Player's Handout
T
his handout is intended to give you an idea of
the world you are entering. I will try to keep it
brief so that it's not a slog, and it is not
compulsary reading, but I'd appreciate it if you
could give it a glance before character
creation. If you want any more information
about anything, just let me know.
Acros
The Backstory
After centuries of peace, tension is beginning to mount in the
continent of Acros.
Some months ago, an Orcish army attacked Praelith, the
southern barony of Yrrosa, entirely unprovoked. A bloody
battle raged at Southhold Keep, and eventually the Orcs were
driven back to Nakh Agon. This was a pyrrhic victory
however, as the baron and his family were slain, the keep left
in ruin, and the nation tense, waiting for the other shoe to
drop.
Now, word spreads that the Orcish armies in Nakh Agon
are uniting under one banner whilst the King's Council of
Yrrosa debates how to act. Meanwhile taxes in Praelith are
being continually raised to aid the rebuilding of Southhold,
but the Keep still sits crumbling to this day, whilst the new
Baron's manor grows ever larger, as does his army. A Red
Dragon has made his home deep in the Pahara Mountains,
driving the Dwarves to seek refuge in Praelith. To the north,
The Royal Wood is said to be cursed as the wildlife grows
scarce and a blight spreads through the plants, leaving much
the populace of the northern barony Derragan hungry and
poor. Word from the frozen northern land of Pravonis tells
that The Burned Men tribe is growing more ferocious by the
day. The King of Great Ajoira has announced that when his
daughter comes of age, she is to wed the son of the High
Priest of The Theocracy of Ajoira to finally reunite the
historically warring nations, a plan that many fear will have
the opposite effect.
Most notably, King Rand of Yrrosa has not been seen in
weeks, his eldest son having taken on his responsibilities,
whilst many are growing anxious to know what is happening
within the castle walls.
Common Races
Humans are the dominant race in Acros. They can be found
everywhere from the hard shrubland of Ajoira in the west to
the distant beautiful cities of Jo-Yoi in the east.
Dwarves are a reticent people who call the mountain ranges
of Ajoira and Yrrosa their home, though many live among
civilisation. The Dwarves of the Pahara Mountains have been
forced to find refuge in Praelith.
Elves have a reputation for arrogance, though this is largely
an outdated stereotype. There are Wood Elf communities in
the forests of Yrrosa, with High Elves found in the cities, and
in the more affluent areas of Cravos and Jo-Yoi.
Halflings enjoy the peace and safety of home. They farm,
they drink, they sing, and they don't fight. Sometimes, though,
a Halfling develops a thirst for adventure and sets out to see
the world around them. Wherever they go, they are met with
open arms and friendly smiles by all.
Uncommon Races
Half-Elves are the offspring of Human and Elf. They can be
found among Humans, and less commonly around Elves.
Whilst they are said to be the best parts of Human and Elf,
most feel like they never truly fit in with either.
Gnomes are a reclusive people who live in the hills of Yrrosa
and rarely venture out. They are smaller than Halflings, and
much the opposite in nature, normally timid and avoiding
attention.
Half-Orcs descended from the offspring of Human and Orc
in the distant past. Most live in Nakh Agon, but they can also
be seen in Ajoiran armies, and in labour jobs in Yrrosa. Since
the recent Orcish attack on Praelith, some Yrrosians have
begun acting hostile towards Half-Orcs.
Tieflings, believed to originate in the Nine Hells, were
natives of the Starspire Mountains. Many centuries ago they
were captured and sold as slaves under order of the Pharaoh
of Kam Akamet. Though now free, due to their heritage they
are treated with animosity outside of Cravos.
Goliaths are found in the snow-covered northern land of
Pravonis. What they lack in intelligence, they make up for in
sheer scale. It is rare for them to venture south as the cities of
other races are not designed for them. They are believed to
be related to giants.
Dragonborn are rare in Acros, and are met with fear and
aversion by many. They are mostly seen in Jo-Yoi, but even
there they are uncommon. Their origins lie in an unknown
land east of Jo-Yoi, suppousedly created by dragons to fight in
human wars. Most Dragonborn abhor their origins.
The Lands of Acros
Ajoira is a nation whose history is a bloody tapestry of civil
war which has split the country into two - The Theocracy of
Ajoira, and Great Ajoira. Both are dominated by shrubland.
The culture of Ajoira places great value on vigor; the
armies of Ajoira are known to be the best in Acros. Many who
are not soldiers become fighters, sailors, assassins, spies.
The people of The Theocracy are religious, traditional, and
not overly trusting of outsiders. They are as cold and hard as
the land. Great Ajoira, by contrast, has a somewhat warmer
climate and somewhat friendlier people. Worship of all
religions is allowed in Great Ajoira, but any gods outside of
the Acrosian Pantheon are banned in The Theocracy.
As an Ajoiran you are naturally agile. You may trade one of
your racial ability score bonus points for a bonus point in
Dexterity.
Cravos is a bustling mercantile city-state on a peninsula
south of Ajoira. It enjoys a level of freedom from the rule of
Ajoira, though is still technically a part of the country.
 Cravosi are a friendly, vibrant people. They are known for
their colourful clothing, and it is common for them to dye
their hair and facial hair unusual colours. Due to the natural
land bridge separating Cravos from Ajoira, they have never
been brought into war and, due to their history as a city
founded by slaves, it is a core belief of the land that all people
are equal. Cravosi are highly skilled in art, music, or theatre.
The city itself is bright, warm and colourful. It is known not
only for its large markets, but also for its pleasure houses,
cantinas and temples. They hold many festivals, sometimes
for no reason at all.
As a Cravosi, you have a natural charm. You may trade one
racial ability score bonus point for a bonus point in Charisma
Pravonis is a bitter tundra north of Yrrosa. The people very
rarely travel south. The population is sparse, and split up into
five tribes:
The Fanged Men live far north and are known to attack
outsiders on sight. They paint their faces blue, file their teeth
and wear nothing on their feet, turning them black and hard.
The Burned Men have no home and enter the territory of
other tribes knowingly, fighting for the land if met with
hostility. They cover their faces in ash and subject themselves
to ritualistic burning, leaving them covered in burn scars.
The Waterborne live in fishing villages along Snowshore,
and other settlements along the rivers and lakes. They are
welcoming and trade with sailors. The people worship the
sea and the tides, and in worship they drink salt water.
The Wind Whisperers live in a eastern valley. It is said that
they can speak with the wind. They will trade and socialise
with Waterborne and travellers. They worship the wind and
weather, and whistle and hum odd melodies in worship.
Zvevdjana Stjern are a nomadic, nocturnal tribe. Little
contact has been established, even by other Pravoni. Cave art
of theirs has been found, which seems to be advanced
mathematical charts and maps of unknown lands.
As a Pravoni (Waterborne, Wind Whisperer or Burned
Man only), you are naturally physically resilient. You may
trade one racial ability score bonus point for a bonus point in
Constitution.
Yrrosa is a land as geographically diverse as it's people. From
rolling hills and sparkling rivers to churning volcanoes and
misty mires, populated by everything from Elves and
Halflings to Kobolds and Drow. The country is divided into
three baronies (Derragan, Acylia, and Praelith), with some
smaller communities in the wildlands between. Whilst each
barony has its own rule, the head of state is King Rand.
Each barony has its own army, and each army is in service
to the king. This has allowed the country to live harmoniously
for centuries, giving the population the freedom to focus on
education and fun. Where Ajoira values vigor and might,
Yrrosa values intellect. The esteemed Cerberus Academy has
a college in each barony. Yrrosians are generally a friendly
people, however after recent events this may change.
As an Yrrosian, you have grown up in a land of learned
people. You may trade one racial ability bonus point for a
bonus point in Intelligence.
Nakh Agon is a vast waste, occupied almost entirely by
Orcish warbands, with some small pockets of Tiefling,
brigands, and those whose unholy acts would see them
imprisoned in a more civilised land. Nakh Agon is largely
unexplored by outsiders, as to wander too far inland is to
walk directly to your death, if you are lucky, or a life of torture
and slavery if not.
When two Orcish warbands meet, their battles are fierce,
chaotic, and over within minutes. The winning side leaves no
survivors, and are said to leave the battleground as gory as
possible as a warning to others. This mainly, however, serves
as an easy meal to the wild beasts who prowl the land. The
few who have left Nakh Agon do not speak of it fondly.
As a Nakh Agonian, you have had to fight to survive your
whole life. You may trade one racial ability score bonus point
for a bonus point in Strength.
Jo-Yoi, The Emerald Empire, remins a land shrouded in
mystery to many from Western Acros. It is not part of the
continent of Acros, but is a very close neighbour. An
archipelago separates Jo-Yoi from Nakh Agon. These myriad
small islands make for treacherous sailing, due to both the
difficult navigation between them, and the pirate coves
hidden within. Legends say that there was once a land bridge
connecting Nakh Agon and Jo-Yoi, but it was shattered by the
Immortal Empress to protect her people from the Orcs. Most
of what we know of the country comes from the mouths of
sailors, so is generally taken with a pinch of salt.
Beneath Jo-Yoi lies many massive deposits of green stone,
which is sold to Acrosian merchants for a high profit. After
centuries of mining, the country is dotted with entrances to a
vast, interlinking cave system within which one could very
quickly become lost. The people (also called Jo-Yoi) practice
meditation, and the armies are trained in martial arts rather
than blades, and fight unarmoured, allowing them to move
quickly. The land is ruled by The Immortal Empress, a High
Elf who was been in power longer than anybody can
remember, and yet is said to be extremely beautiful and not
touched by time. It is said that the land was once home to
many dragons, and their residual magic lingers to this day,
giving Jo-Yoi a disproportionately large amount of Sorcerers.
As a Jo-Yoi, you are attuned to the world around you, taking
the time to notice things others do not. You may trade one
racial ability score bonus point for a bonus point in Wisdom.
The Outer Lands
Kam Akamet, The Forsaken Desert lies west of Ajoira.
Legend says that a power-hungry Pharaoh made a foolish
deal with a devil, and now all that remains of the once great
country is the towering pyramids and the undead population
that wander the land.
Džun, The Endless Jungle is a neighbouring continent to
the south. The population do not speak the common tongue
and are not welcoming to outsiders. Any traveller not killed
by them will soon find themselves food to a giant lizard, or
dying slowly from one of the many tropical plagues.
The Far North, The Sunless Realms lie past the Ivory
Fangs of Pravonis. Only one expedition has gone far enough
north to find an icy wasteland devoid of life, where the sun
did not rise for days. Pravoni folklore tells of an ancient
hidden city far north where forgotten gods sleep.
The Far East, The Unknown is rumoured to be an evil land
of wild magic, ruled over by Liches, Dragons, and mad
Sorcerer-Kings all locked in endless war where humanoids
are expendable pawns. None who have travelled far east of Jo-
Yoi have returned to say whether the rumours are true.