academies and think little of those who learned
elsewhere.
Antiquarian Order, Rome’s foremost
experts in history and archeology. 2. I am eager to spread my knowledge and will
happily share with those who wish to learn.
You have been educated to recognize the
3. I am a curmudgeon and lash out at those who
art and artifacts from such grand and
irritate me.
ancient cultures as, Babylon, Egypt,
China, the Indus Empires and numerous 4. I don’t actually care for antiques, but it’s a
others. great way to make money.

5. I am quite stingy with my knowledge and

Such is the renown of the Antiquarian
share it only with those I deem worthy.
Order that its members are regularly
sought after to accompany teams of 6. I prefer the company of my antiques to that
adventurers on expeditions into ancient of people.
ruins and forgotten tombs.
d6 Ideal
Though the danger is often great, 1. Power: Some say knowledge is power; I saw
members of the Order readily volunteer knowledge lets me know that power is power. I
for the chance to discover a yet-unknown seek to concentrate as much in my hands as I
relic from a lost civilization is too great can.
an opportunity to pass up. 2. Wealth: I have lived at the bottom for to long,
I will have wat I am owed.
Skill Proficiencies: History, Investigation
Tool Proficiencies: One set of artisans’ 3. Knowledge: Only through knowledge can we
tools of your choice. unravel the mysteries of the past.
Languages: One of your choice. 4. Order: It’s easier to get work done when
Equipment: A set of common clothing, an things are well ordered.
artifact of your choice worth 10 gold
5. Fame: I wish to become renowned for my
coins, a bag containing 15 gold coins.
discoveries.

174
6. Victory: History helps us see where we went Though ostensibly voluntary like the
wrong, and how to correct these mistakes in the Legions, most Auxiliary soldiers feel they
battles to come.
have little choice but to join. Towns and
d6 Bond villages that provide large numbers of
Auxiliary soldiers are granted more favor
1. My signet ring, a gift from the teacher who from Rome, and a soldier’s commitment
instructed me and one of their first finds.
to the Auxiliary Corps directly impacts
2. I am restless in cities and towns; I feel the lives of their friends and families.
connected to being in the field.
Unlike the Legions, you were made to pay
3. Knowledge is the only company I need. for your own arms and equipment. Many
4. My tools, without them I couldn’t work. of your cohort were equipped with little
more than sharpened sticks and tanned
5. A fellow antiquarian with who I share a close
leather armor. Auxiliary who proved
connection.
themselves and survived through
6. The first artifact I ever found, it started me multiple campaigns will often find
down this journey. themselves better equipped, having both
d6 Flaw scavenged arms and armor from their
fallen enemies and having purchased
1. I am incredibly jealous of those with more better (often second-hand) equipment
knowledge than me.
from the Legions.
2. I’m lazy, an honest day’s work is a great
After having served and survived for a
punishment to me.
decade in the Auxiliary you gained the
3. I am a coward, what good is loot if you’re ultimate prize however: Roman
dead?
citizenship. You are now allowed to vote
4. I am incredibly greedy, I will attempt to take in senatorial elections and run for local
all the best spoils, even if it means lying to my magisterial offices.
comrades.
Though still looked down upon by many
5. My drive for antiques causes me to disregard
of the Latin-born citizens of the Empire,
the danger of my choices.
you hold your head high, knowing you
6. I refuse to admit being wrong, even when I have earned your place in the empire
know the other party is right. through sweat and blood.

Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, Survival

Auxiliary
Tool Proficiencies: Proficiency
You served in the Roman Army in the
knucklebones.
Auxiliary corps. Unlike the well-trained
Languages: One of your choice.
and equipped citizens that make up the
Equipment: A set of auxiliary’s clothing
Imperial Legions, the auxiliary is a
including a red runic, sandals and gloves.
motley group consisting of non-citizens
A set of knucklebones, and cook’s
living within the Imperial Provinces. To
utensils. A bag containing 10 gold coins.
the citizen soldiers of the legions, the
Auxiliary are seen as little more than
expendable barbarians.

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Feature: Between Worlds 2. Duty: Though no longer serving, I still
seek to uphold the Empire’s stability.
You are a proud citizen of the Empire, 3. Glory: I want to help expand the Roman
having fought and spilled blood in its borders to new heights.
name to earn your place within. Your 4. Honor: I seek to find a worthy cause to
years in the corps has not washed away fight for.
the culture you once belonged to, 5. Protector: No matter where I am, I
strive to help those in need. (Good)
however, and your sacrifice in leaving
6. Consumed by loss, I wander the lands a
your home and surviving to tell the tale broken warrior, fighting, stealing and
has left you a folk-hero among your killing as I need.
native people.
d6 Bond
Choose one of the below 1. I have kept my service weapon in
cultures: pristine condition, it remains an
extension of myself.
Gaulic, Breton, Iberian, 2. My horse is my closest
Germanic, Phoenician. companion.
3. I remain in contact with other
You still have friends and former soldiers from my cohort, they
contacts among the people of are like family to me.
your birth and when traveling 4. A piece of wood carved into a
their lands, you can call upon symbol of my home.
this connection. People of your 5. My superior officer from my
time in service, they offer sage
original culture may look
advice
favorably upon you and offer 6. My family, whom I miss dearly.
you shelter or food.

Conversely, some among your

d6 Flaw
1. Even when in service, I
people view you as a traitor, and
worked poorly with others. I find
you may on occasion be targeted it hard to make connections.
or harassed by them for having 2. I am stubborn to a dangerous
joined their conquerors. fault.
3. I lie even when there is no need
d6 Personality Trait to do so.
1. I am haunted by the horrors of 4. My belief in the Empire often
war. causes me to get into fights when I
2. I am loud and boisterous. hear others insulting it.
3. I feel bitter resentment towards 5. I am bad with directions and
the Empire for conquering my often get lost.
people. 6. I am absent minded and will
4. I always follow the rules, even sometimes forget to do regular tasks.
against my interests.
5. I take great pride in
my physical prowess.
6. I look for insult where none was given. Chaos Cultist
The world was wrought in the throes of
d6 Ideal chaos and to Chaos it should be returned.
1. Revenge: I seek to cruelly punish those
who have wronged me

176
You were a member of a cult dedicated to d6 Personality Trait
the primordial forces of Chaos or to one 1. I am fanatically loyal to my cult.
of the deities seeking to return the world
2. I wish to spread the word of Chaos to the
to that roiling void. Before your rituals
masses.
were completed however a traitor in your
midst sold your sect out to the local 3. I hate humanity and wish to see it punished.
authorities, and you were one of the few 4. The gods are false; in Chaos I know we will all
members to escape the purge and be equal.
watched from the crowds as your fellows
5. I seek to harness Chaos for my own power.
were returned to the void.
6. I have second thoughts about what I am
Though your sect was all but wiped out doing.
you still endeavor to see their work done.
Though local sects of the cult seek to d6 Ideal
create minor tears in the veil, through 1. Power: Chaos is the true power behind the
which the horrors and monstrosities of universe and with it we can become gods
chaos might flow, the greater goal of the ourselves.
cult is to see the veil destroyed entirely, 2. Freedom: I seek to free humanity from the
the physical and immaterial worlds shackles of the gods who torment us.
reforged into one.
3. Insanity: I am completely deranged and will
Skill Proficiencies: Deception, Arcana lash out randomly.
Tool Proficiencies: Proficiency with 4. Sacrifice: Anyone who must die to further the
forgery kits. cause is a sacrifice to Chaos.
Languages: One of your choice.
5. Revenge: This world has wronged me and I
Equipment: An obsidian ring bearing the will see it undone.
emblem of your cult, a forgery kit, a set of
traveler’s clothes and a bag containing 5 6. War: I seek to create the chaos of war
wherever I can.
gold coins.

Restriction: Bound by Chaos d6 Bond

1. My fellow cultists.
As an agent of Chaos your alignment
2. My hatred towards the gods is the only bond I
faces restriction, you cannot be of Lawful
need.
alignment.
3. The signet ring I use to identify myself with
Feature: Follow the Signs my cult.
You are able to sense when a settlement 4. My mentor who inducted me into the cult.
has a chaos cult within it. If you sense a
cult within a settlement, you can begin 5. A tome of dark knowledge given to me by my
mentor.
leaving signs that allow its members to
recognize you as one of their own. Within 6. The roiling void.
24-hours of leaving signs you will be
contacted by a member of the local cult. d6 Flaw
They may provide you with information 1. I have trouble keeping my mouth shut.
to help further the cause, or shelter 2. I am dimwitted and need to have instructions
should the authorities be after you. repeated to me.

177
3. I am a social outcast and do not do well with
d6 Personality Trait
other people.
1. I am the best there is and I will prove it.
4. I am noticeably ugly with an easy to
2. I enjoy training new athletes looking to
remember face.
compete.
5. I hate working with teams.
3. I always ask those who best for advice on how
6. I lack resolve. to improve.

4. I am spiteful towards any who beat me in

Competitor competition.
The Pan-Hellenic games, in which 5. I am very jovial and enjoy celebrating with
competitors from across the Greek- my fellows.
speaking world flock to Olympia to
6. I spend all my free time training.
garner honor for themselves and their
city. To compete, and win, in these games d6 Ideal
has been your dream since childhood. 1. Glory: To be showered in fame and renown is
all I desire.
You’ve always known it was your destiny.
The other local children could never 2. Freedom: To be able to compete where I
match you athletically. Be it racing, want, when I want, with no restrictions.
wrestling or throwing, it was always you 3. Wealth: I want to make my fortune and live a
who proved to be the greatest. lavish life.

The time of your childhood has passed 4. Promise: I made a promise to be the best
now, and soon it will be your turn to there ever was.
travel to Olympia and prove to the wider 5. Peace: Friendly competition is a far better use
Greek world that you are not simply the of time than war.
biggest fish in a small pond.
6. War: The strongest bodies make for the best
Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, Acrobatics. soldiers.
Tool Proficiencies: One musical
instrument of your choice. d6 Bond
1. My trainer who got me into competitions.
Languages: One of your choice.
Equipment: A set of athletes clothing, 2. My family, who I hope to impress.
one instrument of your choice, a medal or
3. My fellow athletes who make it all
insignia of victory from a past worthwhile.
competition, a bag containing 10 gold
coins. 4. I feel a strong connection with the weak,
remembering how I once was.
Feature: Showboater 5. I have a lover back home who I miss dearly.
You are the best – you know it and you’re
6. The gymnasium where I train.
not afraid to let others know it too. You
gain advantage on any intimidation rolls d6 Flaw
made to unnerve those you are 1. I am clumsy and often trip up at the worst
competing against in games of times.
athleticism and physical prowess.
2. I am dedicated to physical training at the
expense of all else, I can barely read.

178
3. I get nervous in front of large crowds.
d6 Personality Trait
4. I am willing to cheat to win. 1. I’m very shy.

5. I train even when my body is injured. 2. I am incredibly outgoing in my personal and

professional lives.
6. I wish pain on those who show me up.
3. I want for a life of comfort and plenty.

4. I know I’m beautiful and will use it to get

what I want.
Concubine
You served as a concubine to a great Lord 5. I am embarrassed to tell others of my past.

or Lady. One member of a larger harem, 6. I am proud of my profession, no matter how

you were trained in the arts of bodily others see me.
pleasure.
d6 Ideal
When your lord died, their heir saw fit to 1. Wealth: Enough coin to never work again.
exile many within the harem, and you
2. Freedom: The people should be free to make
were among those cast out from the great
their own choices without the lords and kings
palace you had always called home. of the world.
An outcast, you have fought to make your 3. Privilege: The upper classes have powers and
own way in the wider world. privilege that I covet.

Skill Proficiencies: Persuasion, 4. Comfort: To live comfortably and safely is

Acrobatics. the most one can ask.
Tool Proficiencies: Disguise Kit. 5. Peace: War is bad for business.
Languages: One of your choice.
6. Lust: It’s nothing to be ashamed of.
Equipment: A set of fine clothing, a
disguise kit, and a bag containing 15 gold d6 Bond
coins.
1. My calligraphy set; I never feel complete if I
cannot write at the end of a long day.
Feature: Honeyed Words
Your words are like honeyed milk to the 2. The Academy; it’s home and where I feel I
belong.
ears of those to whom you whisper. You
gain advantage on any persuasion or 3. Knowledge is the only company I need.
deception roll made to seduce your
4. I feel a strong sympathy for urchins and
target. street children, realizing how close I came to
being one.
Feature: World’s Oldest
5. There’s a special someone back at the
Profession Academy that I can’t wait to see again.
Any settlement large enough to house a
6. I feel a great disconnect from those around
brothel is an opportunity for you as you
me. I do not know what I seek.
may find gainful employment at any of
these establishments. Provided you work, d6 Flaw
you will receive free lodging and food and 1. I’m actually a bit of a prude.
earn 15 GP per day.
2. I complain if I have to walk long distances.

179
3. I talk to much. continued flow of trade across the central
4. I like to steal from my clients. Parthian Empire.

5. Seeing someone prettier than me drives me Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, Survival

into a rage. Tool Proficiencies: One type of musical
instrument of your choice.
6. I always want to be the center of attention.
Languages: One of your choice.
Equipment: A set of common clothes
Dune Runner including a hood, four waterskins, one
You are a Dune Runner, one of the desert musical instrument of your choice, a bag
folk who spend their lives away from the containing 10 gold coins.
comforts of the walled cities and
their fresh springs. Your life has Feature: Desert’s Chosen
been a harsh one and many of Your years running the dunes have made
those with whom you were traversing the desert second nature
raised did not make it to to you. You cannot become lost
adulthood, their bodies when traveling the dune seas accept by
lost and forgotten magical means. When foraging in the
beneath the desert you are able to find twice as
sea of sands. much food as your normally wood. You
can also travel twice as long as your
Your
normally could through
people
extreme heat
have no
before making
known
an exhaustion
settlements and
check.
live their lives
nomadically, in
d6
small groups or
entirely alone as Personality Trait
the brutal 1. I am loud and jovial to the point of
annoyance.
conditions of the
sands do not permit 2. I am happy to escort those who would
large or long-term otherwise never survive the desert.
groups. 3. I am a social person and don’t like traveling
the desert alone.
Though much of your life is spent
foraging the harsh dunes to survive, you 4. I am loner and prefer my own company.
and your people manage to make a little
5. I actually hate the sand!
coin and barter for needed items by
acting as guides for travelers seeking to 6. I want to see every desert in the world.
cross the brutal Parthian wastes.
d6 Ideal
Such is the demand of these services that 1. Exploration: There is so much to uncover,
House Suren keeps several dozen of your buried beneath the sands.
people on retainer to ensure the 2. Freedom: Though the harsh, the dunes offer
a place where no lord will seek you out.

180
3. Unity: The desert is no place to be alone. divine groves deep within the forests of
4. Hard work: The desert is harsh, only those
Gaul.
who work for it will survive.
Since the conquests, the Romans have
5. Peace: The dunes have long since drank their sought to root out the remaining groves
fill of blood. and see them burned and salted to ensure
6. War: The dunes make the perfect
the druids never return.
environment for hit and run tactics against the
You were a protector of one of these final
unknowing.
groves, yet despite the best efforts of you
d6 Bond and your fellow tenders the Legionary
1. The desert. I could not live without it. Battle Mages saw to it that your
grove met the same fate as so
2. The breeze, which carries you through the
many before it.
dunes.

3. My family, who I stalked the desert with.

As one of the last living
Grovetenders you hold within
4. My favorite horse (or you the future of the ancient
camel) with who I share a
druidic circles and represent
strong connection.
a last chance for their
5. There is a special person restoration.
who I hope to see again.
Your past
6. Myself, it’s safer alone.
must be kept
secret when in
d6 Flaw
Roman territory,
1. I have a bad sense of
direction. lest the battle
mages seek you out
2. I am not sociably and wish to
to finish their
be left to my own devices.
purge.
3. I am a coward; the desert
makes a good hiding place. Skill Proficiencies:
Nature, Animal Handling
4. I greedy and will readily leave
Languages: Two of your
someone behind if they cannot
pay.
choice.
Equipment: A set of earth
5. I hate the heat. tone common clothing, a
6. I distrust those from outside walking stick with an
the dunes. elaborate druidic carving, one
days rations, a bag
Grovetender containing 5 gold coins.
You served as one of the
Feature: Child of
Celtic grove tenders.
Apprentices to the great druids, you the Forest
were responsible for You have an unnatural ability
maintaining and protecting the
Grovetender Perth to traverse the forests of the

181
world. While within a forest you gain the 5. Peace: The engines of war require great
following benefits: amounts of wood to flourish.

6. Safety: To be secure in our own groves.

• You cannot become lost except by
magical means. d6 Bond
• When foraging for food you are 1. The forest itself.
able to forage twice as much as
you normally could. 2. my mentor who inducted me into the ways of
grove tending.
• Anyone trying to track you gains
disadvantage on their rolls. 3. A particular forest spirit with who I am close.

4. My family who I rarely get to see.

Of Gods and Oak
While many of the Celtic druids hold great 5. My duty to the forest.
resentment towards the deities of foreign
Pantheons, most especially the Greco- 6. A particularly large tree that I have watched
Romans, there are others whose beliefs over for many years.
transcend the pantheons. The druid Perth is
one such Grovetender. He holds a special d6 Flaw
connection with the great oak trees of the
world, and though a Celt first and foremost, is 1. I am hot-headed and quick to anger.
more than happy to treat with any deities that 2. I am lazy and slow to rouse.
align themselves to the oak.
3. I am a coward and keep to the safety of the
trees.
d6 Personality Trait 4. I am resentful to the towns and cities for the
1. I seek the company of like-minded folk. tole they take on nature.
2. I am eager to spread my knowledge and will 5. I often misunderstand social situations.
happily share with those who wish to learn.
6. I am slow to trust outsiders.
3. I get nervous when I am not in the safety of
the forest.
House Retainer
4. I am dour and mournful.
You served as a personal retainer to one
5. I am quite stingy with my knowledge and of the seven Great Houses of the Parthian
share it only with those I deem worthy. Empire. These houses are second only to
6. I prefer the company of trees to people. the Imperial Dynasty in prominence and
each hold great influence within the
d6 Ideal empire.
1. Protection: Nature is no longer able to defend
itself and we must step in to keep it safe. Each of the Great Houses has certain
specialties and areas in which they are
2. Growth: For too long the trees have been dominant within the Empire.
felled and silenced, it is time for an age of
growth. House Mihran specializes in the breeding
3. Unity: The lone tree has no grove its own. and training of war camels and provides
the largest number of riders to the
4. Sacrifice: Sometimes the trees must be Empire’s defense and war efforts.
watered wit the blood of those who would fell
them. House Zik has substantial influence
within the halls of the great Fire Priests

182
and holds particular prominence among Equipment: A set of fine clothing in your
the Empire’s Zoroastrian citizens. house colors, a signet ring with your
house emblem, one set of artisan’s tools
House Varaz dabbles in the dark and
of your choice, a pouch containing 15
wicked powers of the earth, skeletal
gold coins
thralls and other undead horrors guard
their shadowed halls. Feature: House Resources
House Spandiyadh specializes in the When you choose this background
assassination of the Empire’s enemies, select one of the houses below. You
without and within. As such the gain the skill specific to this
other houses work hard to house. In addition, you may call
ensure they maintain good upon this house in times of need.
relations with the Spandiyadh. Provided they are able, the
They have particular agents of this house will provide
animosity towards the Varaz, you shelter and information.
as they view the necromantic Conversely, the opposed
arts as antithetical to their houses will actively seek to
death-dealing. frustrate any endeavors you
House Ispahbudhan is may be undertaking,
considered the most martial of occasionally going so far as
the houses (though the Mihran attempting to have you killed
dispute this) and can put as should you be perceived as a
many footmen into the field as threat or inconvenience.
the rest of the houses The House of Ispahbudhan –
combined. Athletics
House Karen works closely with Specialty: Soldiers.
the ruling dynasty and has heavy
influence in the day-to-day civil Opposed Houses: Zik, Suren
administration of the empire. and Varaz

House Suren has the most direct The House of Varaz – Arcana
contact with the other realms of the
Specialty: Necromancy
world. Their merchants can be found
from Gaul to Wei and are a key piece of Opposed Houses: Karen, Spandiyadh,
the global trade network that has Suren, Mihran, Ispahbudhan
materialized in recent centuries.
The House of Karen – Insight
Anywhere a merchant guild exists you
can be sure at least one representative of Specialty: Administrators.
the Suren will be present. They are
currently led by Lord Jericho Chirag. Opposed Houses: Suren and Varaz

Skill Proficiencies: Perception The House of Mihran – Animal Handling

Tool Proficiencies: One set of artisan’s Specialty: Cavalry.
tools of your choice.
Languages: One of your choice. Opposed Houses: Zik and Varaz

183
The House of Spandiyadh – Stealth 6. War: In the war the house can prove its merit.

Specialty: Assassins. d6 Bond

1. My mentor who introduced me to the house.
Opposed Houses: Varaz
2. A fellow agent who I have served with
The House of Zik – Religion numerous times.

Specialty: Priestly. 3. A sweetheart I met while conducting my

duties.
Opposed Houses:
Ispahbudhan and Mihran 4. The head of the house who I
feel get respect and gratefulness
The House of Suren – for.
Persuasion
5. My sword, it keeps me safe
when carrying out my duty.
Specialty: Mercantilism
6. A story I was told once as a
Opposed Houses:
child.
Ispahbudhan, Karen and
Varaz d6 Flaw
1. I have trouble keeping secrets.
d6 Personality
2. I don’t like following orders.
Trait
1. I am loyal to my house to 3. I laugh at the worst times.
a fault.
4. I secretly hold n loyalty to my house.
2. I seek to spread the
5. I’m very gullible.
power of my house.
6. I hate my job.
3. I am loyal to a specific
member of the house, but not to
the wider family. Imperial Conscript
4. My loyalty is flexible for the right coin. You served in the Imperial Army just
before the shattering of the Imperial
5. I am like to talk about myself.
Dynasty. Conscripted from your home at
6. I am a good listener and say little myself. a young age you joined thousands of
others pulled from across the vast Empire
d6 Ideal in service to central Imperial authority.
1. Power: The strongest houses dominate one The Impe0rial Army was a skilled,
another. professional organization with a long and
2. Subterfuge: Safer to be in the shadows than storied history. Service was once
the spotlight. synonymous with honor, but in their last
decades the Imperial Army became
3. Religion: We must unite under the true
pantheon, lest we be toppled from within. remembered only for their brutality and
ruthless efficiency in rooting out all those
4. Commerce: The best deals are just over the who the Emperor’s paranoia turned
horizon!
against.
5. Peace: Peace is good for maintaining order
and stability.

184
Throughout the warring kingdoms the 2. I boast about my great military feats and
former conscripts are met with hostility sometimes other people’s.
and distrust. Many warlords outright 3. I feel bitter resentment towards the symbols
refuse their service, with the notable of the old Empire.
exception of Queen Dai of Wei, who has
4. I protect the weak, no matter the cost.
gathered many of these lost soldiers to
form an elite corps within her new 5. I’ll fight any battle anywhere for the right
kingdom’s army. Many others have left coin.

the borders of the old Empire to sell their 6. I’ll never draw my blade first and only do so
services elsewhere, with some finding in defense.
luck in distant lands where their
7. I am quick to anger and quicker to draw
professional soldiery is appreciated. blades.

Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, Animal 8. I am filled with hatred for those who broke
Handling the Empire.
Tool Proficiencies: Proficiency with Go
board, Vehicles (land) d6 Ideal
Equipment: Seal of the Fallen Empire, A 1. Revenge: I seek to cruelly punish those who
have wronged me. (Evil)
Go board and pieces. A set of crimson
soldier’s clothing. A pouch containing 15 2. Duty: Though the name of the Imperial Army
gold coins. is tarnished I strive to uphold our ancient
values. (Lawful)

Feature: Soldier of the Fallen 3. Glory: I wish to see the restoration of the
Empire and the warring kingdoms united.
Empire (Neutral)
As a soldier of a now fallen Empire many
4. Honor: I seek to find a worthy cause to fight
within the new Kingdoms do not for. (Any)
recognize your former rank and may
react with hostility or fear. Loyalists and 5. Protector: No matter where I am, I strive to
help those in need. (Good)
other former Imperial soldiers may still
respect your seal and offer aid and 6. Consumed by loss, I wander the lands a
shelter. broken warrior, fighting, stealing and killing as
I need. (Chaotic)
Suggested Characteristics
With their Emperor dead and their army
d6 Bond
1. I have kept my service weapon in pristine
broken many former Conscripts find
condition, it remains an extension of myself.
themselves lost in a world that despises
them. Others have found new purpose as 2. My horse is my closest companion.
they put their training to use where they 3. I remain in contact with other former
can. Others still hide all trace of their soldiers from my unit, they are like family to
former service and seek to distance me.
themselves from the Empire they had no
4. The Imperial Seal I still carry, forever
choice but to serve. marking me as a member of the Empire.

d8 Personality Trait 5. My superior officer from my time in service,

1. I am haunted by the failures of the past. they offer sage advice

185
6. My family, whom I miss dearly. Trusted in your community, most took
the words you spoke to be gospel, even
Tribune of the Plebs
One of Rome’s most famous living Orators, when you’d read out your lord’s lies.
Lucius Poggioli is the current serving Tribune
of the Plebs. The Tribune is the highest These skills have proven a great boon in
position a plebian can ascend to within your travels, as wherever you speak, a
Rome’s politics. The tribune holds great crowd will gather and give weight to that
power in the Roman hierarchy, able to call the which you say.
Senate to session, propose new legislation
and even veto the consuls in matters relating
to the plebians. Though this last power has
proven diminished in the wake of Rome’s Skill Proficiencies: Persuasion,
conversion to an Empire. Deception
Any assault of the Tribunes person, even by a Languages: Two of your choice.
patrician is punished with execution. Equipment: A scroll case containing past
decrees, a container of hair wax, a set of
d6 Flaw fine clothes, a bag containing 10 gold
1. Even when in service, I worked poorly with coins.
others. I find it hard to make connections.
Feature: The People’s Speaker
2. I am stubborn to a dangerous fault.
You know when and what to say to get a
3. I lie even when there is no need to do so. crowd calmed down, or riled up.
4. My belief in the Empire often causes me Whenever you make a persuasion check
to get into fights when I hear others against a group of ten or more
cheering its fall. humanoids you gain advantage on the
roll.
5. I am bad with directions and often
get lost.
d6 Personality Trait
6. I am absent minded and will 1. I am incredibly sociable.
sometimes forget to do regular
tasks. 2. I love nothing more than to
shout the latest news to the
people.
Orator
3. I use my way with words to
You have a way with words that
get what I want
few can match and a voice that
can carry over the loudest 4. I have a great love for music and
crowds. Your duty was to convey poets.
the messages of your lords to the 5. I love the sound of my own voice
common folk. and make sure I hear it often.

Whether you were reading out the 6. I am always the first to speak.
newest local events, the birth of a
new heir, or a declaration of war, d6 Ideal
1. Power: Words are power, use them
you always delivered your message
wisely.
with a voice of thunder that
compelled those around to heed your 2. Freedom: We must all be free to speak
words with bated breath. our minds.

186
3. Unity: Even one voice can unify people perform and entertain but also the arts of
behind a cause with the right words. courtly manner and intrigue.
4. Conflict: The bets stories are inevitably
While customs vary and personal choices
drawn from the horrors of war.
range, Palace Bards are welcome in the
5. Order: Use your voice to bring calmness and halls of the wealthy and powerful from
stability. Londinium to Linzi. Those trained in
6. Pride: Be proud of what you do and foreign music and instruments are
who you are. routinely sought out to entertain the
ever-bored elite.
d6 Bond
1. The unwashed masses who flock Skill Proficiencies: Performance,
my words. Persuasion
Tool Proficiencies: Two types of
2. My teacher who taught me the
proper way to spin words.
musical instruments (of your
choice).
3. The sound of my own voice. Equipment: A musical
4. The orphans of the city hold a instrument (one of your
special place in my heart choice), letter of
recommendation (from a
5. A certain someone who
loves my voice almost as
previous noble or administrator
much as I do. you’ve served) a set of fine
clothes and a pouch containing
6. A scroll of
25 gold coins.
poems which I
draw hope from.
Feature: Desired
d6 Flaw
1. I am very dower and
Entertainer
rarely see the good in a situation. Palace Musicians are far more
uncommon than their tavern kin. It is
2. I cannot read.
therefore not unknown for a Palace
3. I am averse to violence, why fight when you Musician to find themselves pursued by
can speak? multiple elites. If a settlement is home to
4. I am greedy and charge heavily for my multiple lavish halls you have your pick
talents. of where to perform. As long as you
perform daily, you will be provided with
5. I hate people, but I am good at speaking to
them.
food and accommodations of a
comfortable or wealthy standard.
6. I get nervous in front of large crowds.
Suggested Characteristics
Palace Musician While they are desired and respected to a
You learned to perform not in the humble point within the halls of the elite, Palace
taverns where most of your profession Musicians are never truly considered one
make their living, but in the marbled of them. Though they speak familiarly
courts of governors, magistrates, and with their fellow courtiers, Palace
ministers. You learned not just to

187
Musicians understand that they are still 2. The sounds of nature inspire every chord.
viewed as 3. My teacher taught me all I know; I owe them
everything.
members of the lower class and often
lack the haughty attitudes found in those 4. I intend to play in the grand palaces of every
around them. nation.

d8 Personality Trait 5. The Gods, who protected me during an

1. I am forlorn and my music carries a haunting ambush.
melody.
6. I had a patron at a previous court whom I
2. I never hold my tongue when it comes to grew quite attached to.
bragging about my own exploits.
d6 Flaw
3. I hold great resentment for those whom I
1. I am a perfectionist and will not perform
perform for, wishing I was one of them.
unless I am sure it will be perfect.
4. I cannot stand being second best and will do
2. My patrons offer me bountiful food and a
whatever I can to stay on top.
little too much drink.
5. I’ll perform any ballad anywhere for the right
3. I enraged a previous patron who still has a
coin.
bounty on my head.
6. I love to share my arts, even with those too
4. I must always see the story to its end,
ill-off to afford me.
retreating is difficult for me.
7. I am adept at defusing situations before they
5. I have grown to despise entertaining others
turn violent.
and lament having no other means of survival.
8. My temper can flare, especially when my
6. It takes a long time for me to begin trusting
work is insulted.
my allies.

d6 Ideal
1. Love: Love is pure, and I seek to spread it. Patrician
(Good) You were born into one of Rome’s ancient
Patrician dynasties. A descendant of one
2. Knowledge: I seek to learn the words and of the original one-hundred senators,
chords to every song. (Any)
yours is an ancient and proud line.
3. Infamy: The greatest stories have tragic ends Though the Conflict of Orders centuries
but sometimes they need to be helped along.
past has diminished the standing of the
(Evil)
Patrician families from their height in
4. Riches: Food and lodging is well and good, the mid-Republic era, you still remain a
but who’s willing to pay the most coin? (Any) head above the plebians of Rome.

5. Fame: Wealth is great, but what’s the point if Lavish was your upbringing, trained by
no one knows your name? (Neutral) the finest scholars and tacticians and
attended to by the best-trained slaves,
6. Loss: While loss is painful, I draw great you have wanted for nothing save
inspiration from it. (Chaotic)
adventure.
d6 Bond Now that you have come of age, your
1. My instrument is an extension of myself. family expects great things of you, and

188
though you ultimately expect to one day d6 Ideal
find yourself in the gilded halls of 1. Influence: To hold sway over others is one of
governance, you first wish to strike out the great joys of life.
into the world to see what it has to offer
2. Politics: True influence lies in politics, one
beyond the colonnades of wealth and must master the halls of power.
power.
3. Excess: To indulge in pleasure is the meaning
Skill Proficiencies: Intimidation, Insight of life.
Tool Proficiencies: One artisan’s tool or
4. Wealth: Politics and power involve a lot of
instrument of your choice. danger, better to be rich and obscure.
Language: One of your choice.
Equipment: A set of fine clothing bearing 5. Peace: Conflict only brings ruin with it. Peace
is the path to stability.
your family crest, a scroll of pedigree, a
set of fine shoes or sandals, a bag 6. Chaos: Chaos is a ladder.
containing 30 gold coins.
d6 Bond
Feature: Always Attended 1. A loyal servant with whom I cannot do
You begin with three servants (or slaves) without.
attending to you. One of these will be a 2. My wealth, symbol of my power.
chef, able to cook you fine meals even in
3. My family, to who I owe everything.
the wild. One will be a cleaner, washing
your clothes, tent and bedding to ensure 4. I feel a strong sympathy for urchins and
you are kept clean, they will also draw street children, realizing I could have been born
and warm your baths. The final will be a as one.

hairdresser and beautician, that will keep 5. There is a member of another patrician
you looking beautiful and elaborately family who I have strong feelings for.
displayed so that all you encounter may
6. A signet ring that reminds me of my past,
know you come from a higher stratum. and future.

Though they are loyal to you and will

d6 Flaw
follow your commands they will not fight
1. I have an annoying voice.
or willingly die for you.
2. I am quick to anger, especially towards the
d6Personality Trait lower class.
1. I know I am above those of lesser birth and
3. I am a coward; I rarely leave the walls of my
will flaunt it openly.
manse.
2. I fear losing my position in this world.
4. I am overly gregarious and often don’t know
3. I rarely travel, anything important can come when to shut up.
to me.
5. My greed often clouds my judgement.
4. I seek to help those less fortunate than
6. I am overly generous and it often threatens
myself.
my finances.
5. I am very generous with my coin.

6. I am incredibly stingy. Playwright

From a young age you took great interest
in the beauty of the stage. Enthralled by

189
the stories and those who told them, you 5. I am quite stingy with my knowledge and
strove to become one of them. share it only with those I deem worthy.

6. I prefer the company of books to my fellow

Though you hope to one day return home
scholars.
and put your own adventures to pen and
stage, you know, deep inside, that the d6 Ideal
greatest stories always end in tragedy. 1. Performance: Putting on a good show that
people enjoy is worth it’s weight in gold.
Skill Proficiencies: Performance,
History, 2. Freedom: The authorities should not dictate
Tool Proficiencies: Calligraphers tools, what is proper content for a play!
one musical instrument of your choice. 3. Teamwork: A writer without a troupe is
Equipment: A set of common clothes, a nothing but a dreamer.
set of Calligraphers supplies, a scroll
4. Sacrifice: A good performance takes sweat
containing a previously written play, a and sometimes blood.
bag containing 10 gold coins.
5. Peace: Safe venues are rare in times of war.
Feature: Attendant Troupe 6. War: Conflict inspires the greatest stories.
You have a troupe of actors that have
performed in dozens of your plays that d6 Bond
you are able to call upon. While in your 1. My troupe, without who I would be nothing.
home settlement you will have access to a
2. The theatre where we performed back home.
dozen well-trained actors to perform in
your plays. While traveling, you may have 3. The cheering crowds, inspired by our stories.
up to three of these actors accompany 4. The script of my favorite play, that inspired
you. They will perform in any plays you me to write.
write, for a fee of course.
5. I only truly feel whole when I have a pen in
You may set the price to attend your my hand and parchment on the table.
shows, but each of the actors will expect a 6. my family, who supported my early efforts.
cut. When performing in your home
settlement this will be a five-percent cut d6 Flaw
per actor, while traveling this is raised to 1. I have poor penmanship.
ten-percent.
2. I am slow to recognize sarcasm.

d6 Personality Trait 3. I try to see the best in everyone, even those

1. I know that I studied at the world’s greatest who truly don’t deserve it.
academies and think little of those who learned
4. I care too much what people say about my
elsewhere.
plays.
2. I am eager to spread my knowledge and will
5. I can’t write or read and must dictate my
happily share with those who wish to learn.
plays.
3. I rarely travel beyond the walls of my
6. I can’t stand watching my own performances
academy and am quite nervous when doing so.
on stage.
4. I never truly took to life in the academy and
wish I were doing something else.

190
Sea Serpent Feature: Decent Places
You were one of the Sea Serpents, the The Sea Devils are not welcome in the
feared raiders from the Illyrian coast. settlements outside of Illyria (at least not
You’ve pillaged towns from Albion to the decent ones) and should your history,
Judea and crossed blades with every or Devil’s mark, be discovered, the local
culture across the authorities will move to have you
Mediterranean and imprisoned, or killed, unless you
Atlantic. have an incredibly compelling
reason to be in their settlement.
Despite any
misgivings you may d6 Personality Trait
(or may not) have 1. I don’t like killing, but I love a
about your good brawl.
history, you cannot 2. I want to retire from this life,
escape it. The Sea Serpent’s mark, but there’s nothing else for me.
a black serpent crushing a trireme, is
3. I love sailing into new
tattooed across your back. This symbol
horizons.
is recognizable to all who live in the
coastal settlements of the 4. I always have to prove myself,
Mediterranean and they will react especially in front of the crew.
poorly should your past be discovered. 5. I love to listen and rarely speak
up myself.
The mark is less known the further
inland you go, and the eastern powers in 6. I love the small comforts of
China and India will likely have no good food and drink.

recognition of the marking, allowing

d6 Ideal
easier travel.
1. Power: The sea can grant you many
Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, things if you know how to use it.
Intimidation 2. Revenge: Those who betray their
Tool Proficiencies: One musical comrades can never be forgiven.
instrument or gaming set of your choice.
3. Reliability: A crew must be able to rely on one
Languages: One of your choice. another.
Equipment: A wrist band with the symbol
of your former ship, a set of dark 4. Skill: Being the best requires both talent and
practice.
common clothes, a letter bearing your
captains final orders, a bag contain 10 5. Glory: Nothing is more noble than victorious
gold coins. combat.

6. Plunder: The greatest bounty requires the

Feature: Serpent’s Own. most risk.
Your former status among the Sea
Serpents gives you sway with other d6 Bond
Illyrian raiders you may come across. Any 1. My crew who are like family to me.
Sea Serpents you encounter will provide
2. Illyria, who represents freedom from the
you aid and shelter should you show Empire.
them your Serpent’s mark.

191
3. My ship, my true home. Languages: One of your choice.
4. I have someone back at port that I would give Equipment: A set of Embalmer's Tools, a
it all up for.
leopard-skin cloak, a copy of The Book of
5. I would never betray my captain. the Dead in the form of a papyrus codex,
and a bag containing 10 golden coins.
6. I do what I do for my family in need.

d6 Flaw Feature: Chosen of Osiris

1. I speak my mind to often before those I
The leopard cloak you wear serves as
shouldn’t. your badge of office, and is instantly
recognizable to anyone familiar with
2. I am illiterate.
Egyptian culture. Representing Osiris'
3. I am to timid and rarely assert myself. victory over Set, the leopard cloak marks
you as one with an intimate
4. I have an addiction to gambling.
understanding of the balance of life and
5. I get sea sick. death. You are free to roam wherever
6. I boat about my history even where and when your duties take you, and are welcome in
I shouldn’t. even the most private sanctum or tomb,
as to bar your entry would be to invite the
wrath of the gods. Only a High Priest or
the Pharaoh have true authority over you,
Sem Priest but even they would think twice before
Dating from before the founding of the interfering in your sacred rites.
pharaonic dynasties, the Sem Priests of
Egypt remain some of the most well- Suggested Characteristics
respected of all clergy positions. Experts Sem Priests tend to be disciplined,
at the arts of embalming and reserved, and unflappable. Being well-
mummification, Sem Priests are acquainted with death in all its many
responsible for the care and preparation forms, they are less likely to be disturbed
of the deceased as they make their final by the morbid or grotesque, and often
transition to the afterlife. To this end, rely on dark humor others might find
Sem Priests tirelessly study the ritual distasteful. The job can take its toll,
spells and incantations contained in The however, and not all go unaffected by the
Book of the Dead, an ancient text that daily exposure to the deceased and the
was once reserved only for the most mourners they leave behind. Some Sem
deserving. During the reign of the Priests take solace in lighter pursuits as a
Pharaohs of the Old Kingdom, only the means of separating their personal lives
Pharaoh him or herself was guaranteed from their occupations, but for many
the eternal reward of an afterlife, but their macabre task becomes itself a way
over the millennia this service has of life.
become attainable by even members of
the lower class that can afford it. d8 Personality Trait
1. I take great pride in my work. A well-
Skill Proficiencies: Medicine and preserved mummy is a true work of art.
Religion

Tool Proficiencies: Embalmer's Tools

192
2. I am deeply sympathetic to those 2. Though my training is long complete, the
experiencing loss. Consoling families is often High Priest of my temple remains my personal
the most important aspect of my job. mentor.

3. I have an intensely morbid outlook. Death is 3. I remain in touch with many of the families
inevitable, so working hard to avoid it is to whom I provided my services.
pointless.
4. The local nomarch has called on me to
4. My proximity to death has given me a greater perform the Rites of the Dead on certain
appreciation of life. I live every day to its fullest. nobility in the past.

5. I am very selective in choosing to whom I 5. A foreign scholar has taken keen interest in
provide my services. Not everyone deserves an Egyptian culture and sees my work as a point of
afterlife. study.

6. I can often be persuaded to work for free. 6. I sometimes visit the tomb of a relative to
Being poor shouldn't deny you a proper burial. provide customary offerings.

7. I remember every soul I've worked on. I keep

d6 Flaw
careful records, or collect mementos of the
1. I have a callous disposition which many find
deceased.
off-putting.
8. My ambitions are lofty. I worship and study
2. My obsession with the afterlife grows by the
relentlessly in hopes of one day becoming High
day. I find the world in which I currently reside
Priest.
dull by comparison.

d6 Ideal 3. I have no fear of death. A complete lack of

1. Faith. I trust that the judgment of the gods is self-preservation has nearly cost me my life on
fair. So long as I obey their will, I shall be more than one occasion.
rewarded.
4. I deeply distrust adherents of other religions,
2. Duty. The service I provide is not just and even worshipers of Egyptian gods different
important, it is necessary. I shall not shirk my from my own.
responsibilities.
5. My greed has been known to get the best of
3. Knowledge. Pursuit of the hidden secrets of me. I sometimes steal offerings intended for
the world drives me to study scrolls and texts the deceased.
with ravenous interest.
6. I am deeply lonely. Sometimes I feel as if only
4. Diligence. I understand that the nature of my the dead truly understand me.
profession demands a keen attention to detail. I
make no mistakes.
Sovereign Scholar
5. Altruism. My services extend to the living as The Three Sovereign Academies have
well as the dead. I practice medicine to keep the stood for millennia as the foremost
sick and wounded off of my embalming table.
institutes of collected knowledge, both
6. Stoicism. My time spent with the dead has magical and mundane.
shown me that vibrant emotions remain a
luxury of the living. You were raised within one of the three
Sovereign Academies. You learned
d6 Bond history, arcana and beautiful calligraphy.
1. I work with a partner that I've known for Like the other children raised in the care
years. We rely on one another's particular of the Academies you were orphaned at a
talents.
young age. As a young adult you spent

193
your days helping travelers from near Suggested Characteristics
and far in their studies at your academy. Sovereign Scholars are often known for
You may or may not be magically their calm demeanor and slowness to
inclined, but many of those who seek anger. This makes them well suited to
your assistance in searching the vast diplomacy and mediation. Though hardly
libraries are. uniformly, the majority of Sovereign
Scholars tend toward Lawful Neutral
Skill Proficiencies: History and Arcana. alignment.
In addition, you receive one of the
following based on your chosen academy. d8 Personality Trait
1. I know that I studied at the world’s greatest
academies and think little of those who learned
Fu Xi Academy – Nature elsewhere.

2. I am eager to spread my knowledge and will

Nuwa Academy – Athletics
happily share with those who wish to learn.

Shennong Academy– Insight 3. I rarely travel beyond the walls of my

academy and am quite nervous when doing so.

Tool Proficiencies: Calligrapher’s 4. I never truly took to life in the academy and
supplies. wish I were doing something else.

5. I am quite stingy with my knowledge and

Equipment: Calligrapher’s supplies, a share it only with those I deem worthy.
seal of recognition from your chosen
6. I prefer the company of books to my fellow
academy, a set of fine clothes and a bag
scholars.
containing 10 gold coins.
7. I often share even when my opinion is not
welcome.
Feature: Sovereign’s Welcome
While civil war pits countryman against 8. I take poorly to criticism of my calligraphy.
countryman and kingdoms eye one
another with heavy paranoia, there
d6 Ideal
1. Power: Some say knowledge is power; I saw
remain a select few organizations that knowledge lets me know that power is power. I
may travel in relative safety. Such is the seek to concentrate as much in my hands as I
honor of the Sovereign Academies’ can.
officials that you are welcome in all of
2. Freedom: For too long the small people of the
The Five Kingdoms. Nobility and wealthy world have been trampled by those above. I
merchants will be willing to offer you seek to free those who toil below.
modest to comfortable lodging and food
3. Unity: Only together can we stand, both as
in exchange for your scholarly advice or
individuals and nations.
the tutelage of their children.
4. Sacrifice: Some causes are worth dying for. I
In addition, guards are more likely to let would give my life for what I believe.
you talk your way out of minor
5. Peace: Conflict only brings ruin with it. Peace
infractions within the Five Kingdoms.
is the path to stability.

194
6. War: History is quite clear, the only way to do not recognize the authority of these
reunite the Empire is through the blood and states to limit your freedom to travel
sweat of conflict.
where you will, when you will.
d6 Bond While this does occasionally bring you
1. My calligraphy set; I never feel complete if I into conflict with the authorities, it has
cannot write at the end of a long day.
afforded you the opportunity to see, learn
2. The Academy; it’s home and where I feel I and do things that few others can claim.
belong. You have friends across the width and
3. Knowledge is the only company I need.
breadth of the world and from Albion to
Wei you can call upon the friends you
4. I feel a strong sympathy for urchins and have met through your travels.
street children, realizing how close I came to
being one. Skill Proficiencies: Nature, Survival
5. There’s a special someone back at the
Tool Proficiencies: Proficiency with one
Academy that I can’t wait to see again. artisan’s tool of your choice.
Languages: On of your choice.
6. I feel a great disconnect from those around
Equipment: A set of traveler’s clothes,
me. I do not know what I seek.
one artisans tool set of your choice, an
d6 Flaw explorer’s pack, a bag containing 5 gold
1. While I was trained in it, I have never been coins.
much good at calligraphy, my writing is nearly
illegible.

2. I hate reading, yet there always seems to be Feature: Borderless

another scroll that needs copying! Your journeys have taken you to all
3. I am a coward; I prefer to remain safely in the corners of the world and have taught you
libraries where I belong. much. You may select two additional
languages and one additional tool at
4. I am quite greedy and have been known to
take from the donation crates before they are
character creation and gain proficiency
counted. with these.

5. I will seek knowledge even at great expense d6 Personality Trait

to my health and pocketbook.
1. I can never sit still and always strive to be on
6. I grow resentful of those who seem to know the move.
more than me.
2. I want to know it all and am always asking
questions.
Wanderer 3. I prefer sleeping under the stars.
For as long as you can remember you
have wandered, never remaining in one 4. I travel because my home has dark
memories.
place longer than you need to rest or
restock. You hold no allegiance to any of 5. I’m always seeking new friends in new
the world’s realms and may not know in places.
which you were even born. 6. When reaching new places, I can’t help but
smile.
The borders of the world’s kingdoms and
empires are meaningless to you and you

195
 Beyond Borders 4. I have a bad temper and have made enemies
Magnus Rock is a wanderer of especially great in many towns I’ve visited.
exploits. Having traveled most of the known
world, Magnus has obtained a collection of 5. I sometimes slip into the wrong language
weapons, armors, and oddities from across a mid conversation, often to great offense.
dozen cultures. His homeland remains of a
mystery though some believe he hails from 6. My wanderlust precludes from making
the southern tip of Hispania. strong connections.

d6 Ideal
1. Knowledge: Some say knowledge is power; I
saw knowledge lets me know that power is
power. I seek to concentrate as much in my
hands as I can.

2. Freedom: The despots of the world should

not stifle the free travel of individuals.

3. Exploration: New horizons and experiences

are always around the corner.

4. Culture: The world has too much to

offer to be tied to one place.

5. Joy: Conflict only brings ruin with it. Peace is

the path to stability.

6. Misery: The past is haunted, so it’s best to

keep away from it.

d6 Bond
1. A walking stick I have had with me since
home.

2. I have someone in a town I once visited, I

hope to visit again.

3. I was stuck once; I never will be again.

4. I have a soft spot for the forgotten of society.

5. My home town is a good place and would do

anything to protect it.

6. A small animal I found in my travels is now

my constant companion.

d6 Flaw
1. I don’t realize when I’m not wanted.

2. I rarely know where my next coin will come

from.

3. I go so long without proper meals that I often

overeat to the point of sickness when food is in
abundance.

196
Languages Subclasses
Across the world of Age on
Antiquity a large number of languages
were spoken historically, for the included Circle of Augury
cultures in this book we have simplified
these down into the listed below. The augurs of Rome were a highly
respected class of prophets integrated
Though several languages, such as into many facets of Roman life. All major
Latin and Greek, are lingua franca for functions, both personal and political,
large areas there is no universal common were required to go through the augurs if
language by default. GMs should speak that matter was of great importance. The
with their players regarding whether or augur’s primary method of divining the
not to include a common trade language omens was examining the movement of
birds in the sky, primarily at night. They
in addition to specific regional languages.
also took other factors into account such
Aramaic as the feeding habits of Mars' sacred
chickens, the presence of lightning and
Breton thunder, and other peculiar events. Most
importantly, an augur would guide Rome
Chinese
through impossible decision-making
Egyptian through wisdom and interpretation.

Gaulish These were the ways that the gods would

make their will known to man. It is your
Greek
job to listen, interpret, and guide
Hebrew mankind.

Iberian
Class Features
Illyrian

Latin

Meroitic Avian Familiarity

Parthian Starting at 2nd level, you have created a
deep bond with the flying creatures of
nature. When choosing a form for Wild
Shape, you may choose a creature with a
flying speed. Additionally, add the
following spells to your spell list.

Augury Spells
Class
Spells
Level

2nd Feather Fall, Sanctuary

197
 Class
Spells Amongst the Clouds
Level
Starting at 14th level, your mystical
3rd Augury, Levitate
connection to animals in flight has
5th Clairvoyance, Fly allowed you greater insight and power. If
you would ever fall far enough that you
Arcane Eye, Dimension would take damage, the spell Feather Fall
7th
Door immediately activates and does not
consume a spell slot. This can happen
9th Dream, Legend Lore even if you are unconscious.

Reading the Auspices While examining the skies, you are able
to project your senses out and see
Starting at 6th level, when you through the eyes of birds. This
cast the Augury spell, the effect lasts for one minute.
breadth of knowledge you After you use this ability, you
receive is far greater. The cannot use it again until you
spell may now apply not take a long rest.
only to your actions, but
the actions of those in Circle of Sacrifice
the surrounding area as
wide as a city.
The Celtic druids
Additionally, the time
were a respected class of
frame of these actions is
priests venerated for their
now 24 hours. This
wisdom, power, and
allows you to determine
secrecy. To this day, very
the omens for a king
little is known of their practices;
whose army marches to
and even less coming from unbiased
their doom or an artisan
accounts. What we do know is that the
pondering if he made a
druids were keepers of complex rituals,
worthy investment.
ranging from fertility rites to macabre
Additionally, the chance for
sacrifices. Whether the Celts used
random results is only a
human offerings in their sacrificial
cumulative 10 percent.
rituals is up for debate. The only accounts
of these acts come from Roman sources
Venerated Seer who at the time would benefit from
slandering the Celts as savages. While the
Starting at 10th level, you are truth is buried in the annals of time, the
practiced at gaining the respect mystery of the druids and their occult
and trust of your peers as a wise wisdom carries on in our legends.
sage. You may add your Wisdom modifier
to any Persuasion checks made to gain an
individual's trust.
Class Features

198
Dagda's Boon Curse of Claw and Talon. The imbiber is
cursed upon drinking this potion and
suffers a horrid transformation. The
Starting at 2nd level, when you kill a
imbiber is subject to the Polymorph spell
creature, you may regain a 1st level spell
and must instead make a constitution
slot as a reaction. Once you are capable of
saving throw to fight the effects. Even if
higher-level spells, you may spend 10
they succeed, they merely delay the effect
minutes conducting a ritual over the
and must roll again at the end of every
corpse to upgrade the regained slot to
turn. The effect lasts for one hour. You
2nd level. You may continue the ritual
may choose the type of beast when you
and upgrade to higher level slots for
create the potion following the rules of
every 10 minutes you spend. You may use
the Polymorph spell.
this feature once, regaining usage after a
short or long rest.
Ritual of the Threefold Death
Ritual of Oak and Mistletoe
Starting at 10th level, you learn a ritual of
death and prophecy. You can conduct this
Starting at 6th level, you have developed
ritual at any time, even during combat.
a ritual to bring others closer to the
There are three conditions that must be
beasts of the wild. The ancient Celts
fulfilled for the ritual to succeed. They do
would conduct this ritual to inspire
not need to occur simultaneously but
fertility and healing. Two white bulls
must occur within the duration of the
were bound and brought to a large oak
ritual — 10 minutes.
tree that bears mistletoe on the sixth day
of the moon. A white robed druid would
Wounding. The creature must be
climb the tree and cut the mistletoe with
physically wounded, taking any non-
a golden sickle. The bulls were then
magical damage.
sacrificed and the mistletoe ground into a
potion. Your ritual does not need to
mirror this verbatim, however it must Drowning/Poisoning. The creature must
include ritual sacrifice and a natural be submerged in liquid, take poison
ingredient freshly harvested and made damage, or suffer the poisoned condition.
into a potion. You may only conduct this
ritual during a long rest and make Hanging. The creature must be
enough potion for one creature to imbibe suspended off the ground from any part
within the next 8 hours. The potion has of their body.
one of the following effects of your
choosing. Once all three conditions have been met,
if the target is not already dead, they are
Bestial Brethren. You share the potion rapidly approaching. The target gains
with the imbiber. Guided by your vulnerability to all damage for 24 hours.
demonstration, the imbiber may use the Completing this offering has connected
Wild Shape ability, transforming into the you with the divinity of nature. Any hit
same animal you do. This must be done dice you roll until you take a long rest
together. For the duration of your Wild automatically roll the highest number.
Shapes, you are both immune to poison During your next long rest, you receive a
damage and have a telepathic bond up to dream vision from the local nature deity,
100 feet. acting under the rules of the Commune
spell. When you finish the long rest,

199
double the number of spell slots of the would not dare touch him. Thrown into a
highest level you are capable of until your frenzy, the women tore his flesh to
next long rest. pieces. His head and lyre still sang and
tuned so the women tossed him in the
The Wicker Man river. His remains washed up on the isle
of Lesbos and the inhabitants buried his
head. It is said that the Muses themselves
Starting at 14th level, your practice of
carried his lyre up to the heavens to place
sacrificial offering has reached
it amongst the stars.
unfathomable power. By crafting a
monstrous effigy made of wood and
living beings, you are able to summon a Class Features
powerful creature to your service. This
ritual takes 1 hour to complete. You must
gather a number of living targets equal to
the CR of the creature you are going to Performative Defense
summon. The creature must not have a
CR higher than half your level rounded Starting at 3rd level, while you are
down and must be a beast or elemental. wearing no armor and not wielding a
Once the targets are bound together in shield, your AC equals 10 + your Dexterity
the rough shape of the creature, you must modifier + your Charisma modifier.
light them on fire and finish the ritual. As
the pained screams die, the summoning
is complete. This creature is now Distracting Inspiration
permanently bound to you. It acts on its
own initiative, will follow and defend you Starting at 3rd level, when you grant a
by default, and obey any commands Bardic Inspiration die to an ally, they
given to the best of its ability. If the gain additional benefits. Before they
creature dies, it is gone forever and a new consume the Bardic Inspiration die, they
ritual must be done to summon a new gain advantage on Hide rolls and can take
creature. the Hide, Disengage, or Dash actions as a
bonus action. If they already have the
ability to take these actions as a bonus
College of Orpheus action, they can take them again.

After the tragedy of Orpheus and You also gain the ability to place a Bardic
Eurydice, the bard emerged from the Inspiration die on an enemy. When you
Underworld and wandered alone — do this, the target has disadvantage to
forsaking all desire to lay with beautiful attack anyone but you. When the target
women. He instead found pleasure in makes an attack or uses a harmful spell
continuing his musical journey and or ability directed at you, whether they
seeking comfort in the company of young hit or miss they take psychic damage
boys. Many women across Greece equal to your Bardic Inspiration die as
chastised him for his rejection of them. their mind is wounded for daring to harm
The most fervent of these women were something so beautiful. This does not
Ciconian followers of Dionysus. Enraged, consume the die. An ally may choose to
the women threw rocks and sticks at him. consume this die by attacking the target
However, the tone of his lyre was so and adding the Bardic Inspiration die
enthralling that the rocks and sticks normally.

200
Magnum Opus the Greater Restoration spell may be used
to attach your head to a freshly deceased
humanoid corpse. This messy process
Starting at 6th level, you master a
takes a full week to perform. After this
musical piece that draws the jealous ire of
week, you have full control of your new
aggressors and the admiration of all. As
body but have disadvantage on all skill
an action, begin your performance and
and ability checks, saving throws, and
force all hostile creatures within 60 feet
attack rolls for an addition week as you
to make a Charisma saving throw. If they
adjust to your new body.
fail the saving throw, they are forced to
target you with their attacks and abilities
Getting Ahead in Life. You choose to live
as their jealously flies them into a rage. If
on as a severed head. You no longer have
a target is damaged by anyone except
the ability to take any action that would
you, the target is no longer affected by
require the use of your body. You can,
this ability. If you move further than 60
however, still cast spells using your
feet away from a target, they are no
lovely voice as a spellcasting focus. You
longer affected by this ability. You may
may either be carried around by your very
choose to stop your performance as a free
generous companions or employ a more
action. Once you use this feature, you
magical means of transportation. You
can't use it again until you finish a long
may exchange one of your spell choices
rest. Starting at 13th level, you gain an
from the Magical Secrets feature to the
additional usage of this feature before
cantrip Mage Hand, having the spectral
requiring a long rest.
hand carry you around. Moving by this
method requires near constant focus. You
Everlasting Performance can take no actions of any kind besides
moving and making idle conversation.
Starting at 14th level, the very fabric of Deactivating Mage Hand will cause you to
your existence is a vessel for exquisite fall, potentially incurring falling damage
music. Much like a legendary at double the usual rate due to your lack
composition, you have become so iconic of ability to protect yourself.
that you are extremely difficult to truly
erase from this world. Upon reaching 0
hit points, you do not fall unconscious.
College of Philosophy
Instead, your body becomes limp and
useless but you retain the use of your Emerging from the end of the Dark Ages
eyes, ears, and mouth. If you succumb to of Greece, philosophical thinking marked
death your body is lost forever, however the beginning of a new era. Titans of
you live on as a talking head. If your head free-thinking such as Socrates, Plato,
is completely destroyed, you are truly and Aristotle debated and published
dead. There are several methods for your works on the nature of humanity and our
continued existence. place in the universe. These ideas drove
civilization to a higher standard and
I Am Reborn! The 7th level spell simultaneously pitted conservative
Resurrection is capable of fully restoring religious groups against them. Socrates,
your body. one of the most acclaimed philosophers
of all time, was put to death for impiety
Dubious Means. With handful of talent and poisoning the minds of the young.
and a heaping supply of moral flexibility, There will always be opposition to
intellectuals who desire change, however

201
truly powerful rhetoric can change the one minute, those within 60 feet of you
course of history. are affected by one of the following.

Class Features Confirmation Bias. You perform a

moving lecture bolstering the already
existing opinions of the crowd. Any who
passively held beliefs about the topic you
are speaking on now feel compelled to
Civilized Decorum act. They gain inspiration which can only
be used within the next hour and must be
When you join the College of Philosophy used for a roll related to your lecture.
at 3rd level, you gain advantage on all
Persuasion rolls. You can cast the spell Convincing Argument. You openly
Calm Emotions without expending a spell challenge the point of view of your
slot once per long rest. opposition and provide a compelling
debate against them. Those who oppose
Existential Crisis your view must make an Intelligence
saving throw versus your spell save DC. If
Starting at 6th level, your rhetoric can they fail, they are charmed and have
take hold in the minds of others and drive disadvantage on skill and ability checks
them into spiraling thought. As a bonus in pursuit of their original viewpoint for
action, you may expend a Bardic one hour.
Inspiration die and force a target within
30 feet to make an Intelligence saving This feature is a magical effect. The
throw against your spell save DC. If they creatures do not know they are being
fail, they are overwhelmed with ideas and affected by magic during or after the
paradoxes. Every time the creature makes effects wear off. Creatures with
a roll, they must also roll the Bardic Intelligence 4 or lower are immune to
Inspiration die and subtract its result this feature. You must share a language
from their roll total. If they roll the with your targets or have a translator for
highest number on the Bardic Inspiration this feature to function.
die, they are stunned until the beginning
of their next turn. At the end of the College of Ricochets
creature's turn, they can make an
Intelligence saving throw again to end
Legends tell of a harp wielded by the
the effect. Creatures with Intelligence 4
Dagda, a mighty father god of the Tuatha
or lower are immune to this feature. You
Dé Danann. The Dagda represents
do not need to share a language with the
fertility, nature, fatherhood, and druidic
creature; however, they must be able to
wisdom. It was said that by playing a
comprehend language.
special chord on his harp, he could
change the seasons and incite intense
Moving Rhetoric emotion. This great instrument was
stolen from him by the mortal enemies of
Starting at 14th level, your ideas and the Tuatha Dé - the Fomorians. Try as
musings captivate the minds and souls of they may, they could not get the harp to
those around you. You can deliver a produce sound, as it would only produce
speech that can change stubborn minds sound for the Dagda. At his command,
and bolster existing dispositions. Given the Dagda summoned the harp and it flew

202
with haste back to him killing nine men and float midair. While the Uaithne is
on the way. floating this way, you can use your
reaction to make opportunity attacks as if
Class Features you were standing there. As an action,
you can make melee and thrown attacks
as if you were standing in that space. The
Uaithne cannot be controlled in this way
further than 60 feet from you.
Harper of the Dagda
Accurate Arc
When you join the College of Ricochets,
you come into possession of a unique
custom-made instrument - the Uaithne Starting at 6th level, you adapt to the
(pronounced oo-wayne). An intricately intricate aerodynamics of the Uaithne
crafted tool of beauty and violence, the and hone your throw. Choose one of the
Uaithne is lightweight, nigh unbreakable, following options.
and most importantly - bladed. Through
a ritual concert of astounding magic, the Backspin. If you miss a thrown attack
Uaithne has been bound to you. It will with the Uaithne, you can make an attack
always return to you when called upon. with advantage against another target
within 30 feet of you as the instrument
The Uaithne is a musical instrument and returns. This unexpected blow deals an
exotic weapon that you are proficient in. additional amount of damage equal to
It has the Finesse and Thrown properties, your Charisma modifier.
a range of 30/60, and deals 1d8 damage.
As a bonus action, you can command the Dúnmharú Preab. When you hit a thrown
Uaithne to return to you as long as it is on attack with the Uaithne, it ricochets
the same plane as you. It will by default violently with murderous intent. Make an
take the most direct path possible doing additional attack against another target
whatever damage necessary along the within 15 feet of your original target at
way. disadvantage. You can continue making
attacks this way at a cumulative -1 per
The innate magical nature of the Uaithne target until you miss.
gives it several unique properties. No one
but you may produce music from the Phantasmal Duplicate
harp. Any attempts to pluck the strings
result in silence. The Uaithne holds one Starting at 14th level, the magical bond
charge which you may use to cast between you and your instrument is so
Heroism, Sleep, or Tasha's Hideous intense, you can create a duplicate of the
Laughter. The harp regains one charge Uaithne made of pure magical resonance.
after a long rest. When you use your action to make a
thrown attack with the Uaithne, a
Whirling Ripper duplicate appears in your hand. You can
use your bonus action to make a thrown
Starting at 3rd level, after you make a attack with the duplicate. The duplicate
thrown attack with the Uaithne, whether disappears at the end of your turn.
it hits or misses, you can choose to have
it occupy an adjacent space to your target Additionally, you can cast the spell

203
Control Weather without consuming a impose advantage or disadvantage. You
spell slot. Once you cast this spell, you can use this feature a number of times
cannot use it again until you finish a long equal to your proficiency bonus before
rest. requiring a long rest. The more you use
this feature, the greater the chance of
your luck running out. When you use this
Divine Domain: Fortune feature, roll a d20. If the result is 1-5, the
next time you use this feature downgrade
Throughout the history of humankind, the die rolled as follows — d20 > d12 >
we have prayed to the gods for good luck. d10 > d8 > d6. Once you are unable to
It is in our nature to wish that things downgrade the die any more, your luck
beyond our realm of control will simply has run out and becomes unstable. Now
work out. As a Cleric of Fortune, you have when you use this feature there is a 50%
devoted yourself to a deity of destiny and chance that the target will receive the
hope. Your connection to the divine opposite effect. After the opposite effect
brings favor unto you and your has been experienced 3 times, your luck
companions. Gods of fortune include returns and the die resets back to a d20.
Tyche (Greek), Fortuna (Roman),
Vesunna (Celtic), Renenutet (Egyptian),
Manat (Arabian), and Nortia (Etruscan).
Channel Divinity: Fortuitous
Opening
Class Features
Starting at 2nd level, as a reaction to a
creature taking damage, you can use your
Channel Divinity to immediately let the
Fortune Spells creature take an action. This action is in
addition to any actions they may take
Class Level Spells during this round.

1st Heroism, Shield Slippery

3rd Blur, Invisibility Starting at 6th level, your luck is so
fruitful that you gain +1 AC. Additionally,
5th Counterspell, Nondetection if an enemy misses a melee attack against
you and is adjacent to another enemy,
they must make a Charisma saving throw
7th Faithful Hound, Stoneskin versus your spell save DC. If they fail,
they swing into their companion using
the same attack roll.
9th Mislead, Telepathic Bond
Destined Result
Pushing Probability
Starting at 8th level, when you deal
damage with an attack or spell you may
Starting at 1st level, luck fluctuates
add 1d8 radiant damage. At level 14, this
around you in mysterious ways. On any
becomes 2d8 radiant damage.
single dice roll that is rolled by any
creature, you may use your reaction to

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Incredible Convenience Empowered Trophy

Starting at 17th level, situations work out When you take this archetype at level 3,
in your favor due to bafflingly convenient you are able to craft an item of
circumstances. As an action and with magnificent power from the remains of a
your GM's approval, you can introduce an deadly creature you have slain. Choose a
element to the story that resolves an magic item from the Uncommon rarity
issue for you that would otherwise list as a template. Your choice requires
inconvenience you. This could be a GM approval. You can only ever have one
situation such as remembering that you Empowered Trophy. The creature you
stashed a standard handcuff key in your craft the Empowered Trophy from must
belt or noticing that there are three be of a CR at least equal to your level at
horses left unguarded you could use to the time of creation. If it leaves your
escape on. Keep this within the realm of possession, it loses all magical quality.
realism for your game world. Your GM Upon gaining a level, you may choose to
has absolute discretion to deny your craft a new Empowered Trophy,
usage of this ability at any time. Once you destroying the original in the process. At
have used this feature, you cannot use it 11th level, you may craft an Empowered
again until you take a long rest. Trophy using a Rare item as a template.

Leviathan's Bane

Martial Archetype: Greek Starting at 7th level, you face down

impossible odds with unshakable resolve.
Hero When you are engaged with a creature
whose CR is higher than your level, your
The myths of the Greek people are filled attacks deal additional damage equal to
with gods, monsters, titans, magic, and your Fighter level plus your proficiency
tragedy. The players of these tales are bonus.
often heroes — the mighty few mortals
or demi-mortals with inexplicable power.
Legend of the Earth
The binding theme of the Greek hero is
that they overcome. Heracles and his
twelve impossible labors. Odysseus and Starting at 10th level, you come into your
his treacherous journey home. Perseus own as a true hero. Your identity and
and the Gorgon, Medusa. Theseus and his renown amongst others shines brightly
battle with the Minotaur of Crete. in folk tales and legends. Choose one of
Whether it be a contest of brutal strength the following.
or a battle of wits, the heroes put up a
fight of legendary proportion. With some Achilles' Heel. Gain +2 AC but suffer
connection to the divine, it is now your vulnerability to all damage dealt by a
turn to be entered into the annals of myth critical hit.
and carve out your name as a hero.
Heracles' Rage. When you slay an enemy,
you gain advantage on your next attack
Class Features and add your proficiency bonus to the
damage as long as the following attack
takes place during the same turn.

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However, if your target is adjacent to linothorax, a combination of linen and
other creatures, friend or foe, you must glue. They fought primarily with doru
choose between all adjacent targets at (spear) and aspis (shield) as well as a
random. xiphos (short sword) at their side. The
ranks of the hoplites were often made up
Odysseus' Courage. Gain immunity to the of various free peoples who could afford
frightened condition and proficiency in weapons and armor. At the time of their
Wisdom and Charisma saving throws. recruitment, most lacked formal military
training and far fewer could be
Impossible Willpower considered professional soldiers. It was
through teamwork and great effort that a
group of hoplites could topple a
Starting at 15th level, you are able to massively overwhelming enemy force.
muster the power in a single moment
that can topple horrors. You can turn any
attack roll into a critical hit. You may use
this feature once, regaining usage after a
long rest. Class Features

Living Myth

Starting at 18th level, your might has

Phalanx Warrior
grown so glorious you have gained the
favor of the gods. As an action, beseech When you choose this archetype at 3rd
one of the regional gods to aid you in level, you gain fundamental knowledge
your time of need. Describe the about phalanx formations and group
assistance you seek, and roll percentile combat. Whenever you have an allied
dice. If you roll a number equal to or creature adjacent to you, you gain
lower than your Fighter level, your deity advantage on all melee attack rolls. If you
intervenes. The DM chooses the nature of have two allies adjacent to you, you also
the intervention; the effect of a spell grant advantage on all melee attack rolls
would be appropriate. If the deity to those allies and have advantage on all
intervenes, you can't use this feature Strength and Dexterity saving throws.
again for 7 days. Otherwise, you can use it
again after you finish a long rest. Vanquisher of Armies

Starting at 7th level, your courage on the

battlefield allows you to overcome
Martial Archetype: Hoplite insurmountable odds. If there are more
hostile creatures within 60 feet of you
than friendly creatures, add your Fighter
The hoplites of Greece were trained in the
level to all damage you deal. If the
art of making fewer soldiers greatly
number of enemies is double or more
effective against many. Implementing a
than the number of allies, you may also
phalanx formation, the hoplites would
add your proficiency bonus. This feature
form a sturdy wall of shields and spears
only applies if you are aware of the
making them a nigh unstoppable unit.
enemies and their number.
Hoplites were protected by bronze armor
if they could afford it or more commonly

206
Fighting Forms Martial Archetype:
Starting at 10th level, after countless
Legionnaire
combat drills and the use of leather
straps to stabilize your shield around There were none more capable of military
your forearm, you can quickly adapt to and civic duty than the legionnaires of
the constantly changing battlefield. Once Rome. In exchange for 25 years of service
per turn you may instantly don or doff to Rome, legionnaires were granted their
your shield as a free action and are now own parcel of land and the wealth that
immune to having your shield disarmed. came with it. This service required more
Additionally, the first time an enemy than just a devotion to violence.
would move within 5 feet of you, you can Legionnaires were renown members of
use your reaction to draw your shield and society — workers, engineers,
xiphos (short sword) and make an attack. craftsmen, and police. It was
this kinship for their country
that bound them all in a single
Offensive Defense goal — for the glory of Rome.
As masters of war, the
Starting at 15th level, every attack you hit legionnaires most
during a round increases your AC by 1 often wielded an
until the beginning of your next turn. array of
weaponry most
Wall of Death versatile for
their needs.
Starting at 18th level, you have The pilum
mastered formation strategy and lead (javelin),
your companions in perfect unison. scutum
A creature is considered in (shield),
formation if they form a single gladius
chain of adjacent units. All (short
creatures in formation gain sword),
+1 to attack and damage and
for every creature in the pugio
formation up to a
maximum of +10.
Additionally, if a
creature in
formation (dagger).
drops to 0 hit points, they Praised for their
instead drop to 1 hit point. This effectiveness in combat,
can only happen once per the legionnaires would be
creature per combat. known as the premier
fighting force in the
world.

Class Features

207
Rapid Preparation Concentrated Training

When you choose this archetype at 3rd Starting at 10th level, you have
level, you gain proficiency with one type specialized your skills into one of the
of artisan's tools. Additionally, you are main tenets of the legionnaire. Choose
trained to set up a fortified encampment one of the following.
at a moment's notice. Given one minute
to prepare, you may prepare a 100-foot Resolute Leader. As a bonus action, grant
wide square for combat. Choose one of an ally inspiration. After you have used
the following every time you set up an this ability, you cannot use it again until
encampment. you take a short or long rest.

Palisades. Construct four spiked wooden Cunning Engineer. Gain proficiency in

palisades and place them tactically to two additional artisan's tools and two
route your enemy's movement. Palisades skills of your choice. Choose one skill you
take up a 5-foot square. While an enemy are proficient in and double your
is adjacent to a palisade, they have proficiency bonus when using that skill.
disadvantage on Dexterity saving throws
and -1 AC due to lost mobility. If pushed The Vanguard. Shields now grant you +3
into a palisade forcefully, a creature takes AC. You may plant your shield into the
1d6 damage. ground and still gain the AC bonus as if
you were carrying it as long as you
Pitfall. Dig a 5-foot deep 10-foot-wide remain within 5 feet of it.
pit and cover it loosely. When a creature
steps on the pit, they must make a DC 15 Mind for Strategy
Dexterity saving throw or fall prone and
take 1d10 damage.
Starting at 15th level, your tactical
prowess has reached greater heights. If
Oil Pots. Hang or tactically place two pots
spend a turn in combat without
of oil. When the pots are dropped,
attacking, you gain advantage on all
broken, or stepped on, they spread as if
attack rolls for the next two rounds.
using the spell Grease. Additionally,
targets standing in the oil take an
additional 2d6 damage from any source Legionarius Maximus
of fire.
Starting at 18th level, you are a veteran of
Adaptable Violence many campaigns and a grizzled warrior
to be venerated. You are immune to the
frightened condition. When you make a
Starting at 7th level, your arsenal has
pilum thrown attack against an opponent
become a core part of you giving you
with a shield, even if the attack misses,
greater flexibility with your weaponry.
the pilum strikes through the shield and
You can make a thrown attack with a
is stuck. The shield no longer provides an
pilum (javelin) as a bonus action.
AC bonus. Additionally, as an action you
Additionally, you can switch what
can put your full force into a shield bash
weapons or items you are holding as a
attempting to knock your opponent off
free action once on your turn.
their guard. Your target must make a DC
15 Constitution saving throw. If they fail,

208
they are stunned until the beginning of Additionally, when you use your action to
your next turn. pin your grappled target via the Grapple
feat, you are no longer restrained and the
target is additionally paralyzed. They can
still, however, roll to escape the grapple.
Martial Archetype:
Auspicious Opening
Pankration
Starting at 7th level, you learn to take
It is said that the great heroes Heracles advantage of the slightest mistake in
and Theseus were the inventors of your enemy's form. If an enemy misses a
pankration, a form of mixed martial arts. melee attack against you, you may
The word pankration comes from the initiate a grapple with no roll required as
Greek "pan", meaning "all" and a reaction.
"kratos", meaning "strength."
Pankration was practiced competitively
Vertical Tactics
in the Olympic Games for hundreds of
years. The signature style of pankration
is to use the entire body to provide as Starting at 10th level, your fighting form
much force and leverage to your has specialized into standing or ground
opponent as possible. This includes focused technique. Choose one of the
standing strikes, grapples, throws, locks, following.
and chokes. The only rules of pankration
forbid gouging of the eyes and biting.
Everything else, no matter how brutal,
was fair game. Sheer strength was an Combination Striker. Every strike you
important aspect of the sport; however, land beyond the first has a chance to rock
strategy and knowledge of the techniques your opponent. When you hit an
separated the scrappers from the opponent with an unarmed attack after
legends. you have already hit them in a turn, they
must make a Constitution saving throw
with a DC equal to 10 + your Strength
modifier. If they fail, they are stunned
until the end of their next turn. Further
Class Features hits are not additive to the stun; however,
they are additional chances to stun if
earlier attempts failed.

Total Combat

When you take this archetype at level 3, Ground and Pound. When you
you gain the Grappler feat. Additionally, successfully initiate a grapple, you may
you can roll a d4 in place of the normal topple your opponent knocking them
damage of your unarmed strike. This die prone as a bonus action. While in this
changes as you gain Fighter levels — d6 position, you may choose to take -5 to
at 5th level, d8 at 11th level, d10 at 17th attack and +10 to damage with your
level. unarmed strikes.

209
 Inescapable Vice Class
Spells
Level
Starting at 15th level, you have advantage
Freedom of Movement, Hallucinatory
on rolls to initiate and maintain a 13th
Terrain
grapple. Enemies have disadvantage on
rolls to escape your grapple. 17th Flame Strike, Wall of Force

Human Shield Channel Divinity: Thundering

Blow
Starting at 18th level, if you are currently
grappling an opponent, all attacks that
Starting at 3rd level, your Divine Smite
target you have disadvantage as you
can be used with ranged and thrown
maneuver your victim in the way. If you
attacks. When you smite a creature with a
are grappling two creatures at once,
ranged or thrown attack, you can use
increase your AC by 5.
your Channel Divinity to cause a bolt of
lightning to strike through your target
and onward in a 30-foot line behind
them dealing half the smite's damage to
Oath of Justice all targets caught in the lightning.
Creatures can make a DC 15 Dexterity
In the Parthian Empire, Paladins that saving throw to take half damage.
swear an Oath of Justice most often do so
under the auspice of Marduk or Shamash, You can also use your Channel Divinity to
but Ishtar and Nergal certainly embody make a rushing attack. When you strike a
the more vindictive or outright vengeful target with a ranged or thrown attack
aspects of justice as well. Often mounted within your movement range, you may
and making use of a wide range of spend your Channel Divinity and rush
weaponry, Paladins of Justice travel great forward in a supernatural blur, drawing a
distances in search of those seeking to melee weapon and making a melee attack
evade the consequences of their crimes, as a bonus action with advantage.
bringing a swift end to the enemies of
their chosen deity. Aura of Exposed Weakness

Class Features Starting at 7th level, targets moving out

of a 15-foot range of you provoke a
special attack of opportunity. As a
reaction, you may make a ranged or
Justice Spells thrown attack against them.

Class
Level
Spells Optimal Range

3rd Expeditious Retreat, Hunter's Mark Starting at 15th level, you are quick on
your feet to keep distance between you
5th Blur, Acid Arrow and your prey. When a creature moves
within 15 feet of you, you may use your
9th Haste, Phantom Steed
reaction to mirror the next 15 feet of their

210
movement exactly. If they move toward ranged and thrown attacks against
you, you move away. You can use this those creatures and may add your
feature even if you have expended all Charisma modifier to the damage.
movement for the round and it does not • When you have used all of your
expend future movement for the round. attacks on your turn for ranged or
You can only use this feature once per thrown attacks and they have all
round. hit, you may make another ranged
or thrown attack at a -3 penalty. If
Volley of Death that attack hits, you may make
another attack at a cumulative -3
Starting at 20th level, your presence on penalty. You may continue making
the battlefield is an omen of doom for attacks as long as they hit.
your enemies. You gain the following
abilities.

• When attacking creatures within

Oath of Autonomy
15 feet of you but not in melee
range, you gain advantage on all In 167 BCE, the king of the Seleucid
Empire, Antiochus IV Epiphanes had
decreed all Jewish practices
forbidden in Judea. Breaking the
king's decree was punishable by
death. Rising from under the boot
of oppression, a priest of the
Hebrews — Judah Maccabee, rose
up in revolt against a massively
superior fighting force. Judah and
his brothers led a guerilla fighting
force striking the Seleucids mid
transit and out of position, moving
through the landscape as ghosts.
Judah ultimately fell in combat;
however, the strength of his beliefs
sparked a revolution that resulted
in the freedom of his people.

Tenets of Autonomy

Freedom from Religious

Oppression. The strength of your
belief knows no rival. The greatest
sin of all is for another to force a
man into false worship.
Tactics Over Raw Strength. A sharp
mind can overthrow empires. Not
all wars were won by superior
strength of arms. Outmaneuvering
your opponent is vital to victory.

211
Defense of the Homeland. All living souls Light on Your Feet
deserve the freedom of their home and
the right to believe what they wish.
Starting at 3rd level, medium armor no
Intruders of aggression, physical or
longer imposes disadvantage on stealth
ideological, will be dealt with swiftly
rolls. Additionally, you gain proficiency
before they know what hit them.
in either Stealth or Survival.

Class Features Aura of Rallying

Starting at 7th level, for the first round of

combat, you and any friendly creatures
Autonomy Spells within 15 feet during the initiative roll
Class increase their movement speed by 10
Spells
Level feet and gain a bonus to melee weapon
attacks equal to your proficiency bonus.
3rd Expeditious Retreat, Longstrider

5th Invisibility, Pass Without Trace Veteran of Rebellion

9th Haste, Nondetection Starting at 15th level, you are unable to
be surprised in combat. Additionally,
Freedom of Movement, Greater
13th enemies can no longer have advantage
Invisibility to attack you as long as you are
17th Mislead, Passwall conscious.

Shadow of the Lord

Channel Divinity: Lightning At 20th level, you become the
Hammer embodiment of sudden death. You are the
one your enemies fear will ambush them
You can use your channel divinity to in the night so they are never to be seen
rapidly enter the fray of combat. When again. You gain all of the following:
initiative is rolled, as long as you are not
surprised you gain advantage on your • You can cast Pass Without Trace as
initiative roll and all attacks on your first a cantrip and cannot be tracked by
turn of combat. If you surprise your even magical means.
enemies, you gain the aforementioned • You are unable to be targeted by
effects as well as an additional amount of Divination magic.
damage on your first attack equal to your
Paladin level plus your Charisma • Once per day, when initiative is
Modifier. If you are surprised, you may rolled you can declare sudden
roll initiative normally and act in the death. You and all your allies
surprise round. immediately act in a surprise
round and are immune to all
negative conditions for one
minute.

212
 The creature can attempt to force
Pact of Chaos themselves from being shunted through
reality and ignore the initiative change by
Clashing against the balancing precision taking disadvantage on all rolls on their
of the universe is a spark of life and turn. You can use this feature a number of
death. Chaos is surprising, unpredictable, times equal to your Charisma modifier.
breathing, decaying, and always You regain all uses of this ability after a
changing. Neither good nor evil, the only long rest.
constant of chaos is the assurance that
there will be change. You have bound
yourself to the ever-changing havoc. Sudden Displacement
Wielding chaos as a tool requires
flexibility and open-mindedness to stay Starting at 6th level, your ability to weave
attuned to the shifting flow. Lose the flow of chaos allows you to
yourself in the never-ending twists and manipulate spacial control. As a reaction
turns and you may never find yourself at any time, you may force two targets to
again. Then again, the concept of the self make a Charisma saving throw against
may just be a pathetic excuse to your spell save DC. If they both fail, they
rationalize the pandemonium that is life. instantly swap physical places. If a target
is inanimate, yourself, or allows the
swap, they do not need to roll and
Class Features
automatically fail the throw. You can use
this feature a number of times equal to
your proficiency bonus and regain all
uses after a long rest.
Chaos Spells
Spell Malignancy and Entropy
Spells
Level

1st Fog Cloud, Grease Starting at 10th level, your mastery of

chaos has sharpened to a specialized
Enlarge/Reduce, Gust of form. Once you have used this feature,
2nd you cannot use it again until you have
Wind
taken a short or long rest. Choose one of
Sleet Storm, Stinking the following.
3rd
Cloud

4th Compulsion, Confusion

5th Animate Objects, Awaken Rampant Growth. As an action, roll any

number of your hit dice. All creatures
within 30 feet must roll 1d20. For those
Chaotic Shuffle who roll 11-20, divide the number rolled
on your hit dice as healing evenly. For
Starting at 1st level, the presence of chaos those who roll 1-10, nothing apparently
judders reality from your very presence. happens; although any poisons or
At the start of a creature's turn, you may diseases in their bodies may accelerate
use your reaction to force them to reroll and they may have gained an inch of hair.
initiative at disadvantage. The initiative Using this ability does not consume your
then resumes as normal and the creature hit dice.
takes its turn at its new initiative place.

213
 death and cause it to rise in servitude.
Long ago, there was a powerful scribe
Seething Decay. As an action, roll any under the pharaoh by the name of
number of your hit dice. All creatures Ubaoner. His wife had lay with another
within 30 feet must make a Charisma man, bringing him shame and dishonor.
saving throw against your spell save DC. In an act of vengeance, he crafted a wax
For those who fail, divide the number figurine of a crocodile and brought it to
rolled on your hit dice as damage evenly. life as the man bathed. It devoured him
For those who succeed, nothing alive.
apparently happens; although they may
have lost a few days off their lifespan. Mummification is a different magic based
Using this ability does not consume your in complex ritual and a deep connection
hit dice. to the beyond. Your devotion to a god
brings this power to the material world.
Anubis being the god of mummification
Lord of Bedlam
would be a fine choice. However, other
deities such as Aten the sun god,
Starting at 14th level, chaos has been worshipped by heretics, may grant power
sewn into the very fabric of your to those bound to him.
existence. Your awareness that the
multiverse is an endless spiral of change
steels you from the changes in your Class Features
experiences. You are immune to the
frightened condition. Any divination
magic cast on you or within 30 feet of you
has a 50% chance to fail and a 50% Mummification Spells
chance to have undesired effects. If any Spell
saving throw would have you take Spells
Level
damage or suffer an effect when
succeeding, you instead take no damage 1st False Life, Inflict Wounds
and suffer no effect.
Enhance Ability, Gentle
2nd
Additionally, upon taking damage you Repose
can use your reaction to transfer the
damage to another random target within Bestow Curse, Speak with
3rd
30 feet. The target can make a Charisma Dead
saving throw versus your spell save DC to
4th Death Ward, Stoneskin
take half the damage instead. You can use
this feature once and regain usage after a 5th Antilife Shell, Contagion
short or long rest.
Living Effigy

Starting at 1st level, you have the ability

Pact of Mummification to create momentary life from a crafted
effigy. The effigy can be made of wax,
Through the mystical power of an mummified or petrified remains, or
Egyptian deity, you have grasped the merely an idol. As an action, you can
techniques to preserve the soul beyond transform the effigy into the creature it

214
represents. The creature springs to life or be blinded and deafened. At the end of
and obeys one simple command to the the affected creature's turn, they can
best of its ability. At the beginning of make a Constitution saving throw to end
your next turn, the creature returns to its the effect.
effigy form. The creature can be of a CR
no higher than half your level rounded Venomous Glands. The creature shoots a
down and no larger than Medium size. spray of venomous liquid at your foes.
The creature gains only the AC, hit Make a ranged attack against two
points, speed, ability scores, and saving adjacent targets within 30 feet using the
throws of the creature the effigy is based creature's Dexterity modifier plus your
on. To determine its abilities, when the proficiency bonus. If it hits, the target
effigy is crafted choose two features from becomes poisoned.
the list.
After you use this feature to bring an
effigy to life, you cannot use it again until
you take a short or long rest. During a
Volatile Exit. When the creature returns long rest, you can re-craft the effigy and
to effigy form, it explodes in a torrent of choose a different creature and abilities.
goo. Creatures within 10 feet must make a
DC 15 Dexterity saving throw. On a failed Curse of the Mummy
save, they take 2d6 acid damage and have
their movement reduced by half until
Starting at 6th level, you learn the ritual
their next turn.
for creating a mummified thrall. During a
long rest, you can mummify a fresh
Dive Tackle. The creature may lunge corpse and conduct a ceremony to bring
toward a target and attempt to knock it to life under your command. The
them over. Have the creature make a creature can be no larger than Medium
contested Athletics check versus the size and can be of a CR no greater than
target's choice of Athletics or Acrobatics. your level. The mummy uses the
The creature adds your proficiency bonus statistics of the creature it was in life. You
to the roll. If the creature succeeds, the have no direct control over the mummy
target is knocked prone. and cannot issue it commands. Its sole
purpose is to remain within 10 feet of you
All-Terrain Horror. The creature gains a and defend you. It remains bound to you
flying, climbing, and swimming speed until it drops to 0 hit points or you
equal to its walking speed. choose to make a new mummy. If the
mummy drops to 0 hit points, you cannot
Violent Maiming. The creature makes use the same corpse again.
two melee attacks using either their
Strength or Dexterity modifier plus your
proficiency bonus. For damage, roll a
Superior Thralls
number of d6s equal to the creature's CR,
minimum of one. Starting at 10th level, your effigy and
mummy are enhanced. The creatures can
Crackling Bang. The creature lets out a now be Large size creatures. Additionally,
shriek and exudes a flashing strobe of you can add a third ability from the list to
light. All creatures within 20 feet must your effigy. Add your proficiency bonus
make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw to all rolls your mummy makes.

215
Desert's Sting slot of the spell's level or higher. You
regain all expended spell slots when you
finish a long rest.
Starting at 14th level, your mummy can
exude an aura of death. A supernatural
You may choose your spells from any
field surrounds the mummy made of a
spell list. You may only choose evocation
sandstorm, choking river water,
and transmutation spells; however, one
scorpions, or something related to the
of your known spells may be from any
death of the creature. The aura extends
magic school. Additionally, when you
up to 30 feet and ignores those you
gain a level in this class, you can choose
consider allies. Those caught within the
one of the spells you know and replace it
aura are considered to be in difficult
with another spell, which also must be of
terrain, cannot hide from you, and have
a level for which you have spell slots.
disadvantage on all saving throws. If an
enemy within the aura deals damage to
Constitution is your spellcasting ability
you, they take damage equal to half of
for your spells, so you use your
what they dealt to you.
Constitution whenever a spell refers to
your spellcasting ability. In addition, you
Path of the Blood-Caster use your Constitution modifier when
setting the saving throw DC for a spell
The warriors of the Germanic tribes know you cast and when making an attack roll
no equal in ferocity. They wade into open with one.
combat, greatly outnumbered, backed
only by the fervor of their bloodlust. This
violent disregard for life has led a select Spell save DC = 8 + your proficiency
few to discover the ability to channel bonus + your Constitution modifier
their rage into bursts of magic. The
process is often unreliable and brutal; Spell attack modifier = your proficiency
however, for the Blood-Caster, any edge bonus + your Constitution modifier
over an opponent must be seized.
Blood Magic Table
Spellcasting Class Spells
1st 2nd 3rd 4th
When you reach 3rd level, you gain the Level Known
ability to cast spells.
1st - - - - -
Blood Magic
2nd - - - - -
Starting at 3rd level, you are able to cast
spells and concentrate on them, even 3rd 3 2 - - -
while raging. Your rage will not end if you
cast an offensive spell on your turn. 4th 4 3 - - -

Cantrips. Due to the explosive and 5th 4 3 - - -

inconsistent nature of your magic, you
are unable to cast cantrips. 6th 4 3 - - -
Spell Slots. The Blood Magic table shows
how many spell slots you have to cast 7th 5 4 2 - -
your spells of 1st level and higher. To cast
8th 6 4 2 - -
one of these spells, you must expend a

216
Class Spells may cast a spell that normally has a
1st 2nd 3rd 4th
Level Known casting time of 1 Action or 1 Bonus Action.
If you are raging, you may add your
9th 6 4 2 - - Barbarian level and Constitution modifier
to the spell's damage.
10th 7 4 3 - -

11th 8 4 3 - -
Wītagōn of Red

12th 8 4 3 - - Starting at 14th level, you have either

learned to embrace the volatile chaos of
13th 9 4 3 2 - your magic or hone it into a more
deliberate weapon. Choose one of the
14th 10 4 3 2 - following.

15th 10 4 3 2 -
Blood for Blood. When you cast a single-
3 - target spell, you may sacrifice any
16th 11 4 3
number of hit dice and roll them. Add the
17th 11 4 3 3 - result to the spell's damage and take half
the damage yourself. The damage to
18th 11 4 3 3 - yourself is unable to be mitigated or
prevented in any way.
19th 12 4 3 3 1
Controlled Carnage. Gain a permanent
20th 13 4 3 3 1 hit die. This does not affect your
maximum hit points but can be used to
regain hit points and be used with your
ƀlōtanan other Blood-Caster abilities.
Additionally, your limit for Spells Known
Starting at 6th level, your fury pushes the increases by 2.
capabilities of magic beyond instinct for
self-preservation. You may choose to Berserker’s Martyrdom
cast a spell even if you have no spell slots
available. When you do this, sacrifice a Starting at 14th level, your boundless
number of hit dice equal to the spell’s rage drives both body and soul past the
level. Roll the hit dice and take damage limits of mortality. When you enter a
equal to the result plus your Barbarian rage, you may choose to burn all the
level. This damage is unable to be magic within you at once and go berserk.
mitigated or prevented in any way. Once You may remain in this state for 1d6
you have used this feature, you cannot rounds. While in this state, you gain
use it again until you take a short or long advantage on spell attack rolls, your spell
rest. Your hit dice recover normally. damage is always treated as the
maximum possible number, and enemies
Furious Weave have disadvantage on saving throws
against your spells. Once you exit the
Starting at 10th level, magic boils in your frenzy, you immediately drop to 0 hit
blood ready to explode at the slightest points and are not stable.
provocation. As a reaction to taking
damage from an enemy you can see, you

217
 crowds cheering, they also know how to
Path of the Gladiator get under an opponent’s skin with more
than just a blade.
Gladiators are the lords of the arena.
Skilled both at arms and showmanship,
Starting at 10th level, when an opponent
the most successful gladiators are those
within 60 feet of you misses an attack roll
who can entertain as well as they can
you may use your reaction to mock their
fight. Whether slaves fighting for their
failure. The target must succeed on a
freedom, captured soldiers pressed into
Wisdom Saving through (DC 8 +
combat, or glory seekers hungry for their
Charisma Mod + Proficiency bonus.) On a
name to be known, those that can stay
failed save the target is discouraged, until
alive while keeping the crowds on their
the end of its next turn the creature has
side will find themselves showered with
disadvantage on all attack rolls. You may
wealth and fame.
use this ability a number of times equal
to 1+ your Charisma modifier, minimum 1
Class Features per day. These charges refresh after you
take a long rest.

No Mercy
Across the Arena
When you fight in the arena, you win or
Starting at 3rd level, after moving 20 feet you die. There is no place for mercy, no
in a straight line while wielding a shield time for second thoughts, you know your
you may use a bonus action to attempt to opponents wouldn't give you any.
bash a target of Large or smaller size.
Make a contested Strength (Athletics) Starting at 14th level whenever you
check. If you succeed, the target is attack a prone target while raging you
pushed back 5 feet and knocked prone. score a critical on an 18-20.

Crowd Pleaser Plague Domain

Years in the arena have taught you how to
"So said the Lord, At the dividing point of
get the crowd's attention and how to turn
the night, I will go out into the midst of
them to your side.
Egypt, and every firstborn in the land of
Egypt will die, from the firstborn of
Starting at 6th level, you may add both Pharaoh who sits on his throne to the
your Charisma and Strength modifiers firstborn of the slave woman who is
when making Performance or Persuasion behind the millstones, and every
checks. firstborn animal. And there will be a great
cry throughout the entire land of Egypt,
In addition, you have advantage on such as there never has been and such as
resisting the effects of being charmed. there shall never be again."

Brutal Mockery Clerics of the Plague Domain are heralds

of divine purpose and enforcers of that
You've learned that the best gladiators will. Those who would defy the will of
don't just know what to say to get the God bring ruin upon themselves. The two

218
primary focuses of the Plague Domain are Channel Divinity: God's Decree
widespread destruction and compelling
the unholy to obey divine authority. You
Starting at 2nd level, as an action you can
are the shepherd of the faultless that
give a target within earshot a simple one
leaves a wake of terror. Those who do not
sentence command. This command must
cower before the might of the Lord will
be something that they can physically
know his vengeance. The collateral
achieve. Until the target fulfills this
damage left behind will act as testimony
command, they have disadvantage on
to those who would act defiantly with evil
saving throws versus your spells and
in their hearts.
abilities.

Class Features Shepherd of the Chosen

Starting at 6th level, when you cast a

harmful spell or effect, you may choose a
Plague Domain Spells number of targets up to your level that
Class are immune to the effect.
Spells
Level

1st Color Spray, Fog Cloud, Thunderwave Divine Ruin

Darkness, Ray of Enfeeblement, At 8th level, you gain the ability to infuse
3rd
Suggestion your weapon strikes and single-target
spells with divine energy. Once on each of
5th Call Lightning, Conjure Animals, Fear your turns when you hit a creature with a
weapon attack or single-target spell, you
Blight, Compulsion, Phantasmal
7th can cause the attack to deal an extra 1d8
Killer radiant damage to the target. When you
Cloudkill, Dominate Person, Wall of reach 14th level, the extra damage
9th increases to 2d8.
Force

Voice of the Lord Angel of Death

At 1st level, you learn the Prestidigitation At 17th level, when you cast Channel
and Thaumaturgy cantrips, which don't Divinity: God's Decree, choose one
count against the number of cleric additional effect:
cantrips you know.
Blood of the Ram. All life within up to
your cleric level in miles of your target
Bonus Proficiency rapidly falls to desolation. Crops wilt and
die, livestock grow ill, and mild sickness
When you choose this domain at 1st level, turns to terminal disease. You may set
you gain proficiency in the Persuasion any conditions that others may fulfill to
and Intimidation skills. become immune to these effects. Those
within the area of effect know the target
of God’s Decree is to blame for their
suffering.

219
Let My People Go! The target of God’s
Decree now has disadvantage on saving
throws versus all spells and abilities, Voyager's Fear
instead of only your own. If the target
does not fulfill the command by the next
Starting at 3rd level, your experience
sunrise, the effect spreads to those
ambushing the less fortunate has given
around them the target considers allies.
you an eye for concealment and surprise.
Additionally, the effect imposes
Before a combat has broken out, you have
disadvantage on all skill checks as
advantage on Stealth rolls to hide. This
misfortune befalls all. God's Decree may
roll applies to all of your allies as you
only be resolved by the original target.
coordinate the assault. All allies gain an
additional 10 feet of movement during a
Roguish Archetype: surprise round.

Illyrian Pirate Additionally, you gain advantage on all

saving throws and skill and ability checks
A menacing predator stalks the Adriatic to control or seize control of a vehicle or
Sea. Lying in wait within the mount. This applies on land and sea.
coves and natural hiding
points of the eastern shore, the Exposing Slice
Illyrians seek vulnerable prey.
Merchants and travelers of any
country or creed — none are safe Starting at 9th level, you have mastered
from a surprise boarding. At their the art of striking an opponent in
peak, the Illyrians dominated the unexpected places. The curved sica
Balkan peninsula as Queen Teuta united allows you to reach and slice
Illyria under one banner. Piracy in the around your target's defenses.
Adriatic was made all the more terrifying When you hit a creature with an
as it was publicly backed by the Queen attack, you may roll 1d4 and
herself. This brazen lawlessness was reduce the target's AC by the
denounced by the Greeks and Romans result until the end of your next
leading to a bloody war. turn. If the target is wielding a
shield, instead roll 1d6. This
Illyrian pirates are known to be as fierce ability does not stack.
as they are clever. They wield a
specialized curved blade — the sica. Its Razor's Eye
long, curved blade with the edge on the
inner curve allows the Illyrians to reach Starting at 13th level, your eyes
over enemy shields and strike their have sharpened to catch the
opponents’ backs and necks. Their most minute detail of treasures
lembos, or ramming ships, are crewed by and the foes that carry them.
one hundred men, each ready to spill You gain proficiency and
blood and snatch jewels. Once a target is expertise in the Insight and
stripped of their goods, they too are sold Investigation skills when you
for whatever profit can be made in the attempt to appraise value. As a
rugged Adriatic markets. bonus action, you may make a Perception
check with a DC equal to the target's CR
Class Features
220
to reveal their resistances, spells are always prepared and do not
vulnerabilities, and immunities. count against the maximum number of
spells you are capable of preparing. With
Dread Captain the approval of your GM, you may replace
a spell in this list with a spell of the same
level that is more thematic for your
Starting at 17th level, travelers fear the
bloodline.
very mention of your presence as your
infamous legend grows. You are now
immune to the effects of difficult terrain. Earth Spells
You gain a climbing and swim speed Class
Spells
equal to your walking speed. When you Level
deal damage with Sneak Attack, all
attacks made by you and your allies gain 1st Animal Friendship, Entangle
advantage until the end of your next turn.
Barkskin, Locate Animals or
3rd
Plants

Conjure Animals, Merge into

5th
Sorcerous Origin: God- Stone

Blood Conjure Minor Elementals, Stone

7th
Shape
The gods of all cultures of the world have
a tendency to fraternize with mortals. Commune with Nature, Tree
9th
Some of these escapades result in the Stride
birth of demigod children. These
demigods, if they lived through their Chthonic Spells
glorious destinies to bear children, Class
passed down the bloodline of a god. Your Spells
Level
direct ancestor, some number of
generations ago, was an actual deity 1st Hellish Rebuke, Inflict Wounds
worshipped by millions. The domain of
this deity is categorized into four traits - Gentle Repose, Ray of
3rd
Earth, Chthonic, Ocean, and Sky. Choose Enfeeblement
one of these that best represents the god
you call a distant relative and begin to 5th Animate Dead, Speak with Dead
walk the path of greatness bound for
7th Death Ward, Phantasmal Killer
those of the God-Blood.
9th Antilife Shell, Modify Memory
Class Features
Ocean Spells
Class
Spells
Level
Descendent of Immortals
Create or Destroy Water, Purify Food and
1st
Starting at 1st level, depending on the Drink
divine origin of your bloodline add the
3rd Calm Emotions, Rope Trick
following spells to your spell list. These

221
 Class
Spells Word of the Ancestor
Level
Starting at 14th level, you learn the spell
5th Nondetection, Sending
Commune. It is always prepared and does
7th Control Water, Black Tentacles not count against your total of prepared
spells. When you cast this spell, you are
9th Dream, Wall of Force no longer limited to brief yes or no
answers. Your deity ancestor is directly
Sky Spells called upon and may choose to answer
Class you. If they do, your mind is projected to
Spells their current whereabouts and you may
Level
speak to each other for one minute or
1st Bless, Divine Favor until the god dismisses you.

3rd Aid, Moonbeam Deific Avatar

5th Call Lightning, Wind Wall
Starting at 18th level, as an action, you
Freedom of Movement, Guardian of are able to temporarily transform into
7th
Faith the avatar of your godly ancestor. The
exact form this takes depends on the
9th Contact Other Plane, Flamestrike specific god and their domain. When you
undergo the transformation, you gain
two of the following benefits.
Additionally, having the blood of a god
within you makes your destiny almost
Divine Potency. Add your Charisma
undeniable. When you make an attack
modifier to all damage rolls. If you are
roll, skill check, or saving throw, you may
already adding it due to another feature,
reroll after seeing the result. You must
add it again.
take the new result. Once you use this
ability, you must take a long rest before
Titan's Brawn. Your size becomes Huge
you can use it again.
and you gain advantage on all Strength
and Constitution skill and saving throws.
Territorial Advantage
Night Terror. You become invisible for
Starting at 6th level, you feel most at ease the duration of the transformation. When
when you are in your element — you attack or cast a spell, you are visible
bloodlines of Earth surrounded by trees until you move.
or wildlife, Chthonic while underground,
Ocean while on or underwater, Sky while Ocean King. You gain a swim speed equal
in high places. While in your element, to your walking speed. When you make
you may add your Charisma modifier in the transformation, you may summon
place of a modifier using a different 1d6 Giant Sharks (CR5) within 30 feet
attribute. If the roll already uses your which obey your commands.
Charisma modifier, gain advantage.
Sky Fury. You gain a flight speed equal to
your walking speed. All enemy creatures

222
within 100 feet of you gain vulnerability following spells are added to your spell
to damage from falling. list.

Elemental Numen. The ground within 15 Oracle Spells

feet of you becomes difficult terrain.
Class
When a creature rolls to attack you with a Spells
Level
melee attack, you may use your reaction
impose disadvantage on the roll. Identify, Speak with
The transformation lasts for one minute. 1st
Animals
Once you use this feature, you cannot use
it again until you take a long rest. 3rd Augury, Locate Object

Bestow Curse, Remove

5th
Curse
Sorcerous Origin: Oracle 7th Arcane Eye, Divination

The oracles of Greece are a respected few 9th Commune, Scrying

women venerated for their wisdom and
prophecy. Through a series of rituals
involving the inhalation of gases As an action, you can inhale the gases of
produced by burning herbs, the oracles various burned herbs and enter a state of
enter a frenzied state where they are mystic frenzy. While in this state, you are
linked to Apollo, god of prophecy. The directly connected to the prophecies of
accuracy of the prophecy is never in the divine. They are hazy and confusing
question as they always seem to come but give you unique insight into the
true. The vague and often multi-faceted events unfolding before you. You gain
nature of the visions does, however, leave advantage on all skill checks and saving
some up for interpretation. When throws using Intelligence, Wisdom, and
Croesus, king of Lydia, consulted the Charisma, and disadvantage on all skill
Pythia (priestess) at Delphi for war checks and saving throws using Strength,
counsel, she told him "If you cross the Dexterity, and Constitution. You remain
river, a great empire will be destroyed." in this state of prophetic frenzy for one
Little did he know, it was his own. The minute. Once you use this feature, you
three tenets inscribed in the Temple of cannot use it again until you finish a
Apollo read: Know thyself. Nothing to short or long rest.
excess. Surety brings ruin.
Additionally, when using the Vapors of
Delphi, (See Page XX) roll a d6 instead of
Class Features a d3 to determine the number of hints
you are provided.

Prescient Danger
Prophetic Haze
Starting at 6th level, as a reaction to a
Starting at 1st level, you gain the creature being attacked within 60 feet of
guidance cantrip. This does not count you, you may warn them of impending
against the number of sorcerer cantrips doom as you see moments into their
you know. At the listed levels, the

223
future. They immediately gain +2 AC, not ready for this power and its spread
potentially avoiding the attack. If you are would bring about ruin. For this reason,
under the influence of Prophetic Haze, only a select few have mastered the way
the target instead gains +3 AC. You can of the three powders.
use this reaction a number of times equal
to your proficiency bonus, regaining all
uses after a long rest.

Class Features
Sage of Futures

Starting at 14th level, you do not need

material components to cast Divination
spells. Targets making a saving throw to
Volatile Strikes
resist your Divination spells have
disadvantage. Starting at 3rd level, you learn the secret
method for applying an explosive
alchemical formula through martial arts.
Grand Foretelling For every unarmed strike you hit against
a target, you coat them with an
Starting at 18th level, you are capable of ingredient of the formula, which
ingesting a highly potent drug that dissipates after 10 minutes. As a reaction,
heightens your connection to the you may spend a ki point to ignite the
prophetic divine. As soon as initiative is ingredients as long as you are within 30
rolled, as long as you are not surprised feet of your target. You can have
you are able to discern the intent of all ingredients placed on multiple targets
enemy combatants. Your GM should give simultaneously and a single ki point will
you a vague idea of the action each ignite them all, causing the effects of all
creature is going to take this round if not applications and consuming the charges.
interfered with by another creature. You
see this is a flash of prophecy and are able 1st Application. The target is disoriented
to immediately take a free action to speak by the sparking explosion and has
one short sentence of warning. disadvantage on all attacks until the
beginning of your next turn.
Way of Gunpowder
2nd Application. A bright flashing pop
accompanies the explosion causing the
Centuries ago, The Cantong Qi, written by
Blinded and Deafened condition on your
the legendary alchemist Wei Boyang
target until the beginning of your next
documented the first formula for
turn.
gunpowder. Deep in the mountains, Wei
Boyang entrusted his invention to a
secret society of monks, named for the
3rd Application. A fiery inferno erupts on
your target, dealing 3d6 fire damage.
very text which they study to this day.
Starting at 7th level, you may add your
Martial Arts die to the damage as you
Through hundreds of years of innovation
master the tactical placement of the
and practice, the monks of the Cantong
ingredients.
Qi developed a martial art surrounding
the potent and explosive compound.
According to their teachings, the world is

224
Elixir of Fire Thunderclap Bomb. You create three
Thunderclap Bombs by packing
gunpowder and shrapnel into wooden
Starting at 6th level, you master the
spike tubes. As an action, you can throw a
alchemical formula for a dangerously
Thunderclap Bomb to an empty space
potent mixture that only your body can
within 30 feet where it stakes into a
handle — the Fire Elixir. You can make
surface. At the beginning of your next
one Fire Elixir during a long rest. The
turn or the first time a creature enters the
elixir becomes inert after 24 hours.
space of the Thunderclap Bomb, it
Imbibing the Fire Elixir can have one of
detonates. Anyone within 10 feet of the
two effects depending on the final
Thunderclap Bomb must make a DC 15
ingredient you mix.
Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save,
the creature takes 2d8 damage and gains
Spark Powder. You gain resistance to fire
the Stunned condition until the end of
damage and can take an additional bonus
their next turn.
action on your turn for one minute.

Drake Bonedust. You enter a catatonic Perfect Combustion

state indistinguishable from death for
one hour. You are fully aware and Starting at 17th level, you have perfected
conscious of your body and surroundings the formula for maximum explosive
during this time and can wake up as a potential. You gain all of the following:
reaction. Only magic or a DC 20 Medicine
check can see through your false demise. • You are no longer limited to three
Upon waking up, your body violently applications of Volatile Strikes on
expels the elixir, causing a wave of fire to a single target. For each additional
burst from your mouth in a 15-foot cone. application above the third,
Anyone caught in the cone must make a increase the damage of the
DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or take 3d6 detonation by an additional 2d6.
fire damage. This effect is additive and does not
have a limit.
Incendiary Arsenal • You have created the ultimate
Elixir of Fire, combining both
Starting at 11th level, you may craft a effects that last permanently. You
powerful weapon packed with your secret can choose to enter the catatonic
gunpowder formula. Choose one of the state or breathe fire as an action.
following each time you take a long rest. • The range of Fire Lance's blast
increases to a 40-foot cone. You
Fire Lance. You modify a spear to have a can throw Thunderclap Bombs as
gunpowder-filled barrel at the end. As a a bonus action. During a long rest,
bonus action, you can detonate the you can prepare three charges in
barrel, causing a 20-foot line of flame to the Fire Lance and nine
propel forward. Creatures caught in the Thunderclap Bombs.
blast must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving
throw or take 8d8 fire damage. Once this
ability has been used, you must a prepare
a new Fire Lance before detonating it
again.

225
 movement this turn. Attacks of
Way of the Monkey King opportunity made against you during this
bonus movement are made with
Shí Hóu, Měi Hóuwáng, Sun Wukong – disadvantage.
the Monkey King. He is known by many
more names, however it is
his tendency for Return to Stone
troublemaking and
unstoppable willpower that Starting at 6th level, you are able
pass his story into myth. Born to assume the primal shape of
from a magic stone atop a Sun Wukong before he was the
mountain, touched by the energies of Monkey King, before he was
heaven and earth, Sun Wukong even a monkey – when he
emerged a vessel of yin and yang. From was a rock. As a reaction,
that day, he drew the attention of Heaven you may spend a ki point
itself. The sprawling epic sees him and turn your skin to
become king of the monkeys, steal stone, increasing your AC
powerful artifacts from dragons, wipe by 5 and gaining the
his name from the Book of Life and Petrified condition. You
Death to avoid punishment in Hell, can use this feature as
befriending animal demons, and most a reaction to being
notably defying the Jade Emperor. In attacked after the
their final conflict, Sun Wukong attack roll has
single-handedly defeated over 100,000 been made,
celestial warriors and many deities. It potentially
wasn't until he was sealed under a avoiding the
mountain that the Heavens knew peace. attack. You remain in this
Five hundred years later, he made a pact stone-form until the end of
for his freedom to protect the monk Tang your next turn. If you are mid-
Sanzang on his journey to the West. air when you transform, you
Along their quest, the Monkey King fall to the ground rapidly and
found virtue. deal double the amount of fall
damage you would normally
take to anyone you fall on,
Class Features
taking no fall damage
yourself.

Ruyi Jingu Bang 72 Earthly Transformations

Starting at 11th level, you learn the

When you choose this tradition at 3rd
fundamentals of shape changing and
level, you have adopted the rapid and
body manipulation. After completing a
flexible fighting style of Sun Wukong
long rest, choose one of the following
himself. While you are wielding a
abilities.
quarterstaff, you may spend a ki point to
increase your weapon’s reach to 15 feet
until the beginning of your next turn. Might of the Mountains. As a bonus
When you make an attack with this action, increase your Strength and
enhanced weapon, you gain 10 feet of Dexterity to 24 for one minute.

226
Agility of the Forest. As a bonus action, between the students, the three
double your movement speed while cooperate quite closely.
somersaulting for one minute.
Additionally, your jumping distance is Scholars and the learned come from
tripled and you gain a climb speed equal across the world to study at the
to your base movement speed. academies and it is considered a great
honor to get to delve their great
I am Become Monkey. As an action, you collections of works.
are able to transform as if effected by the
spell Polymorph. Your mental statistics, Class Features
however, remain the same and you can
still speak your native language. No
matter what beast you transform into,
you always have a monkey's tail. You can Sovereign Academy
remain in this form for one minute.
Starting at 2nd level, you must choose
After using this feature, you cannot use it
which academy you will devote yourself
again until you take a long rest.
to. The following are the schools of magic
each academy specializes in.
Fruit of the Immortals
Fu Xi Academy. Divination, Conjuration,
Starting at 17th level, you have learned so Illusion
much along your journeys that
immortality is not far from your grasp. Nuwa Academy. Evocation, Abjuration,
When you drop to 0 hit points, you may Necromancy
roll any number of hit dice you have
remaining and regain that many hit Shennong Academy. Transmutation,
points. If you have no hit dice, you may Enchantment
spend all of your ki points to roll a single
d8 and gain that many hit points. Once When casting a spell of your academy's
you use this feature, you cannot use it specialization, you may cast it as if you
again until you take a long rest. were using a spell slot one level higher.
For example, this would allow you to cast
a 1st level spell as if you were using a 2nd
level slot. It does not give you a 2nd level
Wizard School: Sovereign slot to cast a 2nd level spell with. Once
you use this feature, you cannot use it
Student again until you take a short or long rest.

The Scholars of the three Sovereign Studied Formulae

Academies are considered the most
renowned scholars in the known world. Starting at 6th level, you gain advantage
Each scholars dedicates themselves to on saving throws to resist the effects of
the teachings and traditions of their
spells. If a spell attack would target you
particular academy. The three academies and is a part of your academy
look upon one another with favor and specialization, the roll to hit you has
though there is some friendly rivalry disadvantage.

227
Specialized Tactics

Starting at 10th level, whenever you cast

a spell that deals damage you may choose
to deal half the damage and inflict
conditions based on your academy until
the end of the creature’s text turn.

Fu Xi Academy. Deafened and Frightened

Nuwa Academy. Blinded

Shennong Academy. Charmed and

Poisoned

Sovereign’s Gift

Starting at 14th level, you are able to

channel your magic with effort and
purpose into a more potent form. Choose
one spell from your spellbook that
matches your chosen academy’s
specialties. You may cast this spell
without expending a spell slot once per
day.

228
229
 kill you, you require 10. When you take
Chapter 4: damage while at 0 hit points, you may
immediately gain 1 hit point. You can

Magic Items only gain health this way once before

requiring a long rest.

Blood of Ichor. When you consume the

Aeolus' Bag of Wind ambrosia, your blood is replaced with a
golden substance known as ichor. If a
Wondrous item, rare mortal ingests your blood, they take
poison damage equal to your level and
During Odysseus' journey home, Aeolus gain the poisoned condition for 1d20
gifted him a magical leather bag that days.
contained the captured Western Wind.
Using this bag, he was able to sail back to Amphion's Lyre
Ithaca at a steady pace.
Wondrous item, instrument, rare
When the bag is opened, a continuous
force of wind blows in a single direction Amphion and Zethus were twin sons of
with enough force to push a ship. This Zeus by their mother Antiope. Their fame
force is not as strong as the spell Gust of lies in building the walls of the great city
Wind; however, it will blow steadily for 12 of Thebes. Amphion, being of gentler
hours before needing to recharge for stock, played his lyre to magically lift the
another 12 hours. stones and move them into place.

Ambrosia As an action, you may play the lyre and

use the spell Telekinesis. However, you
Wondrous item, legendary may only use this ability on objects. Once
you have used this ability, you cannot use
Ambrosia is the food or drink of the gods it again until you take a short or long rest.
and provides immortality to those who
imbibe it. When the mighty Heracles Arcane Force
ascended to immortality, he was given
ambrosia by Athena herself. When
Blade
Achilles was an infant, he was anointed
Weapon (short sword),
with ambrosia in all except his heel,
rare (requires attunement)
giving him the one weakness that would
be his demise. Though the blue-hued blade of
this sword appears to be made of
Health and Long Life. Once you have
crystal from a distance, touching the
taken ambrosia, you stop aging
permanently. blade to any object will reveal it is made
of pure, raw magical energy. These are
One of the Immortals. Being the favored weapons of the Academy
immortal makes you very Guardians.
difficult to truly kill. You have advantage
on death saving throws. Instead of You have a +1 bonus to attack and
requiring 3 death saving throw failures to

230
damage rolls made with this magic wreath of flame and flies to engage the
weapon. Attacks with this weapon deal enemy on its own accord.
force damage instead of piercing
Indestructible. The lance cannot be
damage.
destroyed except by the spell
Archimedes' Heat Ray Disintegrate. When the spell targets the
lance, the spear can make the Dexterity
saving throw by rolling 1d20 + 5. If it
Wondrous item, rare fails, the lance is destroyed.

Archimedes of Syracuse was a brilliant Furious and Unwieldy. The lance is so

engineer and scholar. His inventions and violently magical, you are unable to use it
mathematical discoveries revolutionized as a normal melee weapon. When the
countless intellectual fields. One such lance is unleashed, it will fly around the
story is told where Syracuse was under battlefield attacking enemies at will.
siege by the Romans by sea. Archimedes When the lance is released, roll initiative
constructed a series of parabolic mirrors for it using a single d20. It acts on its own
to reflect the rays of the sun and burn turn and is controlled by the GM,
down the Roman ships sailing to invade. prioritizing attacking the nearest enemy
above all else. A creature can attempt to
With a helping of magic, these mirrors grab the lance and hold it in place by
prove to be a far deadlier instrument. The making a DC 20 Strength check. The
mirror stands 10 feet tall and 10 feet wide lance will only stop once all enemies are
and is required to be used while in direct dead, at which point it will fall to the
sunlight. With magic amplifying the heat, floor lifelessly. If anyone but its owner
the mirror projects a line attack 10 feet attempts to pick it up, it will spring to life
wide and 1000 feet long dealing 2d6 fire and attack them. If it is not picked up by
damage per turn. Double this damage its owner within an hour, it will come to
against flammable objects and structures life again and start attacking anything
and halve this damage against living living. If the owner is dead or has
creatures. abandoned the lance, it can be reattuned
to another who succeeds in grabbing and
Areadbhar holding the spear for one hour, making a
repeated DC 20 Strength check every ten
Weapon (lance), legendary (requires minutes.
attunement)
Flaming Tip. While the lance is
The god Lugh of the Tuatha Dé Danann is unleashed, the tip becomes wreathed in
a master craftsman, warrior, and king. flame causing the lance to deal an
The spear he wields is known as additional 3d6 fire damage.
Areadbhar, originally owned by the King
of Persia, Pisear. His mastery of the Ark of the Covenant
weapon garnered him the title Lámfada,
meaning "of the long hand." This magic Wondrous item, artifact
lance is so brimming with need for
violence that it has a will of its own.
While the tip is not submerged in either
water or poppy seeds, it awakens in a

231
The Ark of the Covenant is the holiest Presence of God. While in the presence of
relic of the Israelites. This acacia wood the ark and if all ritual requirements have
chest is plated with gold and carried by been met according to instruction, you
two gold-plated staves. Atop the Ark is a may receive wisdom from Yahweh
lid known as the mercy seat, where similar to the effects of the spell
between the statues of two cherubim, Commune.
Yahweh would appear and speak to
Moses. Within the Ark are the two Vanguard of the People. While the
stone tablets given to Moses ark is carried by a military force,
by Yahweh – the Ten they have both the blessing of
Commandments. the Lord and the morale to
Additionally, inspire victory. The
according to some mechanical advantages of
sources, the rod of this blessing are
Aaron and a pot of incalculable, however if
manna also reside victory of the wielders is a
within the Ark. part of the plan of
The Ark is Yahweh, it will be
kept under a so.
veil to shield mortal
eyes. Unknowable Presence. At
the instruction of Yahweh, none may
The otherworldly nature of the presence touch the ark—it must be carried by the
of Yahweh is incomprehensible and gold-plated staves. The price of
unbearable for mortals. This is why disobedience is death. There are no
Yahweh often acts and speaks through exceptions to this rule and a creature who
intermediaries as to not harm the touches the ark immediately dies. If the
followers. This presence, manifest within ark is ever opened, any who look upon
the Ark, has caused it to become the ark suffer the same effect.
extremely dangerous to be in contact
with or even in the presence of without Aquila of the Legion
proper precaution. The only ones allowed
to transport the Ark were the Levites, Wondrous item, legendary (requires
descendants of the Tribe of Levi. attunement)

During the Battle of Jericho, the Israelites The Aquila is the symbol of Rome and
marched around the city with the Ark as its legions, but far more than a mere
their vanguard. A retinue of priests blew battle standard, these relics provide
shofarim (horns), and the might of powerful blessings of war. Forged in
Yahweh caused the city walls to crumble.
the Grand Temple of Rome and blessed
After the battle at Eben-Ezar, the
by the Flamens of Jupiter and Mars,
Philistines defeated the Israelites, killing
30,000 men and seizing the Ark. While in each Aquila is ceremonially granted to a
their possession, the Ark caused them legion at its inception.
terrible misfortune and plague. As a
To lose an Aquila is perhaps the
result, they returned it to the Israelites.
greatest shame a legion can suffer. For
this reason, disciplined legionaries are
more inclined to face annihilation than

232
allow one to fall into enemy hands. In Arrow of Heracles
the rare case that a legion is
destroyed and an Aquila stolen, Ammunition, generic
Rome has been known to go to variant, very rare
extreme lengths to recover
them. After great hero Heracles
defeated the Lernaean Hydra,
Some of these artifacts he dipped his arrows in the
have made their way into creature's caustic blood. The
private ownership, with a few poison infused into the arrows
rumored to be in the hands of creating a weapon so insidious,
being struck with one almost
some of Rome's most prominent
certainly meant instant death. In fact,
families. Recovered long after the end
Heracles himself met his demise by the
of their respective legions, these very same poison.
precious few lie in wait deep with
patrician vaults for the day they will You have a +3 bonus to attack and
once more be used to rally Rome's damage rolls made with this piece of
soldiers against her enemies. magic ammunition. Once it hits a target,
roll a d20. On a 1-5, the poison has
Courage of Mars subsided and the arrow is no longer
magical.
While carrying an Aquila of the Legion
you become a beacon of morale and Pierce of Death. If you critically hit while
glory for those around you. Friendly using the arrow, the target must make a
creatures within 60 feet of you DC 20 Constitution saving throw or
(including yourself) have advantage on immediately die.
the first attack they make each turn. In
addition, they have advantage on Baetylus Stone
resisting the effects of being
frightened. Wondrous item, rare

Wrath of Jupiter A baetylus stone or coin is an engraved

fragment, sometimes made of meteorite,
The first time each turn you are struck that bears the symbol of a god. It is
in combat the energies of the Aquila believed that possessing one will allow
spring forth at your attacker dealing communication or epiphanic experiences
6d6 lightning damage. This ability has with the divine.
three charges and regains 1d3 charges
You may focus on the stone and try to
each dawn.
communicate with the inscribed deity. As
Attempting to use the Aquila as a a ten-minute ritual, you may cast the
weapon causes you to immediately spell Commune.
become unattuned to it. You may not
attune to it again for seven days. Bangle of the Kush

Wondrous item, rare

233
This elaborate golden band bears holy This crystalline orb fits perfectly in the
symbols of the Kush people. While palm of your hand. It resonates with a
wearing this bracelet, when you move 30 tingling hum that makes your fingers feel
feet in a turn, your next ranged attack numb. As an action, you can crush the
this turn has advantage and deals poison Bertrandite Sphere to unleash the
damage. powerful magic trapped within. When the
sphere is crushed, time rewinds 6
Barkeep’s IOU seconds and you are the only one aware
of this change. Once you have used the
sphere in this way, it is destroyed and can
Wondrous item, uncommon
never be used again.

This strange folded note was messily

written in ink by an Blindfold of the
unknown Second Order
bartender a long Wondrous item,
time ago. It simply uncommon
reads, “IOU.”
When shown to a This fine fabric drapes
keeper of a bar or over the eyes and ties at
tavern, they are the back of your head. If
inclined to give a creature is permanently
you a round on the
blind, suffering the blindness
house. This is enchantment
condition, or lacks sight entirely, this
magic and if the barkeep is
blindfold allows them to see objects in
knowledgeable in the arcane arts, they
may not appreciate being taken motion. If the world around them is
advantage of. completely still, they will see only
darkness. Anything that moves will
appear as color, with different shades of
Beast-Kin Saddlecloth
color differentiating different objects.

Wondrous item, rare Blood Harvest Sickles

Weapon (sickle), uncommon
This ornate rectangle of cloth is
decorated with iconography depicting This set of sickles comes in a pair. The
humans and beasts of the wild. By placing sickles are wrapped in tightly-wound
this cloth over the back of a non-hostile bandaging and protrude jagged edges
creature you are capable of riding, the along the inner curve of the blade. When
creature is instantly calmed by your
you hit an attack with both the main-
presence. You gain a telepathic bond with
hand and off-hand sickle in one turn, the
this creature up to 10 miles away,
allowing you to beckon and give target is eviscerated taking an extra 1d8
commands to the creature. This slashing damage. At the end of every one
saddlecloth cannot be used on creatures of the target’s turns, they take an
with an Intelligence score higher than 4. additional 1d4 damage as they slowly
bleed out. A creature may end this effect
Bertrandite Sphere by using an action to make a DC 12
Medicine check or if they recover any hit
Wondrous item, legendary

234
points magically. Creatures unable to You have a +3 bonus to attack and
bleed or who lack a blood-like substance damage rolls made with this magic
in their body are immune to this weapon.
ability.
A single arrow sits in the quiver and when
Bloodthirsty Potion reaching back for another, the arrow will
always reappear. As a bonus action, you
Potion, rare may infuse the arrow with the magical
essence of the serpent’s venom. When
you hit a target with this venomous
This thick burgundy liquid sticks
arrow, they must make a DC 15
to the sides of its glass vial. There
Constitution saving throw or suffer
is no lid, seal, or cork to this
the poisoned condition and take 3d6
container. When the container is
poison damage. At the end of every
crushed in your hand, you take
one of their turns, they may
1 piercing damage. The liquid
remake this saving throw to end
infuses with your blood and
the effect. You can use this
empowers you. The next
ability a number of times
source of damage you take is
equal to your proficiency bonus
completely negated and you heal for half
before requiring a long rest.
the damage you would have taken.

Bodkin of Merciful Last Words Bow of Apollo

Weapon (dagger), rare Weapon (longbow), artifact (requires

Simple weapon, melee weapon attunement)

This curving dagger has a Apollo is the Olympian god of archery,

hollowed-out pommel with a prophecy, healing, and many other
cylindrical opening passing domains. When he was merely a
through the handle. When a child, he asked Hephaestus to craft
creature is killed with this him a bow and arrows powerful
weapon, at the next sunrise enough to slay the monster
a rolled-up piece of parchment Python, which was set loose on
is found inside the handle. On his mother Leto by the jealous
this parchment is written the Hera. The bow is said to be made of
final words the deceased would golden light and the arrows made of
have liked to have communicated silver.
to a single individual.
You have a +3 bonus to attack and
damage rolls made with this magic
Bow and Quiver of Aspelta weapon.

Weapon (longbow), very rare Radiant Dawn. As an action, you can

charge an arrow with the power of
Aspelta was a ruler of the kingdom of sunlight and shoot it into the air,
Kush and renowned warrior. His bow and illuminating the surroundings. You may
quiver are emblazoned with icons of target any empty point in the air within
serpents and plated with gold. range and cause a burst of sunlight to

235
illuminate bright light within 100 feet These heavy wrought-iron bracers are
and dim light within 200 feet. This light wrapped with intricate salt-worn rope
remains hovering in place for one minute knots. While wearing these bracers, you
and even shines through magical have advantage on Strength skill and
darkness. ability checks to push, pull, and lift as
long as you are singing sea shanties as
Prophetic Shot. The insight of Apollo’s loud as you can.
prophecy is indisputable and allows you
to fire where your target will be before Caduceus Staff
they know where they will end up. As a
reaction to a creature moving 20 feet
Staff, very rare (requires attunement)
within your range, you may make an
attack against them.
This staff is identified as a rod with two
coiling snakes and spreading wings. The
Bow of Eros caduceus represents all the domains of
the Greek god Hermes – commerce,
Weapon (shortbow), rare travel, and the passage of souls. The
caduceus came to represent the
Eros or Cupid is the god of love and sex, astrological sign for Mercury and is used
making his worship a common practice in alchemical procedures.
amongst the people. One shot from his
bow was enough to cause the heart of any
being to fall in love with the next person
they saw.

You have a +2 bonus to attack and

damage rolls made with this magic
weapon.

Flirting Shot. This bow has 3 charges.

When you hit an attack with it, you can
expend 1 of its charges to cast the Charm
Person spell from it. The bow regains 1d3
expended charges daily at dawn. If you
expend the bow's last charge, roll a d20.
On a 1, the usage of this ability takes a
dramatic turn and the target's passion
turns to rage. Instead of the Charm
Person spell, the creature flies into a
frenzy and ignores all else to rip you to
pieces.

Bracers of the Sacred Shanty

Wondrous item, uncommon

236
Just Passing Through. When you arrive sword of Fergus mac Róich, the former
in a civilized area you are not well known King of Ulster who was betrayed and
in, you are far less likely to draw a scene tricked out of his throne. It is said that
or arouse suspicion. While you are Caladbolg is so powerful, it can cleave the
attuned to the staff, you largely go tops of multiple hills clean off. When
unnoticed through your travels as Caladbolg is swung, the arc of a
most eyes pass over you without rainbow follows the blade.
a second thought. If you
cause a disturbance such as You have a +3 bonus to
committing a crime or a attack and damage rolls
violent act, this magical effect is made with this magic
broken. You can turn this effect on weapon.
and off as an action if you would
prefer to be noticed or remain discreet. Whenever you make an attack
with this weapon, roll a single
Magic of the Herald. This staff carries 6 attack roll. You may apply this
magical charges. You may expend a same attack roll to up to 2
charge to cast the spell Sleep. You may additional targets. Roll the damage
expend two charges to cast the spell once and apply that damage to any
Gentle Repose. You may expend three targets you hit.
charges to cast the spell Revivify. You do
not need the material components to cast Cap of Thick Skulls
these spells. At dawn, the staff regains
1d6 charges.
Wondrous item, uncommon (requires
attunement)
Soul Traveler. By the grace of the herald
of the gods himself, you may attempt to
This hard iron headgear is shaped like a
traverse the barriers of our world. You
skull and squeezes tightly to your head.
may cast the spell Plane Shift and must
While wearing this helmet, when you
roll 1d100. You may conduct this magic as
make an unarmed attack you may follow
an action or as an 8-hour ritual. If you
up with a headbutt as part of the same
use an action, on 50-100 the spell has the
attack. The target must make a DC 15
desired effect. On a 1-49, you instead
Constitution saving throw or be stunned
transport to a random plane not of your
until the end of their next turn. If you
choosing. On a 1-10, the staff additionally
headbutt again before taking a short rest,
shatters and is permanently destroyed. If
you must also roll to be stunned.
you cast this spell as an 8-hour ritual,
you arrive safely on a roll of 30-100, a
random location on a roll of 1-29, and the Captive’s Collar
staff is destroyed on a roll of 1. Once you Wondrous item, uncommon
have used this ability, you cannot use it
again for one month. This rusted black iron collar comes with a
silver control bracelet used by a captor.
Caladbolg When the wearer of the collar moves 100
feet away from the control bracelet, they
are stopped by an invisible wall. Other
Weapon (greatsword), very rare
creatures may pass through the wall
without incident. The wall is immune to
Caladbolg, meaning "hard cleft," is the

237
all damage and can't be dispelled by chalice aloft and one must tell the other a
dispel magic. A disintegrate spell personal secret that the other does not
destroys the wall instantly, however. The know. If the words are truthful, the
wall also extends into the Ethereal Plane, chalice fills to the brim and the
blocking ethereal travel through the wall. participants may share the drink with no
The wielder of the control bracelet may secrets among them.
use an action to increase or decrease the
range of the invisible wall, up to a Chariot of Helios
maximum of 1000 feet and a minimum of
10 feet.
Wondrous item, legendary

Ceremonial Helm of Agris Helios is the personified form of the sun

and crosses through the sky every day. He
Wondrous item, uncommon (requires is the son of the titans Hyperion and
attunement by a spellcaster) Theia. The golden chariot he rides is
drawn by four flaming
This ceremonial helmet is exquisitely horses.
designed with an iron and bronze
structure layered with pure gold During the night, the
leaf. The design belongs chariot is simply
to Celtic Gaul and mundane. At the
is used primarily dawn, the four
for ritual and flaming horses
status appear and
purposes, follow the
never for command of
war. While the one
you are directing the
wearing the chariot. Use the
Agris Helm, statistics of the
you may select creature
one spell from your Nightmare (CR 3)
spell list and cast it as a ritual even if it is except their alignment is Neutral, they
not a ritual spell. The spell you choose have a flying speed equal to their walking
may not deal damage to any creature. speed, their creature type is Celestial, and
Once you have done this, you cannot do it they understand the language Celestial.
again until you finish a long rest. These horses never tire and the chariot
can comfortably carry two riders.
Chalice of Truth
Cheater’s Deck
Wondrous item, uncommon
Wondrous item, uncommon (requires
This silver goblet is etched with fine attunement)
inscriptions and emblems. The cup is
enchanted to fill itself with any common This deck of playing cards seems
beverage if the following conditions are innocent enough at first glance, if not a
met. Two participants must hold the bit worn. You are psychically aware of the

238
position of every card in the deck at all the North, Ao Ming gifted these shoes to
times. As an action, you may swap the appease him.
position of two cards in the deck. This
occurs without any visible trace. Once you As an action, you may leap directly
have swapped cards this way, you cannot upward into the clouds. Depending on
do it again until the next dawn. elevation, this can take up to one minute.
When you reach the clouds, you are able
Circlet of Inevitable Death to walk on them and bounce between
them rapidly at double your walking
movement speed. When you jump down,
Wondrous item, rare
you float harmlessly to the ground at the
same speed you rose. Once you have used
This rusted metal circlet is etched with
this ability, you cannot use it again until
ancient scripture in a language unknown.
you take a long rest.
Cursed. This object is cursed with terrible
death magic. When the circlet is placed Coat of Many Colors
upon the head of a mortal, it cannot be
removed until the wearer has died or the Wondrous item, rare
Remove Curse spell has been cast on it.
Every night that the wearer does not kill Jacob, patriarch of the Israelites, gifted
another mortal who has never killed his favored son Joseph a wondrous coat
another, the circlet tightens by 1 of vibrant colors. This sparked jealousy
millimeter. among Joseph's brothers as they believed
it meant that Jacob would pass on family
Cloak of the Centipede leadership to Joseph. This discontent
festered as Joseph revealed he had
received dreams of prophecy in which he
Wondrous item, rare (requires
saw his brothers bowing down before
attunement)
him. In their envy, they captured and sold
Joseph into slavery and tricked Jacob into
This floor-length crimson cloak bears thinking Joseph was killed by a wild
tendrils along the edges that writhe and animal. In Egypt, Joseph used his
roil. Occasionally, while wearing the prophetic dreams and interpretive
cloak you may experience an uneasy abilities to gain the favor of the pharaoh
sensation that bugs are crawling on you. and eventually become a governor of the
While wearing this cloak, you can move region.
at full speed while prone and ignore
difficult terrain while crawling. While you While wearing the coat, you may
are prone, you gain the effects of the spell occasionally receive prophetic dreams.
Spider Climb. These dreams are often vague and
require interpretation but do give a
Cloud-Stepping Shoes glimpse into future events. The nature
and content of these dreams is at the sole
Wondrous item, legendary (requires discretion of your GM.
attunement)

When Sun Wukong harassed the dragons

for their treasures, the Black Dragon of

239
Coin of Compelling A creature killed by the Coins of the Final
Grudge can only be brought back by
Necromancy magic.
Wondrous item, uncommon

This gold coin is said to have been first Collar of the Pack
enchanted by a lonely wizard who found
himself to be unbearably bored. The coin Wondrous item, uncommon
is etched with the numbers one and two
on either side. You may propose a course Legends are filled with tales of gods and
of action to the coin with only two simple heroes manning vehicles led by strange
choices to make. Then, flip the coin and it animals. This leather strap can be
will choose the result that will be more adjusted to wrap around the neck of any
interesting. It should be noted that this Small, Medium, or Large creature. While
may not be the most favorable result, they wear the collar, they become trained
merely the most interesting from some and capable of pulling a cart, carriage, or
unknown perspective. Some say that the sled. This does not, however, give them
coin works in mysterious ways and the the physical ability to pull more weight.
results are never wrong. Others say this is They now merely have an understanding
just a regular coin. of the concept and are more inclined to
agree.
Coins of the Final Grudge
Commanding Glaive
Wondrous item, rare
Weapon (glaive), rare
These ancient bronze coins are scarred
and worn by time. They come in a This guandao pole-weapon is elaborately
matching pair and bear a living head on designed and gives the wielder an air of
one side and a skull on the other. When status among their peers. After you hit
the coins are brought together in the a target with this weapon, you may
center of a handshake, the two use a bonus action to inspire
individuals may speak the courage in your allies or fear in your
words “By my life or death, I enemies. When you inspire courage,
agree to the terms.” They select a target ally within 60 feet
then part hands and each and grant them advantage on their
flip a coin. The results next attack. When you instill
of the flips are as fear, choose an enemy within
follows 60 feet and have them make a
DC 17 Wisdom saving throw. If
Both Heads. Both they fail, they suffer
creatures live. Nothing disadvantage on their next
happens. Flip again. attack, saving throw, or skill
check. You may use this ability a
One Head, One Skull. The skull number of times equal to your
dies. proficiency bonus, regaining all uses
after a long rest.
Both Skulls. Both die.

240
Cornu of the Legion soared too high and the sun melted the
wings. Flapping his arms helplessly,
Icarus tumbled into the sea and drowned.
Wondrous item, uncommon
While wearing these wings, you gain a
The cornicen is a low-level officer within
flying speed equal to your walking speed.
the Roman army and bears a spiral
If you remain flying below 100 feet for
trumpet known as the cornu. They travel
one minute, the wings become heavy and
at the head of a legion and sound off
drag you to the ground harmlessly. If you
commands given by the officers. They are
fly above 200 feet for one minute, the
often attached to a centurion as their
wings melt and are destroyed
assistant and receive double the pay of a
permanently. You take double the regular
standard soldier (known as a duplicary).
falling
damage when
As an action, you may blow the cornu and
you hit the
grant all allies within 100 feet 10 feet of
ground.
movement that they may take
immediately outside of their turns. This
movement does not provoke attacks of Dagda’s
opportunity. Once you have used this Cauldron
ability, you cannot use it again until the
next dawn. of Plenty

Wondrous item,
Daedalus Wings
legendary
Wondrous item, very rare This massive cauldron, also known as the
Coire Ansic, belonged originally to the
Daedalus, a master artisan of Athens, had Dagda – the Celtic father god. Those who
finished the monumental project of would eat from the cauldron will not
constructing the Labyrinth of Crete. King know hunger. Once the cauldron is filled
Minos with water, as an action, you may
transform the liquid into any common
food. This food will never run out and
continue to refill until all are satisfied
and the cauldron dumped out.

imprisoned him Dancing Axe

and his son Icarus within the Weapon (battleaxe), uncommon
labyrinth and even Daedalus, its creator,
Axes are often considered to be
could not find his way out. He
brutal weapons of destruction
constructed for himself and his son pairs
of magical wings made of wax and due to their simple
feathers that would allow them to fly out construction and ease of use.
of Crete. He warned his son not to fly too The Dancing Axe is constructed
low or too high, lest the seas clog the in such a way that the technique
feathers or the sun melt the wax. Icarus, to wield it requires a flowing,
overjoyed with the freedom of flight, consistent movement. By swinging the

241
axe in a pattern around your body, you original Hebrew scriptures, sectarian
build up the necessary momentum to manuscripts relating to daily life at the
deliver powerful strikes with graceful time, and non-canonical materials such
accuracy. The Dancing Axe loses the as apocryphal works.
versatile property and gains the finesse
property. As a free action, you may Angel Summoning. Within the
apocryphal materials of the scrolls are a
sacrifice 10 feet of your movement during
list of names of angels and fallen angels.
your turn to begin the dance. While you
By studying these texts, you gain insight
are dancing, you gain +1 on attack and
into the servants of Yahweh. During a
damage rolls with this weapon. You may long rest, you may study the scrolls and
move while dancing. The dance ends make a DC 20 History check. If you
when you take damage or can be ended succeed, a Deva (CR 10) appears. Its
early as a free action. intentions or reaction to your
summoning is entirely up to the GM. It is
Darkbomb not bound to you and holds no
requirement to agree with anything you
Wondrous item, uncommon say. There is a 10 percent chance when
doing this summoning, the angel is
This glass orb fits in the palm of your instead of Lawful Evil alignment.
hand and resonates a flickering wisp of
shadow within. If you jostle the orb, it Words of Prophecy. In the Book of
shudders violently. Upon the orb Enoch, he describes events that would
shattering, all sources of non-magical have happened far after his time. These
light within 100 feet are snuffed prophetic words are recorded in the
instantly. This destroys the Darkbomb scrolls and imbue it with the power of
and it cannot be recovered. foresight. During a long rest, you may
cast the spell Divination and do not
Dead Sea Scrolls require the material component.

Wondrous item, legendary Deep-Sea Neurotoxin Net

Weapon (net), rare
The Dead Sea Scrolls are a collection of
The jagged fibers making up this oily-
religious and historical documents that
black net have been imbued with the
mark one of the most significant
collections of the era. These include deadly toxins of a deep-sea fish. When
you use this net to restrain a target, they
additionally must make a DC 15
Constitution saving throw. On a failure,
they gain the paralyzed condition. Upon
taking damage or at the end of every turn
they take, they may reroll the saving
throw to end the effect.

242
Denglong Earrings slayed the dragon guarding Ares' sacred
spring, he took the dragon's teeth.
Athena, goddess of wisdom, instructed
Wondrous item, uncommon (requires
him to bury the teeth and they would
attunement by a spellcaster)
sprout into fierce warriors — the spartoi.
These earrings are stylized after
Spartoi Warriors. During a long rest, you
traditional Chinese
may bury the dragon teeth.
paper lanterns and
At the end of the rest, two
emanate beautiful
Half-Dragon Veterans (CR 5)
orange light. When
emerge from the ground.
you consume a
They serve you to the best of
spell slot while
their ability for 24 hours, at
wearing these
which point they crumble to
earrings, they
dust. They have very limited
glow brighter and
intellectual capability and are not
redder in hue. After
useful for more than combat and
consuming three
physical tasks.
spell slots in a single day,
the earrings are charged
with magical energy. While Dual Life-Force Rings
charged in this way, you may Wondrous item, rare (requires
gain advantage on one spell attunement)
attack or one saving throw to resist a
magical effect. Once you have expended This set of golden rings must be worn
the charge, the earrings fade and must be and attuned to two different creatures.
charged again. When both are attuned, the creatures
enter a state of permanent realization of
Desborough Mirror the other’s bodily state. Combine the hit
point maximum of the creatures and
Wondrous item, rare apply it to both. Whenever one creature
takes damage, the other shares the exact
This ornate mirror is etched with damage as well, as they now share
swirling Celtic designs. While a hit point pool. This effect
you hold the mirror, as a applies over any distance.
reaction, you can reflect an
enemy spell targeting you Dyrnwyn
back at them. The spell
must be a single-target Weapon (longsword), very
spell. Once you have used rare (requires attunement
this ability, you cannot use it by Good-aligned)
again until the next dawn.
Dyrnwyn, or White-Hilt, is a
Dragon Teeth longsword belonging to Rhydderch
Hael, ruler of the Brittonic kingdom Alt
Clut. It is said that only the worthy may
Wondrous item, very rare
wield the sword. Rhydderch was so
kind that he would lend the sword to
When the founder of Thebes, Cadmus,

243
any who would ask, knowing it could only This ancient horn appears to be naturally
be used by those of a good nature. This grown into the shape of a horn without
earned him the title Rhydderch the any mortal craftsmanship. When blown,
Generous. all non-hostile beasts with a CR lower
than your level within 1 mile come
You have a +3 bonus to attack and rushing to your aid. For the next hour,
damage rolls made with this magic they will treat you as one of their brood.
weapon. After you have used this ability, you
cannot use it again until the next dawn.
You can use a bonus action to cause
flames to erupt from the blade. These Empowered Feed
flames shed bright light in a 40-foot
radius and dim light for
Wondrous item,
an additional 40 feet.
uncommon
While the sword is
ablaze, it deals an extra
2d6 fire damage to any This sack of animal feed
target it hits. The has been blessed by a
flames last until you local shaman and gives
use a bonus action to off a strange herbal
quench them or until scent. When fed to a
you drop or sheathe the beast used for riding or
sword. pulling weight, double its
possible movement in a
day. There is enough feed
Earthshatter in this sack for one week
Greatclub of travel.
Weapon (greatclub),
uncommon Eye of the Graeae
This massive wooden club appears to be
Wondrous item, rare (requires
far too unwieldy to be used effectively by attunement)
any normal being. To wield this weapon,
you must have a Strength score of at least The Graeae are three old women who
19. Targets hit by this weapon are share one eye and one tooth between
knocked away 5 feet by the sheer force of them. They are sisters of the Gorgons.
the blow. Upon missing a target, you The hero Perseus stole their eye and
slam the weapon into the ground creating forced them to tell him how to kill the
a 5-foot square of difficult terrain Gorgon Medusa.
adjacent to the target within your reach.
If you roll a critical hit, deal normal You and up to two others may attune to
critical hit damage to the target and also this unnaturally large eye. While you are
attuned to it, you can close your eyes and
create a 15-foot square of difficult terrain
focus to see through the eye. For this
emanating from the target.
effect to function, you can be no further
than one mile away from the eye.
Elderwood Horn

Wondrous item, very rare False Coin

244
Wondrous item, poured from this container, they begin to
uncommon (requires become more hospitable toward each
attunement) other. After they have been drinking for
ten minutes, their attitudes turn to
The False Coin appears in friendship. This process can take longer
numerous forms across the if the parties despise each other;
world and can be found in the however, even old wounds may heal in
guise of almost any type of the presence of empathy.
coinage.

If one pinches the False Coin

between the thumb and index finger Flame Guard’s Glaive
while muttering a prayer for wealth,
ten identical golden coins will appear in Martial Weapon, Glaive, Very Rare,
the speaker’s opposite hand. These coins (requires attunement) 7lb, 1d10 Slashing
will pass all non-magical tests to check This glaive is beautifully crafted and
their authenticity. This ability has one intricately detailed. Originally created
charge which restores at dawn. When the for the elite Flame Guard of the
False coin recharges at dawn any Imperial Army these powerful
previous copies will disintegrate. weapons are now highly sought
after by adventurers.
Flagellant’s Whip
Weapon (whip), uncommon This magic weapon gives +2 to hit
and damage rolls.
This nine-tailed whip is
wrapped in black leather and This weapon adds 1d6 fire
splits into vicious, stinging damage to all attacks.
ends. It is shorter than a
This weapon has three charges. As
standard whip and does not
a bonus action you may expend a
receive the reach property. The
charge to shoot a large blast of
damage of this weapon is 1d6 and
flames. These flames hit all creatures
gains the light property. As a bonus
in a 15-foot cone in front of you
action, you can flagellate yourself
dealing 3D6 damage. The weapon
and channel the pain into a
recharges 1D3 charges at dawn.
powerful attack. This deals 1d4
slashing damage to yourself and
grants your next attack advantage
and adds your proficiency bonus to the Flaming Pearl
damage.
Wondrous item, legendary (requires
Flagon of Friendship attunement)

Wondrous item, uncommon The dragons of China are often depicted

with a pearl engulfed in flame — usually
This stylized bronze vase bears the Celtic on their chin or held in a claw. This pearl
emblems of various animals. While symbolizes tremendous magical power,
multiple creatures share any liquid wisdom, and prosperity. For a mortal to

245
wield a flaming pearl is nigh Fu Xi Academy specializes in the mystical
unimaginable. arts of Divination, Conjuration, and
Illusion. While wielding this staff, all
Otherworldly Power. While attuned to spell rituals of these spell schools may be
the flaming pearl, your Wisdom, cast in half the required time.
Intelligence, and Charisma scores are Additionally, while you are attuned to the
now 24. staff and gain a spellcaster class level,
you may choose a spell you are capable of
Draconic Fortune. As an action, you may casting and learning and infuse it into the
cast the spell Wish. Once you do this, the staff. While the spell is infused this way,
flaming pearl is permanently destroyed, you may cast it without it counting
cracking and shattering into thousands toward your maximum spells known and
of inert pieces. Usage of the Wish spell without consuming a spell slot. Once you
cannot restore the flaming pearl. have cast the spell this way, you cannot
do so again until you finish a long rest.
Flute of the Depths The staff can only be infused with one
spell and you can replace the spell when
you gain a spellcaster level.
Wondrous item, instrument, very rare

This crusty alabaster flute smells of salt Gáe Bulg

and plays an uneasy tone. The origins of
the flute are unknown; however, an air of Weapon (pike), very rare
mystery and fear surrounds the eldritch
instrument. As an action, you may begin Gáe Bulg means "spear of mortal pain"
a performance on the flute that conjures and it lives up to that title. Wielded by
up the otherworldly resonance of the one of the greatest Celtic heroes, the
deep. All targets within 100 feet of you demigod Cú Chulainn, Gáe Bulg is a
that are capable of hearing begin to weapon of agonizing death. It was crafted
cough up seawater and choke. They must from the skeletal remains of a sea
make a DC 17 Constitution saving throw. monster known as the Curruid. When a
On a failure, they begin to suffocate from man is impaled by Gáe Bulg, the
the salty water. When a creature is spearhead expands into thirty barbs and
suffocating, it can survive for a number can only be removed from the corpse by
of rounds equal to its Constitution cutting away the flesh. This technique
modifier (minimum of 1 round). At the and the martial arts necessary to use the
start of its next turn, it drops to 0 hit spear were taught to Cú Chulainn by the
points and is dying, and it can’t regain hit legendary warrior-woman Scáthach.
points or be stabilized until it can breathe
again. Once you have conducted a You have a +3 bonus to attack and
performance, you cannot do so again damage rolls made with this magic
until the next dawn. weapon.

Certain Death. Upon landing a critical hit,

Fu Xi Academy Staff the barbs of Gáe Bulg expand dealing
10d6 slashing damage in addition to
Staff, weapon (quarterstaff), rare normal critical damage. The barbs then
(requires attunement by a spellcaster) become stuck in the target and Gáe Bulg
is irretrievable unless cut out of the

246
target after their death. While the target the Tomb of Three Kings.
has Gáe Bulg stuck in them, any Strength
checks or saving throws you make to You have a +3 bonus to attack and
grapple the target have advantage. damage rolls made with this magic
Additionally, the target bleeds for 1d6 weapon.
damage at the end of every one of their
turns. If the target survives, it would take Vengeance. When you wield both
a skilled surgeon with both luck and Ganjiang and Moye, you gain this ability.
powerful healing magic to remove Gáe When you roll damage with Ganjiang or
Bulg without eviscerating their patient. Moye against an enemy who has
damaged you during this combat, you
Ganjiang may add your level to the damage you
deal.
Weapon (shortsword), very rare
Girdle of Aphrodite
After King Helü of Wu had a dream
prophesying his death at the hand of Gan Wondrous item, legendary (requires
Jiang's son, Chi, the king put a bounty on attunement)
his head. Chi, motivated by vengeance for
his father, wielded the sword Ganjiang Aphrodite is the Olympian goddess of
and set out to kill the king. On his love, romance, sex, and passion. Despite
journey, Chi faced an assassin and was being originally married to Hephaestus,
clearly outmatched. He told his tale to the god of the forge, she was unfaithful to
assassin who was moved by his fervor. him and had many other lovers including
The assassin suggested Chi end his own Ares, god of war. She garnered many
life and in exchange the assassin would lovers over time due to her irresistible
carry out his beauty and charm.
mission for Aphrodite’s girdle is
him. Chi agreed said to be a belt or
and committed undergarment that
suicide. complimented her
Bolstered by form in such a way
this act, the that none could deny
assassin took her superior allure.
Chi's head to the
king and proclaimed While wearing the girdle,
victory. The king was you appear in the prime of
overjoyed yet uneasy at natural beauty your body is capable
Chi's dead eyes staring at him and of at all times. When others are exposed
ordered the head to be boiled. As the king to you, whether it be over a conversation
looked over the boiling cauldron, the or just being in the same room, they find
assassin decapitated him. Understanding themselves unable to resist becoming
there would be no escape, the assassin infatuated with you. Anyone who remains
cut his own head off. As the heads boiled within 20 feet of you for one minute must
and became indistinguishable from one make a DC 20 Charisma saving throw or
another, the vassals decided that the receive the charmed condition. The
three should be honored as kings and condition ends after they are not within
were buried together in what is known as sight of you for one hour.

247
Girdle of Buoyancy limp. Despite this and the occasional ire
of other gods, Hephaestus is consistently
one of the most useful and supportive
Wondrous item, uncommon (requires
members of the Olympian pantheon.
attunement)
Essence of Magic. This craftsman’s
This gossamer sash provides a feeling of
hammer can be used to create magic
unusual weightlessness when worn. After
items. You can only create a magic item if
being knocked prone, you can use your
you have seen the effects in person. The
reaction to bounce off the floor into a
item you create does not need to
somersault and may land 5 feet away.
resemble the original but may copy the
magical effects. You require 1d4 hours to
Guandao of Momentum create a common item, 1d4 days for an
uncommon item, 1d4 weeks for a rare
Weapon (glaive), rare item, and 1d4 months for a very rare
item.
This sturdy pole-weapon is weighted on
its end to assist in following through with Essence Transfer. Over the course of a
massive successive strikes. Using the long rest, you may craft a non-magical
momentum gained to continue a fluid item and transfer the effects of an
motion allows you to deal incredible existing magic item to the newly crafted
amounts of damage. As long as you use piece. This process is risky and has a 10
yours turns to exclusively move and percent chance of failing, destroying both
attack targets, gain a +1 bonus to attack items. This process does not work on
and damage rolls for every hit you land to cursed, legendary, or artifact items.
a maximum of +5. This effect fades as
soon as you do anything on your turn Summon Automaton. Once per day, you
that is not moving or attacking. may summon an Automaton Assistant
(use the statistics for Animated Armor CR
Hammer of Hephaestus 1). This man of metal and gears will assist
you in the forge and does not require food
or rest. The automaton is not built
Wondrous item, artifact (requires
for violence and cannot be used
attunement)
for combat outside defending the
forge itself.
Hephaestus is the Olympian
god of the forge, craftsmen,
Spontaneous Life. The mundane
fire, and sculpture. His
objects you craft can be infused
legacy as the greatest
with a facsimile of life. Statues you
craftsman of all time is nigh
carve move in place and react to their
undeniable as he forges the weapons,
surroundings. Tools and weapons you
tools, and art of the divine and mortals
create may speak to their wielder or
alike. The sheer magical resonance
move without being touched. The
imbued into his work is enough to bring
possibilities of these creations are
life to lifeless objects and imbue godly
endless.
power into mere metal. At a young age,
his mother Hera threw him from Mount
Olympus in an act of cruelty. For the rest
of his immortal life, he has walked with a

248
Helm of Hades advantage on Dexterity and
Constitution saving throws.
As an action, you may inspire
Wondrous item,
your allies within 60 feet and
artifact (requires
grant them temporary hit
attunement)
points equal to your
proficiency bonus. Once you
Forged by the Elder
use this ability, you cannot
Cyclopes for Hades,
use it again until you finish a
this cap has had
short or long rest.
many mythic
wearers. Hades
wore it during the Hungry Grass
Titanomachy,
Athena during the Wondrous item, uncommon
Trojan War,
Perseus to escape Known also as féar gortach in
the Gorgons, and Irish, hungry grass is grown
Hermes during his when faeries plant grass over
battle with the a corpse who never absolved
giant Hippolytus. themself of sin. It is said that
While wearing the walking through a patch of
helm, you are invisible to all non- hungry grass causes inescapable hunger
humanoid creatures. pangs.

Helm of the This magic item is a bundle of hungry

grass. By placing this grass in the
Aquilifer bedding or on the person of your
victim, you cause them to wake
Wondrous item, with extreme hunger. They are
rare (requires affected by the poisoned
attunement) condition until they eat a
substantial meal. Every hour,
At the head of a they must make a DC 15
Roman legion is a Wisdom saving throw. On a
standard-bearer failure, the hunger pangs
wielding the sigil return and they are poisoned
of an eagle. These again. This effect lasts for 24
soldiers, known as hours and extends if they
aquilifers, are continue to sleep with the
signified by the animal pelt hungry grass.
strapped to their helmets – most
commonly a wolf, bear, or lion. The eagle Imhullu
of Rome must never be tarnished,
therefore the aquilifer’s duty is to remind
Weapon (quarterstaff), artifact (requires
their legion that they must fight with
attunement)
ferocity to protect the eagle standard at
Simple weapon, melee weapon
all costs. While you are wearing the helm,
all friendly creatures within 30 feet gain

249
 As a ten-minute ritual, you may place the
Wielded by the god Ivory Qilin on the ground and pray before
Marduk, this divine it. A Qilin will then
wind-fan can control the appear and stand
savage winds. Marduk's before you. The Qilin
usage of this weapon was are said to possess an
regaled in the Babylonian incomprehensible level of
creation tale, Enuma wisdom and may share this
Elish. guidance with you in a time of
need. Once the figurine has been
This wind-fan staff can transformed in this way, it cannot be
be wielded as a magic used again for a week.
quarterstaff that grants a
+3 bonus to attack and Joshua's Shofar
damage rolls made with it.
Wondrous item, instrument, legendary
Winds of Four and Seven. Imhullu holds
10 charges that can be used to cast the
At the Battle of Jericho, Joshua of the
following spells.
Israelites marched around the city with
an armed retinue carrying the Ark of the
• 1 Charge: Thunderwave
Covenant and blowing shofarim (ram's
• 2 Charges: Gust of Wind
horn trumpets). The powerful magic of
• 3 Charges: Wind Wall
Yahweh shook the city so greatly that the
• 4 Charges: Ice Storm
blasts of the shofar crumbled the walls of
• 6 Charges: Wind Walk
Jericho.
• 8 Charges: Control Weather
As an action, you may cast the spell
You regain all used charges after
Earthquake. Once you have used this
you take a long rest.
ability, you cannot use it again until the
next dawn.
God of the Sky. You gain a flying
speed equal to your walking speed.
If you already have a flying speed, The Khepresh of Karnak
increase it by 10 feet. Wondrous item, artifact, (requires
attunement)
Ivory Qilin Often referred to as a War Crown, this
Khepresh has been worn by numerous
Wondrous item, very rare Pharaohs and warlords over the course of
Egyptian history, but most especially in
This carved ivory figurine is styled in the
the period following the fall of the Old
shape of a Qilin – a mystical Chinese
Kingdom. As rival nomarchs clashed, this
creature that is said to appear before the
birth or death of a great ruler or sage. The crown changed hands (and heads) over
Qilin appears with a single horn atop its two dozen times before finally being
head, has a multicolored deer-shaped claimed by a priest of Horus. Recognizing
body, and the tail of an ox. the temptation of the Khepresh, the
priest placed a powerful curse upon the
crown in hopes that future claimants

250
would think twice before recklessly vying was created. The crown must be brought
for power. to the temple at Karnak wherein a priest
of Horus will anoint the crown with the
Cursed. This item is cursed. Wearing it
boiling blood of a living hawk. The priest
curses you until you die or are targeted by
must do so willingly and cannot be
a remove curse spell or similar magic. As
otherwise coerced. If these steps are met,
long as you remain cursed, you cannot
emerge from the temple at midday and
remove the Khepresh.
the crown will melt away like morning
The Khepresh has 6 charges. frost.

The charges may be expended in ways

detailed below. When you end a long rest,
you take 6d6 damage for each charge the
Khepresh is missing (minimum 6d6).
You may expend 1 charge to
forestall this until your next
long rest. For every 20
poison damage you suffer
(from any source) the
Khepresh regains 1 charge.

If the number of charges

reaches 0, you die and the
Khepresh regains all
charges.

Voice of Command. While

wearing the Khepresh you
have advantage on all
Charisma (Persuasion) and
Charisma (Intimidation)
checks.

Strength of Kings. Your

Strength score increases by
4, as does your maximum
for that score.

Protection of the Wadjet.

You may spend a charge to gain
temporary hit points equal to 5d6+ 3

Breath of the Serpent. You may expend 2

charges to cast the spell Cloudkill at 6th
level.

Destroying the Khepresh: The Khepresh

can be destroyed in the same manner it

251
Kinetic Boots Dé Danann often associated with druids,
fertility, wisdom, and masculinity. A
massive bearded man, the Dagda carries
Wondrous item, very rare (requires
a club known as Lorg Mór (literally
attunement)These well-fitting black
"great club") It is said that with one end,
leather boots provide excellent support
the Dagda can kill nine men in one blow.
and protection from dangerous falls.
With the other, he can restore the dead to
These boots have four magical charges.
life.
When you would take falling damage, you
may choose to expend a charge and have
You have a +3 bonus to attack and
the boots absorb all of the falling
damage rolls made with this magic
damage. This kinetic energy is stored in
weapon.
the boots and can be released with deadly
effect. When you make an unarmed
Fearsome Father. When you kill a
attack, you may expend a charge and
creature using this weapon, you may
unleash the stored kinetic energy
immediately make another attack against
within, adding that damage to the
a creature within range. You may
damage of your unarmed
continue making attacks as
attack. The boots regain all
long as each attack kills the
charges at the next dawn.
target in one blow. You may make
no more than nine total attacks
Liars' Lantern with this ability.
Wondrous item, very rare
Bringer of Life. As an action, you
Though intricate in design may touch the pommel of the
this lantern does not appear club to a corpse and cast the spell
special at first glance, yet for Raise Dead. Once you have used
centuries these items were this ability, you cannot use it
key to the Imperial again until you finish a long rest.
Inquisition's interrogations.
Though the secret to their creation Lotus Fruit
has been lost, a number of them have
begun showing up in the western cities. Wondrous item, rare
When lit, this lantern illuminates an area
On an island populated by creatures
30 feet around it. Any lies spoken within
known as the Lotophagi, or lotus-eaters,
this radius cause the flame to dance and a strange fruit grows. When imbibed, the
flicker as though caught in a strong wind. lotus fruit causes a sense of pleasant
The subtle nature of the lantern makes it calmness which over time overtakes the
a favorite amongst the rulers of the Five mind of the eater and affects their
Kingdoms when determining the loyalty memory. This temptation was one of the
of their subordinates. trials of the hero Odysseus.

Lorg Mór If eaten, the lotus fruit causes a full-body

sense of calm and relaxation. This is a
Weapon (club), legendary magically addicting substance. Make a DC
17 Charisma saving throw. On a failure,
The Dagda is a father god of the Tuatha your only desire is to remain by a lotus

252
tree and eat the fruit. You may reroll this
saving throw after every long rest. If you
fail this saving throw three times, you
begin to lose your memories, starting
with the most recent.

Minotaur’s Septum Ring

Wondrous item, uncommon
This large silver ring is designed to be
pierced into the septum, the cartilage
between nostrils. While wearing this
ring, you may cause spectral horns to
appear on your head and perform a
special headbutt attack.

As a bonus action, you can make a special There, he pushed the king into the face of
melee attack to shove a creature, either to the mirror and Ur-Zababa fell through,
knock it prone, push it away from you, or becoming trapped in a dimension of
flip it over your head. The target must be reflections forever.
no more than one size larger than you
and must be within your reach. Make a When a creature is forcefully pushed into
Strength (Athletics) check contested by the mirror, they must make a DC 20
the target’s Strength (Athletics) or Charisma saving throw. On a failure, they
Dexterity (Acrobatics) check (the target fall through the mirror and are
transported to a dimension of reflections.
chooses the ability to use). If you win the
The world exists there in a static state
contest, you either knock the target
and no other mortals naturally reside
prone, push it 10 feet away from you, or
there. Anyone trapped within can
flip them over your head, with them communicate freely with those outside it.
landing prone in the space directly If the mirror is destroyed, the dimension
behind you. within vanishes and all within perish.
Only one creature can reside within the
Mirror of Ur-Zababa mirror at a time. If another is forced in,
they are unable to cross the threshold.
Wondrous item, very rare The creature within can be released
through magic that allows transit across
This bronze mirror was crafted by Belic- planes.
tikal, chief smith of the king, Ur-Zababa
of Kish. Sargon, the cup-bearer of Ur- Moly
Zababa, told the king of a dream he had
in which the goddess Ishtar came to Ur-
Wondrous item, rare
Zababa and killed him. Frightened by this
omen, Ur-Zababa ordered Sargon to
During the Odyssey, Hermes gifted
deliver a message to Belic-tikal where a
Odysseus a magical flower to protect him
cunning trap had been laid. Sargon was
from the enchantress Circe. The herb is
warned by the goddess Ishtar and instead
quite beautiful with a white bloom and
lured Ur-Zababa to the temple forge.

253
black stem; however, for a mortal to pick Moye
a moly is inviting danger. Only a god in
their immortality can bear to pick a moly.
Weapon (shortsword), very rare
Black Harvest. Picking the moly flower
King Helü of Wu ordered the swordsmith
has a dangerous outcome. When you
couple Gan Jiang and Mo Ye to craft a pair
touch a living and growing moly, make a
of swords in three months. They found
DC 20 Wisdom saving throw. On a failure,
the furnace to be lacking human qi and
a black magical secretion enters your
utilized their own hair and nails as well
body and begins to fester within you. You
as the breath of 300 children to blow the
gain the poisoned condition and the
bellows. After three years, the swords
disease Flesh Rot, causing your flesh to
were finally completed and named
decay and giving you disadvantage on
Ganjiang and Moye after their creators.
Charisma checks and vulnerability to all
They were perfectly in balance — a male
damage. These effects must be treated by
and female sword. Gan Jiang decided to
magic or will never be cured.
keep the male sword and bequeathed the
female sword to the king. Displeased by
Anti-Magic Herb. While the moly is on
the length of time he had waited, the king
your person, you gain advantage on
had Gan Jiang executed.
saving throws against spells. The first
time you would be affected by a harmful
You have a +3 bonus to attack and
single-target spell, the spell fizzles out
damage rolls made with this magic
as if effected by the spell Counterspell.
weapon.
When this happens, the moly wilts and
turns to dust losing all magical
Honor. When you wield both Ganjiang
properties.
and Moye, you gain this ability. As long as
you wield Ganjiang and Moye together,
Moon Leech your attacks have advantage. If your
attack would already have advantage,
Wondrous item, rare (requires instead double your proficiency bonus for
attunement) the attack.

This pitch-dark creature is incredibly Mustache Caterpillar

rare to find and lurks in shady places.
When placed over a creature’s eye, the
Wondrous item, common
leech latches on to the socket and stays
put permanently. While wearing the
This hairy insect is roughly two inches
Moon Leech over your eye, you perceive
long and very friendly. If placed on your
day as night. This negates any sensitivity
upper lip, it will nuzzle into your face and
to sunlight. Occasionally, the leech will
comfortably fall asleep. It survives by
feed on very small amounts of your blood
absorbing your sweat. While wearing the
and cause you to bleed down the side of
Mustache Caterpillar, no one who has
your face. You suffer disadvantage on all
seen you without the Mustache
ranged and thrown attacks further than
Caterpillar will recognize you unless you
30 feet.
bring it to their attention.

254
Nebu Forever Radiant. While wearing the
necklace, you appear in the prime of your
youth and the most beautiful you could
Wondrous item, legendary
possibly be. This is, however, an illusion
even to yourself. You still age normally.
Said to be the very flesh of the Egyptian
gods, Nebu is a nearly indestructible
Curse of Misfortune. The Necklace of
golden metal. If made into armor,
Harmonia was cursed by Hephaestus
increase the AC provided by the armor by
when he crafted it in a jealous rage. The
2. Nebu is so valuable that many would
wearer is subject to all manner of bad
kill for it without a second thought and
luck, causing all attacks, spells, and
kings would hoard it as a symbol of
abilities used against them to have
status.
advantage. The wearer is magically
unaware that the necklace could cause
Necklace of Harmonia this misfortune and will become violently
resistant to the implication that the
Wondrous item, artifact (requires necklace is anything less than a holy
attunement) relic. Due to its creation by Hephaestus,
greatest of all craftsmen, this curse
When Aphrodite betrayed her cannot be undone by any means.
husband Hephaestus and slept
with the god Ares, Hephaestus Necklace of Separation
was overwhelmed with rage. In
Wondrous item, uncommon
his fury, he went to his forge
(requires attunement)
and crafted a cursed object so
malignant that it would This hardy copper necklace is
bring misfortune and death set with a flat and round blue
to its bearer. It took the gem that hums if you put
shape of two serpents with
your ear up to it. When you
their open fangs forming a
are grappling a creature, as a
clasp, wrapped in gold and
jewels. He then bequeathed bonus action you may
this necklace to Aphrodite's activate the necklace causing
daughter, Harmonia. Luck a wave of force to blast
turned on Harmonia as she outward, separating you and
was transformed into a the target and causing them
snake. After her to be thrown. The target lands
transfiguration, the necklace 30 feet away and must make a
passed to her daughter Selene, DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or
who on the day of her land prone. Once you have used
inheritance was killed by Hera. this ability, you cannot use it again
Later, the necklace fell into the hands until the next dawn.
of Queen Jocasta, mother of Oedipus.
After her mistaken affair with her son, Nemean Lion Hide
she killed herself and Oedipus tore out his
own eyes. The necklace would continue to
Wondrous item, legendary (requires
be inherited by others drawn by its allure
attunement)
and leave a wake of chaos behind.

255
The first labor of the
hero Heracles was to kill
the Nemean Lion. Its
golden fur was
impenetrable and the
ferocity of the beast was
unmatched. Heracles
triumphed over the
monster by stunning it
with his club and
wrestling it until it was
strangled. At the
suggestion of Athena,
Heracles skinned the
lion with its own claw
and wore the pelt as
armor.
Sky Charm. You only take half damage
Impenetrable Pelt. While wearing this from falling.
hide and no other armor, you gain
immunity to non-magical damage. You Spirit Charm. As an action, you can gain
may use this with Unarmored true sight for 6 seconds. Once you
Defense features. have used this ability, you cannot use
it again until the next dawn.
Norigae of Protection
Nuwa Academy Staff
Wondrous item, uncommon
(requires attunement) Staff, weapon (quarterstaff), rare
(requires attunement by a spellcaster)
Norigae is a traditional Korean charm
that is dangled from a skirt or other Nuwa Academy specializes in the
clothing. It is said to bring fortune, powerful magic of Evocation, Abjuration,
youth, and happiness to the owner. and Necromancy. While wielding this
These norigae come in four variants staff, all spell rituals of these spell
representing different aspects of nature. schools may be cast in half the required
The protections these charms provide time. Additionally, while you are attuned
are as follows. to the staff and gain a spellcaster class
level, you may choose a spell you are
Sun Charm. Whenever you take fire capable of casting and learning and
damage, add 1d6 fire damage to the next infuse it into the staff. While the spell is
damage roll you make infused this way, you may cast it without
it counting toward your maximum spells
Lake Charm. Whenever you take poison known and without consuming a spell
damage, gain a point of inspiration. You slot. Once you have cast the spell this
can only have one inspiration in this way way, you cannot do so again until you
at a time and it must be used within one finish a long rest. The staff can only be
hour. infused with one spell and you can

256
replace the spell when you gain a Wisdom saving throws. Additionally, if
spellcaster level. you or an ally would gain the frightened
condition, immediately end the condition
Orna at the end of that creature's turn.

Weapon (longsword), very rare (requires Pheme's Trumpet

attunement)
Wondrous item, instrument, rare
Orna is the sword of Tethra of the
Fomorians, ruler of Mag Mell. After his Pheme is the personified form of fame
defeat in the Second Battle of Mag and rumor. She is the daughter of Gaia
Tuiredh, Orna was taken by Ogma, a god and spreads gossip about both gods and
of the Tuatha Dé Danann. When Orna is mortals. This comes in a positive light
drawn from its sheath, it speaks loudly when notable deeds are spread, but can
the deeds of its wielder. prove troublesome when scandals are
whispered. She is seen carrying a trumpet
You have a +3 bonus to attack and which blasts out these rumors to the
damage rolls made with this magic public.
weapon.
While carrying Pheme's trumpet, as an
Glorious Deeds. When Orna is drawn action you can speak a short sentence
from its sheath, it speaks in a booming aloud, then blow the trumpet. All within
voice that can be heard clearly 100 feet earshot of the trumpet's blast are
away. The voice recounts the most heroic magically aware of the information you
deeds the wielder has accomplished in spoke. Whether they believe it to be true
their life in order of significance, is up to them. Once you use this ability,
stopping after 30 seconds. you cannot use it again until you finish a
long rest.
Parazonium
Phoenix Coronet
Weapon (dagger),
uncommon Wondrous item, very rare
(requires attunement)
A parazonium is a long
dagger often depicted This ornate Chinese
being wielded by a god or headdress is stylized after
the emperor. Its wide the mythical phoenix.
triangular tip gives the This style is often worn
knife a unique shape and by noblewomen or brides.
identifiable iconography. While wearing this
Those within the presence headdress, you take on
of the parazonium feel a some of the aspects of the
sense of courage wash over fiery bird itself. You gain
them in the face of despair. advantage on death saving
throws and resistance to
While the dagger is on your fire damage. If you ever die
person and within sight, you and all allies while wearing the coronet, your body
within 10 feet of you gain advantage on

257
turns to ashes. After seven days, you rise the ring, you will never tire from travel
from the ashes completely restored as if and gain the benefits of travelling at a
you were affected by the spell Raise Dead. slow pace while at a normal pace and the
Once you have returned this way, the benefits of travelling at a normal pace
coronet is destroyed permanently. while at a fast pace. Additionally, once
per week during a long rest you can spend
Radiate Crown the entire time on watch duty without
suffering the effects of sleep deprivation.
Wondrous item, rare
Ring of Unexpected Might
A radiate or solar crown is often Wondrous item, uncommon (requires
associated with veneration of attunement)
the sun. In Egypt, the crown takes
the shape of a disc surrounded by This miniscule bronze ring will only fit
two horns. Gods and pharaohs on the hand of a small sized creature.
alike are depicted wearing a radiate While wearing the ring, you do not suffer
crown. In Rome, emperors disadvantage when wielding weapons
associated with the Sol Invictus cult with the heavy property. Additionally,
can be seen wearing one of these while wielding a two-handed weapon,
crowns. gain a +1 bonus on attack and damage
rolls.
While wearing this crown, you can
use an action to cast the Daylight Rod of Asclepius
spell with it. The light radiated from
this spell counts as actual sunlight.
Staff, rare (requires attunement)
The crown can't be used this way
again until the next dawn.
Asclepius, son of Apollo, is the Greek god
of healing and medicine. His rod
Raindrop Earrings represents the rejuvenating aspect of
Wondrous item, common medicine and is seen as a
single serpent coiling
These beautifully aesthetic earrings around a rod. This is
are made of magically bound often confused with
water. Forming the shape the Caduceus Staff, a
of large raindrops, symbol of the god
these earrings shimmer Hermes, as the two share
and flow below your similar iconography – the
ears and set you apart Caduceus Staff displays an
from the common crowd. additional snake and wings. The
serpent symbolically can represent
Ring of the Long March rebirth through the shedding of its skin
or the dual nature of physicians as agents
of life and death.
Wondrous item, uncommon

Bearing the sigil of a Roman soldier, this

Hippocratic Oath. At the end of a combat,
if you have not dealt any damage during
rustic ring fits comfortably on your hand
the entire combat, your next roll to heal
as if it was always there. While wearing

258
damage automatically rolls the highest While wearing these worn-in sandals,
possible number on every die. This your ability to rapidly deploy into combat
benefit must be used within one is heightened. Whenever
hour of the combat. initiative is rolled, as long as
you are not surprised, you
Physician. While not in combat, are able to immediately
you gain advantage on Medicine move 10 feet, even if it is not
skill checks. yet your turn.

Rod of Bastet Satyr’s Cup of

Wondrous item, very rare Debauchery

At first glance, this item, though Wondrous item, uncommon

beautifully detailed, appears to be
nothing more than a fancy cat toy The satyr is a creature of excess
used by the Egyptian nobles when and depravity that worships the
god Dionysus. This goblet was
playing with their companions. This
crafted and cursed by a wicked satyr who
particular rod has a secret, however.
wished to play jokes on all who were fool
Blessed by the Goddess Bastet, it holds enough to drink from it. The cup displays
the power to enthrall human beings imagery of men and women making
and other humanoid creatures. merry and drinking to their heart’s
content. Any liquid poured into this cup
Select a humanoid target within 5 feet. immediately becomes alcoholic and is
The target must succeed on a DC 15 very potent despite retaining its original
Wisdom saving throw or be enthralled, flavor. The intoxication that follows is
for 1 hour. While enthralled the target unnaturally raucous, providing energy
reacts as though under the effects of and zest for troublemaking.
the Charm Person spell with
the addition of a compulsion Scarab Ring
to bat at and chase the Rod of
Bastet's feathers. The Rod of Wondrous
Bastet has a maximum of three item, rare
charges and regains 1D3
This
charges at dawn.
engraved,
golden ring is set
with a large blue gem cut
Sandals of in the shape of a scarab. The
scarab beetle is an extremely common
Immediate symbol of renewal and change and is
Response associated with the god Khepri, the rising
sun.
Wondrous item,
uncommon

259
As an action, you may unleash the power unarmed attacks becomes poison
of the ring and summon two Swarms of damage.
Beetles (CR ½). They enter the initiative
directly after your turn and are controlled
by you. The scarabs last for one minute or
until they reach 0 hit points at which
point, they turn to sand and blow away.
Once you have used this ability, you
cannot use it again until the next dawn.

Seal of Solomon

Wondrous item, legendary (requires

attunement)

The Seal of Solomon is a ring bearing a

hexagram pattern given to King Solomon
of Israel by Yahweh. The power in this
Shadow-Bolt Crossbow
ring is said to hold sway over demons,
spirits, and beasts. Weapon (heavy crossbow), rare
This ancient weapon is crafted from a
Summon Djinni. While wearing the ring, strange, dark wood that has a purple hue
as a ten-minute ritual you can summon a
in the right light. Upon first glance, this
Djinni (CR 11). This Djinni is loyal to you
crossbow appears unfinished, as it is
and lasts one hour before disappearing to
the plane it came from. If the Djinni falls missing the string. When the trigger is
to 0 hit points, it returns to its original pulled, a string and bolt made of
plane. condensed shadows appear on the
weapon and fire. The damage this
Master of Demons. You have advantage weapon deals is necrotic damage.
on all attacks, ability checks, and saving
throws against fiends. You have a +2 bonus to attack and
damage rolls made with this magic
weapon.
Serpent’s Armbands
This weapon loses the loading and
Wondrous item, uncommon (requires ammunition properties.
attunement)

While wearing these coiling, golden

bracers, the fighting style and aspect of
the snake allows you wider influence of
the battlefield. When you make an
unarmed attack, the coils of the serpents
extend and strike out at your opponent.
Your unarmed attacks gain the reach
property. The damage type of your

260
Sharur Shennong Academy specializes in the
wondrous arcane schools of
Transmutation and Enchantment. While
Weapon (mace), artifact (requires
wielding this staff, all spell rituals of
attunement)
these spell schools may be cast in half the
required time. Additionally, while you are
Sharur, translated to "smasher of
attuned to the staff and gain a spellcaster
thousands," is a mace wielded by the
class level, you may choose a spell you
Sumerian god Ninurta. Ninurta put
are capable of casting and learning and
Sharur to use when he killed Asag the
infuse it into the staff. While the spell is
demon and Kur the primeval serpent.
infused this way, you may cast it without
Sharur is a sentient weapon that treats its
it counting toward your maximum spells
owner as a king or queen.
known and without consuming a spell
slot. Once you have cast the spell this
You have a +3 bonus to attack and
way, you cannot do so again until you
damage rolls made with this
finish a long rest. The staff can only be
magic weapon.
infused with one spell and you can
replace the spell when you gain a
Floating Force. As a bonus
spellcaster level.
action, you may cause Sharur to
float out of your hand and attack
an enemy within 20 feet. For the
next minute, you may make attacks
at this range. Once you use this
ability, you cannot use it again until
you take a long rest.

Roaring Transformation. As a
bonus action, you may command
Sharur to transform into a Chimera
(CR 6). This transformation lasts
for one minute or until Sharur drops
to 0 hit points. Once you use this
ability, you cannot use it again until
you take a long rest.

Loyal Scout. During a long rest, you

may command Sharur to float into
the sky and patrol the area within a
1-mile radius. At the end of your
long rest, Sharur will return and
Shirt of Nessus
report its findings to you
telepathically. Wondrous item, legendary

Heracles and his wife Deianeira ventured

Shennong Academy Staff to cross a river and were offered help by
the centaur, Nessus. After assisting
Staff, weapon (quarterstaff), rare Deianeira across, leaving Heracles on the
(requires attunement by a spellcaster) other side, Nessus attempted to force

261
himself on Deianeira. With quick aim, your next long rest, any hit dice spent on
Heracles shot Nessus with an arrow a short rest will roll the maximum
dipped in the poisonous blood of the number.
Lernaean Hydra. As Nessus died, he
feigned regret and implored Deianeira to Aphrodisiac. Silphium has many useful
take his shirt as a magic token to keep her qualities including use as a perfume or
husband faithful. Deianeira naively aphrodisiac. After you have used
agreed. Years later, when Heracles grew Silphium during a long rest, until your
fond of another woman, Ino, Deianeira next long rest you gain advantage on
gifted Heracles the shirt. As soon as he Charisma skill and ability checks.
put it on, he was overwhelmed with
unbearable pain. This suffering was so Slippery Armor
unbearable that Heracles built his own
Generic Variant, uncommon
funeral pyre and ended his mortal life.
Thus passed Heracles into godhood. This armor has been coated with an oily
substance that makes you hard to grasp
Agonizing Decay. While wearing the on to. While wearing this armor, you have
shirt, you suffer constant horrible pain.
advantage on skill checks to escape a
You are unable to gain the benefit of a
grapple. Additionally, you may doff this
short or long rest and immediately gain a
armor as an action. This armor comes in
level of exhaustion. Every sunrise, you
gain another level of exhaustion. variants for every armor type.

Removing the Shirt. Once the shirt has Slippery Toad Lens
been put on, it cannot be removed or
destroyed by normal means. To end the Wondrous item, uncommon
suffering and remove the shirt, the spell
Greater Restoration must be cast as many This slightly sticky lens sits snugly over
times as necessary to remove all levels of one eye and bears the engraved marking
exhaustion gained. Once all levels of of a toad. As a bonus action, you may
exhaustion have been removed, the pain choose a creature within 100 feet that you
subsides and the shirt may be removed. can see and learn their current and
maximum hit points.
Silphium
Slumber Bomb
Wondrous item, uncommon
Wondrous item, uncommon
Said to be a gift from Apollo to humanity,
Silphium is a miraculous herb that grows This perfectly spherical glass orb is filled
on the coastal regions of the with a violet mist that leaves liquid drops
Mediterranean. Silphium has streaking on the inside of the glass. As an
extraordinary healing powers that make action, you may make a thrown attack
it a crucially valuable object of trade against a target. If it hits, the target takes
throughout Greece, Rome, and Egypt. 1 piercing damage and must make a DC 15
Constitution saving throw. If they fail,
Apollo's Health. During a long rest, you they immediately fall unconscious as the
may apply a poultice made of Silphium to pungent vapors overwhelm them. This
cure any poison or disease. Until you take effect lasts for one minute, if the sleeper

262
takes damage, or someone uses an action you hit a target with this spear, you may
to shake or slap the sleeper awake. use your reaction to activate the spell
with them as the target. Targets have
Solomon's Shamir disadvantage on saving throws against
this magic and if it is a spell attack, it
automatically hits. Only one spell can be
Wondrous item, very rare
stored in the spear at a time and once you
have used this ability, you cannot use it
Supposedly gifted to King Solomon of
again until the next dawn.
Israel by the demon lord Asmodeus, the
Shamir is either a worm or living green
stone with the power to disintegrate hard Spectral Circlet
materials. Whether it be wood, stone, or Wondrous item, rare (requires
metal, the presence of the Shamir will eat attunement)
away at it. The Shamir must be kept in a
lead box and wrapped in wool. Upon This intricately designed circlet is made
opening the box and facing the Shamir at of wrapped silver coiling around small
a substance, the material will turquoise gemstones. If you look closely,
disintegrate at a rate of 5 square feet per you can see wisps of smoke dancing
minute. This process can be used within the jewels. As a reaction, you may
delicately for precision work. The Shamir project a spectral projection of yourself
has no effect on living material. Once you into a space 10 feet away from you. While
have disintegrated 50 square feet of projected in this way, you can take
material, you cannot use the Shamir actions as if you were standing there. The
again until the next dawn.
spectral you can interact with the world
but cannot be interacted with. If it would
Spear of the Formation take any damage, it immediately fades
and disappears. This projection lasts
Weapon (spear), uncommon until the end of your next turn or until
you choose to end the effect as a free
While wielding this Athenian-made action.
spear, you are able to control the
battlefield more effectively while fighting Splitting Daggers
in ranks. You may now use the Help Weapon (dagger), uncommon
action as a bonus action.
These throwing daggers come in a set
Spear of the Scribes and are perfect for tossing at multiple
targets. The bare handle and
Weapon (spear), uncommon aerodynamic blade make these weapons
ideal projectiles. When you make a
The wisdom of the Egyptian scribes was thrown attack, you may apply the same
consulted while this spear was forged. attack roll to up to 3 total enemies within
Their magic allowed this weapon to range. Roll damage once and split it
become a vessel for powerful sorcery as evenly among the targets you hit.
well as being a honed tool of violence.
You may cast a spell with this spear as the Sundering Pick
target. When you do this, the spell is Weapon (war pick), uncommon
infused into the spear for 8 hours. When

263
This hefty pick has an elongated sharp Looking to the throne he despised, he
point that if wielded with enough brawn ordered it torn apart and melted down,
can hew the mightiest armor. This transforming the former symbol of Wu
weapon gains the versatile property and rule into a powerful weapon. As part of
its damage while wielded with two hands the forging process, Goujian linked his
is 1d10. If you hit an attack against a own soul to the blade. In death, that
target with AC 18 or higher, the target connection remains.
takes an additional 1d10 piercing damage.
The Sword of Goujian is a magic, sentient
Sword of Goujian short sword that grants a +3 bonus to
attack and damage rolls made with it. It
Weapon (shortsword), artifact (requires counts as a sword of sharpness.
attunement)
Wisdom of Goujian. While
This gleaming blade was forged over a carrying this sword you gain
thousand years ago by the legendary King advantage on Wisdom saving
Goujian of Yue. As a young prince throws and all skill checks
Goujian’s father was slain and he was related to Wisdom.
taken prisoner by the neighboring
king of Wu. During his years in Biding Time. Whenever you use
humiliating servitude, he was the ready action to make an attack
forced to act as a footstool before you may immediately make one
the Wu king’s great bronze additional attack.
throne. During these years he Never Forget. Anytime you use this
thought of nothing but weapon to deal damage to a target that
revenge. In his arrogance has at any time in the past dealt damage
Goujian’s captor believed to you, you deal an extra 4d6 slashing
the young man a broken damage, these dice are not maximized by
shell and released him back sharpness.
to his home kingdom in
hopes of demoralizing the Sentience. The Sword of Goujian is a
remaining defenders. sentient Lawful evil weapon with an
Intelligence of 16, Wisdom of 18, and
Finding his home in steep Charisma of 16. It has normal hearing
decline, Goujian immediately set to and vision up to 60 feet.
putting things right. Within ten years Yue
was richer and more powerful than The weapon can read and speak all
before its defeat. Turning his eyes north languages as though under the effects of
Goujian moved to exact his revenge, a comprehend language spell. It can also
quickly seizing and executing the crown communicate telepathically with the
prince of Wu before sieging the capital. wielder.
His son dead and his pleas for surrender
Personality. While the blade will never
denied, the Wu king committed suicide.
compel you to overt evil acts, it will
During the sack Goujian had every
always encourage you to be ruthlessly
surrendered Wu soldier executed to
pragmatic, to reward loyalty, to punish
ensure none sought their own vengeance.
betrayal, and to never leave a loose end

264
behind. The sword despises chaos danger on the battlefield. When an enemy
and disorder and will vocally berate moves out of your reach and provokes an
the user for such actions. attack of opportunity, the wristbands
tighten slightly — alerting you and
Destroying the Sword: To destroy the
allowing you to react faster. You may
sword a chaotic good creature must
make one additional attack of
cast wish while holding it at the site of
opportunity even if you have already
the former Wu throne.
made one this turn using your
Sword of Mars reaction.

The Aegis
Weapon (longsword), legendary
Armor (shield), artifact (requires
Also known as the Sword of God, this
attunement)
weapon was wielded by Atilla the Hun,
one of the greatest conquerors of all
Forged by the Cyclopes in Hephaestus'
history. The tale goes that a simple
forge, the Aegis is a mighty shield that
farmer found this blade (having fallen
protects the wearer from harm and
from the sky) embedded in the flank of
strikes terror into their enemies. The
his cow and presented it to Atilla who
Aegis is wielded by Zeus and often
took it as a sign that the gods proclaimed
given to Athena in battle. It bears the
him ruler of the world. Supposedly, the
visage of the Gorgoneion, the head of
sword was forged by the gods from a
Medusa. According to The Iliad, the Aegis
meteorite which gave it otherworldly
produced a sound as from a myriad of
power.
roaring dragons. Golden tassels
decorated the rim of the shield, each
You have a +3 bonus to attack and
worth a hundred oxen. Power and terror
damage rolls made with this magic
come to the battlefield where the Aegis is
weapon.
wielded.

Alien Properties. The extraterrestrial Protection of the Forge. While holding

nature of the blade itself gives it unique this shield, you have a +4 bonus to AC.
abilities unlike any other ever created. This bonus is in addition to the shield's
Attacks with this weapon override any normal bonus to AC.
creature’s resistances, dealing damage as
if they had none. As a bonus action, you Hand of the Thunder God. While
can change the damage type of the sword wielding the Aegis, as an action you can
to another. This change lasts for one cast one of the following spells — Call
hour. Once you have changed the damage
type this way, you cannot do it again until
you take a short or long rest.

Tense Wristbands
Wondrous item, rare (requires
attunement)

These rubbery bracelets cling tightly to

your wrists and assist you in detecting

265
Lightning, Thunderwave, and As Phrixus, prince of
Lightning Bolt. You can use Orchomenus, was about to be
this feature a number of sacrificed due to the jealous
times equal to your rage of his stepmother Ino, he
proficiency bonus, with all was saved by the winged
charges restored at the golden ram, Chrysomallos.
dawn. This savior was sent by the
spirit of his mother, Nephele.
Gaze of the Gorgon. As an Phrixus was delivered to Colchis
action, you may hold forth and there sacrificed the ram to
the Aegis and unleash the the gods as thanks for his life.
magnificent power within. He skinned the Golden Fleece
All creatures within a 15- from the ram and hung it from an
foot cone must make a DC oak tree in Ares’ sacred grove. In
17 Charisma saving throw. If Colchis, he befriended King Aeëtes
they fail, they are Petrified. and joined his family by marrying
If they succeed, they gain one of his daughters. The Golden
the frightened condition for Fleece was then guarded by a vicious
one minute. dragon who never slept.

The Coat of Padarn Beisrudd Some time later, the hero Jason and his
companions, the Argonauts, landed on
Colchis in search of the Golden Fleece.
Wondrous item, uncommon
Jason’s quest was to retrieve the Golden
Fleece to assume the throne his uncle
This magnificent red coat bears a
Pelias had stolen from his father. King
draconic emblem. It is said that the coat
Aeëtes assumed that Jason would attempt
will only fit those of noble birth and
to usurp his own throne and gave
not those of lower class. While
him three impossible tasks to
wearing the coat, if you are
complete before attaining
considered of noble birth
his prize. With the help of
among your people, the
the sorceress Medea, the
coat fits perfectly and
king’s own daughter,
those who look upon
Jason overcame these
you can tell without a
tasks and retrieved the
doubt the purity of
Golden Fleece.
your lineage. You gain
advantage on
Rightful Heir. The
Persuasion skill checks
holder of the Golden
made while leveraging
Fleece is known to all as
your status.
the true ruler. While you
hold the fleece, those around
The Golden Fleece you know without a doubt that
you belong in a position of authority.
Wondrous item, artifact (requires Whether it be the leader of a small group
attunement) or the monarch of a vast empire, those
who see you with the fleece cannot
question your claim. You must, however,

266
have some natural claim to
the authority you hold with the The Golden Throne is made
Golden Fleece. You may not of solid gold and exquisitely
enter a foreign land with the detailed. Naturally, the
fleece and proclaim yourself material value of such an
king expecting the people to object is beyond
rally behind you. comprehension. The curse
of this throne still
Cult of Personality. While remains and any who sit
attuned to the Golden in it will be trapped there.
Fleece, you gain None may escape except by
advantage on all the hands of Hephaestus
Charisma skill and or the spell Wish.
ability checks.
The Spear of Lugh
Object of Desire.
While obtaining
Weapon (spear),
the Golden Fleece
legendary (requires
is a powerful
attunement)
boon, it comes at
the steep price of
The Spear of Lugh, one of
knowing others will
the Four Treasures of the Tuatha
always want to take it from
Dé Danann, was brought from the
you. The Golden Fleece is so
island city of Gorias to Ireland. Often
widely known and undisputed in its
mistaken for the fiery lance, Areadbhar,
power of authority that adventurers from
Lugh took this spear as recompense from
far and wide will go through momentous
an enemy. It is said that Lugh’s spear is
efforts to retrieve it.
impossible to overcome and that when
thrown, it will always hit its mark and
The Golden Throne return to its leather sheathe.

Wondrous item, very rare You have a +3 bonus to attack and

damage rolls made with this magic
Hephaestus, god of the forge, was thrown weapon.
from Mount Olympus by his cruel mother
Hera when he was only an infant. As he This spear holds 4 magical charges that
aged and grew angry with her for this can be used to activate the following
malicious act against a mere child, he abilities.
devised a scheme of revenge. Hephaestus
crafted a golden throne lavish enough to Ibar. As a bonus action, you may
entice the queen of the gods and sent it to consume a charge and speak the
her as a gift. Gladly, she accepted and sat command word Ibar. Your next thrown
down without a second thought. Invisible attack with the spear is guaranteed to hit
chains grasped her body and restrained a target within 120 feet. When you throw
her in place. None in Mount Olympus the spear in this way upgrade the damage
could free her on to free his mother and it to 1d10.
was only when Dionysus inebriated him
that he agreed to free her.

267
Athibar. As a bonus action, you may you have used this ability, you cannot use
consume a charge and speak the it again until the next dawn.
command word Athibar. The
spear then returns to your The Shield of Fury
hand as long as it is within 120
feet of you.
Armor (shield), uncommon
Regain 1d4 charges after a
This bronze shield glimmers in
short rest and all charges after
the light and displays several red
a long rest.
gemstones on its face. The
wielder of this shield will notice
Thunderbolt of Zeus the unusual lightness and grip of
the object, making it an excellent
Wondrous item, artifact tool for offense as well as
(requires attunement) defense. When you make an
attack while holding the shield,
The thunderbolt is the most you may choose to sacrifice the
iconic symbol of Zeus, father usual +2 bonus to AC you receive
god of the Olympians. After from the shield until the
freeing the Cyclopes from his beginning of your next turn.
father, Cronus, they gifted Zeus the When you do this, you gain a +2
thunderbolt which gave him bonus to attack and damage rolls
command over the made on this turn.
powerful force. The
thunderbolt had originally Thunderstick
been hidden away by Gaia,
Wondrous item, common
who was often at odds with Zeus
due to him defeating her This 3-foot-long wooden cylinder
children, Echidna and Typhon. appears rough and natural, as if it has
been sitting in one place for a very long
Might of the Sky. As an action, you time. When the Thunderstick is shaken
may throw the thunderbolt which has or turned upside down, a noise like
the same effects as casting the spell
distant rolling thunder emanates
Lightning Bolt. You cannot use this
loud enough for creatures within
ability again until you have recalled the
thunderbolt. 100 feet to hear.

Recall. As a bonus action, you may cause

Thyrsus Staff
the thunderbolt to rematerialize in your
hand. Wondrous item,
uncommon (requires
Overload Shock. As a bonus action, you attunement by a spellcaster)
may summon all of the energy in the
thunderbolt into an overcharged state. A thyrsus staff is a branch of fennel
Then, as an action, you may throw the wrapped in ivy and topped with a
thunderbolt which has the same effects pinecone. It is typically associated with
as casting the spell Chain Lightning. Once the Greek god Dionysus or the Roman
god Bacchus. The thyrsus staff is a

268
symbol of hedonism and fertility. Those horses. The trident he wields was forged
who wield the staff are loved by all and by the Cyclopes and grants incredible
bring joy and merriment to the world mastery of Poseidon’s domains.
around them.
You have a +3 bonus to attack and
While wielding this staff, you can use an damage rolls made with this magic
action to cast the Charm Person or weapon.
Animal Friendship spell with it (DC 15).
Once you use this ability, you cannot use Bursting Geyser. When you make a
it again until you take a short or long rest. thrown attack with the trident, you may
use your reaction to cause a spring of
Toe Rings of Comfort water to explode out of the ground under
the space you are targeting. This spring
takes up a 5-foot square and shoots
Wondrous item, common
upward 50 feet. Any creature caught in
the spring must make a DC 17 Dexterity
This set of 10 golden toe
saving throw or be swept up and
rings fit comfortably
tossed an additional 50 feet, falling
on the feet of
from a height of 100 feet.
any Medium
sized creature.
While wearing them, you Unflinching Attunement. The
never have to wear shoes, as the soles of trident can be wielded
your feet by no other than the
become one attuned. If
tough as leather. another creature
attempts to pick
up the trident, it falls
Torc of Cold Truth heavily to the floor and
cannot be moved. Dispel
Wondrous item, rare (requires Magic or anti-magic fields have
attunement) no effect on this item.

This beautiful golden necklace was Drought. While holding the

crafted in Albion and feels unusually trident in a body of water, you
warm against the skin. When a creature may cause the water to rapidly
intentionally lies or withholds begin to dry up. Over the course
information from you, the torc grows of ten minutes, you may cause
cold around your neck and alerts you. up to one mile of water to
completely dry. After you have
Trident of Poseidon dried this much, you cannot use
this ability again until the next
dawn.
Weapon (trident), artifact (requires
attunement)
Olympian Spells. While wielding
this trident, you may cast the
Poseidon is one of the Twelve Olympians
cantrip Create or Destroy Water.
and brother of Zeus and Hades. He is son
You may also cast the spell
of the titans Cronus and Rhea and god of
Control Water a number of
the seas, storms, earthquakes, and

269
times equal to your proficiency bonus action, you can point the wand at a food
until requiring a long rest. You may cast or beverage within 30 feet and speak the
the spell Earthquake once per week. magic word “Capcacio!” The meal in
question is then infused with extremely
spicy flavor, potentially ruining
Vapors of Delphi someone’s lunch.
Wondrous item, very rare
Water of Lethe
Sourced from the sacred fumes of Delphi,
this intricate glass bottle contains a
Wondrous item, very rare
swirling cloud of green and grey gases.
Inlaid with gold adornments and a ruby Lethe is one of the five rivers of the
topper, the bottle appears quite Underworld — the river of
valuable. When held close to the ear, forgetfulness. To drink the water of
one can hear nondescript whispers Lethe is to forgot one's mortal life.
emanating from the bottle. Shades of the dead seeking
reincarnation must first drink the
Inhaling the contents of the bottle water of Lethe to shed their past
grants the user prophetic visions, life.
giving them 1d4 hints about the
day to come. They count as If you imbibe at least 8 ounces of
incapacitated for the next hour. the water of Lethe, your
The bottle has three uses before memories rapidly fade. They can
the gases are expended. only be restored by the Greater
Restoration or Wish spells.
Veil of Mixed Signals
Weights of the World
Wondrous item, uncommon
(requires attunement) Wondrous item, rare (requires
attunement)
This sheer veil hangs loosely
over your face and distorts light These ornate golden earrings
passing through it, affecting are set with blue gems and
your visage. When making a weigh heavily on your ear lobes
Persuasion or Intimidation as you put them on. Very
check, you may substitute gradually, these earrings
either skill for the other. magically accustom your body
to higher stresses of gravity and
Wand of Spicy pressure. Once you have been
attuned to these earrings for at
Wondrous item, common least a week you gain the
following ability.
Tricksters and deviants will devise all
manner of schemes to prank others.
Magically inclined individuals are no
exception. This curved red wand makes
your hand sweat while holding it. As an

270
When you take the earrings off, you feel Whirlwind Flail
your body has grown incredibly light.
Weapon (flail), uncommon
Double your walking speed and jumping
distance for one hour. Additionally, if you The chain of this flail spins
are capable of making multiple melee on a smoothly-
attacks in a single turn, increase the lubricated axis. As a
number of attacks you are able to bonus action, you
make by one. Once you have
may begin to wind up
used this ability, you must
the flail into a
put on the earrings and
wear them for an spinning tornado of
additional week death. When you
before being make an attack with
able to use this weapon during this
them turn, you gain +1 on the attack roll
again. and upgrade the damage die to 2d8.

Wine of Dependence

Wondrous item, uncommon

Whetstone of Tudwal Tudglyd
This drink is cursed; when you drink the
Wondrous item, rare wine, it drinks a bit of you. If a creature
takes even a single sip from this bottle,
Tudwal Tudglyd, also known as Tutagual, they must make a DC 18 Charisma saving
was a king of Alt Clut and father of the throw. If they fail, they become
famous Rhydderch Hael. He carried permanently addicted to alcohol and gain
with him a magical the poisoned condition when they have
stone which gave great not had a drink in 8 hours. The spells
power to brave warriors. Remove Curse and Greater
It is said that only one with Restoration can remove
courage could sharpen his this effect.
blade with this whetstone with
cowards finding only dull iron. Winged Sandals
During a short rest, you may use of Hermes
this whetstone to sharpen a
bladed weapon. In your next Wondrous item,
combat, you must spend every action legendary (requires
and movement with the intent of attunement)
directly defeating your opponents. If you
do so, you gain +1 on attack and damage Also known as the Talaria of
rolls and include a roll of 19 as a critical Mercury in Latin, these sandals have
hit. If you do not, or if you spend a turn small wings at the ankles and gift the
out of combat, you instead have wearer the ability of flight. Hephaestus,
disadvantage on your next attack. greatest of all artisans and craftsman of
the gods, made these for Hermes out of
magical gold that never tarnishes.

271
While wearing and attuned to these
sandals, you gain a permanent flying
speed equal to double your walking
speed. You are immune to falling damage
and can take the dash action as a bonus
action. Additionally, you may ignore the
effects of the first three levels of
exhaustion.

Yao Grass

Wondrous item, uncommon

There are two types of yao grass that

grow in various mountain regions of
China. One, when mixed with the proper
ingredients, produces a powerful love
potion. The other puts the imbiber into a
state of perfect mental clarity.

Guyao Mountain. When this yellow

flowered herb is mixed into a potion with
a creature's hair, this potion will cause
the imbiber to fall in love with the
creature. They are under the effect of the
charmed condition and can be freed by
the spell Lesser Restoration.

Taishi Mountain. When this white

flowered herb is mixed into a potion, it
causes the imbiber to enter a state of
mental clarity. Until your next long rest,
you have advantage on Intelligence and
Wisdom saving throws. However, this
potion has a numbing effect giving you
disadvantage on Strength and Dexterity
saving throws.

272
273
 Chapter 5:
Adversaries

Aqrabuamelu

Originally created by Tiamat

during the War of Chaos, the first
Aqrabuamelu served as shock troops
against the Igigi gods. Endowed with a
portion of their creator's deadly venom,
swarms of these fearsome scorpion-
men brought many Igigi low before
the Anunnaki were forced to
intervene. With Marduk's victory over
Tiamat, many of the forces of Chaos
fled into hiding, but the fate of the
remaining Aqrabuamelu fell to the
Assembly of the Gods, with many of the
Anunnaki—most notably Nergal—
demanding that they be destroyed.

Shamash, god of light and brother

of Nergal, impressed by the Large monstrosity, lawful neutral or
Aqrabuamelu's ferocity in battle and by chaotic evil
their willingness to stand before the
Assembly of the Gods, offered a proposal: Armor Class 19 (natural armor)
if they swore to serve the Anunnaki and Hit Points 123 (13d10 + 52)
hunt down the remaining forces of
Chaos, he would take personal Speed 40 ft.
responsibility for them and their lives
would be spared. To this day, the gates of
Kur are protected by the Aqrabuamelu, STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
with a retinue of the scorpion-men 16 16 18 13 14 12
serving Shamash directly in his never- (+3) (+3) (+4) (+1) (+2) (+1)
ending crusade against the forces of
Chaos.
Skills Insight +5, Perception +5, Stealth
+9

274
Senses Blindsight 60 ft., darkvision 120 uncovered the secrets of a uniquely
ft., passive Perception 15 strange form of immortality. So long as
they remain dedicated servants of
Languages
Bennu, they receive his blessing,
Challenge 6 (2,300 XP) allowing the devoted to take the form
of the great heron himself. While flight
Actions alone would be a worthy gift
for those acting as
messenger and
Multiattack The
psychopomp to
Aqrabuamelu makes
the dead,
three attacks, either
those gifted
with its claws or its
with
longbow. It can replace
Bennu's
one of those attacks with
blessing are said
a sting attack.
to be nearly
Claw Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to impervious to death's
hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 cruel sting, their bodies
(1d10 + 3) bludgeoning damage, and the erupting into flame and
target is grappled (escape DC 15). The restoration after suffering a
Aqrabuamelu has two claws, each of mortal blow.
which can grapple only one target.
Medium humanoid (human,
Longbow Ranged Weapon Attack: +6 to shapechanger), neutral
hit, range 150/600 ft., one target.
Armor Class 12
Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage
plus 11 (2d10) poison damage. Hit Points 31 (7d8)
Sting Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, Speed 30 ft. (fly 50 ft. in heron and hybrid
reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 14 (2d10 + 3) forms)
piercing damage, and the target must
make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw,
taking 33 (6d10) poison damage and
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
becoming poisoned on a failed save, or
10 15 11 13 15 14
half as much damage on a successful one.
(+0) (+2) (+0) (+1) (+2) (+2)

Skills Insight +6, Perception +6, Religion

Follower of Bennu +5, Stealth +4
Senses passive Perception 16
In Heliopolis the Egyptian God Bennu is
worshiped as a symbol of creation and Languages
rebirth. His acolytes, known as the Challenge 2 (450 XP)
Followers of Bennu, are devoted scholars
of the Book of the Dead, and through
powerful transformative rituals have

275
Renewed in Flame If a source of damage
Euryale
would bring the Follower of Bennu to 0
hit points, they instead erupt into flame, An elder sister of Medusa, Euryale is a
returning to their maximum hit point fierce gorgon that shares her late sister's
value and dealing 10 (3d6) damage to all curse. Though Medusa's murderer,
adjacent creatures. This ability can only Perseus, is long dead, she has spent much
be triggered once per long rest. If the of her immortal life in mourning for the
remains of a Follower of Bennu are sister she failed to save. Euryale has a
ritually cremated within one week of burning hatred for those who call
their death, they are restored to life with themselves "heroes," turning them to
1 hit point. stone and shattering them with her
powerful voice at every opportunity.

Medium monstrosity, lawful evil

Shapechanger The Follower of Bennu can
use its action to polymorph into a heron- Armor Class 17 (natural armor)
humanoid hybrid or into a heron, or back
into its human form. Its statistics, other Hit Points 200 (16d10 + 112)
than its size, are the same in each form. Speed 30 ft., swim 50 ft.
Any equipment it is wearing or carrying
isn't transformed. It reverts to its human
form if it dies.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
Actions 18 22 24 16 15 16
(+4) (+6) (+7) (+3) (+2) (+3)

Multiattack (Human or Hybrid Form

Only) The Follower of Bennu makes two Skills Deception +6, Insight +5,
weapon attacks, one of which can be with Perception +5, Stealth +9
its sling.
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive
Beak (Heron or Hybrid Form Only) Melee Perception 15
Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one
Languages Greek, Egyptian, Latin
target. Hit: 1d2 piercing damage in heron
form, or 4 (1d4 + 2) piercing damage in Challenge 11 (7,200 XP)
hybrid form.
Petrifying Gaze When a creature that can
Shortsword (Human or Hybrid Form see Euryale's eyes starts its turn within
Only) Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, 30 feet of Euryale, she can force it to
reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) make a DC 17 Constitution saving throw if
piercing damage. Euryale isn't incapacitated and can see
the creature. If the saving throw fails by 5
Sling (Human or Hybrid Form Only)
or more, the creature is instantly
Ranged Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, range
petrified. Otherwise, a creature that fails
30/120 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2)
the save begins to turn to stone and is
piercing damage.
restrained. The restrained creature must
repeat the saving throw at the end of its
next turn, becoming petrified on a failure

276
or ending the effect on a success. The Shortsword Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to
petrification lasts until the creature is hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d6 + 6)
freed by the greater restoration spell or piercing damage.
other magic.
Longbow Ranged
Unless surprised, a creature can avert its Weapon Attack: +10 to hit,
eyes to avoid the saving throw at the range 150/600 ft., one
start of its turn. If the creature does target. Hit: 10 (1d8 + 6)
so, it can't see Euryale until the piercing damage
start of its next turn, when it can plus 14 (4d6) poison
avert its eyes again. If the damage.
creature looks at Euryale in the
meantime, it must
immediately make the save.
Púca
If Euryale sees herself
reflected on a polished surface
within 30 feet of her and in The Púcai are an
an area of bright light, elusive race of
Euryale, due to her curse, mischievous
is affected by her own tricksters native to
gaze. Hibernia, but they have been
known to travel great distances in search
of new targets of their sometimes
Actions playful, sometimes pernicious schemes.
Capable of taking the form of man or
Cacophonous Screech (Recharge 5-6) beast, a Púca will most often choose to
Euryale emits a piercing cry. All creatures appear before a lone traveler in the shape
within 60 feet of Euryale must make a DC of a dark horse with glowing, golden
17 Constitution saving throw, becoming eyes. Telepathic by nature, the Púca will
deafened and taking 55 (10d10) thunder promise to bring their intended victim
damage on a failed save, or half as much swiftly to their destination, imploring
damage on a successful one. If a petrified them to climb onto their back before
creature is reduced to half their galloping away into the night. Those who
maximum hit points or less by this survive such encounters are often left
damage, they die as their stone body miles off course, abandoned by the Púca
crumbles to dust. as its mocking laughter echoes in their
Multiattack Euryale makes either three heads.
melee attacks—one with her snake hair Medium fey, chaotic neutral
and two with her short sword—or two
ranged attacks with her longbow. Armor Class 15 (natural armor)

Snake Hair Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to Hit Points 31 (7d6 + 7)

hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 9 (1d6 +
Speed 30 ft.
6) piercing damage plus 21 (6d6) poison
damage.

277
Skills Deception +6, Perception +5,
Stealth +6, Survival +4
Wild Ride When polymorphed into a
Senses Darkvision 120 ft., passive rideable creature such as a horse, the
Perception 15 Púca functions much the same as a
mount of that type, but lacks a saddle
Languages Telepathy 120 ft.
unless one is provided. As a reaction
Challenge 2 (450 XP) while being ridden, the Púca may
immediately move up to twice their
movement speed. After the Púca moves in
Actions this way, the rider can no longer safely
dismount until the Púca chooses to stop.
Attempting to dismount while in motion
Bite Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, requires a DC 18 Acrobatics Check, with a
reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) failure dealing 31 (8d6+3) bludgeoning
piercing damage and knocking the rider
damage. prone as they are trampled
underfoot. On a success, the
rider takes half damage and
Change Shape lands in a space of their
The Púca choosing adjacent to the
magically Púca.
polymorphs into a
humanoid or
beast that has a
challenge rating Qilin
equal to or less than
its own, or back into
A creature of good omen, the
its true form. It
Qilin has been known throughout
reverts to its true
China since the days of the Yellow
form if it dies. Any
Emperor. Though exceedingly rare, the
equipment it is
Qilin is said to appear before important
wearing or carrying is
events and auspicious births, seemingly
absorbed or borne by the
capable of judging the fates of mortals
new form (the Púca's
and steering them towards benevolent
choice).
outcomes. To those it deems worthy, a
In a new form, the Púca retains its Qilin can prove a steadfast protector,
game statistics and ability to speak, but even serving as a mount of unparalleled
its AC, Strength, Dexterity, and quality to a handful of legendary heroes.
movement modes are replaced by those To those with nefarious intentions,
of the new form, and it gains any however, the Qilin can be a truly
statistics and capabilities (except class terrifying foe, incinerating evil-doers
features, legendary actions, and lair with violent bursts of radiance and
actions) that the new form has but that it flame.Large dragon, lawful good
lacks.

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Armor Class 19 (natural armor) Untraceable The Qilin leaves no
footprints, nor any sign of its passing
Hit Points 200 (16d10 + 112)
even as it treads on fresh grass or snow.
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, Divination magic used to ascertain its
piercing, and slashing from nonmagical location or that of its rider automatically
attacks fails.

Condition Immunities charmed, Magic Weapons The Qilin's weapon

exhaustion, frightened attacks are magical.

Speed 60 ft., fly 120 ft. swim 60 ft.

Actions

STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA

26 20 24 18 22 24 Multiattack The Qilin makes three
(+8) (+5) (+7) (+4) (+6) (+7) attacks: one with its bite and two with its
hooves.

Saving Throws Con +12, Wis +11, Cha +12 Bite Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit,
reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 19 (2d10 + 8)
Skills Arcana +8, History +8, Insight +11,
piercing damage.
Perception +11, Stealth +5
Hooves Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit,
Senses blindsight 60 ft., darkvision 120
reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d6 + 8)
ft., passive Perception 21
bludgeoning damage.
Languages understands all, but can't
speak
Impale If the Qilin moves at least 30 feet
Challenge 16 (15,000 XP)
in a straight line toward a target it may
make a special Melee Weapon Attack with
a +12 to hit and a reach of 10 ft. On a
Amphibious The Qilin can breathe air and successful hit, the target is impaled,
water. taking 41 (6d10+8) piercing damage. If
Innate Spellcasting The Qilin's the target is a medium or smaller
spellcasting ability is Charisma (spell creature, it is grappled (escape DC 18).
save DC 20). The Qilin can innately cast Until this grapple ends, the target is
the following spells, requiring no restrained, and the Qilin cannot impale
material components: another target.

At will: detect evil and good, detect Radiant Breath (Recharge 5–6). The Qilin
thoughts, purify food and drink exhales radiant energy in a 90--foot line
that is 5 feet wide. Each creature in that
3/day each: flame strike, hallow, line must make a DC 19 Dexterity saving
sunbeam, telekinesis throw, taking 66 (12d10) radiant damage
1/day each: control weather, foresight, on a failed save, or half as much damage
sunburst on a successful one.

279
Scorzak STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
26 15 22 16 16 20
(+8) (+2) (+6) (+3) (+3) (+5)

Once a powerful warlord, the

cursed entity known as Scorzak brought Saving Throws Str +14, Con +12, Wis +9,
fear and ruin to his enemies during his Cha +11
mortal life. Seeking immortality, Scorzak
Damage Resistances cold; bludgeoning,
marched his armies into the underworld
piercing, and slashing from nonmagical
itself. Just as Achilles before him, Scorzak
attacks
immersed himself in the river Styx,
becoming invulnerable to the blows of all Damage Immunities fire, poison
mortal weapons. Pluto and his host of the
Condition Immunities blinded, charmed,
dead were no mere mortals, however, and
frightened, poisoned
as Scorzak challenged the god of death
for dominion over Tartarus, he finally Senses blindsight 60 ft., darksight 120 ft.,
met his match. As the dead lay waste to passive Perception 13
his armies and Pluto himself humbled the
nigh-invincible warrior, Scorzak finally Languages Egyptian, Greek
understood the nature of hubris. Challenge 19 (22,000 XP)

Magic Weapons Scorzak's weapon

Dragged through Phlegethon, the attacks are magical.
River of Fire, Scorzak's body was filled
Actions
with an inferno that set his very soul
Horn of Hades As an action, Scorzak's
alight. Despite his torment, death would
runic horn emits a keening howl, dealing
not come for Scorzak. Immortality he had
27 (6d8) thunder damage to all creatures
sought, and so immortality he was
within 120 feet and stunning them for
granted: for the Olympians decreed that
one round. After using this ability,
as punishment for his pride, Scorzak
Scorzak must take a long rest before
would not die until he had repaid his
using it again.
crimes in service to the gods. Now he
travels the world carrying out their will. Multiattack Scorzak makes three attacks,
He is messenger, herald, hand, and two with his longsword and one with his
justice, ever-burning and never tiring as whip.
he yearns for final release.
Longsword Melee Weapon Attack: +14 to
Medium fiend (devil), lawful neutral hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 21 (3d8 +
8) slashing damage plus 13 (3d8) fire
Armor Class 18 (plate)
damage.
Hit Points 297 (17d20 + 119)
Whip Melee Weapon Attack: +14 to hit,
Speed 40 ft. reach 30 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d6 + 8)
slashing damage plus 10 (3d6) fire
damage, and the target must succeed on a

280
DC 20 Strength saving throw or be pulled
up to 25 feet toward Scorzak.

Legendary Actions
Scorzak can take 3 legendary actions,
choosing from the options below. Only
one legendary action option can be used
at a time and only at the end of another
creature's turn. Scorzak regains spent
legendary actions at the start of his turn.

Longsword Scorzak makes one

longsword attack.

Teleport (Costs 2 Actions) Scorzak

magically teleports, along with any
equipment he is wearing or carrying, up
to 120 feet to an unoccupied space he can
see.

Burning Hands (Costs 3 Actions). Scorzak

casts the spell Burning Hands at fourth
level. (Spell Save DC 19)

281
 Condition Immunities charmed,
Shahmaran
poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive
The Shahmaran is an exceedingly rare Perception 12
creature that typically dwells within
Languages Aramaic, Pahlawānīg
hidden desert oases, grottos, and caves. A
recluse by necessity, the Shahmaran was Challenge 8 (3,900 XP)
nearly hunted to extinction in centuries
past for its remarkable flesh, which
is said to restore even the most ill Flesh of Restoration The flesh
or injured to good health. and blood of the Shahmaran have
Benevolent by nature, the remarkable healing properties
Shahmaran enjoys the when prepared by a skilled
company of like-minded alchemist. Whether given freely
individuals, and can be or harvested from a deceased
persuaded to part with Shahmaran, only one potion can
a small portion of its be produced, as it takes a full
healing blood, though year for the magical
trust can be a difficult properties to return
thing to foster in such to a living
an understandably wary Shahmaran.
soul. Preparing the
potion requires a
DC 18
Medium monstrosity, Intelligence check
chaotic good using
Alchemist's
supplies. On a
Armor Class 15 success, the
(natural armor) resulting brew
functions as a
Hit Points 172 (15d12 + 75) potion of supreme healing that also cures
Speed 30 ft., swim 30 ft. all diseases and negative conditions when
consumed. On a failure, it instead
becomes a potion of poison that cannot
be detected by an identify spell.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
18 17 20 16 15 16 Spellcasting The Shahmaran is a 10th-
(+4) (+3) (+5) (+3) (+2) (+3) level spellcaster. Its spellcasting ability is
Intelligence (spell save DC 14, +6 to hit
Saving Throws Dex +6, Con +8, Wis +5, with spell attacks), and it needs only
Cha +6 verbal components to cast its spells. It
has the following wizard spells prepared:
Damage Immunities poison

282
Cantrips (at will): mage hand, minor most notably the Udug Hul. These
illusion, poison spray shadow predators are thankfully rare, but
exceedingly dangerous. Capable of
1st level (4 slots): charm person, color
melding with the shadow of an
spray, sleep
unsuspecting victim, the Udug Hul can
2nd level (3 slots): detect thoughts, hold stalk prospective prey for hours before
person striking at the perfect moment and
disappearing into the underworld.
3rd level (3 slots): revivify, water
breathing

4th level (3 slots): hallucinatory terrain, Large fiend (demon), lawful evil or
wall of fire chaotic evil (Udug Hul)

5th level (2 slots): dominate person Armor Class 16 (natural armor)

Actions Hit Points 160 (13d12 + 76)

Speed 40 ft.
Bite Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit,
reach 10 ft., one creature. Hit: 7 (1d6 + 4)
piercing damage, and the target must STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
make a DC 13 Constitution saving throw, 20 15 21 19 17 16
taking 31 (7d8) poison damage on a failed (+5) (+2) (+5) (+4) (+3) (+3)
save, or half as much damage on a
successful one.
Saving Throws Str +9, Con +9, Wis +7,
Cha +7
Udug
Damage Resistances cold, fire, lightning;
bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from
Powerful demons of shadow, the nonmagical attacks
hulking Udug absorb all light they touch,
Damage Immunities poison
leaving an empty darkness in their wake.
Few have seen their true forms, though Condition Immunities poisoned
they are exceedingly tall and their vicious
claws drip with venom. Dwelling Senses truesight 120 ft., passive
primarily in the underworld, the Udug Perception 13
relish any opportunity to feed on the Languages
light of the surface, though they can only
absorb so much before becoming Challenge 9 (5,000 XP)
lethargic and retreating to the cold
Light Eater A 10 foot by 10 foot veil of
darkness of their home.
shadow fills the space occupied by the
Despite their appearance, most Udug at all times, functioning as the
Udug aren't naturally aggressive, and will Darkness spell. While in direct sunlight
respond favorably to those that do not or a magical light source the Udug is
attack or flee at the sight of them. empowered as it absorbs and consumes
Deviants do exist among them, however; the light's energy, doubling its

283
movement speed and granting it an extra
action and bonus action. After three
“Artemis” The God Killer
consecutive rounds of light exposure the
Though few would ever seek to question a
Udug becomes sated, ending the effects god, let alone challenge one, there are those
of Light Eater and becoming stunned for in the world who seek to prove themselves
one round. Continued light exposure now against the deities. Weather for glory or
freedom, those who do so rarely live long
halves the Udug's movement speed and it
enough to have their names remembered. One
cannot consume light again until after a exception is the so called “Artemis” The God
short rest. Killer. This savage creature challenged and
slew the Greco-Roman god Hyas in single
combat. The Goddess Artemis, a close
companion of Hyas, vowed to hunt the
Actions creature to the ends of the earth. Mockingly,
it took her name to goad her further.
Though he remains at large, Artemis has
Multiattack The Udug makes four claw taken it upon herself to hunt him down before
he can slay another deity and shake the
attacks. mortals’ faith in their masters.
Claw Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit,
reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (2d10 + 5)
slashing damage and the target must
make a DC 17 Constitution saving
throw, taking 27 (5d10) poison
damage on a failed save, or half as
much damage on a successful one.

Shadow Stalker As an action the

Udug can meld with a shadow within
5 feet, becoming intangible as it
enters the Ethereal Plane. The Udug
conforms to the shape of the shadow
it inhabits, and the shadow becomes
noticeably darker (detected with a DC
17 Perception check). The Udug
remains aware of its surroundings on
the Material Plane and can emerge from
the shadow as a reaction. If the shadow is
attached to a creature, the Udug may
emerge in an adjacent space to the
creature and make one attack. If a source
of light would cause the melded shadow
to disappear, the Udug is forcefully
returned to the Material Plane, becoming
stunned for one round. Once the Udug
has returned to the Material Plane it
cannot meld with another shadow until
after a long rest.

284
 r ace

SPEED

id eal s

Strength
Dexterity
Constitution
Intelligence
Wisdom
TOTAL
SUCCESSES
Charisma

FAILURES
Acrobatics
Animal Handling
Arcana
Athletics
Deception
History
Insight
Intimidation
Investigation
Medicine
Nature
Perception
Performance
Persuasion
Religion
Slight of Hand
Stealth
Survival

285
286
 r ace

SPEED

id eal s

Strength
Dexterity
Constitution
Intelligence
Wisdom
TOTAL
SUCCESSES
Charisma

FAILURES
Acrobatics
Animal Handling
Arcana
Athletics
Deception
History
Insight
Intimidation
Investigation
Medicine
Nature
Perception
Performance
Persuasion
Religion
Slight of Hand
Stealth
Survival

287
288