To start the year, I am providing the players in my bigger campaign (7 PCs) with a Campaign Reference Document PDF to keep on whatever device they use when gaming so they refresh their memories about elements of the setting and game. it is a D&D 5E campaign with some house rules (many taken from the Midgard setting book by Kobold Press such as ley line magic, rune magic, and some of the races).
The campaign started last March at 1st level, they are currently level 5, though there was a reshuffling of players in July as 2 players left and 3 joined, with the seventh player joining this past December. The setting is loosely based on a map taken from the Wilderlands of High Fantasy setting, but very little of the lore from that setting beyond a couple of place names and bits here and there. Elements of a few low level adventures (mostly 1E0 were sprinkled in as I made this a sandbox setting to let the players find their own story to pursue, and some elements of traditional D&D lore and real world folklore and pop culture folklore were woven in.
Players kept saying they want an immersive story, but due to some scheduling gaps and player turnover, many of the story and setting elements were being forgotten or only fuzzily remembered, and with a big group immersion gets harder, so I put together this as a aid for them to look things up while playing if need be. It also gives a glimpse of what the game has been like for anyone interested.
The current party consists of:
Abhaya Svartur-Air Genasi monk, member of the Dragon Fist Order (played by John)
Reven Windwalker-tielfling storm sorcerer, former slave and also learning rune magic (played by Mrs. MRP)
Lady Sai-changeling bard, grew up a street urchin, learned the father who abandoned her was fugitive from the Autumn court, taken up the role of a paladin of the Autumn court as an attempt to atone his sins (played by Hunter [Chelsea's fiancé])
those are the three left from the original party
in July the following joined
Navar Dendiz-human warlock on the run from elements of the Court of Rallu (Fire Genasi controlled city); has a pact with a Hag to be a Hexblade, and is slowly becoming a hexblood (i.e. a hag offspring) (played by Bennett [Taylor's husband])
Madame Cecilia (CiCi)-divination wizard, member of a earlier cell working for Lady Khysara, she foretold their deaths, but they ignored her and she and Navar were the only survivors) (played by Chelsea [Hunter's fiancé])
Viintaas Okaaz-sea elf druid of the Circle of the Stars; little is known of her past but she came to Lady Khysara for aid in her quest for knowledge and Khysara teamed her with one of her cells (played by Taylor [Bennett's wife])
and then in December the seventh member joined, a prisoner they freed in their latest adventure
Bear-shifter barbarian and member of the Wardens who had been captured and imprisoned by the serpent cult in Orlane until they could sacrifice him to their god. He has joined the party intheir efforts to stop the cult and to try to find his brother, also captured by the cult. (played by Josh [Chelsea's brother])
The World of the Reaches
The Reaches is the eastern portion of the southernmost land mass of this world. It is a land of harsh climates, stubborn settlers, and many dangers. The northernmost parts have a slightly milder climate due to a warming ocean stream that runs along the northern coast.
Climate: In the north, temperatures range from the low 50s in the summer to the single digits in the winter. Summer sees a lot of rain there. Fog and mist is common on the northern shores in Tula and Port Dondril. Further south, summer temps only reach the low 40s, winter lows are typically below zero, and snow is common almost year round.
Calendar: There are two reckonings of use in the region-The Obsidian Reckoning, measuring time since the Obsidian Citadel was established in Tula, and the Reckoning of Winds or Winds of Tula, measuring time since the founding of the city of Tula by the Air Genasi. The current year is 675 OR or 995 WT.
Each year consists of 10 months of 35 days each, with 2 week long festivals to round out the calendar. The month names are essentially numbers-Firsts, Seconds, Thirds, High Summer Festival, Fourths, Fifths, Sixths, Harvest Festival, Sevenths, Eighths, Ninths and Tenths.
There are 8 observance days-the 2 Equinoxes, the 2 solstices, and and the four days halfway between each; these are: Spring Equinox (1st of Firsts), Beltaine (10th Seconds,; i.e. fertility celebration), Summer Solstice (21 Thirds), Lammas (20th Fourths i.e beginning of harvest), Autumn Equinox (35 Fifths), Samhain (3rd of Sevenths; i.e. Day of the Dead), WinterSolstice (14th of Eighths), Candlemas (24th of Ninths; i.e. Festival of Light).
There are 7 days in each week: Sun Day, Moon Day, Shrove Day, Wizened Day, Terra Day, Freya’s Day, Satyr Day. The phases of the moon are always measured by where the moon is on Moon’s Day.
Languages: There is no “common” in the Reaches. The closest equivalent is Southron, which is a bastard language comprised of elements of most common languages in the region past and present that has developed over the past several centuries of cohabitation of peoples in the region. Other common languages in the region include Draconic, Infernal, Primordial, Norgi and Umbral.
History/Lore: There’s a lot of history and lore of the region that is not relevant to the current campaign. These are some of the elements which are relevant:
-at some time in the distant past the region was dominated by ancient serpent kingdoms who were in constant conflict with the Ghinorian Empires and their Infernal masters.
-the Faerie Courts were drawn into these wars due to the pact between the Hells and Faerie that created the tithes.
-at the core of this Pact was an exchange of True Names. Knowing something’s true name gives you power over it.
-the land is crisscrossed with Ley Lines, corridors of power, mostly magical, that can be tapped into.
-The ancient Ghinorians knew how to tap into those ley lines to travel between places along the lines, there are remnants of the ancient obelisks they used to do so scattered throughout the land
-the ancient crater lake around which Tula was built is a hub of those ley lines and something ancient and powerful slumbers in that lake on that power hub
-one of the places those Obelisks can take people in an alternate version of Port Dondril that exists in the Shadowfell and is home to some sort of Shadow Empire
-At some point in history after the Ghinorian Empire and Serpent Kingdoms fell, there was a Great Migration, with many people moving and settling in new regions, during this time the Air Genasi came to the Reaches from the Elemental Planes and founded Tula, and the Norgi sailed to the Reaches from somewhere to the east and settled in the region.
-a couple centuries later, members of the Circle of Eight came to Tula investigating the power in the crater lake and stayed, establishing the Obsidian Citadel and coming to hold power in Tula, but the Air Genasi houses still hold influence
-later the Circle established a separate port to service the area and closed the harbors at Tula, this was Port Dondril
-the guilds of Port Dondril sometimes chafe under the control of the Circle and Tula, and there is some unrest
-a particular area of contention is the practice of debt thralldom, where those who cannot pay their debt are forced into the servitude of their debtors-this is an old practice of the Air Genasi that predates their coming to the Reaches, but has survived into the current era
-there are several factions arrayed and at conflict for control and influence in the Tula/Port Dondril region, some have allied into something called the Hellfire Club but divided into courts, these may have ties somehow to the Shadow Emperor or the goddess Shar
-a decade or so ago, there were a series of conflicts known as The Troll Wars, where armies of monstrous humanoids, particularly trolls, raided northward from deep in the Reaches led by someone or something known as Explicitus Defilus, a name that might have ties to the ancient Serpent Kingdoms. A coalition of forces led by Tula managed to drive back those humanoid raiders
Special Substances: Star Metal and Witchwood are both substances with special properties the party has encountered.
Important Locations: The following places have been visited or mentioned in the campaign:
Tula-City of Mages, dominant power in the region
Obsidian Citadel-magic academy at the heart of Tula, seat of the Circle of Eight
Port Dondril-port city, under control of Tula, home of several guilds, divided into 3 sections, Eastport, Westport, and the Grey Citadel
Orlane-small village south of Tula, infiltrated by the snake cult
Fairhill-village to the east of Tula and Port Dondril that was the destination of the party’s first client after they recovered the Wizard’s Amulet for her
Iome Forest-home of the Ontogshorsai
Rushmoors-swamps where the lair of Explicitus Defilus is believed to be located
Dramatis Personae
The following are the NPCs that have played an important or recurring role in the story so far…
Lady Khysara Randyr: A member of the Air Genasi nobility acting as a philanthropist out of Port Dondril. She is the party’s patron, and guides a number of clandestine cells to deal with problems she cannot be connected with
Avrasil: a half-elf and possible weretiger; Lady Khysara’s right hand man
House Svartur (a.k.a. House Black): one of the old Air Genasi houses that hold influence in Tula. Abhaya is a member of this House.
Gem: Lady Sai’s longtime friend and Reven’s romantic partner; she has come into an inheritance recently
Spiny: a spine devil who acts as a barrister in Port Dondril. He hired the party to retrieve a missing item, and has been retained by Lady Sai to find information about her missing father
Ontogshorsai: fey exiled from the Feywild with allegiances to the Autumn Court. Some have settled in the Reaches near Orlane in the Iome Forest
Galonodel: Archfey member of the Autumn Court who resides with the Ontogshorsai
Bilaur Maril: amethyst dragon in human form who is ally of Galonodel and the Ontogshorsai
Sir Melvin Stuart: briefly member of the party, agent of Lady Khysara, member of the Guild of Many Truths
Nurgle: Kobold adventurer who briefly allied with the party and made off with a Spelljamming vessel
Dareo: Gnomish bookseller and mage, agent for LadyKhysara, possibly replaced by yuan-ti shapechanger
Zerock: svirfneblin spymaster of House Svartur, possibly replaced by Yuan-ti shapeshifter
Aldo and Envarra: elderly halfling couple that is the house staff in the party’s base in Port Dondril
Master Genevas: ancient master of the Order of the Dragon Fists
Zakarias Ormond: mayor of Orlane
Dorian and Llywillan: Ontogshorsai commandos operating in Orlane
Rogues Gallery
The following are antagonists, enemies, and other threats the party has encountered so far…
Explicit Defilus: believed to be a Naga based on statues the party has seen, leader of the serpent cult operating out of Orlane and the Rushmoors, believed to have been the leader of the raiders during the Troll Wars
Serpentfolk: The Yuan-ti, a race of shapeshifting serpentfolk who are descendents of the ancient serpent kingdoms and plot to infiltrate and replace key players in the power structures of the Reaches and beyond
Herne the Hunter: demi-god or Archfey (or both) affiliated with the Autumn Court, charged with hunting down those who try to escape their duty in the Tithe or other enemies of the Autumn Court
Shar: goddess of darkness who corrupted Abhaya’s father and continues to toy with the party
Shadow Emperor: only glimpsed, appears to be an Illithid (mind flayer) who rules the shadow version of Port Dondril in the Shadowfell and is the puppet master of courts of the Hellfire Club
Vortigern: necromancer of the Obsidian Citadel whose manor house the party broke into and stole an amulet for one of Lady Khysara’s clients
“The Hag”: a fey hag that holds a pact with Navarre and has marked him (with his true name) and given him Night’s Claw. She has had ties or dealings with the Autumn Court.
“That Which Slumbers Below”: a powerful Far Realm entity which slumbers in the depths of the crater lake around which Tula was built
Hellfire Club: loose alliance of factions vying for control of Port Dondril and possibly Tula itself. Known to be at least Red, White and Black courts. Possible ties to Hell and the Shadow Emperor
The Ebony Death (Mal’ Gannis): demon responsible for corruption and death of Abhaya’s father
Calico Jack: pirate captain who enslaved Reven, whom she slayed when she won her freedom. Seems to have returned as an undead or fiendish entity.
Lady Sai’s father: real name unknown; changeling, former Knight of the Autumn Court who fled to avoid being sent to Hell as part of the Tithe
General Longinus Scalerus: tiefling general during the Serpent/Ghinorian wars, his skeleton was found by the party in a sinkhole revealed cavern on the road between Tula and Port Dondril. While the skeleton was destroyed, it’s believed his soul escaped long ago to possess another body. Abhaya wields the sword his skeleton possessed
Tiberius Ironjack: Hobgoblin information broker in Tula who sold out the party to both the Black Hand and the Cold Flame when they were in possession of the Star Metal.
The Black Spider: Drow leader of the Black Hand thieves guild, rumored to be the King of the Black Court of the Hellfire Club
Factions
The following factions play significant roles in the Reaches. Some PCs have ties to some of these organizations.
The Hand of Darkness (i.e. The Black Hand): a thieves guild operating out of Tula lead by the Black Spider, possibly affiliated with the Black Court
The Cold Flame: secret society of arcane casters operating within the Obsidian Citadel who pursue their own agendas for wealth and power by any means necessary
Order of the Quill: one of three affiliated societies (Heralds & Gauntlet the others) who work for civilizations best interests (as they see it). The Quill works for the preservation and sharing of knowledge.
Order of the Heralds: works as an information gathering and sharing network to help in the struggle against evil and oppression; primarily bards and other itinerant professions.
Order of the Gauntlet: secret society of those dedicated to combating evil and tyranny wherever it rises
Red Court of the Hellfire Club: one wing of the Hellfire club that is rumored to engage in decadence and debauchery at any and every opportunity. There are rumblings the Red King may be an exile from the Blood Kingdoms far to the west (i.e. a vampire)
Black Court of the Hellfire Club: one wing of the Hellfire club, rumored to control most of the illicit trades in the region; the Black King is rumored to be The Black Spider, head of the Black Hand thieves guild.
The White Court of the Hellfire Club: the wing of the Hellfire club that is least known and most secretive.
House Svartur (House Black): (see NPCs)
House Inigult (The Lion Shields): Air Genasi House involved in arms dealing and other matters. This is the House that Svartur tried to frame as the buyers of the star metal.
House Randyr (The Hunters): Air Genasi House that Lady Khysara is related to
House Raoour (The Red House): Air Genasi house mostly fallen into disfavor
The Guild Council of Port Dondril: there are several guilds, often with opposing goals, but the Guild Council exists to protect their interests as a whole, especially against the greed of the Obsidian Citadel. Lady Khysara has interactions with the Guild Council
The Autumn Court: one of the Fey Courts that is mostly neutral in the standing conflict between the Winter (Unseelie) and Summer (Seelie) Courts. Lady Sai’s family and the Ontogshorsai have ties to this court.
The Obsidian Citadel and the Circle of Eight: The Obsidian Citadel is nominally a magical academy located in Tula, but it is the dominant power in the city. The Circle of Eight is the ruling council of the Citadel. Its leader holds the title The Mordenkainen.
The Iron Tower (of Dis): The fortress and capital city of the Second Layer of Hell ruled by the Arch-Devil Dispater. The Iron Tower is the armorer of Hell, and the primary power behind the ancient Ghinorian Empires that existed in the region.
The Shadow Tower: a secret black market network of information and goods needed by those who operate in the shadows or with nefarious intentions, secretly backed by Dis.
The Dragon Guard: ancient order divided into two wings-a monastic order-The Dragon Fists, and a knightly order-The Dragon Guard. Abhaya is a member of The Dragon Fists.
The Wardens: a loose affiliation of itinerant warriors and adventurers who strive to keep the wild places of the Reaches safe for settlers and travelers. Comprised mostly of rangers, but others fill the ranks as well.
And that's what we've been up to for 9 months.
-M
