Plane Shift: Fiora
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, D&D, Wizards of the Coast,
Forgotten Realms, the dragon ampersand, Player’s Handbook,
Monster Manual, Dungeon Master’s Guide, D&D Adventurers
League, all other Wizards of the Coast product names, and
their respective logos are trademarks of Wizards of the Coast
in the USA and other countries. All characters and their
distinctive likenesses are property of Wizards of the Coast.
This material is protected under the copyright laws of the
United States of America. Any reproduction or unauthorized
use of the material or artwork contained herein is prohibited
without the express written permission of Wizards of the
Coast.
©2016 Wizards of the Coast LLC, PO Box 707, Renton, WA
98057-0707, USA. Manufactured by Hasbro SA, Rue Emile-
Boéchat 31, 2800 Delémont, CH. Represented by Hasbro
Europe, 4 The Square, Stockley Park, Uxbridge, Middlesex,
UB11 1ET, UK.
The author would just like to disclaim any backstabbings or
unexpected betrayals characters may suffer as they adventure
through Fiora. You knew what you were getting into when you
began travelling through a plane which was part of a saga called
Conspiracy.
Awesome Art Credit
Paliano, the High City - Adam Paquette
Throne of the High City - Titus Lunter
Marchesa, the Black Rose - Matt Stewart
Plea for Power - John Severin Brassell
Queen Marchesa - Kieran Yanner
Adriana, Captain of the Guard - Chris Rallis
Selvala, Explorer Returned - Tyler Jacobson
Grenzo, Dungeon Warden - Lucas Graciano
Muzzio, Visionary Architecht - Volkan Baga
Custodi Soulbinders - Karla Oritz
Summoner's Bond - Jesper Ejsing
Magister of Worth - John Stanko
Domesticated Hydra - Mathias Kollros
Deal Broker - Cliff Childs
Archdemon of Paliano - Even Shipard
Scourge of the Throne - Michael Komarck
Orchard Elemental - Christine Choi
Splitting Slime - James Paick
Treasonous Ogre - Randy Gallegos
Custodi Lich - Bastien L. Deharme
This is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used
are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.
Introduction
Well, here is my ambitious first foray into a Magic: The
Gathering crossover. A Plane Shift article for Fiora, the
setting for the Magic: The Gathering - Conspiracy and the
Conspiracy: Take the Crown sets.
I got the idea for the project itself after reading through so
many Plane Shift articles and starting to write up a campaign
which spread over the Multiverse. As I continued writing up
the campaign, I looked over other planes which my players
might visit.
Which plane to choose though? Using a developed plane
would be difficult, or at least it would be in my eyes since I
hadn't written up a Plane Shift article before. Then I looked
over the Conspiracy sets and the plane of Fiora. Although a lot
of the cards were reprints, there were still plenty which gave
insight into Fiora, the people, creatures, and potential
adventures. Magic stories online form Wizards of the Coast
also gave insight into the key players and how they are placed
in the scheme of things.
Something about Fiora just enchanted me. A whole setting
which is driven mainly by political intrigue rather than
dungeon diving or chasing monsters. Yes, those things exist,
but the core concept of Fiora is the intrigue. Who can you
trust? Who has a hidden agenda? What are the goals of the
others? Who is pulling strings in the shadows? Are your allies
truly your allies? What's the best payoff if you have to betray
them?
So with such a concept, and with light lore to go with it, I
felt that writing a Plane Shift for Fiora would be a good way of
cutting my teeth on writing D&D documents and also do
something I wanted to try. So once I had some research done,
I started writing and here is the result.
Inside are some overview of how the classes would stack up
in Fiora, what the races are, and who the key political figures
most affecting Fiora's society are. Also inside with each NPC
entry are adventure ideas which lay in the interests of each
figure
So here is a glimpse into a possible campaign setting for
Fiora. Enjoy it, analyze it, test it, and let me know what you
think in a review.
The World of Fiora

O
n the plane of Fiora, life exists in perpetual
renaissance. It is known across the Multiverse
as one of the most beautiful with its
breathtaking architecture and the ingenuity of
its inventors and artists. However, Fiora is also
known as one of the most dangerous worlds to
visit. Every sleeve hides a dagger, a smile a lie.
Everyone vies for power in and through politics and the image
of civilization barely hides the savageness and cruelty those
desperately seeking the power of the throne.
The Great Game
Fiora, for all of its beauty, is constantly embroiled in political
intrigue and backroom assassinations. Corruption is the rule
of law rather than the exception and it is used often. Murder,
theft, and violence are common tools used by the nobility to
advance their various agendas.
There is government in action through the royalty within
Paliano. The laws are drafted in magic, enforcing them on the
population who live within Paliano's borders. However,
despite what the common folk believe, actions such as theft,
murder, and violence are not among the crimes which are
made illegal. Such crimes are punished if discovered (and the
culprits lack resources to avoid the charges), but if the culprits
are not caught, the magically enforced laws which are boasted
to keep Fiora from falling into chaos will not protect the
people.
The Brink of Chaos
With the assassination of Brago, the King Eternal, and the
rapid coronation Queen Marchesa, the High City has
descended into a time of near unrest with chaos threatening
to consume the city as various factions prepare to come to
blows. Queen Marchessa seeks to hold her power, although it
is an open secret that she manipulated several documents and
influenced the Custodi onto her side to gain the throne
despite having no true line of succession. The City Guard
abandoned their posts, denouncing Marchesa and inciting
more thoughts of rebellion. Goblins rise up from the tunnels
and sewers under the city, inciting riots while rebellious elves
raid the city to free the animals which the people have
enslaved to handle their burdens with the sudden ban on all
artifice. Then in the shadows, remnants of the once
propserous Academy and the bitter scholars scheme and
search for their opportunity to strike and return to the days of
prestiege and glory they once had.

This is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used
are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.
 Life on Fiora

This is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used
are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.
People of Fiora Goblins can be represented by the stats seen in Volo's
Guide to Monsters.
The people that populate Fiora are limited, counting only a Other Races
few races. However, what the people lack in variety they
certainly make up in ingenuity and dangerous cunning. One It is certainly possible for other races to exist in Fiora. Half-
thing they all have in common is ambition and a desire for elves are a high possibility as humans and elves meet and
power. mingle with each other in civilization.
Since much of Fiora remains unexplored and unknown,
Humans there may be other races waiting to be discovered. Dwarves
Humans are easily the most populous of the races on Fiora. could be hidden in the mountains while halflings and gnomes
They populate the largest areas of Fiora, most notably remain content in the hills. Tritons could sit in the deep
Paliano, the High City where the elite soldiers, mages and the oceans while Tabaxi keep to the thick forests and/or jungles.
royalty all live. Where they might be and if they're ready for the intrigue of
Humans certainly have the most cunning of the races, but Paliano will be up to the players. Consult with the DM on
are perhaps some of the most impatient. They execute their which races are allowed in the campaign and how they may
plans quickly and try to amass as much as they can as soon as appear.
they can. It is a rare human that takes a look at the long run
and plans accordingly.
Humans in Fiora cna be represented by the human stats
displayed in the Player's Handbook. A human from the noble
class or military background may use the variant human
traits.
Elves
Elves, while not as populous as humans, are just as cunning, if
not more so. Hailing from the city state of Trest, the elves have
forged their own renaissance with elegance and art which
humans just barely managed to rival and only by copying the
elves.
While elves are just as cunning in their politics, they are
much more patient. A short term plan to them may in fact be a
lifetime plan for a human. They play the game of politics with
much more subtlety and with an eye on the horizon. With
their extended lifespans, they certainly have the time and
patience to plan so far into the future. It makes plotting
against elves difficult since they can simply outlive those who
wish to plot against them.
Elves can be represented in the Player's Handbook. Elves of
Trest would be High Elves while elves who have rejected
plotting and the dangers of the city would leave the forest to
be Wood Elves. Discuss with the DM if a player wishes to take
the traits of a Drow elf. Such elves would likely be assassins,
or elves who specifically live in darkness to hide their
identities and existence.
Goblins
Goblins are easily the low race on the totem pole. Ugly, small,
rude, and dumb, many people don't have the patience to deal
with them and many wish they wouldn't have to. They usually
live in slums and work as minions to various criminal groups,
although some goblins have the will and intellect to rise up the
ranks of society such as Grenzo and Daretti.
Goblins usually travel through tunnels below cities or
through back alleys to avoid being seen or made sport of. Still,
when goblins are insulted, they get back at the one who
insulted them, usually in a painful or humiliating way. Due to
this, as much as people dislike goblins, they are just as wary of
crossing them. A lesson most common folk learn early, and
nobility learns too late.

This is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used
are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.

Class Overview
All of the classes can be found in Fiora. However, due to the
landscape and culture of Fiora, some classes are rarer than
others. The organizations and character types are described
in more detail in the following pages.
Barbarian
Barbarians are rare as they have rejected the corruption
within civilization and have sought out a better life in the
wilderness where the animals are more honest than the
people. As people capture more beasts to have serve them,
many may take up the Path of the Totem Warrior to protect
them.
Bard
Bards are common sources of entertainment in Fiora. Every
inn, gathering, or special event has a bard of some specialty at
them. Many consider it a sign of good taste and refinement to
have bards play at their events. However, bards are also fine
sources of information as no one pays attention to them,
giving them an ear to the population and what rumors are
rising. Such bards are usually from the College of Glamor or
the Collage of Whispers.
Cleric
Clerics are all members of the Custodi, the dominant religion
of Fiora. They worship a singular unnamed god, but they each
believe in different interpretations of their scripture. As they
present a united front to court and the people, they are in just
as many factions as there are Divine Domains. Each faction
seeks the highest points for their own sects of their overall
religion.
Arcana Domain clerics preach that the power of magic
itself is a miracle granted to the people of Fiora. In truth, they
hone magic to use in subterfuge and backroom politics to turn
votes, policies, and several councilors to their way of thinking.
Death Domain clerics have for a long time enjoyed the
highest levels of power next to the King Eternal. Their policies
shaped the church, allowing ghosts to hold office and liches to
stay in their ranks. With the crowning of the Black Rose, their
future is in doubt with a leader they cannot influence.
Forge Domain clerics are the ones who scheme the least,
focusing on building their own power base through
sponsoring artificers and creating a faction through such
sponsorship. In their own words, those who cannot conspire,
create. They were nearly made inert when Brago banned
artifice, but with the Black Rose taking the throne, they are
slowly accumulating power again.
Grave Domain clerics are the Death Domain faction's bitter
rivals. Before Brago's transformation, they preached that the
dead deserve their rest after a life of labor and virtue. After
Brago's return, they focused their efforts on ensuring their
rivals and enemies within the Custodi remained dead and
buried, no longer hindering their own schemes. It is likely they
were the ones who aided Marchesa's plot to take the throne.
This is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used
are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.
Knowledge Domain clerics in the public sphere preach the
values of wisdom and intelligence. Behind the scenes, the
Knowledge Domain clerics are natural spies, hoarding
knowledge on their political rivals to use against them during
clashes. Now that the Death Domain has been losing power,
their focus may turn to other factions.
Life Domain clerics are the most public face of the Custodi.
They are usually seen in healing chambers, tending to the sick
and wounded. Despite the generous vocation, this faction is
just as political as the others, usuing their healing skills to
leverage favors from others who cannot pay or need healing
done in secret. It was likely clerics of this faction that treated
Brago's illness while he was alive, eventually keeping him
alive despite his body crumbling in the end.
Light Domain clerics are perhaps the least political, but
also the smallest faction within the Custodi. They are some of
the few who have managed to retain contact with the angels of
Fiora. This faction tries to ensure the golden age promised
when Brago took the throne comes back and stays. It makes
them an eager sponsor for Adriana Vallore's rebels, albeit in
secret.
Nature Domain clerics preach of being in harmony with
nature as all creatures are children of their god just as the
people are. Behind the scenes, they sponsor many trappers
and hunters to capture the animals and exotic beasts the
nobility clamor for in their latest fads. They often find exotic or
desired animals for select nobles, bypassing due process in
return for favors and depending on the animal in question,
blackmail.
Order Domain clerics make hold a belief in law which their
god imparted on the people. They make up much of the
judicial bodies since royalty cannot render judgement on
every case in Paliano much less Fiora. However, this faction is
likely the most corrupt as anyone who wishes a verdict to go
their way or a case to vanish simply has to have the coin or
favors to pay for it.
Tempest Domain clerics are somewhat fatalistic as they
view storms and other natural disasters as the wrath of god.
Their duties are to help displaced people and recover areas
struck by disasters. Like any good politicians, this faction
takes advantage of it by creating disasters and then going
through such places, collecting intelligence, blackmail, and
anything else they need as they 'aid' the displaced people.
Trickery Domain clerics are perhaps the most upredictable
of the factions. They often speak of signs from their god being
everywhere, dictating their actions. No one is truly certain of
their goals since such clerics are often taking part in multiple,
sometimes opposing schemes. A common belief is that these
clerics are trying to play the various groups against one
another, aiming for mutual destruction.
War Domain clerics are the most outspoken for open
conflict, preaching the glory of battle and chivalry to defend
their god. They believe that the time for shadow politics is over
as more chaos erupts in the streets and a show of absolute
force is needed to bring peace back to Paliano. As experts in
battle, these priests would be able to claim more power in
times of conflict.
Druid
Druids are like many of the barbarians who have rejected the
cutthroat ways of Paliano and instead seek a more peaceful
life in the wilderness. Learning magic through nature, these
defenders of the forests seek to protect nature and keep the
nobles from enslaving the beasts. Some may be swayed with
promises to aid in the capture of the beasts though.
Fighter
Fighters fill the ranks of Fiora's City Guard and other military
arms. At the moment, they are split between the proper rule of
law with Adriana Vallore, or the more lucrative and higher
station of those who side with Queen Marchesa. Most
Fighters could be any Martial Archetype save for samurai.
Fighters loyal to Marchesa may be more likely to be Eldritch
Knights, being former spies and assassins.
Monk
Monks are followers of a different way of life, rejecting the
ways of the city and seeking a quieter, more peaceful life. They
live in isolation with true faith and meditation, seeking
enlightenment in their monasteries. Some monks may be
exiled members of fallen noble families, or supposedly dead
enemies of other nobles, hiding until they can return for
revenge.
Paladin
Paladins are the military arm of the Custodi, but most are
more in line with the Custodi's desire for power and political
strength rather than through any true pious calling. Paladins
in Fiora are more likely to take the Oath of Conquest if they
serve Marchessa, Oath of the Crown if they side with Adriana,
or become Oathbreakers to take neither side.
Ranger
Rangers are those who go out into the forests and unexplored
territories of Fiora to explore new frontiers an discover new
resources and other mysteries of the world. Being gone from
civilization, the Rangers do not usually care for politics when
they are busy surviving and are often ill-prepared for it.
Rogue
Rogues are perhaps the most common occupation in Fiora.
Rogues of all calibers are out and about, often selling their
services to the highest bidders. The best ones are kept on a
generous retainer to noble families for their services so they
can undermine their enemies and find keys to higher position
and power.
Sorcerer
Sorcerers are a rarity in Fiora, usually born to the wealthy or
the nobility since magic users are confined to the upper
classes. This is mainly because they have the wealth to
cultivate such skills. Although, it is not uncommon for a
sorcerer to be born to a common folk parent after having an
affair with a noble.
This is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used
are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.
Divine Soul Origin sorcerers will be rare in Fiora since Wiz
angels do not often appear. The farther one gets from Paliano,
the more likely they may be to appear. Wiza
Draconic Bloodline Origin is incredibly rare due to the of the
rarity of dragons in Fiora. Still, the few who survived afford
encountering a dragon can be marked for it, which may affect There
their descendants. learn
Storm Sorcerer Origin sorcerers are likely connected by their
blood to the brave souls who go exploring outside of Paliano
into the wilderness. Some may find something which may
leave an undeniable mark of storm sorcery on them.
Shadow Sorcerer Origin sorcerers are likely one of the
most common. With so many making deals with fiends for
power, it can leave a mark on family lines for generations to
come, depending on the patron.
Wild Magic Origin sorcerers are likely the product of long
lines of political intermarriages between other wizards or
magic users. The thickening of magic blood will ensure their
greater potential, but also more difficult to control.
Warlock
Warlocks are rather common in Paliano. In a plane where
making back room deals and deadly bargains are considered
normal, brokering deals with supernatural entities is all but
encouraged. Some entities are easier to reach than others, but
plenty of entities are happy to strike a bargain.
Archfey Patrons are likely to side with Selvala's faction,
desiring to see nature free from the enslaving greed of
Paliano's nobility. Beasts and elementals are meant to be wild
and free, not petty amusement for fat nobles.
Celestial Patrons will be the few angels who come to
Paliano to charge truly good individuals to bring about change
in the corrupt politics of Fiora. With Paliano's environment,
such people are few and far between, but those few can be
very effective.
Fiend Patrons are easy to find in Fiora. Many such
warlocks are in fact politicians who on the surface create
political parties dedicated to a common cause, but are in truth
cults dedicated to the fiend in question who seeks a goal in
Fiora politics.
Great Old One Patrons are ancient and strange entities
who have turned their eyes to Fiora either in a moment of
amusement or a long term plan. Such entities can be the
Animus of Predation, embodiments of concepts in Fiora.
Hexblade Patrons are weapons connected to powerful
entities, mostly those who have a goal in mind. They could be
spirits who were murdered in the name of politics and seek
revenge, or are part of a convoluted web of conspirators who
need the weapon to unlock a source of power or prove
legitimate in their purposes by wielding it, making the warlock
a target.
Undying Patrons are likely to be one of the ghosts or liches
in the Custodi. Which faction they belong to can have the
warlock in question becoming part of different political
schemes.
 The World of Fiora

This is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used
are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.
Paliano, the High City
This is the crown jewel of the plane of Fiora. Here is its center
of politics, architecture, culture, and advancement. It is
without doubt one of the most beautiful places in Fiora, but it
is without a doubt one of the most dangerous places to be as
well. With the nature of politics in Fiora, Paliano being the
center of it all makes it the staging ground for the most
dangerous politics of all.
At the moment, Paliano is not even enjoying the parody of
peace as the nobles backstabbed each other in the shadows.
The clashes between Queen Marchesa and Adriana Vallore
are escalating, wild animals rampage as Selvala seeks to free
them, and many riots are breaking out thanks to Grenzo's
machinations. It is a city in the grip of chaos and a place ripe
for adventure.
Paliano Locations
Adventures in Fiora are more than likely going to take place in
Paliano. Events which happen here are going to have
consequences which can affect the rest of the plane.
Characters will have a number of areas they can visit to make
their contacts and find leads for their adventures.
The Upper City
Paliano is divided very clearly between two levels. The Upper
City is literally placed on a massive circular plate which rests
on ornate pillars and resides high above the rest of the people
of Paliano and the rest of Fiora. It makes it very clear the
division between upper class and lower class, but also the
opinion that the nobility has of themselves as they get to live
there.
Technically, passage to the Upper City is open for everyone.
Airships are available for those who wish to enter or special
elevators to assist people to enter the Upper City. However,
such means of entering are usually expensive or require
special permission to use. The only free way to enter is up the
Thousand Steps, secretly discouraging lowlanders from
entering without a very good reason.
This is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used
are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.
Poverty and urban decay simply do not exist in the Upper City.
Any buildings damaged in any kind of chaos usually have
wealthy owners to repair them with skilled tradesmen on
hand. Anyone who drops below a certain level of wealth find
themselves forced to leave the Upper City, settling in the
Lowlands to try and reclaim their fortunes.
Many of the streets have their own elegance as special
pumps keep water running through the city, making many of
the roads into canals which many drift through to bask in their
luxuries, or pass messages atop tamed giant river snakes,
making for much quicker travel than on foot or impractical
carriages.
Needless to say, the Upper City is exclusive to the nobilty,
rich, and well-connected.
Santuo District
Here are where the nobility of Paliano live in their luxuries.
However, even here the politics do not rest. Parties and
celebrations are constantly held here. During such parties, the
nobles make and break deals, and connect to try and gain
support for their various political aspirations.
Simply because there is finery and luxury does not mean it
is safer to reside. In fact, it can be as dangerous as any
dungeon. Many of the servants are in fact indentured rogues
and other dark skill sets, hidden among ordinary butlers and
maids as bodyguards or assassins for their masters.
The guards are well-organized and patrol at all hours on the
lookout for trouble. However, many of the guards are also
corrupt, taking bribes from various nobles to look the other
way if or when an indescretion occurs, or to track down
troublesome individuals who might be in the area
Sydri's Shop
There is no one location this shop can be found. The owner
moves it after intervals to ensure she doesn't begin inviting
troublesome folk with the nature of what she does.
The owner and namesake of this shop is Sydri, an artificer
with a gift for the aether. Using it, she can breathe life into
previously lifeless objects. Under her touch, statues can
become spies, swords become assassins without the need for
a wielder, and trinkets become political tools. All of this she
runs under a guise of a curio and cogwork emporium to the
mundane masses who don't have political pursuits for the
moment.
Sydri is one of the few people in Paliano who are honest.
Ask her a question and she will tell you no lies. However, due
to the natures of most in Paliano, few believe it to be the truth,
which makes it just as dangerous to deal with her for such
folks who see lies everywhere. She often sells her services to
the nobility, some to make cogwork trinkets to shock and
amaze while others ask for more...discreet services, such as
making an opponent or obstacle disappear. Sydri can do all
this, but she holds no loyalty to her clients and if said
opponent finds out and seeks her out, her initial clients may
find themselves victim to countermeasures she makes to her
own tools.
After the ban on artifice was set, Sydri's shop became a
black market operation and her reliance on contacts more
than ever. It is said she has links to Muzzio and even high
members of the Custodi. Some even say she was one of the
people who treated Brago for his illness. If any of them are
true, dealing with Sydri can be dangerous with the kinds of
individuals she surrounds herself with.
The Academy
This is Paliano's greatest center of high learning for the
magical arts. Here were where the nobles and wealthy scions
for the elite of Paliano went to learn the various means of
magic and artifice. It was also the place where family scions
made their new alliances, or dealt with inherited grudges
through sabotaged experiements and cheats on testing.
The Academy is in truth, a miniaturized version of the game
of politics which enfolds the city at large. Here is where the
future politicians, advisors, and other people of note learn the
skills and tricks to take their parents' places once day, either
legally or illegally.
The Academy was also once the kingdom of Muzzio as he
plotted to turn Paliano into a home for the magical and
intellectual elite. Beneath it, he housed his cogwork army,
ready to be sent out once he had amassed enough power.
When they were released early, his plans fell apart and Brago
outlawed artifice, closing the Academy down. It was later
raided by Grenzo and Daretti for spoils and blackmail. If any
secrets remain, they will be well-guarded.
The Royal Palace
A mundane name for the center of all plots, politics, and
power in Paliano, but if asked, everyone simply refers to the
royal palace as that, the Royal Palace. It had a more formal
name, but years of politics, backstabbing, coups, and other
events have had such minor details fall to the wayside as it
was renamed again and again by various monarchs who
seized and wished to announce their power.
This is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used
are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.
Not only is this the royal residence where Queen Marchesa
and Brago before her resided, it is also where the Council of
Paliano meet, discuss issues, conspire, and backstab each
other. In many cases, both figuratively and literally with the
backstabbing. Representatives from the major settlements,
military arms, political parties, and representatives of other
groups can be found here as they try to sway the course of
Paliano in the direction they wish to see it. Of course, any
issue is not considered closed until the Queen has had her say
so her vote is the most highly sought after of all.
This is, without a doubt, the most dangerous place to be for
the unwary. Here those who are not careful can be lured away
and disappear. All the walls have ears as every servant, guard,
and underling are paid agents of someone already in power.
Some of them serve more than one master. Subterfuge and
cunning are the only ways to survive lest one find themselves
codnemned for an offense, left de-fanged of any power, or
simply killed and dumped into a gutter.
In Brago's reign, many of the halls were littered with ghosts.
Mostly Custodi members and other favored spirits who were
believed to have continued worth in the service of the Council.
When Marchesa took the throne, those spirits were banished
and the sounds and scents of life filled the halls again.
However, the perfumes which make the palace seem so
pleasant cover up the decaying undead bodyguards that are
hidden within the walls, ready to break through on a single
command if the living guards cannot prevail.
The Lowlands
The lowlands are the lands of Paliano and the rest of Fiora
which are situated on the normal ground, sitting in the
shadow of the High City.
The Lower City
In this portion of the city is where the common folk,
workforce, and everyone not of the noble class, wealthy, or on
close retainer for the upper class live. It shares the same
architectual charm as the High City, but with less expensive
materials and not as well-maintained. Signs of corruptions are
easier to find, especially with signs of poverty and criminal
work not as hidden as it is above.
The entire city has the Corru River running through it,
creating canals which are used for quick transport as more of
it is pumped to the Upper City and its canals
Drakestown
Once this was a common town in Fiora's territory. It's only
noteworthy feature was the fact that the infamous thief (and
secretly a Planeswalker) Dack Fayden was born there.
However, one day the entire town was slaughtered by a
Planeswalker from Grixis named Shifra using an item called
the Ancient Fang.
Although the event has long since passed, people cannot
forget it. This is because the dead of Drakestown got up and
began wandering. Oddly, they mutilate themselves in some
strange bid for sensation and wander into neighbouring towns
to try and find more sensation, or perhaps a lingering thought
from their lives to seek help for the horror they witnessed.

Kinnesta
Fiora's closest neighbour and perhaps its deadliest enemy as a
nation is the empire of Kinnesta. An empire which is just as
deadly and cunning to the uninitiated as Fiora is. If corruption
is just as deep as it is in Fiora is hard to say as Kinnesta keeps
its secrets close. However, there is no doubting it's cunning
and the quality of its spies. For a long time, the two empires
were in something of a spy war with each other. Rather than
wasteful martial conflict, both sides used spies and subterfuge
to use in the political ring during negotiations to claim their
spoils. What makes Kinnesta more of a dangerous opponent
to Fiora is the high population of elves who, with their long
lives and memories, make the game of politics that much
more difficult, being able to simply outlive their opponents.
At the moment, Kinnesta is keenly interested in the ongoing
crisis between Adrianna and Queen Marchesa, especially
since Selvala, a fellow elf, is playing an increasingly larger role
in things.
Locations in Kinnesta
Travelling into Kinnesta is not difficult. However, due to the
current political climate, any group fo adventurers may find
themselves shuffled to the wayside, only able to go one major
location before having to brave either the wilderness of
unexplored regions or the guarded borders of Kinnesta's
holdings. What lay beyond Trest is anyone's guess, but an
imaginative DM may be able to pierce the veil of mystery.
Trest
Aside from some small settlements, the one major city which
travellers are actually welcome to visit is the city-state of Trest.
Located on the shores of Fiora's oceans, it is a hub of trade
and exotic ideas to be explored. It is also a sight to behold,
exemplifying what the elves are capable of in terms of
architecture, culture, and everything else which makes it
distinctly elven. A sight which the citizens, being elves
themselves, love to show off whenever they get the chance to
leave a visitor in awe.
The city of course has a council and a magistrate who
represents the interests of the empress, but the one who
holds true power is Edric, her majesty's spymaster.
This is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used
are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.
Edric is the master of espionage. There is nothing happening
in Trest that he does not know about. If there is a plot
brewing, he knows about it from several sources. He has eyes
and ears everywhere in Trest and along the coast. Nothing of
note happens without him hearing of it and certainly no secret
remains a secret if whispered within Edric's long reach. Even
the empress herself will not make moves concerning the coast
without first consulting with Edric over the state of things.
Any adventuring party seeking to do something inside or
even pass through Trest will have to play with their secrets
close to their vests. One wrong word can have Edric working
against them and with strings all over the city, he can do much
to stop anyone with intentions which go against the good of
the city and the empire.
The Unexplored Lands
Although Fiora and Kinnesta are neighbours, there is in fact a
large gap between them which goes on for untold miles which
are simply called the Unexplored Lands. Here are where
explorers such as Selvala spent many years, meticulously
noting their findings as they searched throught he wilderness.
What they seek various between the explorers. Some look for
power, others resources, communing with nature, or any other
reason one can think of.
Being a more harmonious mindest, at least in terms of
nature, the elves have a bit of a better understanding of the
wilds. At least they know better than to charge in like so many
human explorers have done. They have a bit of a better idea of
some special sites which are contained in the Unexplored
Lands. Old ruins, sites of power, homes of strange beasts, and
maybe even a dragon's nest or two. Anything could be out
there, which is why so many are still willing to brave the
dangers so they might be the first to find, and inevitably
exploit, whatever it is they stumble upon.
 Fioran Factions

This is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used
are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.
Queen Marchesa
Queen Marchesa d'Amati is the current sovreign of Paliano
after the assassination of the King Eternal Brago. She
possesses a sharp mind and was trained in politics in the
King's court at a young age. However, because she was born a
woman, she was edged aside in the race for the throne in
favor of her brothers who were not nearly as competent as she
was.
Unwilling to let go of her ambitions, she searched for
resources and people who could aid her. Her search took her
to the underbelly of the High City, creating a network of
rogues, criminals, and revolutionaries which gave her a back
door into many places of power in Paliano. It was through this
network that she managed to control a large portion of the city
with the rest of her family falling into disgrace thanks to her
incompetent brothers.
Marchesa is also a product of her surroundings. Blackmail,
espionage, and murder were readily used by her as it was by
anyone else with political ambitions in Fiora. Her favorite
method is poison, a subtle art she mastered and one she
always has on hand with a different poison held in each of her
beautiful rings. Her penchant for poisons, even if it could
never be proven, along with her personal emblem earned her
the nickname, The Black Rose, a point of pride in her mind.
This is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used
are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.
Despite all of her power though, so long as Brago was on the
throne, she could never claim it. She could not poison a ghost
after all. Still, her chance came when she met the
Planeswalker Kaya who held the ability to destroy ghosts.
Recognizing the opportunity, Marchesa quickly laid down her
plans. She fabricated documents, bribed staff of the castle,
members of the Custodi who were not so keen on having
ghosts rule them, and finally unleashed Kaya on the King
Eternal.
The assassination was successful and Marchesa quickly
claimed the crown. She was quick to begin filling the castle
with her supporters as well as begin pushing declarations and
changes to law which further consolidated her power base.
What she sorely underestimated though, was the wills of
the Captain of the Guard and her men. Adriana Vallore was
quick to declare Marchesa a fraudulent heir to the throne and
all who obeyed her to be traitors. Her words echoed through
the population and Marchesa found the beginning of her rule
to not be as smooth as she anticipated. She now moves to
silence Adriana, but the sharp former Captain of the Guard is
quick to avoid assassination attempts and even broke several
of her comrades free from the dungeons, bolstering her ranks
as more chaos sinks into Paliano.
Marchesa has taken many lessons of Fiora to heart. She
trusts no one but herself and holds no one close to her. Her
nature as a poisoner has her examine everything she herself
does not personally create and takes nothing for granted. Her
personal guards are in fact zombies she has animated and
hides within her walls, hiding the scent of decay with her
numerous perfumes
Thorns of the Black Rose
Adventurers who enter the queen's employ may not even know
they work for her at first. Her network is extensive and even if
she had become the queen, she wouldn't discard such a
valuable resource.
d8 Quest
Hunt down the leaders of a thief guild and either recruit
1
them or destroy them.
A noble has incriminating documents and needs to be
2
relieved of them.
King Brago has a cache left behind which can bring
3
added legitimacy to Marchesa's reign.
Rumors of an assassin after the queen have been on the
4
rise. Find the source and verify it!
Valuable resources have been discovered in the
5
wilderness. Be the first to claim them for her majesty.
The queen has shown you favor and now you must pass
6
a challenge in order to join her inner circle.
Clues discovered after riots have made a trail back to
7
the royal dungeons. Find the source and silence them!
A thief has made off with the crown and threatens
8
Marchesa's reign. Find it and return it at once!
Adriana Vallore
Adriana served with distinction and honor as Captain of the
Guard under King Brago. She sherved as his bodyguard,
although it was rather unecessary after he had become a
ghost and continued to rule after his life ended. Still, she
followed her oaths, even if she was able to see that the once
forward-thinking ruler ha become more of a tyrant in death
and cut down on the advancements of the city and its culture.
She was present when the ghost assassin Kaya cut down
Brago and declared the words of when a tyrant was killed,
there was a chance for freedom. Words that took a deep root
in her heart when Marchesa took the throne, tossing aside all
precedence an even claiming Brago left it in his will, even
when a ghost would have no need for a will. Those words then
festered when she saw Marchessa crowned the next day,
removing all of Brago's royal emblems, erasing them, in favor
of her own. A process which should have taken weeks, only
needing a day, proving she was part of the plot. Seeing the
other servants and the Custodi eagerly playing along just
soured her further.
Realizing a usurper was on the throne, Adriana took Brago's
sword and left her position, taking many of her men with her.
As Marchesa scrambled to cover the major mistake she made,
Adriana rallied among the people, denouncing Marchesa, and
giving voice to the people the new queen would rather exploit
and look down on than properly rule.
This is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used
are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.
Despite fostering such a rebellion, Adriana really has no time
or patience to truly rule. Instead, she dreams of a republic
where a leader is chosen by the people and truly has their best
interests at heart. Adriana has no ability to lead a government,
only soldiers, so she seeks to find someone who can be the
figurehead and leader that people need to make a better
Fiora.
With this goal in mind, Adriana believes that Selvala, King
Brago's closest friend, is the perfect choice of a candidate. She
has entreated with the elf several times, but Selvala remains
reluctant. Still, Adriana still believes that Selvala is the one
who can unite Paliano into a true republic and save it from the
morally bankrupt who spill blood in all the back rooms. Then
Adriana will take her position as Captain of the Guard back
and use it to protect the new ruler of Paliano from those who
would try to continue with the deadly intrigue of politics.
Although she had not been active in the politics which
defines Fiora, Adriana is far from naive in them. Knowing how
the polticians think has allowed Adriana to anticipate their
moves and avoid assassins and other traps sent by Marchesa.
It has also allowed her the skill to rally the people to her calls
for revolution through her charisma and personality.
Soldiers of Rebellion
Adriana is a charismatic leader, having earned the loyalty of
her men to the end, even if it means going against the
sovereign they were sworn to protect. Many adventurers
would seek to support her cause and come to her aid.
d8 Quest
A member of Marchesa's people wishes to betray her.
1
Find and protect him!
The characters are expected to infiltrate a party held by
2 a noble that supports Marchesa and uncover
documents of her manipulations.
Adriana is meeting with a delegation to garner support.
3
Ensure the meeting is not interrupted.
Meet with a noble that is supportive to the cause, but
4
be wary of lies or traps.
A member of the Custodi has leaked information of
5 where the rituals of the undead Custodi are held.
Infiltrate and destroy it!
A dead drop of evidence has been left at a tavern and
6
inn. Retrieve it before spies do.
The party must infiltrate barracks once held by the
7
former soldiers for supplies and weapons for the rebels
The characters must go over the heads of the Custodi
8 and try to entreat with the angels directly for additional
support to their cause.
Selvala of Alberon
Selvala is a well known figure in the history of modern Fiora.
She was the best friend of a young Count Brago and both
dreamed of ending the constant backstabbing and cut throat
methods of the nobility. Unlike many who felt the same, the
pair went forward and sought to change Fiora to for the better.
Selvala quickly became a beloved figure to the people. She
had an ear to every province and settlement, learning how to
gain the support of the people and negotiate with the nobles
to prevent oppression and tyranny. With her knowledge, Brago
was able to bring out reform and insights which the entire
council supported. Together, they created the Charter which
would become the law codes of Fiora. Both became beloved
by the people as what was thought to be a golden age of
Paliano had begun.
Sadly, the age ended barely after it began. Brago was
diagnosed with a terminal illness and Selvala left to explore
the unknown wilderness. In that time, Brago relied more and
more on the Custodi for treatments, letting them gain more
power in court. Finally, Selvala returned to see a shadow of
her friend who allowed the bloody politics to return. Brago
was old and frail, but his treatments prevented him from dying
despite his body falling apart. Selvala sought to release her
friend from his torment and killed him. She earned a stay in
the dungeons and Brago returned as the King Eternal, a
tyrannicasl spirit who was more a puppet to the Custodi than
an actual king.
This is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used
are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.
Selvala stayed in the dungeons until Grenzo, the goblin
warden released her in hopes of having her kill the artificer
Muzzio, whose inventions he disliked. Selvala refused, instead
releasing the cogwork soldiers into the tunnels Grenzo was so
proud of. She escaped into the wilderness during the resulting
chaos.
After Marchesa rose to the throne, Selvala could return to
Paliano unimpeded. Sadly, she saw the artifice had been
replaced by the majestic beasts she communed with during
her explorations being captured and tamed as beasts of
burden or symbols of wealth and prestiege. Unwilling to see
such magnificent creatures being used as toys and slaves, she
and several sympathetic allies began liberating the animals
and freeing them from their masters.
Selvala does have a head for politics, as many in her
position do in Paliano. She just has no patience for the
endless games such people play. Still, her legend among the
common folk makes her a beloved figure and a perfect leader
for a revolution. The former Captain of the Guard often
entreats with her to consider leading the charge towards a
proper republic instead of a cut throat monarchy for Paliano.
Selvala remains reluctant to enter such politics as to claim
the throne, but as she sees more injustice, more fighting, and
is reminded more of the wrongs of the past, the more she
considers the idea. Subtle whispers from Leovold of Trest also
hints that the elves of the city state would give their support
on top of Adriana's should she decide to accept the proposal
and lead a revolution of change.
Friends of Nature
Adventurers who decide to aid Selvala's faction are more
likely to raid nobles or businesses to protect nature and the
animals. However, as they deal more and more with nobility,
they may be drawn into the political games regardless.
d8 Quest
Track down and eliminate a hunting party searching for
1
a rare and endangered animal
Infiltrate a noble's gardens to release his exotic birds,
2
finding intrigue in the process.
Animals in the forest are acting strange. Follow and
3
observe them for reasons why.
Rebels claim that an assassin seeks Selvala before she
4
can become a threat. Is it true, or a trap?
Elves are being incited to riot over the misreatment of
5 the animals. Find the one leading the riots and stop the
violence.
The leaders of Trest wish to have a secret meeting with
6
Selvala. Find and secure a meeting place.
A black market of animals and their parts has risen up.
7
Find and bring down the leader!
Rumors are spreading of Selvala's role in the artifice
8
ban. Find the source and silence it.
Grenzo, Havoc Raiser
Grenzo is perhaps one of only two goblins who had any kind
of authority inside of Paliano. Unusually large for his size, but
hunchbacked and needing his staff to travel, he made for an
imposing sight. A trait which was what his employers were
looking for when they hired him as the warden for the royal
dungeons.
Grenzo, like anyone who lived in Paliano, had ambition for
power. Unlike many who sought thrones or positions of
privelege, Grenzo knew he needed none of that. Positions did
not bring power, power was what brought posotions. So in
that instance, Grenzo walked a different path than those
seeking the throne.
In his position, Grenzo had access to the sewer tunnels
which ran underneath Paliano. With painstaking effort, he
soon had tunnels which could take him anywhere in the High
City. With a following of assassins and spies, mostly goblins,
he began amassing influence and power in the shadows. With
his role as the warden, he had access to plenty of people
looking to make a deal or get a favor in return for their
freedom and more. This only expanded his shadow influence
even further. He was essentially a power player in the High
City, but one who was safer than all the others. How could
anyone be safer with power when no one knew he had that
kind of power in the first place?
This is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used
are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.
Grenzo naturally kept an eye on events in Paliano. One was
the rise of artifice thanks to the manipulations of Muzzio.
Grenzo had long since learned that Muzzio had plans to
create a cogwork army and used his already existing
machines to record blackmail from the nobles who used
them. Not wanting a rival, Grenzo sought to eliminate him and
smash his network of cogwork spies.
To accomplish this, he attempted to use Selvala as his
assassin, freeing her from the dungeons. His plan backfired
though when she instead released Muzzio's soldiers into his
tunnels, unleashing chaos right in his own backyard. His
initial plan was successful since artifice was banned and
Muzzio was exiled, but his network of tunnels was exposed,
putting Grenzo himself at risk.
After Marchesa's rise and Adriana's liberation of her
imprisoned soldiers, Grenzo was released from his role as the
warden, viewed as incompetent. It wasn't much of a setback
for Grenzo, although it was a little inconvenient and a major
insult. With his ally, the goblin planeswalker Daretti, they
began instigating goblin riots. Using the chaos, Daretti sought
revenge on his former Academy comrades and Grenzo
pillaged funds and blackmail to further the chaos.
Grenzo has no ambition for the throne. Chaos is the key to
power as opportunities always appear in it. Sitting on a throne
just leaves one open for reprisal and assassination, so Grenzo
is happy to rule from the shadows, practically invisible. From
there, he can bring down more chaos on those who wronged
him, including Marchesa, Adriana, and Selvala.
Minions of Chaos
Adventurers who start working in the intrests of Grenzo are
likely going to be chaotic in nature. Chaos would eb the goal,
and the opportunities it brings.
d8 Quest
Fight your way through a riot for as long as you can
1
while others raid a house for blackmail
2 Rob a bank for funds and deal with the security.
A monster has taken up residence inside one of the
3
tunnels. Hunt it down and eliminate it.
Sneak into the dungeons and break out a connected
4
prisoner who has useful information.
Use the chaos of another riot to slip into a noble's
5
property and raid his holdings.
Sneak into the palace to cause chaos and discredit
6
Marchesa
Turn a gathering of rebels into a riot to reveal Adriana's
7
presence and make her a target.
Unleash a hoarde of wild animals in the city and frame
8
Selvala for the destruction.
Muzzio, Visionary Architect
Muzzio was the former vice chancellor of the Academy, the
most prestegious place of learning in Paliano and all of Fiora.
He was a master of artifice, creating countless cogwork
designs which could do a number of tasks from accounting, to
secretarial work, to cleaning and tracking. So much prestiege
had him climb the ranks of power very quickly, opening a
world of opportunity.
Muzzio's grand dream though was to turn Paliano into a
perfect clockwork society for the elite citizenry of scholars and
mages, all of it protected and maintained by his cogwork
creations. It would be a world where art and knowledge would
be allowed to advance and flourish, unhindered by the closed
minds of the Custodi or the short-sighted greed of the nobility
and politicians.
To help achieve this, Muzzio installed hidden mechanisms
inside of his machines. Inside were wax cylinders which
recorded everything the cogwork machines heard, creating a
library of potential blackmail. He could also modify the actions
of his constructs via smaller constructs, having them subtly
change their actions when certain commands were made to
them.
Through these actions, Muzzio rose through the ranks of
the Academy to the position of Vice Chancellor. With his new
position, he would be free to continue his plans and designs
for his perfect clockwork society. All he needed was more
time, information, and his perfected plan would be able to
proceed.
This is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used
are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.
Then a wrench was thrown into the works.
Muzzio's former master, Daretti, had survived the explosive
failure of his last experiment. Bitter, and believing his former
apprentice attempted to kill him, Daretti revealed Muzzio's
cache of cogwork soldiers to his partner Grenzo. The warden
attempted to have the elf Selvala assassinate him, but instead
she released the soldiers into the tunnels, causing chaos as
the machines went wild.
The results had all of Muzzio's well-placed plans fall to ruin.
Brago, intolerant of any dissent, had the Academy shut down.
All artifice was banned from the city, the prestigious teachers
stripped of their reputations, and Muzzio himself exiled from
the High City that he had worked so hard to enter.
Muzzio was the sort who views every action akin to
tinkering, but with different materials. Setbacks and failures
are always expected and he has the cool head to take the
setbacks and begin anew. With the assassination of Brago and
the rise of Marchesa, he has a new opportunity to begin anew
and return to Paliano. With the unrest, many opportunities
are present for someone with his keen mind.
Allies in Artifice
Adventurers working toward Muzzio's goals will be his eyes
and ears in Paliano while he remains in exile. Many of the
adventures they undertake for him will likely be cogs in a
greater plan the adventurers may not see.
d8 Quest
1
Make contact with a former Academy instructor for
Muzzio's missing notes and designs.
Infiltrate the closed Academy and find Muzzio's lab for
2
pieces of his more important works.
Find the written decree concerning Muzzio's exile in
3
the Hall of Records.
Scrounge the scrapyards in the Lowlands of Paliano for
4
Muzzio's machines with blackmail still inside of them.
Install cogwork spies in the palace for more information
5
on Marchesa.
Hunt down stolen tomes of Muzzio's works from the
6
goblins and his former master.
Construct a special cogwork as a 'gift' for a noble inside
7
Paliano.
Find Muzzio's contact Sydri whose shop always seems
8
to change locations.
Leovold of Trest
Charm, cunning, charisma, and of course money. These are all
things Leovold possesses in spades. With a smile and a
handshake, you could give away your deepest secrets with a
smile on your face before you realize it. By then, you are in his
pocket with a favor for a favor, usually benefiting him more
than yourself.
Leovold's official position is an emissary of Trest and on
behalf of Kinnesta. His duties there include meetings to
discuss issues between Fiora and Kinnesta, usually trade
agreements, small political issues, and encouraging relations
between both empires. Often he can be found organising
grand parties where he invites noblility of Fiora to mingle with
elves of Kinnesta and Trest to make stronger relations
between the upper classes of both sides. Many in Fiora praise
Leovold's personable attitude and his generosity in providing
for his guests.
All of this is a mask of design on Leovold's part. Each of his
parties are designed to put his guests at ease so that their lips
can loosen and spill a few secrets. Many Fiorans have a belief
that the elves of Kinnesta are often bckwoods, inexperienced
with the wonders of the empire and live simpler lives. Perhaps
some of it is true, but it is an image Leovold plays to the hilt.
He himself wears fine, but simply Fioran fashions and his
entourage of servants and guards dress similarly in clothing of
status, but not to the spectacle many Fioran nobles like to
dress like.
This is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used
are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.
Many of the elves show portraits of awe at the splendors
Paliano can offer. This image of awe helps lower the guard of
Leovold's many guests during his parties. Mixed with a little
wine and their belief that the elves are simple folk in awe over
their splendor, they begin spilling secrets, thinking the elves
lack the foresight to act on anything they hear. However, the
elves do hear and take it straight to Leovold.
In the public scene, Leovold is a showman and perhaps the
most charming man one can meet. In the political offices and
the negotiation tables, he is a shark in the water. He has had
centuries to hone his craft, and he has made it a razor edge.
Making it more effective is rather than simple bribes,
blackmail or assassinations, of which he can and will use,
Leovold prefers the more refined method of making deals and
exchanging favors. Many of his marks believe through his
charisma and personality they are getting a favored deal for
only minor risk, but for Leovold, it is much more lucrative to
him in the long run. His network of happy associates run
deep, feeling like they have made a safe deal in exchange for
whatever Leovold asked for. With his elven mindset though,
Leovold can plan decades into the future using what he learns
now. This makes his endgame, if he has one, rather
mysterious.
Currently, Leovold is finding his formal efforts stymied by
Marchesa's refusal to meet with him. Perhaps it is because
Marchesa is wise to him, or she does not wish to meet lest she
lose face due to the climate. In either case, he is blocked.
Instead, his focus has turned to Selvala who Adriana wishes to
make the next ruler. He's begun working his silver tongue,
offering resources to the reluctant elf to see one of their own
kind on the throne.
Friends with a Handshake
Leovold always has need of a frine group of adventurers and
he always strikes a fair bargain for the work. However, he
keeps his cards close to his chest and is likely to profit far
greater than the party.
d8 Quest
Leovold wishes to have some 'packages' picked up
1
from the docks.
Leovold has tracked down a cogwork machine which
2
once belonged to prominent figure. Go retrieve it.
Leovold requires a subtle hand to assist with a visiting
3 delegation to make them more comfortable...and
talkative
Leovold asks to 'explore' a former property of the
4
Academy to see what used to happen there.
Leovold requests the party's time to pass on messages
5
to some 'friends' he's made in the Upper City.
Leovold offers fine compensation to track down Sevala
6
and pass her a 'care package.'
Leovold asks the group to pass another request for a
7
meeting to the queen.
Leovold hints at some 'unfortunate' elements making a
8 mess of some of his properties in Paliano which needs
clearing out.
The Custodi
The Custodi are Fiora's religious institution. They not only
handle matters of religion, but they also take care of medical
matters and are a voice in the council which helps govern
Paliano and by extension, all of Fiora.
In the days before Brago took the throne, the Custodi
enjoyed a major role in the political structure of Paliano, as
with the chaos of the times, power shifted constantly and as
many looked to the Custodi for guidance, their power base
remained secure. After Brago took the throne, matters of state
were cemented and the Custodi were faced with the very real
threat of power slipping from their grasp.
Their fortunes reversed however when Brago was
diagnosed with a debilitating illness. Leaping at the
oportunity, they offered their magics and medicines to extend
his lifespan. For their continued aid, the Custodi managed to
claim more power in court and have a solid, and near majority
power base once again. For seventy years it worked, but their
magics eventually went too far, allowing Brago life even
though his body continued to fall apart. Selvala finally ended it
as she killed him, ending Brago's reign and the Custodi's free
ride to power.
Realizing their power and security were about to vanish, the
Custodi scrambled to do something. Using their spiritual
magics, they recovered Brago's spirit and set him on the
throne again. Although with his own mind, Brago was more
easily influenced by the Custoi and their magic, making him
more of a puppet to the Custodi's beliefs than before.
This is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used
are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.
After this event, the Custodi themselves began to change.
Using their magics, many of their higher members allowed
themselves to become ghosts or even liches. With the
precedence set by Brago, ghosts and undead could still hold
power and office, potentially forever, something the most
ambitious of the Custodi liked to have. Spirits were used as
bodyguards and liches handled the most important tasks that
could not be forgotten.
Again, the Custodi all but ruled and ruled tyrannically
through Brago. The ghostly priests abhorred change and
attempted to squealch it using Brago's voice. Innovation was
slowed and artifice was eventually banned once Muzzio's plot
came to light. The Custodi spirits were happy to keep the
status quo, confident it would never change and their power,
like the king, would be eternal.
Marchesa soon changed that with the planeswalker Kaya.
Soliciting members of the Custodi who desired change, or
were sick of serving the ghostly masters, they plotted to
assassinate the king and succeeded. Marchesa took the
throne, consolidating power and causing upheaval in the
Custodi between factions who desired change and those who
did not.
Although they are a religious institution, the Custodi are
more of a political body than anything else. They undergo the
rituals and prayers for the public image and perhaps the
lowest ranks are faithful, but the higher one goes, the more
political they become. This shows in the lack of true divine
power in the priesthood.
Brothers in Benevolence
Adventurers who work with the Custodi may undertake tasks
which appear benevolent at first, but will serve a more
political purpose for the Custodi.
d8 Loot
Enter the crypt of a former pope so his spirit can give
1
wisdom to the masses.
Retrieve the belongings of a missing priest, which
2
contains incriminating information.
3 Guide a delegation to Trest to meet with the elves.
4 Retrieve documents for a lich Custodi.
5 Deal with a political faction backed by a demon.
Find a group of rogue artificers who have sensitive
6
information in their machines.
7 Exorcise dissenting spirits who plot against the Queen.
A group of Custodi desperately try to bring Brago's
8
spirit back. Will you help them or harm them?
Intrigue Abound
Although the characters may undertake tasks for
others, it doesn't mean that they have to be loyal to
that faction. They may in fact play the factions off
each other to seize power on their own, or build a
faction of their own.
 A Fiora Beastiary

This is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used
are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.

Angels
Angels are a rarity in Fiora, especially in Paliano. As the
Custodi became more political than pious, angels stopped
appearing around the High City. Despite the continued claims
of the Custodi of their holy properties, angels are more often
seen in the other cities where the faith is more true rather
than in major sites where faith is more a pretense for politics
than true faith in higher powers.
Angels that are seen outside of Paliano, aiding the faithful
who honestly seek hope and aid are Devas while the only
angels that appear in Paliano would be Planetars who would
combat demons who cause chaos or rise out of the shadows
of the city with enough power to threaten what is good. If
enough of the Custodi and the city falls to the corruption of
demons, an angel might begin attacking the city itself.
Some angels may find truly faithful individuals and charge
them to cleanse corruption or combat evil. Some politicians
with good intentions may try to strike deals with angels,
becoming warlocks.
This is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used
are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.
beasts
Paliano has been struck with a craze of finding exotic beasts
to tame and use as entertainment. Some of the common
beasts which found their way to the nobles are Wolves,
Bears, Hawks, and Elk. Some of the other nobles manage to
claim more exotic animals such as Tigers, Elephants, or
Lions. At least one noble has managed to domesticate a
Hydra, increasing the popularty of the fad.
Other creatures have ended up in the rivers which run to
the ocean through the Lowlands. Such creatures include
Giant Crabs or Giant Constrictor Snakes slide through the
bays or even through the sewer tunnels in search of prey.
Out in the deepest regions of the wild where only a few
such as Selvala have dared go exist massive beasts that
embody the power of nature themselves. Such creatures are
considered avatars and can be represented by a Roc, Behir or
in the most extreme cases, a Tarrasque
Constructs
For a time, cogwork machines were the fad for Paliano. They
were able to do much of the mundane work which the nobility
did not have the patience for. Business snatched them up to
handle their repetetive tasks which freed them to handle
other, more important things. Best of all, they obeyed without
question and did not ask for wages.
With the ban on artifice from King Brago, the only
constructs allowed in Paliano are vehicles. Queen Marchesa
has yet to repeal the ban either. Still, outside of Paliano, and in
secret within its borders, many artificers still ply their trade,
aiming for when their wonders will be allowed in the open
again.
Many of the cogwork creatures take on a humanoid form.
The mundane tasks are handled by simple machines which,
although aesthetically pleasing, are not elaborate. Represent
these constructs with Animated Armor. Larger constructs, or
Muzzio's cogwork soldiers are sturdier and meant to take
beatings. Represent these with either Helmed Horror or Iron
Golem.
Lastly, for more amusement than function, some of the
cogwork were made in the shape of animals, making them
amusing toys or replacements for pets. These creatures can
be represented by any animal in the Monster Manual and
having their creature type replaced as a construct and have
immunity to poison damage and the poisoned and charmed
conditions.
Demons The dragons of Fiora can be represented by two different
types. Dragons who prefer to rule from their nests and seek to
Demons do not have to work hard to seduce contracts for conquer can be represented by Adult Blue Dragons. Dragons
souls in Fiora. In Paliano, they're actually spoiled for choice. that seek to manipulate others and rule from the shadows can
With so many politicians, bureaucrats, and nobles looking for be represented by Adult Green Dragons. Both replace their
easy avenues to power, all the demons have to do is establish breath weapons with fire damage instead of lightning or
themselves and let the deals come to them. poison.
The hasty and unwise demons snap up as many contracts
as they can to amass as many souls as possible. The smarter Elementals
demons skillfully ply their trade and with the right promises, Aside from the fad for exotic pets, many of the mages have set
gain the souls of their contractor, his indentured servants, and a new trend of summoning elementals as shows of their
generations of their family all for one deal. magical power as well as decorations for their gardens and
Fiora is easily considered the most amusing plane to homes.
demons since the denizens are so quick to make deals. Some Some mages used Earth Elementals to show off their
demons even sponsor entire political factions to try and pull gardens or decorate them with cultivated portions of earth.
Paliano and Fiora further into chaos. Other planes would call Others summon Fire Elementals and shape them into
such groupings cults, but their political savvy gives such monstrous forms to show off their skill in manipulating
groupings some legitimacy. elements. Water Elementals become the source of elaborate
The lower ranked demons can be represented by a Dretch, fountain displays while Air Elementals would display
Imp, Quasit, and Spined Devil. The higher ranked Demons stunning air acrobatics. Some magi even have the delicate
can be represented by a Balor, Erinyes, Horned Devil, and touch to shape their trees into humanoid sculptures. Such
Marilith. The Archdemon of Paliano can be represented by a elementals can be represented by Twig Blights, Thorn
Pit Fiend or one of the Demon Lords from Out of the Abyss. Blights, Vine Blights, or even by Treants in the most extreme
cases.
Dragons
Dragons are rare in Paliano since so few explore far enough
to actually see one. However, that doesn't stop dragons from
coming to Paliano or one of its territories and cause carnage
for the fun of it.
Dragons are rightfully feared in Paliano because they hold
the power to utterly wipe the board clean in one swoop. No
matter how much political power one has claimed, or if they
even have the throne itself, dragons can prove it really matters
little in the grand scheme of the world itself.
Dragons themselves are intelligent and cunning. Their
society and habits are a mystery since so few people have even
seen one outside of an attack. They prefer it that way since it
allows them to consolidate more power to themselves and to
the dragons of Fiora, power is just as important as gold.

This is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used
are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.
Magical Constructs
Paliano, despite its bloody poltics, is a center of art and
academics. The mage population is constantly experimenting
and studying. Many of those experiments go into creating
familiars, or the creation of magical materials which end up
becoming new creatures.
A common achievement to some wizards is to create a
familiar. These are usually a Homunculus although they
usually turn out less than aesthetically pleasing and are often
scorned in open sight.
Sometimes a mage's experiments go awry and they struggle
to dispose of the results lest they damage their academics or
their reputations with the failure. Such results usually do not
go anywhere, but can instead result is a living slime which
slide about, searching for food. Such slimes can be
represented by Ochre Jelly or Gray Ooze.
Ogres
Musclebound brutes with a penchant and undeniable skill for
violence, ogres in polite society are considered on the same
level as goblins. What keeps ogres from being outright
shunned like the goblins is that everyone is afraid of angering
one. There is also the fact that ogres have value with their
strength as mercenaries to anyone who can meet their price.
They make fine bodyguards for those who need to travel and
so long as they are paid and have something to hit, they are
content. This makes them a fine resource to the politicians
and merchants despite publicly sneering at them while in
polite company. Use the Ogre entry in the Monster Manual for
these ogres.
This is unofficial Fan Content permitted under the Fan Content Policy. Not approved/endorsed by Wizards. Portions of the materials used
are property of Wizards of the Coast. ©Wizards of the Coast LLC.
Undead
The undead play an important role in Paliano's daily life, both
for the common folk and for the nobility. Queen Marchesa
actively uses zombies as her guardians when she is in one of
her properties, keeping them hidden behind walls and ready
to attack if or when a threat comes at her. They are normal
Zombies but are kept in good condition and can even come
armed with enough preparation. Zombies are in fact the most
trusted beings in the political circles of Fiora; absolutely loyal
with no hint of ambition and no mind to betray their masters.
The undead also hold high positions in the Custodi. After
Brago was returned, many of the higher officials in the
Custodi saw it as an opportunity to consolidate their power
even after their deaths. When they died, they had trusted allies
return their spirits as ghosts. With Brago setting the trend and
making it law, the ghosts could hold their offices and positions
of power even after death. Now they were without risk of
being assassinated and the pains of living. In their minds, they
could continue with power into eternity. Such spirits can be
represented by Ghosts.
Other Custodi specialize in summoning the spirits of the
dead for aid. These spirits are not actual ghosts such as their
spectral superiors. Instead, these spirits are Shadows,
Specters, Wraiths, and Will-O'-Wisps who stay close to their
summoners in case they are needed for aid.
More powerful Custodi, ones who held stronger magical
power and looser morals chose to keep their bodies after
death rather than simply become dim spirits. With their
magics, they allowed themselves to become liches. With this,
they retained their magical power with the potential for
gaining more. To feed their phylactery, these liches use the
souls of condemned criminals, which they are never short of,
especially in the chaotic times of Queen Marchesa. Usually
these undead can be represented by Liches and are in charge
of high offices or sensitive archives for the Custodi
 This document was lovingly created
using GM Binder.

If you would like to support the GM Binder developers,

WWW.GMBINDER.COM consider joining our Patreon community.