THE GIANT GUIDE TO

XEN'DRIK

BY JAMIE BERNSTEIN
ANTHONY TURCO & NAUSICA
NAUSICAÄÄ ENRIQUEZ
 Contents
Introduction ........................................................ 6
Colonialism & Tropes ............................................................... 8
Continental Overview ............................................................. 10
The Outer Planes ..................................................................... 14
Xen'drik Timeline .................................................................... 16
Chapter 1: Game Master's Toolkit ....................... 22
Campaign Tools ....................................................................... 22
Example Campaigns ......................................................... 23
Key Plot NPCs ................................................................... 24
Khorvairan Villains & Xen'drik ...................................... 26
Locations & Themes ......................................................... 28
Name Tables ...................................................................... 30
Quest Frameworks ........................................................... 31
Environmental Tools .............................................................. 38
Across Sea & Sky .............................................................. 40
Continental Curses .......................................................... 42
Magical Wildlife ............................................................... 46
Navigating Giant Ruins ................................................... 48
Random Encounter Tables .............................................. 49
Shattered Geography ........................................................ 53
Broken Technology .................................................. 53
Dreamblights ............................................................. 54
Fractured Terrain ..................................................... 55
Shifting Zones ........................................................... 55
Sky Isles ...................................................................... 56
Xen'drik Settlements ................................................. 57
The Reality of Dreams ............................................................. 58
Adventures in Dreams ..................................................... 58
Echoes of the Quori .......................................................... 60
Quori Creations ................................................................ 62
Chapter 2: Ancestries of Xen'drik ........................ 65
Asherati ..................................................................................... 66
Beastfolk .................................................................................... 66
Children of the Mist (Spiderkin) ............................................ 67
Drow ......................................................................................... 68
Dragonborn .............................................................................. 76
Fae'drik (Firbolgs) .................................................................... 77
Giants ........................................................................................ 77
Goliaths ..................................................................................... 78
Kobolds ..................................................................................... 79
Living Constructs .................................................................... 80
Lizardfolk .................................................................................. 81
Locathah .................................................................................... 82
Shulassakar ............................................................................... 83
Simeq (Simic Hybrids) ............................................................ 83
Thri-kreen ................................................................................ 84
Triton & Merfolk ..................................................................... 85
Yuan-ti ...................................................................................... 86
Chapter 3: Modern Cities ..................................... 88
Bazek Mohl ............................................................................... 90
Blackgrove Refuge ................................................................... 94
Dar Qat ...................................................................................... 98
Kul Lerek ................................................................................ 101
Stormreach ............................................................................. 106
Vralkast ................................................................................... 109
Zantashk .................................................................................. 113
2
Chapter 4: Allies & Enemies ............................... 116
Modern Factions .................................................................... 116
Banor'drakai .................................................................... 117
Battalion of Basalt Towers ............................................. 118
Children of Il'ara ............................................................. 119
Death Giants ................................................................... 120
Druid Circles ................................................................... 121
Emerald Claw .................................................................. 124
Giants Beyond Xen'drik ................................................. 125
Inspired of Riedra ........................................................... 126
Lords of the Hunt ........................................................... 127
Overlord Cults ................................................................ 128
Planewright's Guild ........................................................ 130
Reclaimers of Glory ........................................................ 131
Scriveners of the Sky ...................................................... 132
Silaes Tairn ...................................................................... 133
Skylarks ............................................................................ 135
Star Pilgrims .................................................................... 136
Ten Watchers ................................................................. 137
Torch of Progress ........................................................... 139
Winged League ............................................................... 141
Wyrd Vigil ...................................................................... 143
Enemies of Legend ................................................................. 144
Villains of Legend ........................................................... 145
Monsters of Legend ....................................................... 152
The Overlords ........................................................................ 154
Zel Erakhni, the Spinner of Shadows ........................... 155
Kharna Rayva, the Infernal Desire ............................... 158
The Lurker in Shadow ................................................... 160
Sakinnirot, the Scar that Abides .................................... 162
Chapter 5: Ancient Empires ................................ 165
Ancient Giant Culture ........................................................... 165
Architecture .................................................................... 165
Art & Fashion .................................................................. 166
Food ................................................................................. 166
Language ......................................................................... 167
Magic ............................................................................... 167
Religion ........................................................................... 169
Ancient Empires Summary ................................................... 172
Cul'sir Empire ........................................................................ 173
Elves & Empire ............................................................... 178
Group of Eleven ..................................................................... 182
Daanvi - Crux ................................................................. 184
Dolurrh - Karrakos ......................................................... 188
Fernia - Grand Ju'qata .................................................... 194
Irian - Sohl'aran .............................................................. 198
Kythri - The Genesis Twins .......................................... 202
Lamannia - Esht Primacy ............................................... 207
Risia - Ix Il'ar ................................................................... 211
Shavarath - Hekaton ....................................................... 215
Syrania - The Gallimaufry ............................................. 219
Thelanis - Twilight Court ............................................. 224
Xoriat - Zja Aqat ............................................................. 229
Qabalrin .................................................................................. 234
Sul'at League ........................................................................... 240
CHAPTER
CHAPTER
7 | XEN'DRIK
1 | INTRODUCTION
BESTIARY
 Chapter 6: Adventure Locations ........................ 248
Asherat .................................................................................... 250
Credits
Barricade Katta ....................................................................... 251 Principal Designer & Writer: Jamie Bernstein
Cardaen’s Tears ...................................................................... 252 Contributing Writer: Nausicaä Enriquez
Court of Cinders .................................................................... 253 Stat Block Designer: Anthony Turco
Creation Forge (‘The Blank Grove’) .................................... 253 Editor: Matthew 'Regitnui' Booth
Darkfire Crater ....................................................................... 254 Sensitivity Reader: Andrés Olán-Vázquez
Daomon .................................................................................. 255 Additional Ancestry Design by: Luke Robinson &
The Diaphany ......................................................................... 255 Sonny Luka Micheal Yiannaki
Forget-Me-Dot’s .................................................................... 256
Template: Nathanaël Roux (www.barkalotdesigns.com)
Gundrak’úl ('Obsidian City') ................................................. 257
Cover Illustrator: Olie Bolador
Gran Gol ................................................................................. 257
Kaskylla’s Trove ..................................................................... 259 Interior Illustrators: Clara Baltoré, Will Buck,
Kwinharin ............................................................................... 260 Crowva, Jeff Brown, Estefany Garcia, Christof Grobelski,
Lachni of the Mist .................................................................. 261 Vagelio Kaliva, John Latta, Ede Lazslo, Aaron Lee, Tithi
Lair of the Crone (Icehowl Plateau) ..................................... 262 Luadthong, Lore Wise Games ('Bag'), Joyce Maureira,
Lake of Solace ......................................................................... 263 Balázs Pirók, Stéphane Richard, Rogerio da Silva, Tan Ho
Mirhanac’lathk ....................................................................... 264 Sim, Dean Spencer, and Vani Srinivasan, alongside free
'Naphrad' (Colossus WX-12) ................................................ 264 assets from Pixabay and Wizards of the Coast.
New Zolanberg ....................................................................... 265 Special Thanks: To all the members of the Eberron
Optao ....................................................................................... 266 discord server that have given advice, criticism, suggestions
Parhelion Altar ....................................................................... 267 and support to make this book a reality. This work simply
Pti-tak'chil ............................................................................... 268 would not exist without their help, friendship, and support.
Pylas Taraelya ......................................................................... 269 Playtesters: 'The Twilight Hunters (Lon Lindhout,
Raiarin .................................................................................... 270 March Malbasha, Marc Kemeter & Robert Lieb), Nathan
Sanctum of the Watcher ....................................................... 271 Enzor, Alexander 'Ohiska' Mason, Luke Robinson,
Shanai Orioth (‘Forest of Lords’) .......................................... 272 SleepyChaos, Vani Srinivasan, and EnigmaticGamer
Shae Tirias Tolai .................................................................... 273
Soggin’s Post ........................................................................... 274 On the Cover: Xen'drik adventurers face off against
Taer Laraentys ........................................................................ 275 Stormreach's Emperor statue, possessed by the nightmare
Throne Gate Ruins ................................................................ 276 mind of the God-King Cul'sir, before it can raze the city.
Valley of Cairns ...................................................................... 277
Verash Sakhara (‘The Trench of the Void’) ........................ 278 Book Notation: This Guide refers to spells and items
Wen-Damji ............................................................................ 278 from sources denoted by the following superscripts. If a
Wreck of the Iron Will ......................................................... 279 source is not specified, it comes from Mordenkain Presents:
Monsters of the Multiverse, or the Player's Handbook. Some
words are formatted to indicate linked mechanics, as below.
Chapter 7: Character Options ........................... 281
Ancestries ............................................................................... 281
ERLW
- Eberron: Rising from the Last War
FTD
Backgrounds ........................................................................... 289 - Fizbans Treasury of Dragons
Subclasses ................................................................................ 280
GGR
- Guildmaster's Guide to Ravnica
Dark Gifts ............................................................................... 306
TCoE
- Tasha's Cauldron of Everything
VRGR
Feats ......................................................................................... 310 - Van Richten's Guide to Ravenloft
Martial Maneuvers ................................................................ 314
XGE
- Xanathar's Guide to Everything
Artifact Maneuvers ......................................................... 315 italics - Spell
Spells ........................................................................................ 316 Capitalised Italics - Magic Item or Sourcebook
Artifact Spells .................................................................. 324 Bold - Monster with Stat Block
* - located in this Guide or Guide Bestiary
Chapter 8: Tools & Treasures ............................ 328 For any queries, questions, feedback, or fact-chacking,
Drow Artifice ......................................................................... 329 please message me on the Eberron discord server.
Elven Remnants ..................................................................... 333
Giant Relics ............................................................................. 336 Disclaimer: This is a Giant Guide. It is Giant, and made for Giants
Eldritch Machines ........................................................... 341 to read. If you are not perchance one of my people, and have obtained
Hunter's Trophies .................................................................. 343 this tome through theft, then I assume that you are reading it from
Modern Artifice ..................................................................... 344 inside the block of ice formed by the glyph under the cover. If you are
Warforged Components ....................................................... 346 smarter than that, be warned it will not resize for you on its own
accord, and as such may cause lingering back pain. If found, please
Appendix A: Example Soundtracks ...................... 347 return to the Fortress of Winter in Risia.
Appendix B: Example NPCs ................................. 348 I have nothing but time.

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, D&D, Wizards of the Coast, Forgotten Realms, Ravenloft, Eberron, the dragon ampersand, Ravnica and 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.
This work contains material that is copyright Wizards of the Coast and/or other authors. Such material is used with permission under the Community Content
Agreement for Dungeon Masters Guild.
CHAPTER
All other4
17original
| ALLIES
XEN'DRIK
INTRODUCTION
& inENEMIES
material BESTIARY
this work is copyright 2023 by Jamie Bernstein and published under the Community Content Agreement for Dungeon Masters. Guild.
3
 The Giant Guide to
Xen'drik

CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES
INTRODUCTION
& ENEMIES
4 4
 Foreword
One lifetime. Two. A hundred. A Thousand.
Hold a lifetime in your hands.
Hold a hundred, like powder snow. Hold ten thousand.
Can you see how light they become?

Do you wish for the immortality between these pages? Power, wisdom, glory, gold? They are here. You
could have them.
Once you do, and they are gone, you will never be whole again.

A generation’s lifetime. Two. A hundred lifetimes of family and friends, there and gone. A thousand
lifetimes, sewn into a tapestry -
a nation of my kin, my children, my people.
The lifetime of an age, its threads burnt to ash by the very monsters
that taught us how to weave them.

I am Il’ara, Archarcanist of Risia, Amber Regent, and Titan of Ix Il’ar.

I am Il’ara, Queen of None and Titan of Nothing.

It is all just one lifetime for me.

his tome is a memoir and a memory. knowledge regarding Xen'drik within this tome. I

T For 40,000 years I have waited in

frozen exile, my continent and
kingdom destroyed by the dragons
of Argonnessen for crimes I did not commit. My
children grow weary in body and soul, yet they must
endure. Within these pages lie our past, present, and
future. The glory that we, the giants of Ix Il'ar, once
held. The present state of our ancient home, wracked
by grand curses, and fought over by ambitious
mortals and ancient threats. The future that awaits
us, should we dare to return and claim our home
once more. Yet, with the changing times come new
opportunities.
I am immortal, yet my memory is not. The endless
winter of the Plane of Ice shrouds the passage of
time. Lest I forget, I have written every scrap of my
have used green and gold as a reminder, for both
are colours I have not witnessed for an Age. Between
these pages lie countless secrets from the time when
giants ruled the land; magic lost to time, of such
power it altered the very fabric of reality. There are
lost spells, powerful relics, dangerous threats, and
the names of beings who should never again be
allowed to see the light of day. If you are reading
this, you have obtained something of immense
danger. Trust the words of an Archarcanist;
knowledge is power.
This tome is a memoir, a memory -
and a weapon.
- Archarcanist Il'ara
Titan of Ix Il'ar

INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES & ENEMIES
5
 Introduction
X
en’drik. The Land of Giants. The
Shattered Continent. Since the very start
of the Eberron setting, Xen’drik has been
a realm of mystery, danger, and ancient
secrets. The indelible scars of the past
clash with the needs of the present, the
legacy of the ancient giants shaping the course of history to
this day, through the heights of their glory - and the depths of
their failures. The entire continent is designed as a dungeon;
a blank slate in which incredible discoveries lie hidden by
time and ancient curses. The lost artifice of the giants has
shaped the course of Khorvaire’s development, and driven the
grand empire of Riedra to a relentless hunt for knowledge.
Yet, this comes at a heavy cost. If the continent is a grand
dungeon, its people are treated as enemies within it.
Books focusing on Xen’drik in previous editions
are written solely from the viewpoint of foreign
colonists arriving in a ‘savage land’ for treasure
and glory. This draws on classic works of
6 6
pulp adventure, ranging from Doc Savage, to Raiders of the
Lost Ark, to Lara Croft and Uncharted. Just like those works,
it introduces a wide range of problems. Shallow and dated
views of local people, tomb-robbing and plundering, and
offensive colonial language make Xen’drik increasingly
unsuited for the modern table.
This book is two things - a detailed exploration of the
giant empires of old, and a modern redesign of Xen’drik
from the ground up, introducing vibrant cities, cultures,
and locations to help alleviate its issues, and bring it forward
to the inclusivity of today’s TTRPG space. Xen’drik is not a
continent for people to come to, but a continent in which
people live.
To this end, the Giant Guide to Xen’drik was written with
three major themes in mind -
• The people and cultures of Xen’drik.
• The nature of the past that permeates the land.
• The dangers, risks, and rewards of the present.
CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES
INTRODUCTION
& ENEMIES
 The People
A massive range of people can be found in Xen’drik, with
an equally diverse range of cultures. Many are older than
the entire recorded history of humanity in Khorvaire (and
Sarlona too), with vibrant cultures and a storied past. This
ranges from the Trothurkear dragonborn, who have guarded
the Ring of Storms continuously for over 40,000 years, to
the spidery Children of the Mist, who trace their secrecy to
the Age of Demons itself. Perhaps the most famous are the
giants and drow, who can be found across the length of the
continent. The Ancestries of Xen’drik section (p.65) dives
into the cultures who call Xen’drik home, with accompanying
player mechanics in the Character Options chapter to enable
and encourage people to play as native ('tau'Xen') characters.
Perhaps the most famous of Xen’drik’s people are the
giants - the descendants of the kingdoms that fell to the
Shattering. In the age since the fall of their utopias, the giants
have adopted a variety of outlooks on their past and present.
Some cling to the glory of old, aiming to rebuild their empires
through might, and the recovery of ancient magic. Others see
such things as folly, helping to guard such sites and protect
the health of the land. Many simply wish to live in peace, and
forsake the past in favor of the present.
Just as widely spread are the drow. In the north, the
Vulkooridal move through the forest with finesse, patience,
and druidic magic, each nation honoring a different virtue of
the primal scorpion that watches over them. In contrast, the
Súlatar of central Xen'drik blend the arcane research of the
Sul'at giants with faith in the Promise of Fire. The firebinders
have built upon the artifice that their creators used to bind
fire into them, and their partnership with the immortals of
Fernia grants them elemental binding magic far beyond what
Khorvairians were able to steal. The Ko - Syrania-infused
drow descended from the giants' last feeble attempts to pacify
the elven rebels - spin webs of rope and diplomacy between
sky islands and cloud castles. The Lamannian-infused Simeq
blend all three traditions in joyful interdependence in the
waters of the Phoenix Basin. Wherever the giants of old
shaped the world to their will, the drow adapt and thrive.
Beyond the giants and a drow, a dizzying array of other
tau'Xen live across the continent. Fae'drik ('firbolgs')
and goliaths descended from the kingdoms of old mingle
with thri-kreen and dragonborn, while newer arrivals
such as yuan-ti have found their own peace in the wilds.
They are joined by all manner of ‘beastfolk’, from the
tabaxi of the western plains to the chaotic aarakocra of the
Tempest’s Spine.
The Past
The Age of Giants - nearly half of recorded history in
Eberron - is almost entirely a blank slate. Canon details
on the giants and their empires are vague, lacking, and
sometimes contradictory. Even worse, details on the giants
themselves turned into a race to the bottom over the course
of Eberron’s sourcebooks, with successive works painting
them as increasingly depraved and vile. In Dragons of Eberron,
the Oasis of Blood features a forest of trees that constantly
weep blood, each containing the heart of a sacrificed drow
slave (and details the mechanical benefits of eating one).
Meanwhile, in Magic of Eberron, one art piece depicts a giant
in the act of sacrificing a slave, while dressed in offensively
CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES & ENEMIES
INTRODUCTION
Mesoamerican-inspired clothing. This unilateral and shallow
portrayal of a continent of people as comically evil clashes
with Eberron’s themes of deemphasized alignment and
shades of gray. As a result, this book has rewritten giant
history and culture from the ground up, building on canon
while introducing a variety of giant cultures. Each forms the
foundation for the modern state of Xen’drik with their arcane
legacies - both wondrous, and disastrous.
The giant empires are presented for GMs to use as mega-
dungeons and settings for adventures - dangerous regions
where different factions are unearthing the past for personal
gain. Many have sleeping threats unknown to explorers, from
the spidery fiends of the Twilight Court, to the psionic god-
mind that sleeps below Zja Aqat. Each section contains lore,
background on their ruling titan, ambience to set the scene,
locations, suggested enemies, and more to accommodate
adventures. The existence of these shunned ruins are a
constant factor for local people, shaping their cultures and
influences. The Súlatar drow have restored some cities of
the Fernian nation of Grand Ju’qata, inheriting some of their
cultural touchstones, while modern Stormreach is built atop
(and between) the ruins of the Cul’sir Dominion.
The Present
The last thousand years have seen a new danger approaching
Xen’drik from distant shores. The powers that be in Sarlona
and Khorvaire have settled colonies, intent on plundering the
secrets of the land for their own gain. The Inspired of Riedra
are driven by the past; their quori masters understand that
their own birth was a result of events here, driven by their
past incarnations warring against the giants - and causing the
Moonbreaker to be fired. They hope to understand the truth
behind the turning of the age, and ensure that such an event
never happens again. The explorers of Khorvaire are driven
by the future; some of the Five Nations’ most critical advances
were inspired by (or stolen from) Xen’drik, including
elemental binding, warforged, and House Cannith’s Creation
Forges. The Dragonmarked Houses understand the power
that lies in the ruins of the giants, and would do anything to
uncover new forms of arcana. Now, the race is on.
The expansion of these colonial powers has thrown them
into conflict with the people of Xen’drik, who are threatened
by their actions; they understand better than anyone the costs
that exploring the Age of Giants can bring. The explorers
have no clue what powers they are messing with, and their
willingness to rob graves and pillage does nothing to endear
them. As more and more adventurers arrive in Stormreach,
and Dar Qat prepares to build its new teleportation circle,
the status quo is beginning to break - and masterminds from
other lands are preparing to take Xen’drik’s secrets by force.
The dangers of these colonists are not what they bring,
but what they disturb. The ancient evils of Xen’drik range
from depraved archfiends to powerful vampire kings, and
everything inbetween. The blundering efforts of foreign
explorers can be the perfect tools to unlock their chains,
driving conflict with the local people. This clash between the
past and the needs of the present is a fundamental theme of
Xen’drik, with native factions caught between -
- and the fate of the continent hanging in
the balance.
7
 C o lo n i a l i s m
& Tropes
One of the greatest challenges when writing or running
the land of Xen’drik, is that it was written in a time of very
different sensibilities. The entire continent is expressly
designed as a blank dungeon to be raided - a callback to
media such as Indiana Jones, The Mummy, and Tintin in the
Congo. Xen’drik is composed solely of wild and untamed
environments, with cultures narratively hindered from
forming societies that are ‘civilized’ as seen through a
Western lens. This effort ranges from gross justifications for
such cultures being killed (including descriptions of human
sacrifice, and revolting colonialist language) to a deliberate
effort to ensure that the only detailed city in the entire
continent was created by colonists. In comparison to Sarlona
and Khorvaire, Xen’drik’s geography is similarly warped. Its
hundreds of miles of impossible rainforest blend seamlessly
into desert and tundra, ignoring any semblance of reality in
favor of making things ‘pulp’ and ‘foreign’.
The following section is meant to highlight these tropes,
and lay out the steps that this book takes to avoid them - with
the hope that GMs running games in Xen’drik can do the
same. Very simply, it is the most important section of the
entire Guide. This is not a letter of outrage to the authors of
the time, nor is it meant as any kind of insult or rebuke. It
is simply a sincere wish to bring the continent to a modern
era of acceptance and diversity, especially when it means
providing comfort and inclusivity at the game table. The
effort to fix the issues presented here is just as much about
safety tools and personal boundaries as the content warnings
found in other sections.
Looting and Plundering
A classic expectation of genre films such as Raiders of the
Lost Ark is that the party is here in a far-off land to ‘rescue’
historical treasures, either to give them to groups as the
Morgrave University, or to put them to use themselves in
saving the world and other noble tasks (often, by selling
them). Needless to say, stealing prized cultural items in
order to sell them on for profit or show them off as pillaged
treasures is morally extremely questionable. This is especially
true when it’s tomb-robbing or otherwise desecrating places
of importance to people. Given that Xen’drik is, in a sense,
explicitly designed for doing this, it can be hard to separate
that legacy for campaigns.
Combating the Issue:
This book seeks to assist with this by making sure that giant
ruins are places seen as cursed, shameful, or deeply dangerous
by the people of Xen’drik - and for good reason. These are
magically irradiated disaster zones that affect the land for
miles around; their very presence is immensely dangerous.
The ruins of the giant city-states have no cultural
value to anyone but the giants - and even, they are
targets for those who wish to reclaim power and
begin conquering once more. Those that aren’t
have already been built into cities by cultures
8 8
such as the Súlatar drow. As such, adventurers setting off
to explore the ruins of Sohl’aran are risking their lives to
retrieve items that others don't want, and are bearing the
dangers of doing that themselves. They are much more likely
to be stopped because they are endangering themselves, than
because any items they are taking have cultural value.
In addition, this Guide introduces cities and settlements
across Xen’drik as hubs for trade. There, adventurers can buy
and barter for items produced by the local people, including
unique artifice. Some cultures, such as the Súlatar drow
or Ssejirthos yuan-ti, have built on giant artifice to create
derived or improved items. Others, such as the asherati, have
their own unique arcana and artifice. As a result, it's entirely
possible to avoid the trope of looting ruins altogether, with
players relying on trading items for each culture’s specialties.
Naturally, cultures with a tradition of artifice might also ask
a party to recover giant technology to be reverse-engineered.
The players may then be able to keep the original, with
artificers producing more for common use. This extends to
historical research; the party may be hired as specialists to
retrieve relics in dangerous spots for local communities.
Primitive Savages
One of the greatest issues with portrayals of Xen’drik’s people
is their two-dimensional division into The Good ones and
The Bad ones, from the perspective of colonists. There are
some who help adventurers; there are some who are ‘combat
encounters‘. This is a product of the assumed viewpoint that
adventuring in Xen’drik is done by people from Khorvaire -
the Indiana Jones’ and Nathan Drakes of Morgrave University
and House Cannith. The result is outdated, offensive, and
bland. To quote Secrets of Xen’drik’s very first line about the
Súlatar drow, ‘not all drow are savages’ - for the Vulkoori
drow are portrayed as evil enemies who - in canon - carry
out human sacrifice. Everybody from giants to lizardfolk are
described as ‘savage’, ‘backwards’, ‘primitive’ and the other
usual suspects from a long list of such words. The more
‘primitive’ giants such as hill giants and jungle giants are
often depicted in tattered clothing and fur, while Explorer’s
Handbook depicts a Xen’drik cloud giant as more human in
both appearance and dress. We are still at a point where 5th
Edition Storm Giants (the most mechanically intelligent and
gifted) wear clothing reminiscent of the Romans, and ancient
Greeks - and we can do better.
Naturally, devolving entire peoples into the Evil Enemies is
problematic. It is even more so, when the players are expected
to be foreign treasure hunters invading their land to steal
things from them. Given that Eberron takes steps to avoid
this with other ancestries such as orcs and gnolls, it is thus
even more jarring to face this in Xen’drik. It is for this reason
that this book treats the giants and drow (and other maligned
peoples such as the yuan-ti) as who they are - people.
Combating the Issue:
For the giants of Xen’drik, the source of their narrative
state is a curse laid upon them by the dragons. The curse
canonically strips them of their power, intelligence, and
magic a little more with every generation - a theme used to
explain why they have never risen to their pre-Shattering
heights. This book disregards this curse due to its highly
problematic nature, instead using a different explanation
based around the loss of knowledge and magical artifice. This
is detailed in the Continental Curses section, on p.42.
CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES
INTRODUCTION
& ENEMIES
 For other groups, there is even less narrative justification.
They are simply experience points. In this book, an effort
has been made to add different groups of giants, drow,
yuan-ti and others across the continent, including paragons
of good, champions of evil, and everyone in between. This
includes different factions that they might belong to, as well
as different cultures within each ancestry. Additionally,
many factions are innately multi-ancestral, with no random
division or exclusion based on heritage.
Western Depictions
A less obvious issue with the way that the people of Xen’drik
are presented, is that their appearances and aesthetic themes
are often based on Western cultural tropes. One striking
example lies in Magic of Eberron; an ancient giant, in dress
inspired by Mesoamerican aesthetics, raises a knife to
sacrifice an elven slave on an altar. Meanwhile, in City of
Stormreach, the Guardians of Rushemé are presented as living
in tipis, and wearing leaves for clothing (which are insinuated
to be their ‘body hair’, thus leaving them naked). This issue is
rife throughout the depictions of Xen’drik’s people. Perhaps
the worst-off are the drow, who get to suffer the role of the
‘reprehensible enemy’. Explorer’s Handbook features the art
below, with the ‘Ka’ki’kur’ (verbatim) and their cannibalistic
leader resting her boots on a slave. Meanwhile, Secrets of
Xen’drik features art of grotesque caricatured drow about to
cook a man alive. Needless to say, this book aims to do better.
Combating the Issue:
While this book was not made with a massive art budget,
the depictions of people within have been commissioned
with the help of authors from different cultural backgrounds,
fitting their clothing and aesthetics to what is practical for
their culture. Rather than a long black dress, the Vulkoori
are pictured where possible as wearing lightweight woven
clothing suitable for a tropical environment. In contrast, the
cloud giant Farseer Jalmar’s clothing takes inspiration from
the traditional Indian sari. Living as they do at high altitude,
it made sense for the Scrivener to wear clothing that would
allow her to stay cool when descending to the ground, while
conveying her high station and heritage in Kul Lerek. In
CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES & ENEMIES
INTRODUCTION
contrast, Kyravia the Cinderheart wears stark and brutalist
armor recovered from the Sul’at League. As a fire giant, she
is unaffected by tropical heat, and can wear plate armor in
battle. The intention here is to show that different cultures
in Xen’drik have created a massive variety of clothing over
time, and that the practicality of that clothing is always a
consideration. Just as important is to try and convey that the
fantasy cultures of Xen’drik do not correlate with those of our
world. Just as Breland is not the United States, nor Karrnath
Russia, the giants of old were not Mesoamerican - nor the
drow incapable of wearing colors other than black.
Foreign Saviors
Books such as Secrets of Xen’drik are innately written from
the stance of adventurers arriving in a ‘savage land’, then
plundering it for loot, saving the day, or both. This narrative
removes agency from the people of Xen’drik, reducing
them to bystanders, or backwards enemies to be slain.
Furthermore, it also harkens to colonialist and ‘white savior’
narratives that can range from distasteful to deeply offensive
for players. A modern example would be Tomb of Annihilation,
which begins with characters teleporting from the Forgotten
Realms’ Sword Coast, to the tropical island of Chult, to save
the day - and provides little allowance for much else.
Combating the Issue:
This book provides player options, backgrounds, cities,
and more, to allow for party members to originate from
Xen’drik. It is the heartfelt intent of the author that these
sections allow for varied and interesting tau'Xen characters to
alleviate this issue. The more native characters in a party, the
more ties they have to the continent and its people, and the
more background links they can have - all while challenging
existing stereotypes. As such, it creates both a more
accommodating environment at the table, and helps the GM
with story options. This is not to say that having characters
from Khorvaire or Sarlona is bad; it's simply that, if the party
is from elsewhere, it is important that the people of Xen’drik
are agents of change, with the power to fight against the same
issues as the players.
9
 Continental
Overview
The following summaries provide quick rundowns of the
different regions of Xen'drik, highlighting the ancient
empires, local factions, and locations of note.
The Thunder Sea
The ocean between Khorvaire, Xen’drik, and Aerenal is
named for ferocious storms that originate from Lamannian
manifest zones. The Thunder Sea is treacherous for sailors.
Beyond the weather, countless spines of fiendish obsidian
and rocky reefs dot the ocean - the legacy of the shapeless
Overlord known as the Lurker in Shadows bound to its
depths. The seafloor is dominated by the Eternal Dominion
of the Sahuagin, which rules these waters nearly uncontested.
The voracious fishfolk dwell around vast sleeping behemoths
known as the kar’lassa, with each of the twelve linked to
a specific outer plane. Among them, groups of Karakala
merfolk act as neutral guides and messengers, helping to limit
the damage caused by the Lamannian tempests.
Despite this, the Thunder Sea is a nexus for trade. Pirates,
smugglers, and merchant ships sail between the port of
Stormreach and southern Khorvaire, carrying ancient loot
and exotic goods from the Xen’drik interior. Far beneath,
aboleths lurk. The ancient servants of the Lurker have ruled
these seas before, and they plan to do it again. Releasing their
Overlord is just the beginning…
Modern Cities
• Stormreach
Adventure Locations
• Pylas Taraelya
• Soggin’s Post
• Verash Sakhara (‘Trench of the Void’)
Factions of Note
• The Dragonmarked Houses
• The Unity of Riedra
• The Eternal Dominion
• The Storm Lords
• The Lurker in Shadows
Skyfall Peninsula
The northern jungles of Xen’drik cover the Skyfall
Peninsula, which divides the Thunder Sea in the East
from the Barren Sea to the west. The north of the
continent was once far more expansive, but the firing of
the Moonbreaker caused vast sections of land to subside
into the ocean. The shattered remnants can be seen
as the weathered islands of Shargon’s Teeth, in
which smugglers stash their illegal goods. The
Skyfall was once the heartland of the powerful
Cul’sir Empire, with countless ruins
1010
remaining from the dreaming kingdom. The most notable
are the ruins of its capital, Cul'sirran, on which many more
cities have been built throughout the ages. The pirate port
of Stormreach is only the latest. Stormreach is a frontier city
that functions as Khorvaire’s gateway to Xen’drik; countless
explorers, house agents, grifters, and refugees travel through
its docks. None are aware of the dark Overlord Sakinnirot
scheming beneath their feet.
To the south, the Obsidian City is home to a faction of
Súlatar drow known as the Promise Soldiers. The blazing
drow have a scornful opinion of the foreign colonizers to
the north - especially those who would steal their intricate
elemental artifice. The Súlatar have continued to expand
on many of the traditions of the ancient Sul’at League, and
specialize in elemental binding, fire magic, and material
transmutation. For hundreds of miles around the city, the
lush rainforest houses countless rare animals and plants.
Some are highly treasured by hunters, while some treasure
hunters as a quick meal. Vulkoorí drow live within the
forest, revering the spirits of the land around them. They
range from the the peaceful Na’qalla, who calm the land to
manipulate the Traveller’s Curse, to the Ay'qatal who work
with different primal spirits, to the ruin-raiding Hantar'kúl.
Modern Cities
• Stormreach
Ancient Kingdoms
• The Cul’sir Empire
• The Sul’at League
Adventure Locations
• Barricade Katta
• Cardaen’s Tears
• Creation Forge (‘The Blank Grove’)
• Sanctum of the Watcher
• Shanae Orioth (‘Forest of Lords’)
• Throne Gate Ruins
Factions of Note
• The Dragonmarked Houses
• The Storm Lords
• The Vulkoorí Drow
• The Green Watcher, Zartarxis
• The Guardians of Rushemé
• The Battalion of Basalt Towers
• Sakinnirot, the Scar that Abides
 The Hydra Basin
Xen’drik’s tropical heart is a nexus for trade and cultural
exchange. The Hydra Basin is the most populous region
of Xen’drik, surrounded on three sides by the scorching
Menechtarun Desert, the blasted Valley of Shadows, and the
mist-laden forests of Dread Lake. Here, in the endless expanse
of verdant forest, the Súlatar drow have settled different
city-states in the ruins of the nation of Grand Ju’qata. The
Súlatar have developed the Fernian techniques of Ju’qata and
the Sul'at League into their own diverse array of cultures,
worshiping different aspects of divine fire. Perhaps the most
secretive is the Silver Flame itself, which has endured for
millennia in the hidden city of Bazek Mohl.
Throughout the jungle, giants, drow, fae’drik, yuan-ti, and
more live in small settlements and nomadic groups, making
use of the rainforest’s bounty. All are connected by the
waterways of the Hydra, which acts as a network for trade
and travel. At the headwaters of the river lies the trading
post of Blackgrove Refuge - a focus for interaction between
the region’s different drow cultures. Throughout the jungle,
the ruins of the giants of old rise through vines and forest
canopy. These remnants of the Cul’sir Empire and Sul’at
League are joined by the disconcerting remnants of the quori
they once warred against, many of which are still guarded by
ancient warforged-like constructs.
prowl the Valley, touched by different manifest zones used
by the giants for industry. This is a dangerous wasteland, and
only the bravest - or the most foolish - venture within. The
Valley is explored further in the Sul'at League section (p.246).
Ancient Kingdoms
• The Sul’at League
Factions of Note
• The Súlatar Drow
• Kharna Rayva, the Burning Desire
• The Battalion of Basalt Towers
The Tempest’s Spine
Xen’drik’s northeast coast is guarded by the volcanic
Tempest’s Spine - a mountain range known for its chaotic
weather, flowing magma, and dangerous secrets. A
combination of planar influence and storms sweeping off
the Thunder Sea causes the region’s terrible weather. The
rain that falls onto the high peaks feeds the surrounding
rainforest, eventually draining into Dread Lake beyond. In
truth, there are darker reasons for the tempest. It was here,
in a hidden valley within the mountains, that the Qabalrin
practiced their dark arts. When the necromantic elves
were destroyed, the dragons bound the region’s weather in
perpetuity to form the Ring of Storms.

Modern Cities
• Bazek Mohl
• Blackgrove Refuge
nding
Services]
[Sivis Se ea ch - Sharn
Ancient Kingdoms tashk
- Stormr
• The Cul’sir Empire
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• Grand Ju’qata orgr av
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• The Sul’at League amid. e nigh
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atched
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Adventure Locations st not
• The Claw of Vulkoor They mu
• Forget-Me-Dot’s
• The Lake of Solace
• Wen-Damji, the Walking Forest

Factions of Note
• The Battalion of Basalt Towers
• The Green Watcher, Zartarxis
• Ketheptis, the One-Eyed Crone
• The Guardians of Rushemé
• The Torch of Progress

The Valley of Shadows

The shunned heartland of the Sul’at League is drenched
in ash and cinders. The Fangs of Argarak erupt tirelessly,
belching smoke and tephra into the air, which plunges
the valley into twilight. Despite the ashen ground, forests
of radiant trees grow around the lava flows - a remnant
of Sul’at magebreeding. The Valley itself has a fearsome
reputation. The destruction wrought by the dragons on
the intricate artifice of the Sul’at was catastrophic. Hundreds
of powerful elementals were freed in a chain reaction that
laid waste to the land. They sundered the earth, causing the
volcanic activity that marks the area to this day. On top of
that, magebred war-beasts released by the Shattering still

CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES & ENEMIES

INTRODUCTION
11
 Meanwhile, to the east, the crackling citadel of Genesine
sought to harness the region’s chaos. The dragons laid waste
to the city, tearing open a rift to the plane of Kythri that
unpredictably transmuted much of the city. Beneath the
mountains, bound in stone and magic wards, lie countless
fiends from the Age of Demons. As the chaos above grows
and the colony of Zantashk seeks to plunder the Spine, their
days of waiting might just be over.
Modern Cities
• Zantashk
Ancient Kingdoms
• The Genesis Twins
• The Qabalrin
Adventure Locations
• Court of Cinders
• Darkfire Crater
• “Naphrad” (Colossus WX-12)
• New Zolanberg
Factions of Note
• The Dragonmarked Houses
• Cyl-Maaldrake, the Fangs of Fury
• Trothurkear Dragonborn
Dread Lake
The inland sea of Dread Lake lies at the heart of the eastern
woodland. Storms sweeping in from the east hit the
mountains of central Xen’drik, forming rain which drenches
the land. To the north, ash from the Tempest’s Spine shades
the sun, while lava flows give rise to steam and fog. This is
a cool land of mist, oak, and subtle threats. On the lakefront
itself lies the fae city of Shae Fir, now a silken ruin of spidery
fiends. From here, the twisted titan Queen Cono’mae plots
to unleash the Spinner of Shadows from beneath the lake. To
the west, the ruins of Grand Ju’qata still burn like righteous
cinders. In Bazek Mohl, the remnants of the Torch of
Progress keep watch over the darkling woods, spreading the
light of the Silver Flame through Xen’drik.
The Bluespine Peaks
The Bluespine Peaks, named for their sapphire glaciers, run
from the Valley of Shadows to the Everice on Xen’drik’s
eastern side. The mountain range serves as a natural barrier
against the storms sweeping off the Dark Sea, earning the
southern peaks their name as the Thunderwall. Those storms
lash the mountains, turning the lands to the southeast of the
range into a harsh and foreboding tundra divided by glacial
rivers. They also provide cover for the dragon-hunting
Banor’drakai, who have built their main stronghold here.
To the west of the Peaks, the calm beauty of the Iceflow
Sea is maintained by the polar spirit Raiarin. The land
spirit, revered by the Rimewalker druids, contributes to the
immense size of the beasts in the region.To the north, the
tundra merges into boreal pine, and then the oak forests of
Dread Lake. The Lamannian city of Eshtarnak guards the
boundary between oak and pine - a primal ruin haunted by
magebred creatures of bestial fury.
The city is the domain of the gold dragon Bane-Reth,
whose hunger for power has led him to clash with one of
Xen’drik’s worst villains - the silver dragon Ketheptis the
One-Eyed Crone, who rules a frozen castle high in the
Bluespines themselves. Here, she plots to destroy all of
Xen’drik once more, in vengeance for the pain carved deep
into her twisted soul. Beneath her talons lie giant secrets from
the lost nation of Grand Ju’qata. The forge-city of Daomon
was once carved from the heart of a mountain, and contains
ancient weaponry smithed in the name of the god Omnat’ara.
Ancient Kingdoms Factions of Note
• Esht Primacy • The Banor’drakai
• Grand Ju’qata • The Blood of Kanda
• Rimewalker Druids
Adventure Locations • Ketheptis, the One-Eyed Crone
• Daomon
• Icehowl Plateau
• Raiarin
• The Valley of Cairns

Ancient Kingdoms
• Grand Ju’qata
• The Twilight Court

Adventure Locations
• Lachni of the Mists
• The Court of Cinders

Factions of Note
• The Spinner of Shadows
• The Torch of Progress
• Valaara, the Crawling Queen
• The Court of Cinders

1212
 The Menechtarun search of glory. The fiends of the plane now threaten to break
through into the city, opposed by Unity explorers recovering
A thousand miles of scorched sand covers western Xen’drik. weapons for Riedra.
The Menechtarun is the largest desert on Eberron, taking The antarctic climes of Dowron’s Shield tell a different
close to a month to cross on foot if the heat and wildlife don’t story. Here, the ghostly city of Il’ar sits frozen on the shores
get you first. In the east, the desert is bordered by the of the Iceflow Sea. The Risian city-state holds ethereal beauty
savannahs and mesas of the Wasting Plain. Here, irradiant and ethereal threats; frost giant ghosts whisper below ancient
positive energy blights the land around the ancient city of streets patrolled by Snow Dancer constructs. Beyond, lies
Sohl’aran. The city-state was once known for its medicine the Iceflow Sea. Here, scattered islands are connected by
and healing, but the gifts of Irian have long forsaken it. pack ice. Rimewalker druids keep watch over wintry beasts,
To the south-east, the city of Crux lies in a strictly optimal many of whom travel here to raise their young. At its heart
location. Its flawless buildings are tended to by perfect is a sight from myth - a flying city built in the clouds. Once,
constructs, who defend the city of law from intruders. This nomadic cloud giants traveled across Xen’drik as merchants
was once the city-state of Daanvi, and order reigns supreme and traders. Their gathering over the Iceflow was caught
long after the deaths of its people. in the Shattering, leaving their homes behind like a frozen
Far to the west, the free city of Zja Aqat blisters time and monument. Countless riches are kept in the castles of the
space. The dauntless cyclopes were masters of teleportation; Unveiling, but reaching them is a very different challenge.
they used their gifts to explore the stars, as well as realms
beyond reality itself. Beneath the city, their ‘titan’ slumbers - a Modern Cities Factions of Note
vast consciousness melded from the minds of giants. • Dar Qat • Ikat-takt thri-kreen
Between, is the Menechtarun.The vast dunes hold
• Nektari Lizardfolk
countless secrets, and countless dangers. Entire cities have
Ancient Kingdoms • Rimewalker Druids
been swallowed by the sands of the hourglass. To reach
• Hekaton • Sunheart Druids
them, explorers must contend with high temperatures, sand
• Ix Il’ar • The Unity of Riedra
storms, desert wildlife and the famous crystal wastes. These
• The Unveiling
plains appear to be made of fuchsia-colored ice, but their
deep crystal is anything but. The wastes are highly prized
by the Unity of Riedra, who use goliath laborers to mine Adventure Locations
it in massive blocks. The druids of the Sunheart see the • Kaskylla’s Trove
Riedran incursions as a serious danger. They would have • Pti-tak'chil
no one disturb the desert’s many titan remnants, and react • Taer Laraentys
aggressively to foolish foreign trespassers.

Ancient Kingdoms
• Crux
• Sohl’aran
• Zja Aqat

Adventure Locations
• Asherat
• The Diaphany
• Gran Gol
• Mirhanac’lathk

Factions of Note
• The First Families of the Asherati
• The Githyanki
• The Sunheart Druids
• The Unity of Riedra

The Scimitar Spires

The worn peaks of the Scimitar Spires divide the western
Iceflow Sea from the Sea of Lost Souls, and block the sands
of the Menechtarun from pushing south. Manifest zones to
Shavarath dot the mountains, causing the sounds of clashing
weapons to echo off the stone. To the north, the Riedran
bastion of Dar Qat is the Unity’s stronghold in Xen’drik.
From here, the Inspired direct efforts to mine crystal wastes,
secure dragonshards, and explore the lost history of the quori.
To the northeast lies the ancient citadel of Hekaton, home to
many-armed warrior giants who raided Shavarath itself in

CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES & ENEMIES

INTRODUCTION
13
 The Planes
This book makes extensive reference to Eberron’s outer
planes, which defined many of the giant empires in history.
Detailed information on the 13 planes; including their
properties, layers, and residents, can be found in Exploring
Eberron. The following is a summary of the planes and their
nature as a quick reference guide.
Manifest Zones
A manifest zone is a region where one (or rarely multiple)
planes draw close to the Material Plane, causing elements
of that plane to bleed through. Typically, this results in one
of the properties of that plane imposing itself in a specific
region. A Risian manifest zone might be unnaturally cold
at all times, or preserve food from decay, while a Syranian
zone might foster peace, or allow creatures to understand
all spoken languages. The planar influence often affects
creatures living there, and mortals are far more likely to be
born as planetouched while in or near a zone. Dal Quor is the
only plane that no longer has any manifest zones. Instead, the
regions where they were once located are sometimes… a bit
wrong, and are referred to as Dreamblights (p.54).
Manifest zones can be extremely valuable due to their
effects, and many major cities (in both Xen’drik and beyond)
are built within them. Most famously, the city of Sharn lies
within a Syranian manifest zone, which empowers flight
magic, and enables its towers to reach such grand heights.
The Planes of Eberron
Daanvi, the Perfect Order
Order & Law - Daanvi represents all forms of
law and order, from planar prisons, to travel
hubs, to vast archives of information on every
being to have ever lived. It is populated by
neutral constructs such as modrons, just angels who represent
the benefits of law and justice, and tyrannical devils who bend
those laws to the limits.
Dal Quor, the Region of Dreams
Dreams & Nightmares - The Region of
Dreams is permanently cut off from the
Material Plane after the activation of the
Moonbreaker. While beings can no longer
physically travel between them, all it takes to see Dal Quor
is to close one’s eyes. Sleeping creatures form isolated
‘dream bubbles’ in the plane, which float in a sea of morphic
imagination. Around them swim figments, bizarre nightmare
creatures, and the plane’s most infamous inhabitants - the
dream demons known as the quori.
Uniquely, the theme of the entirety of Dal Quor has
changed at least twice in history. These events, known as the
Turning of the Age, ‘reset’ the plane back to a fresh start. The
last time this happened was when the Moonbreaker was fired
40,000 years ago, and the current quori have no memory
of the plane before that time. Accordingly, they are
desperate to secure their own existence before the
current nightmare ends for good.
1414
Dolurrh, the Realm of the Dead
Memory & The Dead - The Queen of the
Dead rules over Dolurrh - not the afterlife,
but the machinery that many believe sends
souls somewhere beyond. Dolurrh is not evil
or punishing, but a melancholic neutrality. Souls (and living
creatures) that end up here gradually fade away, with the
plane’s layers containing endless dead waiting to move on.
Several powerful immortals assist the Queen in this duty,
from the Librarian and his library of memories, to the Smith
of Souls who smelts the cast-off remnants of the dead into
magic items.
Fernia, the Sea of Fire
Industry, Fire & Passion - Fernia is not the
‘plane of fire’, but the plane of everything that
fire represents. Angels of the hearth, love,
and comfort rule ‘campfire’ layers, in opposition to fiends
of destructive burning, hatred, and obsession. Between, the
efreet rule over grand palaces bedecked in wealth and excess,
which rise from the endless lava and ash. Deep within the
earth, the fires of industry burn. The dao are incarnations of
artisanry, and specialize in smithing items of incomparable
quality in the deepest reaches of the plane.
Irian, the Eternal Dawn
Life, Light, & Creation - The layers of Irian
represent positivity, joy, and endless creation.
Powerful celestials known as Architects oversee
the plane, creating new fragments of reality
to replace those consumed by Mabar. Darkness cannot exist
within the Eternal Dawn, and all healing is empowered by the
positive energy suffusing the plane. Irian is hard to reach, but
its layers can be a blessing. The celestials within can embody
everything from progress to healing and restoration.
Kythri, the Churning Chaos
Chaos & Change - The infinite catastrophe of
Kythri is the counterpart to Daanvi - nothing is
permanent, and everything is in flux. Floating
islands and broken pieces of existence hover in
the churning void, as the elements shift and explode through
the sky. The life within Kythri is similarly chaotic. Chimeras,
mimics, and shifting animals call it home, while dangerous
paraelementals collide and fulminate. Kythri is also home to
the infamous slaadi, who change moods on a whim, forming
entire kingdoms over the course of a day only to fall over an
argument about the best type of hat to wear.
Lamannia, the Twilight Forest
Nature & the Elements - Lamannia is nature,
and nature is defined by Lamannia. Beasts
roam the endless forests, infinite oceans and
plunging caverns of the plane - and ‘beasts’
can mean megafauna of incalculable size. The plane (as with
nature itself) is entirely neutral. The only laws are the laws of
the wild. In some layers, elementals represent the power of
nature; a fire elemental burns, while a water elemental flows -
and elder tempests churn the sky into terrifying hurricanes.
CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES
INTRODUCTION
& ENEMIES
We looked beyond, and saw infinity in
the planes. How intoxicating, to claim
that infinity as your own. We realised
too late that the planes took offense at
our petty rule. I claimed Risia -
and one day Risia will claim me.
Mabar, the Endless Night
Death, Darkness & Destruction - Mabar
is the end - the plane of entropy, finality, and
despair. As the counterpart to Irian, Mabar
consumes fragments of reality, unmaking them
with an endless hunger. Terrifying immortals known as the
Dark Powers make deals with mortals for souls, laying claim
to them for eternity as undead. An undead created by Mabar
has their mortal mind consumed by the plane’s hunger,
gradually becoming an emotionless husk that seeks only to
consume and destroy.
Risia, the Plane of Ice
Stability, Preservation & Ice - In Risia, all is
still, and the silence is eternal. While nominally
the Plane of Ice, Risia represents something
more fundamental - the eternity of stagnation
and preservation, where nothing ever changes. Those who
seek to disrupt that stasis are hunted by incarnations of the
plane’s wrath. Creatures cannot die easily in Risia; instead,
they are simply swallowed by ice and amber, preserved
forever to prevent their decay. Notably, the titan Il’ara lives in
Risia with her disparate frost giant kin. For 40,000 years she
has waited, staving off both boredom and madness. Time will
tell if she is planning her return.
Shavarath, the Endless Battle
War & Good vs Evil - War. What is it good
for? For the angels and fiends of Shavarath,
everything. The Eternal Battleground is the
incarnation of the war between good and evil
on a cosmic scale, and every aspect of conflict is represented.
Legions of immortals clash through ruined cities, blasted
battlegrounds, and bloodstained oceans, sorted into legions
based on their philosophy. The plane actually has weapons
and technology not found (or even functional) in the Material
Plane, but returning alive with them is a serious challenge.
CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES & ENEMIES
INTRODUCTION
Syrania, the Azure Sky
Peace, Commerce and Knowledge - The
open sky of Syrania is marked by interplanar
markets and floating libraries. Here, angelic
incarnations of knowledge - the Thrones
and Dominions - spend eternity studying their domains.
Meanwhile, in the Immeasurable Market, creatures from
across the planes come to trade and barter. Souls, weapons,
knowledge, and artifacts can all be found for sale, but the
prices are just as varied. Those seeking forgotten lore might
be able to find it if they can find the right angel, but who
knows what they might ask for in return.
Thelanis, the Faerie Court
Myth, Legend & the Fae - Thelanis -
sometimes referred to as ‘the Feywild’ - is the
realm of myth and legend. Archfey embodying
the stories and tales told across the world
play out their roles, served by a ‘supporting cast’ of fey. In
the heart of the plane, the feyspire cities of the Moonlit
Vale move between Thelanis and the Material Plane as the
story demands.
Xoriat, the Realm of Madness
Insanity, Creativity & Inspiration - If
Lamannia is the plane of the natural, Xoriat
is the plane of the alien. Often named the
Realm of Madness for its effect on mortal
minds, Xoriat is in truth the plane of the impossible and the
novel, where all the laws of reality are merely afterthoughts.
Through Xoriat, one can travel forwards and backwards
in time, or even to alternate realities entirely, but doing so
and remaining unscathed is a legendary challenge. Bizarre
aberrations - some of them sentient and friendly - populate
its endless layers, in which thoughts might have
solid weight, or gravity might scream with the
color purple.
15
 Xen’drik
Timeline
At the dawn of time, Xen’drik was ruled by powerful
archfiends known as the Overlords, who crushed all mortals
beneath their tyranny. Ancient champions rose up to fight
with the dragons against these Overlords, wielding primal
power as the first titans. Eventually, they succeeded and
sealed them beneath the land. In time, the dragons and
giants explored their hard-won freedoms. The dragons, with
their innate magic, gifted their knowledge of arcana to the
giants, who used ‘Ouralon’s Gift’ to build empires, creating
epic works of magic that have never been seen since. The
most powerful city-states drew on the planes, harnessing
these realms’ secrets for political strength and prestige. One
empire - the Cul’sir - was autocratic and expansionist. They
leveraged the power of Dal Quor, the plane of dreams, to
conquer surrounding nations and enslave the first elves after
destroying their fey home. Each giant city-state gave rise to
a titan to oppose them - a leader of immense power seen as
a figure blessed by the gods. The titans were typically arcane
revolutionaries and experts, with enough power to act as a
deterrent against attack by other nations.
Nightmare Cataclysm. In time, due to an unknown
cause, the beings of the plane of dreams invaded the Material
Plane. These quori created the first warforged as soldiers, and
warred against the nations of northern Xen’drik for survival.
Unable to defeat an army of immortals, the Sul’at League and
Cul’sir Empire collaborated to create an ultra-weapon capable
of ending the war for good - the Moonbreaker. The titan
Cul’sir commanded it to be used, destroying the moon Crya,
and permanently severing the link between Dal Quor and
the Material Plane. The backlash was devastating, causing
entire regions of the continent to collapse, and destroying
the basis for Cul’sir’s power. Their elven slaves grasped
the opportunity, fighting a guerilla rebellion against their
giant masters in a heroic battle for freedom. Unwilling to be
defeated, the Cul’sir readied themselves to lay waste to the
elves in a single act of destruction, and doomed themselves
in the process. Unwilling to let the giants damage reality
any further, the dragons of Argonnessen descended on
the continent, annihilating the giant nations of Xen’drik
in a unilateral destruction known as the Shattering. They
laid waste to the nations with magic and claw, then cursed
the land with epic spells to prevent the giants from ever
regaining their former power.
A New Age. That was 40,000 years ago. Countless
kingdoms have risen and fallen in that time, but now
Xen’drik faces a new threat. The colonial powers of
Khorvaire and Sarlona have long coveted the ancient secrets
of Xen’drik, and have arrived in force to plunder them. Their
ignorance has dire consequences, and might awaken dire
powers beneath the land. This is the Age of Hunters
- and the perfect time for adventurers to make
their mark. The following is a deeper dive into the
different Ages of Xen'drik.
1616
??? - The Age of Demons
• The Overlord Sakinnirot, the Scar that Abides, rules
Xen’drik without peer. His influence causes endless
violence between its people, as the smallest slights
fester into brutal violence. The infighting is spurred
on by his fiends, preventing any hope of alliance
or rebellion. Other Overlords cannot threaten it
easily; Sakinnirot is the last-born of Khyber, and any
attacks against it merely give it a reason for revenge,
empowering it further.
• The Overlord Kharna Rayva installs herself as
Sakinnirot’s “Queen”, nominally bestowing her
territory to the Scar. In truth, the archfiend’s charm
merely allows it to rule the volcanic heartland of
Xen’drik - a calculated move to retain power while
avoiding Sakinnirot’s wrath.
• The Overlord Zel Erakhni, unable to match the
power of the Scar, lies hidden within the dark forests
of eastern Xen’drik, eking out a small kingdom in
the shadows.
• The Overlord known only as the Lurker in Shadows
rules the Thunder Sea, with the aid of its aboleth
children and other chthonic horrors.
• The people of Xen’drik (including the giants) are their
playthings and servants, until the Draconic Prophecy is
discovered by the dragon Ourelonastrix and the couatl
Hezcalipa. The armies of the Sovereigns, using the
Draconic Prophecy, successively bind the Overlords
of Xen’drik. They are joined by the giants and other
people of the continent. The giants are led by primal
champions, who channel the power of Eberron to
grow in size and gain elemental strength - the titans
of antiquity.
Why does this matter?
• Each of the Overlords is bound at the heart of their
former kingdom. Their influence has touched the land
and corrupted mortal souls ever since their binding.
Their unbinding is a new apocalypse.
• The first champions formed a cultural legend that
echoed through giant history, inspiring the giants to
become touched by the elements… and inspiring the
later titans to take up the mantle.
• The followers of the couatl have kept watch over the
Overlords ever since the Age of Demons ended. Their
heartland in Xen’drik is the city of Bazek Mohl - a relic
built from divine songsilver, and the last stand against
the forces of darkness.
-100,000 YK - The Age of Rushemé
• With the last Overlord bound, the people of Xen’drik
are free to make their own destinies. The giants,
holding both a dislike for arcane magic as wielded by
the fiends, and enduring respect for the primal titan
champions of old, begin worshiping Rushemé - the
natural world-soul of Xen’drik.
• The first giant druid-lords rise, learning to harness
primal magic after seeking wisdom from the spirits of
the land. The most powerful druid-lord rules the city
of Eshtarnak, built beneath the bones of an immense
CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES
INTRODUCTION
& ENEMIES
 behemoth that broke through the planar boundary
of Lamannia.
• The land begins to heal after the damage from the Age
of Demons, aided by the primal magic of the giants,
while the Torch of Progress begins roaming across the
land to keep a tight watch on the bound Overlords.
• The first druid circles form around powerful spirits of
the land such as Kwinharin and Raiarin.
Why does this matter?
• The druidic roots of the giants have persisted through
to the modern age, and bloomed again after the arcane
horrors of the last titans. The Guardians of Rushemé
maintain the faith of the first druid-lords, and use it to
protect the continent from harm.
• Many of the modern druid circles have origins linked
to this first age, and have cultures based around the
land spirits they revere.
• The Lamannian city-state of Eshtarnak’s druidic past
meant that it resisted the abandonment of primal
magic triggered by the dragons; instead, it combined
arcane magic and its druidic traditions to form a
unique culture in the far south-east of the continent,
which is still upheld by nearby goliath clans.
-80,000YK - The Age of Hunger
• Having formed a society in Argonnessen, the first
dragon explorers and sages make contact with the
giants. They spread both their arcane knowledge
and religion, syncretizing the giant champions as
embodying the Sovereign Host - an event known as
‘Aureon’s Gift’. Different societies begin exploring
the potential of arcane magic using the tools at their
disposal - most notably Siberys dragonshards and
manifest zones to the planes.
• The First Titan, Emperor Cul’sir, transcends his
mortal bonds to become a god-king of immense
power. He takes swift control of the city of Cord’ran,
crushing any resistance, and renames it in his image
to Cul’sirran. With the aid of powerful oneiromancy
and the properties of Dal Quor, Cul’sirran begins
aggressively expanding, conquering nearby giants and
subjugating smaller humanoids.
• In response to the threat, the Fire Prince Adaxus is
seduced by power to form a pact with the Overlord
Kharna Rayva, becoming the first fire giant. He
rapidly conquers the city of Ram’kanek, threatening
surrounding city-states with disastrous power.
Under his command, this Sul’at (‘Firebound’)
League mobilizes, entering into a war against the
northern Cul’sir.
• Cul’sir and Adaxus war against each other, finally
meeting in battle. The results are cataclysmic. In
response, the Cul’sir Empire becomes increasingly
authoritarian, dividing into a brutal caste system.
In contrast, the Fire Prince becomes consumed
by a fiendish hunger for power. Before he can be
fully converted into an avatar of Kharna Rayva, six
adventurers defeat and bind him beneath the city of
Morsa Khai. Five immediately assume power to avoid
the collapse of the League, becoming the Luminaries.
They reform it into a culture of unity and scientific
CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES & ENEMIES
INTRODUCTION
progress, declaring the League neutral. The sixth,
rejecting their ideals, unites the eastern cities under the
banner of freedom and joy, forming Grand Ju’qata.
• To the south, the free nations scramble to match
the power on display to the north. Laying claim to
different planes in pursuit of power, they each give rise
to their own titans as a deterrent against war. Those
who do not are consumed by their neighbors.
• The chaos is ended by the Fulcrum of Crux, who
summons 11 of his titan peers to the city in a historic
move. There, they signed the Endecimal Treaty* - a
competitive alliance that united them against the
threat of a Cul’sir invasion. This marked the birth
of the Group of Eleven, and the true start of the
Age of Titans.
Why does this matter?
• The ramifications of Cul’sir’s ascension shaped the
entire course of the Age of Giants, driving other
nations to create their own titans to match his power.
Those that did, prospered. Those that did not were
consumed. The nations born from this crucible
became major powers, and their remnants and relics
shape the course of history in Xen’drik to this day.
• Prince Adaxus is an avatar of the Overlord Karna
Rayva, bound beneath the Valley of Shadows. His
hunger and fury are unending. Should the Hellfire
Prince be released, he will not stop until he rules the
continent in a tide of flame.
• Aureon’s Gift marked a major change in the religion of
the giants. The dragons brought magic, but they also
brought their religion, and it served the titans well to
claim that they were blessed by the Sovereigns. As a
result, other groups such as druid circles and the Torch
of Progress are sidelined, becoming fringe beliefs.
-75,000YK - The Age of Titans
• The Cul’sir sack the feyspire of Shae Tirias Tolai,
capturing the city’s eladrin and converting them
permanently into the first mortal elves.
• The Oracle of Stone is exiled from Karrakos
for the perceived betrayal of her allies
in the feyspire, and finds refuge in
Sthanadiv in Sarlona.
17
 • The Twilight Court erupts into civil war, divided on
their stance towards Shae Tirias Tolai. The faction of
the Fabled King, allied with Thelanis and outraged at
the murder of their leader, defeats the faction of the
Fabled Queen Cono’mae. Her followers are exiled into
Khyber, becoming the archfey-cursed fomorians, who
found the city of Vralkast. Queen Cono’mae herself
becomes the prakhutu of the Spinner of Shadows.
• The Qabalrin are all but annihilated by the fall of the
Heart of Siberys. Their final act is to bind their souls
together into the Umbra. The dragons seal the Umbra
within the Heart, cloak the Ring of Storms in its
namesake tempest, and post dragonborn guardians to
keep watch. A few refugees find their way to the free
elven clans such as the Elorrenthi and Shol, bringing
their necromantic knowledge with them. Eventually,
this will lay the foundation for modern Aereni culture.
• The borders of the Group of Eleven, Sul’at League, and
Cul’sir Empire continue to expand, growing until their
size and power act as a promise of mutual destruction.
• The giants reach the pinnacle of planar magic, weaving
epic rituals and enchantments to enact fearsome and
wondrous feats of magic.
Why does this matter?
• The sacking of the City of Silver and Bone created
the mortal elves, and destroyed Eberron’s concept of
psychopomps. No figure remains to shepherd the dead
to the afterlife, leading to Dolurrh’s modern ‘bleak
neutrality’. Meanwhile, the loss of their immortality
became a generational grief in the heart of every elf,
shaping their culture and obsession and death from the
very beginning. Their enslavement by the Cul’sir is a
period of utter strife.
• The Qabalrin created the first vampires, and were
masters of necromancy and other dark magic. Their
refugees not only led to the necromantic societies of
Aerenal and Farlnen, but also led to the rise of the
Mark of Death, and the eventual birth of Erandis Vol,
bearer of the Apex Dragonmark. In addition, some
of the ancient vampires lie sealed beneath Xen’drik
to this day.
• The Oracle of Stone still resides in the land now
named Adar, seeking atonement for her mistakes - a
living relic of the Age of Giants.
• The magic of the giants is powerful enough to echo
in the modern age, disrupting the natural ecosystems
of Xen’drik. Their ruins remain, as a result, too
dangerous and potent to erase for good.
-40,000YK - The Dream War
• The quori reach a tipping point due to unknown
events; perhaps they discover evidence of the Turning
of the Age, or believe that the actions of the Cul’sir are
changing the very nature of Dal Quor. They invade
Xen’drik en masse through the southern Skyfall
Peninsula, establishing fortresses in Dal Quor manifest
zones to secure their advance.
• The quori build permanent planar gates and
Creation Forges to fuel the war effort, experimenting
1818
with warforged as soldiers - and eventually, as
containers for the quori to last through the Turning.
• Caught off-guard, the Cul’sir Dominion and Sul’at
League struggle to adapt to these immortal threats.
The Cul’sir find the quori naturally immune to much
of their oneiromantic magic, putting them on the back
foot. Their initial losses are heavy and embarrassing.
• As the war ripples out across Xen’drik, the Cul’sir and
Sul’at League collaborate on weapons to deal with the
endless threat. The Cul’sir draw on forbidden arcana
derived from Qabalrin techniques - sacrificial blood
magic using their lower castes as fuel.
• Their final work is the League’s completion of the
Moonbreaker. Emperor Cul’sir activates it without a
moment of hesitation. The result is the destruction or
disappearance of the moon Crya, and the permanent
sundering of the link between Dal Quor and the
Material Plane. The quori are unilaterally pulled back
into the plane, which undergoes the Turning of the
Age. The only exceptions are those few quori who
managed to secure themselves within Docents in time.
• The arcane backlash of the Moonbreaker sunders the
continent. Vast regions of what is now the Skyfall
Peninsula collapse into the sea, while the fundamental
arcana of the Cul’sir Empire is permanently destroyed,
leveling much of their infrastructure. The psychic
echoes of the event wreak havoc across Xen’drik for
centuries to come.
Why does this matter?
• Quori remnants can be found across Xen’drik to this
day. Some have laid the foundation for the history of
Khorvaire, inspiring House Cannith’s Creation Forges
and the modern warforged.
• The firing of the Moonbreaker is the direct cause of
the modern Dreaming Dark, as well as the Sundering
of Sarlona and the new Unity of Riedra.
• The backlash of the Moonbreaker also changed the
face of Xen’drik, altering its entire geography - and
potentially creating some of the epic ‘curses’ laid on
the continent.
-39,000YK - The Elven Rebellion
• The Sul’at League and Cul’sir Dominion, crippled as
they are by the damage from both the Dream War and
the Moonbreaker, become vulnerable. Their oppressed
elven slaves rise up and seize their chance for freedom.
In tandem with those elven clans who had escaped into
the wilds, they begin a guerilla campaign against the
giant nations that enslaved them.
• Vadallia, Queen of Swords, unites the scattered elven
clans and the Gyrderi, bringing them to the same table
to combine their efforts to free their people.
• In response to the threat, the Sul’at League begins
efforts to transmute elven slaves into a living
countermeasure. The drow, touched by the planes, are
the result. At first, the drow act as nocturnal hunters of
their elven kin. Contact with the elves and the tumult
of war lead to many switching sides, turning on their
giant masters in a bid for freedom.
• Emperor Cul’sir begins preparations for a final
effort to defeat the elves - something so unilaterally
CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES
INTRODUCTION
& ENEMIES
 devastating that it forces Argonnessen into
immediate action.
• Led by the visions of the prophet Aeren, the elves flee
Xen’drik, heading to a land to the east that holds their
future. The journey is brutal; Aeren passes before
they can reach their new home, which the elves name
in their honor. The wizard Cardaen remains behind,
driven by the death of his savior Vadallia. He vows to
slay Cul’sir to ensure the elves can be free. Both he and
Cul’sir are never heard of again.
• As the elves leave, the first of the dragonflights arrive.
There is no warning. There is no negotiation. They
target giant cities, razing them to ashes in a hail of
dragonfire and cataclysmic spells. The fallout of
breaking enchantments and destroyed artifice adds to
the damage. Some few giants, notably the frost giants
led the titan Il’ara, escape into the planes. Others live as
refugees in the wilds. Amid the burning dust of their
failure, the dragons weave epic curses spanning the
continent, and return to Argonnessen changed forever
by the price paid.
Why does this matter?
• The events of the Rebellion shaped the cultures of
Aerenal. Its heroes and warriors led to the birth of the
Tairnadal, while the reverence for their actions and
horror at the loss of life led to the formation of the
Undying Court. Different elven clans also maintain
skills first developed during the Rebellion, most
notably the Phiarlan, who acted as messengers and
bards at the time.
• The Shattering touches every part of Xen’drik in
the modern era. The event marked the strict end of
draconic teaching for other races, the fall of the giants,
and the start of the powerful curses that grip Xen’drik
to this day.
• The range of drow viewpoints towards the giants
lead to the wide array of modern cultures. Some claim
inherited giant techniques as their birthright; others
scorn everything to do with them.
Why does this matter?
CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES & ENEMIES
INTRODUCTION
-38,000YK - The Broken Age
• Some giants flee their broken homeland, migrating to
Sarlona. They find refuge in Syrkarn, Adar, and the
Tashana Tundra.
• The Ten Watchers are established - at first, a
prestigious and noble post.
• The Súlatar drow begin reclaiming the ancient cities
of the Sul’at League and Grand Ju’qata, working over
centuries to neutralize their threats.
• With the assistance of the Na’qalla drow and
Guardians of Rushemé, the Verdant Path spearhead
methods to repair the horrific damage to the land
caused by the Shattering. Over thousands of years,
they restore hundreds of miles of forest, bringing
Xen’drik to its current form.
• The Madness of Crowds causes the collapse of the
dragonborn empire around the Ring of Storms,
dividing their broken clans. In the following thousands
of years, countless kingdoms and cities rise and fall to
the draconic curse.
• The sahuagin Sha'argon's Kingdom rises in the
Thunder Sea after driving off remnant storm giants,
then falls to an assault by an alliance of 5 krakens.
• Thri-kreen begin reclaiming the ruins of the Cul’sir
Empire, perhaps drawn there due to their connection
with Dal Quor. In time, they reach technological
heights that they have never reached since (perhaps
purposefully). Their empire is destroyed by the release
of the Overlord Sakinnirot, who razes their nation,
seeing it as an insult to the kingdom he once ruled.
The Years of Agony mark the struggle to rebind the
archfiend, who is eventually defeated by the united
efforts of the Guardians of Rushemé, the Scriveners of
the Sky, the thri-kreen remnants, and Aqatar Tilxin - a
legendary monk of the Torch of Progress.
• The wizard-king Addis-Ro seeks to reclaim the legacy
of Adaxus, wielding the power of Kharna Rayva and
forming a kingdom in central Xen’drik. He constructs
the Pyramid of Ebon Flame, and attempts a horrific
sacrificial ritual to sunder the earth, opening a burning
portal to the heart demiplane of Kharna Rayva. His
efforts are stopped by the Ten Watchers and a party
of adventurers, who bind the giant, before throwing
him into the portal. The remnants of his servants later
form the Battalion of Basalt Towers.
-5000YK - The first merfolk arrive from Lamannia, and
begin establishing themselves in the Thunder Sea.
-3500YK - The nascent Eternal Dominion of sahuagin
begins warring against the surrounding locathah
kingdoms, drawing on the immense kar’lassa to
provide the materials for their biomancy.
-2000YK - Gnomes fleeing the foundation of the Trust in
the newborn nation of Zilargo briefly form the colony
of New Zolanberg, then disappear soon after.
• Goliath cultures in Sarlona and Khorvaire still
follow the religious practices of the past, with
their beliefs spreading to other cultures,
including the eneko.
• The fall of the giants set the drow free,
allowing them to spread across
19
 Xen’drik and form their diverse variety of cultures in 935YK - The Star Pilgrims form, based in the fortress of
the modern day. the Parhelion Altar.
• The thri-kreen - once in a similar position - are far 950YK - Stormreach comes under assault from the
more scattered after their rise and fall to Sakinnirot, Battalion of Basalt Towers, who use the core of a
leaving mysterious evidence of their former heights in Grand Pyroclast* cannon recovered from the Sul’at
modern Stormreach. League to bombard the city with meteor strikes*. A
• The Ten Watchers hold a massive influence over combined assault from the Guardians of Rushemé,
modern Xen’drik, warding off interest in the most the city forces, a small cadre of Silaes Tairn, and some
dangerous ruins. However, the prestige of their plucky adventurers manage to drive them off, disabling
role has fallen dramatically, and the dragons now the device (which has since gone missing).
range from still-virtuous wardens to petty and 955YK - The forward outpost of Zantashk is established by
dangerous tyrants. House Tharashk in Tempest Bay.
• The Madness of Crowds has caused the fall of any 960YK - Aaren d’Cannith becomes inspired after an
number of civilisations across Xen’drik, all of which expedition leads to contact with quorforged remnants.
may have left legacies behind, allowing for GM He uses what he has learned to form the first modern
justification to place whichever ruins they wish. warforged, which are unexpectedly both alive
• The Eternal Dominion is the dominant power of the and sentient.
Thunder Sea, and a sleeping giant that should never be 998YK - The standard time for Eberron
woken. Should the sahuagin decide to invade southern adventures to begin.
Khorvaire or wipe Stormreach off the map, they
are perfectly capable - and held back mainly by their Why does this matter?
disdain for the ‘dryskins’ as poor prey. • The arrival of Khorvairan and Sarlonan interests has
begun a new chapter in Xen’drik’s history, with their
-1000YK - The Age of Hunters drive for knowledge and riches clashing with the needs
of the continent’s people.
-500YK - The rogue dragon Zharykastrac assaults Kul • The technology taken from Xen’drik has massively
Lerek, scarring the city before plummeting into altered the course of technological advancement in
the Iceflow Sea after a protracted battle with the Khorvaire, revolutionizing travel and warfare.
Zephyr Guard. • The cities of Dar Qat and Stormreach are opposing
-200YK - The yuan-ti, having been driven out of Sarlona centers for exploration and the harvesting (or
and Argonnessen, arrive in Xen’drik. They divide into exploitation) of Xen’drik’s natural resources. Both are
those wishing to live in peaceful solitude and those poised to disturb ancient powers best left undisturbed.
who burn with injustice and revenge, forming the
Ssejirthos and Kuriklaraess, respectively.
200YK - Riedran expeditionaries establish the colony of
Dar Qat. The increasing traffic to the city draws the
attention of Khorvairan pirates, who begin pillaging
Unity ships.
600YK - Pirates settle the ruins of Cul’sirran, using it as a
safe harbor from which to attack Riedran ships.
660YK - A clan of the Trothurkear dragonborn is
corrupted by the daelkyr Valaara, becoming the
horrific Veschikothar. They are slain and driven away,
their name struck from history.
790YK - Zil explorers steal the concept of elemental
binding from the Súlatar drow. They adapt what they
have learned into a derivative technique, and begin
exploring the possibilities of this new technology.
800YK - The city of Stormreach is formally recognised
by the Kingdom of Galifar. The four most influential
pirates are named the Storm Lords, with a fifth Storm
Lord appointed by Galifar to act as a liaison and keep
them in check. Hopefully.
875YK - Rais i Jalmar takes on the position of Skymatron
of Kul Lerek.
880YK - Kyravia the Cinderheart reforms the Battalion of
Basalt Towers, and begins recruiting fire giants under
the banner of Prince Adaxus.
920YK - House Cannith begins sending expeditions into
the Xen’drik interior. Successive expeditions analyze
and recover quori technology and giant schemas,
leading to the first derivative Creation Forges.

CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES
INTRODUCTION
& ENEMIES
2020
 CHAPTER 1

GAME MASTER'S TOOLKIT

CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES & ENEMIES

INTRODUCTION
21
 Campaign Tools

T
he following section includes tools,
rules, and examples to assist with creating
and running a Xen’drik campaign. This
ranges from sample campaign briefs
and villain goals, to encounter tables
and example NPCs to assist with session
planning, and highlight the options at a GM’s disposal.

Example Campaign Goals - Short campaign briefs to

highlight the themes that can be explored in Xen’drik.

Example Plot Characters - These character

summaries can be used as inspiration for campaigns. Each is
designed to be a walking plot hook, with lost secrets, dark
schemes, or great promise for the powers that be.

Khorvaire Villains & Xen’drik - Explanations of

how famous villains in Khorvaire might get involved with
Xen’drik, things they might seek, and places they might go.
This is intended to assist with incorporating them into the
continent, or planning arcs away from Khorvaire.

Locations & Themes - Examples of locations in this

book that suit specific campaign themes, ranging from Noir
and Intrigue, to Swashbuckling and Eldritch Horror. This is
intended to help choose locations for specific campaigns.

Name Tables - This short section includes roll tables for

the names of locations, characters, ruins, dungeons, plants
and more for quick reference during play.

Quest Frameworks - These five example quests

highlight the range of themes that can be explored across
Xen'drik, with each located in a different region of the
continent. Every quest can be run as a one-shot session, with
example enemies for different parties, potential rewards, and
options for continuing into full campaign arcs.

• Trader of the Frost Lark - Exorcise a giant soul

from a cursed artifact in the flying city of Kul Lerek.
• Templar of Bloom - Convince a powerful druid
to relent using might or diplomacy, before they
destroy the town of Zantashk in a wave of plant life.
• The Past Blockade - Race through an ancient
giant weapon emplacement to the heart of the flying
fortress, before brutal fire giants can do the same.
• Kingdom of the Crysteel Skull - Psionic
calls for help lead the party to a quori outpost buried
beneath desert sands that holds a dire secret.
• Vial of Ecstasy - The party are tasked with
tracking a gang member back to their Stormreach
hideout, then ending their drug-making
operation for good.

CHAPTER
CHAPTER
1 | GAME4 MASTER'S
| ALLIES & TOOLKIT
ENEMIES
2222
 Example Campaign Goals
When given an entire continent to play with, it can be hard
to choose a simple goal or focus for a campaign. Given that
Xen'drik is far less detailed and explored in canon than
Khorvaire, it can seem like 'raid giant ruins' is really the only
option. These example campaign goals are there to highlight
the potential themes for adventures that this book explores.
This includes world-changing goals (reviving Shae Tirias
Tolai, and repairing the plane of Dal Quor) as well as more
grounded and gritty options (Rising to the top of the Winged
League of merchants, or dooming Stormreach to ruin for
its crimes).
d13 Campaign Goals
Cross the continent from Everice to Stormreach
- The characters were on a trip to explore the Everice
when disaster struck, leaving them stranded far from
1
home. Their chosen route across Xen’drik is up to
them, but they have a continent to cross - and survive.
Undo the Traveler’s Curse - The most infamous
curse on Xen’drik might be the result of broken giant
technology in the desert city of Zja Aqat, a psychic
2 scar from the Moonbreaker, or the result of a draconic
eldritch machine. Finding out how to undo the curse is
a legendary feat, and would help to restore Xen’drik.
Prevent an Overlord’s release - Three different
Overlords are bound in Xen’drik (with a fourth in the
Thunder Sea). Fighting evil cults and uncovering their
schemes is a natural flow for an Overlord-themed
campaign. To prevent the end of the days, the party
3 may have to find insights into the Draconic Prophecy
from the city of Bazek Mohl or another ancient figure,
then retrieve a weapon of legend for the fight ahead.
Few things are as core to the fantasy genre as a group
of chosen heroes fighting the greatest of evils!
Become the top guild of the Winged League - For a
cozy campaign, a party might start from nothing in the
cloud city of Kul Lerek, then grow their business into a
thriving guild. This could mean negotiating trade deals
4 11
across Xen’drik, retrieving treasures to sell, hiring
their staff, and dealing with the machinations of their
rivals. This is a natural way to combine exploration, a
progressing home base, and inter-faction intrigue.
Stop the Madness of Crowds - Stripping Xen’drik of
the Madness of Crowds would allow its people to build
cities and kingdoms without fear - an achievement
that would change the history of the continent.
5 Doing so might require slaying the secret draconic
watcher known as the Apocalypse Trigger, destroying
a powerful eldritch machine, or uniting the wills of
Xen’drik’s major land spirits as one.
End the threat of the One-Eyed Crone - The rogue
dragon Ketheptis is a vile threat to the continent.
She has been amassing forces in the Bluespine Peaks,
and will stop at nothing to wreak havoc on those
6 responsible for her parent’s deaths. The One-Eyed
Crone is an intelligent schemer, and a more ‘grounded’
enemy compared to the fiends or daelkyr. Naturally, a
final fight against a dragon is also a genre staple.
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Save Stormreach from destruction - Khorvaire’s
foothold in the Shattered Continent is always a day
away from doom. Vengeful dragons, sentient druidic
rocs, and marauding fire giants all have good reason
7
to wipe the city off the face of the continent. These
are the least of its worries. The Madness of Crowds
could strike at any moment, while beneath the city, the
Overlord Sakinnirot stirs from its ancient slumber…
Doom Stormreach to destruction - Khorvaire’s
foothold in the continent is always a day away
from doom. Sadly, it hasn’t quite gotten there yet.
Stormreach is a hotbed of crime, colonialism, murder,
8 and greed. It also has a god-like archfiend under it,
empowered by the schemes above. A pretty simple
evil campaign is to serve evil powers, and unite with a
simple goal - to see Stormreach burnt to the ground!
Become the top Lords of the Hunt - Many
dangerous beasts call Xen’drik home, posing a threat
to its people. Many are weird mutants or magebred
horrors created by the giants. The Lords of the
Hunt in Stormreach make it their business to hunt
such creatures - not due to any altruism, but due to
9
revenge, insanity, or obsession. A party of characters
with membership in the Tusk & Talon Lodge might go
on monster-hunting quests across Xen’drik, ascending
through the ranks - but the secrets of the Lords are
best left undisturbed.
Revive the Feyspire of the Dead - Eberron’s
psychopomps are gone, torn from Thelanis to create
the elves. The destruction of their feyspire of Shae
Tirias Tolai has never been undone; the city is dead.
10 The story has ended. Yet, what if the tale was told
anew? A party plucked from death by the Queen of
the Dead in Dolurrh might be given a singular task - to
bring the city-state back from the dead, and resurrect
its archfey. As it turns out, death is just the beginning.
Turn the Age - The quori are desperate to find the
secrets of their past in Xen’drik, especially those of the
Turning of the Age. The greatest information would
be clues to the Moonbreaker. If the doomsday weapon
can be fired again, or even reversed, then the damage
to Dal Quor might be undone. Of course, if it could be
fired again, it could also be aimed somewhere else…
Doom the Umbra - Countless elven undead lie sealed
below the Ring of Storms. These vampires, liches,
and other horrors were once the rules of Shapers of
Night - one of the most powerful factions within the
elves of the Qabalrin. The Qabalrin were destroyed
12 long ago, their souls sealed within a massive Siberys
dragonshard, and yearn for freedom. The party might
find themselves on the trail of a formerly sealed
elven vampire such as the Ecliptic King. Their goal? To
release the Umbra, resurrect the Qabalrin, and doom
Xen’drik to a new age of darkness.
Get rich, or die trying - Countless treasures lie within
13 the ruins of the giant empires. You’ve got a debt or a
dream - what are you waiting for?
23
 Example Plot Characters
The following are example NPCs who can be used as
important characters for the plot of a campaign. Each is
intended to be a walking plot hook, with ancient knowledge,
dark purpose, or the will to change the world.
1. Antaegus - Awakened Cul’sir Artificer
2. Iralumin Silversoul - Secret Gravekeeper
3. Lord Serakari - Desperate Chosen
4. Ostrazyn - Qabalrin Vampire
5. Ralphus Ir’Morrin - Crazed Big Game Hunter
6. Thenghorai - The First Kalashtar
7. Toy Three - Lost Fey Relic
8. 'Zirajé Gen'yar'/Entagha - Possessed Adventurer
Antaegus
Awakened Cul'sir Artificer (Antaegus*) (he/him):
Personality: Surprisingly shy and anxious with a
keen intellect.
Ideals: To find allies who can provide stability
and purpose.
Bonds: The Cul’sir Empire - but not its Emperor.
Flaws: A short fuse and dark anger not entirely his own.
The Comatose Chambers beneath Stormreach were once
used by the Cul'sir to imprison political dissidents. Due to
House Kundarak's excavations into the Chambers, a storm
giant artificer named Antaegus was accidentally released.
The giant was imprisoned for defying the orders to end the
Elven Rebellion with catastrophic force, and holds secrets
related to both that event - which caused The Shattering -
and the Moonbreaker. Now lost in a different time, Antaegus
is debating whether he should accept the loss of everything
he knows, or work to restore the Empire that was his home.
In the meantime, he walks invisibly through Stormreach at
night, trying to learn the state of this new world.
Iralumin Silversoul
Fae'drik Priest* of Silver and Bone (he/him):
Personality: Extraordinarily solemn and brooding, with a
heart of gold.
Ideals: To never break an oath or promise, and safeguard
Shae Tirias Tolai until the day they too are welcomed to the
Queen of the Dead’s embrace.
Bonds: The ancient duty of their clan, and the ancestral
story of Shae Tirias Tolai passed down to them through the
generations.
Flaws: The fae’drik is painfully long-winded, and speaks in
dramatic gothic prose at all times.
The ruined feyspire of Shae Tirias Tolai is a fabled ruin - a
story of death and mortal greed in every measure. The
haunted halls of the city contain ancient fey magic, lost
necromancy, and legendary treasures. Many seek to pillage
these secrets, but the Silversoul clan are there to
stop them. The fae’drik have an inherited pact
with Dolurrh’s Queen of the Dead; in exchange
for her blessing, they safeguard the city from
intruders using a combination of illusion
2424
and necromancy. Iralumin - a young heir of the clan - left
on a journey to contact another fae’drik clan. A combination
of spreading news and a loose tongue have caused other
factions to learn of their existence. Now, different figures
are competing to capture them, and force them to reveal the
secret location of the City of Silver and Bone.
Ostrazyn
Despondent Qabalrin Vampire (she/her):
Personality: Ruthlessly cold and logical, tempered by utter
sorrow for what is lost.
Ideals: To find a fellow member of the Qabalrin, and
begin the process of restoring the lost souls of the Qabalrin
from the Umbra.
Bonds: The Shapers of Night, and unexpectedly, the elves
that have lived on past the Age of Giants.
Flaws: Ostrazyn lacks all knowledge about the modern
state of the world, but their approach is archaic and haughty;
they find it hard to give up the Qabalrin attitude of arrogance
and command.
The ancient elven Shapers of Night were sealed away in
warded crypts by their rivals in the Unspoken shortly before
the Qabalrin were destroyed. Ostrazyn was one such Shaper
- one of the first vampires, and a subordinate of the Ecliptic
King. A chance event led to the wards on her coffin breaking,
freeing her after 40,000 years. One of the first things she
learnt was the utter demise of her people. Despondent, but
determined to free them from the Umbra, the vampire now
searches for ways to regain their power whilst battling their
own inner hopelessness at the state of the new world.
Ralphus ir’Morrin
Murderous Lord of the Hunt* (he/him):
Personality: A jovial and blustery mask over a well of
psychopathic addiction to murder.
Ideals: To become the top Lord of the Hunt, no
matter the means.
Bonds: The Lords of the Hunt - his rivals that push him to
greater heights, and give meaning to his existence. Also, aged
Aundairan Blue wine and dreamlily.
Flaws: ir’Morrin is disconnected from reality. He is vain,
arrogant, and obsessed with hunting, to the point he may
fail to remember people’s names several times after meeting
them. This is not helped by the potent narcotics he takes.
Ralphus ir’Morrin, Thane of the (now-destroyed) Cyran
town of Swoz, is an eminent member of Stormreach’s Lords
of the Hunt - a group of obsessed nobles and adrenaline
junkies who go after only the most dangerous of Xen’drik’s
creatures. The noble avoided much of the Last War by
simply leaving Khorvaire altogether, and now spends his days
hunting humanoids outside Stormreach (who are tricked into
going there by him). His infamous pre-hunt ritual involves
taking copious amounts of the drug dreamlily, topped up with
the blood of tilxin birds - a combination that turns him into
an inhuman drugged-up beast. Ralphus has a deep coffer of
questionable gold, taken from Cyre during the war. He uses
this to fund some of the Lords’ comforts in their city lodge.
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 Lord Serakari
Panicking Riedran InspiredERLW (she/her):
Personality: Aloof, arrogant, but deeply scared.
Ideals: To find a new place in a reality that has left her
stranded and alone.
Bonds: Her trapped tsucora quori, Kari.
Flaws: A life of being a puppet has led to a detachment
from events; Serakari expects something to guide her through
difficulties, but that crutch is now gone. Permanently.
The Inspired Lord Serakari is an Inspired no more. A trip
to the western jungles of the Skyfall led them to discover a
Dream Prison* (p.61)... the hard way. After approaching the
statue, Serakari’s tscuora quoriERLW was ripped out of them
and imprisoned in the statue - with the Inspired witnessing
the true appearance of their ‘holy spirit’. Now, entirely free
and disturbingly alone, the Chosen is doing their best to keep
up appearances in Dar Qat. The psionic trauma of the event
has damaged their link to Dal Quor, and it’s uncertain if any
quori can possess them at all. Doubting their mission, their
entire life’s teachings, and the right course of action, Serakari
is inches from fleeing the city at all costs - and might enlist
the help of anyone willing to help them do so.
Thenghorai
Giant Kalashtar (Cul'sir Somnitect*) (They/them):
Personality: Wistful, detached, and dreamy, with a fierce
intuition for artifice.
Ideals: To restore the moon Crya, and cause the Turning
of the Age once more.
Bonds: Their bonded quori, Orai.
Flaws: The nature of their bond means that the giant has
the subtly alien mannerisms of a kalashtar, and can come
across as utterly detached. As a result, they are inscrutable and
hard to read - a situation which doesn’t lend itself to trust.
The giant Thenghorai is the first and last kalashtar of an
age. They were once part of the lower caste of the Cul’sir
Empire, destined to be trodden on so the elite could reach
ever higher. The first wave of the quori assault hit their city
first, with Thenghorai taking up their cause over the corrupt
empire that ruled them. During the Dream War, they helped
to combine the oneiromancy of the Cul’sir with the dream
mastery of the quori, seeking a way to combat the Turning
of the Age. It came too late. When the Dreambreaker fired,
they took a desperate measure to save their closest quori
ally. The giant bound the quori to their soul, saving them
from the Turning of the Age - at a price. Much like an elan,
Thenghorai’s lifespan has been massively extended, and
their innate psionics are powerful. Their mind, however, is
partly submerged in Dal Quor. Now, Thenghorai seeks to
restore Crya and undo the damage of the Moonbreaker, while
fighting the very real nightmares they see around them.
Toy Three
Animated Wooden Puppet WarforgedERLW (they/them):
Personality: Upbeat, because no one likes a sad toy, and
it could be worse! They are also permanently on the brink
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of a major existential crisis about their own continued
existence, with their purpose taken from them when their
city was destroyed.
Ideals: To find someone to love them again, and
hopefully fix the mess in Shae Fir. Or find any purpose,
really. Anything.
Bonds: The lost city of Shae Fir, and their child owner.
Flaws: A naive cluelessness about the state of the world,
and the general concept of danger.
Toy Three is an unusual being. The humanoid-sized puppet
- once owned by a giant child in the city of Shae Fir - is
animated by fey magic. During the Shattering, they fell into
the basement of their house, and passed 40,000 years stuck
under a bit of rubble. After a chance moment of freedom,
Toy Three has emerged to find their city a fiend-haunted
ruin, their loving family long dead, the world a different
place, and their appearance terrifying to many of the people
they’ve encountered. It could be worse. Probably. After all,
they were stuck and now they’re not! Everything’s coming up
Toy Three. Unfortunately, their escape is a small tug on the
threads of fate by Queen Cono'mae, with dire consequences.
Zirajé Gen'yar/Entagha
Giant Ghost Possessing a Drow Adventurer (she/her):
Personality: Imperious, arrogant, and cunning.
Ideals: To regain their own giant body - and giant
arcane power.
Bonds: The Cul’sir Empire, in all its glory.
Flaws: An unfortunate cultural disdain for
small humanoids.
Dreamtouched locations linked to the Cul’sir Empire can
have dissociated giant minds trapped within them. These
psychic remnants were trapped there by the firing of
Moonbreaker, and are generally insane after 400,000 years
of relative time. The most dangerous aren’t. Entagha is one
such case - a bodiless mind who managed to possess a hapless
adventurer. As it turns out, much has changed. They are now
doing their best to puppet the frail body of Zirajé Gen'yar
through the rigors of Blackgrove Refuge, desperately acting
out that nothing has happened - badly.
Further Examples:
• A Banor'drakai dragonhunter who helped to slay the
parents of Ketheptis the One-Eyed Crone.
• A burning Súlatar priest of the Promise Soldiers who
intends to burn Stormreach to the ground.
• A sahuagin malenti who has taken the place of a Storm
Lord in preparation for a Dominion invasion.
• A cloud giant Scrivener of the Sky who has
accidentally unearthed a valuable arcane secret.
• A quori trapped in a DocentERLW now bonded to a
modern warforged.
• A blue-haired dwarf from Risia acting as an advance
scout for the titan Il'ara's return.
• A tiefling of Zel Erakhni born to be prophetically
important, who fled their dark destiny.
• A druid chosen by the land spirit Kwinharin,
who has been infected by Avassh spores.
25
 Khorvaire Villains & Xen’drik
Many villains from Khorvaire have intrinsic reasons to be
interested in Xen’drik and its past. The following section
gives reasons and locations for campaign arcs across the
continent based on the aims of classic Eberron villains.
The Aurum
The gilded fingers of the Aurum can find plenty of
opportunities for profit in the Shattered Continent. The
Dragonmarked Houses have a presence in Xen’drik, but it is
far from their seat of power, and the Storm Lords are good
proof that fortune favors the bold. Members of the Aurum
serve a very vital but useful role in Xen’drik campaigns - as
unscrupulous businessmen with no ethics, understanding, or
respect for the land that they are plundering. As such, they
are the perfect people to be manipulated by greater powers,
and might fund groups competing with the party. Aurum
schemes might include poaching dream serpents and tilxin
birds, raiding ruins, disrupting Dragonmarked ventures,
establishing trade with Xen’drik cultures, installing a puppet
Storm Lord of their own, or recovering dangerous and
unknown technology for a quick buck.
Adventure Locations: Throne Gate Ruins, Gundrak’úl,
Soggin’s Post
City-States: Cul’sir Empire (Dal Quor), Sul’at League,
Crux (Daanvi)
The Daelkyr
The Lords of Madness entered Eberron in Khorvaire,
but after being sealed away in Khyber, their reach has
paradoxically grown larger. Since Khyber does not map
geographically to Eberron, their prison demiplanes can be
close to exits to other continents, creating new problems
for the people of Xen’drik in particular. The most urgent
example is the Umbragen drow, who are under attack from
the forces of Belashyrra. In Xen’drik, the daelkyr and their
servants have much to be interested in, and the following
options highlight how they might be included as foes.
Interestingly, this can result in very different stories to
Khorvaire; the Crawling Queen is waging war on her ‘rival’,
the Overlord Zel Erahkni, while the Bile Lord has begun
working with molten rock in the Valley of Shadows.
Of the following options, only Belashyrra’s Blind War
against the Umbragen is canon, and all of these can be
removed or ignored with little to no consequence. However,
they can provide interesting background to regions of
Xen’drik, providing a sense of ‘ongoing events’ beyond the
actions of the players. It is assumed that the impacts of the
daelkyr on Xen’drik are a very recent thing, in line with
Belashyrra - and the reason for that is completely up to you.
Avassh: The lush forests of the Rainwoods are a jewel
in the eye of the Twister of Roots. The region’s land spirit
embodies verdant plant growth, and the daelkyr would
do anything to corrupt it to its warped vision of
vegetation. Kwinharin (p.260) is powerful, but
Avassh is a true threat; the agents of the daelkyr seek
to seed the region with alien spores, corrupting
the land and its spirit with it. The druids of
2626
the Verdant Path keep a constant vigil for incursions, and do
their best to fight a losing battle in the name of their patron.
Belashyrra: The All-Seer is waging war on the
Umbragen drow beneath Xen’drik. The reason for the
beholderkin assault is entirely unknown; it may be linked
to the emergence of death tyrants from beholders slain by
Umbragen shadow magic. The Umbragen may also be on the
path to a location in Xen’drik that the daelkyr hungers for. An
obvious example would be the city of Crux; here, the cyclopes
built immense scrying facilities to watch over their citizens.
The effect of Belashyrra gaining control of the most advanced
far-sight apparatus in the Material cannot be overstated.
Dyrrn: The Corruptor has little influence in Xen’drik,
tied up as it is with the War Below in the Mror Holds. Some
of the daelkyr’s mortal agents have a minor presence in the
ruined Sul’at city of Tharkgun Dhak (p.244), which partly
subsided into Khyber as a result of the Moonbreaker. Others
have begun seeding cults of yuan-ti and Simeq elves, who
now seek to perfect their fleshwarping techniques.
Kyrzin: The Bile Lord’s artistry in Xen’drik is a stark
example of its themes of consumption and change. Rather
than converting the waters of the Marches into acidic
corruptions, the daelkyr's influence has risen near the
volcanic Valley of Shadows. There, the agents of the Prince of
Slime have begun corrupting the flowing lava of the Fangs of
Argarak, granting it sentience and awful will.
Orlassk: The Lord of Stone’s silent work is far less
aggressive than its peers. Orlassk’s agents are interested in
the silent ruins of Karrakos (p.188), where the stone giants of
Dolurrh carved a thousand ancient graves. There, the medusa
known as the Stonemason is experimenting with animating
ancient petrified giants, bending them to the Still Lord’s
service. Soon, the forces of Orlassk may emerge back into
Droaam, with an army of eldritch stone giants in tow.
Valaara: The Crawling Queen’s obsession with the
Overlord known as the Spinner of Shadows (p.155) is a
danger to the world at large. The alien mind of the daelkyr
sees the Spinner as a ‘rival queen’ - a hive leader to be
destroyed and subsumed at all costs. As such, an insectoid
war is being fought between fiend and aberration beneath
the Valley of Shadows. If the Spinner loses, their bound
avatar may become corrupted by Valaara, and placed under
its control. The results would be catastrophic. As such, the
players might actually be approached by fiends to help, and
paid in power and Prophecy if they can help protect reality.
The Dreaming Dark
In a sense, the Dreaming Dark was born in Xen’drik, and
the history of quori is inextricably tied to the continent. It
was here that the quori of the previous age invaded, hoping
to escape the Turning of Dal Quor, and it was here that the
Moonbreaker was activated, changing the plane for the next
40,000 years. The secrets of the previous Age of the Sea
of Dreams are of immense value to the modern quori, and
the Inspired of Sarlona have created an entire bastion city
to pursue their goals. Dar Qat (p.98), on the south-eastern
shores of Xen’drik, is the seat of expeditions to recover
clues about their history, specifically those related to the
Moonbreaker, repairing the damage to the plane of Dal Quor,
and preventing the Turning of the Age entirely. Further
information on their history in Xen’drik can be found in the
Echoes of the Quori section (p.60).
CHAPTER
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 Lady Illmarrow
Adventure Locations: Creation Forge ('The Blank
Grove'), The Diaphany, Gran Gol, Throne Gate Ruins The origins of the Mark of Death and the history of the
City-States: Cul’sir Empire (Dal Quor), Zja Aqat (Xoriat), modern elves began in Xen’drik. Erandis Vol has much to
Hekaton (Shavarath) gain from the Shattered Continent, most notably the dark
necromancy of the Qabalrin. The techniques of the line of
Vol were a legacy of Qabalrin refugees, and it is possible
House Cannith that the ritual that turned her into a lich can be found in
The role of Xen’drik’s history in the advancement of House the Ring of Storms. If she can recover the secrets of the
Cannith cannot be understated. It was in Xen’drik that Qabalrin, she may be able to undo her own undead nature,
Cannith found the Creation Forges, the DocentsERLW, and the regaining the full power of her Apex Mark. The Umbra is
first warforged. Their discoveries shaped both the course also a potent plot hook. If Illmarrow can gain access to the
of the Last War and the fates of nations. With the House massive dragonshard, she might be able to use the mass of
now divided, it is Merrix d’Cannith who controls the Brelish souls as a battery, consuming their power in the name of dark
faction, and thus has access to Xen’drik. A new breakthrough ascension. Naturally, a variety of other necromantic secrets
discovery from the Shattered Continent would put him in also lie in Qabal Mordas, including ancient superweapons
good stead to recover the fortunes of the House, becoming and terrifying forms of undead. Perhaps even one designed to
the new Baron. His personal interests are also a major driver; destroy a nation in a cloud of screaming souls…
his father Aaren found inspiration for the warforged in
Xen’drik, and Merrix is said to be funding illicit warforged
activity in Sharn. Furthermore, new warforged can be created
in Xen'drik beyond Khorvaire's laws. As such, he may believe
that the next stage in their development lies in Xen’drik -
along with clues to his father’s disappearance.
Beyond the relics of the quori, the continent is rife with
ancient technology that would be priceless in Cannith’s
hands. A campaign with Cannith as the villains might even
place the party under their employ, sent out to recover works
of artifice. This is an easy group patron and justification to
send the party exploring. Their efforts might be put to use
by Stormreach’s Cult of the Traveler for widespread chaos,
or returned to Sharn, where Merrix might be assembling a
doomsday plan - or even working with the Lord of Blades.

Adventure Locations: Barricade Katta, Creation Forge,

Daomon, Gundrak’ul, Colossus WX-12 “Naphrad”
City-States: Cul’sir Empire (Dal Quor), Sul’at
League, Crux (Daanvi), Genesis Twins (Kythri),
Hekaton (Shavarath)

House Vadalis
The House of Handling has always been one with a
passion for their work, and the flora and fauna of
Xen’drik are a rich hunting ground. The head of their
operations in Stormreach is the secretive Tyris
d’Vadalis - a man surrounded by dark rumors and
hidden motives. The magebreeding techniques
of the Sul’at League and the Esht Primacy are the
House’s dreams made manifest, and the heads of
Foalswood would do anything to possess them,
trial them, and sell the results to the highest bidder.
Tyris makes a great evil patron as a result. The
party might be hired to explore Sul’at ruins and
capture rare animals for hefty sums, all to fuel his
ambitious experiments beneath the compound
of Blackbriar.

Adventure Locations: Barricade Katta, Kwinharin,

Lachni of the Mist, Raiarin
City-States: Sul’at League, Esht Primacy (Lamannia),
Sohl’aran (Irian)

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27
 Beyond the Ring of Storms, a number of other locations
might be of interest to the lich queen. The dead feyspire
Locations & Themes
The following are short lists of locations that suit specific
of Shae Tirias Tolai is the most obvious, where the elves
campaign themes. These are not exhaustive, but intended to
of Eberron first began their story. However, several other
provide quick reference points for GMs planning one-shots
ruined cities provide alternate options for gaining power.
or adventures, or for those with interests in specific genres.
The Dolurrhi city of Karrakos is heavily linked to the
Queen of the Dead, with a library of ancient memories.
It is possible that the memories of Minara Vol are hidden
within, providing a way for Erandis to learn what ritual her
mother used for her lichdom - as well as the location of her
phylactery. Other unusual options include Sohl’aran, which
specialized in regenerative magic, and the mechanical nation
of Crux - because, in the end, little beats a mecha-lich.
Adventure Locations: Forget-Me-Dot’s, The Rampart
Somber, Shae Tirias Tolai
City-States: Karrakos (Dolurrh), Sohl’aran (Irian), The
Qabalrin (Mabar)
The Lord of Blades
The true origins of the Warforged lie in Xen’drik, along
with powerful component items and ancient DocentsERLW.
The Lords of Blades has much to gain by recovering these
magic items, as well as those forms of quorcraft created by
the quori. Blades might aim to bring the ancient schema
for their production back to the Lord’s Creation Forge,
where he can use them to produce new forms of warforged
with devastating battle potential. Similarly, the advanced
arcane constructs of the nations of Crux and Grand Ju’qata
are perfect works to replicate for his followers. A more
dangerous path is the hunt for weapons of mass destruction
to use against the Five Nations - a bounty that can be found
in Hekaton and the cities of the Sul’at League.
Adventure Locations: Barricade Katta, Creation Forge,
Daomon, Gundrak’ul, Colossus WX-12 “Naphrad”
City-States: Cul’sir Empire, Sul’at League, Crux (Daanvi),
Genesis Twins (Kythri), Hekaton (Shavarath)
Sul Khatesh
The Keeper of Secrets, Sul Khatesh, is the Overlord of
forbidden magic and arcane enigmas. Her agents revel in
luring arcanists onto dark paths using occult spells and
research. The main cult of the Overlord is the Court of
Shadows. For them, Xen’drik is a temptation. The cult
includes mages across Eberron, especially in Aundair, where
the Overlord’s bound form lies. As such, academics from
Arcanix studying Xen’drik can include these dark agents with
the goal of recovering powerful magic in service to their
mistress. Unsurprisingly, the giants developed a range of
devastating spells and magic items, any of which could throw
nations into chaos; the Grand Pyroclast* used to siege the city
of Stormreach is one such example. A Sul Khatesh campaign
might begin with the party racing to recover such an item,
then returning it to Khorvaire, where the Court of Shadows
plans to use it to restart the Last War.
Adventure Locations: Barricade Katta, Daomon,
Shae Tirias Tolai
City-States: Cul’sir Empire, Sul’at League,
Genesis Twins (Kythri), Hekaton (Shavarath)
2828
Dungeon-Delving
• The undercity of Stormreach is an uncharted warren
of tunnels and ruins that once formed part of the
Cul’sir Empire’s capital. In the thousands of years since,
many cities have risen and fallen on the site, forming
layers of civilization. People from these times still lurk
and battle in the undercity, driven to territorial murder
by proximity to the Overlord Sakinnirot. Adventurers
commonly delve into the undercity in search of giant
treasures, but they contend with regions of forgotten
drow, disgraced sahuagin, modern thieves, murderous
thri-kreen, and dark horrors forsaken by the light.
• Qabal Mordas, seat of the Qabalrin, is cloaked from
sight by the Ring of Storms. The Qabalrin were the
most powerful necromancers to have ever lived, with
different factions trading for planar treasures, and
forging artifacts of immense power. The city, penned
in by mountains, expanded downwards instead of
outwards. As a result, its layers descend into Khyber,
with the deepest layers containing the deepest secrets.
Adventurers who reach the Ring will have to contend
with dragonborn guardians, bound fiends, horrific
undead and ancient curses to retrieve what they seek.
Gothic & Traditional Horror
• The mist-shrouded forests of Dread Lake are home to
spidery fiends who chitter away beneath silken veils.
The ruined city of Shae Fir lies at their heart, the
fairytale buildings now faded and silent. Laughter and
illusions fill the broken streets. Beyond, the Palace of
Fables is home to memories of pain and misery. The
six-armed Queen Cono’mae sits atop a broken throne,
weaving suffering with a poisonous smile.
• Shae Tirias Tolai was once the feyspire of the dead,
populated by psychopomps who ferried souls to
Dolurrh. Its destruction led to the creation of the elven
people, and ‘killed’ the story it embodied. However, the
feyspire remains - a haunted fairytale ruin of despair,
its broken streets running with blood and dying
screams. Shae Tirias Tolai is a very literal tale of gothic
horror to be experienced first-hand.
• The undercity of Stormreach is a shadowy maze
of murder. Factions of troglodytic giants, drow, and
thri-kreen war in the darkness. Their vengeance is
spurred on by secretive fiends, all serving the Overlord
Sakinnirot far beneath the city. Flooded tunnels,
cramped conditions, and tense silence abound.
Noir/Intrigue
• Stormreach is a hotbed of political tension; factions
vie for control of territory, money, and power, from
the lowest street thugs to the Storm Lords themselves.
Adventurers might find themselves embroiled, or start
as the lowly street thugs themselves, and work their
way up to social dominance. Many of these factions
have international or supernatural ties. The campaign
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 can progress to exploring their larger-scale aims
(which might include leveling Stormreach itself).
• The cloud city of Kul Lerek is home to sparring
merchant guilds, bound together by the Winged
League. Each guild competes for status and profit, with
merchants forming rivalries and alliances in pursuit
of prestige. This leads to all manner of underhanded
schemes. The Skylark mafia of the city are also for
hire, whether that means forging items, delivering
contraband, or providing tools for a bit of light theft.
Players might be merchants themselves, and become
immersed in the web of shady deals, or find that an
item they need is the focus of a massive guild war.
• Dar Qat is a city of dystopian tyranny. The Inspired,
puppeteered by their quori masters, are searching
Xen’drik for the secrets of their past. Meanwhile, they
exploit indoctrinated goliaths for labor. Some goliaths
- the Kaladrik - have formed a revolutionary cell,
aiming to earn freedom for their people. They walk a
perilous path. Any captured guerillas will be psionically
interrogated and ‘disappeared’. A party infiltrating
Dar Qat might seek the help of the Kaladrik to defy
the Inspired. Doing so might involve the city’s new
hanbalani altas self-destructing, before the Inspired
can build a teleportation circle to Riedra. With over 700
Chosen ready and waiting, an all-out fight in Dar Qat
is suicide; cloak-and-dagger is the name of the game.
Pulp Fantasy
• The City of Starfire - Bazek Mohl - is a classic
bastion of Good, but one that is slowly fading away.
Its grand starshards and divinity are traditionally high
fantasy, with access to a variety of locations around
central Xen’drik. Ancient prophecies can be learned,
divine weapons forged, and champions born anew.
• The ancient Lamannian city of Eshtarnak is a
classical ruin, drenched in overgrown forest, filled
with lurking monsters, and ruled by a dragon in a
treasure-filled tower. The primal city is shadowed by
a spine several miles in length, from which countless
hunters’ trophies hang. This is where the raw power of
the giants is shown best - and where a party may find
themselves roaming on the wild side.
• The otherworldly city of Zja Aqat is hidden by the
sands of the Menechtarun. Floating districts of curving
white shell orbit around a massive needle monument.
Beneath it lies the Concateny - a psionic god-mind of
vast power. The Xoriat giants of Zja Aqat explored
alternate realities, the stars, and the Astral Plane.
To do so, they created countless portals, many of
which still spew aberrations into the world. Now, the
githyanki and Inspired seek to plunder its alien secrets.
Surreal & Eldritch Horror
• The Lurker in Shadows and its aboleth servants
dwell in the deepest reaches of the Thunder Sea.
They command countless lesser horrors that slither
aboard ships to sow paranoid terror. The epicenter
is the Trench of the Void - known to the aboleths as
Verash Sakhara. The plans of the aboleths are alien
and disturbing - they will not stop until their master is
freed, and captured sailors are the perfect material.
CHAPTER 14 | GAME
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& ENEMIESTOOLKIT
• Some locations in Xen’drik are ‘dreamtouched’.
Creatures that fall asleep there are transported to the
same stable dreamspace, often maintained by ancient
Cul’sir machinery. Dreamtouched locales are insidious;
their threat is invisible until it’s too late. Their
dreamscapes are often damaged due to the state of Dal
Quor, with disembodied giant minds seeking bodies
to possess. As a result, they're perfect for creepy and
surreal dream adventures. A prime example would be
the Throne Gate Ruins near Stormreach.
Western
• Zantashk is a classic frontier town. Prospectors and
adventurers hoping to make their fortune use the town
as a base, employed by House Tharashk through the
town’s Reeve. Surviving in Xen’drik’s jungles requires
grit and resolve (as well as Aunty’s moonshine). A
party can take on freelance contracts, explore the local
region, communicate with nearby people, and help to
develop (and likely defend) the town.
Whimsical Exploration
• Pylas Taraelya - the Feyspire of Wonder - is built on
the back of a massive whale, and swims through the
oceans of Eberron. The Siren of Song commands the
city with the grace of an archfey. Her beauty is quite
literally the stuff of fairytales. Beyond its whimsical
impossibility, Pylas Taraelya is home to talking fish,
heroic triton, and cackling sea hags - the perfect
location for some Thelanis adventures.
• Kul Lerek is a fantastical city that floats through the
sky on a bed of clouds. Since it moves in a direction
of the GM’s choice, it can be used to justify low-
stakes exploration across the continent. The city’s
Winged League also allows a party to set-up their own
business, for campaigns that wish to go for a more
cozy and domestic vibe.
• The southern Rainwoods are home to a powerful
land spirit whose presence creates an abundance
of plant life. Kwinharin, the Sister of Spring, is the
Rainwoods just as the Rainwoods is she, and the
forests bloom with rainbow flowers, dripping moss,
and ancient trees. However, the primeval jungle is
under threat from the rotten forces of the daelkyr
Avassh, with druids struggling to drive off its servants
- the perfect place for a party to be heroes of the hour.
Swashbuckling
• The Thunder Sea has a long history of piracy, going
back a thousand years. The region is a nexus for trade,
with ships passing through the Principalities to reach
the southern ports of Sharn, Seaside, and Trolanport.
Historically, pirates battled with House Lyrandar and
raided the treasure-laden ships heading from Dar Qat.
Since the official founding of Stormreach (formerly a
pirate colony), the attacks on Dar Qat have halted, but
the riches traveling through from Xen'drik to Sharn
remain. There’s plenty of opportunity for a plucky
crew, but there are powers moving beneath
the waves. The Eternal Dominion dreams of
conquest, while the servants of the Lurker
infect and corrupt - a brewing storm to
throw a party into…
29
 Name Tables Plant Names
1 Olarune’s Tears
Giant Names 2 Copperleaf Vine
1 Omun 3 Lily-of-the-Glory
2 Huldhak 4 Sohl’arae Leaf
3 Suro 5 Spit Corn
4 Prax’mir 6 Hantar Berries
5 Ourané 7 Garrotte Pine
Keltavia 8 Shadowbirch
6
7 Pragha 9 Tilxin Orchid
8 Aqator 10 Titan Iris
9 Ru’sen
10 Kolserak Animal Names
1 Orisi
Drow Names 2 Hanten Zel
1 Curra Geléma 3 Wraith Bear
2 Ghirra Kúlaj 4 Om’nataru
3 Kaxar Tokazz 5 Monkey Spiders
4 Solé Xar'cha 6 Griffon Moths
5 Xan'torra Zay'at 7 Vulkoorin
6 Xu'sasar Ké’yar 8 Dowron’s Deer
7 Ad’rúl Torkak 9 Chaos Toads
8 Holúar Xiv'inn 10 Ik’chit-ka
9 Ek'ann Gen'thac
10 Kirris Kulikoor Region Names
1 Goldwood Fen
Thri-kreen Names 2 Dowron’s Fist
1 Rik’til 3 The Strait of Eku’mada
2 Chatka 4 The Tar Wastes
3 Rek-tak Gurk’ashi Mesa
5
4 Ik-chalki Banyan’s Reach
6
5 Thak’trin 7 Spearfall Mount
6 Pik’chkit 8 Rowa’s Ribbon
7 Kacht 9 The Lake of Stolen Dreams
8 Ikcht’tril 10 The Swamp of the Raptor
9 Chit’il
10 Chel’ki Giant Ruin Names
Khorvairan Names 1 Sirris Loft
2 Cor’dranu
1 Joraine ir’Thavar Neis’enda
3
2 Rek Jesper City of Indigo Shadows
4
3 Juria Nineoaks
5 Mel Targun
4 Oniver of Sigilstar
6 Qan-Kohor
5 Kollser ir’Tonn Suro San
7
6 Serra d’Cannith 8 Xel’dhak
7 Kostoc of the Ram 9 Gohlgir
8 Lyra Coppershield The Weeping Spires
10
9 Taeras Melideth
10 Amnor Keldorak
Dungeon Names
Town Names 1 The Tower of Addis-Ro
1 Tohr'takt 2 Titan’s Tomb
2 Westerlane 3 Sohl’ara’s Lighthouse
3 Ironleaf 4 The Dawncrypt
4 Dredger's Deep 5 Basalt Gate
5 Ko Saba 6 Crux Border Outpost Eka-5
6 Xiva's Reach 7 Fort Dreiha
7 Ombr 8 Ik’rusen Crater
8 Shae Teriador 9 Mistwood Hollow
9 Zuka Ru'mos 10 The Caverns of the Crystal Moon
10 Sahasha

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3030
 Quest
Frameworks
With so many competing factions, secrets to find, and
places to explore, it can be hard to choose where to begin
in Xen’drik. The following are example adventures meant
to highlight the breadth of possibilities in the Shattered
Continent. Each is a simple framework that can be used as-is
for a quest, one-shot, or campaign starter. The frameworks
span Xen’drik, with each focusing on a different location and
enemy faction. Additionally, each features suggested enemies
of a certain level range, ensuring flexibility for different
parties. It is fully intended for each of these frameworks to be
tweaked and altered as needed by a GM - even if that means
relocating them across the continent! Every framework
includes the following components:
Summary. a brief description of the adventure and the
threats players can expect to face, which can be shared in
advance if the framework is to be used for a one-shot.
Hooks. simple ways to introduce the party to the adventure,
including other groups that may give them the task, or
situations that might lead to their involvement.
Adventure. The rough course of the adventure, divided
into sections with their own scenes and challenges. Those
with encounters include a range of example monsters with
different challenge levels, allowing a GM to choose those
appropriate for their party.
Rewards. Examples of thematic treasures, favors, or other
rewards that the party might obtain by completing the quest.
Continuation: Ways of expanding the framework into a
full arc or campaign, depending on success or failure.
Adaption. Examples of how the quest can be moved to a
different locale without requiring any major changes.
CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES & ENEMIES
INTRODUCTION
Framework Summaries
Trader of the Frost Lark - Level 3-8 - Kul Lerek
While the party are relaxing in the city of Kul Lerek, they
become embroiled in a battle with frozen ghosts, who attack
a nearby goliath trader. The trader has unknowingly bought a
relic containing the vengeful soul of a frost giant, and asks for
their help to exorcize the spirit before its anguish brings ruin
to everyone around.
The Templar of Bloom - Level 4-8 - Tempest's Spine
An act of environmental sabotage has put a powerful giant
druid on the warpath. The players must defeat the druid, or
convince them to stop their assault, before they destroy the
frontier town of Zantashk in a tide of surging plantlife.
The Past Blockade - Level 5-12 - Phoenix Basin
The Battalion of Basalt Towers is closing in on an ancient
Sul’at artillery fortress half-sunken into the Phoenix Basin.
It’s up to the party to breach the Barricade Katta and reach
its control room before the evil fire giants can use it to rain
destruction on their foes.
Kingdom of the Crysteel Skull - Level 3-8 - Menechtarun
Scouts from the Unity of Riedra have discovered a fortress
built by the quori in the Menechtarun desert. The party,
summoned by a call for help in their dreams, are guided
there to assist before it‘s too late. Trapped in the heart of
the fortress is a quori from the previous Age of Dal Quor,
and they are desperate to be saved from the clutches of their
evil modern kin.
The Vial of Ecstasy - Level 2-5 - Stormreach
A Stormreach gang is spreading a potent new drug on the
streets, made from the blood of endangered tilxin birds. A tip-
off about a secret deal leads the party to one of their members.
A quick chase and convincing words yields the base of their
operations, which the party can stop for good.
31
 Trader of the Frost Lark
Level 3-8
A cloud goliath trader has received more than they
bargained for, after buying a giant relic from some slapdash
adventurers. The crystal songbird, carved from pure Risian
ice, is a rare construct from the famed city of Ix Il’ar. During
the Shattering, the soul of a giant came to rest within the
construct, which awakened when the adventurers stole it
from its resting place. Now, the race is on to free the trapped
wraith before its keening dirge summons lost souls and giant
ghosts to destroy those who would disturb its slumber.
Hooks
• The party are strolling through the streets of Kul Lerek
or another settlement when the temperature plunges;
suddenly, they and a goliath walking by are assaulted
by manifesting ghosts, as snow begins to fall from a
cloudless sky. After the battle, the goliath hires them to
help defuse the threat they are carrying.
• The party might plan to meet the goliath merchant
Ji’ada for the standard services of the Winged League, or
information on Ix Il’ar, when they become caught up in
her latest purchase.
Adventure
Spectral Surpise. As the party relaxes or walks the
streets of Kul Lerek, the most perceptive among them notices
that snow is beginning to fall in an oddly localized area
around them. Moments later, the temperature plunges, as
a ghoulish keening cry fills the air. A nearby cloud goliath
merchant - Ji’ada Mistwalker [spy stat block with cold
resistance] - is the epicenter of the sound. Ji';ada noticeably
panics, and drops their pack before backing away in the
direction of the player characters. Seconds later, the falling
snow turns into swirling ghosts, who attack Ji’ada and the
party indiscriminately [2 specters - Combined CR3/wraith
- CR5/coldlight pyre* - CR8].
Time for Explanation. If Ji’ada survives, she thanks
the players, and asks them urgently to help her exorcize the
cause of the problem - the beautiful but apparently cursed
Frost Lark in her pack. She has no idea if the party will
continue to be attacked by ghosts if they don’t help, but will
happily pay them for their assistance in doing so, and fending
off any other ghosts in the meantime. She believes that the
priests of the Silver Flame at Skysilver Temple will be able
to remove whatever undeath lies upon it. If she is killed, the
party will be able to see the glowing Frost Lark in her bag; a
successful Intelligence (Arcana) or (Religion) check can tell
that there is an undead soul trapped within the construct, and
that the keening sound they heard earlier was the soul calling
for revenge on those who have disturbed it. If so, Ji’ada might
have scribbled notes on how she was planning to solve the
problem that can guide the players, or they can simply be
left to solve the issue as needed. It is also possible that some
members of the Zephyr Guard show up at the scene, and
escort the players to Skysilver Temple immediately.
Skysilver Temple. The main temple for the
Torch of Progress lies in the western district of
Zjaronfall. The humble but sizable temple
3232
is a quiet space for peace, meditation, and study. Songsilver
ornamentations and the calm gray color of the building have
given it its name. The head of the temple is the venerable
fire giant Jasmehn Emboldened [fire giant*]. The priest
can quickly identify the undead nature of the Frost Lark, and
immediately takes the party to a separate ritual chamber to
avoid any threat to the other people in the temple during the
necessary rite of exorcism. Though she is willing to help, she
is irritated at the foolishness of Ji’ada and whoever stole the
Lark from Ix Il’ar, and will be reluctant to offer any additional
help without a successful Charisma ability check.
Exorcism Rite. The rite requires Jasmehn to spend
three rounds in concentration, banishing the undead spirit
within the Frost Lark. The task of the party is to defend
her and draw the aggression of the ghosts that the Lark
will summon in its fury. At the beginning of every round,
undead spirits are drawn to the haunting call of the Frost
Lark, and seek to harm Jasmehn and the party [1 specter
and 1 shadow - CR2 each round/1 ghost each round - CR4
each round/1 gallows speakerVRGR - CR6 each round].
Whenever Jasmehn (who cannot take other actions during
the ritual) takes damage, she must succeed on a DC 15
Constitution saving throw to maintain the ritual. On a
failure, that round of the ritual is wasted, requiring another
successful round for the rite to be completed. When Jasmehn
completes the rite, all enemies summoned are banished
instantly, ending the fight.
Rewards
• Ji’ada might give the Frost Lark to the players as thanks
for their help. The Frost Lark might be a valuable piece
of giant artistry worth hundreds of gold, a Wondrous
Figurine (Silver Raven), or a special construct familiar that
can be attuned to by a character.
• Alternatively, Ji’ada might offer gold to the players, and
a favor owed. As a member of the Prav Consortium
merchant guild, Ji’ada can act as a courier for the players,
arrange aerial transport for them across Xen’drik, or hire
for them further quests.
Continuation
Having proven themselves capable fighters, Ji’ada might offer
work to the party regarding different profitable ventures
across Xen’drik. In this role, she can act as a group patron
from the Winged League, specifically the cloud goliath Prav
Consortium. This is an easy and natural setup for adventures
across Xen’drik, and allows the party to choose between
different ‘guild postings’. It is also possible to link the Frost
Lark back to the city of Ix Il’ar. If Ji’ada offers the Lark to the
party as a reward, they might be approached by an unusual
dwarf seeking to buy - or steal - the Lark from them. This
scout from the Children of Il’ara might lead the players into
the situation surrounding the titan of Risia’s return, as well as
the haunted ruins of frozen Ix Il’ar.
Adaptation
• This adventure can be adapted for Zantashk or
Stormreach by replacing the Frost Lark with a Qabalrin
artifact; instead of a giant soul, it’s an ancient elven one.
In this case, it might require a priest of the Sovereign
Host in Zantashk performing a hasty exorcism ritual.
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 The Templar of Bloom
Level 4 - 8
Zantashk is in dire peril. An act of careless environmental
vandalism has enraged a powerful druid of the Verdant
Path - Ul’kars the Rooted. They now march to sweep the
town away in a wave of surging plant life. As Ul’kars travels
towards Zantashk, they are communing with the spirits of
the land, gathering ever greater primal power as they go. The
party, caught up in the conflict, has no choice. If they cannot
convince the druid to stop, forge a peace deal, or subdue
them for good, Zantashk will be yet another colony wiped
off the map.
Hooks
• The party are actually the ones who committed
the vandalism without realizing, and the fallout
from a previous quest or adventure has come back
to bite them!
• Traveling to Zantashk, the party stumble upon a
heavily injured and poisoned orc miner - the last
surviving member of the group who angered the
druid. They desperately ask for help to return to
Zantashk so they can warn the town, and explain that
their group was slaughtered by the druid and their
plant creatures.
• The party are asked by local people to stop the druid
without killing them, as their uncontrolled rage is
driving the land into a frenzy and putting others in the
area at risk. They despise what the people of Zantashk
have done, but understand it was done in ignorance, so
believe a truce can be reached.
What did they do?
The crime committed by the people of Zantashk can be
tweaked to suit the story, but might include acts such as:
• Cutting down an ancient tree for lumber that was
home to a revered land spirit.
• Damming a river to divert it to a dragonshard mine,
causing a region of forest to wither and die.
• Polluting a region of forest with mine run-off.
• The accidental destruction of a stone seal that was
binding a fiend of Sakinnirot or Kharna Rayva.
• Accidentally opening a passage to Khyber by digging
for dragonshards, leading to the spores of the daelkyr
Avassh infecting an entire region of forest - a region
that the druids had to burn.
Adventure
Through the Forest. Heading in the direction of
Ul’kars, the party finds the rainforest noticeably disturbed and
energetic. The character with the highest passive Perception
in the party notices that some plants are visibly growing and
blooming. Characters who are primal practitioners can subtly
feel the flowing anger in the land around them. In a forest
clearing, with patches of bushes acting as difficult terrain, the
party are attacked by plant creatures that animate from the
surrounding forest [3 needle blights + 2 vine blights - CR
3/shambling mound - CR 5/treant - CR 9]. On initiative
count 20, the party member with the highest hit points must
CHAPTER 14 | GAME
ALLIESMASTER'S
& ENEMIESTOOLKIT
succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be restrained by
plants until the end of their next turn.
Breaching the Vines. After heading deeper towards
the approaching source of the disturbance, the party find a
circular wall of vines and woven trees that surround Ul’kars
the Rooted as they perform a ritual to empower themselves
with the aid of the local land spirits. The wall is 30 feet high,
and a creature climbing the wall takes 1d6 piercing damage
for every 5 feet they climb. The party must decide how they
wish to pass through. Options might include:
• A character with primal ties convincing the plants to
let them through.
• Using athletics to climb into the surrounding trees,
then rappelling down on the other side.
• Covering the thorns on the wall to climb over safely.
• Burning away some of the thorns (although this
carries the risk of angering Ul’kars and turning them
against the party).
Meeting Ul’kars. Beyond the vines, the common
giant* Ul’kars sits in contemplation at the center of a
50-foot-radius glade in the forest. They are conducting a
ritual to gather power before moving forward to attack
Zantashk. Should they succeed, their call to the primal powers
of Xen’drik will allow them to cast storm of vengeance once,
laying waste to the town and many of the civilians there.
Once the storm ends, the region will be affected as though by
the spell plant growth, causing the rainforest to overtake the
ruins. The players can fight Ul’kars, who will fight in anger
[Common Giant Rushugan* - CR 6/Ordinas* - CR 8], or
convince them that the damage was caused in ignorance, and
that the town will work with them to make things right.
Doing so requires two successful Persuasion or Deception
checks, or other sincere proof of good faith. If only one
succeeds, the giant demands that the head of the town -
Reeve Velderan - accompany them personally to the damaged
site to make amends (who will require his own persuading
to do something so risky), and also asks that Zantashk never
again sends people to the region on pain of death. If both
succeed, the giant is willing to halt their march, and wait
for a diplomat from Zantashk to arrive with proof of their
willingness to make things right. In the event of a fight, the
giant is not willing to fight to the death. If they are under
1/3rd of their maximum hit points on their turn, they will
attempt to flee through the wall of plants around the glade,
which will open for them but not the party. In this case, the
giant may seek help from Verdant Path or Rushemé druids.
Rewards
• If the party can form a truce with Ul’kars, and
convince them that Zantashk will restore the damage
done, the druid might teach spells such as spirit of the
scorpion* or spirit of the displacer beast* to any primal
practitioners in the party.
• If the party defeat Ul’kars, they can take the druid’s
staff, which might be a Staff of the Woodlands or Bell
BranchTCoE. Their pouch might also contain potent
salves and tinctures, such as Keoghtom’s Ointment.
• The party might receive a sizable reward from
the Reeve of Zantashk, ranging from a large
amount of gold, to permanent lodging
in the town, as well as free drinks at
Auntie’s tavern.
33
Continuation
The damage caused by the prospectors might be more than
simply environmental. The cause of the druid’s fury may
be that they broke a seal binding a fiend of Sakinnirot, or
another supernatural entity, which is now free to wreak
havoc. This can link perfectly to the situation at Darkfire
Crater - or even have caused the eruption that freed so
many fiends. As such, Ul’kars attacking the town may be the
precursor for much worse things to follow. The druid may
even enlist the party (having proven themselves capable) to
work with them to investigate Darkfire Crater, and reseal
the fiends once bound there. Reeve Velderan may also do
the same, or task the party with another quest on behalf of
House Tharashk.
Adaptation
• This adventure can be adapted for Stormreach by
replacing Ul’kars with the awakened roc Kraa’ark
Lors*, who lairs in a cloud castle to the north of
the city. The roc is a grander threat to match the
greater defenses of the port, and suitable for a Tier
3 adventure.
• For a much different flavor, Ul’kars can be made into
a cultist or corrupted druid of the daelkyr Avassh,
the Twister of Roots. In this case, the giant may be
unwilling to destroy Zantashk, but controlled like a
puppet by their master. If so, the party may be able to
save them by purifying the alien roots pulling their
strings, earning them a powerful ally.
The Past Blockade
Level 5-12
The Sul’at fire giants created many military outposts
between them and the Cul’sir Empire, safeguarding from
attack. Armed with powerful artillery, and fueled by bound
creatures, these outposts were put into action during the
Shattering. One flying fortress - Barricade Katta - lies half-
sunken in the Phoenix Basin, the ocean boiling with its heat.
Now, the Battalion of Basalt Towers has concocted a plan to
raid the Barricade for weapons, and intends to burn anything
- or anyone - in their way. Whoever can reach the center of
the Barricade first can control the bound fiend that powers
the fortress, as well as the terrifying weaponry it powers.
More details on the Barricade Katta can be found in the
Adventure Locations chapter on p.251.
Hooks
• The Battalion of Basalt Towers are anything but
stealthy. The party might be on their trail after previous
encounters, or be tasked with investigating their
activities around the Barricade, which is far from their
usual territory.
• The weakening binding of the fiend at the center of the
Barricade is a looming threat for the local Simeq elves of
the Phoenix Basin, as well as the Vulkoorí drow of the
Skyfall Peninsula. They might ask the party to neutralize
the threat, or destroy the Barricade before the Battalion
can use it as a weapon.
Adventure
Boiling Seas. The Barricade lies roughly 300 feet
from the shore of the Skyfall Peninsula, resting tilted on the
shallow sands. The heat radiating from the broken fortress
causes the sea for 200 feet around it to boil and steam. A
character without resistance to fire damage that touches
the water takes 1d8 fire damage at the start of each round.
The Battalion of Basalt Towers, unfortunately, do not have
to worry. The fire giants* and pyreheart goliaths* are
immune, though wading through the shallow waters is
immensely distasteful for them. As a result, reaching the
Barricade is an interesting challenge for the party, especially
if members of the Battalion of Basalt Towers are camped
on the shores. For lower-level parties, the water can simply
be deep enough that fire giants cannot reach the Barricade,
but Battalion goliaths can use small boats and other craft.
This means that characters won’t have to face the full giant
strength of the Battalion while inside the Barricade. A
party might cross the boiling ocean by building a raft, the
spell water walking (with appropriate footwear) or other
reasonable solutions.
Bloodglass Halls. The Barricade itself is a roughly
disc-shaped emplacement formed from the smooth Sul’at
obsidian known as bloodglass. Several large cracks in the
walls of the dark Barricade allow entrance to the interior,
with massive arcane staves and other Sul’at artillery poking
out of various portholes. The damage to the fortress is
entirely dependent on the level of the party. For lower-level
parties, it is appropriate to say that most traps and guard
beasts were destroyed by the dragons when the Barricade
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 fell. Stronger parties may need more encounters and traps
to drain their resources. Example traps include powerful
evocation glyphs of warding trained on non-Sul’at personnel,
fire elementals bound within the bloodglass that can melt
walls and floors into shape to drop people into the boiling
ocean, and blocks of Risian ice containing comatose war
beasts that can melt in response to intruders [chimera - CR
6/ pyrohydra* - CR 9/dracohydraFTD - CR 11]. Bound
fire elemental myrmidons might also patrol the halls,
looking for things to burn.
Control Chamber. The very center of the
Barricade is the control room, from where the head Sul’at
Thaumaturge* operated the entire fortress. The room
is dominated by a massive elemental matrix containing
the bound horned devil Kratu Enkor. Before it lies the
Barricade’s arcane control array. A character attuned to the
array can choose to channel the devil’s energy to empower
the exterior weapons, or use it to cast meteor swarm once per
day. This knowledge can be understood with a successful
hard Intelligence (Arcana) check. However, the damage from
the dragons has partially damaged the binding. It is the devil’s
fury causing the ocean to boil; using it to cast meteor swarm
destroys the binding, freeing the devil to do as it will. As the
party enter the circular 90ft-diameter chamber, they will be
met by a party sent from the Battalion, who are examining
the control array - and quickly move to engage [pyreheart
goliath* + 3 summoned azer - CR 6/fire giant* + hell
hound - CR 11/Basalt Battalion soldier* + 2 pyreheart
goliaths - roughly CR 15]. Should the party succeed, they
may be tempted to use the fortress's weapons on the Battalion
members waiting on the shore. Should they fail, the Battalion
has gained a truly dire weapon.
Rewards
• The dead Sul’at giants inside the Barricade might wield
tools imbued with the elements. Many will have bindings
that were broken during the Shattering, but a lucky party
might find a resizing Flame Tongue Longsword or Cloak of
the Tides*. Broken weapons and armaments might also
contain Khyber dragonshards with elementals still bound
inside them, which an enterprising party can carefully
retrieve to forge their own items later on.
• For higher-level parties, the Barricade itself may be a
stunning and thematic reward. Although slow, derelict,
and still quite dangerous, a party that seizes the control
room can actually fly the Barricade once more, providing
a mobile base for adventure. The weapons platform is
definitely a fixer-upper though, and such a party might
have to go on various sidequests and pay a fair amount of
gold to restore it to its former glory and capability. Given
time, the Barricade might become an adventuring guild
of its own, with flying traders and local tau’Xen stopping
by to trade news and barter goods.
Continuation
If the Battalion drives away the players and seizes the
Barricade, they have gained a terrible (if slow) weapon with
the potential to rain destruction down on nearby cities. The
party is now in a different race against time. If the fire giants
can fly the Barricade to Stormreach, they may be able to
meteor swarm the city once more. The party has no time to
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waste, and must travel to Stormreach as quickly as possible to
rally the defense.
If the players instead win control of the fortress, they will
have earned the Battalion’s ire, and gained themselves a very
dangerous (but valuable weapon). The question will loom
of what to do with the Barricade. Do they free the fiend that
powers it, and deactivate it for good, while releasing an evil
into the world? Or, do they try to use the Barricade for their
own purposes?
Adaptation
• This adventure can be altered for any location in and
around the Valley of Shadows, where Sul’at fortifications
were built. This can make sense for adventures based in
eastern or central Xen’drik.
Kingdom of the Crysteel Skull
Level 3-8
During the Dream War, the quori built Hourglass Keep
in the deserts of the Menechtarun, far from the war front
with the Cul’sir Empire. There, they conducted urgent
experiments into binding themselves to the Material Plane,
producing the first DocentsERLW. Their success came too late.
The Moonbreaker's firing tore them from the Material
and back into Dal Quor, leaving behind their fortress to be
swallowed by the shifting sands. However, the quori did
ultimately succeed in their goal. At the heart of the keep is
an experimental headpiece formed from crysteel, designed
to be integrated by a warforged ...and inside that headpiece,
is the bound quori Bahrassia. Scouts from the bastion of Dar
Qat felt the psychic echoes of the fortress, and are racing to
uncover its secrets for their Inspired masters.
Hooks
• The party are traveling through the desert when they
feel a psychic echo calling them, enlisting their help.
The message might also arrive in the form of a pleasant
dream, with an ethereal figure made of light begging
for their aid. They might also be attacked by Riedrans
seeking to kill them to remove competition for the
Keep's secrets.
• The party are contacted by a group of note in the
Menechtarun, such as the Sunheart druids, or thri’kreen
‘Psions of Revival’. They wish to borrow the party’s
power to enter the fortress as an elite unit, while they
hold off any approaching forces from Dar Qat.
Adventure
Desert Journey. Reaching the quori stronghold might
require a short journey through the desert sands, with the
length up to the GM (or the character's navigation skills). The
stronghold lies at the center of a large dreamblight - a zone
of mundane weirdness formed when the Dal Quor manifest
zone here was stripped away. Detailed information
on dreamblights can be found on p.54. Journeying
through this area, known as the Slumbering Sands,
can have adverse effects on those who dream
within, as well as side effects for dream-linked
35
beings such as thri-kreen and kalashtar. In particular, the
zone prevents quori from possessing Inspired there (due to
it being anathema to their very being), thus requiring more
mundane Riedran soldiers to infiltrate. The party may have to
deal with dream-tainted horrors, manifested nightmares such
as sorrowsworn or stone-cursed, or roaming Quorforged
sentries such as warforged soldiersERLW.
Hourglass Keep. The Keep itself is formed from
smooth curving surfaces of self-repairing crystal and sentira.
The materials are opalescent, and appear like natural shell.
A 50-foot wall (tall enough to fend off giants) surrounds
the perimeter. Since the quori were capable of flight, the
Keep has little in the way of stairs, except for those made
for Quorforged guardians. Important rooms can have 50-
foot vertical shafts connecting them, with no easy way up.
Keyless doors still block some rooms; intending to open
the doors causes them to do so on their own. The halls of
Hourglass Keep are still patrolled by disturbing psionic
remnants and construct guardians made from metal and
sentira [iron defenderERLW - CR 1/duergar hammer
- CR 3/lost sorrowsworn - CR 7], as well as (potentially)
Riedran scouts and soldiers [scout - CR 1/2/soldier - CR
1/2/oni - CR5]
Skull Summit. The very top of the Keep is a circular
command room with breathtaking views of the surrounding
desert. This was once the core workshop of the keep, and
contains a multitude of experimental Quorforged designs and
components. At its center is a table with the Crysteel Skull -
the unique item containing the quori Bahrassia. The quori
can reach out psionically to nearby creatures to guide them
through the fortress, with a range that can be decided by the
GM. The room has two entrances; as the party arrives, they
come face to face with the Riedran leader of this expedition,
who may attempt to capture them alive to bring them back to
Dar Qat for psychic interrogation [martial arts adept - CR
3/duergar warlord (flavored as a human psion) - CR 6].
Rewards
• The Crysteel Skull itself is a unique item. It can be
given stats to suit a warforged member of the party, be
represented with a sentient Defense of the Makers*, or
have the combined abilities of a Defense of the Makers*
and a DocentERLW.
• The workshops of the upper Keep might contain
any number of experimental warforged components,
ranging from ArmbladesERLW that deal psychic damage, to
Behemoth Belts*.
Continuation
• Bahrassia has incalculable value to the Inspired, who will
likely go to any length to take the quori from the players.
This conflict may result in one of the powerful Inspired
lords personally tracking down the players, or their quori
harassing the party in their dreams.
• The depth of Bahrassia’s knowledge is entirely up to the
GM. The quori may know the location of other trapped
comrades, clues to the epicenter of the Moonbreaker,
how the Turning of the Age occurred, or possess
knowledge on powerful Quori artifacts.
Adaptation
• This adventure is easy to rework for the Skyfall
Peninsula, with the Riedran ambassador to Stormreach
- Lord Katanavash - sending the party to explore the
quori ruins (or sending Riedrans to oppose them). In
this case, as long as the party possess the Crysteel Skull,
they will be targeted by Lord Katanavash, who will be
driven to obtain the relic by any means. However, the
mere presence of the Skull may have a dangerous effect
on the anti-quori defenses built by the Cul'sir around
the Skyfall Peninsula - including beneath the streets of
Stormreach itself.
 Vial of Ecstasy
Level 2-5
A Stormreach gang - The Featherweights - is funding the
poaching of rare tilxin birds, then killing them to produce the
addictive drug Haste. Their operation is driving the beautiful
birds to extinction, and local people are furious. Poachers are
turning up dead, and tensions are rising. The party are tasked
with taking down the Featherweights. To do so, they must
catch one of their elusive members, convince them to give up
the location of their hide-out, then storm the place in search
of their leader - with haste.
Hooks
• The party might be asked by a notable community figure
(or gang leader) to investigate the source of a new drug
that’s affecting members of their community. They
might also wish to weaken the profits of whichever
group the Featherweights are working under.
• A party working against the Lords of the Hunt might
seek to cut off their supply of Haste, which makes
them significantly more threatening in battle. Taking
out the Featherweights not only weakens the Lords,
but might also have repercussions for those with
addictions to Haste.
Adventure
Featherweight Flight. The party are given a tip-off
about a deal with a Featherweight member going down in
a dark Stormreach alley this evening. They have the option
of shadowing the Featherweight back to their hide-out in
a dockside warehouse, or trying to capture the half-elf to
squeeze the info out of them. Shadowing him requires a
successful group Stealth check with an average higher than
15; the khoravar [spy - CR1/master thief - CR5] - Jiraen
- is cautious, and on the lookout for any problems. Halfway
back to the hideout, he ducks into a shadowed alcove and
waits for 1 minute, attempting to confuse any would-be
pursuers. A successful Perception check contested by his
Stealth check (or other effort) reveals him waiting before
continuing onwards. If the Stealth check fails, or if the party
decides to try and jump him, the half-elf flees, beginning a
chase. This narrative sequence requires the party to succeed
on any three checks that they can justify to catch up to him
and take him down, before they fail two such checks. A party
member with a movement speed above 30ft gets a +2 bonus
to their skill checks for every 5ft of extra movement they
have. On a failure, the half-elf gets away, but drops something
that might clue the party to the warehouse’s dockside
location. On a success, they are free to threaten or convince
him to give up information (with gold, or otherwise),
including the password for the guarded door - ‘tropics’.
The Warehouse. The dockside base of the
Featherweights has been dirtied up to appear abandoned.
The criminal group, which only assembles at night, receives
tilxin* birds from poachers then drains their blood to mix
into the drug Haste. The drug is euphoric, and bestows the
effects of the spell haste to the user, but is also addictive and
permanently affects one's sense of the passage of time. A
vial of Haste is worth about 30gp on the street. Entering the
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warehouse is easy due to its derelict state, but the windows
and hatches are rigged with simple alarm bells on strings.
The side door is bolted and guarded by a thug, who will only
allow people in if they whisper the password ‘tropics’. In total,
6 other members of the Featherweights are working in the
warehouse; 4 [2 thugs and 2 thieves - CR 2] are carefully
killing the tilxin birds in the center of the main floor. A large
trapdoor in the corner leads to a basement office, where their
leader - the dwarf Mahler Dalronak - oversees the alchemist
[magewrightERLW] who mixes the drug together. The group
in the main floor are not prepared for a fight unless Jiraen
escaped, and can easily be taken by surprise. After 2 rounds
of fighting, Mahler himself sprints up [spy - CR 1/bandit
captain - CR 2/master thief - CR 5], having taken a swig
of Haste. This grants the standard effects of the spell, but also
gives him disadvantage on Dexterity and Wisdom saving
throws. The other members of the gang are too scared to
drink it, as it means taking away from the group’s profits.
Rewards
• A character who frees a tilxin* bird delivered to the
group and befriends it with a successful Animal Handling
check might gain it as a pet or familiar.
• The warehouse contains 3 completed vials of Haste.
They act as Potions of Speed, but the user must succeed
on a DC 10 Constitution saving throw or become
non-magically cursed with addiction once the haste
effect ends. A character immune to being poisoned
cannot become cursed in this way. While cursed by this
addiction, you have disadvantage on all Dexterity checks
and initiative rolls. A remove curse or greater restoration
spell can remove this addition.
• The party might also score 150gp in the warehouse, and
more potential gold from any interested party that tasked
them with bringing down the Featherweights.
Continuation
One of the Featherweights’ largest clients are the Lords of the
Hunt, who love taking narcotics before they begin to hunt
their prey. Drugs such as Haste help their performance, and
take the edge off the days when they don’t have anything to
murder. The party disrupting the production of the drug
might make certain Lords, such as the vile Ralphus ir’Morrin
(Example Plot NPCs, p.24) , begin to investigate - and mark
the party as their latest prey.
Alternatively, the Featherweights may have been working
under the protection of any of Stormreach’s larger gangs.
This might boil over into a gang war in retaliation, shaking
up the city’s political scene.
Adaptation
• This adventure can be quickly adapted to other cities
by simply changing the ancestries in the group, and the
animal they are paying people to hunt. For example, the
Featherweights might be Ko drow in Kul Lerek, who are
working beneath the oversight of the Skylark mafia. In
Zantashk, they might be prospectors convincing
other miners to part with their cash - or
shipping Haste back to a larger group in Sharn,
such as Daask.
37
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38
 Exploring Xen'drik

F
rom flying islands to shifting
environments, the landscape of Xen’drik
is anything but normal. Travel across
the continent can pose new and exciting
challenges for players, as well as new
opportunities. The following sections
introduce a variety of environmental factors that can be used to
make adventures in Xen’drik unique and dynamic. These can be
seen as ‘tools’ or ‘levers’ to be used by GMs as they wish - simple
ways to introduce new enemies, surprise players, and make the
continent feel dynamic and alive. Adventures might include:

Across Sea & Sky - This section explores different

methods that adventurers might use to travel quickly across sea
and sky, as well as the potential dangers of doing so.

Continental Curses - Perhaps the most famous aspect

of Xen’drik is the Traveler’s Curse - a grand effect that renders
the continent unmappable. This section lays out causes,
mechanics, and solutions for the Traveler’s Curse and other epic
curses such as the Madness of Crowds (Du’rashka Tul).

Magical Wildlife - The massive planar influence on

Xen’drik, coupled with its bizarre magic, have given rise
to unqiue animal life. This section contains dangerous and
adorable critters that add both depth to exploration, and options
for reflavoring familiars and druidic Wild Shapes.

Navigating Giant Ruins - The massive scale of giant

ruins can pose unique challenges for adventurers. This section
includes practical sizing for giant ruins, and how that can affect
exploration - and battles - in Xen'drik.

Random Encounter Tables - These tables, sorted and

themed by region, include encounters for different party levels,
including environmental, social, and combat events. Lists of
fitting monsters are included to help with event creation.

Shattered geography - Xen'drik's environment is rife

with dangers and arcane anomalies, from floating islands to
ancient giant artifce. This section explores the different dangers
that adventurers might encounter while exploring.

• Broken Technology - Examples of malfunctioning,

buried, or broken giant artifice.
• Dreamblights - Former Dal Quor manifest
zones have become strange liminal regions known as
Dreamblights, with odd effects on reality.
• Fractured Terrain - The backlash of the
Moonbreaker physically broke apart the continent,
forming dramatic and impressive terrain.
• Shifting Zones - Regions of terrain can switch at
random, changing from rainforest to desert to tundra in
the blink of an eye. These ‘shifting zones’ are a hallmark
of the continent, and a major danger for the unprepared.
• Sky Isles - Many islands fly over Xen’drik’s skies. Some
are inhabited; others hold the lairs of powerful creatures,
or treasures kept under lock and key.

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39 39
 Across Sea & Sky
As adventurers grow in outlook and prestige, it's natural to
begin traveling great distances across the continent. Overland
travel in Xen'drik can be difficult at the best of times; high
mountains, thick rainforest, and the Traveler's Curse can
all combine to slow things down immensely. As a result,
travel by sea or sky are tempting options. The following
section outlines different ways of doing so, as well as the
potential dangers.
Travel by Water
Travelling by boat is a common fact of life in Xen'drik.
The waterways of the Hydra reach far into the continent's
interior, acting as a natural trade route from the Skyfall
Peninsula to Dread Lake. Different cultures specialise in
navigating these waterways, especially aquatic peoples such
as locathah, lizardfolk, and bullywugs. Each has a different
method of avoiding danger. Larger river settlements will
often have people willing to act as sailors for hire, especially
in the trading hub of Blackgrove Refuge. The main danger
of doing so is the local wildlife. Aquatic dinosuars, immense
fish, and lurking monsters can all be a threat, along with
potential rapids and shifting zones.
Travel by sea is possible, but rarer. Xen'drik is surrounded
by five different seas, each with their own characteristics.
Few people have the knowledge or will to travel between
them frequently, and captains willing to sail into the Dark Sea
or Sea of Lost Souls are hard to find. Despite this, ships often
travel between the colonial ports of Dar Qat, Stormreach,
and Zantashk, providing a loose network of options for those
circumnavigating the contient. However, boarding a ship
bound for Dar Qat must be arranged through the embassy in
Stormreach - and only for good reason.
Travel by Air
Travel via flight across the Shattered Continent is tempting,
but countless dangers lie in wait. Shifting zones, giant
defenses, and violent storms can pose threats to even the
quickest fliers. Despite this, there are several ways for a party
to obtain the means of doing so. The dangers and encounters
they might face are up to the GM; a reliable method of flight
allows for easy ‘travel montages’, but can also be used to
highlight new encounters. The level of danger is malleable
and campaign-specific. The following section details different
methods of travel by flight, as well as potential encounters
and dangers when doing so.
House Lyrandar. After a few disastrous attempts to
explore Xen’drik by air, House Lyrandar has put an embargo
on further efforts. Its airships are both too slow and too
valuable to risk over the continent. Despite this, the House
also understands the commercial opportunities present.
A party of special note might be able to convince the
khoravar to lend them a vessel, but such an arrange-
ment will likely require a promised pay-off for
them too. New forms of elemental
binding technology from the Sul’at
League would be just the thing.
4040
Cloud Castle. Perhaps the most impressive way to
travel is to secure a cloud castle - an ancient domain of the
cloud giants of the Gallimaufry. Many still remain tethered
where their masters fell, or float on the migratory trade
routes they once followed. The largest concentration can be
found in the Unveiling - the temporary cloud giant capital
above the Iceflow Sea. Securing a cloud castle requires
accessing its Skyhook*, which controls and maintains the
Syranian cloud on which they stand. Knowing that Skyhooks*
exist, and can be controlled, is itself rare knowledge. Finding
a castle that can be cleared of threats and nesting monsters is
rarer. Despite this, a cloud giant castle is a perfect home base
for adventures and an awesome method of travel.
Flying Mounts. Some cultures travel with the help of
flying mounts, especially those living in mountain ranges.
Many are completely unfamiliar to Khorvaire; the islands
of the Iceflow are home to giant albatross* who fly for
hundreds of miles without tiring, while some drow befriend
tropical parrogriffs. Flying mounts are especially prized in
the flying city of Kul Lerek, where they are trained by the
Zephyr Skyknights for battle, and used for the trade that
sustains the citadel. Obtaining flying mounts is possible
in larger settlements around Xen’drik, but their value is
high, and obtaining them might incur a heavy cost - or
dangerous side quest.
Giant Airships. A more unusual option is for a party to
discover (or restore) an ancient flying craft from the Age of
Giants. The Sul’at League were masters of elemental binding,
and while many of their cities now lie in ruins or have
been rebuilt by the Súlatar drow, there may still be hidden
weapons labs out there in the wild. Any ship flown by players
would likely have been the giant equivalent of a light craft,
and is likely to lack any kind of heavy weaponry, but its value
to the nations of Khorvaire would be immense. Both House
Lyrandar and Zilargo would pay the party’s weight in gold
for the right to study such an airship. That is, if the party can
bring it back to Stormreach first.
Drow Airships. The Súlatar drow make use of their
own advanced light craft known as Firesleds*. These two-
man vessels are exceptionally quick, and capable of launching
fireballs at incoming threats - both of which make them viable
for travel over Khorvaire’s slow and targetable versions. It
is possible that the Súlatar have developed any manner of
advanced airships in the heart of Xen’drik, and a party might
be able to either capture one from militant Súlatar such as the
Promise Soldiers, or secure the services of one from any more
reasonable drow settlement.
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Flying Dangers & Encounters
Dangerous Megafauna - The Sul’at League and Esht
Primacy bred megafauna on the regular, and many
escaped into the wilds during the Shattering. Many
are oversized, mutated, or both, and airships are a
1 shiny target for food. Even worse, some megafauna -
such as the sentient roc Kraa'ark Lors* - are actively
malicious towards those flying on airships. A variety
of primal creatures might possess the curiosity to
“investigate” an airship, friendly or otherwise.
Cloud Castles - The Gallimaufry (p.219) was a faction
of cloud giant traders who traveled between the
nations of Xen’drik. Their famous cloud castles can
be found across the continent, anchored where the
2 merchants fell during the Shattering. Others still drift
freely, following paths set by long-dead owners. Now, a
large number are the lairs of flying beasts, or haunted
by undead giants, but still contain valuable goods.
Other Airships - Khorvaire is certainly not the first
to use elemental airships. The SÚlatar drow inherited
the techniques of the Sul’at giants, and use them to
create nimble Firesleds*. These two-person craft
are exceptionally fast, light, and capable of shooting
3
explosive fireballs. Any party flying over SÚlatar
territory, including the Obsidian City of Gundrak’úl
(p.257), might find themselves under arrest - and the
drow have a very poor view of colonial thieves.
Shifting Zones - The pilots of House Lyrandar are
skilled in warding off storms and strong winds. Few
are capable of dealing with sandstorms and blizzards in
the middle of the jungle. Xen’drik’s shifting zones are
4 difficult to predict and harder to deal with, and anyone
riding an airship might have to deal with unpredictable
weather of literally any kind, as well as
creatures seemingly transported
by the bizarre shift.
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Mortal hubris - always entertaining,
sometimes explosive.
Ruinous Weather - Beyond the dream-afflicted
landscape, the natural environments of Xen’drik can
be intense. Powerful tropical storms can sweep in off
the Thunder Sea, lashing the jungles with gale winds.
5 Further south, the intense ash clouds rising from
the Valley of Shadows can hamper visibility, and lead
to volcanic lightning. In the Menechtarun, immense
sandstorms can travel for hundreds of miles, flensing
exposed flesh and wood with endless tiny razors.
Giant Armaments - During the Shattering, powerful
giant weaponry was turned on incoming targets -
namely, flying dragons the size of airships. Flying
6 something as large and relatively slow as an airship
through the skies of Xen’drik carries a very real risk of
being shot down, not through malicious intent, but by
ancient cannons directed to destroy ‘dragons’.
Rogue Dragons - A large number of dragons lurk
in Xen’drik’s wilds, many of them exiles, criminals,
psychopaths, or worse. Building a hoard in the
Shattered Continent is not easy. Competition is fierce,
7 and few rogues are willing to cross the Ten Watchers,
lest they bring down Argonnessen’s wrath. Airships are
extremely visible, and extremely easy to take down - a
great source for treasure and snacks alike.
The Ten Watchers - Argonnessen’s draconic
guardians keep watch over specific sites, ensuring
nobody attempts to uncover their powerful secrets.
Any airships entering their areas of influence have the
8
potential to disrupt this, and nobody ever said that
dragons are merciful. It is possible that a party might
be attacked by a Watcher doing their duty - and if they
slay it, there could be all manner of ramifications.
41
 Continental Curses
Everything from daily travel to the foundation of cities is
governed by the grand curses laid upon Xen'drik. These
infamous effects form the cultural foundation for every
inhabitant of the continent, for defying them brings nothing
but ruin. Broadsheets in Sharn tell of the Traveler's Curse,
which can turn a day's journey into a thousand miles in the
blink of an eye. Xen'drik legends hint at the most dangerous
of all. The Madness of Crowds - or Du'rashka Tul in Giant -
was set in place by the dragons to ensure that no civilisation
could ever rise again in Xen'drik. Any nation that reaches a
certain height might suddenly fall into a deranged fury, its
people tearing their own cities apart in a mass act of brutal
violence. The truth behind these curses are either lost to
time, or deliberately obscured by draconic interests. It is
believed that all are punishments levied by Argonnessen on
the giants for their crimes, but this doesn't always add up.
It may well be that some 'curses' are the after-effects of the
Moonbreaker, or even side-effects of powerful magic that the
dragons have twisted for their own cruel purposes. The last
40,000 years of history in Xen'drik are underlined by these
curses, and destroying them would herald a new age.
Narrative Function. For adventurers, these ancient
curses are a constant threat. Without proper preparation,
the Traveler's Curse might send them hundreds of miles
in the wrong direction, or turn a day of travel into a year.
For a GM, these curses are narrative levers that can be used
to influence events and create drama. They also serve as a
narrative foundation for the current state of Xen'drik, forcing
the people to live in small settlements rather than the grand
cities of Khorvaire and Sarlona. Finally, they can also be used
as a campaign goal. Fixing the cause of a curse, or destroying
the eldritch machine responsible, is the stuff of utter legend.
It cannot be overstated that these curses are, and have always
been, entirely optional. This book takes the stance that the
Giants' Curse, detailed below, is itself offensive and obsolete.
If you think that the Traveler's Curse is too obstructive or
uninteresting, do not include it! If you do wish to use it,
this section includes suitable mechanics to make use of, along
with different narrative causes for the Madness of Crowds
and Traveler's Curse. These have their own side-effects and
narrative possibilities, intended to help GMs with planning
campaigns and adventures.
The Giants’ Curse
Canonically, the dragons of Argonnessen laid a curse upon
the giants that stripped them of much of their magic,
strength, and intelligence. With every generation, the effect
increases in potency. This is a running theme used to explain
why the giants have never risen to their pre-Shattering
height. This book disregards this curse due to its highly
problematic nature, which shares a similar narrative to some
modern racist ideologies. The concept of people having
their intelligence permanently reduced, lasting through
generations of those suffering for their forefathers’ sins, is
incredibly distasteful and has no place in modern TTRPGs.
This is coupled with the use of language such as ‘primitive’
and ‘savage’ to refer to Xen’drik’s people (an insulting
hallmark of colonialism), as well as artwork which
portrays different giants as monstrous or human
depending on intelligence.
Tyrants fear what they cannot
4242 control. Now, and ever.
Knowledge of an Age. Instead, this book operates
on the assumption that the impacts of the Moonbreaker, the
cataclysmic Shattering, the effects of Xen’drik’s curses, and
the purposeful erasure of ancient knowledge and records by
the dragons have all played a part in preventing the giants
from rising to their former power. The dragons did not just
commit genocide, but have worked for 40,000 years to erase
knowledge and culture. On top of this, Argonnessen placed
ten draconic Watchers to keep guard over Xen’drik, who
ensure that no existential dangers rise from the continent
again. Given the vast scale of these factors, the author sees
absolutely no need to give the ‘degenerative curse’ a place in
modern Eberron, and encourages you to do the same.
Giant Hierarchy & The Ordning
One key factor in this is that Eberron’s giants are shackled
to the ‘Ordning’ from other settings, where giants have
increasing strength and intelligence based on a divinely-
ordained ranking of superiority. This is due to the use of
shared stat blocks, which forces Eberron’s fire and stone
giants to be less intelligent, strong, and capable than cloud
or storm giants. The concept of a divinely created hierarchy
of race - a tool of oppressors - is something that has no place
as literal truth in any ideology or TTRPG setting. While
Wizards of the Coast once took quiet steps to dampen
the importance of the Ordning in the Forgotten Realms
setting (and then immediately did the opposite, and decided
to reinforce it across all settings instead), its impacts are
very much still present in Eberron's lore and mechanics.
To prevent this, this book contains reworked stat blocks
for giants to promote equality while enhancing mechanical
diversity. This means that interacting with a stone giant*
will feel different than a fire giant*, and GMs will not have
to roleplay hill giants as being less intelligent than mimics
and displacer beasts. These stat blocks can be found in the
Bestiary section starting on p.8.
Enforced Dark Age
The simple reason that modern giants are less powerful
than their forebears is one of knowledge. Fundamentally, a
fire giant is a planetouched giant given sorcerous abilities
by their heritage. Depending on civilisation, this may make
them a tiefling, genasi, or aasimar, although few Xen’drik
explorers would recognise the difference (especially when
trading blows). The giants of old understood how to wield
these sorcerous powers, enhance them with magic items
(like the Dragonmarked Houses), draw on planar magic, and
wield intricate and advanced spells. In the modern day, nearly
all of these capabilities have been lost. As such, the giants in
this book are not degenerated or inferior. Instead, they are
physically the same as their forebears, but are starting over
their magical development in a broken and hostile land.
Driven Reclamation. This explains why factions such
as the Scriveners of the Sky seek to reclaim the knowledge of
their ancestors; by learning how to wield it, they can restore
the magic that once raised them to great heights. This means
that a ‘hill’ giant is the non-planetouched form of Xen’drik’s
giants, with some nations consisting entirely of these
common giants* in their heyday. To the giants themselves,
there is no such thing as ‘a hill giant’. They are simply giants,
in the same way that a non-planetouched human is a human.
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 The Madness of Crowds
In the last 40,000 years, many new empires have risen across
Xen’drik. Giants, drow, thri-kreen and more have sought
to forge a new legacy in the shattered continent. All have
fallen to dust. This is the mark of the most devastating curse
laid on Xen’drik - the Du’rashka Tul (‘Madness of Crowds’).
Legends hold that any civilisation that reaches a certain size
threshold becomes rapidly gripped by a murderous rage. In
days, the people are driven to destroy themselves, collapsing
nations without warning or trace. Explorers have found
ruins where the entire population seemingly abandoned
them at once. The most famous example are the thri-kreen
ruins of Stormreach, which are built atop the ancient Cul'sir
city beneath.
Mystery Trigger. The threshold of the Madness of
Crowds is unknown and may depend on any number of
factors. Zantashk or the port of Stormreach might both be
approaching that final limit, which could provoke invasions,
conflict, or the fall of either city. It is also possible that factors
such as bound Overlords help protect cities built above them.
Or, perhaps, doom them faster.
Plot Tool. Ultimately, the Madness of Crowds exists to
justify the tribal nature of many canon giants and drow, while
underlining the thorough brutality of the dragons. It also
helps to explain why no giants have historically risen to their
former glory and built lasting empires. Despite this, it should
not limit the possibility of advanced civilisations existing in
Xen’drik, and can be ignored entirely if it results in a more
interesting campaign. Similarly, the strength and speed of the
curse can be tuned depending on the true cause behind it.
Causes for the Madness of Crowds
The following options provide different plot hooks and
reasons behind the Du’rashka Tul, which can alter the impact
of the curse, or even end it for good!
• Continental Curse
• The Scar that Abides
• Watcher of the End
Continental Curse
In this scenario, the Madness of Crowds is a magical effect
that lies over the continent and activates autonomously.
Much like the feat of epic magic that locks in the fiends of the
Demon Wastes, this effect is immensely strong, and could
only be undone by the united powers of Argonnessen.
Mechanical Madness. For a more interactive
Du’rashka Tul, the dragons may have anchored the effect on
one or more eldritch machines hidden throughout Xen’drik.
A villain might have discovered one, and begun plans to
use it to destroy a city - such as Bazek Mohl - or use it to
force the city to acknowledge them as its ruler to avoid
destruction. The players may also be able to disable or destroy
the machines before it is too late, freeing Xen’drik from the
Du’rashka Tul for good.
the Age of Demons, it is said that Sakinnirot was one of the
most powerful Overlords, and claimed nearly the entirety of
Xen’drik as its domain. Now, its fury smolders beneath the
city, causing minor slights to bloom over time into violent
hatred. In this scenario, Sakinnirot’s power is great enough
to influence all of its former domains, creating a building
societal unease that cascades into violent riots. Such an effect
may have first driven the civilisations of the giants to splinter
into so many competing groups.
Fiendish Fury. The implications of this are dire, for
the modern strength of the Du’rashka Tul may be a result
of the binding on Sakinnirot weakening over the ages. The
release of Sakinnirot, empowered by the deceit and treachery
of Stormreach, would drive the entire city into a frenzy of
violence, and spell disaster for the entire continent. As such,
an Overlord-focused campaign centered on preventing the
Scar’s release could have the effect of weakening the curse
again, preventing Stormreach from (further) chaos.
Watcher of the End
In this scenario, the Madness of Crowds is not a continental
effect, but the result of a specific ritual enacted by one of the
Ten Watchers that guard Xen’drik. The roaming dragon is
entrusted with this dark task, and travels in search of lesser
mortals working to uncover dangerous secrets. This would
explain why certain civilisations such as the Súlatar are left
untouched, while giants building cities are more likely to be
destroyed. Similarly, the fall of Stormreach’s thri-kreen may
have been enacted due to Sakinnirot corrupting them, while
the current city is fine due to the carelessness of the Green
Watcher, who only recently noticed its existence. When the
risk is deemed too high, this special Watcher infiltrates the
city and incites its people to murder using vast magic. When
the last of its people fall, it has already moved on to the next.
Traveler's Kin. It is possible that this role is given to the
Copper or Brass Watcher due to their penchant for illusion,
or to a special 11th Watcher emulating the Traveler - the
perfect embodiment of chaos. It may also be that the oldest of
the Watchers at any one time takes on the mantle, ensuring
that the most powerful and experienced dragon is the one
to pull the trigger. If so, any parties trying to stop them face
an awful challenge, for saving Stormreach might require
bringing down a greatwyrm of terrifying wrath.
Kill the Curse. Using this scenario provides a dynamic
cause of the Du’rashka Tul, as well as various ways of
stopping it. Slaying the dragon might stave off the Madness
in the short term - but a dragon that truly resents the role
might be convinced to spare a city - at least, for now. Further
information on using such a dragon as an antagonist can be
found in the Legendary Villains chapter on p.151.

The Scar that Abides

The Overlord Sakinnirot, known as the Scar that Abides, is
the embodiment of cold vengeance and patient murder. Its
bound form beneath Stormreach may have incited so much
of the Emperor Cul'sir’s treachery and vile deeds. During

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 The Traveler’s Curse
The Traveler’s Curse is one of Xen’drik’s most famous
anomalies. Explorers may find their journey accelerated to
a fraction of the time needed, or slowed down by months,
but perceive the journey as completely normal. Two groups
traveling the same path can arrive at the same destination at
different times - or even different destinations altogether.
This ‘Curse’ covers the entirety of Xen’drik, and defies all
modern magical explanation. As long as the Curse persists,
making maps of the continent is all but impossible.
It is important to note that the existence of the Curse is
entirely optional and down to GM discretion. It serves as
a clear but useful plot device, allowing you to justify travel
across the length of Xen’drik in days. This can accelerate the
plot and skip lengthy travel segments. It also allows players
to visit locations untouched by other parties due to being
‘bypassed’ by the directions of the Curse. The Curse can also
act as a hindrance. Running a hex-crawl adventure with
the Curse becomes extremely difficult, and it can hinder
player wishes to revisit a location. As a result, it is entirely
reasonable to remove it from a campaign.
The Curse is unpredictable, but there are some aspects to it
that are consistent. These can be changed without any impact
on canon to suit personal taste and the campaign scenario:
• People from Xen’drik ('tau'Xen') are affected far less by
the Curse; thri-kreen are immune.
• Those following set roads or paths are affected far less
by the Curse.
• Those with a clear idea or information about their
destination are affected far less. It is theorized that those
with strong will might even resist or control the effects.
Accordingly, there are simple narrative ways to retain the
Curse, but allow the party to control its effects:
• Travel with a native guide.
• Establish ‘checkpoints’ or ‘markers’ to a location, forming
a navigable road. This might involve the use of special
magic items supplied by House Orien or Na'qalla drow.
Providing the players with a limited supply can allow
them to choose which locations they want to reliably
return to in a sandbox campaign.
• Obtain ancient records or information about the location
through loot, research or other means.
Mechanics for the Traveler’s Curse
The following system is a simple mechanical solution for
running the Traveler’s Curse during an exploration-heavy
campaign. Whenever the players set out to travel from one
location to another, one player rolls 2d4 ‘Travel Dice’. If the
numbers rolled are different, they arrive as normal. If the
numbers rolled are the same, they instead have their journey
warped by the Curse. This could involve a change in travel
time, or arriving at a completely different location. Factors
that ward off the curse, such as using a native guide, increase
the size of the Travel Dice and reduce the chances of suffering
the effects. If they have their journey affected by the
curse, roll on the d10 table below, or choose an effect.
For each of the following factors that the party
has, increase the size of the Travel Dice by one
stage (e.g d4 to d6, or d8 to d10):
4444
Factors:
• The party has a native guide. Having a thri-kreen guide,
or an Orien guide with a Siberys Compass*, means that if
the Curse takes effect, you can roll the effects die twice
and choose the more favorable result.
• The party has detailed information about the location
they seek, or have been there before.
• The route has an established road or trail.
Effects:
The journey takes a number of weeks equal to the
1-2
total rolled on the Travel Dice.
The party arrives at a completely different location
3-4
in Xen’drik within a radius of 200 miles.
The journey takes a number of days equal to the
5-6
total rolled on the Travel Dice.
The party arrives at a completely different location
7-8
in Xen’drik within a radius of 50 miles
The journey takes a number of hours equal to the
9-10
total rolled on the Travel Dice.
Causes for the Traveler’s Curse
Understanding the Traveler’s Curse is an epic achievement,
with repercussions for the entirety of Xen’drik - and beyond.
Adventurers who can learn the secret behind it, or even undo
the Curse’s effects, would be guaranteed a place in history.
Doing so is a campaign hook, with very different objectives
depending on the narrative cause of the Curse. Some
potential optionals for this are detailed below.
• The Will of Rushemé
• Giant Pathways
• Draconic Magic
• Waking Dreams
The Will of Rushemé
In this scenario, the Curse is the will of Rushemé - the
ancient spirit of the land said to be the soul of Xen’drik. The
Curse is there to defy those wishing to plunder the continent
for its secrets, preventing the ignorant from exploring the
dangers left behind by the titans - the same dangers that
destroyed the land so long ago. In this way, Rushemé defies
the will of anyone seeking to map out Xen’drik in their own
terms, leaving the native people unaffected. If you are using
this as a basis for the Curse, you may wish to alter it so that
foreign parties exploring Xen’drik are never hastened
to their destination, but are only slowed or unaffected.
Healing the Land. In this case, undoing the Curse
may be impossible without a major change in the spirit’s
viewpoint. This might involve healing Xen’drik of its
long-lasting wounds, by ‘curing’ the land of its shifting
zones. Alternatively, the Curse might be in effect to hide a
particularly dangerous place linked to the Titans.
Neutralizing the threat might negate the Curse, causing
Rushemé to unstitch its ancient magic. Options for this
location include the jail of the mad Prince Adaxus, or the
heart of the Moonbreaker.
Giant Pathways
In this scenario, the Curse is the result of ancient Giant
infrastructure that has gone haywire due to the Shattering.
The spatial manipulation that defines the Curse was originally
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 a method of rapid travel, forming trade routes between the
Group of Eleven. This network, known as the Transcend, is
likely to originate in the city of Zja Aqat (p.229) - the masters
of Xoriat, who specialized in dimensional travel. The damage
to the city may have caused malfunctions in the system,
which now activates on any foreigners who seem to have lost
their way from safe roads - especially if they have no clear
idea of where they are going. Those native to Xen’drik know
the lay of the land, and as such are unaffected. In this case, the
reason why the Curse defies magical explanation is simple; it’s
psionic, and was never magical to begin with.
Defensive Scramble. One possibility is that the
Transcend affects foreigners as a defense mechanism against
the dragons. The Zjai giants attempted to use it to slow down
and disrupt the incoming flights of Argonnessen, buying
them time to mount a defense. When the Free City fell, the
system remained, and has affected ‘foreign entities’ ever since.
Mind Warp. It is also possible that the Transcend
is maintained by Zja Aqat’s Titan - the godmind of the
Concateny. The Titan may be drawing adventurers to certain
locations, with the intent of baiting them to Zja Aqat itself.
In this case, it may be slowing down travelers on journeys to
prevent them from being caught in unstable shifting zones,
and protecting them from danger. It’s just as likely that the
Concateny is damaged or insane, and that it continues to
maintain the Transcend in a delusional state.
The Free City. In any of these scenarios, the key to
controlling or undoing the curse lies in the city of Zja Aqat,
deep in the Menechtarun. If this reality-warping ‘Curse’
is psionic, it may explain why the psionic thri-kreen are
unaffected, and provide the Riedrans of Dar Qat with an
easier basis for how to defy it. Stealing or uncovering their
methods of doing so would allow the party to bypass the
Curse - although, if the Riedrans are aiming for Zja Aqat, the
Curse may just be on the players’ side instead.
Waking Dreams
In this scenario, the Curse is part of the magical backlash
from the destruction of Crya by the Cul’sir. Much like
Xen’drik’s shifting zones, the impact of severing the link
to Dal Quor irradiated the land with areas of dream-like
unreality. As a result, the concepts of distance and time can
follow dream logic, with the mind never quite grasping the
pace at which travel is happening.
Learned Observance. The resistance of native people
to the Curse is a result of experience and an upbringing in a
land where such phenomena are normal. Drow, giants, and
other tau'Xen develop the skills to recognize the signs of the
dream shifting, and can path around the changing tides. This
may involve recognizing common surreal patterns in the
environment, or developing cultural touchstones for what is
stable and what is ‘cursed’. There may also be Xen’drik items
or spells that allow one to sense the movements of the Curse.
Roads and large settlements are relatively more ‘grounded’,
and are thus stable compared to other regions.
Moon Maker. In this case, undoing the Curse may
require something both simple and impossible - the
restoration of Crya. Realigning Dal Quor with Eberron is
an epic achievement with ramifications the world over. For
Xen’drik, it may ‘cure’ the continent of its shifting zones
and the Traveler’s Curse - and also open the many artificial
gateways to Dal Quor created by the ancient quori. Options
for the causes of Crya's disappearance can be found in the
Cul'sir Empire section on p.178.

Draconic Magic
In this scenario, the Curse is a work of epic magic laid on
Xen’drik by the dragons. This would serve the purpose of
hampering efforts to rediscover the lost magic of the Titans
by rogue entities such as the Lords of Dust, corrupted
dragons, or ignorant lesser mortals. At the same time, the
people of Xen’drik are left relatively unaffected, for many
shun the legacy of the Giants and actively oppose foreign
agents attempting to exploit their secrets. If you are using this
explanation for the Curse, it is recommended to have parties
led by native guides be unaffected entirely by its effects.
Draconic Machinations. In this case, undoing
the Curse may be impossible without epic magic of
immense power to match the strength of the original
enchantment. Alternatively, it is possible that the
Curse is anchored on a singular eldritch machine
hidden somewhere in Xen’drik. In the wake of the
Shattering, ten draconic Watchers were left behind
to prevent any further catastrophes from the reeling
giants. It is possible that one Watcher has the duty
of guarding this ancient machine, and that a group
of adventurers might be able to destroy it for
good - and undo the cruelty of Argonnessen laid
upon the land.

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Magical Wildlife
The latent magic saturating Xen’drik has created to a rainbow
of unique and fascinating wildlife. The point at which
the ‘natural’ meets the ‘mutated’ has long since faded into
obscurity. This is further complicated by magebred animals
created by the Sul’at League and Esht Primacy, which escaped
into the wilds due to the Shattering. As such, adventurers
might encounter everything from hyper-fast hummingbirds
to massive mutant dinosaurs. As Xen’drik has a variety of
environments, there are thousands of animals undiscovered
by the people of Khorvaire. Many are intrinsically beautiful,
valuable, and deadly. The following tables are meant to
provide examples and inspiration for the kind of creatures
that a party might encounter.
Rainforest
Tilxin Bird* - The small iridescent tilxin* hummingbirds
are fiercely hunted around Stormreach, and are becoming
increasingly rare. The birds are permanently under the
1 effects of the spell haste, and their blood can be used as
a powerful (and expensive) component for the spell and
related enchantments.
Rocwing Butterfly - The pride of the ir’Tain’s collection
in Sharn is a pinned butterfly with a wingspan the size of a
person. Rocwing butterflies are thought to be a remnant of
2 the Cul’sir Empire, who bred them for their beauty and as a
mark of prestige. Their pastel colors change into shockingly
bright hues when threatened.
Chwingen - These monkeys - named for the stark white
fur on their faces and charcoal bodies - are common in the
3 jungles of the Hydra Basin. Their shenanigans are the bane of
many villages, especially due to their innate primal ability to
create random noises and sensory effects as per druidcraft.
Hantar’sul - The ‘flame hunters’ of the Skyfall Peninsula are
large arboreal wolverines with russet fur. They have evolved
4 within the autumn forests of the Sul’asa, and possess an
innate ability to produce sparks and small flames. They use
these to set fire to trees, smoking out prey to eat.
Desert
Sunscales - Small lizards touched by Irian manifest zones
can be found across western Xen’drik. Their scales are like
small crystalline mirrors, keeping them cool by reflecting the
1 sun’s light. When threatened, they can focus the direction
of their scales to blind predators. Explorers in the desert
are often fooled by sunscales, which can appear as glittering
points of interest on the horizon.
4646
I miss polar bears. So perfectly sized
for hugs, with the softest fur.
Simulacra just aren't the same.
Desert
Seheta - ‘Sandfish’ swim through the dunes of the
Menechtarun, keeping cool below the surface. The creatures
2 range from shoals of minnows to larger barracuda and
seheta snapjaws*. Some are tamed or farmed by the
asherati of the desert as food or hunting companions.
Crysmals - Large elemental scorpions known as crysmals
live in the crystal wastes of the Menechtarun. Their bodies
3 are themselves crystalline, with a penchant for innate
psionics as a result of their environment. Different wastes
produce different colors of crysmal.
Castle Mites - The Wasting Plains are dotted with great
spires of earth - communal bastions made by the insects
known as castle mites. The termite-esque creatures farm
fungus within the massive mounds, forming colonies that
4 spread across the plains. To build their castles, the mites
gather together in the thousands and cast move earth, with
the effects gradually continuing over the course of days. As
such, the termite mounds can have everything from outer
walls to deep moats and shells of stone.
Arctic
Iceberg Shark - The sharks of the Iceflow Sea possess
stumpy legs and the ability to breathe for several minutes on
land. They use this to crawl onto icebergs, surprising seals
1 and other prey seeking refuge on land. After feeding, they go
into states of lethargy that can last for years. Local warning
tales tell of ice-fishers who don’t keep an eye out, and catch
more than they ask for…
A’drik - To a giant, most whales are not that big. The a’drik
of the Iceflow sea, in comparison, are so big that even the
giants named them giants. Hundreds of feet long, with
2 lifespans so long they might actually be immortal, the a’drik
are truly vast. They return to the Iceflow to rear their young
around the island of Raiarin. The Rimewalker druids consider
the whales sacred, and favored by the polar land spirit.
Giant Albatross - The flying city of Kul Lerek has a long
tradition of giant albatross* nesting in the city, with traders
and sky knights forming bonds with the beautiful birds. In
3
the wild, they nest across the islands of the Iceflow, mating
for life over decades.
Snowworms - The tundra below the Bluespine Peaks is
home to large translucent grubs that endlessly eat the
snow and ice. The people of southern Xen’drik treat them
4 with utmost care, for they are said to be the larval forms of
remorhaz. Disturbing a snowworm will cause it to create a
high-pitched keening sound that most people can’t hear - an
alarm call that draws massive remorhaz from miles around…
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 Temperate Forest
Skittermists - The presence of the Spinner of Shadows
causes all manner of spiders to live in the forests around
Dread Lake. Skittermists, as they are known to the people
of central Xen’drik, are spiders that weave webs straight out
1 of water vapor, appearing as intricate patterns of floating
fog and mist. These snap-freeze upon contact with living
creatures, with the large spiders feasting on trapped birds
and insects. Elsewhere, they are a nuisance. In Dread Lake,
they often work together in packs…
Ghost Pandas - The adorable critters of the forests of
Dread Lake are a silvery blue in color, helping them to hide in
the region’s mists. They eat fruit, leaves, and berries, and are
2 often kept as pets by local SÚlatar drow. They survive in the
wild by innately casting fog cloud up to once a week when
threatened, before vanishing at speed.
Kwingi - Said to be the favored children of the land spirit
Kwinharin, kwingi are lithe deer with branching wooden
3 antlers that sprout flowers in spring. The floral scent carries
for miles, drawing them together in vast herds.
Chaos Bears - The Kythri zones of the Tempest’s Spine
have given rise to bears that change with the local seasons.
Their pelts shift color to adapt, ensuring they are always
4 4
dangerously camouflaged. Some cultures prize the creatures
highly, and hunt them to create magical cloaks such as
Nature’s MantlesTCoE.
Mountain
Ravar Goats - The mountain goats of the Scimitar
Spires have curving metal horns that resemble scimitars
themselves. Their unnatural (and surprisingly dangerous)
1 weaponry is a result of the many Shavarath manifest zones
found in the mountain range. The goats can often be seen
high up cliff-faces, licking exposed iron ore.
Storm Condors - Massive Lamannian birds nest in the
Bluespine Peaks, their feathers charged with crackling
lightning. Storm condors fly within storm clouds, storing the
2
electric charge within themselves. They use this to cast call
lightning on prey, charring it to cinders before it can run.
Suluvé - The Sulatar of the Fangs of Argarak keep alpacas
adapted to the volcanic conditions. Suluvé have dense fluffy
fur despite the intense heat. The drow believe them to be
3 Raazkev’ka - The biomancy of the Eternal Dominion is
blessed by Fernia’s angels of comfort, and clothes woven
from their wool are always the perfect temperature no
matter the conditions.
Kinkillas - The chinchillas of the Scimitar Spires, touched
by their many manifest zones to Shavarath, are obscenely
aggressive. The creatures appear entirely normal until
approached, at which point they fly into adorable rages and
4 Kaloons - Named by Riedran sailors for the cursed islands
attempt to rip and tear. While humorous, the creatures
have razor teeth, and can cause considerable damage. The
northern chinchillas of the Fangs of Argarak are instead
resistant to fire, and take baths in volcanic ash.
CHAPTER 14 | GAME
ALLIESMASTER'S
& ENEMIESTOOLKIT
Wetlands
Sapleech - These massive green leeches attach to mangrove
trees to suck their sap, and are completely harmless to
animals. Nevertheless, their size and fearsome appearance
1
have created many myths among Khorvairian explorers, and
may have contributed to the interesting name they gave to
the ‘Marsh of Desolation’.
Giant Piracu - Massive arapaima fish the size of boats
swim through the tributaries of the Hydra. They are highly
opportunistic, and any large creatures that fit in their
2 mouths are at risk. Many communities in the Hydra Basin
hunt the fish for food - a single adult can feed a community
for weeks. Blackgrove Refuge maintains a record for length.
Marsh Tiger - The frogfolk of the Marsh of Desolation have
a healthy fear of marsh tigers. While normal tigers don't fear
water, these ones take it a step further, with webbed paws
3 and green fur that blends in perfectly with floating water
plants. Marsh tigers see creatures on boats as easy prey, and
lurk underwater before pouncing to drag them away.
Wari Temn - Much to the disbelief of explorers, the
waterways of the Hydra have a population of purely aquatic
elephants, with a large fish tail replacing their back legs.
Theorized to be the result of mutation due to Shifting Zones,
the wari temn can breathe underwater, and use their tusks
to dig up aquatic plants. The peaceful creatures live in herds,
and often migrate past Blackgrove Refuge (where they are
regularly given snacks).
Ocean
Ghost Tuna - The larger fish of the Sea of Lost Souls include
Dolurrh-touched tuna, with partially ethereal scales and flesh
for camouflage. As a result, they appear to be massive fish
1 skeletons swimming at speed through the waves. Ghost tuna
are near mythical to sailors, and fetch exorbitant prices in
the restaurants of Skyway. Eating a ghost tuna steak causes
one's skin to take on a shimmering ghostly pallor at night.
Firefish - The Phoenix Basin is home to massive shoals of
tiny firefish, named for their auburn color and tolerance
of the boiling waters that dot the region. When swimming
2
together, their shoals spread out to the sides, forming
sweeping wings of fish that dash beneath the surface - and
help to give the Phoenix Basin its name.
used in all aspects of their operations. Raazkev’ka help their
border guards to keep track of ships entering Dominion
3 territory. These remora fish instinctively seek out boats,
stick to hulls with the suckers on their heads, then release
distinctive sounds through the water. Wherever Raazkev’ka
can be found, sahuagin squads are never far behind.
of their home, kaloons are large slow-moving fish of the
Barren Sea, characterized by their adaptation to the region’s
hypersaline waters. To survive, kaloons excrete massive
4
amounts of salt from their skin, which crystallizes into a
shimmering coat of armor over their scales. This can crack
into fragments during fast movements, giving the disturbing
impression that the entire fish is disintegrating.
47
 Navigating Giant Ruins
The sheer scale of giant cities is a major factor in their
exploration, and sets them apart from other dungeons and
ruins. Adventurers may have to contend with buildings made
for beings up to four times their size, with all the tactical
and practical issues that entails. This can lead to interesting
situations in battles. A fight might take place atop a kitchen
table, with characters taking shelter behind massive pots
and pans. A tide of monsters might surge at the party as they
struggle to push open the giant doors between them and
safety. The following are optional rules for giant ruins to
accommodate their size and unique nature.
Giant Architecture
Ancient giants varied significantly in size, ranging from
common giants at 12 feet, to storm giants over 20 feet tall.
Some cultures had a grand variety of different planetouched
giants, and thus built their monuments accordingly. As a
result, a typical giant ruin has the following features:
• Corridors are typically 20 feet wide, increasing to up to
50 feet in public spaces.
• Ceilings are typically 25-30 feet high, increasing up to 80
feet in public spaces.
• Walls are built from massive stone blocks 5-10 feet thick.
• Doors are at least 20 feet tall and 15 feet wide. Rules for
dealing with doors are detailed below.
• Ramps, where possible, are more common than stairs.
Stairways themselves have steps that are 2 feet high and
5 feet wide. As a result, characters who are under 6’5”
and either lack a climbing speed, or have less than 16
Strength, count giant stairways as difficult terrain when
climbing up them.
• Arcane lighting was once the norm, with many ruins still
lit by oversized continual flames. Naturally, many of these
have been ruined by time, or draconic destruction.
Among these, the greatest enemy of adventurers are by far
the doors. While normal doors can be dire foes at the best
of times, giant doors can be up to 30 feet tall. Running away
from hunting monsters, only to find an immense door in the
way made of wood thicker than a man is tall, has doomed
many a party to a quick end. Pushing open a giant door takes
an action for a creature with 16 or greater Strength, or an
4848
action from a creature with 8 or more Strength as long as
another creature with 8 or more Strength takes the Help
action to support them. Spells such as thaumaturgy and knock
that magically open doors require a DC 13 spellcasting ability
check to succeed, or otherwise have no effect. This ability
check gains a bonus equal to the level of the spell cast (with
cantrips counting as 0th-level spells). A mage casting such a
spell can spend 1 minute to cast it and automatically succeed
on the ability check while not under pressure.
Giant Furniture
An average piece of giant furniture has dimensions 4 times
greater than one sized for humanoids. For example, a chair
might be 10 feet tall, with a seat that is 10 feet square. As a
result, it will weigh roughly 16 times the standard version. If
the piece of furniture is carved from stone (not uncommon
due to the fiddly size of trees) that number may increase to
a maximum of 50 times the normal weight. This means that
shifting giant furniture around can be a truly herculean task,
but one that Strength-based characters can excel at. This
provides a perfect way for adventurers such as Barbarians
to contribute to exploring giant ruins, as they can position
furniture to provide easy ways to climb around. A character
can attempt to climb a piece of furniture as normal, doing so
at half speed, or attempt a DC 15 Strength (Athletics) check
to do so in a burst of effort. The character climbs up to 15 feet
up the piece of furniture without expending any movement,
but then falls if the result of their ability check is 10 or below.
If the result of the roll is between 10-15, they climb up to 15
feet, but expend 15 feet of movement in doing so.
Giant Locks
The average giant lock - ignoring arcane additions - is so big
that a thief can crawl inside the keyhole and push around the
tumblers with their hands. Normal thieves’s tools aren’t going
to cut it. Picking such a lock is an entire challenge in itself.
Firstly, one must reach the lock, which may well be 10 feet
off the ground in the case of doors. Next, the adventurer must
squeeze inside the lock and perform a Strength or Intelligence
(Thieves’s Tools) ability check to open the tumblers. On a
failure, the large tumblers briefly crush the hapless thief,
dealing bludgeoning damage equal to half the DC of the
ability check. During the Elven Rebellion, the Cul'sir and
Sul'at giants took precautions against nimble infiltrators. As
such, their locks may have brutal countermeasures in wait for
anyone attempting to pick them from the inside…
CHAPTER
CHAPTER
1 | GAME4 MASTER'S
| ALLIES & TOOLKIT
ENEMIES
 Random Encounter Tables
The Thunder Sea
A shipwreck is impaled on a spire of demonglass. Its
stern and cargo hold are sunken beneath the waves,
and are being used as a lair by a giant octopus.
1
Characters that can navigate the unstable ship and
drive off the octopus underwater can loot a chest with
50 gold pieces and a soggy Hat of Disguise.
A squad of sahuagin hails the ship to check its Beacon
of Passage* - a magic item granting it permission to
2 cross through Dominion territory. If the ship does not,
the squad of 6 sahuagin, led by a sahuagin baron,
will do their best to sink it as an example.
A merfolk stormcallerEXE heralds the ship the party is
on, warning of a powerful incoming storm; he asks to
take refuge on board in order to cast a ritual to quell
the storm. The merfolk - Lualaki - sets up shop on
the prow, and begins casting control weather as black
clouds build unnaturally fast on the horizon. Towards
the end of their 10-minute ritual, an air elemental and
3 ice mephits swoop down from the storm at a height
3 is possible (requiring a DC 20 Dexterity (Sleight of
of 100 feet, and zone in on Lualaki. Treat the merfolk
as concentrating on the ritual; every time he takes
damage, he must make a concentration saving throw
to maintain it. If the elementals are slain, the ritual is
completed, and the storm is quieted. If the ritual fails,
the intense storm waylays the ship, and all characters
on board suffer 2 levels of exhaustion as they struggle
and toil to prevent it sinking beneath the waves.
A pirate ship begins chasing the one the party is on. If
it draws close without player intervention, 8 bandits
and 2 swashbucklers leap aboard, indiscriminately
attacking the crew under directions from the master
thief captain. The captain is guarded by her pet rust
4 monster. If only 3 invaders remain, or the captain is
killed or reduced to below 20 hit points, they call off
the attack. If the party is defeated, they are captured
and taken prisoner, then forced to do something
dangerous in search of treasure for the pirates - or
sold as gladiators to Stormreach’s Red Ring.
A doppelganger (a servant of the Lurker in Shadows)
climbs aboard the ship and does its best to hide until
nightfall. If able, it sneaks into the cargo hold. Once
5 night falls, the doppelganger attempts to murder a
member of the crew, then takes their place. From
there, it tries to discreetly kill one member of the crew
each day, aiming to drive them into a paroxysm of fear.
A massive young dragon turtleFTD surfaces only 50
feet away from the ship; it roars - in pain, as a party of
6 sahuagin and a reef shark are hunting it. The turtle
is on 100 hit points, and injury prevents it from using
its Steam Breath. If the party drives off the sahuagin,
6 Beast, Flying Snake, Grung, Owlbear, Stegosaurus, Stirge,
the turtle accompanies them to their location, helping
to fend off any threats after a period to rest. If the
party help the sahuagin slay it (or do nothing), they
begin feasting on the turtle, and grant the party two
vials of its blood that act as Potions of Fire Breath.
4 sea spawn and a deep scion attack the ship at
7 night, seeking to indiscriminately slaughter, and bring a
few captives back to their aboleth master.
CHAPTER 14 | GAME
ALLIESMASTER'S
& ENEMIESTOOLKIT
When the party ventures underwater, they see a
bizarre sight - a sunken ship is drifting through the
water. This is the domain of the venerable sea hag
Sora Leyza - a source of many fables among the
8 merfolk. The inside of the ship has a bound bubble
of air in which the party can find safe refuge, but the
wizened hag (who appears as an ancient merfolk) may
ask for all kinds of odd things in return…
Fitting Creatures:
Levels 1-4: Chuul, Deep Scion, Giant Octopus, Merfolk,
Merrow, Reef Shark, Sahuagin, Swashbuckler
Levels 5-9: Giant Shark, Kraken Priest, Merfolk
StormcallerEXE, Sahuagin Baron
Levels 10-13: Aboleth, Claw of Sha’argonEXE, Marid,
Storm Giant*
Skyfall Peninsula
A beautiful grove of vibrant flowers in which many
stunning (and valuable) tilxin birds* are flitting
around in courtship rituals. A fitting offer of friendship
or food might tempt one of the birds into becoming
1
a player’s pet or familiar. Capturing a few of the birds
Hand) check, or a check using a skill that a player can
justify), but will earn the enmity of local people.
A broken quori Dreamgate* (p.61) still guarded by a
2 squad of 4 ancient Quorforged soldiers (warforged
soldiersERLW with the Quorcraft template).
A group of Qaltiar drow traders, with a selection of
3 goods that might act as Spell Scrolls, or help the party
to deal with dangers in the jungle.
A hunting displacer beast stalks the party, waiting
4 for a good time to strike. It will flee if bloodied, and is
raising twin cubs in a nearby hollow.
Two SÚlatar drow on a Firesled* acting as a scout
patrol on the border of the Sul’asa Forest. They are
5
aggressive, and have no wish to let thieves approach
the Obsidian City of Gundrak’úl (p.257)
A Cul’sir Dream Prison* with a quori imprisoned inside
it, standing in the jungle and wrapped in vines. The
quori telepathically talks to nearby creatures, begging
6
to be freed with their help. Time will tell if it’s truly
an ancient quori from the previous Age, or a modern
quori pretending in order to be freed.
An expedition from Cannith South, hoping to recover
7 ancient technology from a quori outpost, such as the
Blank Grove (p.253)
The party hear the sound of thunderous footsteps and
8 splintering trees - the sign of the approaching mutant
tyrannousaurus rex known as Lurking Two-Maws*.
Fitting Creatures:
Levels 1-4: Bullywug, Constrictor Snake, Displacer
Tiger, Vegepygmy,
Levels 5-9: Brontosaurus, Common Giant*, Corpse
Flower, Giant Ape, Giant Crocodile, Hydra, Lord of the
Hunt*, Pyrohydra*, Young Black Dragon
Levels 10-13: Battalion Fire Giant*, Froghemoth,
Lurking Two-Maws*, Kraa'ark Lors*
49
 The Ring of Storms & Tempest’s Spine
A region of jungle is unnaturally blighted and rotted
with Mabaran spores - an ancient warning from the
Qabalrin. At its center is an unnaturally preserved
Giant skull on an obsidian post that screams warnings
1 in ancient Elvish to not intrude on Qabalrin territory.
Naturally, the screaming has a tendency to attract
predators. The skull is powered by a gem that acts as a
Spell Scroll of speak with dead if shattered.
The party is spotted by an aerial dragonborn scout
riding a dragonnelFTD. Soon, they are approached
by a legion of Trothurkear dragonborn wearing
2 organic scale armor. They warn the party not to
head any closer to the Ring of Storms... in Draconic.
They only become aggressive if the party attack, but
communication issues might be a problem.
An elven ghost from the time of the Rebellion that still
feels driven to attack giants. They don't know of what
happened to the elves, and can be set free from their
3 3
worries if told about about their safe arrival in Aerenal.
Otherwise, they might possess someone and find a
giant to attack instead.
A babau and 2 quasits harass the party after
managing to escape from Qabal Mordas. The fiends
are taking out centuries of boredom by inflicting
random misery, but have no desire to die; if two are
4 4
slain, the remaining one can be pressed for basic
information about the Ring of Storms - mainly, its
dragonborn guardians, the permanent storm around
it, and the ancient elves who the fiends dealt with.
An aarakocra village high in the trees. The aarakocra,
known as the Medley, resemble birds-of-paradise;
proximity to Kythri has given them unique and varied
appearances, with innate talents as sorcerers. They
5 are happy to trade Siberys dragonshards, but anyone
posing a threat has to deal with explosive elemental
magic. The village is currently abuzz after a scout saw
a far-off metal titan now lying on the Ring of Storms -
the warforged colossus ‘Naphrad’ (p.264)
A truly bizarre tropical chimera with the heads of a
tilxin bird*, llama, and gurk’ash (a bison-like creature
6 with thick rhino hide). The massive creature is
herbivorous, and arrived in Xen’drik out of the leaking
portal of Anarch’s Rift in the Kythrian city of Genesine.
A fluxborn giant* lost out of time. They emerged
from the portal of Anarch’s Rift in Genesine (p.202)
yesterday, to find that their civilization - and continent
- were destroyed 40,000 years ago. They intend to
return to the ruins of Genesine and stabilize Anarch’s
7
Rift, allowing their people in Kythri to return to the
city that was once theirs. They are a priceless source
of information about the ancient city, but their actions
might have dire consequences for the unstable ruins.
A lava flow from the Thundermount leads into a basalt
valley between two peaks. A group of Tharashk miners
are working to extract valuable Khyber dragonshards
brought up from the earth by the volcano. They’re
8 honest folk, and will do their best to accommodate
the players, giving them a safe place to rest. They also
know a bit about the local area, including the way to
the town of Zantashk, and Darkfire Crater (p.254).
5050
Fitting Monsters:
Levels 1-4: Aarakocra, Dragonborn (Scouts/Soldiers),
DragonnelFTD, Ghast, Ghost, Ghoul, Guard Drake, Hellhound,
Peryton, Wight
Levels 5-9: Air Elemental, Barlgura, Bodak, Chimera,
Howler, Roc, Vrock, Wraith
Levels 10-13: Boneclaw, Horned Devil, Narzugon, Qabalrin
Titangheist*, Vampire, Skull Lord
The Hydra Basin
3 SÚlatar drow fighting against an aberrant plant-
1 like froghemoth with vine tentacles, warped by the
corruption of the daelkyr Avassh, Twister of Roots.
A hydra looking for a meal attacks the party, bursting
2 out from a nearby river or marshland. If reduced to
below half its total hit points, it will flee.
A group 1d4+1 lizardfolk who have just brought down
a wild hadrosaurus. They are preparing to carry it
back to the Sanctum of the Watcher (p.271) to feed
the green dragon Zartarxis, and are debating fearfully
if they can take any of the meat for themselves without
risking the Watcher’s wrath.
Two firbolg druids of the Verdant Path competing to
restore a region of forest burnt by a wildfire. While
healing the land, they are both attempting to create
the most beautiful arrangements of wild flowers in a
show of one-upmanship. At first glance, this is out of a
long-standing rivalry. In truth, they are in love, and are
trying to goad the other into making them the most
beautiful display possible (but would never admit it).
A group of Kuriklaraess yuan-ti worshiping the
Overlord Sakinnirot attempt to ambush the party
from the treetops. The yuan-ti mind whisperer
and 3 yuan-ti purebloods seek to knock the party
5
unconscious and capture them alive, then bring
them to their base of operations within the ruins of a
giant temple. There, they will imprison them before
sacrificing them in worship of their dark god.
The party are shocked as the forest around them gets
up and begins walking - the massive banyan treant
6 Wen-Damji (p.278). While at first the treant doesn’t
notice them, it will happily take them along for the ride
if they’re cordial - and potentially ask a favor first.
A region of oddly singed forest randomly transforms
into a volcanic lava field - a shifting zone (p.55). If
the party aren’t careful, they could rest and wake up
7
impossibly in the middle of dangerous lava flows, with
cavorting elementals such as magma mephits seeking
to help them burn.
A cloud goliath and Ko drow trading goods and
information with some local Na’qalla drow in a jungle
clearing. Their giant albatross* mount rests nearby.
8
Both women hail from the cloud city of Kul Lerek,
and have a random selection of items from across the
length and breadth of Xen’drik.
Fitting Monsters:
Levels 1-4: Bullywug, Constrictor Snake, Displacer Beast,
Flail Snail, Hadrosaurus, Stirge, Tiger, Vegepygmy
Levels 5-9: Corpse Flower, Giant Crocodile, Giant Shark,
Hydra, Shambling Mound, Treant
Levels 10-13: The Cinder Sisters*, Yuan-ti Anathema,
Lurking Two-Maws*
CHAPTER 1 | GAME MASTER'S TOOLKIT
 Dread Lake
A meenlock and pair of grotesque fiendish ettercaps
hide in the trees above an area of forest draped in
1 skeins of spidery web. They intend to capture the
party alive for food (or sacrifice) rather than kill them.
A darkly rotting tree that seeps liquid. A successful DC
15 Intelligence (Nature) check (or other fitting skill)
identifies it as poison that can be bottled carefully
2 for a Potion of Poison. A character that does so must
succeed on a DC 15 Sleight of Hand check or awaken
the phase spider sleeping inside the tree.
3 Torch of Progress martial arts adepts from Bazek
3 Mohl (p.90) fighting a ravening bebilith*.
A partially damaged archonic sentinel* from the
nation of Grand Ju’qata. The divine construct’s legs
are non-functional, and the holy fires that fuel it are
waning. If the party prove to be trustworthy, the
sentinel will grant its last embers to a faithful person
among them, and task them with alerting the city
4 of Bazek Mohl to the threat that destroyed it. The
embers grant that person the effects of the spell aid
for the next 3 days. If the party are untrustworthy, or
any among them are touched by something fiendish,
it will instead attempt to attack them in a final act
of defiance. Due to its condition, it is considered
permanently prone, and is missing half its hit points.
The peace is disturbed by the sound of heavy footfalls
and something crashing through the trees; 10 seconds
5 later, a fey fomorian appears, hunting the party with
disturbing glee.
A grove of vibrant forest maintained by a willow
dryad. If the party earn its trust and shows good
6 intentions, it will let them safely rest inside the clearing
(and cast goodberry for them too, if they're cute).
The ancient night hag Sora Yudotre and her walking
7 6
house, Forget-Me-Dot's (p.256).
The spiderfolk village of Lachni of the Mist (p.
261). Noticing signs of the village requires a passive
Perception of 17 or higher, as it is shrouded by illusory
8 silk and fog. While the party is within the domain of
the village, a drider watches them stealthily from
the trees until they leave. It will only attack if they do
something foolish.
Fitting Monsters:
Levels 1-4: Chitine, Choldrith, Ettercap, Meenlock, Phase
Spider, Fateweaver Warlock*
Levels 5-9: Annis Hag, Chelikera*, Fomorian,
Invisible Stalker
Levels 10-13: Bebilith*, Guardian Naga, The Mistmother*
Frost Salamander, Mammoth, Snow Dancer*,
Winter Wolf, Yeti
Scion of Ketheptis*
CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES & ENEMIES
The Iceflow Sea
Massive waves rock the ocean nearby as an a’drik
whale (Magical Wildlife, p.46) surfaces from below.
The massive creature is 300 feet long, and completely
peaceful, with hide mottled by barnacles and sea-life. It
1 lets out a deep bass song that shakes the air. Moments
later, a few more of the leviathans breach the surface,
a young whale among them. The creatures speak in
Aquan (albeit, very slowly) and a character who can
speak with them might learn things about the region.
A yeti that stalks the party, hoping to pick one of them
2 as prey at night - especially if a blizzard picks up.
A mammoth stampeding in terror, attacked by the
3 construct remorhaz known as the Thousandfold.
The remnants of a crashed cloud giant castle from
the Gallimaufry (p.219) litter the tundra. The largest
piece of the castle - which was once a restaurant -
has smashed into the ground, becoming half-buried
in ice and snow. The kitchen of the restaurant used
elementally-bound artifice, and some of those
4 elementals have become unbound. As a result, several
steam mephits and a fire elemental lurk within the
maze of rubble, looking for things to burn. The castle
might contain flying treasures from the Gallimaufry, or
the greatest prize of all - a Skyhook*. If the Skyhook is
damaged, the players might need to find an expert to
fix it before they can claim a castle of their own.
A Rimewalker frost giant* druid having a friendly
chat with a Huge walrus. The druid is traveling to the
5
island of Raiarin, and might accompany the party on
their journey if they are heading in the same direction.
A Fernian manifest zone where hot springs steam
through the ice and snow. The area is not under
extreme cold, and a short rest taken while bathing in
the hot springs heals a character for an additional 2 hit
points for every hit die they expend, and removes one
level of exhaustion. However, local wildlife sometimes
comes to the place as well, and a party may have to
look unthreatening to avoid antagonizing them.
The party hear a warrior’s roar in the distance;
rounding a bluff, ridge, or cape, they see the Scion
of Ketheptis* Letho with his latest kill - a frost giant
from a clan that fears him and his mother, Ketheptis
7 the One-Eyed Crone*. Letho is powerful and
dangerous, but distracted by his victory; if he notices
the party, he may capture them as gifts for his mother
- or keep them as his personal playthings in their lair.
An half-broken ship frozen in the ice - an exploratory
vessel from the Unity of Riedra. After becoming stuck
in pack-ice, the ship was attacked by the morkoth
8 Kaskylla, who stole some of the crew for its collection
in Kaskylla’s Trove (p.259). Others are still frozen
where they fell. The ship might hold restless undead,
polar wildlife, and psionic treasures from far Sarlona.
Fitting Monsters:
Levels 1-4: Ice Mephit, Killer Whale, Polar Bear
Levels 5-9: Coldlight Pyre*, Frost Giant*,
Levels 10-13: Adult White Dragon, Remorhaz,
51
 Menechtarun
A dust cloud on the horizon grows larger - the sign of
a burrowing creature of great size. Unless the party
1 hides, they come face-to-face with one of the desert’s
worst creatures - the annihilating Menechtar*.
2 druids and an asherati sandbinder* call out to
the party from the tops of nearby dunes. They are
members of the Sunheart - primal practitioners who
2 fight against those who disturb the Menechtarun’s
secrets. Their goals are to ensure that the party are
not linked to the Unity of Riedra, and determine if
they’ll put their noses where they don’t belong.
A foreboding Mabaran manifest zone, in which the
bleached desert sands lie under permanent night. The
region is touched by the layer of the Queen of All Tears
- the Last Desert - and travelers may have to contend
3 with specters and wraiths formed from incarnate
misery. They may also be offered guidance by travelers
taking the same route - disguised Mabaran incubi and
succubi who wish to drink in their slow suffering.
A floating cyclops outpost from the city-state of
Crux, held in the air by intricate Daanvian magic and
geometric graviturgy. The tower - ‘Fulcrum Border
3-Dak’ is a tempting and shady spot to rest, but might
4 Scimitar Spires - An unusual thri-kreen with an
be home to any kind of lairing monster (as well as
magic items from Crux). The base of the tower is a
good 50 feet off the ground, and adventurers better
hope its construct defenses have broken down...
A sun giant* excavating a damaged Lens of Sohl’ara
from the desert sands - a device that channels sunlight
to rapidly grow crops using Irian magic. They ask
for the party’s help in driving off the Construct-type
5 adult crystal dragonFTD that will be created as an
automatic defense when they begin fixing the Lens as
an ‘unauthorised intruder’. If they succeed, the desert
begins blooming, and the dragon's crystal remains can
be made into a magic item such as a Crystal BladeFTD.
The massive crystal waste known as the Diaphany
(p.255), with a camp of goliaths working to extract the
highest quality fragments of crystal to be hauled to the
coast for transport. A pair of Chosen (InspiredERLW)
6 6
oversee the process, accompanied by a squad of
Riedran soldiers. If the party causes trouble, a couple
of goliaths might take the opportunity to contact them
- or help them take down the Riedrans in charge.
The immense swimming zaratan known as Gran
Gol (p.257), with a group of 3 thri-kreen and their
ankheg companion acting as scouts and sentries in
7 cliff-face of the butte in which their village is carved.
the sands around it. Diplomacy will allow the party to
be escorted safely to the thri-kreen village of K’raana,
built within the zaratan’s back.
An oasis surrounded by the sandy ruins of a cyclops
outpost. The settlement is ruled by a capricious half-
8 8
rakshasa lamia who lords over a clan of desert tabaxi.
Intruders are charmed by the lamia as her servants.
Fitting Monsters:
Levels 1-4: Ankheg, Dust Mephit, Kruthik, Lamia,
Mummy, Thri-kreen, Asherati Sandbinder*
Levels 5-9: Seheta Snapjaw*, Sun Giant*, Tlincalli
Levels 10-13: Glimmerdoom, The Menechtar*,
Purple Worm, Zaratan
5252
Mountain Ranges
Bluespine Peaks - A frost giant* with a chained
winter wolf, looking to capture any food or intruders
to bring back to its village in Icehowl Plateau (p.262).
1
The giant is part of a clan serving the vile silver dragon
Ketheptis the One-Eyed Crone*.
Bluespine Peaks - An out-of-place fire elemental
myrmidon guards a cavern with an odd melted
appearance. The tunnel is an entrance to the hidden
2 city of Daomon (p.255) created by the spells used by
the dragons to bore their way through the mountain
to destroy it. Within lie the frozen bones of a fire giant
warrior, with a Hand of Onatar* on one fist.
Fangs of Argarak - A magmatic plain stretches
between two mountains, forming a pass between the
3 Menechtarun and the Valley of Shadows. A pyrohydra
has realized that prey sometimes passes through, and
has laired in a nearby cave to raise its clutch of eggs.
Fangs of Argarak - A recent landslide has uncovered a
basalt cavern studded with sharp obsidian and Khyber
dragonshards. The dragonshards are highly valuable,
4
but remaining in the cave is a recipe for rapid heat
exhaustion, and the magma mephits seeping from
the cracked ground won’t make it easy.
appearance like a stag beetle approaches the party,
gesturing to whoever looks the strongest. They use
their telepathy to demand a duel; whoever draws first
blood (reduces their opponent below 50% of their
maximum hit points) may take a weapon as a trophy
5 from the other. Iki’tohr is a member of the Ta’kanchik -
a militant group of thri-kreen who reshape their bodies
to become stronger warriors, taking on the legacy of
the Hekaton giants. She has a particular hatred for
humans, having battled against the Inspired, and wields
a special Dra-Tin Chatkcha*.
Scimitar Spires - A pair of kalashtar from the
hidden settlement of Laavsan, gathering wild herbs
and food. Laavsan is a base from which they and
their compatriots seek to undermine and spy on the
nearby Riedran city of Dar Qat. If the party includes
any humans or other ancestries that could be from
the Unity of Riedra, they are untrusting, and may seek
to hide or flee. If the party proves themselves to be
enemies of the Unity, or ignorant of the situation, they
may offer info, or a safe rest in their settlement.
Sun Pillars - A group of Sohl’dhai stone goliaths
(p.78) conducting a divine ritual to repair a collapsed
7
Characters with divine magic or other stone-shaping
expertise can assist, earning their trust, and access to
the safety of their village.
Sun Pillars - The terrifying behir Glimmerdoom*
begins stalking the party, waiting for a time to strike.
Fitting Monsters:
Levels 1-4: Firenewt Warrior, Giant Eagle, Giant Goat,
Griffon, Pteranodon, Yeti
Levels 5-9: Cyclops*, Chimera, Frost Giant, Galeb Duhr,
Stone Giant*
Levels 10-13: Behir, Frost Giant Primordial*, Roc, Stone
Giant Primordial*
CHAPTER
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1 | GAME4 MASTER'S
| ALLIES & TOOLKIT
ENEMIES
 Shattered Geography
The following section highlights environmental oddities and
features that players can encounter on their travels. Xen'drik's
history has warped and broken its landscape beyond what is
natural, with varied opportunities, risks, and rewards.
Broken Technology
Unsurprisingly, one of the most dangerous features of
Xen’drik’s wilds are malfunctioning devices from the Age of
Giants. Point defenses, war machines and arcane munitions
dot the land, especially on the borders between ancient
nations. During the draconic assault, many of these were
brought to bear against the forces of Argonnessen. Now, with
their operators long dead or their structures half-destroyed,
many still operate in some capacity to destroy any perceived
threats. Each is just as dangerous as it is enticing; adventurers
who can breach their defenses and recover the tools and
technology inside often strike it rich - or gain disastrous new
weapons to use against their enemies.
Arcane Instability. Larger installations can be
anything from mobile Sul’at weapons platforms, to psionic
Cul’sir artillery, to giants reanimated by the Qabalrin and
outfitted with necrotic cannons. One such example is the
Barricade Katta (p.251) - a flying Sul’at watchtower that now
lies half-sunken in the Phoenix Basin. Of course, not all such
technology was intended to be dangerous. In expanding the
nations, the giants of old created feats of epic magic for civil
purposes. Flickering portals to other planes once allowed
travel and diplomacy with their denizens; now, they act
as dangerous planar breaches unguarded by their creators.
Rivers rerouted to irrigate fields might spontaneously flood
and flow unpredictably, guided by the shape of non-existent
agriculture. In some cities, this extends to artificial constructs.
Caretakers and guardians who performed menial labor were
once the hallmark of a post-scarcity society. Now, they defend
their city from thieves and intruders, continuing their tasks
for eternity in lieu of new orders.
d8 Examples of Environmental Technology
Quori Dreamgate - During the Dream War, the quori
invaded Xen’drik through permanent portals to Dal
Quor. These Dreamgates* resemble curving archways
to nowhere, and are all nonfunctional after the firing
of the Moonbreaker. However, their link to Dal Quor is
not entirely broken. The region around a Dreamgate is
1 often dream-touched and bizarre; colors might appear
monochrome or hyper-saturated, the sun might wiggle
across the sky, while creatures might be shaped into
living nightmares. Further information on Dreamgates,
and other quori technology, can be found in the
Legacy of the Quori chapter on p.63.
Hekaton Swordcircle - The sparring tools of the
Hekatonri included Swordcircles - small training
grounds which summoned the warrior’s sword wraith
out of Shavarath. As it turns out, fighting oneself is a
2 great way to realize your own weaknesses (especially
if you lose). The machines sustaining this effect have
often been buried by rockfalls or desert sands, causing
adventurers to occasionally to get attacked out of
nowhere by furious copies of themselves.
CHAPTER 14 | GAME
ALLIESMASTER'S
& ENEMIESTOOLKIT
Esht Growth Anchor - This massive stone pylon is
a Manifest Anchor* to Lamannia used by the Esht
Primacy to grow crops. With the fields long gone, it
now infuses the jungle with primal magic, creating a
3 zone in which plants grow to massive sizes. Casting a
spell that induces plant growth causes it to go rapidly
out of hand; the duration of the spell increases many
times over, and cannot be willingly ended.
Sul’at Tempest Cannon - This massive firebrass
cannon is powered by a Khyber dragonshard
containing an elder tempest. The region around it is
lashed by gale winds and lightning due to the partially
4 damaged binding. The dragonshard could be used
to power a rapid prototype airship if extracted - or
to create a weapon with the power to cast storm of
vengeance over a massive area.
Crux Armisticer - The city-state of Daanvi held
diplomatic meetings in zones of absolute order
maintained by Armisticers. These eldritch machines
enforce law with brutal efficiency. Any creature within
a 200-foot radius around an Armisticer that lies or
5 attempts to harm another must succeed on a DC 20
Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, they take force
damage equal to a quarter of their maximum hit
points and are knocked prone. Some still stand in the
Menechtarun, but others are buried by sand, and apply
their effects to the area above them.
Karrakos Memorandum - A Memorandum is a
Manifest Anchor* to Dolurrh, used by the giants to
speak to the dead and carry out their final wishes.
Within a wide radius of the eldritch machine, the sky
6 becomes dark and moonless, and those who die are
far more likely to rise as ghosts. Unfortunately, the
Shattering brought death all too close. As such, each
Memorandum is a region rife with ghosts and deadly
wraiths of massive size.
Zjai Alternity Anchor - The bizarre Alternity
Anchors* of the Xoriat city-state open up regions
from different Eberron timelines. This includes dead
worlds and bizarre realities where the rules of physics
are completely different. While many are (thankfully)
7 broken, others occasionally sputter to life, releasing
horrors from other worlds into this one. A party
crossing an Alternity Zone might find any impossible
environment, from plains of crystalline psionic trees to
a lake of anti-magic with screaming fish.
Sul’at Ash Maze - Locations key to the Sul’at League
are often marked by terrifying Ash Mazes. These magic
defenses are utterly invisible and powered by bound
fire elementals. Rather than visible flame, an Ash
Maze is formed from walls of pure heat that manifest
as a rippling effect in the air. Walking through one of
the labyrinths’ ‘walls’ subjects a creature to this heat,
which incinerates it instantly. Ash Mazes are named
8 for the fine layer of soot that coats the ground around
them - the remnants of former victims. The worst
have shifting walls, forming concentric rings of sudden
death. Guides know to avoid scorched clearings with
structures at their center. There is no set way of
traversing an Ash Maze unharmed except for
having immunity to fire damage, but creative
ways of revealing the shape of the walls
should be rewarded.
53
 Dreamblights
The magical backlash of the Moonbreaker created
dangerous phenomena that scar the land to this day. One
of the most unsettling are areas where Dal Quor manifest
zones were forcefully stripped away from the fabric of
the Material. The result are regions of hyper-mundanity
known as dreamblights. Every dreamblight is unaffected by
events such as shifting zones, and sits as a permanent area
devoid of all joy.
The Doldrums. The first signs of a dreamblight are
one’s senses deadening; colors dull, sounds are flat and the
imagination struggles. Animals within such an area appear to
be going through the motions like automata. The further one
goes, the more the bleak mundanity begins to grate. Forming
visual ideas or novel concepts become impossible, limiting
thoughts to the same ideas over and over. Magic gradually
begins to fail as spellcasters cannot grasp the abstraction of
forming spells. Emotions die, and everything becomes rote.
Greywash. A creature that sleeps in such an area never
experiences dreams, but the side effects can be maddening.
The more time one spends within a dreamblight, the more
sickening and overwhelming the rest of the world becomes.
The potential and wonder are terrifying, and dreams become
so vivid as to blend with reality. Meanwhile, the intrusive
thoughts and depressing weight of existence begin to clog
one’s mind. Effort becomes impossible, trying becomes futile.
The dreamblight is a comforting blanket made of lead, and its
weight only grows stronger by the day.
Death of Dreams. Dreamblights are anathema to
the beings of Dal Quor; any kuo-toa, thri-kreen, or quori
that experiences such an area feels their very essence being
destroyed, overcome by a bleakness so profound that their
own hopes and dreams begin to die. The first time a quori
sees or feels a dreamblight through the senses of another,
it must succeed on a DC 25 Wisdom saving throw or
immediately end possession of its host and become unable
to cast innate spells for 24 hours - a truly disturbing feeling
for an Inspired. On a success, the quori becomes immune to
this effect for one hour. Thri-kreen are completely unable to
enter dreamblights, and refuse to even witness them. Other
characters with psionic potential might feel all manner of side
effects, and few can bear to stay in such areas for long.
5454
d4 Example Dreamblights
The Null Tide - The archipelago of Shargon’s Teeth
was once part of the Cul’sir Empire. While many of
its remnants have been washed away, other mistakes
remain. A region of several islands at its heart was
once a Dal Quor manifest zone. Now, the area is
1 shunned by sailors; the Dreamblight doesn’t just bring
calm to peoples’ minds, but the tides as well. The
currents in the area barely flow. The wind lies still. The
silence is palpable. Fish are slow and predictable, but
attempting to catch them is too much effort. We all
die eventually. Why not hasten the process?
The Ash Thicket - A forest grove to the west of Dread
Lake was used by the fire giants of Ju’qata as an artists’
enclave. Its links to Dal Quor meant that creative ideas
would be appear in space, allowing the giants to design
fashion with their minds. The severing of Dal Quor
2 turned their dreams of flame to metaphorical ashes,
turning the grove into a burnt and ashen wasteland.
Creatures that enter find themselves caked in soot
equivalent to the weight of their fears - a downwards
spiral that eventually entombs them altogether. After a
while, these statues simply blow away in the breeze…
Zeremshara - This dreamblight in the northern
Menechtarun has a nearby asherati settlement, who
make use of it for any disputes. The tight-knit families
and close confines of asherati towns can often lead
3 to unspoken tensions. When this happens, the people
involved are commanded to spend 3 hours together
in the Zeremshara. Once they feel the futility of their
anger (and potentially share some tears together),
they are welcomed back to chat things over.
The Ruins of Ghak’rus - Many Cul’sir cities were built
in Dal Quor manifest zones. The Ruins of Ghak’rus, in
the peninsula east of the Marsh of Desolation, is one
such site. Few explorers have ever delved deep into
the ruins, instead losing the will to live a few minutes
up the front steps. The further one delves, the weirder
4
Ghak’rus gets. Colors fade into monochrome. The sun
travels backwards in the sky. People find if they don’t
breathe manually, they simply forget to. However,
the underground section of the city is relatively
untouched as a result, and countless giant
relics might lie within.
CHAPTER
CHAPTER
1 | GAME4 MASTER'S
| ALLIES & TOOLKIT
ENEMIES
 Fractured Terrain
While the curses laid upon the continent are the most
famous aspect of travel in Xen’drik, the Shattering is not a
metaphorical description; the events of the late Age of Giants,
especially the backlash of the Moonbreaker, sundered the
land and changed the shape of the continent. The energies
unleashed to change the very cosmology of Eberron caused
vast areas to collapse into the ocean, or break apart under
terrible earthquakes - a testament to the dire will of the titan
Cul’sir. This cataclysm is most obvious in the north of the
continent, around the Skyfall Peninsula; the fractured Teeth
of Shargon and sunken areas such as the Marsh of Desolation
are a direct result of the damage caused.
Due to this, many giant ruins from the Cul’sir and Sul’at
now lie underwater. This explains why the modern land
that these civilisations cover is so small compared to the
Group of Eleven. Originally, the Phoenix Basin was an area
of land between the Kapaerian Islands and Skyfall Peninsula,
with cities ruled by the two giant nations. Now, the shallow
sea contains areas that still steam and smolder with heat
from ancient Sul’at foundries. Some of these cities are still
protected by ancient floodwards, and lie submerged in
bubbles of air, untouched since the time of the titans.
On a smaller scale, the geography of Xen’drik is a lot more
fractious compared to other continents; vast rifts can carve
through the land at random, cleaving cities in two or creating
obstacles for adventurers. More dangerously, some of these
ravines can descend into Khyber itself, allowing fiends,
monsters, and daelkyrspawn to emerge onto the surface.
This is entirely a tool for the GM, and has no impact on
adventures unless needed. However, dramatic environments
created by ancient catastrophes can:
• Contribute to the pulp feel of exploration
• Provide varied environmental challenges and battlefields
• Justify introducing fiends and aberrations to
adventure sites without any need for background or
elaborate motive.
After all, who doesn’t want to kick a villain into a
bottomless crevasse at the heart of an ancient city?
d8 Terrain Features
Marsh - A colossal marble arm rising from the muck,
1 where a statue of a titan sank into the swamp.
Desert - Floating earthbergs and sky isles in a field of
2 highlight how Xen’drik’s past has left indelible scars on the
debris torn from the earth by unknown forces.
Lava Field - A magmatic rift that plunges through the
3 earth directly into the darkness of Khyber.
Jungle - A vast waterfall stretching for hundreds of
4 meters where a section of land subsided long ago.
5 Tundra - A field of fumaroles and volcanic geysers.
Boreal Forest - Sinuous paths of bare ground where
6 no tree or plant will grow, and no animal will tread.
7 Ocean - A sunken city mere meters below the surface.
Mountains - A high peak sundered in two by an
8 Savannah - Tall grass provides advantage on Dexterity
unnaturally clean ravine.
CHAPTER 14 | GAME
ALLIESMASTER'S
& ENEMIESTOOLKIT
Shifting Zones
In Xen’drik, the land itself refuses to stay still. One of the
most infamous scars from Cul’sir’s hubris are known as
shifting zones. The backlash of the Moonbreaker created
shockwaves that rippled out from Dal Quor manifest zones,
causing reality to become ephemeral in their wake. Where
those manifest zones once stood, the environment can shift
dramatically from one day to the next. Explorers can hike
through the Menechtarun and find a glacier in the heart of
the desert, while a lake can change from water to lava to
solid ice at random each morning.
The locations of these zones are fixed, but the random
nature of their shifting can make them invisible. More
than one party has woken up to find their tents pitched in
a lava field instead of the jungle. Those native to Xen’drik
can usually identify shifting zones through experience, and
guide parties safely around them. When a shift occurs, the
effects on the wildlife can be dramatic. Typically, plant
life is instantly altered into matching flora for the new
environment; tropical trees will instantaneously become
arctic pine, burnt stumps, or giant cacti. Animals retain their
forms - if they are lucky.
Shifting Zone Optional Rules
The random effects of a shifting zone can instantly alter one’s
body and abilities. This effect is akin to a permanent true
polymorph, and can only be undone by a DC 15 dispel magic
ability check, or the spell remove curse. This transmutation
might simply change a brown bear into a polar bear, but at
times the effects are far more dramatic.
Optionally, a character who wakes up after completing a
long rest in a changed shifting zone must roll a d20. On a roll
of 1, they are partially transmuted into a new body that suits
the current environment, replacing one of their ancestry
abilities or features (excluding ability score increases) with a
new one. For example, a shifting zone that becomes a glacier
might grant someone the high altitude tolerance of a stone
goliath, while a patch of volcanic rock might result grant
someone the abilities of a fire genasi. Whether they can
control their newfound flames is a different question entirely.
This alteration should only be done with player buy-in,
and the degree of change might be simple as altering one's
hair colour.
Shifting zones are entirely optional, and can be included
or ignored without any canon conflicts. They serve to
land, while providing options for unusual and interesting
environmental encounters.
d8 Example Environments & Effects
1 Marsh - Risk of disease and difficult terrain.
2 Desert - Extreme heat.
3 Lava Field - Extreme heat and burning cinders.
4 Jungle - Biting insects and difficult terrain.
5 Tundra - Extreme cold and blizzards.
6 Boreal Forest - Extreme cold.
7 (Stealth) and disadvantage on Wisdom (Perception)
ability checks.
8 Mountain - Difficult terrain and steep drops.
55
 Sky Isles
A variety of floating archipelagos drift over Xen’drik,
buoyed aloft by ancient magic and arcane anomalies. Known
collectively as sky isles, these ancient feats of terraforming
are as varied as they are wondrous. Smaller earth-motes and
islands are a normal sight for the denizens of Stormreach;
over hundreds of years, the people of the city have reclaimed
the hovering pieces of land over the city, forming a three-
dimensional metropolis. Deeper into Xen’drik, these floating
islands can be vast in size, and covered in unique life and
ancient ruins from their creators.
Certain regions of the continent are affected in much
more dramatic ways; entire regions and broken mountains
can hover in the clouds, held in place by vast gravity magic,
Syranian levitation, or other ancient phenomena. Thousands
of years of heavy rainfall have eroded many of these into
island chains connected by vines and vegetation - as well as
ropes and bridges from the people living on them.
Giant Flight. The giants of old created sky isles for a
variety of reasons. Mobile scouting posts, aerial forts, reduced
overcrowding, and dramatic throne rooms are but a small
number. By far the most common are the mobile castles
of the Gallimaufry. This city-state of merchants studied
Syranian magic as part of the Group of Eleven, and used
their expertise in arcane flight to soar over the continent.
Many of these castles now form the frozen Unveiling above
the Iceflow Sea, but a larger number migrate endlessly
through the clouds, or have settled in random locations. The
Cul'sir Dominion used their oneiric magic to dream floating
buildings into reality, many of which now form part of the
city of Stormreach.
The Shattering had a profound effect on many of these
floating structures. The physical damage caused by the
dragons tore many apart into smaller floating debris,
while others had the source of their levitation dispelled,
and plummeted to the ground. Despite this, a surprising
number remain, for the giants placed magical safeguards
to protect against any accidents. Little did they know how
their enchantments would be put to the test. Naturally, sky
isles can also be explained by the arcane backlash of the
Moonbreaker, as well as the impacts of unraveling giant
magic on the land - or, simply, due to natural manifest zones.
EX56
EX56
d8 Example Sky Isles
Kindori Kaya Tal - One of the largest sky island chains
is the Kindori Kaya Tal, which hovers about the jungles
east of the Tempest’s Spine. The Kaya Tal is lush and
home to an ecosystem of flying animals, as well as a
large community of Ko drow. Its name comes from
1
the celestial kindori whales who descend from above
to calve here. Recently, hunters from Stormreach
and Zantashk have set their sights on the kindori, and
tensions are rising.
The Unveiling (p.219) - The capital of the Gallimaufry
was formed every 13 years by countless cloud giants
binding their castles together. The raucous assembly
was a chance to socialize, trade, and party before
2
setting off once again as nomads. The raft of cloud
islands lies over the Iceflow Sea, held together by vast
chains; the Shattering caught it unawares, and now the
ruins are lorded over by beasts and radiant idolsERLW.
The Bismuth Isle - A sand-scoured island hovers
above the western Menechtarun - an outpost of
the Xoriat city-state of Zja Aqat. Its worn ruins are
iridescent, sculpted in bizarre fractal patterns by the
ancient giants. The outpost is home to a singular being.
3
The androsphinx Zephyrmane claims the island as his
lair, waiting for an event that the Prophecy will bring to
pass. Supposedly, he guards something of great power,
but only those worthy will ever see it and live.
Chekail of the Air - The fae magic of the Twilight Court
once bound an earth-mote above the eastern shore of
Dread Lake, where those linked to the archfey of the
sky once lived. It has since been settled by a clan of
4
spiderfolk, who have woven fine rigging out of silk to
connect it to the forest below. They descend on these
silken strands to fish in the Lake for food, and do their
best to avoid drawing any unwelcome attention.
Fulcrum Border Isk-6 - The national borders of the
city-state of Crux were marked by perfectly spaced
outposts. Where possible, these watchtowers were
built on rock, but the cyclopes weren’t willing to ruin
their perfection. To maintain perfect order, some
outposts were built over shifting desert sands, and
5
fixed in space using Daanvian magic and geometric
graviturgy. Due to being far from the main city, many
of these outposts were spared from the Shattering,
and are now home to entire communities, as well as
desert monsters. Tower 6-Isk is home to a clan of
cyclopes, kept safe by its ancient automaton defenses.
Tephran Gul - One volcano in the Fangs of Argarak is
crowned by a bizarre lumpy island of dark ash and rock
- an eruption caught in mid-air and frozen in place by
the Sul’at League to avoid any dangerous fallout. The
6
mass of ash and tephra is surprisingly fertile, and lies
above the heat of the Valley of Shadows; as a result, an
entire rainforest has taken root on the island, creating
a clashing mass of verdant greenery.
CHAPTER
CHAPTER
1 | GAME
7 | XEN'DRIK
MASTER'S BESTIARY
TOOLKIT
 Xen'drik Settlements
Despite the dangers of the Du'rashka Tul, towns large
and small can be found across the land. These range from
scattered settlements in the Hydra Basin to the grand
metropoli of Kul Lerek, Stormreach, and Bazek Mohl. To
avoid the curse, many villages stay small and scattered, but
cities do exist in defiance of history. These cities (mostly)
are aware of the mythical Madness of Crowds, and have
unique ways of avoiding the curse. Those that do not, such as
Stormreach, are ticking time bombs waiting to explode when
the plot moment is right. While this book includes details on
7 different settlements in Chapter 2, the following tools are
meant to aid in the creation of new ones while adventuring.
When creating a settlement, consider the following factors
to give it depth and realism:
Ancestries. The different ancestries within Xen'drik
have cultures influenced by their abilities, and how they
interact with the environment. How do the ancestries
within the settlement interact with their environment in
unique ways?
Food. How does the settlement harvest food for its
residents? Do they rely primarily on hunting, farming,
fishing, trade, or a mix between?
Leadership. How are decisions made regarding the
settlement as a whole? Are there designated leaders, and if so,
is their rule welcomed or enforced?
Safety. Xen'drik is a dangerous land, and there is much to
watch out for. How does the settlement deal with threats, and
what are they? Do they prefer stealth, or force of arms?
Shelter. Exposure can be deadly, especially for areas
with blizzards, desert sun, or tropical storms. How is the
settlement located geographically to prevent any issues?
Trade. How are the settlement's relations to nearby
cultures? Do they actively trade with other peoples, and if so,
what do they produce?
Water. Where does the settlement obtain fresh water
from? Is it groundwater from wells, taken from local
waterways, or captured from the rain?
The following table is there to provide inspiration for
settlements that players might encounter on their journeys.
When introducing a culture, remember that there is no
reason why they should be less advanced, or less ancient,
than the cultures of the players. Much like the Súlatar drow,
it is possible for players to stumble upon a city with powerful
magic founded long before humans arrived in Khorvaire. If
the players are going to be interacting with a culture, ensure
that the culture has depth, and isn’t a stereotype of our own
world. One can roll on the table to stretch creative muscles,
or choose options that suit the story. Bear in mind that the
geography of Xen'drik is anything but normal. It is possible
to roll a city in the tundra while the players are in the desert
- and this is ok! Stable shifting zones and manifest zones can
make the impossible possible no matter the location.

d12 Who: Where: Using: Living in: Situation:

Cloud Giant
1 Giants Desert Necromancy About to face the Du’rashka Tul.
Castle
Drow
2 Swamp Astromancy Giant Ruins Warring against another faction.
(Vulkoori)

3 Dragonborn Volcanoes Druidry Houseboats Thriving in a state of peace.

4 Goliaths Mountains Artifice Skywhale Back Undergoing infiltration by a Cult of the Dragon Below.

Nomadic
5 Yuan-ti Rainforest Martial Skill About to perform a holy ritual during a lunar alignment.
Villages

6 Thri-kreen Plains Divine Faith Cliffside Town Under attack by a dangerously mutated monster.

Elemental
7 Kobolds Tundra Vast Caverns Repairing a powerful piece of ancient technology.
Binding
Bones of
8 Fae'drik Sky Isles Geomancy Serving under one of the dragons of the Ten Watchers.
a Behemoth
Living
9 Chaparral Illusions Treetop Village In a state of fear due to infiltrating fiends.
Constructs

10 Beastfolk Coast Transmutation Massive City Holding a community festival with games and events.

Drow Arcane Giant

11 Quori Relics Afflicted by a dangerous disease.
(Súlatar) Wasteland Construct
Summoned
12 Shulassakar Badlands Caldera Town Recovering from a nastural disaster.
Creatures

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 The Reality
of Dreams
Xen’drik’s history is rife with dreams and nightmares. The
Cul’sir Empire harnessed the Plane of Dreams to define an
age, while the quori of that age did their best to end it. The
scars left by the Dream War can be found all over Xen’drik,
and the Dreaming Dark are desperate to investigate them.
As such, campaigns on the continent can have heavy dream
themes, and even involve trips into dreamworlds themselves.
Running adventures in Dal Quor poses some mechanical
challenges; what does one do about elven characters? How
can the party travel to Dal Quor when it’s so famously
distant? And what happens if a dreamer dies? This section
offers various options and frameworks for running dream
adventures, as well as detail on the legacy of the quori.
Adventures in Dreams
Entering the dreams of a sleeping character can be a
powerful plot tool. One can fight a quori possessing one’s
mind, explore their memories, or lucidly travel between
dreamscapes. This can be achieved in a couple of simple
ways. The first is to provide the players with a simple magic
item, such as the Lucid Bonds* of the Cul’sir Empire. The
second is to use lost spells, such as this book’s dream link* and
dreamwalk*. These might be known by an NPC or learnt by
a party character. Dreamwalk makes for an excellent Artifact
Spell, and could be found in the form of Spell Scrolls for the
party to use when needed most. The third option, and the
most dangerous, is to sleep within a Dreamtouched locale - a
place permanently tied to Dal Quor that draws in nearby
minds. For better or, more often, for worse.
The Rules of Dreams. Dreams allow the GM to
rewrite everything, and introduce anything. Since nothing
carries over upon waking (unless you wish, as the GM), you
can run dream adventures in different game systems, hand
players new character sheets, or have them play warforged
colossi and slam-dunk the tarrasque. The following are a
basic set of rules for a dream adventure, intended to answer
simple questions about the setting:
1. Characters typically enter a dream in their own
perceived peak performance, with all hit points and
resources as though ‘waking up’ from a long rest.
2. A character that enters the dream of another and
experiences dying wakes up immediately, takes 3d6
psychic damage, gains no benefits if they were resting,
and cannot sleep for the next 24 hours.
3. While reality is morphic, the dreamer’s subconscious
resists major changes to the course of the dream. A
character in the dream of another can try to alter
reality as an action by attempting a Charisma check
with a DC based on the degree of change, as shown
below. On a failure, they must succeed on a Charisma
saving throw with that same DC or gain a level of
exhaustion until they leave the dream, which
represents their mental exertion.
EX58
EX58
44
DC 4 - minor illusory effects, as per spells such as
prestidigitation or minor illusion.
DC 8 - minor personal change; alter your hair color or the
appearance of your clothing.
DC 12 - major personal change; alter your height, weapons,
armor or belongings.
DC 17 - minorly alter reality; create a door in a wall,
freeze an expanse of water, or replicate a spell of 3rd-
level or lower.
DC 22 - massively alter reality; seal a hallway, bridge a gap,
open a pit, or replicate a spell of 5th-level or lower.
Narrative Weight. For high-level dream adventures,
dying in a dream can carry a relative lack of danger. This can
be changed depending on the situation at hand. If the party
is fighting quori, dying might represent a momentary break
in their mental defenses; in that moment, the quori might
gain a peek into their mind, learning who they are, and what
they value most - a hanging sword to be dropped on the plot
at a point in the future. Alternatively, dying might carry the
risk of having one’s soul permanently captured by the Soul
Binding attack of a kalaraq quoriERLW. A different way of
giving weight to a dream death is to make it so that the party
only has one shot at their goal. A character who dies cannot
sleep to re-enter the dream, upping the difficulty of the task.
Dreamtouched locations
Adventure sites such as the Throne Gate Ruins (p.276)
can have unusual effects on people sleeping nearby. This
is often the result of ancient psychic scars on the land, or
the effects of eldritch machines from the Cul’sir Empire
ticking away. A Dreamtouched area has a permanent link
to the Sea of Dreams. Sleeping in a Dreamtouched location
without psychic protection pulls one into the same region
of Dal Quor, placing all dreamers within the same dream.
Sometimes, these are simply ancient defenses, created to
allow the giants to dream in peace without risk of attack
from the quori. This can result in bizarrely bland dreams,
where one simply spends hours inside a locked defensive
vault. More dangerously, the Cul’sir Empire constructed vast
realms of wonder within Dal Quor. After the Moonbreaker
and 40,000 years of ruin, many of these regions are haunted
by lost giant minds, or twisted to reflect the course of history.
Dreaming within them might involve bodiless giant psyches,
insane id-wraiths*, or any manner of bizarre figment.
Sealed Nightmares. The effect of the Turning of the
Age was devastating to these spaces. Large sections of the
Cul’sir Empire were built within the Sea of Dreams itself,
and anchored to eldritch machines, or the minds of comatose
beings. When the heart of Dal Quor awoke, changing to an
Age of Nightmares, the Sea of Dreams was utterly rewritten.
The anti-quori defenses of many of these locations saved
them from total destruction, but the damage was severe,
and all were partially severed from the Material. Others
were saved by their material anchors, which tied them down
within the psychic maelstrom. Of course, it is possible that
all Dreamtouched locales were destroyed. If this is true, the
existing ones are echoes - memory backups of what should
have been, but wrought from nightmare instead of dream. In
this case, there are no giant minds trapped within Dal Quor.
Instead, they are psychic imprints and recreations, kept in the
last moments of their existence - extreme and total fear.
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 Entering Dal Quor Physically The Dangers of Dreaming
Physically entering Dal Quor is impossible, which is precisely Dal Quor has unique threats that only be encountered
why parties can and will do it. This is a true feat of magic behind closed eyelids. Some can harm a character's dreaming
that carries extreme danger; not only are the quori powerful consciousness, causing them to wake with a terrible
in their element, but if you die in Dal Quor, no one can ever night's rest and a splitting headache. Others are far more
retrieve your body. Even worse, your soul might end up devious. The most obvious example are the quoriERLW - the
bound to a kalaraq quoriERLW for eternity. Despite this, it’s malevolent nightmare fiends born from the plane itself.
a powerful plot hook and a dramatic climax for a campaign Due to the Moonbreaker, the quori cannot travel to the
- and may even be necessary to repair Dal Quor (or force the Material Plane, but they can influence people's dreams -
Turning of the Age). The method of doing so is campaign- and nightmares. Typically, this involves a quori taking on
specific, but will almost certainly rely on powerful magic such the guise of a divine figure, then shaping one's dreams to
as dream gate*, lost artifacts, or an eldritch machine.The Dal manipulated them. Eventually, they can convince that person
Quor section of Exploring Eberron covers the regions of the to let the quori possess them directly, and even use the ability
plane, as well as its planar properties and inhabitants. The mind seed to overwrite their psyche with that of the quori's.
following is a list of potential options for entry: However, someone entering a dream can fight a quori
directly. Unless the character enters Dal Quor physically,
d10 Methods for Entering Dal Quor this carries no risk of possession (unless a GM wishes), but
1 The core of the Moonbreaker. it does mean that a quori can shape the very dream that the
The aid of an ancient night hag such as Sora Kell or
2 characters are in. This means that a GM could introduce
Sora Yudotre (p.256).
dream-monsters formed by the quori, or the very psyche of
3 A powerful quori-related artifact from the Dream War. the person whose nightmare they are inside.
Freeing a quori from its docent, causing it to be pulled
4 into Dal Quor - along with nearby characters. Dreaming Remnants. Beyond the quori, a number
of threats can be found in Dal Quor. Delving into a person's
5 A Cul’sir eldritch machine in Stormreach's depths.
Locating the missing Dal Quor kar’lassa and delivering nightmares is a great opportunity to use sorrowsworn
6 its flesh to sahuagin dream priests for a special ritual. and other emotional monsters; killing the incarnation of
someone's doubts and fears is a classic quest to help them
Fixing a damaged Dreamgate* (p.63) using a charged
7 Arcane Dynamo* from the city of Genesine (p.201). feel better. Dreamtouched locales have their own grander
threats. The discorporated minds of ancient Cul'sir giants
Convincing the god-mind of the Concateny* (p.229)
8 to force open a portal with raw psionic power. might see the party as thieves to squash. Adventurers might
have to deal with them as giants, degraded id-wraiths*, or
Tearing open a temporary portal between the Material immaterial specters and banshees dealing psychic damage
9 and Dal Quor using a massive source of magic power.
instead of necrotic. Most dangerous of all are dream liches*.
Repairing Dal Quor, then traveling there like any other These terrifying beings might be powerful Cul'sir giants
10
plane (with Eberron-wide repercussions). with contingencies beyond death, or Qabalrin elves who
sought to explore the realm of dreams denied to them in life.
Dream liches are perfectly capable of possessing the living,
Including Dreamless Characters and can enact all manner of destruction while remaining
Some characters, such as kalashtar and elves, may not physically untouched.
sleep or dream in the same way as standard. As such, it
can pose difficulties when planning dream adventures.
The simplest way to overcome this is to say that the
ancient magics involved are powerful enough to bring
their minds into Dal Quor regardless, with their bodies
falling unconscious rather than sleeping. It can also be
said that only the target creature is truly dreaming, with
other characters simply forming a powerful telepathic
bond to experience it themselves. This is especially
true for magic items and oneiromantic spells. For
Dreamtouched locations, this becomes more difficult.
An easy justification for featuring the player is that
when the other players ‘wake up’ in the dream, they
all expect to find their comrade there. As such, they
subconsciously dream the party member into existence.
Naturally, these both provide some fun options for
roleplay for the characters involved. A warforged may
have no concept of dreaming - so how might they react
when they find themselves in one? Similarly, when
the players dream a party member into existence,
the player of that character is free to play them as an
absolute stereotype - a slightly ‘off’ reflection of how
their fellow party members see them.

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 Legacy of the Quori
The quori are sentient immortals from the plane of Dal
Quor, known as the Sea of Dreams. Much like the angels and
fiends of other planes, the quori are powerful incarnations
of the plane itself. As beings of Dal Quor, they can enter and
shape the dreams of mortals, influencing them to their own
ends. In the modern era, the quori are evil fiends, but this
may not always have been the case. Currently, Eberron is
thought to be in the Third (known) Age of Dal Quor, for the
plane itself periodically changes in a massive event known
as the Turning of the Age. This wipes the slate nearly clean,
resetting the quori and their memories. As a result, the
current quori know nothing of their previous forms, and are
driven to learn about the nature of the Turning - so they can
prevent it at all costs.
Unlike angels and fiends, the quori are far more ‘mortal’
in their outlook. They have hobbies, personalities, and
variable alignments. The large majority are evil, but neutral
quori are not unheard of - and good quori were responsible
for forming the mortal kalashtar. Similarly, they are far
more invested in the Material Plane than many other planar
entities. For over a thousand years, the modern quori have
ruled the Unity of Riedra - the largest power on the continent
of Sarlona. They rule through mortal puppets known as the
Inspired, keeping their own forms secret, and engineered
their rule through hundreds of years of dark influence and
warmongering. As a result of the Moonbreaker, quori cannot
physically travel to Eberron, and instead rely on possession
from Dal Quor itself.
The Quori and Xen’drik
The history of the quori is inextricably tied to that of
Xen’drik, for the last Turning of the Age and the current
state of Dal Quor is the result of the giants. The Cul’sir
Empire made heavy use of the plane of Dal Quor for their
civilisation. Due to reasons lost to time, the quori of the
age eventually warred against them, invading the Material
en masse. No one knows which side started the conflict,
but the result was devastating; the quori built Creation
Forges and artificial soldiers, as well as gateways to Dal
Quor to speed their advance. In desperation, Emperor
Cul’sir tasked the Sul’at League with the creation of
an unrivaled weapon to end the war. They succeeded
in the form of the Moonbreaker. The superweapon
destroyed the moon Crya, severing the links between
the Material and the Dal Quor. Now, the plane is
forever distant, annulling all Dal Quor manifest
zones and preventing physical travel to the plane.
Inspired Legacy. Now, the landscape of
Xen’drik is riven and scarred by the effects of the
Moonbreaker, and littered with the ancient
remnants of the quori. This includes anti-
quori weaponry and traps created
by the Cul’sir, as well as the
Creation Forges and ‘quorforged’
that revolutionized
House Cannith’s
constructs - and
the course of the
Last War.
6060
The modern quori are hungry to uncover the secrets of their
forebears, and desperate to find out the truth behind the
Turning of the Age. If they can understand its cause, they can
prevent it forever - and save themselves from its inevitable
destruction.
Bastion Reach. To that end, the Unity of Riedra has
maintained the city of Dar Qat (p.98) in western Xen’drik
for hundreds of years. The bastion of the quori exists on the
surface to secure rare materials needed for the Unity, such as
deep crystal, dragonshards, and long corn. In truth, its role as
an exploration base is far more important. The Inspired have
been gradually exploring the shattered continent on behalf of
their masters, recovering evidence of the former quori. Who
knows what they have already discovered - and how deep the
plans of the Dreaming Dark go.
The Turning of the Age
Dal Quor is currently in its third known age, having
undergone a Turning at least twice in Eberron’s history.
While details of the Turning are a mystery, some aspects of
it are clear - the quori and the plane itself undergo a rebirth,
wiping their memories and reforming anew. Surprisingly,
some aspects of the plane lasted through the Turning, such
as some Cul’sir constructs, and the gestalt known as the
Draconic Eidolon. If the words of the Docent Shira are true,
the last Turning occurred when the Moonbreaker was fired,
ending the Dream War and pulling quori on the Material
back into Dal Quor. Supposedly, the former Sea of Dreams
was a time of light and inspiration - a far cry from its current
possessive darkness. Few beings alive know the truth of her
words, but plenty of immortals have records of the time.
Ancient night hags such as Sora Kell, the Infinite Archives of
Daanvi, and the scholar angels of Syrania may all remember
the truth. More concerningly, so do the dragons
and the Lords of Dust. Naturally, getting that
information is a quest in its own right.
Mind Mirror. The nature of the first
Age of Dal Quor has been completely lost to
time. Outside of immortal sources, the only
clue to its existence were the missing
memories of the quori from before the
Moonbreaker. Some scholars believe
that the first Turning coincided
with the true end of the Age of
Demons, and that the nature of
Dal Quor represents the general
hopes and dreams of the world.
When mortalkind suffered
under the Overlords, Dal
Quor was a realm of their
fears and nightmares; when
the Overlords were sealed,
mortals began to dream of
hope and wonder, causing
the Age to turn once again -
and when the Cul’sir fired the
Moonbreaker, the catastrophic
events heralded a return to
the darkness for those alive
at the time.
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 Previous Incarnations
If the current quori are anything to go by, the immortals of
Dal Quor represent the themes of each age. While the current
quori are nightmare spirits, the quori that warred against the
giants could have been very different in theme and outlook.
If Shira is telling the truth, the previous age was one of light.
As such, it is possible that the old quori were celestials - the
mirror of the current fiends. Their use of intricate constructs
and advanced artifice suggests they were spirits of creativity
and invention, and may have worked with the Cul’sir - or
inspired them - to create their planar works. On a grander
scale, the support of these quori may have encouraged the rise
of the dragons and giants, encouraging them to create their
imagined utopias. Of course, all of this relies on the word of
a single sentient Docent - from the giants’ point of view, the
quori may have been far more insidious.
An interesting aspect of this is that the quori may have
looked almost unrecognizable. Modern quori appear as
fearful horrors, with insectoid features and fleshy carapace. In
contrast, the previous quori may have appeared angelic, with
wings of dreams, ticking construct limbs, or any number of
other impossible forms.
The Dream War
The reasons for the Dream War, when the quori invaded
Xen’drik, are lost to time, but its impact on history is still
felt to this day. What is known is that the quori began to
fear an approaching Turning of the Age, just as they do in
the modern era. This may have been the result of a natural
cycle, or started by the darkening dreams of those subject to
the tyrannical Cul’sir and Sul’at giants, or actually instigated
by Emperor Cul’sir himself. Which side was ultimately
responsible for the war depends on differing viewpoints.
The records of the Cul’sir Empire place the quori as
invaders, seeking to destroy the utopia that the giants build
on a foundation of dreams. The docent Shira instead places
the blame on the Cul’sir, with the quori seeking refuge and
salvation in the Material. Denied aid by the giants they once
considered allies, they had no choice for survival but to take
the last drastic measure available - the capture of Cul’sir
technology to allow them to weather the Turning of the Age.
Tide of Chaos. The quori invasion of Xen’drik marked
the beginning of the end. Making use of a coterminous
period between Dal Quor and the Material, the immortals
constructed Dreamgates in Xen’drik, then invaded en masse.
Caught unawares, the giants of the Cul’sir Empire were
immediately called to arms, sent into battle against an endless
tide of enemies. The ripples of the conflict spread across the
continent in days. The Cul’sir called on the Sul’at League for
powerful weapons to turn the tide, outnumbered as they were
by the forces of an entire plane. The quori in turn attacked
the League, drawing them into the war, while the Group of
Eleven reacted with shock, the conflict spilling over into their
borders. Some city-states took the opportunity to attack the
hated Cul’sir Empire, either of their own volition, or through
pacts of non-aggression with the beings of Dal Quor. Others
found the invasion to be a dangerous unknown, their power
against the Cul’sir a major threat - and fought the quori on
their own borders, worried that they were next.
Ultimately, the giants found themselves on the back foot.
No matter the arcane might they leveled against the quori,
CHAPTER 14 | GAME
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destroying an immortal only delays it with the need to reform
over time. As a result, the giants were both outnumbered
and fighting a losing battle. Over years, the Cul’sir Empire
in particular became ever more desperate, its soldiers slowly
mind-controlled by powerful quori to fight alongside them.
At the same time, its infrastructure built within Dal Quor
came under threat, forcing them to protect their cities in
multiple planes at once. Their growing desperation is what
led their god-king to commission a device to end the war
from the Sul’at League - a weapon so definitive it would
ensure the quori never invaded again. The Moonbreaker was
a success, ending the war in one fell stroke - and wreaking
such havoc on Xen’drik that it ravaged the Cul’sir Empire
and caused massive regions of land to collapse into the
surrounding sea. Dal Quor underwent the Turning of the
Age, pulling the quori back into the plane and rewriting them
into something new, with the exception of those trapped in
more permanent arrangements like DocentsERLW.
Anti-Quori Defenses
During the Dream War, the Cul’sir and Sul’at giants toiled to
develop weapons to counter their immortal foes. The abilities
of the quori were a far cry from other giants; they could
assault dreaming minds, scout defenses through the ethereal,
and reformed endlessly when slain. The giants created many
defenses to counter them. Many of these devices still remain,
and can have unusual effects on people in the vicinity.
Dream Prison
Eldritch Machine
A Dream Prison is a tall stone statue of a giant with their arms
held together, as though clasping something between their
hands. Any creature in the Ethereal Plane that moves within
30 feet of a Dream Prison must succeed on a DC20 Wisdom
saving throw or be pulled inside the statue. A creature
trapped in this way remains trapped inside indefinitely.
The only way they can be freed (other than destroying the
statue), is for a creature touching the statue to willingly allow
themselves to be possessed by a creature trapped within.
Dream Colosseum
Eldritch Machine
Many Cul’sir ruins have massive buildings lined with stone
pallets known as Dream Colosseums. A creature that sleeps
within such a building always dreams of the same sealed space
in Dal Quor - a psychic ‘disaster shelter’ that prevents quori
from entering and interfering with the dream. The contents
of the dream are typically palatial, but the effects of the
Turning of the Age may have had dire consequences.
Somnic Mask
Wondrous Item, Uncommon
Key figures in the armies of the Cul’sir Empire wore Somnic
Masks while sleeping on the march, protecting their dreams
from psionic attack. While wearing a Somnic Mask, you are
immune to the negative effects of the dream spell and other
effects that would seek to harm you through your dreams.
Other creatures cannot enter your dreams unless you
allow it. Additionally, upon waking, you are aware of
any attempts to tamper with your dreams (but not
necessarily who did it).
61
 Quori Creations
Creation Forges
During the Dream War, the invading quori built Creation
Forges to aid their cause. The methods and inspiration for
them came from their history with the Cul’sir, and the
quori used everything they learned to claw their way into
the material. Each Creation Forge was used to smelt raw
dreamstuff into engines of war; quorcraft constructs, dream
gates and docents were all made for the war effort. Many still
remain, hidden through the ages by the Traveler’s Curse and
their quorcraft guardians. Few know that House Cannith’s
Creation Forges were inspired by this quori technology, and
that the unexpected sentience of the warforged may yet be a
legacy of these ancient designs.
Raw Imagination. A typical Creation Forge exists as a
marble monolith sunken within a pit 300 feet below ground
level. The monolith is vast - up to 200 feet tall - and pulses
softly with glowing blue lines. This is surrounded by a marble
tower of self-repairing psionic material. Around the central
tower, a variety of defenses may exist to hide it, or fend off
attacks from attack giants. Massive walls, psychic traps, and
quorcraft guardians are common. Many Creation Forges also
exist alongside quori tools such as Dreamgates. The extent of
this construction varies greatly; some Creation Forges exist
alone as forward outposts, while others are ensconced in vast
psychic fortresses where the quori planned their war efforts.
Attempting to actually use a Creation Forge is an unwise
choice. The eldritch machines were anchored on Dal Quor,
and used the plane’s magic to dream devices into existence
in a facsimile of the Cul’sir’s technology. Although they are
still magical, that link has long been severed, and what might
be created by someone attempting to use a Creation Forge is
up to interpretation. Despite this, there are two cultures that
have succeeded. Some Vulkoori
drow have use modified
Creation Forges to produce
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warforged, warforged components, and warforged scorpions
(collectively referred to as ‘scorforged’). As such, adventurers
might stumble upon a Forge that is both active and defended
by drow wielding advanced artifice. If diplomacy can be
reached, this may provide a route for artificers to study novel
methods of creating warforged and their components. The
drow have managed this feat through a mixture of study and
faith, and see their creations as a way of worshiping Vulkoor.
Of course, the other culture that has managed to use Creation
Forges are the artificers of House Cannith. The House first
discovered the Forges during expeditions into Xen’drik,
and replicated the basics of the technology in Khorvaire
using concepts and items brought home with them. Their
versions are smaller, partially jury-rigged, and are only partly
understood, with the Mark of Making acting as a mystic
shortcut that replaces the connection to Dal Quor. Cannith’s
Forges are something that they do not entirely understand
(although they work all the same) - a fact that resulted in the
‘accidental’ sentience of Warforged, as well as odd factors
such as their ghulra marks.
Quorforged
One of the most intriguing remnants of the quori are the
forebears of the Warforged. Known colloquially as the
‘Quorforged’, these constructs lack the true intelligence and
emotions of their modern peers. Unlike the living form
pioneered by Aaren d’Cannith, quorcraft constructs are built
from a patchwork of wood and mithril. The truth behind
their creation appears to be a desperate gambit by the quori
of the last age. That Docents such as Shira can only be attuned
to by warforged hints at the truth; that the first Quorforged
were intended to be artificial puppets created by the quori to
weather the Turning of the Age.
Dangerous Designs. In the modern era, Quorforged
are simply a dangerous relic. The constructs recognise
everything except quori as a threat, and move to engage
without mercy. Curiously, this can result in odd reactions
to kalashtar - as well as the Inspired of Riedra. They can be
found most commonly in their ancient role as guardians of
other quori sites including Creation Forges and Dreamgates.
Driven by a continental war and threat of extinction, the
quori were highly experimental in their designs, and no two
Quorforged are the same. Their components include extra
legs, integrated weaponry, innate magic and other dangerous
features. Many have yet to be recovered by House Cannith,
and might be worth fortunes if brought back to Khorvaire.
As one might expect from morphic dream spirits, the
quori experimented with a massive variety of forms for the
Quorforged. Any Beast, Monstrosity, or Warforged stat block
can be turned into a Quorforged with the template below:
Quorcraft Template
Type. The quorcraft’s type changes to Construct.
Armor Class. If not a warforged, the quorcraft creature’s
armor class increases by 2 due to natural armor.
Ability Scores. The quorcraft creature has 1 Intelligence
and 1 Charisma.
Condition Immunities. The quorcraft creature is
immune to the charmed, exhaustion, frightened, and
poisoned conditions.
Damage Immunities. The quorcraft creature is immune
to poison and psychic damage.
CHAPTER
CHAPTER
1 | GAME4 MASTER'S
| ALLIES & TOOLKIT
ENEMIES
 The 'Scorforged'. The lost Creation Forges of the
quori have lain dormant for thousands of years… mostly.
House Cannith are not the first to have learned of their
secrets, nor the first to remake them. That honor falls to the
Vulkoori drow. During the elven rebellion, some Vulkoori
learnt to repurpose Creation Forges for their own use,
producing warforged scorpions as soldiers and guardians.
To get to that point, they took inspiration from existing
Quorforged, and created their own humanoid constructs as
a starting point. Rather than using the Mark of Making, the
Vulkoori learnt to use the Creation Forges using divine faith.
The ‘scorforged’ have a modicum of intelligence, akin to a
modern warforged titan, and are often formed from chitin
and whirlwood instead of livewood and stone. Many have
articulated scorpion tails and elven features. The drow have
additionally created their own warforged components (p.346)
such as Scorpion Gauntlets*, which can be attuned to by any
warforged character.
Dreamgates
The Quori invaded the Material through manifest zones
during a coterminous period with Dal Quor. Upon arrival,
one of the first of their efforts was to construct Dreamgates
- permanent portals to the Sea of Dreams through which
their forces could arrive. Many Creation Forges are located
near Dreamgates, producing quorforged guardians to defend
them. Each Dreamgate was a massive target for the giants,
representing a channel for the endless quori to return to the
material when slain. The Moonbreaker was their reckless
solution, severing the connection to Dal Quor and rendering
them inert. Many Dreamgates still exist, although they
appear as worn arches made from metal and sentira. Each
radiates powerful conjuration magic, yet seemingly has no
function; however, the forces of the Inspired would be greatly
interested in recovering one to unlock its secrets.
The damage to the Dreamgates means that many are the
epicenter of bizarre psionic effects. Some ‘leak’ Dal
Quor’s influence into the material, turning
the surrounding area into a subtle
nightmare. Others saturated the
land with magic while they were
open, creating weak manifest
zones. Accordingly, the area
around can them have any
weird effects, including
but not limited to:
CHAPTER 14 | GAME
ALLIESMASTER'S
& ENEMIESTOOLKIT
• Bird calls and ambient sounds play in reverse.
• The sun travels backwards across the sky.
• All colors become excessively saturated and vibrant.
• All colors increasingly fade to gray with proximity to the
gate.
• Weird figments from people’s imaginations appear as
random illusions.
• All colors are inverted.
• Gravity feels like it’s randomly changing direction.
• The weather changes at extreme and visible speed.
• Shadowy figures are constantly present in one’s
peripheral vision.
• Creatures’ heads increase significantly in size.
Docents
A DocentERLW is a small metallic sphere studded with
dragonshards that can be attuned to by a warforged. House
Cannith first discovered the devices in Xen’drik, and has
since produced their own limited versions. A Docent appears
to have no properties until attuned to by a warforged, at
which point its purpose becomes very clear; each is an
isolated intelligence that can talk to the one it is attuned to,
providing knowledge, languages, and even magical abilities.
A Xen’drik Docent is ancient, intricate, and highly valuable;
their knowledge dates back from before the Shattering, and
can include lost secrets of the quori. The reason for this is
devastatingly simple. If the docent Shira is to be believed, the
intelligence of an ancient Docent is the quori trapped inside it.
Shira’s existence suggests that the Docents were developed
as containers for the quori of the previous age. Their design
was meant to protect them from being pulled into Dal Quor
during the Turning, while allowing them to control artificial
bodies - the constructs now known as the ‘Quorforged’. If
their voices can be trusted, they may well have succeeded.
40,000 years later, the Warforged of House Cannith are
capable of attuning to a Docent, but their own wills prevent
the devices from taking control. As such,
communicating with one, and learning
its ancient secrets, is entirely their
domain. The knowledge of such an
ancient quori is something the
Inspired of Riedra would kill for.
Assuming, that is, that Shira is
telling the truth…
63
 CHAPTER 2

PEOPLES OF XEN'DRIK

CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES

6464
 Peoples of Xen'drik
X
en’drik is a massive continent with an
equally massive range of peoples.
Countless cultures have risen and fallen
since the Shattering, and countless
more still thrive across the land. These
cultures are completely up to GM fiat,
and a Dungeon Master should feel free to introduce whatever
peoples they wish. The following table is there to provide
inspiration for the kind of cultures that players might
encounter on their journeys. When introducing a culture,
remember that there is no reason why they should be less
advanced, or less ancient, than the cultures of the players.
Much like the Súlatar drow, it is possible that the players
stumble upon a city with powerful magic founded long before
humans arrived in Khorvaire. If the players are going to be
interacting with a culture, ensure that the culture has depth,
and isn’t a stereotype of our own world.
The following sections collate, rework, and expand on
the different ancestries who call Xen'drik home, providing
different cultural backgrounds and beliefs. This is intended
to help GMs and players with both creating characters, and
considering how they fit into the story at large. Expanded
player ancetries can be found in the Character Options
chapter on p.281, as well as in the Player's Guide. This
includes reprinted ancestries, as well as new options.
Ancestries of Xen'drik
Asherati. Native to the Menechtarun desert, the asherati
are humanoids with sandy skin who can swim through
the desert like water. Each asherati glows from within,
and can focus that light into a blinding flare. Many live in
subterranean villages beneath the dunes of the vast desert.
Beastfolk. Xen'drik's 'beastfolk' range from the vibrant
aarakocra of the Tempest's Spine, to the woolly loxodons of
Dowron's Shield. This section provides support for potential
origins, and example communities for different ancestries.
Children of the Mist. The legendary spiderfolk of
Dread Lake prize secrecy above all else. Once the servants
of the Spinner of Shadows, and feared for their appearance,
the Children live in villages deep within the fog. There, they
practice the arts of alchemy, illusion, and silent hunting. The
influence of the daelkyr Valaara is a new threat, while the
release of the Spinner of Shadows grows ever closer...
Drow (Ko). The Syranian Ko, or 'cloud elves', were
created by the Sul'at League to be pacifistic servants. Long
after the League's fall, the Ko have established themselves
across sky isles and cloud giant castles, with a culture built on
charity, community, and bonds with local wyverns.
Drow (Súlatar). The 'firebinders' of central Xen'drik
share both cultural links to divine fire, and an attitude of
adventurous inquiry. Each culture takes after a different
aspect of the burning plane of Fernia.
Drow (Vulkooridal). Many different cultures of drow
revere the god Vulkoor and spirits of the wild. Collectively
known as the Vulkooridal, each culture reflects one aspect of
the scorpion god, with different outlooks on nature.
CHAPTER 2 | PEOPLES OF XEN'DRIK
Dragonborn. The soldiers of Argonnessen have
long served draconic interests. The largest civilisation of
dragonborn in Xen'drik has guarded the Ring of Storms for
over 40,000 years. The Trothurkear - 'Night Guard' - keep
watch over the ruined Qabalrin capital, using biological
engines to produce mounts and livestock. Dragonborn can
also be found serving the Ten Watchers across Xen'drik.
Fae'drik ('Firbolgs'). The descendants of the giant
Twilight Court are essentially fey goliaths. The fae'drik have
maintained a spark of their former fey magic, and often work
to combat tyrants and giants who seek to control others - a
legacy of their city-state's past. Fae'drik maintain heirloom
tales to preserve their past, many concerning Xen'drik's fey.
Giants. The modern giants are torn between those who
would seek to regain the power of their ancestors, and those
who see such follies with utter scorn.
Goliaths. Many giants gave up their arcane strength
and power in the wake of the Shattering, becoming goliaths.
Much like their larger kin, many goliath cultures are
defined by their viewpoint on the past. Xen'drik goliaths are
descended from giants of every kind, including cyclopes.
Kobolds. This section details the three different
progenitor-based cultures of kobolds in Xen'drik, and where
they can be found - from the high peaks, to the deep caverns.
Living Constructs. This section provides a wide
range of backgrounds for playing a living construst in
Xen'drik, using the warforged player ancestry.
Lizardfolk. The 'arah'sihei' of Xen'drik range from the
hulking saurian Glacier Lords, to the spined desert Nektari.
Their cultures vary based on the environment, with shared
reptilian traits that unite them.
Locathah. Every sea around Xen'drik has a different
locathah culture. The fishfolk are highly adaptable, with
different body forms, including catfish locathah in the Hydra.
Shulassakar. As divine yuan-ti serving the couatl,
the shulassakar keep a close watch on the Overlords bound
beneath Xen'drik, and can be found as scattered guardians.
Simeq ('Simic Hybrids'). The aquatic Simeq elves are
a culture of Lamannian drow, who live in the city of Simeq
Riva in the Phoenix Basin. They use bioengineered creatures
and their own mutable forms to thrive in the rebuilt ruins.
Thri-kreen. Xen'drik's 'mantisfolk' share a unique
connection with the plane of dreams, and are said to exist in
both Dal Quor and the Material. Different kinds of thri-kreen
can be found across Xen'drik, from the hulking Ikat-takt
('titanshells'), to the winged Dre'kalak ('Death's Head').
Triton & Merfolk. The merfolk of the Thunder Sea
work to protect nature and contain fiendish threats. Fey
merfolk can also be found in the feyspire of Pylas Taraelya.
Yuan-ti. The yuan-ti are recent arrivals in Xen'drik,
having fled discrimination in both Argonnessen
and Sarlona. Many live in arcane ruins, using
their resistance to magic to live as artificers and
salvagers. Others have given in to the desire for
vengeance, forming dangerous cults to evil
immortal entities.
65
 Asherati
The asherati of the Menechtarun desert are humanoids with
skin formed from a layer of fluid sand, allowing them to
swim through the desert like it was water. Keenly adapted
to their scorching home, the dunefolk can naturally produce
bright light due to the touch of Irian, which they can use to
blind foes. Their largest settlement is the underground village
of Ushemra, built within the floating desert of the Asherat
(p.250). From here, asherati roam across the Menechtarun
as merchants and guides. Many also serve as druids of the
Sunheart, protecting dangerous arcane ruins from those who
would meddle in powers best left undisturbed.

Family First
Asherati culture is heavily familial and shaped by the nature
of their desert home. Where survival alone might be difficult,
community can work together to achieve wonders - a
necessity in such a harsh land. As such, support and charity
are second nature, and many asherati respond severely to
selfishness and greed. Rather than a single leader, Ushemra is
ruled communally by families of asherati. Just as an individual
Beastfolk
is a member of the family, every family is a member of A wide variety of Xen’drik cultures fall under the Khorvairan
the town, with a single vote towards important matters. umbrella of ‘beastfolk’, from tabaxi to hadozee to arctic
Similarly, a dispute between one person and another is always aarakocra. These peoples can be found from the polar Everice
a dispute between both families; even if individuals disagree to the streets of Stormreach, and have just as many outlooks
with a member of their own family, they will support them and beliefs. None are a monolith, and have spread across the
without question until after the issue is resolved. As a result, lands freely since the end of the Age of Giants.
asherati typically place their family name first, and personal The origins of the beastfolk are unclear, with a wide range
name second. of founding myths. It is possible that they were among the
Typically, different families lean into specialty skills that many races subjugated by the giants after receiving the Gift of
are passed down through the generations. Some specialize in Ouralon. Perhaps the druidic history of the elven Gyrderi and
patrolling the Syranian desert of the Asherat, while others the spirits of the land have led to different ancestries touched
are adept at survival in the desert at large. Others are skilled by Eberron’s primal influence. Some circles believe that it’s
geomancers who shape and carve sand in service to the even more ancient; that while Sarlona is touched by Siberys
village. Typically, this involves shaping civic architecture, as the birthplace of the couatl, and Khorvaire is touched
and enchanting magic items, but fighting a sandbinder in the by Khyber due to its many Overlords, Xen’drik is touched
desert is a quick death; the asherati entomb their foes within by Eberron herself. Its vibrant environments, massive
the sands, shaping the world to their will. inhabitants, and lush forests are the Progenitor’s mark, and
the many beastfolk within share a profound connection to
Beyond the Sands Xen’drik’s verdant heart.
Of course, there are far more mundane theories as well.
Asherati are rare beyond the Menechtarun, often due to their
The giants of the Sul'at League were master transmuters
intense dislike of water. Many find swimming in water to
responsible for the creation of the chimeran Simeq drow; the
be as off-putting as the concept of swimming blind through
animal features of the aquatic drow suggest that Xen'drik's
desert sand is for others. Despite this, some grow curious
beastfolk may share an origin, with stronger ties to Lamannia
about the verdant lands beyond the desert, or enamored with
than the Simeq themselves. If so, they may have been created
the vibrancy of other towns and cities. Desert traders might
as servants for the League, or as trackers and hunters during
also sojourn in search of rare and interesting items to bring
the Elven Rebellion.
home. Some Sunheart druids also travel around Xen’drik
A player with a beastfolk character should feel free to
on personal quests to help cure arcane blights on the land.
create their own culture within Xen’drik, with their GM’s
More urgently, many asherati are deeply concerned with the
guidance. Consider where in the continent they are located,
actions of the Unity of Riedra; the growing attention of Dar
what plot hooks they might pose, and what unique cultures
Qat towards the crystal wastes and ruins of the Menechtarun
and traditions they might have. This might involve them
is a growing sandstorm on the horizon. The Inspired are
having an established city in the wilds with a unique method
both deeply powerful and a dangerous mystery; uncovering
of avoiding the Madness of Crowds, or possessing unique
the truth behind their strength is an urgent mission. Worse
and advanced magic unknown to Khorvaire. Naturally, being
are the Star Pilgrims, who have attracted asherati to
unique is always an option. A player character may have been
their ranks. The mission of these zealots is deeply
awaken from their stasis inside Risian ice by explorers in a
disturbing to many of the traditional First Families,
Sul'at Ruin, or be a different ancestry subject to an ancient
who distrust their alien powers.
curse or daelkyr corruption.

CHAPTER 2 | PEOPLES OF XEN'DRIK

6666
 Examples of Beastfolk Cultures
Tabaxi/Leonin - Pride of Prides - The eastern
savannah of the Menechtarun is the domain of a
vast alliance of catfolk. The pastoral people have
reclaimed many of the Daanvian ruins of the city-state
of Crux, and converted many of their outlying ruins
1 into thriving towns. They work together with local
cyclopes to drive off threats from the western deserts,
providing food and livestock for the giants in exchange.
Over time, their efforts have led to a thriving culture
of creating clockwork automata, fueled by metals from
the SÚlatar of the Fangs of Argarak to the east.
Aarakocra - The Raiar - The polar birdfolk of the
Raiar live on the islands and coasts of the Iceflow Sea.
These aarakocra resemble seabirds such as puffins
and terns, and resist the cold due to their thick, downy
2 feathers. During the summer, the Raiar fish in the
rich waters of the southern Iceflow; when the dark
begins to creep north, they travel to villages high in the
southern Fangs of Argarak in a yearly mass migration.
Loxodons - Therendora - The mammothfolk of
Dowron’s Shield gain their serene nature from the
Syranian zones that dot the southern peninsula. The
zones induce peace and calm skies, protecting them
from large predators and polar storms alike. The
3 loxodons worship the moons and Ring of Siberys,
which light up the world during the sunless polar
winter. From their viewpoint, the Ring appears as a
shining curve on the horizon - a ‘tusk’ of the world.
Many practice lunar sorcery, combining Siberys
dragonshard artifice with a Syranian gift for learning.
Aarakocra - The Medley - The ostentatious birdfolk
of the Tempest’s Spine are Kythri genasi; each is born
with a completely unique colorful appearance, and
takes pride in their particular look. Medley Aarakocra
are innate wild magic sorcerers. From a young age,
4 they are taught to focus their chaotic energies into
gaudy Siberys dragonshard jewelry to avoid harm.
When threatened, they have no qualms taking to the
air, then throwing their jewelry like beads of fireballs at
people below.
Grippli/Bullywugs - Sluwingir's Net - The frogfolk
of the Marsh of Desolation (named by clueless
Khorvairan explorers) ply the waterways of the Hydra,
selling their wares in Blackgrove Refuge. They use
bardic magic to calm the dangerous wildlife of the
5 river, communicating with the spirits of the waterways
to guide their travels. Within the Marsh, they live in
flooded underground cisterns and treetop villages,
linked by long-distance calls of communication - an
arrangement that binds them together into a ‘net’
while keeping them mostly hidden from danger.
Hadozee - Kindori Tal Dira - The colugofolk of
Kindori Kaya Tal glide between the flying isles with
ease. Their curiosity and free spirits often carry them
around Xen’drik on adventures, with some finding
6
homes in the rigging of ships heading out from
Zantashk. The town’s reeve is interested in negotiating
with them for access to the Kaya Tal, although his
interests are purely economic.
CHAPTER 2 | PEOPLES OF XEN'DRIK
Children of the Mist
More a myth than a known fact, the hidden spiderfolk of
Elachni dwell in eastern Xen’drik, within the forests of Dread
Lake. While supposedly children of the Overlord known
as the Spinner of Shadows, the mistkin are free to live as
they will, and prefer quiet seclusion in tree-top villages.
Their culture prizes secrecy out of fear of the response to
their arachnid appearance, with practiced skill in stealth
and illusion. The Children of the Mist are skilled rangers,
alchemists, and assassins, using their natural venom for
potions, poisons, and tinctures. Historically, few mistkin
have ever left their hidden settlements, but times are rapidly
changing; the aggressive hordes of the daelkyr Valaara are
waging war on the forests around Dread Lake.
Mistkin villages are secretive and shrouded. Each is woven
from illusioned silk stretched in skeins between the treetops,
and explorers can wander beneath entire towns without
noticing. The spiderfolk are conflict-averse, but understand
that they are objects of fear due to their unusual appearances
and visual ties to the nearby Overlord. Any who wander
near to hidden mistkin villages are left undisturbed; any who
discover a village are quickly captured and given memory-
erasing potions before they can spread the secret. Mistkin
often take on different roles depending on their body forms,
which vary from humanoid to entirely arachnid. The table
below features examples of how mistkin can look, which can
be rolled for, or used as inspiration for a character:
Chitine - You have a small humanoid body covered in a
layer of tarantula fur, with long spindly arms. Chitines
1 are favored as scouts and spies due to their smaller
stature, and specialise in stealth.
Drider - From the waist up, you resemble someone
from another ancestry. From the waist down, you have
2 the full body of a spider. Driders often take on martial
roles within the Children of the Mist, and train as
skilled rangers and rogues.
Ettercap - You have the body of a bipedal spider
with a hairless carapace and multiple pitch-black
3 eyes. Ettercaps are the finest weavers and shepherds
among the mistkin, although their appearance can be
frightening for outsiders.
Sakah - Perhaps your ancestors were devoted cultists
of the Spinner, or perhaps your birth was accompanied
by fiendish influence and the subtle shaping or fate.
4 Regardless, you look almost exactly like another
ancestry, if not for subtle spidery features … and your
multiple arms. Sakah act as rare traders and diplomats,
and are trusted to blend in with other cultures.
Brood of Shadows
Much like Khorvaire’s gnolls, the spiderfolk were once
the servants of their creator, fighting for the Spinner in
the Age of Demons. There, they specialized as assassins of
their broodqueen, eliminating anything that discovered
her presence as she hid from Sakinnirot. When the age of
demons ended, the Children of the Mist retreated into
solitude, fearful of the response to their monstrous
appearances. When the giants of the Twilight
Court rose to power, the Children realized
67
 that they had little room to truly hide, especially in the face
of twin archfey titans. They covertly approached the rulers,
pledging their allegiance in exchange for their services - and a
binding promise that they could live in secret peace. Despite
this, a small number of spiderfolk still serve the Spinner of
Shadows. They are shunned by their kin. These assassins and
warlocks serve beneath the Overlord’s prakhutu - the titan
Queen Cono’mae.
Culture
The Children of the Mist are pastoral shepherds, hunters,
and artisans. Their natural venom and use of poison has also
led to a tradition of alchemy. Ingredients brought back by
hunters and herbalists are brewed into powerful toxins. This
includes live animals, which are brought back in adhesive
nets and liquefied within cocoons of silk, producing potions
infused with their power. These dangerous brews are used
in defense of the village; dangerous fiends and corrupted fey
roam the region, including brutish fomorians. However,
poison in small doses can become powerful medicines. Some
mistkin use this in the role of combat medics, supporting
fellow rangers with stimulants and anesthetics, while
envenomating foes with the same substances - a perfect
background for a Way of Mercy monk. Others travel
between villages as Circle of Shepherd druids, tending to
flocks of steeders and giant spiders.
Silk and Dagger. Their tools and armor are made
solely from spider silk - a material used for everything from
garrotes and bandages, to camouflage. The Children weave
enchantment and illusion magic into the silk, creating magic
clothing that aids in stealth. Silenced steps, fluid disguises,
and active camouflage all help to catch flies caught in the web.
Other types of silk are used for weaponry. Even the thinnest
strands are deceptively strong and used as lightweight wire
for garrottes, whips, and kusarigama. The throwing knifes of
the mistkin are poisoned with their own venom and crafted
from an infamously rare material - the claws of bebiliths*.
The arachnid fiends stalk the ruined Twilight Court, hunting
anything that intrudes upon the city. The illusions of the
Children of the Mist keep them safe - as long as they are
inside the bounds of their villages.The ability of their claws
to damage even other fiends makes them a highly tempting
prize, and the rangers of Lachni use these against the tainted
servants of the Spinner of Shadows. Over time, some rangers
driven to combat the fiends have heard the call of the Silver
Flame, and journeyed to the city of Bazek Mohl. Though
rare, these wardens use their abilities to help defend the City
of Starfire from threats, ensuring the Overlords of Xen’drik
remain bound.
Siren of the Swarm
In recent years, the daelkyr queen of the Deepest Hive has
become an alarming threat. The servants of the Crawling
Queen are aggressive and brutal, spreading a psychic
infection known as the Swarmsong to any mistkin they can
capture. Any Child of the Mist touched by the Swarmsong is
compelled to join the Deepest Hive, becoming a new agent
of Valaara - and betraying their villages to these
aberrant invaders. As such, many mistkin are now
doing the unthinkable, and venturing into foreign
lands in search of answers. They have little
understanding of what the daelkyr are,
6868
and lack any potent tools to fend off the threat. Gathering
common allies and weaponry to defeat the crawling hordes
may be the only way to ensure their survival.
Drow
Written by Nausicaä Enriquez
Ask around the Deathsgate Guild in Sharn, and they’ll tell
you that drow are ruthless and cunning fighters, and that
it’s not enough to have a magewright cast detect poison
and disease on your food every time you make camp – you
need someone who can cast it fast enough to pick up on the
poisoned weapons in the undergrowth. Ask a librarian in
Pylas Talaer, and they’ll tell you that drow (said like “grow”)
is a contraction of dhaerow, an Elvish word for “traitor” –
the drow are the descendants of elves who agreed to let the
giants magebreed them in order to create slave-catchers. Ask
someone on the streets of Stormreach, and they’ll tell you that
drow are the elves of Xen’drik – perhaps mentioning white
hair and charcoal skin, or skill at hunting in the forests of the
Skyfall Peninsula – and then use their imagination to fill in
the gaps about a people who would rather be left alone.
Planar Rainbow. Ask most people on Xen’drik below
about 5° latitude, and they’ll tell you that drow (said like
“vow”) is a contraction of drik’tau, “the giants’ people” – the
drow are elves whose ancestors were magebred by the giants
during Aeren’s rebellion; whether they agreed to it or not;
and that the traitors are the elves who abandoned Xen’drik,
whether they’re drow or not. Drow doesn’t even refer just
to the elves with the features and magical talents common
in the Skyfall Peninsula – the aquatic Simeq hybrids of the
Phoenix Basin and the cloud-colored pacifist Ko of the flying
islands to the south are also drow. It wouldn’t be entirely
inaccurate to think of drow as the “humans” of Xen’drik, in
the roles of both ambitious and adaptable adventurers and
of people whose appearance tells you next to nothing about
their culture.
Light and Shadow. Drow aren’t human, though – the
biggest difference is their relationship to light. Even when a
drow stays out of direct sunlight, it’s still hard for one to see
into a bright area. Unlike the drow of other worlds or the
dar of Eberron, Eberron’s drow mostly live aboveground, so
their activity patterns are based around being out of sunlight
– whether they’re under tree cover or simply active at night.
Unlike the dar, though, drow have a magical advantage – all
drow can innately cast dancing lights, which allows them
to create dim light within the range of their darkvision.
Every drow has a mobile spotlight – while the need for
concentration makes it a little less useful in combat, drow
can easily highlight spaces near to them, and most drow have
never known the frustration of trying to shine a light in a
small space, since they can just move a magical light into it.
This ability is a cornerstone of drow society; the Lightscroll*
is the most notable expression of this, but a drow carrying
a nonmagical light source reads to other drow as someone
about to go into danger or do something that requires
significant concentration, and an individual drow’s dancing
lights tends to express as a particular color that the drow can
use as a personal signifier.
CHAPTER 2 | PEOPLES OF XEN'DRIK
 Wide Adventurer. Xen’drik was explicitly conceived Making their homes across the Skyfall Peninsula and Hydra
of as a continent-sized megadungeon, and its history and river system, the Vulkoorí people are united by a complex
lore enable that. If there’s anywhere in Eberron where you faith. Primal spirits are beings of the Material Plane, such
can find the “much of the world is untamed” and “the world as native fey and elementals, and the majority of Vulkoorí
is ancient” assumptions from page 9 of the Dungeon Master’s magic relies on bonds with individual primal spirits – yet
Guide, it’s Xen’drik – and drow peoples are at home with the patron of their people is a deity not found in any specific
those assumptions. These lead to a value found across drow location, and different Vulkoorí nations are defined in no
cultures that contributes to their perception as ambitious and small part by very different interpretations of that god.
adaptable: maintaining courage in an unpredictable world. Khorvairians have variously interpreted Vulkoor the Hunter
The past and present of Xen’drik are filled with challenges as Balinor, Vulkoor the Cunning as the Mockery, Vulkoor
and horrors, but no more so than Khorvaire. A Khorvairan the Wrathful as the Fury, and Vulkoor the Mother as Boldrei,
newly arrived in Stormreach might ask how the people of but the Vulkoorí interpret them as the same god taking
the Shattered Land live in a place where danger could burst on different roles for different purposes. Faith in Vulkoor
from the trees at any moment, but a tau’Xen newly arrived defines the values essential to all Vulkooridal – hunting
to the same city could easily ask Khorvairians how they work skill, cunning, just wrath, and family – but the Vulkoorí
themselves to death for a master who claims they are free. nations are distinguished by which value they hold above the
In a world where nobody has the horrifying luxury of seeing others. Vulkoorí nations are not necessarily distinguished by
their death coming, drow learn to overcome their fear by location. While there are more Hantar’kúl in the north and
focusing on the excitement of titanic adventure. Where the more Qaltíar in the south, different nations frequently pass
Five Nations are 'wide magic' and Droaam is 'wide monster', through and use each other’s traditional territories.
drow societies are “wide adventurer” because those skills and
mindsets are necessary for the survival of the community, be
it a family of Vulkooridal or a Súlatar city-state.
Community Roles. While other tau’Xen view drow
as bold adventurers in general, different drow cultures see
each other as steward-inhabitants of different environments.
Individual groups tend to keep to themselves to avoid
inviting the Du’rashka Tul, but different cultures do interact
when the zones shift – drow from one environment helping
others find a new home or adapt to their new surroundings
for the time being. This has led to a certain four-part societal
schema being found across multiple drow cultures; the names
may not be the same as the Vulkoori ones used here, but
the roles are recognizable. The aquasa is a leader, speaker,
and translator – Khorvairans tend to see 'chieftain', but the
concept is closer to the adventuring party’s concept of a 'face'.
The kaxat is an athlete, warrior, defender, and combat leader,
the pylan is a shamanic figure (the word is derived from the
Sylvan pylas, 'gate') capable of patterning and controlling the
world around them, and the vasaq is a professional expert
who can bring skills to bear to strike at a specific problem.
If these roles seem similar to roles in an adventuring party,
you’re right on the money – in a wide adventurer society,
party composition becomes a way that drow understand their
individual identities and roles in a group.

Vulkooridal: The Scorpion Nations

“This is a story I have heard: after the empires had fallen and the
traitors fled across the sea, there was a drow who looked for a way
to protect and guide his people. He found in the primal spirits of
the world willing allies, who asked for none of the blood that the
gods of the giants or their arcane rituals required – but none of the
primal spirits were willing to take the scared and helpless drow
under their full protection, save Vulkoor, the Great Scorpion, who [
recognized the drow as fellow hunters | knew a good gambit when
he-and-she saw one | cried out in her heart for justice for the drow |
had so many children yet cared for them all ] and made a bargain:
she would become the champion of the drow, but needed their leader
to become part of her so she would not hurt them out of ignorance
or detachment. That nameless drow accepted, and elf and primal
spirit became something greater than either: became a god.”
– the answer Vulkoorí pylans learn for “who are we?”

CHAPTER 2 | PEOPLES OF XEN'DRIK

69

The Philippines, but not This Philippines
Hi! This is Nausicaä Enriquez, from Across Eberron and
a couple other Eberron books on the DMsGuild – the
stuff you’re seeing about drow here is excerpted from
my long-term WIP Letters from the Drow, an exploration
of Eberron’s drow cultures. This process has turned me
into the unofficial Eberron Fandom Drow Expert, so I was
pleased to be asked to contribute and thankful to have a
reason to get some-but-not-all of it down on the page for
the Giant Guide. (If you’re wondering where the Umbragen
are – Jamie gave them a brief, workable treatment in
Hektula’s, but exploring the effects of the Umbra on their
culture and dealing with the legacy of “evil subterranean
drow” in D&D requires more space than I have here.)
Eberron’s drow are near and dear to my heart – while the
Vulkooridal are clearly based on the Peruvians from the
beginning of Raiders of the Lost Ark, they’re also a culture
from the tropics with tattooing practices, primal magic, and
a distinctive knife-based fighting style … which made me, a
biracial Filipino-American woman, perk up and go “those are
my ancestors!” The more I’ve thought about and developed
my perspective on the drow as Filipino analogues, the more
connections I’ve found already present in canon – the idea
of drow as a term for a large number of cultures with a
shared past is directly derived from the development of a
shared identity as Filipinos at the end of the 19th century;
the Súlatar connections to Fernia parallel Mindanao
connections to the Arab world; Stormreach is a global city in
the mode of late 16th-century Manila.
What I present here is only one possible way to use the
drow, or to insert Filipiniana in Eberron; I’d love to see a
Peruvian take on the drow, for example, or a Filipino version
of the Lhazaar Principalities. It’s also the perspective of
someone who didn’t grow up with a strong connection to
any one Filipino culture, and I’m not trying to use too many
actual Filipino cultural elements to flesh out drow cultures –
my effort is to make them feel like a better-developed part
of Eberron, not a fantasy transplantation of the Philippines.
However, one of the biggest strengths of Eberron for me is
that I get most of my inspiration for Eberron games from
reading about real-world history. The thing that attracted
me to Eberron when I first found it in the public library as a
nine-year-old was the way it attempted to present a living,
complex world … and it’s been overwhelmingly rewarding to
be able to use my studies of my ancestors’ history to enrich
another world that I love but haven’t visited in person.
A Vulkooridal family consists of several hundred elves over
a large territory, divided into roaming bands of a few dozen
elves closer to what Khorvairians might think of as a “family”.
The Silaes Tairn have noted the similarity to Tairnadal
warclans and warbands, but Vulkooridal don’t have anything
analogous to their unarmed zaelantar – noncombatants do
not live separately. Vulkooridal use scorpion venom to create
pale tattoos that indicate gender, band, family, and significant
accomplishments to other members of their nation; designs
and placement vary among the nations, as do the
decorations on traditional scorpion-shell clothing.
Khorvairians have observed that Vulkooridal
consider it an insult to ask about another’s family
name; what is insulting is not requesting
7070
identity but in not putting in the effort to interpret the
other’s tattoos. Vulkoorídal community size and their
adventuring lifestyles lead them to prioritize direct and
efficient communication. Vulkooridal will often combine
vocal speech, sign language, and pointing to tattoos in time-
sensitive situations to make split-second communication
possible. When less pressed, Vulkooridal often come off as
abrasive to other tau’Xen; the Vulkoorí response is “be glad
you were warned with words instead of a knife.”
Wide Primal. Vulkoorí society makes heavy use of
primal magic, much like the communities of the Eldeen
Reaches within the Towering Woods. When making
Vulkoorí characters and communities, consider how
primal magic could be used to improve daily life. Most
Vulkooridal wear anklets that produce a barkskin effect on
the soles of the feet rather than shoes. Cantrips like create
bonfire and mold earth can be used to make and break camp
quickly, and gleaners frequently engage in rituals designed
to slowly increase hunting and gathering yields over a long
period of time.
While the Vulkoorí don’t have access to the cleaning effects
of prestidigitation, far more Vulkooridal than Khorvairians
can cast detect poison and disease and purify food and drink as
rituals (and think Khorvairans are haphazard and slovenly for
just letting prestidigitation take care of filth). Vulkooridal also
employ solé, a strangler fig that grows in Dolurrhi manifest
zones, to preserve the memories of their dead – as the tree
grows around the corpse, it develops an intelligence that
can draw on the knowledge and memory of the dead drow.
As a solé sends out prop roots and becomes a banyan, new
corpses can be interred in its network, creating vast groves
of drow thought and memory that rival the great libraries
of Khorvaire. The following are the four largest Vulkoorí
nations. It’s possible to add to this list, using a different
manifestation of Vulkoor – which would subsequently add a
new lesser virtue to the others.
Hantar’kúl: the Blood Hunters
All drow go delving into giant ruins for magic items and
lore, but the Hantar’kúl are the ones who institutionalize
it. A Hantar’kúl would feel ill at ease among the towering
edifices of Sharn, a giant city if ever there was one – until
they set foot in an adventurer’s guildhall. Surrounded by
others whose livelihood depends on recovering artifacts from
hostile and unfamiliar structures, any Hantar’kul would feel
right at home.
The stories of Vulkoor the Cunning teach his-and-her
children that it’s always worth the effort to sit down and
think through something to find a better way of doing it –
and that having more tools at your disposal helps you solve
more problems down the road. A common Vulkoorí joke is
that Hantar’kúl would rather go on a delve for a decanter of
endless water than simply dig a well or purify river water.
Hantar’kúl account for about half of the people who tell
these jokes, and will chime in with the legend of the band
who passed a staff from hand to hand so quickly it caught
fire, the conjurer who went insane splitting an iron wall into
daggers, or the diviner who could kill a city by scrying for it –
they’re well aware the simple solution may be better day-to-
day, but if you really need a solution for an unusual problem,
the Hantar’kúl have you covered.
Dungeon Delvers. Hantar’kúl bands travel from ruin
to ruin, searching for useful artifacts. Hantar’kúl translates
CHAPTER 2 | PEOPLES OF XEN'DRIK
 to “blood hunter” and refers to the elven blood the Cul’sir Fleeting Wonder, comes from the use of the tilxin bird in
and Sul’at shed to make many of these items. Much as art and poetry as a symbol of impermanent joy; Elis’tray, the
goblinoids recover the crafts of their ancestors from the Mother of Moths, embodies the complex symbology of the
dungeons of Khorvaire, the Hantar’kúl are reclaiming items moth in Vulkoorí culture – guide to prey and romance alike,
their ancestors were forced to produce for others, finally herald of unavoidable change, and coda for the moons. These
putting them in the hands of free elves. Even a ruin that has Thelanin fey may have originated in primal spirits of Eberron
already been picked over of giant magic is still worth the itself, but the repetition of their myths throughout Vulkoorí
Hantar’kúl’s attention. Giant ruins are similar to rotting logs culture has written these stories into Thelanis itself – and the
in the ecosystem of the Skyfall Peninsula, serving as substrate fey are glad to help the culture whose tales created them.
for plants, shelter for animals, and rich hunting grounds for Qaltíar bards and warlocks carry on the legacy of the
predators (including humanoid hunters). original phiarlan bards. Some Qaltíar bands hunt not for
Hantar’kúl adventuring is a methodical team effort, living prey but for new stories, traveling between Vulkoorí
systematically sweeping dungeons room by room; because communities and solé groves, continuing to keep core
bands camp at a given site for a longer period of time than narratives alive while incorporating new ones into oral
those for whom dungeon-delving is not a way of life, they tradition. Their role as cultural memory can bring these
have more freedom to bring in outside resources – fresh food, bands into conflict with Vulkooridal who have broken from
timber to shore up ceilings, experts on the ruin’s builders, what said band considers to be the essence of Vulkoorí
and even hirelings from other cultures (Hantar’kúl near culture, especially those who find themselves allied with
Stormreach see Morgrave expeditions as simple laborers that giants – but in a land filled with the dangers of the past,
can be employed to trigger traps and cart away useless gold). sometimes the hidebound and stodgy are the ones who
Just as some people in the Eldeen Reaches may have druid remember exactly where the bodies are buried.
class features without the rest of the class, Hantar’kúl often
train individual class features, such as a Monk’s Slow Fall or Ay’qatal: the Rivers’ Fury
a Paladin’s Divine Sense – a Hantar’kúl’s tattoos indicate their “Wrath”, in the Vulkoorí sense, is a response to the
abilities as well as their background and achievements, and degradation of a well-maintained community. Vulkooridal
one can make fast friends with a Hantar’kúl by recognizing expect that maintaining social cohesion, whether among
what their tattoos say they can do. humanoids or in the network of humanoids, plants, animals,
and spirits, takes effort. When people choose not to put in
Qaltíar: the Broken Oath that effort, the network breaks down. Vulkoor the Wrathful
Qaltíar means “broken oath”, and the stories of Vulkoor the teaches her children to respond with clear warnings when
Hunter teach his children that there is no shame in breaking a others would disrupt that network, and to
bad deal. Qaltíar drow are the first to respond when the
Battalion of Basalt Towers, embittered death giants, or
the Reclaimers of Glory seek conquest – and whenever
any large creature threatens to disrupt the balance of
an ecosystem.
The Qaltíar produce the greatest numbers of the
warriors known as vulk n’tash, “scorpion wraiths”,
among the Vulkooridal, and the Qaltíar are taught to
approach all problems with the stealth and patience
of the scorpion. Qaltíar hunters also provide their
services to magic item creators in Xen’drik – on a
continent without Eberron dragonshards, the body
parts of magical creatures are far more essential to the
construction of specific devices, and completing a hunt
for an especially dangerous or cunning beast wins a
Qaltíar the acclaim of their peers.
The most respected hunters among the Qaltíar are
known as pandin temn, “scourge of giants” (the term
tem meaning “giants” in the figurative sense of
anything powerful, rather than drik, the giant species);
Qaltíar tattoos are focused in large part on the
individual’s accomplishments, recording past hunts.
Storied Souls. In addition to the primal spirits
of the Material Plane and their ties to individual
locations, Qaltíar learn arcane magic from archfey of
Thelanis – and in so doing keep the cultural memory
of the Vulkooridal alive. Hul’drac, the Shifting Panther,
represents the pan-Vulkoorí recognition of the
displacer beast as a cunning and ingenious hunter like
scorpions and themselves; Ko’molaq, the two-headed
Teller of Tales, derives from Vulkoorí pylans using
dream serpent venom in their rituals. Kura’tra, the

CHAPTER 2 | PEOPLES OF XEN'DRIK

 respond quickly and decisively when warnings are ignored.
The Ay’qatal travel the forest rivers of Xen’drik, warning
others when danger would erupt if maintenance lapses and
removing threats that would further shatter the land.
Embodying Nature. The Ay’qatal share primal
traditions with the Simeq, although they don't limit
themselves to aquatic forms. Instead, Ay’qatal communities
work with individual primal spirits to combine the spirits’
insight and strength with mortal adaptability and drive
– Ay’qatal tattoo themselves with the specific spirits they
can channel, changing their forms and personalities into
patchwork fusions of drow and primal spirit. Ay’qatal might
find commonality with Khorvairian changeling communities
– multiple drow can work with the same primal spirit, but
only one may do so at a time, much as changelings would take
turns with a given persona.
Ay’qatal take on the traits of animals and plants for
hunting, gathering, and combat; elemental forms are used
more for mobility, fusing with the elements they traverse.
The most notable example of these are the helmsmen of their
elaborate houseboats; rather than forming an elemental ring
around the middle of the ship like a Lyrandar galleon, an
Ay’qatal boat has a frame at the stern where the helmsman
sits, allowing their elemental-bound body to expand and form
a rushing jet at the back.
No Gods, No Masters. The Ay’qatal work
closely with both the Guardians of Rushemé and the
Unbound Brigade; Ay’qatal warriors refer to themselves
as “godhunters”, seeing the legacy of the giants as one of
hubristic titans attempting to become gods. Some Ay’qatal
families espouse a doctrine that even Vulkoor should be
undone in time – merely saved for last, as the only god
willing to end the tyranny of gods. Ay’qatal are friendly
with the Banor’drakai but rarely participate in their rituals,
preferring the comfort and familiarity of the primal spirits
they work with to draconic transformations.
Historically, the Ay’qatal have dealt with threats to the
land itself: new civilizations rise and fall all the time in
Xen’drik, and the Ay’qatal prefer to respond to a threat
before the Du’rashka Túl does and the violence spills over
into surrounding communities – or before an innovator has
a chance to develop a technology that despoils the land. Over
the past century, the Ay’qatal have also become increasingly
concerned with Khorvairian colonialism, frequently coming
into conflict with Tharashk prospecting expeditions.
but operating on the assumption that those communities
are forging their own relationships with Xen’drik and can
handle it on their own. Na’qalla are also the only sedentary
Vulkooridal, maintaining rice and taro farms to trade with
other Vulkoorí. Instead of carpentry or masonry, they
shape buildings through primal magic with trees in the area,
hollowing out cozy homes from living wood.
Lullmagic. Much like the Gatekeepers of Khorvaire,
the Na’qalla create some eldritch machines – analogues of
Dimensional SealsERLW that contain particularly violent shifts in
geography or mental states – but the majority of their work
is with 'eldritch populations'. When a Na’qalla settlement
becomes large enough that it strains resources or edges close
to triggering the Du’rashka Túl, the Na’qalla will locate a new
settlement near a locus of change in Xen’drik’s topography.
The Na’qalla intentionally place and structure their
settlements to demonstrate to the land that there are people
living on it, trying to fix what others brought down upon it.
Daily life for the Na’qalla involves constant communication
with the land, telling it what they are doing and the
relationship they are attempting to weave. Na’qalla tattoos
are personally designed to a degree that other Vulkoorí
tattoos are not, with a goal of creating a unique identification
that Xen’drik can recognize – but the Na’qalla library of
tattoo designs is one of intricate double meanings designed
to euphemistically record the worst atrocities of Xen’drik’s
history, as a way of shouldering the burden of the land’s pain.

Na’qalla: the Repairers

As the scorpion carries its children on its back, the Na’qalla
see themselves as protected by Vulkoor the Mother. Unlike
other nations, Na’qalla prefer not to fight, seeing violence as
the ultimate reason behind the rage and grief of the continent
of Xen’drik. Their work is considerably more taxing and
more delicate: the Na’qalla lullmages try to quiet the shifting
zones, the Traveler’s Curse, and – perhaps – the Du’rashka
Túl. Most lullmages are gleaners or bardic magewrights
who speak to the land in Druidic, soothing its
hurts and reminding it that it can be a bountiful,
sheltering home to a rich tapestry of peoples, not
merely a crumbling ruin of past violence.
Few non-Vulkoorí are particularly aware of
the Na’qalla as a whole – they value isolation
and unobtrusiveness, sometimes working
with other communities near them,

CHAPTER 2 | PEOPLES OF XEN'DRIK

7272
 Súlatar: The Firebinders
“After the world, the flame: after the flame, the world again. Our
future lies in the Land of Promise, whence all fire flows.
“After the flame, the ash: after the ash, the flame again. The
giants who bent the flames to their will were destroyed for their
arrogance, but the same fate need not befall us.
“After the ash, the blood: after the blood, the ash again. When the
giants saw that we could be remade in flame, they gave us forms
that would better serve them - but we survived and they did not, and
now we serve each other as we are.
“After the blood, the flame: after the flame, the blood again. The
giants sought only to bind the immortals of the Land of Promise,
while we seek to learn from what they tell us – but we must discover
how to use that in the living world.
“After the flame, the world: after the world, the flame again. It is
possible to remake the world in flames, but it is not guaranteed that
it will be a good one.”
– The Creed of the Promise, a declaration of the articles of
the primary Súlatar faith
The Súlatar consider themselves the true heirs of the Sul’at
League, the giant polity that created the first drow. Not
only do they restore Sul’at ruins, they maintain the Five
Luminaries’ spirit of scientific inquiry. Unlike the Five
Luminaries, they temper their experiments with the faith
of the Promise of Fire. This faith has Ju’qatan influences, as
it deals primarily with the outsiders of Fernia, but it does
not focus on angels and efreet alone, and the mysticism of
Ju’qatan belief is a lesser element when compared to the
spirit of inquiry. Súlatar are concerned not merely with
scientific discovery, but questions of right living and societal
governance.The Súlatar have the strongest relationship with
the Simeq, as the political, legal, and economic developments
recorded in ancient Simeq Riva are of interest to every
Súlatar city-state.
A common Vulkoorí canard is that the Súlatar are fools
who are following a hollow promise the giants made to
entice their ancestors; many Súlatar will counter that it was
the giants who were fools for showing them the way to the
Promise in the first place. The Promise is not an apocalyptic
faith, as Khorks who fear the Vulkooridal for their “savagery”
and the Súlatar for their “civilization” in the same breath
might believe. The remaking of the world is to be done by
mortal hands, not by an outpouring of the immortal flames of
Fernia, and only one school of Súlatar thought sees that work
as violent. Súlatar are innovators above all else; Súlatar clerics
can select from the ForgeXGE, Knowledge, and Light domains.
The Súlatar make their homes throughout the central
north-south corridor of Xen’drik, favoring the western
coast and the areas surrounding Sul’at sites; few venture into
the deeper sands of the Menechtarun or the denser parts
of the forests of Xen’drik. Súlatar polities are independent
city-states – one vital piece of information the Súlatar have
learned about the Du’rashka Túl is that shared political
identity triggers it more often than shared cultural or spiritual
identity. The Súlatar have learned this restriction of the
Du’rashka Túl largely through trial and error; The Madness
of Crowds has destroyed more communities of Súlatar than
of any other drow culture, but their farms and city walls
sustain experimentation possible only on the scale of an
elven lifespan. The elemental binding techniques preserved
from the days of the Sul’at League allow a network of firesled
CHAPTER 2 | PEOPLES OF XEN'DRIK
messengers, but most trade among Súlatar city-states is
intellectual rather than material. While Súlatar of any school
of thought can be found in any community, most Súlatar city-
states are governed by two to three schools in particular; the
following are the most common, but not the only schools.
Trade In Flames
The Brassbinder, Forgebinder, and Hearth Promise
schools are the most common in Súlatar thought; sites
and technologies that exploited Fernia’s Fires of Industry
property were the most common throughout the Sul’at
League, and these factions specialize in the craft that enriches
mundane lives.
Heartfire. The Brassbinders work most closely with the
efreet of Fernia. Here the Ju’qatan sense of spectacle is most
present among the Súlatar, as Brassbinder thought is centered
around the power of passion, celebration, and splendor.
There’s no point in trying to transform the world if you’re
not also trying to enjoy it! Brassbinder-led communities have
social calendars that make the Qabalrin Wheel look like a
simple sundial. While upper-crust Brassbinders are prone
to developing cults of Kharna Rayva, most Brassbinders are
sincere in their desire to share comfort, art, and ecstatic faith
with those around them.
Forgefire. The Forgebinders, meanwhile, learn from
the dao (or, more frequently, from the azers the dao dispatch
to the Material Plane). The Sul’at League may have pioneered
the elemental binding techniques the Forgebinders use today,
but it’s Forgebinder ingenuity that created Firesleds, firebrass,
and, most recently, gunpowder. The Aundairian attitude
towards mundane weapons is a product of a continent with
Eberron dragonshards that can be used to make recharging
wands. The Súlatar, meanwhile, discovered that the material
components of the fireball spell can explode through natural
alchemy in large enough quantities. Súlatar firearms today
are still not as powerful as arcane foci, but they can be made
more easily, are more accessible for individuals, and only
require the ability to maintain and aim plus knowledge of
maintenance rather than magical training. Forgebinder
communities are havens of scientific and engineering
knowledge. Unlike the reclusive dao, Forgebinders chat
constantly about how best to refine their works.
Hearthfire. The Hearth Promise Súlatar work with
the angels of Fernia. Their traditions focus on ceramics,
glass, chandlery, and cooking. They focus their efforts on
the transformation of the domestic sphere rather than the
world at large – but their interpretation of the Traveler’s
Curse is that of a traveler who lacks a home to come to, and
in some sense their project is to make the continent into that
more fitting home. Hearth Promise communities tend to the
small and tranquil, and are renowned as houses of healing by
Súlatar and other tau’Xen alike. Many Hearth Promise Súlatar
were born in other drow cultures, coming to the faith in need
of rest from the trials of the Shattered Land.
The Ghostbinders
The Ghostbinders are a syncretic organization who blend
the Promise of Fire with the faith of the Silver Flame. They
are cordial with the Torch of Progress, but diverge
significantly on interpretation in a manner that
parallels the Ju’qatan and Sul’at origins of the
respective faiths. For the Ghostbinders, the
Silver Flame is not a guarantee of safety:
73
 it is a tool that mortals have to wield. The celestials of
Fernia demonstrate that it is a fragile flame kept alive in the
darkness, the lamp that may flutter out, the tiny light that is
all you can see by… but the Ghostbinders agree that it is still
a torch passed from generation to generation. The Ghost
Flame, as the Súlatar call it, serves a similar role to Vulkoorí
solé networks – they call upon the Silver Flame to empower
their skills, not their strength at arms, experiencing its
revelations as the memories of Ghostbinders who have gone
before. (If you have the Astral Adventurer’s Guide, astral elves
can work as Ghostbinder Súlatar.)
Ghostbinders work with both the Hantar’kúl and the Silaes
Tairn of Aerenal in order to neutralize the worst of giant
artifice. Ghostbinders are specifically skilled at dealing with
bound fiends and the unquiet dead, but they can also be relied
on to trigger traps with no apparent disabling mechanism
by simply walking into them, relying on conviction-born
divine magic to protect them. Ghostbinders do not govern
any Súlatar communities, and no children are raised in the
faith. Their order is entirely voluntary, and the traditional
initiation process involves heavy discouragement of
prospective initiates to eliminate those unwilling to become
like ghosts to protect the people of Xen’drik.
The Army of Promise
The Promise Soldier school is a comparatively recent one,
only a few centuries old, that deals with the fiends of Fernia.
Súlatar technology and social organization gives them a more
predictable life expectancy than other drow, and their long
lifespans sometimes give rise to long-term social experiments.
The Promise Soldiers are attempting to stress-test the
limits of the Du’rashka Túl – trying to determine what part
of a culture’s development triggers it. The current theory
advanced by Flamespeaker Holúar, the school’s founder, is
that the deciding factor is hubris – that a civilization with an
unreasonable assessment of its own capabilities boils over
into violence. To that end, the Promise Soldiers have begun
working with demons and devils in order to gain a “reasoned
understanding” of expansion and violence, and make heavy
use of firearms – Promise Soldiers were the ones to develop
fire lances, and rumors abound of blood glass bullets that
warp and twist in flesh or Khyber dragonshard bullets that
release fiends inside the victim’s body. Other Súlatar do not
wear tattoos, but the Promise Soldiers do, reveling in the
flame-shaped displays of how much pain they can endure.
The Army of Promise is still a drow organization, and
Khorvairians who fought in the Last War who encounter
its soldiers see the Promise Soldiers as a terrifying example
of theatrical propaganda brought to life, or perhaps an
even worse version of the Valaes Tairn. The excitement of
titanic adventure held in common among the drow people,
when formed into an army, creates the effect of an “army
of mavericks” – every unit is formed of loose cannons (the
Promise Soldiers also make use of gunpowder cannons)
who don’t follow the rules. Much like the Valaes Tairn,
the Promise Soldiers are not particularly concerned with
administrating the communities they have conquered;
their effort is to see if the Du’rashka Túl permits an army,
not an empire.
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Ko: The Cloud Elves
“I don’t understand it. Why would you follow a demon that says
your fate is fixed? That your destiny will … pull and pull and
pull until it strangles you? Don’t people usually want their gods to
promise some form of justice?”
“With what we are, how we were made … what ko would pray to
a just god?”
“Even so! Aren’t you strengthening Zel Erakhni with
your prayers?”
“They’re not the prayers she wants. She wants the worship of the
… ambitious, I suppose. She wants you to think that you can pull the
strings yourself, that you can learn to control others. We don’t ask
her for that.”
“You pray to an ancient evil because you … don’t want
anything from it?”
“Exactly. Our prayers, thanking her for taking responsibility for
us, for giving us a path to follow when we had none? They weigh
her down, infuriating her – but if she tries to cut any one of us
loose, to unmoor us from destiny, we’ll just catch the one that falls.”
“Couldn’t the Spinner just … destroy you all? Doom your
whole society?”
“Not without stepping out from the shadows. Nor could she resist
new prayers from the inevitable survivors.”
“Why do you say survivors are inevitable?”
“What could she be without victims?”
– Tavni Zau, Na’qalla gleaner, speaking with
Amhil, Ko anchor
Not all drow count slave-hunting assassins among their
ancestors. As the elves rebelled following the impact of the
Moonbreaker, the giants of the Sul’at League attempted
to replace their fleeing slaves with a new type of drow,
infused with the essence of Syrania to make them docile and
compliant. These pale “cloud elves” – dubbed Ko in imitation
of a dove’s call – were sold to giant communities throughout
south-central Xen’drik.
Whether they were taken up into the sky by cloud giants
before the Shattering or fled the dangers of the ground
after it, they have sought the comparative safety of life
in the heights. Ko villages are tangled nests constructed
from cloudstone salvaged from the floating ruins of the
Gallimaufry, lashed to the sides of sky isles to preserve as
much arable land for farming as they can. Wyverns dart in
and out of rookeries, herding skyfish into Ko nets – not even
the ever-present threat of falling can deter these drow from
finding a way to live and thrive in the sky itself.
Like the Na’qalla, Ko prefer to resolve conflicts as
peacefully as possible; unlike the Na’qalla, Ko pacifism is an
instinct, not an ideological stance. While a Na’qalla child is
taught that violence may seem attractive but often makes
things worse, a Ko child is taught that as easy as it might
seem to freeze or offer up concessions, the first instinct is not
always the correct one. The Sul’at were successful at making
the Ko more compliant and docile than other elves, but the
Ko are still people. The intensity of this instinct varies, and
they can choose when to follow them.
Trade & Trust. Ko society accommodates these instincts
through clear reassurances and competitive altruism – not
only are Ko taught to respond to generosity with generosity,
Ko find that their drive towards peace makes them respected
as traders throughout Xen’drik. Making a good deal that
enriches a community wins a Ko acclaim, and they hold
CHAPTER 2 | PEOPLES OF XEN'DRIK
 regular gift-giving festivals to demonstrate individuals’ ability
to support those they care about.

Community Anchors
However, Ko society couldn’t be so accommodating without
the work of anchors - those Ko who shoulder the burdens
of decision-making. Some Ko take on the mantle of anchor
for longer periods due to personal preference or weaker
Syranian instincts, while others rotate the strenuous work of
directing and calming their fellows around the community.
An anchor’s role is both literal and metaphorical – due to
their aerial environment, the Ko make thorough use of ropes
for safety. Ko sky islands are strung with jacklines around the
edges for safety, and Ko train with rope and grappling hooks
to maneuver in three dimensions away from their safer paths.
When they’re not in danger of falling, however, Ko use finer
lines to secure themselves to a Ko anchor – a rope symbolizes
the feeling of safety and the social bonds of the community,
and knowing there’s someone who can make good decisions
in a flash on the other end gives that feeling weight.
There are also contexts where the role of an “anchor” is
filled by something other than a Ko. Ko share their territory
with wyverns, and have worked together since shortly after
the Shattering to increase skyfishing yields for both parties.
To ride a wyvern for long-distance flight or in combat
requires training and trust between an individual Ko and an
individual wyvern, and a wyvern-rider’s harness ties them to
the saddle both to prevent falling and to remind both parties
of the time they have spent learning to work together; a
wyvern and Ko bond is for life.
Ko also associate with the yikaria (or 'yakfolk'), especially
in Kul Lerek; the influence of Syrania makes the prospect
of allowing one of the yakfolk to inhabit one’s body less
upsetting for many Ko (even beneficial, since a yikarian mind
at the helm can ignore the passivity instinct), and between
strength of numbers and wyvern venom, it’s possible to
forge equitable arrangements. Ko neither particularly
trust nor distrust non-Ko; those who adventure without
other Ko are usually happier in larger parties – balancing
competing interests makes a Ko more likely to exercise their
own autonomy.
Tangled Faith. The most notable anchor in Ko society,
however, is not happy with the position: the majority of
Ko communities follow a strange traditional cult of Zel
Erakhni. Ko do not make warlock pacts with the Spinner in
Shadows. Instead, they worship her like a god, and some Ko
even develop divine magic from this faith – perhaps the only
faith in Eberron where a cleric going against the wishes of
their deity is the default rather than a possibility. For the Ko,
accustomed to the metaphors of rope and connection, and
distanced from their own agency, the idea of being on puppet
strings is less terrifying than it is comforting – “at last,” goes
the half-ironic prayer, “someone knows what they’re doing!”
Ko rarely serve Zel Erakhni’s machinations, as the altruism
that advances a Ko’s social status is anathema to the Spinner
in Shadows; rather, they see their faith as trapping her in
her own web, and Ko clerics’ spells often take the shape of
rope or weaving. To a Ko, evil in the world is Zel Erakhni’s
problem – fate may be cruel, but the ko are not
to blame, and they can get on with living and
loving in Eberron.

CHAPTER 2 | PEOPLES OF XEN'DRIK

75
 Dragonborn
The dragons of Argonnessen keep a global eye on emerging
dangers to their position as Eberron’s rulers. Their ancient
fiendish enemies may be sealed, but the Lords of Dust work
tirelessly to free them. Several Overlords are watched over by
mortal guards created by the dragons - the beings known as
dragonborn. Dragonborn can be found guarding Ran Ishiiv
in Sarlona, Masvirik in Q’barra, and the nascent godling
known as the Umbra in Xen’drik. The danger posed by the
Umbra, which is now sealed within the Ring of Storms,
has never been unleashed on Eberron - but its role in the
Prophecy urged the dragons to take quick action. Other
scattered dragonborn serve some of the Ten Watchers, who
keep guard over giant ruins to ensure they can never again
bring destruction to the land.
Millennia after the fall of the Qabalrin, dragonborn still
live around the Ring of Storms, guarding the Umbra as their
sacred duty. While the majority of Xen’drik’s dragonborn
are part of this Trothurkear (‘Night Guard’), many others
might be the result of the actions of the Ten Watchers, or the
creations of other rogue dragons.The Trothurkear have lived
in and around the Ring of Storms since time immemorial,
watching over the Umbra and preventing anything from
leaving the Qabalrin ruins. Countless fiends, undead, and
aberrations still linger in the ruins of Qabal Mordas - the
result of the dark mages’ work. In the vast gulf of time since
their creation, the dragonborn have risen into civilisations,
fallen to the Du’rashka Tul, and risen again. To avoid being
destroyed by the curse, they now maintain smaller clans, who
live in ruins built on ruins from countless ages hence.
The Night Guard
The Trothurkear are ancient, and have customs far different
from the Trothslorvek of Q’barra. Their existence revolves
around massive lizards known as bolatashi (‘great mothers’).
These hulking immobile creatures are biological engines
produced by the dragons; each is capable of producing a
variety of draconic creatures, from beasts of burden, to flying
mounts, to the dragonborn themselves. Each Trothurkear
clan lives around a bolatashi, and keeps their great mother
alive at all costs. Typically, their weapons and tools are
themselves unusually organic, and derived from the creatures
the Great Mothers produce. A trothurkear has three names -
their own, their clan’s, and their great mother’s.
The clans are small, and scattered around the mountains of
the Ring of Storms to avoid the Madness of Crowds. Once,
the Trothurkear were free to expand, and formed a single
empire around the ring, but the dawn of the Du’rashka Tul
brought disaster. Their empire collapsed in a matter of days,
killing many of the bolatashi and isolating the remaining
clan-holds. Now, sprawling ruins cloak the mountains of the
Ring - a crumbling reminder of draconic arrogance.
One of the greatest modern threats to the Trothurkear is
one they barely understand. The daelkyr Valaara has taken an
interest in them as a result of the bolatashi - from its point of
view, their ‘Hive Queens’. The Crawling Queen has little
tolerance for competitors, and has sought to corrupt
the bolatashi to bring them into her insect colony.
The results are dire. A corrupted bolatashi spews
out half-draconic half-insect aberrations that
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rip and tear flesh with desperate devotion. Fortunately, the
daelkyr’s attention is on Dread Lake, and only one bolatashi
and its clan have ever fallen prey - but the danger remains.
Armed Watch. As stoic guardians, the dragonborn are
highly martial, and focused on combating unnatural and
fiendish threats. Copper dragonborn scouts fly low through
the sky on dragonnels, checking for any encroaching throats,
while brass and silver warriors train to deal with fiends and
the undead on the ground. A Trothurkear dragonborn who
has left the Ring of Storms might be pursuing something
needed to deal with a rising threat, the last of their clan in
search of meaning, or an exile due to a past failure in their
duty. They know little of the other cities and peoples of
Xen’drik, for the drow and giants know not to encroach
on Trothurkear territory around the Ring. Playing a
Trothurkear might involve discovering a world of wonders -
including the existence of Khorvairan people.
Example Trothurkear Clans
Rachaustrat (Copper Flight) - Only copper
dragonborn take up the role of aerial scouts due to
1 their immunity to the lightning of the Ring’s storms.
They ride on flying creatures borne of the bolatashi,
including dragonnelsFTD and small wyverns.
Ornarytiss (Silver Warriors) - The Silver Warriors
patrol much of border between the rainforest and
the mountains of the Ring of Storms. They use their
freezing breath and icy guard drakes to discourage
2 roaming beasts from coming too close, due to their
adaptations towards jungle heat. Adventurers are most
likely to parley with the Ornarytiss after being spotted
by the scouts of the Rachaustrat.
Aurixgarurt (Golden Axe) - The Golden Axe are
experts at incinerating undead. The Shapers of Night
produced different types of infectious ghouls, with
3 the aim of unleashing them on the giants if they
ever attacked the Qabalrin. Many still lurk within the
ruins of Qabal Mordai, and are destroyed by gold
dragonborn paladins if they breach the Ring.
Veschikothar (Replenishing Demons) - The clan
with its name struck from the records fell to the
Valaara, its bolatashi spewing out insectoid draconic
4 horrors. The Veschikothar were purged from the
Ring of Storms by the other clans, but many awful
aberrations escaped from its buzzing hordes.
The Watching Eyes
The roles of the Ten Watchers vary depending on their
locale. Those who guard ruins with small confines,
underground sections, or especially large areas, often have
cadres of dragonborn under their command. This provides an
alternate way of introducing a dragonborn character, as well
as introducing a draconic patron in one’s backstory. Since
the Watchers are generally undefined in terms of location
and character, it means that a player can feel free to make up
their specific Watcher and culture as they wish. It might be
that the Watcher is noble and respectable, and has sent out
the character on a personal quest or task. It might be that the
Watcher is lazy and failing in their duty, and the character
is taking the quest upon themselves. It may also be that the
Watcher is severely outmatched, and that if they don’t receive
help soon, all of Xen’drik could be under risk…
CHAPTER 2 | PEOPLES OF XEN'DRIK
 Fae’drik (Firbolgs)
Xen’drik’s firbolgs, as they are known to explorers, originate
from the ruined city-state of the Twilight Court. The fae’drik
(‘fey giants’) can be considered goliaths touched by Thelanis,
wielding sorcery that allows them to cloak themselves in
glamors and speak to the beasts of the wild. The history of
their city-state is tied to the fall of Shae Tirias Tolai, and
the firbolgs have long sought redemption for the fall of
their elven allies. During the Shattering, they abandoned
their former city, and fled into both the wilds of Xen’drik
and the plane of Thelanis itself. Now, firbolgs can be found
everywhere: from the druid circles of their home continent,
to the court of the Forest Queen and other archfey, often
serving her whims in the shrinking forests of Khorvaire.
Culture
Typically, fae’drik prefer a nomadic lifestyle, with a love of
stories and oral histories. Families keep heirloom tales that
are passed down from parent to child, with many dating
back to the days of their city-state. Some concern Xen’drik’s
history, describing the betrayal of the Fabled King, or the fall
of Shae Tirias Tolai. Others are the stories of specific archfey,
and contain bardic magic related to their themes. A story told
can never truly die.
Most of these ‘jungle giants’ encountered by Khorvairans
are members of the Guardians of Rushemé, especially those
encamped outside Stormreach. Their natural abilities often
lend themselves to a druidic outlook, and many firbolgs
have a closer relationship to animals and plants than other
people. Within the Guardians, the firbolgs are often tasked
with disrupting the more damaging poaching practices
of Stormreach, and spying within the city using their
innate ability for disguises. The Tusk and Talon Lodge
in Stormreach is a common target, and its hunters have a
particular disdain for the fae’drik.
Other groups can be found across the continent, as part
of druid circles such as the Verdant Path, or trading with
settlements such as Blackgrove Refuge and Kul Lerek. In
particular, a large number of firbolgs have joined the Torch of
Progress in the wake of the Shattering, and fight to take back
Shae Fir from the dark fey and demons that rule over it. The
guerilla rangers of the Unbound Brigade instead inherited the
ancient mission of their city-state. Originally founded to free
elven slaves and help them survive in Xen’drik’s wilds, the
Brigade now continue to oppose petty tyrants and those who
would force others into servitude. The most secretive family
of firbolgs is said to guard Shae Tirias Tolai. They ensure that
its story is never truly forgotten, or desecrated by those with
dark intentions.
What's in a Name?
The name ‘firbolg’, meaning ‘men of the bags’ is lifted
from Irish mythology, and the firbolgs of D&D have little
to no relation to the legends they are taken from. As
a result, this book prefers to use a different name to
avoid cultural appropriation and misrepresentation. The
name firbolg is included here to avoid confusion, but
the people themselves use the name ‘fae’drik’ - a legacy
of their history in the Twilight Court.
CHAPTER 2 | PEOPLES OF XEN'DRIK
Giants
Xen’drik’s most infamous inhabitants have come far from
their days of empire. If one thing unites the modern giants,
it is their indelible link to the past. The remnants of their
ancestors’ glory and folly lie all around as reminders of what
once was. Their reactions to this history are what shape their
cultures and desires, with every group of giants seeing the
past through a different lens. Preservationists, conquerors,
and pastoral nomads can be found across Xen’drik, their
strength and magic a remnant of the glory days.
Physically, the giants of Xen’drik vary just as much (if
not more) than when the land was divided between their
warring states. The populations of those kingdoms were
often fundamentally planar tieflings, genasi, or aasimar -
planetouched sorcerers due to generational exposure to
the planes, or purposeful efforts to obtain innate power.
Today, these distinctions are far less political. A giant is a
‘fire giant’ because of their ability to control flame and walk
through it unharmed. It doesn’t matter if they are descended
from Fernian aasimar, Lamannian genasi, or the tieflings of
the Sul’at League. However, this variety means that what a
Stormreach adventurer calls a ‘fire giant’ can vary greatly in
appearance, ranging from an angelic figure with burning eyes
to a volcanic tiefling with molten veins.
The Content
Often, groups of giants with the same ‘type’ belong to
the same groups, and use their shared resistances to live
in regions that suit them. However, groups living in less
extreme environments can have different types of giants
working together, and often use their different innate talents
as part of the community. The reason for describing them as
‘groups’ is simple; a giant requires a giant amount of food. In
the past, the post-scarcity societies of the giants could
produce bountiful food with planar magic, but those
days are long past. As such, the actual population
of giants in Xen’drik is relatively low, and many
live in smaller groups and villages as a result
77
 of both food demands and the dangers of the Du’rashka Tul.
Generally, such giants regard their past with scorn. The
hubris and arcana of their ancestors brought them low and
cursed the land for generations, and their creations are a
constant threat. As such, many practice primal magic to help
sustain and guide them, and worship gods such as Rowa and
Banor instead of Ouralon Lawbringer.
Primal Runes. Often, this takes the form of low-level
primal magic used for community benefit. The most common
is the creation of primal runes, which are formed through
petroglyphs and arrangements of plant life. This fusion of
runic and druidic techniques help common giants to grow
food by channeling natural forces through vast runes formed
from the land itself. Other groups such as the Verdant Path
use them to heal the land, or ward off corrupting forces.
The Aspiring
Of course, not all share the same point of view. To some -
especially those who suffer under Xen’drik’s dangers - the
current state is an insult and a curse. Once, the giants were
conquerors and mages who wanted for nothing; others lay
beneath their feet, working in unity for glory and progress.
Now, they are weak, everything taken from them by the
dragons and the drow who were meant to serve them. These
are the giants who seek to recover ancient technology,
resettle the ruins of city-states, and form new nations. In the
long term, their fate is rarely pretty. Such giants must battle
against the Ten Watchers of Argonnessen, the dangers of the
ruins in which they delve, and the bevy of curses such as the
Durash’ka Tul meant to stop them. Many of Xen’drik’s giant
ruins are themselves built on giant ruins - the remnants of
those who tried and failed to regain their power.
Modern Aspirants. In the current year, there are
three significant groups who fall into this category (although
many others surely exist). The fire giants of the Battalion
of Basalt Towers (p.118) are brutal raiders and conquerors
who seek to restore the legacy of the Sul’at League. Their
aim is to release the Titan Prince Adaxus then conquer
Xen’drik with his power. They see this (and the drow) as
their birthright, and traffic with fiends to reach their goals.
The group attacked Stormreach roughly 50 years ago with
a Sul’at device that summoned meteor strikes*, and will do
anything to gain power. In comparison, the Reclaimers of
Glory (p.131) wish to form a nation of giants to live in peace
and safety. Composed of all types of giants, the Reclaimers
salvage giant technology to improve their lives, although
their mysterious leader may have other goals. The Reclaimers
are not as violent as the Battalion, but their goals will surely
The Giants' Curse
In canon, the giants of Xen’drik are afflicted by a
draconic curse that renders them less intelligent and
strong with each generation. This book does not run
with this, due to it being a disgusting re-hash of pseudo-
science used by fascists to 'justify' racism. Instead, ‘hill
giants’ are positioned as non-planetouched giants, and
the different types of giants have new stat blocks to
match. One of the main upshots of this is that, as with
5e canon, a hill giant does not have less intelligence
than a giant elk. An in-depth discussion on this topic,
and detailed explanations on this different viewpoint,
can be found in ‘Continental Curses’ on p.42.
7878
lead to strife; if they cannot hold off the Ten Watchers and
the Durash’ka Tul, they are doomed to failure. The last -
sanctioned secretly by the dragons - are the Scriveners of the
Sky (p.132). The cloud giants of Kul Lerek are librarians and
preservationists, cataloging dangerous tools and latent magic
to live in peace and prevent a repeat of the past.
The Strong
Ultimately, there is one thing that the giants will always
have - strength. Their intimidating physicality and position
in history can be hard to overlook, and tensions often run
high between groups of giants and other Xen’drik people. In
some places, such as Kul Lerek and Blackgrove Refuge, the
grievances of the past have been put aside. In other places,
conflict still sparks, especially between the giants and drow.
This fundamental difference in power affects the viewpoints
of many giants. For the Battalion, it’s an excuse and incentive
to impose that power on others. For other giants, it’s a
source of regret or shame about the past, and something
they put to use in helping others. Some take this further,
acting as stewards and guardians of the natural world, their
settlements, or dangerous ruins - a path that has protected
Xen’drik from countless dangers throughout history.
Goliaths
Goliaths, sometimes known as half-giants, are the
descendants of those who abandoned the magic of their
ancestors to avoid the mistakes of the past. The increased
size of Xen’drik’s giants was a hallmark of their bodies
becoming saturated with planar energy, enhancing their
strength and power. By avoiding the ruined cities of the Age
of Giants, many of the survivors of the Shattering gradually
returned to their original forms, but still held that spark of
planar magic that empowered their forebears. Other giants
willingly underwent rituals to reduce their forms, seeing their
physical might as a tool of oppression against others. As such,
Xen’drik’s goliaths have a massive variety of appearances
based on the lineage they are descended from. Frost, cloud,
stone, storm, and fire goliaths can all be found across the
continent, alongside Hekaton goliaths with multiple arms,
and Crux goliaths with single cyclopean eyes. Many can
temporarily draw on their inner magic to grow in size, with
innate magical abilities like those of a tiefling or genasi.
Heirs of the Giants
As one might expect, goliaths can be found with boundless
cultural variety. Some live nomadic lifestyles, avoiding the
remnants of the giants. Others live in cities such as Kul
Lerek and make use of ancient arcana. Those goliaths who
forsake their ancestor’s ruins can often be found using their
innate abilities as part of druid circles, wielding primal magic
instead of arcane. Over the course of thousands of years,
goliaths of all kinds have spread across the continent, and
different cultures might contain any number of lineages
living together. To many, their giant kin are often an
antagonistic force - especially those who would seek to
reclaim their power.
As a goliath, your outlook will heavily depend on your
culture, which you should feel free to create and expand.
CHAPTER 2 | PEOPLES OF XEN'DRIK

Some goliaths are driven to harness the magic of the giants,
learning to craft works of artifice to help their people. Others
consider such a thing to be a step on a dangerous road to
repeat the mistakes of the past, and instead focus on repairing
the magical damage to Xen’drik caused by the Shattering.
Others live in cities such as Stormreach or Kul Lerek, and are
as much a part of the culture there as any other.
Example Goliath Cultures
The Blood of Kanda - The storm goliaths of the
Thunderwall live in villages built from leviathan bones.
They carry on the legacy of the Esht Primacy, and
1 believe the hunt to be a divine ritual to the god Banor
the Bloody Spear. For thousands of years, the Hunters
have thrown themselves into the Dark Sea, slaying sea
creatures and dragons both for glory and survival.
The Zephyr Guard - The skynights of Kul Lerek are
formed by a core of cloud goliath families, who join
the order as a generational tradition. Their defense
2 of the city has earned them a level of social status. In
battle, the Zephyr Guard fight on the backs of personal
mounts who they raise and care for, using their knack
for aerial maneuvers to combat flying threats.
Kwinzek Var - A group of goliaths live on the
northern shores of Dread Lake, where lava from the
Thundermount flows into the mist-laden forests. The
fire goliaths of Kwinzek Var act as elemental druids and
3 bards, living in the interstice between fire, forest, mist,
and water. In the Age of Giants, they helped prevent
volcanic eruptions and other disasters, but now act as
a barrier between the spidery horrors of Shae Fir and
the Hydra Basin to the west.
The Sohl'dhai - The Sun Pillars are home to an
unusual group of goliaths with sandstone complexions
and sandy hair. They live within homes carved
into the Sun Pillars themselves, forming villages of
interconnecting caverns alongside winged irsvern
4
kobolds. The sun goliaths worship the god Sohl’ara,
and wield divine radiant magic. They use their
command of sunlight to grow fields of crops atop the
mesas they call home, and call down searing
sunbeams on encroaching monsters.
CHAPTER 2 | PEOPLES OF XEN'DRIK
Kobolds
Kobolds can be found across Eberron and Khyber, tracing
their origins back to the very dawn of history. Legend holds
that they were born from the blood of the Progenitors as they
fought for control of reality, predating the dragons, fiends,
and children of Eberron. As a result, many kobolds worship
the Progenitor dragons directly. Their three main cultures
are divided based on their Progenitor they worship, with
each culture believing themselves born of a different creator.
The Irvhir (‘ones below’) live in the deep caverns of Khyber,
the Iredar (‘ones of earth’) dwell in the mountain caverns of
Eberron, while the reclusive winged Irsvern (‘ones above’) are
said to live atop the highest mountain peaks.
Draconic Sorcery. Regardless of their origin, kobolds
produce high numbers of sorcerers with abilities linked to
their cultural Progenitor. The Khyberian Irvhir are often
Shadow Sorcerers who wield spells based around fear and
darkness. In contrast, the Iredar are typically more elemental
in nature, shaping stone and abjurative spells for defense.
The winged Irsvern, touched by Siberys as they are, often
have the radiant powers of Divine Soul Sorcerers. Sorcerers -
known as Iejirastrix (‘blood seers’) - are religious leaders and
oracles, who interpret the paths of the Draconic Prophecy
to guide their people. This often takes the form of strange
visions and insights which are given respect by some dragons,
who occasionally protect communities of kobolds for this
gift. As a result, Siberys dragonshards are prized highly by
kobolds, who use them to enhance and channel the abilities
of their sorcerers.
Traps and Tinkering
In general, kobolds have a gift for shaping and working
stone, which they see as the forms of the Progenitors. Many
kobold settlements have intricately carved draconic designs
in the cavern walls, with those caverns the ‘veins’ of their
creator. This ability helps them to protect their villages from
roaming dangers, using trap-laden warrens of tunnels to
confuse and distract local monsters. Those kobolds who live
in settlements such as Stormreach often use this to help with
underground construction and maintenance - a prized skill
for cities built on layers of ancient foundations.
These talents are highly valued in a land of roaming
dangers. Kobolds in Xen’drik have a strong reputation as
architects and trap-makers, and are highly respected as a
result. Local settlements will often hire kobolds to create
protections for them, trusting their knack for cunning traps
and shaping stone to shield them from traveling monsters
and raiders. Since kobolds always expect to be fighting
creatures larger than they are, their traps are especially
effective against giants and large monsters when scaled up
in size. The Iredar, with their knack for abjuration magic,
take this a step further. Some Iredar sorcerers train their
talents to create natural wards against occult threats. These
workings of magic are unique to each sorcerer, and created
by instinct rather than technical skill. Often, this means runes
carved into the terrain of the settlement, creating webs
of magic that anchor the land to Eberron’s primal
power. In exchange for their work, the kobolds often
ask for food, Siberys dragonshards, and local
craftwork to bring home.
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 Irvhir and Iredar
In Xen’drik, Irvhir and Iredar kobolds can be found across
the continent in scattered communities. In the past, they
hid in the shadows of the giants, who considered them too
small to be noteworthy. Some Irvhir even lived beneath giant
cities, either in hiding, or working to repair and care for their
architecture in small spaces where their massive neighbors
couldn’t reach. Some of these communities were protected
from the Shattering by their depth beneath the surface, and
adventurers might encounter kobold communities who have
reclaimed giant ruins. In contrast, the Iredar have historically
dwelt in mountain ranges that formed the borders between
nations in the Age of Giants, especially in the Fangs of
Argarak and Bluespine Peaks. Their druids have shaped their
cavern homes over generations to be protected by the harsh
elements of both ranges. Some of these communities live
around the lairs of the Ten Watchers, helping them to keep
watch for threats and discern the paths of the Prophecy.
Lost Irsvern
The winged kobolds of the Irsvern are considered nearly
mythical in Khorvaire, but have many communities in
Xen’drik. Hidden and reclusive, the Irsvern rely on their
natural wings to live at heights where other people simply
cannot find them. Their existence is tied in part to the Siberys
dragonshards that fall across equatorial Xen’drik; according
to their sages, irsvern are found where the blood of Siberys
falls - for they themselves are of that blood. Irsvern iejirastrix
make extensive use of Siberys dragonshards to enhance
their divine magic, and study the celestial movements of the
heavens to divine the Prophecy. Large populations can be
found in the Sun Pillars and Skyraker Claws, as well as the
divine city of Bazek Mohl.
Celestial Sages. The most powerful Irsvern sorcerers
journey as pilgrims to blessed observatories atop the highest
mountains. There, wizened bloodseers live in cloistered
isolation, as close as possible to the Ring of Siberys. Their
rituals and meditations grant an oracle’s gift. When a message
arrives to an Irsvern settlement with a portent from such an
aerie, they are followed without question. Sometimes this
involves sending gifted kobolds on quests beyond the peaks;
other times, apparently random tasks that will shape events
like a stream feeding a raging river. Some kobold sages have
such piety that they transcend their mortal limits. With
prismatic scales and couatl feathers, they become ageless and
undying, sustained by divinity and their own will to guide
others. These celestial kobolds see themselves as conduits
for the will of Siberys, and wield startlingly powerful magic,
though in exchange they are bound to their observatories.
Some are so old that they appear mummified in the high-
altitude cold - or have faded into spirits of liminal starlight.
Hassalac Chaar, Prince of Dragons
Perhaps the most famous kobold in all of Xen’drik is
the self-titled Prince of Dragons. Hassalac Chaar lives
beneath Stormreach in a warren of magically trapped
tunnels. His wealth is as famous as his magic power.
Hassalac rarely if ever leaves his lair, instead obsessing
over his hoard of gold, knowledge, and magic items
related to the dragons. One thing is for certain. Those
who dare to mock or look down on the Prince of
Dragons don’t suffer long before their incineration.
8080
Living Constructs
Modern warforged can be found in Xen’drik via the ports
of Stormreach and Zantashk, and some even find purpose
as druids of the Rushemé or Verdant Path. While there are
many reasons to be a modern Warforged adventurer, the
ancient technology of the Shattered Continent provides an
abundance of weird and wonderful options. This allows a
character to have deeper ties to Xen’drik, whether that’s
lost locations or native friends.The following table provides
unique ways of reflavoring the warforged player stats for
different classes, backgrounds, and stories.
Unusual Warforged Origins
Sentient Quorforged - The Quorforged are non-
sentient constructs designed to attune to DocentsERLW
- and Docents are designed to hold immortal beings
1 such as quori. As such, you might be a quori from a
previous age controlling a 40,000-year-old warforged
body trying to find out the fate of your kin. Or at least,
something pretending to be a quori…
Vulkoori Scorforged - Some Vulkoori drow maintain
a tradition of using quori Creation Forges. Their
constructs honor the god Vulkoor, with bodies of
2 jungle wood and scorpion shell. Whether through
primal magic, devotion, or the soul of a drow hero, you
are a Scorforged that has gained sentience. What task
or service must you perform to protect your people?
Celestial Archonic - The Fernian giants of Grand
Ju’qata imbued metallic constructs with divine planar
fire, creating servants of the gods. You might be one
3 such being, filled with radiant flame, with clerical
powers linked to the Silver Flame, Boldrei, Onatar… or
the Overlord known as the Burning Desire.
Elemental Vessel - You are an advanced elemental
construct of metal and sparks, with a Khyber
dragonshard as your heart. Whether created by the
Sul’at League or the giants of Genesine, you wield
4 powerful elemental magic - if you can remember how
to use it. The legacies of both nations live on, and the
secrets of your creation may yet lie with the Sulatar
Drow, or in the sparking ruins of Genesine.
Soulbond Snowdancer - The frost giants of Ix Il’ar
created intricate sculptures of ice that danced through
the streets. In times of war, they were capable of
freeing their own souls, taking direct control of the
5 deadly constructs. You did just that when the dragons
attacked - but unfortunately for you, your true body
was lost. Now, your soul has nowhere to return to but
a haunting statue of ice.
Unbound Dryad - As a true child of a powerful land
spirit, you are a druidic being of Eberron with a body
of living wood. You might also be a dryad, with a body
created by a druid of the Verdant Path. Beyond your
6
realm of unspoiled nature, the living world is under
threat, and there are many sights to see and people to
meet. Can you overcome your naive nature and make
your parent proud?
CHAPTER 2 | PEOPLES OF XEN'DRIK
 Qabalrin Bonesculpture - You are the masterpiece
of one of the Ossuarists - a faction of the elven
Qabalrin who specialized in shaping bone. You don’t
Lizardfolk
know why you’re sentient, or whose soul is bound to Xen'drik's ara'sihei ('children of the sun'), collectively called
7
your unnaturally animate body, but you do know one lizardfolk by explorers, are endlessly diverse and found across
thing - until you can find out the secrets of your own the continent. They possess a range of forms, from oceanic
construction, you will never know true rest. groups with crocodilian features, to those who take after
the continent's dinosaurs. Unlike Q’barra, the ara'sihei are
Animated Puppet - The Thelanian giants of Shae Fir
not shadowed by the Overlord Masvirik, nor united by the
perfected the art of fey magic. Some formed pacts
shared dreams of the couatl. As such, their cultures are highly
with the archfey known as the Forge Maiden, and used
diverse, and range from the sands of the Menechtarun to the
their bond to animate puppets like something out of
tropical Kapaerian islands.
8 a fairytale. To the giants, these puppets were dolls; in
reality, they’re the size of humanoids. You are such a Reptilian Anatomy. While their beliefs can vary
puppet, hiding for years in the ruins of your former greatly, the scales of Xen’drik have shared characteristics due
home - but now you face a new threat, for the Spinner to their reptilian nature. Lizardfolk have little ability to make
of Shadows is pulling your strings. facial expressions, which can make them seem ‘emotionless’
to others. Instead, they convey emotion through body
Fallen Titan - A necromantic gambit saved your life as
language and color-changing scales. Unlike other ancestries,
dragons razed your world. Bound to a smaller vessel
they are also ectothermic (‘cold-blooded’), and take in a lot of
with magic you barely comprehend, you have bouts
9 environmental heat instead of solely generating their own.
of clarity between centuries of dormant slumber. Can
As a result, lizardfolk are rarely found in the cold environs of
you regain the memories and skills to achieve your
the south, where they are more affected by the temperature.
former glory before you slumber once more?
Lizardfolk do generate some internal heat, and can increase
Axiomatic Mind -A giant from the Daanvi city-state
that for short periods in a pinch, but extended cold conditions
of Crux made a pact with an entity from the Perfect
can be dangerous. Those lizardfolk who do live closer to
Order; in exchange for granting you intelligence, you
the Iceflow Sea tend to be larger, bulkier, and feathered,
10 would work as a paragon of law in the world at large.
which insulates them and allows them to better regulate
Centuries later, your form has been repaired by the
their internal temperature. As a result of being ectothermic,
automata of the desolate city. Can you find any solace
lizardfolk also need to eat less often than other ancestries.
in a new world of broken chaos?
Typically, a large meal is eaten once a week (often with social
and cultural importance placed on it), which is supported by
occasional snacks and smaller meals when needed.

Scaled Diversity
The ara'sihei of Xen’drik are just as diverse as the reptiles
they are named for. The forests of Dread Lake and the Hydra
Basin are home to Selkath, or ‘Shiftscales’, with the arboreal
lifestyle and colour-changing ability of chameleons. Shiftscale
lizardfolk are typically smaller than their terrestrial kin, with
prehensile tails that let them climb with ease. In contrast,
the Glacier Lords of the far south have saurian traits, with
hulking builds and feathery down. Their migratory clans
follow the seasons as pastoral herders, or stake claims to
valuable manifest zones that let them weather the polar night.
To the west, the ara'sihei of Nektar Kruth couldn’t be any
more different. Visually resembling reptiles such as horned
devils and gila monsters, the desert Nektari ('Sandspines')
have carved a city beneath the desert in symbiosis with
kruthiks. Their odd partnership provides protection for
both, with the hive lords of the kruthiks working closely
with their lizardfolk peers.
These are simply examples of ara'sihei that can be found in
Xen’drik, and a player should feel free to have their character
take after any reptile, including Xen’drik’s native dinosaurs.
Player ancestries for Selkath and Nektari lizardfolk can be
found in the Player Options chapter (p.285). Further details
about example ara'sihei cultures can be found below:

CHAPTER 2 | PEOPLES OF XEN'DRIK

81
 Example Lizardfolk Cultures
Tyrosian’s Clutch - The rogue black dragon
Tyrosian-Baed is served by a lizardfolk cult who revere
him as the Great Father. Located in the southern
Marsh of Desolation, they have carved out a small
1 kingdom, and hunt for food which they deliver to the
dragon in ritualistic sacrifice. Those deemed of worth
to the Great Father undergo arcane rites to develop
draconic features, becoming half-dragon generals.
The Glacier Lords - Hulking feathered lizardfolk rule
several kingdoms in the southern tundra. The lands
of the Glacier Lords are harsh, and some migrate to
follow the seasons, shepherding vast herds of subpolar
dinosaurs. Others live within manifest zones that
protect from the seasons, forming oases of warmth.
The Lords have a complicated relationship with the
2 Iceflow’s remorhaz. To stake a claim as a Lord, a
lizardfolk must capture a remorhaz egg (a terrifying
prospect) then raise it from a hatchling to follow
their commands. If successful, they have obtained a
battlemount that can defend them and their herds
found in regions beyond the Dominion’s reach, including the
from danger, and keep their clan warm at night. There
Iceflow Sea, the rivers of Xen’drik, and the Sea of Lost Souls.
is little room for failure.
Each has wildly different cultures and beliefs.
The Lua’tesha - The outer Kapaerian isles are home
to oceanic lizardfolk who swim through the mangrove
forests. The Lua’tesha have crocodilian features, with Aquatic Adaptation
powerful tails that propel them through the tropical The Lurrshoi of the Sea of Lost Souls are tieflings attuned
waters. Living as they are in close proximity to the to the plane of the dead, with ghostly appearances that
3 haunted city of Karrakos, the lizardfolk give their strike fear into sailors. The congenial Rushishi of the Hydra
dead to the ocean, believing that their spirits return resemble catfish, with long barbels to help them navigate in
to the cycle of nature rather than remaining stranded murky water. In the Iceflow, the lethargic Hathqashi have
as ghosts. They can call on these spirits to protect transparent bodies and colorless blood, living for hundreds
them or offer guidance, merging hydromantic and of years in iceberg cities. Rumors persist of some locathah
necromantic spells. living in the absolute depths of the seas, where the light of
Nektar Kruth - Where the Scimitar Spires meet Arrah never touches. These Jahathah are long and sinuous
the Menechtarun, several rivers coming down from like viperfish, with immense eyes and dark red bodies. Few
the mountains have eroded vast canyons into the claim to have ever talked to the intimidating people, and their
sandstone. The city of Nektar Ys is built into the existence is the stuff of tavern tales; their abyssal cities formed
shaded walls of these canyons. The lizardfolk of the from leviathan bones even more so.
city have a symbiotic relationship with kruthiks. Endless Journey. This massive variety is due to their
4 Several hive lords direct their broods to excavate resilient nature; much like humans, locathah are highly
caverns and aquifers, in which the Nektari grow hardy adaptable, and susceptible to physical changes based on planar
desert plants. While the kruthiks guard the city from influence. This means that they can survive in a range of
below, the lizardfolk guard it from above, ensuring the environments that other peoples such as sahuagin cannot
survival of both. When threats approach the city, the bear. As a result, locathah can survive in both freshwater and
kruthiks excavate pit traps in the desert sands, while saltwater environments, and are capable of traveling between
the Nektari bait any dangers towards them. them with ease. Many locathah have highly adventurous
outlooks as a result - no matter how tough it gets, they’ll get

Locathah
used to it in the end. Locathah that become adventurers can
often survive for prolonged periods without being immersed
in water, as they quickly adapt to life on land. That said, a
quick dip is always a treat now and again.
The fishfolk of the Thunder Sea have long suffered under
Hydra Rushishi. The freshwater locathah of the Hydra
their aggressive sahuagin neighbors; while some live under
waterways are a familiar sight to many tau'Xen. The Rushishi
the rule of the Eternal Dominion, the growing empire pushed
live in villages built within hollows in lakes and calm
many locathah out of their homes and into other locales.
stretches of river, camouflaged to protect from threats. Their
Now, they can be found in scattered coastal settlements
barbels allow them to sense the electrical signals of living
across Xen’drik, as well as the coasts of Aerenal and
creatures, granting them sight even in the muddy murk. This
the Kapaerian Islands. Some work to subvert the
'sixth sense' has given the Rushishi a penchant for divination,
expansion of the Dominion where possible, while
which serves them well as river navigators and guides. Many
others simply wish to stay away from their sight.
others work with the river spirits and wildlife as druids.
A variety of other locathah cultures can be

CHAPTER 2 | PEOPLES OF XEN'DRIK

8282
 Shulassakar
At the end of the Age of Demons, the couatl knew that they
could no longer watch over the world they loved. Their
human devotees in Sarlona pledged to take on their task, and
over thousands of years, began to resemble the couatl they
worshiped. These are the shulassakar - feathered yuan-ti
with shining scales who guard ancient sites linked to the
Overlords. The shulassakar are few in number, but have a
global presence. Some watch over the Unmaker in Adar,
others over the citadel of Krezent in the Talenta Plains, and
a small few over the port of Stormreach. Their united home
is the Khyber demiplane of Hope’s Meridian. Here, young
shulassakar train to fight against evil, and listen to the words
of their leader - an ancient divine gestalt known as Veqtakatl,
the Prismatic Choir.
Covert Watch
In Xen’drik, the shulassakar keep their presence all but
unknown. The fiends of the continent are stealthy,
murderous, and conniving; discovery means death, leading to
an ancient war of subterfuge with Xen’drik as the battlefield.
As a result, the serpentfolk take on the role of divine
spies. The organization known as the Torch of Progress
is the main front against fiendish influence in Xen’drik,
but their tenets and methods are overt. The Torch fights
shadows with comforting light; they are familiar sights to
the people of Xen’drik, but do not have the ability to lay
low. In comparison to the shining giants and Sulatar drow,
‘Bloodsworn’ shulassakar appear much more human. As a
result, they can easily blend into cities such as Stormreach,
and monitor foreign expeditions from within. However, they
have historically been more visually unfamiliar to the people
of Xen’drik - and even now, humans may not have the best
impression. This trade-off allows them to relay important
information from human cities to both the Torch of Progress,
and Hope’s Meridian, helping to stymie fiendish plans and
prepare for the worst.
Shulassakar culture is martial and devout, with utter
belief in the couatl. In Xen’drik, they are typically assigned
to specific duties and roles, forming networks and cells to
achieve their goals. As a result, they are self-sufficient and
rare, but sometimes journey to the city of Bazek Mohl to
commune with the Flame.
Further Shulassakar Lore
Detailed information on the Shulassakar world-wide,
including their culture, leader, and home demiplane of
Hope's Meridian, can be found in Sarhain's Guide to the
Silver Flame by Luke Robinson.
Simeq
The most famous of the Sul’at League’s mortal experiments
are the drow, but they were not the only ones. The
bioarcanists of the League performed many experiments on
‘lesser’ humanoids, with the aim of pushing the boundaries of
evolution. Some drow were altered to be assassins for their
CHAPTER 2 | PEOPLES OF XEN'DRIK
rebellious kin; the Simeq were created as aquatic soldiers.
Known to sailors as ‘Simic Hybrids’ for their appearance,
these elves were transmuted with the features of aquatic
animals, and sent to guard the League’s shores - a role
impossible for a society of fire giants. Every Simeq has a
different form as a result of ancient Sul’at magic; This ranges
from gliding wings, to prehensile tentacles, to hard carapace.
The result are sea elves unlike anything known to Aerenal.
Ruins Reborn. The Simeq live in the aquatic ruins
of Simeq Riva, which lie within the Phoenix Basin. The
former City of Silver was one of the five bastions of the Sul’at
League. The port was a hub for trade and diplomacy, and
handled the fire giants’ foreign affairs. Within the vaults of
Simeq Riva lie the funds of the League, as well as treasures
gleaned from the Cul’sir, Group of Eleven, and beyond.
When the Moonbreaker was fired, the backlash caused
massive collapses around the Skyfall Peninsula, plunging
Simeq Riva into the sea. With their masters destroyed by
their own creation, it was their subjects who claimed it. In
the years since, the City of Silver has been transformed into a
thriving metropolis both above and below the waves. Entire
towers have been converted into districts and connected by
scaffolding and hanging gantries, while the ruins below are
populated by locathah and other oceanic peoples. The Simeq
make frequent contact with the Súlatar drow to the south-
east, trading Sul'at technology and oceanic goods in exchange
for transmutation-related arcana and metal forgework.
Culture
Simeq society is heavily influenced by their mutable
physiology. Every Simeq is, in essence, a Lamannian drow,
with their aquatic characteristics a result of ties to the Endless
Ocean layer of the plane. As such, different Simeq have the
features of different aquatic animals, and can gradually alter
their bodies as they age to adapt as they wish. By combining
this trait with the inherited transmutation magic of the
League, the elves have created a society where change is both
an adaptation, and a way of expressing oneself. Fashion is not
the clothes one wears, but the form one takes.
Form & Function. This is tied to their primal faith,
which sees the animal forms they take as blessings from
the spirits of the sea. Simeq druids train to fully take on the
forms of the spirits they connect to, driving off predators and
tending to the shoals of fish and crustaceans that sustain their
people. Meanwhile, merchants and travelers train to change
their forms between visits to different peoples, allowing
for easy diplomacy. These Simeq have a similar ability to
shapeshift as changelings, but lack the Wild Shape of their
kin. To the pirates of the Thunder Sea, these shapeshifting
‘tidelings’ have a reputation for trickery - a belief borne from
warnings meant to keep the dryskins away from Simeq Riva.
Wide Biomancy. Industry in Simeq Riva is almost
purely organic. Simeq biomancers have magebred different
ocean creatures to act as livestock and biological engines,
working underwater where traditional artifice can’t.
Bioluminescent sea slugs and kelp light up the avenues of
the city, while scouts patrol with the help of color-changing
sharks and dolphins. Giant mantis shrimp are used
for excavation and construction, while many homes
have clusters of tube worms that superheat the
water inside their shells, acting as living ovens.
This industry is fed by expansive farms of
83
 different planar kelp, as well as farms for fish and massive
crustacean livestock.
Evolving Threats
The recent decades have brought new threats to Simeq Riva.
The deep vaults of the city contain riches and magic items
from across Xen’drik, sealed away by the Luminary of Words
long ago. While the elves themselves have little interest in
uncovering dangers from the past, the same can’t be said for
others. Both the Riedrans and pirates of Stormreach once
sparred in these waters. Each has different rumors about the
strange seafolk of the basin, with their inability to dream
making the Inspired more cautious than normal. Despite
this, Simeq Riva is a glittering prize, with magic items and
valuable sea life that both groups would very much like
to exploit. With the end to hostilities, diplomacy has now
become a new option. Whichever side manages to gain the
upper hand may gain a powerful (and lucrative) ally.
Deep Threats. Meanwhile, beneath the waves, the
Eternal Dominion continues to expand. Both they and the
Simeq have a long history of industrial biomancy. The lore
inherited by the Simeq would be extremely valuable to
the Dominion, who may have been inspired by recovered
Sul’at technology from the border with the Thunder Sea.
As a result, some Simeq believe that they too will become
threatened by the sahuagin armies, just as the locathah
before them.
Even deeper lies a different threat. A growing faction
of younger Simeq have begun to hear a call. A promise. A
question - for beings so capable of change, why do they limit
themselves? Why not seek to become stronger and enhance
their people in the face of danger? The distant call of Dyrrn
the Corruptor is a threat that the elves have yet to fully
comprehend or understand, yet some of these Simeq have
begun venturing to the land to follow the siren song.
Terrestrial Adventures
Simeq adventurers might leave their sunken city for a
number of reasons. Beyond the simple wish to see the
world beyond their isolated home, some Simeq explore the
destroyed Sul’at League, hoping to bring back transmutation
techniques to aid their people. Others - especially the
shapechanging tidelings - work as infiltrators and
information gatherers, researching potential threats to their
people. This means that more than one disguised Simeq has
found themselves in Stormreach, investigating the reach
of the Eternal Dominion, and the pirates that call it home.
Naturally, others leave in search of the promise of evolution
they have heard beneath the land to the east - a promise of
ascension to something greater than ever before.
Tidelings
Tidelings are shapechanging tricksters akin to
changeling merfolk. Player stats to play as a tideling, as
well as detail on their culture and places within Eberron,
can be found in Tidelings by Megan Caldwell.
8484
Thri-kreen
The enigmatic thri-kreen are a familiar sight across the
breadth of Xen’drik. The insectfolk are one of the more
unusual peoples of the continent, with inscrutable mindsets
and a hidden history. The people of Stormreach are familiar
with them as capable guides immune to the Traveler’s Curse,
but thri-kreen live in a range of different cultures, from the
ghostly Dre’kalak to the K’raana of the Menechtarun. Their
origin is a mystery, but the truth may lie in their unusual
shared trait; thri-kreen are believed to be so fundamentally
linked to the plane of Dal Quor that they can see into both
the Sea of Dreams and the Material at the same time, and
never need to sleep. Whether this is due a historical tie
to the Dream War, or to the large number of Dal Quor
manifest zones that once dotted Xen’drik, is totally unknown.
However, in the centuries since the Shattering, thri-kreen
empires have risen and fallen across Xen’drik, creating works
unmatched in the modern day.
Dreamsight
Thri-kreen culture is partially influenced by their unusual
biology. It is believed that thri-kreen exist in both Dal Quor
and the Material Plane at the same time. As such, the way
they perceive the world, the passing of time, and the activities
of other people are almost incomprehensible. However,
this is thought to be the source of their odd immunity to
the Traveler’s Curse, and many adventurers go out of their
way to befriend thri-kreen guides. Perhaps they can see the
shifting tides of the Curse in Dal Quor - or perhaps their
senses are so different that the Curse was never made to
affect them. Some scholars point to their innate psionics and
shifting colors as signs of this link - as well as the fact that
they never sleep. An unusual impact of this is that thri-kreen
often have a fascination with elves and kalashtar, who - due
to being unlinked to Dal Quor - appear unique in their vision.
Burning Bright. Thri-kreen lifespans are far quicker
than most; a thri-kreen reaches maturity at 6, and can expect
to live until 30. As such, they have a very different outlook on
death compared to many other species, and can seem almost
reckless or unbothered when in danger; many simply see it
as a natural part of things, and don’t unduly worry or panic
when their time comes. This is influenced by their vision
of Dal Quor; just as dreams are ephemeral and fading, so
are lives - to be enjoyed while they last. This viewpoint can
also extend to their interactions with other beings, where
creatures are seen more as predators or prey, than complex
beings to be cherished. The fact that other beings may only
have a few children in their lifetime (rather than broods
of eggs) is a point that’s often lost. As a result, many thri-
kreen communities share beliefs with some druids, and find
difficulty with divine belief; nature is concrete, and its laws
are those of life and death, while faith and gods are intangible
and as ephemeral as a dream.
Culture
As a whole, Xen’drik’s thri-kreen cultures are massively
varied. The thri-kreen of Stormreach are familiar with the
range of adventurers who pass through the city, and are
seemingly descended from an ancient city built on the same
CHAPTER 2 | PEOPLES OF XEN'DRIK
 site. It is possible that other grand cities of the mantisfolk
still stand in the jungles, hidden by the Traveler’s Curse.
Their remaining remnants in the city are highly advanced
and poorly understood. Indestructible jade-like foundations
and fountains that banish powerful outsiders are just the
start, but few people have delved into the undercity to find
the truth. Beyond, many mantisfolk live in the Hydra Basin
and Menechtarun, using their shifting colors for camouflage.
Some live as nomadic hunter-gatherers, while others have
carved out more permanent niches. Perhaps the most unusual
are the K’raana. The desert thri-kreen live in caverns on the
back of an immense zaratan known as Gran Gol (p.257), and
cultivate verdant oases in the heart of the desert.
Body Forms. Different thri-kreen also have varying
adaptations and appearances depending on the environment
they live in. The ‘mantisfolk’ of the Skyfall Peninsula are
simply the thri-kreen most familiar to Khorvaire. However,
all thri-kreen share their innate telepathy and link to Dal
Quor. The lithe forms of the Skyfall thri-kreen, and their
gift for camouflage, are well-suited for their rainforest
home. In contrast, the ‘titanshell’ Ikat-takt of the south are
larger and bulkier, more closely resembling beetles (p.268).
Their thicker shells and stronger forms help them keep
warm in colder climes. In contrast, the Kapaerian Islands
are home to thri-kreen with smaller forms and moth’s
wings. The Dre’kalak believe themselves to be close to
death, and interpret prophecies and omens through the
nightmares they see.
Example Thri-kreen Cultures
Chakak’trinta - The ‘Psions of Revival’ are a group
of Thri-kreen clans who seek to repair the damage
to Dal Quor. They train to harness their innate
links to the dreaming, exerting their will upon the
Material as psychic abilities. Legends tell of the
1 time when thri-kreen were different, connected to
hope, and not despair. To accomplish this goal, many
seek to research and uncover the truth behind the
Moonbreaker - and ensure that no other forces deal
any further damage to their people.
Nest Tohr'kreen - Stormreach has plenty of thri-
kreen ruins, but few adventurers stop to ask what
they might have been - or, what happened to them.
The influence of Sakinnirot is one answer, but thri-
kreen cities in other locations might still exist. Nest
Tohr’kreen is one such city in the Hydra Basin, hidden
2 from prying eyes by the Traveler’s Curse. Thousands
live within the vertical metropolis, which is formed
from the same substance as the ruins in Stormreach.
The vibrant material might be the resin known as dasl,
or a form of sentira made of alien thri-kreen emotions.
The core of the city is a Cul’sir relic linked to Dal Quor,
but its function is known only to the residents.
The K’raana - The desert thri-kreen of the K’raana live
within caverns in the serpentine behemoth Gran Gol
(p.257). They utilize nets to capture moisture from
the parched air, which filters down into caverns lush
3
with plant life. K’raana druids work to preserve the
health of their hidden paradise, while rangers bond
with creatures such as ankhegs to protect their vast
elemental host from the dangers of the dunes.
CHAPTER 2 | PEOPLES OF XEN'DRIK
The Ta’kanchik - The Ta’kanchik are a militaristic
group of titanshell thri-kreen influenced by the multi-
armed giants of Hekaton. Each warrior undergoes
psionic training to reshape their bodies, growing extra
limbs to follow in the giants’ footsteps. Others retrieve
4 giant artifacts for use as grafts or prosthetics. The clan
lives in outlying Hekaton ruins in the Scimitar Spires,
and has much reason to despise the encroaching Unity
of Riedra. In their eyes, the InspiredERLW are disturbing
blends of living creature and vile nightmare.
Triton & Merfolk
The merfolk of the Thunder Sea are neutral and nomadic,
working to protect those who call the ocean their home.
Their stormcallers shepherd the region's brutal tempests,
ensuring its people are not harmed by the Lamannian
manifest zones. Originally from Lamannia itself, the
merfolk crossed the planar boundary centuries ago, finding
a new home in the material. The Karakala typically live in
nomadic pods, and travel across the Thunder Sea. They are
accompanied by dragon turtles and other leviathans in a
symbiotic relationship; the merfolk care for the creatures and
keep them entertained, and receive protection and a place to
sleep in exchange. In the Karakala, tritons are merfolk who
have undergone a ritual to better suit them for land, gaining
legs in place of a tail. As such, the merfolk themselves see no
difference. Most merfolk see no reason to do this, and triton
are often driven by a purpose or aim that guides them to land.
Merfolk Cultures of the Thunder Sea
Some merfolk act as messengers, carrying missives between
the Eternal Dominion and their rivals. Others follow the
tides of Lamannia, channeling the destructive power of the
plane to weaken its dangerous storms. In the deep oceans, the
Taelmer have taken up the cause of the Silver Flame. These
followers of the ‘Piercing Light’ keep watch over the servants
of the Lurker, ensuring the aboleths never rise to enslave the
sea again. Other merfolk simply live as free spirits. There’s
plenty of work to be found as ocean guides, and some can
be found for hire in places such as Soggin’s Post (p. 274).
Others live as bards; coastal settlements around the Thunder
Sea are thrilled when a Karakala siren comes to town.
Different kala cultures might be found in the Dark Sea, or the
waterways of Xen’drik, with unique relationships with the
environments there.
The Thunder Sea Merfolk Report
For detailed information on the merfolk of the Thunder
Sea, consider checking out the Thunder Sea Merfolk
Report, by Megan Caldwell. The supplement contains
character ideas, detailed cultures, locations, magic
items and more to expand on the Taelmer and Karakala.
This includes Eberron-specific ancestries. Further
information on the Karakala can also be found in
Exploring Eberron, where they were first introduced.
85
 The Fey of Wonder
A separate group of merfolk and triton can be found in
the oceanic feyspire of Pylas Taraelya (p.269). The Port
of Wonder is ruled by the archfey known as the Siren of
Song - a mermaid queen famed for her legendary beauty.
The people of Pylas Taraelya are the incarnations of the
wondrous tales of the sea, and are fey in the same way that
eladrin are. Compared to Lamannian merfolk, the feyspire’s
people are far more elfin and colorful in appearance, with the
whimsical (and alien) attitude typical to Thelanis. However,
it is likely that some karakala now live in the feyspire, and the
relationship between the two is blurred - as with Pylas Pirial
and the gnomes of Zilargo.
Yuan-ti
The ancient cousins of the Shulassakar are a relatively late
arrival to Xen’drik, having fled in exile from Argonnessen.
The yuan-ti arrived as refugees roughly 1400 years ago across
the Dark Sea, and have since split into separate cultures to
survive. Some are embittered by the grievances against them
- in Sarlona, Argonnessen, and from their ancient split with
the shulassakar - and pursue vengeance no matter the cost.
Others simply wish to live in quiet peace. Despite this, the
predations of the former have given the yuan-ti a maligned
reputation, especially among adventurers.
The Venomous (‘Kuriklaraess’)
First the Inspired, then the dragons. History has not treated
the yuan-ti kindly, forcing them into exile from both Sarlona
and Argonnessen. For the Venomous, their exile in Xen’drik
rankles into hatred. They seek the power to wreak vengeance
on those who wronged them, or secure their place as the
oppressors rather than the oppressed. The scale of their
ambition varies greatly. Some groups fashion themselves as
dragonslayers, hunting the wyrms of Xen’drik - Watcher
or Rogue - and performing rituals to steal their sorcerous
powers as part of the Banor’drakai. In contrast, the Mind
Whisperers are consummate hunters of the Inspired, who
Shulassakar and Yuan-ti
The yuan-ti are descended from the shulassakar of
Sarlona, and ‘fell’ from the graces of the couatl into
their current forms. Modern yuan-ti are long removed
from the shulassakar, and are not bound to any kind
of morality; doing good deeds will not transform them
into a shulassakar, nor will an evil shulassakar fall into
a yuan-ti. Instead, a shulassakar can be considered a
hereditary couatl aasimar, and it is possible for them
to be evil, just as Cardinal Krozen of Thrane is an evil-
aligned servant of the Flame. A yuan-ti who decides
to worship the Silver Flame can become a shulassakar
by gaining the couatls' blessing, just as a shulassakar
can forsake that blessing - but yuan-ti are under no
obligation to ‘redeem’ themselves. This is a critically
important distinction. It must be stated that yuan-ti are
not born with any intrinsic crime on their shoulders,
nor are they the ‘Evil ones’ to the ‘Good shulassakar’.
8686
they blame for their extirpation from Sarlona. They seek to
usurp the city of Dar Qat, and destroy its spreading influence
in their new home. These groups are ruthless, but relatively
reasonable. Their goals might align with the party, and a
player character could easily use either background. Other
groups, not so much.
The most profane cults of yuan-ti are those willing to give
everything in the name of power. Their desire for vengeance
places them in the sway of the Overlord Sakinnirot, who they
willingly serve - and hunt down shulassakar in service of. The
yuan-ti of the Coiled Serpent are murderous and fiendish,
infiltrating Stormreach to sow grudges and discord. Perhaps
worse are those who have fallen in with the daelkyr. In
search of the psionics that they once had as Shulassakar, these
yuan-ti practice the fleshwarping techniques of Dyrrn the
Corruptor, creating horrendous malisons and other mutants.
The touch of Xoriat has made them psychotic and deranged;
many are more than willing to capture others for ‘research
material’, and their predations have given the yuan-ti a
fearsome reputation.
The Secluded (‘Ssejirthos’)
Those groups of yuan-ti seeking reprieve from their
persecution have largely followed two paths for survival.
The Arcanissa have learnt to use their natural resistance
to poisons and magic to survive in harsh environments
tainted by giant spells. Such regions are shunned by other
Xen’drik peoples, leaving them to live in quiet (if perilous)
seclusion. The Arcanissa are tough, utilitarian and secretive.
Many study as artificers to help make their homes safer over
generations, or repurpose giant technology for their own
survival. As a result of where they live, their neighbors often
believe them to be dangerous themselves - a reputation
with some truth behind it. The yuan-ti want nothing more
than to be left alone, and many use the weird magics and
environmental toxins of their homes to defend them. Over
years, others have become ‘irradiated’ with environmental
magic, becoming sorcerers who cultivate their destructive
gifts for defense.
In contrast, the Ssejokarthel see Xen’drik as a fresh start.
This is a land free of tyrants like those who
forced the yuan-ti into exile - after all, they got
what they deserved here long ago. As
a result, they fight to keep it that
way, often joining organizations
such as the Unbound Brigade
(p.123) who combat
petty tyrants. These
yuan-ti typically focus
on their natural ability
to communicate with snakes,
training as druids and rangers.
This can range from secretive
infiltrators in cities
such as Stormreach,
to warriors who
fight alongside
reptilian beasts like
forces of nature.
CHAPTER 2 | PEOPLES OF XEN'DRIK
 CHAPTER 3

MODERN CITIES

CHAPTER 14 | GAME
ALLIESMASTER'S
& ENEMIESTOOLKIT
87
 Modern Cities
M
ajor settlements in Xen’drik are few
and far between. The unpredictable
Madness of Crowds has destroyed more
civilisations than have ever existed in
Khorvaire. As a result, only a few cities
have found ways of avoiding the curse,
and even fewer are known to foreign explorers. Of course,
the Madness doesn’t stop people from attempting to settle or
found new cities, and the land is filled with the ruins of those
who have tried. Stormreach and Dar Qat are but the most
recent examples - and who knows if the clock is ticking…
The following cities each provide a different location to
base adventures out of, with a variety of themes, quests and
resources. Some have found ways of avoiding the Madness
of Crowds, while others may yet be destroyed in a cascade of
violence. These should be used as inspiration for whatever
settlements you wish to introduce to your Xen’drik, and
can be changed freely with no impact on canon, with the
exceptions of Stormreach and Dar Qat.
It is important to state that the Madness of Crowds does
not prevent cities from existing. The curse can act on any
timescale that the GM wishes, including over thousands of
years - a fact suggested by the continued existence of both
Stormreach and Dar Qat. As such, a GM can put any city of
any size in Xen’drik as they wish (and potentially wipe them
off the map soon after), and it is encouraged to introduce new
major settlements built by the people of Xen’drik for players
to encounter. Given the age of the land, it is also likely that
many cities have been built on the ruins of other cities - a fact
of life in the shattered land.
City Summaries
Bazek Mohl - The Ancient - The torch of the Silver
Flame burns in the ancient city of Bazek Mohl, seat of the
couatl in the temperate forests of Dread Lake. The City of
Stars is a bastion for good, but its luster is fading. Its couatl
leader gave up their life during the Shattering to hide the city
from sight, and its power has faded over long centuries. Now,
itinerant warriors and clans migrate in and out of the holy
city, ensuring it doesn’t fall to the Madness of Crowds. Bazek
Mohl is home to religious institutions dating back millennia;
monks train at Starfall Mount, while divine bards share their
work in the College of Hymns. The people of the city are
upholding their duties of watching the bound Overlords on
either side, but only time will tell for how long.
Blackgrove Refuge - The Exchange - The Vulkoorí
trading settlement of Blackgrove Refuge is a refreshing patch
of shade amidst the dangers of Xen'drik's forests. Drow,
kreen, and frogfolk trade and work alongside each other,
learning from each others' cultures and creating opportunities
for families and adventurers alike. In recent years, the Refuge
has also become a site to organize against colonial
presences on Xen'drik; while its people are primarily
concerned with the day-to-day affairs of the present,
Blackgrove Refuge is beginning to be a symbol of
Xen'drik's future.
8888
Dar Qat - The Dystopian - The Unity of Riedra
maintains the bastion of Dar Qat to extend its reach into
Xen’drik. Outwardly, the city exists to harvest dragonshards
and deep crystal that cannot be found in Sarlona. In truth, the
quori who rule Riedra know that deep secrets related to Dal
Quor and the Dream War lie in the continent’s interior. They
intend to uncover the truth behind the Turning of the Age,
and use their nightmarish authoritarian city to do it. Nearly
the entire population of Dar Qat is human or Inspired, but for
a caste of indoctrinated goliath. Few find sanctuary within -
unless of course, they may be of use to the nightmare fiends.
Kul Lerek - The Free - The cloud city of Kul Lerek is
a multicultural haven for ancient lore, ruled by the giant
Scriveners of the Sky. Dating back to before the Shattering,
the core of the city is a sealed archive of relics and magic
collected. Around it, the city is built on a foundation of solid
cloud, with giant-scale buildings dominating the skyline.
The entirety of Kul Lerek drifts through the skies, acting as a
mobile center for trade. Merchant guilds vie for superiority,
while skyknights guard its people for marauding dangers. Kul
Lerek is one of the oldest and safest cities in Xen’drik, but
reaching it in the lofty heights is a true challenge.
Stormreach - The Infamous - The pirate colony of
Stormreach is a den of crime and iniquity where money is
law. Ruled by the competing Storm Lords, the northern
port is built on the ruins of the ancient Cul’sir capital, as
well as several other civilizations that fell to misfortune. Far
outside the laws of Galifar, Stormreach is a chaotic patchwork
of territories ruled by rival gangs - and the gateway into
Xen’drik for many of Khorvaire’s people. Beneath the city,
countless ruins lead deep into the earth, where dark secrets
from the Age of Giants slumber.
Vralkast - The Monstrous - After their exile from the
ancient Twilight Court, the fomorians descended into Khyber
in search of a new home. There, on the shores of the Sea of
Sorrow, the cursed giants established the port of Vralkast.
Now, thousands of years later, Vralkast is a bustling hub
for Khyber’s people. All manner of ‘monsters’ rub shoulders
in the cavern-city, with serpentkeel ships hunting ocean
leviathans to sustain it. Life in Khyber is never easy, and the
population works together to keep their home safe against
fiends, monsters, and insidious daelkyr.
Zantashk - The Scrappy - House Tharashk’s frontier
outpost is a prospecting town of fame and fortune. Often, a
bit of fear as well. The small settlement is the House’s center
for dragonshard mining and rare material collection, with
a focus on gold and little else. Adventurers often take on
contracts from the reeve who manages the town, helping
to secure goods, negotiate with local people, and fend off
dangerous monsters. The town’s existence is precarious; just
across Tempest Bay are the ruins of the gnomish settlement
of New Zolanberg - a grim reminder of the outpost’s
potential fate.
CHAPTER 3 | MODERN CITIES
 Examples of Other Settlements
One of the largest of the thri-kreen cities lies in the Hydra
Basin. Hive Tohr’Kreen rises from the trees like a giant
Hive amber monument, built to accommodate the physiology
Tohr’kreen of the mantisfolk. Even now, the Hive is far smaller than
in the heyday of the Thri-kreen empire. The risk of the
Madness of Crowds is simply too great.
The asherati have the ability to swim through desert sand
like water. They travel across the Menechtarun, acting
as guides, guardians, and traders. Many live in expansive
Ushemra underground towns such as Ushemra (p.250), which
occupy cavernous spaces beneath the desert sands, each
shaped by potent geomancy.
The sunken city of the Simeq elves lies within the Phoenix
Basin. Simeq Riva was once a major city in the Sul’at
League, which collapsed due to the backlash of the
Simeq Riva Moonbreaker. Its shining towers now rise from the ocean’s
surface. The Simeq were created by the League as oceanic
soldiers, and rule the flooded ruins of their former
masters with the help of magebred animal life.
One thri-kreen village in the Menechtarun is built entirely
within caverns in the back of a colossal elemental (p.257).
Gran Gol The thri-kreen have cultivated hidden oases and gardens
in their living home, and raise ankhegs as guard animals.
The spiderfolk of Dread Lake live in total secrecy within
tree-top settlements woven from silk. Hidden by the
Lachni of the region’s blanket of fog, they live in peace while warding off
Mist intruders - including arachnid monsters and fiends from
the nearby ruin of Shae Fir (p.261).
The SÚlatar drow known as the ‘Soldiers of Promise’
Gundrak’úl rule an ancient Sul’at fortress in the Skyfall Peninsula.
(‘The They believe that Gundrak’Úl holds the secrets to greater
Obsidian military power, and push the bounds of the Madness of
City’) Crowds by working as an army instead of a nation.
The Umbragen drow live beyond Xen’drik entirely. As
refugees, the drow sought a new home in Khyber, and
found it in the form of a lost Qabalrin fortress deep within
Taer Umbra the Dragon Below. Taer Umbra is a utilitarian town under
siege by the forces of Belashyrra, and the Umbragen live in
a tenuous balance.
Dragonborn have guarded the Ring of Storms for over
60,000 years. In that time, they have expanded, fallen,
and expanded again. Due to the Madness of Crowds, they
Hurthi- now live in small fragmented towns, each built around
maekrix the biological engines known as bolatashi. Hurthimaekrix
is one such town, built entirely from biological materials
produced by its twin bolatashi. The walls and buildings are
built from bone and scale - an unnerving sight to visitors.
A community of storm and frost giants claim one of the
larger islands of the Iceflow Sea. Their rejection of the
arcane magic of the past has led to a primal specialty. Each
Isk giant bonds with one of the region's massive animals, and
works to support the community through fishing, hunting
or craftwork. Smaller peoples are welcome, but must
provide for themselves; life in the Iceflow is never easy.
Laavsan is a kalashtar spy camp in the Scimitar Spires
run by the ‘Shadow Watchers' faction, specifically those
who undermine the Unity of Riedra. The kalashtar often
Laavsan raid Riedran forces leaving Dar Qat, fighting as psionic
guerillas. They have uncovered clues as to the true reason
for the Reidran interest in Xen’drik, and now believe the
key to the Turning of the Age may lie here.

CHAPTER 3 | MODERN CITIES

89
 Bazek Mohl - Blackgrove Refuge - Dar Qat - Kul Lerek - Stormreach - Vralkast - Zantashk

Bazek Mohl Parties fighting back against the forces of evil will find no
safer place than Bazek Mohl, and may be able to find the
answers - and peace - that they seek.
Size: Large Town (25,000-50,000 people)
BazekAMohl,
Population: majorityCity of Starfire
of fae'drik, goliaths, and Súlatar History
drow,Large
Size: with Town
a small(25,000-50,000
number of sun and fire giants.
people)
Government:
Population:The divine couatl
A majority Temhasteq,
of fae'drik, goliaths,known Ú the
and SÚlatar Bazek Mohl is built around the impact crater of one of the
All-Shining,
drow, withspeaksa small through
number twin leaders
of sun andchosen as the
fire giants. largest Siberys dragonshards in history, which fell during
Spear and the Shield
Government: of Bazek
The divine couatlMohl. The Spear
Temhasteq, handles
known as the Age of Demons. The region is saturated with the divine
matters outside thespeaks
the All-Shining, city, while
throughthe Shield handleschosen
twin leaders civic energies of Siberys, allowing the couatl to reform there if
affairs.
as the Currently,
Spear and thetheSpear
Shieldis the
of venerable
Bazek Mohl. drowTheZahaya slain. As a result, it acted as a stronghold for the couatl in
Rajel, while
Spear the Shield
handles matters is the yuan-tithe
outside Sorhessh
city, whileYistrin.
the Xen’drik, just as the lands of Pyrine did in Sarlona. Over
Age: Roughly 100,000civic
Shield handles yearsaffairs. Currently, the Spear is time, they built the region into a citadel of calm between the
Purpose:
the Worship
venerableofdrow the Silver
Zahaya Flame,
Rajel,protection
while the against
Shield isthe domains of the Overlords - a refuge in which the armies of
overlords,
the yuan-titraining of warriors
Sorhessh Yistrin. the Sovereigns could plan their war to retake Xen’drik.
Organizations:
Age: RoughlyBazek 100,000 Mohl is the ancient seat of the
years Calming Light. During the Age of Giants, the city
Torch of Progress,
Purpose: Worship who of thefight against
Silver Flame, Xen’drik’s
protection fiends formed part of the Suzerainty of Grand Ju’qata. Under the
using the Silver
against Flame. The
the overlords, artificers
training of the Crucible
of warriors protection of the Phoenix Queen, its religious heart - the
Flame are masterBazek
Organizations: blacksmiths,
Mohl is producing
the ancientunique seat ofdivine
the Torch of Progress - focused on protecting Xen’drik from its
items.
TorchMeanwhile,
of Progress, thewholoremasters
fight againstand diplomats
Xen’drik’sof the Overlords. Unlike the Ghaash’kala, the Torch of Progress
College
fiendsofusing
Hymns theweave
Silverthe magic
Flame. The of artificers
the Silver of Flame
the espoused peace over the sword. The Overlords of Xen’drik
into their song.
Crucible Flame are master blacksmiths, producing prey on discord and revenge. Accordingly, the Torch sought
unique divine items. Meanwhile, the loremasters to cut off their power at the source, by focusing on harmony
Hallmarks: Silver Flame
and diplomats of the worship,
Collegesongsilver
of Hymnsbuildings,
weave the and community support. Their ideals served them well for
massive
magic‘starshards’
of the Silver rising
Flamebetween towers
into their song.and thousands of years, until they were attacked by the enemy
observatories, a city hidden through divine power they expected least. When the dragons came, they spared the
Why use Bazek Mohl? The City of Starfire is city no mercy.
Whya classic fantasy Mohl?
use Bazek setting - The an ancient
City ofmagical
Starfire city in
is a classic Mirrored Sacrifice. During the initial attack, the
the heart of the action, with plenty of
fantasy setting - an ancient magical city in the heart of adventurous city’s couatl guide saw no other choice but to sacrifice itself
theopportunities,
action, with plentyand just as many problems.
of adventurous Its location
opportunities, and for the sake of its people. Temhasteq spread its consciousness
allows for expeditions anywhere in the
just as many problems. Its location allows for expeditions heart of through the massive Siberys dragonshards that divide the
Xen’drik,
anywhere inespecially
the heart of toXen’drik,
Dread Lake, the Hydra,
especially to Dreadand the city, hiding it from sight and mind in an act of epic divine
Valley of Shadows. The city itself is
Lake, the Hydra, and the Valley of Shadows. The city grand and storied,
itself magic. The shroud over Bazek Mohl hides it from divination
but needs heroes to repair it. As such, player
is grand and storied, but needs heroes to repair it. As such, characters and discovery, with an unexpected side effect - it is also
can characters
player feel like classic
can feelheroes, whileheroes,
like classic noticeably while improving
noticeably seemingly immune to the curses laid on Xen’drik. At least, it
the state of the city they live
improving the state of the city they live in. in. was. The passing of years have caused the couatl’s power to
fade. The torch of Bazek Mohl still burns, but the light of the
The beating heart of the Silver Flame in Xen’drik is Bazek Silver Flame is burning down to embers.
Mohl, City of Starfire, seat of the Torch of Progress and
hallowed cradle of the couatl. Bazek Mohl has stood since Population
the Age of Demons, inspiring generations to join together
The people of Bazek Mohl are itinerant due to the fading
in pursuit of peace. Grand towers reach for the stars, topped
influence of Temhasteq. As a result, the population changes
by observatories and shimmering mirrors. Massive Siberys
day to day, as travelers arrive and set off on journeys. Roughly
dragonshards rise throughout the city, resonating with the
a third stay within the city all year round, maintaining its
divine presence of Temhasteq the All-Shining, the city’s
most important roles and safeguarding it from harm. The
couatl guardian. Each gently glows, causing the city to appear
majority are fire goliaths, firbolgs, and Súlatar drow, all
like a shining constellation at night. Its buildings were not
of whom trace their origins to central Xen’drik. Despite
constructed, but sung into existence, formed from shining
this, the ancestries of the City of Stars are as diverse as its
songsilver by the children of Siberys. Yet, Bazek Mohl is
namesake, and anyone who hears the call of the silver flame
a fading star on the horizon. Its monks and paladins may
might find their way there. This includes rare spiderfolk from
protect Xen’drik from evil, but they can do nothing to restore
the eastern forests, as well as dragonborn from the Ring of
the lost grandeur of their home.
Storms. A significant number of fire giants also belong to
In the modern day, the City of Stars is closer to a holy
the city, which by all rights was once theirs. While a few of
base of operations than a functioning city. As a precaution
them live permanently, the majority roam beyond the city as
against the Madness of Crowds, a large number of its people
wandering mendicants. Their fear of triggering the Durash’ka
are migratory, and visit the city for weeks at a time before
Tul is simply too great. Shulassakar also occasionally visit
heading back to their own smaller settlements. The most
the city during the course of their duties, carrying messages
important sites in the city are maintained year-round. These
from their home fortress of Hope’s Meridian to cooperate in
date back to the Age of Demons, and have seen more
times of danger.
history than one can imagine; Starfall Mount has
trained monks of the Silver Flame for millennia, Open Hearts. In general, the people of Bazek Mohl
while the Crucible Flame is the source of holy heavily value tradition, and place great importance in the
weaponry used to combat the overlords. movements of the moons and stars. Augurs commonly divine

CHAPTER 3 | MODERN CITIES

9090
 simple horoscopes for day-to-day activities, and star signs are
seen as a defining piece of personal information. The Torch’s
focus on combating negative feelings has also resulted in
a culture of openness that can come off as bizarrely rude
to visitors. Rather than letting negative emotions fester
- the prime food for Xen’drik’s overlords - the people of
Bazek Mohl are taught to politely state their feelings and
concerns to others, and accept them from other people. New
arrivals to the city are often surprised by how forward yet
tranquil its people are, which can lead to a unique brand of
social confusion.
Entering the City
Bazek Mohl is hidden from sight and divination by the
spirit of Temhasteq, ensuring it can't be found by dragon
or fiend. In combination with the effects of the Traveler’s
Curse, finding the city can be all but impossible. The Bazeki
themselves are guided by faith. Followers of the Silver
Flame who know of the city can mentally reach out to it,
and feel the presence of the spirit that shrouds it. This faint
psionic link can be used to set a course towards it, even
through the effects of the Curse. Due to the fading presence
of Temhasteq, doing so requires being within roughly 100
miles of the city. Reaching this radius is relatively simple, for
Bazek Mohl is almost centrally located in Xen’drik. Anyone
with access to the Hydra can secure travel downriver to the
south-east, placing them roughly 200 miles away. The city
is accessible from the south through Phoenix Pass, which
connects the Rainwoods and Iceflow Sea to Dread Lake.
Watchful Guard. Despite the city’s divine protection,
its people are ever vigilant; rakshasa are infamously
deceptive, and Bazek Mohl has many enemies. People who
pass through the veil see the city sprawling before them,
along with armed guards escorted by archonics. Their role
is simple - to question arrivals on their intentions, and
ensure beyond all doubt that they are who they say they are.
Typically, this involves basic questions about where people
have come from, and why they are entering the city, simply to
catch any inconsistencies. At the same time, a guard wielding
a Verity Bell* checks for any fiendish illusions
or auras, as a precaution against
the forces of the Overlords (as
well as tainted magic items).
Unfamiliar faces may find
themselves being questioned
more than most, but are free
to do as they will once their
intentions are proven.
Locations
The Crucible Flame - The
divine forge from which the
Torch’s artificers take their
name is a source for truly
legendary weapons. The
argent fire of the Crucible
has burned since the Age of
Demons. Here, smiths of
old created items to bind
the Overlords, spoken of
in prophecy divined by the
CHAPTER 3 | MODERN CITIES
Verity Bell
Wondrous Item, rare
This silver bell is inlaid with Siberys shards that channel
the power of the couatl Temhasteq. They only work
within the shroud of the city of Bazek Mohl. Once, the
couatl’s presence made such tools redundant, but those
times are long past. As an action, you can ring the Verity
Bell, producing a clear note. If a fiend or fiendish magic
is present within a 30-foot radius of the bell when rung,
the note is instead discordant and sharp. This includes
magic items linked to or tainted by fiends.
couatl. The process is not an easy one. Everything; from the
materials used, to the placement of the stars, to the skill of
the blacksmith; must be perfectly aligned. In more peaceful
times, the Crucible instead produces the constructs known as
archonics - divine golems lit by the Silver Flame, who defend
the city, and serve its people. The Crucible is located on the
outskirts of the city, within a songsilver shrine walled with
stained glass. The fire’s silver glow shines through, refracting
within the nearby starshards like a rainbow. Twin archonic
guardians in the form of winged giants stand on either side of
the great doorway.
The College of Hymns - Legends hold that the
couatl brought down the walls of Ashtakala with heavenly
song. The College of Hymns maintains this ancient tradition,
wielding divine power through the Celestial language. Bards
of the College train as mediators and traveling mendicants,
spreading peace on their wandering journeys. By calming
tensions between different groups, they help to weaken the
hold of Xen’drik’s Overlords, achieving through peace what
can never be done through violence. Those who remain
in the College serve as historians, recording the myths and
legends of the Silver Flame (especially ones about the sealing
of Overlords) and prophecies that might one day come true.
The College itself lies high on the slopes of Starfall Mount,
where the divine music that rings through its halls is carried
by the wind to the city below.
Starfall Mount - The spiritual
heart of Bazek Mohl lies at the northern
edge of the city, within the epicenter of
the ancient shardfall. Massive starshards
lie embedded in the earth, leaning out
from the crater hollow like the petals of
a flower. The path to the crater winds
through the massive crystal fragments,
the marble tiles worn smooth by
countless footfalls. Songsilver buildings
rise from the outer slopes of the crater.
Within, the crater floor is a large open
space suffused with the divine presence
of Temhasteq. It was here that the couatl
sacrificed itself to protect the city, and
generations of its people have communed
with the spirit here in the years
since. During the day, acolytes of
the Torch of Progress train and
spar. At night, the massive
starshards around
91
 crater's edge glow softly, with residents often sleeping here
beneath the stars to quiet hearts and minds.
Tilxin’s Wing - One starshard on the eastern edge
of the city is entirely sealed off, enclosed by a hallow spell,
and patrolled by guards. The grassy border around it is
permanently frozen in brittle frost, except next to the shard
itself, where it eternally smoulders. Thousands of years ago,
during the Years of Agony, the overlord Sakinnirot broke
free of its bonds. One of its most devoted rakshasa sought
to infiltrate Bazek Mohl and sabotage the Crucible Flame,
destroying any hope of creating a weapon in time to combat
the archfiend. Kethkandrys succeeded, and only realized
her folly when the divine monk Aqatar Tilxin defeated the
fiend with their bare hands. Before she could escape, the
monk sealed it within a nearby Starshard, using the power
of Temhasteq to bind it within the imperfect vessel. Tilxin’s
Wing is a lurking threat within the city, especially due to how
grudges empower Sakinnirot’s fiends over time. As the power
of Temhasteq weakens, the area affected by Kethkandrys has
gradually grown, and there are fears that one day it could
escape for good to wreak havoc on Bazek Mohl.
The Eye of the Heavenly Body - The largest
observatory-temple lies in the center of the city, surrounded
by a public square. The Eye is a place of both worship and
study. The entire building is shaped from magical glass,
ranging from stained panels to frosted pillars and a domed
ceiling open to the stars. A vast orrery dominates the central
floor beneath the dome, which is enchanted so that the stars
above are rendered across it, even during the day. The city’s
theurges can often be found here in quiet contemplation,
divining fragments of the Prophecy in support of its people.
In atmosphere, the Eye is utterly serene. All are welcome to
enter the space, which is littered with seats and small lanterns
for those who wish to read.
Districts
Starfall - The religious heart of Bazek Mohl is
a natural fortress. The massive Siberys dragonshard
that impacted here formed a steep crater that rises over
Couatl Songsilver
The divine material songsilver is a form of crystallized
divine essence or faith, and appears as smooth ivory or
silver with an iridescent sheen. Songsilver is magical,
near-indestructible, and cannot be made without the
direct aid of a couatl. Its mirror is demonglass - a jagged
obsidian formed by intimidating fiendish essence into
the right form. Massive spikes of demonglass rise from
the fiendish city of Ashtakala, as well as the Thunder
Sea - a legacy from the Age of Demons.
In comparison, songsilver must quite literally be sung
into shape, with the notes and rhythm determining its
nature. In the past, choirs of couatl joined their voices
together, raising entire buildings from nothing. Some
legendary weapons are also formed of it, including the
sword Kloinjer used to bind Bel Shalor in Thrane. Before
the Shattering, the Enclave of Melodies worked by
channeling the faith of the artisans through Temhasteq;
such a feat is no longer possible.
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the city. Massive Starshard fragments jut out from the
crater edge like a blooming flower. In the gaps between,
songsilver monasteries, prayer halls and observatories form
a continuous protective bastion, their wind chimes and
rainbow glass shimmering in the dawn light. The interior of
the crater is a shallow bowl. Once, Temhasteq held audiences
here, guiding the Torch on Progress in their battle against
the Overlords. Now, it is a place of training and communion,
where ancient festivals are held in worship.
Echoing - Over time, Bazek Mohl grew down the
southern slopes of Starfall Mount. Echoing is the main
residential district of the city, where many of its guards,
artisans and permanent occupants live. The larger buildings
are formed of gleaming songsilver, and characterized by their
open and airy designs. Many have open walls, forming roof-
top gardens and meeting places that foster a communal spirit.
Its name comes from a large complex at the Starfall border,
which once formed the heart of Bazek Mohl’s songsilver
production. The secrets of the divine material are kept within
the Enclave of Melodies, although it can no longer be made
after Temhasteq’s sacrifice. During the day, the songsmiths
of the Enclave formed a chorus, keeping in tempo during
their work. Nowadays, the choral tradition is still maintained,
although a wide range of artisans craft mundane items within.
Lumine - The outer ring of Bazek Mohl, abutting the city
walls, is marked by its transient nature. The buildings here
are newer, and built from wood and stone, with wide gaps
between them to accommodate travelers. Trading camps and
caravans mingle, while open-air restaurants cater to visitors.
Much of the city’s trade happens in Lumine, with people
bringing fresh food and goods from across central Xen’drik
to support the holy city. The city guard maintains a strong
presence here, ever vigilant for shapechanging fiends and
other intruders who might bring ill will into the city.
Things To Do
• Forge a weapon of legend in the Crucible Flame
• Commune with the spirit of Temhasteq for guidance
• Train and spar at Starfall Mount
• Listen to a divine performance at the College of Hymns
Recent Events
Lanternlight. Soulflame Night is coming up, and many
families are preparing their own lanterns, decorated with the
memories of those they have lost. The festival celebrates the
lives of those who have joined the Silver Flame in death, and
provides a time where the community can come together
in remembrance. At dusk, the people of Bazek Mohl begin
walking to the Starfall Mount, carrying lanterns that burn
with silver flame. As they gather, they pass between the Spear
and the Shield, who give their blessing. The height of the
Crater blocks any remaining sunlight, causing the interior to
appear like a field of silver stars, matching the dark sky above.
Those who gather are free to chat, laugh, and reminisce as
they wish. Others prefer to remain seated in silence, watching
as the lanterns bob and weave through the night.
Dragon War. A large number of stone goliath refugees
have arrived in the city in recent days, guided by traders who
CHAPTER
CHAPTER3 |3MODERN
| MODERN
CITIES
CITIES
 know the path to follow. They have fled a reported attack by
a dragon in the Bluespine Peaks, who sought to capture them
for labor, assisted by terrifying half-dragon frost giants. The
dragon - Ketheptis the One-Eyed Crone* - is beginning to
capture soldiers to sacrifice against the gold dragon Bane-
Reth in the ruined city of Eshtarnak to the south.

Crucible Competition.The current head of the

Crucible artificers, Tulaq Kor, is preparing to hold a
competition to name his successor. The sacred smiths of the
divine forge are preparing in solemn isolation from each
other, honing their wills to produce items that embody their
souls. The people of the city are waiting to see the items they
produce, for it is not often that a Crucible blacksmith can
produce something solely of their own design and artistry.
Some have begun journeying out from the city to secure
items they will need - rare metals from the Bluespine Peaks,
or special oils and varnishes that can only be secured from
groups such as the Rimewalkers of the Iceflow Sea.

Plot Hooks
Glory Reforged - The Crucible Flame is one of the
only remaining sites in Eberron where divine weaponry
can be forged. As such, it is a major location for any party
hoping to combat immortal evil. It is possible that to reseal
an Overlord, or defeat a powerful fiends, a weapon described
in the Prophecy must be used - but there’s no guarantee
that such a weapon exists. If so, a party may have to assist
the artificers of the Crucible in forging a legendary weapon,
recovering materials and lost relics from across Xen’drik
to do so. Irian gold from the ruins of Sohl’aran, crystal
moonlight from the Twilight Court, and the Forge Hammer
of Daomon are examples of what might be needed. Rest
assured, the result will go down in history.

Words of Radiance - The couatl Temhasteq

represents a true connection to the Silver Flame, with a
memory dating back to the dawn of the world. A party in
search of a way to defeat an Overlord, prevent a powerful
fiend from reforming, or find a legendary weapon, may have
no better source. However, such information can only be
granted to those worthy of it. A party seeking to commune
within Starfall Mount may have to face their own inner fears
and insecurities - the cracks in their armor through which the
fiends will dig their claws. They may have to contend with
mirrors of themselves, specters from their past, or the fists of
the Torch of Progress in their search for power.

Star Guide - Discovering the city’s location can be an

entire quest in itself. On their travels, the party hears rumors
of a powerful warrior of the Silver Flame hunting a fiend in
the foothills of the Fangs of Argarak. In truth, the Spear of
Bazek Mohl is battling a burning cult of Kharna Rayva, who
have created a trap to tire her out before slaying her for good.
If the party can help Zahaya Rajel, and slay the fiend leading
the cult, they can secure her help with reaching Bazek Mohl.

Local Foods
1 Kwingi stew with spiced yam and spinach
2 Salted hydrana filets in a citrus sauce
3 Silver ricecakes with dragonfruit preserve
4 Pheasant soup with mistwheat noodles

CHAPTER
CHAPTER3 |7MODERN
| XEN'DRIK
CITIES
BESTIARY
93
 Bazek Mohl - Blackgrove Refuge - Dar Qat - Kul Lerek - Stormreach - Vralkast - Zantashk
Blackgrove
Refuge by Nausicaä Enriquez
Blackgrove Refuge
Size: Large Town (25,000-50,000 people)
Population: Mostly Vulkoorí drow, with some Súlatar
and frogfolk; Ko, thri-kreen, and giantkin move
through the area but rarely stay as long.
Government: The Refuge began as a trading
settlement with no authority beyond the Tanaq
family of Qaltíar enforcing resource and land usage
restrictions. As the purpose of the settlement has
changed in recent years, its government is currently
in a trial period, approaching the end of the third
year out of nine. Four Assemblies oversee different
parts of the settlement; the Aquasa Assembly
oversees trade and diplomacy, the Kaxat Assembly
oversees defense and resistance, the Pylan
Assembly oversees public and environmental health,
and the Vasaq Assembly oversees community work
efforts and education. The Tanaq representative has
veto power in the Pylan Assembly and tiebreaker
power in the Aquasa Assembly.
Age: Roughly 400 years
Purpose: Trade, Social Exchange, Anti-
Colonial Resistance
Organizations: The Aquasa and Kaxat Assemblies work
against colonial interests in Xen’drik alongside druid
circles such as the Unbound Brigade. The Pylan
and Vasaq Assemblies employ adventurers as part
of daily life. The Le-Tek kreen pack uses the local
manifest zone as a graveyard and hatching ground,
and works with the Tanaq to preserve the land,
while the Outsiders’ Circle offers opportunities
for Khorvairian and Sarlonan adventurers to work
towards reparation.
Why use Blackgrove Refuge? Blackgrove Refuge
is a trading settlement without a great deal of factional
discord, making it an excellent opportunity for low-level
adventures that engage with small-scale problems or
mundane drama (although what qualifies as mundane
in Eberron may not be mundane to the players!).
Because it’s comparatively recent (especially by elven
standards), it’s also a place that PCs can make into a
hometown and have an active role in shaping, especially
as the inhabitants organize against Khorvairian
colonialism. Despite this new role for the settlement,
however, it’s also a place to showcase ordinary tau’Xen
living their own lives outside of Khorvairan contexts
or the mythic history of Xen’drik – just as not every
adventure in Khorvaire needs to be tied to the Lords
of Dust or ancient Dhakaan, Xen’drik has a present as
well as a past.
9494
Blackgrove Refuge is in a perfect spot for a trading
community – a Syranian manifest zone that enforces peace
that opened up at the confluence of the Hydra River, creating
an ideal neutral ground with an easily discoverable location
(at least, by Xen’drik standards). The spot is situated in the
overlap of the Tanaq Qaltíar drow, Net Sluwingir frogfolk,
and Le-Tek kreen territories, who have been using it to meet
and exchange goods and information for generations. When
a band of the Erez Hantar’kúl family discovered an ancient
Sul’at site hidden under the water, the ensuing boom camp
blossomed into an established trading settlement.
The Refuge has changed or flickered out a few times due
to shifting zones, but the Tanaq made an agreement almost
a century ago with a Na’qalla settlement looking to place a
new population in order to stabilize the local Durash'ka Tul.
Most citizens of the Refuge give at least a mumbled version
of Na’qalla prayers to remind the land of who lives on it,
and it hasn’t seen shifts for many decades. The underwater
Sul’at site has been picked over for useful magic, but Súlatar
still come seeking historical information and magic item
components from Qaltíar hunts, and ko traders enjoy having
a location where they can seek out their groundling cousins.
Woven Refuge. As the black mangroves that give the
Refuge its name are unsuitable for shaping homes due to
their blinding poisons, the drow of Blackgrove Refuge have
woven their homes from rattan and bamboo, setting them on
stilts over the more open shores of the Hydra River. Without
the leaf canopy of the forest, the drow use brightly colored
fabric overhangs to protect their eyes from the sun, and the
market platforms and meeting halls are awash in shimmering
hues even without drow dancing lights drifting through them.
The Refuge is a place of music, laughter, and conversation,
where dialogues and ideas grow and change and flow as days
go by. While the Refuge is too recent for its solé grove to
have awakened to full sapience, its people can still consult the
memories of the dead, and the solé is listening.
Growing Resistance. Over the past few years, as
Khorvairian adventurers have flooded Xen’drik in the wake
of the Last War, the Refuge has also become a gathering
point for anti-colonial resistance efforts; the Assemblies
are an attempt to make the settlement useful to the people
gathering to figure out ways of repelling the presence of
Stormreach. The way that the Storm Lords think about
the Shattered Land is at once familiar and alien to the
Vulkooridal – an example of the behavior that invites the
Du’rashka Túl and a bizarre way of thinking about resources
as things to be consumed rather than sustained. It’s a danger
unlike most of the perils that tau’Xen face on a regular basis,
but the drow are nothing if not courageous and clever – and
they’re well aware that the world responds to heroes.
Population
Blackgrove Refuge is a settlement deeply aware of the risk
of the Du’rashka Túl – the Vulkooridal majority of the
population rub against their own cultural belief that the best
defense is to stay spread out and not gather in cities. Their
solution to this problem is for the groups that comprise it to
remain fiercely independent – while Vulkoorí families from
different nations all use the same elevated dance floor in a
precise lattice of alternating schedules, each dance belongs
to an individual family, and may in fact be more specific and
distinct than it would be performed outside the Refuge. The
CHAPTER 3 | MODERN CITIES
 same goes for boomerang tricks, marksmanship, branch-
racing, and heelboxing (a Tanaq Qaltíar martial art that
mimics the footwork of fighting jungle fowl). Any athletic
event in the refuge (to say nothing of culinary or musical
events) is preceded by a good-natured squabble about whose
rules the participants are using.
Local legend has it that the black mangroves of the area
were charred by Kharna Rayva’s flames, which is why their
sap takes one’s sight. The Súlatar population of the region is
mostly of the Hearth Promise school, and it’s Hearth Promise
Súlatar who introduced the practice of debt forgiveness in
order to combat the Burning Desire’s influence. Luxury,
power, control, and attention aren’t inherently evil – the evil
is in disparity and in the obsessive quest for more. Blackgrove
Refuge can persist as a trading settlement because the drow
of the Hearth Promise are quick to forgive debt – for a
creditor to say that they have enough and are happy to make
it into a gift.
Entering the City
The location of Blackgrove Refuge is more navigable than
most – if you’re north of the Titans’ Teeth, follow the Hydra
River upstream; if you’re south of those mountains, head
downstream. When the river splits into two large branches,
the Refuge will be between them. More difficult, however,
is knowing that the Refuge exists at all – while its existence
and location aren’t secret, not all Vulkooridal know about the
Refuge. Someone trying to deduce its existence without active
knowledge of the settlement would need to make Intelligence
checks while studying trade patterns; History, Investigation,
cook’s utensils, poisoner’s kit, potter’s tools, and water vehicle
proficiencies could all apply here.
Hungering Forest. The main danger involved in
entering Blackgrove Refuge by water is The Hydra: not
the river, but the monster that the Qaltíar say gave the
river its name. The Hydra – it needs no other name – is a
hydra that regenerated so many heads it became sessile,
twined through the mangrove roots and extending into the
surrounding water. The Hydra is functionally unkillable
(black and green dragon lair effects can be used as a guideline
for representing the heads that thrash through the water),
and the citizens of the Refuge would react poorly to attempts
to do so – dangerous as they may be, individual hydra necks
are fairly easy to sever, and the regenerating monster forms
an accessible and renewable food source as well as a form
of defense. Reaching Blackgrove Refuge by land is risky in
a different sense – while The Hydra rarely extends its heads
onto land, the black mangroves weep a dangerous contact
poison (see the drow equipment section). While characters
traveling at a slow pace can avoid coming into contact with
the blinding toxins, the mangroves’ growth creates pathways
of which the citizens of the Refuge are well aware – and can
easily fill with traps and defenders.
Peaceful Waters. The settlement itself largely
follows the borders of the Syranian manifest zone; the
borders fluctuate over time, but the children of the Refuge
have enjoyed figuring out where they can and can’t get
into wrestling matches for centuries, and their parents are
usually up to date on the places where the manifest zone
enforces peace. The Absolute Peace property is weaker than
on the plane of Syrania itself, but it’s still an effective way
to neutralize hostile outsiders. To make an attack or cast a
CHAPTER 3 | MODERN CITIES
damaging spell within the manifest zone, a creature must
succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw. On a failed
save, it doesn’t make the attack or cast the spell, but the
action is lost.
Blackgrove Refuge has one active form of defense: the Erez
Hantar’kúl recovered a unique artifact from the Sul’at site - a
massive kulintang gong that causes those who hear its peals
to catch fire. The manifest zone shields listeners from this
effect, but the sound travels well outside the zone – especially
over water. When danger approaches – the Reclaimers
of Glory, at least two swarms of kruthiks, the Súlatar
Army of Promise, and the Emerald Claw have all attacked
the settlement since its foundation – the most muscular
musicians of the Refuge can sound the gongs of war.
Locations
The Measurable Market - The rainbowed market
of Blackgrove Refuge doesn’t have the continental scope of
Kul Lerek or Stormreach’s trade districts, but it specializes in
home goods, food, adventuring gear, and poisons. If you’re
looking to get prepared for a delve, you can’t go wrong with
Refuge rope and knockout poison; if you’re looking to move
in with your sweetheart, you’ll find crockery that keeps your
food ever-fresh and Lightscrolls* for love poetry. Either way,
the cooking alone is worth the visit.
Pain's Gate - A cure wounds spell on the battlefield knits
flesh together and restores fighting spirit, but the healers of
Pain’s Gate will shake their heads when you come in showing
signs of one-and-done healing magic. The Vulkoorí pylans
insist that gleaner rituals do more for long-term wellness, and
that young elves are cavalier about the prospect of carrying
that knot in their back for centuries. Whether or not there’s
truth in their words, the gleaners are skilled with herbalism,
massage, and therapy-exorcism, and the soft lighting, soft
hammocks, soft voices, and soft breezes can restore a weary
adventurer if they just listen and take some time off.
The Solé Grove - The nascent solé grove may not
be sapient yet, but it can still allow drow to consult the
memories of their ancestors, and the folk of the Refuge have
placed shrines to various local spirits within it. The grove has
thus become a place of discussion and debate with the dead
and the never-living. The shrines allow these spirits to speak
with practicing gleaners, taking on faces that a humanoid can
use as a convenient metaphor for their interactions with a
primal spirit’s domain in the world.
The Test Gardens - The open clearings of the Refuge
shelter gardens where vasaq gleaners cultivate the magical
plants of Xen’drik. The Vulkooridal don’t have any particular
science of magebreeding (although a PC certainly could have
developed theories for it) – instead, they’re taking advantage
of their elven lifespans in order to domesticate plants the
hard way, and they’ve developed fruits and vegetables that
mimic the effects of potions and Spell Scrolls.
The Wraithgroves -The blinding mangroves
that ring the settlement do double duty as defensive
wall and training ground for scorpion wraiths.
Ordinary athletes and hunters play and train in
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 CHAPTER 3 | MODERN CITIES
9696
 safer trees, but the kaxats require that drow preparing to hunt
armed and intelligent prey learn to operate in dangerous and
painful conditions. Scorpion wraiths trained in Blackgrove
Refuge receive distinctive mangrove-leaf tattoos around their
eyes to mark their skill at avoiding the poison-laden leaves.
Eberron's Nest - Blackgrove Refuge sits atop a
network of limestone caves; they’re not an entrance to
Khyber, nor does there seem to be any distinct primal spirit
associated with them, but the Hydra River doesn’t rise to
anything close to its level outside the cave, and primal mages
who visit them report a thrumming, inchoate power at the
edge of their perception. The prevailing theory is that the site
is tied to Eberron herself. Pylans find it a useful site for rituals
that require altered states of consciousness, while lovers find
it a romantic place to canoodle. (Pylans and lovers trying to
use the caves at the same time are a recurring source of jokes
around the Refuge.)
Things To Do
• Make a home to return to after adventuring.
• Get practice building relationships with primal spirits, or
consult druids on how to do so.
• Enjoy getting to put those muscles to work for fun, or
train in a new sport or combat art.
• Find someone who can make use of a giant artifact
you’ve recovered.
• Join the resistance against colonization efforts.
Recent Events
Foreign Trades - The Measurable Market has
been seeing an uptick in the trade of Khorvairian home
goods – many arcane comforts that Khorvairans take for
granted are unknown to primal communities, especially
on a continent without Eberron dragonshards that can be
attuned to a specific spell. Some artisans are worried that
these are displacing their traditional crafts, while others are
trying to figure out how to get untuned dragonshards for
their own use.
Flock to the Stage - The Recasting is a triennial
jubilee, a celebration of the forgiveness of debts where
copperplate records are melted. At this year’s Recasting,
a storied band of Exann Qaltíar phiarlani known as the
Parrogryphs will be performing, and rumor has it that
they’ll be presenting a new epic. The Refuge is abuzz with
Vulkooridal excited to meet these legends, who seem to cause
new and minor dramas wherever they visit.
The Unquiet Caves - Even people with barely any
magical training are beginning to feel rumbles in Eberron’s
Nest, and mages are starting to feel distinctly nauseous
inside. This hasn’t happened before, and there are vehement
arguments about whether a ritual was botched, a passage to
Khyber is forming, it’s an omen of the Du’rashka Túl, or it’s
merely Eberron scratching in her sleep. Xen’drik is a land of
inconsistency, but that doesn’t stop people trying to explain it.
There is something about harmony
that makes me wistful. We reached the
pinnacle of power, yet peace was ever
CHAPTER 3 | MODERN CITIES beyond our grasp. Perhaps it lies in
flowing dance and glittering waters.
Plot Hooks
Fetch Me Twenty Bat Pelts - Gazna Ax’aj’s band of
Hantar’kúl ruin-delvers were stymied in their exploration
when a shifting zone caused the temperature in the dungeon
to drop suddenly. They’re offering some of the magic items
they’ve recovered in exchange for giant bat pelts to fashion
into warm clothing. Hunters in the Vasaq Assembly can
recommend sites, but are the PCs willing to do a by-the-
numbers fetch quest?
Drowstal Service - Vél Qeníz, a ko wyvern-
rider, has an idea: to use Blackgrove Refuge as a depot
for a new aerial courier service, one that could tie drow
communities together. In addition to the logistics involved
in communicating with disparate Vulkoorí bands, setting
up pickup locations, and compensating laborers, there are
whispers that it would invite the Du’rashka Túl – both in the
Refuge and among the Ten Watchers. Vél keeps running
into bad luck: is this simply an unfortunate coincidence, or is
someone trying to sabotage her operation?
The Revenge of Roots - Tharashk prospectors
recently cut down a solé grove equidistant between Zantashk
and Blackgrove Refuge. It’s small, on the edges of Vulkoorí
territory – but the Vulkoorí in question were the Túsarr
Ay’qatal, and tensions around Khorvairians are high enough
in the Refuge already that the angry Ay’qatal are gathering
support in the Kaxat Assembly for an all-out raid on
Zantashk. Most of the Aquasa Assembly urges a diplomatic
solution, but aquasa Darach Túsarr argues that a decisive
and violent response will communicate the gravity of the
prospectors’ transgression. Neither is necessarily wrong.
Kulintang Blues - The giant kulintang the refuge
uses for defense isn’t just a Sul’at artifact – it’s specifically tied
to Kharna Rayva, and storing it underwater in a Syranian
manifest zone was a way that the Luminary Sul’at found to
neutralize it. So far, the Blackgrove practice of forgiving debts
has prevented it from manifesting any other effects – but a
Súlatar warlock named Lítumé Qello, recently arrived from
Kul Lerek, aims to change that. She presents herself as a
Brassbinder merchant, but she’s actually a Heartbound cultist
looking to establish a cult of her own outside the city, and
believes that she can wake the kulintang to its full power with
enough lives damaged in service of Kharna Rayva.
Local Foods
1 Golden goose balut in cinnamon-venom broth
2 Fire beetle soup with coconut milk and moringa
3 Barbecued tuskburrower (Lystrosaurus) belly with liver sauce
4 A platter of sticky rice cakes, each a different color and flavor
97
 Bazek Mohl - Blackgrove Refuge - Dar Qat - Kul Lerek - Stormreach - Vralkast - Zantashk
Dar Qat
Dar Qat, Bastion of the Unity
Size: Small City (50,000-100,000 people)
Population: Human, with Inspired leaders and a
goliath underclass.
Government: The Inspired Lord Ralastar, at the head
of 11 other Inspired Lords and roughly 700 Chosen
Vessels.
Age: Roughly 600 years
Purpose: Exploration of Quori history, deep crystal
mining, and resource exploitation.
Organizations: The Unity of Riedra controls Dar Qat
utterly, devoting the city to its purpose. As such,
the organizations within the city are branches of
the Riedran government, including the Iron Gate,
Industrious Forge, and Healing Hand. Below them
all, the partisan goliaths of the Kaladrik work to earn
their freedom.
Why use Dar Qat? The bastion of Riedra forms
a natural base for characters from Sarlona, who
may discover the truth behind the Inspired over the
course of a campaign. This forms a unique chance
to be political saboteurs stuck alone in a foreign
land. Alternatively, Dar Qat might be the ‘fortress of
evil’, home to the rivals of the party. As such, it can
be positioned as the ultimate threat for a group to
infiltrate during a campaign.
The crystal jewel of Riedra lies on the west coast of Xen’drik,
defying the chaos of the continent beyond. The bastion of
Dar Qat is the hand of the Unity, supporting the interests
of both the Inspired lords and their Quori masters. The
outward goal of the city is to secure rare materials needed
for Sarlona’s infrastructure. The true goal of the city is to
explore Xen’drik’s history, for the quori are ravenous
to uncover the truth behind the last Turning
of the Age. Their grand goal to prevent
the next Turning may hinge on finding
the Moonbreaker and the remnants
of their ancient selves. Bringing
these remnants back is another
story altogether.
Dar Qat is the oldest colony in Xen’drik, and led to the
eventual founding of Stormreach due to pirates preying
on Riedran ships. The city itself is a perfect nightmare. Its
sinuous towers glitter in the sunlight, appearing as though
carved from a single piece of flawless quartz. Multicolored
orbs of sentira shine psionic light on ordered streets,
conveying feelings of joy and duty to the people below.
Towering behind the city is a colossal ovoid monolith known
as a hanbalani altas. Beneath the smooth surface, this massive
psionic reservoir broadcasts the mandated dreams of the
Inspired to those in a vast radius. Each hanbalan is a hallmark
of Riedran control. With political relations now established
in Stormreach, the Inspired no longer fear losing their
treasures to Khorvaire’s pirates, and can focus on
expanding their foothold. This may be the first
hanbalan, but it will not be the last.
9898
Population
The leader of the city is Lord Ralastar, who guides
exploratory efforts with the help of 11 other Inspired. A total
of 700 Chosen vessels conduct the administration of the city,
allowing an army of quori to take control in the event of a
critical discovery or attack. Ralastar’s duties are aided by Lord
Katanavash, the acting ambassador to Stormreach. Beneath
their blessed masters, a large population of Riedran humans
perform their daily duties as laborers, hunters, and craftsfolk.
This includes itinerant sailors from Dar Jin and several
thousand armed soldiers who protect the city from attack,
guard the Chosen, and accompany them on expeditions into
the continent.
Alongside the majority human population of Dar Qat are
an underclass of goliaths brought over from Riedra. The
oppressive caste system of the Unity is maintained in the city,
and the goliaths are indoctrinated from birth into believing
they are inferior to the humans. This is ruthlessly reinforced
by the psychic effects of the hanbalani altas, and the tenets
of the Path of Inspiration. The goliaths perform the most
intensive and dangerous work in the city by mining and
hauling deep crystal. They are ultimately treated as disposable
and hold no power in the city. Even worse, they truly believe
that this is the natural state of things. For those on the Path
of Inspiration, work is worship, and life an act of devotion to
the il-altas spirits. A small group of goliaths understand that
their heritage lies in Xen’drik, and work to resist Riedran
oppression. These Kaladrik are detailed below.
Entering the City
Outsiders arriving at the gates unannounced are turned away
from Dar Qat - especially if they appear to be adventurers or
sailors. A long history of Khorvairan piracy coupled with the
religious belief that non-Riedrans are heathens has merged
into a xenophobic attitude. Legally entering Dar Qat must be
arranged through the Stormreach embassy. Illegally entering
Dar Qat is simpler, but difficult due to the psionic
powers of the Chosen who bolster the human
guards; the city is surrounded by a manned 20-
foot wall, and the unfamiliar psychic defenses
can throw would-be thieves for a loop.
However, the Kaladrik goliaths within
the city present one potential option
for allies in this endeavor, and adventurers
with a quori artifact may also be allowed inside.
The knowledge of where the item came from
is utterly priceless to the Inspired; what they
will do adventurers to get it is cordial at first, and without
mercy at second.
Sailing to Dar Qat is possible out of Stormreach or the
Unity port of Dar Jin, far to the west. All diplomacy for the
city is handled in Stormreach by Ambassador Katanavash,
with distinctive Riedran ships often docking in the city.
While difficult, it is theoretically possible to gain permission
through the embassy, then sail there onboard a Riedran ship.
An easier option is to sneak onto a Riedran ship bound for
the city - or capture one, masquerade as its sailors, then sail to
Dar Qat in disguise. Finding a crew of pirates willing to die in
such a ludicrous way is a different challenge.
CHAPTER 3 | MODERN CITIES
 Locations often laden with soldiers, workers and materials to expand
Dar Qat’s psionic infrastructure. Most visitors to the bastion
The Hanbalani Altas - The grand monolith of Dar will enter through the docks, which typically have patrolling
Qat is a psionic battery that stores power from its populace guards. The dockmaster is an Inspired who oversees arrivals
and broadcasts endless dreams of the Unity. Any character and cargo manifests; one of their most important roles is to
who dreams in a radius of several miles around the city perform a psionic census of every ship that comes and goes,
receives these identical dreams, conditioning them with a detecting potential stowaways.
shared purpose and worship of the Inspired. The silvery
outer shell of the hanbalan is 300 feet tall, 100 feet wide, and
shaped like an egg. Inside, a tall crystal core acts as a psionic
Things To Do
reservoir, empowering the abilities of psychic characters • Support a rebellion by the Kaladrik to earn
in the vicinity. The core can be shut down, damaged or their freedom.
even fully destroyed (causing it to explode) but doing so • Stage a heist for a valuable artifact from the House
immediately alerts the fiends of Dal Quor. Controlling the of Prosperity.
monolith is possible through an array of crystalline controls • Covertly set the hanbalani altas to self-destruct.
near the top of the central core, but requires a successful DC • The Right Thing - Follow the Path of Inspiration,
20 Intelligence (Arcana) check performed over the course and serve the blessed lords of the Inspired -
of a minute. Failing causes a psionic imprint and image of by doing your duty as a Riedran citizen.
the character to be stored in the monolith for 2d4 hours,
which can be accessed by any quori or Inspired. Failing by
10 or more causes it to immediately enter a psionic feedback
loop, with roughly 10 minutes to escape before it explodes.
Successful control allows the character to cause it to shut
down, lure in psionic creatures, sever public utilities, or
entirely self-destruct. Naturally, the hanbalani is kept guarded
at all times for this very reason.

The Sanctum of the Inspired - The whorled palace

at the center of Dar Qat is home to the Inspired and Chosen
of the city. Few of the lower castes ever step foot within,
and the Sanctum is considered holy by the city’s people. The
smooth curving halls contain everything from meditation
chambers, to administrative offices, to meeting rooms and
guard barracks. Beneath the Sanctum lie darker deeds.
Inspired Lord Ralastar is a ‘thrallherd’ - a psionic specialist
in dominating and controlling others. As such, discovered
dissidents are kept in psionic cells, where they await the
Inspired stripping information from their minds to ensure
the smooth operation of the city. The deep vaults might also
contain special weaponry to expand the hold of the Dreaming
Dark in Xen’drik. The most terrifying of these are the
materials to build a permanent teleportation circle to Sarlona,
made possible by the city’s new hanbalani altas.

The House of Prosperity - The goods recovered by

expeditions and work camps are stored in the vast House of
Prosperity under lock and key. The warehouse is protected
by psionic alarms and other defenses. Crysteel vaults beneath
hold the most valuable items, including recovered giant
technology and quori-related secrets that the Inspired don’t
wish for their populace to know about. The building itself
is one of the largest in the city, and lies in close proximity to
the docks. The upper levels are secretly home to the small
detachment of Thousand Eyes agents in the city, who use
remote viewing systems to monitor expeditions and work
camps in the wilds.

The Docks of Tranquility - The western edge of

Dar Qat opens onto the Sea of Lost Souls. Ships travel to
and from the port daily, heading to Dar Jin on the eastern
shores of Sarlona. Many carry massive blocks of deep crystal
and other valuable goods from Xen’drik, including Siberys
dragonshards and dream serpent venom. Returning ships are

CHAPTER 3 | MODERN CITIES

99
 Recent Events
Weapons of War. A Riedran expedition to the ruins
of Hekaton (p.215) has reported evidence of powerful
weapons in the city, and established a base of operations in
the Scimitar Spires. Lord Halaster has begun transferring
troops to the base after hearing of the dangerous fiends in the
city. His hopes are to recover something of use in the siege
of Adar, specifically giant superweapons that could crack
open the mountains hiding their monasteries. However, the
Inspired are unaware that they face the endless Legion of
Tyranny, and two immortal spirits from different planes are
now set to battle in Hekaton using mortals as pawns.
Circle Strife. A massive hanbalani altas has recently
been completed on the city limits. The massive monolith has
begun storing the psionic power of the nearby people, and
is already broadcasting the mandated dreams of the Unity.
Lord Ralastar has communicated the news through Dal Quor;
now, the components needed for a permanent teleportation
circle are on their way to the city. Should the circle be
completed, its link to Sarlona will be instant and unbreakable
- and the hopes of the Kaladrik will be utterly crushed. The
revolutionaries have begun laying out plans to sabotage the
altas before that can happen, but their success means inciting
the fury of the Unity, and dooming themselves in the process.
Accursed Freedom. The Inspired Lord Serakari is
an Inspired no more. A trip to the Skyfall jungles led them
to discover a Dream Prison* (p.61) the hard way. After
approaching the statue, Serakari’s tscuora quori was ripped
from them and imprisoned within - with the Inspired
witnessing the true appearance of their ‘holy spirit’. Now,
entirely free and disturbingly alone, the Chosen is trying to
keep up appearances in Dar Qat. The psionic trauma of the
event has damaged their link to Dal Quor, and it’s uncertain
if any quori can possess them at all. Doubting their mission,
their entire life’s teachings, and the right course of action,
Serakari is inches from fleeing the city at all costs - and might
enlist the help of anyone willing to help them do so.
Plot Hooks
The Riedran Job - When the party explores an
ancient compound built by the Giants, they find
that a group of rivals led by an Inspired are hot
on their trail. In the depth of the facility is a
coded map to the location of the Moonbreaker
- and even if the party defeats the Inspired,
their quori knows the truth. As the lords of
Dar Qat muster, the players must recover
part of the key to the map's code from
the bastion city in a daring heist, and
escape before Lord Ralastar can
mentally dominate them into
revealing the rest.
Light in the Darkness -
The party recover a DocentERLW
from the Age of Giants
that claims to be a surviving
quori from the previous age.
It believes that the link to
100100
Dal Quor can be restored, and the Turning of the Age can
happen again - but to do so, it needs a key device that its kin
were developing in a secret facility. A facility that lies deep
beneath Dar Qat…
New Frame of Mind - The desert ruins of the city of
Zja Aqat hold a powerful secret. The titan of Xoriat, formed
from countless melded giant minds, lies hidden beneath the
city. The Concateny is among the most powerful psionic
beings from Eberron, and knows techniques that can
cross the boundaries of planes and realities. Of course, it is
also capable of enslaving lesser minds. When an Inspired
expedition to Zja Aqat fails to check in - including the quori
leading it - it is down to a crack group of Thousand Eyes
agents to investigate. Traitors to the Unity are to be executed
post-haste - but the Concateny has other plans…
The Kaladrik
The Kaladrik (‘Bound Giants’) are a secret group of partisan
goliaths with the goal of freeing their people from Dar Qat.
Its members no longer believe in the degrading tenets of the
Path of Inspiration, and know that their people originated in
Xen’drik. To that end, they seek to discreetly subvert Riedran
efforts in the continent while working to recruit more allies.
The reasons for their members joining vary greatly; some
goliaths found evidence of their Xen’drik heritage while
laboring in the crystal wastes, others began to resent and
question their role in Riedran society, while a select few had
links to rebel groups such as the Horned Shadow in Sarlona.
Careful Planning. The goliaths understand that
overcoming the Riedran stranglehold on Dar Qat is a perilous
and difficult task. The Inspired Lord Halaster specializes
in psionic domination, and the discovery of one of their
members could lead to dire interrogation. To that end, they
avoid overt signs of dissent, and focus on gathering tools and
information for the right moment to strike. This includes
crafting tools and weaponry from smuggled deep crystal,
educating other goliaths on their former gods and culture,
and gathering resources to help them survive in the wilds
upon escaping from the city. Their leader, Jhalaar Neev,
believes that the future of the
Dar Qat goliaths lies in escaping
the city, reclaiming one of their
ancestor’s cities, then using it to
defend against Riedran assault. Her
right hand, Olaan Neev, has a darker
wish for vengeance. They believe that
the role of the Kaladrik should be to
ally with the living giants of Xen’drik as
their ancient cousins, then use their strength
to crush the colonial Inspired and take
control of Dar Qat. If they cannot, the
hanbalani will only spread - along with
Riedra’s terrifying influence.
Local Foods
1 Hot pomow gruel in Gurk’ash milk
Pomow root salad in a garnish your mind
2 always interprets as delicious
Freshly grilled souldines with long corn
3 and pomow seeds
4 Baked pomow tagine with local daifruit
CHAPTER 3 | MODERN CITIES
 Bazek Mohl - Blackgrove Refuge - Dar Qat - Kul Lerek - Stormreach - Vralkast - Zantashk
Kul Lerek
Kul Lerek, The Soaring City
Size: Small City (50,000-100,000 people)
Population: Mix of Xen’drik peoples, especially cloud
goliaths, drow, and winged beastfolk.
Government: Farseer Evek i Senran leads the distant
Scriveners of the Sky, with Skymatron Rais i Jalmar
handling civic affairs on their behalf in the city.
Otherwise, the Zephyr Guard, noble families and
Winged League work together to keep the peace.
Age: Roughly 40,000 years
Purpose: Preservation and research of Xen'drik history,
keeping watch over rising threats.
Organizations: The Scriveners of the Sky form the
elite of the city, as giant librarians, scholars, and
arcanists in service to the dragons. Around them,
multiple guilds, institutes and the Winged League of
merchants hold power in the city. Below them, the
Skylarks rule subtly over the undercity, controlling
smuggling and illicit activities. The noble skyknights
of the Zephyr Guard protect and keep watch over all.
Why use Kul Lerek? As a flying cloud giant city,
Kul Lerek has a unique dynamic as a home base. The
course it takes is up to the GM, meaning that one can
justify adventures in any part of Xen’drik by declaring
that the city is there. As a large city that is not a foreign
colony, it also serves as a perfect background for native
characters. Compared to Stormreach, the city has
a much more laid-back and mercantile atmosphere;
rather than factions vying for space, it is merchant
guilds competing for glory and status.
The city of Kul Lerek is a relic of the cloud giant Gallimaufry
- a sprawling castle in the sky occupied by a thriving
multicultural population. The city is a bastion for commerce,
and floats over the continent on trade winds. Its position high
in the clouds protects it from curses laid on Xen'drik below;
as such, the city has remained a stable refuge for thousands
of years. The Scriveners of the Sky nominally rule the city,
which they use as their stronghold. Supporting their work
are a multitude of other peoples, who operate the mistfarms
on the city’s edge, secure resources and goods from the land
below, or go about their lives without ever touching the
ground. As part of their precautions, the Scriveners forbid
Kul Lerek from descending too close to the land, and many
people below only see glimpses of the vast citadel in the sky.
Draconic Watch. In truth, the city exists by the
deigning of Argonnessen. In the Age of Giants, the grand size
of Kul Lerek was for the dragons themselves, for the castle
acted as a gathering spot for the the giants' honored guests.
During the Shattering, its halls were used by the heads of the
flights to organize their destruction. A hundred years after, a
group of cloud giants discovered the empty city, and settled
within its spacious halls. When the Watchers first arrived,
they found the scared and powerless giants, and granted them
clemency in exchange for an accord; the giants would keep a
wandering watch over Xen'drik - and in return, they would
receive both the city, and their lives. Now, the Scriveners
act as both guardians and archivists, collecting information
CHAPTER 3 | MODERN CITIES
of use to the dragons, and serving their occasional whims
(p.132). What was once a small operation has grown into a
metropolis; the guilds, merchants, warriors and artisans of
the city help to serve a grand - and secret - purpose.
City Structure
The structure of the city has evolved over thousands of years
into a thriving vertical metropolis. Kul Lerek is formed by
a ring of solid clouds on which the buildings rest. In the
center lies the Vault of Zephyrs, holding the accumulated
lore and artifacts of the Scriveners. The Vault is unconnected
to the rest of the city, requiring the power of flight to enter.
The ancient giant stonework of the city itself is built to an
enormous scale; the rooms were created with dragons in
mind, and thus are huge even for the Scriveners themselves.
As such, entire buildings have been constructed within single
rooms, which can house several families with space to spare.
Much of the city is covered in plants touched by Syrania.
These special crops take root within the cloudstuff, growing
food for the residents of the city.
Undercity. As the population has grown, the city has
also expanded deeper into its own foundations. Successive
generations have dug downwards into the cloudstuff,
creating warrens and rooms ‘underground’. Some of these
structures even extend downwards and below the city, with
perilous views of the land below. This is the Downside, with
rickety bridges and vast skeins of netting connecting newer
buildings. Much of Kul Lerek’s crime operates out of the
Downside, with smuggling and illicit trade the main squeeze.
The largest group in the Downside are the Skylarks (p.135)
- an unofficial mafia who keep the peace while raking in
money from deals on the down-low.
Old and New
Over thousands of years, traders and artificers from the city’s
Planewright’s Guild (p.130) have brought magic relics back
to the city. These have been integrated and patched into the
infrastructure, providing water, light, and other benefits. As
a result, the ancient stonework often clashes with a riot of
artifice. Levitating cloud lifts might carry visitors into a plaza
lit by elementally-bound lights, where automated constructs
made of ice patrol for thieves. The Guild researches and
recovers lost tech from across Xen’drik. Within their
headquarters, the arcanists reverse-engineer and study giant
magic with the aim of enhancing Kul Lerek further.
City Limits. The greatest project of the Guild is one that
affects the future of the city. The solid Syranian cloud that
forms it is created by Skyhooks* - powerful magic relics of the
cloud giants of the Gallimaufry. Hundreds of linked Skyhooks
form the foundations of the city, control its movements,
and surround it in a bubble of clear skies. However, the
secret to creating them died with the Gallimaufry. As a
result, the size of Kul Lerek is dangerously limited. The
Downside is a symptom of this - a gradual excavation of the
cloudstuff to make room, and a constant source of conflict.
Many, especially in the wealthier districts of the city, believe
that doing so is a danger to everyone. The more the
Downsiders dig, the greater the chance of massive
collapse. To the Downsiders, there’s no choice; the
size of Kul Lerek is dangerously bound, and its
population increases day by day. The only
101

way to expand is to build up, down, or grow the city’s clouds
by retrieving Skyhooks - and doing that is never easy. In the
meantime, the brightest minds of the planewrights toil to
unlock the secrets to the Skyhooks - and everything hangs in
the balance.
Every one of the city’s Skyhooks* are linked to a single
Migration Key* worn at all times by its Farseer. This key is
the rudder for the city, and controls both its direction of
travel and immunity to stormy weather. The current Farseer,
Evek i Senran, is an active voice of authority in the city’s
affairs, and the gleaming torc of the Key is a powerful sign
of office. Stealing it requires overcoming the powerful cloud
giant wizard, but the Key is the most valuable item in all the
city - whoever attunes to it can deactivate Skyhooks, instantly
collapsing sections of the city, or destroying it entirely. The
existence of the Key is a major boon, and a major threat.
Should a villain such as Ketheptis the One-Eyed Crone*
take control, the entire city will lie in her hands…
Population
Kul Lerek is a traveling nexus for trade. Many tau'Xen have
settled in the city over the ages, whether seeking a new
life, or brought back with merchants as fellow traders and
artisans. Others gained the favor of the Scriveners during
their rare expeditions, and were given the choice of returning
with them due to expertise or skill. The most common
ancestries in Kul Lerek are cloud goliaths and Ko drow.
They are among the oldest residents, and originate from the
remnants of the Gallimaufry. Many lived in cloud castles
scattered across Xen’drik, and willingly traveled with the
Scriveners during efforts to reclaim remnants of their culture.
Cloud goliaths form the core of the Zephyr Guard due to
their natural affinity for flight, and hold many established
positions in the city. Among them are cultures of winged
beastfolk, including hadozee, aarakocra and owlin. It is
common for those capable of flight to join the city as it
drifts by their settlements, then live there until it once
again draws close to home. Countless other peoples throng
the streets, from drow and dragonborn to thri-kreen and
fae'drik. Beyond the cloud giant Scriveners, a small number
of other giants live in the city. The silvered fire giant
Jasmehn Emboldened leads worship of the Torch of
Progress in the temple district, while the cyclops
Wrexok Goldeye maintains a gilded grip on the
Tradewind merchants.
102102
Short Drops & Long Falls
As one might expect, the greatest danger of living in the
clouds is falling off them. The Skyhooks* that support
Kul Lerek (detailed in the Gallimaufry section on p.223)
offset this danger, to an extent. Due to the Syranian
manifest zone they create, any creature that begins
falling within 300 feet of Kul Lerek’s clouds has their
falling speed slowed to 30 feet a round. Additionally,
they land on their feet, and take no falling damage. This
means that any creature that jumps off the city will
slowly fall to the ground (for a very, very long time),
giving the Skyguard a chance to pick them up. This
effect extends up and outwards from the city.
This has led to some cultural norms that can be a
bit… shocking to outsiders. To save time, Lereki living
on high floors simply jump off them into the street.
The children of the city often play a game called
‘Cloudpound’, where they leap off the highest point
possible, then dive face-first into the cotton cloud-stuff.
Extra points are awarded if you get buried up to your
waist. Naturally, outsiders often react with concern,
which can lead to laughter for the locals.
Power & Prestige. While highly multicultural, the city
is divided into social strata. At the top, the cloud giants of the
Scriveners rule undisputed. Their power, wisdom and grace
make them objects of reverence for the population. All live
within the Vault of Zephyrs, and occasionally travel to the
city proper in search of rare supplies or individuals. Below
their distant purview, a number of individuals and families
have power in the city due to their wealth, most notably the
masters of the Winged League guilds (p.141).
Highs & Lows. Between these nobles and the populace
are the Skyknight families, who traditionally join the Zephyr
Guard in defense of their city. Their bravery and duty grant
them a solid amount of social respect, which they wear
on display as the city’s peacekeepers. Below the common
populace (quite literally) are the people of the Downside.
Living below the actual cloud foundations of the city, the
Downsiders are among the poorest of Kul Lerek’s residents;
few people would live in the precarious network of ropes,
structures, and claustrophobic chambers by choice.
Entering the City
Reaching Kul Lerek is a quest in itself, for the floating
city lies several miles above Xen'drik. Any lower risks
utter destruction. For trade and protection, it constantly
shifts position, with Farseer Senran following the ancient
migration paths of the Gallimaufry. As a result, entering the
city requires both a key to its location, and a method of travel.
The residents of the city maintain aeries of giant albatross*
and other tame beasts, but those from the land will need their
own ways of flying.
Locating the city can be achieved through a number of
different methods. The simplest is to be on friendly terms
with the people of Xen'drik; settled cultures will have an idea
of how many years pass between the arrival of the winged
tradesmen, or even recent sightings of the city. This can be
used to triangulate its position, or guess the direction it's
traveling in order to catch up. Additionally, the Scriveners
CHAPTER 3 | MODERN CITIES
 and other traders carry magic brooches known as portstones*.
Focusing for 1 minute on a portstone gives the wearer the
exact direction of the city, allowing them to safely travel
before finding their way home. Naturally, no Lereki would
ever give their portstone away except in dire circumstances,
and most guests arrive by traveling back with them.
Districts
Wyrmroost - South - Dominated by the skyknight’s
tower that gives the district its name, Wyrmroost is the
home of the city’s defenses. Here, the Zephyr Guard train
and spar, with barracks and aeries for their mounts. Many
of their families also live within the district, with some
lines traditionally joining the order every generation. The
district is also home to many of the city’s blacksmiths, who
supply the skyknights with their arms. Over time, a variety
of artisans have formed a community around them, and
now Wyrmroost is known for the quality of its craftwork.
Artificers from the Boundary Institute often commission
specific works from smithies here, sometimes maintaining
working relationships over generations. Some goods are
traded with the merchants of Duhvirat’s guilds, and sold
across Xen’drik in exchange for raw materials.
Duhvirat - North - the decadent merchant district rings
with bartering voices and clanging bells. Here, the trading
guilds of Kul Lerek vie for economic dominance. Flying
caravans arrive at all times of the day, having traveled to the
land below in search of rare goods. It is said that you can buy
anything in the street markets of Duhvirat - and if you can’t,
you can buy how to get it. The center of the district is marked
by Tradewind Plaza. Behind it, the guildhall of the Tradewind
Company shines with gold and delicate mosaics, reminding
its competitors that they’re always one step behind. Western
Duhvirat holds a different kind of competition; the arena of
the Crown can be seen above the skyline. Here, spectacles,
sports, and occasional festivals are held for the entire city.
The Downside - Below - The undercity of Kul Lerek
is perilous for good reason; the buildings, ropes, and gantries
hang from the cloud itself, with deathly drops to the land
below. The Downside is for those with nowhere else to go;
over hundreds of years, people have dug down through the
cloud, forming a network of winding burrows. The innate
dangers of living like this mean that most Lereki never
dare to enter. As a result, there is a social barrier between
the district and the upper city that has created a maverick
culture. Few skyknights patrol the Downside, leaving it to
the Skylark mafia (p.135) to keep the peace. This group of
smugglers, traders, and enforcers are focused on coin and acts
of dangerous competition. While they are responsible for
many of the city’s illegal imports and protection rackets, they
maintain stability in the Downside - an informal agreement
that earns them amnesty from the powers that be.
Tul’kas - East - the residential district of Tul’kas (‘passage’
in Giant) covers the eastern city. Here, many of the city’s
older and more established families own their own giant
buildings, each containing several houses with central
courtyards. While not as showy as Duhvirat, the region
has an arty atmosphere, and generations of Lereki families
have done their best to repair and paint the district to its
former glory. Many buildings have vast flowering vines
stretching between them, with colorful wisteria and jungle
flowers creating a peaceful canopy over the streets. Tul’kas
has a thriving nightlife in opposition to the rowdy taverns
of Zjaronfall, with a focus on artistic competition. Open-air
concerts are often held when the city is in warmer climes,
with different families competing to perform. Rarely, skilled
artists are given the honor of entering the Vault of Zephyrs,
where they perform for the
Scriveners themselves.

Zjaronfall - West - The western quarter is scarred

by a massive rent in the clouds. This is the mark of the
rogue dragon Zharykastrac, who attacked the city over 1500
years ago with the intent of pillaging the Vault. The Zephyr
skyknights mortally wounded the dragon, causing it to
plummet into the Iceflow Sea, but not before it destroyed
several Skyhooks keeping the city aloft. Over time, druidic
practitioners have worked to gradually repair the damage,
knitting the clouds together by talking to them directly.
Several bridges grown from living vines and plant life
now span the gap, although without more Skyhooks, the
damage remains. In the attack, many giant buildings
were melted or clawed to rubble. Over time, these
ruins have been leveled to make room, or simply built
on top of by new arrivals. As a result, Zjaron’s Fall
has a peculiar jaunty look to it, with a patchwork of
cramped giant and tau'Xen architecture. A variety of
faiths have temples in the district created by new arrivals,
ranging from Vulkoor, to the Giant Sovereigns, to the
Silver Flame. The north of Zjaronfall is host to a raucous
display of taverns, each catering to the nearby traders of
Duhvirat, and the patrons of the Crown arena.

CHAPTER 3 | MODERN CITIES

103
 Locations
The Vault of Zephyrs - The heart of Kul Lerek is
a bastion of knowledge. The Vault is a hexagonal fortress
that floats in the center of the city on its own section of
cloud, accessible only by flight. Elite Skyknights patrol
the battlements on shifts, and no windows open onto the
interior. Within lie the chambers and study halls of the cloud
giants, as well as their accumulated knowledge and treasures.
The Scriveners record their information on spellshardsERLW,
for paper is both valuable and ephemeral. These are held on
countless floating bookshelves containing millennia of lore.
Below them, precious artifacts are held in museum cases that
use Risian ice instead of glass. No one is allowed within the
Vault except for the Scriveners and those they grant access.
The lore within is dangerous and priceless. Of greater risk
are the dragons who sometimes stay here. The giants have
no wish to shock the city with their presence, and historic
dragon attacks have created a worrying public opinion.
The Mistfarms - Much of Kul Lerek’s food comes from
terraced fields built on the sides of the cloud foundations.
The mistfarms cover the edges of the city on all sides, with
the city’s water flowing down through them in countless
waterfalls. Many have climbing vines and crops that take root
directly in the clouds; others are platform fields connected
by vertical pillars with livestock and standard crops. The
city places extreme value on its food, and farmers are highly
respected. Merchants commonly deliver new kinds of seeds
and plants to test, and deliveries of soil are extremely prized.
of good deals and rare items. Their spacious headquarters
in the northern city is defined by a massive central plaza.
Here, traders arriving back to the city lay out their wares in
a raucous market. Those seeking bizarre treasures and rare
components know to look here. Even if they aren’t there, the
traders will happily sell information on interesting locations
and news. For a down payment, many will even travel to
personally barter for goods not currently at their disposal.
The cyclops* guildmaster Wrexok Goldeye mediates
disputes, and is said to be so greedy that they peer into the
future to look at possible deals.
Wander Yonder - the political center of the Downside
is a bizarre sight. An ancient airship hangs suspended from
the bottom of the cloud, held in place by thousands of ropes,
hooks, and anchors. This is the Wander Yonder - the base
for the criminal Skylarks. The rogue traders and smugglers
captured it from a Sul'at ruin in the continent’s interior,
then flew it back as a trophy. Upon arriving, they sold the
elemental matrix to the Planewright’s Guild, then established
the ship as a flashy base of operations. Now, the Wander
Yonder is the city’s most popular tavern. The lower decks
are kept for the Skylark elite; some live here permanently,
helping to plan the mafia’s illicit operations. For all intents
and purposes, the Wander Yonder can actually fly - not
because it can, but because the Skylarks pretend so. That way,
the Guard are less bothered trying to arrest them.

Wyrmroost - The southern district - Wyrmroost - is

dominated by a vast tower of draconic size. This is the
Zephyr Guard's domain, who defend the city from threats.
While the nature of the city generally protects it, past assaults
have warned against being lax, especially when it comes
to rogue dragons. The skyknights act as a de facto
police force; their training and skill come with a
certain level of respect from the people, who generally
trust them to keep the peace. Squires become full Knights
by raising and bonding with a flying mount that suits their
skills; these range from long distance giant albatross* to
nimble parrogriffs. The upper floors of Wyrmroost are their
devoted aeries.

The Boundary Institute - The Boundary Institute

is the home of the Planewright’s Guild - a group of arcanists,
artificers and mechanics with a passion for ancient tech.
They care for the city’s infrastructure, incorporate new magic
items, and research artifacts recovered from below. The Guild
has a reputation for careless experiments, although their
role in upgrading the city gives them a certain amnesty. The
Institute itself occupies a sprawling complex in the eastern
city; here, magewrights train and pick up skills, while tinkers
toy in personal workshops funded by their discoveries. The
Institute’s libraries are open to the public for a small fee, with
regular classes and practical seminars.

Tradewind Plaza - The Tradewind Company

is Kul Lerek’s largest merchant guild. Welcoming
all members (if they can afford the fees) the
Company sojourns across Xen’drik in search

CHAPTER 3 | MODERN CITIES

104104
 Things To Do
• Try skywaltzing or parrogriff racing
• Consult the archives of the Vault of Zephyrs
• Research and experiment at the Planewright’s Guild
• Barter and bargain in Tradewind Plaza
• Strike illicit deals with the Skylarks
Recent Events
Quartz Court. A section of the Boundary Institute
has been sealed off after an artificer tried to unsuccessfully
recreate one of Genesine’s Arcane Dynamos*. A small part
of the building is now formed of pure quartz. The lead
planewrights are stuck in a fierce discussion about whether it
should be kept that way for aesthetic purposes, or whether it’s
no longer structurally sound.
Auction Friction. A fierce bidding war has erupted
between guildmasters Wrexok Goldeye and Leraje Zanasa
over a set of kinetic sand-sculptures from the asherati. The
goliath trader who first bought them is pushing their luck,
seeing how high they can drive prices as a result. Nervous
murmurs in the guild halls speak of a growing discontent,
with some people worried that the guildmasters might come
to use underhanded means to secure the items - or that the
Skylarks will decide to butt in as well…
Sky Racing. Hype and excitement is building once again
for the Zjaron Classic - a parrogriff race held every two years
that often sees members of the Zephyr Guard participating.
The two favorites this year are fierce rivals, and former
lovers; a sizable chunk of the race's bets have been placed on
Kaoryn and Seline getting together again afterwards.
Plot Hooks
On Screaming Wing - The district of Zjaron’s Fall is
a constant reminder of the danger of rogue dragons. Most of
Argonnessen’s exiles don’t bother with extensive planning,
but Ketheptis the One-Eyed Crone* is different. The
psychopathic dragon wishes vengeance above all else, and Kul
Lerek is a dramatic way to get it. Namely, by smashing
the city into Xen’drik. After infiltrating the city in
disguise, the dragon is gathering the
information she needs to destroy
the Skyhooks* holding the
city aloft, and
CHAPTER 3 | MODERN CITIES
doom everyone in it to a terrifying fall. Of course, any rogues
she can pull to her cause with promises of treasure are a
perfect distraction…
Crossing the Boundary - The Skylarks and the
Boundary Institute are odd bedfellows. When the smugglers
come across something arcane, they often sell it to the
planewrights first. Sometimes, this includes things that
should never have been disturbed. When the Zephyr Guard
places a bounty on a mysterious killer, the party must delve
into the Downside to find them. No one suspects them to be
a normal researcher - until the dark and corrupted artifact in
their possession threatens to wreak havoc on the city.
Archive Jive - The Vault of Zephyrs contains some of
the most extensive giant lore in all of Xen’drik, but access to it
is heavily restricted. When the party must uncover an ancient
secret, including the location of an artifact to defeat their
nemesis, the Vault might be the only choice. To search within
requires approval by the Scriveners of the Sky, who might ask
the party to recover something for them in exchange. This
is an easy opportunity to send the party to any location in
Xen’drik, and an easy group patron for adventures. Of course,
there are other ways of impressing the giants - most notably,
making a name for oneself as Kul Lerek’s hottest new artist.
Skyhooks and Tartan Paint: With every year, the
population of Kul Lerek increases, placing greater pressure
on resources. The only way to expand Kul Lerek is to bring
magic Skyhooks* to the city - and these can only be found in
ancient cloud castles. The party is tasked with recovering
one such artifact, whether from the castle of the storm roc
Kraa'ark Lors*, or the flying ruins of the Gallimaufry.
Local Foods
Nimbus grains with a dash of honey-of-peace.
1
2 Fluffy kulbread filled with aetherfruit jam.
3 Vesh leaves stuffed with spiced mist noodles.
4 parrogriff omelette with Rem Eba sauce and cracked pepper.
105
 Bazek Mohl - Blackgrove Refuge - Dar Qat - Kul Lerek - Stormreach - Vralkast - Zantashk
Stormreach
Stormreach, City of Ruins
Size: Small City (50,000-100,000 people)
Population: Majority Khorvairan in ancestry, with a
small fraction of Xen’drik and Thunder Sea peoples.
Government: The 5 Storm Lords rule unquestioned,
and hand their hereditary titles down through the
generations. Their only true law is that interfering
with their business is a deadly crime.
Age: Roughly 200 years as an official city.
Purpose: Exploitation of Xen'drik's resources, profit on
a grand scale, facilitating exploration and adventure.
Organizations: The Storm Lords lead much of the
city’s industry in the name of profit, and ensure
a veneer of law as long as it suits their interests.
Below them, countless gangs, militias, and political
groups vie for dominance, ranging from small-time
gangs such as the Bilge Rats, to the enclaves of the
Dragonmarked Houses. Notably, the Houses are
not bound by the Korth Edicts here, and are free
to pursue their own agendas. Outside the city, the
druidic Guardians of Rushemé keep a watchful eye.
Why use Stormreach? The crime-ridden city has
representatives of a variety of factions from across
Khorvaire, forming the perfect set-up for noir and
political stories. Despite this, it is also built on top
of literal dungeons, and has easy access to northern
Xen’drik. As a result, it has well-established lore, and a
wide variety of options for adventures. Players also have
a bevy of backgrounds and options tochoose from.
The pirate colony of Stormreach is a den of crime and
iniquity where money is law. Ruled by the competing Storm
Lords, the northern port is built on the ruins of the ancient
Cul’sir capital, as well as several other civilisations that fell
to misfortune. Far outside the laws of Galifar, Stormreach is
a chaotic patchwork of territories ruled by rival gangs - and
the gateway into Xen’drik for many of Khorvaire’s people.
Beneath the city, countless ruins lead deep into the earth,
where dark secrets from the Age of Giants slumber.
The modern city was founded 200 years ago after decades
of use as a pirate colony - a base for raiding the Riedran ships
of Dar Qat. Given a measure of legitimacy by the kingdom
of Galifar, and the rulership system of the Storm Lords,
Stormreach bloomed into a port of call for Khorvairan
interests in Xen’drik. The only law of Stormreach is that
you don’t interfere with its five rulers making money, and a
variety of gangs and groups of interest have staked their claim
in the city, dividing it into wards and districts. These wards
have their own individual cultures, and are often defined by
the nationalities that have settled there.
People from all over Khorvaire walk the streets, along with
drow, giants and thri-kreen from the Skyfall Peninsula. The
reasons for many of these Khorvairan immigrants moving to
Stormreach vary greatly; some are here to start a new
life, or hope to make a quick fortune in the wilds of
Xen’drik. Others (more often than not) have crimes
or memories they’re hoping to leave behind by
moving outside the Code of Galifar.
106106
Built on the Brink. Stormreach is a dynamic and
tenuous city; dynamic for its vying factions, shifting power
structure, and medley of clashing cultures, and tenuous for
its blatant disregard for both the threats of Xen’drik, and the
threats it makes for itself. The people of Stormreach know
nothing of the Madness of Crowds that could destroy it at any
point, nor of the immense power that sleeps beneath it - the
Overlord Sakinnirot, the Scar that Abides. Countless threats
lie in the undercity beyond the overlord and its servants. The
remnants of several cities which were built on the Cul’sir
capital, and Stormreach is just the latest in the cycle.
The ignorance of the Khorvairans has also provoked
a number of factions in the Skyfall Peninsula. Nearly 50
years ago, the fire giants of the Battalion of Basalt Towers
attempted to destroy it via a device that called meteor swarms
down on the city. The powerful roc Kraa’ark Lors believes
the city to be a blight on nature, and is only kept at bay by the
diplomacy of the Rusheme. Meanwhile, treasure hunters have
earned a dire reputation with the Sulatar and Vulkoori drow
of the region. At any one time, countless factions might be
plotting to conquer and destroy the city - a perfect time for
adventurers to take the stage.
Population
The vast majority of the people in Stormreach originate from
Khorvaire, whether as descendants of Thunder Sea pirates or
migrants from the Five Nations. The city has neighborhoods
for each of the Five, including the district of Dannel’s Pride
for Cyre. These regions are distinctly divided, often with
gangs and militia that protect their people. Despite this,
Stormreach is a city that displays the full range of people from
Khorvaire. Dwarves, elves and humans rub shoulders with
orcs, halflings, and gnomes. A small minority of goliaths,
drow, thri-kreen and hill giants also live in and around the
city. Some trade Xen’drik goods or sell their expertise as
guides, while others live and work in the city as any other
might. A smaller third group are the druids of the Guardians
of Rushemé, who maintain a small encampment outside the
city to keep watch over its activity.
Stormreach is quite sharply divided into districts and
wards, with each maintaining a distinct character. Many
wards are defined by their cultural identities and common
nationalities. These range from the wards of the Five
Nations, to districts such as Grindstone that are effectively
run by the Dragonmarked Houses. The patchwork forms a
tableau of Khorvairan interests, and you can be sure to find
citizens (or criminals) from every nation walking the streets.
This includes occasional ships from the Unity of Riedra, who
maintain an embassy in the city on behalf of Dar Qat.
Stormreach In-Depth
For detailed information on the politics, districts,
and gangs of Stormreach, City of Stormreach is an
invaluable resource. This section is merely intended
to provide an overview of the city for parties that are
simply passing through; for campaigns centered on the
city, it is highly recommended to purchase the
sourcebook on the DMsGuild.
CHAPTER 3 | MODERN CITIES
 Entering the City
Most visitors enter Stormreach by sea from the docks of
Sharn. The journey takes a couple of weeks by sea, assuming
no interruption by the storms that give the Thunder Sea its
name. The journey itself is perilous and requires a deft hand;
the ocean between Xen’drik and Khorvaire is filled with sharp
spires of demonglass known as ‘needle teeth’ that can shred
wooden hulls. These lie interspersed between the thousand
rocky pillars and inlets of the Shargon’s Teeth archipelago,
which hide pirates, reefs and other dangers. Most ships take
on the services of aquatic merfolk or sahuagin guides to lead
them through the safest routes. Sailing the isles without one
is a sign of high confidence (justified, or otherwise).
The docks of Stormreach stretch across the bay, with
boats from Khorvaire mingling with the painted sails of
Riedra. Those disembarking can expect the usual Stormreach
welcome - an honest attempt to fleece them of all they own
in every way possible. From here, one can charter boats to
other coastal settlements such as Zantashk and Dar Qat, or
hire guides for overland travel. The city’s location on a far
peninsula means that few people regularly enter by land, so
there are few barriers to entry. The Stormreach guards are
far too corrupt to bother checking new arrivals, except maybe
to shake them down for coin. Generally, people leaving are
assumed to be adventurers, hunters, or Xen’drik peoples
traveling further into the continent.
Locations
The Red Ring - Far beyond the laws of the Code of
Galifar, the Red Ring arena hosts both blood sports and
gladiatorial combat. Criminals convicted (or framed) for
serious crimes are often sent to the Ring as punishment.
Anyone who wins a title bout is free on parole - anyone
who loses sees their sentence cut fatally short. The Ring
is a massive money-making enterprise and a major source
of public entertainment. Many of its gladiators are career
fighters, whether sold to the Ring as slaves, or of their own
volition. The arena’s annual games welcome anyone with
the mettle to fight before the crowds, often against captured
beasts or its permanent ‘Bloodbound’ fighters.
CHAPTER 3 | MODERN CITIES
The Emperor - One of the first sights of Stormreach
that sailors see is the Emperor - an immense statue of a giant
said to be Emperor Cul’sir himself. A massive beam of light
rises from its outstretched hands. The statue is imbued with
massively powerful magic, although to date, no scholar has
identified its purpose. What is abundantly clear is that the
monument survived the destruction of the Shattering, and
watches over the city to this day…
The Black Wrack - the city's biggest and most
boisterous tavern lies near the Red Ring. Its owner, Handon
the Brick, maintains the rule that everyone is welcome
regardless of origin - a simple law that has resulted in its
popularity and range of customers. Adventurers familiar
with the city often visit the Wrack. Over the years, its
posting board for jobs and opportunities has grown to cover
the entire north wall. As such, checking for quick gold is a
common first step for new explorers (as is petting the owner’s
mastiff, Sascha).
Eldred’s Pool - Stormreach is a city built on the ruins
of countless others. One of the most impressive signs of this
is a massive fountain built by the Thri-kreen in the Silverwall
district. It shows two thri-kreen figures who appear to be
in prayer or supplication. Water from the fountain (which
radiates powerful abjuration magic) is always clean, and has
the unusual property of banishing any extraplanar creature
that sees its own reflection - including possessing quori. It
is named after a scholar named Eldred who went to great
lengths to study the fountain, then approached the Storm
Lords warning that it endangered the entire city. The day
after he was rebuked by them, he disappeared without a trace.
The Tower of Kol Korran - House Kundarak’s main
enclave in Stormreach is an impenetrable fortress, built with
increasingly tall walls that hide the inner keep. In truth, it’s
a threatening facade for the true treasure that lies beneath.
When the dwarves first bought the land, they unearthed an
ancient chamber filled with giant wealth and technology.
Hastily hiding this treasure trove, the members of the House
have been delving deeper ever since. The defenses aren’t just
107
 to keep thieves out - but also to keep any dangers in. The
deeper they delve, the closer they draw to the bound form of
the overlord Sakinnirot, and cause accidental events such as
the release of the giant Antaegus. Many are curious what goes
on in the Tower of Kol Korran, but few know just how close
it is to damning the city itself.
The Bazaar - Stormreach’s central market is a haven
for hagglers, adventurers, and pickpockets. Here, goods and
items needed for survival in the jungle are sold alongside
fresh street food, treasured relics, and items certainly not
stolen that same morning. This includes traders from outside
Stormreach, who often sell highly valuable natural products,
as well as information on nearby threats and locations.
The Church of the Wyrm Ascendant - The
center for Vassal worship in Stormreach is highly unusual,
and somewhat heretical. The priests of the Wyrm Ascendant
are a sect who believe the Sovereigns were once mortal
dragons, and see dragons as innately divine. To that end, the
Church has a vast hoard of treasure in a vault beneath it, built
up over centuries by supplicants seeking to buy their way into
the heavens. To them, a divine act must be paid for, which
has gradually increased both their coffers and influence over
the years. Unsurprisingly, this belief began when priests first
offered aid in exchange for ill-gotten pirate gold. The current
priests, led by the powerful and charismatic Maru Sakhesh,
place immense value in artifacts linked to the dragons.
However, they are no fools. They know many covet the
treasures they keep, and cracking the vault is no easy task.
Things To Do
• Barter in the Bazaar.
• Fight in the Red Ring’s Annual Games.
• Carouse in one of Stormreach’s many taverns.
• Hire a local guide and set out into the Skyfall Peninsula.
• Delve into the undercity in search of treasure.
Recent Events
Big Steps. An immense footprint in the mud outside
the Bazaar has become a local spectacle. The footprint is at
least 10 feet across, yet surely a giant of that size walking
through the city would have been seen by thousands of
people. How they even got behind the city walls is a different
matter entirely. As a result, it has been declared the work of
some kind of prankster (one of the Shadow-marked elves,
surely), but some believe otherwise; more than one drunk
claims to have felt an immense and invisible presence moving
past them in the night, after they half-fell out of their local
watering hole. In truth, the footprint is an accidental remnant
of the storm giant Antaegus, who recently awoke beneath the
Tower of Kol Korran due to the efforts of the dwarves there.
Short Trip. Naleen Lassite, heir to her father’s title of
Storm Lord, has gone missing. Tired of the endless politics
and mediation that her role requires, she has snuck out in
disguise to join an adventurer group leaving the city.
She intended to be away for a couple of days (and set
up a facade accordingly), but terrible weather has
delayed her return. Now, Lord Varen is growing
irate, and fears that this is a ploy by one of
108108
the other Storm Lords to kneecap their influence. If Naleen
doesn’t return soon, the situation could boil into a political
spat, and a major embarrassment for the Lassite family.
Rising Tide. Oracles in Temple Row have begun sharing
themes in their predictions - an event marked by ‘crimson
surf, azure wind, and onyx blades’. One oracle is happily
ignored - if they were actually a good oracle, they wouldn’t be
living as a poor one. Many oracles together, though? That’s
a worrying sign. Key religious figures in the city have started
praying to their gods to try and divine what is going on, while
others have started buying up weapons in preparation.
Plot Hooks
Rising Storm - The sahuagin have had a presence in
Stormreach far longer than humans have, and control the
city's fate through its reliance on the Thunder Sea. Priests
of the Devourer hold regular rituals in the tower known as
Shargon’s Talon that rises from the harbor - and sahuagin
often attend. Few realize the full extent of their workings.
The Eternal Dominion has strong ties with House Lyrandar’s
seneschal in Stormreach, and have begun turning the faithful
of the Devourer into malenti in their service. Their goal is
grand - not to conquer the pathetic city of Stormreach, but
to devour the Overlord beneath it in service to Sha’argon,
ascending to the next stage of evolution. After a routine
undercity adventure discovers evidence of the Dominion and
House Lyrandar working together to undermine Stormreach,
the party must stop the efforts of the House of the Storm
before a Dominion army razes the city to the ground.
Fire & Brimstone - A standard expedition to Sul’at
ruins outside Stormreach goes very wrong when the party is
attacked by giants from the Battalion of Basalt Towers. The
fire giants are unearthing ancient weapons and technology,
then hauling them to the Battalion’s stronghold to the south.
Their actions have led to rising tensions in the local factions
of the Skyfall Peninsula, and the party must work together
with the drow and local giants to infiltrate their stronghold.
Within, lies a Grand Pyroclast* - a massive artillery piece that
conjures meteor strikes to destroy cities. They must sabotage
the device and flee before it explodes, taking the stronghold
with it, and saving Stormreach in the process.
Tiger’s Eye - Perhaps unsurprisingly, one of the Storm
Lords is a disguised rakshasa of Sakinnirot. Their web of
influence stretches over the city, fueling plots of murder and
violence that empower their slumbering Overlord. When the
party is tasked with investigating the disappearance of a priest
of the Silver Flame, the trail leads from serial killer, to cult, to
secret fiend - and a grand plan that will destroy Stormreach
in a storm of blood and violence. The giants, thri-kreen
and sahuagin were the first, but if the Storm Lord has their
way, they will not be the last. To stop the violence, and the
increasing battles between the city’s factions, the party must
delve deep into the undercity and face what lies beneath.
Local Foods
1 Spicy pickled Fernian apples in kuryeva syrup.
2 Brelish curry with tender Gurk’ash meat.
3 Karrn sausage and mash with a slice of aged cheese.
4 Cyran Shawarma with long corn and chicken.
CHAPTER 3 | MODERN CITIES
 Bazek Mohl - Blackgrove Refuge - Dar Qat - Kul Lerek - Stormreach - Vralkast - Zantashk
Vralkast
Vralkast, City of Monsters
Size: Small City (50,000-100,000 people)
Population: Mix of Khyber peoples, including
fomorians, dwarves, medusa, kobolds, and more.
Government: None; different wards send
representatives to debate the course of the city in
the Forum Fomor, with the fomorians themselves
having the final say.
Purpose: Leviathan hunting, protection and safety from
the dangers of Khyber.
Organizations: The monstrous legion of the Wyrd Vigil
defends the city from incursions; willingly mutated
and clad in scarred krakenplate, the knights of the
Vigil are terrifying to behold, and consist largely
of fomorian hunters. Within the city, a number
of organizations work together for their mutual
survival. The Everdelvers Enclave travel beyond the
city to gather resources from demiplanes, while the
Stoneseer’s Guild shape and mold the caverns to
create new space. Around them, businesses, guilds,
and ventures have carved out niches for survival,
trading services and bonegeld for social status.
Why use Vralkast? Vralkast is a dynamic and
unique city in a fraught situation. Much like the
nation of Droaam, it subverts the role of ‘monsters’,
allowing players to create monstrous characters from
a cosmopolitan background. As a base, the city also
allows exploration of Khyber and its demiplanes, while
accommodating noir and intrigue plotlines. The unusual
nature of the city means that veteran players can still be
surprised about what goes on, while both they and the
GM have space to bring in any antagonists they wish,
and create factions to suit their needs.
The Khyber city of Vralkast sprawls across the shores of
the Sea of Sorrow. The city of the fomorians is a sight few
would believe - a bustling metropolis of monsters from across
Eberron’s ‘underdark’, working together to survive against
the horrors of the Realm Below. Built from leviathan bone
and fungal wood, Vralkast is part port, part stronghold, with
a utilitarian bent due to the harsh nature of Khyber. Over
millennia, a bizarre array of peoples have found their way
to the city. Quaggoths, minotaurs, grimlocks and medusa.
Fomorians, ogres, and dwarves from Sol Udar - these are just
a sample of the people who call Vralkast home.
The origins of the city lie within the civil war of the giant
Twilight Court, which tore itself apart over the fate of Shae
Tirias Tolai. The losing side, misled by their corrupted queen,
were cursed by the archfey and exiled. These Fomor’ren
(‘sightscorned’) fled from the lands of the giants in shame,
entering Khyber where the darkness would hide their
warped appearances. Their journey took them to the shores
of a vast underground sea, and with nowhere left to go,
they established safe harbor. After thousands of years, these
fomorians no longer fear their appearance; their shame has
become iron pride. They now use their strength to protect
themselves and their city, forsaking the oppression they
sought so long ago.
CHAPTER 3 | MODERN CITIES
City Structure
The city is formed from vast cavern-wards hewn into the
cliffside, shaped and expanded by generations of people.
These caverns are connected by stone tunnels, stairs, and
kobold couriers. Their character often depends on the people
that live there. In Undagh, the cramped hive-warrens are
dimly lit, and home to kobolds, goblins, and other smallfolk.
Meanwhile, the sinuous stone of Sesshun Kesst has been
shaped by medusa, who bedeck the cavern with religious
imagery of the Shadow. Despite their differences, the wards
work together, as conflict is simply not an option. The people
of Vralkast stand together in a desolate world. Tensions and
conflict aren’t rare, but if the city is to survive, everyone must
have each other’s backs. At all tide-cycles, the wards bustle
with people trading bonegeld for work, goods, and favors.
Fomorian Guard. Below the exposed cliff-faces, the
docks of Sowshore have served the city since the beginning.
Immense fomorian serpentkeels come and go, on the hunt
for ocean leviathans. These cthonic horrors are what keep the
giants fed, and much of the city is built from ‘krakenbone’.
The Sea of Sorrow is a symbol of endless danger, and endless
opportunity. Above the cavern-wards, Xarek’el sits like a
crown in the open air. The fomorian citadel is a defensive
stronghold. Massive stone walls surround their homes, which
are built here by necessity; the giants cannot easily fit into
the tunnels below. Life in Khyber is never easy, and assaults
by fiends and roaming creatures are all too common. The
monstrous legion of Vralkast - the Wyrd Vigil - man the
walls, driving off and slaying any who would bring harm.
Recent years have seen increasing attacks and infiltration
from the forces of the daelkyr, and the Wyrd Vigil spare no
quarter in their war against the darkness beyond.
Population
Against all the odds, Vralkast is a bustling city of people
from across Khyber. The strength of the fomorians and
their widespread acceptance of (or indifference to) others
makes the city one of the safest places in Khyber, and many
demiplanar people have settled there over the years. The
fomorians are themselves treated with common respect,
for it is their presence that safeguards Vralkast from harm.
The giants are both fearsome and powerful, and have no
qualms about crushing any dangers to their city (including
any arising from within). Beneath them, dromites, dwarves,
goliaths, ogres, and goblinoids walk the city streets. Vralkast
predates both the fall of Sol Udar, and the formation of the
Dhakaani empire. As such, its people are relics who have
never even seen the surface; a ‘sky’ is something you can
witness in a demiplane. With them are peoples unknown to
the world above; quaggoths, firenewts and merrow might all
have neighborhoods of their own, among countless others.
Due to a history of migrations and refugees, the people
of Vralkast are roughly divided between ethnic districts,
which often specialize in their skills. Life in Khyber is not
easy. For the good of the whole, many cultures focus on
putting their unique skills to use, as in the nation of Droaam.
Medusa and dwarves work together in the Stoneseer’s
Guild, shaping and expanding the city’s bedrock
caverns, while merrow and kuo-toa guard its shores
from danger. The complex tapestry of cultures is
often a source of friction. As an example, the
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 fomorians may not rule as oppressors, but they are tyrants,
and have no qualms with brutally excising cults (then turning
them into krakenbait). Their homes additionally occupy the
‘surface’ of the city, while others may have no choice but to
live in caverns. Many factors can create tension in such close
confines, but it almost never turns into violence. If Vralkast
is to survive, its people must work together - and even the
deepest grudges give way when the city is under attack.
Entering the City
The odd geography of Khyber makes finding Vralkast highly
difficult. The Realm Below does not match linearly with
Eberron itself, meaning that one can enter a mountain cave
in Sarlona and be closer to the city than in Xen’drik. As such,
there are several ways of navigating there, some of them
created by the people of the city themselves. The ‘simplest’
way (if that word is even applicable when it comes to Khyber)
is to ask the people of the Realm Below. Many communities
either have direct trading links to Vralkast, or hold legends
of the city ruled by the giants of the evil eye. This is especially
true for the dromites, who maintain a permanent embassy
in Vralkast for their hive-cities beneath Sarlona. Finding a
dromite means finding a hive-city. Finding a hive-city means
the ability to hire a guide to travel across the Realm Below.
Giant Footsteps. A more singular path is to retrace
the steps that the fomorians first took when they fled in exile.
Knowing that they would be entering a warren of stone, the
giants left markings carved into the walls as a trail. These
ancient runes still remain. Over time, they have been further
expanded into a guiding series of paths through Khyber,
allowing the people of Vralkast to navigate their way home.
The entire web of markers is maintained by the Wyrd Vigil,
who use them to locate defensive chokepoints perfect for
guarding the city from attack. The outer edges of the network
are added to by the Everdelver’s Enclave, as they gradually
scout for demiplanes and other valuable resources. Any
character who can read Giant gains a +5 bonus to any ability
checks made to navigate towards Vralkast when using these
runes. Many additionally communicate potential hazards on
the path, and how to avoid them without issue. Usually.
Upon reaching the city walls, new arrivals are faced with a
different challenge - passing by the guards of the Wyrd Vigil
to enter. The military organization is tasked with keeping out
any threats, and they are more than aware of the possibility of
disguised cultists or fiends. As such, travelers are often vetted
by a priest and several towering guards to ensure they aren’t
bringing any hidden dangers with them. Naturally, these
people have never heard or spoken Common in their life, so
communication might pose a bigger challenge.
Locations
The Temple of the Shadow - one of the largest
buildings in Seshun Kesst is the main temple of the Shadow,
built and run by the medusa. The building is constructed
from night-black stone, and dominated by an altar that burns
with lightless flame. The creed of the Shadow has taken firm
root in Vralkast. Its belief that the gifts of its monstrous
people are the blessings of the god has appealed to a
wide range of followers, and the community efforts
of its priests have worked heavily in their favor -
as has the medusa belief that the god worked
110110
against the daelkyr Orlassk to help them. Heruesh, Voice of
the Shadow, leads frequent sermons from the temple’s front
steps. While the Wyrd Vigil often consults the priest for
occult lore only known by one so faithful to the Shadow, they
are just as wary - many are uncomfortable with the religion’s
indelible ties to lost and forbidden magic.
Stoneseer’s Circle- Vralkast is a city built on stone
bones. The Stoneseers are its chirurgeons and tenders,
shaping the geography of the city to suit its people. The
Guild, mainly formed of dwarves and medusa, use their
innate sense for rock and stone to act as druid-engineers.
They open caverns, carve cliffs, and grow buildings by
communing with the voices of the land. The abilities of
the Stoneseers are crucial for the overall state of Vralkast;
they ensures it can expand to meet the needs of its people,
and create massive civic projects such as the harbor-wall
of Sowshore. Despite this, their connection to the city is
uncanny. Some can slip through rock like it was sand, or
petrify themselves to commune with the ‘city’s voice’ -
abilities that often unnerve others. Their headquarters in Tor
Udar are burrowed into the stone beneath the district, and
hold communion chambers, meeting halls and social spaces.
Everdelver’s Enclave - Vralkast’s main adventuring
guild is an economic powerhouse. The dwarves of Sol
Udar once formed an empire around harvesting demiplane
resources, and those refugees who fled to Vralkast brought
their expertise with them. The Enclave lies in their district of
Tor Udar, but membership is open to all. It functions around
expeditions to demiplanes, typically by sailing to open portals
across the Sea of Sorrow. Each expedition is tasked with
bringing back valuable goods, foods, and creatures for sale to
the city. This supply of unique items (many of them innately
magical) has grown the Enclave into a business empire, and
fueled the expansion of the city. Others might begrudge their
wealth, but the benefits brought by their work are clear - and
not everyone is willing to risk their lives by leaving the city.
Life as an elverdelver is rough, and not all return.
Forum Fomor - The fomorian taboo against kings and
rulers, coupled with necessary cooperation for survival, led
to the giants making decisions as a community. The massive
Forum Fomor is a meeting space in the center of Xarek’el,
with tiers of stone seats descending into an open circular
space. Normally, this acts as an impromptu arena, festival
space, or sparring ground for the Wyrd Vigil. Every 28 days
(a legacy of a dead giant calendar with 13 months), the Forum
is instead overtaken by representatives, community leaders
and watching onlookers for a grand political debate. Once,
this was simply a meeting of the fomorian community; as
the population of the city has exploded, this has changed to
a meeting of key figures, albeit one where any member of
the city can watch (and interject) as they wish. It’s as hectic
as it sounds. To avoid absolute chaos, most districts and
factions send no more than a few people, often one from each
majority ancestry among them. The process has few rules.
Anyone can raise an issue and propose an edict to fix it; if the
majority of representatives vote in favor, it is set in stone. In
the case of close votes, tradition dictates that the Fomorian
representatives decide the course - a habit borne from healthy
CHAPTER 3 | MODERN CITIES
 respect. It takes nerves of mithral to argue against a 15-foot
giant wearing scarred krakenplate.
The Cleft - The western side of Vralkast is marked
by a massive rent in the cliffs that stretches fully from the
surface to the sea. The Cleft has become a center for travel
and transport; missives, goods, and people are trafficked up
and down the rock-face by pallid ur-geckos and their kobold
riders. Nearby districts have bored tunnels that open into the
cliff-face, with station platforms and stairways that wind up
the rockface. Pockmarked hollows mark the dens of flying
creatures, who find more shelter from the wind here than
on the sea-facing stone. Notably, one massive cave is home
to the behir Ghyrugal, who settled in the city after being
convinced of its greatness by a party of panic-stricken (but
charismatic) everdelvers. The behir has helped defend the city
from attack more than once, and finds great satisfaction in
watching the smallfolk scamper up and down the cliff-face. In
exchange, it asks for occasional deliveries of sea serpent meat,
and the odd story from the everdelvers.
Districts
Xarek’el (‘Harrowmark’) - The grandest district
of the city is built on the flat ground above its sheer cliffs.
This is where the fomorians first settled, and remains their
cultural heartland. Massive buildings carved from stone and
krakenbone dominate the skyline, handed down through
generations of giants. Over time, other giantkin have joined
the district, which matches their stature, and a smaller
number of oni and ogres also walk the streets. Xarek’el is
fundamentally a defensive fortress; the dangers of Khyber
are manifold, and the fomorians have never had space for
frippery. As such, the architecture is brutalist and foreboding
(as far from the fey opulence of the Twilight Court as they
could go). The center of Xarek’el - the Forum Fomor - holds
grand meetings to decide the city’s fate. The outer walls are
manned by the Wyrd Vigil, who defend the city from attack.
Seshun Kesst - The medusa are among the ‘newer’
arrivals to the city, after a flight through Khyber that saw
them escape the daelkyr Orlassk. The Seshuna are separate
from the medusa of Droaam, and were divided during a
disastrous attack by aberrant forces. Their arrival was a
historical event. Initially, their powers caused a great amount
of fear and unrest in the city. After tense talks with the Wyrd
Vigil, the situation culminated with a city-wide forum where
the medusa leader demonstrated their people’s affinity for
reshaping stone, coupled with a vow to simply make their
own district rather than impose on the space of others.
With the sight of a safe home
at last, the medusa
CHAPTER 3 | MODERN CITIES
upheld their word, and carved a great cavern from the cliffs
with words and whispers. Seshun Kesst is one of the smaller
districts of the city, but also one of its most prestigious. In a
world of unending rock, the people of Vralkast have come to
respect their medusa enclave above all else. Many belong to
the Stoneseer’s Circle, and oversee the city’s civic engineering
and expansion. Others work as artisans, creating statues and
carvings, or priests of the Shadow who serve the community.
Tor Udar - Vralkast’s dwarves might be the most
familiar to Khorvairans, but the stonefolk of Tor Udar have
never seen a human or elf in history. Their origins lie in the
kingdom of Sol Udar - the same now overrun by the forces
of Dyrrn the Corruptor beneath the Mror Holds. Their
people once built cities around entrances to demiplanes,
fueling their advanced magic with the resources found
within. The binding of the daelkyr in Khyber spelled their
doom. Vralkast’s population escaped the destruction, though
to this day, they don't know just what caused the Overmind
to descend on their kingdom. Tor Udar is the center of two
organizations formed by dwarven expertise - the Stoneseer’s
Guild of engineers, and the Everdelver’s Enclave of explorers.
The former uses dwarven stonecunning and experience
to support, expand and excavate Vralkast, alleviating its
cramped conditions and perilous construction. The latter uses
demiplanar knowledge to secure rare materials from Khyber,
retrieving magical riches for the city at large. As a result, Tor
Udar has become one of the wealthiest districts in the city,
and the Udari maintain a tradition of wearing gemstones.
The buildings are blocky and brutalist, but often carved with
intricate patterns and tableaus of events in dwarven history.
Sowshore - The docks of Vralkast lie within a sheltered
bay. Several jutting spurs of rock at the foot of the cliffs have
been connected by a storm wall, creating a region of calm
water behind them. The Sorrowshore (or Sowshore from
a sailor’s tongue) is a bustling center for industry. Massive
serpentkeel ships jockey for space with the light caravels of
the Everdelvers. At any one time, Sowshore is likely to be
filled with drunken carousers, giant krakeners hauling in
their latest hunt, and demiplane explorers hawking weird
wares. In short, it’s a vibrant mess. The wharves and docks of
Sowshore are generally carved backwards into the cliff-face,
The Lost Queen of Stone
In the medusa, one individual is known and blessed as
the Queen of Stone - an occult title that isn’t inherited,
but grants power from birth over rock and earth.
The Seshuna do not have one; the last they saw of
the Queen was when their people split apart during
the exodus. Yet, no Seshuna has ever received the
power. The Queen must live on. This simple fact is a
source of great strength for the medusa; somewhere
- somewhere out there - their people still live, led by
the Queen of Stone. Reuniting with them is one of their
greatest cultural drives, and many become explorers
and adventurers to find their lost Queen. To date,
Vralkast has been unconnected to most of Khorvaire
(and the surface in general). Anyone arriving in the city
with the knowledge of the medusa of Cazhaak Draal
would cause an absolute sensation in medusa society.
111
 with krakenbone frames and scrimscale walls to shelter them
from the elements. Between them, tight alleyways lead to
far more disreputable places, thick with smoke and clinking
tankards. Those who slip through the cracks find themselves
here - the bottom of the city at the bottom of the world.
Undagh - Not all the population are fans of the light.
The pitch-black warrens of Undagh are home to people
comfortable with life in the dark, including goblinoids,
kobolds and blind grimlocks. Whereas other districts are
typically large caverns with constructed buildings, Undagh is
closer to a maze of twisting tunnels, riddled with chambers in
which people live. The district is among the most diverse, and
its people find strength in community. Over time, migrants
have brought their own gods and religions, which have
blended into an informal pantheon of beliefs. Many of the
tunnels have small shrines or painted frescos honoring their
divine patrons. These gods are prayed to for safety during the
main job of many of the district’s people - mining deeper into
the bedrock for metals and ores needed for the city’s defense.
Over time, these tunnels are expanded into homes and fungus
pastures for its people. In Undagh, nothing goes to waste.
Cartilay - The docks of Sowshore are not the lowest
district of the city. The merrow and kuo-toa of Cartilay dwell
deep beneath the waves. The waterkin hold themselves apart
from the dryskins, and have lived beneath the harbor since
the Age of Giants. Their pact with the fomorians is ancient;
in exchange for shelter, and food from hunted leviathans,
the merrow and kuo-toa guard the harbor and fend off
roaming monsters. The buildings of Cartilay are made from
the bones of leviathans, their weapons from tooth and fang.
While the merrow are experts with harpoons, the kuo-toa
provide something as useful as it is unnerving. Through mass
worship and psionic command, they can manifest nightmare
gods from Dal Quor, which defend the nearby waters. After a
time, they fade back into the dreamscape (With the harbor on
lockdown until they do). Beyond this, the waterkin are highly
skilled in carving and enchanting the bones of the leviathans
that feed their city, and their handmade krakenbone tools and
armor are worn by Wyrdknights and whalers both.
Things To Do
• Spar against Wyrdknights in the Forum Fomor.
• Go leviathan hunting.
• Plan a demiplane expedition.
• Trade in weird goods from across the Realm Below.
Recent Events
Sarlona Oni. A patrol from one of Vralkast’s forward
outposts has returned with an unusual captive - an injured
ogre wearing odd armor and a strange crystal blade. While
their language is alien, the priests of the Shadow have been
making headway with divine translation. The ogre - who
reacts with aggression towards the people of the city - claims
to be from the world above, and was tasked by their lords
with helping to seal an entrance into Khyber. So far,
they have reacted with outright hostility to the ogres
of Vralkast, despite kind offers of hospitality. Why
they consider their kin to be ‘evil spirits’ is of much
confusion, but some of the ogres and oni of
112112
Xarek’el have formed an expedition to reach out to their
people in this 'Unity of Riedra'.
New Ink. A quaggoth tattoo artist by the name of
Greshwyn has become a sensation in the city. Her intricate
designs use inks retrieved from demiplanes, or brewed
specially from monster blood, and bestow different occult
powers depending. However, her intricate art takes time,
and a whole industry has sprung up around her waiting list.
Notable figures in Vralkast are treating places in the queue
as a valuable commodity, and now there are fears that their
value might incentivise more underhanded methods.
Thriller Night. The Time of Teeth is coming up in
Sowshore in a few cycles of the tide. The local people, as
well as the aquatic folk of Cartilay, are busy preparing their
traditional skull masks and bone-white outfits for the festival.
The annual event celebrates the Sea of Sorrow's bounty, and
the bravery of the sailors who retrieve it. The Time of Teeth
marks one of the few occasions when the reclusive waterkin
freely mingle in the city at large, and welcome revelers (if
they’re brave or drunk enough) to explore their underwater
district with the help of air-bubble helmets. The festival
ends with merrow synchronized swimmers, who mimic the
skeleton of a glowing sea serpent drifting in the harbor.
Plot Hooks
Insecticide - The Wyrd Vigil are experts at fighting
off the minions of the daelkyr, and indelibly tied to the story
of the titan Queen Cono’mae. Valaara's presence in Dread
Lake, or the Spinner of Shadows nearing release, might lead
the party to seek those who know the weaknesses of either
insectoid queen. Since part of Queen Cono’mae’s power
comes from embodying the role of the Betrayer Queen, it is
possible her weakness is tied to the fomorians. Should they
return to the land of their exile, they may change the Story -
and overthrow the tyrant who plunged them into sin.
The Heart of the Matter - The Heart demiplanes of
the Overlords are the cores of their power, and reflect their
nature and themes. Some, such as Sul Khatesh’s Tower of
Shadows, are the base of operations for their servants, and
hold ancient and powerful relics from the Age of Demons. A
party seeking to heist an item belonging to a fiend, or destroy
them for good by slaying them in their plane in origin, might
use Vralkast to reach it. The Everdelver’s Enclave has a
vast store of knowledge on the location of demiplanes, and
adventurers might charter a ship to reach it.
Monster’s Monster - The people of Vralkast are
experts at dealing with curses, and controlling monstrous
power. A character cursed by a fiend, tainted by the daelkyr,
or suffering from lycanthropy, might find that the Wyrd
Vigil are their best hope. The Vigil see such things as a
weapon to tame, not a sin to be purged, and can help such a
character develop it into their own unique power.
Local Foods
1 Carrion Crawler Skewers, with a sour Crawler mucus glaze.
2 Deep Rothe steak with mashed suur and roasted nightcaps.
3 Serpent-marrow soup with roasted red mycelia.
4 Fried and salted cave fisher sticks.
CHAPTER 3 | MODERN CITIES
Bazek Mohl - Blackgrove Refuge - Dar Qat - Kul Lerek - Stormreach - Vralkast - Zantashk
Zantashk
Zantashk, The Scrappy Frontier
Size: Town (5000-10,000 people)
Population: Khorvairan ancestries, primarily originating
from Sharn, Stomreach, and the Shadow Marches.
Government: House Tharashk acts as the government
of Zantashk through their Viceroy, Duuth ir'Velderan.
Age: 150-80 years.
Purpose: Prospecting, especially Siberys and Khyber
dragonshards, as well as House-funded exploration.
Organizations: House Tharashk oversees Zantashk
through their viceroy, with several other Houses
providing minor services in exchange. Notably,
Vadalis, Sivis, and Cannith all maintain a presence to
make use of the settlement’s position.
Why use Zantashk? Zantashk is a Khorvairan
settlement with easy access to the heart of Xen’drik.
Its frontier attitude is perfect for a traditional Western
vibe, with constant jobs posted for adventurers and
those seeking a quick buck. Unlike Stormreach, it is far
smaller in scale, and lacks the weight of established
factions and lore in favor of small-town familiarity.
The colony of Zantashk is House Tharashk’s forward outpost
for Xen’drik exploration. Far beyond the Korth edicts, the
wayfinders and hunters of the House explore the profits
to be found in the continent’s interior. The most reliable
and valuable source of income are dragonshards; Siberys
dragonshards cannot be found in Khorvaire, but are crucial
for crafting dragonmark focus items. As a result, many of
the house members within the city are involved in tracking
Siberys showers and retrieving the bounty of crystal left
behind. This extends to Khyber dragonshards as well. The
active volcanoes of central Xen’drik provide (relatively) easy
access to the shards, which are found in the vicinity of lava
flows. As a result, Zantashk provides a way of gathering
Khyber dragonshards without descending into Khyber itself.
This steady stream of riches has turned Zantashk into a
budding frontier for adventurers and those seeking their
fortune. It’s located closer to the heart of the continent than
Stormreach, and bypasses the taxes and crime of the city.
As such, the Dragonmarked Houses often use it as a base
for exploration. The town is run by Duluth Velderan
d’Tharashk, who has been pushing hard to increase
profits and prestige. The people of Zantashk are
hardened miners, hunters, and prospectors,
many brought over by the House
from Sharn and the Shadow
Marches. Their culture has
blended into a gruff but
friendly atmosphere;
there’s money to be made,
and drinks to be had,
but everyone is working
together for their mutual
survival. The gnomish ruin
of New Zolanberg nearby is a
permanent reminder of what
they have to lose.
Population
The reeve in charge of the House’s work, Duluth Velderan,
is a canny opportunist said to be able to smell the money in
people’s pockets from a mile away. His administration of
the town is effective, if stingy, and his past as a hunter gives
him a healthy respect for the continent’s dangers. Velderan
has ongoing recruitment drives in Sharn, Vralkek, and
the Shadow Marches, which have drawn prospectors and
workers to the town to make their fortunes. Accordingly, the
population of Zantashk is heavily human, orc, and half-orc,
with a scattering of ‘monstrous’ peoples from Droaam, and
others from the docks of Sharn. Several other unmarked
House members organize farming efforts, diplomacy with
Stormreach, and the role of these workers in the field.
Full-Time Adventure. A variety of independent
adventurers and explorers use Zantashk as a base of
operations for their work. While they are free to pursue
their own goals, Duuth offers regular bounties and tasks to
take advantage of their skills. Most of it eventually returns to
him, due to overpriced beer. These include scouting potential
dragonshard fields, driving off roaming monsters, and
delivering goods safely to nearby groups of giants and drow.
The establishment of Zantashk came with the knowledge
that many other minor settlements founded by Khorvairians
have subsequently disappeared due to illness, madness or
attack. As such, one of the initial founders of the town was
the linguist Leandra Lyrriman d'Sivis, who was hired to
communicate with the local people. Leandra takes her role
seriously, and has built a friendly rapport with the nearby
locathah and Medley aarakocra (p.66). This has led to a
steady stream of trade. In exchange for information and guide
services, Zantashk provides a variety of Khorvaire foods,
enchanted items, and Cannith-made goods. The town's
general outlook towards local people is one of diplomacy first
and foremost, reinforced by the management, but its actions
can fall very short. Blundering efforts, environmental damage,
and harmful mining have all incited well-founded aggression,
and not every colonist is willing to negotiate.
Entering the City
Zantashk boats dock in Stormreach, Sharn, and the ports
of the Shadow Marches, returning with supplies and
prospectors keen to make their fortune. The settlement is all
but inaccessible by land from other cities, forcing all transport
to be by sea. Despite this, the Traveler’s Curse occasionally
causes people to arrive at Zantashk from across Xen’drik. As
a result, their arrival is rare, but not entirely surprising. The
reeve tasks Tharashk rangers with patrolling the forest in the
town’s perimeter, to drive off monsters and question any new
faces. Unknown people emerging from the jungle are likely to
be apprehended, checked for hidden dangers, then welcomed
with gusto to help them get some rest. Behind them, a rough
wooden stockade marks the town’s edges, with continual
flames helping to provide safety from the land’s dangers.
Locations
The Inlaw - The central crossroad of Zantashk
is dominated by a tall stone monument of an eye
held aloft by a stern humanoid figure. Anyone
who touches the statue and closes their eyes
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 finds a random material illuminated to them for the next
hour. Doing so is a favorite pastime for drunk prospectors,
and the reeve has given several punishments for painting
mustaches on the statue at night. Tharashk heirs from the
Torrn clan stay well clear, concerned that the statue is a relic
of the daelkyr Belashyrra; they point to the fact that, from
drunken accounts, the most common material it illuminates
are the bones of living creatures - and more than one person
has claimed to see the eye moving to watch them in their
peripheral vision. Reeve Velderan believes the artifact
is the key to improving Tharashk’s focus items, and has
commanded it be studied in the name of future profits.
The Rock Locker - Zantashk’s main saloon hangs over
the choppy ocean of Tempest Bay, offering an authentic
Marches experience with hot gaeth’ad and hammocks on the
veranda. The owner, Aunty, is the only person in town who
receives full respect from its populace. After all, she has the
booze. Anyone who receives The Look knows to quickly
sober up. The aged orc brews special liqueurs from Xen’drik
fruit, which she ships back to Khorvaire for eye-watering
prices from Sharn’s elite. The atmosphere in The Locker is
rowdy but warm, and it’s common to find impromptu bands
forming when the drinks are flowing at night.
Point Velderan - The small bay that shelters Zantashk
is tipped with a rocky peninsula. A small lighthouse caps it,
surrounded by an impromptu graveyard for unfortunate
souls. The field of memorials is a testament to the dangers
faced by the people here. The lighthouse itself is slightly
rickety, and battered by storms coming off Tempest Bay,
but vital for the colony. Ships rely on its massive Everbright
Lantern to guide them to safe harbor, and should it be turned
off, the town could be cut off entirely from the outside world.
Pelter Skelter - The main exchange for pelts, hides
and animals in Zantashk is run by the rather nervous Kiril
d’Vadalis, who came to the town to study the rare fauna in
the region. Her love of animals has turned the Skelter from
a poaching hub into a center for live animal research, and
the building mews, chirps and hums in equal measure. The
dragonmarked scion tames many of the animals herself,
which has earned a surprising amount of respect from the
hardened prospectors. Any animals of interest to Vadalis as a
whole are shipped back to Sharn, with strict instructions on
their care, dietary needs, and the toxicity of their venom.
The Triumvir - Reeve Velderan’s base of operations lies
at the end of the town’s main road, with the liondrake crest
of Tharashk painted on its walls. The large manor was built
atop small giant ruin thought to be a collapsed watchtower.
The rustic lower levels are given over to the operations of
the town. Officials bustle about, overseeing deals from across
the seas, while one wall is given over to contracts from the
Reeve. These include all the typical jobs for the residents of
the town, ranging from scouting trips, to monster hunting,
to mining jobs, and hirings. The gold to pay for this is kept
(very securely) in the building’s basement behind Kundarak
lock and key. The upper levels are the private domain
of the Reeve, who lives and sleeps where he can keep
a cautious eye on his town.
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Things To Do
• Play a round of Three-Dragon Ante in the Rock Locker.
• Pick up a dangerous contract from the Triumvir.
• Help Kiril d’Vadalis tame beasts at the Pelter Skelter.
• Touch the Inlaw and alter your sight for an hour.
Recent Events
Big Dig. A half-orc by the name of Rushaag Eishka
touched The Inlaw a couple of days ago after a drinking spree
and immediately sobered up due to what they saw. Ever since,
they’ve been feverishly obsessed with digging a massive hole
at a specific point on the border of town. Prospectors are
placing bets on what they're digging for, but they stubbornly
refuse to accept any help… or say what they’re hoping to find.
Birds of a Feather. Leandra d’Sivis sent a small
diplomatic party to the roost of the Medley aarakocra several
weeks ago. They have returned with interesting Siberys
dragonshards, information about a giant city in the Tempest’s
Spine… and one less person. It seems a diplomats and an
aarakocra fell in love at first sight, and the orc chose to stay.
Band Jam. Reeve Velderan has grudgingly put forward a
prize pool for the annual Zantashk Thrash - an anything-goes
music festival that sees the town coming together in jovial
competition. The town doctor is always on hand - not for the
punch-ups, but for the sheer amount of alcohol. Many people
are looking forward to the Gaeth’heads’ new song this year.
Plot Hooks
Burning Tide - A party of Tharashks miners were
captured near Darkfire Crater (p.254) and possessed by
escaped fiends. Now, they aim to return to Zantashk with
word of vast deposits of dragonshards, luring further victims
to the mountain. A relative of one of the miners is concerned
about their lack of correspondence, and hires the party to
investigate. It’s up to them to uncover the truth of Darkfire
Crater, and escape alive; should they fail, Zantashk will be
wiped off the map by the murderous servants of Sakinnirot.
The Wild Hunt - An extremely rare and valuable
creature has been spotted near Zantashk, and every freeloader
in town is about to go after it. Soon, Reeve Velderan declares
an eye-watering competition - whichever group can capture
it alive will receive a hefty bag of golden galifars, and a barrel
of kuryeva to go with it. Outright murder is off-limited,
but healthy competition between groups is encouraged.
According to the Reeve, it’ll help sharpen the town’s skills.
Booze for the Ball - The bootlickers at the Rock
Locker are abuzz. Aunty has put up a contract, and it’s a
real humdinger. A bigwig in Sharn has requested a specialty
liqueur before a visit from the king, and they want it to
remind Boranel of his adventuring days. As it turns out,
the liqueur is a drow specialty, and requires crossing the
Tempest’s Spine. Anyone who can do it is in for a hefty sack
of gold, and (more importantly) free drinks at Aunty’s for life.
Local Foods
1 Ashi balls wrapped in vine leaves with salted storm mackerel.
2 Smoked Gurk’ash bacon and grits.
3 ‘Eternal’ fish stew with beans and firepepper.
4 Spiced dream serpent goulash.
CHAPTER 3 | MODERN CITIES
 CHAPTER 4

ALLIES & ENEMIES

CHAPTER 64 | ADVENTURE
ALLIES & ENEMIES
LOCATIONS
115
 Allies & Enemies
A
ll manner of factions can be found
across Xen’drik, ranging from paragons
of good, to evil organizations plotting
destruction on a mass scale. Many can be
used as group patrons, rivals, or enemies,
with different outlooks, scales and beliefs.
The following chapter details these groups, as well as the
story roles they might play, and schemes they might concoct.
Factions
Banor’drakai - An order of dragon hunters who track
their prey with furious devotion. The ‘Wyrm Eaters’ ritually
absorb the power of their foes as half-dragon rangers.
Battalion of Basalt Towers - A brutal cabal of
fire giants who take what they can and smash the rest. The
battalion consort with fiends, willingly allowing themselves
to be possessed in battle for their ultimate goal - the release of
the Hellfire Titan, Prince Adaxus.
Children of Il’ara - The titan Il’ara led her frost giant
children into the plane of Risia during the Shattering. They
remain there after 40,000 years, but a bleak immortality has
begun to take its toll.
Death Giants - A group of giants escaped the
Shattering by pledging their souls to the dark powers of
Mabar. Thousands of years later, some study the secrets of
necromancy, while others seek vengeance for their loss.
Druid Circles - Primal magic is a part of daily life
in Xen’drik, and different druidic organizations can be
found across the continent. They include the Guardians of
Rusheme, the scorching Sunheart, the bestial Rimewalkers,
and the floral Verdant Path, among many others.
Emerald Claw - The brutal soldiers of the Emerald
Claw are sent to Xen’drik on behalf of the wishes of Lady
Illmarrow. She hopes to explore the elven history of
necromancy that began in Xen’drik, especially the immensely
powerful dark magic of the lost Qabalrin.
Giants beyond Xen’drik - Different giants have
found refuge across Eberron since the Shattering. Some, such
as Argonnessen’s stone giants, have no wish to ever return.
Others, such as Droaam’s Ashlord, or the storm giants of the
Thunder Sea, might still harbor ambitions of power.
The Inspired of Riedra - The puppets of the Quori
rule the bastion of Dar Qat. Their ambitions extend across
Xen’drik, with their nightmare masters convinced that the
secrets of the Dream War could spell their salvation.
Lords of the Hunt - The Tusk & Talon Lodge in
Stormreach is home to a league of wealthy big game hunters.
The Lords track down only the most dangerous prey, but
their dark addiction hides worrying secrets.
Overlord Cults - The archfiends sealed beneath
Xen’drik corrupt the minds of mortals, tempting them to evil.
This section includes example cults, one for each Overlord.
Planewright’s Guild - The bohemian
artificers and scholars of Kul Lerek form one of
Xen’drik’s main artificer groups, studying the
technology of the giants for public use.
116116
Reclaimers of Glory - Some giants have ambitions of
building a nation for the safety of them and their people. The
Reclaimers are such a group, with many giants flocking to
their banners and promise of a safer future. Their mysterious
leader is seemingly a being of great influence, but their
identity could be cause for concern.
Scriveners of the Sky - Kul Lerek’s cloud giants
are archivists and wizards guarding an ancient repository of
forgotten lore - and keeping watch for rising threats.
Silaes Tairn - The Silaes Tairn army of the Tairnadal
are concerned with their people’s past in Xen’drik. Their
revenant warriors aim to emulate the deeds of their patron
heroes. This can mean joining forces with local people to
take down tyrants and defeat evil foes, but sometimes the
Tairnadal are themselves the brutal aggressors.
Skylarks - Kul Lerek’s criminal underworld is ruled by
the Skylark mafia. The drow keep the peace in exchange for
the city's other groups turning a blind eye, and have fingers in
many different illicit schemes.
Star Pilgrims - Half cult, half religious order, the Star
Pilgrims serve the daelkyr Vriinmata, the Glistering King.
They believe it to be a chained angel of light, and work to
both spread their beliefs, and recover the power to free it.
Ten Watchers - The dragons of Argonnessen keep
watch over Xen’drik, guarding sites of dangerous power. For
adventures, the Ten Watchers can be powerful allies - or
devastating enemies.
Torch of Progress - The Silver Flame in Xen’drik
has an ancient history, rooted in the city of Bazek Mohl.
From here, the Torch of Progress keeps watch over ancient
darkness, spreading peace to curb their reach.
Winged League - The merchant guilds of Kul Lerek are
bound together by the competitive Winged League. Prestige,
intrigue, and profit are the name of the game.
Wyrd Vigil - The monstrous guardians of Vralkast hold
the line against every danger that Khyber has to offer. Their
expertise in curses, demons, and eldritch threats aids them in
their fight against the dark.
Threats & Villains
Legendary Monsters - Legendary monsters roam the
wilds, each a terrifying threat. Many are warped by manifest
zones, odd magic, or giant magebreeding, with reputations to
match. This section features 10 different legendary creatures,
each of which can be the focus for quests or dangerous hunts.
Legendary Villains - This section provides
background on 13 of Xen'drik's most dangerous villains, each
suitable as a campaign focus. Every villain has their strength,
schemes, and potential plots explored for convenience.
The Overlords - The Overlords are the greatest danger
to the entire continent of Xen'drik. Their mere presence is
enough to corrupt mortals and warp reality around them.
Each has a unique domain, minions, and location, which
this section explores in detail for Overlord campaigns -
or characters!
CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES & ENEMIES
 Factions - Legendary Villains - Legendary Monsters - The Overlords
The Banor’drakai
Dragons are not known for their mercy. Those exiled from
Argonnessen are somehow even worse. Depraved criminals,
questionable cultists, and societal outcasts often find that
there is only one place where they can live out their desires
- the ‘forsaken continent’ of Xen’drik, forever marked by
draconic shame. Here, they can scratch out kingdoms and
hunt to their heart’s content, terrorizing the people of this
land. Others were born here, and know nothing of the
Draconic Prophecy or the glory of Argonnessen. Instead,
they act in the only way they have ever known - like the
classical dragons of legend, squatting on hoards and eating
their fill. These rogues are some of the most dangerous
and unpredictable threats to the people of Xen’drik. The
Banor’drakai are the ones who put them down.
Blood Rites. The organization of dragonslayers -
colloquially known as ‘Wyrm Eaters’ - are specialists in
taking down this most hated foe. Many are survivors of
dragon attacks, who joined out of a desire for vengeance or
retribution. Others are simply driven to triumph over the
most dangerous prey. What unites the warriors are their
traditions, which draw on the blood of slain dragons for
power, transforming them into draconic rangers empowered
by the god Banor. Much like the Draleus Tairn of Aerenal,
the more dragons a Drakai kills, the more powerful they
become, and the greater their prestige.
The heart of their order is the citadel of Skyfall in the lower
slopes of the northern Bluespine Peaks. The headquarters
are built within several conjoined craters smashed into the
mountainside by an ancient meteor swarm. The one who cast
it is clear; A stone giant hunter stands tall within the central
crater, her spear driven through the throat of the fallen white
greatwyrm beneath her. Both are frozen within the dragon’s
last spell - a crystal prison of unmelting ice that has bound
them in death for millenia. Around this holy daughter of
Banor, generations of dragon-hunters have carved a fortress
CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES & ENEMIES
out of the surrounding crater walls. The upper levels include
dragonnelFTD and wyvern aeries, workshops, and training
rooms, while the lower floors hold social spaces and living
quarters. The crater floor is reserved for blood rites and
sparring alone- a form of veneration for the figurehead of
their creed.
Hunter’s Hierarchy
Ranking in the Banor’drakai is informal, and based solely
on one’s successful hunts. This status is immediately visible.
When a Drakai takes down a dragon, they bring scales and
blood back with them for divine rites that grant them some
of the drake’s power. The more they kill, the more draconic
their features become, gaining scales, a breath weapon, innate
sorcery and more until they become full half-dragons. As a
result, many gain resistance to specific elements, which makes
them well-suited for hunting further dragons of those types.
Ten Clans. Over time, this has led to specific martial
schools based around certain dragon colors, with storied
hunters passing on techniques and know-how to their
acolytes. Their names are based simply on the dangers they
take head on. The Clan of Cinders hunts red, gold, and brass
dragons, while the Clan of Rime prowl the mountains and
pack-ice. The head of each path is known as the Scalebane,
who collectively name one among them as the Paragon of
the order. Beneath the Scalebanes, the rank-and-file Drakai
take on the title of Fang, while their unblooded squires are
jokingly referred to as ‘wyrmlings’.
The actions and methods of each school are determined
by their Scalebane; in the Path of Ice, individual strength is
held above all else, with Fangs and their followers free to
take their own course. Others, such as the Path of Venom,
fight cunning with cunning. The Scalebane has the right
to summon all Fangs, dictating battle tactics and traps to
take down dragons who thrive on misdirection. Joining the
order is simple. All it takes is to find a Fang, and prove your
commitment to almost-certain death. It is said that Banor
guides their judgment, and wards off dragons in disguise.
117
 Campaign Role
Daring Patron - The Banor’drakai are a classic fantasy
patron for a player to belong to - a scarred group of veteran
dragon-hunters seeking eternal glory. Their missions take
them across Xen’drik, and the reasons for a character to
belong to them are simple to tie into a backstory. If there is
a dragon that might feature in the plot, a character might be
seeking revenge against them - a razor-edge between success,
and becoming the predatory monster they hunt.
Meddling Threat - Of course, some of the dragons
of the Shattered Continent are here for a very good reason.
Some of the Ten Watchers guard truly apocalyptic threats
from interference, ranging from magical doomsday weapons
to bound fiends of terrible power. A party with a dragon for a
patron may find the Banor’drakai their worst enemies, while
the death of one of the Watchers may result in a cascade of
unleashed threats, such as the balor Cyl-Maaldrake*.
Impromptu Allies - Xen’drik’s dragons make plenty of
enemies. A party seeking to take one down might encounter
Banor’drakai seeking to do the same. This provides a way of
supporting the players in taking down a far more powerful
enemy; the Wyrm-Eaters may be able to provide support,
such as hindering the dragon’s flight, allowing the party to
take it on face-to-face. They might also hold off the dragon’s
minions while the party are the heroes of the hour.
Example Quests
Reach and rescue a Fang who is stranded in the
Low Everice after an unfortunate accident; their hawk
Level companion recently returned with a message
about their situation tied to its leg.
Travel to the Cape of Cinders (p.253) to
Low investigate rumors of a young copper dragon
Level
that has been sighted in the region.
Retrieve a weapon blessed by Banor that is
Middle
hanging from the Spine of Eshtarnak, which arcs
Level
miles over the ruin of the ancient city.
While other Fangs lure a dragon out from its lair,
Middle infiltrate that lair, defeat any traps or guardians,
Level then leave behind a magic item that will expose its
moments of weakness for a later attack.
High
Form an alliance with the oppressed lizardfolk
serving the Green Watcher Zartarxis and slay him,
Level
before his depravity brings Stormreach to ruin.
Infiltrate the lair of Ketheptis the One-Eyed
Crone* in the Icehowl Plateau (p.262) in advance
High of a major assault by the Banor’drakai - one of her
Level
most despised enemies. Your goal? Meet with the
vampire Dekaraz to ambush Ketheptis herself.
Patron Benefits
• The craftsmen of Skyfall are experts in creating
weaponry and armor to combat dragons, especially out
of their scales and hide.
• Access to detailed info on dragons in Xen’drik, and the
historic locations of the Ten Watchers.
• Free food and lodging in Skyfall.
• Martial trainers to spar and learn from,
who may be able to teach Maneuvers and
other techniques.
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Battalion of
The
Basalt Towers
An age after the fall of the titan Adaxus, his tainted legacy
lives on. The Battalion of Basalt Towers see themselves as the
heirs to the Hellfire Prince’s legacy, consorting with fiends
to conquer and destroy. The group is formed of tiefling fire
giants descended from the ancient Sul’at League, and seeks to
both free their patron hero, and scour Xen’drik of the lesser
thieves infesting their shores. The Battalion is a familiar
threat to the city of Stormreach; over fifty years ago, they
reclaimed a powerful arcane weapon and used it to bombard
the city with a meteor swarm. The combined forces of the
Silaes Tairn, the Guardians of Rushemé and the adventurers
of Stormreach managed to turn the tide, slaying many of the
raging giants, but the threat lives on.
Now, the Battalion seeks to recover from their defeat and
gather new weaponry to finish off Stormreach once and
for all. Their base lies within the Sul’at League citadel of
Ram’kanek , where they are attempting to forge new arms
from the ancient machinery. Many wear scavenged bits of
firebrass armor taken from the ruins. The fire giants are
brutal and opportunistic with no qualms capturing others
and putting them to work in the ancient forges. In general,
their knowledge of Sul’at magic is poor, so the Battalion value
things of practical use far more than the understanding of
how they work. Instead, they make up for it with barbarian
rage and a hunger to get their goals done.
The driving force behind the Battalion is Kyravia the
Cinderheart*, a powerful fire giant warlock wielding a
massive demonglass-infused axe. Her pacts with the overlord
Kharna Rayva have provided the power to rule undisputed,
but her dark hunger grows with every year that passes. She
believes that when the Battalion rules over Stormreach, she
will be in a position to control the fiends she consorts with.
Until then, she grudgingly takes their guidance on how to
free Prince Adaxus and gain the upper hand on her foes. In
truth, if the Hellfire Prince is freed, the servants of Kharna
Rayva will happily dispose of her in turn.
Campaign Role
Burning Villainy - The Battalion of Basalt Towers
serve as pulp villains with a bold appearance and bolder plans.
Unlike the Reclaimers of Glory, there is little nuance in their
actions, making them perfect and simple obstacles for the
party to overcome. As a faction, they can serve as either the
main villain, or the initial threat with a greater enemy pulling
their strings. Similarly, they’re perfect for a dynamic entrance
- little is as shocking as a group of roaring fire giants bursting
onto the scene. In general, it is assumed that the Battalion’s
goal is to free Prince Adaxus from beneath the Valley of
Shadows, but it is also possible to have the servants of
Sakinnirot guiding them on the path to vengeance - a course
that may lead to them to once again try and raze Stormreach
to the ground.
CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES & ENEMIES
 Factions - Legendary Villains - Legendary Monsters - The Overlords
Children of Il'ara
Of the titans, only one had the humility to flee in the face of
certain death. Archarcanist Il’ara led her children into the
plane of Risia, certain it would provide a safe refuge. For
40,000 years, these frost giants have lived in castles of ice,
whiling away the hours of their immortality. Many live in
isolation, within redoubts of their own making. Others live
in small groups, or in the three main strongholds of the Il’ari
giants - Freehearth, Winter, and Remorse. These citadels are
breathtakingly beautiful, carved over millennia from the ice
of Risia’s Frostmantle Mountains. The reason for this beauty
is simple; with an eternity to spend, many Il’ari pursue art
to stave off the yawning infinity before them. Grand works
that take centuries to complete dot the Frostmantles, from
impossible citadels of filigreed ice, to sculptures so vast they
dwarf the city of Sharn. Over time, the frost giants have
spread across the layers of Risia, depending on which suits
their hobbies best. Not all are artists; the most dangerous
giants seek to heat their souls through thrill-seeking and
hunting. Others have given in to the despair of infinity, and
lie entombed in stasis beneath the ice.
Freeharth, Winter, & Remorse
Freehearth and Winter are the communal heart of the
Children of Il’ara. When the isolation becomes too much,
many venture to Freehearth to socialize. Some live there
permanently, preferring the comings and goings to a life of
solitude. This bastion of Il’ari culture is part artist’s commune
and part giant tavern. Ancient notices are pinned to the
bar, each an artist's request for others to join them in their
projects. Trophies taken from across the layers of Risia also
hang on the frozen walls. Some of them are surprisingly
modern, including an entire Lhazaar boat that found itself
trapped in the plane’s Frozen Sea. One corner is devoted
entirely to hunting trophies. Those giants who slay the
biggest threats of the plane for kicks need someone to prove
it to, and drag their kills to Freehearth over weeks of travel.
Frozen Sorrow. In contrast, Remorse is a somber
crypt. Not all giants can stand the years of tedium, but
death in Risia does not come easily. Seeking comfort in
community, such giants travel to Remorse, where they freeze
themselves in the ice. This stasis preserves them perfectly
in unconsciousness until the day they wish to be freed. For
many, this day has yet to come. The fortress halls are formed
from crystal-clear windows of ice in which giants sleep in
endless rows. A single caretaker - a priest of Karrak - watches
over the dreamers, ensuring that their peace is undisturbed.
Winter's Queen. The Archarcanist herself lives in
Winter, pursuing arcane research to this day. Her bond with
Risia protects her children from the Killing Cold - the plane’s
malicious will that seeks to quiet the living. In the meantime,
she pursues goals unknown, working for thousands of years
beyond the Argonnessen's purview. The titan is a wild card;
if she seeks to return to Xen’drik, she may be using scouts to
determine the safest time, and prepare the silent city of Ix Il’ar
for her arrival. It may be that her bond with the Killing Cold
prevents her from ever returning - that should she leave, her
children in the plane will lose their precious safety. It may be
that after watching her continent burn, she would rather fade
away in peace, than suffer the same fate. She is assisted by
several of her gifted children, as well as a number of dwarves.
CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES & ENEMIES
The Dwarves of Risia
The origin of these dwarves is unknown to other frost
giants. They might be created by Il’ara, or pulled from the
Material Plane, but the most striking thing about them is
their immunity to Risia’s planar properties. Unlike the frost
giants, the dwarves age, and generations have lived and
died knowing nothing but the yawning Plane of Ice. The
dwarves live in servitude, but their autonomy varies with
the giants who rule them. Some areequals, and train them
to assist with artistic pursuits. Others are tyrants, treating
them as disposable. With no knowledge of anything else, the
frost giants may as well be gods; immortal beings who have
watched over them for a hundred generations.
A New World. Beyond the castles of their masters, their
options are limited. The giants ward off the Killing Cold,
making it risky to strike out on their own. However, it is
possible that some dwarves are sent beyond Risia as scouts,
especially to keep an eye on the Ix Il’ar. Should the children
of Il’ara wish to return, it is safer to gather information with
smaller scouts than risk alerting the Ten Watchers to their
plans - a novel origin for a player character. Il’ara has nothing
but time, and her plans crystallize like ice.
Hunters of the Polar Night
The worst Il’ari are those who lack the grace to sleep within
the ice. Some have their sanity begin to slip away under
the weight of infinity, and break entirely. They become
instinctive hunters, prowling the ice sheets, tormented
by the Killing Cold. The worst crave company, dreading
their isolation. Unwilling to be alone any longer, these
everlasting ones track down other frost giants and merge
their flesh with Risian necromancy, using the properties of
the plane to prevent a natural death. The result is a nightmare
- an amalgam of still-living frost giants in one body. An
Everlasting One is too saturated with the influence of Risia to
die easily, and their hunger is never sated.
Campaign Role
Preservers of Lore. The Children are living relics
of the Age of Giants. While the most powerful spells and
rituals were left behind in Ix Il’ar during their escape, their
knowledge of the past is unrivaled (assuming that their
memories haven’t faded with time). Il’ara herself is an endless
well of knowledge, but reaching Winter and convincing her
to share it is a legendary task in itself.
Returning Power. It is also possible that Il’ara’s long
schemes are coming to fruition. Over 40,000 years, the Ten
Watchers have grown lazy. Ix Il’ar is a silent city of ghosts,
and watching over it is a pitiless task. The time may have
come for the Il’ari to return, reclaiming their historic capital.
If so, the titan may seek to secure power against Argonnessen
- a failsafe should the dragons return to finish the job.
Ancient Encounter. Any party traveling through
Risia might encounter the Children of Il’ara, whether an artist
providing refuge or a terrifying polar hunter. Their varying
attitudes can provide interesting encounters, as well
as a natural way of providing historical background
to a party.
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 The Death Giants
As the dragons flew in, many giants took desperate measures
to survive. Some fled to the planes, others marched to war,
while some called on dark powers for safety. The death
giants are one such group - the remnants of a civilisation
that reached out to the forbidden powers of Mabar, and
received an answer. Their collective pact shackled them to
the plane as a form of undead. Their nature saved them from
the tide of dragonfire, but damned their souls to eventually
be consumed.
With an immortality of undeath ahead of them in a ruined
continent, many of these death giants* fell to despair. Their
forms are surrounded by a dark mist containing the souls of
those they kill - a constant reminder that they lack their own.
Now, they wander in search of answers, or hunt the dragons
who took everything from them. Their original civilisation
may be one featured in this book, or another city-state lost to
the ashes of time.
Some death giants forever hate the dragons for their mass
act of slaughter - an apocalypse against a continent, when
only one nation was to blame. After so long, revenge is their
only purpose. Some spend their days hunting dragons of all
kinds across Xen’drik, whether rogue or Watcher. These
giants often have no grand plan; millennia of existence
has stripped away any real hope or ambition. They are
sometimes hailed as saviors by those terrorized by rogues,
sometimes seen as terrifying threats, their cloak of souls an
ill omen. Others have fallen under the thrall of the Overlord
Sakinnirot. These dark cultists are empowered by their wish
for vengeance, and believe that freeing the archfiend will
result in the death of all dragons who tread on Xen’drik’s soil.
Some death giants have much more peaceful goals. With
their souls bound to darkness, these giants seek a way to
reclaim them, and die a peaceful death. As a result, many
study death in all its forms, and have become experts
in necromancy. One might find a death giant reading
120120
scrolls in the halls of Karrakos, observing the trapped souls
of the Umbra from afar in the Ring of Storms, or meditating
in Shae Tirias Tolai. This makes them unique and valuable
hoarders of secrets. A party wishing to combat the Emerald
Claw, or find the way to lost Tirias Tolai, might wish to
hunt down such a giant. What they might ask in exchange is
anyone’s guess.
Campaign Role
Secretive Scholar - The necromantic knowledge
of some death giants can be extremely valuable. Any secret
related to the Umbra, Mabar, or Shae Tirias Tolai might be in
their possession, presenting a target that the party can track
down. Of course, their enemies may try the same, especially
the Emerald Claw or any remnants of the Qabalrin. It's
possible that both the party and their enemy might meet the
giant at the same time - and have to convince them why they
are worthy of the knowledge.
Dark General - A death giant makes a charismatic
and unique recurring foe. They might be in the service of
a greater power, such as Sakinnirot, or working alone to
unleash mass destruction. It is also possible that one might
join a different enemy in a tense alliance, working towards
their goals while plotting against each other - a perfect
situation for Ketheptis the One-Eyed Crone*. If a death giant
kills a member of the party, they cannot be resurrected until
the giant is slain, or it willingly releases the soul. As such, the
party may have good reason to hate their nemesis, and seek
their final death.
Unlikely Ally - A party fighting back against a
dangerous dragon might be able to recruit a death giant as a
temporary ally. This is a great way to let a lower-level party
fight a dragon that would otherwise turn them to ash; the
death giant can draw its attention and take the first blow, or
use magic that will open up the dragon’s weaknesses.
 Factions - Legendary Villains - Legendary Monsters - The Overlords
Druid Circles
Xen’drik is a land with deep ties to nature. Several regions
of the continent have powerful land spirits that have exerted
their will since time immemorial. In the early days, the giants
were primal practitioners led by druid-lords, and the damage
wrought by arcane magic has led many to return to those
old ways. During the Age of Giants, the titans pushed primal
magic to the outskirts - a way of legitimizing their claim as
the divine chosen of the Sovereigns. Those who refused their
rule often took up refuge in isolated regions of wilderness,
especially those maintained by land spirits. As a result, many
of Xen’drik’s druid circles are heavily influenced by their local
land spirits, with very different themes and outlooks.
After the Shattering, these druids took it upon themselves
to restore the broken world. Under the banner of the
Rushemé - the world-soul of Xen’drik - they reconnected
and began their work. Forests were grown, machinery was
broken down, and communities were provided with aid.
Those who sought to recover the cursed arcana of the past
for power were violently rebuked - a role that some circles
maintain to this day. Over the ages, Xen’drik began to heal.
Now, a verdant sea of trees stretches for thousands of miles -
but there is always more work to do.
Wide Primal. On a personal level, Xen’drik’s people are
far more connected to nature than in other continents. Just
as Khorvaire’s people are used to a wide variety of low-level
artifice, the people of Xen’drik make use of druidic spells and
rituals to aid in daily life. As such, the line between ‘druid’ and
not is far more blurred. Many would consider themselves to
be part of a Circle, even though they cannot cast primal spells.
What is important is the philosophy and belief in their work.
As a whole, druid circles of all kinds can be found across
Xen’drik, with the majority connected by the overarching
Guardians of Rushemé. Some are centralized, and linked
to regional land spirits. Others are decentralized and free-
roaming, and take it upon themselves to carry out their duties
as they wish. These range from the Verdant Path, who seek
to combat corrupting influences and restore Xen’drik’s plant
life, to the Unbound Brigade, who use their primal abilities
to take down tyrants and slavers across the continent. The
attitude of a druid circle towards others is entirely context-
dependent (and varies even within a circle). Many have a
learned hostility to foreign poachers, especially adventurers
who would poke into magic best left undisturbed. Others will
happily act as guides, believing that by educating newcomers,
they can help them to coexist with the land rather than
dangerously bumbling through it.
The Guardians of Rushemé
The Guardians of Rushemé (or ‘Giants of Rushemé’ to
the people of Stormreach) are a druidic organization who
revere the grand spirit of Xen’drik from whom they take
their name. They maintain the fragile balance of nature
in Xen’drik, combating threats, preventing new arcane
disasters, and repairing the ancient scars on the land. The
Rushemédal have had a presence near Stormreach since the
founding of the city, and have allied with the Storm Lords at
times to fight off threats. Despite this, their true purpose is
to keep a tight watch on the growing city, ensuring that its
greedy rulers don’t delve into powers too great to control.
CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES & ENEMIES
The organization accepts people from all cultures and
backgrounds, and can be found across Xen’drik, especially
near locations with dangerous or latent arcane magic.
Gods & Spirits. The Rushemédal revere the spirit of
Xen’drik itself, and are a religion as much as an order. While
they believe in the Sovereigns (whose impact on their history
is undeniable), the druids seek to placate them over active
veneration, especially Rowa, Banor and Aureon. To them,
the land spirits of Xen’drik are older than the Sovereigns, and
have long worked to repair the damage to their home that
these ‘new gods’ caused. Where Rushemé might be a mighty
tree, these lesser spirits are the leaves and roots, and ensuring
their health is best for all.
Vital Connection. In practice, the Rushemédal act
as an umbrella connecting many of the disparate groups
of druids across Xen’drik. When one faces a threat that
they cannot defeat on their own, they might call on the aid
of the Rushemédal for support, as with the attack by the
Battalion of Basalt Towers on Stormreach. Many of these
groups are smaller druid circles that each take after one of
Xen’drik’s land spirits. These powerful primal forces are
each bound to a certain region of the continent, maintaining
their vitality and connection to Eberron. A land spirit can
be considered a powerful native archfey; they are bound
to the area that defines them, but wield immense power
within. The Rushemé consider these land spirits to be smaller
incarnations or children of the spirit of Rushemé itself, and
thus happily aid these circles in their duties.
These localized druid circles include, but are not limited to:
• The arctic Rimewalkers of the Iceflow Sea, who revere
Raiarin, the Sister of Snow
• The Verdant Path of the Rainwoods, who revere
Kwinharin, the Sister of Spring
• The Sunheart, who sail the dunes of the Menechtarun,
guarding its many secrets from the power-hungry and
the foolish.
• The Unbound Brigade, who use the powers of the wild
to fight back against tyrants and slavers.
The Rimewalkers
The Iceflow Sea is a land of extremes; arctic storms sweep
in from the Everice, blasting the cliffs and boreal forests.
However, a bounty of life lives on the scattered islands and
pack ice - including massive megafauna. The Rimewalkers
are a loose faction of druids who travel the Iceflow, taking the
lessons of the land spirit they call Raiarin to heart. To them,
the world is harsh, but every creature is a teacher in the art of
survival. Pairs of druids spend months at a time traveling the
many regions of the Iceflow, studying different beasts. Many
are behemoths enhanced by the primal influence of Raiarin,
and acolytes must learn their habits and temperaments or
risk ending up as prey. Those who pass the trials and become
one with the realm are welcomed back as the hands of the
land spirit.
Rimewalkers often take on aspects of predators in battle to
tear their foes apart, from Beast Barbarians, to Moon Druids,
to Swarmkeeper Rangers. Despite frequent scars and
fearsome appearances, they often have welcoming
attitudes to travelers. Raiarin is harsh, but she
provides. As such, they seek to embody the same
ideal, and will happily teach others how
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to survive the arctic cold. Those who ignore their lessons
often suffer the same fate as other prey animals. Rimewalker
villages can be found from the shores of the Everice to the
northernmost islands bordering the Rainwoods. Many
journey across Xen’drik with the goal of encountering new
animal life, and gaining wisdom from the lessons they can
teach. Others set out to combat those who disturb nature,
especially poachers of rare animals, and groups who disrupt
ecosystems for personal gain. The druids are not themselves
vegetarian, and have no issue with hunting for food. The
point at which hunting becomes poaching is entirely
subjective; some druids actively attack members of House
Vadalis and Tharashk on sight, while others are far more
understanding in their views.
The Verdant Path
The floral druids of the Rainwoods commune with plants,
blending the line between animal and vegetable. To the
Verdant Path, there is beauty in blooming flowers and
bountiful life. Plants are the foundation of the world, and are
as much a part of one's own life as their blood. Many such
druids grow up in the dense forests of the Rainwoods in
central Xen’drik - a land ruled by the land spirit Kwinharin,
the Sister of Spring. Here, trees grow to colossal sizes, and
every branch drips with hanging moss and greenery. In the
depths, hidden fungal forests shine with bioluminescence in
unearthly displays. From here, the Verdant Path plan their
grand mission - to repair the damage wrought on their land
for the benefit of all.
As a whole, the Path see their mission as one of restoration
and protection. The environment of Xen’drik has been
unutterably scarred by its history. That so much of this
damage is still present 40,000 years later is a testament to
the Shattering. It is due to the Path that so much of the
continent has been restored, through a healing process lasting
generations. What was formerly clear-cut or burned to ashes
has been painstakingly regrown, blooming into Xen’drik’s
current sea of trees. To many Verdant druids, the goings-on
of people are short-term and ephemeral. Their viewpoints lie
with the trees themselves, their work planned over centuries.
As a result, they can seem detached and aloof, but their aims
are true. To them, the nature of Xen’drik defines the health
and wellbeing of the people within its ecosystems, and no
duty can be greater. What can stir a Druid of the Path to
action are threats against the land. Corrupting forces, loggers,
and destructive relics are everything they fight against, and
while slow to anger, such druids are awesome to behold.
Many can summon plants in the region to aid them, turning
the forest into a roiling tide of vegetation.
The Sunheart
The nomads of the Menechtarun use their mastery over wind
and sand to sail the desert dunes. Their outlook is as harsh
as the sun, and just as uncaring. To one of the Sunheart,
the desert gives and takes, and anyone who wanders in
unprepared is simply following its laws. The druids see it
as their duty to guard the ancient corruptions that dot the
Menechtarun, including the Crystal Wastes, and the ruined
cities of Crux and Zja Aqat. To them, the land is a marker
of the mistakes of the past, littered with the remnants of
arrogant wizards. These dangerous magic relics threaten to
taint the land once more if disturbed, corrupting the wildlife
and harming the people that live there. Some seek to cure
these blights, while others war against explorers - including
the Riedrans of Dar Qat.
The Sunheart wield powerful elemental magic against those
they see as threats. Waves of sunfire and desert heat sear
their enemies, and desert winds stir up the sands in blinding
walls, swallowing those who the druids name as disruptors of
the natural order. This includes creatures afflicted by ancient
magic. Many keep watch over the Xoriat city of Zja Aqat,
where ancient portals open into realms of insanity. Young
Sunheart druids often travel beyond the desert to hone their
skills before returning to such duties. Flameborn goliaths,
thri-kreen, drow, and asherati are common members,
wearing layers of lightweight clothing that billow around
them in the desert winds. The Sunheart have no permanent
dwellings; instead, they use sandshaping magic to create
 their own underground shelters as they travel. Many are
accompanied by piscine creatures known as seheta, which act
as animal companions and scouts, alerting the druids to any
approaching threats.
Sunheart druids are typically divided by the ‘face’ of the
desert that they revere. Most commonly, this is the day and
its scorching sun, which grants life and takes it in equal
measure. Such bands often contain Wildfire druids, as well as
Desert druids of the Land, and focus on actively combating
threats. In contrast, many drow and thri-kreen are active
at night, and worship the moons and stars that guide them
across the expanse. These Star druids travel far through
the cold night, tending towards messengers, healers, and
stealthy investigators. Neither group could function without
the other, and sometimes combine in times of danger. One
of the first lessons learned by the Chosen is that a Sunheart
attack can last through day and night without pause, with
druids hurling searing flame and radiant light in endless
guerilla attacks.
The Unbound Brigade
Some of Xen’drik’s most unconventional druids can be found
in the Unbound Brigade - an alliance of warriors who fight
against tyrants and slavers using primal magic. Inheritors
of the will of the ancient Gyrderi elves, the Brigade form
personal alliances with nature spirits to assist them in battle.
Their simple creed is that a state of nature means a state of
freedom. As such, their methods are far more martial and
practical than many of their peers, blurring the line between
druid, ranger, and rogue.
Typically, the Brigade operates as small bands free to roam
and seek out their own targets. Many have particular nemeses
that they train to fight, from the Battalion of Basalt Towers
to rogue dragons such as the One-Eyed Crone. Primal
mages in each warband coordinate their efforts using animal
messengers. While everyone is free to join the Brigade, many
of its members are firbolgs and drow due to their ancient
links to the history of the Gyrderi. Becoming a true member
often requires forming a pact with a land spirit, in a secret
ritual kept between each warband. The outlook of Brigadiers
can vary massively. Some are chaotic guerillas, willing to
destroy and uproot peace if it means fighting injustice. Others
are sworn to personal oaths and creeds, and refuse to cause
any harm to the innocents they are supposed to be protecting.
In rare cases, this can lead to tension between warbands.
Until their common enemy is defeated, such grievances are
put aside, but duels between leaders are not unknown.
Many Others
The druid groups described above are merely examples, and
a GM should feel free to create their own groups and cultures
as they wish. Xen’drik is a continent larger than Khorvaire,
and people wielding primal power are just as widespread
as those using arcane power abroad. Examples include the
Vulkooridal drow, who interact with primal spirits as part of
daily life, and the frogfolk of the Marsh of Desolation, who
speak with the dangerous creatures around them to avoid
attack. The following are examples of different groups that
might be considered druid circles:
CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES & ENEMIES
Example Druid Circles
d4
The Kwinzek Vari live on the slopes of the
Thundermount north of Dread Lake. Inspired by
volcanic fire, cold waters, and lush forests, the Vari
practice as Wildfire druids, linking the elements
1
together into a rich tapestry of life. They serve as a
barrier against the dark fey and fiends of Shae Fir, who
they regard as a corruption of the natural order.
The goliaths of the Blood of Kanda hunt leviathans
from villages in the Thunderwall. These descendants
of the Esht Primacy believe the hunt to be a holy rite,
and a way of embodying the natural order of predator
and prey. As unique Moon druids, they believe that
2 they can take on the strength of the creatures they
slay - and those they slay range from sea serpents,
to dragons, to oceanic beasts unseen by Khorvairan
sailors. They use the beasts they hunt to survive in the
stark environments of the deep south.
The thri-kreen Chakak’trinta are a group who
seek to restore the broken link to Dal Quor that
innately affects their people. Until the balance of the
planes can be restored, both they and the world are
3 incomplete. To that end, they commune with Dal Quor,
studying the prophetic import of dreams. Some them
train as Star druids, seeking meaning in the broken
path left behind by the moon that once was.
The Na’qalla drow specialize in shaping the course
of the Traveller’s Curse, creating zones of safety
and refuge. Their Land druids achieve this by tying
themselves deeply to the land itself, communing with
4 the soul of Rushemé using unique lullmagic. To them,
the Curse is a sign of the land’s fury - the shifting
currents of its pain and anguish from a foregone
age. Within these zones, settlements flourish, while
incoming threats can be ‘deflected’ around them.
Campaign Role
Party Patron - A simple way to include Xen’drik’s
druids is to use them as an overarching patron. Being part
of a druidic circle does not require being a mechanical druid;
groups such as the Unbound Brigade might contain bards,
rangers, barbarians, fighters and rogues alongside traditional
druids. As such, a druidic circle can range from a simple
quest-giver, to a character background, to a party patron.
For the Unbound Brigade in particular, the party might even
form a single cell, tasked with combating a tyrannical threat
during the course of the campaign.
Allies against Evil - The druid circles of Xen’drik
have a deep understanding of the damage done to their land,
and seek to maintain stability so that nature can heal. A
variety of forces seek to disrupt this balance, from ancient
fiends, to violent giants, to oblivious adventurers. As such, a
party might find that the druids in a region share their goals,
and might be powerful allies against the forces of evil. This is
especially true for the Unbound Brigade, who operate across
the continent as guerilla cells.
Ardent Opposition - Of course, the opposite
is also true. Adventurers trying to enter dangerous
locations might come up against druidic circles
123
 trying to prevent that very thing. The Sunheart druids are
especially aggressive due to their battles against the Unity of
Riedra, and are likely to assume that all humans are of the
same ilk. As such, it is not unlikely to fight bands of druids
in Xen’drik, especially for Khorvairan explorers trying to
disturb places better left untouched.
Example Quests
Deliver an offering to the roc Kraa'ark Lors*
on behalf of the Guardians of Rushemé to keep
Low it placated, and prevent it from destroying
Level Stormreach out of pique. The powerful creature
lives in a cloud castle at the northern tip of the
Skyfall Peninsula.
Track down the roaming treant Wen-Damji
(p.278) to consult it for wisdom. In exchange,
Low
the treant might ask for a favor - constructing a
Level
nest for a rare bird, telling it a story, or catching a
boggle that’s been pulling pranks.
Travel through the Menechtarun desert to the
Middle zaratan Gran Gol (p.257), in order to assist
Level its thri-kreen with combatting a dangerous
infestation of crystalline kruthiks.
Rescue a Rimewalker druid* from Kaskylla’s
Trove (p.259); the goliath is frozen within the
Middle morkoth’s glass gallery, and the party will have to
Level either defeat the monster or sneak past it to avoid
a similar fate. Of course, the frozen treasures of
the Trove might be just too hard to resist.
Join the Verdant Path in the Rainwoods of
Kwinharin (p.260) to fight off an incursion from
High the daelkyr Avassh. The party are asked to hold
Level off waves of aberrations while the druids perform
a ritual that will seal off an entrance into Khyber.
Infiltrate the fortress of the Battalion of Basalt
Towers to sabotage their latest weapon of war,
and free captives they have taken from the Skyfall
High
Peninsula. The fiendish fire giants* are brutal
Level
and powerful, and their leader - Kyravia the
Cinderheart* herself - has arrived at the fortress
to oversee their progress.
Patron Benefits
• Powerful druids, such as the leaders of individual circles,
may be able to assist the party with their spells and
abilities. This might mean primal methods of travel, such
as friendly mounts, wind walk, or transport via plants.
• Many smaller communities welcome those who serve
greater druid circles, believing them to be guardians and
defenders of the land. As such, members may recieve free
lodging and a warm reception.
• Druid circles are collectively capable of permanent
rituals that might be impossible for a party alone. As an
example, the Verdant Path are experts at regenerating
huge areas of land, while the lullmages of the Na'qalla
can calm and soothe the effects of the Traveler's Curse
and shifting zones. This means that characters who
are members of druid circles may be able to arrange
powerful spells and rituals to leave a lasting impact
on the land.
124124
The Emerald Claw
The Emerald Claw is a disgraced order of elite Karrnathi
knights turned nationalistic terrorists, who are commanded
in truth by the lich Lady Illmarrow. From her frozen castle
on the isle of Farlnen, Illmarrow has long used the Claw to
pursue her goals, using promises of power and their faith in
the Blood of Vol to manipulate their members. Originally,
knightly orders such as the Emerald Claw helped defend
Karrnath during the early years of the Last War. Later, with
the Blood of Vol outlawed by Kaius III, all such orders were
commanded to disband. The Emerald Claw refused, going
underground as guerilla fighters who target the enemies of
Karrnath - including its weak king. Their ranks include die-
hard patriots, indoctrinated soldiers, and those who believe
the mysterious Queen of the Dead will bring them glory and
power in the years to come.
Necromantic Grasp
The goals of the Claw in Xen’drik are twofold. The continent
holds powerful weaponry left behind by the giants, which
they can use to sow chaos and suffering in Khorvaire, if they
can recover it. More importantly to their leader, the origin of
elven necromancy lies in the interior, buried within the Ring
of Storms. There, the elven Qabalrin - the most powerful
mortal necromancers to have ever lived - practiced their dark
arts. It is possible that the ritual that turned Lady Illmarrow
into a lich was conceived within the Ring, along with historic
rituals that created the first vampires… and those still-
animated vampires themselves, sealed beneath the earth in
warded coffins.
As a result, the Emerald Claw’s efforts represent one of
Ilmarrow’s greatest hopes for regaining her lost power, by
undoing her unwilling lichdom. Even if the lore for such a
thing does not exist, recovering an unliving Qabalrin ally
would be a powerful and unique boon, for their command of
necromancy would expand her options for chaos.
Forces
The soldiers of the Claw are fanatical and driven, commanded
by bone knights and other warriors forged in the Last War.
Some of these leaders are themselves undead, having been
turned by higher servants of the Queen of the Dead. Their
cell in Stormreach has connections with the Karrnathi
elements of the city. Many of these people left Karrnath due
to political dissent, and now find they have a shared cause
with the disgraced order. As such, a party fighting against
them may find themselves wrapped in a web of intrigue
within the city - or targeted by Claw assassins.
Campaign Role
Easy Villains - The Emerald Claw are immoral fascist
terrorists that can be attacked by players without remorse.
They are also suitably low-level compared to factions
with giants in their ranks, making them perfect for early
adventures in Xen’drik. However, the leaders of the Claw can
be charismatic and relatively powerful, making them perfect
as recurring villains. (Un)Fortunately, the Claw are also very
likely to disturb powers they don’t understand, especially
sleeping Qabalrin such as the Ecliptic King (p.146).
CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES & ENEMIES
 Factions - Legendary Villains - Legendary Monsters - The Overlords
Giants Beyond
Xen’drik
During the Age of Giants, explorers sailed across the seas,
mapping the world and bringing back treasures such as
dragonshards. Despite this, few giants ever settled outside of
Xen’drik. The dearth of Siberys dragonshards in Khorvaire
and Sarlona meant that the basis for giant artifice was
missing, and the dragons of Argonnessen had long carved
out their own minor kingdoms. As a result, few giants settled
beyond the shores of Xen’drik. To them, those were the lands
of the dragons - and Khorvaire the land of the fiends.
In the modern age, few ‘true’ giants live outside of their
home continent. Beyond those giants who live in the outer
planes (such as the frost giants of Il’ar), the most notable are
Gorodan Ashlord in Droaam, the Dolurrhi titan Cassandra in
Adar, and the stone giants of Argonnessen.
The Ashlord of Droaam
Gorodan is said to have left Xen’drik after being exiled by
a fire giant ruler, and has great reverence for his ancestors.
Given his journey to Khorvaire 24 years ago, and his travel
from northern Xen’drik, it is possible that he was a member
of the Battalion of Basalt Towers. If so, he might still harbor
ambitions about gaining the power of Prince Adaxus - and
could even be a powerful patron or source of information for
the party. What is true, is that the Ashlord despises his exile.
His own seat of power, Vralkek, is named the Giant word for
‘misery’. It may be that the current leader of the Battalion was
the one who drove him out of Xen’drik, and that any group
that slays Kyravia the Cinderheart* would earn the giant’s
endless favor. It's also possible that Gorodan has aspirations
to rule Droaam himself, and is searching for the arcane means
to do so - a fun background for a Droaamite in Xen'drik.
The Legacy of Karrakos
In contrast, Cassandra the Soul-Seer is a much more ancient
relic. The titan was exiled to Sarlona over 60,000 years ago in
relation to the fall of Shae Tirias Tolai, and has spent much of
her solitude in the mountains of Adar. Her lifespan is a result
of an ancient fey curse, and she spends much of her time
speaking to the spirits of the dead that gather around her - an
atonement for her part in the fall of the feyspire.
Some stone giants were willingly taken to Argonnessen
by the dragons, becoming their servants and the guardians
of Io’lokar. These giants originate from the city-state of
Karrakos - the priests of the giant gods who held a pact with
the Queen of the Dead. The reasons for their protection are
an ancient secret. Perhaps the dragons hesitated to slaughter
a city of peaceful sovereign priests. Perhaps the giants
foresaw the Shattering, and helped the dragons to destroy
the Cul’sir Empire as revenge for Shae Tirias Tolei. Maybe
the most outlandish option is that the dragons had no desire
to enrage Dolurrh’s Queen of the Dead by annihilating her
mortal servants, and thus formed a pact with them to leave
Xen’drik behind.
Land of the Mind. After the Shattering, left in the
ashes of their utopia, some giants forsook their arcane power
CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES & ENEMIES
and fled from the devastation as goliaths. These refugees fled
to Sarlona and western Khorvaire, becoming the psionic
Pathadrik of Adar, Syrkarn, and Tashana, and the goliaths of
Khorvaire’s Shadowcrags. These half-giants gave up nearly
all ties to their history in Xen’drik, and have created cultures
independent of arcane magic. The goliaths of Sarlona are
psionic nomads, and place great importance in their family
clans. Many serve as merchants and shepherds, but also
mediums - a callback to the ancient city-state of Karrakos.
Notably, the goliaths still venerate the old gods of the giants,
and have spread the worship of Karrak, Banor, and Rowa to
other Sarlonan peoples such as the eneko. They see Cassandra
with a mix of pity and sympathy - a blessed avatar of Karrak,
but one forever lost out of time.
Sidebar: The Goliaths of Sarlona
Detailed information on the goliaths of Sarlona can
be found in Linvakri’s Guide to Syrkarn by Vani
Srinivasan, and Talvakri’s Guide to Adar, by Megan
Caldwell respectively. Both contain information on
how the refugees of the Shattering have adapted to
life in Sarlona, and how their cultures and beliefs have
diverged from those of ancient Xen'drik.
Giants of the Thunder Sea
The Thunder Sea was once the domain of the giants, who
first drove the aboleths and their ilk into the depths with the
help of the dragons and couatl. At first, these giants served
as guardians against the aboleths, ensuring they could never
enslave the ocean again. Over time, they came to rule their
own empires beneath the waves - the Hal’gir Republic,
Kul’kran Armada, League of the Five Tides and more.
While these empires didn’t suffer as much damage from the
Shattering as their landborne cousins, the end of the Age
marked their gradual decline. The city-states were key trade
partners and allies. Their destruction cut off many of the
goods they needed, which added to the harm caused by the
Moonbreaker. Even worse, the fear of drawing the attention
of the dragons forced many into isolation and paranoia - a
state that the aboleths fed on hungrily. The final nail came in
the form of the Eternal Dominion, who hunted any remnant
giants to feast on their strength. Now, isolated giants dwell in
the depths, hiding in the ruins of their empires.
Lost Deep. The giants of the Thunder Sea are not
only storm giants, but also aquatic stone and frost giants.
Fundamentally, they are Lamannian genasi, and often linked
to the plan’s Endless Ocean layer. Over time, some have fled
to other seas in search of sanctuary, but those who remain
can typically be found in two places - the ruins of their
cities, and the deepest abyss. With the Eternal Dominion
building their cities around the leviathan Kar’lassa, the ruins
of the giant cities have been left relatively untouched. As the
sahuagin spread, they raided these ruins in search of giants,
but some still remain in hiding using arcane wards and
careful stealth. Others have railed against their fate, driven
into the abyss where the influence of the Lurker is strongest.
Some fall prey to the aboleths, captured as slaves for
their darkling citadels. Others have instead joined
them as abyssal storm giants*, and seek to wield
the terror of the dark against the sahuagin who
destroyed them.
125
 The Inspired
The Unity of Riedra is divided into a strict racially-divided
caste system, with higher castes seen as closer to the divine
spirits known as the il-altas. At the peak are the Chosen,
who act as the mouthpieces of the il-altas, and at the peak of
the Chosen are the Inspired. These magebred vessels are the
preferred bodies of the quori leaders of the Unity of Riedra,
who use the Inspired as shells to direct efforts on the Material
Plane. To the common folk of Riedra, the Inspired are divine
avatars. Questioning their actions is inconceivable, akin to
blasphemy. It is by their grace that every citizen is protected
from danger, hunger, lack of purpose, and other barbarian
societal flaws. In Riedra, the bastion city of Dar Qat is ruled
by eleven Inspired, with 700 Chosen serving beneath them -
and their strength is enough to have defied the dangers of the
continent for over 700 years.
Psionic Shells
The Inspired are nominally human, but humans magebred
with fey and fiendish influence over generations. As a result,
they have unearthly beauty, and cannot resist the possession
of their quori masters (which they would see as blasphemy, in
any case, due to life-long indoctrination). Each Chosen family
is linked to a specific quori, which can possess any member
of that family at will, subsuming their consciousness in place
of its own. Since some quori spend the majority (or all) of
their time commanding one such ‘empty vessel’, that body
becomes the Inspired tied to the quori in question. When a
quori chooses a new vessel in this way, they spend months
indoctrinating the Chosen with their beliefs and personality.
Since the Chosen also sees this as a wondrous blessing,
they readily accept it. Within a few months of possession,
their own personality and beliefs come to match the quori
in question, until it is hard to tell whether they are being
possessed or not at any given moment. As a result, others do
not often perceive the difference - Lord Ralastar acts as Lord
Ralastar, regardless of what lies behind the mask.
Goals of the Quori
The history of the quori in Xen’drik
(explained in detail in Echoes of the
Quori on p.60) underpins the existence
of the Unity of Riedra, as well
as 1500 years of Sarlonan
history. Dar Qat is a highly
profitable venture, and returns
valuable resources such as Siberys
dragonshards to Riedra, but its true
purpose lies deeper. The quori know
that answers to their most burning questions
lie within the ruins of Xen’drik. The truth
of the Turning of the Age, the existence of
the quori of the previous Age, and the fate of
Crya are all topics that could shake the very
foundation of their existence. What they could
do with a recovered Moonbreaker is a
different matter entirely. Accordingly,
with Dar Qat now large enough to
sustain a hanbalani altas and
126126
Inspired Stat Blocks
Unfortunately, the InspiredERLW stat block in Eberron:
Rising from the Last War is disappointing, and lacks the
most important abilities and strengths of the Inspired
from previous editions. More varied and lore-accurate
stat blocks for both the Inspired and the quori can be
found in Talvakri’s Guide to Adar by Megan Caldwell,
and Psion’s Primer by Anthony Turco.
teleportation circle, the Inspired are ready to increase the scope
of their ambitions. It is perhaps a quirk of fate that Dar Qat
lies so far from the heart of the Cul’sir Empire, which acted
as a major focus for the Dream War. As a result, many of
the Dream War’s artifacts and remnants lie in the Skyfall
Peninsula and Hydra Basin. The result is that, even with
Dar Qat being so old, the Inspired have yet to recover truly
groundbreaking information - but that is about to change.
Campaign Role
Party Patron - A classic Riedra-themed campaign is
to play as a party serving the Inspired, doing their duty for
the Unity by exploring western Xen’drik. In this case, the
Inspired can serve as both party patron and party villain,
as characters uncover the truth behind their carefully
manipulated world-view.
Dire Villains - With immense psionic power and
resources at their command, a single Inspired is a devastating
force. Even worse, Lord Ralastar (p.149) is a ‘thrallherd’ - a
specialist in dominating the minds of others and shackling
them to his will. As such, backed by the grand will of the
Dreaming Dark, the lord of Dar Qat is a terrifying villain.
Even worse, the quori is not bound to his Inspired puppet,
and can hound adventurers who catch his many eyes at night
in their dreams. The sheer number of Chosen in Dar Qat is a
testament to the importance that the quori place on Xen’drik;
should Ralastar sound the clarion call, hundreds of quori can
descend on the continent in an army of awesome power.
Character Background - It is perfectly
possible to play as a runaway Chosen - or
even an Inspired! Xen’drik is riddled with
ancient anti-quori defenses
built by the giants, many of
which trap the immortals
permanently. As a result, a
novel player background is an
Inspired who witnessed the true
form of their quori as it was pulled
from them, and is now finding purpose
without the ‘divine spirit’ that guides
them. Playing a runaway Chosen is a
fun reason to play a psionic or Sarlonan
character in a Xen’drik campaign.
Playing a Chosen Vessel
A Chosen player ancestry and guide
can be found in Linvakri's Guide to
Syrkarn by Vani Srinivasan.
CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES & ENEMIES
 Factions - Legendary Villains - Legendary Monsters - The Overlords
Lords of the Hunt
Many a poacher has come to Stormreach over the last couple
of centuries, hoping to make a quick fortune off of dream
serpents and tilxin birds. These are not the Lords of the
Hunt. The members of the Talon & Tusk Lodge are thrill-
seeking nobles and master trackers, pursuing only the most
dangerous of prey in the wilds of Xen’drik. Competitive,
capable, and hungry for more, the Lords only truly feel alive
when they smell blood on the wind.
As one might expect from thrill-seeking nobles, they are
also decadent, morally bankrupt, and offensively wealthy.
Many have links to famous families in Khorvaire (all the way
up to royalty), and don’t hesitate to mention it. Generally
hated by the local people (and often each other), the Lords
compete to bag the rarest trophies, often taking perverse
pleasure in doing so. They represent arguably the worst
of Stormreach’s colonial heart, and can be anything from
obscene patrons to dangerous enemies.
Noble Predators. The Talon & Tusk Lodge is an
unassuming building in the Respite district of Stormreach.
The interior is half a stuffy hunting lodge, half a posh
gentlemen's club, with a well-stocked bar and cushy
armchairs. The walls are covered in trophies of all kinds;
dinosaur claws, dragon heads, and massive fish compete
for space, with entire stuffed beasts learning against the
mahogany walls. There are rumors that the building lies on
the foundations of an ancient temple to Banor, the Bloody
Spear, and that ancient hunter’s rituals are conducted beneath
the light of Olarune, but that’s surely poppycock. Whatever
the truth, the basement is off-limits except to the most
respected members.
Joining the Lords requires only two things - a bloodthirsty
zeal for prey, and evidence of one’s skill as a hunter. A true
Lord lives only for the hunt. Material attachments, religious
commitments or political posts are frowned upon, and if they
intrude on one’s ceaseless search for prey, they can lead to
a quick expulsion. Most of the Lords are bored nobles and
thrillseekers, but a small few seek revenge. Those who lost
friends or family to monsters instead seek to protect others,
or find purpose in retribution to heal their broken hearts.
Campaign Role
Party Patron - As patrons go, the Lords of the Hunt
are entertainingly awful, but this comes with some unique
opportunities. Their debauched greed and desires make them
perfect patsies for evil foes, especially the fiends of
Sakinnirot. Party characters might be roped
into the Talon & Tusk Lodge for legitimate
reasons, such as hunting dangerous threats
to the people of Xen’drik, or making money
to pay off debts. What seems to be a typical
but eccentric group might slip into unsettling
territory after every quest. Soon, the party
is embroiled in a dangerous game, and
might become the target of the next hunt
themselves - especially if they intrude on
the beastblood rituals in the basement…
Colonial Villains - The Talon & Tusk
Lodge is a purposeful callback to foreign
CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES & ENEMIES
colonialism and pulp tropes such as The Most Dangerous Game.
They are utterly reprehensible and mostly irredeemable,
but also mortal. As such, they can be used as initial villains
across the continent, and may be conducting any kind of
occult acts in Lodge’s basement. Perhaps the elite of the
Lodge are turning themselves into lycanthropes, performing
ancient Qabalrin blood rites, or even transmuting people into
monsters to hunt. If so, they might be seeking to hunt the
people of Stormreach next - or be corrupted by a servant of
Sakinnirot into murderous terrors.
Nauseating Competition - Those seeking to hunt
a legendary monster might find that rumors of its danger
have spread to the Lords as well - and that one or several
are competing for it. In the best-case scenario, they are
distractions for the creature, and might save the party from
some harm. Worse, they might get in the way, ruin the
element of surprise, or otherwise be infuriating. Even worse,
they might turn to hunting their competition outright, either
for the thrill, or to make sure no one steals their trophy.
Example Quests
Travel to the floating islands of the Kindori Kaya
Low Tal and confirm the truth - that shining sky whales
Level descend from the Ring of Siberys in the region.
Track down a Lodge member’s escaped tilxin
bird* pet, which was actually stolen by a down-
Low on-his-luck thief to sell for money…and then sold
Level on to a notable member of one of Stormreach’s
gangs (who finds it very sweet).
Middle Bring back a head (preferably all of them) from
Level the Cinder Sisters* of the Valley of Shadows.
Retrieve a Dominance Collar* from the
Middle Lamannian city of Eshtarnak, so that the Lodge
Level can capture and release monsters to hunt.
The party, now respected as worthy hunters,
are sent to investigate a rumor of a tiger with a
golden pelt to the north of Stormreach. Once
High they arrive, the game is on…as the Lords of the
Level Hunt* seek to murder them all, andabsorb their
strength in a nightmare rite. Time will tell who are
the predators, and who are the prey.
The Rushemé druids have long placated the storm
roc Kraa'ark Lors*, ensuring it never attacks
Stormreach for its crimes against the natural
High
world. When the massive creature assaults
Level
the city in retaliation for a hunt, the race is on
between the Lords. Whoever fells the roc will go
down in history, but no one ruled out foul play…
Patron Benefits
• Drinks and lodging in the Talon & Tusk Lodge.
• Access to hunting quests and information
about valuable monsters. The Lodge are highly
knowledgeable about slaying beasts, and will
share their tips if bribed with whiskey.
• Free transport from Stormreach using
the Lodge's coffers, assuming you
are traveling to kill.
127
 Overlord Cults
Even in their sealed slumber, the dark dreams of the
Overlords touch the hearts of mortals far and wide. The
archfiends of Xen’drik target those drowning in dark
emotions. The lonely, the desperate, the vengeful, the hateful
- all might fall under their sway. Few can resist the promise
of a better future in a cruel and pitiless world. Such people
often gather into cults, following their dark desires in pursuit
of pleasure and power. Sometimes, these cults are not even
aware of the being that they ultimately serve, but the more
they gaze into the abyss, the more the abyss gazes back. The
formation of these cults are often guided and triggered by
the fiends of each Overlord. Mortals serving their concepts
empower the archfiends, and serve as the perfect tools for the
fiends to use in their pursuit of the Prophecy.
Campaign Role
Minor Antagonists - Cults can be of any size or
influence necessary for the plot, making them perfect as
minor antagonists or recurring villains. By their very nature,
such cults are the playthings of more powerful fiends and
immortals, providing a pathway to introduce the Overlords
before the party begins grappling with more devious schemes.
This means that a party might begin investigating a murder
linked to the Silver Tapestry. Hunting down the debauched
nobles and uncovering their crimes may lead to evidence of
a fiend, who may reappear later in the plot as a villainous
puppetmaster. This works especially well when a character
wants to have backstory links to such an organization.
Enemy of my Enemy - Some cults are more diplomatic
than others, and the Overlords are some of their own greatest
enemies. The fiends and followers of the Spinner of Shadows
have no desire to see Sakinnirot be unleashed, especially if
it means interfering with the release of their own mistress.
Accordingly, the party might find themselves receiving help
from a cult that is objectively Evil, so that they can help
the side of Good, to fight against their mutual enemy. This
provides an interesting way of introducing gray morality. The
party may receive the help they need, but will be enabling
the cult to commit terrible acts by doing so. They may
have no choice.
One-Off Villains - It’s also perfectly possible that a
cult is in possession of an item (or person) that the party
needs. In this case, they might be tied to a location, such as
the Heartbound within the city of Kul Lerek. As a result, they
can provide unusual enemies to fight that are ‘off-theme’ for
the campaign at large, without needing any justification to
include afterwards.
Example Cults:
• The Heartbound - Kharna Rayva
• Requiem’s Touch - The Lurker in Shadow
• The Io’vakasa - Sakinnirot
• The Silver Tapestry - Spinner of Shadows
128128
The Heartbound
Overlord: Kharna Rayva, the Burning Desire
Kul Lerek is a tinderbox of a city. The static size of the city is
at odds with its growing population, and life in close quarters
can lead to growing tensions. Heartbreak, grievances, rising
tempers… all are sparks to be fanned into flames. The
Heartbound are a cult who see beauty in vibrant emotion -
both love and hate. These servants of the Overlord Kharna
Rayva believe themselves to be ardent followers of the
goddess Rowa, carrying out her will by ‘encouraging’ people
to let their emotions loose. In truth, their enchanting magic
and seductive charisma are gifts from the infernal Overlord,
granted by their incubus leader Lestrolax.
Burning Bridges. The Heartbound carry out their
work by inserting themselves like social parasites into the
relationships of others. There, they use their charisma and
fiendish magic to comfort and enthrall others, convincing
them that their grievances are entirely justified. Their work
destroys those they touch. A Heartbound’s wake is filled
with broken and abusive relationships, violence, vengeance,
and hate, which they justify as a healthy release of emotions
that would otherwise build up in silence. The cult often
recruits those it destroys, promising them a place where all
their ‘healthy’ emotions can be released beside those who
understand them. Lestrolax’s plan is simple. Little by little,
the Heartbound are setting alight the tinderbox of Kul Lerek,
and the larger the cult grows, the closer he gets to the city
tearing itself apart in a blaze of chaos.
Requiem’s Touch
Overlord: The Lurker in Shadows
The tendrils of the Lurker reach up from the abyss to darken
the sunlit oceans above. Those touched by the Overlord
become warped, alien horrors who seek to sow terror in
service to their god. When the sahuagin of the Eternal
Dominion began hunting the giants of the Thunder Sea, the
abyssal storm giant* Tharkuza fled the slaughter into the
deep ocean, where the hunters would not follow. There,
he found what he craved - the power to drive the sahuagin
to despair, and turn them against their kin to sow fear and
ruin among the Dominion. The storm giant is one of the
most devout followers of the Lurker, and is anything but
typical. His bulging milky eyes peer sightlessly from a pallid
face, distended jaw hanging low with teeth large enough to
impale sharks. Fleshy tendrils stretch from transparent flesh,
grasping for victims to infect with the Lurker’s alien presence.
The servants of Requiem’s Touch have no grand plan. They
are warped puppets who seek only to spread Tharkuza’s
misery to others like a contagion.
Deep Spawn. To that end, the Touch attack and capture
the people of the Thunder Sea in nocturnal ambushes.
The members are connected by psychic network with
Tharkuza as the central node, his corruption seeping into
their minds. Their victims are dragged into the deep and
themselves corrupted into cthonic servants. The storm
giant simply believes that by doing so, they will be able to
mount increasing attacks on the Eternal Dominion and the
settlements of the Thunder Sea, converting ever more to the
cause. The rumors of their horrific attacks are spreading. As
CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES & ENEMIES
 Factions - Legendary Villains - Legendary Monsters - The Overlords
they do, the fear increases, and as the fear increases, Tharkuza
can feel his power grow. Soon, he will gain the power of
the Kashatak (p.147), becoming the temporary avatar of the
Lurker - and providing a cover for the aboleths to rise from
the deep in a tide of death and fear.
The Io’vakasa
Overlord: Sakinnirot, the Scar that Abides
The yuan-ti are refugees from half a world away. Driven
out of Sarlona by the Unity of Riedra and massacred by the
dragons for worshiping their gods, the serpentfolk have
reason to curse those who cast them down. The Io’vakasa
are named after the utopian city in which they lived, guided
by the wyrms of Argonnessen. Their veneration led them to
worship the same pantheon as the dragons - the high gods
of Io, Chronepsis, Tiamat, and their kin. For this act, the
dragons crushed them like ants, forcing the few survivors to
flee in desperation and fear. The Io’vakasa have not forgotten.
They have certainly not forgiven.
Scaled Vengeance. The cult - named after the city
taken from them in a distant land - is hellbent on slaughtering
dragons and their servants, particularly the Ten Watchers.
As far as they are concerned, the Overlords are truly the
lesser of two evils. They are incarnations of revenge, and
have given themselves fully to the Scar that Abides. Many
are unnaturally stealthy, wielding blades coated in their own
fiendish venom as knives of the scar*. Killing such a yuan-
ti is never the end. Their obsession with vengeance simply
turns towards the one that killed them, forming serpentine
revenants that stalk their targets to the end. To further
their goals, the Io’vakasa often capture victims for dark blood
rites, and are partly responsible for the dark reputation of the
yuan-ti in Xen’drik.
The Silver Tapestry
Overlord: Zel Erakhni, the Fateweaver
Stormreach is a city of extremes. Vast wealth flows through
its filthy streets, and straight into the coffers of the Storm
Lords and their allies. More than one pauper has gone
from rags to riches here. The chance discovery of a trove
of treasure, a giant artifact, or an easy heist are just some
of the possibilities. However, once their wealth is in hand,
such people need a way to maintain it. The Silver Tapestry
are such a group - a cabal of the wealthy who dabble in dark
powers to ensure their position in high society. If gold can
be secured through the twists of fate, then one has to make
sure it isn’t lost the same way. By ruling Stormreach, their
positions will be secured, their power unequaled.
Darkling Misery. In smoky lounges and dark libraries,
the merchants and nobles of the Tapestry plot to shape the
fate of Stormreach - a fate in which they rise to become
the new Storm Lords. Through occult rituals, they glean
fragments of the Draconic Prophecy, working to achieve
their goals no matter the price. Some receive whispers
from guiding fiends; others are fateweaver warlocks* in
truth, and rose to this position by bargaining their destinies
away. The Tapestry thrive on secrecy. They wear masks and
silver veils when they meet, using secret handshakes and
codenames to hide their work. In truth, nothing is beneath
them. It does not matter how many people must ‘disappear’.
It does not matter when buildings burn or terror reigns. They
are the spiders, and it is their destiny to grow fat on flies.
 Planewright’s
Guild
The flying city of Kul Lerek is home to a unique collective
of artificers known as the Planewright’s Guild. The guild
act as salvagers, arcanists, and researchers, roaming the land
in search of interesting technology from the Age of Giants.
What was once a simple group of curious academics has
grown to a university with an adventurous streak, and today
many members of the Guild are known for their daring
exploits. The Guild is based in the Boundary Institute in the
city’s east. The aged halls are lined with labs, workshops,
libraries, and classrooms, with some sections open to the
public. In summary, the Guild can be anything from a group
patron, to a player resource, to a competitor - with a flair for
arcane science and panache.
Risky Research. The activities of the Guild are
experimental and often dangerous. By their nature, they
love to take apart what they don’t understand. As a result,
the Lereki are often as worried about the Guild as they are
bemused by it. Despite this, their skill is very real. Practical
planewrights maintain the city’s infrastructure, repairing
and producing magical items for its people. Scholars offer
open classes to the populace, training them in basic cantrips
for their work. Far below it, guild adventurers recover
technology for the benefit of the city - and many of their
discoveries are crucial for sustaining it.
Loose Learning. As an organization, the Guild is
arranged haphazardly at best. Its bohemian roots have given
rise to a carefree attitude. Rather than set departments,
scholars who specialize in specific areas can be granted the
title of Magister by the existing Magisters, in recognition of
their work. A Magister appointed in this way has the right
to establish a department based on their area of study, as
well as a vote in the managing of the Guild. As a result, the
number of Magisters fluctuates, but is typically between 6-10
individuals. The Magisters themselves are keen to keep the
title prestigious. Not only does it promote healthy ambition,
but the more elite their post, the better the image that the
Boundary Institute presents.
Any member of the institute can approach a Magister to
assist them in their research, which varies greatly in terms of
topic. There is only one area of study that has lasted through
the generations due to its importance to Kul Lerek - the
creation of Skyhooks*. These magic items are what form the
city’s cloudstuff; should the secret to their creation be
unlocked, Kul Lerek would be able to expand, alleviating
its worrying overcrowding.
Campaign Role:
Party Patron - The Planewright’s Guild is an easy
group patron. Since Kul Lerek is mobile, it provides a
simple location to run adventures from, with the party
taking on quests to investigate ruins or current
events. This might involve quests from a single
scholar, or a variety of tasks from different
departments for the players to pick and
choose. Characters might work under the
130130
Guild for gold, information, or prestige, while rumor has it
that those who achieve great things for Kul Lerek gain right
of entry into the Vault of Zephyrs itself.
Research and Reward - The Boundary Institute
is a place of learning and study. Adventurers delving
into Xen’drik’s secrets might seek out a specialist there.
Additionally, the Guild’s planewrights are skilled artificers
and salvagers; most would jump at the chance to examine
and identify any items recovered by the party, potentially
repairing them into useful magic rewards. Doing so might
require gold, side-quests, or rare materials, providing an easy
plot tool for the GM.
Competition - The Boundary Institute often funds
adventurers to recover beneficial technology. This provides
an easy way to introduce rivals for the players, driving them
to reach a plot-relevant treasure first. This can help provide
recurring antagonists, while placing a sense of urgency on a
dungeon crawl. Additionally, adventurers from the Boundary
Institute are unlikely to be evil - and may even invite parties
to work with them against common enemies!
Example Quests
Low Help an artificer capture a lava mephit that
Level escaped from a magic item of the Sul’at League.
Replace a Siberys dragonshard in a device located
Low at the very top of one of Kul Lerek’s towers. The
Level flying monkeys won’t make it easy.
Middle Retrieve a functioning Snow Dancer from the
Level ruins of Ix Il’ar (p.211).
Explore the bizarre humanoid machine that has
Middle appeared near the Ring of Storms and learn its
Level purpose. This machine is actually the warforged
colossus known as ‘Naphrad’(p.264).
Identify and recover the power source of the
High
Mandate Heart - the eldritch machine at the heart
Level
of the Daanvian city of Crux (p.184).
Defend the city from a rogue dragon such as
Ketheptis the One-Eyed Crone* and her
High
minions before she can steal a valuable artifact
Level
from the Boundary Institute - or damage the
Skyhooks* that hold the city aloft.
Patron Benefits
• Free lodgings within the Boundary Institute
• Use of the libraries of the Boundary Institute, as well
as the assistance of its planewrights and scholars, who
may be able to repair or create magic items.
• Access to the flying city of Kul Lerek, assisted
by Portstones*
Why anyone would look at the ruins
of our nations and think, "maybe
I should try that too", is beyond
me. I do sincerely wish them luck -
perhaps they can achieve where we,
in our hubris, failed.
CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES & ENEMIES
 Reclaimers Glory of

The Reclaimers of Glory are an alliance of giants seeking to

forge a new world. Led by a mysterious champion known as
the Voice of the Titans, the Reclaimers plan to recruit new
members from across Xen’drik, then carve out a kingdom
with the magic of their forebears. They welcome all giants
and goliaths, regardless of background, but generally exclude
other ancestries; to them, the destruction of Xen’drik was
a direct result of Cul’sir’s folly in seeking rule over others.
Many are tired of the strife caused by the curses on their land,
believing the Reclaimers are a path to a better life for them
and their children.
Measured Goals. The leadership of the Reclaimers,
known as the Titans Ascending, understand the risk posed
to them by both the Watchers and the Du’rashka Tul. Their
long-term goals are to gather as many remnants of giant
magic as they can. The benefits of this are threefold; the more
they can accumulate, the more they can improve their own
quality of life, gain weapons to defend against any attacks, and Unwitting Pawns - Of course, this well-intentioned
learn how to break the curses on Xen’drik. The Reclaimers competition is also the perfect way of setting up a grander
operate in small roaming cells to avoid triggering the villain. It is possible that the Voice of Titans is anything
Madness of Crowds, with conquered giant ruins used as bases from a disguised fiend to a returned Titan of old, and the
for valuable goods. organization may be hiding all manner of goals - especially
Vox Populi. The Titans Ascending vary in their when it comes to the Titans Ascending.
benevolence. Some seek to use the alliance for their own
power and reclaim the true might of a titan. Others genuinely
Giant Allies - Given their individual goals, it is possible
wish to guide their people to a better future, and undo the
for Reclaimers to share the same goals as the party, working
ravages of Argonnessen. Their leader, the Voice of the
to nullify the dangers of ancient giant ruins. As such, it is
Titans, is a figure of mystery. No one but the members of
possible for a party to temporarily ally with giants against
the alliance have met them, but their charisma and power
threats such as the Ten Watchers, or planar incursions
are undeniable. All of the Titans Ascending bow to their
created by malfunctioning arcana. This also means that a
commands, and hundreds of giants now serve under them.
party might become friends with a giant, only to have no
The Voice could be anything from a normal giant with
choice but to fight them down the line - a bittersweet reunion
the will to help their people, to an unwitting pawn of an
with the fate of Xen'drik hanging on their success.
Overlord, to a returned Titan from Xen’drik’s halcyon age.
Dangerous Path. Ultimately, the Reclaimers have a
respectable and honorable motive, but no choice but to walk Potential Voices of the Titans
a morally gray path. To build a kingdom, they will have to A 'nobody' who picked up the mantle, potentially after
displace other peoples from their homes. To recover their 1 suffering at the hands of one of the Watchers.
ancestors' magic, they may have to take it from others, and A returned Titan of old, keeping a low profile to avoid
may even seek to conquer the archives of the Scriveners of 2 the Watchers. They may be Il'ara, a puppet of the
the Sky in the city of Kul Lerek. As such, they can serve as Concateny, the unsealed Prince Adaxus, or another.
antagonists to the party with sympathetic motives, much A fake Titan - a giant quorforged who is actually being
like the Lord of Blades in Khorvaire. These ‘shades of gray’ 3 controlled by an ancient DocentERLW.
can also be tweaked by changing the aims and beliefs of their A servant of the Spinner of Shadows, who fully intends
leaders - as well as any puppets pulling their strings. Bitterly, for this to work only so the Du’rashka Tul or the
the success of the Reclaimers of Glory may be the worst 4 Watchers can bring it all crumbling down, causing as
possible outcome. If the group can undo the Madness of much chaos and suffering as possible.
Crowds, and build an empire of their own, it may bring down Antaegus of the Cul'sir - an ancient giant with the
the wrath of the dragons on Xen’drik once more. magic and knowledge to match, but without the
5 understanding of the current state of Xen'drik, awoken
Campaign Role from stasis by the actions of House Kundarak in
Stormreach. A naive but well-meaning relic.
Justified Villains - The Reclaimers of Glory can be
6 A mind-seeded giant controlled by the quori.
used as antagonists with justified goals. As mentioned above,
A rogue dragon in disguise hoping to get revenge on
what they are attempting to do - build a safe home for them 7 the Ten Watchers.
and their families - is entirely reasonable, but it may have all
One of the Watchers, tired of their endless service
manner of consequences. As such, they may compete with the 8
and choosing to rebel against Argonnessen.
party to reclaim ancient artifacts, without being as outwardly
villainous as the Battalion of Basalt Towers.

CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES & ENEMIES

131
 Scriveners of the Sky what they are looking for - especially if they’re racing their
enemies to recover a magic item. Unsurprisingly, pulling
a heist on the Vault is extremely difficult. Not only is it
The Scriveners of the Sky are an ancient group of cloud populated by cloud giant mages, but those mages have spent
giants based in the floating city of Kul Lerek. Their mission millennia putting magical defenses in place. Despite this,
since the Shattering has been to collect and record the the Vault is a unique and cinematic place to hold the heist -
works of the giant empires, storing their treasures in the especially if the players simply free-fall out of the city with
vast museum of the Vault of Zephyrs. Unlike factions such their ill-gotten gains.
as the Reclaimers of Glory, the Scriveners make no use of
the knowledge they collect. To do so would spell their own Allies and Patrons - The Scriveners, with their
doom. Their survival hinges on the grace of Argonnessen, for knowledge and magic, also make excellent patrons. Due to
the giants perform their role in service to the Ten Watchers. their duties, few can spare the time to leave the city, forcing
As Kul Lerek floats through the clouds, the Scriveners them to rely on hidden agents and adventurers instead. This
observe the lands below, keeping a mobile watch for any is a simple way of uniting the party, while allowing them to
concerning events or rising threats. When the Watchers travel across Xen’drik (a major perk of a flying city). It also
need to research a certain giant empire or malfunctioning bypasses some ethical issues with traditional ‘looting of ruins’,
piece of artifice, they visit the Vault, and learn of the threat since the party is doing so to neutralize the threat they pose.
they now face.
Lock & Key. While the cloud giants are both learned Patron Benefits
and capable, they are held under the chains of their own
power. To avoid becoming a force that could threaten the • Working for the Scriveners can grant successive levels
dragons’ position, their numbers are traditionally small - a of access to the Vault of Zephyrs - a dream come true
necessity in the past due to the small size of Kul Lerek. In for those with an interest in ancient arcana.
addition, the greater their collection grows, the more valuable • By necessity, agents of the Scriveners are typically
and dangerous it becomes. As a result, to protect it, the given Portstones*, allowing them to navigate back to
Scriveners have gradually shifted from a focus on collection Kul Lerek wherever it travels.
to one of guardianship and preservation. Kul Lerek has come • The cloud giants of the group are extremely
under attack from rogue dragons in the past, and the giants knowledgeable, and may be able to offer their expertise
must be vigilant for similarly powerful threats - as well as with regards to history and ancient magic.
small sneak-thieves who could slip under their noses. The
dangerous knowledge and artifacts they keep also cannot be
shared with others, lest disaster occur. Accordingly, finding a
Scrivener outside the city is now rare. Acquisitions, research,
and spycraft are all handled by a group of elite agents, chosen
from the people of Kul Lerek for their skill and aptitude.
Silent Rulers. In Kul Lerek, the cloud giants are seen
with distant reverence. A small number, led by Skymatron
i Jalmar, pilot the city and handle civic affairs. As a whole,
the giants live solely within the Vault of Zephyrs at the
city’s heart, and only rarely walk the streets. The Vault
contains their personal chambers, study rooms, libraries, and
magically sealed storerooms. Separated as it is by open sky
and a dispellable magic causeway, few humanoids have ever
seen the interior. Some of the ones who have are dragons in
disguise. When Argonnessen calls, they are typically met by
specific giants with expertise in the topic at hand - a cultural
callback to the Syranian Gallimaufry.

Campaign Role
Loremasters - The libraries of the Scriveners are
second to none. Any party seeking to learn about lost and
forgotten lore will find no better place, though it comes with
serious challenges. The most immediate is actually reaching
the cloud giants. Kul Lerek is both aerial and mobile; reaching
it is a quest in its own right. However, accessing the Vault of
Zephyrs itself is a similar challenge, and characters must have
something noteworthy - or news of immediate value - to gain
an audience.

Heist Targets - In a similar vein, less

scrupulous characters might find that the lore
and artifacts stashed in the Vault are exactly

CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES & ENEMIES

132132
 Silaes Tairn
The Silaes Tairn are a faction of the Tairnadal elves
concerned with their ancestors’ history in Xen’drik. Unlike
the Draleus and Valaes Tairn, the Silaes seek to directly
emulate the deeds of their ancestors as they fought for
freedom against the giants. In doing so, they can honor their
ancestors, and give thanks for the life they have been given
on Aerenal. Typically, the Silaes train on Aerenal for several
years, before setting out as warbands across the ocean they
sailed so long ago.
The aims of the Silaes Tairn are simple, but their methods
and beliefs vary greatly. Their ancestors’ deeds relate to the
events of the elven rebellion; some brought down powerful
giant tyrants, some helped free the suffering from their
bonds, while others undermined the work of the Titans by
disarming and defusing their arcane weaponry.
Echoes of Myth. For those elves seeking to find
glory in battle, there are two schools of thought. One is that
a giant is a giant, and there’s valor in defeating a larger and
stronger foe. The other is that the modern giants have little
if anything to do with their ancestors, and lack both the
outlook and power that they did in past ages. As a result,
attacking random giants does nothing to honor one’s ancestor
spirit. For the latter, glory comes in defending the people
of Xen’drik from those giants seeking to restore a legacy of
dominion. The most famous example of this is the Battalion
of Basalt Towers - the cabal of fiendish fire giants who once
aimed to destroy Stormreach.
Silaes Tairn with ancestors who undermined the grip of
ancient tyrants take a more cooperative approach. Xen’drik is
rife with ancient technology and infrastructure from the Age
of Giants, much of it malfunctioning or dangerous. As such,
these members of the Silaes Tairn work to systematically
defuse any machinery or remaining weapons that pose a
danger to other people. This can lead to unusual alliances.
Silaes elves will happily work with giants, drow, and
others in the name of protecting them from magical fallout,
and many seek out the elves for their expertise.
One thing that unites the Silaes Tairn is an interest
in recovering the tools that their forebears used to
overthrow the giants. Fabled weapons such as Arquis
Tellora* and Taeri's Twinblade* (p.333) still lie in the
ruins of Xen’drik, lost in the wars of the Rebellion.
The reclamation of such a weapon is a legendary
deed, for it brings the elf in question even closer
to emulating their ancestor. This serves as
both a major driver for NPCs, and a perfect
character quest for a Silaes Tairn player.

Campaign Role
Foreign Invaders - Much
like the Valenar of Khorvaire,
many Silaes Tairn are driven,
aggressive and antagonistic.
The more fights they pick,

CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES & ENEMIES

133
 the more they can honor their ancestors, resulting in active
attempts at being socially caustic. In Xen’drik, this provides
an easy option for antagonists. As enemies, the elves are
foreign aggravators who may attack and provoke giants for
outwardly no reason, while raiding ruins in search of elven
artifacts. As such, they need little backstory to be enemies of
the party, and can easily serve as a competing faction. Even
worse, they may wish to interfere with the party’s social or
diplomatic efforts, simply to antagonize people or ‘rescue the
weak from danger’ like their ancestors.
Driven Allies - The Silaes Tairn are experts in fighting
giants, defusing dangerous arcane machinery, and bringing
down tyrants. As such, those elves with a more noble outlook
can be powerful allies for the party. Recruiting a Silaes Tairn
is far more difficult than a local guide. Most have a disdain for
tomb-robbing adventurers due to their penchant for breaking
or stealing giant technology. Even worse are those who have
interfered with elven relics. As such, their outlook towards
parties will initially be dismissive, and may require proof of
good intentions, knowledge, or a new threat - or, of course, a
display of skill and strength.
Silaes Tairn Patron Ancestors
Cardaen - Vengeful Wizard (he/him) - The
powerful elven wizard Cardaen was raised by Emperor
Cul’sir himself, and lived to produce new spells for
his benevolent ruler. When the mage was rescued
by Vadallia, he learned the truth about his people’s
1 servitude. Vadallia’s death in battle drove Cardaen to
rage against the Cul’sir. When the elves began their
exodus, he stayed behind, vowing they would never
know peace until Cul'sir was slain by his hand. Cardaen
is a patron ancestor for wizards and bladesingers,
especially those with a history of deep loss.
Vadallia - Dauntless General (she/her) - The
patron of the current king of Valenar was a Rebellion
general, and an exceptional warrior who led from the
2 front lines. The dramatic history between the Queen
of Swords and the wizard Cardaen is a classic Tairnadal
legend. Vadallia is a patron for intelligent warriors and
who can make cold decisions for the greater good.
Vaela the Wolf - Bestial Ranger (they/them)
- The primal Gyrderi took after Vaela the Wolf, from
whom they learned to take on animal forms. Vaela was
the sole survivor of a giant attack that enslaved their
village. They grew up as much beast as elf, and only
3
recalled their roots after slaughtering a band of giants,
and joining the elves they were attacking. Vaela is a
patron for rangers and druids with a pure connection
to nature. Many eschew concepts like gender and
family, and their ferocity in battle is a sight to behold.
Arquis Tellora - Scimitar Master (he/him) - The
famed swordmaster Arquis Tellora sparred with the
giants of Hekaton and Sohl’aran, roaming the wilds
in search of strong opponents. His famed double-
scimitar was forged beneath the noses of his Sul’at
4 marked. They may now resemble elven shifters, or
captors, who he slew in an uprising to join the armies
of Vadallia. Tellora was famed for his skill and honor,
and the tales of his wrath in the face of injustice are
many. Tellora is a patron for those marked by honor
and justice who commit themselves to the blade.
134134
The Gyrderi
During the years in which the elves were enslaved by the
Cul’sir Dominion and its allies, some managed to escape into
the wilds of Xen’drik, where they made pacts with the spirits
of the land. Over hundreds of years, these elves learned to
wield powerful primal magic, living beneath the sight of the
giants ,and undermining their rule. Known as the Gyrderi,
these druids and rangers infiltrated cities using stealth and
Wild Shape to carry out sabotage and liberation. When
the Elven Rebellion began in full, the Gyrderi charged into
battle side-by-side with the ancestors of the Tairnadal. Their
powerful primal spells helped to destroy the defenses and
arcane weaponry of the giants, while their Wild Shaping
allowed them to physically match their foes. In response, the
Sul’at League unleashed an abjurative curse; when the Gyrderi
next jumped into battle, they found themselves unable to
leave their Wild Shapes - and the curse rapidly spread. Even
after losing their ability to speak and cast spells, the Gyrderi
supported the elves - but when they left Xen’drik in search of
a homeland, the druids stayed behind.
Patron Steeds. The modern traditions of the Tairnadal
are heavily rooted in the role the Gyrderi played in their
freedom. The Keepers of the Past maintain strong druidic
traditions, while the famed Valenar animals are said to be
honored by Gyrderi ancestor patrons, granting them their
venerated status and intelligence. It is for this reason that
being chosen by a Valenar animal is such an honor, for it calls
back to the heroes who gave everything for the Tairnadal.
The reason for the Gyrderi staying behind in Xen’drik is
a mystery. It is thought that their ancient pact with nature
may have bound them to the continent, and that leaving
would have come at too great a cost. It is possible that in
their animal forms, the Gyrderi believed themselves to be a
burden on a trip by sea, and stayed behind to ensure no elves
remained captive under surviving giants. Perhaps the most
likely reason is that somewhere in the ruins of the Sul’at
League lies the cure for their curse - and that the Gyrderi will
never leave until they can return to their elven forms.
It is entirely unknown if the Gyrderi still exist, for no
contact with them has been recorded. Despite this, some
Silaes Tairn still seek out their ancient allies, hoping to repay
the debt they owe. If they still live in the wilds of Xen’drik,
there are several options for the fate of the Gyrderi:
Fate of the Gyrderi
Forever Cursed - The Gyrderi were eventually
turned into animals in truth, but their ancestor spirits
1 still bless their descendents with intelligence and
purpose. These animals are said to seek out and help
Silaes Tairn pursuing noble goals in Xen’drik.
Awakened - The Gyrderi did not lift the curse, but
retain their intelligence. They have adapted to their
2
animal bodies, and live in a complex and hidden society
within the jungle, keeping watch over their elven kin.
Marked by the Wilds - The Gyrderi returned to
their forms as the curse weakened, but are physically
3
have become ‘beastfolk’ such as tabaxi and aarakocra.
Freed - The Gyrderi broke their curse, and are now
back to their elven forms. They may now live in the
4
ruins of the Sul’at city that held their cure, or in a
natural sanctuary blessed by the spirits of the land.
CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES & ENEMIES
 Factions - Legendary Villains - Legendary Monsters - The Overlords
The Skylarks
The Downside of Kul Lerek is a district built into - and under
- the cloud city, where the lower social strata live and work.
The cramped and dangerous conditions are a constant worry,
and often lead to rising tensions. Where the Zephyr Guard
won’t go, the Skylarks keep the order. The criminal syndicate
rules the Downside, maintaining civility and dealing with
disputes in exchange for certain… allowances when it comes
to their actions. Their influence is a veiled threat, and an
effective one. More than one miscreant or cultist has taken
a long walk off a short gantry. Their main business beyond
the city lies in smuggling and the acquisition of dangerous
materials, acting like a dark mirror to the guilds of the
Winged League. In Kul Lerek itself, the mafia runs casinos,
protection rackets, and other highbrow criminal enterprises.
While the core of the group is the Zagra family of Ko
drow, any Kul Lereki can seek to join the ranks. From their
hanging headquarters of the Wander Yonder, the executives
known as the Passerine scheme to fill their coffers with gold,
comfort, and vice. Every Skylark strives to be the next among
their number.
Tied Traditions
The traditions of the Skylarks are rooted in those of the
Ko drow, inherited from the Zagra family who founded
the group. Above the Passerine, untouchable, are the three
Anchors of the Zagra. These elder Ko have the final say
in all matters, with the chief Anchor at any time the one
possessed by the fourth member of the council - a yakfolk
entrusted with making decisions regarding violence and
matters of war. Ko culture suffuses the Skylarks in all things;
family and bonds are paramount, and disrespecting (or gods
forbid, betraying) the family is among the greatest crimes one
can commit. These bonds are more than metaphor. Many
Skylarks wear rope wound around their fists or upper arms
as a sign of their lasting ties, with intricate woven patterns to
denote rank and achievement. Those who deal with turning
chumps into ‘bird-food’ tie them into the shape of nooses
instead, as a reminder.
Gaining Your Wings
The process of joining the Skylarks is one of skill and deep
tradition. Prospective ‘hatchlings’ must first be recommended
by a proven member of the family. Their task is simple.
They must make it across the Downside, from the edge of
the Duhvirat district to the Wander Yonder. Opposing them
are hunting squads of hatchlings from the family. Whether
by speed, acrobatics, brains, or brawn, the acolyte must get
as far as possible through the maze of ramshackle buildings,
gantries, ropes, and rooms carved out of the cloudstuff.
Naturally, they are not meant to succeed. They are expected
to display their skill, get taken down, then humbled. They
aren’t the star of the show, and they won’t get far if they
keep their arrogance. Every ‘failure’ is taken to the Wander
Yonder, then hung from ropes from the bottom of the
headquarters by those who captured them - a reminder that
they are now in hands of the family, but it’s a family they can
- and must - be willing to trust with their life.
CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES & ENEMIES
Campaign Role
Unscrupulous Allies. The Skylarks are a classic
‘necessary evil’. Despite their criminal nature and occasional
brutality, they maintain stability in the Downside, and
deal with any truly corruptive elements, such as cults to
the Overlords and daelkyr. As such, the party might find
themselves allying with the group temporarily to deal
with hidden fiends or evil influences in Kul Lerek. For a
price, perhaps.
Criminal Competition. Adventurers anywhere in
Xen’drik might find that their efforts to reclaim lost relics
are hampered by competing mafia who flew in from who-
knows-where. The ability of the Passerine to smell potential
profit is legendary, and Skylarks are often sent out to reclaim
interesting items to sell.
Perilous Patron. As far as criminal patrons work,
the ‘sky mafia’ is certainly unique. It is perfectly possible for
the party to be a new squad of potential hatchlings, with
their first mission together the ‘initiation rite’ detailed above.
With plenty of potential character expression, and no risk
of actual death, this makes an exciting campaign intro. Such
a campaign might involve taking on jobs with all shades of
noir, as the party rise through the ranks of the Skylarks -
and aim for the seats of the Passerine themselves. This also
provides an easy background for more gritty Kul Lereki
characters, who may have criminal contacts in the Downside.
Example Quests
Steal incriminating papers from the house of a
sketchy guild trader, but do it so purposefully
Low badly that no one would ever expect the Skylarks,
Level or realize that the papers themselves were the
true target all along.
Win a tournament of the card game Orrery
Low against members of the Winged League to nab
Level the grand prize - a magic relic recovered from the
giant ruins below.
Travel to Stormreach to scout out the balance
Middle of power, and establish a line of profitable
Level communication with whichever Storm Lord
seems the most… agreeable.
Locate the headquarters of a secret group of
counterfeiters in the Underside who are trying
Middle to sneak under the notice of the Passerine, scare
Level them into submission, then deliver them an offer
they can’t refuse.
Heist the glittering vaults of the Church of the
High Wyrm Ascendant in Stormreach, filled with
Level hundreds of years of offerings to the Sovereigns.
Retrieve a priceless piece of uniquely dangerous
contraband - the warded coffin of a Qabalrin
High vampire from deep beneath the Ring of Storms.
Level Once the coffin is removed from its crypt, the
vampire inside is likely to wake up. Whatever
deals they offer, be certain to refuse.
135
 Star Pilgrims
What is an angel? A being of mercy? Of heavenly fire?
What is to gaze upon an angel, if not to see something
beyond mortal ken, clothed in the shimmering raiment of
the heavens? The Star Pilgrims are those who have seen
this, and more. The Star Pilgrims are those who know - and
once you know, that knowledge burns like embers in the
heart. Part cult, part order of wandering mendicants, the
unnerving group ‘serves’ (as they believe) the whims of
the daelkyr Vriinmata - the Seraph of Stars and Glistering
King. The Pilgrims are found primarily in western Xen’drik,
where the heat and sun of the Menechtarun is closest to the
world their patron envisions - of scorched sand and pure
rock, untainted by the rot of mortal life. They believe in the
mercy of Vriinmata; that the gifts of the daelkyr can convert
doomed mortals into immortal beings of starfire and power.
They are entirely correct. They have no concept of the
suffering it causes.
The first Pilgrims arose from those given visions by the
daelkyr and its servants. Vriinmata’s prison demiplane
touches regions of Khyber beneath the Menechtarun Desert,
and the core of the cult lies there. The beliefs of the Pilgrims
have spread among groups of asherati, Sulatar drow, and
other peoples of the desert - an easy ideology for those who
often live by starlight. As a result, followers of the Seraph of
Stars can be found across much of western Xen’drik. Many
are shunned by other groups for their unnerving practices,
especially those druidic groups who understand the aberrant
touch upon them. The group’s creed is simple. They are
flawed beings doomed to wither and die, but by the mercy
of their leader, they can become pure and immortal. To that
end, they worship their patron, while researching ways to
free it from its prison within Khyber. Once the Seraph walks
the land, they will be its holy emissaries in truth.
Burning Rites
The most devout members of the cult are physically marked
by the alien touch of the daelkyr, whether through sheer
faith, the use of symbionts, or the ‘gifts’ of its servants.
Typically, this involves the conversion of the person's form
into crystal and light, the core of their body becoming a
radiant flame within a flawed organic shell. This flame is
the person’s very soul lit ablaze - an impossible reality that
lets them manipulate light and fire at will. A believer’s hand
might float at the end of their arm, connected by a rivulet of
crystal plasma where the bone would otherwise be. Those
who serve the Glistering King with fervor might be given the
ultimate gift - entry into the Stellar Court, and full conversion
into an unearthly shining child*. These aberrations hold
the same role as mind flayers for other daelkyr, and act as
overseers and guides for the Pilgrims and other cults.
The Dawning Second Sun
The goals of the Pilgrims involve the recovery of arcana
from the Menechtarun, and the eventual release of their
chained god from Khyber. Their center of operations
is the Parhelion Altar (p.267), deep within the
Menechtarun. To the west, the city of Zja Aqat
is rife with both Xorian lore, and powerful
136136
transdimensional tools that may be able to open portals to the
daelkyr’s prison demiplane. To the east, the irradiant ‘Golden
City’ of Sohl’aran is a powerful focus for positive energy from
the plane of Irian, with magic that would greatly increase
the Pilgrims’ strength of arms. It is possible that either may
hold the secret to cracking open the dimensional blockade of
the Gatekeepers, allowing their angel to walk out of Khyber.
However, the path to do this is contentious.
The cult is led by three Starseers, who conduct grand
rites, and guide its actions through astrology and divination.
While outwardly they are aligned, each believes in a different
course of action. Starseer Solaise - the drow leader of the
Stellar Paladins - aims to crush the enemies of the Pilgrims,
then sacrifice them as fuel to burn Vriinmata’s chains in a
rite of divine flame. In contrast, the asherati Hra-Semesh
believes that spreading the creed of the Pilgrims is the correct
path. With enough followers, the weight of their faith will
empower the Glistering King to rise to the surface once
more. The sun giant* Akradia instead believes in the power
of the ancient ruins around them, and heads efforts to recover
lost magic from Sohl’aran and Zja Aqat. In truth, she believes
that if she can ascend as a new titan, she will be able to free
Vriinmata herself, gaining its eternal favor - then crush her
competing Starseers as the new empress of Xen’drik.
Campaign Role
Unnerving Allies - Due to their divine beliefs and
radiant appearance, the Star Pilgrims are not visibly evil,
and their goals can sound harmless (if bizarre). Given their
opposition to the other forces in the Menechtarun - notably
the githyanki, Inspired, and Sunheart druids - they may serve
as useful allies to a party. It’s not going to stop them from
being any less strange, however.
Zealous Competition - To achieve their goals, the
Pilgrims intend to gather strength, then strike out for the
giant cities of Sohl’aran and Zja Aqat. Both hold ancient
magic that may allow them to free their chained god, or
enhance their own abilities. As such, a party may find
themselves battling crazed zealots during their exploration of
either city, or the Menechtarun as a whole.
Bizarre Background - It is perfectly possible for a
player character to come from the Star Pilgrims, trained as
a Sun Soul Monk or Celestial Warlock. This provides an
interesting scale of character evil, and a great narrative facade.
The character might be completely aware of the being they
serve, but outwardly appear to be a blessed warrior. They
may also be clueless and well-meaning, forced to decide down
the line if they must betray their purpose when they find
out the truth. A final option is that they have run away from
the Star Pilgrims after awakening to the horror in front of
them, and now use their powers to fight back. Whether the
Pilgrims will just let them leave is another matter entirely.
I'm not entirely certain what a
'daelkyr' is, but I blame the Zjai. You
can only poke around in Xoriat for
so long before Xoriat pokes back.
Apparently, with livingCHAPTER
radiation 4and
| ALLIES & ENEMIES
a god complex.
 Factions - Legendary Villains - Legendary Monsters - The Overlords
The Ten Watchers
The dragons brought a sudden and thorough end to the Age
of Giants. Their forces annihilated the giant city-states with a
hailfire of spells and physical might. With their cities broken
and their people slain en masse, the giants were brought
low - and then the dragons made sure that they would never
reach those heights again. Epic curses such as the Madness
of Crowds were laid upon the land, and then Argonnessen
turned its back on Xen’drik in pity, shame and fury. In their
wake, they left behind the Ten Watchers - dragons of each
color appointed to ensure no new threats ever rise from the
shattered continent.
At first, these positions held honor and prestige. Now,
they are often seen as a tedious exile. Some watchers, such
as the corpulent green dragon Zartarxis, have essentially
forsaken their duty entirely. Others, such as the silver
dragon Strapherakos, are faithful to their role, but face dire
challenges seeking to destroy them.
Plot Factor. This book defines three of the ten
Watchers, with the remaining seven free to be placed across
the continent. Fundamentally, they are plot devices. The
Watchers can play no role at all in a campaign, or be the
focus. A Watcher can be an interesting faction to introduce
in a location; they can be brutal foes for the party, or potential
allies against a greater threat. When placing a Watcher, make
sure to match their draconic strengths to the location. For
example, the Red Watcher keeps guard over a volcano due to
their ability to withstand heat.
As an organization, the Watchers can be everything from a
major antagonist to a party patron. After all, they are dragons
- and bored dragons at that. Their role includes stopping
meddling adventurers from poking around in ruins where
they don’t belong, and they might try to kill such a party
simply for being a nuisance. The dragons of Argonnessen
are not known for their beneficence. On the flipside, the
Watchers often employ ‘lesser races’ to assist in their duties.
The nature of this relationship can vary. The former Red
Watcher Zinshear-Jhodjaros trained and protected a clan
of drow that helped him in his duties; in comparison, the
Green Watcher has a clan of trolls under his command that
he terrorizes into servitude. As such, a party may serve under
a noble Watcher as its agents, helping to combat corrupted
giants or evil fiends.
Existing Watchers
Zartarxis, Green Watcher - Cul'sirran - The
indolent adult green dragon Zartaxis is a study in laziness.
Charged with keeping watch over the Skyfall Peninsula, the
Watcher soon gave in to boredom and a deep melancholy
with their effective exile. They conquered a local group of
trolls, declared themselves a god, and charged their new
servants with bringing them food. In the hundreds of years
since, the Green Watcher has barely moved - and completely
missed the entire history of Stormreach. When agents of
Argonnessen came to check in with the unfit dragon, the
existence of the city was as much a surprise to them as him.
Now, with a furious chastisement from his superiors, Zartaxis
is hauling himself into motion once more.
CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES & ENEMIES
Strasteliatar, Gold Watcher - Grand Ju’qata - The
Gold Watcher is located in the heart of Xen’drik, within the
ruined Alcazar of Ashes, palace of the Phoenix Queen. Here,
their role is vital, for they lie between two Overlords. To
the west, the Burning Desire hungers beneath the Valley of
Shadows; to the east, Zel Erakhni weaves a web of despair
beneath Dread Lake. As such, the role of the Gold Watcher is
to ensure that neither overlord comes close to escaping their
bonds. The current titleholder is the ancient gold dragon
Strasteliatar, a Lightkeeper of Dol Arrah devoted to their
duties. They keep watch over the surrounding lands with the
help of agents among the Súlatar drow, while ensuring that
thieves find no luck in their palatial lair.
Zinshear-Jhodjaros, Red Watcher - Tempest’s
Spine - The dedicated Red Watcher guarded a volcano in the
Tempest’s Spine under which countless fiends were bound.
A recent volcanic eruption released many of them from
Darkfire Crater (p.254), who slew the dragon in its sleep.
Now, Zinshear-Jhodjaros* is a nightmarish puppet filled
with vile hellwasps* that masquerade as him.
Examples of Potential Watchers
Thurkihnarix, Silver Watcher - The Unveiling -
The ancient silver dragon watching over the cloud capital
has long known her post is tranquil. The flotilla is far safer
than other Watchers’ posts (since the radiant idols aren’t
suicidal), and its remote location is defense enough. As a
result, Thurkihnarix spends her time brewing excellent tea
from the stores of the cloud giants, and training the city’s
small group of puffin aarakocra to do her work for her.
Any adventurers that can reach the city are a break in her
tedium, and she happily observes them from hiding for
entertainment. Any that put up a good show are free to
leave with their treasures, if they can fend off the Unveiling’s
tyrannical angels.
Petissethear, Blue Watcher - Crux - The Daanvi
city-state of Crux is always active. Automata patrol the
streets, watching for intruders and repairing any damage.
The adult blue dragon Petissethear learned this the hard
way soon after his arrival in Xen’drik. Underestimating the
danger they posed, the dragon laired within the city, which
led to the constructs trying to ‘arrest’ the dragon for theft. In
the following battle, he lost much of one wing and a back leg,
fleeing for his life to recover in a nearby desert cavern. The
bitter dragon has since used the metaclockwork in Crux’s
workshops to build himself metal prosthetics. He takes dark
pleasure in seeing others suffer at the hands of the city’s
constructs, and wishes for intruders to destroy them for good.
Verthatiberusk, Brass Watcher - Sohl’aran - The
young brass watcher is a relatively new arrival to her post,
and enjoys both the vibrant ruins of her home, and the ships
sailing through the Phoenix Basin. She often takes the form
of sea creatures and swims alongside the vessels, listening
to the voices of the sailors, while keeping watch over the
Basin’s ruins. Verthatiberusk is stalwart in her duty,
and does her best to scare away anything approaching
Sohl’aran, but she has yet to be truly tested - and
isn’t aware of some of the true dangers lurking
in the deeper city.
137
 The Eleventh Eye - Rumors persist of a final Watcher
that stands aside from the others. This secret role is given
only to experienced agents of Argonnessen, and involves
travel across Xen’drik with a singular goal - enacting the
ritual of the Du’rashka Tul. The Apocalypse Watcher is the
sole trigger and agent, responsible for destroying nations
throughout history. This serves as a physical form for the
Madness of the Crowds, and one the party can fight off to
prevent the destruction of their city. More information
on the concept of the Eleventh Eye can be found in the
Legendary Villains chapter on p151.
Campaign Role
Party Patron - Dragons are not known for their
niceties, and the Watchers are no exception. However, some
truly are good souls, and follow the paths of Sovereigns
such as Dol Arrah. These wyrms often empower servants to
assist them in their duties, as with Zinshear-Jhodjaros and
the Darkwatchers. As such, a party might have one of the
Watchers as their patron, who sends them on quests, bestows
them with treasure, and is likely eventually slain by the giants
or fiends who the party are fighting against.
Targets for Death - The Ten Watchers are one of
the greatest obstacles standing between giant ruins and those
who would reclaim them. As such, they are also prime targets
to kill - especially when you include their vast hoards of
treasure. As a result, it is possible to run a dragon-hunting
campaign with the Ten Watchers as prime targets. In more
standard campaigns, they represent the perfect reason to have
a dragon lurking in ancient ruins - and clueless adventurers
who take one down might open the doorway for all kinds of
consequences…
Impromptu Allies - Parties fighting against
tyrannical giants or evil fiends might find themselves
on the same side as the local Watchers. Should
an overlord be released, flying on the back of a
Watcher as the Ten assemble into a single
138138
dragonflight is a dramatic way to start the final battle. As
such, while negotiating with one carries a very real risk,
it might also mean gaining a very powerful ally. This is
especially true in the south-east, where the rogue dragon
Ketheptis is butting heads with the Watchers in the region
- and plotting their brutal demise. However, allying with
a Watcher is a difficult gambit. Should things spiral out of
control, they may call on Argonnessen to take up arms - and
that is a cataclysm in its own right.
Example Quests
Drive out a monster such as a manticore from
Low
nearby giant ruins, on the off-chance it breaks or
Level
triggers an arcane device.
Capture a small and sneaky thief that has been
Low
pilfering items from the dragon’s hoard (such as a
Level
boggle, faerie dragon, or monkey).
Deliver a magic item such as a Speaking Stone, or
Middle a critical message, from one Watcher to another
Level
as secret couriers on a long journey.
Infiltrate a city such as Stormreach or Kul Lerek,
Middle
then track down and destroy a disguised fiend
Level
attempting to start a dangerous cult there.
Drive out a group of giants trying to reclaim one
of the ancient city-states of the Group of Eleven,
High
then use its magic to destroy the Ten Watchers
Level
- such as the construct army of Crux, or the titan-
making artifice of Genesine.
Slay a rogue dragon such as Ketheptis the One-
High Eyed Crone*, or Eshtarnak's Bane-Reth, before
Level
they can pose a threat to the Watchers.
Patron Benefits
• Magic items gifted from the dragon’s hoard.
• Assistance (or at least immunity) from other Ten
Watchers, including local information and a safe
place to rest.
• Magical blessings and boons, such as spells, feats, or
transformation into partial dragonborn.
CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES & ENEMIES
 Factions - Legendary Villains - Legendary Monsters - The Overlords
Torch of Progress
The Torch of Progress is the main form of Silver Flame
worship in Xen’drik, with its members working to combat
the continent’s fiends and promote peace between its people.
The Torch dates back to the Age of Demons; based in the
divine city of Bazek Mohl, its members have been lighting
up the darkness since before the start of history. Unlike
many such groups in Khorvaire and Sarlona, the Torch has
traditionally focused on peace, diplomacy, and community
support over pure martial strength. This approach, guided by
the couatl Temhasteq in Bazek Mohl, has formed to combat
the Overlords of the continent. Each draws on negative
emotions and displeasure in different forms. By strengthening
the hearts of the people, the Torch has denied them the dark
emotions they crave - but was powerless to stop the giant
empires from walking a dark path.
The Age of Giants
The Silver Flame has always had a presence in Xen’drik,
for the giants fought in the First War. Some of their first
gods were champions who fought against the overlords, and
became immortalized for helping free them from tyranny.
Compared to Khorvaire, Xen’drik is relatively free of
Overlords; only three are known to be bound to the continent
itself, with a fourth in the Thunder Sea. As a result, many
of its nations were free to grow without as much danger
from hidden fiends. To the giants, the Silver Flame was thus
less of a call to arms, and more the torch held aloft by their
champions - a beacon of progress that led them from an age
of darkness. They held respect for it - but why worship the
torch over the warriors who held it? In time, their negligence
would be their undying, but for thousands of years, it was the
Torch of Progress who held evil at bay.
Divine Alliance. The Torch was based out of the city
of Bazek Mohl in the nation of Grand Ju’qata (p.194). The
Fernian nation worshiped all aspects of fire and split from the
Sul’at League after the binding of Prince Adaxus; as a result,
the flamists of the city were free to hold their own beliefs,
and acted as a neutral political bridge between the League
and Ju’qata. The Sul’at relied on the Torch of Progress to
keep watch over both the fiendish Adaxus, and the burning
Overlord sealed beneath their land. In time, the Torch
became recognised across Xen’drik as neutral protectors and
ascetics, and assisted the Cul’sir, Sul’at, and Group of Eleven
with combatting Khyber’s fiends.
Grand Harmony. By nature of the Overlords they were
fighting, the Torch of Progress held very different beliefs to
other so-called ‘serpent cults’. Xen’drik contains corruptive
Overlords of desire, manipulation, and vengeance - beings
that call out to the souls of the unfulfilled. The warriors
of the Torch responded with an extremely simple defense.
They sought happiness. Cold iron and thick shields cannot
protect the weaknesses of the soul, but one truly at peace can
shrug off the temptations of the void. The Torch of Progress
was just that - an organization of peace, mindfulness, and
self-control that forged new paths through diplomacy and
training. As a result, the Torch of Progress was never defined
by its paladins or martial strength. Instead, members sought
to support communities as artificers and clerics, or train as
monks who spread their teachings across Xen’drik. In this
CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES & ENEMIES
way, torchbearers alleviated the dark emotions and desires
that empower the continent’s Overlords, halting problems
before they required the sword to fix. Alone, they could
do nothing. With the support of their fellow giants, they
safeguarded civilization.
Over time, this simple creed became its own undoing. The
slow corruption of the Overlords mixed with the insanity of
the titans’ inhuman minds. The desires of the Sul’at League
and the Cul’sir became ever darker, and while the Torch
spoke out, they had no power to resist being exiled. By the
time the Cul’sir sought to draw on dire powers to kill the
rebelling elves, the Torch of Progress could do nothing but
watch until it all came burning down.
The Modern Torchbearers
Now, the cinders of the Torch still burn, held in the hearts
of drow, giants, and goliaths. These champions of the
Silver Flame keep scattered watch over the Overlords and
their servants, fighting against the odds to ensure their
imprisonment. Many Torchbearers live nomadic lives, as
they cannot gather in one place for long due to the Madness
of Crowds, and the ground they must cover is too huge.
Instead, they act as wandering mendicants and diplomats.
The city of Bazek Mohl (p.90) is the center for Silver Flame
worship in Xen’drik, and holds the Torch’s true heart - the
ancient divine gestalt Temhasteq. It is here, protected by
Temhasteq’s presence, that torchbearers train and meditate
to help the people of Xen’drik overcome the darkness
beneath their feet.
Strength in Diversity. Any believer in the Silver
Flame is considered a torchbearer, and there are few divisions
between roles or abilities. The rainbow colors of the couatl
represent both the different cultures that the Torch serves,
and the different abilities that they specialize in. Crucible
artificers (p.291) use their faith to create items that provide
healing and support to communities. Others travel across
Xen’drik, helping to defuse or convert dangerous giant
architecture. Sun Soul and Way of Mercy monks seek to
emulate the couatl through meditation and psionic training,
roaming the land to protect those in strife. Some torchbearers
also specialize as Eloquence Bards, who negotiate peace
between competing factions and maintain knowledge from
the first age about the Overlords and couatl.
Torchbearers are marked by prismatic rainbow motifs,
and often carry items that glow with light - a symbol of
their purpose, and a practical defense against the Lurker
and Spinner of Shadows. The organization welcomes any
ancestry; sun and fire giants descended from the cities of
old Ju’qata rub shoulders with firbolgs, drow, and goliaths
from across Xen’drik. The shulassakar additionally maintain
a presence in the city, using it as a base for their operations
in the continent. Others come to Bazek Mohl to learn from
its experts, bringing the ancient knowledge of the Torch
back to improve the lives of their people. The proximity of
Bazek Mohl to the prison of the Spinner of Shadows acts
as a barrier between Dread Lake and the rest of Xen’drik,
with torchbearers often clashing with the Overlord’s
spidery servants. In comparison, the distance of
Sakinnirot means that the Torch has little presence
in Stormreach. Instead, the Rushemé and shulassakar
keep a secretive watch.
139
 Campaign Role
Divine Patron - One of the easiest ways to include the
Torch of Progress is to have them as the patron of either
the party, or one of its members. This might mean basing
the campaign (or starting it) in the city of Bazek Mohl, with
the party working to combat one of Xen’drik’s evil threats.
This serves as a Good-aligned patron with a simple goal - to
protect the people of Xen’drik from evil.
Prophetic Guidance - For a party looking to gain
insights into the Draconic Prophecy, and how to defeat an
immortal enemy, the Torch of Progress is a simple solution.
They both understand the concept of the Prophecy, and how
it is key to keeping the Overlords bound. The hidden city of
Bazek Mohl is a notable place where a party can gain such
knowledge, but no one said that reaching it would be easy.
Knowledgeable Allies - Similarly, a party might
find themselves fighting alongside a member of the Torch
of Progress against a shared threat. Doing so is an easy way
to provide information about the fiends of Xen’drik, as well
as the existence of Bazek Mohl - especially for characters
linked to other Silver Flame cultures. This can set-up
future arcs related to the city, and introduce NPCs for the
party to call on.
140140
Example Quests
Deliver a missive from Bazek Mohl to a
Low Torchbearer keeping watch on Shae Fir - without
Level getting ensnared in silken webs.
Low Track down a serial killer in a nearby Súlatar city
Level empowered by the dark hungers of Sakinnirot.
Middle Slay a spidery rakshasa of the Spinner of
Level Shadows establishing a cult in Zantashk.
Venture through Khyber to the home demiplane
Middle of the shulassakar and bring back a divine artifact.
Level The coming days of darkness will need it - but
reaching Hope’s Meridian is not an easy task.
Slay Cyl-Maaldrake* outside the walls of
High Stormreach before it can annihilate the city with
Level an army of fiends.
Disrupt a ritual underway by Kyravia the
High
Cinderheart* before she can unleash the
Level
Overlord Kharna Rayva in a tide of searing flame.
Patron Benefits
• Residence in the hidden city of Bazek Mohl (as well as
the ability to find it).
• Access to divine spellcasters who can remove curses,
cure diseases, and divine fragments of Prophecy.
• Access to the sparring grounds of Starfall Mount, and
the divine forge of the Crucible.
CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES & ENEMIES
 Factions - Legendary Villains - Legendary Monsters - The Overlords
TheWinged League
As they say in Kul Lerek, profit makes the clouds go round.
The merchant guilds of the flying city form the Winged
League - a competitive alliance whose members vie for
dominance. Their grand guild halls tower over the northern
district of Duhvirat, with traders endlessly flying out from
the city in search of profits. Fundamentally, the League
serves to bind the guilds together. The guildmasters act as
representatives, and have a place in which to meet and settle
any grievances. As such, it regulates competition, ensuring
that things never get too out of hand; after all, no one wants
the Zephyr Guard to get involved.
The guilds of the League operate in a very simple manner.
With the aid of winged mounts, vehicles, or natural flight,
they buy and sell items to the people of Xen’drik. Since Kul
Lerek moves through the skies, the traders can naturally
reach different settlements, and many people look forward
to the city’s arrival. Trade contracts are common, with guilds
delivering regular goods to communities, such as textiles,
fresh food, and mail. In exchange, they buy local goods, then
either sell them on in Kul Lerek itself, or barter them with
different land-folk in the future. These contracts also extend
to the craftspeople of Kul Lerek, who often order regular
shipments of materials, or provide certain guilds with in-
demand craftwork. Some of these contracts are ancient, and
have outlasted generations of guildmasters and the families
they are linked to.
Swift Deals. Otherwise, many guilds receive and
post job requests for their members. These deliveries and
acquisitions can be taken on by whoever is the fastest to grab
them, and it’s common for guilds to have massive notice
boards covered in sheaves of parchment. New traders often
make a name for themselves with these one-off jobs, and
hope to use the connections they make to forge permanent
contracts. Completing such a request always grants a certain
cut of the profits to the Guild, funding their operations,
management, and lavish comfort.
Of course, the life of a trader isn’t cushy. Flying in Xen’drik
poses a whole bevy of dangers detailed on p.41, while the
Traveler’s Curse can wreak havoc on carefully laid plans.
League merchants typically rely on one of three things
to keep them safe - speed, strength, or stealth. For more
lucrative deals, it’s common for them to take on guards in
case of attack - a perfect role for adventurers. Dealing with
the Traveler’s Curse is relatively simple. As Xen’drik natives,
the traders are less affected, and the impacts can be further
lessened through knowledge of their destination. As a result,
trade contracts are directly beneficial, as they involve repeated
travel to familiar locations. When the Curse does strike, flight
makes it easier to deal with; if you are sent off-course, you
can rapidly determine where you are from the air, and adjust
accordingly. However, getting sent into a dangerous region
is always a possibility, and a party might find a lost trader in
danger wherever they go.
Different guilds have both different specialties and methods
of travel. These range from using one's wings, to elemental
artifice, to literally skating over the clouds. Example guilds
can be found in the following table:
CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES & ENEMIES
d6 Example Guilds
Su’zera Jenat - The bombastic drow of Su’zera
command the lion’s share of Súlatar trade. To be
Su’zera means to flaunt your stuff, wear indigo and
crimson, and drive a Firesled* like a comet. The guild
of Brassbinders specializes in both speed and trade
1
with the drow of central Xen’drik. While they cannot
transport heavy materials, their pilots’ acrobatics are
legendary. The traditional method of joining the guild
is to simply beat one of their members in a race.
Tradewinds Company - The most prestigious in
the League is the Tradewinds Company, led by the
cyclops Wrexok Goldeye. Supposedly, the guildmaster
uses his penchant for divination to predict good deals
in the future. Tradewinds is conservative and picky -
an attitude it can afford, due to holding prime place
2 in the League in recent years. Typically, the Company
takes on long-standing contracts, preferring reliable
deals. The Tradewinders’ signature mounts are giant
albatross, which can fly for weeks without needing
to land. This lets them travel long distances, reaching
settlements that other Guilds have barely heard of.
Paradise House - The ‘Burning House’, as they are
jokingly known, are possibly the most reckless Guild in
the League. Their traders deal in questionable items
on the border of acceptability, and have connections
with Kul Lerek's criminal Skylarks. If you need an item
that’s dangerous, poorly understood, or would be
3 contraband if anyone knew about it, Paradise House
is the guild for you. As a result, they have a strong
reputation for privacy and discretion, and actually
run a thriving business delivering letters and mail.
Paradisos fly using any method they can, ranging from
personal mounts, to tamed creatures, to cobbled-
together artifice with the Boundary Institute's help.
The Gilded Glide - The Roost is home to the
birdfolk of the Gilded Glide. The giant birds and
aarakocra form one of the most active guilds, and see
the it as a home more than a business. They specialize
in trade deals with isolated peoples, with giant ravens
mimicking languages to help with communication. The
Glide includes intelligent giant ravens, eagles, owls,
4
parrots, and cranes, who trade with the regions that
suit them; ravens head to the Iceflow, parrots to the
Hydra Basin, and eagles to the high peaks. They prefer
to trade in food, which they bring back to the roost
for the community. The building itself is akin to a small
village, with the birdfolk comfortably nesting within,
safe from the dangers of the land below.
Yrtar’s Cottage - The cloud giant* Yrtar owns a
cloud castle that she repaired and flew back from the
Sea of Lost Souls. Her ‘cottage’ is a former tavern that
has been lovingly restored. Yrtar is independent from
the Scriveners of the Sky, and regards them as snobby
and aloof. She travels solely based on interest, and
5
happily takes new guests and paying customers with
her. The unique nature of the Cottage allows it to carry
massive amounts of materials, and Yrtar has made
a small fortune bringing stone, wood and ore to Kul
Lerek. However, this is mainly to fund her wanderlust;
the giant’s whims are famously unpredictable.
141
 Example Guilds
d6
The Prav Consortium - The cloud goliath
Consortium is run by generations of the Prav Kol
family. In a call-back to the giants of the Gallimaufry,
the Prav Kols are bound by pact to a Syranian djinn.
Inherited through the main family, the pact grants
them power over the sky, as well as magic lamps far
bigger on the inside than out. They use these lamps as
6 dimensional storerooms for goods, which they collect
by skating over the clouds to their targets. The Prav
focus on heavy and unwieldy items, which they simply
store inside their lamps for the journey. As part of
their pact, the goliaths receive tasks from their djinn,
who prizes paintings above all else. Other guilds often
make a note of securing ancient artwork, just in case
they can sell it to the Prav Kols for extortionate prices.
Campaign Role
Mercantile Patron: A League guild can serve as a fun
patron for players - especially if they form their own! This is
a simple and easy way to have a party live in the fantastical
city of Kul Lerek, which allows them to travel around
Xen’drik in search of gold, treasure, fame, or friendship.
As a party becomes known for their exploits, they might
rise up the guild rankings, facing rivals vying for the role of
guildmaster. If they form their own guild, they might even
attract business contracts, jobs, or traders hoping to work
under them. Becoming the top guild in the League is a very
real goal, but the other guilds might have something to
say about it…
Speedy Services: Each of the Guilds specialize in
services that might be of great use to adventurers. These
are comparable to House Orien and Lyrandar in Khorvaire,
including mail delivery, rapid transport, and the shipping of
142142
goods. As a result, taking on a League contract is both an
easy way for a party to be flown around Xen’drik at terrifying
speeds, and a great gold sink for those at higher levels. This
naturally extends to reaching the city of Kul Lerek in the first
place, which is easier said than done.
Underhanded Opposition: Social standing in the
League is determined by one thing - profit. League traders
hunting for it are easy to position as self-serving rivals for
the party, or a chaotic third element in dungeon crawls. Such
treasure hunters are rarely outright evil, but pilfering poorly-
understood artifacts can have dire consequences - especially if
a wealthy villain is secretly funding their exploits. Of course,
it is possible to position a guildmaster as a villain in the same
vein as the Aurum in Khorvaire - a psychotic avaricious
mastermind with grand plans to dispose of their rivals.
Noir Schemers: The wants and needs of the competing
guilds provide a perfect hotbed for intrigue. Fierce rivalries
and massive profits mean all kinds of underhanded schemes,
including forged items, careful heists, contraband deals and
more. In general, the existence of the League (and the Zephyr
Guard) keeps this to a respectable level. However, truly
unique items or important trade deals can cause tensions
to rise. This complex web of shady deals is perfect to drop
players into, especially if the cause of it all is a dangerous or
powerful artifact… or an individual seeking to stir the pot.
Example Quests
Deliver a love letter to a lone giant living on an
Low island in the Iceflow Sea… an island surrounded by
Level aggressive giant seagulls (giant eagles with cold
resistance).
Negotiate a trade deal with a group of reclusive
Low yuan-ti within some giant ruins. Their artifice
Level is highly valuable, but they fear contact with
outsiders due to their history.
Fulfill a Boundary Institute request for a live
Middle snowworm - a baby remorhaz found in the
Level southern tundra.
Steal a Skyhook* from the floating city of the
Middle
Gallimaufry, massively expanding your guildhall to
Level
an entire flying island.
Recover an ancient Sul’at League elemental
High airship from the ruins of a city such as Ram’kanek,
Level expanding your guild's prestige and capabilities.
Heist incriminating documents from the
High
guildmaster’s office of a rival guild, exposing their
Level
dangerous collusion with a powerful villain.
Benefits
• Access to the guild hall and its knowledge of the people
of Xen’drik, as well as the location of rare and valuable
goods (and the horrors guarding them).
• Posted contracts and requests in the main guild hall, as
well as a guaranteed cut of any profits made.
• Discounts on goods secured and sold by the guild, as
well as the ability to request specific items from other
members and traders.
• Potential methods of travel to and from Kul Lerek
(depending on the specific Guild).
CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES & ENEMIES
 Factions - Legendary Villains - Legendary Monsters - The Overlords
Wyrd Vigil
The fomorians of Vralkast are the ancient descendants of the
Twilight Court, exiled to Khyber after a disastrous civil war.
The giants were cursed by the archfey to resemble their deeds
and their hearts of their leader, the titan Queen Cono’mae.
After fleeing into the underworld to hide their warped
appearances, the fomorians founded the town of Vralkast
on the shores of an abyssal sea, and struggled to survive in
the stark and dangerous world of Khyber. Now, Vralkast
is a city - an expansive system of caverns and strongholds
populated by people from across the Realm Below (p.109).
Countless threats attempt to assail it; daelkyr cults and
aberrations, massive leviathans from the Sea of Sorrow, flying
fiends and wandering beasts. It is the Wyrd Vigil who rage
against the night.
Monstrous Regiment
Their order is one borne of practicality, and united by
a common creed rather than a fighting style. The harsh
reality of life in the Realm Below has stripped away a fey
obsession with beauty and words, leaving grim practicality
and an embrace of diversity. To the Vigil, scars and curses
are a source of strength, and evidence of one willing to give
everything to protect their kin. Even though the fomorian
curse has itself long faded, the order’s Wyrdknights embrace
monstrous features. This is both a practicality, and a snub
against the delicacies of their past. Sometimes, it takes a
monster to fight a monster. Over time, membership of the
Vigil has expanded to include new arrivals; medusa, ogres,
and merrow have joined the ranks. Their roles are to hunt
leviathans, police the tunnels of their home, and drive off
monsters knocking at the city gates.
Over time, the Vigil has assembled a broad range of
techniques to battle the horrors around them. The most
common is the use of mutagens and body modifications, often
using materials taken from slain monsters. A Vigilant gains
strength with every trophy they take - and becomes ever
more monstrous in the process. The order’s strongest fighters
are thus terrifying to behold. The exception to this is the use
of symbionts, which are destroyed on sight. While this is due
to a general hatred of the daelkyr, it ties into a deeper part of
the Wyrd Vigil. Due to the fomorian dislike of kings, rulers,
and immortal pacts, they shun any path that would have them
beholden to another.
Many Vigilants also gain power from oaths to protect
their people, swearing the tenets of Watcher Paladins. Their
conviction and commitment to charging into danger gives
birth to divine power, which the fomorians see as arising
from their inner strength. Others find solace in the many
gods that have found homes in their city. The Shadow is
popular due to the medusa belief that it gives monsters
their gifts, and some fomorians see themselves as receiving
that Sovereign’s blessings in protecting their city. Those
who specialize in hunting leviathans take a different view.
To them, the hunt is a form of worship, the flesh of their
prey the reward. Dressed in lightweight bone-carved plate,
they ritually bathe in the blood of krakens and serpents
alike, bestowing them with piscine features and power
over the waves.
CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES & ENEMIES
Campaign Role
Underworld Patron - The Wyrd Vigil are a unique
example of an organization in Khyber that can serve as a
group patron or background. Characters might be venturing
into Xen’drik on behalf of the Vigil, seeking weapons,
knowledge, or allies against the threats of the Realm Below.
As a group patron, the Vigil easily enables Khyber campaigns,
providing a justification to explore the Realm Below in
defense of Vralkast.
Wary Wardens - For a party visiting the city of
Vralkast, the Vigil are the law - for better or worse. Outsiders
are a dangerous unknown, and the order doesn't hesitate to
crush any signs of corruption. As a result, characters may find
that they are allies with the group, while hiding any links to
dangerous influences - for no one wants to get on the bad
side of fomorians.
Battle-Scarred Veterans - Khyber is rife with
wandering dangers that leak out of bizarre demiplanes.
The Vigil has been fighting these fiends, aberrations, and
monsters for thousands of years, and their knowledge of
these threats is unmatched. Characters seeking the way to an
Overlord’s heart demiplane, the prison of a daelkyr, or a way
to defeat a fiend for good may find no better comrades.
Example Quests
Low Drive out cave fishers that have taken over a
Level mining tunnel in the Undagh district of Vralkast.
Negotiate peace between two clans of kobolds
and grimlocks in the Sowshore docks of Vralkast.
Low A spate of pranks and missing items has bloomed
Level
into a stand-off that has put the district on edge.
In truth, the culprit is from neither clan.
Track down and apprehend a serial killer obsessed
Middle with plucking the eyes from dead medusa - a
Level dangerous cultist of Orlassk absorbing their
petrifying abilities.
Middle Rescue a group of Everdelvers from an alien
Level demiplane after an expedition gone wrong.
Break through the insectoid forces of the daelkyr
High Valaara and slay the neothelid acting as their
Level command center, before the armies of the hive
can swarm over the walls of Vralkast.
High Assist in the operation to slay a vengeful kraken
Level approaching from the Sea of Sorrow.
Patron Benefits:
• The Wyrd Vigil have a deep knowledge of the
creatures of Khyber, as well as the minions of the
daelkyr. As such, their libraries can be used to learn
about them with ease, and grant advantage on all
Intelligence ability checks to learn about the subject.
• The patchwork blades and wyrdknights of the Vigil
are capable fighters with a wealth of experience.
Martial characters may be able to learn maneuvers
from them with training, or pick up the
mutagenic skills of a Patchwork Blade fighter.
• Social status and respect in Vralkast; few have
the nerve to obstruct someone who carves
up aberrations for a living.
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 Threats & Villains
Every campaign needs a dastardly villain - the focus of the
story, whose actions must be stopped at all costs. This section
features a variety of villains, ranging from ancient vampire
kings to sahuagin champions. Each has their abilities and
potential goals detailed to aid GM's in campaign planning.
Accompanying them are legendary monsters to hunt or
encounter, each a unique twist on a standard threat. The final
section focuses on the greatest threats of all - the god-like
archfiends known as the Overlords.
Legendary Villains
The Concateny - The titan of Zja Aqat slumbers
beneath the sands of the Menechtarun. The powerful psionic
god-mind is formed from a hundred giants melded into one,
and commands power over reality itself.
Cyl-Maaldrake, the Fangs of Fury - The former
prakhutu of Sakinnirot is a terrifying balor that embodies
pure murder. Bound beneatht the Tempest's Spine, Cyl-
Maaldrake is on the verge of regaining its freedom.
The Ecliptic King - Once a vampiric rule of the
Qabalrin, the Ecliptic King was sealed by his rivals in a
warded coffin during the Age of Giants. The immortal
necromancer combines dire strength with terrible magic, and
may seek to resurrect the Qabalrin civilisation.
Emperor Cul'sir, the Visionary - The god-king
of the Cul'sir Empire is the single worst villain in all of
Eberron's history, responsible for more death and suffering
than any other mortal. His command over dreams allows him
to undo reality in the name of himself, and himself alone.
His return could herald a new and disastrous rise of the
Empire itself.
The Kashatak - Cultists serving the Overlord known as
the Lurker in Shadows can become empowered by the fiend,
gaining its favor as they spread terror in its name. They gain
new abilities and a title - the Kashatak.
Ketheptis, the One-Eyed Crone - As cunning as
she is vile, the silver dragon Ketheptis works to bring ruin to
Xen'drik from her lair in the Bluespine Peaks. She is served
by frost giants, including her half-dragon children, who work
to amass power in her name.
Kyravia the Cinderheart - Wielding a massive
demonglass axe, the leader of the Battalion of Basalt Towers
is feared across the Skyfall Peninsula. Kyravia is a warlock
of the Burning Desire, and uses her fiendish charisma to
command legions of fire giants. her goals to free Prince
Adaxus from his seals - or failing that, claim her Overlord's
power for herself.
144144
Lord Ralastar, Nightmare Sovereign - the
Inspired Lord at the summit of Dar Qat is an expert at
dominating lesser minds - a talent he uses to crush any
resistance. Ralastar's reach stretches wherever the soldiers
of the Unity march, and guides quori efforts to uncover the
secrets of Xen'drik.
Prince Adaxus - The Hellfire Prince of the Sul'at
League conquered nations at the start of the Age of Giants.
His hunger for power turned Adaxus into a full avatar of the
Overlord Kharna Rayva, forcing adventurers to seal him deep
beneath the city of Morsa Khai. The Prince rages against his
chains to this day.
Raazk Hal'Shavar, the Fang of Sha'argon - The
armies of thje Eternal Dominion are led by a singular
champion with jaws of sharpened steelmeld. Clad in organic
plate, the Fang of Sha'argon is capable of absorbing the
strength of everything she eats - a talent she put to great use
when the Dominion is on the warpath.
Queen Cono'mae, Fate's Widow - The former titan
of the Twilight Court is the spidery prakhutu of the Spinner
of Shadows. Cono'mae sits upon her broken throne, weaving
the Prophecy to create suffering on a continental scale.
Vastravaros, Apocalypse Watcher - The secret
'Eleventh Watcher' is Argonnessen's answer to rising threats
in Xen'drik. Vastravaros is responsible for triggering the
Madness of Crowds, and laying waste to civilizations.
Vriinmata, the Glistering King - The alien 'angel'
of the Star Pilgrims is a daelkyr of terrible light. Vriinmata is
capable of weaving radiation into solid form, and solid beings
into those formed from radiation. From its kingdom deep
beneath the Menechtarun, the daelkyr awaits its release.
Legendary Monsters
1. The Cinder Sisters - Pyrohydra
2. Glimmerdoom - Behir
3. Kraa’ark Lors - Roc
4. Lurking Two-Maws - Tyrannosaurus Rex
5. Kaskylla of Glass - Morkoth
6. The Mistmother - Phase Spider
7. Menechtar - Rust Monster
8. The Flux Beast - Chimera
9. Thousandfold, the Worm of Winter - Remorhaz
10. The Somnoboros - Dream Serpent
The Overlords
Kharna Rayva, the Burning Desire
Flames, Desire, Obsession - The Valley of Shadows
, The Lurker in Shadow
The Alien, The Unknown - The Thunder Sea
Sakinnirot, the Scar that Abides
Grudges, Vengeance, Cold Murder - Stormreach
Zel Erakhni, the Fateweaver
Destiny, Helplessness, Manipulation - Dread Lake
CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES & ENEMIES
 Factions - Legendary Villains - Legendary Monsters - The Overlords

Legendary Villains Cyl-Maaldrake

the Fangs of Fury
The Concateny Tiger Balor of Sakinnirot
Ancient Psionic God-Mind
Campaign Themes: Pulp Action, Stormreach, Fiends
Campaign Themes: Psionics, Xoriat, the Quori Thematic Enemies: Fiends, Knives of the Scar*, Revenants
Thematic Enemies: Aberrations, Inspired, Githyanki
'I will be there. Every dawn of your miserable
existence, I will be there. Waiting. Watching. Savoring.
Travel...your mind...hear the call....join the chorus
I suggest you start running. You will crave the end soon enough.'
The titan of Xoriat is among the most powerful psyches
Darkfire Crater (p. 254) is a prison for countless fiends from
on Eberron - a psionic god-mind formed from the mental
the Age of Demons sealed in the war against the Overlord
merging of a hundred giants into one single entity. It
Sakinnirot. The Red Watchers of Argonnessen have kept
represents the pinnacle of psychic power. If not for its
an eye on the site for thousands of years - not for its many
imprisonment beneath the city of Zja Aqat, the Concateny
weaker demons, but for a single balor of terrifying strength
would have long forced Argonnessen’s hand. It is a testament
- Cyl-Maaldrake, the Fangs of Fury. The former prakhutu
to its strength that the dragons were content to leave it in
of Sakinnirot is a force of dire vengeance, with every grudge
the ruins of its city, knowing that a true effort to kill the
he bears increasing his strength further - and after 100,000
titan would cost too many lives. Despite this, the Concateny
years, there are plenty of names on the list. Even worse, the
schemes still, and the rise of the Inspired city of Dar Qat
balor’s tigrine form is marred by the blade of a shattered
may be just the event it needs to begin its rule once more. In
sword driven into its chest, causing it constant injury to its
ancient Zja Aqat, powerful psions were granted the right to
pride. The blessed blade cannot be grasped by the fiend itself,
be mind seeded by the Concateny, their egos absorbed and
stoking the fires of its rage in perpetuity. The tiger roars of
melded into the ageless metaconcert. As it happens, a faction
Cyl-Maaldrake ring out from its prison, echoing through
of powerful psions are now pushing out from Dar Qat, and
the tunnels of the Crater. With the recent volcanic eruption
the Inspired have no idea of the threat they face - or how they
leading to the death of the Red Watcher, a horde of fiends are
might be enslaved by a very different kind of immortal.
chipping away at the balor’s cell - an underground chamber
lined with Khyber dragonshards. With every day, its bonds
Abilities are weakened, heralding Cyl-Maaldrake’s catastrophic return.
The Concateny’s powers range from the creation of entire
demiplanes, to the reshaping to reality, to the domination Abilities
of lesser minds. While it is utterly immobile, it is capable
Cyl-Maaldrake is an incarnation of cold murder; those
of extending its reach through enslaved pawns and agents,
preparing to fight the balor who expect a rampaging force
who can range for hundreds of miles while remaining
of destruction are sorely mistaken. The fiend radiates an
in contact. The god-mind's goals could be anything; the
aura of bone-chilling cold, its intelligence and calculated
trauma of losing its people may have permanently scarred it,
moves a reflection of its master. Cyl-Maaldrake is patient
driving it into dangerous insanity. It is also possible that its
- disturbingly so. It picks the most important target, marks
sheer intelligence has been devising plans for 40,000 years.
them for death, then executes them with a stealth surprising
Whether those plans are of revenge, rebuilding, or turning
for its massive frame. Those who run are merely delaying the
back time, are anyone’s guess.
inevitable; the longer Cyl-Maaldrake has to plot and plan out
an assassination, the more brutal and unforgiving it becomes.
Campaign Role
A campaign featuring the Concateny is likely to revolve Campaign Role
around the battle for dominance in the Menechtarun between
Cyl-Maaldrake can be used as anything from a looming
the Inspired, the githyanki, the Sunheart druids, and the Star
end-game threat to the inciting incident for a campaign. It is
Pilgrims. Each faction has a different reason for fighting over
perfectly possible to have players witness the release of the
Zja Aqat, and none know the immense power that sleeps
balor - and barely escape alive - at the start of a campaign.
beneath it. It is possible that characters might serve the
Alternatively, the fiend’s release can serve as a major villain
Inspired, and be contacted by the Concateny to serve it. It is
goal for a campaign focused on Sakinnirot; should the players
also possible that it might dominate members of the Inspired,
fail in preventing his release from Darkfire Crater, Cyl-
then use them to enslave the entire bastion of Dar Qat as its
Maaldrake can serve as a devastating recurring villain. A
new army. Regardless, it is certain that a party will have to
more unusual role for Cyl-Maaldrake can involve the broken
delve beneath the sands of the Xoriat city-state to where the
sword rammed into the fiends chest. This blade, named
titan’s tomb lies, and quell its ancient threat for good.
simply Forgiveness, was bestowed by the dragons to a
primal titan in Age of Demons, and holds the power
to defeat Sakinnirot and his kin if fully repaired.
However, the blade seals some of the balor's
powers, and removing it is a dangerous task,
and a very dangerous game.

CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES & ENEMIES

145
 The Ecliptic King
Qabalrin Vampire Lord
Campaign Themes: Undeath, Lady Illmarrow, Dungeon
Delving, Gothic Horror
Thematic Enemies: the Emerald Claw, Bone Knights,
Vampire Thralls
Death is ours to command - and yours to suffer.
The Qabalrin factions of the Unspoken and Shapers of Night
were the most powerful in the city of Qabal Mordas. Open
conflict between them left the Unspoken as the victors, who
sealed the vampire lords of the Shapers in underground
tombs - and ironically saved them from destruction. The
Shapers were led by the most ancient of their kind, who
first developed vampiric immortality - the Ecliptic King and
Queen of Dusk. Their legacy of undeath lasts to this day in
Karrnath and Farlnen, but both vampires slumber in warded
coffins beneath Xen’drik. Now, the King stirs in his ancient
crypt, awaiting the day his seals break. Soon, he will be
free to rule once more with the Queen by his side - and the
Unspoken are nowhere to stop him. Despite their political
marriage, the King and Queen are bitter rivals. They needed
each other's power for their own security and social position,
yet that is also why they both distrust each other so much -
they're powerful enough to be each other's dire weakness, but
necessary as each other's strength. To resurrect the Shapers of
Night, the King will need the power of his queen. Only then,
can they seek to destroy each other with finality.
Abilities
The Ecliptic King was a powerful arcane warrior for
hundreds of years before becoming a vampire, and combines
martial power, undead strength, and dire necromancy. Even
more dangerous is the ancient lore he holds; the Shapers
of Night were among the strongest mortal necromancers
to have ever lived, and lacked any concept of morals. This
includes the ancient secrets of the city of Shae Tirias Tolai.
If the seals on the King are broken, his goals may vary from
finding and freeing his Queen, to restoring his people from
their prison in the Heart of Siberys - or raising a new army
of soldiers from the bones of the people of Stormreach.
Destroying the Ecliptic King is an epic quest of its own. The
vampire lacks many of the weaknesses of his lesser kin, and
can only be destroyed via his link to the immortality ritual.
To become a vampire, the twin monarchs sacrificed an entire
section of the Ring of Storms to Mabar, damning thousands
of elven souls within. Sealing him for good requires the
tainted earth of that land - a physical relic of his immense sin.
Campaign Role
A campaign featuring the Ecliptic King will likely involve
the schemes of Erandis Vol through her pawns, the Emerald
Claw. The Qabalrin are the ancient forebears of the Line of
Vol, and ultimately responsible for the creation of the Apex
Mark of Death. As a result, reclaiming Qabalrin artifacts
and lore is an important route by which Erandis can
restore herself to life, and grasp her true destiny.
The party may have to race the Claw to the Ring
of Storms, then fight to prevent them from
146146
freeing the Ecliptic King. This might involve the recovery of
several pieces of an ancient key scattered across Xen’drik, or
brought to Aerenal by ancient refugees. The true weakness of
the Ecliptic King might also lie in the ancient records of Shae
Tirias Tolai, for the Queen of the Dead still hungers to return
his soul to its place in Dolurrh. The final clash could involve
the King draining the massive power of the Umbra, or
warring on Stormreach with the help of the Queen of Dusk -
and dooming Xen’drik to a new age of darkness.
Emperor Cul'sir
the Visionary
Awoken Titan of Dreams
Campaign Themes: Dreams, Nightmares,
Stormreach, the Quori
Thematic Enemies: Cul’sir Somnitects*, Quori, Id-waiths*
I am Cul'sir. All I see is my Right. From the slaves I
command, to the beasts of the land. All is dominion.
The God-King of the Cul’sir is perhaps the most infamous
figure in the history of the continent. Nothing is known of
the Emperor’s fate, but one thing is for certain - the paranoid
king who spent an age defying death would never die so
easily. The Aereni believe that the hero Cardaen struck
down the titan to set his people free, while some Xen’drik
cultures believe that Cul’sir lurks in the Sea of Dreams still.
Options for the fate of Cul’sir can be found on p.175, but
the vagueness is purposeful. Bringing back the god-king for
a campaign is extremely easy, and the deranged titan is a
dramatic and dangerous villain.
Abilities
In battle, Cul’sir is a reality-warping titan of unbound power.
His mastery of Dal Quor allows him to impose dreams upon
the waking world, shaping the environment and the people
within it - or erasing them entirely from his sight. As a
perfect dream of himself, the titan is skilled in everything -
for how else could exist as a god-king? His sheer presence
can force people to kneel before his feet, or be crushed
without mercy. Given time, he can even wish the world into
a different nightmare entirely.
Campaign Role
The reason for Cul’sir’s return could be due to anything from
a magical contingency to House Kundarak’s excavations in
Stormreach. This section is going to assume that Cul’sir’s true
body has always lain in Dal Quor, and that the quori working
to realign the plane have allowed him to reform a Material
body once more - effectively, dreaming an avatar of himself
into existence. This is not to set such a thing in stone, but to
provide an example of what such a campaign might look like.
In this situation, the goals of Cul’sir are simple. He needs
to reclaim the treasures from the seat of his power in
Stormreach, avoid discovery by the dragons, and gain control
of the Moonbreaker as a deterrent against them. To do so, he
has disguised himself as the Voice of the Titans - the secretive
KILL ON SIGHT. CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES & ENEMIES
KILL. ON. SIGHT.
 Factions - Legendary Villains - Legendary Monsters - The Overlords
leader of the Reclaimers of Glory (p.131) . His power and
magical knowledge have drawn other giants to him, and he
is offering them the vision of a safe kingdom in which to live
with their families. Currently, the Reclaimers are spreading
their influence. More giants are flocking to their cause by
the day, and they are working to recover magical items and
locations at Cul’sir’s command. Despite this, the titan himself
maintains utmost secrecy; he is learning of the Ten Watchers,
and preparing to take out the closest - namely Zartarxis*, the
Green Watcher. With Zartarxis out the way, he will be free
to attack Stormreach without Argonnessen noticing. The
undercity of Cul’sirran may contain ancient eldritch machines
needed for his purposes, powerful weaponry to seize power,
or even the secrets of the Moonbreaker itself.
The Kashatak
Blessed Horror from the Deep
Campaign Themes: Eldritch/Psychological Horror,
Underwater, the Eternal Dominion
Thematic Enemies: Aboleths, Shadow Demons,
Doppelgangers, Krakens
YOU ARE KNOWN
The Lurker in Shadows, Overlord of the Unknown, is bound
deep within the Thunder Sea. Its aberrant servants enact its
one goal in its stead - to sow fear and terror in the minds
of mortal men. Shapeless horrors sneak aboard ships to
devour and replace members of the crew; aboleths enslave
settlements and whisk away entire villages in the dead of
night. Unlike other Overlords, many of the servants of the
Lurker are aberrations instead of fiends, helping to keep
the nature of its minions part of the Unknown. As part of
this, the archfiend has no Speaker or right hand to gain
familiarity. Instead, a servant in the process of embodying the
Overlord’s whims might find themselves empowered to do
their mission, growing in corruption and strength until they
are an extension of the Lurker itself. This blessed being is the
Kashatak - the Regent of the Abyss.
The nature of the Kashatak provides a unique opportunity
to have a dynamic villain that grows with the party. A
campaign focused on Stormreach and the Thunder Sea might
start with the players uncovering a hidden cultist on their
ship. That person might go on to begin a reign of terror in
Stormreach, fomenting tensions between the Storm Lords
and sahuagin. When they gain the power of Kashatak,
they will rise to full glory, and seek to free the Lurker from
its prison in the Trench of the Void (p.278). Even if they
are defeated, the power of Kashatak lives on. After all, the
nightmare never truly ends. Unlike the other villains in
this book, the Kashatak is a powerful mantle that can be
applied to any servant of the Lurker. This might even occur
mid-battle if multiple servants curry the Overlord’s favor,
triggering a terrifying demonic mutation.
Campaign Role
A campaign using the Kashatak will revolve around the
politics of the Thunder Sea. Beneath the waves, the Eternal
Dominion prepares for endless war. The lords of Stormreach
plot and scheme, negotiating with the sahuagin for safe
CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES & ENEMIES
passage. In the lightless deep, the taelmer merfolk hold a
desperate guard against the aboleths of the Lurker, ensuring
the Overlord can never be freed. A single infiltrator tipping
the scales could lead to the sahuagin attacking Stormreach
or the sea’s merfolk - a thread of the prophecy leading to
the Overlord’s nightmare release. Should the armies of the
Dominion fall under the Lurker’s sway, its power would be
limitless - and the coastal cities of Khorvaire might be next.
Ketheptis
the One-Eyed Crone
Accursed Dragon of Deceit
Campaign Themes: Dragons, Drow, Diplomacy, Deception
Thematic Enemies: Scion of Ketheptis*, Goliaths,
Winter Wolves
'Basra, deal with this one. I have no need for vermin.'
Many of Xen’drik’s rogue dragons are dangerous exiles who
rule over their territories. The worst have a far broader
gaze. Ketheptis, the One-Eyed Crone*, is an adult silver
dragon who has lived in Xen’drik since she was a wyrmling.
After watching her parents die at the hands of Banor'drakai
hunters, and losing an eye to one of their burning arrows,
the silver drake swore vengeance on those who had taken
everything from her. Both the dragons who cast out her
family to the dangers of Xen’drik and the people who
slew them are her targets, and with every passing year,
her strength has grown. Clumsy attempts at revenge have
given rise to cunning and guile, marked by scars worn with
pride. The dragon lairs in the Bluespine Peaks in a glacial
lair (p.262), with frost giant servants who share her goals
of revenge. Only when the Ten Watchers are dead and the
'lesser' peoples laid low will she find her satisfaction.
Abilities
Ketheptis is a dangerously intelligent enemy with powerful
forces at her beck and call. She is both a vicious tactician and
a powerful foe, with massive strength and potent spellcasting.
As a result, she fills the role of a draconic nemesis perfectly,
with dark goals and the personal pettiness to toy with the
party. Her minions range from terrorized goliaths, to her
half-dragon frost giant Scions of Ketheptis* (led by her
partner Thraalgrum), to the Qabalrin vampire Dekaraz,
each of which might become a new threat to the party. Her
abilities allow her to travel quickly in disguise, and the dragon
might show up in humanoid form to sow havoc for the party.
In battle, Ketheptis has an arsenal of tools at her disposal.
Her seething fury manifests as barbarian rage, causing blood
to seep from beneath her scales. She channels this into brutal
strikes, bolstering her physical strength. Despite this, it is her
intelligence that is the most threatening. The dragon has no
qualms with hit-and-run tactics, toying with her helpless prey
for pleasure. Additionally, her innate spellcasting allows
her to dispel magic, hide her form, and enhance her
abilities to devastating effect. Unlike other villains, it
can always be assumed that Ketheptis is willing to
flee, then return later after plotting vengeance
on the party.
147
 Campaign Role
The silver dragon can fit any campaign with adventures
in central Xen’drik, especially those involving the Ten
Watchers. She might be competing with the party for
powerful artifacts, allies, or magic, or even be interfering and
clashing with another enemy faction. As an example, her path
to vengeance might rely on the knowledge held by Dekaraz;
her aims might include recovering Qabalrin technology for
use as weapons of mass destruction, placing her in opposition
to both the party and the Emerald Claw. Alternatively, her
hatred for her fellow dragons might see her attacking the Ten
Watchers, leading to a cascade of destruction. There is not
a single thing on this continent that Ketheptis holds dear; to
her, triggering a second Shattering would be the sweetest of
victories as she dances above the flames.
Ketheptis in Canon & Racial Issues
In canon, Ketheptis is deeply, deeply problematic.
Dragons of Eberron does its best to make her into a
character of exceptional depravity, with themes of
cannibalism, genocide, war crimes, and even forced
sterilisation. To highlight this, there is one line used in
reference to her stance on the drow that is an almost
direct quote from infamous Nazi rhetoric regarding the
Jewish people. This is not an exaggeration.
This section is a complete reworking of Ketheptis
in canon, removing the problematic and disturbing
elements as best as possible, while maintaining the
things that make her compelling. There is nothing
wrong with a cunning draconic villain seeking revenge
on the people that slew her parents. There is everything
wrong with the themes and offensive language
mentioned above. In light of this, it is normal to ask why
Ketheptis is included in this book at all. It is the view
of the author that it’s better to take the mistakes of
the past, bring them to light, and then fix them, rather
than sweep them under the rug and ignore them. To do
otherwise is insulting to the people affected by them -
including, in this case, the author.
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Kyravia
the Cinderheart
Burning Centurion of the Battalion
Campaign Themes: Pulp Action, Fiends, Kharna Rayva
Thematic Enemies: Battalion Fire Giants*, Pyreheart
Goliaths*, Fiends
'The legion marches on the Cinderheart's command!'
The driving force behind the Battalion of Basalt Towers
is Kyravia the Cinderheart*, a powerful fire giant warlock
wielding a massive demonglass-infused axe. The high
centurion reformed the Battalion as a hammer to smash the
walls between her and her goals, and will not rest until she
has the power she seeks. Her pact with the Overlord Kharna
Rayva grants her irresistible charisma and hellfire flame. The
former has earned her a legion of followers, gathered beneath
the banner of a restored Sul’at League. The latter has earned
her control over the ruins of Ram’kanek, and a reputation
throughout the Hydra Basin. Now, Kyravia’s goal is simple
- to secure the power to break the bonds on Prince Adaxus -
or, to take his place and rule Xen’drik in his stead.
The pact may have provided the power to rule undisputed,
but Kyravia’s dark hunger grows with every year that passes.
She believes that when the Battalion gains the power it seeks,
she will be in a position to control the fiends she consorts
with. Until then, she grudgingly takes their guidance on how
to free Prince Adaxus and gain the upper hand on her foes.
In truth, if the Hellfire Prince is freed, the servants of Kharna
Rayva will happily dispose of her in turn. The result is a tense
alliance with each side aiming to gain the upper hand, and
Kyravia has no intention of losing.
Abilities
Kyravia’s pact with Kharna Rayva grants her dark flame and
warlock magic. Coupled with barbarian strength and drive,
she is a powerful force on the battlefield. The Battalion's
growing command of Sul’at ruins, such as Ram’kanek, have
also provided magic items sourced from the League, which
Kyravia uses as evidence of the heritage that fire giants are
owed. As such, her capabilities may depend on the power
of her faction, and the treasures she can commandeer -
or kill for.
Campaign Role
The Cinderheart is a dramatic and charismatic villain that
can grow in power and ability alongside the players. As the
Battalion grows in power, the players may find her gaining
new magic items and powers to match them, which cannot be
said for other immortal villains. Her goals are clear and easy
to understand, but as Kyravia progresses, her tensions with
the fiends of Kharna Rayva will only grow. It may be that
she gains the chance to usurp Adaxus and turn the tables - a
surprise betrayal that may lead to her becoming a new avatar
of Kharna Rayva. It may also be that the fiends get to her
first, and use her as a pawn to release the Hellfire Prince -
who will destroy her, just like so many of his past rivals.
CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES & ENEMIES
 Factions - Legendary Villains - Legendary Monsters - The Overlords
Lord Ralastar
Nightmare Sovereign
Mindbreaking Inspired Lord
Campaign Themes: Psionics, Quori, the Moonbreaker
Thematic Enemies: Soldiers, Inspired, Quori
'You will tell me of your allies, their lovers, and their
deepest fears. May the il-altas have mercy on your soul. '
The lord of the bastion of Dar Qat has led the city’s colonial
expansion for over 700 years. The tscuora quori Lastar has
controlled generations of Inspired puppets far from Sarlona’s
shores, building up the Unity’s stronghold here in search
of answers. His Chosen vessels are trained as ‘thrallherds’ -
psionic experts in mental domination, ensuring no resistance
from the indoctrinated servants under his command. In
combination with his army of Riedran soldiers and Chosen,
Lord Ralastar is a dangerous and capable foe, with the full
force of the Dreaming Dark behind him. As Dar Qat grows,
so does the strength of the Unity in Xen’drik, allowing them
to drive off the local people and capture the treasures they
crave. Until he discovers the truth behind Dal Quor’s Turning
of the Age, the quori’s domination will never end.
Abilities
As an Inspired lord, Ralastar combines the powerful
psionics of a Chosen vessel with the nightmare abilities of a
tsucora quoriERLW. As a thrallherd, Ralastar is a specialist in
dominating minds and commanding others on the battlefield.
His sheer will draws Riedran soldiers to him, protecting him
as an elite cadre. Rather than taking down powerful foes, the
Inspired prefers to mentally break them instead, capturing
them to bring back to Dar Qat for ‘questioning’. When not
occupying his mortal host, the quori Raster is a distinct threat
in his own right. He can possess other members of Ralastar’s
chosen line across any distance, allowing him to control
them while out on expeditions. This means that the party can
battle different Chosen under the quori’s possession, with the
quori learning more and more about them while remaining
untouchable. Truly defeating Lord Ralastar means slaying the
Inspired, and binding the quori; otherwise, the nightmare
will never end.
Campaign Role
Lord Ralastar is a politically powerful mastermind - a distant
foe fighting the party from his crystal tower. Yet, as a quori,
he can haunt their dreams if needed, ensuring his presence
is a constant shadow looming over them. As a result, he
serves a unique role as a calculating foe protected by layers of
defenses. Taking Ralastar down would be a grand finale of a
campaign focusing on Dal Quor, requiring a grand assault on
Dar Qat, and the help of powerful allies. However, Ralastar
is a unique villain in a different way, for he can serve as a
group patron. It is perfectly possible for a party to meet with
Ralastar as Riedran expeditionaries, and return to fight him
after discovering the truth - that their divine lord is in fact
the puppet of an ancient evil.
CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES & ENEMIES
Prince Adaxus
the Hellfire Titan
Titan Avatar of Infernal Flame
Campaign Themes: Kharna Rayva, Pulp Action, Fiends
Thematic Enemies: Battalion Fire Giants, Fiends,
Súlatar drow
'I. Am. FREE. WITNESS, mortals, and DESPAIR!'
The father of the Sul’at League is one of the most powerful
- and most scorned - figures in Xen’drik’s history. The
towering Hellfire Prince was the first fire giant, binding his
soul to the Overlord Kharna Rayva to become a cambion of
great power and greater desire. At the start of the age, the
Prince used this power to conquer the city-states of central
Xen’drik, forming the Sul’at League, inspired by the power
of Emperor Cul’sir. Their clashes were legendary - duels
between demigods that lay waste to the land. In time, a group
of heroes rose to defeat and seal the Prince before he became
an avatar of Kharna Rayva in truth. They bound him beneath
the Valley of Shadows, reforming the Sul’at League (‘the
Firebound’), to ensure he could never rise again. Now, the
guardians are long dead, and 40,000 years have passed. The
heart of Adaxus is ever-burning, and his rivals are long dead.
The continent is his to claim - and year by year, his chains
melt beneath his burning hunger to rule.
Abilities
On the battlefield, the Hellfire Prince is a visceral presence.
The titan’s charisma, reinforced by the dark vice of Kharna
Rayva, is so great that it roils off him in searing waves.
Nearby creatures find themselves serving the Prince’s orders
without thinking, their wills consumed by his own like
kindling. In other ways, he is the archetypal fire giant - the
Surtr of Xen’drik legend. His mastery of fire allows him to
cast powerful evocation spells at a will, leveling cities and
razing a path through the continent. As an avatar of an
Overlord, the Prince is also demonic, with many features
reminiscent of a balor or pit fiend. Combatting him requires
ancient artifacts, such as those crafted by the Sul’at League, or
divine weapons of the Silver Flame to slay him for good.
Campaign Role
Prince Adaxus is a classic pulp villain - a massive, flashy
and destructive titan from the ancient past. Much like Rak
Tulkhesh in Khorvaire, he serves the role of a massive
catastrophe the unleashing of which is the end-game of a
campaign. Unlike Cul’sir, Adaxus has no ‘unavoidable’ ties
to Dal Quor and the quori, and can be tied freely to other
nations. His location in central Xen’drik also accommodates
campaigns outside of Stormreach, especially those starting
in the holy city of Bazek Mohl. Similarly, the nature of his
binding might involve artifacts in any location of interest to
the GM. If a player has a backstory linked to a certain
location, it can be woven easily into the story of
his downfall.
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 Raazk Hal’Shavar
Fang of Sha’argon
Baron of the Eternal Legions
Campaign Enemies: Underwater, Stormreach,
The Thunder Sea
Thematic Enemies: Sahuagin, Dragon Turtles, Krakens
'Ra'har! The body BITES. It EATS. It GROWS.We fight
to live, to live is to fight. Swallow death, and feast! '
Below the waves of the Thunder Sea, the sahuagin empire
known as the Eternal Dominion labors and toils, all but
unknown to the airsick beings above. The great cities of
the Dominion grow under planar influence, consuming the
biomatter of the colossal kar'lassa. Built around the kar'lassa
of Shavarath, Plane of War, the city of Hal'Shavar is the
center of the Empire's armies, with training grounds, arenas
and mock battles fueling its conquests.
Abilities
At the summit of the Dominion's armies sits the Fang - a
peerless baron mutated with the flesh of the Kar'lassa of War.
Clad in armored carapace of organic steelmeld, four arms
tearing apart the enemies of the Dominion, Raazk Hal'Shavar
is an unstoppable force of martial might. The blessing of
Sha'argon and mutant physique have granted the Fang a
singular ability - by consuming the flesh of her enemies, the
baron can evolve in the midst of battle, gaining their strength
to terrifying effect. For an attack on the planes, an invasion of
the surface or the subdual of an Overlord, the Maw will take
the first bite.
Campaign Role
Campaigns involving the Fang of Sha’argon are likely to
revolve around the politics of the Thunder Sea, including the
expansion of the Eternal Dominion. The sahuagin empire
is a major threat to both Khorvaire and Xen’drik, held back
by nothing more than arrogant indifference. Any number of
factors might set the Dominion on the warpath, marching
its legions into Stormreach or Sharn. Nothing quite sets the
scene as much as a sahuagin army assaulting the docks of
Stormreach on the backs of immense magebred leviathans.
Such a campaign might involve the agents of the Lurker in
Shadows, the Karakala merfolk of the Thunder Sea, or the
storm giants and krakens who despise the Dominion’s attacks.
150150
Queen Cono’mae
Fate’s Widow
Spider Titan of the Spinner
Campaign Themes: Gothic Horror, Fate, Spiders, The
Spinner of Shadows, The Fey
Thematic Enemies: Chelikera*, Fateweaver
Warlocks*, Spiders
'Hush now...you came here for answers, did you not? I
have them - all of them. All I ask is a single favor.'
Once the Fabled Queen of a nation, now the prakhutu of the
Spinner of Shadows, the fiendish titan Cono’mae weaves
schemes that stretch the length of Xen’drik. Known more
commonly as Fate’s Widow, Cono’mae is an infamous figure
in giant history. She gazes into the future with her eight
spider eyes, plucking and trimming the threads of destiny
into only the most dire of outcomes. The Fangs of Fate is a
warlock patron and dark seductress; one of her main targets
are those who curse their own lives, who she offers dark gifts
to carve a new path to power. Every move is a calculated
gambit - a piece on the board towards freeing the Spinner of
Shadows once more.
Abilities
In battle, the titan of Shae Fir is a terrifying skirmisher who
uses hit-and-run tactics to devastating effect. Between blows,
she melts away into the shadows, lurking unseen before
striking once again. Her poison needles curse those they
touch with misfortune, while her will can alter fate for the
worse for those in her many-eyed sight. This includes cutting
the strands of their destiny for good, killing them like broken
marionettes.
Campaign Role
Cono’mae is a devious and powerful enemy - a puppet master
pulling the strings much like Lady Illmarrow in Khorvaire.
Her followers and servants may have no idea of her true
identity or power, but her gifts are potent and tempting. At
40 feet tall, she’s also suitably dramatic. The Queen serves as
a powerful antagonist for campaigns involving the Draconic
Prophecy, as well as a notable potential ally; a party looking
to find secrets or prophetic advice might seek out the Widow
of Fate for her ancient knowledge, hoping to turn the enemy
of an enemy into a friend. She’s likely to oblige - but the price
might cause a delicious amount of suffering in the future.
A campaign focused on Queen Cono’mae might involve the
attempted release of the Overlord known as the Spinner of
Shadows, heralding a new age of darkness for Xen’drik. This
might involve classic pulp adventures across the continent,
uncovering the dark plots of Spinner cults, collecting artifacts
of the Silver Flame, and learning of the threat that lies
beneath Dread Lake.
CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES & ENEMIES
 Factions - Legendary Villains - Legendary Monsters - The Overlords
Vastravaros
Apocalypse Trigger
Draconic Watcher of Destruction
Campaign Themes: The Madness of Crowds, The Ten
Watchers, Dragon Hunting
Thematic Enemies: Lesser Dragons, Dragonborn,
Lair Guardians
'Your kind broke the world in their hubris. Your
arrogance cannot be contained. This is my duty, and may the
Sovereigns guide me. Madness must reign once more. '
The Madness of Crowds was left by the dragons to forever
crush any giant attempts to rebuild their empires. Any
civilisation that reaches a certain threshold of population or
advancement is driven mad in a mere moment, its people
tearing their kingdom apart in a murderous rage. The cause
of the Madness, and the precise conditions for its activation,
are unknown to everyone but the dragons of Argonnessen.
It is possible that the role of pulling the trigger falls to one
ancient wyrm - a draconic arbiter responsible for catastrophe
on a continental scale. This is Vastravaros, the Final Watcher.
Abilities
The ancient wyrm embodies the chaos and change of the
Traveler as the 11th Watcher, and is tasked with casting
and executing the effects of the Madness - an epic spell
with a radius of miles entrusted to them, and them alone.
Vastravaros could be any type of dragon, but copper and brass
may fit due to their penchant for illusion; similarly, the Thir
path known as the Passion’s Flame may fit for their speciality,
due to its embodiment of the Fury and embrace of both rage
and madness. In this way, Vastravaros may be inciting rage
on a grand scale, toppling empires as an emissary of Szorawai.
Despite this, the personality and viewpoint of the dragon
might vary massively. It is possible that it hates its role as a
bringer of death - but also that it sees it as a divine calling.
Campaign Role
Campaigns involving the Apocalypse Trigger may revolve
around saving any of Xen'drik's cities from destruction.
Stormreach in particular has only recently become known
to the dragons due to the sloth of the Green Watcher,
Zantarxis. As a result, the bustling port may now meet the
threshold for ruin. This might involve the party fighting
dragons, discovering countermeasures against the Madness,
or securing a weapon to bring down Vastravaros, with plenty
of pulp action to spare.
A simple (and dramatic) way of introducing the party to
Vastravaros is to have them enter a thriving city anywhere
in Xen'drik. In an instant, everyone around them becomes
gripped with murderous rage, tearing their home apart in a
matter of minutes. As the party flees for their lives, they see
the dragon observing its work, before flying into the distance.
The knowledge of what they have seen may result in the
Apocalypse Watcher sending assassins after them, or the
Banor'drakai (p.117) taking an interest in the secret.
CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES & ENEMIES
Vriinmata
Seraph of Stars
Daelkyr of Cosmic Radiance
Campaign Themes: Eldritch Horror, Daelkyr, Zealotry, The
Menechtarun, Khyber
Thematic Enemies: Azer, Shining Children*, War Priests
'We yearn for the light. It heals, sustains, guides us. It
is beauty and perfection. The sun and the stars burn eternal in the
heavens - what greater blessing than to join them? '
It is in the darkest depths that guiding lights shine the
brightest. Those lost in Khyber sometimes see such far-off
stars; gleaming gateways to a place bright with the promise of
safety. This is the prison of the daelkyr Vriinmata, revered as
the Everstar, the Glistering King, and the Mirror’s Embrace
- the monarch of all light, the incandescent, and the sidereal.
The Seraph of Stars is an avatar of everything light should
never be – the antithesis of the natural laws of the Material.
For the King, the whole of Eberron is energy held in chains
of law. Chains made to be broken. The daelkyr is capable
of forming light into solid matter, granting it sentience,
and weaving plasma like liquid ribbons. The mortals of
Eberron are ephemeral, leaking energy as their lives burn out.
Converting such mistakes into beings of pure fire is a mercy,
granting immortality and freeing them from death’s embrace.
A shame so many are too lowly to see this ascension as a gift.
Once sealed beneath the Blade Desert, the daelkyr’s prison
demiplane - the Soulfire Star - has borders beneath Xen’drik.
Here, the aberrant gentry of the Stellar Court have been
drawn to the light of the Menechtarun. The radiant ruins
of Sohl’aran, and the portals of Zja Aqat, are their hope for
freedom. Their work will not be done until their shimmering
god can walk the land unbound - a savior for this rotting
world. These servants are beings partially composed of pure,
incinerating fire; cultists and dolgaunts appear as hollow
shells, burned away from within by flame beyond color.
Campaign Role
The Glistering King is an alien threat disguised by angelic
radiance. Its appearance to observers is that of a heavenly
king, clad in golden silk and fractal wings of crystal. Its face
is burning fire, its skin a color beyond the visual spectrum.
As with the other daelkyr, its existence is a catastrophe.
Should its cultists manage to leverage giant magic to free the
King from Khyber, its path will scorch the very land itself,
scouring Xen’drik of life as a perverted form of mercy. This
cult - the Star Pilgrims - are an excellent minor antagonist.
Their powers are outwardly divine in nature, with a veneer
of kindness over a burning heart of zealous corruption.
Campaigns featuring Vriinmata might revolve around the
powers of the Menechtarun - the grasping Unity of Riedra,
the Sunheart druids, and githyanki raiders. The daelkyr's
followers are a wild card - a bizarre group of 'divine' zealots
who might side with the players against the Inspired
and githyanki. Vriinmata also makes for an excellent
character patron, and a novel threat for those
familiar with Eberron lore.
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 Factions - Legendary Villains - Legendary Monsters - The Overlords
Legendary Monsters
The giants might be famously big compared to other
ancestries, but few explorers realize this is true of Xen’drik’s
monsters as well. The wilds of the continent are home to
terrifying beasts mutated, tainted or created by the planar
magic of the giants. This ranges from creatures who have
accidentally absorbed planar magic (effectively becoming
sorcerers), to those magebred by the Sul’at League as
engines of war.
The reason for this is one of scale. To an elf, a hydra is
a massive predator. To a frost giant, it’s the relative size of
a large dog. As a result, the Shattering released countless
terrifying ‘pets’ and war beasts into the wilds, which prey
on adventurers to this day. Some - possessing disturbing
intelligence or a taste for humanoids - have infamous
reputations among Xen’drik’s people. These monsters are
the stuff of legends, ranging from mutant dinosaurs to glacial
aberrations. Killing one is a quick way to become famous -
and a quicker way to die.
The following are examples of Legendary Monsters, which
can be used as unique and thematic enemies, or as the target
of hunts and side-quests.
Legendary Monsters
1. The Cinder Sisters - Pyrohydra
2. Glimmerdoom - Behir
3. Kraa’ark Lors - Roc
4. Lurking Two-Maws - Tyrannosaurus Rex
5. Kaskylla of Glass - Morkoth
6. The Mistmother - Phase Spider
7. Menechtar - Rust Monster
8. The Flux Beast - Chimera
9. Thousandfold, the Worm of Winter - Remorhaz
10. The Somnoboros - Dream Serpent
The Cinder Sisters
Intelligent fiendish pyrohydra
The Cinder Sisters* are an ancient Sul’at pyrohydra*
corrupted by the Burning Desire. Its intelligent heads
constantly bicker and fight as it roams the ruins of the Sul’at
League, hunting for scorched victims to consume. No one
knows if they possess separate identities, or whether the
hydra argues with itself for entertainment. Unsurprisingly,
few people are keen to find out. The monster is a thorn in the
side of the Sulatar, who have struggled to slay the burning
beast for good. Those who can entice the hydra may be able
to bargain with it for safety or information, but its greed
knows no bounds.
Glimmerdoom
Illusory mirrored behir
Few ever see the mutant behir known as Glimmerdoom*
before ending up in its stomach. The serpentine creature has
been warped by the Wasting Plains into a deadly mirage.
Its hide is covered in mirrored scales that bend and
refract light, rendering it invisible or creating illusory
threats. The first sign of its presence is a torrent of
blinding lightning that sears flesh from bone.
152152
The second is when spells bounce off its glittering scales,
reflected like light straight back at their caster. Legends
say that the behir is the ancient pet of the Dawnchild, the
Titan of the Wasting Plains, with immortality granted by its
vile master.
Kraa’ark Lors
Druidic storm roc
The awakened roc known as Kraa’ark Lors* dwells in an
ancient cloud castle to the north of Stormreach. The floating
citadel is surrounded by a permanent tempest created by
the beast’s druidic power. It sees Stormreach as a blight on
nature. The only thing halting its advance on the city are the
Guardians of Rushemé, who offer gifts to placate the roc. Its
intelligence is a result of the giants of the Esht Primacy, who
considered Kraa’ark Lors an honored ally of the city. The
Shattering of Xen’drik caused untold damage to nature and
destroyed the Esht. Kraa’ark Lors still holds a grudge from
the loss of its friends and the damage to the environment, and
takes it out on those who threaten the wild.
Lurking Two-Maws
Ferocious devouring T-Rex
The most feared creature of the Skyfall Peninsula is a
gigantic swordtooth titan (tyrannosaurus rex) that hunts
explorers with glee. Lurking Two-Maws* is named for
the circular mouth ringed by grasping tentacles in the center
of the dinosaur’s chest. Its permanent hunger drives it to
stuff everything that moves into either of its fanged maws,
including entire parties of adventurers. The horrendous form
of the titan is thought to be a purposeful mutation, created by
the Sul’at League of giants as a weapon against rebelling elves.
An even worse question is whether it’s the only one, or if a
brood of the horrors is lairing deep within the jungle.
Kaskylla of Glass
Greedy glacial morkoth
Explorers scouting the Gallimaufry often find traces of
something massive slithering through the ruins, collecting
and moving the treasures within. These are the signs of
the morkoth Kaskylla, a Risian being of preservation and
collection. The glacial aberration lairs in a frozen iceberg
beneath the cloud giant flotilla. The hollow interior is
a treasure hoard of countless wonders stolen from the
Unveiling, which the morkoth covets intensely. Its greed
doesn’t stop at objects, however; interesting visitors to the
Gallimaufry are snatched by the monster and frozen within
panes of Risian ice. There, they remain in eternal stasis as
part of Kaskylla’s collection.
The Mistmother
Deceitful phase spider broodmother
The lost cities of the Twilight Court are draped in skeins of
silken webs. Here, the progeny of the Spinner of Shadows
plot to free their dark mistress. Curious intruders are
captured and cocooned, then brought before the eldest of the
Spinner’s children - the phase spider broodqueen known
as the Mistmother*. Blessed with fiendish intelligence and
razor fangs, the Mistmother is the source of the thousands
of phase spiders that call the valley home. Beneath her many
CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES & ENEMIES
 beady eyes lies a powerful intellect, and the Mistmother the great snake is touched by the Sea of Dreams itself, and has
makes use of all the pawns that fall into her clutches. venom that destroys both the mind and body.

Menechtar Unique Rewards for Legendary Hunts

Annihilating desert rust monster
The asherati of the Menechtarun warn outsiders of a beast
said to be the fury of the desert - a burrowing creature that
turns all it touches to dust. Menechtar* is a rust monster
warped by the Xoriat energies of the city of Zja Aqat. Its
giant size and fractal scales hint toward its aberrant nature,
but the true danger lies in its vibrating antennae. Anything
that touches the long filaments is either reduced to dust or
teleported somewhere else in space and time - and no one has
ever returned to explain the difference. The creature burrows
ceaselessly through the desert sands, feeding on the crystal
wastes, as well as the occasional adventurer.
The Flux Beast
Shifting chaotic chimera
The transmuted city of Genesine hisses and whirs with
the sound of ancient machinery, but one sound is feared
above all else - the flapping of multiple mutant wings. A
terrifying chimera guards the city, its heads shifting at
random between a hundred different beasts. No one knows
if the Flux Beast* is an ancient guard dog, or
a territorial arrival from Kythri, but it hunts
explorers without mercy. Preparing for the beast
is futile; what might be a dragon head one day is a
roc’s the next.
Slaying a Legendary Monster is a major accomplishment, and
should be rewarded accordingly. While some monsters might
have piles of treasure in their lairs (such as Kaskylla or the
Mistmother), others are wandering threats, making material
rewards more difficult. Accordingly, the Magic Items chapter
has a Hunter’s Trophies section (p.343), featuring powerful
magic items that can be made from each of the monsters
above. These items - such as Cindersender* and the Stormroc
Sickle* - are both flavored after their matching monster, and
imbued with their special powers or characteristics.
To create a Hunter’s Trophy, the party must simply recover
some of the materials of the monster using an hour of time,
and bring them to a suitable craftsperson. This process
might also require additional materials, if a small side-quest
is in order. Alternatively, a character with a reasonable tool
proficiency, such as Leatherworkers’ or Tinkers’ Tools,
can attempt to create such an item themselves. To do so,
they must succeed on three cumulative DC 20 Dexterity or
Intelligence ability checks using the tool in question, with
each ability check taking 2 hours of time (which can be
performed during a long rest).

Thousandfold
Vast construct remorhaz
The southern reaches of Dowron’s Shield
are haunted by a shadow beneath the ice. An
impossibly long remorhaz burrows through the
land, hunting for trespassers to the city of Il’ar.
The creature is several hundred feet in length,
with a body covered in a shell of rime. Those who
evade its snapping jaws often realize the truth
- that the Thousandfold is actually an animate
construct. The war machine is a Snow Dancer
simulacrum that defends Ix Il’ar from intruders.
A control mechanism may still lie in the ghostly
city, and woe betide the enemies of the one
who claims it…

Somnoboros
Twin-headed dream serpent
The dream serpents* of Xen’drik are sacred to
the Qaltiar drow. The magic creatures are worth
a fortune to poachers, who hunt them fervently
to sell in Stormreach. Drow legend holds that
the greatest serpent is a spirit of the land who
devours defilers of nature. Terrified stories in port
taverns are beginning to spread the truth. The
Somnoboros* is a dream serpent amphisbaena,
with heads at both ends of its body. Its victims
find themselves fighting their own nightmares, as

CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES & ENEMIES

153
 Overlords
At the dawn of time, the world ended. The spawn of Khyber
- incarnations of evil known as Overlords - crawled up from
the depths to enslave the world above. These fiends of near
god-like power carved up Eberron between them, forming
warring kingdoms of suffering and depravity. The end of
the Age came when the dragon Ourelonastrix and the couatl
Hezcalipa discovered the Draconic Prophecy. The sacrifice of
the couatl to form the Silver Flame created a cage in which
the Overlords could be bound. Despite being immortal, and
unkillable (their true forms are actually Khyber demiplanes,
which extrude physical avatars), the Overlords could still
be chained. The means by which to do so lay within the
Prophecy. The dragons, led by champions known as the
Sovereigns, sealed each Overlord in turn by using the steps
of the Prophecy - and began the start of history. This was the
First War, and it shapes Xen’drik to this day.
Three different Overlords are bound in the continent,
slumbering within Khyber dragonshards beneath the land.
A fourth lies in the Thunder Sea, and more might be found
in other oceans, as well as the frozen Everice. Within their
prisons, they sleep and dream, but not in any mortal form;
instead, they innately reach out to mortals who embody their
domains, pulling them in to serve their whims. The more
mortals that embody that domain, the more empowered the
Overlord becomes - a dangerous spiral.
The majority of the fiendish servants of an Overlord are
bound with them by the Silver Flame, but some were too
slippery to be caught. These fiends - most famously the
rakshasa - work to release their Overlords by manipulating
the Draconic Prophecy. This can involve raising heroes to be
in the right time and place, recovering powerful artifacts, or
harnessing alignments of the moons and planes. The release
of an Overlord is a cataclysm. Their avatars - simply by
existing - affect regions the size of nations, driving mortals
to corruption and despair. They are the ultimate end-game
villain, and defeating them is history in the making.
Overlords & Phobias
Each Overlord is an incarnate fear of mortalkind, and
their servants and themes represent this. As a result,
when using an Overlord in a campaign, it is crucial to
make sure that players are ok with those themes. As
an example, the Lurker in Shadows plays heavily on
thalassophobia and body horror. For the sake of player
comfort, it is thus critical that thalassophobia and body
horror are included as Lines & Veils, so that players can
ensure the campaign is right for them. The following
are relevant themes that might cause discomfort for
each Overlord presented here:
Sakinnirot: Murder, Serial Killers, Psychopathy
Kharna Rayva: Obsession, Abuse (particularly with
regards to relationships and love), Flames & Burning
The Lurker: Thalassophobia, Body Horror, Eldritch
Horror
Zel Erakhni: Arachnophobia, Loss of Agency
The Overlords of Xen’drik
Zel Erakhni, the Fateweaver
Destiny, Helplessness, Manipulation - Dread Lake
Kharna Rayva, the Burning Desire
Flames, Desire, Obsession - The Valley of Shadows
, The Lurker in Shadow
The Alien, The Unknown - The Thunder Sea
Sakinnirot, the Scar that Abides
Grudges, Vengeance, Cold Murder - Stormreach
 Factions - Legendary Villains - Legendary Monsters - The Overlords
terpsichore
Zel Erakhni
the Fateweaver
OVERLORD OF DESTINY & MANIPULATION
"Fate is a very real thing, my chitterling; pluck its strings, weave
it, cut it, twist it in knots around the necks of those who do you
wrong. There are so few spiders, but oh so many trapped flies. I
see where it went rotten; I will teach you how to set it right - and
when you stand at the top, don’t forget to cut the strings."
- Queen Cono’mae, the Fabled Throne, Shae Fir
The Spinner of Shadows embodies the fear of manipulation
and fate - the grand schemes that dance us like puppets to
our graves. The Fateweaver feeds off those who feel ensnared
in the plans of the powerful, destined to be cast aside like
helpless pawns. Despair and isolation are the greatest treats.
Her followers believe she ties the strings of fate, giving
prophecies and power to those with ambition. Her only price
is the suffering left in their wake.
The presence of Zel Erakhni can be felt most strongly
around Dread Lake, where the Overlord’s physical form
is sealed. Here, the minions of the Spinner sew webs of
deceit across Xen’drik, using the misty ruins to plot the
fates of mortal marionettes. During the Age of Demons, the
Spinner’s greatest strength was her stealth; the archfiend
moved through the territory of Sakinnirot without him
even noticing. Her minions and cultists take this to
heart, infiltrating cities and clans to empower those with
dark desires.
Many of her cults begin as transactional cults. In exchange
for performing minor acts of prophecy, the Spinner will
grant them power to change their fate, or cut the strings of
the vainglorious above them. The more they draw on her
dark luck, or rise in station, the more the corruption sets in.
Soon, the helplessness of their enemies is a dark hunger. They
begin to see visions of the future, and the strings of fate that
will cause the most suffering when cut - a chain reaction that
draws further downtrodden puppets to the cause.
Lolth & The Spinner
Originally, the Spinner of Shadows was introduced
into Dungeons & Dragons Online as a plot device to tie
into the Great Wheel goddess Lolth and the Forgotten
Realms. As such, the Overlord shares many of the same
themes as Lolth. This book takes efforts to distance
the Spinner from these themes, in order to give the
overlord a more unique and interesting identity.
Similarly, this allows the Overlord to have no drow
servants at all, as the drow in Eberron have no reason
to be innately linked to spiders.
Forces
Fiends: The immortal servants of the Spinner are devious
and stealthy, lurking within society as hidden corruptors.
In comparison to other Overlords, her fiends are weaker in
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ALLIES & ENEMIES
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strength and power, but make up for it through deception
and planning. The weakest are shadow demons and
concubi who prey on the weak and the desperate. This can
involve whispers of power and temptation, luring them to do
the Spinner’s work - or into states of helpless fear where they
serve as easy prey. More powerful bone devils and rakshasa
work across the continent to serve the Spinner’s schemes.
Pulling the threads of the Draconic Prophecy, leading cults,
and undermining the Watchers are all goals to aid the release
of their queen. The most dangerous by far are the bebiliths*.
These arachnoid fiends devour enemies as the Spinner’s
personal brood, including other fiends. Their bite results in
a dark curse that drains the victim’s vitality away, rendering
them weak and helpless before their eventual demise.
Monstrosities - A variety of monstrous people known
as the Children of the Mist are the result of the Spinner’s
influence. The Dread Lake basin has a variety of hidden
settlements in which chitines, driders and ettercaps live.
These mythical people are not direct servants of the Spinner,
but venerate the Overlord as a local god. They use the misty
forests as a safe refuge from those who would attack them for
their appearance. The Children are experts in alchemy and
poisons, lacing vast webs with soporifics through their forests
to fend off wild beasts. The ruins of Shae Fir are guarded by
one of Zel Erakhni’s favored children - the swollen phase
spider queen known as the Mistmother*. Her worryingly
intelligent brood of giant spiders act as sentinels for the
ruins of Shae Fir, guiding foolish prey into her clutches.
Cultists: The mortal cultists of the Spinner vary greatly,
and may not even be aware of the nature of their patron. This
can range from individuals with dark luck seeking revenge
on those who wronged them, to cabals of many-armed
fateweaver warlocks* plotting to depose the Storm Lords
in a cavalcade of chaos. The more a cultist draws on the
Spinner’s powers over fate and ambition, the more corrupted
they become in both body and mind. Arachnid features
begin to develop in accordance with their wishes; those with
vendettas grow further arms to hold poisoned knives, while
those desiring a better destiny grow spidery eyes to foresee
the future. The Silver Tapestry is one such example (p.128).
Giants: The civil war in the city of Shae Fir led to the
losing faction becoming cursed by the fey. These fomorians
were banished into Khyber, where they live to this day in the
city of Vralkast. Those who gave themselves to Zel Erakhni
became gaunt horrors with far too many eyes and skittering
limbs. These chelikera* can move effortlessly through
the tunnels of Khyber despite their size, and serve the
Overlord in manipulating the strings of fate. Many lead cults,
establishing lairs beneath cities to tempt and lure the mortals
therein. Their leader, and Prakhutu to the Spinner, is known
simply as She Who Stitches. The former Queen Cono’mae*
of Shae Fir is an immortal horror, combining the strength of
a Titan with eight limbs and the face of a black widow.
Dark Boons
Zel Erakhni and her followers may grant power to those with
dark ambitions, placing them on the path to suffering. This
may aid the eventual release of the Spinner, or simply create
fear that she and her servants can feed on. You can grant
155
the following Dark Gift to a player character tempted in this
way into dark service, or apply it to an NPC to make them
more fitting and dynamic in a fight.
Dark Gift of the Fateweaver. Zel Erakhni ties you
to different strands of the Prophecy, enabling you to twist
fate in your favor. After completing a long rest, roll two d20s
and record the numbers rolled. You can replace any attack
roll, saving throw, or ability check made by you or a creature
that you can see with one of these foretelling rolls. You must
choose to do so before the roll, and you can replace a roll in
this way only once per turn. Each foretelling roll can be used
only once. When you finish a long rest, you lose any unused
foretelling rolls.
If one of your foretelling rolls is a 1, whenever another
member of your party makes an ability check or saving
throw, the GM can declare that the result is instead a 1. This
can only happen once while you have that foretelling roll, and
cannot happen after you use or lose it.
Additionally, you gain a climbing speed equal to your
walking speed, and can climb difficult surfaces, including
upside down on ceilings, without needing an ability check.
Those even further corrupted might gain the following
features, depending on their desires:
Spider’s Web. You can cast the spell web without requiring
components or expending a spell slot a number of times equal
to your proficiency bonus. You regain all expended uses upon
completing a long rest.
Truesight. You grow up to six smaller extra eyes that
grant you vision of the truth of all things. You gain 30 feet of
truesight, but people might react to you with fear or disgust.
I did not place the Spinner's
section first. It did that by itself,
as a reminder. As with fate,
tampering would be unwise.
Extra Arms. You have two slightly smaller secondary
arms below your primary pair of arms. The secondary
arms function like your primary arms, with the
following exceptions:
• You can use a secondary arm to wield any weapon that has
the light property.
• You can’t wield a shield with a secondary arm
Character Ideas
The dark gifts of the Fateweaver can manifest as a variety of
class abilities, depending on the backstory of the character.
Those who wish to gain mastery over their destiny might be
given the portents of a Divination Wizard, or Fateweaver
Warlock. Characters with revenge in their hearts might
gain powers over stealth and shadow, gaining the magic of
a Way of Shadow Monk or Gloomstalker Ranger. Serving
the Spinner more directly might result in the powers of a
Trickery Domain cleric, with the duplicate a vision of the
person from a separate path of the Prophecy. An envoy of the
Overlord might have the silver tongue and poisoned words
of a College of Whispers Bard, toying with their targets until
they are riddled with fear.
Tainted Treasures
The demonic tools of the Spinner’s servants provide stealth
and subterfuge. Those intended for combat often ensnare
enemies, rendering them helpless to savor their fear. Weaker
items include Wands of Web, which are often wielded by
warlocks, and Slippers of Spider Climbing for infiltrators and
assassins. Those who deal with the Spinner to change their
fate might also be given Stones of Good Luck or spidersilk
Cloaks of Protection that gradually corrupt their bearers.
Devoted disciples might make use of Iron Bands formed from
carefully furled webbing, as well as Staffs of Swarming Insects

to create giant spiders. The most powerful items are formed
from the essence of fiends themselves. Cloaks of Arachnida
might be made of bebilith* hide, and contain the sentient
spirit of the fiend itself. The single most powerful relic of
the Spinner is held by Queen Conomae herself - and coated
in her husband’s blood. The Luck Blade Greatsword - actually
a giant-sized dagger - contains a fusion of Thelanian magic,
titan blood, and Overlord essence. Its fate-bending powers
are strong enough to alter the very timeline of reality, shifting
the Prophecy to fit the ‘proper’ narrative.
Plot Hooks
Birdeater - The migratory routes of the floating city
of Kul Lerek are taking it over the forests of Dread Lake.
A series of odd murders within the city lead the party to a
secretive cult of the Fateweaver, seeking to gain the power
of the Scriveners of the Sky. Their plan is simple - to lower
the city close enough to the forest so the spiders within can
capture it in vast nets of silk, dragging it to the ground. The
race is on for the players to disrupt their plans before the
Mistmother's children swarm onto the cloud castle to feast.
Children of the Mist - One of the players’ allies, or
a key figure in the story, is affected by a powerful poison that
renders them catatonic. The fiendish venom resists healing
magic, and seems to be slowly eating away at their vitality.
The party is tasked with identifying it from Xen’drik’s fabled
experts on alchemy and poisons - the arachnid Children of
the Mist around Dread Lake. Reaching the Children is one
ordeal - but securing their help may well be another.
Brood War - The daelkyr Valaara, known as the
Crawling Queen, has an alien obsession with all things
insectoid. Her hunger has brought the forces of the Deepest
Hive to Xen’drik, where they seek to assimilate the opposing
‘Hive’ of the Spinner. Now, a desperate territory war pits
the mortal servants of Zel Erakhni against the aberrations of
Valaara. The daelkyr won't stop until the ‘opposing queen’ is
assimilated into the Hive, converting her fiends into aberrant
horrors - then sweeping into Xen’drik as a ravenous swarm.
The party is tasked with helping
Queen Cono’mae fend off Valaara -
and in exchange, she will guide them to
what they seek the most.
The Right Thread - Events in
Xen’drik are rapidly heading to the one of the
darkest timelines, as Prince Adaxus or the Scar that
Abides are on the verge of release. Their emergence
will herald a new age of death across the continent,
with Stormreach the first on their list. To help seal
the archvillain once more, the players need an expert on
the Prophecy, and the enemy of my enemy is a friend. The
Spinner of Shadows will happily advise them on the method
to defeat their foe, but the price will be paid in blood…
CHAPTER 75 | XEN'DRIK
ALLIES & ENEMIES
BESTIARY
Vile, vile, vile. Until this moment, you
had no idea that such a being existed,
claiming dominion over fate. Now you
do. Is that better, or worse?
Overlords & The Daelkyr
The Overlords are semi-divine beings of immense
power. The daelkyr are around the same Challenge
Rating as a kraken. So how can they pose any threat to
an Overlord? To a person, a spider is typically no threat;
it is easily dispatched and utterly weak. Yet, it's normal
to have a healthy respect, for in the right circumstances
that spider could be lethal.
The Lords of Madness are uniquely corruptive, and
can warp reality to their tastes. As such, it is very
possible that they can alter an Overlord’s fiends into
‘something other’, and the fiends themselves are
unwilling to find out. As such, they employ mortal
servants to fend off the daelkyr’s advances, keeping
that ‘spider’ at bay out of a sensible fear. An unbound
Overlord has nothing for fear, for their strength far
outmatches their foes, but a bound Overlord is much
more limited.
Similarly, even if a daelkyr cannot affect an Overlord,
it might still be able to corrupt its servants; since those
servants are the ones helping free their Overlord, their
removal would leave the overlord bound by the Silver
Flame for eternity. Either way, the Lords of Madness
are a dangerous nuisance. Should one succeed in
corrupting the Overlord, the ramifications would be
dire, giving birth to a godly archfiend with aberrant
powers and ruinous desires.
In Xen’drik, the Spinner of Shadows is uniquely
vulnerable. The Overlord is weak and non-combative
compared to its peers, and its forte lies in manipulation
- a useless conceit against the hunger of Valaara.
As such, the stage is set for the Crawling Queen to
obsessively war against the arachnid Spinner - and
gradually corrupt her servants to the cause of the
Deepest Hive.
157
 Factions - Legendary Villains - Legendary Monster s - The Overlords
allKharna
yourRayva
fire
the Burning Desire
OVERLORD OF PASSION & DEPRAVITY
"I love you, my darling! They're too bitter and jealous to see you
as I do. How awful, to mold your soul to fit in, as they give you
nothing but scorn in return. If they cannot see your beauty as I
do, I will make them see it - just say the word."
- Marin Dest (Socialite)/Zashendrys (Succubus), Kul Lerek
The heart of Xen’drik is a volcanic land of ash and smoke.
Countless fiends were bound here by the dragons during the
First War, and even now, their hate seeps into the burning
land. These fiends were attracted to the cause of one of the
most insidious overlords of the Age of Demons - Kharna
Rayva, the Burning Desire. The archfiend of lust and greed
is a force of personality so strong that it even enthralled
Sakinnirot, working with the Scar that Abides to rule a
continent. Kharna Rayva embodies the fear of deprivation
and loss, and inflames the desires of the hungering and the
greedy. Her cultists always want more; more wealth, more
power, more control, and more attention. The more they
draw on the Overlord’s dark charm, the more the fires of
their desire burn them from the inside out.
The defeat of Kharna Rayva and Sakinnirot was a war
on two fronts, with both Overlords sealed simultaneously
beneath the Skyfall Peninsula and Valley of Shadows. The
Overlord of desire was sealed within an immense volcano
in the Fangs of Argarak The subtle effects of the sleeping
archfiend shaped the course of the Su’lat League, encouraging
a thirst for knowledge that led them on a dark and dangerous
path through history. Prince Adaxus*, the Hellfire Titan,
was the first to become so thoroughly corrupted by the
Overlord. His reign led him to the brink of becoming Kharna
Rayva’s avatar, before his defeat at the hands of the Sul’at
Luminaries. The infernal giant is still bound in the Valley of
Shadows, smoldering with a need to crush the continent in
his hands. In the ages since, the followers of Kharna Rayva
have attempted to free the titan, or ascend in his place.
Fortunately, all have failed, due in no small part to the Torch
of Progress - but some have come perilously close.
Enchantment & Desire
Some of Kharna Rayva’s themes can be taken in
problematic directions at the table. Emotional
manipulation, abusive relationships, mind control, and
sexual themes are all common red lines for players,
and it's crucial to adjust the aims of the Overlord’s
servants to match. Just as The Lurker’s thalassaphobia
needs consent to be included, the emotional themes of
Kharna Rayva should be known to players beforehand.
Including the Overlord without these themes is
extremely simple, and involves focusing on the flames
and hungering fire over the allure and temptation. The
Battalion of Basalt Towers are the perfect example of
this, as brazen and destructive pulp villains.
58
1158
Cults of Kharna Rayva arise from seeds of greed and
debauchery. Bored nobles seeking new pleasures, wealthy
magnates obsessed with riches, and depraved lunatics seeking
power are fertile soil. More disturbingly, the overlord’s fiends
often target those who feel unutterably lonely or heartbroken.
They offer fiendish allure and beauty at no cost, underlined
by promises of attention from others. Soon, such people find
they cannot live without these powers…and when they start
to fade, they come crawling back for more.
Forces
Fiends - The most common fiends in the service of
Desire are classic seducers; succubi, incubi and concubi
who offer power, dark fantasies and lustful wishes. While
their true forms incorporate elements of dark fire, such fiends
always appear based on what the viewer wants the most in
their heart. Kharna Rayva’s concubi are smart and insidious,
with thousands of years of practice with mortals. Above them
serve the rakshasa. Unlike more combative rakshasa such
as Mordakhesh the ShadowswordERLW, those of Kharna
Rayva are specialists in manipulation and temptation. Most
dwell within communities for decades, working to undermine
the hearts of the pure and the innocent as they direct long-
term efforts. Others serve as advisors for cults, especially the
Battalion of Basalt Towers. Where all of these fiends have the
guile, it’s their siblings who bring the destruction. Horned
devils, fiendish phoenixes and pit fiends embody Kharna
Rayva’s craving for consumption.
Giants - The fire giants* of the Battalion of Basalt
Towers are ardent followers of the Burning Desire. They
believe that Prince Adaxus* was the herald of a new age,
chained in cowardice by the fake light of the Silver Flame.
If the Hellfire Titan was free, Xen’drik would never have
been destroyed - and they would be living in power and
luxury still. Some are willingly possessed by fiends in battle,
cloaking them in dark wreaths of flame. The Battalion are
brutal, strong, and without subtlety. They take what they
want and burn the rest - including, at one point, Stormreach.
The grand goal of their leader, Kyravia the Cinderheart*,
is to locate and free Prince Adaxus, then swear themselves
to his service in exchange for kingdoms across a conquered
Xen’drik. The Hellfire Titan himself is a fusion between
immortal giant and Overlord. Much of Kharna Rayva’s power
is sealed within him, and his greed to rule has only grown
over the years. Detailed information on Prince Adaxus can be
found in the Legendary Villains chapter on p.149.
Cultists - The humanoid followers of Kharna Rayva
range from pyromaniacs, to seducers, to pyreheart
goliaths*. Perhaps the most notable are the Heartbound of
Kul Lerek, although they are unaware of the being they serve.
Instead, their beliefs have been shaped to serve the Burning
Desire by their incubus leader, with a desire to spread the
rage and passion that the Overlord craves. Cults of Kharna
Rayva are typically cults of personality, where a central figure
with supernatural charm draws followers in the name of
debauchery and dark pleasures. Unlike other Overlords, this
is often draws in rich nobles seeking thrills in their structured
lives. Followers of Rowa and the Wrathful aspect of Vulkoor
are especially easy to corrupt, and the Overlord’s fiends are
adept at mimicking their immortal servants.
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 Dark Boons
Kharna Rayva and her followers often entice those with
a hunger for new pleasures, a desire to be loved, or an
obsession with greed and vice. The gifts they offer are beauty,
pleasure and attention - everything a moth needs as it draws
closer to the flame. These may aid the eventual release of the
Overlord, or simply create suffering it can savor. You can
grant the following Dark Gift to a player character tempted
in this way into dark service, or apply it to an NPC to make
them more fitting and dynamic in a fight:
Dark Gift of Desire. Kharna Rayva grants you
the allure that you’ve always dreamed of. Your proficiency
bonus is doubled for any ability check using Persuasion.
Additionally, you can cast suggestion at will, but a target that
fails the saving throw against the spell when cast in this way
gains an unhealthy obsession with you once the spell ends.
Those even further corrupted might gain the following
features, depending on their desires:
with fiendish charm and attraction. Eyes of Charming and
Philters of Love are common items used by warlocks of desire,
with each inducing a form of dark mind control over their
targets. Cult leaders often wield more disturbing items.
Heartweaver’s PrimersTCoE and Rods of Rulership shackle minds
to a cause, rewriting their memories and senses into ravenous
devotion. Such items are deeply corruptive in every sense of
the word - small sparks send out to burn lives to ashes.
Plot Hooks
Heir to the Throne - The hellfire titan Adaxus is
an avatar of Kharna Rayva. The fiendish flames imbued
within the Prince render him immortal, and his hunger for
dominion has burned for an Age. Once, the Torch of Progress
kept watch over his prison within the Valley of Shadows,
but their strength has long faded. Now, the Súlatar rule the
Valley, and some see the Prince as the key to the Gates of
Promise. Few titans remain to oppose him, and if the Hellfire
Titan is unleashed, he will not stop until the continent burns
under his rule.

Searing Passion. If you fail a Persuasion check against a Thrillseekers - Stormreach’s Lords of the Hunt
creature, your next attack roll against them has advantage. (p.127) are a circle of nobles who compete to hunt the most
dangerous prey. They live for the moment they take down
Dark Submission. You can cast the spell dominate person their prey and little else. Many are nobles or adrenaline
once without requiring a spell slot or components. You regain junkies who only feel alive while on the hunt. A rakshasa of
the ability to do so after completing a long rest, or personally Kharna Rayva is using this to their advantage. Their whispers
killing the target of the spell. and suggestions are leading the Lords on a dark path;
poaching, dark rituals and the hunting of ‘the most dangerous
Burnout. When you reduce a creature to 0 hit points with game’ are creeping in… and soon the Lords of the Hunt will
fire damage, you can choose for it to be reduced entirely to be in the thrall of Desire entirely.
ash. Its belongings are unaffected.
World Aflame - The Súlatar drow of the Obsidian
Character Ideas City have redoubled their efforts, feeding captives into the
Ash Maze* at the heart of their fortress. Their leader has
Fire, fury and burning passion are the hallmarks of those
begun speaking of the what lies beyond as the "Gates of the
touched by Kharna Rayva. This can range from barbarians,
Promise" that will grant them limitless power and an army of
to bards, to seductive warlocks. The Battalion of Basalt
fiery fiends to march on Xen'drik when opened. In truth, a
Towers includes Pyreheart Barbarians (p.292) empowered by
fiend of Kharna Rayva has been influencing their leader after
the Overlord - a path followed by some goliaths and Súlatar
discovering that the site contains a key to Adaxus' prison. Not
drow. Many servants of the Overlord are granted more
only is the faction increasing its raids on nearby communities,
insidious gifts. Fiend Warlocks and Glamour Bards use their
but if Adaxus is freed, he could spell doom for Xen'drik in a
fiendish charisma for seduction and charm. Enchantment
tide of scourging flame.
Wizards might also be provided their spells by the Overlord’s
dark inspiration, teaching them how to twist hearts and
minds. A more unusual idea is a Wildfire Druid balancing
their desire to spread nature with the burning power to
protect it. This could mean having a fiendish wildfire spirit,
including a disguised and insidious hellhound, as described
below. Often, such characters might not understand where
their abilities are coming from; to the servants of desire, they
are simply burning sparks sent out to set fire to the world.

Tainted Treasures
Unsurprisingly, any magic item related to flame and
enchantment can be linked to Kharna Rayva. Martial
characters might find Flame Tongue Swords or Double Scimitars,
which are often wielded by elite drow cultists. These might
have keen blades of obsidian, firebrass, or demonglass.
Powerful warlocks of the Burning Desire might also be
granted (or stumble upon) a Staff of Fire containing a bound
fiend. On the other end of the spectrum are items infused

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 Factions - Legendary Villains - Legendary Monsters - The Overlords
The Lurker
in Shadow
OVERLORD OF THE UNKNOWN
"Lad, never ask that question again. Not to me, not to any o’ the
hands, not to the cap’n, no one. We ain’t made to be in the ocean.
We stay above it, the scales stay below, we don’t ask questions. It’s
because I don’t know that I can be a sailor. As long as I don’t know
what’s down there, I can sleep well at day’s end. It’s only when you
know that you’ll never leave shore again."
- Aboard the Stormrunner, Shargon's Teeth
Since the dawn of time, mortals have feared what lies beyond
the safety of the light. Huddled around fires, fearful and
meek, waiting for the dawn to come, for the things that lurk
in the darkness are too terrible to contemplate. The Lurker in
Shadow rules over these unknown terrors as a primal force of
fear - and even worse, it makes them all too real. In the Age
of Demons, the Deep Lord ruled over the entire Thunder Sea,
its aboleth servants enslaving the peoples of the ocean. The
countless demonglass spires of the Teeth of Shargon are an
ancient legacy of that time. Now, it lies sealed in the Trench
of the Void (p.278), but the aboleths have risen to reclaim
their empire more than once. The servants of the Lurker are
shapechanging nightmares, and infiltrate communities to
bend them to their will. When the tides of fear are at their
strongest is when the horrors of the deep rise to reclaim
what is theirs.
Compared to the other Overlords of Xen’drik, the Lurker
in Shadows is far more primal. It is more akin to a force
of nature than a devious schemer, and is defined by its
unknowable nature. It is for this reason that none know the
being’s true name. Even its servants refer to it as the Surash
Ka - ‘The Deep Lord’. As such, it has no representative on
the Lords of Dust, nor any prakhutu that would gain an
insight into its will. By definition, no one can know the
epitome of the unknowable. Instead, followers of the Lurker
embodying its base concepts can find themselves empowered
with nightmarish abilities - a mark of servitude known as the
Kashatak. The Kashatak maintains these dark gifts as long as
they sow true terror in the hearts of mortals, even if their acts
serve no long-term purpose.
The cults of the Lurker are insidious and alien. Many are
seeded by the actions of the aboleths, who corrupt individuals
like an infection to serve them. This might involve turning
them gradually into aberrations, unlocking psionic potential,
or even using them to kidnap entire towns as fodder for their
deep citadels. Others might never know or understand what
is wrong with them. Insidious thoughts, eldritch truths, and
unknowable things might linger in their minds. Over time,
their fear blossoms, growing into paranoia and insanity
that can bring ruin to those around them. This can serve no
purpose other than to create fear, which the overlord
itself savors. Even if the presence of a cult in a town
or city is known, the aboleths see no issue, for it
means that the people will be driven to fear what
they don’t understand.
0160
160
16
Forces
Fiends - The Lurker is served by a variety of fiends that
share little similarity with those of other overlords. Rather
than a set form, these horrors often appear as shifting aquatic
nightmares, with features that match the deepest fears of the
observer. Many are unconcerned with their master’s freedom.
Instead, they simply fulfill their base concept - namely,
scaring sailors witless. Shadow demons haunt the deepest
ocean trenches, occasionally rising to slither onto ships at
night. There, they prey on the crew one by one, inciting the
paranoia and despair that they savor. Greater fiends include
rakshasa, who often infiltrate coastal cities to begin cults and
corruptive rituals. The Lurker’s rakshasa appear as anything
but cats, and directly embrace their nature as shapechangers.
Aberrations - Uniquely among the Overlords, the
Lurker is served by as many aberrations as fiends. The most
famous of these are the aboleths, who have risen to consume
the Thunder Sea multiple times throughout history. Their
network of tunnels riddle the sea floor, crossing between
Khyber and the ocean. At their center is the Lurker’s Heart
Demiplane, in which they have constructed their dread
citadel - the fathomless pit of Requiem’s Breach. They enslave
any creatures they can, from unfortunate sailors who are
corrupted into sea spawn and deep spawn, to abyssal
storm giants* who toil in the depths. Other aberrations,
such as doppelgangers and reflavored mind flayers, serve
as foot soldiers and infiltrators. The most powerful mortal
creatures under the Lurker’s control are the krakens - not
the free krakens of the Thunder Sea, but abominable horrors
wrought from shadow and pallid flesh that command the
aboleths from their abyssal thrones. Any other large aquatic
monster can be reflavored in the same vein; sea serpentsFTD
and dragon turtles might deal psychic damage with their
breaths, emulating the psionics of the Surash Ka.
Humanoids - The humanoid servants of the Deep Lord
are corrupted unfortunates touched by the presence of the
eldritch unknown. This might be the result of an aboleth’s
subtle manipulation, or from direct capture on the high
seas. More than one ghost ship is the result of an attack by
aberrations, dragging their screaming prey into the sea to be
brought to Requiem’s Breach. In towns and cities, cultists
or aberrant sahuagin might be led by a warlock of the
great old one or kraken priest, their features and thoughts
fraying as they delve into the abyss. Those directly enslaved
by aboleths are often warped into sea spawn and deep
scions, their humanity erased in favor of vile appearances
that strike fear into the people of the Thunder Sea.
Dark Boons
The gifts of the Lurker in Shadow are universally monstrous,
and lurk beneath the surface of normality until the time is
right. These usually empower those with the desire to spread
fear, and have no greater purpose beyond strengthening
the Overlord. Such abilities might be spread by magic items
linked to the overlord, its fiendish servants, or aboleths with
longer plans for the recipient. You can grant the following
Dark Gift to a player character pulled into service to the
Lurker, or apply it to an NPC to make them more fitting and
dynamic in a fight.
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Aberrations of an Archfiend
A hallmark of the Lurker is its use of aberrant servants.
While aberrations in Eberron are typically linked to
Xoriat, Khyber does produce its own native ones,
including the aboleths. In this case, an aberration is
simply a flesh-and-blood mortal creature, but with
utterly alien biology and abilities. In comparison,
Overlord fiends are closer to immortal incarnations of
specific concepts. The reason for the Lurker’s aberrant
servants is simply that its theme is The Unknown.
Where other Overlords might share minions such
as imps, the Lurker’s are unique, disturbing, and
surprising - thus embodying its core concept.
Naturally, this raises the question of what separates
a daelkyr doppelganger from a Lurker one. The
key difference is that the Lurker’s creations still
operate within the realm of Eberron’s normal physics;
they ‘make sense’, but appear utterly eldritch and
horrendous. In comparison, the creations of the daelkyr
truly break the normal laws of existence; There is no
logic or sane explanation for the impossible abilities of a
beholder or an intellect devourer.
The Deep Lord grants you the touch of the abyss. You can
breathe underwater, and gain a swim speed equal to your
normal speed. Additionally, you can cast the spell black
tentacles once per day without expending a spell slot. You
regain the ability to cast the spell in this way upon finishing
a long rest. When you gain this gift, you can choose
Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma as your spellcasting ability
for this spell.
However, you become marked by the alien horror of the
abyss. You must fully immerse your head in water for at least
10 minutes every 24 hours. If 24 hours pass and you have not,
you are considered poisoned until you do.
Those even further corrupted might gain the following
features, depending on their desires:
Shadow Swimmer. You can see through areas of
magical darkness as though they were bright light. While
inside an area of magical darkness, you gain a fly speed equal
to your normal speed.
Primordial Horror. You can cast the spell disguise self
at will requiring no components or spell slots, but your true
appearance becomes warped into that of a protean horror.
Abyssal Ecstasy. You can cast the spell maddening
darkness without expending a spell slot, but the spell is cast
centered on yourself and does not require concentration. You
can cast the spell in this way once, and regain the ability to
cast it upon finishing a long rest (if you survive doing so).
Character Ideas
Any character themed around fear, psionics, or darkness
can flavor their abilities as derived from the Lurker. This
might mean willingly, as a narrative warlock, or unwillingly -
someone who came into contact with the aboleths and other
horrors and found themselves marked by the experience. For
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the former, they might be a Fathomless Warlock, opening
portals to the abyssal depths. A martial hunter might wield
the powers of a Gloomstalker Ranger or Soulknife Rogue,
driving fear into their prey in the darkness of night. Someone
unwillingly warped by the touch of the Lurker might become
an Aberrant Mind Sorcerer or Whispers Bard, their innate
potential unlocked by horrors beyond comprehension.
Tainted Treasures
Artifacts of the Lurker often have aberrant appearances
with the intent of unnerving those who see them. Their
hallmark is a merger of demonglass, shadow, and flesh. Some,
like Cloaks of the Manta, temporarily bind to the flesh like a
second skin, with an oily organic look. Many of these items
are designed to hide their bearer’s appearance. Cultists might
infiltrate society using Hats of Disguise or writhing Masquerade
TattoosTCOE, wielding Tridents of Fish Command or Maces of
Terror as part of their service. Rather than illusory disguises,
these items might actually warp the flesh temporarily, with
lasting effects for those who become too attached. Other
items, potentially crafted by the aboleths, might increase one’s
psionic potential. Rings of Telekinesis or Medallions of Thoughts
might expand one’s mind with eldritch power, while a Rod of
Rulership might bestow the ability to dominate lesser beings.
Plot Hooks
Teeth of the Void - The Eternal Dominion of the
Sahuagin seek to emulate their god, Sha’argon, by devouring
other beings to grow stronger. At first, it was rivals, then
storm giants, then krakens - and now, the Dominion stands
nearly unrivaled. However, one aquatic being stands above
even the krakens, and now the Dominion is making plans. If
they can devour the aboleths and their dark Overlord, they
will reach new heights of power - and surge over Aerenal and
Khorvaire in a new tide of fear.
What Lies Beneath - Stormreach Bay contains sunken
ruins from the Age of Giants that were once occupied by
sahuagin. Few adventurers are willing to explore the flooded
tunnels beneath the city, making them the perfect hiding
place for servants of the Lurker. Now, an aboleth is using
them to whisper into the dreams of Stormreach citizens.
Soon, its cultists will begin dark rituals beneath the city,
preparing to drown it in horrors from the deep. The truth lies
in the drowned warrens below - if the party is brave enough.
The Death of Wonder - The oceanic feyspire of Pylas
Taraelya (p.269) travels across the oceans around Xen’drik.
Its mermaid archfey and eladrin knights have long fought
the presence of the Lurker, for they represent the wonder
of the unknown - a concept anathema to the Overlord and
its kin. An ambitious cultist of the Lurker has devised a plan
to capture the feyspire, seizing on the opportunity provided
by the Mourning locking it to the Material Plane. Soon, the
aboleths will launch a full invasion of the feyspire, aiming to
capture its queen for good. The players are either present in
Pylas Taraelya, or lured there by the siren song of its archfey,
and tasked with being the heroes of this legend-to-be.
161
 Factions - Legendary Villains - Legendary Monsters - The Overlords
hunger hunt
Sakinnirot & Scar are relentless stalkersVRGR, slashersVRGR, and chain
the Scar that Abides
OVERLORD OF VENGEANCE
"The first truth is the one they never tell you. We'ere all born
holding a knife. The moment we spring into existence, it cuts
those we love, takes their time, effort, health, money. We cut and
cut and cut. We take and take and take. Sure is unlucky to be you,
because you realized all this FAR too late. Everyone has sunk their
knives into you, and look at the pathetic carcass left behind. You
hold the handle just the same, no? What are you waiting for?"
- 'Scartongue' Wrenz, Black Wrack Tavern, Stormreach
One fiend ruled Xen’drik in the Age of Demons - a power so
great it forced other Overlords to kneel. Sakinnirot, the Scar
that Abides, is said to be the firstborn of Khyber herself - and
the last to emerge in the Age of Demons, as the incarnation
of her patient hatred. Where Rak Tulkhesh is passionate
rage and wanton destruction, the Scar is cold and calculated
murder. Minor slights become vendettas; schemes bloom into
dire plots. Such is its arrogance that even speaking the name
‘Sakinnirot’ is enough to draw the Overlord’s ire. Stormreach
is merely the latest city in the Overlord’s sights - and soon,
only blood and ruin will remain.
Sakinnirot is bound beneath Stormreach, where its
influence touches the lawless city. The port is built on
countless ruins; sahuagin, thri-kreen, gnomes, and giants
have all settled in this place, and none remain. Before them
the capital of the Cul’sir Empire stood here, built on ruins
from the Age of Demons - the citadel of the Overlord itself.
Far beneath the undercity, the physical form of Sakinnirot
whispers into the minds of mortals above. For every group
that finds the ruins, the Smiling Knife lures them in, and
patiently waits. When they are at their peak is the best time
to watch a city crumble to ashes.
The servants of the Scar are murderers and schemers who
revel in sadism. To them, Stormreach and its gangs are a
playground, while the adventurers of the city are perfect for
manipulation. Every time a new city is built on the location,
it allows them more chances at releasing their master, and
heralding a new era of suffering. Cults of the Scar are often
lured in by the offer of revenge, and inflicting pain on those
who cast them down; a series of murders might be the result
of such people working together under fiendish guidance.
The demons of Sakinnirot are often dispassionate and
calculating - a far cry from their hated rivals of Rak Tulkhesh.
Forces
Fiends - The incarnations of vengeance range from dark
tempters to murderous ghosts. Concubi of the Scar lure in
those with vendettas, appealing to their desire for vengeance
- and often placing the knife in their hands. Above
them, orthons and rakshasa work to assassinate any
enemies of Sakinnirot (including those who speak
its name), and manipulate the prophecy in their
favor. Some of the most lethal servants of the
62
1162
devils. These brutal killers are summoned by cults in dark
rites, and sent to murder those who wronged them. It can
take days for such a fiend to deal the final blow, as they savor
the fear and pain of their targets. At their peak is the balor
Cyl-Maaldrake*, known as the Fangs of Fury (p.252). The
hulking tigrine fiend was once the Overlord's right hand,
but couldn’t escape being bound by the Silver Flame. Now,
it works to escape its prison in Darkfire Crater (p.254) - and
with recent events, it may be close to freedom once more.
Cultists - The majority of Sakinnirot’s servants are
simply people with the drive to kill. Often downtrodden
and hopeless, they are offered power by a being they do
not understand - and hungrily accept. Others are true
psychopaths who enjoy the thrill of murder, known as
knives of the scar*. It is hard to say just how much this has
shaped Stormreach, with its competing gangs and militias.
Those who devote themselves to the Scar often form cults.
Their aims range from summoning fiends like relentless
stalkersVRGR, to gaining dark gifts from their patron, to
working together to bring ruin to shared nemeses. Cultists of
Sakinnirot are not limited to Stormreach. Some drow believe
the Overlord’s gifts to be from the aspect of Vulkoor known
as the Wrathful, while some death giants* and groups of
yuan-ti wield dark vendettas against the dragons.
Fiendish Undead - The point at which many people
feel true hatred is when they feel the knife in their back, and
know their dream has ended. In the moments before their
soul leaves to Dolurrh, some hear a voice reach out to them,
offering them the opportunity for revenge. These undead
spirits return to the land of the living, fueled by their utter
resolution to kill those who betrayed them. Some cultists
of Sakinnirot carry out rituals to allow this, making for
perfect recurring villains even after the party slay them (or
because of it). While revenants are the perfect example of
such vengeful undead, Sakinnirot might grant any number
of powers. Banshees might hunt down their targets, ready
to scream their hearts to a standstill, while relentless
slashersVRGR and stalkersVRGR can be given the Undead type.
More martial characters might turn into sword wraiths, or
even vampires sustained by the blood of their targets!
Dark Boons
Sakinnirot and his followers may grant power to those with
a pure hunger for murder, encouraging their dreams of cold
revenge. This may aid the eventual release of the Overlord,
or simply create fear that it can savor. You can grant the
following Dark Gift to a player character tempted in this way
to dark service, or apply it to an NPC to make them more
fitting and dynamic in a fight.
Dark Gift of the Scar. Sakinnirot grants you the
tools to achieve your vengeance and slay your foes. When
you receive this gift, choose one creature that you know
by name to be your Mortal Enemy. As an action, you can
focus your senses to magically divine if your Mortal Enemy
is within 1000 feet of you, as well as their general direction
if so. If you hit your Mortal Enemy with an attack, you can
choose to give up this Dark Gift to grant them vulnerability
to that attack. If you are slain by your Mortal Enemy, you
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 cannot be resurrected by any means short of a wish or divine
intervention, lose this Dark Gift, and return as a revenant 24
hours after your death. At your GM’s discretion, you might
become either an NPC as a result, or gain a fitting ancestry
such as Dhampir or Reborn. This occurs even if your body is
fully destroyed.
Those even further corrupted might gain the following
features, depending on their desires:
Never Sated. If you kill your Mortal Enemy, you can
immediately choose another creature to become your Mortal
Enemy. For every long rest you complete without a chosen
Mortal Enemy, you must succeed on a DC 15 Charisma
saving throw or gain a level of exhaustion.
Ends of the Earth. If you possess an item or body
part belonging to your Mortal Enemy, you can cast the spell
find the path once per long rest targeting their location.
Dark Delight. When you critically hit a creature, you
gain a number of temporary hit points equal to your level.
Character Ideas
The murderous powers of Sakinnirot can justify a variety of
martial backgrounds. Those consumed by rage might become
Zealot barbarians, refusing to die until they can achieve their
goals. Long Death monks might also gain the ability to draw
life from the death of others, driving into their prey the fear
of being hunted. Those with true devotion to their hunt
might swear a Dark Oath, becoming Vengeance paladins on
the trail of their target. Meanwhile, stealthy Assassins and
Gloomstalker Rangers might find their strikes dealing brutal
damage, as the shadows themselves conceal their ambitions.
with the strong taking what they need. The party are hired
to investigate the undercity for relics, where they discover
evidence of what lies beneath. Soon, the trail leads to the
secretive Kundarak enclave, where the dwarves are delving
ever deeper for riches. In truth, the more they dig, the
more influence Sakinnirot has on the city - and the closer
Stormreach comes to the brink of annihilation.
Rising Storm - A series of brutal murders have shaken
the fragile balance of power of the gangs of Stormreach. The
Storm Lords are furious, offering bounties for whoever can
track down the culprit. Soon, the party is thrust into the
criminal underworld of the city, where a cult of Sakinnirot
is planning to slay the Storm Lords themselves. Each cultist
has a blood debt to pay against the city’s unscrupulous
leaders, with plans to improve the city - but to do so, they
demand death. That one of the Storm Lords is a rakshasa of
Sakinnirot is not helping at all. Soon, the party must decide
- do they support the corrupt Storm Lords and maintain the
peace, or become the heralds of a new revolution?
Tigrine Terror - With the death of the Red Watcher in
Darkfire Crater, the balor Cyl-Maaldrake* (p.145) is closer
than ever to freedom. After odd reports from the crater, the
party is sent to investigate the Tharashk miners who set up
camp there. Soon, they find out the truth - that the Crater
is overrun with fiends set on freeing their commander.
Should Cyl-Maaldrake be released, the balor will march on
Stormreach at the head of a fiendish army, and drown the city
in a wave of death.

Tainted Treasures
Artifacts of Sakinnirot can be found both beneath Stormreach
and in the hands of its fiendish servants and assassins.
Many are bloodthirsty tools of slaughter, but others are
intended to assist with the art of murder through stealth
and deception. Those who ask for the power to slay their
foes might receive deadly weapons forged from demonglass.
These can include Vicious Rapiers, Swords of Vengeance,
or Daggers of Venom that drip with literal agony. These
weapons are sometimes sentient, and can be actual fiends
crystallized into a blade. They whisper encouragement into
the minds of their wielders, urging them on to commit their
crimes. More conniving servants of the Scar might instead
use Medallions of Thoughts or Rings of X-Ray Vision to track
their targets beyond the limits of normal sight. Relentless
slashers and juggernauts are sometimes summoned by
cults to Sakinnirot, and wield their own torturous Weapons of
Wounding. Among the most powerful tools of Sakinnirot are
the Oathbows. These bows require spoken Infernal phrases to
activate, branding a foe with an unerring mark of death.

Plot Hooks
Trembling Foundations - As more and more
people emigrate to Stormreach, tensions in the frontier city
are rising. Food, housing and money are becoming scarce,

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 CHAPTER 5

ANCIENT EMPIRES

CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES

164164
 Ancient Giant
Culture
A
hundred generations of giants lived
and died between the gift of
Ourelonastrix and the Shattering of
Xen’drik. During this vast time of 40,000
years, they advanced from the beginnings
of arcane magic, to wielding the power to
tear moons from the sky. Without the innate sorcery of the
dragons, and with Xen’drik divided and conquered, the giants
looked to the infinite outer planes. Their civilisations each
laid claim to a single plane, and specialized in harnessing their
power to reach new heights. The only unclaimed plane was
Mabar, for the draconic taboo against necromancy and fear of
the Qabalrin elves served as a major cultural barrier.
Stardust Start. The magical development of the giants
followed a very different path to the people of Khorvaire.
The simple reason for this is resources. Xen’drik receives
abundant Siberys dragonshards due to its position on the
equator, but possesses few Eberron dragonshards. Khorvaire
is the reverse, with ample Eberron dragonshards, but a
complete lack of Siberys. In comparison, the humans of
Sarlona lacked nearly all dragonshards, and thus learnt to
draw on the planar wild zones that cover the continent. This
fundamental difference in dragonshards shaped the course of
giant civilisation.
Shard Sorcery. Unlike Eberron dragonshards,
which can be used to store and hold magical enchantments,
Siberys dragonshards empower it. In the modern era, the
dragonmarked houses use them for focus items that enhance
one’s dragonmark, while the Unity of Riedra uses them to
empower psionics. For the giants, the Siberys shards were a
way to enhance planar power - both from oneself, and as a
direct conduit to the plane. In practice, this meant that the
giants of old were more powerful than their modern peers
partly due to empowering their own planetouched magic;
a Sul’at fire giant with a planar focus item casts heat metal
at will by empowering their innate sorcery, assisting them
with their work at the forge. A Cul’sir giant taps into their
connection to Dal Quor, sending dreams across the continent
to communicate news and events. This magic is arcane, but
completely different to Khorvaire. The methods of treating
Siberys dragonshards for this purpose has long been lost,
and an artificer attempting to understand a Cul’sir relic has a
complex puzzle ahead of them.
Planar Channelling. Beyond personal magic, these
‘Manifest Shards' were used for all forms of infrastructure.
A dragonshard attuned to a specific plane could be used
as a magical conduit, channeling the plane’s energy into
machinery. Artificial manifest zones, planar gates, and
forges lit with Fernian fire are but the tip of the iceberg. A
Manifest Shard can be thought of as the tuning fork necessary
for the spell plane shift. Each one is specifically attuned, and
resembles the nature of their plane. As such, Xen’drik at large
had no need for elemental binding (which was left as the
mainstay of the Sul’at League). Instead, a giant airship might
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
fly by drawing on a large Syranian Manifest Shard, while crops
grow rapidly within an artificial manifest zone to Lamannia,
shaped carefully by a Siberys shard lens.
So, what does this mean for adventurers?
1. Some magic items were made for specific planetouched
cultures to enhance their innate sorcery. A magic item
might only be usable by a character capable of casting
innate fire magic, but massively empower their sorcery
as a result.
2. Giant artifice uses a completely different basis to
Khorvaire, even though both are arcane and scientific.
A scholar trying to understand a giant artifact will
have a tough time as a result. Similarly, an artificer
trying to reproduce it will have to put in the work - but
succeeding means unlocking ancient magical secrets.
3. Ancient giant cities are saturated with planar energy,
and may have wildlife and threats heavily linked to
the relevant plane. The Lamannian city of Eshtarnak
has dangerous megafauna, while the Shavarath city of
Hekaton is haunted by conquering devils.
Architecture
The grand monuments of the giants, though worn and
weathered, still last to this day. The majority of their works
have long been destroyed, eroded, or dismantled, but the
hearts of the city-states remain. In general, the sheer size
of giant buildings meant that wood was never feasible as a
material. Instead, their cities are built from huge blocks of
quarried stone, or materials taken from the planes. These
ruins rise from the land like the gravestones of an Age.
Standing Strong. In the past, far more of Xen’drik
would have been populated with cities, settlements, and
defensive fortresses. Many of these have simply been broken
by sandstorms or jungle weather, buried beneath soil and
ash, or used to build new structures. As a result, most of what
remains is damaged or derelict, if not overgrown. However,
the scale and artistry of these remnants is a testament to the
height of giant civilization. The city-state capitals themselves
are often in a far better condition, often due to enchantments
that gradually repair damage. Others have more esoteric
methods; Crux has a legion of automata which physically
rebuild it, while the Lamannian materials of Eshtarnak are
incredibly tough due to the plane’s latent magic.
As a broad generalization, these structures favor solid,
geometric shapes with supporting stone pillars. This
is simply a result of practicality when it comes to giant
size. These structures are then carved and engraved with
patterns and sculptures, often depicting the heroes of the
past who embodied the sovereigns, or the deeds of the local
ruling titan. Stairways often include sections of ramp to
accommodate peoples of different sizes. In the Cul’sir and
Sul’at League, such buildings typically have cramped quarters
for elven slaves as part of their architecture. Of course, these
are the exception, not the rule.
Building Bindings. In particular, the Sul’at League
constructed its cities out of advanced magical materials
such as bloodglass. This blend of obsidian and Khyber
dragonshards allows elementals to be bound within
it. As a result, Sul’at buildings and streets can have
fire elementals flowing through them, which heat
the glass to melt open doors, or raise walls
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in seconds. In contrast, the Cul’sir Empire relied on grand
works of oneiromancy to dream their buildings into reality.
The backlash of the Moonbreaker destroyed many of them,
reducing their cities to the base stone of the past. Stormreach,
despite being the former capital, has only traces of its former
glory as a result. This also explains why the ruins of Cul’sirran
are so small; what is left is merely the base of the city, with
the true wonder hidden within Dal Quor.
Art & Fashion
While giant art and culture varied massively between
nations, there were some cultural touchstones that connected
them. With most trees simply too small to work with,
many giants practiced masonry and stone carving, creating
monuments that have lasted eons. Many of these are
sculptures devoted to the heroes of the past, who were seen
as religious icons, and embodiments of the Sovereign Host.
Later, these began changing to the Titans themselves, with
many commissioning works to highlight their grandeur and
demigod status. Some were enchanted to add to the effect.
Perhaps the most famous example is The Emperor, which
towers over Stormreach, radiating powerful magic still not
understood by modern cultures.
Diamonds Forever. Similarly, many giant cultures
placed a high importance on gemstones and dragonshards.
Their intrinsic value as spell components and rate of
consumption led to them having value throughout history.
As a result, many were used in place of coins. Giant artifacts
with inlaid gems and dragonshards were thus a mark of
prestige and wealth, indicating that their owner could afford
to ‘waste’ such gems. Magic items in particular often have
enchantments bound to their gemstones, or use Manifest
Shards (detailed in the Magic section below) to enable
their abilities.
Other giant art focused on portraying the tales of the titans,
and the Sovereign heroes they took after. Some of the most
common were elaborate tapestries - a visual form of their
legendary exploits. Many of these burned in the days of the
Shattering, but those that remain have priceless historic
value. Others include intricately shaped pieces of pottery and
ancient frescoes.
Fashion
Remnants of the clothing of the ancient giants are
rare, although some have survived due to their magical
enchantments. In general, their fashion was lightweight and
airy, with their large bodies producing plenty of heat. Loose
fabrics worn as togas, tunics, or saris helped to deal with the
tropical weather of Xen’drik’s north, as well as their innate
high body temperatures. Producing giant-sized clothing is not
easy, and the culture of the time was to own a small number
of intricate and ostentatious outfits, each woven with self-
cleaning enchantments. Some giants used their clothing as
symbols of their magical prestige. In the Cul’sir Empire, the
upper castes wove runes and glyphs into their clothing, using
them as functional spellbooks and a visual record of their
arcane skill.
Beyond a summary, the breadth of giant fashions
was immense, created by the different cultures and
the planes they interacted with. In Hekaton,
wearing any clothes that weren’t battle-ready
was either a sign of idiocy or impressive
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confidence, while the hunters of Eshtarnak wore the furs
and hide of the beasts they hunted. In contrast, the giants of
Shae Fir were inspired by the archfey, and wore extravagant
gowns and regal suits taken straight out of stories. In terms of
mechanics, much like other giant magic items, it can be safely
assumed that attuning to a piece of giant clothing will cause
it to resize to the person - a holdover from a society with
advanced magic. Examples of different items of clothing from
the various giant nations can be found in the following table:
d8 Example Giant Fashion
Cul’sir - An intricate shawl embellished with fractal
gold that was dreamt of within Dal Quor, then brought
1
into existence with oneiromancy. Its fabric shimmers
like the Sea of Dreams.
Cul’sir - A light gown woven from egosilk that shows
2 shifting illusory patterns based on the wearer’s last
dream.
Sul’at - A pair of sandals crafted from impossibly
3 elastic firebrass and inlaid with tiny fragments of
Khyber dragonshard.
Sul’at - A toga woven from a rainbow of planar
4 threads, including Syranian skylace, Lamannian
chinchilla fur, and Dolurrhi huskthread.
Ix Il’ar - A ballerina’s tutu and bodice that shimmer
5 with ice crystals the color of the aurora.
Karrakos - Simple charcoal priest’s vestments woven
6 with silvery embroidered patterns. Each pattern is
enchanted with a memory from the peaceful dead.
Genesis Twins - An elastic mimic body-suit that
7 changes shape every morning, turning to a randomly
coloured gown, toga, suit or dress.
Esht Primacy - A set of camouflaged hunter’s garb
8
with an all-weather cloak of totem alpaca wool.
Food
Your average giant is about ten times larger than the average
humanoid. The amount of food they can eat is legendary. If
there is one single thing that has shaped the giant cultures
of Xen’drik, it is hunger and the drive to secure enough to
eat. In the times before the Age of Giants, the Druid-Kings
ruled in part because of this; their abilities to grow food, tame
animals and master nature meant a safe supply of food for
their people. The Gift of Ouralon revealed new opportunities;
by exploiting the planes, the giants could have access to
an infinite supply of resources. Over time, they did just
that; Sohl’aran used the growth innate to Irian to farm vast
fields of crops year-round, Eshtarnak hunted vast beasts in
Lamannia, while the Cul’sir literally dreamed their food into
existence. These techniques allowed the cities of old to grow
to massive sizes, and their loss is part of why the modern
giants struggle to do the same. Instead, they roam in smaller
groups, able to live off the land. However, the cuisine of the
city-states still has a surprising impact on modern Xen’drik.
Megacrops
The cities of Sohl’aran and Eshtarnak in the Group of Eleven,
and Ram’kanek in the Sul’at League, used their planar
expertise to produce vast quantities of food. In Sohl’aran,
the light of Irian was channeled into crops, which grew tall
at rapid speed. Their expertise in botany led to new strains
of plants imbued with magic, many of which had innate
arcane properties. One of the most well-known to modern
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
 explorers is ‘long corn’ - an ancient giant crop that never
rots when made into rations, due to its Irian resistance to
decay. During their heyday, the people of Sohl’aran converted
swathes of forest into fields, fueling the growth of the Group
of Eleven. This region - now known as the Wasting Plain -
has completely overrun its borders since the Shattering. The
entire Plain is effectively a massive field of crops, albeit ones
that grow to giant size. In contrast, the giants of Eshtarnak
grew orchards within Lamannian manifest zones, using
clippings taken from the plane of nature. Their plants grew
to towering sizes, producing immense fruit and vegetables all
year round. Many are now found the length of Xen'drik.
Megafauna
While Sohl’aran specialized in farming plants, Eshtarnak and
Ram’kanek focused on livestock. The Esht hunted, captured,
and tamed animals of enormous size from Lamannia, which
they bred for trade. In contrast, the Sul’at thaumaturges
of Ram’kanek used different aspects of the planes to
magebreed their animals. The most infamous results are
terrible warbeasts such as pyrohydras* and Lurking-Two
Maws*, but a weird range of giant livestock also roam the
wilds, released from their pens by the Shattering. This is
partly why life in Xen’drik can seem so oversized - much of
it was enlarged to suit giant stomachs. Adventurers might
encounter massive giant elk with Fernian basalt antlers,
Risian giant goats immune to aging, or herds of surprisingly
plump and chicken-like axebeaks.
Language
As one might expect, the language of the giants of old varied
greatly across the continent. Since 5th Edition assumes a
more ‘standard’ fantasy setting, the game only has a singular
‘Giant’ language to represent this. This abstraction is at odds
with Eberron’s history, but is a useful simplification for
parties and GMs who don’t wish to grapple with language
complexity, or don’t feel it adds to an adventure. The
following section outlines what the linguistic landscape
of Xen’drik might have looked like, as well as how to
mechanically reconcile that, and use it to enrich a campaign.
Single Language
In keeping with the single mechanical option of ‘Giant’, there
are several potential options to reconcile this in a campaign:
• A campaign dealing with only one giant nation - such as
a Stormreach adventure - can simply treat the language
‘Giant’ as that of the nation they are exploring. This
works especially well for the Cul’sir Empire, which is
most familiar to Khorvairan explorers.
• Giant can be treated as a common trade language
between the ancient nations of Xen’drik.
• Giant can be treated as the original tongue of the giants,
with separate nations diverging and including planar
words in their lexicons. As a result, the language of
the Sul’at League might incorporate Primordial or
Ignan, while the Cul’sir Empire might have included
Quori loanwords. Characters with different language
proficiencies might be able to combine their skills to
decipher these languages. A character with only one
might face difficulty.
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
• Giant is the modern tongue of the giants, akin to Italian’s
relationship to Latin, or Greek to Ancient Greek.
Ancient Giant might sound antiquated, or be hard to
translate, as a result.
Many Languages
For a realistic and nuanced approach, different giant nations
might have had completely different languages. These
linguistic roots are likely to have persisted to the modern
day, with groups such as the Súlatar inheriting words from
the nations of their history. In this case, ‘Giant’ can be used
to represent either the modern tongue, or a common trade
language between nations. Much like with Primordial and
Ignan/Aquan, there would then be other diverse tongues
used across Xen’drik. It is possible that every city in the
Group of Eleven had their own languages, each influenced
by those spoken in their specific planes of study. It is also
possible that their political unity created a single language
shared between them. When considering this, it is important
to ask what sounds most fun at the table, and what might lead
to interesting results during adventures.
Language Mechanics
A range of Xen’drik languages (extinct and extant)
can be found in Languages of Eberron by Nausicaa
Enriquez, along with detailed mechanics for both
interacting with different languages, and incorporating
them as gameplay elements. For GMs with a passion for
linguistics, it is highly recommended as a resource.
Magic
Over 40,000 years, and with the guiding claw of the dragons,
the giants developed magic on an epic scale. The Gift of
Ouralon was the spark that set the tinder ablaze, teaching
them the foundations, with dragons preaching the worship
of the Sovereigns and their wondrous magic. Previously,
the giants were beholden to the whims of nature and their
primal magic. Now, they had the tools to conquer it. At their
scale, Xen’drik was small and divided, its resources and food
supplies limited. Instead, the giants looked to the infinite
outer planes for power. Different kingdoms began exploring
the possibilities of the planes, focusing on those that most
influenced them via local manifest zones. By combining
Xen’drik’s plentiful Siberys dragonshards with arcane
runes, they learnt to attune those shards to specific planes,
channeling their magic for practical use. Most giant artifice
is fueled by these Manifest Shards, with different effects
depending on the plane in question.
Planetouched Nations. As different nations found
uses for the planes, they began to specialize. Inspired by
the legends of the primal titans of old, the giants became
planetouched genasi, aasimar, and tieflings - sometimes
through purposeful magic, and sometimes through planar
exposure. Becoming sorcerers in this way reinforced each
kingdom's specialties, for it meant that their giants could
better handle the dangers of their chosen plane. The frost
giants of Ix Il’ar have nothing to fear from Risia’s cold,
but they would never be comfortable in the heat of
Fernia. Before long, their choice of plane became
a need, more than a choice. The rise of Cul’sir,
first of the titans, forced other nations
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to focus on their planar magic. If they could not unlock
the deepest secrets of their plane, they would be unable
to have a titan of their own - and fall to the power of the
Cul’sir Dominion.
Epic Magic. Within the planes, the giants found the
resources to sustain their kingdoms. The amount of food
needed to maintain a capital of giants is immense. Just as the
dragons do, they used planes such as Lamannia and Irian to
grow crops and livestock at speed, enabling their populations
to grow. This in turn provided more people to explore the
planes and secure resources, fueling a cycle that defined the
Age of Giants. The expertise with which the giants wielded
and shaped planar magic is unmatched to this day. Grand
works lifted castles into the sky, guided armies of automata,
and tore open portals beyond time and space. Of course,
this expertise was also leveled at their enemies. One benefit
of a giant’s constitution is that one can more easily weather
the stress of casting powerful spells. This meant that giant
warmages could wield terrible magic in battle, withstanding
the backlash better than most casters in the modern day. It
was this magic that wrought havoc on the rebelling elves -
and eventually plucked a moon from the sky.
Giant Runes
One key question about Manifest Shards is ‘how does one
attune a dragonshard to a plane?’. The most common answer
is the art of runecrafting. Glyphs, runes, and planar symbols
were all used in different nations to channel and focus
planar power. Many magic items bear these marks in Giant
script, in the same way that magic items in Khorvaire might
bear them in Draconic. The difference is that Giant runes
were refined over centuries to produce intricately different
effects, and utilized planar components or magic in their
creation. A Manifest Shard might be inscribed with the
rune for ‘Growth’, performed when the moon Lharvion was
ascendant. Its base function is to cause plants in the area to
grow rapidly. The same shard with a larger rune might have
a larger area of effect. If the rune was instead painted using
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beast blood from the Twilight Forest, it might affect animals
- while one combining ‘Growth’ and ‘Health’ runes might
additionally cure diseases. The stronger the components,
the stronger the effect - a simple fact that drove planar
exploitation in a continuous cycle.
Vital Cost. Of course, there are more types of blood than
that of beasts. In some civilisations, giants commonly marked
runes on their bodies at certain points in their life. These
bestowed magical power by drawing partly on the plane, and
partly on the user’s own vitality - a feat only possible when
you have the stamina of a giant. This practice was limited by
the cost on oneself; a rune too large or too powerful would
pose a danger to the giant’s life. The Cul’sir ‘solved’ this
issue in brutal fashion. As they became ever more desperate
during the Dream War and Elven Rebellion, the Cul’sir and
Sul’at giants began to experiment with using mortal lives in
the creation of their artifice - an idea inspired by the dark
methods of the Qabalrin. It is possible that since the start, the
God-King enslaved elves linked to the concept of death for
this purpose, their lives carrying greater weight as ‘fuel’.
Rune Knights & Xen’drik
The use of Giant runes outlined in this section provides
an easy justification for the abilities of Rune Knights, who
understand how runes can be shaped to provide magical
benefits. However, it may make sense to rename the runes
based on civilization or plane, as opposed to the type of
giant. Interestingly, it also means that a Rune Knight might
discover and unlock new runes that aren’t on their subclass
list - an interesting way of rewarding a character without the
use of gold or magic items. This also goes for parties without
a Rune Knight; a GM should feel free to to take such arcane
runes and use them as pseudo-feats, especially for martial
characters. This is a one path to increase the complexity of
martial characters in a thematic way, while providing benefits
for artificers and wizards who can decipher giant runes. The
following are examples of runes that a Rune Knight might be
able to discover from the texts of the city-states of Sohl’aran
and Karrakos:
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES

Spirit Rune. This rune emulates the ghostly
connection to Dolurrh wielded by the giants of Karrakos.
While wearing or carrying an object inscribed with this
rune, you have advantage on Intelligence (History) checks
and gain resistance to necrotic damage. Additionally, your
maximum health cannot be reduced by magical effects.
• In addition, you can invoke the rune as a bonus
action to step partially into the ethereal plane. This
turn, you do not provoke attacks of opportunity,
ignore difficult terrain, and can move through spaces
occupied by other creatures (though cannot end your
turn there). If you move through a creature’s space,
you can force it to make a Wisdom saving throw. On
a failure, the creature is frightened of you, and can
repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns
to end the effect. Once you invoke this rune, you
can’t do so again until you finish a short or long rest.
Sun Rune. This rune emulates the light of Irian
wielded by the sun giants of Sohl’aran. While wearing
or carrying an object inscribed with this rune, you have
advantage on Medicine (Wisdom) checks, as well as
saving throws made to avoid or resist being blinded. As
a bonus action, you can cause the object to shine with
bright light for 15 feet, and dim light for an additional 15
feet beyond that. This light counts as magical sunlight.
This effect lasts until you end it as a bonus action.
• In addition, you can invoke the rune as a bonus
action to clothe yourself in radiance. For 10
minutes, you gain a number of temporary hit points
equal to your proficiency bonus at the start of each
of your turns.
Using Giant Magic Items
Naturally, one common theme with items created by the
giants is that they are appropriately giant-sized. As such,
justifying taking them can be a bit comical, which poses
difficulties for providing treasure and magic items during
an adventure. The solution is simply that giant magic items
possess minor enchantments that resize them in response
to being held or touched by a differently sized person -
something that all magic items in 5th edition already do
when attuned to. The reason for this is simply that different
nations of giants were of different sizes, and it thus made
sense to include these minor enchantments for trade and
convenience. This is especially true for nations like the Esht
Primacy, which had multiple types of giants. In a darker vein,
the Cul’sir Empire created items that were usable by both
giants and elves; a giant crafting an elf-sized spellcasting focus
or tool would otherwise be comically difficult. As a result, it
is up to the GM to decide which items will or will not resize,
but there is no harm in simply assuming they will to avoid
complications.
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
Titanhood
What is a titan to a land of giants? In an age of magic and
planar wonders, many wizards and artificers toiled to unlock
the secrets of magic to empower themselves. City-states
worked to enact epic feats of magic that raised islands into the
sky and rained hellfire on their enemies. Yet, above them all
stood those recognised as titans. The title is one of respect for
leadership, strength, and immortality - not taken, but earned.
The means by which to gain such power and an endless
lifespan vary massively between city-states, but one thing was
for certain - only the legendary managed to achieve it, and
none were willing to allow others to rise alongside them.
Scholar Kings. As the nations of Xen’drik claimed
dominion over the planes, many of their foremost scholars
worked to unlock their magical potential. Many of the
titans were the ones who first ‘found the key’ - the leaders in
their fields with the greatest understanding of their plane’s
fundamental laws. It was they who understood how best to
harness planar power, and once they did so, they ensured that
no one else could do so again. The majority of nations were
led by one titan alone for this simple fact - with vast power in
their hands, they simply did not trust others with the same. In
other cases, titanship was granted through unique pacts with
planar immortals. Since this could not be replicated, the titan
was assured of their position.
While the titans achieved their power through different
means, they shared common features that defined the title.
Every titan:
1. Was either immortal, undying, or so long-lived that the
distinction was meaningless.
2. Wielded enough power to act as a living deterrent
against war for other titans.
3. Held a position of leadership or authority in their nation.
As a result, many were seen as demigods, chosen by
divinity to wield their vast powers and authority. Just as the
titans of old embodied the gods during the Age of Demons,
these new titans must be their new champions. Looking at
their power, how could one believe otherwise? This granted
them the divine right of kings; their actions were divinely
sanctioned, their deeds the work of the gods. To usurp them
was blasphemy. Instead, there was one clear path to the same
power - to embody the gods better than them, and surpass
their legendary deeds. In Hekaton, this meant defeating the
ruling titan in a duel. In Eshtarnak, hunting a more powerful
beast. Yet, only the combined might of the dragons could
truly make the titans fall.
Religion
In the days when the world had ended, we feared the fires in our
hearts, for the smallest spark could burn us alive. Oh, to be naught
but kindling to greed and desire. Three sisters stood forth in that
world ablaze. The first took the fire we feared and set it before her.
She warmed her hands, cooked her meal, and did the unthinkable
- she gave it up to share with others. In doing so, she soothed their
souls. The hearth was warm; it did not burn.
The second sister took the fire we feared and set it before
her. She shaped it for torches against the dark, for
weapons of ore to keep us safe, and bowls of clay to
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eat our fare. She did the unthinkable - she gave them up to teach to
others. In doing so, she soothed their minds. The forge was warm; it
did not burn.
The third sister took the fire we so feared and set it before her. It
was smaller now, divided and weak, yet in a single chance would it
crackle and bite. She took the embers in her hand, and pressed them
to her breast, to the heart we once bid ashen and cold. She did the
unthinkable - she loved, and gave her love to others. In doing so, she
soothed their hearts. Her love was warm; it did not burn - but the fire
lived within her still, and to threaten her kin was to see her ablaze.
Together, they traveled to the heart of the land. The first gathered
the people together for a grand celebration; the second built a brazier
of stone; the third placed the cinders deep within, to smolder softly
in deepest sleep. The Valley of the Heart burns still, but never forget
- our hearts are ever ready to be kindling.
In the days before empire, before freedom, before joy, there
was only torment. The history of the giants started as the Age
of Demons ended, with their champions joining the dragons
to reclaim Eberron from the Overlords. While the dragons
sealed the archfiends across the world, gaining territory
one battle at a time, the giants were a different story;
they lay beneath the chains of Sakinnirot, said to be
the most powerful of the Children of Khyber. The
war to seal the Scar that Abides was monumental;
giant champions rose to throw off the
chains of vengeance placed upon them
by the Overlord’s presence, casting aside
their hate for one another to combine
their strength. The greatest among them -
Rom-Praxis, Dowron, Men’aqat - drew strength
from the natural world, channeling primal magic to
become towering warriors of legend. The archfiend of
vengeance could never be defeated through strength alone;
every time they struck it down, it would only grow stronger.
Instead, the giants joined with the armies of the Sovereigns
to face it. They defeated Sakinnirot by refusing to fight back,
isolating it without retaliation until it no longer had any
grudges to bear. As the paths of the Prophecy aligned, they
The Sovereign Host
When talking about the Sovereigns, it is easy to refer to
things using the human Sovereign Host as a baseline.
This is reinforced by the language of books such as
Secrets of Sarlona, which states that gods such as
Banor and Rowa are ‘aspects’ of the human Sovereign
Host. Given that the gods Banor and Rowa are at least
37,000 years older than the Pyrinean Creed in Khorvaire
- potentially 20 times older than the Pyrinean Creed at
all - this does not make sense. The humans of Pyrine
were not the first to name the gods of the Sovereign
Host, nor is their interpretation of the gods any more
or less valid than those of other cultures. This includes
the dragons. In reality, the Pyrinean Creed can be
considered a younger sect of the Giant Sovereigns (if
that), and this section makes an effort to avoid the
colonial undertones of the alternative. In practice, they
are different religions worshiping different gods with
some shared characteristics.
170170
bound it once again within Eberron’s embrace, soothing its
hatred…at least, for a while.
Primal Titans. After that, the world began anew. Those
giants who had joined the fight against other Overlords
returned to Xen’drik, and began building the first of their
nations. The beliefs of these giants were shaped by their
prehistory. Their innate strength and size marked them as
the true children of Eberron, arising in a land of natural
beauty and verdant wonder. The greatest of their champions
channeled primal power, growing in size and wielding
the elements against the fiends who oppressed them. As
such, their religion was one of druidic monotheism. The
progenitor beneath their feet gave them the power to reach
peace, supplied their food and water, and provided for their
needs. The champions of old were those blessed by the divine
world around them. In contrast, the fiends wielded dire
arcane power. These primal beliefs were reinforced by the
powerful land spirits who call Xen’drik home, and provided
safe sanctuary during the darkest days. The giants saw them
as the children of the world-soul they worshiped - the god
named Rushemé.
The Giant Host
For 20,000 years, the giants sought to emulate the
champions of old, who were blessed by the will
of Rushemé. Great druid-kings rose to rule the
land, seeking audience with land spirits for
wisdom and power. The dragons’ arrival
in Xen’drik changed the narrative. They
tied arcane magic - and thus ‘civilization’
- to the god Aureon, and worshiped the
Sovereigns in the form of dragons. Argonnessen’s
society revolves around emulating the Sovereigns,
with the belief that doing so can allow one to ascend
to their positions beyond death. As part of their teachings,
they shared this concept with the nascent giants. It was with
arcane magic that the dragons defeated the Overlords. It was
with arcane magic that they performed impossible wonders
- the blessed tools of Ourelonastrix, and the weaponry of
the Sovereigns.
Syncretised Heroes. The result of their guidance was
a blend of giant and draconic traditions; the giant champions
of the past were syncretised as their own Sovereign
equivalents, embodying the ideals of the new gods. In this
way, different city-states idealized and worshiped the heroes
of the Age of Demons, aspiring to become them - and leading
to the rise of new titans. Many of the titans were believed to
be semi-divine in this way; the living embodiments of the
Sovereigns and the inheritors of the champions of old. A side
effect of this was that some of them fully believed it too, and
justified their actions as innately divine - no matter the cost.
One major difference between the human Sovereign Host
(known as the Pyrinean Creed) and the Giant Sovereigns is
that, much like the dragons, the divide between the ‘Dark
Six’ and the other gods does not exist. Instead, the gods
had aspects of both, as with the Thir paths of the dragons.
The god Rowa represents both the bounty of nature and
its destructive potential, while Dol Arazur was the god of
victories both honorable and not.
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
 Patron Deities
Unlike modern Vassals, the giants also focused on particular
gods seen as their ‘patrons’. Different city-states believed
themselves to be blessed by these patrons, depending on the
nature of the plane they were exploiting. This was linked to
the status of the titans; the power of Kand’ari, titan of the
Esht Primacy, was seen as the divine blessing of Banor the
Bloody Spear. As such, the giants of the Primacy followed the
titan’s ideals, believing her to be a semi-divine embodiment
of the god (a mirror of the dragon’s Thir beliefs). This was
not questioned because its truth was obvious - the titans’
power was quite clearly divine providence. The Emperor
Cul’sir championed this belief as the first of Xen’drik’s titans.
His position as the blessed of Ouralon enthroned him via
divine right, and justified his actions as innately blessed by
the god. To embody a Sovereign is to be the pinnacle of
strength, so that no one - not even an Overlord - can deny
your right to rule.
These beliefs tied together with the nature of the planes.
The angels of Fernia and Shavarath believe themselves
devoted to the Sovereigns. As such, the giants of those planes
began to worship those particular Sovereigns themselves
after interacting with such planar powers. This is not to
say that the giants were monotheistic. The giants of the
Primacy worshiped Banor above the other gods, but still
acknowledged and prayed to the other Sovereigns; offending
the gods of luck, nature, and war, after all, is a quick recipe
for disaster.
that scorned them. Their traditions have ironically outlasted
those very nations, and live on as the modern druid circles
of Xen’drik. The boundary between ‘primal’ and ‘divine’
does not exist for such cultures (and may only exist at all in
terms of game mechanics). The Verdant Path druids venerate
the land spirit Kwinharin, while the Qaltiar worship the
animal spirits of the land. This was no less ‘valid’ or ‘correct’
compared to the Sovereign Host, but it suited both the
dragons and the titans to claim so and consolidate their status.
Silver Torch. In contrast, the Silver Flame - known
in Xen’drik as the Torch of Progress (p.139) - was allowed
a certain status in the kingdoms of old. The faith is based in
the city of Bazek Mohl, which acted as a beacon of refuge
during the Age of Demons. Due to the nature of Xen’drik’s
Overlords, which prey on negative emotions and conflict,
the Torch focused on mediation and peacekeeping, as well
as physically combatting fiends. As such, they served a
neutral international role, helping to soothe the woes of war,
and uproot any cults or hidden demons. Despite this, their
influence waned over the course of the Age. Not all nations
wanted peace. Even worse, some were increasingly willing to
deal with planar fiends for power, or bind them via artifice - a
situation that put the Torch and Sul’at League at odds.

The Giant Pantheon:

• Banor, the Bloody Spear - The Hunt
• Rowa of the Jungle Leaves/Desert Sands/Mountain
Heights, the Heartfire - Nature, Passion & Emotion
• Omnat’ara, the Forgefire - Artisanry & Invention
• Ul’dreiha, the Hearthfire - Family & Community
• Kul’kran of the Pathways - Exploration,
Trade & Luck
• Karrak, the Final Guardian - Death & Judgement
• Ouralon Lawbringer - Magic, Law, and Progress
• Dowron, the Unyielding - Strength and Bravery
• Arazur, the Blade of Victory - War and Conquest
• Sohl’ara, the Light of Virtue - Diplomacy,
Agriculture, and Medicine
• Ouralon’s Shadow - Forbidden Magic & Evil
• The Traveler - Chaos & Change

Other Religions in the Age of Giants

The rise of the Sovereign Host in the Age of Giants pushed
many other religions to the fringes. The existence of the
titans, and their (sometimes enforced) divine mandate, meant
that the ‘old ways’ of primal magic lost their prominence.
Meanwhile, the Silver Flame was simply seen as the tool used
by the Sovereigns to achieve their victory - but why worship
the sword over the hero who wields it?
Primal Heart. As a result, the worship of land
spirits and the soul of Xen’drik - Rushemé - was pushed
to the fringes. In regions that were either undesirable or
‘untameable’, the people used primal magic to help them
survive, often with the blessing of local land spirits such as
Kwinharin and Raiarin. These druids dwelt in the heart of the
Iceflow Sea and the Menechtarun, far from the ‘civilization’

CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES

171
 Ancient Empires
Summary
Cul’sir Dominion
The Dominion, named after its god-emperor Cul’sir, was
an expansionist empire that conquered many surrounding
nations in the early Age of Giants. The Dominion was
defined by its oneiromantic magic from Dal Quor, the Sea of
Dreams, including elaborate use of the plane’s dream-spaces.
As time passes ten times faster in Dal Quor, the people of
the Dominion trained, learned and lived within the world
of dreams, allowing them to rapidly enhance themselves
compared to their peers - including while asleep.
The tyrannical reach of the Dominion led to the formation
of the Group of Eleven, the sacking of Shae Tirias Tolai, the
enslavement of the elves, the Dream War with the quori,
and the destruction of Xen’drik at the hands of the dragons.
The epicenter for all of this was the capital city of Cul’sirran,
which lay on the same site as the modern city of Stormreach.
Group of Eleven
The Group of Eleven was a loose alliance of disparate
city-states scattered across central and southern Xen’drik.
Each city-state became specialized in harnessing a specific
plane, leaving Mabar to the Qabalrin elves, and Dal Quor
to the Cul’sir. Their cultures were incredibly different, and
each city-state competed with its peers for political power
and prestige. Their unity was one of necessity, for their
combined power allowed them to hold off the advances of
the Cul'sir Dominion. The Group included migratory cloud
giant traders, immortal frost giant artisans, interdimensional
cyclops explorers, and four-armed giants trained in the wars
of Shavarath, among a vibrant array of different cultures..
The Qabalrin
When the Cul'sir Empire destroyed Shae Tirias Tolai,
many of the elven refugees fled to a guarded valley in the
Tempest's Spine. There, they formed the Qabalrin - a dark
society of guile and power that worshipped the god known
as the Shadow. In their rage and horror at being rendered
mortal, the Qabalrin wielded every scrap of magic they could,
consorted with fiends, and eventually became the most
powerful mortal necromancers to have ever (un)lived. Their
descendants travelled to Aerenal, forming the Line of Vol.
Sul'at League
Several cities were united by the Fire Prince Adaxus in the
early Age of Giants, forming the Sul'at League to stand
against the Cul'sir. Rather than focusing on one plane, the
League dabbled in every one. Much like a fusion of House
Cannith and Vadalis, the giants of the League were expert
artificers and transmuters, and used each plane to experiment
with magebreeding and transmutation. While the Fire Prince
was deposed and shackled for consorting with fiends,
the League continued under the Five Luminaries,
each ruling over a Sul'at city. Their drive for
scientific advancement was fueled by both the
Cul'sir threat, and the danger of the Overlord
172172
beneath their nation. Eventually their weapons became so
dangerous that the Dominion could never attack for fear of
mutual destruction. As such, the League took on a politically
neutral stance, dealing with all sides in the name of research
and progress. The Sul'at League were responsible for creating
the drow by binding planar magic to elven slaves. During the
Dream War, they were tasked with building a weapon to end
it - and succeeded with the infamous Moonbreaker.
Countless Others
While this book explores the most influential and notable
giant empires (both historically, and for the cultures of
Khorvaire and Sarlona), the Age of Giants was 40,000 years
long, and countless kingdoms rose and fell in that time.
Others lay between the great nations as independent city-
states, brokering neutrality or acting as precarious buffers.
Similarly, many giant civilisations have risen since, and been
lost to the ravages of the Madness of Crowds. As such, this is
not an exhaustive guide by any means, but a base to build off.
Xen’drik is a vast continent, and the time span of its history
is vaster. There is more than enough space to introduce new
kingdoms with unique themes, stories - and threats. As such,
any giant ruin can be found, whether 80,000 years old, or 800.
Even more importantly, much of the lore presented here
about the kingdoms of old can be rewritten completely with
little impact on canon or history, and a GM should feel free to
change anything they wish to accommodate their version of
Eberron, and the things that interest them. This includes:
• City-state locations, with the suggested exception of
the Cul’sir capital (to avoid canon inconsistencies).
• The size, focus, themes and history of the nations.
• The state of them in the present day.
As a result, it is entirely reasonable to construct a giant
city based around a cool and interesting theme, ignoring the
kingdoms in this book entirely. To assist, the following is a
list of one-off themes for novel kingdoms that a party might
stumble across in the course of their exploration:
d6 Example Giant Cultures
Geomancy - The shaping of the earth into arcane
1 glyphs and leylines, creating magic on a vast scale.
Anti-magic - A true threat to many of the kingdoms
of the day, an empire focused on anti-magic may
2 have developed advanced mundane artifice or martial
techniques to gain an edge over their peers.
Haemomancy - While the Qabalrin approached
haemomancy from the necromantic angle, it is
3 possible that a city approached it from an alchemical
view, using reagents to induce transformations or
enhance physical ability.
Lunamancy - Worship of the 13 moons, tracking
their celestial movements. Each moon has a different
4 character, and the paths of celestial bodies are one
way of divining the course of the Draconic Prophecy.
Truenaming - It is said that a song of creation runs
through reality, with every being a word within it.
5 Truenamers may have used this as a form of bardic
magic, shaping reality with the song of the Progenitors.
Chronomancy - Mastery over time is a powerful and
fraught magic, said to be policed by Daanvi -
and perhaps even the sphinxes. However, time
6
travel is a godlike ability, especially when you
can defeat enemies before they have even
considered attacking you.
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
173
 The Cul'sir Dominion
P
erhaps no mortal has left such a scar
on history as the giant known as
Cul'sir. Titan of titans, enslaver of the
elves, breaker of planes, and scourge of
Xen’drik. For an entire Age, the Dreamer
Eternal ruled a kingdom of impossible
magic that existed half in the waking world, and half in
deepest slumber. Exploring the power of the Cul’sir Empire
means returning to a world where Dal Quor is undamaged -
Content Warning: Slavery, Loss of Autonomy, Racism, Mind Control
where the barrier between reality and dreams is paper-thin,
and no longer an impossible gulf.
One of Dal Quor’s properties is that time within the plane
passes ten times faster than the Material. A lucid dreamer can
turn eight hours of sleep into 3 days of time. An empire of
lucid dreamers can turn every night into a limitless universe
of art and learning. This allowed the Cul’sir Empire to
harness their own sleep to communicate, experiment, and
explore complex topics far more rapidly than any of their
peers, fueling skill and expertise in the waking world. Their
societal development was perpetually a level above, for every
night of sleep meant days of additional consciousness.
This advancement came with pride and superiority that
drove the empire’s advance. Every mind was a resource to
use and learn from. Their neighbors were backwards and
slow - a disgrace to the gifts of Ouralon. Bringing them
into the empire was to give them new worlds to explore,
and a charity to those too ignorant to see. As their god-
king commanded his empire to expand, countless smaller
nations and cities were subsumed into the dream of a united
Xen’drik, bound by the limitless visions of their ruler. This
military action triggered the formation of the Sul’at League
and Group of Eleven, forever shaping giant history. Those
who rebelled were submerged into eternal slumber, their
permanent dreamscapes shaped by the Cul’sir giants to be of
use to the empire.
Titan: Cul’sir, the Visionary
The First Titan shaped the course of an Age. Once a mortal
giant, Cul’sir was the first to use the gifts of Ouralon
to ascend to titanhood, triggering an arms race that
revolutionized the shape of Xen’drik. His arrogance and
hunger for power caused the expansion of his kingdom, the
fall of Shae Tirias Tolai, and the destruction of the entirety
of Xen’drik - a crime that scars the land to this day. All in all,
this is the tale of one of Eberron’s worst villains. The worst
part of all is that he may yet live.What is known about Cul’sir
is that he derived his power from Dal Quor with magic he
kept utterly secret. The titan suffered no rivals, his ego so
great that he named his burgeoning empire after himself. He
was emperor and god-king both, and conquered the
cities of northern Xen’drik with ease. What arose was
a totalitarian state fueled by expansion, divided into
castes based on social status and sorcerous power.
174174
Summary: The Cul'sir Dominion
Magic: Oneiromancy, Divination & Evocation
Titan: Emperor Cul'sir, the Visionary
Capital: Cul'sirran (now Stormreach)
Location: Skyfall Peninsula
Exports: Dreamed Goods, War, Subjects
How did Cul’sir become a titan?
As with many of the Titans, Cul’sir’s path to ascendancy is
a mystery lost to time. It is said the Emperor silenced any
who may have had any relation to the event, for one of his
greatest fears was the creation of a rival - a fear that drove
him to war against Prince Adaxus of the Sul’at League, as
well as countless other nations. Discovering the arcane path
to titanhood would be a historic event, for not since the
Shattering has a titan been known to walk the land. However,
the path taken by Cul’sir may be all but impossible, for it
surely involved wielding the powerful magic of Dal Quor. If
the plane remains distant due to the damage caused by the
Moonbreaker, the truth may lie buried forever.
The following table provides several possibilities for how
Cul’sir ascended to titanhood, with different plot narratives.
d4 Example Titanhood Methods
Cul’sir dreamed of himself as perfect and powerful.
Through a ritual within the plane of dreams, his
1 arrogance made it true, producing the idealized
version of himself to rule.
Cul’sir befriended a powerful quori and invited it into
his dream. There, he betrayed it, becoming the first
2 quori mindhunter by permanently trapping it within
his own consciousness and wielding its power.
Cul’sir developed the first technique to keep himself
asleep under suspended animation; in his unending
dream, he created a perfect titan to rule in his image,
3
which walked out of Dal Quor and into the material
as a projection of his will. Cul’sir’s true body may yet
slumber, hidden within an undiscovered vault...
Just as a small number of quori in the modern age are
good, a small number in the previous age were evil.
4 One such quori of grandeur made a pact with Cul’sir,
granting him the power to rule - so long as when the
time came, he ensured the Turning of the Age.
What was Cul’sir’s fate?
The ruin of the Shattering is a dark haze on history, hiding
many events at the end of the Age. It is presumed that Cul’sir
fought until the end, desperate to cling to power. The elves
of Aerenal believe that the hero Cardaen, disciple of the
Emperor himself, was the one to strike him down. During the
exodus, he foresaw that the elves would never know peace
until Cul’sir was slain - a duty he took on by himself. Despite
this, it’s reasonable that such a paranoid figure had backups in
case he fell - including dark powers to draw on.
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
 d4 Example Fates
Cul’sir was slain by the elven hero Cardaen (p.252) in
a devastating battle that destroyed much of Cul’sirran,
1 fulfilling the mage’s promise to free his people from
the titan’s wrath.
As the dragons flew in to destroy his empire, Cul’sir
drew on the last available source of power - the
overlord Sakinnirot. Consumed by the desire to gain
2 vengeance on the attacking dragons, he became an
avatar of the Overlord, and was bound deep beneath
the city in secret to prevent his return.
Knowing he could not win against Argonnessen, Cul’sir
used a final ritual to travel to the now-distant plane
of Dal Quor, knowing he could never return without
3 help from the material. There he lurks in a private
sanctum, having spent 400,000 years of relative time in
complete isolation. What remains of his mind can only
be guessed, but the Titan’s drive to rule is eternal.
Cul’sir is the Voice of the Titans - the secretive ruler
of the Reclaimers of Glory (p.131). He aims to avoid
the attention of Argonnessen until he can conquer
4 Stormreach as the former seat of his empire. There,
he will delve beneath the city to recover the ancient
secrets buried within, and begin his plot to gain
revenge on the dragons.
The Stuff of Dreams
Dal Quor is shaped by ego and imagination. The vast ocean
is constantly shifting, as millions of dreaming minds create
their own realities. Every night, entire worlds are forged
and forgotten. To the Cul’sir, this potential was staggering.
The boundary between the waking world and boundless
dreams was as thin as closing one’s eyes. If one can remove
that boundary between waking and sleeping, reality itself
can be shaped at will. The single most important skill taught
to every Cul’sir giant was lucid dreaming. With time in Dal
Quor flowing ten times as slowly as the material, they began
constructing an ethereal empire in the Sea of Dreams - and
soon, they replaced the waking world with a surreal and
glorious reality.
Id Infinity. Being able to lucidly dream in Dal Quor
opens countless doors. One can shape their world at will to
practice skills, create art, or spar against opponents. Doors
can lead from the subconscious out of their mind’s bubble,
opening the way to the dreams of others, or the vast expanse
of the Sea of Dreams. As a result, an entire society of lucid
dreamers can perform the impossible. Dreamers
can congregate to perform concerts, shape
cities, teach skills and more. 8 hours of sleep
becomes 80 hours of waking, effectively
extending the mental experiences and
lifespans of the Cul’sir by hundreds of
years. This was particularly effective
for arcane research, where any side
effects or impacts can be dreamed
away as though they never happened.
In war-time, entire councils of
warriors drew up battle plans
while asleep, communicating
over any distance without
losing any time.
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
Nightmare Empire
Despite this, there are dangers to swimming in the Sea of
Dreams, and it is perfectly possible to drown. The longer one
spends in unreality, the more the rigors of the waking world
begin to be forgotten. Eventually, they become unbearable.
Pain is forgotten then experienced again; eating and drinking
become tedious chores. As such, the Cul’sir maintained their
dreaming infrastructure using minds they could afford to
lose - those of their vassals and enslaved peoples. By placing
the minds of others into permanent sleep, the giants could
shape their dreams for their own purposes without the risk
of the subject waking up. Beneath the glory of Cul’sirran,
entire batteries of dreamers were kept in stasis, every one
supporting an arena, classroom or concert hall. As the
empire expanded, so did their demand for space in Dal Quor,
spurring an endless conquest in search of psionic potential.
Darkling Dreams. The most advanced works of
the Cul’sir Empire blurred the lines between both worlds.
Manifest Anchors* were used to create artificial manifest
zones to Dal Quor. By aligning them to specific dreams
(each a layer of the plane), Cul’sir somnarchs merged them
with reality. Impossible fractal buildings were imagined into
cities, while intricate works of art and artifice were created
mentally and walked into the Material. Beneath it all lay
undercities of suffering. The more the giants depended on
dreams, the more they needed dreamers. In the end, the firing
of the Moonbreaker destroyed countless possibilities. This
last-ditch effort utterly severed the dreaming infrastructure
of the Cul’sir Empire, leveling many of their buildings and
annihilating their magical potential. The fact that so much
of their empire lay in Dal Quor is why Stormreach appears
so relatively small and mundane. The damage caused is
a testament to the madness of the emperor himself, and
provided the opportunity for the elves to retake their destiny.
Capital: Cul’sirran
The ancient capital of the Cul’sir Empire lies under what is
now the city of Stormreach. Countless relics of the empire
still rise throughout the modern city, from the massive statue
of the titan Cul’sir in Stormreach Bay, to the floating islands
that dot the city. In truth, these are mere fragments of a
lost masterpiece. The undercity of Stormreach descends far
beneath the earth, as several nations have sought to settle the
ruins in the times since the Shattering. The true remnants
of Cul’sirran lie beneath them, saved from dragonfire by
their fear of inciting Sakinnirot. Even so, the impacts of the
Moonbreaker were devastating on a city built from
dreams, and the wonders of Cul’sirran can never
again be brought into reality.
In its prime, the capital was located within
an artificial Dal Quor manifest zone created
through the use of Manifest Anchors.
Within, the morphic laws of dreamspace
allowed the creation of buildings bigger
on the inside than out. Hovering islands
were held aloft simply through wonder
alone, while architecture was sculpted as
much through the power of the mind
as by hand. Vibrant creations conjured
out of imagination soared through the
air, singing with music and carrying
175
 Giant Culture - Cul'sir Dominion - Group of Eleven - Qabalrin - Sul'at League
giants between the towers. Shimmering heroes of the past
strode through the streets, their ethereal magic striking awe
into foreign diplomats. It is a testament to the dark will of
Emperor Cul’sir that he was willing to destroy all of this to
ensure victory over the quori, for the Moonbreaker’s severing
of Dal Quor devastated Cul’sirran. The manifest zones
were cut in an instant, rendering many of these wonders
impossible once again - and shattering large sections of
Cul’sirran as a result.
Utopia Lost. Beneath the glamor, the true heart of
Cul’sirran was as dark as its rulers. The undercity of the
capital was where the lower castes in Cul’sir society lived and
toiled. Racks of Sequestaries *stored living people in endlessly
induced comas, their dreams shaped to suit the whims of the
empire. Barracks of slaves - elves and giants both - worked
beneath overseers on menial tasks underpinning the glory
of the city above. Among them lay arcane laboratories
and workshops kept hidden from prying eyes. It is these
structures of the undercity that have weathered the ages,
protected as they were from the full ruin of the dragons. Even
deeper still lies something that should never be disturbed - a
singular Khyber dragonshard containing an unspeakable evil.
Modern Cul’sirran
The dragons focused much of their initial assault on the
Cul’sir; stopping a second firing of the Moonbreaker
was paramount. As such, much of the civilisation (that
wasn’t already destroyed by the severing of Dal Quor) was
utterly razed to the ground. Cul’sirran is unique in that
the dragonflights actually showed restraint. The danger of
accidentally contributing to Sakinnirot’s release was great
enough that they didn’t dare raid the undercity. As a result,
the elven slaves and powerless castes were ironically most
of the survivors when the capital fell. Instead, the dragons
decimated everything above-ground, ensuring the elite of
Cul’sirran were culled. Beneath Stormreach, the undercity
still remains, along with countless remnants of other
civilisations. Above, there is little but broken walls, rubble,
and a titan statue lording over them all.
Layered History. The undercity is an entire world of
its own. Every culture that settled in the ruins has left their
successive mark. Giants, drow, kobolds, sahuagin and
thri-kreen can all be found in the endless tunnels beneath
Stormreach, but the influence of Sakinnirot is a dark force.
Many are reduced to brutal territory wars, pursuing ancient
grudges they don’t even remember. The fiends of Sakinnirot
stir up these battles, corrupting the people into mockeries of
their former glory. As such, few citizens of Stormreach ever
dare enter the undercity, and the further one goes, the more
depraved it becomes. Despite this, the treasures that still
remain are immense. The Cul’sir Empire wielded magic that
has never been seen since, and everything from Oneiric Harps*
to the core of the Moonbreaker might lie deep within.
Sites of Interest
The Chittering - A large section of the Stormreach
undercity is the territory of thri-kreen. These are
remnants from the age when the mantisfolk built a
thriving city on the giant ruins. The mystery of their
collapse remains, but few scholars are willing
to ask. The thri-kreen of the Chittering
176176
are murderous assassins driven to hunt by the influence of
Sakinnirot. They wear parts of their victims on their bodies
as proof of their kills, and believe they are ridding their city
of the invaders and thieves that now live there. It is possible
that characters who also carry proof of their kills may earn
respect from the thri-kreen, but few are willing to approach
them, bedecked in bones and hide as they are. The thri-kreen
of Stormreach itself do not speak of their kin, seeing them as
lost to the same dark fate that destroyed their empire.
The Somnarch Complex - One of the deepest regions
of Old Cul’sirran is a research facility for arcane projects.
The Somnarch Complex holds secrets protected from the
dragons by their depth beneath the city. Many are horrifically
destructive, for its focus was creating weaponry against
the rebelling elves. Powerful evocation spells, Dal Quor
conjuration and virulent diseases might all be kept in silent
containment. The complex exists partially within Dal Quor
itself, and is a 'Dreamtouched Locale' - anyone who sleeps
within it enters a shared bubble, as detailed in ‘Adventures in
Dreams’ on p.58. The sections inside Dal Quor hold testing
facilities for devastating weaponry, and the Complex may
even hold secrets relating to the Moonbreaker, especially its
. As one might expect, the Complex is riddled
with traps intended to brutally deal with intruders, especially
humanoid ones. Many function via scorching evocation
magic, but others use enchantment to rend and twist the
mind. Quite a few hallways bear the remains of undercity
residents who sought to plunder its secrets.
The Domain of Hassalac Char - One of
Stormreach’s most unique and powerful mages lives in a
personal fortress beneath the city. The kobold Hassalac
Chaar commands the respect of dragonborn servants,
who guard the hoard of treasures within his domain from
thieves and intruders. The mage is a famous figure within
the city. His mastery of magic and rumored hoards of
ancient relics make him near-mythical, but no one knows
the kobold’s origin. A portal door to the Domain lies in one
of Stormreach’s squares, but its true location is kept secret.
Talking to the kobold requires two things - a fitting gift, and
appropriate respect. Other kobolds maintain Stormreach's
sewer system, and can be hired as knowledgeable guides to
the sprawling undercity.
Sha’argon’s Shame - Vast sections of the undercity
are flooded with seawater. These drowned tunnels connect
to Stormreach Bay, in which the ruins of a sahuagin city
still stand. The Eternal Dominion remains silent about their
people’s history in Stormreach, with worrying (or damning)
implications, but they maintain a presence in the Bay. It
is possible that they still have an interest in the secrets of
Cul’sirran; the Dominion makes great use of dreams via
their relation to the Kar’lassa. It is also possible that they are
ensuring nothing escapes from the dark warrens. Sha’argon’s
Shame is said to still contain corrupted sahuagin and aquatic
giants, but few are willing to brave being devoured to recover
treasures from their realm.
The Comatose Chambers - The region of the
undercity beneath the Tower of Kol Korran is a dystopian
prison. Dissidents, rebels and criminals in the Empire were
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
 placed in Sequestaries* that sealed them into permanent comas.
Their endless dreams were used as playgrounds by the Cul’sir,
with each shaped and molded by somnarchs to suit the giants’
needs. Using the minds of prisoners as city infrastructure
was seen as charity; even though if their bodies could not
serve the empire, their minds would for eternity - a glorious
purpose. Row upon row of Sequestaries line the complex,
although many of them were broken during the Shattering,
and still contain desiccated wretches who never escaped.
Those still trapped and alive may be utterly insane, for their
minds were submerged in Dal Quor when the Moonbreaker
was fired. Waking them up is possible and highly dangerous,
yet the reward could be huge. One such mind, placed in sleep
just before the Shattering, was the Cul’sir giant Antaegus.
Awakened by the Kundarak excavations, the giant is lost
in a different age, and possesses detailed knowledge on the
workings of the Moonbreaker. His discovery could have vast
implications for the powerful factions of Xen’drik.
Enemies & Encounters
Fiends - The bound form of Sakinnirot lies deep beneath
modern Stormreach, and the Overlord’s bubbling rage spills
into the undercity, tainting all it touches. The servants of
Sakinnirot work to free the archfiend from this prison, and
often gather in the deepest depths to plot revenge on those
who oppose them. Their presence is never detected, for not
only is stealth their forte, but explorers would have to make
it past the murderous mortals of the undercity first. These
brutal peoples are remnants of the cities that once rose and
fell on this very site, and are stirred into territory wars by the
fiends both for fun, and to empower their master.
Humanoids - The deep ruins of Cul’sirran are a
battleground for territory. Thri-kreen, drow and sahuagin
have all occupied this site in the past, and while all have fallen
in time (or disappeared mysteriously), some remain. Unlike
their relatives across Xen’drik, these people are touched by
the influence of Sakinnirot, which infiltrates into their minds
as psychopathy. The people of the undercity seek to kill each
other because of ancient vendettas that have long been
lost. Reason is gone; there is only the satisfaction of the
kill. The worst become knives of the scar*, and hunt
for pure joy.
Giants - Over time, groups of common, stone,
and storm giants have returned to the ruins of
Cul’sirran, seeking to either restore their glory,
or obtain power to form kingdoms of their own.
The ancestors of many of these giants still live in
the undercity, often tainted by the presence
of Sakinnirot. They war against the other
factions, seeing the drow as pathetic
betrayers, and the rest as sordid thieves.
Others have a far more surprising
origin. When Cul’sirran fell, a number
of giants were either kept prisoner or held
in dreaming stasis beneath the city. Very
rarely, a giant breaks free from their eternal
slumber, and finds themselves adrift in a
surreal future. One such giant, awakened
by the actions of House Kundarak in
Stormreach, is the artificer Antaegus.
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
The giant objected against the emperor’s plans to end the
elven rebellion, and was imprisoned as a result. Now, he is
attempting to gather information about the fate of Xen’drik,
and decide what to do after sleeping through the apocalypse.
Adventure Hooks
Nightmare Plague - An epidemic of nightmares is
sweeping through Stormreach, inciting fear and panic in the
populace. The gangs and militias are mobilizing, blaming
each other as tensions rise. The Storm Lords are desperate to
find out the cause before their city tears itself apart. In truth,
something ancient is stirring deep within the undercity - an
ancient eldritch machine meant to protect the giants from the
quori. Twisted by the Turning of the Age, it is now driving
insanity into people’s minds. Whether activated by one of the
undercity’s factions, a fiend of Sakinnirot, or an Inspired, the
party must delve deep to deactivate it before it is too late.
Unstable Foundations - Several cities have been
built atop the ruins of Cul’sirran, and all have shared a
mysterious fate. Few Stormreachers ever stop to think why
that’s the case, and almost none are aware that a diabolical
nexus of evil lies beneath their feet. Sakinnirot’s domain is
patience - a seething quiet before the knife is driven in at
the perfect time. Maximum enjoyment means watching as
the ants build up to their glory before the nest is burned to
cinders, and that time is rapidly approaching. A string of
occult murders through the city puts the party on a cult’s trail,
their goal the release of the Overlord itself. As their careful
plans unfold, the factions of Stormreach are being driven
into a violent turf war, the murders blamed on their enemies.
Soon, the party is faced with a fiendish plot.
Living Relic - The excavations by House Kundarak
beneath the Tower of Kol Korran had the consequence
of waking a powerful dreamer. The storm giant*
Antaegus was a Cul’sir artificer put in stasis shortly
before the Shattering. Currently remaining hidden
and learning about the world of the present, Antaegus
is a living relic of the Age of Giants with deep insights
in the Cul’sir Empire; as a result, he knows details
about the Moonbreaker and the quori of old that
many would kill for. The longer he waits, the
higher the risk of his presence in the undercity
being discovered, leading to a race between the
factions of Stormreach. Of course, learning from the
giant requires befriending him - or, for the Inspired,
extracting his knowledge the hard way.
Legacy: Oneiromancy
Magic Items:
• Dream Mask - Wondrous Item, Common
- This item was used to prevent dream
attacks by quori.
• Lucid Bonds - Wondrous Item, Common
- This jewelry allows one to remain
lucid while dreaming, and link
their dreamspace to others
wearing the same.
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 Giant Culture - Cul'sir Dominion - Group of Eleven - Qabalrin - Sul'at League
• Oneiric Harp - Instrument, Uncommon - This
nightmare-touched instrument invokes in fear in others
- especially those with psionic abilities.
Spells:
• Dream Link - 2nd - This ritual allows multiple people to
fall asleep and enter the dream of another nearby person,
remaining lucid while inside the dreamspace. A creature
can caast the spell inside the dream, to delve deep into
the target's subconscious.
• Dreamwalk - 5th - This spell allows multiple people to
attempt to enter the dream of any other creature on
the same plane.
Loot Examples
Common/Trinket - This gold-framed crystal monocle
looks normal until worn. It used to show Dal Quor
1 through its lens; now it shows the wearer's most
recent nightmare in a constant loop of hazy images.
Common/Trinket - A Lucid Bond* in the form of
2 a fuschia-colored earring in a circular pattern that
appears to spiral endlessly into its own center.
Uncommon - An Oneiric Harp* shaped aesthetically
like an angel’s feathered wing that only produces
3
unnerving discordant notes.
Uncommon - Driftglobes are manifested figments
4 of hopeful dreams, which glow with warm light and
naturally follow intelligent minds.
Rare - Cul’sir overseers often carried Wands of Fear
imbued with tangible nightmares. They used these to
5 punish lower castes and elven slaves, believing it to be
for the good of their utopia.
Rare - The battle-mages of the Cul’sir often crafted
their own Far Realm ShardsTCoE out of sentira as a
6 rite of status that empowered their abilities. The
appearance of each shard was directly linked to the
mind of its creator.
Very Rare - Some of the most powerful relics
of the Cul’sir are also the most unassuming.
Nolzur’s Marvelous Pigments are paints formed of
concentrated Dal Quor essence; using them draws
7 of Dal Quor, forcefully awakening the Quor Tarai - and
the stuff of dreams and creation into reality, in a
microcosm of Cul’sir society. The pigments were
a common children’s toy, but also used for rapid
construction and artistic endeavors.
Very Rare - One of the most effective tools created
by the Cul’sir in their fight against the quori were
Psychic Absorbing Tattoos. These morphic patterns
8 8
were applied as liquid sentira on the skin, acting as
reservoirs for psychic energies that could be shaped
by their wielders to soothe wounds to the mind.
Legacy: The Moonbreaker
The Dream War ended with a single decisive act - the
destruction of the moon Crya, and the permanent distancing
of the plane of Dal Quor. This single act of epic magic had
ramifications the world over; the kuo-toa civilisations in
the Barren Sea were obliterated, turning the entire
ocean into a saline dead zone, while physical travel
and manifest zones to Dal Quor were cut off
instantaneously. This had catastrophic effects on
the Cul’sir Empire itself, instantly destroying
178178
many of its buildings along with swathes of magical
infrastructure - a testament to the insane desire of its ruler
to win at any cost. This devastation weakened the Cul’sir
massively, providing the perfect opportunity for their elven
slaves to rebel en masse. According to some accounts, the
second target of the Moonbreaker was the elves themselves -
a final doomsday gambit that forced Argonnessen’s hand.
Details on the Moonbreaker are sparse, for the project was
a war-time secret known to few. It is said that the device (if
it was one) was created by the artificers of the Sul’at League
by order of the Emperor, and that the impacts of it being
used were felt in Xen’drik for years after. Vast regions of
land collapsed into the sea, forming the modern Phoenix
Basin, while earthquakes tore open ravines and rifts across
the continent. Even worse, the shattered bond to Dal Quor
created a surge of magical backlash that irradiated the
continent. Like a land touched by dreams, entire regions
began to shift and move, the geography itself becoming
morphic and unreal. The true form of the Moonbreaker is
entirely up to the GM. Can it be found? Can it be fired? And
if so, who would wish to do it?
The following table includes possibilities for how Crya was
destroyed, plunging Dal Quor into the Turning of the Age:
d8 Example Moonbreakers
An actual magic cannon imbued with one of the most
1 powerful evocation spells ever seen and aimed at Crya.
Sympathetic magic - a planar orrery tracking the
movements of the moons to an exact degree, to the
2
point where destroying the Crya orb in the orrery
destroyed the real one.
A singular weapon of immense power used to kill the
3 Dal Quor kar’lassa (the sleeping behemoths of the
Thunder Sea).
A ritual to channel the giants’ hatred against the quori
into the Overlord Sakinnirot to use the Overlord’s
4
power against them.
A grand teleportation spell to warp Crya into
5 Mabar, where it was consumed by the plane - an
unprecedented event.
A powerful psionic battery that stored the mental
energies of the Cul’sir giants, then fired it at the heart
6
ending its ‘dream’.
A device that momentarily interfered with every
7 mortal’s link to Dal Quor, causing them to dream of
the moon being destroyed - and causing it to happen.
A machine designed by Cul’sir that drew on other’s
dreams of him as an all-powerful tyrant, and made
it true within Dal Quor, granting him the power to
destroy the moon within the Plane of Dreams.
Elves & Empire
The feyspires of Thelanis flit between the Faerie Court and
the Material. Each is a city ruled by an archfey, and populated
by mortal eladrin. Together, they lie in the Moonlit Vale,
and gather on occasion for courtly intrigue. In Xen’drik,
the feyspire of Shae Tirias Tolai was known to the giants as
the City of Silver and Bone. Dead souls traveled to the city,
guided by its psychopomps. There, any lasting wishes were
honored before they passed onwards to Dolurrh. The feyspire
represented the story of incarnate death - the kindly ones
who shepherd souls.
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
 A Xen'drik Without Slavery
This book, and all canon Eberron books, assume that
the elves were enslaved by the giants for thousands
of years. In 3rd edition, they were originally native
to Xen’drik. 4th edition introduced the feyspires,
and the concept that the elves were once immortal
eladrin, which has become canon. This concept forms
the foundation for Aereni and Tairnadal culture, but
campaigns in Khorvaire and Sarlona may not have to
come face to face with the slavery itself.
In Xen’drik, many of the ruins and locations - from
the Cul’sir capital to Shae Tirias Tolai itself - directly
relate to it. It is perfectly reasonable for a player to
not want to engage with this as a theme. Just as the
Overlords have topics that must be included as Lines
or Veils for players (thalassaphobia, murder, abusive
relationships), campaigns featuring the Cul’sir Empire
and elven history should include slavery as a discussed
Line or Veil. In canon Xen’drik, slavery is not just a thing
of the past, either; some canon factions are described
as wishing to bring the drow back under their control,
while the gladiators of the Red Ring in Stormreach are
often prisoners or debtors forced into blood combat. In
Dar Qat, the Unity of Riedra imposes its racist doctrines
on the people, with the city's goliaths effectively
brainwashed into slavery.
For players who may not wish to have these themes
included in their campaign, it is perfectly possible
to do so. In reality, only the Cul’sir Empire and Sul’at
League are so heavily linked to the history of the elves
and drow. Furthermore, the themes of slavery tied to
the Cul’sir and Sul’at giants can be removed entirely
if needed. In this case, you can say that the Cul’sir
destroyed the City of Silver and Bone, forcing the elves
to live as refugees, or that the eladrin joined elves and
drow already native to Xen'drik; the elven rebellion
was instead them fighting back against the depravity
of the giants before they could destroy Xen’drik for
good. Ultimately, the giants lived in highly advanced
societies. They did not need slaves the relative size of
their children for their societies to function. It must be
stressed that it is just as important to ensure consent
before making any changes in this way, to avoid any
historical erasure or 'handwaving' of serious issues that
may affect players in your party.
Some nations, such as Karrakos and the Twilight Court
of the Group of Eleven, sought familiarity with the deathly
eladrin. The planes of Dolurrh and Thelanis converged on
the city, with its gothic halls acting as a nexus for diplomacy
with the Queen of the Dead. It is said that Dolurrh’s Queen
and the archfey Shan Tirias were lovers, for one was the story
of death’s comforts, and the other death itself.
Over many years, the titan Cul’sir gathered the pieces to
destroy the feyspire utterly, securing the assistance of both
Karrakos and the Twilight Court. Through surprise and
betrayal, the forces of the Empire sacked the city, enslaving its
people and bringing the story to a close. The captured eladrin
were brought to the Empire and shackled to the giants’ will,
while the refugees fled to the Ring of Storms. There, they
named themselves the Qabalrin, and brought their knowledge
of death to bear in hideous fashion.
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
Mortal Chains
The reasons for the Cul’sir’s brutality are lost to time, but
all their crimes stain the hands of their Emperor. Perhaps
the simplest is base fear. With the power of a titan and a
glorious nation, few could ever pose a danger to the god-
king. As the Titans of the Group of Eleven began to rise,
‘few’ quickly became too many. The Queen of the Dead is not
just an entity, but part of the fabric of Dolurrh, and wields
impossible power within her domain. As such, to destroy
the very concept of death, there was only one easy target.
By attacking Shae Tirias Tolai, Cul’sir intended to damage
the concept of death, either extending his own lifespan, or
making it easier to resurrect the fallen. Instead, the effect was
to destroy the concept of the psychopomp, rendering death
into a bleak and lonely thing. By enslaving the elves, the
Cul’sir eventually rendered them mortal, ensuring they would
never return to Thelanis as fey. It is for good reason that the
Queen of the Dead is now served by shadar-kai with elven
forms, and collects ancient memories to stave off her grief.
Death has never been the same since.
Unsleeping Soldiers. Another reason for the ruin of
the feyspire might explain why the elves were kept as slaves.
The Cul’sir were a highly advanced society beyond the basic
need for resources; their wars against other nations were
seen as a blessing, bringing others into a dream of wonder.
However, elves do not dream. Compared to giants, their
strength is nothing. There is only one meaningful advantage
they have - and that, is that they do not dream. The Cul’sir
were ever aware of the quori, and their emperor was ruled by
arrogance and treachery. Should the spirits of Dal Quor ever
turn on them, they would need soldiers who were immune
to their greatest strengths, and could be used as disposable
bodies to throw into the meat grinder of war. As 'lesser'
dreamless beings, this was no moral issue. This is supported
by the role of the Sul’at League; their thaumaturges fused
elves with planar essence to create new kinds of warriors.
Shackled Shield. Their captivity served an additional
purpose as hostages. The emperor was aware of the potential
backlash of his actions, both from giant nations allied with
the fey, and the remaining eladrin of Thelanis. By keeping
the elves alive, the god-king could threaten the remaining
feyspires with their death, ensuring the combined might of
the archfey did not war against the empire. As a result, the
fey of the Fortress of Dreams were the only ones to fight back
against the giants, and were cast into Dal Quor upon defeat,
having failed to gain the support of their kin. Similarly,
the refugees of Silver and Bone rapidly became one of the
greatest threats of the Cul’sir; the destructive potential of the
Qabalrin was massive, and they had nothing but hatred for
the mortals who decimated their city. Any actions the elves
took against the Cul’sir would deal massive harm to their own
- a cowardly defense that protected the giants from ruin.
Blood Rites. The last and final reason is perhaps
the most despicable of all. Giant runecrafting formed the
foundation for many of their magical techniques (detailed
on p.168). The process requires combining specific symbols
and glyphs with materials linked to the plane, binding them
together to channel that plane’s magic. The greater the
magic of the materials used, the stronger the rune.
As such, it may be that Cul’sir saw the elves not as
people, but as materials - ones intrinsically linked
to not just one, but two planes, with magic
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 Giant Culture - Cul'sir Dominion - Group of Eleven - Qabalrin - Sul'at League
flowing through their veins. In this case, their enslavement
may have been to secure a supply of endless sources of power
for use in truly abominable acts of sacrifice.
Rebellion
Throughout the history of the empire, the elves fought back
against their enslavement. Despite the power of the giants,
different groups worked to undermine the empire from
within, and create safe havens for their kin beyond giant
sight. At first, the greatest among them were the primal
Gyrderi (p.134), who allied themselves with the natural
spirits of Xen’drik. They used their powers to build hidden
villages in the wilds, and snuck into Cul’sir cities in Wild
Shape to free other enslaved elves. They were assisted by
the enemies of the Empire who despised their crimes - the
fey giants of the Twilight Court. A small number of eladrin
from other feyspires, especially the Fortress of Dreams, also
abandoned Thelanis to fight for the cause. Over centuries,
the growing clans of liberated elves began to specialize in
the ways they fought back against the giants - clans who still
retain their names today. The Phiarlans (‘spirit keepers’)
carried messages and intel between the groups as morale-
raising bards, scouting enemy positions using a penchant for
stealth and illusion.
180180
The ancestors of the Tairnadal worked with the Gyrderi as
martial warbands, led by legendary generals such as Vadallia
and Arquis Tellora.
For thousands of years, the sheer might and arcane power
of the giants served as an impassable barrier for the elves.
They could fight battles - and win - using guerilla tactics,
but they could never win the war. Ironically, it was the
Cul’sir who ended up giving them the chance, by firing
the Moonbreaker and shattering their own nation. The
devastation wrought on the giants, and the severing of their
own dream-based magic, meant that the rebels had a unique
opportunity to save their kin for good.
The warbands and clans struck out against the weakened
Empire, starting a rebellion that ignited into an all-out war.
The more they pressed onwards, the more desperate and
dangerous the giants became. They developed devastating
curses and weapons of war. They created the drow, and set
them against their former kin. They resorted to abominable
blood magic that laid waste to armies. In the end, Cul’sir took
the final step - and called the dragons down upon Xen’drik.
Before the end came, the clans came together, united by
Phiarlan messengers. Led by Aeren, they fled in a vast exodus
to the east. The sole exception were the now-cursed Gyrderi,
who remained behind, and the wizard Cardaen, who vowed
slay Cul'sir so his people could be free forever more.
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
181
 The Group of Eleven
T
he rise of the Cul’sir Dominion
caused a political shift in Xen’drik.
Nations rushed to consolidate power,
fearing the marching armies of the
god-king. In central Xen’drik, eleven
cities drew on individual planes for their
power, raising titans who could oppose Cul’sir in battle. In a
move that shaped history, the titan of the Daanvi city-state of
Crux summoned his rivals to a council. There, the Group of
Eleven was born - a tentative alliance of competing nations to
stand against the endless expansion of the Cul’sir.
In practice, the Group were united only by their desire to
remain free from rule. The terms of the Endecimal Treaty
(locked away to this day in the vaults of Crux) prevented
them from warring between themselves, with resources
pooled on the northern border. Instead, they competed
against each for power, status, and intellectual dominance,
driving their magic to ever greater heights. Each city-state
focused solely on a specific plane, claiming it as their right.
Over time, this led to the Eleven relying on each other
for their specialties, binding them together into a single
political entity.
Titan Alliance
The differences between the members of the Group are vast,
ranging from the warriors of Hekaton, to the frozen aesthetes
of Ix Il’ar, to the chaotic artificers of Genesine. Before the
signing of the Treaty, many considered each other to be
enemies, and the formation of the Group served to protect
the cities from each other as much as the Cul’sir. Nearly
every city was led by a true titan - a giant famed across the
land for their transcendent power and immortality. Each one
took a different path to ascension, drawing on the ultimate
expression of their plane’s magic and themes to do so.
With the exception of the flying merchants of the
Gallimaufry, the titans of the Eleven ruled city-states over
expansive empires. Each was anchored around a capital in
which the titan sat enthroned, their people relying on them
for protection and guidance. As such, while many of the
city-states had smaller outlying settlements, their power
was concentrated in grand capital cities. By virtue of being
giants, the populations of these cities were also far smaller
than those of humanoids; a city of 40,000 giants is more than
large enough to match the metropolises of Khorvaire and
Sarlona, built on a scale almost incomprehensible to medium
creatures. As such, this section details city-states as though
formed from their capital cities alone, but countless outposts
with their themes and culture might exist in their territories.
Planar Power. Manifest shards formed the cornerstone
of the Group of Eleven’s power. Xen’drik holds abundant
Siberys dragonshards that fall from the Ring. As such, the
giants drew on them for their artifice. While an Eberron
shard acts as a magic battery or spell component, a
Siberys dragonshard acts as a lens or amplifier. In
Xen’drik, the giants attuned them to the planes
through careful carving and runic inscription.
182182
These amplified planar magic, creating artificial manifest
zones and sources of power. This simple technology
underpinned the Group of Eleven, with each state creating
their own planar shards. Further information on manifest
shards can be found on p.167.
The Group of Eleven and Non-Giants
The Cul’sir and Sul’at League had no hesitation in subjugating
others. To the Cul’sir, it was both a way of fueling their
own empire, and a percieved charity to bring others into
their ‘utopian’ society. In contrast, the cold dispassion of
the League meant they had no desire to conquer or expand,
but regarded living beings as potential research material
(including themselves). Any dissent within League borders
was a danger due to the influence of the Overlord Karna
Rayva, and crushed with impunity.
In comparison, the attitudes of the Eleven to non-giants
varied massively. This is not to say that they were necessarily
open-minded or just - simply that their outlooks differed
based on their cultures. These attitudes are typically not
specified here, and left open for the GM to decide. In general,
it is safe to assume that the sheer might of the city-states
meant that they subsumed nearby cultures beneath their
umbrellas, spreading their borders outwards - but whether
they actually controlled those cultures in any way, or made
any demands of them, is open to interpretation.
This is simply because, in a purely logical view, enslaving
humanoids was fundamentally not necessary or even useful
for their societies. Anything that can be done by a person
the same size as your children can be done just as easily with
magic, without committing truly evil acts. In some cases,
dominating others would have created massive issues due to
pacts with good-aligned immortals, especially for the nations
of Irian, Fernia, and Syrania. This is a departure from the
classic interpretation of the giants for a few very important
reasons: in-universe realism, comfort at the game table, and a
genuine desire to not force GMs to have to constantly grapple
with the horrors of slavery.
Cultural Attitudes. When thinking about the
attitude of a city-state towards non-giants, it’s best to
consider how their society operated. In Hekaton, might made
right. It’s likely that non-giants were thus ranked lower in
society. However, any warrior could challenge another for
status and property through the Rites of Arazur. It is possible
that an elf, loxodon, or thri-kreen became a specialist at
fighting giants, and rose to form their own household as a
respected warrior among equals. In the Twilight Court, the
fey influence was unbreakable. Eladrin, centaurs, fairies and
gnomes might have walked the streets as welcomed guests -
along with hags and boggles. Meanwhile, the bizarre city of
Zja Aqat may have welcomed beings from the astral plane,
treating with them for trade and access to their territories.
This situation means that the relationship between the
Group of Eleven and the elves can be taken in different
directions. The Group had no love for the Cul’sir, and may
have actively supported the elves in their rebellion. Perhaps
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
 some heroes of the Tairnadal sparred with the warriors of Lamannia - The Esht Primacy
Hekaton, raised their horses on the plains of Sohl’aran, or
Titan: Kand'ari, the Apex
worked with the people of the Twilight Court to free their
Themes: Beasts, Nature, Hunting
kin using fey illusions and trickery. Ultimately, this is up to
Foes: Megafauna Beasts, Elementals, Dragons
the GM and the tales they wish to tell.

Nation Summaries Risia - Ix Il'ar

Titan: Archarcanist Il'ara, the Amber Regent
Daanvi - Crux Themes: Ice, Eternity, Simulacra
Titan: Fulcrum Hala'gon, the Lawbringer Foes: Frozen Undead, Simulacra Soldiers
Themes: Law, Order, Clockwork
Foes: Metaclock constructs, Devils, Beholderkin
Shavarath - Hekaton
Titan: Hekaton Rex, the Sword Saint
Dolurrh - Karrakos Themes: War, Weaponry, Honor
Titan: Cassandra, the Oracle of Stone Foes: Fiends, Riedrans, War Machines
Themes: Memories, Souls, the Undead
Foes: Undead, Shadar-kai, Stone Aberrations
Syrania - The Gallimaufry
Titans: The Kin of Masks
Fernia - Grand Ju'qata Themes: Trade, Flight, Knowledge
Titan: Pasha Ju'qat Reskan Taq, Phoenix Queen Foes: Fallen Angels, Arctic Wildlife, Elementals
Themes: Fire, Worship, Artisanry
Foes: Fire Giants, Elementals, Fiends, Archonic Constructs
Thelanis - The Twilight Court
Titans: The Fabled King & Queen
Irian - Sohl'aran Themes: Stories, Archfey, Spiders
Titan: Xeno'tor, the Dawnchild Foes: Spiders, Fiends, Dark Fey
Themes: Radiance, Medicine, Verdant Flora
Foes: Plants, Trolls, Mutant Creatures
Xoriat - Zja Aqat
Titan: The Concateny
Kythri - The Genesis Twins Themes: Dimensional Travel, Psionics, Weirdness
Titan: The Anarch Prime Foes: Aberrations, Riedrans, Githyanki
Themes: Transmutation, Elements, Chaos, Oozes
Foes: Kythrian creatures, Oozes & Mimics,
Paraelementals

CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES

183

Crux
DAANVI
"Stop, Hath! Stay still. Stay. Still."
[TAL’RUSEN NASK ES GHU’RAS. TAL’RUSEN]
"What’s it saying?"
“It’s warning you not to tread on the flowerbeds”
“...or what?”
“You'll get arrested."
“By that tiny thing?
“No - by the building behind you.”
T
he heart of the Group of Eleven was
the nation of Crux - a bastion of law
that bound the disparate nations into
a single cohesive alliance. The cyclopic
city-state drew on Daanvi and the tenets
of Aureon, driven to impose order on
themselves and Xen’drik at large. Their society revolved
around probability and divination; by constantly generating
divinatory outcomes, they could direct scores of constructs
to automatically perform the most optimal foreseen path. In
this way, the people of Crux defined their present based on
the future, automating their entire nation towards the best
possible course. From there, they wielded their unshakeable
reputation of law to influence their neighbors; cyclops judges,
lawyers, and engineers spread out to assist other city-states
with development and infrastructure. Before long, their
neutral reputation and flawless morality won them unique
respect. When the Titan Cul’sir rose to infamy, they called
in their favors, summoning representatives from across
Xen’drik to a conclave. There, the Group of Eleven was born,
its balance resting on the Titan of Daanvi - the immortal
Fulcrum Hala’gon.
The cyclopes of Crux drew on all aspects of the plane of
Daanvi for their civilisation. The efficiency of modrons
inspired metaclockwork constructs that performed daily
labors. Citizens were subject to constant surveillance without
qualms, the imperative of such laws unquestioned as they
worked like cogs in the machine. For agents of chaos,
judgment was swift; Panoptic Knights empowered by their
own oaths hunted criminals before they could even begin
their crimes. For those who served Crux, the ultimate reward
came from true clockwork perfection. Organic bodies were
flawed, and doomed to fail. The true embodiment of law
came through mechanical transhumanism, with the city’s
leaders converting themself into timeless metal forms.
Pulp Scenes
• Keep hold of the ancient parchment marked
with titan blood, as peacekeeper constructs
184184
Ah, the Fulcrum. He saved
us all from the Cul'sir, yet
I would rather be under
their thumb than his. The
law is a blade, and a blade
serves to cut.
Summary: Crux
Magic: Oaths, Divination, Probability, Spatial
Titan: Fulcrum Hala’gon, the Crux Calculus
Capital: Crux
Location: South-eastern Menechtarun savannah
Exports: Banking, engineering, mechanics, law
throw capture nets for a quick trip to the
prisons of Daanvi.
• Climb the perfect bricks of the tower of Iex Mekina to
shut down the ticking Mandate Heart within - but not
before massive steel eagles swoop down from above.
• Repair metaclockwork automata to help forge an
intricate key that will open the massive Carceral Gate,
providing access to the plane of Daanvi itself.
Titan: Fulcrum Hala’gon
The ruler of Crux bears the title of Fulcrum - the point
on which the scales of law balance. Hala’gon, the Crux
Calculus, was the first to develop metaclockwork. This
simple technology, which uses Daanvian magic to guide a
construct on a divined path, formed the core of the city-
state’s power. Determining that the chaos of the early Age
of Giants was quite suboptimal, the tinker set out to fix it.
The first step was to use his constructs - built for the city’s
armies - to rapidly and efficiently overthrow its own rulers.
The second was to establish an iron grip of authority, while
eliminating troublesome elements. The third was to render
himself flawless and immortal, removing the risk of disorder
or imbalance. Mechanical transhumanism and Daanvian
manifest shards allowed him to do just that. What emerged
was no longer a cyclops, but an artificial titan of steel with
a heart of order - an unswaying foundation for a divided
Group of Eleven. Out of all the Titans, it was Hala’gon who
understood the price of immortality; rather than cling to
his mortal mind, he sacrificed it, and changed the shape of
Xen’drik for an age.
How far in the future the Fulcrum divined is unknown,
but out of all the giant empires, it is his city that still stands
unflawed. Some cyclopes believe that he foresaw the
Shattering as inevitable, and made preparations to return
once the threat was past, although no evidence has been
uncovered to confirm it. If so, the Fulcrum may still be
functioning, either in the plane of Daanvi itself, or deep
below the mechanical city. A bizarre option is that the titan
paid for his own imprisonment in the Inescapable Prison
layer of Daanvi, along with his greatest cyclops servitors. Not
even the dragons would dare upset the plane of law, and their
confinement may be about to finish, heralding their return
to Crux. With no titans left to oppose him, Hala’gon may
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
 Giant Culture - Cul'sir Dominion - Group of Eleven - Qabalrin - Sul'at League
have achieved an unprecedented goal - ruling Xen’drik and
annihilating his rivals without lifting a finger.
Infinite Probabilities
Crux is a city of mathematical absolutes. Their mastery of
Daanvian magic allowed them great insights into divination
and probabilities, culminating in a single radical idea. The
principle is simple, but insane; if divination can predict
the objectively better outcome, then one can base all their
decisions on divination. In any other city, this laughable
disregard for free will would have been ignored. In a city
ruled by a true paragon of law, it was taken as gospel.
The tower of Iex Mekina was transformed into a massive
conduit for Daanvian magic - an eldritch machine that
continuously casts augury at speed, forming a computer
known as the Mandate Heart. With Fulcrum Hala’gon as a
calibrator, and the Mandate Heart for power, the city linked
a thousand different machines to the tower to devastating
efficiency. Each automaton was directed by what divinations
deemed optimal at any one time, with ‘optimal’ being the
Fulcrum’s sense of law and order. As such, they constantly
divined the right place to be, and the right action to take,
acting through foresight alone. This extends to the very city
itself; signs turn, and roads shift, moving themselves into the
correct place for whoever is walking upon them. Against all
the odds (or perhaps because of them), it works to this day.
The cyclopes used Daanvian magic in a variety of other
ways. Their order of law enforcers - the Panoptic Knights
- drew on the plane to hunt down criminals of all kinds,
often before they had even broken the law. Higher echelons
of knights were empowered by immortal patrons, and had
the right to deliver lawbreakers to Daanvi’s Inescapable
Prison. The architects of Crux were equally renowned. Their
expertise lay in combining geometry with planar magic,
rapidly constructing massive civic projects with the help
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
of modron labor. It is by their skill that many of Xen’drik’s
grand cities still stand after 40,000 years of wear and tear.
The contracts and deals with these modrons, and other
higher powers, were negotiated by cyclops brokers trained
by Daanvian devils. Their expertise in law assisted with the
making of history-shaping arrangements - most notably the
Endecimal Treaty*, which formed the Group of Eleven.
Capital: Crux
The cyclops capital is a masterpiece of civic design. The city
is radially symmetrical, with the tower of Iex Mekina at its
heart. Every building reaches the same height, with flawlessly
cut blocks of stone and marble pillars engraved with
geometric patterns. The flowerbeds are perfectly maintained,
the roads and canals evenly spaced, and the rooms all equally
sized. Bizarrely, the effects of the Shattering seem to have left
the city untouched. Unlike its peers, Crux is not marred by
acidically melted rubble or scorched stone, for the constructs
of the city have brought it back to a perfect state of order.
Unfortunately, adventurers have a natural tendency to
disrupt that order.
Crux’s districts each focused on a singular aspect of its
work. Perhaps the most interesting to adventurers is Mallium
Domini, home of the city-state's artificers and gearwrights.
Other sectors might be based around law and governance,
contracts and diplomacy, and banking - for it was Crux
that held the Group of Eleven’s central mint. Any who can
make it into the city’s deep vaults of platinum and silver are
guaranteed to strike it rich, assuming they can get past the
whirring guards and magical alarms. Navigating through
the city is incredibly easy as a result of its flawless planning,
especially since the street signs both predict where observers
need to go, and flawlessly translate their directions at
the same time.
185
 Ambience
• The entire city ticks in tandem to mark the hour like a
vast synchronized clock.
• The streets smell medically clean - a result of magically
self-cleaning paving stones.
• The buildings of Crux are stark white, geometric, and
angular. Every single one is the same height, except for
the tower of Iex Mekina at its heart. Many have simple
fractal patterns engraved into them.
• The bright savannah sun illuminates the city. The instant
the sun sets, the perfectly spaced streetlights switch on,
each containing the same bright continual flame.
Sites of Interest
Iex Mekina - A single building rises above the perfectly
level buildings of Crux. Located at the geometric heart of the
city is the tower of Iex Mekina, heart of the Group of Eleven
and bastion of law for an entire continent. The massive
hexagonal spire is constructed of immaculate white marble,
with perfectly spaced floors that align with the cardinal
directions. Bureaucratic offices and ancient archives take up
the lower floors, with meeting rooms for diplomats in the
middle tiers. At the very top is the core of Crux - the eldritch
machine known as the Mandate Heart*. This is the domain
of Fulcrum Hala’gon, and no lesser mortal was permitted to
disrupt its flawless order.
The Carceral Gate - Criminals too powerful or
important to kill were kept in the Amber Lock of the Risian
city of Il’ar. Those captured by the Panoptic Knights for less
severe crimes were escorted through the Carceral Gate - a
looming marble portal to the layer of Daanvi known as the
Inescapable Prison. Here, the authorities of Crux paid the
devils of the prison to care for the criminals on their behalf.
The fear of a final walk through the Carceral Gate kept
many of Crux’s people in line, including dissidents and vassal
populations. The gate is still guarded to this day by quite
possibly the most bored amnizu of all time. Previously, the
Second Liaison Adjutant of the Inescapable Prison’s Prime
Office for Incarceration Outreach Services took great delight
in negotiating terms with the cyclopes. Due to a quirk of
her role, she has now been stuck in the city for 40,000 years,
awaiting someone with the authority to release her.
Forum Endecima - the massive public plaza around the
Iex Mekina was where political events and conclaves were
held. The Endecimal Treaty that formed the Group
of Eleven was publicly signed here by city-state
delegates, as decreed by Fulcrum
Hala’gon. On the hour, the entire
plaza lights up with an illusory
clock face that chimes the
hour; between, the paving
stones light up like ticking
hands, marking the
seconds and minutes.
186186
The Chain Panoptic - The paladins of law known
as the Panoptic Knights roamed across the Group of
Eleven, hunting down any who threatened the peace. Their
organization did not operate on tenets of good or evil, but on
pure order and authority. Individual knights might take after
the angels of Daanvi - or display the cold evil of its devils.
Those designated as criminals were recovered alive, and
either delivered through the Carceral Gate, or frozen within
Ix Il’ar’s unbreakable prison of Amber Lock. The Chain
Panoptic is where they used precognitive magic to predict
where laws would be broken before the fact, and many saw
an approaching cyclops in their trademark Daanvian plate as
a truly dire portent.
Mallium Domini - The artifice district of Crux is
a series of endless workshops and factories, each with a
different specialty. Metaclockwork animals, mechanical
prosthetics, and advanced golems were all areas of expertise.
The entire region is a treasure trove of impossible value,
especially for organizations such as House Cannith, but the
cyclopes of Crux were well aware of this. To stave off spies
and foreign thieves looking to steal their war potential, the
workshops are guarded by state-of-the-art defenses. Many
of the constructs produced went straight into guarding their
own workshops. Beyond metal guardians, most factories have
non-magical mechanical deathtraps - a surprisingly effective
tactic against magic-happy adventurers.
Scriptum Vaska - One of the largest buildings in
Crux is the main record office. Here, contracts were signed,
locked and stored, with their participants placed under geas
to complete them. This goes all the way up to the Endecimal
Treaty that created the Group of Eleven. Interestingly, each
contract is signed in blood; by holding it, one can discern
the location of any of those bound by it, even across other
planes of existence. This was originally used to hunt down
oathbreakers, but now it has another purpose - the Endecimal
Treaty is a compass towards every living Titan of the Eleven -
no matter where they may be hiding.
Enemy Encounters
Constructs - Unsurprisingly, the caretaker constructs
of Crux are its greatest dangers. The metaclockwork creatures
are intricate, flawless, and exceptionally deadly. Without the
guidance of the Mandate Heart, they continue to serve the
base protocols inscribed in them since the Age of Giants.
This includes guarding workshops, repairing buildings,
arresting intruders, and forcefully removing anything that
opposes the order of their city. Metaclockwork creatures are
marked by impossibly intricate gears and machinery, and
move with surprising speed and grace. Their exteriors are
covered in smooth metallic plates that shine an untarnished
silver. Perhaps their most dangerous aspect is their ability to
repair each other. Crux’s constructs can include any creature
with the construct type, as well as reflavored beasts and
monstrosities with the proper mechanical resistances.
Giants & Beastfolk - An enterprising group of
cyclopes* and catfolk from the Wasting Plain have recently
begun to reclaim part of the ruins of Crux. While the
cyclopes use their foresight to scout out the city and fend off
dangerous creatures, the catfolk sneak through and recover
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
 Giant Culture - Cul'sir Dominion - Group of Eleven - Qabalrin - Sul'at League
ancient Crucian technology. Both parties wish to eventually
settle the city as a permanent home, and see adventurers
as blundering thieves. Despite this, they may be willing to
ally with those who can help them deal with the city’s larger
dangers - especially the followers of Belashyrra. On the other
end of the scale are the merchurions*. These artificial giants
are the followers of the Fulcrum, who transferred their minds
into immortal construct bodies. Few merchurions remain
after the Shattering, but some still sleep in locations within
Crux, acting as guardians and watchdogs.
Beholderkin - In recent years, the aberrant beholderkin
of the daelkyr Belashyrra have taken an interest in Crux.
Their goal is the Mandate Heart*, for the device is among
the most powerful works of divination magic in Eberron.
It draws directly on the Panopticon layer of Daanvi, which
observes all of reality from countless scrying sensors. If the
dolgaunts, gauths and aberrant cyclopes* can retrieve it,
Belashyrra will have access to a device that grants omniscient
sight - a prospect with reality-breaking consequences.
Adventure Hooks
All that Glitters - When an ancient spellshardERLW
reveals the location of the Crux Treasury, the race is on to
pull off the heist of the age. An entire trove of platinum
awaits, but thieves must make it past a gauntlet of challenges.
Metaclockwork guards, precognitive alarms and Daanvi
devils lie in wait for those tempted by the ultimate score.
National Treasures - the Scriptum Vaska holds
countless contracts, including the one that formed the Group
of Eleven. Anyone holding that Endecimal Treaty* can use
it to locate the Titans of the Eleven - and with them, the
secrets of ancient Xen’drik. The party have been tasked
by the Scriveners of the Sky with recovering the treaty,
then tracking the remaining titans across the planes - for
interviews! Of course, the secret treasure map on the back of
the Treaty is a sure boon.
Order from Chaos - A party seeking to undo the
many chaotic curses on Xen’drik may seek out Crux as a
bastion of magical order. The tower of Iex Mekina may hold
powerful rituals to restore the shattered continent to its
normal state, but making it to the libraries of the Fulcrum is
a difficult task, and the components for the feat of magic may
take characters the breadth of Xen’drik.
Legacy: Order Magic
Mathematical order lay at the heart of Crux's arcana. Their
spells treated reality as a logical puzzle, rearranging space and
chance to achieve the most ordered outcome.
Magic Items:
• Balanced Greatsword - Weapon, Common - On a hit,
this weapon always does exactly average damage.
• Scales Mail - Armor, Rare - When the wearer is
critically hit, this armor rebalances chance back in their
favor, granting them a Portent die to change the odds.
• The Endecimal Treaty - Wondrous Item, Artifact - This
historic item formed the Group of Eleven, and is marked
with the blood of their founding titans. While at least
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
one of those titans is still alive, the contract is binding
- and can be used to locate any such titan in existence,
superceding all divinatory protection.
Spells:
• Vector Bind - 1st - Binds two creatures together so that
when one moves, the other moves with them.
• Tactical Transposition - 4th - Teleports creatures in a
cubic region to any other space within that region,
completely rearranging the battlefield like a tactician.
Loot Examples
Common/Trinket - a Clockwork AmuletXGE in the
1
shape of a modron.
Common/Trinket - A ticking mechanical orb that
2 mentally gives you the time down to the millisecond if
you take an action to focus on it.
Uncommon - Eyes of Minute Seeing with brass frames
3 that automatically retract and extend to fit the size of
the user.
Uncommon - A Guardian EmblemTCE with the all-
4 seeing eye of the Panoptic Knights picked out in
geometric silver filigree.
Rare - A Rope of Entanglement of flawless steel chain
5 used to escort unruly prisoners to the Carceral Gate.
Rare - This Mace of Smiting from Mallium Domini
6 is actually a disassembly tool for constructs, and is
shaped somewhat like an oversized wrench.
Very Rare - An odd mechanical apparatus is actually
an Animated Shield on the end of a mechanical arm;
7
rather than floating, it locks onto one’s armor, with the
arm moving automatically to block blows.
Very Rare - The government of Crux kept a careful,
watching eye on its citizens, ensuring they functioned
8 as perfect pieces of the whole. It is said that the
tools of their trade were Crystal Balls of True Seeing
modeled after the Panopticon of Daanvi.
City Conversion
Crux can be turned into a functional city by channeling the
magic of the Mandate Heart to wardoff the chaotic curses
placed on Xen’drik. If done, this could pacify its marauding
constructs, and create a zone of order devoid of both the
Traveler’s Curse and Madness of Crowds. The ones most
capable of doing this are the modern cyclopes; it is reasonable
that constructs would be less likely to assault them, due to
them being ‘valid citizens’. In this case, whichever cyclops has
bound themselves to the Mandate Heart* would be forced into
the role of tyrant. Their control of the clockwork legions of
the city would be a terror - and wonder - to behold. Whether
they would be a conquering tyrant or a gracious one is up
to the GM. Of course, a player character with a mastery of
artifice or Daanvian magic might just be able to do the same.
A far more impactful option is that the Titan of Daanvi has
returned. As described in the section on Fulcrum Hala’gon,
it is possible that the titan divined the fate of his city. If so,
he might have paid for his own incarceration in the
Inescapable Prison of Daanvi. After a 40,000 year
sentence, it may be time for the Fulcrum to return.
187
 Karrakos
Dolurrh
Karrak weighs the soul of Nak-Prida, Sword of
Hekaton, Hero of the Siege of Otophis
Their sacrifice will never be forgotten,
Their memory will reign eternal,
Their deeds will be honored here forever more -
in this life, or the next
- Memorial Inscription, The Hollow
Kapaerian Islands
T
he far shores of the
were the domain of those who walked
with death. The stone giants of Karrakos
were diviners, historians, and exorcists
who drew on the plane of Dolurrh for
their power. Their understanding of the
Realm of the Dead, and alliance with its Queen, gave them
a unique position - they alone had the right to speak with
departed souls, record their memories, and grant them peace
before the end. In combination with the shadar-kai and the
eladrin of Shae Tirias Tolai, Karrakos worked to make the
afterlife a comfort rather than a fear. The giant taboo against
necromancy placed great responsibility on the city-state.
They, and only they, were entrusted to be the caretakers of
the dead. This meant more than just talking to souls; orders
such as the Gravewardens acted as exorcists and purifiers of
undead across Xen’drik, hunting defiers of the natural order.
The ruins of Karrakos lie on the south shore of the largest
island, flanking a vast ravine that plunges into the earth.
Above, the marble villas contain libraries of memories, living
spaces, and temples to the gods. Below, in the darkness of
the ‘the Hollow’, is the domain of the dead. Tunnels carved
through the walls grant access to a vast undercity, with
mausoleums built in the cliff faces themselves. This is where
funerary rites of all kinds were performed. The deeper one
goes, the stronger the connection to Dolurrh becomes. The
bottom of the Hollow - the Catabasis - is where the veil
truly lifts. Here, the giants summoned spirits from Dolurrh,
recording their memories into husksteel items. Séances were
held, grievances were answered, and families offered a final
chance to say goodbye. Those days are long gone. The neglect
post-Shattering has destroyed many of the enchantments
on the manifest zone, causing lost souls to spill through
when the plane becomes coterminous. Now, the Hollow is
a haunted ruin, with a contingent of shadar-kai attempting
Cassandra was a fo
to keep the balance. Their efforts of late have become
lesson from her failures,
exponentially harder, for the servants of the
daelkyr Orlassk have set their petrifying gaze on
the city. If they have their way, the entire city
may rise from the grave…
188188
Summary: Karrakos
Magic: Divination, Dolurrhi Necromancy
Titan: Cassandra the Soulseer, Oracle of Stone
Capital: Karrakos, the Tomb-City
Location: The south coast of Kapaerian Island
Exports: History, Exorcism, Funerary Services
Pulp Scenes
• Hold your breath as a towering giant ghost strides
past you down the mausoleum hallways, sobbing in
mourning for its loved ones.
• Forge your very memories into husksteel weaponry
imbued with the visceral emotions of your past.
• Fight back-to-back with Dolurrh’s shadar-kai, sealing a
breach to the realm of the dead while under attack from
weeping statues and aberrant medusa.
History
At first, Karrakos stood apart from the politics of mainland
Xen’drik. Many giants from other nations traveled to the
city-state for funerary services, meetings with their lost loved
ones, or its grand libraries such as the Threnody Hall. It was
the Cul’sir who stripped them of their peace. The expanding
empire threatened Karrakos with the risk of invasion,
its Emperor demanding one single thing in exchange - a
promise to do nothing as they invaded the feyspire of Shae
Tirias Tolai. The Oracle of Stone, who led the city-state,
relented due to the influence of her prophetic foresight. The
magnitude of the crimes committed against the feyspire
threw the city-state into uproar; despite the pleas of the titan,
the Oracle herself was exiled, and Karrakos joined the nascent
Group of Eleven, rallying against the Cul’sir’s crimes. Either
way, the haunted ruins of the city-state remain, and the
unquiet dead call out unheard in their quest for peace.
Despite the actions of the Oracle of the Stone (or even
perhaps, because of them), the giants of Karrakos live on. The
exiled Titan has taken refuge in the nation of Adar since the
Age of Giants, while the stone giants of her city were given
a unique choice - to be taken to live in Argonnessen, or die
in the ruins of their city. These giants still live there today,
serving the dragons as devoted followers. The reasons for
this are lost to time. Perhaps the dragons had no desire to
slaughter a nation that did not resist - or perhaps they feared
infuriating the Queen of
ol . Le ar n th is
the Dead herself.
and learn
prophet,
it well. If you are to be a
the trick isn’t to answer every
owing
question. The trick is kn
.
what to leave unanswered CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
 Giant Culture - Cul'sir Dominion - Group of Eleven - Qabalrin - Sul'at League
Titan: Kas'andra, Stone Oracle
The titan Kas’andra is perhaps the only one alive in the
Material Plane after the events of the Shattering, and the
only titan to have given up leadership of their own volition.
Known in Sarlona’s Adar as Cassandra, the Oracle of Stone
left Xen’drik forever after the destruction of Shae Tirias
Tolai. It was she who pioneered diplomacy between Karrakos
and the feyspire, learning from the eladrin how to speak with
souls, and establishing her particular form of necromancy.
It was rumored that Cassandra gained permission from
The Librarian to read his Book of the Dead in Dolurrh,
granting her the oracular powers that defined her. As the
Cul’sir Empire grew, she looked to the east and saw death
approaching.
Cassandra’s foresight told her that an impossible choice
was approaching, and soon enough an envoy from the titan
Cul’sir arrived. In exchange for giving up the weaknesses of
Shae Tirias Tolai, they would receive their lives. Cassandra
relented, and the City of Silver and Bone burned. As her
people looked on in horror, the archfey of the crumbling
feyspire gave the titan a final gift before it was destroyed - a
curse of immortality that drew the ghosts of the fallen.
Endless Exile. With her reputation destroyed and her
heart filled with guilt and regret, the titan sought to justify
Karrakos betraying their ally. Soon, the news of eladrin
slaves in the Cul’sir tore her arguments to shreds. With her
mind filled with visions of a coming annihilation, the Oracle
beseeched the people to listen, with no success. She was
exiled, and with nowhere else to go, she fled for Sarlona.
Thousands of years later, the giants of Karrakos welcomed
the dragons ruining the Cul’sir Empire - their most bitter
foes. Their aid saved their lives, with the stone giants brought
to Argonnessen to serve the dragons in safety - the only city-
state to receive such mercy. Perhaps, had they fought against
the Cul’sir so long ago, they would have eventually lost. This
may have led to them becoming part of the empire, forcing
the dragons to destroy them. If this is the case, then the
destruction of Shae Tirias Tolai may have ultimately saved
their lives.
CHAPTER 45 | ANCIENT KINGDOMS
EMPIRES
Arcana: Memories of the Lost
The basis of Karrakosian magic lies in Dolurrh, and its
single most abundant resource - the souls of the dead. The
stone giants called on souls to answer questions, speak with
the living, and grant their power in battle. Often known as
incarnum in other city-states, this magic was permitted by
the Queen of the Dead due to the respect and servitude of
the Karrakos people. On a basic level, the giants of Karrak
used this ability to summon the dead from Dolurrh for
information. Rather than letting lifetimes of experience fade,
dedicated soulscribes would create memoires for ghosts,
adding their stories to the Threnody for eternity. Others
acted as familial counselors, allowing visitors to speak to
those who died suddenly and convey their love and wishes.
This included discussion on potential resurrection, coupled
with divination to determine if the Queen would allow it.
More specialized Dolurrhi magic was used to forge these
immortal memories into physical artifacts. Animaturges
pulled memories from the books of the Threnody, working
for days at a time to craft them into husksteel. This material,
formed from soulstuff, takes on form and function linked
to the moments imbued within it. Lineages of giants wore
equipment gifted to them by their ancestors, containing
their knowledge and treasured memories. To find the perfect
material for specific items, some stone giants immersed
themselves fully in Dolurrh, petrifying their own bodies
while their souls traveled the land of the dead. For many, this
was seen as communion, and a holy ritual to Karrak. Some
have remained forever as stone statues in prayer.
Of course, with a mastery of pulling souls from the
land of the dead comes expertise in the reverse. Some
factions specialized in serving the Queen of the Dead, often
through returning souls to her domain. The largest -the
Gravewardens - acted as exorcists and hunters of the undead.
The giant hatred for Mabaran necromancy was one of the
few things that united them, and the stone giants traveled
between nations with impunity. Their role was to defend
against Mabaran corruption, hunt down rogue necromancers,
and eventually to help contain the threat of the Qabalrin.
189
 Capital: Karrakos, the Tomb-City
The city of Karrakos lies on the south coast of Kapaerian
Island, built in and over a vast crevasse. The rift heads inland
from the sea, with high tide causing the water to pour over
the southern edge in dizzying waterfalls. The nation of the
dead lies on the coast on both sides of the ravine, with great
edifices extending down into the rift itself. The sunlit city
is where the stone giants of Karrakos lived, and the umbral
cliffs of the ravine is where they died, for the very bottom
is a gateway to Dolurrh itself. Known as the Catabasis, this
powerful manifest zone covers the city, with the most potent
effects in the darkness below. Several bridges span the gulf,
with spiraling carved stairs descending down the cliff faces to
the bottom of the ravine.
Aboveground, the main city is a gothic ruin lost to time.
While mostly untouched by draconic destruction, the
tropical weather and fading wards have gradually eroded the
city. Verdant plantlife crowds the buildings, clashing with
their dull monochrome. The walls of the marble buildings
are etched with thousands of parting words and memorial
inscriptions from those who journeyed there. If one thing
marks the city of Karrakos visually, it is the statues. Countless
statues adorn the buildings and streets, donated by those who
traveled to it as pilgrims. When the sea fog rolls in, this can
turn the entire ruin into a city of ‘stone giants’ once more.
The jungle plants that have overtaken the city are unique due
to the Dolurrhi manifest zone. Many simultaneously exist
in the Ethereal Plane; others actually phase into the ethereal
at night (or in magical darkness), leaving behind spectral
afterimages. This can cause choked corridors and buildings
to suddenly open up at night - a sight that can be deeply
foreboding for travelers. Intelligent parties might be able to
use the light and darkness to their advantage while exploring.
City of the Dead. Beneath the ground lies the Hollow.
This section of the city consists of the buildings on the walls
and floor of the ravine that divides it. Eternal twilight cloaks
the temples and crypts. Ghosts wander through arching
pavilions and catacomb tunnels. Here lie eons of the restful
dead, and plenty restless besides. The buildings of the Hollow
are entirely devoted to funerary rites and worship; temples
to Karrak merge with massive family tombs, deep catacomb
warrens, and mortuary chambers, in which the memories
of the dead are preserved for eternity. More valuable are
the workshops of the animaturges, where memories were
smithed into magical husksteel. The Catabasis at the bottom
of the ravine is the domain of the dead. Countless statues
and memorials fill the gloom (some of them
stone giants who ritually petrified themselves in
communion with Dolurrh), with mausoleum
tunnels leading outwards. At a certain point,
those tunnels simply become the plane
of the dead itself. In the Age of
Giants, these connections were
managed carefully, and sealed
during coterminous periods.
Now, many allow ghosts and
wandering souls through, and
are guarded carefully by
the shadar-kai.
190190
Ambience
• Ruined belfries still ring out with the sound of funeral
bells, disturbing the unnerving silence of the dead.
• The streets smell of rich jungle and loam - a stark
contrast with the buildings, which smell of dust and age.
• The buildings of Karrakos are grand, solemn, and built
from faded marble. Riotous vines and jungle plants cover
them, and many have fallen to complete ruin.
• The sea mists rolling in off the Phoenix Basin often
dim the sunlight in combination with the effects of the
manifest zone. As such, strong sunlight in Karrakos is
rare despite the tropical conditions.
Sites of Interest
The Hollow - The capital of Karrakos is cloaked in
a powerful manifest zone to Dolurrh. The bottom of the
ravine, the Hollow, is the focus for the zone. The deeper one
goes, the more the sky dissolves into darkness. Here lie the
most crucial parts of Karrakosian culture, far from prying
eyes. During coterminous periods, it is common for ghosts
and wandering spirits to cross the planar boundary here,
while creatures who die in the city above often rise again.
Descending into the Hollow requires descending down
twisting stairs that wind in and out of the cliff face, lined with
ancient steles and grave markers. The lack of arcane lifts is
due to the ritual significance of doing so; the descent itself
was seen as a religious act.
The Memory Glass - A massive monument to Shae
Tirias Tolai stands on the ravine edge, looking down into
the darkness below. The statue is humanoid in shape,
with outstretched moth wings, and formed from countless
fragments of glittering husksteel. Each fragment is a
crystallized memory of Shae Tirias Tolai while it still lived
and breathed. Many are from Karrakosian giants, but others
were donated by elves and other denizens of the feyspire.
The pouring salt water on either side of the statue often
condenses on its face, falling as glittering tears into the abyss.
Touching a fragment of mirror bestows the memory within,
as well as an innate sense for the direction of the City of
Silver and Bone.
The Temple of Karrak - The central temple to
Karrak, the Final Guardian, is a grand edifice home to the
worship of the city’s patron. Karrak was believed to be the
one who weighed souls in the afterlife, preserving worthy
souls for resurrection. The faithful of Karrak shun Mabaran
necromancy, which seeks to disrupt the cycle of life for
personal gain - a belief which, coupled with their study, led
to the formation of the undead-
hunting Gravewardens. The
temple is dominated by an altar of
resurrection - an artifact powered
by faith that allowed priests of
Karrak to bring worthy souls back
to life. It was believed that the altar
held the souls of the city’s heroes,
including those who fought in the
Age of Demons, through the grace
of Karrak’s preservation. The
grandest rituals of the tombpriests
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
 Giant Culture - Cul'sir Dominion - Group of Eleven - Qabalrin - Sul'at League
involved resurrecting the body of a champion, but calling
on the soul of such a hallowed spirit to inhabit it - an honor
for the one who gave up their life to allow another to better
the world in their stead. How much of this ritual was faith or
legend cannot be said, but one thing is for certain - the altar
contains giant souls. A character who returns another to life
using a spell such as raise dead while they are placed on the
altar does not need material components… but the soul that
returns with the body will be that of a very confused giant.
Path’s End - The bastion of the Gravewardens lies in
the upper city, marked by a stark military design at odds
with the understated beauty around it. The complex was
part barracks, part prison, with the clerics and paladins of
the order working to battle the evils of Mabaran undead. A
smaller, secretive order acted instead as assassins, eliminating
living necromancers, as well as those marked for death by the
Queen of the Dead. The buildings include a grand meeting
hall, a personal mausoleum for those who fell in the line of
duty, a dedicated husksteel smithy and armory, and a very
unique prison. The underground section of Path’s End is
where the Gravewardens sealed any undead they knew would
reform if slain - vampires, liches, and other horrors created
by the elven Qabalrin. These were petrified into statues and
sealed away inside cells specially prepared to include their
weakness, ensuring they could never return to the Shapers
of Night. The armory of Path’s End is still a potent source of
anti-undead weaponry, but whether any of its prisoners have
escaped due to fading enchantments in the meantime is a
serious question.
CHAPTER 45 | ANCIENT KINGDOMS
EMPIRES
Threnody Archive - Karrakos’s grand library of
memories occupies a complex in the eastern city. The
towering edifice is a church to knowledge, and extends deep
into the earth. Within, row upon row of shelves hold odd
trinkets. Each is formed from husksteel, but their appearances
are eclectic. Touching an item and focusing for one minute
allows one to commune with the memories in the husksteel,
for each is an incarnation of treasured moments from the
life of a giant. The building is roughly ordered by age; the
upper levels are the oldest, with the tombpriests venturing
downwards as the shelves filled up. The very bottom levels
hold memories of the last moments of the Age, including
details of the Dream War and the assault of the dragons. The
upper levels hold impossibly old knowledge - the state of
Shae Tirias Tolai before its ruin, the birth of Karrakos, and
the giving of Ouralon’s Gift.
Knucklebone Cave - Sora Yudotre, the ancient night
hag of Dolurrh, is a common figure in myths and folk tales
across Xen’drik. The continent’s ties to the Realm of the Dead
have often drawn the ancient fiend, who wanders around in
her hut built atop the bones of a giant tiger (p.256). While
undoubtedly malevolent, the hag’s knowledge and command
of necromancy are paramount, and Karrakos made sure
to appease her. The Knucklebone Cave is a space granted
to her in the depths of the Hollow. Here, the giants made
offerings, with the Hag occasionally choosing a child (often
the seventh-born) as her personal hexblood handmaiden
and emissary. It is said that anything spoken in the Cave
is whispered in Yudotre’s ears by ghosts, and the
hanging fragments of mirror within are best
avoided at all costs.
191
 Enemy Encounters
Undead - With Manifest Anchors* broken or left without
maintenance, many have allowed restless shades from
Dolurrh to leak out into the material. The ruins of Karrakos
are now haunted by countless ghosts from all layers of
Dolurrh, including giants, beasts, and even dragons. Many
cling to the desire to stay in the Material. Their actions are
unpredictable; long centuries or dark pasts have turned
some into banshees, wraiths, and other horrors, while
some are more than happy to help adventurers if it means a
return to Dolurrh.
Shadar-kai - Karrakos is intrinsically linked to Dolurrh,
and its libraries of memories and open breaches to the plane
are a dangerous resource in the wrong hands. Since the city
was abandoned, the Queen of the Dead has posted a cadre of
her shadar-kai to watch over it. Their purpose is twofold.
Anything dangerous escaping from the city is fought back
into the plane; anything seeking to exploit the city often ends
up in Dolurrh the hard way. A number of the elves spend
their time devoted to the understanding of Karrakos artifice,
helping to slowly patch the damage caused by the eldritch
machines degrading in the tropical conditions. The more they
repair, the more breaks over time, creating an endless battle
to patch the planar holes.
Orlassk’s Aberrations - One of the greatest
opposition to the shadar-kai are the minions of the daelkyr
Orlassk, the Lord of Stone. The eldritch entity has an
obsession with stone, geometry, and silent order, and the
cultists of the Still Lord have recently been drawn to the
mausoleum of Karrakos as a result. Their leader, an aberrant
medusa known as the Stonemason, wishes to corrupt and
animate the petrified stone giants and statuary of the city
into an army of massive stone cursed. With such might,
the freedom of their master will be all but assured. The
servants of the Queen of the Dead now face an aberrant tide
that threatens to corrupt them as well. What the minions of
Orlassk can do to the undead spirits of Karrakos is disturbing
in the extreme; the most powerful are bound within massive
sculptures, chaining them to the physical construct as
eidolons and sacred statues.
Adventure Hooks
Psychopomp and Pageantry - Nowhere knew more
about the fey and story of Shae Tirias Tolai than the people
of Karrakos. The fall of the city was a knife that cut deep,
and their vengeance against the Cul’sir burned for thousands
of years. In that time, they studied how the feyspire might
be returned to life (if ‘life’ is the right word), restoring
the psychopomps and the natural order of death. Yet, the
Shattering caught Karrakos long before such plans could be
laid in motion. A party seeking to restore the natural order -
and combat powerful undead threats such as Lady Illmarrow
or the Ecliptic King - might find that the Mausoleum City
holds the answers. It may be that the blessing of Shan Tolai is
able to ward off an unnatural death, and spell doom for
the dark children of necromancy.
192192
In Memoriam - the libraries of Karrakos contain the
memories of the lost, faithfully cataloged and given reverence.
When the party finds out that the location of an item they
need has been lost to history, there’s only option left to find
it - the memories of its creator, stored within the halls of the
Threnody Archive. The ancient building houses moments
from the fall of Shae Tirias Tolai, battles against Emperor
Cul’sir, and the arrival of the dragons - all of which might
hold the secrets that characters seek.
The Final Gates - A more unusual way to encounter
Karrakos is by joining the ranks of the dead themselves. If
the party ever suffers a TPK, the story can be continued by
the Queen of the Dead asking them for a favor - in return for
their lives, they must either stop the minions of Orlassk from
corrupting the dead, or seal the breaches within the Hollow
once and for all. This acts as a great way of continuing the
campaign, especially one that involves Shae Tirias Tolai or
Lady Illmarrow as key plot points.
Legacy: Husksteel Tools
In Dolurrh, the immortal Smith creates items out of husksteel
- the raw essence and memories of souls, smelted into
forms reminiscent of their experiences in life. It is unknown
whether Karrakos learned from the Smith or taught him,
although the immortal’s penchant for appearing as a giant
presents some interesting possibilities. Despite its name,
husksteel can take on the form of many materials (all of them
slick, dark, and gloomy), and the animaturges of the city-state
specialized in turning it into tools reinforced with memory
and will. This ranges from simple Memoir Charms* that
bestow the knowledge of the dead, to Mirrors of Life Trapping
that preserve the living, to terrifying Veil Knives* that ensure
they aren’t living for much longer.
The workshops of Karrakos still contain the secrets needed
to create husksteel items. A character with proficiency in a set
of tools they can justify using (such as blacksmith’s, mason’s,
or weaver’s tools) can spend 8 hours of work to attempt
to create one. This process converts their most defining
memory into an item representative of the emotion it brings
them. Just as the item created is unique, so is the process
- a perfect opportunity to ask a player how their character
weaves a memory into reality. An item created in this way
can only be used by its creator, and has no effect if wielded by
another (a factor that skilled giant animaturges knew how to
dampen). Due to the memory requirement, a character can
only produce one husksteel item each. Examples of such items
can be found below.
Magic Items:
• Memoir Charm - Wondrous Item, Uncommon - A
husksteel memorial relic that can boost ability checks
by providing glimpses of memory from the past.
• Veil Knife - Weapon, Very Rare - An assassin's
weapon blessed by the Queen of the Dead that can cut
into the ethereal plane, and cut back into the living.
Personal Husksteel Items
While creating a husksteel item is a great way to introduce
custom items tailored to a character, the following is a simple
list of example powers the item might have. The Example
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
 Giant Culture - Cul'sir Dominion - Group of Eleven - Qabalrin - Sul'at League
Unique Features have a ( + ) to indicate how the ability can
be strengthened for higher tiers of play. These bonus features
might even be unlocked through narrative play, as the
character levels up, or by embodying the emotion or memory
of the weapon in a grand gesture. The Spell Save DCs of these
abilities should be adjusted according to the current tier of
play, to better match those of the players themselves.
Base Item:
Memory Bond. This item can only be attuned to by its
creator. If it is ever more than 100 feet from you, you can use
an action to summon it to your free hand.
Soulstuff. This magical weapon is fundamentally made of a
fragment of your soul, and can hit incorporeal undead that
you can see while they are on the Ethereal Plane. While
wielding this weapon, you additionally gain a +1 bonus to
attack and damage rolls.
Example Unique Features:
Anger. While you are under half your maximum hit points,
your speed increases by 10 feet, and your first attack that hits
on your turn deals an additional 1d6 psychic damage.
+ Additionally, you ignore difficult terrain and gain
advantage on Strength ability checks and saving throws.
Triumph. When you reduce a creature to 0 hit points, you
gain temporary hit points equal to your proficiency bonus.
+ Additionally, you can move up to half your speed towards
an enemy creature without expending movement.
Horror. The item has 3 charges, and regains 1d3 charges
after finishing a long rest. You can expend 1 charge as a
reaction when a creature hits you with a melee attack to
force it to make a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or become
frightened of you until the start of your next turn.
+ A creature frightened in this way has disadvantage on
saving throws against you.
Despair. The item has 3 charges, and regains 1d3 charges
after finishing a long rest. You can expend 1 charge when
you hit a creature with an attack to force it to make a DC
13 Charisma saving throw. On a failure, on its next turn,
its movement speeds are reduced to 10 feet (unless already
lower), and the creature has disadvantage on attack rolls and
ability checks.
+ If the creature fails the saving throw by 5 or more, it
additionally falls prone.
Wonder. The item has 3 charges, and regains 1d3 charges
after finishing a long rest. You can expend 1 charge to cast the
spell levitate (Spell Save DC 13) without requiring verbal or
somatic components.
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
+ You can expend 2 charges to cast fly without requiring
verbal or somatic components.
Embarrassment. You can cast disguise self at will.
+ You can cast invisibility a number of times a day equal to
your proficiency bonus, but can only target yourself. You
regain all expended uses upon completing a long rest.
Loot Examples
Common/Trinket - This Lantern of TrackingXGE
1 is attuned to undead, and was used by giant
Gravewardens to track dangerous Mabaran creations.
Common/Trinket - While wearing this marble brooch,
2 you can understand any language spoken by a ghost.
Uncommon - This husksteel +1 Amulet of the
3 DevoutTCoE was worn by a Gravewarden, and has the
shape of a crown set above a dark throne.
Uncommon - Pipes of Haunting carved from
husksteel were often passed down through family
lines, and imbued by each generation with their
fondest memories. Although intended as beautiful
4
and touching heirlooms, they can also be blown to
invoke fear in others, by channeling the fury of one’s
ancestors towards those who would harm their kin.
Rare - Gems of Seeing were often used by Karrakosian
5 priests to reveal the forms of ethereal spirits -
especially to help them talk to family members.
Rare - The Gravewardens of Karrakos often carried
Maces of Disruption to destroy Mabaran undead. Many
6 were formed from the memories of those slain by
undead, granting the items their magic properties.
Very Rare - The chosen assassins of the Queen of the
Dead carried Nine-Lives Stealer Shortswords to send
7 enemies directly to her throne-room. Their targets
were those who disgraced the natural order - or those
responsible for the crimes against Shae Tirias Tolai.
Very Rare - The highest order of animaturges were
said to polish memories of peace and protection into
stunning hand-mirrors. These Mirrors of Life Trapping
8
were used to capture undead who would revive if
destroyed. Some giants willingly entered such Mirrors
for periods of meditation, or sojourns in Dolurrh.
City Conversion
The simplest way to reclaim the haunted ruins of Karrakos
is to close the many breaches to Dolurrh within the Hollow.
This may have been achieved by the gradual efforts of
the shadar-kai over millennia, potentially in combination
with local people such as stone goliaths or lizardfolk. This
would allow the people to reestablish the city using the
stores of knowledge within the Threnody Archive. It is
also possible that the breaches aren’t closed, and that the
culture helping the shadar-kai specialize in calming the dead,
and returning them to Dolurrh. This serves as a perfect
opportunity to introduce the ancestries linked to the soul
magic of ‘Incarnum’ in 3rd Edition, who canonically lived in
the Kapaerian Islands - the skarns and rilkans, as well as
the dusklings.
193
Fernia
Grand Ju'Qata
The veil was like a cloak of feathers as they stepped
through it. Beyond, the illusion broke - not an expanse
of oaken woodland, but a gleaming city of silver and
sunlight, rising in tiers to the summit above them.
This was Bazek Mohl, seat of the couatl,
and their last chance for Xen’drik.
Suzerainty of Ju’qata, known as
T
he
‘Grand Ju’qata’ to itself, was a federation
of fire giant city-states in central
Xen’drik. The cities of the grand alliance
can be found between the Ring of Storms,
Dread Lake, and the Valley of Shadows,
including the Silver Flame bastion of Bazek Mohl. Originally,
the people of Ju’qata declared their independence from the
Sul’at League when Prince Adaxus was sealed. Rather than
remain under the Luminaries, the giants declared themselves
masters of their own fate. While the League advanced using
clinical arcane science, the Suzerainty did so with passion
and faith; they drew on the angels of Fernia for power,
wielding divine magic from countless beliefs and religions.
Their ardent enthusiasm won them the interest of the efreet,
who welcomed the novelty of their artistic splendor. To the
Ju’qatans, the concept of fire meant everything; from life to
love, from art to strength, and everything in between.
Unlike other city-states, Ju’qata had no central capital.
Instead, the heart of the alliance was the Alcazar of Ashes,
seat of the Grand Pasha herself. The Titan of Fernia drew
on all aspects of the Sea of Fire, with the cities of the alliance
radiating out from her presence like light from the sun.
Foreign diplomacy and grand decrees were handled by the
Pasha, leaving the people to form their own cities under her
protection. In return, they competed to bestow the finest
arts and luxuries upon their ruler, seeking her blessings on
their work.
The cities of the Suzerainty were not spared during the
Shattering. Over the years, many have been claimed by the
Sulatar drow, who have formed a new mosaic of cultures.
Many have inherited and built upon the legacy of the Ju’qatan
giants, from their architecture to their magic. One city in
particular is the exception. Bazek Mohl, City of Starfire, is the
home of the Silver Flame in Xen’drik. During the Shattering,
its patron couatl sacrificed itself to shroud the city from
harm. As such, the city is a relic from the Age of Giants, but
its divine fires are slowly
room,
burning to cinders… Ju’qat was the heart of every
rty, wi th a sm ile th at
the life of every pa
nd
brought joy to everyone arou
e past
I despise her. I will not use th
roach, is
tense; a phoenix, like a cock
notoriously hard to kill.
194194
Summary: Grand Ju'qata
Magic: Divine, Fernian Externalist
Titan: Pasha Ju'qat Reskan Taq, Child of the Phoenix
Everlasting, Queen of the Revelry, the Gaiety
Capital: The Alcazar of Ashes
Location: Hydra Basin and western Dread Lake
Specialties: Craft, Entertainment, Diplomacy
Pulp Scenes
• Prove your good intentions to a towering divine golem
of silver and burning radiance, which protects a lost
fire giant city.
• Sneak into the treasure room of an ancient obsidian
palace beneath the notice of a powerful gold dragon and
its gold-scaled elven servitors.
• Commune with the voice of an ancient couatl in the
shrouded city of Bazek Mohl, receiving a prophecy that
will change the face of Xen’drik.
Titan: Pasha Ju'qat Reskan Taq
The dazzling queen of Grand Ju’qata - Pasha Ju’qat Reskan
Taq, the Shining Splendor, Haven Crown, Sultana of All
Suns, the Gaiety, Queen of the Revelry and Child of the
Phoenix Everlasting - united the scattered cities of the
Suzerainty under one banner. The pasha’s power came from
a binding pact with a grand Fernian phoenix, made during
her days as an adventurer. In the battle to seal Prince Adaxus,
the giant sacrificed herself to protect her comrades, dying to
free the Sul’at League from its diabolical ruler. In the moment
before her soul traveled to Dolurrh, her patron - a celestial
being of awe and vibrant life - bound itself to her form,
bestowing the giant with the power of resurrection.
Emotional Divide. What emerged from the burning
rebirth was a titan mantled in the glory of a Fernian
archangel. In the wake of the battle, the Five Luminaries split
from the Child of the Phoenix, forming the Sul’at League
and Grand Ju’qata as opposite twins - one a nation of clinical
science and quiet emotions, the other a land of revelry and
joy. These differences are rooted in the battle against Adaxus.
The Hellfire Prince drew on the power of Karna Rayva,
Overlord of passion and hungry need. The Luminaries sought
to deny its influence by clinically removing the emotions it
fed on. In contrast, the Child of the Phoenix believed that by
making joy and wonder divine, the giants could remove any
reason to have those dark emotions at all. This ideological
difference defined the nations they would come to lead,
and forever drove them apart.
As a titan of heavenly fire, the Pasha of Ju’qata united
he r.
the cities of the eastern League under her protection.
The deal was simple; in exchange for her protection, and
the right to worship who they pleased, the giants would
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
 Giant Culture - Cul'sir Dominion - Group of Eleven - Qabalrin - Sul'at League
embody the ideals of the celestial bound to her soul. Over the
following centuries, the undying Queen of the Revelry stood
as a bastion against both the Qabalrin and the Cul’sir Empire.
Rather than showing favor to any of the cities of Grand
Ju’qata, the Pasha lived in a sprawling palace that represented
their splendor, with finery and wealth unmatched. During
the Shattering, this palace - the Alcazar of Ashes - came
under attack, but suffered only minor damage due to the
titan being the sole target. The fate of the Phoenix Queen
is unknown. Legends hold that her reincarnation saved her
once again, due to the dragons’ ignorance of her abilities.
Perhaps the Pasha still dwells in the Sea of Fire, waiting to lift
her kingdom from the ashes of history…
Arcana: Fuel for the Flames
The Ju’qatan giants used every aspect of Fernian magic, with
each city specializing based on their beliefs. Fernia is not just
the plane of flames, but of every interpretation of the concept
of Fire. As a result, the people of Ju’qata drew on the plane
to inflame passions, fuel their forges, serve their gods, and
burn the unnatural. The largest religious following was of the
Three Faces of the Flame - the sister gods that Khorvairans
would call Onatar, Boldrei, and the Fury. Followers of
the Gods of the Flame learned of and made pacts with the
angels of Fernia, who exist as incarnations of comfort, love,
craftwork, and other concepts. Over generations, many of
these pacts turned them into aasimar, with the angels as their
celestial guides. Other cities saw fire as a primal elemental
force, wielding it against unnatural threats as wildfire druids
and phoenix sorcerers. Notably, these cities never used
elemental binding like the Sul’at League, but drew on Fernia
and its denizens directly. The Sultana herself was seen as the
blessed daughter of the sisters - the embodiment of passion,
protection, and invention.
This blazing variety of magical traditions turned the people
of Ju’qata into different types of planetouched. Unlike the
tieflings of the Sul’at League, the fire giants were typically
genasi or aasimar.
CHAPTER 45 | ANCIENT KINGDOMS
EMPIRES
This included fire and earth genasi in cities such as Daomon,
to aasimar of the three Faces of Flame in locations such as
Dreihan and Bazek Mohl. Such aasimar often traveled to
other city-states in pursuit of their holy purpose, working
forges and operating legendary taverns as part of their Pasha’s
diplomatic efforts. Paladins and druids followed a similar
purpose, working with groups such as the Panoptic Knights
of Crux to combat dark influences and planar incursions.
This drive put them greatly at odds with their ancient allies in
the Sul’at League, and the eastern Fangs of Argarak still hold
many forts and watchtowers meant to hold an uneasy peace.
Capital: The Alcazar of Ashes
The grand palace of the Pasha is a vast complex of burnished
bronze and dark marble built at the foot of the Fangs of
Argarak. The Alcazar is built at a scale meant to be awe-
inspiring even for giants, and its immense size is a testament
to the influence of its ruler. Multiple wings with a hundred
different rooms spread out from the central throne room.
Rooms for guests, massive boudoirs, libraries of tales from
across the planes, and giant-sized dining-rooms all exist as
part of the Alcazar. Some of the outer wings extend into
Fernia itself, merging with the halls of different efreet,
ensuring that they were always welcome in the titan’s
famous parties.
Centuries of extravagant gifts decorate the palace, with
entire wings built simply to show off their value. The
most common, perhaps, are portraits of the Pasha herself.
Cindersilk vestments and scarves of pure fire from the
Pasha’s wardrobes, jewelry crafted from the finest Fernian
rubies, and crowns of metals; countless treasures unknown
to Khorvaire may all lie within. The diplomatic efforts of
the Haven Crown mean that items from every nation in
Xen’drik can also be found displayed in her collection. Over
time, many of these gifts have faded in brilliance; yet more
have been looted by enterprising giants or drow thieves. Of
course, the majority lie in a single massive chamber, piled
lovingly by centuries of dragons - the guardian line of the
Gold Watchers.
Shining Watch. The gold dragons of Argonnessen
are appointed to watch over central Xen’drik as custodians
of its two Overlords, and arbiters of its giants. Immune
to fire as they are, the Watchers face little threat from the
region’s drow and fire giants, nor from the fiery minions
of the Infernal Desire. Traditionally, such dragons are
Lightkeepers of Dol Arrah, and devout in their faith. The
fading luster of becoming a Watcher in Xen’drik has loosened
the restrictions. The current holder of the post, the ancient
gold dragon Strasteliatar, is a true believer in her duties.
Her greatest fear is that her age is catching up to her, and
that her replacement will not hold the same rigor as she.
The powerful dragon is served by a clan of half-dragon drow
blessed with draconic features as a gift. The Luster Blades
act as agents of Strasteliatar, holding duties ranging from
guarding the Alcazar of Ashes, to spying on the Valley of
Shadows and Dread Lake, to carrying missives to nearby
cities. Their gold scales mark them as heralds immediately,
granting them a state of respect and wonder among
others. Strasteliatar is eminently reasonable compared
to the other Watchers; a party with news on the
actions of the Overlords can find a powerful ally
in her, but they will need convincing proof.
195
 Sites of Interest
Bazek Mohl - The seat of Xen’drik’s Silver Flame
worship in the Age of Giants was the city of Bazek Mohl.
Located centrally within the Suzerainty, the artificers, clerics
and star druids of the city acted as traveling wardens for the
Overlords. The Torch of Progress was politically neutral,
and fostered peace to combat fiendish corruption. Many
nations held groups of Torchbearers who trained in the
Suzerainty. Over the course of the Age, the valiant group was
increasingly maligned - and the influence of the Overlords
grew. The Torch still burns to this day, but now it’s mainly
drow and goliaths who stoke the embers. More information
on Bazek Mohl can be found on p.90, while the Torch of
Progress is expanded on p.139.
Zorhan - The City of the Heart was an absolute riot -
sometimes, literally. To the people of Zorhan, the fires of
Fernia meant passion and joy, and each and every one lived
their life to the fullest. Here, the martial armies of Ju’qata
trained - but unlike the Sul’at regiments, they trained as wild
barbarians and monks of unbound fury. The brightest and
most seductive bards of the Suzerainty sang in the taverns
and bordellos, while sorcerers worked to develop burning
evocation spells. Giants traveled from across Xen’drik for the
city’s blazing festivals, reinforcing Ju’qata’s diplomatic ties.
The center of the city is a massive amphitheater stage that
amplifies sound to a deafening degree, ready for opera and
grand announcements.
Kwinzek Var - One of the more unusual groups under
the Sultan were the Wildfire Druids of Kwinzek Var. The
Kwinzek’ai lived in homes shaped from volcanic rock in the
southern Tempest’s Spine. Here, lava flows down the slopes
of the Thundermount and into Dread Lake, causing billowing
clouds of mist and fog. The druids lived in the intersection
between volcanic fire, fertile ash, and lush forests, helping
to contain the wild eruptions of their mountain home. The
Thundermount is a Fernian manifest zone, and embodies
both the creation and destruction of the archetypal volcano.
As such, it periodically erupts, with massive clouds of ash and
lightning that contribute to the cool climate around Dread
Lake. With no visible city from the air, the druids were
spared the draconic attack, and still live in their ancestral
home. Many have taken on the role of combatting the
spreading corruption of the Spinner of Shadows to the south
in partnership with Bazek Mohl.
Dreihan - The Hearth of Dreihan was the holy city of
Dreia - a god that Khorvaire would call Boldrei. The giants
of the city sought to embody care and comfort, using the
angels of Fernia as divine standards of their creed. Dreihani
diplomats and chefs were prized all over Xen’drik for their
skill, and could be found in the courts of the titans. Their
belief in diplomacy and cooperation formed the basis of
the Suzerainty’s diplomacy with the efreet; when a pasha
demanded a new gift or experience, it was the people of
Dreihan who soothed their woes, earning their people free
access to the Sea of Fire.
Daomon - The city of smiths lies deep within
the Bluespine Peaks, hewn from the rock of
196196
mountain caverns. The hammerpriests of Om’natari were
master masons and metalworkers, seeing the Dao as the god’s
divine servants. They strove to perfect their craft, producing
statues and wrought metal artifacts prized the continent over.
The forges of the city burned bright with Fernian magma,
and vast stores of minerals mined from the plane are still
locked away in its depths. To destroy the city, the dragons
burned melted tunnels through the mountainside with acid
and spell, leaving perilous tunnels in which monsters nest.
Divine artificers known as Crucibles once led the city in
forging weapons against the Overlords, and characters in
search of legendary weapons such as Holy Avengers might find
them in the depths of Daomon. Further information on the
city can be found on p.255.
Enemies & Encounters
Elementals - Many cities in the Suzerainty regularly
allowed elementals to travel between Fernia and the material.
Sentient elementals such as azer, dao, and the servants of
the efreet often worked with the Ju’qatans in pursuit of
their crafts, visiting their courts in the name of diplomatic
efforts. Damaged planar portals and manifest anchors can
trap these beings on the wrong side during coterminous
periods - along with more dangerous beings such as fire
elementals and fiends.
SÚlatar Drow - The cities of the Suzerainty tend to
have fewer latent threats compared to other city-states. Over
the years, many Súlatar drow (p.73) originating from the
Sul’at League have settled there, using their comfort with
Fernia to occupy the ruins. Many are served by surviving
archonics, and follow a wide variety of faiths. Unsurprisingly,
foreign explorers are often regarded as clueless thieves, but
are welcomed if they show proper respect. Given 40,000
years, some of these cultures have grown to truly fill their
locations, becoming cities again in truth.
Celestial Constructs -The archonic servants of
many Ju’qatan cities blur the line between construct, celestial,
and elemental; based on the azer, the divine constructs are
fueled by internal Fernian flame contained within metal
shells. They possess surprising intelligence and emotions due
to the belief imbued within them. Many were crafted in the
city of Daomon, and served as forgehands, laborers, servants
and soldiers for Ju’qata. Archonics are all but ageless, and
many have lasted the centuries, still performing their ancient
duties. For soldier archonics, countless intruders have sought
to invade and plunder their ancient homes. They may be
intelligent, but convincing them not to incinerate looters
where they stand can be a difficult challenge. Archonics often
bear the scars of the Shattering, with melted and warped
forms that can be distinctly unnerving. Details on creating an
archonic creature are featured below.
Adventure Hooks
The Torch of Progress - Xen’drik’s home of the
Silver Flame is the living city of Bazek Mohl. Once a member
of the Suzerainty, the City of Starfire has remained hidden
since the Age of Giants ended, shrouded from sight by the
sacrifice of the couatl Temhasteq. Finding one’s way to Bazek
Mohl is a trial of faith - and one that any party fighting the
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
 Giant Culture - Cul'sir Dominion - Group of Eleven - Qabalrin - Sul'at League
Overlords must take without hesitation. It is there that a
party can receive prophetic guidance, training, and aid. After
all, they may be the ones to hold the Torch of Progress alight.
For less grand adventures, the people of Bazek Mohl have
long had to deal with the dangers of the giant ruins in central
Xen’drik; a party seeking information on any nearby city-
state would be hard-pressed to find a better source.
Crucible of Heroes - The holy city of Daomon held
the blessed forges of Onatar, in which fire giants crafted
some of the most powerful blades in history (p.255). These
artifacts were made to be wielded against the overlords and
their servants, infused with radiant flame and raw belief. To
seal an Overlord or one of their powerful servants, the party
must delve into the ruined city and retrieve a weapon of
legend, but the monsters and guardians of Daomon will not
make it easy.
Fighting Fire with Fire - Of the adventurers who
first sealed Prince Adaxus, only one is said to remain - the
shining Queen of the Revelry. Legend holds that her phoenix
reincarnation saved her after the Shattering, and that the
Pasha of Ju’qata escaped into the Sea of Fire to avoid the
dragons’ wrath. When Prince Adaxus is released from his
bonds, the party must find the titan’s weakness - a secret still
held by his ancient nemesis. Tracking the Pasha through the
Sea of Fire may require either the help of the efreet, or the
artifact known as the Endecimal Treaty* - but the party may
be able to secure the greatest weapon of all. When fighting a
titan, it’s always best to bring one of your own.
Legacy: Divine Archonics
An archonic is a construct imbued with divine flame as
a servant of the gods. The giants of Ju’qata created these
celestial automata to help embody the Sovereigns, combining
their own faith with powerful Fernian magic. Each city had
their own designs and functions. The smiths of Daomon
saw the flames of Fernia as the divine forge of Onatar; as
such, when they drew from that fire to fuel steel constructs,
their faith transformed the devices into forgehands and
builders. To the giants, it was only natural that forgeborne
beings would act as divine servants of Onatar. In contrast,
the Dreihani saw divinity in Fernian angels of comfort
and compassion. The fires they called on were thus warm
and welcoming, with their Boldrei archonics acting as
independent cooks, carers, and nurses. An archonic is not
alive and has no soul, but acts with intelligence bestowed by
their creator’s faith - as well as a certain Fernian passion. It is
a testament to Ju’qatan piety that many still function to this
day, although the forges they tend to have long grown still,
and the cribs they rock are forever empty.
Most ancient archonics are 10 to 15 feet tall, and appear
to be artistically crafted metal shells in the approximate
shape of humanoids. Within, their actual ‘bodies’ are formed
entirely of divine flame in colors matching their faith. This
appearance is reminiscent of the azer that inspired them;
the fiery elementals were created by the dao for much
the same purpose, although the immortal minds of the
dao are incapable of producing any kind of real variety.
Many are capable of limited divine spellcasting to match
the expectations of their creators. For example, Daomon
archonics can cast heat metal to assist with smithing,
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
while those of Dol Arrah can imbue their weapons with
blinding smites.
Divine Forging. Crafting or repairing an archonic is
a task of legendary artifice, requiring both devout faith and
skilled handiwork. The greatest requirement is that the one
doing so can visualize their faith as a burning pyre; for those
of the Silver Flame, this comes easily enough, but followers of
the Shadow might face bigger hurdles. The creation process
requires proficiency with blacksmith’s tools, an appropriate
amount of pure mithral, steel, or silver, and a week’s worth of
time. A sufficiently skilled and devout smith does not need to
make an ability check for this; after all, their faith will guide
them. An example archonic - the archonic sentinel* - can
be found in the Bestiary section on p.58. This stat block is an
example of an archonic imbued with the Silver Flame, which
can be found to this day in the city of Bazek Mohl.
Loot Examples
Common/Trinket - This Smouldering Plate ArmorXGE
1 was made to be worn by Forge Clerics of Onatar in the
city of Daomon.
Common/Trinket - This tiny archonic (raven with
fire and radiant immunity) is shaped like a miniscule
2 phoenix, and does its best to bring comfort to
whoever claims it. It is also immortal, with the flame
inside it rekindling if it ever takes damage.
Uncommon - This Circlet of Blasting is woven from
3 softly smoldering vines, and was created by a wildfire
druid of Rowa.
Uncommon - The wardrobes of the Alcazar are full of
the Sultan’s GlamerweaveERLW outfits, each a necessity
4 to match the extravagance of the efreet. They drip
with gems and illusions of things foreign in Fernia -
glittering snow, pouring rain, and a star-studded sky.
Rare - Devotee’s CensersTCoE were commonly used
5 in rituals to the gods, imbued with divine healing and
filled with Fernian herbs and incense.
Rare - The fire giants of the city-state used their
innate sorcery as part of daily life. Gauntlets known
6
as Hands of Onatar* were often used to assist with
metalworking, especially in the cavern city of Daomon.
Very Rare - The elite guards of the Alcazar of Ashes
7 wore Efreeti Chain - gifts from the courts of Fernia to
the ruler of Grand Ju’qata.
Very Rare - Elite Ju’qatan mages bore Staves of Fire as
8 a mark of their abilities, with each made engraved with
glowing runes to highlight the magic stored within.
City Conversion
Many of the cities of the Suzerainty have been claimed
and built on by Sulatar drow, fire giants, and fire goliaths.
These ancestries face less danger from burning hazards
found in the ruins. Giants and goliaths also stand a good
shot at convincing aggressive archonics to stand down. The
archonics are by far the most dangerous element of Ju’qatan
cities, especially the ones devoted to warrior gods such as Dol
Arrah. In general, resettling a city of the Suzerainty
thus requires diplomacy with remaining archonics,
often by driving out any evil presences or monsters
that have overtaken the ruins.
197
 Sohl'aran
Irian

Soh sohl’tor dak rus’ur. Rowa eqat mal tok-ushar
ghak’rusen. Rus’ar! Rus’ar Xeno’tor!
The light of the dawn-child guides us to plenty. We walk
Rowa’s path as the scions of the heavens.
Glory! Glory to Xeno’tor!
Summary: Sohl'aran
Magic: Irian Healing & Externalist
Titan: Xeno'tor the Dawnchild
Capital: Ukargo, the City of Gold
Location: Northern coast of the Wasting Plain
Exports: Medicine, Healing Agents, Herbalism

in Khyber, where he remains to this day - and woe betide any

he plane of Irian is a wellspring of life

T
to dare to free him.
and creation. The city-state of Sohl’aran
sought to harness this power to become
a shining beacon amidst the growing Pulp Scenes
nations of Xen’drik. Pacts with the plane’s • Sleep beneath the dripping golden interior of the
Content Warning: Body Horror

immortals led to the city’s rapid growth, Temple of the Light - an amount so great it could
which spilled out across the savannah. Their chirurgeons bankrupt nations.
harnessed the positive energies of Irian to cure diseases and • Explore the wild gardens of Rowa’s Path in search of
extend lives. Priests of Ouralon created libraries of art and powerful medicinal herbs, all while avoiding the hungry
history. Botanists trained in The Garden of Irian grew plants plant life within.
from across Eberron in lush hanging gardens, experimenting • Slide down golden roof tiles between cloying vines to fall
in alchemy and medicine. Soon, the Golden City was famed into the Dawnchild’s throne room, dodging the massive
across Xen’drik as a place of light and learning. talons of a five-headed chimera.
Sohl’aran’s rise was led by the titan known as the
Dawnchild. The immortal king led his people to make
use of Irian’s magic, and formed a pact of immortality Titan: Xeno’tor, the Dawnchild
with the plane’s Dawn Empress. As long as he upheld his The immortal ruler of Ukargo was a figure of divinity among
sacred duty of growing civilization, his life would stretch the Group of Eleven. Flawless and shimmering with the
to see it happen. The Dawnchild was a figure of divinity. light of creation, the Dawnchild led his people from humble
Suffused with sunlight and flawless in form, the Titan beginnings in a harsh land to becoming a beacon of hope
guarded the west from the Cul’sir and Sul’at League alike. and healing throughout the ages. It was he that first made
Eventually, the cost of his immortality became clear. Unable a pact with the Architects of Irian. As the king of Ukargo,
to deal with watching his friends and family die again and he approached the Dawn Empress of the Amaranthine City
again, the Dawnchild turned to desperate measures. On with a simple proposition; in exchange for embodying her
his orders, blood magic and life transference became the concepts of progress and growth, he would live forever
focus of Sohl’aran’s learning, with the aim of making its to see it happen. Xeno’tor entered Irian, but it was the
people immortal. Dawnchild who left - a celestial warlock of
The Shattering obliterated the capital of Ukargo, unfathomable power.
smashing it into a ruin irradiated with overflowing
positive energy. Yet, the creation inherent to Irian
magic has restored many buildings to their former glory.
Its famed gardens have overgrown at rapid speed, turning
the city into a floral jungle. Warped trolls war over
the ruins, their flesh endlessly regenerating due to
Irian’s surging properties. The City of Gold is utterly
tarnished. Despite this, the medical knowledge within
is among the most advanced in Eberron. Powerful
regenerative, restoration and resurrection spells lie in
the Solar Conservatory, while Rowa’s Path contains
plants found nowhere else. The city’s greatest
secret is a foreboding one. Its titan was still
immortal during the Shattering, and the
dragons were unable to kill him for good.
Instead, they chained the Dawnchild

CHAPTER 4 | ANCIENT
CHAPTER KINGDOMS
5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
198198
 Giant Culture - Cul'sir Dominion - Group of Eleven - Qabalrin - Sul'at League
For a hundred years, the Dawnchild guided his people in
shaping the positive energy of Irian; they grew bountiful
gardens, researched magical healing, and expanded their city.
For a thousand years, he acted as a key figure in the Group
of Eleven, guarding its western borders from the Sul’at
League. After ten thousand years, he had lost more friends
and lovers than any mortal could understand, watching his
city advance endlessly against the futile ticking of the clock.
Hope turned to despair. Unwilling to lose any more, the titan
issued commands to search for immortality at any cost - and
traded with the Cul’sir Empire for lesser mortals to use as
test subjects.
Everliving Prisoner. When the Shattering came,
the people of Ukargo were practitioners of blood magic in
truth - and the concept of losing his entire nation to the
dragons drove their king over the edge. Too infused with
the regenerative power of Irian to die, he raged against the
dragons in a frenzy of death. The Dawnchild was cut down
and incinerated countless times, regenerating just to throw
himself back into the fray. After days of battle, the dragons
finally chained him in magic, and locked him within a Khyber
demiplane, sealed with countless layers of wards. With his
pact with the Dawn Empress broken, the ancient titan is
slowly dying - but with his lifespan so extended, he has a
thousand years yet. The Sunseal still exists, and full detail on
the demiplane can be found in Hektula’s Khyber Codex.
Arcana: The Light of Creation
The plane of Irian embodies the concepts of light, life, and
hope. The giants of Sohl’aran saw themselves as heralds of
these ideals, using planar magic to grow bountiful food and
heal the injured. Their fields of crops were sown in Irian
manifest zones that boosted their growth and prevented
disease, allowing them to support the massive amounts of
food needed by the Group of Eleven. Over the ages, this led
to spreading fields of golden crops and the clearance of the
rainforest - a legacy that can still be seen in the form of the
Wasting Plain. Many of the tall grasses of the Plain were
originally created by giant hands.
In the city of Ukargo itself, the Sohl’arani perfected their
medical expertise. Their mastery of positive energy allowed
them to heal the most life-threatening of injuries, regenerate
limbs, and even restore the dead to life. These healing abilities
were bolstered by their botany skills. Divine gardeners
collected and cultivated rare plants in the hanging gardens of
Rowa’s Path, maintaining a living library of medicines. Many
were used for complex alchemy in the Solar Conservatory;
the panaceas and potions made were prized across the
continent, and sold for vast sums that truly made Ukargo
the City of Gold. The ruins of the gleaming city still hold the
secrets to these wonders of healing magic, along with plants
found almost nowhere else - powerful alchemical reagents to
produce potions that have never been seen since.
Capital: Ukargo, City of Gold
The shining city of Ukargo lies on a headland in the northern
Wasting Plains, its golden roofs glimmering like a beacon
of promise. The districts of the city rise up in tiers to the
highest point of the peninsula, where the city is crowned by
its grand botanic gardens and the Palace of the Sun - home to
the immortal Dawnchild. The Irian magic suffusing the city
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
has caused parts to physically regenerate since the Shattering;
as a result, Ukargo is a vision of the Age of Giants, but
its appearance is no longer so perfect. The plants of the
hanging garden of Rowa’s Path have overtaken their bounds,
shrouding the city in verdant life. The size of the plants is a
result of the massive amounts of positive energy suffusing
the city. Its damaged ties to Irian cause constant growth in
anything living within the region. As a result, massive vines
and spreading trees have cracked open and collapsed many of
the buildings beyond repair. Now, Ukargo resembles a hoard
of gold wrapped in a green blanket, which hides its many
dangers from prying eyes.
Golden Bastion. The architecture of the city is
unutterably grand. The giants of Sohl’aran were inspired by
the Amaranthine City of Irian, which represents the universal
concept of progress and civilization. As a result, Ukargo
is a flawed mirror, its gold-shingled buildings made from
white marble and stained glass. Vast promenades rise from
the sunken port around the headland to the city’s crown.
Each is large enough to accommodate parades of giants. As
one climbs, the structures grow grander, the views of the
glittering ocean a reminder of what this ruin once stood for.
The paving slabs glow with golden light when stood on, as
the dense growth that has overtaken the city presses in. The
pinnacle of Ukargo is where the greatest treasures lie, but the
choking vegetation is a sign of the risks; it is there that the
saturating positive energy is the strongest, and there that the
most dangerous beasts make their lairs.
Beyond the city, the Wasting Plains stretch for miles,
golden fronds blowing in the sea breeze. Effectively an
overgrown series of farms, the sprawling savannah is formed
from ancient crops once grown by Sohl'aran to feed the
Group of Eleven. Irian manifest zones and machinery were
once harnessed for their growth. Now, they simply infuse
the region with light and positive energy. Staying too long in
the Wasting Plain can cause unnatural growth and sickness
in living beings, leading to its name. Despite this, some
predators - and people - have resistance to the conditions,
notably the reclusive Irsvern kobolds.
Sites of Interest
Rowa’s Path - The grand botanical gardens of Ukargo
are awe-inspiring. The vast building is shaped like an arena,
with massive tiers of plants connected by skybridges. Endless
waterfalls cascade down from the upper levels, meeting in a
vast lake at the center. Much of the architecture lies broken
into rubble after the Shattering, but the plants remain, and
have completely overgrown their original bounds. Now,
it appears more like a vertical jungle saturated with bright
flowers. Originally, the Path was divided based on the
native region or plane of each plant. Now, they blend and
compete for territory. Many of the species can only be found
in extreme locales, and have powerful magical effects when
brewed, eaten, or used as spell components.
The Solar Conservatory - patients from across
Xen’drik came to the Conservatory to be treated by the
divine medics of Ukargo. The building is a giant-sized
hospital with open gardens in which medicinal
herbs were grown. The lower levels are alchemical
laboratories and spaces for the testing of new
forms of magic. In the later years of the
199
 empire, these rooms were put to a darker purpose, exploring
the secrets of immortality and applications of blood magic.
The regenerative expertise of the sun giants led to creations
that were disturbingly tenacious. Many may still lurk in the
unexplored ruins.
The Palace of the Sun - The Dawnchild’s palace can
be seen from miles away; it glows brightly at all times of day,
with a pillar of light in its central courtyard that reaches for
kilometers into the sky. Once, it was a glorious symbol of a
utopian society. Now, it is an irradiated ruin so blitzed with
magic by the dragons that the entire complex is an arcane
disaster zone. The signs of their battle against the Dawnchild
still remain, carved into the stone by claw and spell. Mutant
creatures prowl the ruins, warped by the powerful curses,
hexes, and healing energies of that ancient struggle.
The Araamnasium - the public baths of Ukargo were
designed after the layer of Irian known as The Refuge. The
complex is still heated, and formed of flawless white marble,
although the baths and spas have turned into swampy
ponds choked with vegetation. The king of the complex is
a surprisingly friendly shambling mound, who sees it as a
precious place of fertility, and fights off any monsters that
might lair within. Stopping to take a soak in the ‘baths’ for a
short rest restores an additional 2d12 hit points on top of any
spent hit dice, but the smell can be a bit intense.
The Temple of the Light - The giants saw the angels
of Irian as servants of divinity - the incarnation of their
gods’ ideals. Their main temple was a glorious shrine to the
Sovereigns, especially Ouralon, Arawai, and Dol Arrah, who
they saw as patrons of Sohl’aran’s work. The temple itself is
long shattered, but its former glory is obvious - the interior is
coated in pure gold. The sheer amount of it is a divine joke,
for no adventurers could ever hope to retrieve it. Titanic
pillars of unalloyed gold reflect the lights of the city in a
shimmering maze, concentrating on the ruined altars of the
gods within. Much of it was melted by draconic flame, and
solidified in dripping wax patterns.
While the economy-destroying wealth of the place is a
true wonder, the remaining ceiling of the Temple is far more
interesting. A complex mosaic details the layers of Irian in
lustrous colors, detailing the Architects of the plane and their
immortal domains. The runic patterns around each layer
200200
are a key - a guide to the creation of Irian manifest shards. A
visionary artificer, given time and materials, would be able to
create new manifest shards from them - and open gateways
into the Eternal Dawn.
Enemies & Encounters
Giants - The modern occupants of the city are a mockery
of their former beauty. The radiation of Sohl’aran leads to
endless growth in the things that live there, and those giants
who stayed behind - or crawled from the basements of the
Solar Conversatory - are now warped trolls that regenerate
endlessly. Some have consumed the flesh of their kin, but
death in Sohl’aran does not come easily. These dire trolls
yodel and howl with the voices of those they’ve consumed,
appearing as swollen masses of flesh that could still be a giant
to someone on too much kuryeva.
Monstrosities - A variety of beasts from the Wasting
Plains and beyond have sought to use Sohl’aran’s ruins for
shelter. Those that stayed have often become mutated by
the city’s overflowing magic, developing aberrant features
that would otherwise kill them if not for their constant
regeneration. The pain caused by this has made many of these
creatures highly aggressive. In Sohl’aran, a chimera might
once have been a simple lion, now sporting multiple heads
and fleshy wings. Meanwhile, hydras and froghemoths
might actually sport a resemblance to trolls, having feasted on
their mutagenic undying flesh.
Plants - the constant positive energy infusing the ruins
of Ukargo has a profound effect on growth. The wondrous
gardens and medicinal herbs grow to enormous sizes, and
have overtaken the city in a riot of greenery. Many have
mutated over time, developing deep hungers and bright
colors to attract prey. Among the most dangerous are
bodytaker plantsVRGR with the ability to construct entirely
new bodies by channeling the creative power of Irian. Other
plants have gained the ability to walk in order to find prey,
becoming shambling mounds that absorb radiant damage
instead of lightning.To the giants, the ancestors of these
plants posed no threat at all; to normal humanoids, they are
camouflaged predators.
ing’
You haven’t seen ‘compensat
of the
until you’ve seen the Temple
te is a
Light. I’m sure its current sta
fitting metaphor enough.
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
 Giant Culture - Cul'sir Dominion - Group of Eleven - Qabalrin - Sul'at League
Adventure Hooks
Death’s Dawn - The most powerful magic of Ukargo
healed through raw creation of matter from Irian - a process
that could even construct new bodies from scratch. With her
powers sealed by her own undead nature, Lady Illmarrow
now has a new plan - to recover the magic from the city’s
ruins using the Emerald Claw, and become reborn with the
full power of her Apex Mark. It’s up to the party to stop them
before it’s too late.
Rising Empire - The Reclaimers of Glory have
decided to retake Ukargo and found a new nation for their
people. Their leaders, the Titans Ascending, have a deeper
motivation for ruling the city. They believe that by freeing
the Dawnchild* from Khyber, they can use the immortal
Titan to gain limitless battle potential - and raise the flag for
the giants of Xen’drik to unite once more.
Suneater - The necromancers of the Qabalrin gained
immortality through vampirism, so it came at the cost
of forever shunning sunlight. When foolish explorers
unwittingly release the Ecliptic King* from his ancient
tomb, the party must recover the tools necessary to slay the
ancient vampire. As the king prepares to cover Xen’drik in an
endless night, the key to his defeat is the radiant blade of the
Dawnchild, wielded by a paladin of the light.
Legacy: Irian Channeling
The tools and arcana of the Arani drew positive energy from
Irian for healing, growth, and raw creation. Their medicines
and natural products were prized across Xen'drik for their
efficacy. Of course, the amount of positive energy needed to
heal a giant is very different to a humanoid, and harnessing
such power can have devastating side-effects.
Magic Items:
• Potion of the Refuge - Potion, Legendary - Divine nectar
from one of the Architects of Irian that grants the
benefits of a full rest over the course of a minute.
• Refractor Shield - Shield, Rare - This glittering shield
focuses and refracts radiant energy, causing healing spells
to deal damage to nearby creatures.
• Rowa's Botany Kit - Herbalism Kit, Rare - This
regenerating Herbalism Kit allows the brewing of a
different healing or harmful potion every day.
Spells:
• Overheal - 4th - A spell that was designed
to heal giants with a massive surge of
positive healing from Irian. Any
healing over the target's
maximum hit points are
instead taken as damage.
• Positive Energy
Flood - 4th -An
offensive surge of
positive radiance
that poisons on
a hit like a flood
of radiation.
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
Loot Examples
Common/Trinket - Everbright LanternsERLW still shine
like the dawn in the streets of Sohl’aran, channeling
1 the pure light of creation upon a city of wonder. The
lanterns are more advanced than those of the Five
Nations, and their light counts as magical daylight.
Common/Trinket - Bizarrely, many of the nations’
giant homes still contain clothing in near-perfect
2 condition. They resize and reknit to anyone who
attempts to wear them - a result of being Clothes of
MendingXGE that fabricate material to fit the individual.
Uncommon - This Periapt of Wound Closure is inset
3 with a tiny Siberys shard attuned to Irian; it channels
the plane’s properties to ward off death for its wearer.
Uncommon - Keoghtom’s Ointments were mass
produced by Sohl’aran’s alchemists and used by its
4 nobles. The panacea was highly prized across the
Eleven, and carried by military doctors on the borders
with both the League and the Cul’sir Empire.
Rare - Skilled Arani surgeons used scalpels with blades
of pure light that cleanly cut and cauterized wounds.
5
As it turns out, giant-sized scalpels make excellent Sun
Blades that still burn through flesh with worse intent.
Rare - The shining jewelry worn by many of Sohl’aran’s
giants were made using Irian magic. To the giants, they
6 had little noticeable effect. To smaller humanoids, the
vitality infused in these Amulets of Health is visceral.
Very Rare - The family lines descended from the
7
Dawnchild were permitted to wear noble clothing in
the form of Robes of Scintillating Colors, causing them
to glow like the holy children of divinity that they were.
Legendary - One of the Dawnchild’s later inventions
were gems formed of the crystallized life force of
mortals - a failed attempt at immortality. Sometimes
8
known as ‘Philosopher’s Stones’, these Ioun Stones of
Regeneration allow recovery from the most grievous
of wounds. Just don’t cast speak with dead on them.
City Conversion
Sohl’aran can be made whole again by downplaying the
strength of the positive energy that floods it. Over 40,000
years, this background magic may simply have faded,
rendering the ruins habitable and lush. If so, it may be
settled by sun giants, cosmopolitan trolls,
or both. Either ancestry is resistant to
the long-term effects of radiant damage,
making the city a perfect place to live.
It is possible that the giantkin believe
they can break the seals on
the Dawnchild and
restore him to power -
or that they’re simply
living peacefully and
tending to the city’s
grand gardens.
201
 GENESIS TWINS
KYTHRI
The crumbling stonework collapsed beneath her. Kaeran
had moments to react as she plunged towards the floor
below, her warrior’s grace carrying her into a forward
roll ….straight through the transmuted treacle. A
few feet away, the floor was jagged obsidian instead.
Could be worse.
Genesis Twins enforced
T
he giants of the
order on chaos by taming the wild
plane of Kythri. The sister cities of
Genesine and Conflux were built in
both the Tempest’s Spine, and the plane
of chaos itself, bound by a vast portal
through which boundless energy flowed. Master transmuters
produced impossible metals and stored raw chaos in arcane
dynamos. These batteries powered the whole of Genesine
- less a city in which people built machines, but a vast
machine in which the people built a city. Six spires, known
as Stormtines, rose around the districts of Genesine, each
dividing the chaos of Kythri into raw elements. Lightning,
fire, and freezing winds arc through the sky from the central
portal to each tine, which channels the energy into factories,
assembly lines and eldritch machines.
Within Kythri, the colony of Conflux harvested materials
from the ever-changing sea of chaos. The influence of
Kythri morphed the giants there into paraelemental genasi
resistant to the plane’s dangers. The fluxborn collected vast
stores of materials for their kin across the portal - until one
day, the portal vanished for good. Time in Kythri is chaotic
and unpredictable, and untold ages may have passed for the
fluxborn giants. Their sole mission is to repair the portal back
to the Material, and learn what happened to their kin.
During the Shattering, the dragons devastated Genesine,
destroying its delicate works of artifice and centuries of
fail-safes. Under a hail of spells, the immense portal at its
heart destabilized, erupting with magic that flash-transmuted
entire districts into random materials. Now, the untended
machinery clicks and whirs, sparking with energy that lights
up the churning clouds. The center of the city is a chaotic
ruin due to the jagged planar rift left behind - and beyond it,
the giants of Conflux await their return.
Pulp Scenes
• Disarm a sparking electroturbine while fending off
churning elementals.
• Leap through a chaotic singularity into Kythri,
where an ancient giant city still stands.
• Carve your way out of an adhesive ooze-
building before it swallows the party whole.
202202
Summary: The Genesis Twins
Magic: Transmutation, Evocation, Protomancy
Titan: The Anarch Prime
Capital: Genesine
Location: The Tempest's Spine
Exports: Magical Energy, Rare & Magic Materials
Titan: Anarch Prime
The titans of Kythri were unique in being both mortal
and temporary. Instead of bestowing one person with the
permanent power of a demigod (a thing seen wisely as a
path of no return), the Genesine instead ‘supercharged’
a nominated giant in times of need. The result was an
elemental archon of raw power who could lay waste to their
enemies, then return to mortality when the battle was over.
Their borders with both the Qabalrin and the Cul’sir required
this many times throughout history, and the giant - known as
the Anarch Prime - was kept on permanent alert.
Mortal Titans. The method of granting this power was
simple. The filtered elements drawn out by each Stormtine
were focused on a specific point at the heart of the city,
where the Anarch Prime would stand in protective armor.
Blasted by the convergence of the elements, the giant was
flooded with vast amounts of power channeled from the
heart of chaos. Their armor, filled with Arcane Dynamos*,
contained much of the power - with the rest arcing off them
in coruscating waves. When the Anarch Prime reached their
limit, the process was halted. As the raging magic within
them fought to escape, the Anarch was on a timer to achieve
their goal before their abilities leaked out. Naturally, wielding
such power without burning to ash was no easy task. The
title of Anarch Prime was only given to giants with extreme
conviction, force of will, and magical mastery. The risk of one
losing control over their powers was simply too great.
In battle, the Anarch Prime was a force of purest
destruction. Fire, lightning, ice and thunder rained down on
their enemies like a living cataclysm. Many Anarchs were
also trained in transmutation magic. By combining their
expertise with the chaos of Kythri, they could flash-transmute
vast swathes of material, turning entire fortresses into mist
and cheese. Of course, all of this is manageable with the right
approach. The true danger of the Anarch Prime was their
effect on magic. At their command, a vast aura of instability
radiated from them, causing spells to go wild. Artifice
malfunctioned, enchantments broke, and spells went haywire
- a horrific prospect for empires founded on magic.
In theory, repairing enough of Genesine might allow one
to harness this godlike power once again. Of course, this
assumes that they can harness energy meant for a giant to
bear without explosive backlash.
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
 To have no titan, yet consider yourself
equal to them, is futile and deranged
- which is why such confidence is so
terrifying. Living inside a complex
elemental bomb also helps.
Boundless Entropy
The Genesine giants strived to master the raw chaos of
Kythri, filtering it into usable forms like a prism splitting
light. Their evocation and transmutation spells were woven
into city-sized works of artifice that derived order from
chaos. The pinnacle were the Stormtines - tower-sized
eldritch machines that pulled specific elements out of Kythri
and stored them for harvesting. This ranged from metals
and crystal to raw lightning, which was used to charge vast
arrays of arcane dynamos. This endless source of energy
fueled powerful transmutation spells, as well as devastating
weaponry for the Group of Eleven. Genesine artillery lined
the borders with the Qabalrin and Cul’sir, primed with
evocation spells that could lay waste to invading armies.
Spare power was sold to other city-states for use in their own
grand works.
In Genesine itself, the elements drawn from Kythri were
transmuted into different forms. The manufacturing district
around Stormtine ‘Earth’ smelted metals pulled from Kythri
into both pure and magically altered variants, ready to be
sold to the highest bidder. Other areas focused on designing
weaponry, exploring outlying areas of Kythri, and even
creating life. The Watershed district of Genesine was the
focus for ‘protomancy’ - the magic of creating primordial life.
Protomancy. Kythrian beasts are created by the plane,
and can rapidly change forms to adapt to its chaos. The
Genesine harnessed this to create their own oozes, which
they then imbued with the elements. These were tamed and
controlled for everyday use. Mimics soaked in elemental
fire and ice functioned as ovens and refrigerators in giant
homes, while artificers carried metallic mimics as living
toolkits. Even more disturbingly, many giants slept on living
mimic beds, which cleaned the grime off them as they slept,
then stuck themselves to the ceiling during the day. The
collapse of Anarch’s Rift transmuted many of these surviving
‘proteans’ into baffling materials. An ooze might appear to be
liquid sponge, cotton, or adamantine, with the properties to
match. Many were set to defend the city as it fell, but others
are still disconcertingly tame - and even happy to be given
purpose again.
Capital: Genesine
Genesine is hexagonal and built into the crater of one of the
peaks in the Tempest’s Spine. The city is divided into six
sectors defined by the Stormtines, with the portal known as
Anarch’s Rift lying at the center. Each of the massive towers
acts like a lightning rod for a specific element, splitting the
chaos of the portal into usable elements. The city sector of
each spire is devoted to harnessing its power. The flame
sector channels elemental fire into transmutation forges,
while the arcane dynamos of the sky sector store lightning for
use in rituals and other works of magic.
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
The chaotic nature of Genesine means that the streets are
a complicated maze between vast sections of machinery.
Skybridges can unexpectedly cross over deep drops into
underground foundries and workshops beneath the city,
while alleys might open up into hidden squares and public
spaces. The destruction of the city has resulted in frequent
collapses and dangerous mechanical death-traps; energy
conduits might randomly spark with lightning or plasma, or
spew out paraelementals given life when Anarch’s Rift was
unleashed.
The destruction of Anarch’s Rift devastated the city center
and transmuted many buildings into a blend of chaotic
materials. A building might have walls of glass, a floor of
silk and a roof of pure bone. The chaotic changes increase
closer to the Rift itself, which appears as a massive glowing
scar in space. The shape, color and sound of Anarch’s Rift
change chaotically, but occasionally show brief glimpses of
the city of Conflux beyond. During periods where Kythri is
coterminous, the Rift grows larger, and frequently releases
bursts of energy and other strange phenomena that leak into
the material.
Ambience:
• Hissing steam and the crackling of arcane diodes rise
above the pattering rain.
• The air smells of ozone and the coming rain, with a
worrying hint of ash.
• The buildings are a bizarre patchwork of odd
materials, having been flash-transmuted by powerful
chaotic energies.
• Pulsing lights and flashing beacons shine between
flickering spotlights.
Sites of Interest
Anarch’s Rift - The warbling void at the center of
Genesine is an unstable portal to Kythri that opens and closes
at random. It is surrounded by several hundred feet of blasted
crater, the ground transmuted into a mind-boggling array of
random materials. When Kythri draws close to the Material
Plane, the widening rift can occasionally spit out beings from
the Churning Chaos, ranging from griffons and chimeras to
elementals and slaadi. All spells cast within 500 feet of the
rift immediately trigger a wild magic surge, and proximity to
it can result in random changes; hair color, height, breakfast
preferences and the direction of one’s feet are all potential
victims. Foolhardy explorers might be able to extract valuable
materials from the ‘ground’ around the rift, but dodging the
sections of bubbling acid and mucus carries its own dangers.
Stormtine ‘Earth’ - Vast quantities of accreted
elements were collected from the Stormtine of Earth,
refined, then sorted for smelting and transmutation in the
surrounding districts. The Stormtine is shaped like a hollow
cylindrical tower. A constant stream of glittering metals,
earth and crystal splits from Anarch’s Rift, levitating through
the sky to the top of the tower, where it freefalls down the
center. Every floor of the tower draws out specific
minerals, with the upper levels attracting the lightest
soil and sand, and the bottom levels containing vast
forges for the heavy metals and gold. With no
one left to fully shut them off, the damaged
203
 systems of the Stormtine have continued to sort and spew
them out, but many have now gained a sentience of their
own; different floors of bizarre elementals seek to embody
their concepts by warring against each other.
Stormtine ‘Sky’ - arcing bolts of electricity streak
through the sky to the grand lightning rod of Stormtine ‘Sky’.
The interior of the slender tower is packed with immense
arcane dynamos that store the constant searing energy that
strikes it. These dynamos - arcane batteries - were then
removed, stored, and sold to other nations. In practice, the
entire Stormtine is a vast tesla coil, and wandering around
within is a risky endeavor, especially after the Shattering.
Characters wearing metal armor and weaponry are at risk of
being zapped as charge builds up throughout the structure
each hour. However, on the whole, the Stormtine still
functions. Retrieving one of the arcane dynamos from within
and expending its energy while casting a spell causes that spell
to have an effect as if it was cast using a spell slot four levels
higher than it actually was. The air elementals and galvanice
weirds* within might have other plans.
Stormtine ‘Sea’ - The Stormtine of the Watershed
district was used to siphon liquids of all kinds from Kythri.
Drinking water, lava, honey, alcohol, and snake venom - all
were separated, filtered, and stored in vast reservoirs to
be put to use, with useless products dumped directly back
into Kythri through a small stable portal. Some of these
liquids were used by the protomancers in the district around
the building. These specialists in creating primordial life
fashioned the substances into living oozes. Many still remain
in the ruins of the district, and while extremely valuable (a
pet Honey Ooze is actually quite cute), the fall of Anarch’s
Rift has played havoc. Some melt their way through the ruins,
following commands from giants long-dead, while others are
still set to defend the city from attack. As such, adventurers
might have to fend off all kind of weird and wonderful
‘proteans’ to retrieve the district’s powerful transmutational
secrets. A side-effect of the Stormtine is that it siphons away
any rain hitting the city, which has helped protect it from
the elements.
The Technical Machinarium - Genesine’s campus
for research and experimentation occupies a vast swathe
of the district around the Stormtine ‘Earth’. Its
rambling halls contain libraries, workshops,
material storerooms, generators, and spaces
occupied by vast works of experimental
artifice. The destruction of the city caused
many of these to promptly
explode or backfire, creating
massive areas of collapse.
Perhaps worse, some of the
walls and floors have been
transmuted into other random
materials, ranging from worn
rubber to liquid mercury.
An enterprising group
of yuan-ti have
made their
home in the
ruins,
204204
using their natural resistance to magic to avoid its worst
dangers. They have spent many years studying Genesine
artifice, and use retro-engineered arcana to survive. The
yuan-ti are reclusive, and first settled here to find solace and
solitude, but outside threats could see them becoming allies
of the party.
Enemies & Encounters
Paraelementals - In its heyday, Genesine pulsed with
arcane currents and energies in a complex web of circuits.
The wave of chaos that hit the city center infused many of
these currents with Kythri’s unique brand of life, converting
them into elementals and mephits. Many possess more
than one element, such as blistercoil* and galvanice
weirds*, who only create chaos by converting living beings
into more ‘abstract’ forms. Others are still bound in their
channels and circuits, hoping that eventually they can
break out to wreak havoc. Perhaps the most dangerous is
the beautiful arclight phoenix* that roosts in the upper
Stormtine ‘Sky’.
Slaadi - The true incarnations of Kythri known as the
slaad are impossible to predict and dangerous in their chaos.
In the thousands of years since the Shattering, some of the
bizarre amphibian outsiders have wandered through Anarch’s
Rift, or otherwise been warped into Genesine when Kythri
draws close. In typical fashion, they do whatever they want
with no guiding purpose at all. A death slaad might greet the
party at the city gates and offer to guide them to the nearest
bakery, before tearing off its own arm and eating it. Further
slaads might be found worshiping random things, forming
efficient democracies, or brutally slaughtering each other for
any reason whatsoever.
‘Protean’ Mimics - The protomancers of Genesine
specialized in a bizarre form of magebreeding that sought
to create ‘fundamental life’ - oozes and mimics with the
potential to take any form. Their creations were often
imbued with elemental powers for use as weapons, mobile
power sources, and even living appliances. During the fall of
the city, many were set to help defend it against the dragons,
and still maintain their role.
The creation of Anarch’s Rift transmuted others along
with the central city. As a result, these oozes
can have utterly impossible forms. This
can include having a body formed of any
material, ranging from mithril, to alcohol,
to snake venom, to coal. These properties
can be replicated by changing the damage
type and immunities of an ochre jelly or black
pudding, or living spellERLW. Capturing such
an ooze alive - especially a harmless one - is an
extremely valuable prospect, and the secrets
behind protomancy would be worth fortunes
to House Vadalis. The best proteans were
designed as pets, and have the personality
of dogs. While heavily disconcerting, it is
possible to gain their trust, and bring them
out of the city as companions.
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
 Giant Culture - Cul'sir Dominion - Group of Eleven - Qabalrin - Sul'at League
Adventure Hooks
1.21 Gigaflux - The Stormtine ‘Sky’ is an immense
magical capacitor, storing the elements in vast batteries that
arc and sputter to this day. The party might be tasked with
retrieving a powered arcane dynamo from the Stormtine
for use in a grand ritual, or the creation of a powerful magic
item. Alternatively, a villain might be intending to channel
the power of the Stormtine for a feat of mass destruction,
including charging a device such as the Moonbreaker, or even
charging themselves to become like the Anarch Primes of old.
You Snooze, You Looze - A recent scouting
expedition to Genesine has set Zantashk abuzz with news;
every adventurer and prospector is talking about the claim
of one of the survivors - that a massive ooze made of living
platinum crawls through the ruins. Now, the race is on
between rival groups of treasure hunters to capture the
creature and return to Zantashk, earning themselves the
fortune of a lifetime. But Genesine is a dangerous ruin,
and the path to the city leads through jungle and up into
Tempest’s Spine. Only the toughest will be able to survive.
After all, this news was brought back by survivors.
Through the Fire and Flames -The
Thundermount looms over Dread Lake, its eruptions
spewing ash for hundreds of miles around. The biggest
volcano in the Tempest’s Spine lies within a powerful Kythri
manifest zone that spurs its eruptions, but now something is
changing. The eruptions are becoming ever more powerful,
and the druids of the Thundermount believe that Genesine
is the cause. The chaotic energies of Anarch’s Rift are
intensifying the manifest zone, and soon the volcano will
erupt in a final cataclysmic explosion, threatening Bazek
Mohl and Zantashk alike. It’s up to the party to journey to the
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
Genesis Twins, and seek out a way to close Anarch’s Rift once
and for all.
Legacy: Protomancy
One of the specialist schools of magic in the Genesis Twins
involved inducing and manipulating base life in the form of
oozes and mimics. These were used as malleable tools, toys,
and threats. Broader technology relied on the simple principle
of taking raw chaos and filtering it into usable power.
Arcane dynamos are the result. The entire city of Genesine is
constructed to be one, and a hundred smaller dynamos across
the city translate the elements into other usable outputs. The
Genesine giants often carried smaller dynamos to assist with
daily work, and protect from any mishaps.
Magic Items:
• Arcane Dynamo - Wondroud Item, Rare - These
characteristic arcane batteries store and convert one
form of energy to another, temporarily empowering
their wielder.
• Fluxwhip - Weapon, Rare - An elastic whip that can
change properties, altering its damage, reach, and
elastic ability.
• Saddle of Ooze Riding - Wondrous Item, Rare - Once
a giant child's toy, this saddle can be attached to oozes,
allowing them to be ridden as friendly (and fast) mounts.
Spells:
• Awaken Mimic - 3rd - Induce life into an inanimate
object, converting it temporarily into a mimic friendly to
the caster and their allies.
• Ooze Form - 3rd -Alter the form of a willing creature to
an ooze-like state, allowing them to squeeze through
tight spaces and resist acid and poison.
205
 Legacy: The City of Conflux
Genesine’s younger sister was built within the churning
chaos of Kythri, and thus spared from Argonnessen’s fury.
The giants of Conflux were all but cut off from the Material
Plane when Anarch’s Rift collapsed, severing their source
of supplies and refuge. As a result, they were forced to fully
rely on Kythri to sustain themselves while searching for a
way to return home. Their ultimate goal is to repair Anarch’s
Rift and return to their kin in Genesine. Due to Kythri’s
chaotic flow of time, the Fluxborn do not know much time
has passed since they were cut off; to them, it may have been
a million ages since they last saw the Material - or a mere
handful of years in which they have struggled to save their
kin from the ruin brought on by the dragons.
Conflux itself is a city built with impermanence in mind.
The Genesine were keenly aware that what they built would
always be changed in some way by Kythri. As such, the city is
built from lightweight wood in stable, blocky shapes, so that
if something collapses (due to being changed into cotton) it
will cause minimal damage.
Modern Conflux
Since the collapse, the Fluxborn have begun capturing and
farming the beasts of Kythri’s outer islands for food. They
send out regular expeditions to track nearby shifting islands,
recording their current state; when one changes into a useful
environment or material, they are harvested by work-squads
of giants before they can change once again.
Occasionally, events such as Kythri becoming coterminous
will allow a brief window in which giants can travel through
Anarch’s Rift. These sacrificed heroes are given the task of
repairing the damage, restoring their people’s link to the
Material. Due to the chaotic timeflow of Kythri, it is assumed
that these giants will never return, nor see their home in
Conflux again. Every life is that little bit of progress towards
repairing the problem, and a sacrifice worth making. Due to
the chaotic flow of time in Kythri, the point at which they
emerge into the timestream of the Material is random - as is
the relative amount of time that Conflux has lasted in Kythri.
These fluxborn giants (while visually bizarre) can be allies or
enemies of the party; a party seeking to repair Anarch’s Rift
will find no greater help, while one seeking to raid the ruins
might be attacked by fluxborn giants to prevent them causing
further damage.
d4 Relative Time Passed Since Shattering
1 1 year
2 100 years
3 10,000 years
4 1,000,000 years
City Conversion
Genesine is a dangerous mess of arcane wreckage, and
fixing it is a monumental task. There are two very different
peoples with the guts to attempt it - the Arcanissa yuan-ti,
and the giants of Conflux. The yuan-ti are far more
likely to attempt to break down and disassemble the
mechanical hazards, then rebuild them into useful
works. In contrast, the fluxborn see Genesine
as their lost birthright. As such, they have
206206
the will and the knowledge to fix the city, restoring it to
its former glory. These two approaches would lead to very
different results. In the former, Genesine would be less
magical, but ‘defused’ and safe. In the latter, it would once
again become a dangerous hub for chaotic magic - and a
prime target for the Ten Watchers to destroy.
Loot Examples
Common/Trinket - Locks of TrickeryXGE produced in
the forges of the Technical Machination used Kythri’s
1 chaos to thwart burglars. Every lock chaotically
rearranges itself in real time, requiring a ridiculously
matching key to open.
Common/Trinket - Genesine ShiftweaveERLW was worn
by many of its giants, and usually switched between
work overalls and more decorative fashion. What
2 unites the clothing is the fact that they’re actually
subsentient oozes that morph into shape. Many have
been materially transmuted into tartan paint, in their
unshifted forms.
Uncommon - Bags of Tricks (a popular children’s
toy) actually pull animals out of Kythri through an
3 instantaneous summoning portal. Having the animals
battle against each other kept many giant kids
occupied for hours.
Uncommon - Fluxborn giants harvesting Kythri’s
bounties often wore Necklaces of Adaptation. The
4 plane’s air doesn’t always feel like being air, and
a sudden change to gaseous acid can leave one
somewhat short of breath.
Rare - The head researchers of the Storm Tines noted
down experimental results in Fulminating TreatisesTCoE,
5 each packed to the brim with methods of shaping
magic. The evocation spells within might be entirely
unknown to the mages of Khorvaire.
Rare - Spare power from the Stormtine ‘Sky’ was
often stored in small beads at high concentrations.
Breaking one releases the held energy in a dangerous
6 explosion. These were sold as munitions in the form of
Necklaces of Fireballs, with the explosions marketed as
an upside, not an accidental danger.
Very Rare - This Genesine Staff of Thunder &
Lightning contains a manifest shard attuned to Kythri
with an array of arcane capacitors; it regains charges
7
by directly harnessing the storms of the Churning
Chaos itself.
Legendary - Perhaps the most infamous creation of
the protomancers is Sovereign Glue - so called because
only the Sovereigns themselves can remove it. The
8 glue itself is so sticky because it’s actually alive - an
ultra-adhesive ooze transmuted to the pinnacle of
glue, likely due to a dare. It acts as a testament to the
effect that exposure to Kythri can have on a sane mind.
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
LAMANnia
Esht Primacy
"See that harpoon? Must be 20 feet long."
"Well yeah - they were giants. Why wouldn’t it be."
"No, that’s not what I mean; what do you need to kill
with a spear that big?"
I'm sure whatever it - run. RUN."
Esht Primacy faced off against the
T
he
trials of Lamannia, the Twilight Forest.
Their druids and hunters were united
in worship of the god Banor, the Bloody
Spear, with a very simple creed - as
shown by nature, it’s the right of the
strong to prey on the weak. Their divine mandate to tame,
conquer, and hunt led them to battle endlessly against the
infinite plane of nature, evolving them into consummate
trackers. The Primacy specialized in asserting their will over
the forces of the wild; massive beasts were magebred and used
for labor, while plants and crops were rapidly grown through
a mix of primal and divine command.
The Giants of Eshtarnak were planar genasi, soaked in
elemental influence from the varied layers of Lamannia.
As a result, every type of elemental giant could be found
among their numbers. Family lines with suitable resistances
specialized in specific layers of Lamannia; fire and stone
giants braved the volcanic Broken Lands for rare ores and
metals, while storm giants hauled colossal whales out of the
Endless Ocean. As a whole, the Primacy supplied the Group
of Eleven with vast amounts of raw materials, fueling their
magical enterprise and expansion.
Every resistance that Lamannia posed was greeted as the
way of things, and the more the giants pressed into the plane,
the more they reveled in reaching the raw beauty and thrill
of nature. The roots of the Primacy lie in the druid lords of
the early Age of Giants; while the other nations took on the
gifts of Ourelon and abandoned the old ways, the Esht giants
maintained their ancient primal traditions, and bolstered
their druidry with Lamannian magic. As such, the nation was
old even at the time when the Group of Eleven was founded.
Pulp Scenes
• Sneak past a sleeping dragon within a tower carved from
an immense rib to steal gold bars
• Climb onto the back of a rampaging superbear the size of
an airship to deal the killing blow
• Scale a vast spine several miles long to reclaim an ancient
magic spear, all without falling to the distant city below.
• Sit on the throne of an ancient titan amidst piles of
massive dragon bones
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
Summary: Esht primacy
Magic: Primal Dominionist
Titan: Kand'ari the Apex
Capital: Eshtarnak
Location: North-Eastern Bluespine Peaks
Exports: Beasts, Raw Materials, Rare Woods
Titan: Kand'ari, the Apex
The unrivaled leader of the Esht was the titan Kand'ari,
bestowed with the name Apex by her kin. An aasimar of
Banor, the frost giant ascended by slaying the Lamannian
totem polar bear, then consuming its flesh and blood in
honor of its strength - a feat that transformed her into a
Titan werebear. The Apex was the only titan to rule against
her own will; left to her own devices, she would have roamed
the Twilight Forest. Instead, the Esht held so much respect
for her that they simply wouldn’t accept anyone else on the
throne. The Primacy is far removed from active political
borders and was content to support the Group of Eleven
from behind - with their terrifying titan acting as a silent
promise to the Cul’sir and Sul’at giants.
In battle, the Apex was a brutal whirlwind, mixing mastery
of the spear with powerful primal magic. The sheer magic
potency of her Totem-infused blood was enough to affect the
land around her, causing plants to rapidly grow and bend to
her will. Perhaps the most fearsome aspect of Kand’ari was
her method of hunting like an ambush predator. Unlike the
roaring giants of Hekaton, the Apex was a master of stealth
belied by her giant form. The fate of the Titan is unknown,
but the dragon bones around the Apex Throne tell a story.
It’s not often that the prey comes to you to be hunted. It is
possible that she retreated back into the Twilight Forest, and
still roams the plane to this day, but few mortals have delved
far enough to know for certain.
Nature's Bounty
Their expertise in the layers of Lamannia led the Esht to
harvest vast amounts of resources, from rare infused woods
to immense hauls of iron and gold. With the expanding
empires of Xen'drik competing for natural resources, this
limitless (though dangerous) supply put the Eshtarn at
the heart of the Group of Eleven, fueling the industries of
their peers. For their part, the Eshtarn had little interest in
politics or land, so long as they received new weaponry and
magic in return.
This ambivalence resulted in steady trade with the
Sul’at League, in opposition to many of the other
Eleven, who sought to curb the power of their
political rivals. In exchange for bound elementals
captured from the heart of the Forest, the
207
 Sul’at supplied the Esht with the means to use them - as
well as magebred beasts to tame and hunt. This relationship
sustained the vast foundries of the League, allowing them to
continue their research via limitless consumption.
Rapid Growth. Alongside planar resources, the Esht
also cultivated vast plantations of Lamannian flora, and
ranches of magebred beasts. Their manifest anchors induced
rapid plant growth, allowing them to harvest a year’s worth
of crops in weeks. This rapid production fed much of the
Group of Eleven alongside the city of Ukargo, allowing them
to expand without fear of running out of food. Nothing is
greater than a giant’s appetite. More specialized plantations
grew priceless planar lumber such as bronzewood, livewood
and soarwood. Bronzewood weaponry and armor were
often passed down through Eshtarnak’s Packs, and carved
individually with the stories of successful hunts.
Capital: Eshtarnak
Primacy myths tell of a time when the boundary to the
Twilight Forest grew thin, and a scaled behemoth the size
of mountains forced its way into Xen’drik. Without the
dragons’ gifts, the giants of old fled as their cities were laid to
waste. A single hunter stepped forth, blessed by Banor’s gifts,
and set out to slay it. In the titanic struggle that followed,
the hunter drove his spear into the beast’s heart in the same
instant it slew him. When the beast finally collapsed, its
corpse towered over the landscape - a monument to the
might of nature. The giants that settled there paid homage to
the blessed hunter, but they named their city after the battle’s
victor - the beast.
Now, Eshtarn’s ancient bones tower over the nation that
took its name - a primal metropolis of hunter and prey.
The city’s skyline is dominated by the Spine - an arc of bone
several miles in length. Generations of giants have tied
hunting trophies to the Spine in veneration of Banor, which
hang in the wind far above the city. Beneath, Eshtarnak
sprawls in the valley left behind by the behemoth’s body.
Immense ribs (even by giant standards) rise like spear-points
between buildings of granite and bone. These remnants of
Eshtarn radiate the primal power of Lamannia, forming a
manifest zone that strengthens druidic magic. Each is carved
with thousands of names - the proof of successful hunts.
Pack Lairs. The four largest ribs have been carved into
fortresses held by the major Packs of Eshtarnark, each a
line of elemental Genasi. These spires divide the city into
quadrants, with each focusing on the layers of Lamannia
suitable for its Pack. At the end of the valley, Eshtarn’s
208
208208
immense skull lies fallen, its jaws open towards the city.
Within lies the Apex Throne, overlooking the territory
of its ruler and surrounded by the traces of a hundred
slain dragons.
Over time, the stone streets of Eshtarnak have become
choked by vegetation. Plants spilling through from planar
portals have created an odd medley of growth that has
gradually cracked buildings and settled roots. As such,
navigating the city can feel like carving through a tropical
jungle, despite its boreal location. The manifest zone has
exacerbated this further, and truly massive trees rise between
the buildings - or sometimes directly out of them.
Sites of Interest
The Evolutionary - this complex at the heart of the
city was the center for magebreeding and zoological research
in Eshtarnak. Primal beasts still lair within its halls, which
contain magical techniques and primal spells to make House
Vadalis weep. Unlike the Sul’at League, the Esht focused on
empowering and enhancing animals using Lamannian primal
magic. Increased size, speed, and ferocity were all prized
traits - and when you’re a giant, ‘increased size’ has a very
different meaning.
The Spine - Eshtarn’s backbone spans the entire valley,
and is visible for miles around. Climbing the Spine is easy
at first, but the ancient bone has been worn smooth by
centuries of boreal rain. The higher one climbs, the grander
the trophies that hang from it become; rare parts from beasts,
blessed weapons and magic items are all tempting prizes for
those with no fear of heights. Slipping from the upper arch of
the spine gives one plenty of time for regret before meeting
the ground below.
The Apex Throne - Kand’ari’s throne commands
dazzling views over Eshtarnak. Built from a patchwork of
ivory and bronzewood, the Throne is an eldritch machine
that can imbue the one seated upon it with the effects of
either investiture of stone, flame, ice or windXGE until the end
of their next long rest. Anyone attempting to do so who
cannot cast any spells on the druid or ranger spell lists must
succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or be turned
into a genasi of the spell’s element. This transformation is
permanent, but can be removed by spells such as remove curse
and greater restoration. Ancient weathered bones surround the
Throne as a legacy of its titan. These draconic remnants are
covered in plants and vibrant moss.
Catafor’s Spire - This towering fortress is carved
from one of Eshtarn’s ribs, and served as the seat of Pack
Catafor. The fire giants* of Catafor served as miners,
delvers and elemental tamers, especially in Lamannia’s
Broken Lands. Rather than binding elementals, they spoke
to them directly, using primal magic to bind them to the
Primacy’s will. Their fortress contains stockpiles of rare
metals taken from the layer, including gold ingots the size
of rail carriages. Unfortunately for explorers, it’s also the
lair of the rogue adult gold dragon Bane-Reth, who
despises mortal beings he sees as ‘inferior’.
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
 Vallarc’s Spire - The spine of Pack Vallarc radiates a
permanent chill. The frost giants* of the line were polar
hunters, and the kin of the Titan Kand’ari. The halls of
their fortress are bedecked in remorhaz scales, the heads
of frost salamanders, and other macabre trophies. Several
frost giants currently dwell within the Spire out of fear
of Bane-Reth; they would do anything to rid the dragon
from their ancestral home, and carve their names into the
bones of Eshtarn.
Rowa’s Altar - Esht prayers to the goddess of nature
were held in this ancient grove of trees at the heart of the
city. The plants around the altar are immense and vibrant,
enchanted by the manifest zone and the druidry of the giants.
The area is enchanted as a druid’s grove, with 4 guardian trees
that awaken in response to unnatural undead, fiends, or
aberrations. Creatures who take a long rest within the grove
regain all of their hit dice, and lose two levels of exhaustion
instead of one.
Enemies & Encounters
Megafauna - The Esht captured, trained, and traded
beasts from Lamannia that were large by the standards of
the giants. To the people of Khorvaire, these megafauna are
terrifying and intelligent predators. Many still live in the
regions around Eshtarnak, or lair within the city’s buildings.
One such example is the awakened roc known as Kraa’ark
Lors* which poses a danger to the city of Stormreach. The
party may have to sneak past or fight these animals - but
awakened megafauna might simply wish to talk. Adventurers
claiming to have slain Bane-Reth at the request of a giant
red panda can certainly get a spot in the Sharn broadsheets.
Beyond massive animals, any kind of normal animal might
find its way into the city through its manifest zone, or planar
portals - including those from layers of Lamannia unrelated
to Eshtarnak’s environment. More than one explorer has seen
a very confused mammoth wandering the nearby forests.
Elementals - Eshtarnak’s portals to Lamannia are
mostly closed, having been damaged during the Shattering.
However, some remain permanently open, or flare and flicker
Kand'ari was my polar opposite. I in the
west, she the east. I used smarts, she
used instinct. I coddled my children and
taught them; she threw them to the wilds
so they taught themselves. I was plain
and willowy; she was fierce and -
Well. Enough of that.
CHAPTER 457 | ANCIENT
XEN'DRIKKINGDOMS
EMPIRES
BESTIARY
when Lamannia draws close to the Material. This allows
elementals from across its planar layers to enter the city.
Lamannia contains elementals of all kinds, from mephits
to elder tempests. As such, adventurers might come across
literally any type of elemental, many of which may attempt to
‘carry out their nature’ by crushing or burning them to ash.
Dragons - The adult gold dragon Bane-Reth lairs
in the ruins of Eshtarnak, claiming its treasures as his own.
As long as he lairs within Catafor’s Spire, no other groups
can safely live in the ruins. The beliefs of the Esht giants
have only reinforced his arrogance; as far as Bane-Reth is
concerned, brutally preying on other beings is a Thir path
to becoming Balinor in the afterlife. Whether those beings
scream or beg for mercy is not nature’s concern. Recently, he
may have met his match, for the silver dragon Ketheptis the
One-Eyed Crone* has her gaze on the city. The territorial
dispute between the two dragons would be brutal, and
the Crone’s half-dragon frost giant* children relish the
challenge. Intruders to Eshtarnak who catch Bane-Reth’s eye
might be captured to use against Ketheptis.
Adventure Hooks
All That Glitters - The vile gold dragon Bane-Reth
lairs in Catafor’s Spire between vast stockpiles of gold and
platinum bars. Whoever can sneak into the Spire, bypass
its fiery defenses, and slay the dragon will be rich beyond
their wildest dreams. Of course, Bane-Reth and his stolen
elemental tools have other ideas…
Spine of the World - A bestial threat such as
Lurking Two-Maws* or Kraa’ark Lors* is threatening
the destruction of Stormreach. The Guardians of Rusheme
believe that only the blessed weapon of an Esht hunter can
take the creature down. To retrieve it, the party must scale
the giant spine of Eshtarn and retrieve the weapon - without
slipping a thousand feet of freefall to the city below.
Soaring Profit - House Lyrandar’s airships are held at
the mercy of the expensive Aereni soarwood needed for their
209
 production. The party is tasked by the House’s representative
in Stormreach with exploring a potential lead. Namely, the
fact that giant technology is fueling the growth of soarwood
in the temperate south. If the party can bring back the secrets
of the soarwood groves, they’ll be repaid beyond their wildest
dreams - and usher in a new age of flight for Khorvaire.
Natural Selection - Magebred monstrosities still
stalk the halls of the Evolutionary - the magebreeding facility
of Eshtarnak. The reclusive Tyris d’Vadalis of Stormreach
has hired the party to raid the complex and retrieve any and
all research related to magebreeding techniques. Reaching
Eshtarnak is one thing - but avoiding the hypernatural
predators of the Evolutionary is another thing altogether.
Legacy - Primal Dominion
The Primacy relied on tamed beasts for manual labor,
hunting, and defense. These primal creatures were infused
with the magic of Lamannia, bestowing with them increased
size, intelligence, and vitality. While this was often done
using magebreeding, the Esht created Dominance Collars*
for Giants who wanted to empower unique personal pets. A
Dominance Collar is not named for any control it grants, but
as a signifier of its user’s position. A fool who strengthens
his prized pet without properly taming it first soon finds
themselves the prey, not the predator. Each is made from
planar leather, with unique designs based on the Pack and the
intended animal. Hand-sewn pet names are a common motif.
Magic Item:
• Dominance Collar - Wondrous Item, Rare - This
oversized collar is worn by a familiar or animal
companion, and empowers them with resistance to
magical effects and the ability to grow in size.
Lamannian Materials:
Rare Lamannian trees were grown in plantations by the Esht
for their valuable properties. Stockpiles of their specially
treated lumber can still be found in certain locations around
the city, especially in the workshops of Ehlonna’s Spire. Each
material grants different benefits if crafted into weapons and
armor, which become innately magical. This can be done
during long rests by a character proficient in carpenter’s tools,
or a different skill or tool that they can reasonably justify
using. To carve the item, the character must succeed on
three cumulative DC 18 Dexterity or Intelligence (carpenter’s
tools) checks. Optionally, if they instead fail three times
before doing so, the materials are lost. Items made from
the following materials can also be used as thematic loot in
Eshtarnak, or as the tools and arms of Xen’drik communities.
All armor and weaponry made from Lamannian lumber
are immune to effects that would corrode or heat metal. They
have the following additional properties:
Bronzewood. Armor made from treated bronzewood does
not cause disadvantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks.
Livewood. A character wearing treated livewood armor
who takes radiant damage reduces that damage by 3.
Rotwood. A character wearing armor made from
treated rotwood who takes necrotic damage reduces
that damage by 3.
210210
Soarwood. Armor and weapons made from treated
soarwood weigh half as much as normal. Soarwood weapons
lack the Heavy property, while soarwood armor lacks a
Strength requirement to be worn effectively.
Charwood. Armor and weapons made from charwood
cannot be set on fire. A character wearing charwood armor is
similarly immune, and is unaffected by extreme cold.
Frostwood. A character wearing armor made from
frostwood is immune to the effects of extreme heat.
Loot Examples
Common/Trinket - Esht hunters often took
1 emergency Beads of NourishmentXGE with them on
extended hunting trips, in case the worst came to pass.
Common/Trinket - This scrimshawed ivory coin is
2 carved with various beasts in simple linework; touching
one causes it to produce the sound of its cry or roar.
Uncommon - Lamannia covers the whole range of
natural environments, including icy wastes. Esht giants
3 heading into the plain, or tracking megafauna in the
Iceflow Sea, would never leave without a trusty pair of
Boots of the Winterlands.
Uncommon - Pack Ehlonna crafted quivers blessed by
Banor to hold every weapon needed for a hunt. These
4 Quivers of Ehlonna were decorated with trophies as
marks of pride, and may still lie within the clan’s Spire.
Rare - Figurines of Wondrous Power were carved as
5 children’s toys, imbued with magic in a facsimile of life.
The most popular were Griffons and Elephants.
Rare - Accomplished hunters carved personal Horns
of Blasting from slain behemoths. When blown, they
6 thunder with the spirit of the massive beast. They're
also great for holding mead.
Very Rare - Strength and power are the hallmark of
dominance. Rangers with a true bond to their primal
7 companions often created Belts of Frost Giant Strength
for their beasts to wear - a sign of respect and gratitude
to their partners in the hunt.
Legendary - The first Blood Fury TattooTCoE was seared
into the skin of Kand’ari by the Totem polar bear's
blood. They were Banor's mark; the undisputable
8
trophy of an apex hunter. These tattoos use the pure
blood of Lamannian behemoths over ink, and their
effect in battle is terrifying to behold.
City Conversion
As the Group of Eleven goes, Eshtarnak is far easier to restore
than many of its contemporaries. If not for the terrifying
beasts that live within the ruins, they would actually be
relatively safe. As a result, settling the city requires two
simple but difficult things. The first is to slay or drive off
the dragon Bane-Reth from Catafor’s Spire. The second is
to learn to either live in harmony with the beasts of the city,
or use the Primacy’s magical birthright to command them
by force. The most likely people to do such a thing would
be the firbolgs of eastern Xen’drik, who have an innate
ability to communicate with animals. Goliaths descended
from the Eshtarn might also retain their primal traditions,
especially the Thunderwall’s Blood of Kanda. The Blood
hunt underwater dragons in the Dark Sea, and could easily
be tempted to attack Bane-Reth and reclaim the city that was
once theirs with any local giants with aspirations of revenge.
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
 Ix Il'ar
Risia

In Ix Il’ar, the snow never falls. The show never stops.
The lives never end.
...and the souls never rest.
Dowron’s Bay, the snow lies frozen in
Summary: Ix Il'ar
Magic: Risian Necromancy, Simulacra
Titan: Il’ara the Eternal
Capital: Il’ar, City of Gossamer
Location: Dowron’s Bay, east of the Scimitar Spires
Specialties: Simulacrum Servants, Art, Incarceration

I
n
mid-air - a glittering galaxy that hangs
above the port city of Il'ar. This is the • Dodge the icy traps of the tower of Ix Gossamer. In the
Content Warning: Loss of Autonomy for the Dead

ancient kingdom of the Titan Il’ara, dizzying heights above lie ancient libraries of forgotten
archarcanist of Risia and Regent of lore, preserved by Risian magic.
Amber. The city is sculpted from waves
of ice, carved and shaped into intricate towers and floating Titan: Archarcanist Il'ara
bridges. Immense statues of coloured ice dance through
The archarcanist of Risia was the matriarch of a city-state,
the streets like marionettes, honoring the tides and the
giving rise to the nation that bore her name. The first to
movement of the stars. This a city of ghosts, and nothing
transform herself into a frost giant, Il’ara led her clan to settle
remains but ancient constructs and the hushed prayers of the
a nation below the Scimitar Spires. There, the wizard became
dead.
the Archarcanist, developing new ways of harnessing the
The frost giants of Ix Il’ar specialized in Risian planar
power of a plane seen as unusable. Biological immortality, the
magic, which they perfected into necromancy and the
crafting of simulacra, and the shaping of Risian amber all bear
crafting of simulacra. The manifest zone surrounding the
her mark. Unlike many of her peers, Il’ara’s power is derived
city places living beings in a form of stasis, slowing biological
purely from arcane science. Her intelligence and mastery of
functions and the process of aging; by channeling the plane
magic allowed Ix Il’ar to function, with her feats of epic magic
of ice, the giants were able to place their bodies under
putting her on par with the other Titans of the Eleven.
timeless preservation - along with prisoners and criminals
Risian Retreat. To this day, the Archanist continues
from other nations. By copying the manifestations of Risia’s
her work within Risia itself, using ancient methods to stave
Killing Cold, they created their own simulacra out of snow,
off the Killing Cold. She resides in the fortress of Winter,
which maintained the city and served their giant masters.
served by dwarves and her giant descendants. The people
By freezing their bodies, the giants were capable of freeing
of Ix Il’ar don’t know the secret behind these dwarves, and
their souls and taking command of the simulacra for war -
whether Il’ara created them from nothing, or drew them
and artistry.
from the Material. After millennia of wonders, this is just
With extended lifespans and relative isolation, the giants
another of the Amber Regent’s spells.
of Amberlight became artists to fill the centuries. Sculptors
The ultimate goal of Il’ara within Risia is known only to
carved intricate simulacra to mirror beasts and mythical
her. It may be that she has been plotting the return of the
figures. Musicians played melodies on crystal instruments to
Il’ari for thousands of years, letting her kin scatter across
glittering frozen ballerinas. Arcane artists combined water
the Plain of Ice to grow strong in preparation. It could be
and ice into flowing kinetic displays that caught the light of
that after 30,000 years of the Age of Giants, the titan is
the setting sun. When Il’ara heard of the draconic assault,
simply tired of life, but wishes to support her children still.
she led her children into the Plain of Ice, seeking sanctuary
As a result, Il’ara can be both an ambitious antagonist, and a
in its isolation. With no time to spare, the frozen prisons and
knowledgeable resource for the players - a living library of
wandering simulacra were left behind, awaiting their return -
the Age of Giants in a cold and unforgiving locale.
and the dragons left a warden of their own.

Pulp Scenes Cold Storage

More than ice and snow, Risia is the plane of stagnation and
• Dodge the scything arms of a crystalline ballerina
preservation. Things left there remain forever - including
howling with the fury of the soul trapped inside it.
people. The children of Il’ara utilized this simple power
Behind it lies the prison of Amber Lock - and the last
to great effect. Manifest Anchors* covered the city of
hope for Xen’drik.
Il’ar with the Stillness of Flesh property of Risia,
• Explore frozen crypts containing rows of meditating
rendering the frost giants immortal. Their mages
giant bodies in search of the right one to revive - if they
applied this industrially, operating the Amber
are still sane.
Lock - an international high-security prison

CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES

211
 for criminals from across Xen’drik. Offenders too important
or dangerous to die were sealed within preserving resin and
frozen, with the Risian manifest zone preventing them from
ever dying.
By replicating the animating power of the Killing Cold, the
Titan Il’ara created the first autonomous simulacra. Traveling
Il’ari crafted and sold intricate simulacra out of snow and ice
to serve giant masters across Xen’drik. These aesthetic works
were each unique, and carved in the shape of flowing kinetic
animals and figures from history. These snow dancers served
the immortal giants of Ix Il’ar - just one of the many artistic
pursuits of the giants to fill their infinite lives.
Il’ara’s exploration of Risian magic also gave rise to
a different speciality. Il’aran necromancy focused on
annulling rot and decay, preserving the body for all time.
Any of her children feeling the weight of their lifespans
were free to enter deep crypts beneath the city; there, they
lay in stasis, their souls free to leave their body as a form
of astral projection. Many giants did so for centuries at a
time, possessing snow dancers in defense of the city - or
operating them as mobile instruments of artistry and music.
Adventurers often find it odd that some snow dancers are
carved as ballerinas, or appear to ring like wind chimes as
they move. In truth, these were once living masterpieces.
Now, they are remnants of what was lost.
Capital: Il'ar
The porcelain city of Il’ar lies on the coast of the Iceflow Sea.
The port surrounds Dowron’s Bay in a loose horseshoe, with
the core of the city located to the north. There, the massive
tower of Ix Gossamer rises, surrounded by the public centers
of the Il’ari. Open plazas, concert halls and workshops cluster
around frozen statuary, neighborhoods changing to houses
and memorials towards the city limits. The many crossroads
of the city have unique pieces of art donated by its people.
Kinetic sculptures of ice mix with haunting harmonic
instruments and animate snow dancers. Canals heading to
the Iceflow lace the city, crossing beneath snowy bridges and
aqueducts; in the days of old, frost giants in a hurry would
simply skate down them, freezing the water beneath their
feet on contact. Some of them rise into the sky between the
towers, acting as aerial highways for those in a hurry.
Ice Palaces. The Il’ari buildings themselves are works of
art. Their balustrades and porticos are formed from sinuous
ice inlaid with flowing patterns of pine and amber. These
were not built, but frozen into place, with Il’ari cryomancers
shaping water into entire buildings at a time. Many are
now bizarrely abstract, having been melted by fire, acid and
lightning during the Shattering. Some of their most striking
features are the windows, with massive panes of crystal ice
forming entire walls several storeys high. Others have roofs
with filigreed channels down which water flows, falling
between storeys and into the canals for atmosphere. Pine
gardens are common, with some giants cultivating their own
massive ‘bonsai’ trees that have since run wild.
212212
Sites of Interest
Amber Lock - Ix Il’ar’s beauty hides one of its most
important functions in the Group of Eleven - as an
unbreakable jail for the worst criminals in Xen’drik’s history.
The Amber Lock is a prison where the inmates are rendered
unconscious, then frozen in coffins of Risian amber. There
they lie for eternity, watched by snow dancer guards and
ancient security systems. The only beings kept in such a state
are those too difficult to kill, or those so important they must
stay alive. This includes dangerous demi-Titans who sought
to usurp thrones, Qabalrin vampires who gorged on souls,
and fiendish cultists empowered by overlords. After so many
centuries, it is possible that the wards on the Amber Lock are
fading - and any number of ancient foes might be emerging
from the permafrost.
Cotillion Plaza - the central square of Amberlight is
permanently covered in a layer of snow. Entering the plaza
causes it to animate, fluttering into the air as thousands
of butterflies or wheeling flocks of seabirds. The display
is unearthly, beautiful, and visible across the city - which
rapidly draws vengeful undead and marauding simulacra to
converge there.
The Crypt Everlasting - Rows of ancient giants
slumber within the Crypt Everlasting. The frigid catacombs
lie beneath the city streets. Any Il’ari who grew disillusioned
with their limitless lifespans sat down in the crypt, which is
filled with the channeled effects of Risia; upon falling asleep,
the giants became encased in a layer of rime, preserving
them for eternity. Other giants used the Crypts to preserve
themselves while piloting snow dancers, their souls taking
command while their bodies remained safe.
Snowdance Hall - Many of the eternal Il’ari spent
their time pursuing artistry. Their concertos and displays
were held with pride in the vast theater of Snowdance Hall.
Intricate illusions cover the entire interior. When activated,
they completely hide the walls of the Hall, displaying
realistic landscapes from across the world. The display
includes sounds and smells, and would make House Phiarlan
cry for joy.
Ix Gossamer - The Archarcanist’s tower soars over
the port of Il’ar. From her lofty heights, the Amber Regent
kept watch over her children and the countless simulacra
patrolling the city. The floors hold arcane laboratories,
snowforges and libraries of lore, as well as countless records
of the layers of Risia. The security systems of the tower are
designed to flash-freeze intruders in Risian ice, and many
unfortunate ‘statues’ remain. The middle layers of the tower
are accessible via a massive hole in the outer wall, created
by Argonnessen’s initial assault, with a massive flash-frozen
green dragon still visible within as a reminder..
Ambience
• The keening wind howls and whistles through the
streets. Some of the howls come from other sources.
• The air is crisp and fresh; it cuts with its purity.
• The buildings appear carved from solid blocks of ice
in intricately crystalline patterns; between them, the
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
 snowflakes hang in mid-air, as though frozen in place to defrost - and with their ancient enemies now dead to the
while falling. dragons, the whole of Xen’drik is theirs for the taking.
• Light sources reflect off the icy streets and crystal
buildings like a thousand shining mirrors. The Last of the Titans - Archarcanist Il’ara is a living
library of Xen’drik’s history. She was there at the founding
Enemies & Encounters of Ix Il’ar, and there to see the dragon flights sweeping in
over the horizon. When an ancient threat is unleashed on
Constructs - The Il’ari had little time to prepare when Xen’drik, the method of defeating them might be found in
the clarion calls were raised. Their autonomous works of only one place - the library of Il’ara’s Winter fortress, deep in
art waltzing through the city were turned as one towards the plane of Risia itself. To reach it, the party must venture to
defense, as the Archarcanist opened the path to Risia. For the city of Il’ar and activate a planar gate to the fortress - but
thousands of years, these snow dancers have defended the doing so is likely to draw unwanted attention from the city’s
city against any perceived intruders or threats, awaiting the current residents…
return of their ancient masters. The dragons found the city
of Il’ar nearly empty except for these constructs, and while
many were destroyed in the brief assault, they saw little gain
Lock and Key - Xen’drik is rife with immortal threats,
in attacking a silent city. Instead, it has fallen to the Ten from the Ecliptic King of the Qabalrin to the Fire Prince
Watchers to monitor signs of Il’ara’s return. Adaxus. The only way to defeat a villain who cannot be
killed is to imprison them forever - and the key to doing so
lies within Il’ar’s Amber Lock. To retrieve it, the party must
Undead - Not all of the Il’ari made it through to Risia.
delve into the ancient prison, avoiding the monsters that lurk
Those who died defending the city, or never made it to
within - and then activate the device in a confrontation with
the Regent’s portals, have become wandering ethereal
their nemesis.
undead. Their frozen souls wander in search of revenge
and companionship as giant ghosts and banshees. Many
originate from giants who piloted snow dancers; when they
sent their souls to take control of the constructs, their bodies
were destroyed by draconic spells. With no form to return to,
they are trapped as wandering spirits, and often possess snow
dancers to attack intruders - or hunger for life as will-o-
wisps that deal cold damage. The most dangerous undead are
formed by multiple manic souls bonding together in search
of companionship. Coldlight pyres* glow with icy radiance,
and explorers would do best to avoid them, lest their own
souls be pulled into the mass. Over the years, other ghosts
have joined the legion from giants and looters who sought to
raid the city, especially as a result of vile bheur hags formed
from the very tales told in legend about the place.

Dragons - Ix Il’ar is one of Argonnessen’s major

concerns in Xen’drik, due to the possibility that its Titan
might return. Historically, the White Watcher has kept
a keen eye on the city, ensuring that nothing disturbs
the frozen tomb. Recently, the adult white dragon
Strapherakos has faced a new threat - the advance scouts of
the Unity of Riedra. From his cavern lair high in the Scimitar
Spires, the dragon has a perfect view of the city, and often
flies out to drive off intruders. The first human soldiers
were an easy fight. The strength of the Chosen who followed
them has left him reeling. The Watcher cannot betray his
duty by allowing them into the city, but these mortals are
powerful opponents. Adventurers in Ix Il’ar may stumble
upon the dragon, who will assume that they are allies of the
Unity - but a tentative alliance might just be struck.

Adventure Hooks
Rogue’s Gallery - 30,000 years of dangerous criminals
lie still within the Amber Lock. Each is sealed in a solid block
of transparent amber, trapped in unconsciousness by Risian
magic. The inmates include dangerous overlord cultists,
psychopathic demi-titans, and ancient Qabalrin vampires.
Unfortunately for the party, some of them are beginning

CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES

213
 Legacy - Cryomancy
Snow Dancers are glittering simulacra that defend and serve
Ix Il’ar. Each is an aesthetic masterpiece - a kinetic sculpture
that pirouettes through the streets of the gossamer city. No
two Dancers are alike, and vary greatly in size and purpose.
The smallest are crystal songbirds that flit through the skies
in great flocks, singing in harmonics with the wind. The
largest are titan beasts which defend the city from attack.
Each simulacrum is powered by a manifest shard placed
deep inside its form. The shard is enchanted with simple
directives for its routine operation, and channels Risian
magic into the Dancer. In addition, many larger constructs
are enchanted with a Risian form of the spell magic jar. The
snowrights of Ix Il’ar used this to project their souls within
the constructs, taking command while their bodies lay in
frozen stasis beneath the city. In times of war, the giants
would take control of the hundreds of Snow Dancers within
the city, marching them in legion to cut down foes with
deadly grace. Any creature can be given the Snow Dancer
template found in the Bestiary chapter on p.60; this includes
creatures that can be summoned by find familiar, resulting in
‘artificial familiars’ usable by mages.
Crafting a Snow Dancer
Creating a Snow Dancer from scratch is an involved and
tireless process involving multiple stages of work. First, the
manifest shard that powers the dancer must be inscribed
with the correct set of intricate sigils within a Risian manifest
zone. This step can be bypassed by destroying an existing
Snow Dancer, as detailed below. The body of the Dancer
must then be crafted from ice or snow in the form of a
humanoid or beast. Finally, a lengthy ritual bonds the shard
to the sculpture, acting as a conduit to animate the dancer.
These three steps each take at least a full day of work,
but the shard inscribing and the crafting of the Dancer can
be done simultaneously by different people. Additionally,
the manifest shard can be extracted from a destroyed Snow
Dancer with a DC 20 Intelligence check using any set of tools
that a player can reasonably justify. The size of the destroyed
Dancer must be the same as the one being created for the
shard to function. The Dancer can be made in the shape of
any Beast, with the difficulty of creation increasing with size.
A Tiny or Small Snow Dancer can be used and summoned as
a familiar by the find familiar spell.
The crafting process requires three ability checks, each
performed over the course of three hours. A skill used for
any of these ability checks can be substituted for proficiency
in a set of tools that a player can reasonably justify using.
Another character with proficiency in the required skill or
reasonable tools can provide the Help action. To create the
Snow Dancer, all three ability checks must succeed. If two
succeed, it is a forward failure; the materials are not wasted,
and can be reused, but the process must be started again.
Alternatively, the Snow Dancer might be created, but with
some kind of flaw that can be fixed over time. On one success
or fewer, the materials are wasted.
1st ability check - Manifest Shard Inscription
(automatic success if a Shard is extracted from a Snow
Dancer, as described above) - DC 20 Intelligence
(Sleight of Hand) check, or appropriate Dexterity
My children, if only you heeded my
check using Tools.
command. Their love for our home was too
bright to leave it ruined. Heed my words
214214
now; wait for me - I will return.
2nd ability check - Body Creation - DC 20 Intelligence
(Arcana), or appropriate Dexterity check using Tools.
3rd ability check - Formation Ritual - DC 20
Spellcasting Ability check
Magic Items:
• Rime Sliders - Wondrous Item, Uncommon - These
skating shoes allow one to walk - and slide - on liquid
surfaces as though they were solid.
Spell:
• Frozen Marionette - 3rd - Encase a foe in restraining ice. If
the target dies while entombed in this way, the caster can
puppet them to attack a nearby creature.
Loot Examples
Common/Trinket - Many books in the libraries of Ix
Gossamer are written on paper made from Risian pine
1 trees; as a result, they act as Enduring SpellbooksXGE
that never break down with age. These books were
exported to giant wizards across the continent.
Common/Trinket - This animate bitterfly brooch is
carved from ice, and acts as a beautiful hair ornament.
2 A creature wearing it gains a +1 bonus to saving throws
made to avoid the effects of extreme heat.
Uncommon - the Il’ari crafted decorative Rings
3 of Warmth to bring comfort to visiting foreign
dignitaries. The ones they liked, that is.
Uncommon - Giants exploring Risia often wore
4 Goggles of Night; some layers of the plane have never
known the touch of the sun.
Rare - This Elemental Essence Shard (Water)TCoE is a
fragment of perpetual ice from the Frozen Ocean of
5 Risia. It reacts violently in the presence of disruptive
magic.
Rare - This Ioun Stone of Sustenance is an amber-
6 coloured manifest shard to Risia that bestows part of
the plane’s Stillness of Body property to its bearer.
Very Rare - The Il’ari gave their more humanoid snow
dancers weapons imbued with the pure Risian cold.
7
Many still cling to their Frost Brand Greatswords and
Double-Bladed Scimitars.
Very Rare - It is said that the Archanist herself created
8 the first Staff of Frost - each a mark of pride wielded
by one of her acolytes.
City Conversion
The reclamation of Ix Il’ar is startlingly simple. The decision
to claim the city lies in the hands of Archarcanist Il’ara.
Should the titan return from her self-imposed exile in Risia,
she would be able to assert control over its legions of Snow
Dancers, regaining an army of unearthly grace. It is also
possible that she has already returned - that the party arrives
at a city they were told was dead, only to find scores of frost
giants re-establishing their nation. Given the ramifications of
this, there are also simpler options for restoring life to Ix Il’ar.
Frost goliaths might have brought peace to the wandering
souls of their ancestors, creating a safe bastion once more.
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
Shavarath
Hekaton
“The relief seems to show their own Titan cutting them
down without mercy. Apparently she enslaved the entire
city-state, and made them fight her to reclaim it.”
“That’s absurd, how could they function? What does
that inscription beneath it say?”
“ ‘There exists no greater blessing’ ”
he city-state of Hekaton was the sword-
T
arm of the Group of Eleven - a city
so powerful it held the Cul'sir at bay.
By exploiting the infinite battles of
Shavarath, the people of Hekaton grew
into peerless warriors, seeking new
challenges with unmatched ferocity. Their Titan ruled
through her skill with the blade, and that was enough to
earn her the right. At first, the Hekatonri warred openly
against the Eleven, until they offered something irresistible.
In exchange for mercenary services, the Group offered the
chance to invade every plane in existence in search of new
opponents. When an outside force threatened the Eleven, it
was the Hekatonri that met it head-on, asking for no more
than a glorious battle, or a glorious death.
Society in Hekaton revolved around strength and
dominance. Duels of honor decided social standing, with
each warrior often staking their very lives on the outcome.
The loser became subservient to the winner, entering their
household as a vassal under their command. In this way,
the Titan of Hekaton was decided through one simple but
impossible feat - conquering the entirety of the city-state, and
bringing them under her Peerless Command. Only one giant
managed this feat, renaming the nation after herself, and
gaining the title of Hekaton Rex, blessed of the god Arazur.
Giants descended from the Hekatonri are marked by one
striking trait- they possess more than two arms. The sheer
speed of Hekaton’s strikes created the illusion of her having
six arms at once, inspiring her people with a new method
of matching her; to take on their own Titan, the Hekatonri
sought methods of gaining extra limbs. Some made pacts with
mariliths, becoming tieflings, while others channeled sword
wraiths within them to strike with ethereal blows. In battle,
a single Hekatonri formed an unfettered whirlwind of steel -
and when the ultimate foe flew into Xen’drik on scaled wings,
they went down fighting. Hard.
Pulp Scenes
• Carve through legions of fiendish footsoldiers,
commanded by a chain devil lieutenant, to close the
portal to Shavarath at her back.
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
Summary: Hekaton
Magic: Martial Evocation, Physical Enhancement
Titan: Hekaton Rex, the Indomitable
Capital: High Domitor, the Battle-Crux
Location: Northern Scimitar Spires
Specialties: Advanced Magical Weaponry, War
• Enter the grand arena of Hekaton, where a single figure
still stands amidst the bones. The sword saint bows - and
her blades begin to sing.
• Run for cover from the searing flame of a mithril war
golem, then retaliate before the glowing furnace in its
chest can heat up for another blast.
Titan: Hekaton Rex
It is said that among the Titans of Xen’drik, there was only
one who the Emperor Cul’sir feared. Standing at the summit
of strength is the eternal Hekaton Rex*, the Hundredfold,
revered as the Saint of Swords by the peons beneath her. In
the minds of her people, Hekaton is the city-state and the
city-state is her, for it was she that first united the warring
giants under a single banner. Through countless Rites of
Arazur, the warrior brought every other giant under her rule,
forming Peerless Command not through diplomacy, but by
domination. The city of Domitor and everything within is
hers by right.
Blood Sport. Hekaton’s lifespan was extended through
rituals of blood combat that turned her into a powerful
divine sword wraith. Generations of Hekatonri warriors
fought against their immortal general, spilling blood within
Domitor’s arena in the name of taking her throne. The
ritual combat was used to channel the power of Shavarath
into the Titan, sustaining her immortality through magic,
sacrifice, and belief. The fate of the Titan is unknown, but
the sheer scale of the damage wrought on Domitor suggests
that entire flights of dragons fell to the Sword Saint. The
near-eradication of the Hekatonri may have denied her
immortality, allowing Argonnessen to finally fell her - or, the
Titan may have retreated to Shavarath, fighting on to this
day in the Eternal Battleground. The most terrifying option
is that Hekaton the Peerless still stands in Domitor’s arena,
awaiting a hero who can finally defeat her.
Spoils of War
The Hekatonri excelled in the art of war above all else. Their
martial skill allowed them to survive the endless
battles of Shavarath without being caught in the
crossfire, and the giants captured many different
engines of war from the plane. This weaponry
was reverse-engineered and given to
215
 warriors to test in the field, giving them a reputation of both
peerless skill and reckless insanity.
Peerless Command used these soldiers as a grand
mercenary company, with other members of the Eleven
using them as a standing army against the Cul’sir. Individual
city-states similarly hired Command soldiers for their own
purposes, especially during periods of political tension. In
exchange, the rest of the Eleven provided Peerless Command
with two critical things - an immortal enemy in the form of
the Cul’sir Empire, and access to the other planes, through
which warriors could seek an infinity of planar foes.
The weapons used by the Hekatonri varied massively, for
each household sought and refined different ways of fighting.
Some saw purity in shaping their bodies into instruments of
battle, wearing armor that enhanced physical strength and
speed. Others wielded explosive tools copied from Shavarath;
arcane rifles and siege staves small enough to be wielded in all
four arms were a common choice, along with cannons only a
mad giant could heft.
Capital: High Domitor
The city of Domitor is built around one of the northeastern
Scimitar Spires, due east of Dar Qat. The main body of the
city lies in the circular valley surrounding an extinct volcano,
with many of its key buildings raised high on the mountain
slopes. The entire crown of the volcano has been carved into
an immense coliseum of dark basalt. This is Hekaton’s Step
- the domain of the Sword Saint and final resting place of
thousands of warrior giants. The interior of the mountain is
a warren of workshops and arcane laboratories in which the
weapons of the Hekatonri were forged.
The lower city is made up of different walled districts,
each a fortress under the control of a Command. Each was a
meritocratic dynasty of family groups, bound together by a
shared philosophy and the Rites of Arazur. In the past, each
fortress held barracks, forges, training rooms, and treasuries,
but the force of the draconic assault has rendered many to
scorched brick and rubble. Those that still stand are fearsome
edifices carved from the red mountain stone, with statues
of heroes and the god Arazur. Many are decorated with
vast frescoes and mosaics depicting heroic feats, including
legendary duels and battles. The crossroads between many of
the Commands converge on open squares with sunken pits in
the center, each a
dueling ring
for inter-clan
competitions.
216216
The mountain at the heart of the city (the Scimitar Spire
itself) is built up with its most important buildings. It’s no
surprise that the very highest of them is the vast arena of
Hekaton’s Step. Workshops, dojos, embassies, and gates
to Shavarath are all carved from the mountain stone, with
the most powerful Commands owning property where
they could lord over the others. The highest of them all is
Peerless Command - the elites who served under the Sword
Saint directly. The Spire also contains several gates to the
tunnels and caverns within it. This complex, known as the
Disarmory, is where the Hekaonri worked to develop new
weapons of war.
Ambience
• Ancient drumbeats mark the hour; the streets echo at
midday with the illusory thunder of a marching army.
• Black powder, fires, oil and iron - the ancient hints of
war on the wind.
• Monuments carved from blasted marble honor ancient
heroes and their exploits; around, the fortified buildings
form a city more like a castle than a home.
• Strong sunlight falls onto the mountain city, highlighting
its glory and duty to Arazur. At the peak, the arena of
Hekaton’s Step shimmers with gold.
Sites of Interest
The Disarmory - The grand workshops of Domitor
lie within the Scimitar Spire itself, deep within the rock to
protect from catastrophic experiments. Known derisively as
the Disarmory, the complex was dedicated to the reverse-
engineering of advanced weaponry taken from the plane of
war. Black powder arms of massive scale, advanced airships
and lethal weaponry still lie untouched within the halls,
protected from the dragonfire above. More dangerously,
ancient security systems and sword wraiths still guard the
halls, waiting for dragons that will never come. Expeditions
from Dar Qat have sought to pierce the halls, securing the
weapons for the Unity of Riedra, but progress is slow - the
facility is a very literal powder keg.
Hekaton’s Step - The titan arena of Hekaton’s
Step crowns the Scimitar Spire, carved from the rock of
the mountain itself. The grand colosseum is scorched
and cracked, but still stands as testimony to the Peerless
dedication to battle. Within the arena, countless dragon
bones cover the floor, where Hekaton Rex stood and called
the invaders to righteous combat. Hundreds
of deep gouges scar the walls from the Titan’s
blows, with some sections melted by acid and
fire. It was here that grand ritual battles sustained
Hekaton Rex, and the arena is close to Shavarath
itself. It is possible that Hekaton herself still
stands in the arena, but one thing is for certain -
anyone who enters the grounds to check has
never returned.
Temple of Arazur - Arazur’s Temple
lies at the base of the mountain, embodying
the rise to glory all warriors seek. The vast stone
building is more like a fortress than a temple, built
of blood-red rock and tarnished gold. Within the
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
 walls, the grounds are covered by a field of weapons jammed
deep into the ground. Each is a grave marker to a notable
warrior; a character who touches a weapon can attempt
a DC 15 Strength (Insight) check to experience their last
moments. On a failure, the feeling of a painful death deals 4d6
psychic damage.
The main hall is dominated by twin statues of Arazur, one
shining with the light of glory, the other dark with warrior’s
blood. A warrior who prays to the statues learns the spell
branding smite, which they can cast a number of times per day
equal to their proficiency bonus. However, to keep the spell,
they must defeat one of the two sacred statues, occupied
by an eidolon formed by the temple’s warrior spirits. The
eidolon chooses the statue that most represents the opposite
ideal to the player character.
The Gate of Glory - one of the largest buildings
in Domitor is the site of a permanent portal to Shavarath,
the Eternal Battleground. Known as the Gate of Glory,
the compound is a fort with all defenses facing inward
to deal with invading fiends. During the time of the
Peerless Command, parties of warriors raided the Eternal
Battleground for loot, technology and training. During the
fall of Domitor, a desperate giant opened the Gate, hoping
that any fiends that came through might fight against the
dragons out of self-defense. In the ensuing battle, the Gate
was heavily damaged, but still opens when Shavarath is
coterminous. An enterprising commander of the Legion of
Tyranny has sent devil soldiers through the gate to reclaim
the treasures of Domitor and secure a promotion. This force,
led by a chain devil lieutenant, is at odds with the Inspired
forces of Dar Qat. Both have claimed sections of the city, and
seek to flush out their rivals.
Enemies & Encounters
Devils - The expeditionary forces of the Legion of
Tyranny have begun to take command of upper Domitor
after stepping through the Gate of Glory. Their goal is to
secure new weaponry for use on the Eternal Battlefield
against their angelic foes. To that end, a small cohort under
the command of the chain devil maintain a war camp
around the Gate of Glory, which they are attempting to
repair. As a result, regimented groups of devils patrol the
upper city, expanding their territory and clashing with the
Riedrans doing the same. These include spined, barbed
and bearded devils, with imps acting as aerial scouts.
Riedran Forces - Domitor lies
several days away from the bastion of Dar
Qat, and the Inspired Lord Ralastar is
keen to plunder the city for its weaponry.
His hope is to claim something with
the power to break the siege against Adar,
allowing the Unity to finally end the Kalashtar
threat. The forces of Dar Qat include a
variety of warriors, many of them
psionic in nature. This ranges from
basic soldiers and scouts to more
powerful Inspired, who are typically
accompanied by ogres, oni or shifters
from the Taskaan Legion.
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
War Machines - The fall of Domitor was an epic battle
in which the Hekatonri brought forth every weapon of war
they had against the dragon flights. Hellfire engines, steel
predators and iron golems are but some of the constructs
brought to bear. Some still stalk the city streets on a search
for intruders, or stand guard within the Disarmory to prevent
any trespassing. The rogue entities are a chaotic factor in the
battle between the Unity and the Legion of Tyranny; both
sides have no desire to draw their attention.
Adventure Hooks
Refuge Lost - The vaults of Hekaton contain weaponry
copied from the Eternal Battleground, including devices
meant to bring down entire legions of fiends. The players
discover that a Riedran expedition is hunting a weapon
capable of destroying mountains. They intend to unleash it
against the nation of Adar, leveling the country in their desire
to kill the Kalashtar. The race is on to reclaim the doomsday
device from the Disarmory before it falls into Inspired hands.
Total War - The Gate of Glory is a damaged portal
to Shavarath through which a small squad of fiends have
marched. If this small force from the Legion of Tyranny
can figure out how to repair the Gate, it would open the
way for untold numbers of fiends to spill into the Material
- and enslave the mortals they find for conscription in the
Eternal Battleground. The party might have no choice but to
fight their way to the Gate and break it, or be carried off as
prisoners into the heart of war.
To The Victor - The dragons entrusted the giants
with weapons capable of resealing the Overlords. In the
Shattering, many of these weapons were lost, or leveled
against the dragons themselves. When Sakinnirot begins to
stir beneath Stormreach, the party must find a weapon of
prophecy - and ancient texts point to the grave of the greatest
warrior in Xen’drik. To reclaim the artifact, the heroes must
travel to Hekaton and enter the scarred arena at the summit
of the city. The weapon still lies where it fell so long ago, for
the sword wraith of Hekaton Rex stands guard - and only the
worthy can claim it from her terrifying bloodstained grip.
Legacy - Infernal Arms
The Eternal Battleground is home to every weapon
imaginable, and some not. The Hekatonri took careful notes
where they could, and stole everything they couldn’t, reverse-
engineering it in the Disarmory for their personal use. They
fought with zeal and joy, using every tool at their
disposal to attain victory. Fighting their blessed
leader simply allowed for nothing less. Infernal
Firelocks are a classic example. The musket-like
devices were first captured from the piratical
fiends of the Bloody Sea layer, and were popular
with 'gun monks*'. Among the most prized
tools for slaughter were the Arms of the
Conqueror. These weapons have integrated
Shavarath manifest shards that
summon one’s own sword
wraith during battle - but only
when soaked in blood.
217
 Engraving Siberys shards with the right runes and attuning
them to Shavarath can also create dangerous tools known
as Bloodshards. Attaching a Bloodshard to a weapon imbues
it with power from the plane of war - a valuable effect
when your soul screams for murder. Hekaton smiths soon
developed different ways of lensing this magic, using a variety
of runes to devastating effect.
Magic Items:
• Arm of the Conqueror - Weapon, Very Rare - While you
are bloodied, this weapon lets you summon your sword
wraith reflection from Shavarath, either as a seperate
entity - or as a deadly internalised power.
• Infernal Firelock - Weapon, Very Rare - A demonic
musket that shoots flame instead of ammunition. An
infernal firelock has a number of charges that can be
spent to blast out devastating explosions.
• Bloodshards - Wondrous Items, Common-Uncommon
- Bloodshards can be attached to mundane weapons to
alter their properties. These include rerolling damage
die, increasing critical hit range, dealing critical damage
to objects and structures, emitting magical sunlight,
returning after being thrown, and dealing additional
cleaving damage to adjacent enemies.
City Conversion
Reclaiming Hekaton means destroying its many active war
machines, disabling the Gate of Glory, and driving off the
Inspired. However, compared to other city-states, this is
relatively reasonable. Unlike Crux, the machines of Domitor
cannot repair themselves. This means that over 40,000 years,
they have gradually worn down or been destroyed, while
the Gate of Glory might have been shut off by a past hero. If
this simple change is made, Domitor can be converted into
a fully settled city. An unusual alternative is that the
machines of the city see the thri-kreen, with their
four arms, as related to the Hekatonri - and thus
treat them as the rightful owners of the city.
Other inhabitants might include Hekaton
goliaths, drow, or even dragonborn linked to
the Ten Watchers.
218218
Loot Examples
Common/Trinket - This marble disc is inlaid with a
depiction of the god Arazur; if two people lay hands on
1 the disc, it creates an illusory circle of light in a 30-foot
radius around them until one of them leaves it - a ring
for dueling practice.
Common/Trinket - Ceremonial Cast-Off ArmorXGE was
2 commonly worn for day-to-day fashion in Hekaton,
with rich engraving to show off personal victories.
Uncommon - As it turns out, having multiple arms
allows one to fire multiple bows in a devastating volley.
3 Gloves of Missile Snaring soon became a mainstay
fashion for many melee-oriented warriors.
Uncommon - The crowds of Hekaton’s Step were
4 stirred into a frenzy by Rhythm-Maker’s DrumsTCoE as
gladiators entered the arena.
Rare - Giant Slayer weapons were developed by the
Hekatonri as part of their constant arms-race against
5 themselves. These powerful tools of slaughter are said
to be the basis of many of the weapons used by the
rebelling elves.
Rare - Swords of Wounding were often taken from the
6 fiends of Shavarath. Each weapon is jagged and rusted
- a manifestations of brutality more than actual metal.
Very Rare - Shavarath is one of the few planes to
have native dragons as incarnations of strength and
dominance. Some Hekatonri sought to slay one of
7 these dragons as a symbol of their strength, turning
their scales into Dragon Scale Mail to flaunt their
power. Few expected them to be so useful in the end.
Legendary - The Vorpal Greatswords of Hekaton
were one of the sights that the Cul’sir Empire feared
the most. Forged in the blood of countless Shavarath
fiends (and some celestials), only the high generals
8
of the nation were permitted to wield them. A normal
giant can wield one sword, making them a threat. A
hekatonri, of course, can wield upwards of four Vorpal
Greatswords at once.
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
Syrania
The GallimaufrY
“I am Astariel the Golden, Divine Child of the Sun
and Emperor of the Sky. Behold my perfection and
know your place, you vapid corpulent flaws on my
existence. You will kneel. You will serve. You will die
as I command - for those who would usurp my throne
among the clouds are heretics and apostates to be
rendered into ash on the wind."
Gallimaufry is the only member of the
T
he
Group of Eleven with no land to call its
Content Warning: Heights
own. The roaming nation was formed
by families of cloud giant traders, who
traveled through the skies in floating
castles. Whimsical, ethereal, and reliably
witty, the Gallimaufry carried goods between the Eleven
and beyond as independent merchants. The giants wielded
Syranian magic picked up over generations of angelic pacts.
Over time, they transformed into permanent aasimar, gaining
the innate powers of flight - and empowering their magic
to solidify clouds, and harness the trade winds. Family lines
forged pacts with the same angelic Thrones and Dominions,
granting specialized knowledge of certain trades. This ranged
from the cafes of the Dominion of Tea, to the flying carpet
weavers of the Throne of Flight. The arrival of the cloud
giants was always celebrated in the cities of old Xen’drik,
though none could control the routes they chose to travel.
The goods sold by the cloud giants included everything
from flying carpets to political information. Their access to
the Immeasurable Markets of Syrania allowed them to buy
and trade with immortals directly, while their pacts with the
plane’s angels of knowledge allowed them to deal in specialist
lore. Many also specialized in delivering goods across the
continent at speed, ferrying delicate cargo and artwork
between the cities of the Group of Eleven. Their efforts were
mediated and protected by the Kin of Masks - ephemeral
titans who supported the families from behind magical visors.
The purpose of the Kin was to ensure the freedom of the
Gallimaufry, and act as diplomats to Syrania. Many were
contracted with powerful Dominions, and undertook quests
to provide them with knowledge.
The only time the Gallimaufry truly assembled was the
event known as the Unveiling. This social festival caused the
majority of cloud castles to assemble over the Iceflow Sea,
where they caroused and competed in a raucous tapestry.
Others remained across Xen’drik, either anchored in cities to
trade, or flying on migration paths where they remain to this
day. The Shattering caught the cloud giants in the middle of
the Unveiling; the result is a burnt ruin of floating islands,
caked in rime and exposed to the elements. The signs of
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
Summary: The Gallimaufry
Magic: Levitation, Air, Flight
Titan: The Kin of Masks
Capital: The Unveiling
Location: Floating over the central Iceflow Sea
Specialties: Trade, Knowledge, Transport, Flight
their peace and joy lie scattered all around - and dangerous
radiant idols rule over the ruins.
Pulp Scenes
• Climb up a mile of perilous icy chains hanging over
frozen ocean to reach an ancient city in the clouds.
• Dodge the radiant pillars of fire summoned by a
corrupted radiant idol, as their screaming zealots charge
into battle.
• Assert your will over a Skyhook, claiming it - and its
entire cloud castle - as your own.
Titans: The Kin of masks
The Gallimaufry as a nation had no desire for power. Their
ideals of freedom meant a lack of any central ruler. Instead,
disparate families were protected by weaker Titans, each
bound by pact to a Dominion of Syrania. The Kin of Masks
acted as adjudicators, offering guidance and judgment to their
descendants. Many were themselves made richer by their
pacts; their connection to angels of knowledge meant that
they could sell that knowledge on to others. The angels in
turn gave them tasks to collect information, for which they
were paid in magic and gold.
Diplomatic Threat. Unlike other nations, the Kin
were not powerful living weapons. Only the most foolish
of rulers attacked the Gallimaufry, for doing so meant a
rapid shunning from the entire nation, isolating them from
their needs for decades on end (or until hefty reparations
were paid). However, many Kin held direct pacts with the
Throne of Commerce, and declared their castles part of the
Immeasurable Market. As such, they had no need for strength
- any attacks on their Castles meant the Throne of Commerce
itself entering the Material to defend the Market’s laws.
The mask worn by every Kin was an intricate work of art,
intended to hide their expressions during trade deals. Each
was unique, and acted as a focus for the titan’s pact with
Syrania. Their appearance typically reflects the connected
angel’s area of expertise. Kin tied to the Dominion of
Knowledge had masks in the shape of open books,
or formed from woven collages of fluttering paper.
The Kin of Commerce studded theirs with coins or
gemstones instead. Wearing a Kinmask grants
access to spells in the domain of its angel,
219
 as well as the ability to travel at-will to the Immeasurable
Market. While the ideals of the cloud Titans granted them
freedom, their detachment came at great cost - when the
dragons arrived, the first instinct of many was to welcome
them as guests. Few believe that any of the Kin of Masks
survived, but if they do, it may well be in the Immeasurable
Market, eking out a living as best they can.
Arcana: Touching The Sky
The flight magic of the cloud giants is simple but powerful.
Syrania is the plane of peace, flight, and understanding.
By creating controlled manifest zones to the plane, the
Gallimaufry were able to impose its properties on the
Material. This meant areas that empowered flight and
promoted peace and understanding - an ideal for nomadic
traders dealing with different languages. In time, the creation
of Skyhooks* using Syranian manifest shards allowed the
giants to build entire castles in the clouds, foregoing the
ground entirely.
Wide Aasimar. As the Gallimaufry deepened their
connection to Syrania, they inevitably began interacting
with its angels. Through diplomacy, the giants formed
pacts with the Thrones and Dominions, providing them
with knowledge and items to study. In exchange, they were
bestowed with magic from each angel’s domain, as well as
permission to enter Syrania’s Immeasurable Market. Here,
the cloud giants traded with immortals from across the
planes, securing rare items (as well as memories, souls, and
other currency) to bring back as wares. A rare few families
instead bound themselves to djinn with particular artistic
tastes. Over time, this led to families specializing. Bonds with
angels became hereditary, and soon different giants began to
deal solely in their angel’s specialties. As a result, many of the
cloud castles in the Unveiling sold specific items such as tea,
weaponry, fiction or fashion - and developed a reputation for
being the best around, if that was what you were looking for.
Capital: The Unveiling
Every thirteen years, the scattered clans of the Gallimaufry
assembled over the Iceflow Sea to revel and reunite. Families
mingled, rare foods were offered, and the finest of teas
served with care. Known as the Unveiling, this event was
the highlight of the social calendar - a chance to take off the
masks and let emotions run free. By chance, the Shattering
began halfway through this event, with the majority of cloud
castles caught in the middle of festivities. Even worse, the
cloud giants saw the dragons coming… and cheered for joy.
Saviors had come to end the madness of the times. The last
thing the giants did was gather the finest wines to welcome
those who raised them from nothing. Now, the ruins of the
Unveiling float over the Iceflow Sea, held together by frozen
chains and fading magic.
The Unveiling is formed from countless islands of solid
Syranian cloud arranged like a patchwork quilt, each the
former home of nomadic giants. The flotilla hovers roughly
500 feet above the center of the Iceflow for a radius of several
miles. Hundreds of different cloud islands have been
linked by enchanted chains and sky-anchors like a
patchwork net. Here and there, holes and snapped
chains show where castles have collapsed into the
sea. Reaching the Unveiling without flight
220220
requires a perilous climb up one of these snapped chains,
which hang into the icy ocean (A group DC 15 Strength
(Athletics) check, which is negated by a climbing speed).
Moving between the cloud islands often requires walking
across their slick iron links as they sway in the polar winds.
Every island has a unique building (or buildings) depending
on their former owners, which are collectively known as
‘cloud castles’. This ranges from massive towers, to rustic tea
shops, to artisanal workshops and floating temples.
Ambience
• Creaking chains clash with the ethereal music floating
from cushioned lounges now rimed with ice.
• A hundred different perfumes and spices mingle in the
bazaars and meeting places of the flotilla.
• Multicolored banners and fabrics flap in the wind
between delicate white buildings made in a bizarre
variety of styles, each advertising the wares within.
• The polar sun is hidden by clouds; sunbeams filter down
through the fog and haze, illuminating the spires of
ancient castles.
Sites of Interest
The Tea Shop - Perhaps one of the most welcoming
cloud castles is the comfortable and rustic Tea Shop. The
Tea Shop’s name is both descriptive and a mark of status, for
its giants knew that it would always be the tea shop of the
Consortium. Imitators couldn’t compare. The owners of the
castle were Syranian aasimar bound to the angelic Throne of
Tea. They collected and traded for countless different types of
hot drinks from across the planes, delivering the interesting
ones to Syrania for study. Their dried goods were prized
across the continent, with powerful nobles and even titans
signing contracts for their preferred brews. The storerooms
of the massive cafe have been preserved by the freezing
temperatures of the Iceflow; countless shelves and soarwood
drawers remain stocked with rare herbs. These can be brewed
into teas so potent they act as rare potions depending on the
plane of origin. Anyone drinking Fernian flametea best be
prepared for the energy boost of a lifetime.
Kul’kran’s Crossroad - When the Unveiling united,
several castles combined to form a grand bazaar. Here,
the cloud giants came to barter and trade, stocking their
shops with goods from across Xen’drik. The good-natured
commerce was seen as a way to honor Kul’kran, god of
trade and travel. It is said that the true beginning and end
of the Unveiling were marked by grand masquerades in the
god’s honor, where the Kin of Masks competed to pull off
the most lavish display. Children were given candy coins,
and often invited to barter along with the adults. At the
end of the masquerade, a coin from each family was placed
into a crucible, and melted into one giant golden medal - a
sacrifice, to be thrown into the Iceflow Sea as a reminder
that community was the greatest wealth of all. In the final
Unveiling, that chance never came. The giant slab of gold
remains still, coveted by the radiant idolERLW Astariel above
all else. The fallen angel has based his territory here, and
gathered its items into a glittering hoard on which to rule.
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
 The Cloudrink - one of the largest cloud islands is
dominated by a bizarre arena, with floating tiers of giant-
sized seats. In the center, a cage of spinning wind holds a
levitating stage. This is the Cloudrink, where the families of
the Unveiling competed for artistry, wagers, and fun. The
sports practiced here revolved around flight and levitation,
and are generally impossible for most humanoids. The
most peaceful were forms of figure skating, gymnastics, and
dance. The most competitive were three-dimensional sky
hockey, and other sports played by people to whom gravity
is a suggestion. The rink is now the fortress of the insane
radiant idol Lyrelial (featured below), who has it shrouded
in a constant wintry blizzard.
Grand Levity - The Carpets of Flying produced by the
Gallimaufry were unique and highly prized. The main carpet
weavers’ shop, Grand Levity, was a center for the production
of masterwork textiles. The building is relatively intact to
this day, although one wing has collapsed into burnt cinders
after the Shattering. The interior is a treasure trove for flying
items, as well as clothing woven directly from Syranian cloud.
Unfortunately for explorers, the shop’s main defense against
thieves are the same carpets they come to steal; anyone taking
an item from Grand Levity is likely to be mobbed by a flock
of flying rugs of smothering.
Throne’s Ladder - the massive tower of Throne’s
Ladder hangs upside-down from the Unveiling, after the
entire island ‘capsized’ due to fading enchantments. The
sheer height of the building means that it now scrapes the
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
Iceflow Sea, acting as a convenient path to access the city.
Unsurprisingly, its lower halls are filled with massive polar
wildlife, including irritable walrus. Originally, the tower
was a flying hotel, and heaps of frozen furniture are still
collapsed on the ‘ceiling’. The center of the tower is a hollow
cylinder with a permanent levitation enchantment, which
allows creatures to move between floors. Disconcertingly, it
orients people as though the tower was still upright, causing
explorers to rise feet-first. The top of the tower is a glass
observatory that was once a basement to see the land while
traveling. Now, the radiant idols keep an eye on it, ready to
kill or capture any beings that intrude on their domain.
Enemy Encounters
Celestials - The Unveiling lies in a massive Syranian
manifest zone that empowers flight magic. Very rarely, as
with Sharn, fallen celestials known as radiant idolsERLW are
banished into the Material through this zone. In the Age of
Giants, they were often sealed away before they could do
any harm. That time has long passed. Now, any idols cast
out of Syrania find themselves in the Unveiling, which is the
closest thing they have to their forbidden home. The power
of radiant idols and their innate desire to be worshiped leaves
them competing, gathering followers for petty territory
wars. As such, the Unveiling is carved up between competing
angels - and a party might find themselves caught up in the
feuding. Fundamentally, every radiant idol has a domain that
they once held in Syrania, which flavors their attitude, spells,
and abilities. Examples can be found in the following table:
221
 d4 Angels of the Unveiling
The Immeasurable Market of Syrania is
overseen by the Throne of Commerce, with
many lesser angels serving beneath it. Astariel,
angel of gold, became gradually obsessed with
experiencing the concept of wealth in search
of greater understanding. Its greed caused
Astariel the
it to willingly enter the Material - a crime
Golden
that earned it banishment upon returning
to Syrania. Now, the Golden Angel seeks to
gather riches from the Unveiling for its own
overflowing hoard. In its utter greed, the
celestial believes that with enough wealth, it
can become the Keeper itself.
The Dominion of winter is an expert on every
possible kind of snow and cold weather, having
studied climate patterns across Eberron. After
Lyrelial of thousands of years watching mortals die in
Softest freezing conditions, Lyrelial began to believe
Snow that death was the true purpose for such
conditions. Now, the freezing idol believes
itself to be the left hand of the Devourer, with
the polar Iceflow a perfect home.
The lost idol of the stars is a beauty to behold.
Their ethereal body is a shifting pattern of
glimmering lights. They use this to incinerate
other beings with blazing starfire, and for
Kestelar the good reason - no other being is as beautiful
Starbinder as Kestelar, and as such, they have no right to
sully the stars with their gaze. The deranged
celestial will only be happy once every being
on Eberron is dead, ensuring the heavenly
vault belongs to it, and it alone.
The angel of song is not a radiant idol at all,
but a Syranian scholar in search of lost music
from the Age of Giants. The deva has found
Lunamarin, themselves dodging their corrupted kin to
the Virtue retrieve it, and their Syranian commitment
of Song to peace is perilously close to being broken
for self-defense. Bards might be able to learn
powerful lost songs from the angel, if they can
help it recover music from Astariel's trove.
Radiant Idols & Flight
When introduced in 3rd Edition, radiant idols were
under a mechanical curse that prevented them from
flying by any means. Spells that attempted to do so
would fail, and enchantments that supported flying
buildings would end catastrophically at an idol’s touch.
This mechanic has not been extended to 5th edition,
but can be included in the Unveiling to add an extra
level of drama. In this case, the idols can stand on
the floating Syranian cloud because the Skyhooks
themselves hold the enchantments. If an idol were
to touch a Skyhook, it would fail instantly, dropping
the angel into the Iceflow Sea from a great height.
However, this means that defeating an idol is as ‘simple’
as shoving it off a Cloud Castle, rather than killing it.
Doing so will force the angel (if it survives the fall) to
climb up a mile of slick and icy chain to reach the city
- a devastating humiliation. You can be sure that in this
time, its rivals will jump to claim its territory, then
laugh in its face the whole climb up.
222222
Elementals - A variety of polar elementals call the
Unveiling home. Many are the children of Raiarin - the
Iceflow’s spirit of the land - but others were used by the giants
as servants and guards. The native elementals have attitudes
closer to traditional monsters, and embody everything from
the freedom of flight to the harsh bite of winter. This includes
frost salamanders and water elementals. Those used as
tools by the cloud giants include air elemental myrmidons
and mephits, which are typically bound to specific castles.
Other ‘random’ elementals have partially escaped from
works of elemental artifice bought from the Sul’at League.
Adventurers wearing cold-resistant gear might suddenly
have to deal with a fire elemental partly bound to a giant
oven, or an azer bought from the Fernian cities of Grand
Ju’qata (p.194).
Massive Wildlife - The Iceflow Sea is home to a
variety of massive creatures empowered by the land spirit
Raiarin, Sister of Snow. Her influence creates an abundance
of life in the region. As it happens, a floating network of
islands are the perfect home for a variety of creatures,
especially nesting seabirds. As a result, explorers poking
around might find that their worst enemies are massive
seagulls (giant eagles) defending their nests. While normal
seagulls are known to be evil, giant ones are a genuine threat,
and have no qualms trying to pick up hapless adventurers
and drop them into the Iceflow. Other predators sometimes
roam through the cloud castles, seeking to make an easy meal.
These might range from giant wolverines (winter wolf with
a 50ft climbing speed) to behemoth polar bears.
Adventure Hooks
Hanging In There - The flying metropolis of Kul
Lerek is limited in size, but its population ever grows. Keen
adventurers are often tasked with recovering Skyhooks from
the ruins of cloud castles, which are incorporated into the city
to allow it to grow. However, securing them is no easy feat -
especially when it can cause an entire giant’s home to collapse
on the people doing so. The players are tasked with retrieving
such a Skyhook from the outer fringes of the Unveiling,
and must contend with perilous heights, arctic winds, and
rampaging elementals in their quest for glory.
The Fight for Flight - During the Last War, the
nations of Khorvaire fought for aerial superiority. The nation
of Aundair makes great use of skystaffs - modern Brooms of
Flying designed to allow for personal travel. Now, a plucky
professor from Arcanix has tasked the party with recovering
the priceless next step from the Unveiling. If they can recover
an intact and functional Carpet of Flying, the researcher is
more than happy to let them keep it once their study is done,
heralding a new era of flight for Khorvaire.
Truth Unmasked - In all the planes, there are two
places said to store all the knowledge in existence - the
Infinite Archive of Daanvi, and the floating libraries of
Syrania. Since studying in one risks being arrested for
eternity, Syrania is often the easier choice. When the party
needs knowledge lost to time, the Azure Sky is the only
choice for it, but traveling across the planes is not easy. To do
so, they must retrieve a singular artifact from the Unveiling
- a lost Kinmask* from a Titan bound to incarnate knowledge
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
 itself. That the mask might be in the collection of a radiant
idol is knowledge they are sorely lacking…
Legacy: Skyblessed Tools
The unique tools of the Gallimaufry were created with the
knowledge and blessing of the angels of Syrania. Every titan
of the Gallimaufry wore a Kinmask*, which served as a focus
for their power and a sign of status. A Kinmask is visually
matched to the angelic Dominion that it links to, and grants
specific powers related to their knowledge. Each is unique,
and saturated with Syranian magic. The destruction or
disappearance of the Kin of Masks has scattered them to
the four winds, and these items might be anywhere across
Xen’drik after 40,000 years.
The castles of the Gallimaufry are themselves built on
foundations of solid cloud like the Skyway of Sharn. Their
Syranian magic ties together permanent levitation and
a calming effect on the weather by imposing a localized
manifest zone. The magic item sustaining these effects is
known as a Skyhook*. Each is formed from a Siberys manifest
shard hovering within an intricate rotating gyroscope. Every
castle has a Skyhook at its core, with multiple combining to
form larger platforms of cloud. The secrets of their creation
have long been lost. Many Skyhooks still function, with some
cloud castles following migratory paths across Xen’drik long
after their owners’ deaths. Others lie anchored in ancient
cities such as Pra’xirek.
Skyhooks are controlled by Migration Keys*, which
allow their wearer to both interact with and control their
Skyhooks. Multiple Skyhooks can be linked to a single Key,
allowing a helmsman - such as the Farseer of Kul Lerek - to
control hundreds in unison. Unlike an airship, a Migration
Key is controlled telepathically, allowing its owner to steer a
cloud castle while performing other tasks, even while not on
the castle itself.
Magic Items:
• Kinmask - Wondrous Item, Legendary - Unique
kinmasks were worn by the titans of the Gallimaufry,
blessed by the Dominions of Syrania with powerful
magic. Each grants spells specific to the angel's domain,
as well as the ability to float and levitate at will, and the
right to plane shift straight to the Immeasurable Market.
• Migration Key - Wondrous Item, Very Rare - This
filigreed torc, inlaid with a Syranian manifest shard, can
be linked to Skyhooks. Once linked, it can be used to
control those Skyhooks from any distance.
• Skyhook - Wondrous Item, Legendary - This famed
device forms the basis for the flying castles of the
Gallimaufry. Concentrating on a Skyhook allows one
to form solid cloud in a wide radius, alter the localised
weather, prevent fall damage, and direct it to travel
through the open sky. Their value is immeasurable.
Oh, what I'd do for some good tea in
this moment. I long ago lost track of
when this moment even began. The
Araam jasmine is truly divine!
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
City Conversion
Creating a permanent city out of the Unveiling is difficult
due to its lack of food and arctic conditions. The first step
to doing so is to purge the radiant idols that claim it. This
feat is more than possible by playing them off against each
other, as their own massive egos can barely stand proximity.
The second is to secure a supply of food. This might involve
growing mistfarms, like those found in Kul Lerek, or even
simply fishing if you’re a winged race with easy access to
the sea. Perhaps a more dramatic approach is to say that the
enchantments holding the Unveiling in place are wearing off
over time. If so, there may be a group working to release it
from its bonds, and fly the city in warmer climates as a new
floating metropolis.
Loot Examples
Common/Trinket - Cloaks of BillowingXGE imbued with
1 Syranian wind were popular as gifts for giant children.
Common/Trinket - Many cloud giant homes had
Feather TokensERLW on hand for guests; it can be all too
2 easy to forget that other mortals are still held by the
ground’s tethers.
Uncommon - Boots of Striding and Springing were
common footwear in the Unveiling, allowing giants
3 to jump easily between floating homes. Tiny manifest
shards in the soles provide a permanent touch of
Syranian levitation.
Uncommon - Giant-sized Brooms of Flying were a
Consortium speciality, and made-to-order to keep
4 prices high. Each is essentially an entire carved tree
trunk. Due to their size, a single humanoid cannot fly
one - but a team of three or four might manage. Just.
Rare - Manifest shards attuned to Syrania were worn
as giant jewelry. These Elemental Essence Shards (Air)
5 TCoE
boosted their innate sorcery, allowing them to soar
through the air.
Rare - Consortium merchants often wore personal
Rings of Feather Falling. These served a very simple
6 function - allowing them to jump from their castles
and make a flashy entrance to woo customers.
Very Rare - Massive Carpets of Flying filled the air
above the Unveiling, ferrying giants from bazaar, to
7 home, to tea shop, to Skyrink. Each appears to be
woven from pure cloud.
Legendary - The most skilled merchants of the
Consortium carefully cultivated ties to the djinn of
Syrania. The avaricious elementals embody the joy
of opulence, and took delight in receiving gifts from
8
the giants. Their favor was given as priceless Rings of
Djinni Summoning, each a favor given physical form.
After all, no djinn wishes for their art dealer to come
under threat, lest they miss the latest fashions.
223
Thelanis

The Twilight CouRT

Summary: The Twilight Court

The spiders sing in lost Shae Fir,
Its broken throne so very dear; Magic: Fey, Pacts, Bardic
A ghostly king does wander still - Titan: The Fabled King & Queen
His queen the one who had him killed! Capital: Shae Fir (' The City of the Fey')
Her poison smile sears the eyes; Location: Dread Lake
Specialties: Entertainment, Fey Magic, Stories
Her silken snare your last surprise.

Dread Lake gave the Spinner's fangs. The brood of Zel Erakhni feed on

T
he misty woods around
birth to Xen’drik’s most dazzling city- helplessness and fear; many an adventurer has ended their
state. Here, the lava flows from Tempest’s journey wrapped tight in silken thread.
Spine meet the lake’s icy waters, giving
rise to steamy fog and constant rain. Pulp Scenes
Yet, through the haze, the spires of the
city of Shae Fir shine in all the colors of the rainbow. The • Plunder the song-filled halls of the College of Fables in
city-state was a fairytale paradise in the twilit mist - a perfect search of legendary instruments, all while dodging the
mirror to the Moonlit Vale of the archfey. Here, the Twilight giant-sized banshees inside.
Court ruled the surrounding lands, sending emissaries to the • Dive into the webs of the Spinner of Shadows, and
Content Warning: Arachnophobia

feyspires and nations of Xen’drik. negotiate with the titan Queen Cono’mae for clues on
The giants of the Court were master orators, weaving the Prophecy - without being eaten by fiendish spiders.
magic words that moved hearts and minds. No • Pluck memory flowers from the main square of Shae
words lay off-limit; enchantments, fey curses Fir, while avoiding the scything claws of bebiliths and
and games of intrigue were the norm in Court demonic spiderkin.
society, with silvered tongues forging paths
to power. Many formed pacts with archfey, Titans: The Fabled Monarchs
embodying the whims and fashions of their
Twin monarchs ruled the Twilight Court, bound by
patrons in exchange for magic. At the
marriage and their role in the story.
summit of the Court, the Fabled King
The Fabled King and Queen were the
and Queen became artificial archfey,
founders of Shae Fir, and powerful fey
taking on the role of monarch to lead
warlocks. They settled in a Thelanis
Shae Fir to prosperity.
manifest zone linked to the Moonlit
Now, the city is a dark remnant
Vale, with the goal of binding themselves
of its former glory. Vast skeins
to archfey politics. Over years, they
of silken web stretch between the
cultivated an image of storybook perfection; with
ruined towers, all but invisible in the
illusions and displays of glamor, the people of Shae
drifting mist. Twisted fey and fomorians
Fir saw their rulers as more than mortal. As they wrote
lurk and prey on explorers. Above them all,
the story of their own immortality, the Fabled King and
the servants of the Overlord known as the
Queen shed their names, shaping a ritual of vast narrative
Spinner of Shadows rule here. These spidery
power - and became artificial archfey in truth. The ritual
fiends use the ruins as their meeting place. It
bound them to Shae Fir like archfey to their feyspire,
is here that plans stretching across Xen’drik
transforming the city into a permanent beachhead to
are hatched, bringing misery to mortals far
Thelanis. They became embodiments of benevolent
and wide. Deep beneath Shae Fir, the form
rulers - and gained vast power in return.
of the Spinner lies sealed within a Khyber
Over thousands of years, this transformation
dragonshard, and her influence has
drained them of the concept of mortality.
long shaped the history of the Court.
Their emotions and hearts
Those exploring the fog can
became more and more like the
find ancient fey treasures
archfey, defined by their role
and lost magicks within,
in the story of their kingdom -
but only if they
and robbing them of free will.
can escape

CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES

224224
 Given time, they would become fey actors in truth. The King
accepted this. In his eyes, it was a price to pay to ensure the
prosperity of his people, and ward off the encroaching Cul'sir.
The Queen did not, for she saw her husband changing into
something alien and immortal. The man she loved was all
but gone. It was in the moment she cursed their aspirations
that she committed to altering their fate - and gave herself
fully to the Overlord beneath Dread Lake. The Spinner of
Shadows is the fear of manipulation and helpless fate, with
the power to change people’s destinies. The way to halt the
fate of the Fabled King was simple. All the Queen had to do
was change their shared story once more. The fall of Shae
Tirias Tolai merely set the stage, allowing her to present an
evil persona to the very nation she helped build, and slay her
immortal husband. Instantly, the story of the king and queen
of prosperity changed to that of the betrayer queen - and her
naive dead husband.
Fate's Widow. Now, Queen Cono’mae* is a spidery
horror bound to the Spinner of Shadows; she rules as
Prakhutu from her ancient throne, weaving webs of despair
across the continent. Details on using Queen Cono’mae as a
villain, or a campaign NPC, can be found under Legendary
Villains on p.145. Bound as he was to the city-state, the
unfortunate Fabled King can also be found wandering
through woods of Dread Lake - as a titan ghost wreathed in
sorrow. The Titan is part of a story, and the story of Shae
Fir hasn’t quite ended yet. As long as the Queen exists to
maintain it, his spirit can never be freed from his kingdom.
The King is a nexus for Thelanian magic; meenlocks and
brutish fomorians spawn in his vicinity as incarnations
of tragedy and destruction. Explorers seeking to talk to the
king might find him a useful source of information on the
kingdom, its treasures, and its ancient queen, but making it
past his tormentors is a serious challenge.
Zel Erakhni, Spinner of Shadows
The Overlord Zel Erakhni is the incarnate fear of
fate, manipulation, and helplessness - a consummate
schemer who tugged on the threads of the Draconic
Prophecy to nudge history towards tragedy. Unusually,
the Spinner of Shadows preferred stealth during the
Age of Demons, hiding beneath the notice of Sakinnirot
and Kharna Rayva. Her minions continue this tradition
to this day. Their expertise in stealth, subterfuge, and
manipulation is among the best of the Lords of Dust.
Queen Cono'mae is their enigmatic leader and linchpin,
focusing efforts on the futures she gleans will cause
the most suffering - or even release her dark mistress
from beneath Dread Lake. Detailed information on Zel
Erakhni can be found in the Enemies of Legend section
on p.155.
Arcana: Whim and Whimsy
Fey magic is famously fickle. The Court took the path of
least resistance - they immersed themselves fully into the
storybook ‘logic’. By embracing the tales that define the fey,
they were able to play out and embody those tales to their
advantage. Many include kingdoms of peace, ruled by noble
kings and queens - and so Shae Fir did that to the letter. Their
warlocks made pacts with individual archfey, then used their
‘story roles’ for different services. Those tied to the Harvest
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
Queen grew bountiful food and crops, while artificers of
the Mother of Invention actually bottled and sold their
‘Hard Work and Inspiration’. In this way, the stories of the
Archfey were woven together into a functional society (albeit
one with a penchant for fey morality, tricks, and illusion).
The foundation for this was diplomacy with the Archfey
themselves, and a cadre of giants served as permanent
ambassadors to Thelanis.
A side-effect of having so many warlocks and sorcerers
is that the city was rife with familiars. Many were set to
menial tasks, and the skies were aflutter with ink sprites and
winged creatures. Manual labor was instead left to animated
furniture, suits of armor and other fantastical creations. Some
were wrought in the Mother of Invention’s Work Shop,
while others were literally sung to life by the city’s bards -
imbued not with words, but with power words that tied them
into the ongoing story.
This cavalcade of fey abilities meant that the giants were
capable of normally impossible things, with a legendary
reputation for performance and oratory. A warlock of the
Prince of Frost might be hired to bring cold weather to a
region under a heatwave, while the servants of the Forgotten
Prince actually traded in memories, grown in gardens of
Mnemonic Anemones*. Wandering bards from the city often
graced the throne rooms of Titans (and traded in the secrets
they heard); those patrons seeking greater performances
often traveled to Shae Fir itself as a tourist destination.
Capital: Shae Fir
The City of Splendor lies along the shore of Dread Lake, with
beautiful towers that glow with soft light. The heart of the
city is the palace of Fate’s Throne; around it, quaint cobbled
streets twist between buildings painted to match different
stories. The districts of the city are roughly divided between
major archfey. The Forge Maiden’s district clicks and ticks
with the sound of fey artifice, glowing with forges and
lantern light. In contrast, the warlocks of the Lady in Shadow
enchanted their ward with permanent dusk and illusory bats
in a gothic display. The result is a clashing patchwork of
colors and themes.
The houses of Shae Fir are almost comically fae. Their
wooden frames are carved to show the stories of Thelanis,
with smiling faces and pastel colors. Most have intricate
illusory effects as a sign of status. Endlessly coiling vines,
shimmering flowers and dancing sprites are common
effects, with groups favored by certain archfey emulating
their aesthetics. The effect was once joyous, but the current
atmosphere of the city makes them distractingly creepy;
random laughter and chirping birds echo through the fog,
masking the sounds of approaching foes. Even worse, the
public spaces of the City of Splendor often contain illusions
of people - fae dancers, historical figures and other tests of
magical skill. Now, they are like ghosts, with some calling out
to approaching figures as though they were visitors of old. As
a result, some fiends know that the sound of illusory voices
are a sign of sneaking thieves nearby.
Ambience
• The keening wind howls and whistles through
the streets. Sometimes it isn’t the wind.
225
 • The air is thick with drifting mist, and just cold enough
to be uncomfortable. Occasionally it hides faint strands
of caressing spiderwebs.
• The wooden buildings are tall and whimsical, carved
in rustic patterns to show off scenes from fairy tales.
Many are heavily themed after certain archfey in a
riot of colors.
• Countless multihued lights glow through the haze from
enchanted dancing lights and hanging lanterns.
Sites of Interest
Fate’s Throne - The royal Palace of Fables, once
glorious and golden, is now an umbral nightmare. The
building is itself a stage - a magical construction meant
to embody the story of its monarchs. As a result, it’s now
blood-splattered and haunted. Queen Cono’mae still exerts
power over the baroque ruins, with fiends of the Spinner
often meeting in its throne room. The lower halls of Fate’s
Throne are crawling with spiders, and captives are often
brought here to fuel their appetites. They guard vast hoards
of fey treasure - royal gifts and tribute from the archfey of
Thelanis that now molder and rot under layers of silk. Any
party seeking the prophetic wisdom of She who Stitches will
likely have to reach Fate’s Throne, and beseech the Titan in
her seat of power.
The College of Fables - The true birthplace of
the Court of Dawn is the grand College of Fables, home of
Xen’drik’s bards for thousands of years. The comfortable
rustic building somehow looks exactly as one might expect,
with beautiful wooden gables and roaring fireplaces the year
round. With countless layers of bardic magic overlaid on the
same building (many of them done while drunk), the College
is seemingly of infinite size on the inside. Countless recital
rooms alternate with bedrooms, cozy common rooms and
questionably fey kitchens. Perhaps the most exciting rooms
are instrument workshops and song libraries, which hold
countless treasures for aspiring bards.
The Mnemonic Anemones - The central square of
Shae Fir is filled with whimsical flowerbeds. The flowers they
hold are each unique, having grown from freely given organic
memories. They glitter softly in the twilight in all colors of
the rainbow. Once, this garden was tended by warlocks of
the Forgotten Prince, who offered to steal people’s worst
memories free of charge. Other residents of Shae Fir freely
sold their memories of happy times in exchange for money,
or information on things lost to them. Plucking and smelling
a flower causes it to crumble into inky ash, but grants the
memory it grew from. The Square is currently the domain of
the spidery hydroloth Remisever, who serves the Spinner of
Shadows by cultivating memories of fear and death.
Mnemonic Anemone
Wondrous Item, uncommon
This glittering flower was grown in the fertile soil of a
memory. A character that smells the flower gains the
memory that was used to grow it with perfect recall.
of fey artifice that don’t hold up to any real scrutiny.
Surprisingly, many work. Unsurprisingly, many really,
really, dont.
The Where House - The chapterhouse of the
Forgotten Prince’s court is impossible to find if you know
where it is, but easy to stumble into if you never knew it was
there. The floor of the cold mansion is littered with random
objects that were once of value to someone. Through the
windows, one can see visions of places that have never been
seen before, and perhaps never will be again. The wine cellars
hold bottles of things people drank to forget. A group of
sticky-fingered boggles infest the place, and take great joy in
pilfering trinkets from visitors. They know everything going
on in the city, but befriending them requires overcoming
their irritating tendencies.
The Neverglade - Part of Shae Fir’s city center is a
grove of ancient trees and lush flowers utterly untouched
by the webs and ruins surrounding it. The Neverglade is the
ancient home of the city’s followers of the Forest Queen,
where construction and metal were both forbidden. At the
heart of the glade lies the Anstruth Harp - a gift from the
Queen with such power it protects the entire area from
the Spinner’s influence. Those entering the druid’s grove
receive similar protection - unless of course, they are clad in
metal armor.
Enemy Encounters
Fey - As a result of its Thelanis manifest zone and the
fate of its king, the kingdom of Shae Fir is now an incarnate
story of a fallen kingdom. As a result, the ghost of the Fabled
King causes dark fey to manifest. Most
act out the stories of the
nation’s betrayers,

The Work Shop - The former court of the Mother

of Invention was a buzzing factory of whimsical magic.
Bizarrely, nothing the Work Shop ever produced was
sold, because their artifice was simply the story of the
value of creative work. Instead, by inventing
countless things, they could produce the manifest
concept of a good day’s work, which they then
gift-wrapped and sold. The items still remaining
within the factory are questionable works

CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES

226226
 as well as the dark stories told about its ruins. Darklings,
meenlocks and yeth hounds all lurk in the shadowy
woods, waiting to waylay explorers. More powerful entities
such as annis hags often lead them, offering dark deals to
adventurers in exchange for their luck, vitality, or hand in
marriage. Perhaps the most fearsome are the fomorians.
These fey giants are not the actual living fomorians of
Khyber, but 'actors' for the followers of Queen Cono’mae
during the kingdom’s civil war. Their cartoonishly evil acting
does nothing to hide their brutish strength and vile curses.
Monstrosities - Large numbers of spiderfolk live in
the outer lands of the Twilight Court. These children of
the Spinner of Shadows have long shaken off their ties to
the overlord, and live in quiet seclusion. However, some
never left service, and devoted cultists of the Spinner are
often transformed into new spidery horrors. The presence
of the Spinner can also result in nearby spiders becoming
abnormally large and fiendish. As a result, explorers might
encounter anything from chitines, to choldriths, to
giant spiders, to driders, while traveling through the
woods around Dread Lake. Some are purely neutral, and
have no desire to even be seen, such as the village of Lachni
(p.261). Others live to see their prey rendered helpless and
paralyzed with venom.
Fiends - The city of Shae Fir itself is the domain of the
spider. The influence of the Spinner of Shadows has long
seeped into the ruins, and the palace of Fate’s Throne is
now the meeting place for her fiendish servants. Queen
Cono’mae* herself often chairs the dark gatherings from atop
her former seat of power. When not pursuing their goals
across Xen’drik, these fiends often remain in the domain
of Shae Fir to study the weave of the prophecy. Arachnid
fiends of the Spinner might include everything from shadow
demons, to concubi, to powerful rakshasa and bebiliths*.
A full breakdown of the Spinner of Shadow and her minions
can be found on p.155 in the Overlords section.
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
Adventure Hooks
Fateweaver: The servants of the Spinner of Shadows are
experts in the Draconic Prophecy; they pluck and sever the
strings of fate to ensure only the most painful futures. They
use this to interfere with the plans of other overlords just as
much as they hinder the dragons. To find a future path in
which a rising overlord is sealed, the party must seek out the
advice of Queen Cono’mae, Prakhutu of the Spinner - but
her dark temptations come at a steep cost, and reaching the
Fabled Throne is a challenge of its own.
Lyrical Legend - The bards of Shae Fir were legends
in their own right, performing in the courts of Xen’drik
and Thelanis alike. Many played instruments that became
infused with their legendary performances, or were granted
by the archfey for their skill. These Instruments of the Bards
have been lost to the ages; some may still lie in the ruins of
the Twilight Court, or within the hoards of rogue dragons.
One - the Anstruth Harp - lies at the heart of the Nevergrove
in Shae Fir, and wards off fiendish influence with the power
of the Forest Queen. A party seeking to restore nature to
Xen’drik, or oppose unnatural forces, might seek to retrieve
the powerful relic from the shrouded city. There’s only one
issue - once the Harp is removed from the Nevergrove, the
servants of the Spinner will do anything to reclaim it.
Moonlit Memories - The Mnemonic Anemones of
Shae Fir hold a thousand moments from the Age of Giants,
and a hundred memories of the victims of the Spinner of
Shadows. To locate a lost treasure, the players must venture
into the mist-drenched city of Shae Fir and pluck a most
singular flower from the grand plaza - while hoping their
own memories of fear aren’t the next fertilizer.
Brood Queen - The body of the Spinner of
Shadows lies sealed beneath Dread Lake - for
now. With the Ten Watchers weaker than
227
 ever, and the strands of the Prophecy gathering in a knot,
Queen Cono’mae has put out a silent call. It is time for the
servants of the Spinner to gather, and release their mistress
once more. At the same time, a very different queen has its
sights set on the overlord; the daelkyr Valaara, known as the
Crawling Queen, is stepping up the war effort. The insectoid
horrors of the Deepest Hive are on the march, commanded
to consume this rival brood-queen at all costs, and subsume it
into the colony - an event that would disrupt the very balance
of reality. The party finds themselves caught between both
powers, and must decide on the lesser of two evils, or be
devoured by the growing swarm.
Legacy: Power Words
Among the greatest tools of the Court of Twilight were
words infused with such power that they could manifest the
stories of Thelanis into the Material. These power words
were true embodiments of an archfey’s story, each capable of
imposing fey magic on reality. To wield such words, the one
attempting to speak them must themselves be a mirror to the
archfey in question, acting in accordance to their themes. The
effect is striking; with the caster acting as the main character,
their opponents become actors with the world as a stage.
Spells:
• Fate's Threads - 3rd - Conjure a spidery illusion that
restrains and damages foes - before eating them whole.
• Power Word: Hunt - 7th - Speak a word of beasts that
marks a target as prey. The target considers the caster
and their allies to be invisible, and takes additional
damage from their attacks until the effect ends.
• Power Word: Joy - 7th - Speak a word of pure joy
that causes one creature within range to dance
uncontrollably, preventing it from harming other
creatures until the effect ends.
• Power Word: Savior - 8th - Speak a word of inspiration
to an ally, granting them plot armor for a round.
During this time, they are impervious to
damage and more heroic in every way.
Loot Examples
Common/Trinket - The bards of the College of Fables
used a variety of Wands of ConductingXGE to add
1 backing music to their works. Many contain the hints
of songs lost to time.
Common/Trinket - Any giant traveling to the Moonlit
Vale wouldn’t be caught dead without illusory haute
2 couture. The fashion shops of the Fir specialized in
custom Common GlamerweaveERLW, which they sold at
high prices to other city-states.
Uncommon - Cultists of the Spinner of Shadows often
3 wield Wands of Web - tools that allow them to render
others so deliciously helpless.
Uncommon - Nothing says drama quite like salacious
letters written in a language only two lovers can
4 understand. In Shae Fir, Emerald PensFTD came with all
manner of implications.
Rare - Many of the buildings in Shae Fir were styled
in songs, and built in fable - literally. Using Lyres of
5 BuildingTCE, giants known as dramatects would spin
stories of the fake history of their construction, until
those stories became reality.
Rare - Among the most feared creations of the Work
Shop are the ironically named ‘Wands of Wonder’.
6 These creations of fey artifice are said to make one
wonder why they bothered using them for spells at all.
Very Rare - The legendary Instrument of the Bards
named the Anstruth Harp was said to be a gift from
7 the Forest Queen herself to the Neverglade’s leader.
Its powerful fey magic maintains the verdant grove,
staving off the Spinner’s influence.
Legendary - The Deck of Many Things. The beginning
8 of the story, and often the end too. Some fey gifts are
better left alone, even by the most cocky of bards.

City Conversion
Restoring the Twilight Court’s capital to its
former glory is a monumental task. The most
important step is driving out the minions of the
Spinner of Shadows, most notably the titan Queen
Cono’mae - and defeating a titan is a legendary
endeavor. However, killing Queen Cono’mae
would have an interesting effect. As long as
she lives, she is playing the role of the Betrayer
Queen of a Ruined Kingdom, which intrinsically
binds Shae Fir into that dark role. If she were to
die, the Story would end, returning it to a neutral
state. This would mean that the fey magic and
mist cloaking it would be dispelled, allowing it to
be settled once more. Of course, many fiends and
monsters lurk within, and Dread Lake would have
to be recovered one step at a time. However,
the scattered firbolgs of Xen’drik would
be able to reclaim their ancient home,
potentially calling on the Archfey for
assistance once more.

CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES

228228
Xoriat
Zja AQat
Caution! Alternity Anchor ſ is hereby closed by
order of the Liminal Guild. All metacreativity and
psychotransportation are strictly prohibited within
a radius of 3 Ourans. Side effects may include
momentary dimensional collapse, anti-defenestration,
and severe ocular displacement. Please report such side
effects to the Guild for later study. Caution!
O
ne of the greatest secrets hidden by the
shifting sands of the west is the city of Zja
Aqat. The Free City studied the plane of
Xoriat (much to the horror of its allies),
using the realm of madness inspiration
to perform impossible feats of magic. If
one word can define Zja Aqat, it is ‘space’. The structure of
the city exists across multiple dimensions and demiplanes,
sprawling endlessly through reality. The cyclopes of the city
were travelers through space and time. To make up for the
scarce resources of the Menechtarun, they stole resources
from other timelines instead. They achieved this through a
chaotic blend of psionics and magic inspired by proximity to
Xoriat.
The most fundamental result of studying Xoriat is
perspective - a viewpoint outside the framework of reality.
Perhaps the most worrying part of Zja Aqat is that its giants
used this perspective to perfect success. The creation of
extradimensional spaces, exploration of alternate realities,
and manipulation of space allowed them to go where no giant
had ever gone before. No matter how far they went, their
titan tied them together - a psionic gestalt of minds known
only as the Concateny.
In the modern day (and past, and future), Zja Aqat is a
fearsome ruin scoured by desert winds. The manifest zone
that cloaks the city turns the air into liquid, allowing one to
swim through the sky. As a result, the ruins float in the air
like an abstract art piece. Many hold portals to unfathomable
places, and the destruction wrought by the Shattering has
torn many of them open. Now, creatures from beyond
occasionally wander into the Menechtarun. Explorers may
have to deal with horrors that defy all conventional physics,
psionic echoes created by the Concateny, or even versions of
themselves from other timelines.
By far the most dangerous creature is the Concateny itself.
The Xoriat titan is formed from a hundred different giant
minds, all linked into one terrible metaconcert. The result
is one of the most powerful psions in Eberron - a being
so strong that it strains reality at the seams. The dragons
understood that destroying it would incur a great cost, and
left it in the ashes of its kingdom, for its one weakness is
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
Summary: Zja Aqat
Magic: Psionics, Teleportation, Spatial Magic
Titan: The god-mind of the Concateny
Capital: Zjai Aqat
Location: Western Menechtarun desert
Exports: Travel, Exploration, Psionics, Innovation
that it cannot move. For 40,000 years, it has lain beneath the
desert. For 40,000 years, it has plotted its revenge. Whether it
is still sane is another question entirely.
Pulp Scenes
• Fight through a stream of crystal horrors towards the
portal they are spilling out of. Beyond, the view is
breathtaking - a galaxy of Siberys dragonshards, and the
planet of Eberron like a sparkling gem below them.
• Commune with a mind of impossible complexity,
chained at the center of a hundred giant bodies
kneeling in prayer.
• Sprint through a kaleidoscope of changing demiplanes, a
Crown of One Mind* in your hands, and the hunting dogs
of the Inspired not far behind.
Titan: The Concateny
One more mind, added to a hundred. A hundred minds, to
lead ten thousand. The Concateny is a metaconcert of psions
bound together in permanent communion beneath Zja Aqat.
The immense psychic gestalt thinks as one, yet wields the
power to reshape reality itself - a terrifying being of limitless
potential. Promising masters of the mind were invited to join
the Concateny as a great honor; after a process in which they
were mind seeded, the candidate was inducted into the group,
joining the mummified forms of their peers within the deep
crysteel temple. Their bodies still kneel in prayer, having
been shed like worthless husks.
Grand Gestalt. As Zja Aqat grew, the number of
beings melded into the Concateny grew with it. Every new
mind brought new ideas and experiences for the whole,
which in turn reinforced the success of the city. The gestalt
is so powerful it can be felt for miles around, but its power
came with the price of immobility. Without the surrounding
infrastructure to store and channel its power, the Concateny
would implode under its own mental strain. As a result, one
of the most powerful beings on Eberron is almost entirely
unknown, and lies in stasis beneath the desert sands.
In the days of the giants, each and every Zjai was
connected psionically to the vast übermind beneath
their home, which relayed information, offered
suggestions, informed decisions and empowered
individuals in their actions. To other giants,
229

The State of the City
As a result of Zja Aqat’s nature and the damage of the
Shattering, the city exists in a quantum superposition.
Every alternate Concateny has done something
different, and since the city overlaps other realities,
all of these are true. At the same time. As a result, the
city could be frozen in time, teleported elsewhere,
psionically shrouded, or warped to the future. this
can be entirely decided by the GM depending on the
story - or even switched at random between them.
This section assumes that none of these are true; while
the Concateny was too strong for the dragons to slay
without major cost, the cyclopes themselves were
destroyed. The table below has 13 possible realities:
d13 Possible Realities
The city was shunted into a different timeline,
and swapped with its ruined counterpart from
1 manipulation of space. Their blend of conjuration magic and
that alternate future. The original might still be
accessible through the infrastructure of this version.
The city is held in a bubble of time stasis, with
dragons and spells frozen mid-flight in the moment
2 that the magic was activated. Entering the bubble
could freeze a person in time forever - or pull them
into the ongoing catastrophe of the Shattering.
The people were teleported to a utopian demiplane
3 'vault' created by the Concateny - and await the time
the Titan decides they are safe to return. If ever.
The residents were teleported to one of the city's
outposts on a moon or the Ring of Siberys, and
4 now explore Siberspace rather than Eberron and its
dragons, who would seek to destroy them still - a
reason to have them as Spelljammer’s merkhanes.
The city appears to be functioning; in reality it's a
replicated facsimile created by its titan's guilt and
5 desperation. The people within are hollow puppets,
or captured beings psionically warped into giants.
The city was warped into the future in response to
6 the incoming attack, and only just reappeared. If the
dragons find out, the result will not be pretty.
The city was destroyed, but the dragons didn't
7 touch its sections in other dimensions, leaving
scattered colonies divided across space and reality.
The city was destroyed, and its ruins still ring with
8 was simple - to retrieve impossible materials, creatures, and
the ravaged psionic echoes of its long-dead titan.
The minds of the slain giants were absorbed by
the Concateny in a desperate attempt to preserve
9 Alternity Anchor, forming a roster of alien destinations.
them, creating a powerful (unstable)psychic gestalt,
trapped beneath the Menechtarun. You hope.
The city is entirely intact and untouched by the
Shattering, and always has been, but the Mourning
10 has dispelled the powerful memetic shielding around
it, allowing mortals to see the city once again.
The city is stuck in an recursive time-loop, repeating
11 the day before the Shattering. This is maintained by
the titan, too emotionally broken to ever end it.
Sphinxes guard the city, preventing anyone from
12 delving into its secrets; they use their lair actions to
manipulate its timeline to unknown ends.
Due to a splintering of timelines caused by the
13 collapse of Zja Aqat’s magic, all of the above options
are true. Simultaneously.
230230
the presence of a second mind looming behind their own
was a disturbing and nightmarish concept; to the Zjai, it
was a source of comfort and power. Even more importantly,
it provided reprieve for explorers venturing alone into
lonely realities.
The physical form of the Concateny lies deep beneath the
Iridesce - a massive needle-like monolith at the heart of the
city. In a sealed temple protected by psionic wards, a hundred
giants kneel in prayer. Their desiccated bodies are technically
alive, but utterly comatose; their minds exist within the
vast crysteel monolith at their center. This structure is the
true form of the Concateny, and contains the minds of
the giants. The outer edges of the chamber are lined with
psionic resonators that extend the titan’s reach and channel
its great power.
Arcana: Infinite Doors
At its core, the magic of Zja Aqat revolved around the
psionic psychoportation allowed them to cross boundaries
that others couldn’t dream of. This ranged from the astral
plane, to the moons and Ring of Siberys, to alternate
timelines - all of which held a bounty of rare and valuable
resources. This process was catalyzed by the use of Xoriat
manifest shards, which acted as ‘tuning forks’ attuned to
other dimensions. The immediate upshot was that Zja Aqat
has access to the Ring of Siberys - in other words, a limitless
supply of Siberys Dragonshards to sell to the hungry giant
empires around them. This trade allowed them to buy food
and supplies unavailable in their desert home. Over time,
this technology was developed to open farther and farther
doors. The epitome of this technology are the Alternity
Anchors* - eldritch machines that tear open stable gateways
to other realities.
As both the Concateny and the population of Zja Aqat
grew, the psionic power at their disposal was put to further
use. Metacreative psionics were used to forge demiplanes out
of nothing, with customized properties to suit their needs.
Many of these were used to grow food in rapid speed, as the
flow of time within the demiplanes is faster than the Material.
Meanwhile, beyond the city, the viators of the Liminial Guild
pushed the boundaries of exploration. These adventurous
Zjai leapt into unknown realities and layers of Xoriat, their
minds linked by a connection to the Concateny. Their job
resources for sale or use in Zja Aqat. Over time, dimensions
with valuable properties were cataloged and linked to an
Capital: Zja Aqat
The lost capital of Zja Aqat spans multiple planes and
dimensions, held together and pinned by the power of the
Concateny and the magic of its viators. From a distance,
the city is a mirage. Sprawling buildings formed from softly
glowing crysteel rise from the desert, some long fractured by
the passage of ages. Above them, entire city districts hover
in the air, supported by psionic power and the bizarre Xoriat
manifest zone in which it lies. The entire region around Zja
Aqat has alternate laws of physics; the air behaves like water,
and has enough weight to swim through, with a side effect
of cooling the desert heat. As a result, the city of Xoriat (in
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
 typical creative fashion) is as much vertical as horizontal.
Twisting currents spiral through the air, carrying travelers
between the disparate sections, while others are connected
by massive portal gateways. The sections gradually revolve
around the city’s center - a gargantuan needle of iridescent
sentira that marks the tomb of the Concateny.
Doors Beyond. Of course, much of Zja Aqat cannot
be seen by the naked eye. Discontent to simply dwell in the
Material, the citizens of the Guild constructed countless
portals and doorways to artificial demiplanes, the astral
plane, and locations across Xen’drik. With the power of their
gestalt Titan maintaining these portals, they simply treated
these places as extensions of their city. As a result, Zja Aqat
extends onto floating debris in the Astral plane, and into vast
artificial pocket dimensions created with psychic power. A
house might have doors that open onto the moon Sypheros,
a spherical demiplane with no gravity, and a storeroom deep
beneath Stormreach. This casual relation with the concept
of space is emblematic of its people, and many of these
locations are only accessible from Zja Aqat itself. Getting lost
is extremely easy, and just as dangerous, except for one simple
trick - thinking loudly to the street signs causes them to
psionically imprint the correct route into your mind.
The crysteel used to build the city is visually crystalline, but
molded into smooth and organic shapes. Almost nothing is
symmetrical, and in many places, the buildings completely
ignore the rules of gravity - both inside, and out. The secret
to Zja Aqat is the same as the street signs. Everything is built
for a society with telepathy and a focus on psionics, for the
city is controlled by thought. With directed focus, buildings
will open doors in blank walls, shift their gravity and dim the
lights. The psionic power for this comes from the Concateny
itself - and those using the power of their thoughts quickly
feel the lurking pressure of that ancient godmind. The
massive needle spire at the center of the city is an advanced
precursor to the hanbalani altas of Riedra. The device stores
and channels the powers of the Concateny like a battery,
which the city draws on to sustain itself. Those with psionic
power can sense the energy contained within from a mile off.
Sites of Interest
Borderline Gate - The seat of the Liminal Guild’s
expeditions takes up an entire floating district. The
Borderline Gate is effectively an ancient adventurer’s guild - a
branching fortress of taverns, training halls and workshops
used by Guild explorers in their travels across the cosmos.
The outer doors of the Guild open directly into other planes
and dimensions; those deemed valuable were maintained
permanently, then used as foundations to open even further
portals. As a result, the guild has hundreds of branching
rooms with doorways to who knows where. The damage
caused by the Shattering has caused many of these portals to
destabilize, or sputter to life during planar convergences. As
a result, odd creatures sometimes find their way through, or
remain trapped in the labyrinth of halls.
The Star Loggia - The interstellar tower known as
the Star Loggia was the home of Zja Aqat’s space exploration.
Here, the giants used their dimensional magic to explore the
moons and the Ring of Siberys, harvesting dragonshards and
studying the Realms Above. Their discoveries and records are
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
held within the tower, with each floor focusing on a specific
moon. When the moons grow coterminous, the portals
on their matching floors open, providing free access - but
only the Zjai know what lies beyond. The floor that studied
Crya has been sealed off haphazardly by unknown hands.
Kol'kran’s Heart - One of the largest buildings in Zja
Aqat is Kolkran’s Heart, where the travel system known as
the Transcend was based. Here, dimensionally compressed
pathways extended to other members of the Group of
Eleven, allowing for rapid transport. This system could
be controlled, altered and shut off by the Zjai, preventing
the risk of immediate armed invasions if they used direct
portals. These paths were often extended to other nations
for diplomatic parley. At the building’s center, a giant statue
of the god Kol'kran stands, paying homage to the chaotic
whims of his domains of travel and trade. It is possible that
the Transcend still functions in a broken and chaotic way,
causing the phenomenon known as the Traveler’s Curse.
Further information on this possibility can be found in the
‘Continental Curses’ section on p.44.
Relay ∅ - One of the largest Alternity Anchors*, Relay
∅, lies just outside the city limits of Zja Aqat. The Anchor
is linked permanently to a version of Eberron destroyed by
the daelkyr - the same reality that the Gith fled from. Placed
in records as ‘Sardior’, the Zjai retrieved a variety of psionic
materials using the Alternity Anchor, including alien forms of
sentira. While the Anchor was thankfully shut down during
the Shattering, damage to its Manifest Shard means that it
occasionally flickers to life, allowing otherworldly creatures
tainted by the daelkyr to drag themselves into this timeline.
The Unbazaar - The Extemporal
Market, known as the Unbazaar, lies in
a pocket dimension accessible from
several free-standing doorways
across the city. Entering the
market was strictly regulated,
for it exists simultaneously
at all points in its own
timestream. Any
creature that
enters the market can
meet every past and
future version of
themselves that have
been, are, or will
be visiting.
231
 This means that traders can deliver items to their past and
future selves. The implications of this are (ironically) lost to
time, though the potential for paradoxes caused entry to be
limited. Bizarrely, one highly sought service was for giants to
meet their own as-of-yet unborn descendants for a chat.
Quarantine Nether - Returning explorers and living
samples were kept in the Quarantine Nether to protect from
infectious agents. This artificial demiplane exists within the
Astral Plane, ensuring the entire complex could be cut-off
permanently in the event of a breakout. Unfortunately, the
Zjai never expected their city to fall before the Quarantine
did. Now, unaging creatures from other worlds have been
trapped in the Quarantine Nether for thousands of years,
awaiting someone to set them free. Whether doing that is
compassionate or suicidal is anyone’s guess.
Enemies & Encounters
Aberrations: The leaking windows to other realms
left behind by the Zjai are a serious threat. All manner of
unknown creatures have wandered through into the city
over thousands of years. Some are from Xoriat itself, while
others come from a multitude of doomed realities. Some are
compatible with the physics of this version of Eberron, and
cling on to life in the ruins of the city. The worst are truly
incompatible. Much like the daelkyr, these horrors warp
space and reality, leaving nothing but death in their wake.
Any aberration or bizarre monstrosity can be flavored in this
way, ranging from tentacled froghemoths and morkoths,
to magic-warping woe striders* and beholders, to
gibbering star spawn. This also provides an opportunity
to reflavor the quoriERLW stat blocks as unearthly psychic
horrors. On the other end of the scale is the small community
of flumphs that have made their home in the upper city.
232232
Githyanki: The gith of the astral sea are refugees from a
reality doomed by the daelkyr. Their grand goal is to destroy
Xoriat and the daelkyr with it, gaining revenge for their own
unimaginable loss. Zja Aqat is a site of much interest; the gith
first found the city through its portals into the Astral Plane,
where the city-ships of the githyanki lie. Now, they hope
to use it to plumb the secrets of the Plane of Madness, and
raid other realities for resources. The gith have established
a permanent base beyond the city limits, which doubles as a
crèche so that their children can age. Many believe that the
immense power of the Zjai giants holds the key to restoring
their reality entirely. Naturally, their greatest opponent is the
Concateny itself. At any time, githyanki knights might be
raiding the city, led by a gish or kith’rak riding a sapphire
dragonFTD. The githyanki have little mercy towards other
explorers, and are likely to fight both the party and the
Inspired without too much provocation.
The Inspired: The feats of psionics created in Zja
Aqat are among the most powerful in Eberron, with the
Concateny* rivaling the most powerful Inspired and their
kalaraq hosts combined. The mad creativity of the giants is a
treasure trove for the Unity of Riedra, who have only recently
located the city due to the shifting sands and dangers of the
Menechtarun. What the quori could do with its wonders
is beyond comprehension. The Star Loggia has lore on the
moon of Crya found nowhere else, while the metaconcert
that created the Concateny is a path to psionic power on a
scale heretofore unseen. As a result, Riedran soldiers and
InspiredERLW have formed an outpost an outpost in the city's
vicinity to enable further expeditions.
Adventure Hooks
Total Rewrite - The githyanki are a people with no
world to call their own. The daelkyr destroyed their reality,
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
 forcing them into the Astral Plane as refugees. Their people
are united by one single goal - destroying Xoriat and the
daelkyr with it. Their queen, Vlaakith, believes that Zja Aqat
holds the secrets they seek, for nowhere else on Eberron
has gazed so much into the Plane of Madness. Soon, the
gith will be launching a major offensive, and the Concateny
has reached out to the only people who can stop them from
destroying the Material Plane itself - the party!
True Unity - The existence of the Concateny is one
secret that the Unity of Riedra should never find. Any
party fighting against the Inspired in western Xen’drik may
uncover their ultimate goal - to investigate the god-mind and
its vast psionic power. Such a conflict would go any number
of ways. It might inspire the quori to create their own psionic
gestalt, merging any number of Chosen in a horrific ritual
to create a being of devastating power. Alternatively, the
Concateny might mentally dominate Riedran expeditions,
converting them to its side - then using them to infiltrate and
conquer Dar Qat itself. Either way, the party is stuck in the
middle - and disrupting the plans of both sides might be vital
for the fate of the world.
Stairway to Heaven - the Star Loggia was the center
for Zjai research into the moons. Every floor holds a portal to
a different moon, including the sealed 13th floor. Whatever
lies inside that floor is completely unknown, but the existence
of the tower and its stellar connections was famed across
Xen’drik in its heyday. Any party wishing to investigate
the missing moon of Crya, or repair the damage between
Eberron and Dal Quor, can find no better clue than this. The
13th floor of the Loggia might open onto the lost moon, its
broken remnants, or even the Sea of Dreams itself...
Legacy: Alternity Anchor
Lacking the natural resources of their competitors, the Zjai
harvested the goods they needed from alternate timelines
and realities. The giant sentira astrolabes known as Alternity
Anchors were their main method of opening rifts to these
infinite possibilities. Activating an Anchor transposes another
alternate Eberron over a vast area - a stable dimensional
breach through which explorers can travel. The giants of Zja
Aqat would search for useful timelines, open Alternity fields
to harvest the resources, then close them with treasures in
hand. Linking an Anchor to a specific place or reality requires
an item originating there, necessitating giant explorers
venturing into other worlds. Messing with the continuity of
different realms can come at a steep cost; closing an Anchor
with someone still in the Alternity Zone will trap them in the
alternate timeline, while any creatures that manage to cross
the outer limits of the zone will similarly end up in this one.
Woe betide adventurers who open a Zone to a world where
the Overlords still rule - or where the Mourning expanded
beyond the borders of Cyre….
Spell:
• Spatial Isolation - 6th - This spell separates a section
of reality around the caster from the Material plane,
enclosing it temporarily inside a demiplane of its own.
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
magic items:
• Alternity Anchor - Eldritch Machine - These machines
transpose other realities onto this one, allowing free
travel between them. In both directions.
• Crown of One Mind - Rare - These psionic diadems,
taken from the reality of the gith, allows those wearing
them to share skills and thoughts.
• Time Loop - Very Rare - This causality-breaking ring
allows you to completely avoid a moment of damage by
inflicting it on your future self instead. At some point in
the next few days, you take that damage - with the GM
deciding exactly when.
Loot Examples
Common/Trinket - An unassuming chunk of dull white rock
1 that swaps with a slightly different alternate-reality version
of itself every time it isn’t observed.
Common/Trinket - A carved green scale from an emerald
2 dragon, which glows softly with an inner light in the presence
of a mind asking questions out of curiosity.
Uncommon - Driftglobes were an invaluable tool for testing
local physics. Throwing one through a new portal illuminated
3 the surroundings, and tested for crushing gravity or other
dangers. It also tested for any light-hunting predators.
Uncommon - Precognitive Weapons of Warning with minor
psionic intelligence were a prized creation of Zja Aqat’s
4
id-forges. Supposedly they existed several seconds in the
future, then spoke into the past to alert wielders of threats.
Rare - It turns out that the fabric of reality is just that -
fabric. You can tear it, sure, but you can also sew it together
into Capes of the Mountebank. Folding yourself within one
5
lets you squeeze through the gaps in the sewn fabric and
emerge somewhere different. Doing so can save your life in a
pinch, but try not to think about it too hard.
Rare - Another practical use of sewing the fabric of reality
is making handy pockets. Some Zjai giants used this skill to
psionically construct tiny demiplanes. Many together made
6 Handy Haversacks; single large ones were Portable Holes.
The best part about 40,000 year old Portable Holes is not
knowing what’s in them, and there’s only one way to find out.
Very Rare - This humming Rod of Security creates an
7 artificial demiplane space as part of Zja Aqat’s infrastructure.
Legendary - As the Liminal Guild mapped infinity, realities
of practical use were mapped to Cubic Gates - crystalline
8 matrixes wrought from the ether by the Concateny. Each
Gate is a doorway to countless realms of wonder - but until
the door is opened, no one knows what lies beyond.
City Conversion
Making Zja Aqat functional again hinges on the Concateny.
Some of the options in the ‘Potential States of the City’ table
introduce this possibility, by suggesting that Zja Aqat might
have been cloaked in psionic shielding or displaced through
time. Beyond the table, there are two major pathways
through which the city might be restored. The first, is that
the Concateny has died. Starved of new minds and psychic
energy for 40,000 years, and tormented by endless loneliness
and loss, the god-mind simply gave out. In this case, the city
is a treasure trove of unclaimed magic. The second, is that the
Concateny wishes to restore the city through diplomacy, by
allowing and encouraging other peoples to settle there. This
could mean the thri-kreen with their innate psionic
potential, Súlatar drow from the east, or even the
githyanki themselves!
233
 D o not rea
The Qabalrin
Can you believe that death was once kind? Of course, we
greet it from the start. It stands beside us, yet we fear to
look - ever close, and ever far. The elves were not so lucky. In
a single night they were plunged into the fear of a true and
final death, plucked from immortality and tied to the ticking
hands of the clock. I bid you understand them,
and why it turned out this way -
but I do not ask that you forgive them.
T
he elven Qabalrin were among the
most powerful mortal mages in the
history of Eberron, boasting such
necromancy it made titans fear. Based
Content Warning: Body Horror, Gore, Loss of Autonomy for the Dead
in what is now the Ring of Storms, the
mages practiced dire magic with horrific
costs, and forged pacts with dark powers from both Eberron
and beyond. Their society was deeply factional and darkly
authoritarian; those in power used their magic to depose
rivals and hold an iron grip on status, while the lower
people were treated as disposable possessions. The legacy
of the Qabalrin can be seen in the necromantic traditions of
Aerenal, especially the Mabaran magic used by the Line of
Vol and its allies.
The Qabalrin lived in what is now Ring of Storms - a small
valley hidden within a circular mountain range in eastern
Xen'drik. After fleeing the destruction of Shae Tirias Tolai
by the Cul'sir, the eladrin refugees found themselves mortal
- a crime that filled them with hatred for the giants. They
found refuge within the Ring, building a city devoted to the
Shadow and the pursuit of power at any cost. Qabal Mordas
(‘The Final Chapter’) grew downwards into Khyber itself,
with the divided elves forming factions based on their magic
and beliefs. It was this division that prevented them from
expanding their reach beyond the Ring - a fact that brought
great relief to the nations around them.
The nation fell long before the Shattering, in a disaster that
utterly decimated them. The largest dragonshard ever seen
fell from the Ring of Siberys, impacting Qabal Mordas and
wiping out the upper city and the Qabalrin with it. Before
their demise, the faction of the Unspoken tore the souls
from their entire nation, forming an almighty gestalt of dark
power known as the Umbra. If not for the dragons sealing it
within the dragonshard itself, this newborn divinity would
have walked Xen’drik unbound. The refugees from this event
carried their beliefs to Aerenal, beginning a new chapter
of history. Now, the perpetual tempest around the
Ring hides the Umbra from prying eyes. However,
powerful undead still lurk within the Ring of Storms
- and the Umbra still churns in its crystal cage.
234
Summary: The Qabalrin
T
Magic: Mabaran Necromancy, Fiendish and
Extraplanar Pacts
Leaders: The Qabal Daejir (‘Darkling Quills’) - A
council of the debauched
Capital: Qabal Mordas (‘The Final Chapter’)
Location: The Ring of Storms, Tempest’s Spine
Specialties: Dark Magic, Extraplanar Deals,
Misery
Pulp Scenes
• Fight off Emerald Claw soldiers hunting for necromantic
relics, as winged fiends swoop in to join the fray.
• Grasp a titan-slaying sword held in the grip of an ancient
corpse, only for the vampire’s eyes to snap open.
• Sneak through ancient libraries of hexes, while avoiding
the unnerving howls of aberrant guardians.
History
The depravity of the Qabalrin stems from their desperate
origins and search for revenge. The elves were originally
refugees from Shae Tirias Tolai who fled the destruction of
their city by the Cul’sir. Stripped of immortality and faced
with the concept of death, the eladrin put their understanding
of the afterlife into practice. Peace had been stolen from
them, and all they saw in their sorrow was war. The Shapers
of Night began wielding necromancy to reclaim their
immortality, becoming the first vampires. Their rivals, the
Unspoken, reached out to planar powers and emissaries of
the Overlords, forming pacts of immense power. Drawing
on fiendish power, Mabar, and Xoriat began to twist them
towards paranoia and cruelty. Soon, the Qabalrin held
enough ruin in their hands that the giants of Xen’drik feared
their name. No nation dared to attack, knowing that even
in victory, the dark magic of the elves would destroy them
from the grave.
In time, the internal conflict of the Qabalrin grew, as the
Shapers of Night and the Unspoken became the top factions.
The Unspoken declared the undead of the Shapers to be a
corruption of the elven spirit, and a blasphemy against their
former immortality. In turn, the Shapers condemned their
rivals for their fiendish pacts, mocking their reliance on the
power of others. Soon, this transformed into all-out war. The
conflict was ended by a decisive blow from the Unspoken,
who sealed the vampire lords of the Shapers deep beneath
the Ring of Storms in warded tombs. Less than two weeks
later, their victory was cut short. An immense dragonshard
fell from the Ring amid a crystal hail, smashing into their city
and destroying the Qabalrin. In the moments before their
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
 imminent death, the elves summoned their necromantic hotbed of deceit. Meetings grew fewer and fewer, then
legacy in a fury, binding their souls together into a terrible bloomed into a final cold war between both sides.
gestalt. What arose was a nascent god - a necromantic
amalgam of souls akin to a dark mirror of the Silver Flame. Arcana: Blood & Bone
Dark Legacy. The formation of this newborn threat was
present in the Draconic Prophecy, and the dragons rallied to The Qabalrin worshiped the god known as the Shadow, for
stop it. The forces of Argonnessen bound the gestalt within it was the followers of Ouralon who destroyed their home,
the massive dragonshard known as the Heart of Siberys. and enslaved their people. In the Shadow, they saw the
Unable to move it without freeing the dark horror inside, power to take back their fate, with vengeance for the giants
they instead raised storms around the mountains, and left who destroyed them. As such, in Qabalrin society, no magic
behind the Trothurkear dragonborn to guard the ruins. In was taboo, nor anything barred. The only measure was the
time, the well of souls gained prescience, reaching out to the success that your experimentation brought you. With little
Umbragen drow in Khyber to form a pact. Meanwhile, the land and nothing to their name, there was simply little choice.
vampire lords of the Shapers still slumber beneath Xen’drik The ruins of Qabal Mordas hold everything from forsaken
to this day. Those few Qabalrin who survived (many of necromancy, to aberrant fleshwarping, to fiendish hexes. As
them allies of the Shapers who fled the Ring after their loss) these burgeoning schools grew, they diversified into specialist
went on to join the exodus to Aerenal, bringing with them factions. Each brought different benefits to the Qabalrin as
traditions that shaped the course of elven history. a whole, while fiercely competing for influence and social
For the giants, the destruction of the Qabalrin was a gift status. Necromancy was always among the most powerful,
from the Sovereigns. The power of the elves reinforced for the Qabalrin themselves were descended from death. As
their fear of necromancy and posed a constant threat to eladrin of Shae Tirias Tolai, they held many secrets of the
their survival. It was only factional competition that ever dead, but as vengeful elves they put these into practice.
prevented the Qabalrin from attempting a campaign of
conquest against their neighbors. For thousands of years, Capital: Qabal Mordas
the Ring of Storms lay still within its tempest shroud. It was The vaulting architecture of Qabal Mordas lies beneath the
only when the war against the quori loomed that a Cul’sir surface of the Ring of Storms. Penned in as they were, the
expedition ventured within - and brought back dire rituals of elves expanded downwards into Khyber, forming a city with
blood sacrifice to their leader. layered vertical districts. Social status meant territory closer
to the sky; pariahs lived in the deepest parts of the undercity
Leaders: The Qabal Daejir (a fact that ironically may have saved them). The domains
As the Qabalrin settled and their factions took shape, the of the Qabalrin factions divided the city further, with each
leaders gathered into a ruling council. The Qabal Daejir’s extending downwards through the districts as the nation
word was law, but having them agree on anything was rare. expanded. The Shapers of Night ruled from the Incarnadine
Instead, the council gathered to arbitrate disputes, assign Throne in the north-east of the Ring, with layers of feast
territories, and handle the defense of their home. Positions halls and bedrooms beneath it, then mortuaries and sacrifice
on the council were earned through power and status alone. pens stretching deeper below those. With the upper city
Anyone could walk into the Writing Chamber and take a annihilated, access to the undercity can be found
ad.
This section is not to be re
seat, but an arrogant fool who didn’t belong would quickly
be ‘removed’. Typically, 12 elves attended the meetings of
the Qabal Daejir, with a thirteenth seat left open for their This section is to be sealed
fallen archfey. and confined.
turn.
Turn back, and never re
As the Qabalrin delved deeper into eldritch
magic, the Daejir soon became some of
the most dangerous people on the
continent, their positions assured
through vile rites and an iron
grip. Rather than just foes, the
individuals became literal
immortal rivals, their paranoid
hands stayed only by the
threat of mutual destruction.
It was these deep divides
that prevented the
Qabalrin from truly waging
war on the giants. In the
latter days, the caucus was
split between the Shapers
of Night, and the warlocks
of the Unspoken. The lesser
factions were pulled into the
orbit of either side, with the
Writing Chamber a political

CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES

235
 through great rifts in the ground torn open when the Heart
of Siberys fell.
The buildings themselves are intricate and gothic, with
flying buttresses and vast pillars that form supports between
districts. The style is a memory of Shae Tirias Tolai, with
different factions embellishing further to display their power.
Darkwood, black marble and inlaid silver are common,
with spiraling bridges connecting the districts. In places,
the press of dark buildings have collapsed, forming ruined
warrens in which monsters nest. The deeper one goes, the
more preserved the city becomes, but the more the depravity
increases. The lower districts held the industrial centers of
the Qabalrin, and what those ‘industries’ were is best not
asked. Mortuaries, laboratories, charnel houses and ritual
sites are just the start. Of course, below those are the most
valuable secrets of all, for the Qabal Daejir kept their greatest
possessions hidden as deep in the darkness as possible. Great
hordes of treasure, necromantic secrets of historic power
and the sealed tombs of vampire lords can be all found at the
bottom of the Final Chapter. Examples of different Qabalrin
factions can be found in the table below:
d6 Example Qabalrin Factions
The Unspoken - Master conjurers and warlocks ruled
the Unspoken, forming powerful pacts in exchange for
souls - and not always their own. Overlords, efreeti
1
and elder elementals had a presence in their planar
court, in which goods from across the realms were
bartered and sold.
The Foetid Flesh - The Flesh sought to elevate their
mortal elven forms into something greater. To that
end, they studied aberrant fleshwarping derived from
2
Xoriat, inspired by the insanity they glimpsed within.
Their artistry performed on captured giants served to
discourage any attacks on Qabalrin territory.
The Shapers of Night - The Shapers saw horror in
the light of the sun, longing for the eternal night of the
Moonlit Vale. To recreate their home, they enacted a
3 ritual to darken the sky over their domain in the city,
and regained immortality by becoming vampires - the
first true lords of the night.
The Charnel Saints - The Saints believed that their
aging flesh was weakness incarnate, while the bones
that once made their feyspire were immortal. By
4
making pacts with Mabar’s Bone King, they became
master osseomancers, shaping bone and marrow at
will - including the bones inside enemy bodies.
The Silver Kindred - With Dolurrh’s Queen of the
Dead losing Shae Tirias Tolei forever, the Kindred
pledged to be her hands of vengeance. The deathly
5
assassins sought out giants responsible for betraying
the Feyspire and consigned their souls to Dolurrh.
Their fate with the Queen is never to be spoken of.
The Touch of the Abyss - The Touch specialized
in delving down into Khyber, mapping and exploring
the countless demiplanes beneath. They constructed
6
outposts and harvested resources, bringing them back
to sustain the city. This included forming pacts with
beings they met far below.
Around the city, the mountains of the Ring of
Storms form a high barrier, with the impenetrable
tempest of the dragons above them. In days of
yore, a number of defensive watchposts
236
were carved into the mountain, manned by fiends and
undead. Many now lie within the stormfront, or have been
commandeered by the Trothurkear dragonborn. Any party
climbing over the mountains will face extreme cold, powerful
winds and draconic sentinels - but there is another way. The
Qabalrin carved a tunnel through the western shieldwall
called the Path of Ice & Marble. A party is likely to use this
to gain access to the unnaturally quiet crater beyond, but
the Path has its own challenges. Bound planar creatures and
necromantic traps lie in wait for any not of elven origin.
Within the Ring itself, the bases of the mountains have
become overgrown with jungle tainted by the Mabaran
necromancy. Beyond lies the Heart of Siberys within a broken
cradle of barren rock.
Ambience
• The air is silent like a primeval crypt. Rarely, the echoed
howl of something unreal rings through the stone halls.
• The smell of wet rot, incense and sulfur.
• Gothic elven architecture carved into deep
underground sub-levels.
• The seething gloom is lit by sconces holding colorless
pale flames.
Sites of Interest
The Heart of Siberys - The biggest Siberys
dragonshard ever seen still dominates the center of the
Ring of Storms. Around it lies a vast crater of lifeless rock,
with broken rifts leading down into the undercity. The
melded souls of the Qabalrin churn helplessly within the
huge meteorite. The Umbra’s magical power is a visceral
sensation; the necromantic gestalt is so powerful that it sets
one’s teeth on edge. Anyone who touches the Heart of Siberys
while casting a spell deals the maximum possible damage, or
heals for the maximum amount, but immediately loses 5d6
hit points. Additionally, they must succeed on a Charisma
saving throw with a DC equal to the hit points they lost.
On a failure, they are possessed by a Qabalrin ghost from
the Heart. Only one ghost can be released in this way at a
time; freeing them all requires shattering the dragonshard,
unleashing the Umbra upon the land.
The Chapterhouse - The Temple to the Shadow
at the heart of the city is the one place that all factions
respected. This was where Qabal Mordas was founded,
and their civilisation was born. During the nights of Long
Shadows, all members of the Qabalrin paid respects in the
Chapterhouse, listening to the sermons of the archierophant.
These religious ceremonies involved true prayers to those
who fell when their feyspire was destroyed, and rites to thank
the Shadow for its gifts. The Chapterhouse is located in the
center of the first underground district of the city, almost
directly beneath the Heart of Siberys; its central location
seemingly saved it from the impact shockwave, although
pious figures might believe that the hand of Shadow ensured
its unfortunate survival.
Ven’sur’s Folly - One of the public squares in Qabal
Mordas is dominated by an obscene sculpture. Rather than
building statues of their heroes, the Qabalrin preferred to
make mockeries of their enemies. The giant Ven’sur was a
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
 lieutenant of the Cul’sir who sought to make slaves out of
the ‘escaped elves’. His army was the first to be annihilated
in horrific fashion, alerting the giant nations to the strength
of the eladrin survivors. The Shapers of the Night walked
his corpse into their city as a grisly trophy, preserving it as
a reminder. Generations of skilled ‘artists’ were allowed to
practice their craft on the giant corpse, which now resembles
a terrifying piece of abstract art.
Marrow's Court - The district of the Ossuarists
glistens in the soft light, its buildings formed entirely from
bone. The faction’s pact with the Bone King of Mabar
granted them disturbing powers over both anatomy and the
undead. Within the Court, skeletal assemblies go about their
duties, clambering across ceilings with too many arms. The
magic of the Ossuarists has powerful medical applications,
but the feeling of what happens is not to be envied. Even
worse, the faction’s mortuaries were in the very bottom of
their district, and as such are all but untouched by the ravages
of time. The preserved arrays of body parts within are carved
with elven inscriptions that can cause them to animate in
response to intruders.
The Inkwell - the masterpiece of the Touch of the Abyss
is a pool of viscous shadow in the center of their fortress. The
ultradark portal is a unique teleportation circle; anyone who
enters while holding an item taken from a Khyber demiplane
is teleported there instantly. The Touch themselves had Spell
Scrolls of word of recall for emergency quick returns; modern
parties will need their own back-up plans.
The Incarnadine Throne - The court of the Ecliptic
King and Queen of Dusk, lords of the Shapers of Night, was
obliterated by the Heart of Siberys. What remains is their
domain in the deeper city - namely, the inglorious rooms
that lay hidden beneath their enchanting finery. The horrors
can scarcely be described. The ruling pair performed some
of the worst rites of sacrifice in the history of Eberron,
consigning hundreds of people to their deaths at a time to
secure power and immortality. It was they who created the
epic spell to become powerful vampires, with the ritual
performed in their buried sanguine crypts, then turned the
sky over Qabal Mordas to a permanent twilight. Rivers of
flowing blood, stores of infectious and ravenous ghouls, and
libraries of necromantic hexes can be all found beneath the
Incarnadine Throne.
THOSE ARE THE KINDER OPTIONS.
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
Enemies & Encounters
Aberrations - Factions within the Qabalrin such as
the Foetid Flesh used Xorian magic to gain standing in their
society. While the Flesh directly transmuted creatures into
aberrations, and summoned them forth from Xoriat, the
Touch of the Abyss captured them from Khyber and bent
them to their will. As a result, all manner of noxious horrors
still lurk within the deep undercity of Qabal Mordas. These
monsters originate from far before the time of the daelkyr,
and may be utterly unique due to lost transmutation spells.
Perhaps the most dangerous are woe striders* - hulking
guard beasts created by the Foetid Flesh to disable the magic
of their rivals. Tales of powerful giant mages rendered
helpless before packs of wailing striders did much to secure
the Qabalrin reputation. Any aberration could be of Qabalrin
origin if visually reflavored, including quori and slaadi.
Notably, the Touch of the Abyss held an alliance with a
clan of native cloakers, who helped them scout Khyber in
exchange for food and safety.
Fiends - The Unspoken were master conjurers and planar
summoners who treated with powerful fiends as equals.
Their home of Pylas Var-Tarael used devils contracted from
Daanvi to oversee negotiations, while powerful mariliths
guarded the city's watchtowers. The creation of the Umbra
devoured the souls of all the Unspoken, leaving these vicious
fiends behind. After thousands of years of boredom, many
relish attacking any creatures that enter their range. Others
simply appreciate the company and news. Fiends are typically
bound in locations important to the Unspoken, and can act as
cunning wild cards during exploration of Qabal Mordas.
Undead - Above all else, it was the Qabalrin mastery of
necromancy that struck fear into the giants. The Shapers of
Night reveled in their exploration of undeath, driven forth
by the fear of their own dawning mortality. They turned
themselves into vampires, others into infectious ghouls,
and held contests to see how many separate undead they
could render from a single body. Captured giants were
stripped of their shadows and reanimated as undead war
machines, their bodies packed with weaponry to form
titangheists*. Within Marrow’s Court, the Ossuarists
produced boneclaws and necromantic spells that warp
skeleton into putty. These abominable creations still
lurk hungrily in Qabalrin laboratories, awaiting
rediscovery by factions such as the Emerald
Claw. Even worse are the sealed and trap-
237
 laden tombs of the vampire lords who led the Shapers. The
vampires themselves might range up to epic-level threats
such as the awesome Ecliptic King*.
Adventure Hooks
Final Dusk - A young member of the Aereni rebels
known as the Skullborn has come to Xen’drik seeking a form
of immortality not held by the elite of the Undying Court.
Their search is leading them to the ancient vampire known
as the Ecliptic King; if they can release the powerful vampire,
they’ll receive everything they ask for - and become a thrall
among thousands in the King’s dark army.
Apex Death - Khorvaire’s Queen of Death has much to
learn from the Qabalrin; after all, Lady Illmarrow’s tale of
suffering first began in Qabal Mordas. The techniques of the
Line of Vol were derived from those of the Shapers of Night,
and it is possible that the ritual behind her lichdom lies in the
libraries of the Incarnadine Throne. If the Emerald Claw can
plunder the ruins of their secrets, Illmarrow may be able to
locate her phylactery, returning to life and gaining the power
of her Apex mark. Doing so may require a
massive amount of power, either from
the souls of the Umbra, or the
souls of a major city. It’s up to the
players to race the Claw to
the Ring of Storms, and
halt their plans before a
new god of death rises
from the ashes.
End of the Umbra - The dragons sealed away the
Umbra within the Heart of Siberys, ensuring the nascent
god-meld could not release death upon Xen’drik. Now,
the Umbragen drow have enacted a plan to shatter the
dragonshard in exchange for the Umbra bringing ruin to the
forces of Belashyrra. After thousands of years spent locked
away, the souls of the Unspoken wish to regain their mortal
forms - by injecting themselves into the bodies of others,
resurrecting the Qabalrin from their ancient graves.
Legacy: Prime Necromancy
The Shapers of Night and Charnel Saints created disturbing
necromantic spells that twist bone and devour life. The
following ancient hexes can be found in the Player Options
chapter (p.316), and might be learned from ancient Qabalrin
texts - or an unliving member of the Shapers of Night.
Spells:
• Corpse Shrapnel - 1st - A necromantic spell that turns a
corpse into a cone of razor-sharp bone shards.
• Meld Bone - 1st - A necromantic healing spell that
restores hit points at a mental cost for the recipient -
or warps the anatomy of an enemy.
• Marrow Rend - 3rd - A hex that twists the bones
inside a creature, dropping them prone and dealing
damage every turn.
• Wall of Bone - 6th - A seething wall of undead that
grasps at nearby creatures, grappling them to it and
tearing them apart.
• Grand Necrogenesis - 9th - A hex that awfully
disassembles a being into a death-swarm of undead
that consumes and grows in a devouring nightmare.
• Conjure The End - 9th - An Artifact Spell that
summons a barely-controlled nightwalker to the
Material Plane, which lays waste to the living.

Loot Examples
Common/Trinket - a demonglass Dark Shard AmuletXGE in the shape
1 of a tall tower covered in crescent moons.
Common/Trinket - This bone flute is carved delicately from an elven
2 ulna; when played, it produces notes in the falsetto voice of the elf.
Uncommon - This Ring of Mind Shielding was worn by one of the
3 Silver Kindred when the Heart of Siberys fell; as a result, their soul
now lives on within the ring.
Uncommon - These Boots of Elvenkind appear woven from liquid
4 shadow itself, and are blessed by the dark god of the Qabalrin.
Rare - The master conjurers of the Unspoken each held a personal
Planecaller’s CodexTCoE, with countless wards and magical traps laid
5 upon them to conceal their secrets. Many hold the true names of
fiends, as well as gossip on peers.
Rare - The noble vampires of the Shapers of Night used their abilities
to terrifying effect, using both spell and sword to slay their foes. Many
6 wielded Rapiers of Life Stealing that pulled the life from their foes in
the same way as their bite.
Legendary - Iron Flasks were the pinnacle of the Unspoken’s work
- when threatened, they could unleash the most powerful creatures
7 from across the planes as soldiers under their command. Most contain
powerful fiends, but their summoners had varying tastes.
Artifact - It is said that a single book of magic penned by the Shadow
8 sat on the altar of the Chapterhouse - a book so corrupt it’s a thing of
legend. To the giants, it was whispered of as the Book of Vile Darkness.

CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES

238
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
239
 The Sul'at League
T
he Sul’at League dominated central
Xen’drik, rivaling the Cul’sir Empire
in power. The meritocratic fire giants
formed a society around advanced magical
research, which they leveraged for
political neutrality. The League consisted
of five major allied cities, each focusing on a specific area of
study, and led by a Luminary of immense power. Uniquely,
the League drew lightly from every plane for its magic - a
calculated move meant to avoid competition with any other
nation. They used this diversity for powerful transmutation
spells and magebreeding projects, transforming living beings
Content Warning: Slavery
with varied planar magic. This ranged from monsters and
pack beasts to sentient people - including themselves, and
eventually, the drow.
Their study of the different beings in each plane also gave
rise to elemental binding. Creatures of use were trapped
within Khyber dragonshards, then used as power sources.
This simple concept gave rise to feats of immense magic.
Elder tempests powered airships created in phoenix forges,
while fiends were turned into dire weapons. These devices
were sold to both the Cul’sir and the Group of Eleven,
with a simple reminder. Any nation that used them against
the League would witness the real weaponry. Perhaps the
greatest they produced was the one that sealed their fate. The
Moonbreaker was commissioned from Sul’at forges, and the
dragons spared them no mercy as a result.
This clinical and emotionless approach was the result of
the burning power beneath their feet. The Overlord Kharna
Rayva lies bound deep within the Valley of Shadows, and
the Sul’at responded by denying it the hungry emotions it
fed on. The early history of the League was a stark reason
why. The first fire giant - Prince Adaxus - was the one who
united five city-states to form the League. His power came
from a pact with the Overlord, turning him into a passionate
and charismatic tiefling who warred on equal terms with the
Emperor Cul’sir to the north. As the hunger of Adaxus grew,
he fell more and more to Kharna Rayva’s influence, until
he was at risk of becoming a full avatar for the archfiend.
Before the worst could occur, a group of six heroes defeated
and bound the titan at the heart of the city of Morsa Khai.
In time, they became the Five Luminaries and the Pasha of
Grand Ju’qata, but the Hellfire Prince still rages against his
bonds - and the time of his release may be nigh.
Legacy of the League
The modern impact of the Sul’at League spans continents.
The gnomes of Zilargo first encountered elemental binding
in Xen’drik, which they replicated with their own secret
techniques. Meanwhile, House Cannith has made great
use of Sul’at schemas to advance their own works,
with Cannith South funding deeper expeditions. In
Xen’drik itself, the most obvious legacy remains the
drow. Giant thaumaturges created the drow via
planar experimentation on elves - an attempt
240240
Summary: Sul'at League
Magic: Elemental Binding, Evocation, Transmutation
Titans: The Five Luminaries
Capital: Morsa Khai, the Seat of Shackles
Location: The Valley of Shadows & Hydra Basin
Exports: Magebred Creatures, Elemental Weaponry
to create stealthy assassins to direct against their rebelling
kin. Now, they are divided between those who would build
on and change the League’s work, and those who despise the
giants for their sins. Many factions vie for control over the
League’s remains; the fiery Súlatar drow seek to remake the
legacy of the League into something better, while the giants
of the Battalion of Basalt Towers wish to bring back the
League’s power and dominion over others. Around them,
mutated monsters roam the wilds, while countless cultures
retain control over the ruins..
For adventurers, the ruins of the Sul’at League are rife
with advanced treasure and technology. Few in Stormreach
understand the extent of their magic, or that the Sulatar of the
Obsidian city are just the tip of the iceberg. Powerful engines
of destruction, codices of planar lore, and transhuman
medical techniques are just a few of the things hidden away in
the Valley of Shadows, and each of the five major cities hold
enough secrets to last a lifetime. The greatest of them is the
truth behind the Moonbreaker - a mystery of such power it
could bring the might of the dragons to bear.
Titans: The Five Luminaries
The Five Luminaries became living legends by defeating
Prince Adaxus. Their victory united the terrorized cities of
the League, allowing them to establish a new order. Their
concept was simple; the League would pursue emotionless
research and advancement for the sake of all its people, while
studying methods of binding powerful beings. In doing so,
they could defend against the influence of Kharna Rayva, and
ensure the Hellfire Prince never walked Xen’drik again. Each
took charge of a different city, building them unilaterally
towards a brighter future.
As the League’s expertise in transmutation grew, the
Luminaries became ever more fearsome. Should they die, the
League would fall to uncertainty, as the symbols of its unity
faded away. They needed power - the power to ensure their
nation never came under attack, and the power to guide it for
years to come. Their answer was to alter themselves beyond
the limits of mortality. The aspects of the planes could be
wielded to extend one’s life, and mutate creatures with innate
magical abilities; combined and carefully tended, they could
create immortals of vast power.
In time, each Luminary tinkered and studied with their
own mortal forms, experimenting to become uniquely
powerful titans. Multiple arms, perfect beauty, elemental
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
 magic, and immortality were simply the baseline; as the
arcane science of the League grew, the Luminaries built on
Capital: Morsa Khai
The grand citadel of Morsa Khai dominates the western
themselves, specializing further towards their duties - and
Valley of Shadows. The Seat of Shackles is named for two
becoming ever more monstrous as they did so. In time, their
things - the elemental binding performed by skilled Sul’at
transhumanism cost them their empathy. The lesser races
thaumaturges there, and the unholy god-prince bound
became feeble test subjects in need of improvement, and the
beneath it. The city is the epicenter for the ruin that took
order for the Moonbreaker was just another step on the path
the Valley of Shadows; when the dragons attacked, their
of progress. Each Luminary ruled over a core pillar of the
destruction unleashed hundreds of elementals bound to the
League, with mutations to match. The Five consisted of:
city’s infrastructure, creating a chain reaction that laid waste
to the region. Entire districts were melted into slag, torn
Life, who explored the potential of magebreeding using
asunder by storm winds, or swallowed by the earth. Many
planar energies and manifest zones, including eugenics
magebred warbeasts in use against the rebelling elves were
studies and transmutative enhancements and grafts.
also freed from containment, and still lurk to this day in
the broken legacy of their creators. If this wasn’t dangerous
Worlds, who cataloged and explored planar layers, enough, the influence of the Overlord Kharna Rayva seeps
identifying unique flora, fauna, and materials. From the city into the land, provoking a driving hunger in the creatures
of Vhox Jida, they developed technology to easily traverse that call the valley home. Some of the Overlord’s fiends have
between dimensions. escaped their bonds over time, and stalk the Valley in search
of mortals to tempt - or burn. The Seat of Shackles contains
Bonds, who developed new methods of summoning, some of the most powerful arcana in all of Xen’drik, along
capture, and containment for planar entities. They cataloged with certain death for any would-be treasure hunters.
beings of use and distributed new methods of binding to
their peers. In truth, they secretly applied this to the prison of
Adaxus, deep beneath the city of Morsa Khai.
Unbound Power
Morsa Khai itself is built into the foot of the western Fangs of
Creation Forged new materials using powerful Argarak, with the upper city rising up the rocky slopes. The
transmutation magic, mass-producing enchanted tools, lower city sprawls over fertile ashen plains, surrounded by a
vehicles, and weaponry. They integrated bound creatures into semicircular shield-wall of bloodglass and ur-cobalt over 160
the designs, creating intricate elementally-powered artifice. feet high. In places, this wall has been obliterated - a silent
reminder of a former war. Beyond the walls, the autumnal
Kin controlled trade, negotiations, and diplomacy, jungles of the League grow from the ash, the Fernian trees
ensuring their peers could focus on the heart of the Su'lat subsisting on raw heat and volcanic flame. The buildings of
ideal - progress. They acted as both ambassador and the city are themselves stark and brutalist, built for purpose
bureaucrat, managing the infrastructure and material needs over aesthetics. Their dark volcanic stone blends with
of the League. transmuted materials such as bloodglass and firebronze,
le
If ever you wonder why peop
rther.
hate adventurers, look no fu
tually
They act like gods, and even
s to
come to believe it too. Tyrant
overthrow a tyrant.

CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES

241
 creating a patchwork look. This is further complemented by
the damage wrought by the Shattering, with some buildings
missing, melted or scorched into abstract shapes. Other
sections of the city have been damaged by planar incursions -
the result of destroyed machinery
Yet, the most striking feature of Morsa Khai are the
elementals that remain bound to it. The entire capital is built
from elemental infrastructure, from the individual buildings
to the entire system of arching canals and aqueducts. These
waterways were once controlled by a central machine
powered by a bound leviathan, which altered the direction
of flow across the city as needed. Many bridges over these
canals are formed from bloodglass containing fire elementals,
allowing them to retract and reform in response to passing
ships by melting themselves into shape. Entire blocks of
buildings contain shared sections of bloodglass flooring,
allowing fire elementals to heat food and water for different
giants as needed. Formerly, the entire city was also cloaked in
a dome of wind and weather, created by a device known as a
Tempest’s Grip. Now broken, the city is covered in a layer of
ash that forms drifts in the streets. These are just the standard
parts of Sul’at engineering.
Hellfire Core
In truth, the greatest work of the League is completely
invisible to the naked eye. The entirety of Morsa Khai, from
the city walls to the upper peaks, is laid on foundations
bound with earth elementals. With the right commands,
these legions can alter the entire city’s layout, rearranging the
buildings and topography. During the draconic assault, this
was used to raise massive armaments above the city on stone
pillars, providing them clear shots. In day-to-day life, this
had a more interesting purpose to adventurers. Rather than
storerooms, the Sul’at simply sunk materials into the stone
to be recovered when needed. As a result, immeasurable
wealth lies buried in the rock of Morsa Khai, from stockpiles
of materials, to ancient devices and arcane lore. The true
purpose of this system was known to a select few - the grand
project of the Luminary of Bonds, and the result
of their life’s work. When not in use, the stone
elementals continuously reshape the earth around
the Titan locked beneath Morsa Khai - the molten
jail of the Hellfire Prince.
Raging Titan. Adaxus was bound there
when the Luminaries rose to power, but his
strength as an avatar of the Burning Desire is all-
consuming. Knowing that eventually he would
regain his freedom, the Luminaries worked to
seal him within an eternal prison. The shackled
form of the Titan lies beneath
layers of arcane wards, in
242242
a pool of magma formed by hisown blazing heat. Over time,
Adaxus melts the rock between him and the surface, which
is eternally replaced by the earth elementals. The problem is
that the Shattering released some of those elementals - and
Adaxus now increasingly has the upper hand. Over time, more
and more of the rock is melted into slag, while evil forces such
as the Battalion of Basalt Towers work to hasten the process.
The Torch of Progress keeps a careful eye on the situation, but
the day when the Prince crawls out of his molten grave draws
ever nearer.
Material Perfection
The arcane science of the Sul’at League was guided by two
key principles. The Overlord beneath the Valley of Shadows
feeds on passion and selfish emotions, while its grip on
Prince Adaxus was a dark shadow over the League’s history.
As such, the reformed Luminaries focused their cities on
cold and clinical study, with the giants working for the sake
of the whole League over themselves. Meanwhile, they
disavowed pacts with immortals, decreeing that the League
would instead become the masters of them. What arose
was an industrial approach to magic underpinned by the
binding of planar beings - and a cold viewpoint of arcana
devoid of ethics.
Elemental Binding
In time, the binding of immortals came to underpin Sul’at
society. Elemental engines powered colossal flying craft and
eldritch machines; forges burned with phoenix heat, while air
elementals carried floating goods through the sky. The sheer
extent of this can be seen to this day in some Sul’at buildings,
which are formed from single pieces of volcanic bloodglass - a
form of obsidian containing melted Khyber dragonshards.
The giants bound fire elementals within the bloodglass itself,
and commanded them to melt their buildings into shape as
needed, opening doors and sculpting walls out of nothing.
Adventurers are often unnerved by the sight of the glowing
veins of heat tracking them through the floor, as
these elementals await their commands.
For all intents and purposes, Sul’at binding is the
end result of what Khorvaire has achieved. Absurdly
powerful beings were channeled into devices that
sustained entire cities - or entire batteries of terrifying
weapons. The possibilities of what one can do with a
bound elder tempest are limitless, and a GM should
feel free to design whatever magical machines they
wish. Of course, this is just elementals. The League
went far further than that. As their artifice developed,
and the League spread to study
all the outer planes, their
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
 scientific questioning did too. Soon, giant thaumaturges began
to summon and bind different kinds of outsiders, ranging
from the modrons of Daanvi to the fiends of Shavarath. These
efforts were driven by the Luminary of Bonds to perfect their
shackling of Prince Adaxus. By binding extraplanar fiends, the
Sul’at were practicing how to defeat the Hellfire Prince and the
fiends of the Overlord Kharna Rayva. In time, they succeeded,
and even created devices powered by such fiends. The results
were devastating. The influence of Kharna Rayva began to
erode the long-standing stoicism of the fire giants, lighting
the fires of jealousy. Their weapons grew ever stronger, their
morals ever weaker, until the League was willing to create the
Moonbreaker and transmute the drow if it meant clinging to
their own glory.
d4 Examples of Elemental Binding
Riptider - These lightweight boats are powered by
bound water elementals, with one at the stern and
one at the prow. By coordinating their movements, a
Riptider can move in reverse, turn in place, and even
move laterally without ever turning at all. The League
1 used smaller lightweight craft for diplomacy and trade,
while vast Riptiders with leviathan engines formed
the bulk of its navy. A single Riptider represents a
monumental advance for House Lyrandar; if they knew
of the technology, they would do anything to obtain it
and outcompete enemy pirates.
Tempest Grip - These reinforced towers contain
bound elder tempests. Each channels the elemental’s
power to replicate the spell control weather over
2 a vast distance, much like a House Lyrandar Storm
SpireERLW. Unlike a Storm Spire, a Tempest Grip can
exert far finer control, to the point of summoning
horrific storms and hurricanes as directed.
Grand Pyroclast* - Pyroclasts* are among the most
devastating League artillery. Each firebrass cannon
contains a powerful elemental from the volcanic layers
3 of Lamannia, which represent the destructive power
of nature. A Pyroclast channels their magic to create
massive balls of molten earth and lava, which slam
down from the sky as meteor strikes*.
Earthbreaker - Earth elementals have the power to
reshape stone at will. Earthbreakers use this to alter
the world around them, excavating huge amounts
of material. Rather than breaking rock, they simply
4 shift it around, meaning the devices can be used to
raise walls, carve valleys and shape mountains. The
extent to which the Fangs of Argarak are giant-made is
unknown, but some legends say the League raised the
entire range higher to serve as a natural shield wall.
Grand Transmutation
The Sul’at disdain for relying on greater beings also pushed
them to empower themselves more directly. Their study of
the planes granted insights into how they affected different
creatures and materials. Lamannian substances are durable,
Fernian substances are heated, while Syranian materials are
lightweight. By binding planar power via transmutation
rituals, the fire giants created new materials, which they
utilized for practical purposes. Many Sul’at buildings are
created from ultrahard planar alloys and magical materials
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
such as bloodglass. Soon enough, these rituals were applied to
living beings - including the fire giants themselves.
While Prince Adaxus was the first to alter his own
form for power, he was certainly not the last. Despite his
crimes, the benefits of becoming a fire giant were clear.
In time, the giants of the Sul’at League became tieflings
themselves, gaining valuable innate sorcery, increased
size, and resistance to flame. The Luminaries went even
further, becoming titans through successive transhumanist
experiments. These techniques were also applied to animals.
The city of Tharkgun Dhak kept vast ranches of livestock
bred to be planetouched, increasing their size, growth rate,
and often ferocity. These supported the League’s giant
appetite, and guarded its borders against threats. Examples
of such creatures can be found in the Valley of Shadows
section below.
In time, as the Sul’at giants grew in power, their outlook
became ever more clinical and devoid of morality. The
influence of the Overlord beneath their feet began to turn
them gradually into tyrants. In the later Age of Giants, their
thaumaturges worked with the Cul’sir Empire, performing
immoral experiments on living beings - most notably the
elves. The results were different lines of planetouched elves,
ranging from the aquatic ‘hybrids’ that guarded the coast of
Simeq Riva, to Syranian servants compelled to avoid violence
or rebellion. Others marched to war against the quori, with
their immunity to dreams a major boon for the League. In
time, these drow were turned on their rebelling elven kin,
with some acting as assassins - and others breaking away to
fight for their own freedom.
d4 Examples of Transmuted Materials
Bloodglass - Bloodglass is a substance akin to
obsidian, with a deep crimson color and veins of
melted Khyber dragonshards inside it. Items made
1 from bloodglass are exceptionally sharp (+1 Weapons/
Weapons of Wounding), and often have elementals
and other immortal creatures bound within them.
Firebronze - Fernian bronze is a lightweight alloy that
2 combines resistance to fire with high strength. Items
made from firebrass have the properties of mithril.
Eldritch Whirlwood* - Trees magebred within
manifest zones to Xoriat and Thelanis became infused
with innate magic, providing valuable wood for arcane
3 tools. When you roll a die to regain charges for a magic
item made from eldritch whirlwood, roll an additional
die, and take the highest.
Aurorum - Items made of the Irian-touched metal
aurorum shine with a pastel iridescence, and gradually
4
self-repair when damaged.
Sites of Interest
Simeq Riva, Seat of Kin - The drowned city of Simeq
Riva was destroyed by the backlash of the Moonbreaker,
which caused much of north-west Xen’drik to collapse
beneath the waves. The city’s location on the coast made
it best-placed for trade and diplomacy, with League
merchants sailing across the continent to ply their
wares. Its core lay within a Syranian manifest zone
that encouraged peace and discussion. The City
of Silver held the riches of the nation, ruled
243
 over by the beautiful Luminary of Kin. When it collapsed,
its flaunted towers and domes were destroyed, submerging
the vaults containing its wealth. The main survivors were
beings already bred by the Sul’at to be aquatic - namely, the
elves who now call themselves the Simeq. Today, the Simeq
rule the aquatic city, using it as a base to control the Phoenix
Basin. Further information on the Simeq elves can be found
in the Ancestries section, on p.83.
Vhox Jida, Seat of Worlds - Vhox Jida is the lost
planar nexus of the League. Immense resonating Symphosia
attuned to the planes allowed explorers to map out the
stretches of infinity. Creatures and materials of interest were
brought back and cataloged in vast archives; those with
potential were experimented on, or sent onwards to the Seats
of Life and Creation. The mass planar transportation systems
of Vhox Jida were unique and intricate. When the dragons
attacked, their destruction tore open planar rifts in a massive
conflagration of magic. Now, the ruined site is riddled with
influence from nearly every plane, and infested with creatures
from beyond the Material. Those who can make it through
the magical melange are certain to find powerful methods of
travel, from Cubic Gates to Wells of Many Worlds. A small clan
of yuan-ti dwell in the ruins, using their innate resistance
to magic to survive where others cannot. They have used
artifice and planar sorcery to carve out a small zone of calm in
the chaos, and repurpose Sul’at technology to trade.
Ram’kanek, Seat of Creation - The Fernian zone of
Ram’kanek empowers the industry that defined the volcanic
city. This was the center of production in the League, with
goods produced in Ram’kanenk shipped between the cities
en masse. Vast elemental forges churned out metals mined
beneath the Valley of Shadows; these were enchanted with
planar energies, then hammered into shape by fire giant
artisans. The deep mines of Ram’kanek extend beneath the
mountains of the north-east Fangs of Argarak - so deep they
extend into Khyber itself, producing the dragonshards needed
for elemental binding. As they dug, the giants expanded
their city downwards, building into the quarry walls. Over
time, the lava flows of the mountains were harnessed to
power their work, with massive engines and public works
churning and hissing between the streets. The damage of
the Shattering destroyed much of the city’s infrastructure,
freeing elementals and causing lava to spill in vast falls down
the vertical city. The Battalion of Basalt Towers now rule the
ruins, and use it as their tyrannical base of operations.
Tharkgun Dhak, Seat of Life - The center for Sul’at
magebreeding lies nestled in the Fangs of Argarak, between
desert sands, verdant jungle, and mountain peaks. Tharkgun
Dhak is built within a Lamannian manifest zone that
empowers beasts, and sprawls across several tributaries of the
Hydra. Powerful monsters lair in the city’s rotting ranches
and research facilities. Unfortunately for explorers, the
seismic effects of the Moonbreaker caused a vast rift to open
in the city center, collapsing vast swathes into the underworld
of Khyber. The servants of the daelkyr Dyrrn the
CorruptorELRW have taken an interest into the sunken
city, and seek to reclaim its fleshwarping techniques.
Explorers have to contend with a variety of threats,
from mutagenic spills, to terrifying war beasts,
to open rifts into Khyber below.
244244
The Sul’asa - The autumn jungles of the Sul’asa
surround the Obsidian City of Gundrak’úl - a League outpost
now commanded by the Súlatar drow (p.73). The Sul’asa
forest is a bizarre sight; the green rainforest is suddenly
overtaken by umber grasses and russet trees, like a sea of
fire. The odd plants are the result of League magebreeding,
and were altered to grow off heat and fire, which abound in
the Sul’asa’s Fernian manifest zone. The region is dangerous
due to conflict between the Vulkoori and Súlatar drow, and
foreign thieves are likely to earn the ire of both sides. Further
information on the Obsidian City can be found on p.257.
Enemies & Encounters
Magebred Creatures: The transmutation spells of
the League were second to none. While the Genesis Twins
(p.202) focused on material and energetic transmutation,
the Sul’at focused on magebreeding - where creatures
are evolved through the use of magical influences. The
League dabbled with every plane to find the best options,
transforming creatures until they were unrecognizable. Many
of these experiments were unleashed into the wild after the
Shattering, and still terrorize Xen’drik to this day. Examples
can be found in the ‘Legendary Monsters’ section on p.152,
and include both the Tyrannosaurus-Rex ‘Lurking Two
Maws*’, and the fiendish pyrohydra known as the Cinder
Sisters*. As a result, any monstrosity or aberration can be
framed as a Sul’at experiment. Many might have slight planar
influences, which can be used to shake up monsters with
simple mechanics.
Elementals: The Sul’at League pioneered the art
of elemental binding. They rose from harnessing simple
mephits and magmins to colossal efforts to chain
leviathans. Forges burned with phoenix heat, while giants
soared on airships blown by elder tempest winds. It is a
testament to their craft that many of these elementals are
still bound. While the Sulatar continue many of the League’s
elemental traditions, not even they have reached the skills
of their forebears. As a result, many elemental engines and
works of artifice are breaking over time, weakening the
bonds of the forces held within them. League ruins might
be overrun with any kind of elemental, and tampering with
their works can further loosen the chains. This extends
to forms of elementals never encountered by Khorvairan
explorers. A crashed Sul’at airship might have been powered
by an arclight phoenixGGR, with a crew of fluxchargersGGR
bound to humanoid forms.
Giants: The cities of the League were highly technically
advanced, relying heavily on practical tools and artifice. As
a result, they are prime targets for giants hoping to recover
powerful weaponry and arcana. The most famous example
of this is the Battalion of Basalt Towers (p.118), who seek to
use remnants of the League to free Prince Adaxus, then rule
over Xen’drik. Battalion fire giants* currently have control
of Ram’kanek, and use it as a base of operations. Despite this,
other groups live in the ruins simply to make use of their
amenities, or wield their weapons against others who would
seek to oppress them. Many are fire giants* or pyreheart
goliaths*, who can better withstand the conditions in some
ruins, but any group might seek to settle.
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
 Adventure Hooks
Eye of the Storm - The Valley of Shadows contains
elementals from across the planes, which churn and burn
through the land. A party seeking to provide power for an
eldritch machine, or a recovered Sul’at vehicle, may be tasked
with capturing such a being. No one said jamming a phoenix
into a Khyber dragonshard was going to be easy.
King of the High Seas - Stormreach is in uproar. A
new band of pirates have appeared all over the Thunder Sea,
striking at speed to raid vessels from Khorvaire and Riedra
alike. Eyewitnesses claim that their ship is unique, with
twin elemental rings and cannons that fire lightning. Now,
several nations, Houses, and Storm Lords alike are rushing to
capture the vessel and plunder its secrets - then use it to gain
dominance in the region. The party might be hired by one
such group, or decide to strike out on their own. If there’s one
way to become a Storm Lord, riding into Stormreach at the
helm of a giant-made warship is certainly a good method.
Promised Flame - Prince Adaxus* is one of Xen’drik’s
greatest threats. The fall of the Sul’at League removed one of
the greastest obstacles to his freedom, and the followers of the
Overlord Kharna Rayva work tirelessly towards his eventual
release. Should Adaxus be on the verge of breaking his chains,
the party may have to venture into the Valley of Shadows to
reseal him before it’s too late. If they do not, they may have to
recover lost binding techniques from Morsa Khai, before the
Hellfire Prince lays dominion over the continent.
Legacy - Elemental Binding
The Sul'at League’s impact on modern Khorvaire is greater
than any other due to one simple technology - elemental
binding. The gnomes of Zilargo created their binding
techniques by studying Sul'at devices on expeditions to
Xen’drik. One such example are the firesleds* - lightweight
flying vehicles used by the modern Sulatar for rapid travel
and scouting missions. Firesleds themselves are a drow
creation, and far superior in speed, combat and design to
Khorvaire’s elemental vehicles - but even they do not match
the grand works of the League.
With thousands of years of scientific perfection, and the
desire to push ever onwards in the name of progress, the
Luminary of Bonds focused their efforts on binding ever
greater powers. For humans and elves, a fire elemental is
enough to power an airship. For a giant-sized airship, the
power source needs to be exponentially greater. Fernian
phoenixes powered vast engines, with elemental conduits
channeling the blazing heat to workshops and foundries.
Vast elder tempests were shackled, bound in immense
Khyber dragonshards, and used to control the weather for
tens of miles, ensuring clear skies around Sul'at ports - and
summoning storms against their enemies.
As a result, the ancient cities of the League are a potential
treasure trove for any organization interested in novel
methods of elemental binding. House Cannith, Lyrandar, and
Orien would all pay dearly for insights into the process, as
well as new designs for elemental vehicles.
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
Magic Items:
• Bracers of the Wind - Wondrous Item, Uncommon -
The air elementals in these bracers cloak their bearer
in swirling winds, guiding ranged attacks made from
within, and interfering with attacks from without.
• Cloak of the Tides - Wondrous Item, Rare - These
everflowing cloaks protects from flame and heat, while
allowing their wearer to walk on water with ease.
• Firesled - Vehicle, Very Rare - The light flying craft
of the Sulatar drow are the inspiration for Khorvaire’s
airships; far smaller and faster, a Firesled can also fire
off great balls of flame at enemies.
• Primordial Diadem - Wondrous Item, Artifact -
Each Diadem was worn by a Luminary, and contains
powerful bound elementals. A spellcaster attuned to a
diadem can wreak havoc, command planar beings, and
walk through air, water, and solid stone.
• Stoneward Plate - Heavy Armor, Legendary - Sul’at
earth elemental armor is extremely heavy, and offers
unparalleled resistance to blows. The armor can meld
fully into stone, or knock enemies off their feet.
Loot Examples
Common/Trinket - This large tuning fork has a
rotating dial set into its base; turning it transmutes the
1 material of the tuning fork, allowing it to resonate with
Risia, Fernia and Lamannia for plane shifting.
Common/Trinket - For fire giants, paper can be an
2 exercise in futility. Sul’at scholars and artificers instead
noted their discoveries within SpellshardsERLW.
Uncommon - Sul’at Saddles of the Cavalier were
enchanted with abjurative shielding that protects
3
mounts from harm - even if they're an elemental roc.
Uncommon - Porcelain Alchemy Jugs are a common
example of applied giant transmutation. Each Sul’at
4 city used different styles, with some used for basic
reagents during experiments, and others for alcohol.
Rare - Elite bioarcanists often carried personal
Alchemical CompendiumsTCoE in which they noted
5 the results of experiments. Many have scribbled spell
formulas in the margins from inspired mages.
Rare - Elemental forges were powered by Lamannian
fire elementals. Rather than entering the plane,
6 specific Braziers of Commanding Fire Elementals were
created to pull them into binding circles.
Very Rare - In battle, many League warmages carried
Wands of Polymorph. The effect of turning a giant into
7
a hamster is both humiliating and deadly - especially
when you then transmute that hamster into stone.
Legendary - Rings of Elemental Command are among
the greatest advances in elemental binding. A pilot
with such a ring can speak to their ship's elemental
8 from any distance, controlling it at the speed of
thought - even while off the ship itself. The value of
such an item is incalculable, for it represents the
dawn of a new age for Khorvaire’s airships.
245
 The Valley of Shadows
Much like the Mournland of Khorvaire, the Valley of
Shadows is a magically irradiated region known for its danger
and lost treasures. The area is shunned except by the bravest,
and watched over for signs of escaping threats. Unbound
elementals, fiendish influence, hungry beasts, and planar
incursions have created a true wasteland. The following
tables include examples of encounters, environments and
creatures found within the Valley of Shadows for inspiration
on adventures there.
Magebred Beasts
The Cinder Sisters* - A worryingly intelligent half-
fiend pyrohydra* renowned for the way in which its
1 heads bicker with each other before breathing great
gouts of flame. Pyrohydras were originally made as an
experiment in regenerative abilities.
Ore-rochs - Herds of ore-rochs once fed the hunger
of the League. These gargantuan cows are touched by
Fernia, and resistant to flames. Over time, their bodies
2 3 poke out of the deep ash surrounding it.
convert metals from the volcanic plants they eat into a
shimmering - and valuable - alloy leather.
Suluvé - Suluvé are volcanic alpacas, with dense fluffy
fur despite the intense heat. Sulatar drow believe
them to be blessed by Fernia’s angels of comfort;
3
clothes woven from their wool are always the perfect
temperature no matter the conditions.
Sulfan Ka’ga - Also known as a ‘Never-There’, a Sulfan
Ka’ga is a a hybrid beast akin to a sabertoothed tiger
with bat wings. They were created as Mabaran hunters
4 to patrol League borders. A Ka’ga’s fur is so dark it
negates light altogether, making them dangerously
invisible at night - until their teeth sink into your neck.
Diamondbacks - Many magebreeding efforts focused
on producing spell components. Diamondbacks are
Irian-touched stegosaurs that slowly convert carbon
5 from their food into diamond, which grows from their
backs as rows of plates. Once farmed, these creatures
now wander the Valley of Shadows, and are a major
draw for treasure hunters.
Lu-kirik - If there’s one giant hated by the Sulatar,
it’s the one who put spider legs on a crocodile.
Horrendous lu-kirik are one of the most hated
creatures of the Valley, for no one expects to be
6
ambushed by a web-spitting giant crocodile from the
ceiling. They were designed to restrain and capture
prey, before delivering them back to their masters.
Now, they ravenously deliver prey into their stomachs.
246246
Environments
1 A destroyed magebreeding ranch.
2 Magmatic plains with softly falling ash.
An out-of-place cold lake created by a leviathan
3 released from its binding on land.
A dense forest of trees with ash-black bark and bright
4 autumnal leaves.
A broken series of ravines and canyons descending
5 into Khyber.
6 A town smashed to pieces by meteor swarms.
Giant Remnants
The shattered form of a Sul’at airship, its timbers
1 reaching into the sky like ribs.
An intact bloodglass bridge over a deep ravine with
the middle missing. If asked, the fire elemental bound
2 into the bridge can melt the bloodglass, extending it
across the ravine to make the bridge whole again.
A shattered Grand Pyroclast*; burnt dragon bones
Five immense statues of the Luminaries, fists raised
4 high in solidarity, each carved from a different
material. Three are cracked and broken.
A dome-shaped building of firebrass and mithril.
5 Through the cracked side, one can see an immense
floating tuning fork, one tine completely sheared off.
An immense amphitheater with more than a few fallen
6
giant skeletons visible beneath the ash.
Encounters
A succubus of Kharna Rayva in disguise as a treasure
1 hunter, hoping to infiltrate the party to further her
own goals.
2 A wild pyrohydra* that sees the party as juicy prey.
A miserable and frustrated water elemental that has
3 been trying to put out the volcanic fires of the Valley
for 40,000 years (without much success).
A Ju’qata torchbearer* of the Silver Flame who is
returning from Morsa Khai to the holy city of Bazek
4
Mohl with information on the situation there.
A pair of cloud goliath traders from the Winged
League of Kul Lerek, who have been tasked with
5 retrieving valuable aurorum metal from Sul’at ruins
(and are debating if the risk is worth it).
A Battalion fire giant* hauling parts of a broken
6 Grand Pyroclast* to Ram’kanek.
CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES
 CHAPTER 6

ADVENTURE LOCATIONS

CHAPTER 64 | ADVENTURE
ALLIES & ENEMIES
LOCATIONS
247
 Adventure
Locations
T
his section contains 34
locations that can be used for
quests, exploration, and random
encounters across the length
of Xen’drik. Each contains a
description, a set of example
encounters, unique environmental conditions that
can make battles tactically different, and thematic
treasure that a party might find. Some of these
locations are highly dangerous, and involve powerful
creatures that might act as the villain of an arc.
Others are designed to be purely social, providing
opportunities to talk to ancient beings, rest in a
unique settlement, or trade and barter for goods.

Contents List
1. Asherat
2. Barricade Katta
3. Cardaen’s Tears
4. The Court of Cinders
5. Creation Forge (‘The Blank Grove’)
6. Darkfire Crater
7. Daomon
8. The Diaphany
9. Forget-Me-Dot’s
10. Gundrak’úl ('Obsidian City')
11. Gran Gol
12. Kaskylla’s Trove
13. Kwinharin
14. Lachni of the Mist
15. Lair of the Crone (Icehowl Plateau)
16. The Lake of Solace
17. Mirhanac’lathk
18. 'Naphrad' (Colossus WX-12)
19. New Zolanberg
20. Optao
21. Parhelion Altar
22. Pti-takt'chil
23. Pylas Taraelya
24. Raiarin
25. Sanctum of the Watcher
26. Shanai Orioth (‘Forest of Lords’)
27. Shae Tirias Tolai
28. Soggin’s Post
29. Taer Laraentys
30. Throne Gate Ruins
31. The Valley of Cairns
32. Verash Sakhara (‘The Trench of the Void’)
33. Wen-Damji
34. The Wreck of the Iron Will

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 Locations by Region
Thunder Sea
• Pylas Taraelya - An oceanic feyspire of merfolk and
tritons sprawls atop the back of a massive whale, ruled
by the beautiful Siren of Song.
• Soggin’s Post - A unique tavern lies in Shargon's
Teeth - a meeting place for sailors and oceanic guides.
• Verash Sakhara ('Trench of the Void') - The
deepest point of the Thunder Sea is a nightmare
realm where aboleths reign, guarded by silvery
merfolk guardians.
Skyfall Peninsula
• Barricade Katta - An ancient Sul'at artillery
emplacement lies sunken in the Phoenix Basin,
brimming with danger and fiery weaponry.
• Gundrak’úl ('Obisidian City') - A dangerous sect of
Súlatar drow have claimed a bloodglass fortress from
the Age of Giants. Within, they believe, lie the tools
they need to conquer Xen'drik.
• Shanai Orioth ('Forest of Lords') - Countless elven
grave markers form the Forest of Lords, where both
drow and Aereni honor their ancestors.
• Throne Gate Ruins - The mossy rubble of the Cul'sir
city of Throne Gate hides a dire secret. Those who
dream within the ruins enter a shared dream from the
Age of Giants where nightmares have taken hold.
Hydra Basin
• Cardaen’s Tears - The elven hero Cardaen shaped the
history of the Aereni, and the downfall of the Cul'sir.
A hidden memorial to him and his love - the general
Vadallia - is guarded by magic and druidry in the wilds.
• Creation Forge ('The Blank Grove') - A quori
outpost contains an original Creation Forge, guarded
by a formless horror torn from the Sea of Dreams.
• Lake of Solace - Lotus flowers bloom in the peaceful
Lake of Solace. An aberrant horror lurks in the center,
charming and consuming unlucky visitors.
• Sanctum of the Watcher - The lethargic green
dragon Zartarxis rules a petty kingdom in central
Xen'drik. As one of the Ten Watchers, Zartarxis has
forsaken his duties - until now.
Tempest’s Spine & Dread Lake
• Court of Cinders - The eastern cape of Xen'drik is a
sunlit savannah. A sisterhood of dryads maintain the
region using the unusual help of a burning goristro.
• Darkfire Crater - Countless fiends have escaped their
bonds in Darkfire Crater after slaying their draconic
warden, and work to spread their evil influence.
• Lachni of the Mists - A number of Dread Lake's
secretive spiderfolk dwell within Lachni of the Mists -
a treetop village cloaked in illusion.
• 'Naphrad' (Colossus WX-12) - The Day of Mourning
transported an entire warforged colossus to a
mountainside in the Ring of Storms.
CHAPTER 64 | ADVENTURE
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LOCATIONS
• New Zolanberg - Gnomes from Zilargo once tried
to settle around Tempest Bay in an attempt to escape
the Trust. They were never heard from again, but the
ruins of their town remain.
Bluespine Peaks
• Daomon - The holy forges of Daomon still burn
within the massive cavern-city, carved from the inside
of the Bluespine Peaks. The legacy of Grand Ju'qata is
as stunning as the draconic destruction is sombering.
• Lair of the Crone (Icehowl Plateau) - The vile
dragon Ketheptis the One-Eyed Crone rules a vengeful
fortress of ice high in the Bluespine peaks.
• Raiarin - a powerful land spirit known as the Sister of
Snow influences the center of the Iceflow Sea. Animal
life in the region can grow to stupendous sizes.
• Valley of Cairns - The hunter giants of Eshtarnak
came to the Valley of Cairns to die, fighting the
ghostly spirits of their greatest trophies.
Scimitar Spires
• Kaskylla’s Trove - The bizarre glacial aberration
Kaskylla lairs within the Iceflow Sea, sleeping amidst a
vast hoard of treasures, including flash-frozen people.
• Kwinharin - The Rainwoods bloom with verdure,
blessed by the land spirit known as the Sister of Spring.
• Pti-tak'chil - a city-hive for the militant 'titanshell'
thri-kreen is bored out of a mountain peak, and home
to a training ground for unarmed brawlers.
• Taer Laerentys - The Fortress of Victory is the
manifestation of war stories, where fey clash forever.
• Wreck of the Iron Will - Ghostly locathah guard a
Riedran wreck claimed by the Sea of Lost Souls.
Menechtarun
• Asherat - a Syranian manifest zone on the border of
the Menechtarun hides an expansive asherati village.
• The Diaphany - One of the largest crystal wastes in
the Menechtarun has a permanent Riedran contingent.
• Gran Gol - An immense zaratan swims through the
desert sands, a thri-kreen village built into its back.
• Mirhanac’lathk - The githyanki have built a crèche
beneath the desert sands, where they plan to raid the
city of Zja Aqat with their sapphire dragon allies.
• Parhelion Altar - The monastery-fortress of the Star
Pilgrims burns with alien light like a beacon of safety.
Moving or Lost
• Forget-Me-Dot's - The Mother of Mirrors is an
ancient night hag living on an undead tiger's back.
• Optao - A Ko village drifting over the Fangs of
Argarak is the perfect place for some relaxation and
low-level adventures.
• Shae Tirias Tolai - The gothic halls of the doomed
feyspire of the dead still echo with ghostly howls.
• Wen-Damji - A banyan treant with a hundred trunks
(and a hundred stories) marches through the forests
of Xen'drik.
249
 The Asherat open doorways of buildings.
How guests need to get
A Soaring aerial desert holds a secret town at its heart. around is a bigger
surprise; with the
The southern border of the Wasting Plain is marked by the floating effects of
Asherat - a glittering region of desert where the sand dunes the manifest zone,
flow through the sky like clouds. Here, the desert winds stir traveling downwards
up storms that carry sand into a manifest zone to Syrania, the in Ushemra is as
Azure Sky, causing it to float. The countless flecks of silica simple as a leap of
reflect the sunlight as they drift in the calm belt, shimmering faith. The asherati
like a thousand mirrors. As the sand is lifted into the sky, live as extended families
it forms an empty hollow that pulls more in like a massive in vast communal buildings
whirlpool. Where the zone ends, the floating clouds fall in that are shaped from the
vast sandfalls, which replenish the center in an endless cycle. sand. Most are cylindrical to
For travelers, the Asherat is an awe-inspiring sight; the match their village, with inner
clouds and waterfalls appear like an earthen storm blanketing courtyards filled with dancing lights
the horizon. Crossing it without a guide is perilous in the and kinetic sculptures.
extreme. The shifting currents of sand can bear one through
the sky in the right direction - or smash them down into the
gyre at its core. Even worse, planetouched desert creatures
Environmental Conditions
swim through the aerial currents and hide within the clouds • Within the Asherat, all spells and abilities that cause
of sand. Despite this, the region hides an impossible village levitation or flight have their duration doubled.
within the whirlpool at its heart. The people known as the • All creatures come under the effects of the spell feather
asherati (‘Starsifters’) are experts at traversing its dangers - fall when they begin falling any distance.
and willing to guide travelers, for the right price. • During the day, the Asherat is under extreme desert heat.
Born of the Desert. The asherati are humanoids with
smooth yellow skin who possess the ability to swim through Treasure
sand like water. They act as guides and merchants, with a
mastery of geomancy that lets them rapidly travel across the • A sandy Nature’s MantleTCoE that provides peerless
Menechtarun. Details on the asherati can be found in the camouflage in the sands, woven with asherati geomancy
Ancestries section on p.66. The whirlpool at the heart of for Sunheart druids.
the Asherat is both protection and provision; materials and • A Sunblade scalpel retrieved from the giant city
creatures sucked into the spiraling sand fall into vast nets of Sohl’aran
woven by the asherati, where they are collected for their • Beads of NourishmentXGE crafted by the asherati to trade
subterranean village. The town of Ushemra lies beneath the with desert travelers
surface of the desert in a vast air pocket created by asherati
magic; the people use the properties of the manifest zone Encounters
to cause the sand to float, then direct it into streams that • The Asherat has a variety of piscine creatures known as
surround the village like a bubble. These spiral out into the Seheta that swim through the desert sands; any aquatic
Menechtarun like a web, carrying the desert people for miles beast or monstrosity can be turned into a Seheta by
on secret underground currents. giving it a burrow speed instead of a swim speed and
removing traits that prevent them from breathing on
Ushemra land. Within the Asherat, this allows them to ‘swim’
The underground town of Ushemra is one of the largest through the flying clouds and currents of sand. An
asherati settlements in the Menechtarun, and the nearest example is the terrifying seheta snapjaw*, which hunts
to the desert’s edge. Its structure is fluid and formed from large prey across the desert.
lightweight starsand; the geomancers of the village simply • A giant scorpion with a terrifying fly speed of 40 feet
shape the Syranian earth into solid forms, packing it via that lurks in the sandstreams.
magic ritual to form instantaneous houses. The space • A group of scouts led by an asherati sandbinder*,
containing the village is surrounded by flowing curtains patrolling the borders of the desert for dangers.
of shimmering sand; this ever-flowing sandfall redirects
the energy of the whirlpool above Ushemra, creating
the constant pocket of air within. Nets hang within the
sandfall to catch treasures caught by the Asherat before they
are swept away.
Rather than roads, the vertical houses of the asherati
are connected by sinuous rivers of sand suspended in the
air. These are reshaped by the asherati as needed,
creating dynamic pathways to and from the town’s
buildings. Visitors are often surprised by the sight
of the ‘starsifters’ swimming through these aerial
currents, before breaching out and into the

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 Barricade Katta
A crashed Sul’at fortress in the Phoenix Basin brims
with ancient weaponry and dangerous defenses.
Along the borders of powerful giant empires, the magic arms
race led to the creation of weapons platforms to fend off
attack. The borders between the Cul’sir Empire and the Sul’at
League was one such hotbed for weaponised magic, for while
the League were happy to dance on the thin line of trading
with the Cul’sir, they weren’t foolish enough to show any
weakness. In the end, the giants never expected to turn this
weaponry on a common foe. The Shattering saw elemental
conflagrations of magic hurled at the attacking dragons in
desperation. Most of these weapons platforms were utterly
destroyed via claw and meteor swarm, but some still remain,
along with the bones of the soldiers within.
Boiling Wreckage. Barricade Katta was developed by
the Sul'at League as a flying watchpost between them and the
Cul’sir. It now lies half-sunken in the Phoenix Basin, close
to the continent's current west shore. The former floating
island is covered by a defensive fortress built from enchanted
bloodglass and ur-cobalt. It now lies half-tilted on one side in
the shallow ocean, which boils with steam around it. Arcane
armaments forged from firebrass stick out from firing ports
in a 360-degree radius, many still glowing with etched Sul’at
runes. The site is shunned by local people, who have no wish
to brave the superheated sea or risk triggering the active
armaments inside. The Barricade is one of the Battalion of
Basalt Towers' biggest hopes. Immune to the heat of the
steaming sea, their leaders hope to break into the fortress and
recover powerful weaponry to use against their foes.
CHAPTER 64 | ADVENTURE
ALLIES & ENEMIES
LOCATIONS
Fortress Interior
Several sections of the outer fortress have massive cracks
from the impact of it falling from the sky under draconic
assault. While not big enough for a fire giant, smaller
adventurers can easily slip into the interior. Within lie
the massive skeletons of the Barricade platoon, as well as a
variety of ancient weapons. The closed fortress bulkheads
have trapped a variety of elementals within, who long ago
broke their fraying arcane bonds. Air elementals allowed
the fortress to hover, while bound fire elementals powered
many of its cannons. Worse, several key points in the fortress
contain active magic alarms. Triggering them releases ancient
magebred bioweapons from Risian stasis compartments
in the walls, which range from pyrohydras* to horrific
swarms of hellwasps*.
The heart of the Barricade is a massive Fernian generator
containing a bound horned devil - as well as the arcane
controls for the entire outpost. A character attuned to the
controls can choose to channel the devil’s power into the
exterior cannons, or use it to cast meteor swarm once per
day, dealing exclusively fire damage. However, the damage
from the dragons has partially damaged the binding. It is the
devil’s fury causing the surrounding ocean to boil; using it to
cast meteor swarm destroys that binding, freeing the devil to
do as it will.
Environmental Conditions
• The interior of the Barricade is under the effects of
extreme heat.
• Characters without resistance or immunity to fire
damage immersed in the ocean within a 300-foot
radius of the Barricade take 1d8 fire damage every
round, as the superheated water begins to boil
them alive.
Treasure
• A Brazier of Commanding Fire Elementals
• A Flame Tongue ‘Greatsword’ - the personal dagger of
the Barricade’s commander.
• The hide of a dragon who died during the assault on
the Barricade, which could be turned into appropriate
Dragon Scale Mail.
Encounters
• A battalion fire giant* and three pyreheart
goliaths* investigating the Barricade
• A young dragon turtleFTD using the flooded lower
levels as a lair
• A pyrohydra locked in stasis as a ‘guard dog’.
251
 Cardaen’s Tears
A memorial to one of the greatest leaders of the Elven
Rebellion lies hidden within the jungle.
One of Eberron’s greatest tragedies was told amidst the
devastation of the Elven Rebellion. The heroes Cardaen and
Vadallia were key figures in the years before the Exodus, and
are among the most famous of Tairnadal heroes. Cardaen
- one of the most powerful spellcasters of the time - was
raised in isolation by the titan Cul’sir, and trained to create
spells using his innate talent. His world was shattered when
the martial Vadallia rescued him from Cul’sirran, revealing
the truth of the rebellion - and the existence of his elven
kin. The general led the forces of the Rebellion, with brutal
tactics and endless charisma uniting the scattered groups
beneath her banner. Her people won again and again against
Cul’sir and Sul’at forces, but she knew one thing denied them
true victory - the sheer power of their magic. The Queen
of Swords was aided by a magic diamond that she wore in
place of her right eye, granting her visions of the future. In
it, she saw an elf imprisoned without ever knowing, and the
boundless power within him. Her rescue of Cardaen came
at a cost. The titan Cul’sir, wishing to crush the famous
warrior once and for all, placed a scrying sensor on his former
apprentice. Soon, an army marched to destroy the Rebellion.
With the truth of the world before him, Cardaen was torn.
Pulled between two different people, he could not help but
see both the elves and giants as his people. Unwilling to fight,
he looked on as Vadallia was wracked with a terrible curse of
his own making - and broke. The mage entered the battle in
a fury, dispelling the magic of the giants and driving fear into
the heart of their king. They fled the battle, but the victory
was theirs; Vadallia was dead, and the will of the elves with
her. Cardaen walked away with falling tears, a crystal eye, and
a final promise. He would lead the elves in her stead to a true
peace - and would not stop until they were freed from the
madness of Cul’sir once and for all.
The Full Story
The story of the heroes Cardaen and Vadallia is
summarized here to provide background on the
history of Cardaen’s Tears. Full detail on the saga can
be found in Issue #407 of Dragon Magazine. Further
information on the elves as individuals, as well as their
modern legacy, can be found in the Tairnadal section of
Chronicles of Eberron.
The defenses of Cardaen’s Tears are formidable. The magic
woven by the mage was powerful and unique, and his will
to protect Vadallia limitless. The ancient Gyrderi assisted
him, weaving their own druidic wards into the region. Any
treasure of the ancient elves might be located in the grove
- most famously the Eye of Vadallia - but reaching it is the
biggest challenge of all. One has to be truly worthy to pay
reverence to the heroes of old. Several trials lie in wait, from
trials of combat, to those designed to test intruders’ skills as
though they were elves at the time of the Rebellion.
Environmental Conditions
• The entire area of Cardaen’s Tears is a druid grove.
The guardians within (determined by the GM)
are the result, with undergrowth that actively
challenges invaders.
• The region resists all attempts at divination, and
cannot be magically scried into, or located with the
aid of magic.
Treasure
• The crystal Eye of Vadallia*, with its powerful
prophetic abilities.
• A legendary elven double-scimitar left behind in
remembrance, such as Arquis Tellora*.
• The legendary fragments of Cardaen’s staff - the items
known as Empire’s Bane*, Null Dominion*, and the
Splinter of Innovation*.
• The memories of Vadallia and Cardaen (with any
accompanying secrets) granted to a character of
elven descent.
Encounters
• Elven sword wraiths who rise to test the
party, ensuring their martial skill is worthy of
paying respects.
• Nature spirits taking the form of different beasts which
attack the party - a legacy of the Gyrderi.
• Wood woad guardians in the form of elven warriors
from antiquity.

The Memorial
After the fateful battle in which Vadallia lost her life, Cardaen
brought her body to a hidden grove, warded by arcane and
primal magic. There, he crafted a memorial in her name,
and vowed to lead the elven people. The remembrance is
simple. Vadallia’s double-scimitar stands as a grave marker
beneath a fabricated statue, depicting her riding into battle
on horse-back. Illusions woven into the sculpture give it the
appearance of movement, with the Queen of Swords
crying out in victory. Behind the marker, a low
waterfall rushes down into the grove, with jungle
trees providing peaceful shade.

252252

The Court of Cinders
The Cape of Cinders is home to an unusual alliance
fighting back against the darkness of Dread Lake. A sisterhood of
dryads and a Fernian goristro have allied to form a burning defense.
To the east, the misty forests of Dread Lake turn rapidly into
bright savannah and fynbos, forming the Cape of Cinders.
The environment here is sunlit and dry - a stark contrast to
the sodden woods and their dark denizens. Scattered groves
of eucalyptus trees dot the horizon, with rainbow bark and
pastel leaves. This is where the influence of the Spinner of
Shadows ends, and for good reason. A sisterhood of ashen
dryads rule these plains, burning away the darkness with
cleansing fire. However, each cannot venture too far from
their separate groves. That's why they call for the hulking
goristro Ixpyridos instead. The colossal fiend is 20 feet tall at
the shoulder, appearing as an assembly of charred bone and
fire in the shape of a minotaur. In a bizarre relationship, the
chaotic demon protects the Cape of Cinders from harm by
doing what it does best - setting fire to everything in sight.
The epicenter for this is the Court of Cinders, where the
spirits and fey of the Cape come to cavort in the firelight.
The Court lies in the geographical center of the Cape,
within a grove of eucalyptus trees with multi-hued bark.
Here, the ashen dryads come to consort and share news,
sometimes sending emissaries such as sparking quicklings.
These native fey have different appearances depending on the
tree they originate from; some have the colorful appearance
of eucalyptus, others the soft hues of silverleaf trees.When
fiends or monsters from Dread Lake begin to encroach on
their lands, they direct Ixpyrinesh from his smoke-filled
cavern beneath the Court towards the threat, expecting their
‘Knight of Cinders’ to incinerate it post-haste.
The goristro itself is a Fernian fiend, so has no ties to any
Overlord. Instead, it represents the hungry destruction of
fire. After accidentally crossing into the Material through a
manifest zone, the fiend found itself with an entire world to
burn. Using fey charm and simple words, the dryads formed
a quick arrangement with the demon. Wildfires are natural
here in the Cape, and allow the native plants to spread
their seeds and regrow. In exchange for burning things of
sisterhood’s choice (already a fun activity), the dryads would
let the goristro burn vast swathes of the Cape, renewing the
life with fertile ash - and allowing it to regrow to be burnt
again. After thousands of years of controlled and desired
CHAPTER 6 | ADVENTURE LOCATIONS
incineration, the goristro has unwittingly developed a love
of botany, and an eye for good fertilizer. Sure, you can burn
plants - but there’s a satisfaction to be had in burning the best
trees possible.
As a result, the Cape has a fearsome reputation for many
Xen’drik people; tales of the accursed demon of flame that
haunts its borders are not unfounded, and the sisterhood
is wary of any disguised threats from Dread Lake. As such,
adventurers may find themselves on the wrong end of
Ixpyridos's charge - unless, that is, they can offer it some rare
plants to grow. Despite this, the Cape of Cinders is home to
Fernian plants found nowhere else, many of which can be
brewed into potent medicinal teas.
Environmental Conditions
• Open flames and careless sparks can easily cause fires
in the region around the Court. Spells and abilities
that deal fire damage deal an additional damage die,
but also run the risk of igniting the nearby grass in a
spreading wildfire.
Treasure
• This Elemental Essence Shard (Fire)TCoE is a large ashen
seed from one of the Court’s eucalyptus trees.
• This Potion of Haste is brewed with protea leaves, and
sets one's heels on fire with fey magic.
• The grass of the plains, if dried, can be stuffed into a
pipe to create a Pipe of Smoke MonstersXGE.
Encounters
• The ever-burning goristro Ixpyridos, with
immunity to fire damage and a +10 bonus to Nature
(Intelligence) checks concerning plants. When the
goristro deals damage with a melee attack, half the
attack’s damage is dealt as fire damage.
• A dragon turtle resting on the coast of the Cape,
sunning itself. It’s indifferent to the party, but may
be able to tell them of the dangers of the region in
exchange for entertainment.
• A friendly ashen dryad happy to see mortals who
weren’t scared off by the prospect of meeting
Ixpyridos. She will ask for interesting stories, and may
offer some of the Cape’s valuable plants as payment.
Creation Forge - Blank Grove
Quori strongholds remain throughout Xen'drik, where
the outsiders created the first of the warforged using raw dreamstuff.
The Blank Grove is one of the worst, tainted by very real nightmares.
During the Dream War, the invading quori built Creation
Forges to aid their cause. Each Creation Forge was used to smelt
raw dreamstuff into engines of war; quorcraft constructs,
Dream Gates and Docents were all made for the war effort.
Many still remain, hidden through the ages by the
Traveler’s Curse and their quorcraft guardians.
A typical Creation Forge exists as a marble monolith
sunken within a pit 300 feet below ground level.
The monolith is vast - up to 200 feet tall - and
253
pulses softly with glowing blue lines. This is surrounded by a
marble tower of self-repairing psionic material. Around the
central tower, a variety of defenses may exist to hide it, or
fend off attacks from giant warriors. Massive walls, psychic
traps, and quorcraft guardians are common. Many Creation
Forges also exist alongside quori tools such as Dream Gates
(p.63). The extent of this construction varies greatly; some
Creation Forges exist alone as forward outposts, while others
are ensconced in vast psychic fortresses where the quori
planned their war efforts.
Attempting to actually use a Creation Forge is an unwise
choice. The eldritch machines were anchored to Dal Quor,
and used the plane’s magic to dream devices into existence
in imitation of the Cul’sir’s magic. Although they are still
magical, that link has long been severed, and what might be
created by someone attempting to use a Creation Forge is up to
interpretation.
Creation Forges and quori outposts can be placed nearly
anywhere in northern and central Xen’drik. The following
is an example of an outpost and the challenges one
might face there:
The Blank Grove
The Blank Grove was once a quori stronghold built in the
peninsula east of the Marsh of Desolation. This former Dal
Quor manifest zone was ruined by the Moonbreaker, which
stripped away the region’s magic, creating a Dreamblight
(p.54). Now, its bizarre psychic energy saps emotions and
imagination, creating permanent doldrums.
The outpost at the heart of the zone has 20-foot high walls
of smooth sentira, and contains a non-functional Dream
Gate and Creation Forge. The outer walls are patrolled by a
couple of worn-down groups of Quorforged (warforged
soldiersERLW with the Quorcraft template on p.61) who try
to drive off or kill anything that comes too close. The inner
courtyard is filled with the destroyed remains of countless
Quorforged, as well as the unspeakable horrorVRGR
responsible - a manifestation of all the negative emotions
absorbed by the Blank Grove held within a frame of Dal
Quor’s nightmares. The Creation Forge itself has never
been explored due to the horror’s terrifying presence,
and might hold warforged components or treasures from
the Dream War.
Environmental Conditions
• The Dreamblight affects imagination and strong
emotions. Saving throws made to resist illusion
spells or the frightened condition have advantage. A
Barbarian that Rages (or, perhaps, Angers) does not
gain the bonus Rage damage.
Treasure
• A DocentELRW, potentially
containing a sentient quori
from a past age.
• Warforged components
such as ArmbladesERLW and
Behemoth Belts*.
• The horror's
heart - a Far Realm
ShardTCoE.
Darkfire Crater
A volcanic prison for fiends has been overrun by its
prisoners. Now, they work to free their kin, with their draconic
jailer a vile corpse puppet.
In the Age of Demons, the dragons and couatl sealed many
fiends deep within the volcanoes which dot central Xen’drik.
The red dragon Zinshear-Jhodjaros, who holds the title of
Red Watcher, guarded such a location. Known as Darkfire
Crater, the mountain holds a rogue’s gallery of fiends,
including the tigrine balor Cyl-Maaldrake*. At least, it did.
A recent eruption unleashed the tide of demons within, who
slew the Red Watcher in an overwhelming onslaught.
Now, the smoking crater belches cinders and volcanic ash
into the sky, cloaking the land in a dark shroud. While some
of the fiends have escaped into the surrounding lands, many
still lurk within the caldera, helping to free their remaining
comrades. Desperately fighting back are a tribe of drow
known as the Darkwatchers - the hands of the Red Watcher
and paladins of Dol Arrah. The Darkwatchers wield divine
power in their fight against the fiends, but they lack the
strength to truly hold them off. Should Cyl-Maaldrake be
freed from its crystal dragonshard prison, the drow will suffer
the full force of the balor’s rage.
The drow maintain hope that the Red Watcher will
recover and come to their aid, having seen the dragon
moving in the distance. In truth, Zinshear-Jhodjaros* is an
abominable puppet inhabited by four swarms of hellwasps*
that mimic the dragon’s voice and movements. The Darkfire
fiends use this to maintain the illusion of normalcy for
Argonnessen, in combination with the illusions of the
rakshasa Kintakathjalil.
Meanwhile, the stalemate between the fiends and the
Darkwatchers stretches on. All await the hour that Cyl-
Maaldrake is freed, as countless weaker fiends chip and
scratch away at the dragonshard cage that contains them.
A group of hapless Tharashk prospectors are the most
recent victims of the fiends, having seen the eruption as an
opportunity for easy Khyber dragonshards. Rather than kill
them, some of the fiends have possessed the unfortunate
miners, and seek to return to Zantashk to tempt in
more victims.
Environmental Conditions
• The raw heat of the caldera poses a threat. The crater
is under extreme heat, forcing characters to succeed
on a DC 10 Constitution saving throw every hour
or suffer a level of exhaustion. Characters wearing
heavy armor have disadvantage on the saving
throw. Characters with fire resistance or immunity
are unaffected.
• A character that takes a short or long rest within the
caldera must succeed on a DC 10 Wisdom saving
throw or gain the following long-term madness: “All
Charisma ability checks made by fiends have advantage
against the character, who believes that the fiends of
Darkfire Crater were unfairly imprisoned.”
Treasure
• The draconic hoard of Zinshear-Jhodjaros*, which
might contain any number of giant relics. An example
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 hoard may contain: 220,000gp worth of items (divided
into 50,000gp worth of flawless gemstones, 10,000
platinum coins, 50,000 gold coins, and 20,000gp of
giant art), a Potion of Invulnerability, 2 Potions of Supreme
Healing, a Spell Scroll of crown of stars, a Staff of Thunder
and Lightning, and a special Siberys dragonshard
pendant that guides one to the hidden city of Bazek
Mohl to the south - some of the only people who
can help to rebind Cyl-Maaldrake* if the balor ever
breaks free.
• Khyber dragonshards containing bound fiends that can
be thrown, acting as Spell Scrolls of immolation.
• Weapons of Wounding taken from the Crater’s fiends.
Encounters
• 2 swarms of hellwasps* spreading out from the
Crater to form a ghastly hive
• A flying bone devil patrolling for intruders.
• A glabrezu and 2 spined devils seeking out victims
to bring back to the Crater.
• A marilith desperate to sate their rage by
eviscerating mortals.
Daomon
A ruined giant city lies hidden within the mountains
of the Bluespine Peaks. The divine forges of Daomon burned bright,
its people working with the dao of Fernia to produce unparalleled
wonders - but the damage from the Shattering is dire indeed.
The giant city of Daomon is a relic of the Fernian nation
of Grand Ju’qata, hidden from looters by its subterranean
location. The fire giants of the city were divine smiths who
worked with the dao of Fernia. To draw closer to the plane
and its patrons, they built their city within an immense
cavern hollowed from the Bluespine Peaks, its depths
crossing over into the Sea of Fire itself. To destroy the city,
the dragons bored great holes through the mountainside,
laying waste to its people, then collapsing many of the tunnels
behind them. Now, the City of the Forge lies hidden within
its tomb of stone. Legends of Daomon’s wealth are told as
tales by the people of central Xen’drik. Players in search of a
fated weapon may have to find the truth behind that legend.
The mountain containing Daomon lies in the northern
Bluespine Peaks, and contains no outwards traces of the city.
Thousands of years of ice and snow have hidden the tunnels
bored by the dragons so long ago. Despite this, many have
been claimed as lairs by powerful beasts, such as behirs, yetis
and chimeras. Adventurers who can sneak past them find
the tunnels snaking downwards through the mountainside,
before dropping away into an unbelievable sight. Daomon
itself still roars with everburning fires, its radiance glittering
off the cavern walls.
City Layout
The city itself occupies a single vast cavern at least a mile in
height. Massive shelves of rock jut out from the walls, each
shaped into a separate district. These shelves are connected
by intricate bridges of stone and wrought metal. Many of
these have been shattered by the dragons, falling into the
central gulf in a destructive cascade. The upper districts are
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residential, with well-preserved fire giant homes. Twin
gates once led out from these districts to the foot of the
mountain, although both have been buried beneath a layer
of rubble. The deeper one travels, the greater the industry;
the base of the city, on the cavern floor, has great lava flows
and permanent portals to Fernia, along with forges lit by
divine fire.
Environmental Conditions
• The city of Daomon itself is under extreme heat due to
the Fernian lava flows and burning forges.
• Creatures have advantage on ability checks using
tools when using any of the workshops and forges
within the city.
• When a creature casts a spell of 1st level or higher, if
it deals fire damage, it does so as if cast at a level one
higher than the spell slot that was expended.
Treasure
• A Holy Avenger waiting for the warrior of prophecy
who will wield it against the evils of the world.
• A Ring of Fire Elemental Command wrought from
mithril and Fernian gems.
• A Staff of Fire forged from adamantine and inlaid with
sparkling rubies.
Encounters
• A divine construct hollow dragonFTD – the greatest
defender of the city of Daomon, and most prized of its
archonic creations.
• A behir lairing in the twisting tunnels bored through
the mountain that grant access to the city.
• An archonic warforged titanERLW in the shape of a
fire giant, with immunity to radiant damage.
• A squad of 1d4+1 azer searching the ruins for rare
items on behalf of their dao master.
The Diaphany
A waste plain of psionic crystal mars the desert,
resonating with odd energies and realities
Stretches of the Menechtarun desert are marred by flat plains
of magenta crystal. Appearing like patches of glittering ice,
these regions are nearly devoid of life. These are the crystal
wastes - dangerous locales mined by the Unity of Riedra for
the psionic material inside. Camps from Dar Qat often squat
on the borders of the wastes, hauling vast slabs of deep crystal
to be refined into crysteel in Sarlona. One of the largest is
known as the Diaphany, and located in the southern dunes
of the ancient desert. The conditions and nature of the
Diaphany can be used as a base for any of the Menechtarun’s
crystal wastes encountered during adventures.
The shimmering expanse of crystal has bizarre effects on
the minds of living creatures. Its deep crystal is psionically
resonant, and reacts to the thoughts of those within.
Generally, this causes it to softly glow in the vicinity
of thinking creatures, with greater intelligence
resulting in a more powerful glow. Creatures
mutated by the environment have learnt
255
 to make use of it, watching for glows reflecting off the
crystal and hunting those causing it. Other effects are more
insidious. The crystal of the Diaphany can spontaneously
reproduce illusion and enchantment spells, subtly affecting
the senses. Sometimes this can be beneficial, creating
psychic impressions of characters like mirror images. It can
also result in hallucinatory terrain, reproducing areas from a
character’s memories.
Environmental Conditions
• The Diaphany is under extreme desert heat
during the day.
• Once a round, whenever a character deals psychic
damage to another, it can choose to add its Intelligence
modifier to one of the damage rolls. All spells that deal
psychic damage do so as if cast at a level one higher
than the spell slot that was expended.
• The crystal around a character produces dim light in a
radius equal to their Intelligence score.
Treasure
• A psionic Ioun Stone of Awareness.
• A Crystal SwordFTD carved from the deep crystal.
• 1d3 crystal chunks that act as Spell Scrolls of hypnotic
pattern when thrown.
Encounters
• 1d4+1 crystalline stone cursed.
• The Menechtar*, approaching in a plume of sand
from over the horizon.
• An exploratory squad of 2d4 soldiers and scouts from
Dar Qat led by an InspiredERLW
• A crystalline remorhaz with psychic damage
immunity instead of cold
Forget-Me-Dot’s
A legendary witch wanders the world, her hut sitting
atop the moving bones of a giant tiger. Countless tales tell of the
Mother of Mirrors - and the deals she is willing to broker.
The people of Xen’drik share many common legends. The
most famous include the giants warring against dreams and
plucking a moon from the sky. One spoken of in whispers
is the Mother of Mirrors, who wanders the land when the
moon Aryth is full. She lives atop the undead bones of a
giant beast in a hut made of last moments, and bargains for
the souls of the foolish. Around her lie hoards of plucked
memories and secrets from the dawn of time, but few can
escape her missing eyes - she uses the sight of ghosts, instead.
It is said that heroes have bargained with and tricked the
Mother of Mirrors, but to fail is to be locked behind her
looking glass forever. All one must do is caw like a raven
when Aryth hangs low in the sky - the rattle of bones will
guide your way.
As with all legends, there is a seed of truth behind the
tales. Sora Yudotre, Mother of Mirrors, is an ancient
night hag linked to Dolurrh, and one of the original
13 hags born of Khyber. She has traveled around
Xen’drik for an eternity atop the bones of a
256256
giant tiger, treating with mortals and dealing in secrets. The
hag wields powerful necromantic spells and her hut is filled
with Mirrors of Life Trapping in which she keeps those who
failed to uphold their bargains. In truth, her ties to the land
are ancient. Yudotre walked the streets of Shae Tirias Tolai,
and still swaps good reads with the Librarian of Dolurrh. She
has watched tragedies unfold, given prophecies to heroes, and
triggered the fall of empires. She is a true immortal, and the
depth of her historical knowledge is unmatched. After all, the
dead have much to say.
Sora Yudotre is both a classic hag, and an impartial dealer
of information. She knows more than perhaps any other
figure in Xen’drik, with insight into the Prophecy and a desire
to deal with foolish mortals. As such, she can act as a simple
giver of prophecy, and provider of lost secrets. However,
everyone knows what it means to deal with a hag. How much
is a secret worth, especially one matured with age?
Stats for the Sora
While the night hag is unquestionably an ancient
plot device of eldritch power, that might not stop
adventurers from trying to stab her. A stat block for
ancient night hags can be found in Threat Dispatch
by Anthony Turco; otherwise, in a pinch, one can
simply use the stat block for Cassandra, Death’s
Voice*, changing her size to Medium, her type to
Fiend, and reflavoring her melee attacks as swipes
from the undead tiger that the hag rides around on.
You can safely assume that the hag can cast whichever
Necromancy and Divination spells she sees fit, as
long as they serve the plot. Even if they don’t, she can
ask one of the many souls in her collection for some
borrowed knowledge.
Example Hag Deals
Sora Yudotre may ask for:
•
•
The bones of the party member will belong to her.
The party member must deliver a specific soul.
• The party (or one person) will owe the hag a pair of
favors it is impossible to refuse.
• The party must carry one of her Mirrors of Life
Trapping to a specific location and shatter it, releasing
the poor unfortunate within.
• The party must travel to the haunted ruins of Karrakos
(p.188) and retrieve a specific memory of the dead
from the Threnody Archive.
• The party must bring her one of her favorite poetry
books, borrowed by the archfey of Shae Tirias Tolai at
possibly the worst possible timing
In exchange for boons such as:
• A Mirror of Life Trapping containing someone (or
something) that party needs.
• A verse of Prophecy to do with the release - or defeat -
of an Overlord.
• A secret known only to those who lived in the times
before the Age of Demons.
• A powerful necromantic item in the hag’s possession.
• A drop of blood from someone the party needs to find
at all costs.
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 Gran Gol
An immense earth elemental swims through the sands
of the Menechtarun. Mountains of sand have accreted onto its back,
with a clan of thri-kreen tending oases hidden within.
Xen’drik is a land of giants in many ways. Explorers are
often struck by the scale of giant monuments, but few know
there are beings who dwarf even the titans. Gran Gol is
such a being - a creature so large it’s a place on the map.
The zaratan is miles in length, with a serpentine body of
sandstone. The Sun Serpent swims through the endless dunes
of the Menechtarun, following the sirocco winds and drifting
moons. Druids believe it to be the region’s spirit of the land;
as it swims through the earth, it churns up sandstorms, which
sweep for miles to the east. The jungles of central Xen’drik
are fertilized by this airborne sand, which also slowly buries
the remnants of the giants.
From a distance, Gran Gol appears as nothing more than
a mountain range. Eons of sand have accreted onto the vast
segments of its spine, melding until one cannot tell where
it ends and the elemental begins. With much of its body
submerged, it's common for travelers to simply dismiss the
shifting mountains as a mirage - until they begin to turn
towards the group. The movements of the vast beast churn
the sand, and anyone in its path may find themselves falling
through the earth, never to be seen again. Its course can be
unpredictable, and its sheer size means that even gaining its
notice is a major challenge. Getting close enough to climb
aboard requires courage and conviction.
The K’raana Thri-kreen
Against all the odds, a thriving community of thri-kreen live
on (and in) Gran Gol. The spirit’s travels and cloaking storms
have worn tunnels through the mountains on its back. Desert
winds whistle in the shaded caverns, cooling the arid air.
They also carry something key - moisture. Vast skeins of fine
nets hang through the upper tunnels to collect the morning
dew. The K’raana thri-kreen gather it in natural cisterns
in the deeper caverns. Here, they have grown subterranean
gardens for generations, turning the back of Gran Gol
into a hidden paradise. Primal magic is used to enrich the
vegetation, as well as to shape the caverns in which they
live. Some commune with the vast spirit itself, ensuring it
is comfortable with the state of things, while others become
rangers with ankheg companions. The druid circle of the
Sunheart sees Gran Gol as the heart of the desert, and works
with the K’raana to maintain peace and resolve local issues.
Often, the name of this issue is the Unity of Riedra.
Inspired Plans
Riedran forays into the desert have slowly uncovered the
truth behind the ‘Mirage Peaks’, and attacks by Sunheart
druids have hardened their opinions. To the Inspired, Gran
Gol is a threat. Gaining control of the elemental would add
a powerful tool to their arsenal and weaken the position of
their foes. Even better, it has innate knowledge about the
secrets of the desert. While opinions are divided, there are
two paths to take. One is to attack the elemental and force
it to ‘submerge’, killing everyone on its back. The other is
to mentally enslave it, bending Gran Gol to the will of the
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Inspired. Either result would give them free reign over the
Menechtarun.
Environmental Conditions
• The sand churned up by the zaratan’s movements
reduces visibility. All Perception checks made within
500 feet of Gran Gol are made at disadvantage.
• The shifting waves of earth caused by Gran Gol’s
movements can cause the ground to be unstable in its
vicinity. At the start of every second round in combat,
every creature without a burrowing speed standing on
the ground must succeed on a DC 10 Strength saving
throw or fall prone.
Treasure
• Beads of RefreshmentXGE.
• A small pet ankheg.
• Thri-kreen chatkchas (daggers with a short and long
throwing range of 60 feet).
• An Ioun Stone of Protection carved delicately from the
shell of Gran Gol.
Encounters
• A group of 1d4+1 thri-kreen rangers, who are
cautious at first, and wish to learn the party’s
intentions with Gran Gol.
• A desert bulette with an earthen carapace swimming
in the zaratan’s wake.
• A kruthik hive lord and 2d4 young kruthiks that
have started burrowing their way into Gran Gol.
Gundrak’úl (‘Obsidian City’)
A Sul'at citadel holds a militant sect of fiery drow.
Their megalomaniac leader craves the secret at the fortress's heart.
The Obsidian City of Gundrak’úl is an ancient Sul’at outpost
turned drow citadel. The fortress was on the Sul’at League’s
front line during the war between the Cul’sir Empire and
Prince Adaxus. After the binding of the Prince, the outpost
was repurposed into a planar research facility in collaboration
with the Cul’sir, kept in the Empire’s territory as a sign of
good faith. Some scholars believe that Gundrak’úl may have
been where the Moonbreaker was constructed, and may
contain clues to the device’s location.
Now, the Obsidian City is the headquarters of the Promise
Soldier school of Súlatar (as none of the established Súlatar
city-states would maintain so many militant diabolists).
Firesleds* patrol the surrounding forests scouting for
intruders, and the Promise Soldiers tend to fireball first and
ask questions later. The region claimed by the Súlatar is
obvious; the rainforest around them is painted in shades of
crimson and burnished orange. This autumnal jungle – the
Súl’asa, or “forest of flame” – is a magebred heritage of the
Sul’at League, and possesses magical resistance to fire.
Flamespeaker's Command. The Army is to some extent
a cult of personality around Flamespeaker Abríaz
Holúar, the founder of the school. While his
clerical fervor began as a deliberate experiment in
motivating an army, he is coming to sincerely
257
 believe that the Promise of Fire prophesies a coming
conquest. However, a rift is growing between Abríaz and his
daughter, General Zúlajé, a skilled battlefield commander and
master of intimidation tactics who would rather see the Army
become a functional military force.
The Promise Soldiers under their command maintain a
strangely jovial barracks atmosphere. For them, this is a
place they can unwind and laugh together. For the peoples
of the surrounding region, it’s a blight on the land that
symbolizes destruction and grief at the hands of callous
killers. Local communities often hire outside adventurers to
recover stolen heirlooms or artifacts; not because they lack
the skill, but because outsiders will be able to keep clearer
heads about them.
Fortress Structure
The fortress itself is classic Sul’at design – a four-sided
star fort formed out of a solid mass of bloodglass. Khyber
dragonshards form crimson inclusions in the obsidian,
which allowed the Sul’at to bind fire elementals within it.
Forgebinder techniques allow the Súlatar to command these
elementals to melt and reshape the bloodglass, which has
allowed them to transform the giant fortress into a drow-
scaled citadel. In case of attack, the drow simply melt the
gates of the city shut.
The Army of the Promise dwells in the old living quarters
of the giants, reshaped over the years to have partitions and
interior walls. The Obsidian City is the home of the bulk of
noncombatant Promise Soldiers, and adventurers who breach
the walls can expect to find both gung-ho youths eager for
new victims for their bloodthirsty prank-wars and disaffected
ones who would do anything to get out of the jingoistic
cauldron. The fortress was designed to have workshop
facilities for elven slaves during the last days of the Age of
Giants, and the Súlatar have made heavy use of the leftover
tools for their own purposes – largely, supplying the Army
with armor and weapons, but also in unlocking more of the
secrets of the Sul’at League.
While the structure of the fortress has been changed over
the years from its original state, the spacious courtyard in the
center has remained the same since the day the League fell. A
huge pillar of basalt sits in its heart, surmounted by a glaring
figure of the Luminary of Worlds – divination has confirmed
the existence of a Sul’at laboratory protected by a private
sanctum effect within, with physical access precluded by an
Ash Maze. This terrifying security device vaporizes anyone
without the know-how to navigate it, but Flamespeaker
Holúar believes that only a champion chosen by prophecy
can successfully pass it and trigger a large-scale conjunction
with the plane of Fernia – and is willing to throw captured
adventurers into the grinder.
Environmental Conditions
• The bloodglass structure of Gundrak’ul is malleable
to heat. A character that can cast produce flame, control
flames or a similar spell that produces high heat can
attempt to melt open doors, floors, and walls. Melting
open a 5-foot square space takes approximately
1 minute. The bloodglass is magical, and rapidly
cools in seconds.
258258
The Ash Maze
An Ash Maze is a terrifying Sul’at defense mechanism.
Rather than visible flame, an Ash Maze is formed from
walls of pure heat that manifest as a subtle rippling in
the air. Walking through one of the circular labyrinth’s
‘walls’ subjects a creature to this focused heat, which
incinerates it via 20d10 fire damage. This damage
ignores resistance and immunity if the creature has
physical substance (but leaves beings such as fire
elementals unharmed). Ash mazes are named for the
fine layer of soot that coats the ground around them –
the remnants of former victims. The worst – including
Gundrak’úl’s – have shifting walls, forming concentric
rings of sudden death. There is no set way of traversing
an Ash Maze, but GMs should reward creative ways of
doing so (Flamespeaker Holúar, sadly, does not).
• Alternatively, a creature that can speak Primordial
or Ignan can attempt a DC 15 Charisma (Persuasion)
check to command the fire elementals within it to
change the structure in a minor way, such as melting
open a door, sealing one shut, or opening a 5-foot
space in the floor. Larger changes are possible, but
may take up to 30 minutes to complete. Súlatar drow
automatically succeed on the ability check.
Sulatar Craftwork
• Brazier of Commanding Fire Elementals
• Staff of Fire that doubles as a lantaka cannon
• Firebrass Armor* and Daggers of Wounding
• Blades of the Promise* and Glassflow Blades*
• Firesleds*
Encounters
• A fire elemental myrmidon and 2 magma mephits
patrolling the vicinity of the Obsidian City.
• A squad of 3 drow and a sulatar evoker wizard (add
fire immunity, change lightning bolt to fireball, ice storm
to fire shield, and wall of ice to wall of fire).
• A fire-breathing chimera descended from Sul’at
League ‘guard dogs’.
• 4 Súlatar warriors split between 2 Firesleds* who
buzz past through the air, attempting to spot any
interlopers.
The Sul’at Secret
Keith Baker’s Dreaming Dark trilogy advances one possible
prize inside the Obsidian City; presented here are further
examples to draw on:
d4 Example Secrets
A set of twelve spherical vehicles, each one allowing
1 transit to a different plane.
The ghost of the Luminary of Worlds – those who
release her will hear her voice every time they draw
2
near a flame.
A burning pyre that grants conditional immortality to
3 those who immolate themselves within.
4 Some, but not all, of the Moonbreaker.
CHAPTER 6 | ADVENTURE LOCATIONS
 Kaskylla’s Trove
An innocuous iceberg contains vast hoards of treasure
stolen by the aberrant morkoth that lairs within. The creature
kidnaps living beings and freezes them in Risian ice, preserving
them forever in a grotesque gallery.
The morkoth Kaskylla is a being fueled by Risian
preservation and stasis. The bizarre creature lairs within
a hollow iceberg below the Unveiling, where it stores vast
piles of treasure. In its frozen mind, there exist two states of
being - exalting in protecting so many things from danger,
and hungering for new things to preserve. Few visitors to the
Unveiling expect to encounter Kaskylla’s writhing tentacles,
and fewer expect to be captured as fragile loot, then frozen
for eternity within panes of Risian ice. Adventurers searching
for rare items in cloud castles might have to delve into the
monster’s lair to retrieve them - or simply lust after its vast
haul of treasure.
Kaskylla’s Trove lies in the Iceflow Sea, frozen in place
Content Warning: Loss of Agency
roughly half a mile west of the Unveiling, appearing as an
unassuming iceberg. Characters with a passive Perception of
17 or higher notice the odd striations and furrows in the ice
surrounding it; marks of the morkoth’s slithering passage.
Entry
The Trove has two potential entrances. The first is a cleft on
the north side of the iceberg, located roughly 30 feet up on
a vertical wall above the sea. The opening is big enough for
Medium creatures to squeeze through, but climbing the slick
ice to reach it requires a DC 18 Strength (Athletics) check. On
a failure, the creature succeeds on the climb, but the freezing
conditions force a DC 10 Constitution saving throw, with a
failure resulting in gaining a level of exhaustion from extreme
cold. This opens into the Vestibule.
The other entrance is the one used by Kaskylla, located
underwater on the bottom of the iceberg. This cannot be
seen from above the surface, and forms a 20-foot diameter
opening directly into the Trove. Reaching it requires
swimming 100 feet through arctic waters underneath the lair
itself. Characters who do not take precautions when rising up
through this entrance are likely to alert the morkoth, which
sleeps in the Trove room itself.
The Vestibule
The Vestibule is a 30-foot diameter hemispherical chamber of
ice. On the other side, a 15-foot wide ramp leads down into
the Glass Gallery. Characters with a passive Perception of 18
or more, or who succeed on a DC 18 Wisdom (Perception)
check, identify that the 20-foot diameter circle of ice in the
center of the chamber is unusually thin. Walking on it causes
it to break, releasing the irate yeti frozen within as a guard
dog by Kaskylla. At the end of every round of combat in
which the yeti is still alive, if Kaskylla is present within the
Trove Room, it can attempt a DC 15 Perception check to
notice that there are intruders. If it is asleep, it makes this
check with disadvantage.
The Glass Gallery
This rectangular room is a ghastly display of living prisoners,
each held in stasis within Risian ice. This ranges from unusual
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monsters, to Rimewalker druids, to —- drow and unfortunate
explorers from both Khorvaire and Sarlona. The creatures
are at 0 hit points, stable, and unconscious. Restoring hit
points to them does not restore them to consciousness unless
the pane of ice trapping them is broken. Each pane of ice has
AC 12, 30 hit points, and immunity to cold, poison, psychic,
and necrotic damage. Shattering them is noisy and will alert
Kaskylla in the Trove Room if precautions are not taken.
A 15-foot wide icy ramp leads from the Glass Gallery down
into the Trove Room. Creatures moving down the ramp
must succeed on a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw or slip, fall
prone, and slide to the bottom into the Trove Room.
The Trove Room
The massive central chamber of the iceberg holds Kaskylla’s
treasures. Piles of gems, art, and rare goods from across
Xen’drik fill the chamber in which the morkoth sleeps and
admires its riches. A few prisoners are also frozen in this
chamber, including dangerous beasts that can be revived to
kill intruders. These have been hypnotized for so long that
they see Kaskylla as an ally.
The chamber has a 60-foot diameter, and is hemispherical
in shape. Four 15-foot square piles of treasure dot the
chamber, acting as difficult terrain. A 20-foot diameter
opening in the floor at the back of the chamber churns
with seawater - an aquatic pool through which the
morkoth enters.
Environmental Conditions
• Kaskylla’s Trove is under conditions of extreme cold.
• The Trove is within a Risian manifest zone that
preserves life indefinitely. A creature with 0 hit points
becomes stable at the end of its turn, entering a state
of suspended animation. If an unconscious creature
remains in contact with the ice of the Trove for more
than 1 minute, it is drawn below the surface and
visibly encased within. While encased in this way,
time ceases to flow for the creature and it doesn’t
grow older.
Treasure
• An entire hoard of five 750gp art objects and 1000gp
of assorted gems taken from the cloud castles of the
Unveiling, along with a Potion of Flying, a Spell Scroll of
transport via plants, and a Carpet of Flying.
• A living adventurer from the city of Kul Lerek who
was ambushed by the morkoth and frozen in ice. Their
gratitude may prompt them to take the party to the
flying city.
• A cloud castle Skyhook* and Migration Key*.
Kwinharin
The land spirit of the Rainwoods is an ancient soul of
blooming life. Around it, the world grows like a primeval
rainforest, with unique plants and glowing fungi hidden within the
verdant depths.
The cold winds coming off the Iceflow Sea hit the Fangs
of Argarak and condense into rain that drenches the land.
Known as the Rainwoods to explorers, the region has a
deeper name to the people of Xen’drik - Kwinharin, the
Sister of Spring. Both a place and a powerful spirit of the
land, Kwinharin is an ancient primal force said to be one of
Eberron’s true children. Her vibrant coastal domain embraces
the boreal realm of her brother, Raiarin, to the south.
Within Kwinharin, life blooms. The temperate rainforest
is awash with green, with moss and lichen covering every
inch. The air is fragrant with natural scents, and lies as still as
it was when the world was young. The primal vitality within
the land causes the plants to grow to extraordinary sizes,
and even the animals often resemble moving vegetation.
As a result, in the heart of the Rainwoods, the forest floor
can be almost entirely shaded by vast ferns and tropical
trees that soar into the canopy. Here, the gloom is a sea of
bioluminescent fungi and hazy spores - an alien world of soft
hush and thick atmosphere. Myconids travel the deep paths,
communing with the spirit of Kwinharin as grovetenders
and shepherds.
The Rainwoods are the ancestral home of Verdant Path
druids (p.122), who often gather in the region to commune
with the land spirit and meet with their fellows. Many return
to its forests as they get older, performing a ritual to turn
themselves into treant ‘saints’ who teach the next generation.
The borders of the Rainwoods are patrolled by members of
the Verdant Path, who keep an eye out for loggers, monsters,
or other dangers to the health of the forest.
In recent years, this duty has become increasingly vital;
the daelkyr Avassh, Twister of Roots, has begun reaching
out to Kwinharin in an effort to corrupt the land spirit.
The infectious spores of the Twister are a virulent plague.
Currently, the primal purity of the land spirit and its servants
are being channeled into cleansing the aberrant taint of
the Twister, overwhelming its creations with the power of
nature. In truth, this innocent defense can only hold out for
so long. If the Path cannot find a way to prevent the forces of
the daelkyr rising from below, the land spirit they worship
may be in danger - and Xen’drik with it.
Environmental Conditions
• Spells that create or specifically affect plants, such as
entangle or speak with plants, have their durations
doubled. Saving throws against such spells are made
with disadvantage.
• Battlefields in the Rainwoods might have areas of
brown or yellow mold, thorny or poisonous plants,
and thick growth that acts as difficult terrain.
Treasures
• Rare medicinal herbs found nowhere else that can be
brewed into Potions of Superior Healing or Vitality.
• A Bell BranchTCoE or Nature’s MantleTCoE.
• The ability to cast ancient druidic spells, as taught by
the tree saints of the Verdant Path - or the spirit of
Kwinharin itself.
Encounters
• 2 dolgauntsERLW of Avassh scouting the Rainwood,
with vine-tendrils instead of fleshy tentacles.
• A treant that was once a giant druid of the Verdant
Path, and will happily teach a cantrip such as druidcraft
in exchange for a good story.
• A bodytaker plantVRGR seeded by the forces of Avassh
to capture and consume the druids of the Rainwoods,
then recreate plant spies with their forms.
• A group of 2d4 twig blights and 2 vine blights
sprouting from a daelkyr-tainted seed.
• A small myconid under attack by giant insects that
telepathically cries for help. In truth, it is the spawn of
Avassh, and if the party protects it, will sow further
corruption in the Rainwoods.
 Lachni of the Mist
The largest village of the Children of the Mist is
secreted away within the fog of the Lake of Dread. The spiderfolk
weave wondrous webs and concoct tinctures, hidden by illusion and
the creeping mist.
The spiderfolk known as the Children of the Mist dwell in
hidden villages in the forests of Dread Lake. Lachni is the
most expansive, with several thousand Children living in
Content Warning: Arachnophobia
a network of massive oak trees. The spiderfolk are timid
by nature. Their fear of once again becoming pawns of the
Spinner of Shadows is matched only by their fear of other
people’s reactions to seeing them. As such, they do their best
to maintain utmost secrecy, weaving illusions and misty
webs to dwell in peaceful solitude. Lachni itself is a well-
hidden masterpiece, woven over generations out of tensile
silk. Enchantments carved into the wood of the great oaks
cast permanent glamors over the village, turning away the
attention of predators and fiends.
Rather than discrete buildings, Lachni is formed from
woven masses of silken cocoons, each the abode of a
spiderfolk and their family. Skeins of webbing stretch
between them, acting as roads and structural supports. Some
of these connect the massive oak trees like bridges. For the
Children, the art of weaving silk affects every aspect of daily
life; the crowns of the oak trees are coated in a fine blanket
on which the mist condenses, which the people collect for
drinking water. Meanwhile, beneath the canopy, thousands
of invisible strands act like alarms. Creatures touching these
invisible threads cause vibrations to ripple up to Lachni itself,
and rarely realize that a squad of chitines are keeping (many)
eyes on their movements. Occasionally, the creature itself is
needed for food, and is quickly ensnared in sticky nets to be
lifted into the village above.
Culture
The Children of the Mist are pastoral shepherds, hunters, and
craftsmen. Their natural venom and use of poison has also
led to a tradition of alchemy. Ingredients brought back by
hunters and herbalists are brewed into powerful toxins. This
includes live creatures, which are brought back in adhesive
nets and liquefied within cocoons of silk, producing potions
infused with their power. These potent brews are used in
defense of the village. Dangerous fiends and corrupted fey
roam the region, including brutish fomorians. However,
poison in small doses can become powerful medicines, and
the unnerving doctors of Lachni are second to none.
Their tools and clothing are made solely from spider silk - a
material used for everything from garrotes, to bandages, to
camouflage. The Children weave enchantment and illusion
magic into the silk, creating magic clothing that aids in
stealth. Silenced steps, fluid disguises and active camouflage
all help to catch flies caught in the web. Other types of silk are
used for weaponry. Even the thinnest strands are deceptively
strong and used as lightweight wire for garrottes, whips and
kusarigama. The throwing knifes of the mistkin are poisoned
with their own venom and crafted from an infamously rare
material - the claws of bebiliths*. The arachnid fiends
stalk the ruined Twilight Court, hunting anything that
intrudes upon the city. The illusions of the Children of the
Mist keep them safe - as long as they are inside the bounds
CHAPTER 64 | ADVENTURE
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LOCATIONS
of their villages.The ability of their claws to damage even
fiends makes them a highly tempting prize, and the rangers
of Lachni use these against the tainted servants of the
Spinner of Shadows.
Coming and Going
Those who leave the region are always in disguise, operating
as merchants, artisans and killers in return for rare materials
not found in Lachni. These merchants trade in their
masterwork clothing and potions through proxies; skilled
merchants in major cities receive quiet shipments with
written offers of partnership. For how much the garments
are worth, such offers are never turned down.
For outsiders, finding Lachni of the Mist is as hard as you
might expect. Dangerous forests, constant fog, and ancient
illusions combine to make an ethereal maze. There are two
main ways in which one might locate the place. The first is
to have a local guide, which can theoretically be arranged
through merchants linked to the Children (or gained by
rescuing one of the Children). The second is to journey to
Dread Lake with something that the people of Lachni can’t
refuse. Yelling into the fog with a loud introduction is one
way to go about it…which is also likely to draw fey, fiends
and monsters from miles around.
Environmental Conditions
• Lachni is cloaked in a near-permanent fog; normal
vision is limited to 60 feet, while darkvision is
limited to 30 feet.
• The forests around Dread Lake are covered in massive
spider webs. Encounters might include areas of webbing
that act as either difficult terrain, or traps that force a DC
13 Dexterity saving throw to avoid being restrained, as
though by a net.
Treasure
• Powerful poisons such as Midnight Tears and Truth
Serum (detailed in the Dungeon Master’s Guide).
• Shadowsilk Studded Leather*.
• Cloaks and Boots of Elvenkind (‘Mistkin Cloaks’).
• Slippers of Spider Climbing.
Encounters
• A drider guardian who stalks the party until they leave
the vicinity of the village.
• A nest of 1d4 phase spiders; the skeleton of a goliath
with a Sentinel Shield lies in their nest.
• A terrifying wandering bebilith*
• 1 ettercap and 3 chitines fighting a bestial Kythrian
manticore from the Tempest’s Spine to keep it away
from the village.
Special Material: Shadowsilk
Clothing made of magical shadowsilk is impossibly soft,
and drinks in the light. A character wearing light armor
made from shadowsilk can attempt to take the Hide
action when only lightly obscured by vegetation,
falling snow, or other environmental conditions,
even when standing in the open.
261
 Lair of the Crone
(Icehowl Plateau)
Ketheptis the One-Eyed Crone lairs high in the
Bluespine Peaks, within a glacier riddled with horrors. Here, the
psychopathic dragon rules over her servants, including her family
of half-dragon frost giants.
Perhaps the greatest terror of the Bluespine Peaks is
Ketheptis the One-Eyed Crone* - a twisted adult silver
Content Warning: Body Horror
dragon hellbent on revenge. Unlike other rogue dragons,
the Crone is dangerously cunning, with plans that stretch far
beyond the usual petty dominion. Her lair on the Icehowl
Plateau is her base of operations, where her terrorized
minions gather to receive orders. Within, lie the dragon’s
laboratories and experiments, as well as her hoard of gathered
giant relics - the tools with which she plans to destroy
Xen’drik to avenge her lost parents.
Further information on Ketheptis, her motivations,
and potential goals can be found in the Legendary Villains
chapter on p.147.
The Plateau
The Icehowl Plateau lies between several mountains in
the Bluespines, forming a raised highland that bars travel
from west to east. The altitude here renders the region
snowbound, and the temperatures are below freezing at
the warmest. Dangerous predators lair in mountain caves,
descending into the lowlands to hunt. All in all, it’s the
perfect hideaway for a silver dragon. Icecliff Lair lies at the
northern end of the plateau, at the terminus of an ice-sheet
covering one of the peaks. Frost giants loyal to Ketheptis
have built a village around its base, and patrol the Plateau for
both clueless travelers and food to hunt.
The Lair
Icecliff Lair lies within the edge of a mountain ice sheet. The
outer part has been built up using the abilities of a silver
dragon to shape and solidify freezing fog. As a result, the lair
itself has been expertly grown from solid ice in accordance
to her plans. Over time, the dragon has then excavated back
and down into the rocky cliff face behind the frozen shell,
forming subterranean chambers for her minions. These
converge on a central well within the ice, with Ketheptis
flying up to nest in an alcove at the top. Her glittering hoard
lies frozen within the floor of the well beneath her.
The outer walls of the frozen lair are riddled with false
entrances and caverns containing magical traps - a testament
to the Crone’s devious paranoia. Many have impressive
carvings designed to bait intruders. Some of these caves
contain war beasts owned by Thraalgrum’s giant clan,
including tamed remorhaz. There are two true entrances; one
is a submerged cave beneath the frozen lake at the base of the
lair. The other - used only by Ketheptis - is an unassuming
tunnel burrowed into the top of the outer shell of ice.
Typically, the Lair contains Ketheptis, her former
frost giant* partner Thaalgrum, and their half-
dragon frost giant* children - the brutish warrior
Letho, and the sorcerer Baasra, who shares her
mother’s cunning. Letho revels in his own
262262
strength, and often captures beasts to kill in a mock arena
within the Lair. Meanwhile, Basra dotes on her aging father,
and conducts research of her own into the giant relics of her
people’s past.
The only exception is the elven vampire Dekaraz - a
Qabalrin remnant unearthed by Ketheptis, who assists her in
her experiments. His allegiance is tenuous; Dekaraz regards
the dragon’s goals with scorn, but is in no position to take
action. As he bides his time, he is gathering information on
the state of Xen’drik, especially the fate of his people, and
working on ways to secure his own power. At any one time,
these different figures might venture beyond the lair to
pursue their own goals, with the exception of Dekaraz; the
vampire isn’t quite trusted enough yet.
The rooms within the Lair depend on the Crone’s goals,
but might include any of the following:
• A large arena-shaped cavern in which Letho chains
captured animals, then fights them to test his brutish
strength. Captured intruders are tossed to them
instead. Currently, there’s a furious behir within.
• A corridor with a tall stalactite-studded ceiling; if a
threat is detected, Ketheptis can slam the floor of the
central ice well above, causing them to rain down
on intruders.
• The stone tomb of Dekaraz, containing his coffin.
The resting place of the vampire was carried here by
Ketheptis, and the tomb’s interior serves as his private
chambers. This includes his small stash of reclaimed
Qabalrin relics.
• Baasra’s chambers, which resemble an oversized
artificer’s workshop. The sorcerer studies works of
giant artifice here, taken from the nearby ruins of the
nearby kingdoms of Esht and Ju’qata
• A prison containing captured drow, goliaths, and
members of the Banor’drakai frozen in Risian ice. The
ice keeps them in a permanent unconscious stasis,
allowing Ketheptis to retrieve them for questioning -
or food - if needed.
• A laboratory containing the corpse of one of the Ten
Watchers, which is being brutally rendered down to
create magic items and powerful reagents for use by
Ketheptis and her family.
• A library of giant tomes, stone tablets and shards of
pottery collected by Thaalgrum, and perused by both
him and Baasra.
• A chamber with a half-broken Tempest Cannon from
the Sul’at League - a massive armament containing a
bound elder tempest that Ketheptis hopes to restore.
• A chained and injured frost giant in a cramped
room, captured by Baasra from outside the ruins of
Eshtarnak. The giant is being pressed for information
on the gold dragon Bane-Reth, who rules her
people within the ancient city with an iron fist. A
clash between gold and silver is imminent, with
both egomaniac dragons coveting the treasures of
their rival.
• A chamber with a permanent glyph of warding set
into the center. Humanoid ‘statues’ of ice are arrayed
around the edges. Unauthorized creatures who walk
over the glyph cause the ‘statues’ to activate, revealing
that they are actually the animated victims of the
Crone’s frozen breath. These act as stone-cursed
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 • with immunity to cold damage, and ‘petrify’ intruders
in the same ice that imprisons them.
• A frozen larder with remnants of a remorhaz,
preserved so it provides searing heat to cook on.
• A quiet chamber with rivulets of glacial water flowing
through cracks in the ceiling, forming a tranquil
aquamarine pond. Two massive marble grave markers
are set into the back wall, each devoted to one of
Ketheptis’s parents.
Content Warning: Loss of Agency
Environmental Conditions
• Icehowl Plateau is under the effects of extreme cold.
• The lair itself is subject to the regional effects of a
silver dragon. As such, once per day, Ketheptis can
alter the weather in a 6-mile radius centered on her
lair as per the spell control weather. Typically this is
done to shroud it in freezing mist and hail.
Treasure
• Dragon Scale Mail created in macabre fashion from
rival rogue dragons that Ketheptis has killed - or, more
worryingly, one of the Ten Watchers.
• The grand hoard of Ketheptis. The dragon’s hoard is
huge, and might contain any number of giant relics
locked beneath the ice. An example hoard might
contain: 64,000gp of treasure (divided between
40,000gp of large giant-cut gemstones, 8000 gold
coins, and 1600 platinum coins), a Skyhook* (to be
used to trick the Scriveners of the Sky), a large Khyber
dragonshard containing a bound phoenix, a Frost
Brand Greatsword, an Instrument of the Bards (Fochlucan
Bandore), and a tablet carved with instructions for the
Artifact Maneuver ‘Heavenly Fist of Banor’ (p.315)
Any item can be replaced by a plot-relevant item, or
one that leads on a merry side-quest.
• The items gathered by Dekaraz include rare
necromantic spell components needed for ancient
Qabalrin rituals; his knowledge alone is priceless,
and presents an insight into the terrible power of the
Shapers of Night.
Encounters
• A frost giant* hunter with a pair of trained winter
wolves on the hunt for prey - or intruders.
• A Súlatar drow from the Banor’drakai
investigating the draconic lair.
Ketheptis has long been one of
their most hated foes.
• An undead eagle carrying
a secret message from
Dekaraz in its jaws
- potentially with
information on how
to bypass some of the
traps of Icecliff Lair (if
the party can trust it).
CHAPTER 6 | ADVENTURE LOCATIONS
The Lake of Solace
A lake of blooming lotus flowers hides a dark secret; a
spawn of Avassh dwells in the deep waters, preying on the innocent
who gather in peace.
A placid lake lies within the southern forests, its waters
blooming with lotus flowers. Its shores are calm and silent.
The sounds of the forest fade. A sense of peace slowly falls. It
is only at a closer glance that one sees the bones half-buried
in the lakebed. The Lake of Solace is a beautiful infection
created by the daelkyr Avassh, the Twister of Roots. Its
otherworldly flowers are part of a bodytaker plantVRGR that
lurks underwater in the center of the lake, and lures in prey
with mesmerizing pollen.
The local wildlife know to avoid the Lake of Solace at all
costs, ensuring it’s a safe and beautiful place to rest. Any
creature that rests near the lake for more than two hours
must succeed on a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw or become
charmed by the flowers. While charmed in this way, the
creature becomes obsessed with swimming in the lake,
and begins to swim to the shallow center where the main
body of the plant lies. Victims are ensnared, turned into
podlingsVRGR, and sent out to lure further prey.
The lakebed is littered with ancient bones and the
equipment of those who realized the truth too late, but
salvaging it is a difficult prospect. The largest of the lotus
blooms act as yellow musk creepers, forming buds that
will one day grow into new bodytakers. Killing one of the
creepers and recovering the giant flower intact allows it to
be used once as Dust of Sneezing and Choking that additionally
charms affected creatures.
Environmental Conditions
• A creature that spends more than 2 hours around the
Lake of Solace must succeed on a DC 16 Wisdom saving
throw or become charmed. Creatures that do not need
to breathe automatically succeed. While charmed in this
way, the creature is compelled to swim to the center of
the lake above all other goals or objectives. This lasts
for 1 hour, but the creature can repeat the saving throw
upon taking damage to end the effect. A creature that
succeeds on the saving throw is immune to the effect for
the next 24 hours.
Treasure
• A Figurine of Wondrous Power (Silver Raven)
carved from bronzewood that takes the
form of a parrot, carved by an unfortunate
Qaltari drow.
• A Staff of Flowers that causes ethereal
lotuses to bloom.
• A Ring of Animal Influence
carved from the woody stem
of the bodytaker plant itself. It
works by infesting animals with
aberrant spores.
263
 Mirhanac’lathk
The githyanki maintain a hidden crèche in the sands of
the Menechtarun - a nursery and raiding base for the valuable
secrets of the ancient giants.
The githyanki are refugees from a doomed timeline - a
version of Eberron where the daelkyr succeeded in destroying
reality. While they dwell on vast city-ships in the Astral Sea,
time does not pass there. In order for young gith to grow,
Content Warning: Body Horror
they must spend time outside their home. Mirhanac’lathk
(‘The Crystal Orchard’) is a crèche for this purpose, and
serves as a fortified outpost for the githyanki in Xen’drik.
Here, young gith learn, train, and grow, overseen by older
githyanki and sapphire dragonsFTD. However, the crèche
also serves a different purpose. The Menechtarun holds
secrets that their queen believes to be key to their survival.
The giant city of Zja Aqat lies over the horizon, with psionic
secrets that the warriors desire at all costs.
Mirhanac’lathk itself lies beneath the desert sands, carved
from the rock by the githyanki’s sapphire dragon allies. The
warren of tunnels is located beneath a small crystal waste,
with the githyanki harvesting the deep crystal from beneath
to create psionic items and artifice. The tunnel entrances are
kept hidden by the dragons. Their leader, Valaejirkanai, uses
the crèche as his lair. While the upper levels are home to the
githyanki, the lower ones belong solely to the dragon and its
kin, who have a fascination with giant weapons and armor.
This includes a hatchery for their eggs - perhaps the only one
that still exists.
The githyanki faction here is led by the kithrak Gallath,
who organizes expeditions to Zja Aqat, raids on the Inspired
of Riedra, and the training regimes of the young gith under
their supervision. Between the barracks and training rooms
lies a large chamber that holds the lifeline for the githyanki - a
stable portal connecting to the grand city of Tu’narath.
Beyond the outpost, the githyanki have much to fight for.
The Unity of Riedra has a presence here for almost the same
reason as they. The crystal wastes are of immense value to
both psionic empires, while the nearby giant ruin of Zja Aqat
is a prize of immense power. Within its dimensional halls
lie more information about Xoriat than any other place in
Eberron, and many of the githyanki believe it holds their
ultimate goal - a way to restore their world, and destroy the
daelkyr for good. Even if it means destroying this one.
Environmental Conditions
• The desert surrounding Mirhanac’lathk is under the
effects of extreme heat.
• The regional effects of the dragon Valaejirkanai mean
that within 1 mile of Mirhanac’lathk, any creature with
telepathy has the range of its telepathy doubled.
Treasure
• Sapphire BucklersFTD are wielded by kithrak Gallath and
other high-ranking members of the outpost.
• Many warriors also wield Crystal BladesFTD, created
using deep crystal taken from the surrounding desert.
• Githyanki scouts often wear crystal Ioun Stones
of Awareness to help them spot the dangers
of the sands.
264264
• The hoard of Valaejirkanai, which contains powerful
weapons and apparel from the giant cities of Hekaton
and Zja Aqat.
Encounters
• A young sapphire dragonFTD leaving the outpost to
scout for weapons in the ruins in the Menechtarun.
• A squad of 1d4+1 githyanki warriors on a routine
expedition to the outskirts of Zja Aqat, led by a
githyanki knight.
• A roaming death kiss from Zja Aqat, drawn here by
the presence of so many psionic minds.
'Naphrad' (Colossus WX-12)
A warforged colossus lies slumped against a
mountainside in the Ring of Storms, watched over by dragonborn.
Adventurers traveling to the Ring of Storms from Zantashk
are faced with a baffling sight. Sitting on the side of the Ring’s
mountains is an immense humanoid construct painted with
the faded heraldry of Cyre. The warforged colossus ended
up there due to the bizarre events of the Mourning, and has
remained relatively untouched since. The local Trothurkear
dragonborn have sealed off the site out of confusion
and concern, fearing some kind of malfunctioning giant
technology. The squad they sent to investigate the colossus
never returned.
Due to its utter isolation, the interior of the colossus
is surprisingly intact. Unfortunately, the impacts of the
Mourning had a disastrous effect on its crew, who are still
sealed inside. A map of the interior of a warforged colossus
can be found on p.224 of Eberron: Rising from the Last War.
The steel door on the side of the construct’s legs provides
access to the ladder climbing up the interior. Just inside the
door is a visibly sparking electrical trap meant to kill any
invading forces. A creature moving through the crackling
gateway must succeed on a DC 16 Dexterity throw or
take 4d8 lightning damage and yell loudly, alerting any
creatures within the hips compartment above. The trap can
be disarmed with a DC 18 ability check using Thieves’ or
Tinkers’ Tools.
Colossus Interior
The abdomen of the colossus contains the intact power core,
which can be removed by a character with proficiency in a
set of tools that they can reasonably justify using. The core
is worth at least hundreds of gold to members of House
Cannith, but its bulky size may make it difficult to transport.
The barracks in the chest contain the belongings of the crew
and the remains of several dragonborn, as well as whatever
Mourning-linked horrors killed them (or they became).
In the head, still jealously guarding the main control
docent, is a lost sorrowsworn that appears to have a
bizarrely mutated Dragonmark of Passage. The creature
is actually initially neutral to the party as long as they do
not show aggression, or wish to take its docentERLW ‘best
friend’ from the main control unit of the colossus. All that it
remembers of its former life is the sight of the Mournland
mists approaching fast from the viewports of the captain’s
seat. The sorrowsworn can be turned back into Captain
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& ENEMIES
 Conrys d’Orien with greater restoration, or other more
powerful restorative spells.
Environmental Conditions
• Optionally, the bizarre magical effects of the Mourning
may have affected the workings of the colossus. When a
character casts a leveled spell, they must roll a d20. If the
result is equal to or less than the level of the expended
spell, they must roll on the Wild Magic table.
Treasure
• A Cannith-branded +1 All-Purpose ToolTCoE
• A Spellshard containing valuable information about the
workings of the Colossus in the field.
• The main control DocentERLW of the Colossus - an
original, ironically, from Xen’drik.
Encounters
• 3 ghouls and a ghast with the Monstrosity type, and
skin that flickers as though phasing out of reality; each
wears the rotted remnants of Cyran armor, denoting
their former lives as soldiers.
• A pack of 8 wretched sorrowsworn inside the
abdomen compartment with skin a lurid shade
of Cyran green
• A group of dragonborn soldiers and a dragonnelFTD
mount holding a perimeter around the Colossus in
case anything happens.
New Zolanberg
The ruins of a gnomish colony lie along the shores of
Tempest Bay - a reminder to the town of Zantashk that life in
Xen’drik is never as simple as it seems.
The gnomish nation of Zilargo is ruled by the Trust - a wide
network of secret police and spies who ensure that threats to
the country are tracked and dealt with before they can pose
a problem. The existence of the all-watching organization
is intimidating and bizarre to outsiders, but the people
consider it a part of everyday life, as well as a fun game of
national intrigue. When the Trust first announced itself,
some in the country disagreed, and left Zilargo to form their
own colonies free from the Trust. The largest community
lives on the island of Lorghalan in the Principalities, but one
group settled on the shores of Xen’drik. New Zolanberg is
now a fabled ghost town, for the gnomes of the colony were
never seen again.
The ruins of New Zolanberg lie in the jungles along the
east coast of Tempest Bay, opposite the current town of
Zantashk. To the prospectors, the wreckage is a sobering
reminder of the dangers they face. Despite its proximity, New
Zolanberg has never been fully explored due to a social taboo
among the people of Zantashk. The belief goes that poking
around might draw the attention of whatever destroyed the
place, and talk of ‘ancient curses’ among the local people has
led to heavy superstition. Evidence of horrific violence at the
site does nothing to help. A less common belief is that the
CHAPTER 64 | ADVENTURE
ALLIES & ENEMIES
LOCATIONS
Starter Adventure
New Zolanberg is a location near to Zantashk that can
easily host a quest for low-level adventurers, or be
used to kick off an extended story. Any kind of weaker
monster from Xen’drik’s jungles might claim territory
in the place, requiring non-superstitious folk to drive it
out. Yet, this might lead to discoveries about the fate
of the gnomes of New Zolanberg, with potentially dire
implications for the survival of Zantashk. A preserved
journal in a basement might be just the thing…
gnomes themselves are still alive out there, somewhere, and
had no choice but to flee their colony.
The settlement is built around a small cove within the
greater Tempest Bay, with small gnomish houses built from
stone and wood. If not for the Reeve of Zantask commanding
that the place’s docks remain maintained for exploration
purposes, it would barely be visible at all. Over the last
thousand years, the other buildings have been reduced to
rubble and broken walls by the ceaseless elements. Monsters
occasionally lair within the ruins, claiming the local region
as their territory. Since this can interfere dangerously with
House Tharashk’s efforts, the Reeve occasionally posts
contracts for adventurers to drive them out.
What happened to New Zolanberg?
They were driven underground by a dangerous threat.
Over a thousand years, the gnomes are now svirfneblin,
1 and have secured a foothold in Khyber. If contact is
reestablished, their Khyber dragonshards might lead to
trade with Zantashk.
The Madness of Crowds triggered (or was triggered by
2 someone), causing the gnomes to destroy themselves
in a single night of uncharacteristic violence.
The gnomes began tinkering with giant technology, and
drew the attention of one of the Ten Watchers, who
3 destroyed New Zolanberg. The gnomes fled into the
jungle, and have lived in secrecy ever since.
The disappearance was planned - a mass effort to
escape the eyes of the Trust, and ensure that they
4 could without fear. The gnomes instead settled deeper
within the jungle, cutting off all potential contact with
Khorvaire.
Encounters
• A gnomish ghost driven to search for their wedding
ring. If the party can find it, the ghost will move on
to the afterlife, and potentially answer a question
about their fate.
• A kamadan lairing within a ruined basement.
• A displacer beast raising an adorable kitten. It can be
convinced not to attack, and to ignore people passing
through, if the players can succeed on a DC 18 Wisdom
(Animal Handling) check. Offering food, or other
displays of good intentions, lowers the check to DC 15.
• Two murderous redcaps borne from the violence
committed in this place.
265
 Optao
Written by Nausicaä Enriquez
A humble village in the sky – its citizens secure, its
fate precarious, its hope in the hands of adventurers.
Optao is an unremarkable Ko community – with a problem.
Where the Five Nations are overgrown with imperial
infrastructure to solve everyday magical and monstrous
problems, Xen’drik is a place where hiring a ragtag band of
adventurers may well be a community’s best bet.
Optao blows with the wind through the Fangs of Argarak,
working to raise cloud-crops before the clouds disappear
in the dry season, and netting skyfish with their bonded
wyverns year-round. Groundling adventurers might come
across it when they exit Khyber from a cave high in the
mountains, when a shifting zone tears a chunk of the land
skyward, or if they’re using flying mounts or items to traverse
Xen’drik more quickly. As with many Ko communities, the
inhabitants dwell in cloudstone houses on the sides of the
sky island, with mills and workshops above, and wyverns
roosting below; unlike other Ko communities, the soil of the
sky island doesn’t farm food but art – a Xoriat manifest zone
causes patterns and images to creep onto objects planted in
the soil, which the Ko trade with neighboring communities
in the mountains and use to decorate their homes.
Figures of Note
Optao boasts a proud and comfortable inn, run by a fairly
young (by elven standards) mayor named Amhil Thaya.
While the town isn’t large enough to use money regularly
among its own people, storehouse manager Kerel Keram will
sullenly count change while explaining the utter hopelessness
of trying to make any trade truly equitable. Tékaz, Amhil’s
sister, is the lead pylan and open to any sob story, although
her healing rituals try arachnophobes.
The primary tone to hammer home is “quirky charm”;
Optao is an opportunity to run traditional low-stakes “save
the town” RPG adventures in Xen’drik. The adventure hooks
below are presented as ideas that feel true to the location.
Optao isn’t intended as a particularly unlucky town, merely a
Point of Light where danger can come from many corners.
Environmental Conditions
• While surrounded by buildings and fences, the edges
of the sky island create a very hard border. PCs must
consider a new danger, and pushing an enemy off the
edge, while effective, will cause the townsfolk to react
with shock and horror – the fall is a nightmare a ko
wouldn’t inflict on their worst enemies.
• The cloudstone the Ko have harvested for their
buildings isn’t always stable, and sometimes blocks of
masonry will jostle and rise under a person’s feet.
Potential Quests
Evil Wizard. The dead of Optao are buried in coffins
hanging from the underside of the sky island – and
an enterprising Ko necromancer, exiled from their
own home for desecration of the dead, is raising
them for a mysterious ritual purpose. Both the
266266
wizard and the folk of Optao are scared, irate, and dug into
their positions – the townsfolk shuttered in their homes and
the wizard in the town windmill.
Infestation. The sky island has become riddled with
swarms of lulids*, accidentally introduced by a careless
trader. Their crippling disease is bad enough, leaving the
Ko impaired and in pain – but their gnawing threatens to
collapse the sky island itself. The adventurers will need to
find a way to lure the lulids off the island.
Kidnapping. Mayor Thaya’s beautiful son, Orano, is
being held for ransom by a gang of yakfolk or giant bandits
(type as appropriate for the PCs’ level). They’re petty bullies
by disposition, bragging of their deeds in the name of the
Reclaimers of Glory – and Orano, a talented bard, may well
have knowledge the PCs need.
Magical Disaster. A child in Optao has recently
developed the talents of a Storm Sorcerer – but not fine
control over them. While the town is no longer enveloped in
a screaming gale, the initial blasts sent it accelerating; Tékaz
calculates that they’ll crash into Kul Lerek in a few days. The
young sorcerer is understandably terrified out of their mind,
and may be subconsciously making the situation worse – can
the heroes reverse the vicious cycle?
Grander Threats
Optao's position in the Fangs of Argarak make it easy to link
to greater events going on in the region. The town is near
enough to the Valley of Shadows (and safe enough) that it
makes a perfect base for exploring the blasted wasteland,
especially for adventurers who are growing in confidence
and ability. This is an easy way to tie the party into looming
threats such as the Battalion of Basalt Towers and the
Overlord Kharna Rayva. This can be put into motion by
having the Battalion attack the town, or by a fiend of the
Overlord infiltrating Optao for sinister gain.
This example can be easily changed by moving Optao to
a different part of the Fangs. To the west lies the desert city
of Crux. To the south, the domain of the verdant land spirit
Kwinharin, and the gilded Alcazar of Ashes. To the east
lies the holy city of Bazek Mohl and the fey-cursed woods
of Dread Lake, while the north is dominated by the vibrant
Hydra Basin. Of course, by having the town blow fast on the
local winds, players can explore all of these!
Rewards
• A Carpet of Flying, if the PCs need a convenient plot
device to travel around the continent.
• Boots and Cloaks of Elvenkind.
• Rope of Climbing or Entanglement.
• Orano’s hand in marriage (or, he hastens to add, just
the opportunity to play it out for a night).
• Free healing and resupply whenever the heroes visit
Optao again.
• A portstone* to point the way to Kul Lerek.
CHAPTER 6 | ADVENTURE LOCATIONS
 Parhelion Altar
A fortress of divine zealots rises from a verdant oasis
in the Menechtarun, a pillar of light rising high into the heavens.
Beneath it, radiant prayers hide a disturbing and alien truth.

The Star Pilgrims (p.136) are an order of cultists who

worship the daelkyr Vriinmata*. They believe that the Lord
of Madness is an angel of the heavens - a pure being of light
Content Warning: Fire, Religious Extremism, Mortal Sacrifice

sent to deliver mercy to the world. To that end, they work

to convert others to their cause, spreading its corrupting
influence. Parhelion Altar is one of their largest outposts. The
monastery-fort is where they come to train and commune
with the emissaries of their god, undertaking ‘heavenly’
rites in its depths. Outwardly, the Pilgrims are an eccentric
group of zealots with an unusual mastery of light and radiant
flame, and visitors will find a warm welcome to their desert
compound. However, beneath the surface, the cult burns lives
to ashes in pursuit of their goal - the freedom of the daelkyr
bound beneath their feet.

Fortress Structure
The Altar itself forms an outer ring, with a sparkling oasis
in the center. An island at the heart of the crystal waters acts
as a ritual site to channel the desert heat and sun, focused
into a beam of light that shines high into the atmosphere.
This renders the Altar visible for tens of miles around,
drawing those in need of refuge. In other words, new recruits
and fresh material. The outer fortress itself is home to
armories, prayer rooms filled with incense smoke, communal
dining areas and other ascetic necessities. Members of
the Star Pilgrims commune with the Everstar here, work
to shape their flesh into everburning light, and train in
martial combat.
Sunburn
The rites of the Star Pilgrims are disturbingly self-sacrificial.
Their doctrines hold that the sun is the giver of all life, and
that to be light is to be both immortal and holy. Flesh is
flawed and rots away. Apotheosis is to burn like the stars.
As a result, devout Pilgrims become increasingly fragmented
as a mark of their faith, their bodies gradually burning away
into flame and light. It is a testament to their piety that this
has no negative impacts; a pilgrim might have no upper
arm, with the flesh and bone replaced by shimmering white
flame connecting to their elbow, yet their lower arm will
function as normal. These ‘miracles’ further embolden other
worshippers, driving them to greater acts of faith. Those
who ascend fully sometimes become shining children* - a
full apotheosis into an alien aberration that serves Vriinmata
unfailingly. Those who do not give themselves to the greatest
work of the Star Pilgrims - the true Parhelion Altar.
In the center of the fortress, an island in the oasis is marked
by a burning pillar of light that rises into the heavens.
Beneath that island is a scorched cavern that only the most
ardent Pilgrims ever see. This is what gives the fortress its
name, for in the center is a marble altar - and behind it, a
roaring conflagration of stellar fire and screaming souls.
High above, a break in the cavern ceiling opens onto the
sky, allowing sun and starlight to shine down onto the
grand ritual below. The Parhelion Altar is where dying
followers and captured heretics are turned into fuel, creating
a terrible gestalt of souls bound by faith and divine power.
For the three Sunseers who lead the faith, this is the path
to freeing their trapped angel; if they cannot melt its chains
with a blessed inferno, they will channel that power against
anything that stands in their way, searing the world with
alien might until they can kneel before their King.
Environmental Conditions
• The desert surrounding Parhelion Altar is under
the effects of extreme heat. Within one mile of
the Altar, pure darkness cannot exist, instead
becoming dim light.
Treasure
• This Staff of Fire is formed from solidified plasma
impossibly cool to the touch. Spells cast from it by
expending charges deal radiant damage instead of
fire damage.
• A symbiont Refractor Shield* that folds out of one’s
own crystallized arm.
• A Spell Scroll of overheal* written in light on
charred papyrus.
Encounters
• An asherati war priest meditating in the middle of
the desert heat, seemingly indifferent to the blazing
temperatures.
• A dragon blessedFTD, their heart a hovering point of
blinding light, teaching three martials arts adepts how
to wield their inner divine flames.
• A young crystal dragonFTD with the Aberration type
- a warped creation of Vriinmata kept in the center
of the fortress and worshiped by the Star Pilgrims.
Eventually it will grow strong enough to spread
their creed by force.

CHAPTER 64 | ADVENTURE
ALLIES & ENEMIES
LOCATIONS
267
 Pti-takt'chil no excuse but to die. To that end, many Ikat-takt warriors
focus their wills on manifesting what they see in Dal Quor
A mountain village of titanshell thri-kreen holds a into reality, trancing themselves into new power. This often
training ground for bare-knuckle fighters, where warriors train takes the form of extra arms, with Astral Self thri-kreen
their strength in duels high atop the Scimitar Spires. monks using all 6 of their arms to batter their foes into
submission. To them, the Inspired - who appear as a mixture
The Ikat-takt - known colloquially as 'Titanshells' - are of dream fiend and mortal - are awful abominations to be
a martial culture of hulking thri-kreen with large beetle- killed without mercy. This has led to increased conflict with
like forms. Their culture was forged in the crucible of the the nearby city of Dar Qat, especially since the thri-kreen
Scimitar Spires, and draws on the mythos of the ancient also value deep crystal from the region’s crystal wastes for
giants of the region - the multi-armed soldiers of Hekaton. their tools.
Pti-takt'chil is one of their most revered fortress-hives, where
warriors train as bare-handed monks upon the high cliffs. Environmental Conditions
As it turns out, unarmed martial arts are especially effective
when you have four arms to work with. The Ikat-takt have • On a creature’s turn, if it is within the Shavarath
much to fight against; the Spires are riddled with manifest manifest zone above Pti-takt’chil, it can use a bonus
zones to Shavarath, with many fiends crossing into the action to spend 1 Hit Die. It rolls the die and adds its
Material through broken giant machinery. However, the Constitution modifier, regaining hit points equal to the
most pressing foe are the forces of the Inspired, who will stop total (minimum of 1). Once a creature benefits from this
at nothing to claim the secrets of the Hekaton giants. property, it cannot do so again until it completes a short
or long rest.
Bloodsoaked Stone
Ikat-takt Craftwork
Pti-takt’chil is gouged out from the soft sandstone of the
northern Scimitar Spires, east of the Riedran camp of Tal • Carapace Boots of Striding and Springing used by the
Esk. The hive occupies a large part of one of the western thri-kreen to navigate mountain cliffs.
peaks, located just below a large Shavarath manifest zone. • A Far Realm ShardTCoE formed from dasl resin and
This zone - which encourages violence - plays two important infused with the nightmare nature of Dal Quor.
roles in their culture. The large Ravar mountain goats of the • Maces of Terror and Dra-tin Chatkcha* formed from
Spires use it as a sparring ground for mating rituals, with the crysteel dasl resin.
thri-kreen harvesting those animals that fall in combat for
food. They additionally use it as their own training ground, Encounters
sharpening their martial skill in grand rites of war. The rust-
• A squad of 4 Riedran scouts and their leader (use the
red mountain peak within the zone has been weathered into
bandit captain stat block) trying to locate the home
the shape of a jutting knife of rock, while smaller boulders
of the Ikat-takt, potentially in advance of a full assault
often form into the shape of weapons. Below the zone, the
on the city.
Ikat-takt have built their city into the walls of a massive cleft
• A herd of Ravar giant goats are butting heads
in the mountainside, shielding them from the winter cold.
over mating rights, and are too dumb to realize the
The hive-city has been bored out over hundreds of years
difference between their own metallic horns, and the
by umber hulks, who use their innate abilities to smash
metal weapons of adventurers. The goats themselves
through the rock. Their long-standing partnership with the
aren’t as dangerous as the steep cliffs they can ram
Ikat-takt is one of convenience. The thri-kreen give the hulks
people over.
a safe place to live, and reliable supplies of food, while the
• An Ikat-takt martial arts adept (add 60 feet of
hulks ward off creatures from Khyber, and help to expand the
Darkvision, and 120 feet of telepathy) seeking to train
hive. The innate thri-kreen link to Dal Quor renders them
their skills against the party’s strongest warrior.
immune to the hulks’ gaze, allowing them to live side-by-side
without issue. The Ikat-takt live communally, with fields of
fungus and subterranean crops feeding all without question.
The only factors they use to set each other apart are their
strength and deeds in combat.
The legacy of Hekaton lives on - if anyone
Warrior Hearts ever argues with you, punch them until
The martial nature of the Ikat-takt is a result of the
they agree. Obviously, if they now agree,
environment and history surrounding them. The Scimitar you were right in the first place.
Spires are harsh, and riddled with both large monsters and
manifest zones to Shavarath that incite violence. Meanwhile,
the mountains are covered in the remnants of the multi-
armed Hekaton giants, who saw fighting as a religious rite.
The Ikat-takt have adopted this creed with gusto.
Strength means survival, and survival requires
strength. They see monsters in both Dal Quor and
reality. If they cannot fight off threats, they have

CHAPTER
CHAPTER
6 | ADVENTURE
4 | ALLIESLOCATIONS
& ENEMIES
268268

Pylas Taraelya (‘Port of Wonder’)
The feyspire of beauty and temptation swims through
Eberron's seas, following the whims of its mermaid queen.
Through the oceans of Eberron swims a singular feyspire -
the coral citadel of Pylas Taraelya. Unique within the Moonlit
Court, the Port of Wonder is mobile, for it lies encrusted on
the back of an immense whale. It is said that Shan Taraelya
long ago charmed the leviathan with her voice - and claimed
it forevermore as her companion. Now, the Elsewhale
roams between oceanic manifest zones and the waters of the
Court, its deep rhythms resonating with the staccato of its
lover. Visitors to the Gates of Wonder find a vibrant city of
splendor, populated by oceanic fey and talking sealife. As part
of its story, such outsiders can speak and breathe underwater
within the vicinity of Pylas Taraelya, which is cloaked in a
bubble of calm waters.
The feyspire travels at random across the oceans,
breaching the surface of Thelanis manifest zones for weeks,
before diving deep at its Queen’s command. Pylas Taraelya
represents both the endless splendor of the ocean, and the
dangers of covering them. Its Queen, the Siren of Song, is so
captivating that her voice reaches to far shores, and directly
into people's hearts, announcing the arrival of the feyspire - a
call of danger, temptation and opportunity. Pylas Taraelya is
most commonly found in the Dark and Thunder seas, due to
the sailor’s tales of treasure and mystery found in both.
While many covet the treasures of the oceanic city, it
also serves as a formidable threat. The city is reviled by
the minions of the Lurker in Shadows, as the power of
the Elsewhale forces them to scatter or be swallowed into
Thelanis, clearing the ocean for safe travel. Historic attempts
to capture or corrupt the city (by aboleth or sahuagin) have
resulted in disastrous failures. Either the triton and eladrin
of the city fought off the assault, or at a word from the
Queen, the Elsewhale dove deep into the abyss - dragging
any outsiders along with it into Thelanis. Unsurprisingly,
the tales told about the deep sea are not ones you want to
experience firsthand.
Shan Taraelya, the Siren of Song
Shan Taraelya, the Siren of Song, is the archfey of desire and
all its temptations. The mermaid reigns from a lonesome
throne of coral and jade, surrounded by the gifts of a hundred
suitors. Her face is veiled by shimmering sea-silk, lest her
appearance drive courtiers to tears, or shatter the hearts of
lesser men. She is the queen of the Gates of Wonder, and
neither radiant dawn nor glittering stars can dull her majesty.
Shan Taraelya’s role in her story is one of dangerous
temptation. It is she that sends the heroes on their quests, and
she who asks the impossible. Those who succeed are given
signs of the Siren’s favor - wondrous songs of inspiration and
strength, or ancient treasures from the deep. Those who fail
face her icy displeasure; a rejection so deep that the entire city
shuns them in respect for their heartbroken queen.
Around her samite veil, the Siren’s skin is turquoise and
faintly scaled, with locks of shimmering hair framing her face
like an aurora. Her clothing changes daily, never repeated,
with intricate frills and flowing ribbons of cloth that float
around her tail as though underwater. The shifting light of
her throne room plays off the pearls and silver jewelry that
CHAPTER 64 | ADVENTURE
ALLIES & ENEMIES
LOCATIONS
she wears. It is said that every one is a memento of those lost
to the cruel whims of the seas.
Walking Through Wonder
Below the Coral Court, which sits like a crown atop the
Elsewhale, the city grows like a tropical reef. Bright pastel
buildings of pink and orange are grown out of the coral, with
gardens of seaweed and colorful anemones. Their intrinsic
stonework is often encrusted with ocean life, and decorated
with ornate carvings. The streets of the city curve and
twist between them, sometimes descending into dark and
luminescent caverns. When the city surfaces, these districts
lie just underwater, while the highest section of the city - the
Coral Court - rises from the sea like a mirage on the horizon.
Massive sharks and sentient marine life swim unbound
through the city, and are treated as honored guests.
The people of Pylas Taraelya are just as vibrant. Eladrin
sea elves go about their business, accompanied by talking
fish and turtles. Merfolk sing beautiful arias that ring out
through the city, while Knights of the Surf on hippocampi
patrol its borders. Adventurers can trade for the treasures
of the ocean, from shimmering sea-silk outfits, to magic
tools such as Cloaks of the Manta. Some fey also offer their
services as guides, taking travelers across the ocean to the
different feyspires of the Moonlit Vale. Any bards who reach
Pylas Taraelya might be able to pick up songs from the local
merfolk, learning new spells or empowering their abilities.
Time will tell if they can manage to drag themselves away
and leave. Beneath the rainbow surface lie the dangers of the
deep sea. In caverns, untouched by the sun, within the depths
of the city, sea hags and marids offer dark deals and cursed
goods taken from the corpses of sailors.
Environmental Conditions
• Characters can breathe and speak underwater within
the vicinity of Pylas Taraelya, and can use their normal
speed instead of their swim speed if they wish. This
effect depends heavily on the Siren’s opinion of the
characters in question.
Treasure
• A Cloak of Billowing that floats in the air as
though underwater.
• An Elemental Essence Shard (Water)TCoE formed from a
mermaid’s tear.
• Mariner’s Armor made from iridescent clamshell.
• The favor of Shan Taraelya, which might manifest as
a Charm, Boon, or the ability to cast a powerful spell,
such as animal shapes once.
Encounters
• A noble (and cocky) triton knight looking for an
honorable duel to prove his skill.
• An intelligent killer whale who can speak Common
and Sylvan, and offers to act as a taxi for the players if
they can make something delicious for it to eat.
• A sea hag with the glimmering lure of an
anglerfish lurking in a dark alley, offering
goods taken from drowned sailors.
269
 Raiarin
The boreal heart of the Iceflow Sea is ruled by a
tranquil spirit of life. Massive titans prowl the pack ice and swim
through the freezing ocean, watched over by ancient druids.

Countless islands dot the Iceflow, teeming with raucous

seabirds, blasted pines and vibrant sea life. Despite the
arctic conditions, the waters here teem with life, some of it
enormous in size. The largest can be found on the island of
Raiarin, which shares its name with the source of the region’s
abundance - an ancient land spirit said to be the sister of
Kwinharin to the north. Raiarin, the Sister of Snow, is a
wintery spirit of the arctic tundra and frozen ocean. While
her sister makes the land as abundant as possible, Raiarin
takes the lands most forsaken and brings them to bloom. The
immense whales of the Iceflow are her daughters, and her
presence sustains the entire ocean with bountiful life.
The island of Raiarin itself is covered in a vast boreal forest,
with beaches and cliffs holding colonies of seals and wheeling
birds. Here, the animals grow to enormous sizes; elephant
seals the size of houses compete for mating rites, while polar
bears like warforged titans prowl the pack ice. In the Age of
Giants, hunters from the Esht Primacy would come here to
test their mettle against the powers of the wild, and many of
their outposts still remain in the Iceflow, overtaken by nature
or used as lairs by wild beasts.
Rimewalker druids can often be found in isolation within
Raiarin, living alongside the wildlife. To them, the Sister of
Snow is a sacred figure that sustains nature out of love in the
harshest extremes. The animals of the Iceflow hold valuable
lessons and secrets for survival, which the druids take to
heart. When foul influences intrude on the region, it is they
who serve as the hands of the land spirit, burying any threats
beneath the permafrost.

Environmental Conditions
• Raiarin is typically under the conditions of extreme arctic
cold conditions.
• Beasts within Raiarin are often Huge or larger.

Treasure
• Boots of the Winterlands crafted by Rimewalker druids
from companion animals who died of natural causes.
• Rings of Fire Resistance carved from Lamannian chillwood
found on Raiarin island.
• A carved Figurine of Wondrous Power (Silver Raven).
• The blessing of Raiarin herself - a Charm or a single daily
cast of a druidic spell such as sleet storm or control winds.

Encounters
• A peaceful herd of 1d4+2 immense giant elk.
• A massive yeti lairing in a frigid cave; a young Ko drow
has recently fallen foul of it, and hangs upside down with
his feet frozen to the ceiling of the cave.
• The venerable frost giant rimewalker* Omun,
conversing via speak with animals with a gargantuan
killer whale that has long been their friend.
• A Huge polar bear stalking the party over the pack ice.

CHAPTER 6 | ADVENTURE LOCATIONS

270270
 Sanctum of the Watcher
The derelict home of the Green Watcher squats in the
central jungles of Xen’drik. After a scolding from his peers, the lazy
dragon is hauling himself into action once more.
The indolent Green Watcher, Zartarxis, resides in a sanctum
within Xen’drik’s northern jungles. The adult green dragon
has lacked the will to do his duties since the beginning, seeing
his post as an exile and a death sentence. Instead of watching
the Skyfall Peninsula, Zartaxis conquered a local group of
trolls, declared himself their god, and has barely moved
in the hundreds of years since due to gripping ennui. The
dragon completely missed the establishment and growth of
Stormreach, and entirely relies on his servants for food. After
a furious reprimand from Argonnessen, the ‘Great Green
God’ is becoming a force in the region once more - and a new
player in the Stormreach game.
Sanctum Sanctorum. The Sanctum of the Watcher
lies at the bank of a river that heads inland to the north of
the Marsh of Desolation. What was once a meeting place
between giant and dragon is now a shabby ruin. Once,
draconic scholars and patrons traveled to the Sanctum to
teach their vassals, and the signs of its former grandeur still
remain. Under the ‘care’ of Zartarxis, many of these grand
buildings have partially sunken in the sodden marshland,
with only their upper sections poking from the swamp. The
Watcher himself lies in a domed building within a pool of
crystal-clear liquid and a bed of fragrant leaves at its center.
The Sanctum Sanctorum is where he has laired for hundreds
of years, occasionally tasking his servants with turning him
over. Worshippers approach on a circular dais at one end of
the pool, nervously praying they don't offend.
While Zartaxis has yet to actually lurch into action, his
frustration at the scolding he received from Argonnessen
has turned outwards, especially towards nearby giants and
adventurers. As he lies seething in his bed, his grand plan
to ward off any further pressure is to crush the activities of
groups such as the Reclaimers of Glory (p.131). Checking
in on this ‘Stormreach’ thing (and potentially destroying it)
is also on the cards. Any adventurers traveling in the region
south of the Titan’s Teeth are liable to be set upon by trolls,
captured alive, then brought back to Zartaxis to be questioned
about the city. They better hope their answers are pleasing.
However, the dragon's sadness runs deep. Adventurers who
can convince him the city is harmless, or even provide a
solution to his eternal boredom, might be able to
convince him to turn a blind eye.
The God’s Followers
Since his arrival in Xen’drik,
Zartaxis has terrorized the local
people. His troll followers serve
a dual purpose - they are strong
enough to gather prey for him,
and serve as regenerating prey
themselves when they don’t. More
recently, a clan of lizardfolk who
came under regular attack from
the trolls has come into the Green
God’s service. Their leader, a spirit
naga named Katress, pledged that
CHAPTER 4 | ALLIES & ENEMIES
they would help keep the dragon clean and maintain his
domain, allowing him to do even less work. Zartarxis was
more than happy to allow it. The trolls and lizardfolk despise
each other, and Katress has other plans; her small lair behind
a nearby waterfall contains treasures plucked carefully from
the dragon’s hoard. Adventurers seeking to take on the
Great Green God can use this to their advantage, turning his
minions against each other, or recruiting the aid of Katress
for a grand betrayal.
Environmental Conditions
• The Sanctum of the Watcher is the Lair of Zartarxis,
allowing him to use Lair Actions in battle. Despite
this, typical Regional Effects are not present, largely
because the dragon cannot be bothered to make use of
any of them and doesn’t wish to hamper his servants
from finding food.
Treasure
• A set of Green Dragon Scale Mail can be crafted if
Zartarxis is slain.
• The dragon’s hoard is huge, and might contain giant
relics. An example hoard might contain: 24,000gp of
treasure (divided between 14,000gp of large giant-cut
gemstones, 8000 gold coins, and 20,000 silver coins),
an alchemy jug (used extensively by the dragon), a
magic compass that leads to the feyspire of Shae Tirias
Tolai, the legendary Tairnadal blade Arquis Tellora*,
and a Refractor Shield* used as a pocket mirror. Any
item can be replaced by a plot-relevant item, or one
that leads on a merry side-quest.
Encounters
• Two troll hunters looking for prey to capture to
satiate their massive god.
• Zartarxis himself is an adult green dragon, but is
Gargantuan instead of Huge, and has a reduced fly
speed of 30 feet to match.
• A group of 1d4+1 lizardfolk and a lizardfolk
shaman desperately trying to gather food to avoid
being terrorized when they return.
 Shanai Orioth (‘Forest of Lords’)
Ancient graves of elven heroes stand row on row - a
prayer of thanks, respect and quiet peace.
The Elven Rebellion succeeded in freeing the ancestors of
the drow and Aereni, but came at a great price. Many elves
that fell in battle were buried in unmarked graves or never
given proper burial rites before the exodus to Aerenal. In the
millennia since, the Silaes Tairn and drow have taken it as
their duty to build memorials and give respect to these fallen
heroes, creating stone grave markers in the shape of trees to
honor their sacrifice.
Shanai Orioth is the biggest elven burial site in Xen’drik.
Hundreds of stone trees form an artificial forest over
thousands of graves. The stark sight contrasts with the
thousands of flower wreaths hanging from the branches, as
well as blooming plants that grow between the graves - many
of them brought from Aerenal to be planted here. Looking
closely at the trees reveals that their bark patterns are actually
names carefully inscribed in a variety of styles; some appear
to be scratched with small claws or talons, while others have
been chiseled or inscribed with magic. Any character of elven
origin (whether drow, Aereni, or otherwise) who trances
in the Shanai Orioth receives visions and memories of the
Elven Rebellion. Many members of the Tairnadal travel to
the region at least once in their lives, experiencing moments
from their patron ancestors’ past.
The Silaes Tairn usually post a small detachment to guard
the Shanai Orioth, often supported by nearby drow. They
spend their time tending to the cemetery, repairing it and
warding off any monsters or other intruders. The group often
includes warriors who have only recently been chosen by a
patron ancestor - especially firebrands and those a bit too big
for their boots. The visions they receive while trancing are a
gentle way of conveying the weight of their duties.
Environmental Conditions
• Any humanoid of elven descent who prays, meditates
or trances within Shanai Orioth for at least one hour
experiences visions of the Elven Rebellion. These are
usually related to the lives of the elves interred closest
to them. This bestows advantage on initiative rolls and
Intelligence (History) checks related to the history of
Xen’drik for the next 24 hours.
• Shanai Orioth is under the effects of the hallow
spell, preventing the creation of undead and barring
extraplanar beings from entering.
Encounters
• The sword wraith of a warrior from the Rebellion,
who manifests after an elf witnesses their memories in
order to train and spar with their modern descendant.
• A young Silaes Tairn (use the bandit captain stat
block) who has been tasked with guarding the Forest
of Lords, and will not let the party through unless they
prove their strength in a duel.
272272
Visions
A small army of elvish warriors wielding double
scimitars charge across a grassy plain, accompanied by
animals and druids - the ancient Gyrderi. Amid a hail of
1 flaming spells, they smash into a vanguard of armored
fire giants. Screams herald the arrival of a Sul’at war-
beast - a scaled behemoth with twin heads that spews
caustic acid. It is only the first of many.
Blood is raining from the sky. The world is shattered,
cities lost, and empires reel from the wake of the crime
committed. The Moonbreaker has granted the giants
2 their victory, but the land weeps in suffering and fear.
The Gyrderi feels the horror, sees it writ large on their
clan’s faces. Such a thing cannot be allowed. The giants
won the war, but their tyranny will fall all the same.
Taeri. They cheer the name. The duel before the
soldiers is transcendent; they cannot interfere without
becoming a distraction, without facing instant death.
As warriors, this is known without thought. Taeri.
A single elf, wielding a chipped and cracked double
3 scimitar, dances and weaves through the blows of a
Cul’sir general, the giant's blade wreathed in liquid
nightmares. The elf is a dancer. Their blade cuts
through the giant’s shining sentira armor, slicing the
tendons of the heels. The wrist. Then the neck, and the
roar of the giant with it. Taeri walks on.
Anelven warrior, one eye replaced with a crystal
facsimile, directs a war council of warriors and mages.
This is Vadallia, one of the greatest of the Tairnadal
heroes, and her presence is palpable. They plan to
4 attack a Cul’sir city and free the elves kept captive
there; her plan is to use a small unit to distract the giant
guards. They will likely not make it out alive. Others
object, but Vadallia is iron. Sacrifices will be necessary if
freedom is to be earned.
A drow sneaks through the shadows of a massive giant
laboratory, their steps silent, their focus razor-sharp.
Ahead of them is a vast engine of war, powered by a
Fernian phoenix, capable of raining great meteors of
fire on enemies a mile away. As a pair of Sul’at artificers
stride past, they sprint at speed beneath the massive
5 mechanism, and begin their work. With shoddy tools
and the constant risk of death, they begin sabotaging
the war machine from within, destabilizing its arcane
matrices and dynamos. One wrong move and the magic
will incinerate them. It is nothing compared to the
death it will bring to their kin.
The massive footfalls of the giants disturb the forest,
their firebrass armor clanking. They’re alert, keeping
an eye out for threats, but the arrogance of giants is a
constant. There’s one thing they never expect - attacks
6 from above. The shadows lurking in the branches jump
silently from the dapple; their daggers and arrows
strike once and move on, aiming for the chinks in the
armor. In seconds, the poison takes them. The drow
move on. Gundrak’ul must fall; only then can they rest.
CHAPTER
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 Shae Tirias Tolai
The ruined feyspire of the dead still lurks within the
deep jungles of Xen’drik, its silver streets and ghostly halls awaiting
a final peace.
In Eberron, the souls of the dead travel to Dolurrh, and then
beyond. It is stark, but fair. Equally uncaring. The Queen
of the Dead oversees the transition, ensuring the process
Content Warning: Thalassophobia
continues as it always has. Few understand that this is not
normal, and those who do never speak of the tragedy. Shae
Tirias Tolai, city of the psychopomps, was destroyed for
eternity by the giants - and the kindness of death died with it.
The Story In Writing
The story begins with the feyspires - the grand cities of the
archfey of the Moonlit Vale, each embodying a different
aspect of fairy tales. Shae Tirias Tolai, the City of Silver and
Bone, represented the stories of what happened after death.
Its eladrin guided souls on their way to Dolurrh, listening
to last regrets, providing comfort for those not ready to go,
and offering dark bargains for life like fabled necromancers.
Grand halls held the last words of the dead, messages for their
lovers, and wills to pass on. The people of Eberron knew that
while death was terrifying, there would always be someone
to greet them before the end. The feyspire itself existed
between the Material, Dolurrh, and Thelanis - a literal and
metaphysical crossroads.
In time, the antagonist is introduced. A grand villain, ruler
of an empire, hungry for life and power in equal measure. His
kingdom is not enough. The only thing he fears is death, and
one day it will come for him in turn. The Queen of the Dead
is untouchable in Dolurrh, akin to a god. The gatekeepers
of death, however, were powerful but mortal. Of all the
city-fables of Thelanis, the city of the dead was most suited to
dying. The emperor plotted, pressuring the giant city-states
linked to Dolurrh and Thelanis. In Karrakos, the stone giants
of the mausoleum city were promised their lives, safe from
invasion from the Cul’sir - a deal deemed crucial by their titan
Oracle. In the Twilight Court, its duplicitous queen made a
secret deal, desiring the power to conquer the feyspires in
turn. Shae Tirias Tolai’s allies averted their eyes.
The fall of the feyspire came through treachery and
bloodshed. An army of Cul’sir giants lay waiting, ready for the
city to appear in the Material. In minutes, they had smashed
the silver walls, laying waste to the unprepared Ivory Guard
and burning the city as they came. Walls cracked, roofs
dripped with molten silver, and fountains turned to blood.
The death cry of Shan Tolai echoed through the city in a fall
of moth’s wings, and the city of the dead died.
The Story That Has Ended
The fall of the city is over. Its people are gone. Its bones lay
bare beneath a darkling sky. Fundamentally, the feyspire is
now the story of a haunted ruin touched by tragedy. Grand
promenades of silvered marble lead between mausoleums
and temples, while crimson banners flutter softly in the wind.
Hundreds of ghosts walk the streets and gothic halls. Many
are giants who fell during the siege, fighting eladrin spirits
in endless warfare; others are story figments or ancient souls
who never got the chance to find comfort before their release.
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Now and then, echoes of clashing blades and distant screams
can be heard, punctuated by an all-consuming silence.
As a feyspire, the contents of Shae Tirias Tolai are entirely
up to the story at hand (both in a meta-sense, and literally).
It does not need to follow normal laws, as one might expect
from Thelanis, and is a very real plot element. This includes
the shape and size of the city, its Material location, and its
dangers. Example locations might include:
• A library containing tens of thousands of last wills and
testimonies.
• The palace of Shan Tolai, where she once received
emissaries from the giants, and talked to her love, the
Queen of the Dead.
• Dark crypts containing thousands of skulls with
their souls bound to them due to deals with dark
necromancers.
• A tall lighthouse with a luminescent will-o-wisp acting
as a lantern, guiding the dead along the path.
• A temple built from the bones of ancient wyrms,
where a dracolich helped guide dead dragons on their
way to Dolurrh.
• A basement belonging to a hag, with countless
knucklebones hanging on strings from the dank ceiling
• A rookery of albino ravens who carried final words to
the relatives of the dead.
• A garden of remembrance with extinct plants, populated
by death's-head moths
Environmental Conditions
• A creature that dies within Shae Tirias Tolai becomes
a ghost after 1 minute has passed, bound to wander the
ancient halls as part of its story of death. They cannot be
revived until the ghost is destroyed or exorcized.
• It is always night in Shae Tirias Tolai.
• The feyspire is achromatic, and entirely grayscale -
except for the bright crimson blood that stains its walls.
• Creatures in the ethereal plane are always visible to those
in the Material, but appear spectral and ghostly.
Treasure
• A Libram of Souls and FleshTCoE owned by a necromancer
who dealt with the dead to give them just a bit more life.
• Oil of Etherealness, used so the living could touch the dead
for the last time, granting them comfort for the end.
• Secret scrolls regarding the nature of Lady Illmarrow’s
lichdom, the knowledge of ancient champions, or the
way to resurrect Shan Tolai.
Encounters
• An eladrin banshee formed from a thousand
dying breaths.
• A Huge-sized giant ghost, forever bound to kill
and destroy.
• The palace of Shan Tolai is guarded by a dullahanVRGR,
once the head of the Ivory Guard. They continue their
duties in vain, unable to accept that their role in the
story is over.
• A gallows speakerVRGR - the risen specter of an
eladrin necromancer - is locked in an eternal
battle with the cursed ghost of the giant
who slew them.
273
 Soggin’s Post
A curious tavern for both dryskins and seafolk lies in
the Teeth of Shargon; here, pirates and privateers hire guides and
swap stories of bravado.
The Teeth of Shargon divide the sea between Xen’drik and
Khorvaire. The countless islands range from thin spines of
demonglass to small atolls hosting fishing communities. One
of the closest to Stormreach is a horseshoe-shaped island with
a large sea-cave in the center. Within lies the rickety tavern
known as Soggin’s Post. Merchants, pirates, and scallywags
flock to Soggin’s Post before sailing the Thunder Sea, for it
is here that sahuagin and merfolk navigators gather to offer
their services. The Teeth are littered with the wrecks of those
who thought them too costly.
Stuck in the center of the tavern floor is a giant tooth said
by the owner (and no one else) to be the tooth of a kraken.
Trade offers, news, jobs and notes are left pinned to the
thing like a noticeboard. A full third of the tavern has no
floor, and instead opens onto shallow seawater where the
aquatic denizens can relax. One of the most important goods
they offer are Beacons of Passage* - small items crafted by the
Eternal Dominion to track ships entering their territory.
Sahuagin patrols often board ships to check for their Beacon,
sinking any that lack one without a second thought.
The salty dwarven owner, known as Crockpot, has been
there so long that no one remembers if he has a proper
name. He claims to have lost his leg to the same kraken from
which he took the tooth, although no one actually believes
him (including his aquatic patrons). Despite his salty scowl
and addiction to sahuagin alcohol, Crockpot has centuries
of knowledge regarding the Thunder Sea, and may even
have been around for the founding of Stormreach. He’s also
very familiar with the Eternal Dominion, and worships the
Devourer ardently. At some point, the sahuagin gifted him
a prosthetic leg in the form of a living plasmidEXE, which he
274274
Beacons of Passage
Wondrous Item, Common
A Beacon of Passage* is a small decorative item crafted
by the Eternal Dominion that permits a ship to sail
the Thunder Sea. The spell locate object can detect a
Beacon of Passage at a distance of up to 10,000 feet,
rather than within the normal range of 1000. Each
Beacon has a small section of the biological sahuagin
material known as ‘korlass’, which gradually degrades
over time as a sign of when the Beacon was granted.
can shape at will. Or he stole it, who’s to say. Anyone looking
for information on the sahuagin or the sea they’re sailing
knows to go to him first, but the dwarf’s prices can vary from
expensive alcohol, to delivering supplies, or a bevy of other
minor quests.
Quests
• Escort a merchant ship holding valuable cargo at risk of
pirate attack.
• Retrieve the eggs of a rare creature nesting atop a
perilous island for a Dominion merchant.
• Help to protect a merfolk stormcallerEXE as they
quell a dangerous Lamannian storm that could
damage the tavern.
• Recover an heirloom from a half-sunken wreck impaled
on a spike of demonglass.
• Fetch a bottle of boutique liqueur from the settlement of
Zantashk (p.113) to restock the bar.
• Catch the flying vermin (a seagull-themed boggle)
that has been scrabbling around on the tavern roof and
stealing snacks from the guests.
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 Taer Laraentys
(‘The Fortress of Victory’)
A feyspire lies within the Scimitar Spires, its broken
walls ringing with the sound of exploding spells and clashing
swords. The Fortress of Victory represents the tales told of war -
and war never ends.
High in the Scimitar Spires lies the Siege Unending, the
Fight Worth Fighting - the Fortress of Victory. The feyspire
represents the stories of legendary battles fought to unseat
tyranny, or fend off unbeatable evil, with its ruling archfey
switching between the Rightful King… or the Frightful one!
The attacking forces (whether good or evil) camp in the
valley below the fortress. In time, they begin the siege, with
fey and eladrin battling to reclaim Taer Laraentys. Leading
the charge is their Lord - whether a hobgoblin, elf, giant or
other. The feyspire is every war story at once.
Sometimes, the forces will heroically take the castle.
Sometimes they will be heroically driven off, despite the
defenders being heavily outnumbered. But, war never ends.
If the Rightful Lord reclaims the throne, their duplicitous
enemies will regroup in the valley below, and begin the climb
to unseat him. The forces of good will regroup as best they
can, but evil never sleeps. In time, their treachery and tricks
will unseat the king, and the tyrannical Fightful Lord will
then take the throne. Only then can the Rightful Lord begin
his heroic journey to reclaim his kingdom once more.
A party traveling to the fortress is likely to be drawn into
the ongoing battle, with both Lords reaching out to them to
join their cause. Joining the losing side is dangerous - no one
should be on the wrong side of history. However, doing so
can mean learning the stories of ancient historical figures,
including parts of the story forgotten by most. This means
that adventurers seeking to learn the true story of figures
such as the elven wizard Cardaen can learn valuable secrets by
joining their side. Additionally, warriors can experience the
fighting skill of such people themselves - either by fighting
alongside them, or meeting them in battle. The latter is
generally ill-advised.
War Stories
As with Shae Tirias Tolai, the Fortress blurs the line between
several planes. Its stories originate in the Material, are
brought to life in Thelanis, and empowered by Shavarath.
Depending on the narrative, sword wraiths of famous
warriors can charge into battle, accompanied by fiends and
angels manifested by the plane. The actual nature of this
battle (and often, which side is which) is entirely dependent
on who’s framing the story.
Visitors often find that the Fortress embodies the tales of
war told in their cultures, from the elven rebellion, to the
Last War, to the Shattering. As such, the entire situation of
Taer Laraentys can change on a dime depending on the ‘plot’.
Sometimes, revolting fomorian giants hold a dark stronghold
in which fey toil and struggle, until the heroic rebels of the
Rightful Lord free them from tyranny. Soon after, human
sword wraiths might lay siege to the fortress, attacking the
fey hobgoblins inside with evil intentions. However, the
ongoing war is not just influenced by mortal visitors. Taer
Laraentys represents the metaphorical ‘border’ of the Moonlit
Vale, where Thelanis and the Material overlap. Many
archfey hold memories of being attacked by mortals from the
Material Plane, from the giants of Xen’drik, to the current
siege of Shae Joridal by the goblins of Darguun. To them, the
Rightful Lord is the one keeping such threats from the Vale.
The Rightful and the Frightful
The rival archfey of Taer Laraentys are the twin sides of a
coin, and just as metallic. Each is clad head-to-toe in shining
plate armor, complete with crown and billowing cape. The
Rightful Lord is the heir to the throne, the Frightful Lord
the usurper - but which is good and which is evil is down
to one’s point of view. Typically, the Rightful is defined by
being the true ruler of Taer Laraentys, while the Frightful is
the underhanded Usurper. In rare cases, such as the stories
told by the Tairnadal, this means that the Frightful Lord is
actually on the side of good - and the overthrowing of the
tyrannical Rightful Lord is a heroic act.
Regardless, each Lord fights as though they were the
dual antagonist and protagonist of the story. Their abilities,
speeches, and martial styles will change to replicate the
figures in the story they have become. The Rightful Lord
might ‘become’ Emperor Cul’sir, Tira Miron, or the last
Emperor of Dhakaan. Facing him, the Frightful Lord might
‘become’ Cardaen, Durastoran the Wyrmbreaker, or a thrall
of the daelkyr. Regardless, both Lords can be defeated as the
story demands, but they will always return to the field before
long, their banners raised anew.
Environmental Conditions
• A creature that uses its full movement to move directly
towards an enemy creature gains advantage on its next
attack roll.
• All creatures have advantage on saving throws made to
avoid or resist being frightened.
• When a creature scores a critical hit with an attack that
deals piercing, slashing, or bludgeoning damage, it can
roll one of the attack’s damage dice one extra time and
add it to the extra dice of the critical hit.
Treasure
• A Guardian EmblemTCoE in the form of the Rightful
Lord’s crest.
• A Silver Horn of Valhalla, which summons sword
wraith reinforcements.
• A gaudy fey Helm of Brilliance from one of the Rightful
Lord’s personal guards.
Encounters
• A group of Tairnadal sword wraiths, led by the sword
wraith commander of a famous patron.
• A fomorian general with a cadre of meenlocks.
• A squad of barbed devils led by a chain devil.
• A noble summer eladrin dueling against a
Fey fire giant.

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275
 Throne Gate Ruins
Content Warning: Loss of Agency, Themes of mental Illness
A ruined Cul’sir city hides a perilous secret; any who
sleep within enter a dream world of danger and discovery.
One of the most familiar sights for adventurers heading out
of Stormreach are the broken towers of the Throne Gate
Ruins, named for the inscription on the arch leading within.
Scholars believe that the small city sat on the main road into
the Cul’sir Empire, and marked the defensive border of the
original city-state before it started conquering its neighbors.
The ruins have been plundered long ago, and serve as
a common ‘first dungeon’ for Stormreach adventurers.
The Storm Lords encourage this, in part to dissuade any
dangerous monsters from settling there and becoming a
threat to the city. Throne Gate is a classic example of Cul’sir
architecture, with massive buildings containing smaller
quarters for slaves, and deep tunnels beneath the city for the
lower castes and oneiric infrastructure. These are dangerous,
of course, but the true danger of the ruins is known only to
a select few - for most who sleep within the ruins of Throne
Gate never wake again.
Whether due to a humming eldritch machine, or the
magic backlash of the city’s destruction, an intact facsimile
of Throne Gate still exists in Dal Quor. Anyone resting in
the ruins finds themselves waking up ‘as normal’, with the
shining city of Throne Gate rising with rainbow splendor.
The overgrown jungle and shattered masonry are replaced
by spotless roads and flower beds. The towers soar for
hundreds of feet, many floating without support. The sight
is awe-inspiring, but canny adventurers quickly notice that
the roads are empty and the air silent. This is a dead city,
for the dreamers who wandered these streets died long ago.
Unfortunately for those sleeping giants, their minds remained
trapped as their bodies were destroyed in the waking world,
consigning them to an eternity of limbo.
Now, the only things they have left are hope and insanity.
They know that new arrivals to Throne Gate possess bodies
- and the remnants of the giants yearn to possess them. The
longer adventurers spend exploring the dream-city, the more
they can learn of Cul’sir culture, but the greater the risk of
falling prey to the hungry id-wraiths* within. A character
killed in the dream has their mind overtaken by an insane
giant ghost, and wakes up with an entirely new outlook on
life. The most dangerous wraiths are those with the cunning
to try and disguise their presence, acting out the role of the
unlucky adventurer just long enough to cause all kinds of
276276
mayhem. It’s possible that more than one archaic ghost is
currently trying to learn Stormreach slang and catch up on
40,000 years of history.
Rules for running dream adventures can be found on p.60
Environmental Conditions
A character capable of dreaming who spends more than one
hour asleep in the Throne Gate Ruins ‘wakes up’ within
the permanent dream of the city, as described above. Since
time passes ten times as quickly in Dal Quor, it takes just
under three days of experienced time within the dream for a
character who is sleeping a full 8 hours to wake up naturally
and escape. Affected creatures remain asleep until they
finish a long rest, take any damage outside of the dream, or
someone outside of the dream uses an action to shake or
slap them awake.
A character who ‘dies’ in the dream of Throne Gate
Ruins as a result of an enemy attack must succeed on a DC
15 Charisma saving throw or become possessed by a giant
dream-ghost and immediately awaken. The player retains
control of their character, but is encouraged to roleplay the
ancient giant now roleplaying (badly) as their character.
The aims of the giant are simply to avoid being exorcized,
and figure out what has happened to the world in the past
40,000 years.
Treasure
• A Medallion of Thoughts wrought from pure dreamstuff.
• A Ring of Mind Shielding that contains the soul of a
partly-insane Cul’sir Giant.
• A Feywild ShardTCoE that was once a Manifest Shard
infused with the essence of Dal Quor. It technically still
is, for better or worse.
Encounters
• In Dream: the memory of a Cul’sir somnitect* who
cannot accept the truth of their current situation, and
considers the party to be intruders in the empire.
• In Dream: a group of 1d3 id-wraiths* that are all that
remain of dreaming giants.
• In Dream: a Huge-sized lonely sorrowsworn that
will not fight if the players reassure it and give it some
companionship.
• Out of Dream: a troll rooting around for loot.
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 The Valley of Cairns
A high mountain pass in the Bluespine Peaks holds
hundreds of ancient grave markers. Here, the hunters of the Esht
Primacy came to die, fighting the bestial spirits of their past.
A high mountain pass in the Bluespine Peaks holds an
unnerving remnant of the giants of old. The hunters of the
Esht Primacy were followers of the god Banor, the Bloody
Spear, and sought prestige and glory by battling the forces of
the wild. However, they revered the glory of nature, and the
cycle of life. Old hunters saw it as a disgrace to die in their
beds; when they felt their death approaching, they climbed
high into the mountains for a sky burial, returning their souls
to nature. This is the Valley of Cairns, where generations of
giants died amid the monuments of their forebears.
The Valley is a barren stone pass between two of the
Bluespine Peaks, with breathtaking views of the Iceflow Sea
to the west and Dark Sea to the east. The walls of the valley
have been carved into statues of legendary hunters; above
them, both mountainsides have been sculpted into massive
faces of stone that look down upon the valley - the gods
Banor and Karrak, who have dominion here. Winds from the
Dark Sea blow ceaselessly, funneled through the narrow pass
like the endless howling of beasts.
To the Esht, these gales scoured the valley - and the soul -
of impurities, bearing them to the afterlife. It is said that those
giants who traveled here to die faced the greatest beasts from
their memories before their death - an honorable way to die
on one’s feet. This belief is more than legend. The Valley is
a Dolurrhi manifest zone, and the veil here between life and
death is thin. One’s memories of beasts and monsters can pull
them from Dolurrh to do battle. The hunters would fight,
pile rocks into their own burial markers, then fight some
more, until they too were taken to Dolurrh. Younger giants
often undertook journeys here as pilgrims. The eroding
winds uncover ores from the rock, which become saturated
with the memories of ancient hunters. Much like husksteel,
these Dolurrhi metals can have special properties, and were
CHAPTER 64 | ADVENTURE
ALLIES & ENEMIES
LOCATIONS
often forged into legendary weapons. The ghostly beasts one
has to fight off to do so simply added to their prestige.
The Valley of Cairns is one of the main ways of traveling
across the Bluespine Peaks, with the powerful winds keeping
it clear of snow. Furthermore, many of the cairns hold
mementoes from the giants that built them, ranging from
powerful heirlooms, to legendary weapons, driven deep into
the stone with ribbons flying. This can be a tempting prize
for tomb robbers, but the spirit guardians of the Valley may
have other ideas.
Environmental Conditions
• The Valley is under constant strong winds. Gaseous
spells (such as fog cloud or cloudkill) dissipate after a
round, while small flames are extinguished. The wind
travels from east to west, so ranged weapon attack rolls
aimed against the wind (i.e., from west to east) have
disadvantage.
• The Valley is under the effects of extreme cold.
Treasure
• A Ring of Animal Influence carved from bronzewood.
• A Dominance Collar* next to a cairn - a mark of ancient
friendship between a giant and their animal companion.
• Ore that can be shaped into a Husksteel weapon (p.187)
Encounters
• 1d3+1 ghostly giant vulture spirits - once seen as the
blessed children of Karrak and Banor.
• A yeti who lurks downwind, using the scent carried by
the constant gale to attack any prey passing through.
• Any beast or monstrosity that lies in the memory
of a character might be summoned as a spirit - a
fun way of revisiting memorable monsters from
throughout a campaign.
277
 Verash Sakhara ('The
Trench of the Void')
The deepest void in the Thunder Sea is a lightless pit
of despair. Aboleths spar with merfolk guardians, while their sealed
Overlord master lies hidden in the heart of shadow.
The Lurker in Shadows, Overlord of the Unknown, was
Content Warning: Thalassophobia
bound in the Thunder Sea by the aquatic armies of the
Sovereigns. Its bound form lies in the deepest point of the
sea, where it first squirmed out of Khyber at the dawn of
time. The region is saturated with the Overlord’s influence,
and shunned by all but the bravest. The Trench of the Void is
where hopes go to die.
The entrance to Verash Sakhara is one of the foremost
outposts of the Karatael merfolk. The followers of the Silver
Flame are among the most devoted enemies of the aboleths,
and use the power given to them by the ‘Piercing Light’ to
slay their foes. Their blockade of the Trench is aimed at
preventing the greater horrors of the Lurker from escaping.
Over time, they have grown coral gates over the greater
breaches, with merfolk always on watch.
Several cracks in the seabed enter the ravine, which widens
out initially into a vast subterranean space. As it deepens,
the Trench narrows, with the very bottom forming a portal
into the heart demiplane of the Lurker - the abyssal citadel
of Requiem’s Breach. Tunnels spiral off from the Trench,
burrowing through to other locations in the Thunder Sea.
These are used by the aboleths to travel beneath the notice of
their enemies, most notably the Karatael merfolk who fight
against their influence.
Entering the Trench is to enter a different world. The
inky blackness is permeated by far-off lights and flashes. Bass
tremors ripple up from below, but one cannot tell if they
are the groans of beasts or the quaking of the earth. Titan
horrors glide through the water, tainted into alien shapes by
the Overlord’s influence. Even in slumber, the Lurker’s power
here is tangible. The darkness is oppressive, and the far-
off lights only make the shadows worse. The danger of the
Trench cannot be overstated; this is the domain of alien fear.
Environmental Conditions
• Dim light cannot exist in the Trench of the Void; any
dim light that would be created becomes bright light
instead, acting as a beacon in the infinite dark.
• Creatures with darkvision cannot see through
the darkness.
• All creatures have resistance to radiant damage.
Treasure
• Crucial memories stolen by a hydroloth.
• A demonglass Rod of Rulership used by the aboleths to
break the minds of lesser men.
• The legendary trident Wave, once wielded by a giant
champion of Rowa.
278278
Encounters
• An aboleth with 1d4+1 sea spawn servants seeking
to capture the party and bring them to the heart
demiplane of Requiem’s Breach.
• A lurking hydroloth guard who stalks the party from
the shadows.
• A shoal of 4d4 aquatic darkmantles.
• An abyssal storm giant*
Wen-Damji
The Walking Forest is a vast banyan treant with a
hundred bodies - and a thousand stories.
Xen’drik’s forests run for thousands of miles. Some of them
take this more literally than others. Awakened trees might
arise for any number of reasons, including planar wild zones,
residual giant magic, or the efforts of Verdant Path druids.
What explorers often don’t consider is that the plants of
Xen’drik can be massive in scale - and when one is awakened,
the results can be awe-inspiring.
Wen-Damji is an ancient awakened banyan tree - a
single entity with a hundred different trunks, connected by
stretching branches and vines. The treant is vast, covering
several acres when stationary like a small forest of its own.
In motion, the banyan is a marching army. Its roots and
vines detach and reknit between the moving trunks as it
sinuously flows through the forest around it. Wen-Damji’s
journeys take it across Xen’drik, settling for decades before
uprooting on a whim.
Communicating with the ancient treant requires first
getting its attention. To a creature the size of acres, individual
humanoids are about the same as ants. Wen-Damji can speak
through any of its trunks, and typically only does so through
one. When angry, it speaks through all of them at once in
a terrifying chorus. Despite this, the banyan finds smaller
creatures cute, and has hundreds of years of tales about
Xen’drik. Anyone earning the banyan’s favor can happily chat
within its canopy, safe from outside threats - including while
it moves across the land.
The Verdant Path (p.122) venerates the massive treant as
a powerful spirit of the land, and many people in Xen’drik’s
rainforest have myths about the Forest that Walks. It
considers the druids to be an odd form of banyan in turn - a
branching tree of offspring continuing through the ages.
Verdant Path druids will often seek out the treant in search of
knowledge about places within Xen’drik; its connection to the
land grants it a deep and primal understanding of the tides of
nature. It’s not uncommon to find druids sleeping or relaxing
within the treant’s branches, taking the opportunity to have a
safe and comfortable night’s rest.
Wen-Damji’s Requests
• Catch a small but lithe critter that has been gnawing
holes in the treant’s trunks.
• Tell it three tales of adventure.
• Sing it a song from a distant land.
• Bring it soil or tasty air from a faraway place.
• Help out a sick or injured creature living in
its branches.
• Help a rare bird build a nest high in the canopy.
CHAPTER
CHAPTER
6 | ADVENTURE
4 | ALLIESLOCATIONS
& ENEMIES
 The Wreck of the Iron Will
The sunken wreck of a Riedran ship lies quiet on the
seafloor, patrolled by ghosts and mythical locathah.

The Sea of Lost Souls has a hundred sailor’s tales, ranging

from ghost ships to demons in the deep. For Riedran sailors,
these tales are a worrying reality. The region contains many
oceanic manifest zones to Dolurrh, which have led to the
Content Warning: Thalassophobia

people known as the Lurrshoi - locathah tieflings of Dolurrh,

the Plane of the Dead (p.82). Riedran ships sailing to Dar Qat
keep a constant watch for ghostly lights in the deep, for they
often herald attacks by the deathly fishfolk. The Iron Will is
one such ship that was sunk by the Lurrshoi roughly forty
years ago, and now lies broken on the dark sea floor.
To the Lurrshoi, the Inspired are a terrifying threat. The
locathah have a long history with the kuo-toa of the Barren
Sea, and fear their abilities to shape dream spirits into
nightmare gods. Additionally, they can see into the ethereal,
and have thus witnessed quori possessing the Inspired. To
them, an Inspired is a new form of landbound kuo-toa that
has somehow become one with their god - and is thus a
major threat to their peace. Sinking Riedran ships is a form of
confused self-defense.
The wreck of the Iron Will is 150 feet long, and filled with
vengeful spirits of dead sailors as a result of the Dolurrhi
manifest zone it sank in. The sunken ship is a perfect place to
have any magic item of importance to Riedra, who attempted
to carry it to Sarlona after retrieving it from Xen’drik.
Similarly, salvaging items from the wreck would be one way
to earn the favor of the Inspired, and gain entry into Dar Qat.

Environmental Conditions
• The Dolurrhi manifest zone around the ship mutes
colors and dims light; any bright light that would be
created instead becomes dim light.
• A creature that dies within the zone becomes a ghost
after 1 hour if their body remains there, and cannot be
resurrected until the ghost is destroyed

Treasure
• A sentira Amulet of Proof against Detection and Location
• A giant-made Cape of the Mountebank taken from the
Xoriat city-state of Zja Aqat
• A crate of five Siberys dragonshards worth 150gp each

Encounters
• 1d3+1 merrow hoping to loot the wreck
• A group of 2d4 Lurrshoi guarding the wreck, led by a
Lurrshoi Deeplight (kuo-toa and kuo-toa monitor
respectively, all with resistance to necrotic damage and
the light cantrip).
• A drowned ghost that babbles in Riedran, asking for
confirmation that it has dutifully served the Inspired; a
character that can speak to it in Riedran, and convince
it so (DC 15 Charisma (Persuasion) ability check), will
cause it to pass on to Dolurrh.
• A giant shark on the prowl.

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279
 CHAPTER 7

CHARACTER OPTIONS

CHAPTER 5 | ANCIENT EMPIRES

280280
 Character
Options
T
he following section includes a wide
range of character options for creating
Xen’drik adventurers. This includes new
subclasses, feats, spells, ancestries and
Battlemaster Maneuvers - as well as novel
Dark Gifts for the Overlords and daelkyr
of Xen'drik to corrupt the faithful...
Ancestries - Old and new ancestry options for the
people of Xen'drik, including reworked and updated
ancestries, expanded choices, and summarised lore.
Backgrounds - Expanded background options,
highlighting the potential range of character origins, with
optional 1st-level feats included.
Subclasses - A novel option for every class, focusing on
the themes of Xen'drik. These range from dinosaur druids, to
dream wizards, to mutant fighters who grow more powerful
with every kill.
Dark Gifts - The corrupting powers of Xen'drik have
much to offer, but these gifts come at a price. Dark Gifts
are feats intended to accompany narrative corruption, with
optional progression and interesting downsides.
Feats - As adventurers gain power and prestige, it is
natural to gain quicker methods of travel between locations.
Flying in Xen’drik is a bit more dangerous than in Khorvaire,
but there are also new and interesting methods of doing so,
from winged mounts to elemental technology. This section
explores different methods that adventurers might use to fly,
as well as aerial encounters if they do so.
Martial Maneuvers - The different martial cultures
of Xen'drik have their own unique fighting styles. This
section provides expanded thematic options for Battlemaster
Maneuvers, as well as unique and extraordinary Artifact
Maneuvers - each so strong they're guaranteed to be the
pinnacle of a warrior's path.
Spells - The ancient giants created novel planar spells
of great power that have been lost to the ashes of time. In
combination with new primal spells used by modern druids,
Xen'drik is host to a massive variety of arcana never seen
before in Khorvaire. This includes Artifact Spells of world-
changing power that can tear portals between the planes,
summon devastating horrors, or even transform someone
into a Giant - permanently!
CHAPTER 78 | TOOLS
CHARACTER
& TREASURES
OPTIONS
Ancestries
Many of the ancestries found in the Player’s Handbook are
not present in Xen’drik, except as arriving adventurers and
colonists. In contrast, the continent is home to a diverse
array of other ancestries, from towering goliaths, to stealthy
spiderfolk, to glacial locathah. The following ancestries are
either new to this guide, or offer expanded subrace options
and features compared to normal. As a result, even players
familiar with Xen’drik should find new possibilities for
their characters. Information on specific ancestries and their
cultures can be found in Chapter 2 - Ancestries of Xen'drik.
A Common Tongue
For the purposes of character creation, player characters
share Giant as a common tongue. Using Giant as a lingua
franca is the result of the necessity of having a common
language between party members, and 5th Edition is not
built for settings where ‘Common’ isn’t literally a common
language. It is perfectly possible to also use ‘Common’ as a
lingua franca, with the language spoken by the humans of
Khorvaire the alternate language of Khorvairan, or Galifaran.
A GM interested in more realistic and detailed rules around
language is encouraged to use Languages of Eberron, which
details different regional tongues and dialects in Xen’drik.
Different options for approaching the languages used by the
ancient giants can be found in the ‘Ancient Giant Culture’
section in Chapter 5.
Ability Score Increases
When determining your character’s ability scores, increase
one score by 2 and increase a different score by 1, or increase
three different scores by 1. You can't raise any of your
scores above 20.
Creature Type
Your creature type is Humanoid.
Languages
Your character can speak Giant - an assumed lingua franca
among the peoples of Xen’drik - as well as one other language
that you and your GM agree is appropriate for your character.
Common Languages: Elven, Giant
Exotic Languages: Aquan, Asherati, Auran, Celestial,
Draconic, Ignan, Infernal, Khorvairan, Riedran, Quori,
Sylvan, Terran, Thri-kreen, Undercommon
Life Span
The typical lifespan of a player character in Xen’drik is about
a century. Members of some ancestries, such as the drow,
instead live several centuries. If a typical person of a specific
ancestry can live longer than the norm, it is specified in
their description.
281
 Asherati
You are an asherati, a child of the First Families of the
Menechtarun. You have spent your life in the blazing sands
of the western deserts, hidden and protected within a
subterranean village. Your family works together as a unit
to survive, using the ability to swim through sand like water
to travel, trade, and hunt. Asherati use their innate ability
to produce light as a form of fashion; many display beautiful
patterns of light across their skin, often mirroring the
constellations. Whether as a druid, sandshaper, or zealot of
the Star Pilgrims, you have found reason to part from your
family - and the foreign green and blue oceans beyond now
beckon you to unknown goals.
When creating an asherati character, consider:
1. Why are you leaving your desert home?
2. Do you find the moist greenery of northern Xen’drik
to be exciting, or unnerving?
3. How do you react to the prospect of the ocean, or
sailing on it?
Size. Asherati stand between 5-6 feet tall. Your
size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet, and you have
a burrowing speed equal to your walking speed in loose
sand, dust, and ash, but not soil. You leave no tunnel behind
when you burrow in this way, and can breathe as normal
while doing so.
Desert Adaptation. You have resistance to fire damage.
Harsh Survivor. You gain proficiency in the Survival and
Stealth skills.
Inner Light. As a bonus action, you can cause your body
to magically glow, providing bright light in a 20 foot radius
around you and dim light for an additional 20 feet. If you are
burrowing underground, this light allows your adapted eyes
to navigate and identify objects in a 60 foot radius as if you
were in normal dim light.
You can use an action to bring your inner light to full
brilliance. Every creature within 15 feet of you must succeed
on a Constitution saving throw or become blinded until
the end of their next turn. When you select this ancestry,
you can choose Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma as your
spellcasting ability for this feature. You regain the ability to
use this feature upon completing a long rest.
Asherati typically place their family name first, and
personal name second. For example, siblings might be called
Em-Sarhi and Em-Zeresh
Names: Inuras, Sehev, Asharha, Larash, Umvir, Dasra
Family: Em, Na, Vei, Idu, Sa, Dve, Ehz
Child of the Mist
You are one of the elusive spiderfolk of the forests of Dread
Lake. Once servants of the Spinner of Shadows, now free to
make their own destiny, your people have lived in secrecy
for millennia. Their fearsome appearance is a source of myth
and legends for others. You might have the form of a drider,
chitine, or drow with spidery features. Your people
are skilled in stealth and illusion, but growing threats
such as the Crawling Queen may have brought you
bravely into the light.
282282
When creating a Child of the Mist, consider:
1. How do you feel about people seeing your
true appearance?
2. Do you feel excitement or trepidation about leaving
your hidden home?
3. What has caused you to adventure into the
surrounding lands?
Originally created by Sonny Luka Micheal Yiannaki
Size. You are Small or Medium, which you choose when
you select this ancestry.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet, and you have a
climb speed equal to your walking speed.
Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of
you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim
light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Secondary Arms. You have two slightly smaller secondary
arms below your primary pair of arms. The secondary arms
function like your primary arms, but cannot wield a shield, or
a weapon without the light property.
Spider Climb. At 3rd level, you can move up, down, and
across vertical surfaces and upside down along ceilings, while
leaving your hands free.
Spinner’s Webs. You can cast disguise self with this trait.
When you cast disguise self in this way, you can hide your
secondary arms. Starting at 3rd level, you can cast the web
spell with this trait. Once you cast either of these spells with
this trait, you can’t cast that spell with it again until you
complete a long rest. You can also cast these spells using any
spell slots you have of the appropriate level. Intelligence,
Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these
spells when you cast them with this trait, which you choose
when you select this ancestry.
Mistfolk names are originally derived from ancient
Infernal, and can have sounds intended to be spoken by those
with arachnid mouthparts. Between themselves, these names
are conveyed via pheromones, and speaking them aloud to
strangers can take some getting used to.
Names: Kitashr, Vekjai, Ikkisek, Takress, Sasares, Zjast
Drow
You are one of Xen’drik’s drow, first created as planetouched
servants and assassins for the ancient giants. Freed from
servitude, your people have reclaimed Xen'drik in the ages
since, diversifying into a rainbow of cultures and beliefs. The
Vulkooridal and Qaltiar are primal practitioners who revere
the spirits of nature. In contrast, the Súlatar worship different
aspects of divine fire, from the Silver Flame, to the angels of
Fernia, to the archfiend known as the Burning Desire. Above,
the skybound Ko use their talent for flight magic to live on
floating islands and earthbergs, safe from the dangers below.
Drow stand around five and a half feet tall, with a fair
degree of variance, and tend towards slender builds. They
reach physical maturity at the same age as humans, but can
live up to 750 years.
When creating a drow character, consider:
1. How do you see your people’s history with the giants?
2. How do you see those drow with the opposite view of
the giants to you?
CHAPTER
CHAPTER7 8| CHARACTER
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 Ancestries - Backgrounds - Subclasses - Dark Gifts - Feats - Maneuvers - Spells
3. What is your opinion or experience of your kin across
the sea - especially those Silaes Tairn who return to
the land they fled?
Size. Your size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Fey Ancestry. You have advantage on saving throws
against being charmed, and magic can’t put you to sleep.
Additionally, you know the Elvish language, although most
drow are only familiar with the signed form.
Light Show. You know the dancing lights cantrip and can
cast it without material components.
Superior Darkvision. Drow are a nocturnal people, and
their eyes are adapted to such conditions. You can see in dim
light within 120 feet of you as if it were bright light, and in
darkness as if it were dim light. You can’t discern color in
darkness, only shades of gray.
Sunlight Sensitivity. You have disadvantage on attack
rolls and Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight
when you, the target of your attack, or whatever you are
trying to perceive is in direct sunlight.
Trance. Drow, like all elves, don’t need to sleep. Instead,
they meditate deeply, remaining semiconscious, for 4 hours a
day. While meditating, you craft your own dreams; these are
creations of the material world, and as such your spirit does
not visit Dal Quor. After resting this way, you gain the same
benefit that a human does from 8 hours of sleep.
Feat. You gain one feat of your choice for which
you qualify.
Names: Zúlajé, Holúar, Shen’kar, Ax’ayúma, Ad’rúl,
Xan’torra, Ek’ann
Family: Xiv’inn, Tokazz, Gen’thac, Xar’cha, Kúlaj, Geléma
CHAPTER 78 | TOOLS
CHARACTER
& TREASURES
OPTIONS
Goliath
You are a true descendant of the giants of old, who gave
up their size and power in exchange for equity and peace.
Whether a fire goliath descendant of the Sul’at League, or a
cloud goliath of the nomadic Gallimaufry, you retain a spark
of planar power in your soul - and can wield it to ward off
your foes. Whether you see pride in the legacy of the giants,
or curse them for their ruinous wake, your ties to them are
undeniable. Some goliaths dwell in cities such as Kul Lerek,
while others prefer a nomadic life - or one in search of the
power their ancestors were fools to leave behind.
Goliaths stand between 7-8 feet tall, with sturdy builds.
They have lifespans comparable to humans.
When creating a goliath character, consider:
1. What link do you have to the giants of old?
2. Are you keen to recover their secrets, or do you see no
connection to the tyrants of history?
3. Do you feel in control of the spark of magic within
you, or do you fear the power it brings?
Size. Goliaths are between 7 and 8 feet tall. Your
size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Powerful Build. You count as one size larger when
determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can
push, drag, or lift.
Giant Spark. Starting at 3rd level, you gain the ability to
grow by stoking the spark of magic within you. As a bonus
action, you can change your size to Large, provided you’re
in a big enough space, causing your dimensions to double
and your weight to be multiplied by eight. Your equipment
similarly increases in size. While Large, you have advantage
on Strength ability checks and Saving throws, your speed
increases by 5 feet, and your first attack that hits on your turn
deals an additional 1d4 damage. This transformation lasts
for 10 minutes, or until you end it as a bonus action. Once
you use this feature, you can’t use it again until you complete
a long rest.
Titan Heritage. You inherit abilities innate to your
giant lineage. Choose one of the following lineages; you
permanently gain its abilities:
Cloud:
Sky Born. You have resistance to thunder damage. You’re
also acclimated to high altitude, including elevations above
20,000 feet.
Air Affinity. As a bonus action, you can magically
teleport to an unoccupied space within 30 feet that you
can see. You can use this action a number of times equal to
your proficiency bonus, and regain all expended uses upon
completing a long rest.
Fire:
Flame Born. You have resistance to fire damage.
Burning Rebuke. As a reaction to being hit by a melee
attack, you can cause the attacking creature to take 1d10
fire damage. You can use this reaction a number of
times equal to your proficiency bonus, and regain all
expended uses upon completing a long rest.
283

Frost:
Ice Born. You have resistance to cold damage.
Rime Armor. As a bonus action, you gain temporary hit
points equal to your level. You can use this action a number
of times equal to your proficiency bonus, and regain all
expended uses upon completing a long rest.
Hill:
Strong Constitution. You have resistance to poison
damage, and advantage on saving throws made to avoid or
resist being poisoned.
Solid Build. You cannot be moved against your will by
other creatures, unless that creature is at least two sizes
larger than you.
Stone:
Earthen Ancestry. You gain a +1 bonus to your AC.
Stone's Endurance. You can focus yourself to occasionally
shrug off injury. When you take damage, you can use your
reaction to roll a d12. Add your Constitution modifier to the
number rolled, and reduce the damage by that total. You can
use this reaction a number of times equal to your proficiency
bonus, and regain all expended uses upon completing
a long rest.
Storm:
Storm Born. You have resistance to cold and
lightning damage.
Oceanic Adaptation. You can breathe both air
and water, and gain a swimming speed equal to your
walking speed.
284284
Cyclops:
Far Gaze. You gain proficiency in Perception.
Future Sight. When you wake up after completing a long
rest, roll a number of d20s equal to half your proficiency
bonus (rounded down) and record the number rolled. You
can replace any attack roll, saving throw, or ability check
made by you or a creature that you can see with one of these
foretelling rolls. You must choose to do so before the roll. A
foretelling roll can be used only once, and is lost when you
finish a long rest.
Hekaton:
Innate Strength. You gain proficiency in Athletics and a
climbing speed equal to your walking speed.
Secondary Arms. You have two secondary arms located
as you wish, depending on your Hekaton ancestry. The
secondary arms can manipulate an object, open or close a
door or container, pick up or set down a Tiny object, or wield
a weapon that has the light property.
Goliath names are based on the Giant language, and often
feature titles and deeds instead of family names, as a cultural
callback to the nations of old. Goliath leaders (in societies that
don’t see their history as a disgrace) often include a glottal
stop ( ‘ ) in their name as a sign of status.
Names: Thenghor, Omnakara, Sohlus, Jusenka, Andrahsa,
Ouron, Ahlmar, Harghost, Kandarn
Second Names: Stormcaller, Of The Anvil, Scalebane,
Cloudbreak, Flame-Heart, Twice-Cursed, Worldwaker
Kobold
Your people’s legends mark you as the true children of the
Progenitors. Kobolds revere the three dragons of the world,
divided based on their heritage. Eberron’s iredar dwell in
high mountain caverns, kept safe from threats by traps and
their skill at working stone. Beneath the world, the irvhir of
Khyber have reclaimed many giant ruins, defending them
from danger. Others work in tandem with cities such as
Stormreach, acting as guides and architects. Most mysterious
of all, the winged irsvern are disciples of Siberys. They
are said to live atop the highest mountains, where ancient
monasteries of divine sages gaze upon the shifting stars.
Regardless of their culture, kobolds have a knack for innate
sorcery and interpreting the Prophecy. What has led you to
leave the safety of your home?
When creating a Kobold character, consider:
1. What form does your worship of your
progenitor take?
2. How do you see the dragons, who also claim to be the
progenitors’ children?
3. How do you respond to the many dangers of the world
beyond your clan?
Creature Type. You are a Humanoid.
Size. You are Small.
Speed. Your walking speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of
you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were
dim light. You discern colors in that darkness only as
shades of gray.
CHAPTER
CHAPTER7 8| CHARACTER
| TOOLS & TREASURES
OPTIONS
 Ancestries - Backgrounds - Subclasses - Dark Gifts - Feats - Maneuvers - Spells
Draconic Cry. As a bonus action, you let out a cry at
your enemies within 10 feet of you. Until the start of your
next turn, you and your allies have advantage on attack rolls
against any of those enemies who could hear you. You can use
this trait a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus,
and you regain all expended uses when you finish a long rest.
Kobold Legacy. Kobolds’ connection to dragons can
manifest in unpredictable ways in an individual kobold.
Choose one of the following legacy options for your kobold:
• Craftiness. You have proficiency in one of the
following skills of your choice: Arcana, Investigation,
Medicine, Sleight of Hand, or Survival.
• Defiance. You have advantage on saving throws to
avoid or end the frightened condition on yourself.
• Draconic Sorcery. You know one cantrip of your
choice from the sorcerer spell list. Intelligence,
Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for
that cantrip (choose when you select this ancestry).
• Iredar Druidcraft. You know one cantrip of your
choice from the druid spell list. Intelligence, Wisdom,
or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for that cantrip
(choose when you select this ancestry).
• Irsvern Wings. You possess small wings granted
by your Siberyan heritage, which grant you a 15ft fly
speed. At 5th level, this fly speed becomes equal to
your walking speed.
• Irvhir Arcana. You know one cantrip of your choice
from the warlock spell list. Intelligence, Wisdom, or
Charisma is your spellcasting ability for that cantrip
(choose when you select this ancestry).
Kobold names are derived from Draconic, and phonetically
simplified in comparison.
Names: Makrix, Nux, Kas, Sjek, Ixen, Nata, Tohra, Zass,
Dohsu, Hedri
Lizardfolk (‘Ara’sihei’)
You are a scaled ara’sihei - a ‘child of the sun’. Your people can
be found across Xen’drik, from the waterways of the Hydra
to the glacial Thunderwall. Unlike Q’barra, the ‘lizardfolk’ of
Xen’drik are not united under a single culture by the couatl,
and have a variety of different forms and beliefs. You might
be lithe and camouflaged like the Shiftscales, spined and
adapted to desert heat like the Nektari, or large and feathered
like the behemoth dinosaurs of your home. As an ara’sihei,
the moods and shifting expressions of the scaleless can be
hard to interpret at first, just as they struggle to interpret
your body language and shifting colors. Xen’drik has many
threats both old and new, and ara’sihei adventurers can often
be found working in service to their people.
When creating an ara’sihei character, consider:
1. In lieu of facial expressions, how do you convey your
mood and emotions?
2. You can go for up to a week without eating a
large meal; when you do, how do you treat your
relationship to food?
3. How do you deal with uncomfortably cold
temperatures before you have time to warm up?
CHAPTER 78 | TOOLS
CHARACTER
& TREASURES
OPTIONS
Dedicated Kobold Ancestries
The kobold ancestry presented here is an expanded
version of the kobold ancestry from Monsters of the
Multiverse. Dedicated player ancestries for the three
different groups of Eberron kobolds can be found in
Adventurer’s Almanac by Anthony Turco.
Nektari (‘Sandspine’) Lizardfolk
Size: You are Medium or Small. You choose the size when
you select this race.
Speed: Your walking speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you
as if it were bright light and in darkness as if it were dim light.
You discern colors in that darkness only as shades of gray.
Bite. You have a fanged maw that you can use to make
unarmed strikes. When you hit with it, the strike deals 1d6
+ your Strength modifier slashing damage, instead of the
bludgeoning damage normal for an unarmed strike.
Desert Adaptation. You are immune to the effects of
extreme heat, and only need to drink water once every two
weeks. Additionally, you gain proficiency in Survival.
Natural Armor. While you aren’t wearing armor,
your scaly skin gives you a base Armor Class of 13 + your
Dexterity modifier. You can use your natural armor to
determine your AC if the armor you wear would leave you
with a lower AC.
Spined Scales. You can flare your scales, raising spines
against aggressors as a bonus action. Until you end the effect
as a bonus action, any creature that strikes you with its body
or an unarmed attack, attempts to grapple you, or begins
its turn grappling you, takes piercing damage equal to your
proficiency modifier. Additionally, you gain advantage on
Charisma (Intimidation) ability checks.
Selkath (‘Shiftscale’) Lizardfolk
Size: You are Small.
Speed: Your walking speed is 25 feet, and you have a
climbing speed equal to your walking speed.
Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you
as if it were bright light and in darkness as if it were dim light.
You discern colors in that darkness only as shades of gray.
Chameleon Scales. As an action, you can change the
color of your scales to match the color and texture of your
surroundings, giving you advantage on Dexterity (Stealth)
checks made to hide in those surroundings. If you do not
move for 1 minute while your scales match in this way, you
become invisible until you move, attack, or cast a spell.
Natural Armor. While you aren’t wearing armor,
your scaly skin gives you a base Armor Class of 13 + your
Dexterity modifier. You can use your natural armor to
determine your AC if the armor you wear would leave you
with a lower AC.
Roving Eyes. Your eyes can move independently, granting
you proficiency in Perception. Additionally, you cannot be
surprised while you are conscious.
Lizardfolk have secondary names shared between
clutchmates, based on the events of their hatching.
Names: Ghruzh, Aktesh, Ihathu, Sesk, Ara’saz,
Thrijast, Ukathsi, Aqelka
Clutch Names: Dark Sky, Sun Tide, Year of
Plenty, Grand Hunt, River Song, Sky Fall
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 Locathah
You are a locathah, an aquatic denizen of the oceans of
Eberron. Spread far and wide across the seas, locathah
are exceptionally adaptable, and live everywhere from the
frozen Iceflow to the waterways of the Hydra. Different
locathah have resistance to their environments, with varying
appearances to match. In the Thunder Sea, the kingdoms of
the Ewashah have been crushed by the Eternal Dominion,
sending many into exile or refuge. To the south, the
transparent Hathgashi live slow and die slower, carving cities
out of the icebergs of their home. To the west, the ghostly
Lurrshoi lurk within the Sea of Lost Souls, driving fear into
Riedran sailors. Meanwhile, the continent’s interior is home
to the Rushishi, with catfish barbels that let them see in the
muddy waterways. The rarest of all are the sable Jahathah,
who are said to live in the bones of dead leviathans at the
very bottom of the sea. Their adaptability means that many
locathah have an adventurous disposition, and are willing to
roam far and wide in search of answers - or strength.
When creating a Locathah character, consider:
1. What has driven you to adventure on land?
2. How do you see the bizarre life above the waves?
3. Is there anything you miss about life underwater?
Size: Locathah stand between 5-6 feet tall. Your
size is Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet, and you have a
swimming speed equal to your walking speed.
Amphibious. You can breathe air and water.
Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of
you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim
light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Piscine Form. You have advantage on saving throws
and ability checks made to avoid or resist being grappled
or restrained.
Subraces:
Ewashah
Fisheye View. You have proficiency in the
Perception skill.
Natural Armor. You have tough, scaly skin. When
you aren’t wearing armor, your AC is 12 + your Dexterity
modifier. You can use your natural armor to determine your
AC if the armor you wear would leave you with a lower
AC. A shield’s benefits apply as normal while you use your
natural armor.
Resilient. You can reroll a saving throw that you fail. If
you do so, you must use the new roll, and you can't use this
feature again until you finish a long rest.
Hathgashi
Arctic Resistance. You have resistance to cold damage.
Glacial Metabolism. Your maximum age increases to
around 1000 years. You only need to eat and drink once
every 10 days.
Rime Shell. You can cast the spell armor of agathys
without expending a spell slot. You can cast the
spell in this way a number of times equal to your
proficiency bonus, and regain all expended uses
upon finishing a long rest.
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Jahathah
Abyssal Resistance. You have resistance to cold damage.
Deep Bioluminescence. You can cast the dancing lights
cantrip. When you do, the lights produced are a pale
green in color.
Ocean Darkvision. Your darkvision increases to 120 feet,
and allows you to discern colors within that range.
Lurrshoi
Deathly Resistance. You have resistance to
necrotic damage.
Ghostly Bioluminescence. You can cast the light cantrip.
When you do, the light produced is a pale blue in color.
Veilsight. You can see into the ethereal plane at all times.
Rushishi
Electroreception. You gain 5 feet of blindsight. While in
water, this increases to 30 feet.
Internal Spark. You gain resistance to lightning damage,
and can cast the shocking grasp cantrip. Intelligence, Wisdom,
or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for this spell when
cast with this trait (choose when you select this race).
Locathah family names are often geographical in nature,
due to their penchant for exploring new seas.
Names: Rishi, Haghawa, Ehuru, Sawar, Larhi, Gyar, Uori,
Shoshi, Giroi, Gahasha
Family Names: (Of) Rowa’s Reef, Griha’s Tide, Mt. Opal,
Blackgrove Refuge, Citadel Glisza, The Bone Fall of Sajz
Shulassakar
You are a shulassakar - a divine warrior of the couatl, marked
by prismatic serpentine features and rainbow feathers. Your
people, once human, were blessed by the couatl with divine
form and power. They have battled evil and protected ancient
ruins since the Age of Demons. The serpentfolk dwell within
a Khyber demiplane known as Hope’s Meridian, and journey
out across the world to serve the Silver Flame. In Xen’drik,
the shulassakar help to monitor the land for signs of the
Overlord’s release. Sometimes this means infiltrating cities
such as Stormreach; others act as emissaries to the hidden
city of Bazek Mohl, training and communing with the couatl
that protects it. As a shulassakar, your mission is vital, your
blade destined to cut down evil - but evil never sleeps. What
prophecy or portent now drives your mission?
When playing a Shulassakar character, consider:
1. Were you given a specific duty by Hope’s Meridian,
and if so, what is it?
2. Are you an experienced warrior returning to the
battlefield after a period of rest, or are you a young
hopeful yet to test your mettle?
3. Are you comfortable with your isolation, or do you
feel pulled to comrades who fight the good fight?
4. Do you enjoy Xen’drik and your station, or do you
miss the arcadian fortress of Hope’s Meridian?
Originally created by Luke Robinson
Size: You are Medium or Small. You choose the size when
you select this race.
Speed: You have a speed of 30 ft.
CHAPTER
CHAPTER7 8| CHARACTER
| TOOLS & TREASURES
OPTIONS
 Ancestries - Backgrounds - Subclasses - Dark Gifts - Feats - Maneuvers - Spells
Couatl Magic. You know the sacred flame cantrip. Starting
at 3rd level, you can cast cure wounds with this trait. Starting
at 5th level, you can also cast lesser restoration with this trait.
Once you cast cure wounds or lesser restoration with this trait,
you can't cast that spell with it again until you finish a long
rest. You can also cast either of those spells using any spell
slots you have of the appropriate level. Intelligence, Wisdom,
or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells when
you cast them with this trait (choose when you select this
race). None of these spells require spell components when
you cast them with this trait.
Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of you
as if it were bright light and in darkness as if it were dim light.
You discern colors in that darkness only as shades of gray.
Poison Resilience. You have advantage on saving throws
you make to avoid or end the poisoned condition on yourself.
You also have resistance to poison damage.
Psionic Mind. You can speak telepathically to any creature
you can see, provided the creature is within a number of
feet of you equal to 10 times your level. You don't need
to share a language with the creature for it to understand
your telepathic utterances, but the creature must be able to
understand at least one language.
Shulassakar names draw on the Celestial language, as well
as the now-extinct Khaleshi language of Sarlona.
Names: Sesstaria, Danassa, Ralkasaan, Isteria, Solaihir,
Veqtakir, Kastell
Simeq ('Simic Hybrid')
You are a Simeq - an aquatic cousin of the drow created by
the giants to act as oceanic scouts and warriors. Your people
are marked by their ties to Lamannia, granting them animal
features, and the ability to change their forms as they age. The
Simeq live in the Phoenix Basin, claiming the ruins of the
ancient Sul’at city of Simeq Riva. Here, they have established
a thriving home both above and below the waves, trading
with the people of the oceans and the land. Simeq culture is
marked by mutability; changing one’s form is seen as fashion,
while the elves make use of bioengineered creatures for their
technology. Some Simeq take this a step further, perfecting
their art until they can take on the appearances of others
at will. These ‘tidelings’ often act as spies and merchants
beyond the Phoenix Basin. Other Simeq find their calling as
adventurers; the lost ruins of the Sul’at League hold many
magebreeding techniques of value to your society, while
others have heard the call for greater evolution in their
dreams, pulling them towards land…
Simeq stand around five and a half feet tall, with a fair
degree of variance, with their build depending on the form
they adopt. They reach physical maturity at the same age as
humans, but can live up to 750 years.
When creating a Simeq character, consider:
1. What is your preferred form, and why?
2. How do you see those who cannot change their
forms so easily?
3. How do you see the growing powers around your people
- the ships of the Unity of Riedra to the south, and the
Eternal Dominion to the north?
CHAPTER 78 | TOOLS
CHARACTER
& TREASURES
OPTIONS
Size. You are Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet, and you have a
swimming speed equal to your walking speed.
Amphibious. You can breathe air and water.
Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of
you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim
light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Fey Ancestry. You have advantage on saving throws
against being charmed, and magic can't put you to sleep.
Trance. Elves do not sleep. Instead they meditate deeply,
remaining semi-conscious, for 4 hours a day. The Common
word for this meditation is "trance." While meditating,
you dream after a fashion; such dreams are actually mental
exercises that have become reflexive after years of practice.
After resting in this way, you gain the same benefit a human
would from 8 hours of sleep.
Oceanic Transmutation. Your body can be altered with
oceanic characteristics due to the ancient Sul’at League. You
choose one transmutation now and one at 5th level:
• Extremophile (1st level). You have resistance to
either cold or fire damage, which you choose between
when you finish a long rest.
• Manta Glide (1st level). You have ray-like fins that
you use as wings to slow your fall or allow you to
glide. When you fall and are not incapacitated, you can
subtract up to 100 feet from your fall when calculating
your fall damage and can move horizontally 2 feet for
every 1 foot you fall.
• Nimble Climber (1st level). You have a climb speed
equal to your walk speed.
• Grappling Appendages (5th level). You have two
special appendages growing alongside your arms.
Choose whether they're both claws or tentacles. You
can use these appendages to grapple a creature. Each
one is also a natural weapon, which you can use to
make an unarmed strike with. On a hit, they deal
bludgeoning damage equal to 1d6 + your Strength
modifier. Immediately after hitting, you can try to
grapple the target as a bonus action. These appendages
are not dexterous enough to use weapons, magic
weapons, and other specialized equipment.
• Carapace (5th level). Your skin in places is covered
by a thick shell. You gain a +1 to your AC when not
wearing heavy armor.
• Acid Spit (5th level). When you take the Attack
action on your turn, you can replace one of your
attacks by spraying acid from glands in your mouth,
targeting one creature or object you can see within 30
feet of you. The target must make a Dexterity saving
throw against a DC of 8 + you proficiency bonus +
your Constitution modifier. The target takes 2d10 acid
damage on a failure, or half on a success. The damage
increases to 3d10 at 11th level and 4d10 at 17th level.
Simeq names are derived from Elvish with Giant influence
from the Sul'at League.
Names: Ghaerur, Ylaeron, Karyas, Arrae, Melya, Suril,
Rusaen, Omnaes
Family: Tidewhisper, Brightpearl, Moonshadow,
Glideheart, Wavereach
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 Thri-kreen
You are a thri-kreen, touched by the Plane of Dreams. It is
said that thri-kreen see into the plane at all times, shaping
their ephemeral viewpoints of life and death. Over their
history, the thri-kreen have built empires and created
wonders of great power, but few remain; the disaster that
befell the hive-city built where modern Stormreach now
stands is a deep taboo. The thri-kreen of the Skyfall Peninsula
are lithe and camouflaged, well-suited for their jungle home.
In comparison, the Ikat-takt ('Titanshells')of the Scimitar
Spires are bulky and thick-shelled, resembling beetles more
than mantids. The Kapaerian Islands are instead home to the
oracular Dre’kalak ('Death's Head'), who believe themselves
to lie in the intersection between life’s dream and the
nightmare of death.
Thri-kreen stand between 5-6 foot tall, except for the
Dre’kalak, who are instead between 3-4 foot. Regardless
of subrace, thri-kreen mature by age 6, and rarely
live beyond 30.
When creating a thri-kreen character, consider:
1. How do you see the ‘sleep’ and dreams of other mortals?
2. With your short lifespan, what is your view on death?
3. What do you hope to achieve by becoming an adventurer?
Size. You are Medium or Small. You choose the size when
you select this race.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Chameleon Carapace. While you aren’t wearing armor,
your carapace gives you a base Armor Class of 13 + your
Dexterity modifier. As an action, you can change the color
of your carapace to match the color and texture of your
surroundings, giving you advantage on Dexterity (Stealth)
checks made to hide in those surroundings.
Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of
you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim
light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Secondary Arms. You have two slightly smaller secondary
arms below your primary pair of arms. The secondary arms
function like your primary arms, but cannot wield a shield, or
a weapon without the light property.
Sleepless Revitalization. You do not require sleep and
can choose to remain conscious during a long rest, though
you must still refrain from strenuous activity to gain the
benefit of the rest.
Thri-kreen Telepathy. You have the magical ability to
communicate mentally with any number of willing creatures
you can see within 120 feet of you. A contacted creature
doesn’t need to share a language with you, but it must be able
to understand at least one language. Your telepathic link to
a creature is broken if you and the creature move more than
120 feet apart, if either of you is incapacitated, or if either of
you mentally breaks the contact (no action required).
Dre’kalak (‘Death’s Head’)
Size. You are Small.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 25 feet.
Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet
of you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if
it were dim light. You can't discern color in darkness,
only shades of gray.
288288
Secondary Arms. You have two slightly smaller secondary
arms below your primary pair of arms. The secondary
arms function like your primary arms, but cannot wield a
shield or weapon.
Sleepless Revitalization. You do not require sleep and
can choose to remain conscious during a long rest, though
you must still refrain from strenuous activity to gain the
benefit of the rest.
Thri-kreen Telepathy. You have the magical ability to
communicate mentally with any number of willing creatures
you can see within 120 feet of you. A contacted creature
doesn’t need to share a language with you, but it must be able
to understand at least one language. Your telepathic link to
a creature is broken if you and the creature move more than
120 feet apart, if either of you is incapacitated, or if either of
you mentally breaks the contact (no action required).
Wings. Thanks to your wings, you have a flying speed
equal to your walking speed. You can't use this flying speed if
you're wearing medium or heavy armor.
Ikat-takt (‘Titanshell’)
Size. You are Medium.
Speed. Your base walking speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision. You can see in dim light within 60 feet of
you as if it were bright light, and in darkness as if it were dim
light. You can't discern color in darkness, only shades of gray.
Secondary Arms. You have two slightly smaller secondary
arms below your primary pair of arms. The secondary arms
function like your primary arms, but cannot wield a shield, or
a weapon with the heavy property.
Sleepless Revitalization. You do not require sleep and
can choose to remain conscious during a long rest, though
you must still refrain from strenuous activity to gain the
benefit of the rest.
Solid Build. You count as one size larger when
determining your carrying capacity and the weight you can
push, drag, or lift.
Thick Carapace. While you aren’t wearing armor,
your carapace gives you a base Armor Class of 13 + your
Constitution modifier.
Thri-kreen Telepathy. You have the magical ability to
communicate mentally with any number of willing creatures
you can see within 120 feet of you. A contacted creature
doesn’t need to share a language with you, but it must be able
to understand at least one language. Your telepathic link to
a creature is broken if you and the creature move more than
120 feet apart, if either of you is incapacitated, or if either of
you mentally breaks the contact (no action required).
Thri-kreen names are naturally derived from their
language, and contain consonants meant to be pronounced
with insectoid mouthparts.
Names: Tak’ikt, Ik-chal, Nakt, Kultil, Than-ik’ti, Chathak,
Ptikal, Chachat’ka, Drulnat
CHAPTER
CHAPTER
CHAPTER
7 8| 7CHARACTER
| TOOLS
| XEN'DRIK
& TREASURES
BESTIARY
OPTIONS
 Ancestries - Backgrounds - Subclasses - Dark Gifts - Feats - Maneuvers - Spells

Backgrounds Vralkaster
Skill Proficiencies: Religion, Stealth
Tools Proficiency: Mason’s Tools
Language: Undercommon
The following are simple backgrounds meant to display
Xen'drik's diversity, and help with character creation. Feat: Tough
Each has an optional starting feat suggestion in place of a
background feature. These should be tweaked as needed for Zantashk Pioneer
actual play to better fit the character in question. Skill Proficiencies: Persuasion, Survival
Tools Proficiency: Navigator’s Tools
City Backgrounds Language: Khorvairan
Feat: ChefTCoE
Lord of the Hunt
Skill Proficiencies: Deception, Nature General Backgrounds
Tools Proficiency: Leatherworker’s Tools
Language: Khorvairan Banor’drakai
Feat: PiercerTCoE Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, Perception
Tools Proficiency: Leatherworker’s Tools
Kul Lereki Language: Draconic
Skill Proficiencies: Acrobatics, Persuasion Feat: Banor’drakai*
Tools Proficiency:
Navigator’s Tools Draconic Servant
Language: Auran Skill Proficiencies: Insight, Persuasion
Feat: Mobile Tools Proficiency: Forgery Kit
Language: Draconic
Lereki Merchant Feat: Draconic Servant*
Skill Proficiencies:
Insight, Persuasion Fey of Wonder
Tools Proficiency: Skill Proficiencies: Insight, Performance
Air Vehicles Tools Proficiency: Instrument (Horn)
Language: Auran Language: Sylvan
Feat: Linguist Feat: Inspiring Leader

Lereki Planewright Rimewalker

Skill Proficiencies: Arcana, Skill Proficiencies: Animal
Sleight of Hand Handling, Survival
Tools Proficiency: Tinker’s Tools Tools Proficiency: Leatherworker’s Tools
Language: Giant Language: Aquan
Feat: Artificer InitiateTCoE Feat: Rimewalker*

Riedran Escapee Star Pilgrim

Skill Proficiencies: Deception, Survival Skill Proficiencies: Religion, Survival
Tools Proficiency: Mason’s Tools Tools Proficiency: Jeweler’s Tools
Language: Riedran Language: Undercommon
Feat: Telepathic Feat: Magic Initiate (Cleric)

Skylark Sunheart
Skill Proficiencies: Acrobatics, Intimidation Skill Proficiencies: Perception, Survival
Tools Proficiency: Playing Card Set Tools Proficiency: Navigator’s Tools
Language: Auran Language: Ignan
Feat: Athlete Feat: Sunheart*

Stormreacher Unbound Brigadier

Skill Proficiencies: Deception, Insight Skill Proficiencies: Acrobatics, Stealth
Tools Proficiency: Thieves’s Tools Tools Proficiency: Thieves’ Tools
Language: Khorvairan Language: Sylvan
Feat: Skulker Feat: Charger

Torchbearer Verdant Path

Skill Proficiencies: Persuasion, Religion Skill Proficiencies: Nature, Medicine
Tools Proficiency: Glassblower’s Tools Tools Proficiency: Herbalism Kit
Language: Celestial Language: Terran
Feat: Sentinel Feat: Verdant Path*

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 Player
Subclasses
Artificer - Divine Crucible
Complexity - Medium
A Divine Crucible is a support-focused artificer themed
around forging divine weaponry, and enabling other
members of the party to be heroes. It focuses on buffing
allies who are wearing items Infused by you, granting
them bonus damage and temporary hit points.
Barbarian - Path of the Pyreheart
Complexity - Low
The Pyreheart is a simple fire-themed barbarian that
supports grappling, and allows you to deal fire damage in
a cone when you attack enemies for an element of tactical
positioning.
Bard - College of Nature
Complexity - Low
The College of Nature wields the elements, allowing
bards to cast cantrips when they empower allies, and
cast druidic spells alongside their arcane magic. Their
primal connection also allows them to chat with plants
and beasts, and eventually cast the most powerful of
elemental spells.
Cleric - Hunt Domain
Complexity - Medium
The Hunt has been a part of survival since the dawn of time.
Those clerics who venerate gods such as Banor the Bloody
Spear might hunt prey with bow in hand, marking
them to be brought down. The Hunt domain specialises
in bringing down dangerous targets through light
footwork, and enabling allies to strike in tandem.
Druid - Circle of the Behemoth
Complexity - Medium
Behemoth druids walk on the wild size. These fierce warriors
of nature turn into massive beasts, ready to charge their
through foes with primal fury.
Druid - Circle of the Verdant
Complexity - Medium
Verdant Druids see beauty and purpose in lush vegetation.
When threatened, they can gain armor of hardy plants,
and lash out with thorns at enemies. Later, they can
communicate with plants, and even awaken them into
sentient allies.
Fighter - Patchwork Blade
Complexity - High
The monster-hunting Patchwork Blades ritually
gain power from the foes they slay,
290290
which they incorporate as Mutagens. They use these to
dynamically alter their abilities, creating a powerful array
of options for battle. With every creature type they bring
down, they only get stronger.
Monk - Way of the Explorer
Complexity - Medium
Whip-cracking Explorers are a staple of pulp adventure.
This subclass focuses on defying the odds, and delivering
powerful blows in retaliation to being hit - just like
fisticuffs should be. The more an Explorer gets hurt, the more
plucky they become!
Paladin - Oath of Freedom
Complexity - Low
The Oath of Freedom is sworn by guerillas and underdogs
who work to overthrow tyrants. Their abilities focus on
freeing others, and drawing the attention of larger foes.
Ranger - Wind Runner Conclave
Complexity - Low
Wind Runners soar through the air, ducking and weaving
through the fray. Their command over elemental air is
wondrous to behold. As long as these rangers can dance
freely, their attacks and abilities become empowered
with frightening force.
Rogue - Revenger
Complexity - Medium
Dark Revengers are obsessive hunters who track their prey
until the end of days. Their abilities focus on hunting
targets who wrong them, then taking them down with
extreme prejudice.
Sorcerer - Giant Soul
Complexity - Medium
Sorcerers descended from the ancient giants, or who managed
to unlock the secrets of their arcana, can learn to grow in
size and power. These titans wield the devastating power
of the elements in battle, depending on the nature of their
sorcery, and can eventually become true empyrean kings.
Warlock - Fateweaver
Complexity - High
Fateweavers gain their powers from patrons with mastery
over time, fate, and prophecy. Their abilities allow them
to gain portent die by slaying foes, altering the course
of destiny. As they grow more powerful, they can shift
timelines, manipulating advantage and disadvantage to
curse their foes.
Wizard - School of Oneiromancy
Complexity - High
Oneiromancy - the magic of dreams - is a lost school once
pioneered by the Cul'sir empire. Oneiromantic wizards are
those who work to unlock those secrets. Their magic allows
them to put enemies to sleep, manipulate dreams, and
eventually impose dreamscapes over reality.
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Artificer Refuge. Alternatively, when an ally you can see who is

wearing or carrying an item you have infused is hit by an
attack or fails a saving throw, you can use your reaction to

Divine Crucible
Divine Crucibles are the smiths of the gods, forging relics
in radiant flame. Their craftwork is belief, and their belief
lies in the glory of their craft. When heroes seek out blessed
weapons to smite evil, it’s Crucibles who provide. It is said
that each one places a divine spark in their masterpieces; in
battle, they can ignite these sparks, causing the relics to flare
with holy fire, and bolster their wielders.
Crucibles can be found across Eberron, serving the Silver
Flame, or gods of the forge such as Onatar. The Ghaash’kala
and Shulassakar both rely on skilled Crucibles to forge and
shape songsilver - the unbreakable essence of the couatl.
In Xen’drik, the fire giants of the Torch of Progress see the
silver flame as a force for peace and enlightenment, and create
items to support the people. Their kin within the hidden city
of Daomon once powered their forges with the Fernian fires
of Onatar, creating sacred relics of the Sovereigns - though
the Shattering has scattered their works to the ashes of time.
Crucible Spells
3rd-level Crucible feature
You learn the sacred flame cantrip. Starting at 3rd level, you
always have certain spells prepared after you reach particular
levels in this class, as shown in the Crucible Spells table.
These spells count as artificer spells for you, but they don't
count against the number of artificer spells you prepare.
3rd bless, guiding bolt
5th calm emotions, zone of truth
9th beacon of hope, daylight
13th aura of life, guardian of faith
17th dispel evil and good, holy weapon
Tool Proficiency
3rd-level Crucible feature
When you adopt this specialization at 3rd level, you gain
proficiency with smith’s tools. If you already have this
proficiency, you gain proficiency with one other type of
artisan's tools of your choice.
Miracle Worker
3rd-level Crucible feature
You ignite the divine spark within your creations, causing
them to flare with radiant power. This feature grants you
two benefits:
grant them temporary hit points equal to 1d8 + your artificer
level before the damage resolves. You can use this feature to
grant temporary hit points a number of times equal to your
Proficiency Bonus, and you regain all expended uses when
you finish a long rest.
Both reactions increase to 2d8 at 11th level.
Hand of the Divine
5th-level Crucible feature
This feature grants you two benefits:
Redemption. When you use your reaction to deal
radiant damage with Miracle Worker, the next spell you
cast within 1 minute that restores hit points restores 1d8
additional hit points to one target of the spell.
Sanction. When you use your reaction to grant
temporary hit points with Miracle Worker, the next spell you
cast within 1 minute that deals damage deals an extra radiant
damage to one target of the spell. This extra radiant damage
is equal to 1d8 + your Intelligence modifier.
You can only apply one of this feature's benefits at a time,
and the benefit it grants is determined by the most recent use
of your Bonds of Light feature.
Serenity of the Soul
9th-level Crucible feature
When you use your Miracle Worker feature to grant a
creature temporary hit points as a reaction to failing a
saving throw, you can additionally expend one use of Flash
of Genius to grant its effects as part of the same reaction,
potentially causing them to succeed on the saving throw.
Godsend
15th-level Crucible feature
An allied character wearing or carrying an item that you have
infused can choose to gain a bonus to a single ability check,
attack roll or saving throw equal to the number of allies
they can see or hear who are also wearing or carrying items
infused by you. A character can use this feature once, and
they regain the ability to do so when they finish a long rest.
Additionally, you can cast the spell holy weapon without
expending a spell slot on a weapon you have infused. You can
cast the spell in this way once, and regain the ability to do so
when you finish a long rest.

Wrath. As a reaction to a character you can see hitting

an enemy with a weapon that you have infused, you can
cause the attack to deal an additional 1d8 radiant damage,
and force the target to make a Constitution saving throw
against your Spell Save DC. On a failure, they are blinded
until the end of their next turn.

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 Barbarian
Path of the Pyreheart
Whether through the ancestry of an efreet, a deal with a
demon, or an elemental influence, those on the Path of the
Pyreheart draw from a very real inner fire. These barbarians
summon flames that sear their enemies and smolder within
superheated veins.
Pyrehearts can draw from a number of different sources
ranging from the demonic to the artificial. A Warforged
might possess an inner furnace or be imbued with a bound
elemental, casting forth flames like the famous Lord of
Blades. The chieftain of a Carrion Tribe might hurl demonic
flames at her foes, born from the influence of the Demon
Wastes, or a pact with the Overlord Kharna Rayva. A
Tiefling touched by Fernia or Lamannia might find their
anger manifesting as elemental fire - a dangerous ability
for those unaware of their birthright. A Pyreheart is often
physically marked by their inner flame, which you can
determine by rolling on the table below:
Fiery Manifestation:
1 Eyes of blazing fire.
2 Veins that glow internally like magma.
Fiendish flames that writhe upon your skin when
3 Herald of Ashes
you feel strong emotions.
Your footsteps briefly smolder with illusory
4 Your experience grants you masterful control over your
cinders.
5 You cry cinders or sparks.
The inside of your mouth and throat glow with
6
heat like a furnace.
Heart of Flame
3rd-level Path of the Pyreheart feature
You can choose to manifest your rage
as searing magical flames to burn your
foes to ash. You gain resistance to fire
damage; additionally, you can choose
where to channel your flames each
time you rage, choosing one
option from below that lasts until
your rage ends:
Boiling Blood. You seethe
with fury, internalizing the fire that
burns in your veins. Whenever
you begin your turn grappled by a
creature, or a creature begins its turn
grappled by you, you can choose
for it to take fire damage equal
to 1d6 + your proficiency bonus.
Additionally, whenever a creature
hits you with an attack while
within 5ft of you, they take
fire damage equal to your
proficiency bonus.
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Blazing Blows. You focus your rage outwards, causing
your weapons to ignite. When you make a melee attack for
the first time on your turn, every creature of your choice in a
15ft cone originating from you in the direction of your attack
takes fire damage equal to your proficiency bonus.
Burning Vitality
6th-level Path of the Pyreheart feature
You can grant a spark of your burning lifeforce to your allies.
As an action, you can touch another creature, granting it
temporary hit points equal to your barbarian level. A creature
with any of these temporary hit points can use their reaction
upon failing a Strength, Dexterity or Constitution ability
check or saving throw to expend the hit points and add 1d6
to the roll, potentially causing them to succeed.
You can grant these temporary hit points a number of
times equal to your proficiency modifier per long rest.
Undying Embers
10th-level Path of the Pyreheart feature
Your heart burns beyond conscious thought; when you are
reduced to 0 hit points, you instead erupt in a final spark,
regaining a number of hit points equal to your barbarian
level. Every other creature of your choice in a 20ft radius
must succeed on a dexterity saving throw or take 3d8 fire
damage, or half on a success.
Once you use this feature, you cannot use it again until you
complete a long rest.
14th-level Path of the Pyreheart feature
flames. While you are raging, you gain immunity to fire
and cold damage, and ignore the fire resistance of creatures
that you damage. Additionally, your Heart of Flame abilities
improve in the following ways:
Boiling Blood. You seethe with fury, internalizing the
fire that burns in your veins. Whenever you begin your turn
grappled by a creature, or a creature begins its turn
grappled by you, you can choose for it to take
fire damage equal to 2d6 + your proficiency
bonus. Additionally, whenever a
creature hits you with an attack
while within 15 feet of you, they
take fire damage equal to your
proficiency bonus.
Blazing Blows. You
focus your rage outwards,
causing your weapons to
ignite. When you make a
melee attack for the first time
on your turn, every creature
of your choice in a 15ft cone
originating from you in the
direction of your attack takes
fire damage equal to twice your
proficiency bonus.
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Bard Primal Herald

6th-level College of Nature feature
When you grant Bardic Inspiration to a creature and cast

College of Nature a cantrip as a bonus action using Call the Elements, both
you and the creature gain a damage resistance based on the
cantrip cast for the next 10 minutes:
Since the dawn of time, the whistling wind, rushing rivers
and calls of birds have inspired countless works of art. Some • Gust - Thunder Resistance
bards see beauty in the world around us, acting as emissaries • Move Earth - Lightning Resistance
to the powers of nature, and working with the land as their • Produce Flame - Cold resistance
canvas. The College of Nature is less an organization than • Ray of Frost - Fire Resistance
an ideal - to protect the wonder of the wild, and find joy in
its splendor. Their commitment to harmony allows them to Speak, And The World Answers
speak to animals, plants, and even elementals. When nature 14th-level College of Nature feature
comes under attack, they call on those powers to protect it - You learn the spells bones of the earth, fire storm, wall of ice, and
and can unleash devastating natural disasters in defense. wind walk. You can cast one of these spells without expending
Bards of the College of Nature might use any instrument, a spell slot, and regain the ability to do so upon finishing
from paints, to flutes, to dance - anything that allows them a long rest.
to attune to the rhythms of the world. In Xen’drik, the
Vulkoor, Qaltiar, and Na’qalla drow venerate and call upon
the spirits of nature, while the Rimewalker druids of the
Iceflow often speak with the giant animals of their home.
In Khorvaire, the Greensingers of the Reaches combine
druidic and bardic traditions to treat with the fey, while the
gnomes of Lorghalan survive through their close friendship
with elementals.

Call The Elements

3rd-level College of Nature feature
As part of the College of Nature, you can call on spirits of
the land to aid you. You learn the cantrips gustXGE, produce
flame, mold earthXGE, and ray of frost. As part of the bonus
action to give a creature Bardic Inspiration, you can
replicate the effects of casting one of these cantrips.

Natural Connection
3rd-level College of Nature feature
You gain proficiency in the Nature skill. When you gain
a level in Bard, including when you take this subclass,
you can choose to learn new spells or replace your
current spells with those from the Druid spell list,
which count as Bard spells for you.

Speech of Beast and Bough

3rd-level College of Nature feature
Your words ring true to primal beings. You
learn the language Primordial. You can
communicate in a limited manner with
beasts, elementals, and plants when you speak
Primordial, which magically understand the
meaning of your words, but have no special
ability to respond in kind unless they speak
at least one language. You have advantage on
Charisma checks you make to influence them.

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 Cleric
Hunt Domain
Since the dawn of history, mortalkind has prayed to the
gods for bountiful hunts. Taking down prey means survival;
failure means becoming prey in turn. Clerics of the Hunt
domain take up this ancient duty, ensuring that luck is on
their allies' side, while joining the battle with bow and spear.
To them, their prey are part of the cycle of life, and sent as
divine gifts that should never be squandered.
Hunt domain clerics seek to protect the course of nature,
often by hunting monsters that would threaten communities
or upset the local balance. Many fiercely oppose poachers.
The concept of hunting creatures for sport without making
use of their sacrifice, or respecting their strength, is anathema
to their beliefs. In Eberron, Hunt doman clerics can be found
worshiping the god Balinor in Khorvaire, especially in the
Eldeen Reaches and Lhazaar Principalities. In Xen’drik, the
Vulkoori and Qaltiar drow worship the aspect of Vulkoor
known as the Hunter, while goliaths descended from the Esht
Primacy often venerate Banor the Bloody Spear.
Hunt Domain Spells:
You gain Domain spells at the cleric levels listed:
1st alarm, hunter's mark
3rd healing spirit, summon beastTCoE
5th phantom steed, speak with plants
7th locate creature, faithful hound
9th commune with nature, hold monster
Bonus Proficiencies
1st-level Hunt Domain feature
When you choose this domain, you gain proficiency with
longbows and leatherworker’s tools.
Peerless Tracker
1st-level Hunt Domain feature
You gain proficiency in the Survival skill. If you are already
proficient, you can instead add twice your proficiency
modifier to Wisdom (Survival) checks. When you succeed on
a Wisdom (Survival) check to follow or track a creature, you
can additionally choose to learn two of the following pieces of
information about it:
• Whether it was hurt in any way.
• Its general emotional state at the time (angry,
scared, carefree).
• Whether it is currently within 1 mile of you.
• Whether it is intelligent enough to communicate.
• Whether fighting it would likely be deadly for you and
your allies.
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Channel Divinity: Sacred Quarry
2nd-level Hunt Domain feature
You can use your Channel Divinity when you hit a creature
with a weapon attack, or as an action against a creature you
can see, to mark it as the target of your divine hunt. While
marked in this way, the creature cannot benefit from being
hidden or invisible, and you know whether it is within 500
feet of you or not (but not where). Additionally, whenever
one of your allies makes a melee attack against the creature,
you can use your reaction to grant that attack advantage. On a
hit, it deals an additional 1d8 radiant damage. The mark lasts
until either you or the creature is reduced to 0 hit points, or
you choose to mark a different creature before that happens.
Huntsmaster
6th-level Hunt Domain feature
Your nimbleness and trust in your allies allows you to run
circles around your prey. You gain the following benefits:
While wearing light armor, you can Dash or Hide as
bonus action.
When you Dash or Hide, one ally you can see within 60
feet of you can use their reaction to move up to their speed
towards a target marked as your Divine Quarry.
Divine Strike
8th-level Hunt Domain feature
You gain the ability to infuse your weapon strikes with
the divine strength of the hunter. Once on each of your
turns when you hit a creature with a weapon attack, you
can cause the attack to deal an extra 1d8 radiant damage to
the target. When you reach 14th level, the extra damage
increases to 2d8.
Hounds of the Heavens
17th-level Hunt Domain feature
A lone hunter is weak, but a pack can bring down the
mightiest of prey. When you use your reaction to grant an
ally advantage on an attack against a Sacred Quarry, you can
choose a different ally within 30 feet of that Quarry who
can see or hear you. That ally can use their reaction to move
up to their speed and make a single weapon attack against
it with advantage, which deals an additional 1d8 radiant
damage on a hit.
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Druid Additionally, while you have taken the form of a Beast

that is size Large or larger, you provide half cover to
allies behind you.

Circle of the Behemoth Titan Heart

Since the dawn of time, mortals have gazed with wonder and
fear upon the titans of the natural world. Behemoth druids
are those who find strength in the existence of such giants,
for what greater sign can there be of the power of nature?
Many find purpose in living alongside whales, dinosaurs,
and other immense beasts, protecting them from harmful
poaching and unnatural threats. In doing so, they gain
insights into their roles in nature - and learn to take on their
forms to terrifying effect.
Behemoth druids can be found wherever such creatures
congregate, from the mountain aeries of giant eagles, to
the vast plains on which sauropods roam. Some are more
than happy to welcome visitors, as long as they agree not to
disturb the titans before them. Others are brutal and wild,
tracking prey alongside powerful dinosaurs and predatory
beasts. Perhaps the strangest are those who live in the Astral
Plane, and ride beneath the stars with celestial kindori whales.
10th-level Circle of the Behemoth feature
Your Behemoth Shape grows in its awesome power. The
benefits you gain when transforming into a Large or larger
creature improve, replacing their previous effects:
• Thick Hide. You gain a +3 bonus to your armor class.
• Primal Strength. You gain advantage on Strength
ability checks and saving throws, and deal double
damage to objects and structures.
• Powerful Blows. Your first attack that hits on your
turn deals an additional 1d8 damage. Additionally,
your attacks count as magical.
• Predatory Instincts. If you critically hit a creature,
every hostile creature within 10 feet of you must
succeed on a Wisdom saving throw against your Spell
Save DC or become frightened of you. A frightened
creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each
of their turns to end the effect.

Megafauna Connection Earthshaker

2nd-level Circle of the Behemoth feature 14th-level Circle of the Behemoth feature
You gain proficiency in the Animal Handling skill. Your walk shakes the very world, and let none stand in your
Additionally, you have advantage on Wisdom (Animal path. While you have taken the form of a Huge or larger
Handling) checks made to interact with Large or larger Beast, if you move at least 15 feet in a straight line on your
Beasts and Monstrosities that don’t understand a language, turn, you gain advantage on your next attack roll. You can
as well as Intelligence (Nature) checks made to recall gain this benefit multiple times in a turn.
information about them. Additionally, you can choose to expend two uses of Wild
Shape to take the form of any Beast with a Challenge Rating
equal to half your level or lower.
Behemoth Shape
2nd-level Circle of the Behemoth feature
You gain the power to channel pure primal might,
transforming into the titans of the wild in battle. You can
Wild Shape as a bonus action. Additionally, when you Wild
Shape into a Beast, you can choose to increase the size of
your Beast form by one category compared to its normal size.
When you take the form of a Large or larger Beast, you gain
the following benefits while transformed:

• Thick Hide. You gain a +2 bonus to your armor class.

• Primal Strength. You gain advantage on Strength
ability checks and saving throws.
• Powerful Blows. Your first attack that hits on your
turn deals an additional 1d4 damage.
• Predatory Instincts. If you critically hit a creature,
it must succeed on a Wisdom saving throw against
your Spell Save DC or become frightened of you. A
frightened creature can repeat the saving throw at the
end of each of their turns to end the effect.

Primeval Giant
6th-level Circle of the Behemoth feature
You can transform into a Beast with a challenge rating as
high as your druid level divided by 3 (rounded down) if it is
naturally Huge, a dinosaur, or has the dinosaur subtype. You
ignore the Max. CR column of the Beast Shapes table in this
way, but must abide by the other limitations there.

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 Druid
Circle of the Verdant
Druids of the Verdant Circle are floral guardians of plant life,
finding purpose in the beauty of vegetation. They see purity
and wonder in primal forest, and strength in the ancient trees
of the wilds. A verdant druid might go for months in the
deep jungles without seeing another soul, pursuing their goal
of protecting nature from the ravages of unnatural threats.
Druids of this circle often find the line blurred between plants
and animals, and take on aspects of the flora they protect
when defending their ‘friends’. Fighting such a warrior in the
wilds is to have the very land turn against you, as plants rise
up to support them in a wave of branches and tangled briars.
In Eberron, the largest group of such druids are the
Verdant Path in Xen’drik, who learn from and protect
the land spirit Kwinharin. Their home in the Rainwoods
is draped with ancient moss and vines that hang between
gargantuan trees. Others can be found in the Na’qalla drow,
and the Rushemé druids. In Khorvaire, Verdant druids can
be found in the Eldeen reaches, especially among the devout
followers of the Greatpine Oalian. The strangest are those
who deal with aberrant and planar flora - the cultists of the
daelkyr Avassh, and the bizarre gardeners of the Grim Lord
Varonaen on the umbral island of Farlnen.
Circle Spells
2nd-level Circle of the Verdant feature
You learn the thorn whip cantrip. Additionally, your bond to
the land itself grants you access to additional spells when you
reach certain levels in this class, as shown on the Circle of the
Verdant Spells table.
Once you gain access to one of these spells, you always
have them prepared, and they don’t count against the number
of spells you can prepare each day. If you gain access to a
spell that doesn't appear on the Druid Spell List, the spell is
nonetheless a druid spell for you.
2nd thorn whip
3rd spike growth
5th plant growth
7th grasping vine
9th tree stride
Bonus Proficiencies
2nd-level Circle of the Verdant feature
You gain proficiency in the Nature skill. If you have
proficiency in using a Herbalism Kit, you can add double your
proficiency bonus to ability checks that use a Herbalism Kit.
Forest Form
2nd-level Circle of the Verdant feature
You gain the ability to channel the strength and
power of nature in battle. As a bonus action while
you are not wearing heavy armor, you can
expend a use of your Wild Shape feature to
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take on a forest form, rather than transforming into a beast.
The form lasts for 10 minutes. While in your Forest Form,
you gain the following benefits:
• You gain a bonus to your armor class equal to your
proficiency bonus.
• As long as you are in contact with the ground, the
ground in a 10 foot radius around you becomes
difficult terrain for creatures of your choosing.
• You can cast thorn whip as a bonus action.
One With The Earth
6th-level Circle of the Verdant feature
When you take a short or long rest outside of a man-made
construction, you can set down roots and enhance the plant
life in the area. After 30 minutes of resting, you can choose to
imbue the land in a 30 foot radius around you with two of the
following effects:
• You induce rapid growth in the land, causing the
region to become difficult terrain for all creatures
except the allies you rest with, as new life blooms.
• You focus on establishing a magic link with the
existing plant life, allowing you to communicate
with the plants as if you shared a common language.
You can question the plants about events in the
spell’s area within the past day, gaining information
about creatures that have passed, weather, and other
circumstances.
• One healing goodberry grows for each hour you spend
resting. A berry can be eaten or fed to another creature
as an action to restore 1 hit point, and provides
enough nourishment to sustain a creature for one day.
The berries last until you begin your next long rest.
These effects last until you leave the affected area, and are
blocked by total cover.
Deep Roots
10th-level Circle of the Verdant feature
While in your Forest Form, you and all allied creatures
within 15 feet of you have advantage on Constitution and
Strength saving throws, and cannot be moved by other
creatures unless that creature is Huge or larger, they are
teleported, or are displaced by the creation of an object or
barrier in their space.
Verdant Herald
14th-level Circle of the Verdant feature
As an action, you can cast the spell awaken without expending
a spell slot or requiring material components, targeting a
plant with either no Intelligence score, or an Intelligence of 3
or less. While you are within 300 feet of a plant that has been
awakened by you, both you and the plant can communicate
telepathically with each other. Once you cast the spell in this
way, you cannot do so again until you finish a long rest.
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Fighter
Patchwork Blade
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’ is normally a joke
for adventurers. Patchwork Blades are those who take it to
the extreme. These bestial warriors take on the strength of
the creatures they hunt, growing in monstrous power with
every victory. As consummate hunters, Patchwork Blades
study their prey, making use of their weaknesses. When you
fight the ultimate hunters, it takes one to know one. Some
Blades believe that they receive strength from the gods with
every kill. Others take a more direct route, and physically
alter their own forms using the magical blood or remnants
of their prey. Regardless, all are a fearsome sight, and stray
further and further from mortality with each notch in the axe.
Patchwork Blades can be flavored in different ways, and
can be found in a variety of places within Eberron as a result.
The greatest number form part of the Wyrd Vigil of Vralkast,
taking on the horrors of Khyber and warping themselves
to defend their city. The disciples of the daelkyr Dyrrn the
Corruptor might also travel such a path, taking the body
parts of their prey to further their own evolution. Some
changelings, especially the doppelgangers of Lost, take the
opposite approach - they study and mimic the forms of others
to master their shapechanging techniques. Those Patchwork
Blades who take on the spiritual strength of their prey tend to
belong to druidic communities, as well as Stormreach’s Lords
of the Hunt. The goliaths of the Blood of Kanda see The Hunt
to be a religious ritual, and take on the aspects of the dragons
and leviathans of the Dark Sea that they slay in their duties.
Mutagenic Form
3rd-level Patchwork Blade feature
You can augment your body with the power of the horrors
you face, enhancing your abilities in gruesome fashion.
When you and your party battle against and kill a creature
with a type from the following list, you can spend 1 hour of
undisturbed time (which can be performed during a short
rest) to bind some of its power to you in an occult ritual. The
exact method by which you do this is up to you, and might
involve consecrating the weapon used in the name of your
religion, implanting part of the creature’s essence within your
physical form, or preserving part of its body as a trinket on
your person. Upon completion, you permanently unlock that
Mutagen. Additionally, when you choose this archetype, you
gain access to one Mutagen of your choice.
When you finish a long rest, you can choose to focus on
Mutagens you have unlocked, gaining their benefits. This
lasts until you choose to focus on a different Mutagen,
switching their effects. You can focus on a number of
Mutagens at once equal to your proficiency bonus. If
a Mutagen requires a saving throw, your Mutagenic
Form save DC equals 8 + your proficiency bonus + your
Constitution modifier.
For every two Mutagens that you focus on, your first melee
attack on your turn that hits deals an additional 1d6 damage.
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Occult Hunter
3rd-level Patchwork Blade feature
Your study of occult rites grants you proficiency in Arcana. If
you already have proficiency in Arcana, you can instead add
twice your proficiency bonus to Arcana ability checks.
Dark Kinship
7th-level Patchwork Blade feature
Your increasingly monstrous visage is awesome to behold.
You gain proficiency in Charisma (Intimidation) checks;
if you are already proficient, you instead add twice your
proficiency bonus.
Additionally, your experience in battle grants you a greater
understanding of the foes you face. As a bonus action, you
can make an Intelligence (Arcana) check contested by a
Charisma (Deception) check from a creature that you can see
within 30 feet of you to gauge its fighting capabilities. On a
success, you can choose to learn one of the following pieces of
information about them:
• Their damage immunities and resistances.
• Which of their ability scores is the highest.
• Whether they are above or below half their
maximum hit points.
• Whether they are intelligent enough to speak or
understand a language.
You can attempt to learn about a creature multiple times,
but if the target succeeds on the contested ability check,
you cannot use this ability against that individual creature
for 24 hours.
Rapid Evolution
10th-level Patchwork Blade feature
When you use Second Wind, immediately after triggering
any Mutagens and restoring hit points, you can choose to
switch focus from one of your active Mutagens to another
that you have access to. This causes any active effects on you
from the Mutagen that was switched out to end.
Hunter’s Insight
15th-level Patchwork Blade feature
When you succeed on a contested roll using Dark Kinship,
the creature has disadvantage on its next saving throw,
and you have advantage on your next attack roll against it.
Additionally, it cannot benefit from being hidden or invisible
towards you for the next 24 hours.
I, Monster
18th-level Patchwork Blade feature
You have ascended to the pinnacle - a prime hunter
undefeated by the horrors of the world. When you Action
Surge or use Second Wind, you gain advantage on all of
your attacks until the end of your turn. Additionally, when
you make a Strength (Athletics) or Charisma (Intimidation)
check, you can treat a d20 roll of 9 or lower as a 10.
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 Mutagens
Aberration
While this mutagen is active, you have resistance to psychic
damage, and whenever a creature deals psychic damage
to you, that creature takes the same amount of damage
that you do.
When you Action Surge or use Second Wind, your reach
cumulatively increases by 5 feet as your anatomy becomes
pliable and warped. This lasts until you next complete a short
or long rest.
Beast
While this mutagen is active, you have advantage on
Wisdom (Perception) and (Survival) checks, and gain a
climbing speed equal to your walking speed.
When you move up to 20 feet in a straight line towards a
creature, then hit it with a melee attack, you can force it to
succeed on a Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
Celestial
While this mutagen is active, you gain resistance to radiant
damage, and can add your Constitution modifier to Charisma
(Persuasion) checks.
When you use Second Wind, another creature of your
choice within 30 feet of you regains the same number of hit
points as you do.
Dragon
While this mutagen is active, you have advantage on saving
throws made to resist being frightened, and your AC
increases by 1.
When you Action surge or use Second Wind, you can
breathe out your choice of fire, lightning, or freezing cold in a
15ft cone in front of you. Every creature within the area must
succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or take 2d6 damage of
the chosen type, or half on a success.
Fey
While this mutagen is active, you have advantage on saving
throws made to resist being charmed. You additionally gain
advantage on Charisma (Persuasion) checks.
When you Action Surge or use Second Wind, you can
teleport up to 30 feet to an unoccupied space that you can see
in a puff of illusory smoke.
Fiend
While this mutagen is active, you gain resistance to fire
damage, and gain advantage on Charisma (Deception) checks.
When you Action Surge or use Second Wind, you gain
a charge of infernal fire. When you are damaged by a
creature you can see within 60 feet of you, you can use your
reaction and expend a charge to force it to make a Dexterity
saving throw. On a failure, it takes 2d10 fire damage, or
half on a success. You lose all charges upon finishing a short
or long rest.
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Giant
While this mutagen is active, you gain advantage on Strength
ability checks and saving throws, as well as any ability check
or saving throw made to resist being knocked prone.
When you Action Surge or use Second Wind, you can
choose to grow to size Large for 1 minute, causing your first
attack that hits on your turn to deal an additional 1d4 damage.
Monstrosity
While this Mutagen is active, you can add your Constitution
modifier to Charisma (Intimidation) checks.
When you Action Surge, you can choose to roar with
monstrous strength, forcing every creature of your choice
within 30 feet that you can hear you to make a Wisdom
saving throw. On a failure, a creature is frightened of you,
and can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns
to end the effect.
Ooze
While this Mutagen is active, you have resistance to acid
damage, and do not expend extra movement when squeezing
through small spaces.
Additionally, you have advantage on ability checks to
grapple other creatures, or avoid being grappled. When you
attack a creature that you have grappled, or is grappling you,
you deal an additional 1d4 acid damage on a hit.
Plant
While this Mutagen is active, you have resistance to poison
damage. Additionally, you gain the ability to communicate
in a limited manner with plants and vegetation. They
can understand the meaning of your words, though you
have no special ability to understand them in return.
You have advantage on all Charisma checks you make to
influence them.
When you use your Second Wind or Action Surge, you
gain a bonus to your AC equal to your proficiency bonus until
the start of your next turn.
Undead
While this Mutagen is active, you have resistance to necrotic
damage, and advantage on Constitution saving throws.
When you are reduced to 0 hit points, if you are
unconscious at the start of your turn, you regain a number of
hit points equal to 1d10 + your fighter level. This counts as
using your Second Wind ability for the effects of your other
Mutagens. This effect only triggers the first time you begin
your turn unconscious; once used, you regain this ability
upon finishing a long rest.
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Monk first time (including during combat), you can declare that
they have heard of you and your accomplishments. The target
must share at least one language in common with you. This

Way of the Explorer
Delving into ruins and dungeons lost to time is a common
pastime for many would-be adventurers. Typically, this is
a gamble on one’s life. Explorers don’t just gamble on their
lives - they go all in, every time. Whether through skill,
gumption, or divinely-blessed luck, these heroes of tavern
tales are famed for their derring-do. It’s not just about finding
treasure; it’s about the thrill and adventure to an almost
obsessive degree.
A true Explorer is marked by their luck, their keen
sense for traps and survival, and their faith in throwing
hands at any problem that comes their way. In Xen’drik,
such individuals share drinks together in the taverns of
Stormreach, the merchant guilds of Kul Lerek, and the halls
of Blackgrove Refuge. Professional explorers can also be
found in the adventuring guilds of Khorvaire, including the
Wayfinder Foundation, and Clifftop Guild.
Uncharted Traversal
3rd-level Way of the Explorer feature
You gain proficiency with whips and navigator’s tools. Whips
count as a monk weapon for you.
While you have a whip or a 50ft length of rope on your
person, you can deftly use it to swing and traverse through
terrain. Before or during a jump, you may add up to 20 feet
of horizontal distance to your jump by latching on to an
overhanging object within reach of your whip, requiring no
action or ability check to do so. This extra distance does not
count towards your movement.
Knockout Brawler
3rd-level Way of the Explorer feature
One’s fists are the first and greatest weapon they are born
with, and you are no stranger to good old-fashioned fisticuffs.
When a creature hits you with an attack, your first unarmed
strike or attack with a whip against them on your next turn
has advantage and deals additional damage on a hit equal to
a roll of your martial arts die. This increases to two rolls of
your martial arts die if you are under half your maximum
hit points, spend 1 ki point when you hit with the attack,
or have used Uncharted Traversal to add distance to your
jump this turn.
does not necessarily mean they like you (in fact, they may
now hate you as a result), but they have heard of you. When
interacting with someone that has heard of you in this way,
you can add twice your Wisdom modifier to all Charisma
ability checks made to interact with them. You can declare
this once, and regain the ability to do so upon completing
a long rest.
Additionally, if you are ever in combat against them, their
opinion of you clouds their judgment. When you hit them
with a melee attack, you can spend 1 ki point to give them
disadvantage on attack rolls against targets other than you
until they next hit you with an attack, as your infuriating
attitude (presumably) drives them up the wall.
One should keep a list of their adoring fans…just in case.
The Finisher
17th-level Way of the Explorer feature
Your legendary exploits have given rise to your trademark
finisher - the one that everyone knows has taken down
countless foes and cemented your place in history. When
you hit with a melee attack, you can choose to make it The
Finisher by spending 6 ki points to deal an additional 8d10
damage. If you are under half your maximum hit points, it
instead costs 4 ki points, and you gain temporary hit points
equal to half the additional damage rolled.
Monks & Orientalism
The Monk class, with feature names based on a surface
understanding of concepts from Chinese medicine,
suffers from notable orientalism in comparison to other
classes. The Way of the Explorer takes the mechanics
of the class, and purposefully reflavors them in the
opposite direction. A player using this subclass should
feel free to rename their class features as they wish, as
a result. This might include renaming ‘Ki points’ to ‘Grit’
or ‘Gumption’ or ‘Action’ points, Stunning Strike to ‘The
Right Hook’, and Stillness of Mind to ‘Himbo Mindset’.
Perhaps not that last one.

Close Shave
6th-level Way of the Explorer feature
You didn’t survive this long without a pinch of luck and
a gut full of guff. When you roll a 1 on a saving throw,
you can choose to reroll it once and use the new result.
Additionally, when your hit points are equal to or less than
your proficiency modifier, you have advantage on all ability
checks, attack rolls, and saving throws, and regain 1 ki point
at the start of your turn if you have none.

Overwhelming Ego
11th-level Way of the Explorer feature
Your fame and exploits are so great that they spread through
the land ahead of you. Before speaking to someone for the

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 Paladin
Oath of Freedom
The Oath of Freedom is a vow to fight back against the
tyrants, conquerors, and slavers who would use their power
to oppress others. Paladins who swear this oath believe
that all have the right to dictate their own path, and often
act as noble revolutionaries and freedom fighters. When
an invading army oppresses a nation, when a tyrant king
imprisons his people, or a criminal group begins dealing in
lives, that is when the Oath of Freedom rises.
In Xen’drik, both the Unbound Brigade and the Silaes
Tairn often embody the Oath, fighting against the giants
who once enslaved them and their kin. Their sworn enemies
are those such as the Battalion of Basalt Towers, who would
use ancient magic to rule over the continent once more.
In Khorvaire, Oath of Freedom paladins arose during the
Last War, especially in conquered cities such as Thaliost, or
rebelling nations such as the Eldeen Reaches and Darguun.
Tenets of Freedom:
No Fear. The odds are never in one’s favor; the battle is
never won easily. As long as one fights for what is right, good
shall prevail.
No Chains. Injustice and shackles are the tools of the
oppressor. All beings deserve to be free, and have control
over their own fate.
No Masters. The thrones of tyrants are built on the bones
of the innocent. It is not for a people to serve their leader - a
leader exists to serve their people.
Oath Spells
You gain oath spells at the paladin levels listed:
3rd expeditious retreat, zephyr strikeXGE
5th knock, misty step
9th blink, gaseous form
13th dimension door, freedom of movement
17th far stepXGE, passwall
Channel Divinity
3rd-level Oath of Freedom feature
When you take this oath at 3rd level, you gain the following
two Channel Divinity options:
Savior’s Strike. You can use your Channel Divinity to
save your allies from harm’s way when you hit a creature with
a melee attack, marking it for a quick downfall. On a hit, the
creature gains disadvantage on all attacks against creatures
other than you for 1 minute, until you end your turn
without making an attack against that creature,
become incapacitated, or fall unconscious. While
marked in this way, If the creature is at least one
size larger than you, or grappling an ally, you
300300
deal an additional 1d6 radiant damage when you hit it with an
attack for the first time on your turn.
Break The Chains. When you cast one of your Oath
spells, you can expend your Channel Divinity while doing so
to grant that spell to a willing ally you can see within 60 feet
of you. The spell takes effect as though that ally had cast it
from their position, allowing them to choose any targets of
the spell if it has a range other than self. If the spell requires
concentration, you maintain concentration when cast
in this way.
Unarmored Defense
3rd-level Oath of Freedom feature
While you are not wearing any armor, your armor class
equals 10 + your Dexterity modifier + your Charisma
modifier. You can use a shield and still gain this benefit.
Aura of the Unchained
7th-level Oath of Freedom feature
You are surrounded by an aura of freedom that opposes the
shackles of tyranny. Creatures within 10 feet of you have
advantage on ability checks and saving throws made to avoid
or resist becoming grappled, restrained, or paralyzed.
When you reach 18th level in this class, the range of the
aura increases to 30 feet.
Inspiring Rescue
15th-level Oath of Freedom feature
When you hit a creature with your Savior’s Strike, or grant
them a spell with Break the Chains, all allies within 30 feet
of that creature can use their reaction to move up their
speed as they wish without provoking opportunity attacks.
Additionally, any creature that moves in this way gains
temporary hit points equal to your Paladin level + your
Charisma modifier.
Paragon of Freedom
20th-level Oath of Freedom feature
In battle, you become a dauntless vanguard, leading the
charge against your foes no matter the situation. You gain the
following benefits:
• You gain a swimming and climbing speed equal to
your movement speed.
• You gain immunity to being paralysed or restrained,
and are unaffected by difficult terrain.
• You can cast zephyr strike at will without expending a
spell splot.
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Ranger
Wind Runner Conclave
Some rangers bear a connection to the primal spirits of the
wind, using their gifts to soar through the air and strike
with zephyr speed. Their grace is breathtaking, but a Wind
Runner is as elusive as they are dangerous. Many are carefree
spirits who see beauty in freedom; others serve as natural
protectors of aeries and high peaks, communing with the
flying beasts that they see as kin.
In Eberron, Wind Runners are often found in the Zephyr
Guard of the flying city of Kul Lerek, and among the half-
elves of the Mark of Storm. Both House Lyrandar and the
piratical Wind Whisperers train the dragonmarked to
harness such skills, especially those who aspire to fly an
airship. During the Last War, several nations also fielded
aerial infantry as part of their forces, including the flying
Angels of Thrane. A Wind Runner might also be touched by
the planes of Syrania or Lamannia, or be descended from the
cloud giants of Xen’drik. In Sarlona, Wind Runners can be
found in the high mountains of Adar, and often form bonds
with the nation’s flying asperi steeds.
Wind Runner Magic
3rd-level Wind Runner feature
You learn the gust cantrip if you do not already know it, and
can cast it without requiring components.
You also learn an additional spell of 1st level or higher
when you reach certain levels in this class, as shown in the
Wind Runner Spells table. Each spell counts as a ranger spell
for you, but it doesn't count against the number of ranger
spells you know.
Wind Runner Spells
3rd zephyr strikeXGE
5th warding windXGE
9th fly
13th storm sphereXGE
17th control windsXGE
Uplifting Gale
3rd-level Wind Runner feature
You strike with the speed of a falcon in flight. The first time
that you move or fall at least 10 feet in a straight line on your
turn, you gain the following benefits:
• Wind Slash. Your next weapon attack this turn
deals an additional 1d8 force damage on a hit.
• Slipstream. Opportunity attacks made against you
this turn have disadvantage.
• Gale Stride. You can choose to gain a flying speed
equal to your normal speed until the start of your next
turn. You can gain a flying speed in this way a number
of times equal to your proficiency bonus, and regain all
uses upon finishing a long rest.
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Sky Dancer
3rd-level Wind Runner feature
You gain proficiency in the Acrobatics skill. If you are already
proficient in Acrobatics, you can add twice your proficiency
bonus to ability checks you make with it.
Additionally, when you would take damage from falling,
you can use your reaction to attempt a Dexterity (Acrobatics)
check with a DC equal to 15 or half the total damage,
whichever is higher. On a successful ability check, you take
no damage, and on a failed check, you take half the damage.
Fleet of Foot
7th-level Wind Runner feature
The wind gathers beneath your feet, letting you dodge
and weave in response to enemy attacks. As a reaction
to taking damage from an attack, you can move up to
15 feet in a direction of your choice without provoking
opportunity attacks.
Rising Tempest
11th-level Wind Runner feature
Your Uplifting Gale swells in strength. Each of its benefits are
improved as below, replacing their previous effects:
• Wind Slash. Until the start of your next turn,
your weapon attacks deal an additional 1d12 force
damage on a hit.
• Slipstream. Your movement does not provoke
opportunity attacks for the rest of your turn.
• Gale Stride. You can choose to gain a flying speed
equal to 20 feet + your walking speed until the start of
your next turn. You can gain a flying speed in this way
a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus,
and regain all uses upon finishing a short or long rest.
Hurricane Heart
15th-level Wind Runner feature
You become one with the wind, and can ask it to embrace
your allies - or crush your foes. You can cast the spells
wind walk or whirlwind, requiring no somatic or material
components and using Wisdom as the spellcasting ability.
When you cast a spell using this feature, you must finish a
long rest before you can cast either spell from it again.
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 Rogue you can make a Wisdom (Insight) check contested by the
Charisma (Deception) check of a creature you can see within
60 feet of you. If you succeed, you learn what they hate the

Revenger most, and what they fear the most. You and any ally you
share this information with gain advantage on Charisma
(Persuasion) and (Intimidation) checks against that creature
for the next 24 hours. On a failure, the target becomes
The course of your life was forever thrown off-kilter by the
immune to this ability for the next 24 hours. You can use this
schemes of those plotting your downfall; now, your heart
ability a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus,
burns with the goal of hunting those who wronged you,
and regain all expended uses upon completing a long rest.
empowered by your zeal and desire for vengeance. Perhaps
you made a deal with a powerful entity to give you the tools
for murder, or made a binding oath to right the wrongs Nothing Personal
of the past; regardless, you are now an arrow loosed on a 13th-level Revenger feature
single path, and none can run from the bite of your steel. At 13th level, the targets of your Vendetta will always fear
Revenger rogues are experts at social manipulation, gathering the bite of your weapons in their back. When you curse
information on their foes by reading people’s dark desires - all a creature with your Vendetta, as part of the reaction,
to bring low the targets of their vendettas. you can choose to teleport to an available space within 10
In Eberron, Revengers might arise from any number feet of them.
of situations. In Xen’drik, the overlord known as the Scar Additionally, your sneak attack damage dice become d10s
that Abides is an incarnation of cold rage, and empowers against targets marked by your Vendetta.
his servants to violently deal with perceived slights against
him. The Spinner of Shadows also gives dark pacts to those Curtain Call
seeking revenge, changing their destinies to spread pain and 17th-level Revenger feature
suffering through the land. Revengers can also arise through At 17th level, you are vengeance incarnate. When you hit a
sincere personal oaths. Those who lost everything in the Last creature marked by your Vendetta with an attack that will
War, Cyran avengers, and followers of the Fury might all deal Sneak Attack damage, you can choose for them to have
walk down this dark path. vulnerability to the attack. You can use this feature once, and
regain the ability upon completing a long rest.
Vendetta
3rd-level Revenger feature
At 3rd level, the depths of your vengeance know no bounds.
As a reaction to a creature dealing damage to you or publicly
insulting you, you can curse it with a Vendetta. When you
deal Sneak Attack damage to a creature marked by your
Vendetta, the damage die become d8s instead of the usual d6s.
You can maintain a maximum number of Vendettas equal
to your proficiency bonus, and must choose one to replace if
you would gain another while at your maximum. Vendettas
last until replaced by you, or until removed by a spell such as
remove curse.
Additionally, you gain proficiency in Deception. If you
already have proficiency, your proficiency bonus is instead
doubled for Deception checks.

Bloodstained Steps
3rd-level Revenger feature
At 3rd level, those who have wronged you will never be able
to run for long. As an action, you can focus your senses on a
creature marked by your Vendetta. You sense the direction
to the creature’s location, as long as that creature is within
1,000 feet of you, and is not protected from divination by
spells or effects. If the creature is moving, you know the
direction of its movement. This lasts for one hour, or until
you drop concentration (as though concentrating on a spell).
You can use this ability a number of times equal to half your
proficiency bonus (rounded down), and regain all expended
uses upon completing a long rest.

Furious Resonance
9th-level Revenger feature
At 9th level, you can easily read the scars left
behind on the hearts of others. As an action,

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 Ancestries - Backgrounds - Subclasses - Dark Gifts - Feats - Maneuvers - Spells

Sorcerer of the spell. Doing so does not force any saving throws
to maintain concentration. If you do so, one creature
that took damage from the spell takes additional force

Giant Soul damage equal to twice the hit points lost. You can
choose to lose hit points in this way any number of
times, choosing a different creature to take the damage
every time you do so.
The ancient giants channeled the power of the planes to
become sorcerers, growing in size in proportion to their
This state lasts for 1 minute, or until you end it as a bonus
arcane power. You have inherited this overflowing power,
action. Once used, you cannot use this ability again until you
or bound it within you using ancient Xen’drik arcana.
complete a long or short rest.
Unleashed, you can grow into a true titan, hurling the
destructive power of the elements at your foes - but such
power comes with a price. Planar Scion
As a Giant Soul sorcerer, you decide how you have 6th-level Giant Soul feature
inherited your powers, and how it manifests upon you. Your growing mastery of magic allows you to better harness
You must also decide how to wield it - as a whirlwind of the raw power you wield. You gain a benefit whenever
barely-contained power, or as a towering herald of order. you cast one of your Giant Magic spells, with the benefit
The giants of the Battalion of Basalt Towers seek to wield depending on your ancestry:
their primordial fire to conquer and destroy, while the
Zephyr Guard of Kul Lerek harness the winds in defense of Cloud. Immediately after casting the spell, you can
their home. choose to magically teleport to an unoccupied space that you
can see. You can teleport a number of feet equal to 5 x your
Giant Magic proficiency bonus.
1st-level Giant Soul feature Fire. When you roll for damage caused by the spell, you
You begin to master the innate magic you have inherited deal additional fire damage equal to your Proficiency bonus.
from your links to the giants. Choose one of the giant Frost. Immediately after casting the spell, you gain
ancestries in the Giant Magic table. You learn additional spells temporary hit points equal to your proficiency bonus. If you
when you reach certain levels in this class, depending on your are in your Titan state, the temporary hit points are additive,
chosen ancestry. These spells count as sorcerer spells for you, but cannot exceed the initial number of temporary hit points
but do not count against the number of sorcerer spells you you gained when you entered the state.
know. These spells can’t be replaced when you gain a level in Stone. Immediately after casting the spell, you gain a
this class. bonus to your AC equal to your proficiency bonus until the
start of your next turn.
Giant 1st 3rd 5th 7th 9th
Storm. Immediately after casting the spell, you can
Cloud
booming bladeTCoE,
invisibility
thunder
confusion
steel wind choose to deal lightning damage equal to your proficiency
zephyr strike stepXGE strikeXGE bonus to every creature within 5ft of you.
fire bolt, burning flaming
Fire fireball wall of fire immolationXGE
hands sphere Arcane Colossus
ray of frost, ice hold sleet 14th-level Giant Soul feature
Frost ice storm cone of cold The sheer arcane power flowing through you is so great
knife person storm
earthen erupting summon that your form grows even larger when you focus it within
Stone resistance, shield wall of stone
your own body. Your Titan State improves, gaining the
graspXGE earthXGE constructTCoE
lightning lure, warding call storm following benefits:
Storm maelstromXGE
thunderwave windXGE lightning sphereXGE • You grow to size Huge, instead of Large.
• Creatures have disadvantage on saving throws against
Incarnate Titan your Giant Magic spells, while you have advantage on
1st-level Giant Soul feature any attack rolls that are part of those spells.
You can call on the magic of the giants to grow to a towering • You cannot be moved against your will by other
size with barely-contained power. When you cast a sorcerer creatures that are a smaller size than you unless
spell and expend a spell slot, you can choose to enter your you allow it.
Titan State before the spell resolves, gaining the following • When you choose to lose hit points when casting a
benefits until it ends: spell, you add your proficiency bonus to the additional
force damage dealt as a result.
• Your size increases to Large, and your reach
increases by 5 feet. Empyrean Monarch
• You gain a bonus to Strength ability checks and saving 18th-level Giant Soul feature
throws equal to your Charisma modifier. For every 10 years that pass, your body ages only 1 year, and
• You gain temporary hit points equal to 5 x the level of you no longer have any limit on how many times you
the expended spell slot. can enter Titan State between rests. Additionally,
• When you deal damage with a non-cantrip spell while in Titan State, whenever you make a Charisma
(including the spell cast to enter Titan state), you can check to influence another creature, you can
choose to lose a number of hit points equal to the level replace the result with a 15.

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 Warlock
Fateweaver
The many paths of the Draconic Prophecy plot out the
course of future events. All manner of powerful creatures
from the dragons of Argonnessen to the fiendish Overlords
seek to influence its path, often using mortal pawns such as
you. You’ve made a pact with a being with insights into the
future, granting you dark luck and the destiny to succeed. As
a fateweaver, your powers guide you down a certain path,
ensuring your success - but don’t push your luck, or you may
find yourself cutting the strings of your own destiny.
Examples of beings with the power of a Fateweaver include
Sphinxes such as Flamewind with their mastery of time, the
Overlord known as the Spinner of Shadows, and the ancient
giants of Crux, who may wish to restore their planar city-
state to its former glory.
Fateweaver Expanded Spell List
At 1st level, the Fateweaver lets you choose from an
expanded list of spells when you learn a warlock spell. The
following spells are added to the warlock spell list for you:
Level Spells
1st bless, entangle
2nd blur, web
3rd bestow curse, fate's threads*
4th divination, locate creature
5th commune, raise dead
Thief of Fate
1st-level Fateweaver feature
Starting at 1st level, when you hit a creature with an attack
roll, you can choose to bind it within the strings of fate. The
creature must succeed on a Strength saving throw against
your spell save DC or become restrained. The creature
can repeat the Strength saving throw at the end of
each of their turns to end the effect. You can use this
feature a number of times equal to your proficiency
modifier, and regain all expended uses upon completing
a long rest.
When an enemy creature restrained in this way is
reduced to 0 hit points, you can choose to steal part of
their fate for yourself, by rolling one d20 and recording
the number rolled. You can replace any attack roll,
saving throw, or ability check made by you or a
creature that you can see with this foretelling roll.
You must choose to do so before the roll. The
foretelling roll can be used only once, and is lost
when you finish a long rest. You can only have one
foretelling roll at a time, and lose a held roll if you
choose to roll for another.
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Swinging Scales
6th-level Fateweaver feature
Starting at 6th level, when your plans go awry, you can
improve the luck of an ally. When a creature succeeds on a
saving throw against a spell that you cast on your turn, you
can grant a creature of your choice within 30 feet of you
advantage on their next attack roll, ability check, or saving
throw they make within the next minute. You can only
grant this to one creature, regardless of how many creatures
succeeded on the saving throw. You regain the ability to grant
advantage in this way upon completing a short or long rest.
Timeline Shift
10th-level Fateweaver feature
At 10th level, you can stretch your luck to save yourself
from death. The first time each day that you would make a
death saving throw, you instead regain consciousness with
a number of hit points equal to twice your level. The next
death saving throw you make before your next long rest
counts as a failure regardless of the result.
Doom Destiny
14th-level Fateweaver feature
At 14th level, you can damn a creature to the worst possible
fate, consigning it to a rapid demise. As an action, you can
choose a creature that you can see within 60 feet of you and
curse it to a doomed destiny. The creature has disadvantage
on all ability checks, attack rolls, and saving throws, and all
attack rolls against it have advantage. The effect lasts until
removed by a spell such as remove curse, or until you lose
concentration on the effect (as though concentrating on a
spell). You can use this ability multiple times, but subsequent
uses after the first require you to expend a 5th-level spell slot.
You regain the ability to use this feature without expending a
spell slot upon completing a long rest.
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 Ancestries - Backgrounds - Subclasses - Dark Gifts - Feats - Maneuvers - Spells
Wizard
School of Oneiromancy
The school of Oneiromancy was born in the nascent Cul’sir
Empire, and led to its dominion over the surrounding lands.
The giants shaped dreams to sustain their kingdom, weaving
them into its very foundations. Now, the link to the Sea of
Dreams is severed, but those who pursue its study can still
walk the same path. Oneiromancers believe that dreams are
inspirational and prophetic; their magic removes the barrier
between dream and consciousness, allowing them to live
within surreal worlds of their own. The primary mission
of many such wizards is to restore their school to glory - by
repairing the damaged planar link to the wonder found
behind closed eyes.
As an Oneiromancy Wizard, you may have stumbled upon
ancient giant texts, or relics of the Quori, that kickstarted
your path into lost and ancient magic. Perhaps you see your
own dreams as inspirational and prophetic, or use them to
communicate with the Quori of your kalashtar lineage. Or,
stranger still, you were a mind long trapped in Dal Quor,
and found your way out in a fitting mortal host. Either way,
the dream-scarred lands of Xen’drik are sure to hold the
secrets you seek…
Sleep Studies
2nd-level Oneiromancy feature
While asleep, you can scribe spells into your spellbook using
the required amount of time and gold as though you were
awake. Your body performs the necessary writing while your
lucid mind unlocks the secrets of the arcane.
Additionally, you learn the spell dream link*, which you can
scribe into your spellbook at no cost. You count as having
dream link* prepared at all times, which does not count
towards your prepared spell limit.
Heavy Slumber
2nd-level Oneiromancy feature
When you cast a spell with an instantaneous duration that
deals damage, you can instead choose to forgo all potential
damage to attempt to send affected creatures into a magical
slumber. Roll the spell’s damage die as normal. If a creature
has hit points equal to or lower than the amount of damage
they would have taken + your wizard level, they immediately
fall asleep and become unconscious. Creatures immune to
being charmed are unaffected. Creatures fall asleep for a
number of hours equal to the level of the spell cast, with
the exception of cantrips, which cause a creature to fall
asleep for 1 minute. A sleeping creature wakes up if they
take damage, or if another creature uses an action to slap or
shake them awake.
Sweet Dreams
6th-level Oneiromancy feature
When you fall asleep or are knocked unconscious, you
are unaffected by the negative effects of the condition,
but are instead considered blinded and lose any ongoing
concentration. As a result, you do not fall prone (unless you
choose) and can move and act as normal. If you are knocked
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unconscious as a result of being reduced to 0 hit points, you
continue to make death saving throws while in this state.
Additionally, your dreams cannot be affected by other
creatures, spells, or magical effects unless you allow it.
Onarchitect
10th-level Oneiromancy feature
You learn the spells dream and dreamwalk*, which you can
scribe into your spellbook at no cost. You count as having
both spells prepared at all times, which do not count towards
your prepared spell limit.
Additionally, if you touch a creature that you have
magically put to sleep, you can charm it with mesmerizing
dreams, affecting its behavior in the waking world. Creatures
immune to being charmed are unaffected. Choose one of the
following options:
• You can ask one question of the creature, which
answers it truthfully to the best of its ability if it can
speak a language.
• With you concentrating (as though on a spell), the
creature sleepwalks, and follows behind you at half
its normal speed. The creature follows you for up
to 10 minutes, until it wakes up, or until you lose
concentration. If the creature would be made to move
into an environment that would cause it harm (such
as long drop, fire, or water), its subconscious kicks in,
allowing it to make a Wisdom saving throw against
your Spell Save DC to wake up first.
• It forgets the last minute of events before it fell asleep,
regarding them as a strange hazy nightmare.
• You can use this ability once, and regain the ability to
do so upon completing a short or long rest.
Lucid Reality
14th-level Oneiromancy feature
Your fundamental connection to the realm of dreams
weakens the barrier between it and the waking world. You
learn the spell mirage arcane, which you can scribe into your
spellbook at no cost. You count as having the spell prepared
at all times, which does not count towards your prepared
spell limit.
Additionally, while inside your mirage arcane, you can
create one of the following effects at the start of your turn,
warping reality into a surreal dreamscape. All effects end
upon leaving the area of the spell. The effects are:
• All melee weapons become oversized; a character
wielding a melee weapon deals an additional 1d8
weapon damage on a hit.
• When a creature ends their turn within 30 feet of
you, you can use your reaction to force them to make
a Dexterity saving throw. On a failure, a hidden
trap or feature of the landscape pushes them 20 feet
horizontally in a direction of your choice.
• All creatures within the illusion gain a flying speed
equal to their walking speed up to a maximum height
equal to the length of the affected area.
• All creatures gain disadvantage on
saving throws against Illusion and
Enchantment spells.
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 Dark Gifts
Dark Gifts are optional feats that can be granted by evil
powers such as the Overlords and daelkyr. These are
powerful feats with a notable downside intended to
encourage roleplay and temptation for the character. A
character can start with a Dark Gift, or recieve one over the
course of an adventure as they give in to the darkness. Each
Dark Gift has three Extra Features can be given as thematic
rewards for good roleplay or completed patron quests over
the course of a campaign. These Gifts should only be given
with the full buy-in and understanding of the player -
an interesting Gift, and never a punishment.
Content Warning: Body Horror, Entophobia, Self harm
1. Valaara - The Hive
2. Belashyrra - The Insight
3. Vriinmata - The Radiance
4. Avassh - Ther Rebirth
5. Kharna Rayva - The Desire
6. Zel Erakhni - The Fate
7. Sakinnirot - The Scar
8. The Lurker - The Unknown
Daelkyr
Dark Gift of the Hive
You perceive the Swarmsong buzzing in your ears and
writhing in the edges of your vision. Valaara, the Crawling
Queen, has bestowed you with her aberrant blessing,
along with the heartsong of the Deepest Hive. You are
a pupa within a chrysalis of flesh. With every day, your
metamorphosis grows nearer.
You permanently gain one of the insect mutations below,
which you choose when you gain this dark gift. No matter
which feature you gain, you have disadvantage on saving
throws made to resist being charmed or affected by the spells
command and suggestion, as you become a willing drone
heeding the call of your queen.
• Mantis Blades. Your arms reshape, allowing you
to extrude and retract serrated blades of bone from
your wrists as a bonus action. These melee weapons
have the light and finesse properties, and deal 1d6
+ your Strength modifier slashing damage. They
additionally critically hit on a roll of 19 or 20.
• Extra Arms. You have two slightly smaller
secondary arms below your primary pair of arms.
The secondary arms function like your primary arms,
but cannot wield a shield, or a weapon without the
light property.
• Sonic Trill. You can channel the Swarmsong
like a humanoid cicada or locust, in a horrific shriek
loud enough to splinter bone. As an action, you can
force every creature within 10 feet of you to make
a Constitution saving throw. On a failure, they take
1d10 thunder damage, are deafened until the end of
their next turn, and are pushed 5 feet away from you.
On a success, they take half damage, but are otherwise
unaffected. This damage increases by 1d10 when
you reach 5th level (2d10), 11th level (3d10), and
17th level (4d10). You can use this ability
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a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus,
and you regain all expended uses when you finish
a long rest.
Those even further corrupted might gain the following
features, depending on their desires:
Metamorphosis. Choose an additional mutation to
gain permanently from the list above. You can no longer
fully hide your monstrous being, and gain disadvantage on
Charisma (Persuasion) checks, but advantage on Charisma
(Intimidation) checks.
Entothropy. As a bonus action, you can remold your
own flesh into a nightmarish amalgam of insect features. For
1 hour, you gain a +2 bonus to your AC as your skin sprouts
chitin plating, your type changes to Aberration, and you
grow to size Large. Additionally, you gain a climbing speed
equal to your normal speed, and can climb difficult surfaces,
including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make
an ability check.
Once you trigger this transformation, you cannot end it
before the full duration. You can attempt a DC 15 Charisma
saving throw at the end of every hour to return to your
normal form. If you remain in this form for more than
4 hours, and fail the next Charisma saving throw, you
are permanently unable to return to your normal form
unless restored by greater restoration or other powerful
divine magic.
Swarm Herald. You learn the cantrip infestation. You
can cast the spell insect plague once per day without expending
a spell slot or requiring material components. Once you cast
insect plague in this way, you can’t cast it again until you
finish a long rest. You can also cast it using any spell slots
you have of the appropriate level. Intelligence, Wisdom, or
Charisma is your spellcasting ability for these spells when you
cast them with this trait, which you choose when you gain
this dark gift.
Dark Gift of Insight
Before you were blind, but now you see - the daelkyr
Belashyrra has given you its aberrant vision of things
beyond the veil. You grow an additional fully-functional eye
somewhere on your body. You gain 60 feet of darkvision.
If you already have darkvision, it instead increases by 60
feet. Additionally, you cannot be surprised while you are
conscious, can make out fine details in bright light over a mile
away, and gain proficiency in Perception. If you already have
proficiency, you can instead add twice your proficiency bonus
to Wisdom (Perception) checks.
You also have disadvantage on saving throws made to avoid
or resist being blinded. When you begin your turn blinded by
a spell or effect, you take psychic damage equal to twice your
proficiency bonus and scream loudly at the glorious gift that
has been denied of you.
Those even further corrupted might gain the following
features, depending on their desires:
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Selective Vision. As an action, you gain the ability
to see through solid objects to a range of 30 feet using your
extra eye. This special sight lasts for 1 minute or until your
concentration ends (as if you were concentrating on a spell).
During that time, you perceive objects as ghostly, transparent
images. Any creature you see within this range gets the
strong feeling of being watched from a direction they can’t
understand or perceive.
Vigilant Watcher. You grow an eyestalk on a tendril
somewhere on your body that keeps watch of the world
even when you aren’t. You cannot be surprised while you are
conscious. At night, the eye keeps watch, allowing you to use
your passive Perception even while asleep. If the eye spots
danger, it wakes you up with a mental alarm.
Maddening Insight. You can cast the spell eyebite
once per day without expending a spell slot. Once you cast
eyebite in this way, you can’t cast it again until you finish a
long rest. You can also cast it using any spell slots you have
of the appropriate level. Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma
is your spellcasting ability for this spell when cast with this
trait, which you choose when you gain this dark gift. If
your concentration on the spell is broken due to failing a
concentration saving throw, you become blinded until the
start of your next turn.
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Dark Gift of Radiance
The divine light of the daelkyr Vriinmata has set your soul
alight - literally. Your conversion from a being of flawed
flesh to one of pure radiance has begun. You gain resistance
to radiant damage, and one part of your body partially
disintegrates painlessly, revealing a hollow core of divine fire.
Additionally, you learn the cantrip sacred flame.
Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability
for this spell when cast with this trait, which you choose
when you gain this dark gift. When you cast the cantrip using
this trait, you can choose to give the target of the cantrip
disadvantage on the saving throw by losing a number of hit
points equal to your proficiency bonus, which cannot be
reduced in any way.
When you receive this dark gift, your body begins to glow
with bright light in a 5-foot radius, and dim light for an
additional 5 feet. This is permanent, and may light up dark
spaces, hampering your ability to hide or evade detection.
Those even further corrupted might gain the following
features, depending on their desires:
Torturous Charity. You gain resistance to fire
damage. Whenever a creature deals fire or radiant damage to
you, it takes the same amount of damage that you do.
Radiant Overflow. Your unnatural radiance increases
in intensity. You glow with bright light in a radius of 15 feet,
and dim light for another 15 feet. This bright light suppresses
areas of magical darkness that would overlap it. Within this
radius, all creatures (including your allies) have disadvantage
on saving throws made to avoid or resist being blinded.
Supernova. You can cast the spell destructive wave
without expending a spell slot. When you cast the spell in
this way, you are also affected by the spell, and must make
the saving throw and suffer the same effects. Intelligence,
Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability for this spell
when cast with this trait, which you choose when you gain
this dark gift. You can cast the spell in this way once, and
regain the ability to do so upon finishing a long rest.
Dark Gift of Rebirth
The verdant touch of the daelkyr Avassh has begun to
convert your flawed flesh into blessed plant matter. You gain
resistance to poison and necrotic damage, and advantage on
saving throws made to avoid or resist the poisoned condition.
Additionally, you can communicate with plants and
question them about events in the area within the past
day, gaining information about creatures that have passed,
weather, and other circumstances. You also have advantage
on Charisma checks made to influence the behavior,
demeanor and attitude of plants.
For every 24 hours you spend without resting for 1 hour in
direct sunlight (or buried up to your waist in soil) you must
succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or become
poisoned until you do.
Those even further corrupted might gain the
following features, depending on their desires:
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 Writhing Earth. You can cast the spell wrath of
natureXGE once per day without expending a spell slot or
requiring material components. When you cast this spell,
affected trees deal damage to all creatures, including your
allies, and plants in the area remain disturbingly tainted after
the spell ends. Once you cast wrath of nature in this way, you
can’t cast it again until you finish a long rest. You can also
cast it using any spell slots you have of the appropriate level.
Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability
for this spell when cast with this trait, which you choose
when you gain this dark gift.
Heartseed. Your type changes to Plant. When you die,
your body rapidly rots away after 1 minute into moldy plant
matter unless affected by gentle repose, leaving behind a
heart-shaped woody seed that still beats with life. If the seed
is planted in fertile soil, you regrow from it, bursting from
the earth after 1 hour fully alive and healthy. If you die again
within a week of being reborn in this way, you still rot away,
but leave no seed behind.
Spore Chorus. As an action, you can spread spores
cultivated inside your own body to grow a shrieker on the
ground in an unoccupied space adjacent to you, which takes 1
minute to fully sprout. Once fully grown, you can choose for
the mushroom to ignore you and your allies.
Overlords
Dark Gift of Desire
Kharna Rayva grants you the allure that you’ve always
dreamed of. Your proficiency bonus is doubled for any ability
check using Persuasion. Additionally, you can cast suggestion
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at will, but a target that fails the saving throw against the spell
when cast in this way gains an unhealthy obsession with you
once the spell ends.
Those even further corrupted might gain the following
features, depending on their desires:
Searing Passion. If you fail a Persuasion check against
a creature, your next attack roll against them has advantage.
Dark Submission. You can cast the spell dominate
person once per day without expending a spell slot or
requiring material components. Once you cast dominate person
in this way, you can’t cast it again until you finish a long rest,
or personally kill the person affected by the spell. You can also
cast it using any spell slots you have of the appropriate level.
Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma is your spellcasting ability
for this spell when cast with this trait, which you choose
when you gain this dark gift.
Burnout. When you reduce a creature to 0 hit points
with fire damage, you can choose for it to be reduced entirely
to ash. Its belongings are unaffected.
Dark Gift of Fate
Zel Erakhni ties you to different strands of the Prophecy,
enabling you to twist fate in your favor. After completing a
long rest, roll two d20s and record the numbers rolled. You
can replace any attack roll, saving throw, or ability check
made by you or a creature that you can see with one of these
foretelling rolls. You must choose to do so before the roll, and
you can replace a roll in this way only once per turn. Each
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foretelling roll can be used only once. When you finish a long
rest, you lose any unused foretelling rolls.
If one of your foretelling rolls is a 1, whenever another
member of your party makes an ability check or saving
throw, the GM can declare that the result is instead a 1. This
can only happen once while you have that foretelling roll, and
cannot happen after you use or lose it.
Additionally, you gain a climbing speed equal to your
normal speed, and can climb difficult surfaces, including
upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an
ability check.
Those even further corrupted might gain the following
features, depending on their desires:
Truesight. You grow up to six smaller extra eyes that
grant you vision of the truth of all things. You gain 30 feet of
truesight, but people might react to you with fear or disgust.
Extra Arms. You have two slightly smaller secondary
arms below your primary pair of arms. The secondary arms
function like your primary arms, but cannot wield a shield, or
a weapon without the light property.
Spider’s Web. You can cast the spell web without
requiring components or expending a spell slot a number
of times equal to your proficiency bonus. You regain all
expended uses upon completing a long rest.
Dark Gift of the Scar
Sakinnirot grants you the tools to achieve your vengeance
and slay your foes. When you receive this gift, choose one
creature that you know by name to be your Mortal Enemy.
As an action, you can focus your senses to magically divine if
your Mortal Enemy is within 1000 feet of you, as well as their
general direction if so. If you hit your Mortal Enemy with an
attack, you can choose to give up this Dark Gift to grant them
vulnerability to that attack.
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If you are slain by your Mortal Enemy, you cannot
be resurrected by any means short of a wish or divine
intervention, lose this Dark Gift, and return as a revenant
24 hours after your death. At your GM’s discretion, you
might become either an NPC as a result, or gain a fitting
ancestry such as Dhampir or Reborn. This occurs even if your
body is fully destroyed.
Those even further corrupted might gain the following
features, depending on their desires:
Never Sated. If you kill your Mortal Enemy, you can
immediately choose another creature to become your Mortal
Enemy. For every long rest you complete without a chosen
Mortal Enemy, you must succeed on a DC 15 Charisma
saving throw or gain a level of exhaustion.
Ends of the Earth. If you possess an item or body
part belonging to your Mortal Enemy, you can cast the spell
find the path once per long rest targeting their location.
Dark Delight. When you critically hit a creature, you
gain a number of temporary hit points equal to your level.
Dark Gift of the Unknown
The Deep Lord grants you the touch of the abyss. You can
breathe underwater, and gain a swim speed equal to your
normal speed. Additionally, you can cast the spell black
tentacles once per day without expending a spell slot. You
regain the ability to cast the spell in this way upon finishing
a long rest. When you gain this gift, you can choose
Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma as your spellcasting ability
for this spell.
However, you become marked by the alien horror of the
abyss. You must fully immerse your head in water for at least
10 minutes every 24 hours. If 24 hours pass and you have not,
you are considered poisoned until you do.
Those even further corrupted might gain the following
features, depending on their desires:
Shadow Swimmer. You can see through areas of
magical darkness as though they were bright light. While
inside an area of magical darkness, you gain a fly speed equal
to your normal speed.
Primordial Horror. You can cast the spell disguise self
at will requiring no components or spell slots, but your true
appearance becomes warped into that of a protean horror.
Abyssal Ecstasy. You can cast the spell maddening
darkness without expending a spell slot, but the spell is cast
centered on yourself and does not require concentration.
You can cast the spell in this way once, and regain the ability
to cast it again upon finishing a long rest (if you survive
casting it).
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 Feats
The following feats are intended to display the breadth of
characters possible in Xen'drik and link player mechanics to
their narrative background. All feats, unless specified by a
level requirement, can be taken at first level as a starting feat.
The feats are divided into general background feats, and those
specific to different ancestries.
Banor’drakai Hunter
Prerequisite: Training, or experience, as a hunter of dragons
The blood rites and harsh training of the Banor'drakai grant
them the perfect skills to hunt their draconic prey.
• You have advantage on Wisdom (Survival) checks to
track dragons, as well as on Intelligence checks to recall
information about them.
• You have advantage on saving throws made to resist
being frightened, and to avoid or resist the effects of the
breath weapons of dragons.
• As a reaction to taking acid, cold, fire, lightning, or
poison damage, you gain resistance to the triggering
damage type, which lasts for 1 hour. You can use this
reaction once, and regain the ability to do upon finishing
a long rest.
Draconic Servant
Prerequisite: Pledge yourself to one of the Ten Watchers
• You can cast the spell sending without expending a spell
slot, but can only target the dragon to whom you are
pledged. You can cast the spell in this way once, and
regain the ability to do so after finishing a long rest.
• You gain resistance to the same damage type that your
draconic patron has immunity to.
• Once per long rest, after you roll a Wisdom (Insight)
or Charisma ability check, you can choose to roll an
additional d20 and keep the higher of the two results.
You must choose to do this after the die has been rolled,
but before the outcome has been determined.
Dreamtouched
Prerequisite: The ability to dream
• You gain resistance to psychic damage.
• You become immune to the negative effects of the dream
spell, and other abilities and effects cannot alter your
dreams in any way unless you allow it. Additionally, you
have advantage on all ability checks made to shape or
alter a dreamspace.
• You learn the spell dream link*, which you can cast as a
ritual. You can also cast this spell using spell slots of the
appropriate level.
Possessed
Prerequisite: Be a ghost or dream-ego possessing a mortal
• Increase your Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma score
by 1, to a maximum of 20.
• You temporarily remember glimpses of the past - faded
memories of a life long forgotten. When you make
an ability check that uses a skill, you can roll a d6
immediately after seeing the number on the d20
and add the number on the d6 to the check.
310310
•
You can use this feature a number of times equal to your
proficiency bonus, and regain all expended uses when
you finish a long rest.
You have advantage on death saving throws.
• You are immune to possession by other creatures.
Rimewalker
Prerequisite: Have ties to the Rimewalkers of the Iceflow Sea
• Increase your Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma score
by 1, to a maximum of 20.
• You are immune to the effects of extreme cold, and
ignore difficult terrain created by ice or deep snow.
• When you finish a long rest, you can choose to
internalize one of the lessons of survival taught by the
animals of the Iceflow. Choose one of the following
benefits, which lasts until you choose a different option:
Lesson of the Bear: You gain a swimming speed
equal to your walking speed, and a 15ft climbing speed.
Lesson of the Mammoth: You gain advantage on
all ability checks and saving throws made to resist being
knocked prone or moved against your will by other
creatures. If you move at least 20 feet in a straight line
towards a creature, you have advantage on ability checks
made to shove or grapple them.
Lesson of the Wolf: You have advantage on
the first attack roll you make each turn if the target is
adjacent to one of your allies.
Rune Scribe
• You learn one rune of your choice from the Rune
Knight’sTCoE Rune Carver subclass feature from the
Fighter class that does not have a level requirement.
Each time you gain a level, you can replace the rune
you know with a different one from this feature.
At your GM’s discretion, you may have access to
additional runes presented in this book.
• Whenever you finish a long rest, you can touch an
object to inscribe the rune onto it. To be eligible, an
object must be a weapon, a suit of armor, a shield,
a piece of jewelry, or something else you can wear
or hold in a hand. Your rune remains on an object
until you finish a long rest, and an object can bear
only one rune at a time. If a rune requires a saving
throw, your Rune Magic save DC equals 8 + your
proficiency bonus + your Constitution modifier. A
creature wielding the object gains its benefits, and can
use its ability, using their own Rune Magic save DC as
calculated above.
Sunheart
Prerequisite: Have ties to the Sunheart of the Menechtarun
• Increase your Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma score
by 1, to a maximum of 20.
• You are immune to the effects of extreme heat, and
ignore difficult terrain created by sand, loose earth, or
uneven terrain.
• You learn the spells earth tremor and sand serpent*. You
can cast each of these spells without expending a spell
slot. Once you cast either of these spells in this way, you
can’t cast it in this way again until you finish a long rest.
You can also cast these spells using spell slots. The spells’
spellcasting ability is the ability increased by this feat.
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 Ancestries - Backgrounds - Subclasses - Dark Gifts - Feats - Maneuvers - Spells
Titan Hunter
• Increase your Strength or Dexterity score by 1, to a
maximum of 20.
• When you hit a creature that is a larger size than you
with a weapon attack, you do not provoke attacks
of opportunity from them for the rest of your turn.
Additionally, if you critically hit, the creature is
knocked prone.
• Whenever you have advantage on an attack roll against a
prone creature, you can reroll one of the dice once.
Verdant Path
Prerequisite: Have ties to the Verdant Path of the Rainwoods
• Increase your Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma score
by 1, to a maximum of 20.
• You learn the spells entangle and goodberry. You can cast
one of these spells without expending a spell slot. Once
you cast either of these spells in this way, you can’t cast
the spells in this way again until you finish a long rest.
You can also cast these spells using spell slots you have.
The spells’ spellcasting ability is the ability increased
by this feat.
• You have the ability to communicate in a limited manner
with plants and vegetation. They can understand the
meaning of your words, though you have no special
ability to understand them in return. You have advantage
on all Charisma checks you make to influence them.
General Ancestry Feats
Ancestral Tales
Prerequisite: Fae'drik ('Firbolg')
• Increase your Wisdom or Charisma score by 1, to a
maximum of 20
• Your mastery of weaving magic through storytelling
allows you to manifest them into reality using fey magic.
After completing a long rest, or during a short rest, you
can spend 10 minutes telling a story. You can choose one
story below, granting its effects to you and a number of
allies who listen up to a maximum equal to the modifier
of the ability you increased with this feat (minimum 1).
These effects last until you complete a short or long rest.
Tale of Joy - When an affected ally rolls a 20 on
an ability check for the first time since hearing your
tale, they gain temporary hit points equal to their
proficiency bonus.
Tale of Sorrow - When an affected ally fails a saving
throw for the first time since hearing your tale, they
can roll a d4 and add the result to the saving throw,
potentially causing them to succeed.
Tale of Revenge - When an affected ally is
critically hit for the first time since hearing your tale,
they gain advantage on the next attack roll they make
within 1 minute.
Arcanissa Yuan-ti
Prerequisite: Yuan-ti
• When you cast poison spray, you can choose to change
the poison damage to cold, fire, or lightning damage.
CHAPTER 78 | TOOLS
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• When you succeed on a saving throw against a spell or
magical effect, if you would take damage on a success,
you instead take none.
• You know the spell chaos bolt, which you can cast using
your Serpentine Spellcasting trait a number of times per
day equal to your proficiency bonus without expending
a spell slot. You can additionally cast it using any spell
slots you have.
Goliath Spark
Prerequisite: Goliath
• Increase your Strength or Constitution score by 1, to a
maximum of 20
• You regain your Giant Spark ability on both a short and
long rest. Additionally, when you use your Giant Spark
ability, you become immune to any damage that you
would normally have innate resistance to due to your
giant heritage.
• While under the effects of Giant Spark, when you make
a Charisma (Intimidation) or Wisdom (Perception)
check, you can choose to add your Strength modifier
to the result.
Insectile Strength
Prerequisite: Thri-kreen
• You can wield weapons in your secondary arms that lack
the light property, as well as shields, but cannot benefit
from wielding more than one shield at once.
• When you attempt to grapple a creature, you can use
your secondary arms as free hands to do so.
• You cannot be moved against your will by another
creature unless it is two or more sizes larger than you.
Landforged Walker
Prerequisite: Warforged
• Increase your Wisdom, or Charisma score by 1, to a
maximum of 20.
• Your body counts as having an integrated herbalism
kit, and a healing kit that regains 1d4 charges upon
finishing a long rest. You can use a bonus action to touch
a creature and expend a charge to restore 1 hit point to
them using a magical goodberry, salve, or other natural
healing agent.
• You gain a +1 bonus to your AC, which persists if
you turn into a beast via Wild Shape or spells such
as polymorph.
Predatory Instincts
Prerequisite: Thri-kreen
• As part of the action to change the color of your
carapace, you can choose to become invisible for 1
minute, or until you attack or cast a spell. You can
become invisible in this way once, and regain the ability
to do so upon completing a long rest.
• When you jump, you can choose to use your Dexterity
score instead of your Strength score to calculate the
distance you can travel. Additionally, you make no noise
when doing so.
• You gain a climbing speed equal to your
walking speed.
311
 Simeq Bodymorph
Prerequisite: Simeq Elf
• You permanently gain another 1st-level Oceanic
Transmutation option of your choice.
• When you finish a long rest, you can choose to change
one of your chosen 1st-level Oceanic Transmutations to
any other 1st-level option, and your 5th-level option to
any other 5th-level option.
• You are immune to effects that would alter your form or
transform you unless you allow it.
Drow Ancestry Feats
The following feats represent the range of drow cultures
across the breadth of Xen'drik, and the specializations that
drow characters might have from their backgrounds. Note
that many NPC drow do have the spells available from
the following feats – Eberron PCs don’t play by the same
rules as NPCs, and your character may well be able to use
this magic outside of round-to-round combat. Eberron is a
magical world: even if you can’t cast faerie fire under stressful
situations, you may still be able to highlight mundane prey
with it – but that’s not mechanically distinct from making a
regular attack roll.
Drow Magic
Prerequisite: Drow
The giants encoded magical protocols into the early drow
based on their servants’ Thelanin ancestry, giving them
control over light and darkness and the ability to move
through giant architecture without need for stairs or
ladders. You possess this innate magical talent. You gain the
following benefits:
• Increase your Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma score
by 1, to a maximum of 20.
• You gain proficiency with your choice of Arcana,
Perception, or Performance.
• You learn the spell faerie fire, which you can cast once
without expending a spell slot. You additionally learn
levitate at 3rd level, and darkness at 5th level, which you
can cast once per day each in the same way without
requring material components. When you cast levitate
in this way, you can only target yourself. You regain
the ability to cast each spell in this way upon finishing a
long rest, and can cast them by expending spell slots as
normal. Their spellcasting ability is the ability increased
by this feat.
Elven Grace
Prerequisite: Drow or Elf
Before there were elves, there were stories the giants told of
little people in the woods, faster than their short legs should
allow and capable of disappearing after the slightest glance.
You have your ancestors’ grace, and you remain suited as ever
to a life in the wilderness. You gain the following benefits:
• Increase your Dexterity or Wisdom score by 1, to a
maximum of 20.
• You gain proficiency with your choice of Perception,
Stealth, or Survival.
• Your base walking speed increases by 5 feet.
• You can attempt to hide even when you are
only lightly obscured by foliage, heavy rain, mist,
blowing sand, and other natural phenomena.
312312
Humbling Snare
Prerequisite: proficiency with the grapnel, scorpion chain, or whip
• You know how to nonlethally engage your prey with
entangling weapons. You gain the following benefits:
• Increase your Strength or Dexterity score by 1, to a
maximum of 20.
• You learn the Disarming Attack, Grappling StrikeTCoE,
and Trip Attack maneuvers from the Battle Master
subclass in the Fighter class; you can only use these
maneuvers while wielding a grapnel, scorpion chain, or
whip. The saving throw DC equals 8 + your proficiency
bonus + whichever ability score you increased
with this feat.
• If you already have superiority dice, you gain one more.
Otherwise, you have two superiority dice, which are
d4s, and used to fuel your maneuvers. A superiority
die is expended when you use it. You regain expended
superiority dice upon finishing a short or long rest.
Ko Feats
The following feats reflect the unique aerial environment and
magic traditions of the Ko, as well as their Syranian heritage.
Cloud Spider
Prerequisite: Ko
You are skilled with traversing the earth motes and cliff faces
where ko dwell, through nothing more than grappling lines
and luck – a “cloud spider” is someone who can spin a web
of rope through the sky to tie ko communities together. You
gain the following benefits:
• Increase your Strength or Dexterity score by 1, to a
maximum of 20.
• You gain proficiency with the grapnel and net.
• You gain proficiency with Acrobatics and Athletics.
• As long as you are wielding a grapnel, you have a flying
speed of 30 feet as long as you are never more than 15
feet from something that could support your weight
from a rope or hook during your movement. You
cannot use the Dash action or end your movement aloft
while flying in this manner unless you are wielding two
grapnels. You cannot move a creature you have grappled
in this manner upward unless it weighs up to 5 times
your Strength score, or is buoyant in the air.
Negotiator’s Intuition
Prerequisite: Ko
You can tap into the power of Syrania to promote peace and
understanding, and others’ wants and needs in an argument
are apparent to your ears. You gain the following benefits:
• Increase your Wisdom or Charisma score by 1, to a
maximum of 20.
• You gain proficiency with Insight and Persuasion. Your
proficiency bonus is doubled for any Wisdom (Insight)
check you make to determine whether a creature is
charmed or possessed.
• You can cast comprehend languages as a ritual. You learn
the spell sanctuary, which you can cast once without
expending a spell slot, and regain the ability to do so
upon finishing a short or a long rest. You can also cast
sanctuary by expending spell slots as normal. Your
spellcasting ability for this spell is the ability score you
increased with this feat.
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Strength of Solidarity
Prerequisite: Ko
You know that you are not strong on your own. You know
that you are easily scared and do not make good decisions.
You also know that you are not alone, and can draw strength
from community presence. You gain the following benefits:
• Increase your Constitution or Wisdom score by 1, to a
maximum of 20.
• You have resistance to psychic damage.
• If you miss with an attack roll or fail an ability check or
a saving throw, you can draw on your community bonds
to gain a bonus to the roll equal to the number of allies
you can see within 30 feet of you (maximum bonus of
+3). You can use this trait a number of times equal to
your proficiency bonus, and regain all expended uses
upon finishing a long rest.
SÚlatar Feats
The following feats reflect the different aspects of Fernia that
Súlatar factions across central Xen'drik learn to deal with.
Brassbinder Splendor
Prerequisite: Súlatar
You have learned the glamorous and all-consuming ways
of the efreet – dazzling fire and light spring from your
hands, and you’re not bad at parties, either. You gain the
following benefits:
• Increase your Dexterity or Charisma score by 1, to a
maximum of 20.
• You gain proficiency with your choice of Insight,
Intimidation, or Persuasion.
• You know the produce flame cantrip. Once you reach 3rd
level, you learn the spell color spray, which you can cast
once as a 2nd-level spell without expending a spell slot.
You additionally learn enthrall upon reaching 5th level,
which you can cast once in the same way. You regain
the ability to cast each spell in this way upon finishing
a long rest, and can cast them by expending spell slots
as normal. Your spellcasting ability for these spells
is Charisma.
Forgebinder Acumen
Prerequisite: Súlatar
You deal with fire in its role as the engine of industry.
Chemicals and metal channel your magic, learned from the
workshops of the dao. You gain the following benefits:
• Increase your Intelligence or Charisma score by 1, to a
maximum of 20.
• You gain proficiency with your choice of Arcana,
History, or Intimidation.
• You can attune to a Wheel of Wind and WaterRftLW as long
as the elemental bound to the vessel is a fire elemental.
• You know the magecraftExE cantrip. Once you reach 3rd
level, you learn the spell bless, which you can cast once
as a 2nd-level spell without expending a spell slot. You
additionally learn magic weapon at 5th level, which you
can cast once in the same way. You regain the ability to
cast each spell in this way upon finishing a long rest, and
can cast them by expending spell slots as normal. Your
spellcasting ability for these spells is the ability score you
increased with this feat. You can use alchemist’s supplies,
smith’s tools, or tinker’s tools as a spellcasting focus for
these spells as long as you are proficient with them.
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Gun Witch
Prerequisite: Súlatar
You know the secret art of powder and shell – the cannon,
the fire lance, and the lantaka are yours to command. You
gain the following benefits:
• Increase your Dexterity, Intelligence, or Charisma score
by 1, to a maximum of 20.
• You gain proficiency with firearms.
• You can add your proficiency bonus to attacks made with
a cannon (Dungeon Master’s Guide pg. 255).
• You can use a firearm as a spellcasting focus for any spell
that deals damage.
Vulkooridal Feats
The following feats reflect the stealth, guerrilla fighting, and
Vulkoor-given skills of the drow of the Skyfall Peninsula.
Boomerang Spinner
Prerequisite: Vulkooridal, proficiency with the triple boomerang
You have trained extensively with the three-pronged
boomerangs of your people, and can throw them to
devastating effect. You gain the following benefits:
• Increase your Strength or Dexterity score by 1, to a
maximum of 20.
• Whenever you make an attack with a triple boomerang,
you can also use a bonus action to make an additional
attack with it at another target; this second target must
be within the boomerang’s normal range of the first
target (but can be outside the normal range from you,
ricocheting off the first target). You don’t add your ability
modifier to the damage of the bonus action attack.
• Whenever you deal damage with a triple boomerang,
you can force the target to make a Constitution saving
throw with a DC equal to 8 + your proficiency bonus
+ the ability modifier you used to make the attack. On
a failure, the target is incapacitated until the start of
your next turn. You can use this ability a number of
times equal to your proficiency modifier, and regain all
expended uses upon finishing a long rest.
Companion Spirits
Prerequisite: Qaltíar
Vulkoor the Hunter is one spirit among many; his example
has taught you how to bargain for assistance with minor
primal spirits. You gain the following benefits:
• Increase your Intelligence, Wisdom, or Charisma score
by 1, to a maximum of 20.
• You gain proficiency with your choice of Animal
Handling, Arcana, or Nature.
• You can cast the find familiar spell as a ritual. When
cast in this way, your familiar is an Elemental or a Fey
rather than a Celestial, Fey, or Fiend. When you reach
3rd level, your familiar can instead take on the form
of any Small or Tiny beast with a challenge rating
of ¼ or less. When you reach 5th level, you can also
select the following special forms: imp, mephit (any),
pseudodragon, quasit, or sprite. Whenever you take
the Attack action, you can forgo one of your attacks to
allow your familiar to make one of its own. If you
take this feat, you count as having the Pact of
the Chain boon for the purposes of selecting
Warlock invocations.
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 Martial
Maneuvers
The following Battlemaster Maneuvers are thematic to
Xen’drik factions, and can be taken by a Battlemaster Fighter,
or via the Martial Adept feat. These are designed to be on
par with existing options, while highlighting the fighting
styles developed by other cultures. A martial character might
learn these maneuvers from their respective cultures over the
course of a campaign, pick them up as quest rewards, or take
them as part of their character background by replacing their
starting feat with Martial AdeptTCoE.
Colossus Jump
When you jump, you can expend a superiority die in a burst
of strength or acrobatic skill to clear great distances. Roll the
superiority die and add it twice to your Strength score for
the purposes of calculating the distance you can jump. If you
do so, the next melee attack you make before the end of your
turn has advantage.
Scorpion Strike
When you hit with a weapon attack, you can expend one
superiority dice to strike with the blessing of Vulkoor. You
add the superiority die as poison damage to the attack’s
damage roll. If the attack was made with advantage,
the target takes additional poison damage equal to your
proficiency bonus.
Skyknight Thrust
As a bonus action, you can expend a superiority die to move
up to half your speed in any direction (including vertically)
and make a single weapon attack. On a hit, you add the
superiority die to the attack’s damage roll.
Sulatar Firestrike
When you hit with a weapon attack, you can expend one
superiority die to imbue your strike with divine fire. The
creature you hit, along with every other creature in a 10ft
line behind it, takes fire damage equal to the roll of the
superiority die.
Torchbearer’s Rally
When you hit with a weapon attack, you can expend one
superiority die to stoke righteous fires in the heart of one of
your allies that can see or hear you within 15 feet of you. You
add the superiority die to the attack’s damage roll as radiant
damage, and the chosen ally gains a number of temporary hit
points equal to that radiant damage.
Umbragen Shadowstitch
When you hit with a weapon attack against a target that isn’t
flying, you can expend one superiority dice to pin the target’s
shadow to the ground. If the target moves or is moved
from the space it is standing in before the start of
your next turn, it takes necrotic damage equal to
two rolls of the superiority die.
314314
Wind Cutter
When you take the Attack action while holding a weapon
that deals slashing damage, you can expend a superiority die
and replace one of your attacks to make a ranged weapon
attack by cutting the air at speed, creating a shockwave. The
attack has a range of 60 feet, and deals damage equal to the
superiority die plus your dexterity modifier.
Artifact Maneuvers
The giants of Hekaton, Esht, and Grand Ju’qata spent
millennia honing their martial techniques. More wars were
fought in Xen’drik than have ever been recorded in the books
of Galifar, and countless schools have risen and fallen. To
compete with the powerful magic of their kin, these giants
developed feats of strength and skill that are the stuff of
legend. Not only are these techniques designed for those with
literal giant strength, but for true champions of the art of
war. They place too much strain on the body to be repeated
more than once, but can be memorized for the moment when
an age hangs on a single strike. These are Artifact Maneuvers.
Lost Arts. Artifact Maneuvers can be found in ancient
monuments and arenas throughout Xen’drik. Typically,
their complexity means that they require vast friezes to
accurately display, with different steps and kata picked out
in precise detail. As such, they cannot often be moved from
their location. A character proficient in martial weapons
who spends 1d4 hours learning the maneuver gains the
ability to use it once in their lifetime, after which it is lost.
A character cannot remember the steps to more than one
Artifact Maneuver at once, and loses one if they choose to
learn another. At a GM’s discretion, an Artifact Maneuver
might also be taught by a powerful opponent, either as a sign
of respect, or by them literally carving the technique into a
character’s bones on the battlefield.
Fist of the Unbound Heart - Grand Ju’qata
To use this Maneuver, you must have at least one hand free.
As an action, you roar with the passion of battle, infusing
your blows with burning rage to strike at your enemy. Make
ten unarmed strikes against a single target. On a hit, an
unarmed strike deals an additional 1d6 damage of your choice
of fire or radiant, and you can choose for the target to be
pushed 10 feet away from you.
Hammer of the Mountains - Esht Primacy
To use this maneuver, you must be wielding a weapon that
deals bludgeoning damage. As an action, you demolish a
target with such force that it sunders the earth around you.
Make a melee weapon attack against a creature within reach;
on a hit, the attack deals an additional 15d10 bludgeoning
damage and knocks the creature prone. Hit or miss, every
other creature of your choice standing on the ground within
a 300-foot radius of you must make a DC25 Strength saving
throw or be knocked prone and take 5d10 bludgeoning
damage. Structures take 100 bludgeoning damage.
Heavenly Spear of Banor - Esht Primacy
To use this Maneuver, you must be wielding a spear, javelin,
or trident. As an action, you hurl your weapon at an enemy
you can see with the strength of a demigod, increasing the
short range to 300 feet, and the long range to 1000 feet.
CHAPTER
CHAPTER
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| XEN'DRIK
& TREASURES
BESTIARY
OPTIONS
 Ancestries - Backgrounds - Subclasses - Dark Gifts - Feats - Maneuvers - Spells
Make an attack roll against the creature with advantage;
on a hit, the creature takes the normal weapon damage
plus an additional 10d10 piercing damage, and becomes
restrained as the weapon impales it against the ground. A
creature restrained in this way can attempt a DC 30 Athletics
(Strength) check as an action every round to free itself.
Prophecy Razor - Hekaton
As an action, you end the life of an enemy in a single motion
so fast they don’t even realize. At the beginning of your next
turn, the creature instantly dies, or takes 200 force damage if
it is a legendary creature. If you wish, a creature slain by this
action is rendered into dust.
Second Splitter of the Infinite Mind - Zja Aqat
You make a single cut so fine, or paracausally destructive, that
it splits time in two. As an action, you briefly stop the flow
of time for everyone but yourself. No time passes for other
creatures, while you take an additional turn in a row, during
which you can use actions and move as normal. During this
frozen time, other creatures cannot take reactions, and you
have advantage on all attacks.
Seven Soul Sever - Karrakos
As an action, you choose up to seven creatures within 60
feet of you and strike simultaneously at their very souls.
Make a melee weapon attack against every creature using a
weapon that does slashing damage; on a hit, the target takes
the normal damage from the attack, plus 10d10 additional
necrotic damage.
Step of the Sword Saint - Hekaton
As an action, you begin the kata of the Sword Saint, and
move up to your speed without provoking opportunity
attacks. You can choose to make a single melee attack against
every creature of your choice that enters within your melee
range as you move this turn.
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OPTIONS 7 | CHARACTER OPTIONS
Shadow Art: Blood Moon Eclipse - Qabalrin
As an action, you manifest your bloodthirst to exsanguinate
a foe. Make a single weapon attack with advantage against a
creature within 30 feet of you. On a hit, the target takes an
additional 15d10 necrotic damage, and you regain a number
of hit points equal to the necrotic damage dealt.
Rune Knights & Xen’drik
The use of Giant runes outlined in this section provides
an easy justification for the abilities of Rune Knights, who
understand how runes can be shaped to provide magical
benefits. However, it may make sense to rename the runes
based on civilization or plane, as opposed to the type of
giant. Interestingly, it also means that a Rune Knight might
discover and unlock new runes that aren’t on their subclass
list - an interesting way of rewarding a character without
the use of gold or magic items. The following are examples
of Runes that a Rune Knight might be able to discover and
copy down from the texts of the city-states of Sohl’aran
and Karrakos:
Sun Rune. This rune emulates the light of Irian wielded
by the sun giants of Sohl’aran. While wearing or carrying
an object inscribed with this rune, you have advantage on
Medicine (Wisdom) checks, as well as saving throws made
to resist being blinded. As a bonus action, you can cause the
object to shine with bright light for a radius 15 feet, and dim
light for an additional 15 feet beyond that. This light counts
as magical sunlight. This effect lasts until you end it as a
bonus action.
• In addition, you can invoke the rune as a bonus
action to clothe yourself in radiance. For 10 minutes,
you gain a number of temporary hit points equal
to twice your proficiency bonus at the start of each
of your turns.
Spirit Rune. This rune emulates the ghostly
connection to Dolurrh wielded by the giants of
Karrakos. While wearing or carrying an object inscribed
with this rune, you have advantage on Intelligence
(History) checks and gain resistance to necrotic damage.
Additionally, your maximum health cannot be reduced
by magical effects.
• In addition, you can invoke the rune as a bonus
action to step partially into the ethereal plane. This
turn, you do not provoke attacks of opportunity,
ignore difficult terrain, and can move through
spaces occupied by other creatures (though cannot
end your turn there). If you move through a
creature’s space, you can force it to make a Wisdom
saving throw. On a failure, the creature is frightened
of you, and can repeat the saving throw at the end of
each of its turns to end the effect. Once you invoke
this rune, you can’t do so again until you finish a
short or long rest.
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 Spells
The following chapter features spells both old and new, from Level Spell Name School Conc. Ritual Class Lists
the primal magic of the drow to the cataclysmic spells of the
Cleric, Sorcerer,
ancient giants. These are intended to highlight the different 1 Corpse Shrapnel Necromancy No No
Warlock, Wizard
forms of magic created by the giants, while providing new Artificer, Cleric,
and interesting spells for characters to learn (or loot!).This 1 Meld Bone Necromancy No No Druid, Sorcerer,
includes Artifact Spells of such great power that they can Warlock, Wizard
only be cast once, but hold the power to change the course Bard, Paladin,
of history. 1 Seething Curse Enchantment No No Ranger, Sorcerer,
Warlock
Bard, Cleric,
Spell List: 2 Spirit of the Tilxin Conjuration Yes No Druid, Ranger,
1. Awaken Mimic - 3rd Sorcerer
2. Corpse Shrapnel - 1st 2 Dream Link Divination No Yes
Bard, Sorcerer,
3. Dream Link - 2nd Warlock, Wizard
4. Dreamwalk - 5th Druid, Ranger,
2 Sand Serpent Conjuration Yes No
5. Extemporate - 4th Warlock, Wizard
6. Fate’s Threads - 3rd Artificer, Sorcerer,
2 Vector Bind Enchantment No No
7. Frozen Marionette - 3rd Warlock, Wizard
8. Grand Necrogenesis - 9th Artificer, Druid,
3 Awaken Mimic Transmutation No No Sorcerer, Warlock,
9. Heartburn - 3rd
Wizard
10. Marrow Rend - 3th
Bard, Sorcerer,
11. Meld Bone - 1st 3 Fate's Threads Illusion Yes No
Warlock, Wizard
12. Ooze Form - 3rd Sorcerer, Warlock,
13. Overheal - 4th 3 Frozen Marionette Necromancy Yes No
Wizard
14. Positive Energy Flood - 4th Bard, Cleric,
15. Power Word: Hunt - 7th 3 Heartburn Enchantment Yes No Sorcerer, Warlock,
16. Power Word: Joy - 7th Wizard
17. Power Word: Savior - 8th Cleric, Sorcerer,
3 Marrow Rend Necromancy No No
18. Sand Serpent - 2nd Warlock, Wizard
19. Seething Curse - 1st Artificer, Druid,
3 Ooze Form Transmutation Yes No Sorcerer, Warlock,
20. Spatial Isolation - 6th
Wizard
21. Spirit of the Displacer Beast - 3rd Bard, Cleric,
22. Spirit of the Scorpion - 3rd Spirit of the
3 Conjuration Yes No Druid, Ranger,
Displacer Beast
23. Spirit of the Tilxin Bird - 1st Sorcerer
24. Tactical Transposition - 4th Bard, Cleric,
Spirit of the
25. Vector Bind - 2nd 3 Conjuration Yes No Sorcerer, Warlock,
Scorpion
Wizard
26. Wall of Bone - 6th
Sorcerer, Warlock,
4 Extemporate Transmutation No No
Wizard
Artifact Spells: Artificer, Cleric,
1. Acidic Eruption - 4th 4 Overheal Evocation No No Sorcerer, Warlock,
2. Conjure The End - 9th Wizard
3. Devouring Deep - 8th Artificer, Cleric,
Positive Energy
4 Evocation No No Paladin, Sorcerer,
4. Dream Gate - 8th Flood
Warlock
5. Giant Incarnation - 9th Tactical Artificer, Sorcerer,
6. Inferno Spiral - 3rd 4 Conjuration No No
Transposition Wizard
7. Key to the Gates of Wonder - 1st Bard, Sorcerer,
8. Meteor Strike - 8th 5 Dreamwalk Divination No Yes
Warlock, Wizard
9. Renew - 2nd Sorcerer, Warlock,
10. Spirit of the Roc - 7th 6 Spatial Isolation Abjuration No No
Wizard
Cleric, Sorcerer,
6 Wall of Bone Necromancy Yes No
Content Warning: Some spells - especially the necromancy Warlock, Wizard
based on the dark Qabalrin - feature heavy themes of body Bard, Druid
7 Power Word: Hunt Enchantment No No
horror and loss of autonomy for the dead. Others, such Warlock, Wizard
as Fate’s Threads or Devouring Deep, invoke fears such as 7 Power Word: Joy Enchantment No No Bard, Warlock
thalassaphobia or arachnophobia, and should only be
used in combination with player consent. Spells with Power Word: Bard, Sorcerer,
8 Enchantment No No
such themes are marked with an additional content Savior Warlock
warning before the spell description. Grand Sorcerer, Warlock,
9 Necromancy Yes No
Necrogenesis Wizard

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 Ancestries - Backgrounds - Subclasses - Dark Gifts - Feats - Maneuvers - Spells
Awaken Mimic
3rd-Level Transmutation
Casting Time: 1 minute
Range: 30 feet
Components: V, S, M (a flask of enchanted glue
worth 200gp)
Duration: 1 hour
Class Lists: Artificer, Druid, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
You manipulate the energies of Kythri to induce life within
a non-magical object you can see within range, turning it
temporarily into a mimic. The object must be Medium
or smaller in size. The mimic is friendly to you and your
companions, and takes its turns immediately after yours in
the initiative order. It obeys any verbal commands you give it
(no action required). If you don’t issue any commands, it will
continue mimicking the object it once was in an effort to trap
and attack food. When the spell ends, the mimic returns to
being an inanimate object.
At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell
slot of 5th or 6th level, the duration of the spell increases to
24 hours. When you use a spell slot of 7th level or higher, the
spell is permanent.
Corpse Shrapnel
1st-Level Transmutation
Casting Time: 1 reaction
Range: 60ft
Components: V, S
Duration: Instantaneous
Class Lists: Cleric, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
Content Warning: Gore, Body Horror
As a reaction to a creature that you can see dying, you cause
its corpse to explode loudly, the bones shattering in a hail of
vicious shards. Every creature in a 15ft cone in a direction
of your choice originating from the creature’s corpse must
succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or take 2d12 piercing
damage. Creatures behind full cover are unaffected. The
corpse itself is destroyed without a trace.
Corpses without bones, such as the remains of oozes, are
unaffected by this spell.
At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell
slot of 2nd level or higher, the damage increases by 1d12 for
each spell slot above 1st.
Dream Link
2nd-Level Divination
Casting Time: 10 minutes
Range: 10 feet
Components: V, S, M (a goose feather)
Duration: 8 hours, or until the target wakes up
Class Lists: Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
You cause yourself and all willing creatures within a 10-
foot radius centered on you to enter the dreams of a target
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OPTIONS
creature already dreaming within that radius. The target
creature must make a Wisdom saving throw; a willing
creature can voluntarily fail. On a failed saving throw, you
and the other willing creatures fall asleep and telepathically
enter the target’s dream. This sleep counts towards any sleep
necessary for completing a long rest. Affected creatures
remain asleep until they finish a long rest, take any damage
outside of the dream, or someone outside of the dream uses
an action to shake or slap the dreaming creature awake.
If the target creature wakes up, the effects of the spell
immediately end, causing all creatures affected by this spell to
also wake up.
While within the dream, the rules of reality and the state
of the creatures affected by this spell are determined by the
context of the dream itself. If the dream belongs to a player
character, they can choose its contents and shape ‘reality’
as they wish (within the confines of what their character
knows). Typically, characters dream of themselves in peak
performance, with all hit points and resources as though
‘waking up’ from a long rest. This state does not carry over
to reality if their actual long rest is interrupted. A character
that “dies” in a dream immediately wakes up. A character
that wakes this way takes 3d6 psychic damage, gains no
benefit from their rest, and becomes unable to sleep for the
next 24 hours.
If the target creature is the target of the dream spell while
it is also the target of this spell, the messenger sent by the
dream spell has less control over the shared dream entered
by creatures affected by this spell than would otherwise
be the case as described in the dream spell. The messenger
can interact with creatures affected by this spell as if the
messenger were physically present in the dream, using their
normal statistics, unless the caster of the dream spell sent a
monstrous or terrifying messenger. In that case, after the
monstrous messenger delivers its short message, instead of
the target of the dream spell making a Wisdom saving throw,
the GM can decide to resolve the effect of the monstrous
messenger’s presence with a combat encounter against
the messenger inside the target’s dream. The monstrous
messenger can take any form the caster of the dream spell
desires, but its statistics have a challenge equal to no greater
than twice the dream spell’s level. Defeating the messenger
has the same result as succeeding on the saving throw against
the dream spell, and any creature that “dies” to the messenger
in the dream suffers the effects described above.
At Higher Levels : When you cast this spell while already
within a dream using a spell slot of 4th level or higher,
all creatures affected by the original casting of the spell,
including the target dreamer, are pulled into a different
dream representing a deeper layer of the target dreamer’s
unconscious. This can be repeated, with the required spell
slot increasing by two levels for every successive layer of
dream. A character who ‘dies’ in a deeper level of dream
wakes up again in the ‘shallower’ level in which this spell was
cast, and must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or
gain a level of exhaustion.
Dreamwalk
5th-Level Divination
Casting Time: 1 minute
Range: Special
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 Components: V, S, M (a translucent opal lens worth at
least 500 gp)
Duration: 8 hours, or until the target wakes up
Class Lists: Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
You attempt to bring yourself and all willing creatures within
a 10-foot radius centered on you into the dreams of a sleeping
creature on the same plane as you. The target must succeed
on a Wisdom saving throw against your spell save DC to
prevent this, with the DC modified as per the table below.
Additionally, on a successful saving throw, the target becomes
immune to this spell for 24 hours. On a failure, you and the
other willing creatures fall asleep. This sleep counts towards
any sleep necessary for completing a long rest. Dreaming
creatures remain asleep until they finish a long rest, take
any damage outside of the dream, or someone outside of the
dream uses an action to shake or slap the dreaming creature
awake. If the target creature wakes up, the effects of the spell
immediately end, causing all creatures affected by this spell to
also wake up.
Knowledge - Save Modifier
Secondhand - +5
Firsthand - +0
Familiar - -5
Connection - Save Modifier
Likeness or picture - -2
Possession or garment - -5
Body part, lock of hair, or the like - -10
While within the dream, the rules of reality and the state
of the creatures affected by this spell are determined by the
context of the dream itself. If the dream belongs to a player
character, they can choose its contents and shape ‘reality’
as they wish (within the confines of what their character
knows). Typically, characters dream of themselves in peak
performance, with all hit points and resources as though
‘waking up’ from a long rest. This state does not carry over
to reality if their actual long rest is interrupted. A character
that ‘dies’ in a dream immediately wakes up. A character
that wakes this way takes 3d6 psychic damage, gains no
benefit from their rest, and becomes unable to sleep for the
next 24 hours.
If the target creature is the target of the dream spell while
it is also the target of this spell, this spell bars the messenger’s
entry into the target’s dream, causing the dream spell to fail.
Extemporate
4th-Level Transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 60ft
Components: V, S
Duration: Instantaneous
Class Lists: Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
You warp reality around a creature you can see, momentarily
displacing it beyond the normal flow of time. The
target must make a Constitution saving throw. On
a failure, it takes 5d10 force damage, has its speed
reduced by half, has disadvantage on Dexterity
saving throws, and cannot take reactions.
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Additionally, on its turn, the creature must choose between
taking an action or a bonus action. On a success, the
creature takes half the damage and has its speed halved on
its next turn.
If the target fails the saving throw by 5 or more, as well as
the other effects, it must instead choose between taking an
action, a bonus action, or moving on its turn, and is unable to
make more than one attack per turn.
A creature reduced to 0 hit points by this spell is turned to
dust. An affected creature can repeat the saving throw at the
end of each of its turns to end the effect.
Fate’s Threads
3rd-level Illusion
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 120ft
Components: V, S, M (a cracked die)
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
Class Lists: Bard, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
Content Warning: Arachnophobia
You conjure the illusion of an immense spider formed of
shadow over a 15-foot radius area within range. Every
creature of your choice within the area when it appears must
succeed on a Wisdom saving throw or believe themselves
tangled in strands of illusory webbing, becoming restrained.
Creatures immune to being charmed are unaffected. A
creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of
its turns to end the effect, taking 1d10 piercing damage on a
failure as they witness the spider striking them with its claws.
The effect also ends if a restrained creature leaves the area
of the spell.
When a creature is reduced to 0 hit points while restrained
in this way, you can choose to sacrifice them to the Spinner
of Shadows, causing their form to be pulled upwards and
swallowed by the illusion. If you do so, you gain advantage
on your next attack roll or ability check - and their body will
never be seen again.
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At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a

spell slot of 4th level or higher, the damage increases by
1d10 for each spell slot above 3rd.

Frozen Marionette
3rd-Level Necromancy

Casting Time: 1 action

Range: 60ft
Components: V, S, M (a ball of white string)
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
Class Lists: Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard

Content Warning: Loss of Agency for the Dead

You attempt to lock a creature within a tomb of ice,

puppeteering it against its comrades. The target must
make a Strength saving throw, taking 5d8 cold damage
and becoming restrained on a failure. On a success,
the creature takes the damage but is not restrained. A
restrained creature can repeat the saving throw at the
end of each of its turns to end the effect. When a creature
restrained by this spell is reduced to 0 hit points, you
can use your reaction to puppeteer its frozen form,
immediately moving it up to 15 feet in a direction of your
choice and forcing it to make a single melee attack against
a creature you can see.
it to make a Constitution saving throw. On a failure, it
At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell takes 3d12 necrotic damage and 3d12 piercing damage, and
slot of 4th level or higher, the damage increases by 1d8 for has its maximum hit points reduced by the same amount.
each spell slot above 3rd. On a success, it takes half damage. A creature reduced to
0 hit points by this damage is slain instantly, torn apart,
and added to the swarm, which grows in size by 5 feet and
Grand Necrogenesis deals an additional 1d12 piercing damage (up to a total
9th-level Necromancy
maximum of 7d12).
If you fail a Constitution saving throw to maintain
Casting Time: 1 action
concentration on this spell while the swarm is in effect, it
Range: Touch
does not disappear. Instead, you lose control of it, and can no
Components: V, S, M
longer designate creatures to be unharmed by the swarm. At
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
the end of each of your turns, the swarm moves a distance
Class Lists: Cleric, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
up to its size towards the nearest creature, centering itself
on them in an attempt to render them down and grow
Content Warning: Gore, Body Horror, Loss of
itself in size and speed. This continues for the full duration
Autonomy for the Dead
of the spell.
You perform a grand and rapid disassembly of a living
creature you touch, sundering it into countless parts Heartburn
reanimated as a swarm of necromantic death. Make a melee 3rd-Level Enchantment
spell attack against the target creature. On a hit, the target
takes 30d10 necrotic damage and cannot speak until the end Casting Time: 1 action
of its next turn as it screams uncontrollably. If this damage Range: Self
reduces the creature to 0 hit points, it is slain instantly, its Components: V, S, M (a charred hand mirror)
body unraveling into countless reanimated sections of bone, Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
spirit, and suffering. The spirit of a creature slain in this way Class Lists: Bard, Cleric, Sorcerer, Warlock
is bound to the swarm, preventing it from being resurrected
while the spell is ongoing - and screams without pause Content Warning: Loss of Agency
until it ends.
This swarm of undead fills a 20-foot cube centered on You take on a burning guise of terrible beauty, and those who
the slain target, which counts as difficult terrain, and can see you fear and love you in equal measure. For the spell’s
occupy the spaces of other creatures. As a bonus action, duration, every creature of your choice that starts its
you can move the swarm a distance equal to its size in any turn within 15 feet and can see you must succeed on
direction. When a creature enters the swarm for the first a Charisma saving throw or become charmed by
time on its turn, or starts its turn within it, you can force you. Creatures immune to being charmed are
unaffected. While charmed in this way, a

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 creature must use its movement each turn to move as close
to you as directly possible. An affected creature can choose
to repeat the saving throw at the start of each of its turns to
end the effect, becoming immune to the spell for 24 hours on
a success, but a creature who does so successfully takes 2d6
fire and 2d6 psychic damage. A creature can also attempt this
saving throw if compelled to move into an obvious danger,
such as a fire, trap, or fall.
At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell
slot of 4th level or higher, the fire damage increases by
1d6 and the radius of the spell increases by 5 feet for each
level above 3rd.
Marrow Rend
3rd-Level Necromancy
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 60ft
Components: V, S, M (a small ball of white clay)
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
Class Lists: Cleric, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
Content Warning: Gore, Body Horror
You horrifically twist the anatomy of a creature you can see
within 60 feet of you. It must succeed on a Constitution
saving throw or take 4d10 necrotic damage and fall prone.
On subsequent turns, you can use your action to deal 4d10
necrotic damage to the creature. The target cannot stand up
from prone while you concentrate, and can repeat the saving
throw at the end of each of their turns to end the spell.
Creatures without bones, such as incorporeal undead or
elementals, are unaffected by this spell.
At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell
slot of 4th level or higher, the damage increases by 1d10 for
each spell slot above 3rd.
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Meld Bone
1st-Level Transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Components: V, S, M (a small ball of white clay)
Duration: Instantaneous
Class Lists: Artificer, Cleric, Druid, Sorcerer,
Warlock, Wizard
Content Warning: Gore, Body Horror
You knit together the bones of a willing creature you touch
in ghastly fashion. If the creature is willing, it regains 2d8 hit
points, then takes 1d6 psychic damage and screams loudly. If
the creature is unwilling, it must succeed on a Constitution
saving throw or take 2d8 necrotic damage and have its speed
halved until the end of its next turn.
Creatures without bones, such as incorporeal undead or
elementals, are unaffected by this spell.
Ooze Form
3rd-Level Transmutation
Casting Time: 1 bonus action
Range: Touch
Components: V, S, M (a small living ooze sealed
permanently within a crystal orb worth at least 300gp)
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
Class Lists: Artificer, Druid, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
You transmute the bodily makeup of a creature you touch
into slime for the duration. The creature gains the following
benefits until the spell ends:
• The creature gains immunity to acid and
poison damage.
• The creature gains immunity to being poisoned,
and can spend half their movement to escape being
grappled or restrained.
• The creature can move through a space as narrow
as 1 inch wide without squeezing, if it isn’t wearing
medium or heavy armor.
• An enemy that hits the creature with a melee attack
takes 1d6 acid damage.
Overheal
4th-Level Evocation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Components: V, S
Duration: Instantaneous
Class Lists: Artificer, Cleric, Druid, Paladin, Sorcerer
You channel vast amounts of positive energy into a creature
that you touch - an amount meant to heal giants, not smaller
humanoids. Roll 10d10. The creature regains hit points equal
to that amount. If the creature is healed beyond their hit
point maximum, they then take radiant damage equal to the
excess healing. For example, a rolled result of 40 would heal
a creature missing 50 hit points for that amount with no side
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 Ancestries - Backgrounds - Subclasses - Dark Gifts - Feats - Maneuvers - Spells
effects. A creature missing 30 hit points would instead be
healed to full, then take 10 radiant damage.
An unwilling creature can attempt a Constitution saving
throw to resist the effect. Creatures other than Undead have
advantage. On a success, they are unaffected by the spell.
Positive Energy Flood
4th-Level Evocation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 60 feet
Components: V, M
Duration: Instantaneous
Class Lists: Artificer, Cleric, Paladin, Sorcerer, Warlock
You send coruscating ribbons of positive energy at a creature
that you can see within range. Unless the target is a celestial,
it must make a Constitution saving throw, taking 5d12
radiant damage on a failed save, or half as much damage
on a successful one. Undead targets have disadvantage on
the saving throw. A creature that fails the saving throw is
additionally poisoned, and has their speed reduced by half
while poisoned in this way. A poisoned creature can repeat
the saving throw at the end of their turns to end the effect.
At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell
slot of 5th level or higher, the damage increases by 1d12 for
each spell slot above 4th.
Power Word: Hunt
7th-Level Enchantment
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 60 feet
Components: V
Duration: Instantaneous
Class Lists: Bard, Druid, Warlock
You roar a word in the language of beasts, causing one
creature that can hear you within range to be marked as prey
if it has 150 hit points or fewer. Otherwise, the spell has
no effect on it. A target is also unaffected if it is immune to
being charmed.
While marked, you and all creatures allied with you are
considered invisible to the target creature, and deal an
additional 1d6 psychic damage when hitting the target with
an attack. The target also cannot benefit from invisibility,
being hidden, or any form of partial cover.
An affected creature can make a Wisdom saving throw
at the end of each of its turns. On a successful save, the
effect ends.
Power Word: Joy
7th-Level Enchantment
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 60 feet
Components: V
Duration: Instantaneous
Class Lists: Bard, Warlock
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You speak a word of pure unadulterated joy that embraces
one creature that can hear you within range. If the target has
150 hit points or fewer, it becomes subject to total happiness.
Otherwise, the spell has no effect on it. A target is also
unaffected if it is immune to being charmed.
While the target is affected by total happiness, its speed
is reduced to 0 as it begins dancing uncontrollably, and it
cannot take any action or cast any spell that would directly
deal damage to another creature.
An affected creature can make a Charisma saving throw
at the end of each of its turns. On a successful save, the
effect ends.
Power Word: Savior
8th-Level Enchantment
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 60 feet
Components: V
Duration: Instantaneous
Class Lists: Bard, Warlock
You speak a word of true inspiration, invoking heroism in a
conscious allied creature that can hear you within range with
50 hit points or fewer. Otherwise, the spell has no effect.
Until the start of your next turn, the creature becomes
invulnerable to all damage, gains advantage on all ability
checks, attack rolls, and saving throws, and the first attack
they make on their next turn is considered to be a critical hit.
Additionally, their speed doubles, and all harmful conditions
affecting them end.
Sand Serpent
2nd-level Conjuration
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 60 feet
Components: V, S, M (a section of shed snake skin)
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
Class Lists: Druid, Ranger, Sorcerer, Wizard
You whip up dust and sand into a flowing serpent that lunges
at foes. Choose 4 contiguous 5ft spaces on the ground in
any configuration within range. When a creature willingly
enters an affected space on its turn for the first time, or
starts its turn within an affected space, it must succeed on a
Constitution saving throw or take 1d6 piercing damage and
be blinded until the end of its turn. As a bonus action on
following turns, you can change the affected spaces to a new
set of contiguous spaces beginning adjacent to a currently
affected space.
At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell
slot of 3rd level or higher, the damage increases by 1d6 for
every level above 2nd.
Seething Curse
1st-Level Enchantment
Casting Time: 1 reaction
Range: 30 feet
Components: V
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 Duration: 1 year
Class Lists: Bard, Paladin, Ranger, Sorcerer, Warlock
As a reaction to taking damage from an attack by a creature
you can see, you can curse the creature with a vow of
vengeance. Your next attack against the creature has
advantage and deals an additional 1d4 psychic damage on
a hit. If you wait at least 24 hours before making an attack
against the creature, the attack deals an additional 3d4 psychic
damage instead. A remove curse spell ends this effect.
Spatial Isolation
6th-level Abjuration
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Components: V, S
Duration: 1 minute
Class Lists: Sorcerer, Wizard, Warlock
You briefly sever a 15-ft radius sphere of space centered
on yourself (as well as everything inside it) from reality,
converting the area into an isolated demiplane. For the
duration, the area is treated as a separate plane to its plane
of origin. The edge of the demiplane is impenetrable and
appears as an opaque field of rippling spatial anomaly, both
inside the demiplane and outside in its plane of origin.. A
creature in a space occupied by the edges of the demiplane
when it forms must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw.
On a success, they must choose to move to an adjacent space
inside or outside the demiplane; On a failure, you choose
which adjacent space they move to inside or outside the
demiplane. Structures and objects bisected by the spell’s
perimeter cannot be moved, but are otherwise undamaged,
and act as normal.
The edge of the demiplane cannot be crossed except
by teleportation effects originating from outside the
demiplane with a location inside the demiplane as the
desired destination. The teleporting creature must succeed
on a Charisma saving throw against your Spell Save DC or
have their spell or ability fail with no effect. On a success,
they teleport to an unoccupied space at the interior edge of
the demiplane.
When you create this demiplane, you can cause one of the
following effects to occur within the demiplane until the end
of the duration, when the demiplane merges back into its
plane of origin:
• All creatures gain a flying speed equal to their
walking speed.
• All creatures can understand any language they
see or hear.
• All creatures become incapacitated, and
have their speed reduced to 0.
• All creatures have their movement
speeds halved.
At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using
a spell slot of 7th level or higher, the radius of the
affected area increases by 5 feet for every
level above 6th.
322322
Spirit of the Displacer Beast
3rd-Level Conjuration
Casting Time: 1 bonus action
Range: 60ft
Components: V, S
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
Class Lists: Cleric, Druid, Paladin, Ranger
You call forth a nature spirit to ward off attacks through
illusion and cunning. The intangible spirit appears in a space
that is a 10-foot cube you can see within range, appearing as
an intangible displacer beast.
Until the spell ends, whenever you or a creature you can
see moves into the spirit’s space for the first time on a turn
or starts its turn there, you can cause the spirit to grant it
an illusory copy that masks its movements. Whenever a
creature with an illusory copy is hit by an attack, the attacker
must roll a d6. On a result of 4-6, the attack hits the copy
instead, dispelling it but leaving the true target undamaged
and unaffected.
A creature is unaffected by this spell’s illusory duplicates
if it can't see, if it relies on senses other than sight, such
as blindsight, or if it can perceive illusions as false, as
with truesight.
As a bonus action on your turn, you can move the spirit up
to 30 feet to a space you can see. The spirit can grant illusions
a number of times equal to 1 + your spellcasting ability
modifier (minimum of twice), and disappears after doing so.
Spirit of the Scorpion
3rd-Level Conjuration
Casting Time: 1 bonus action
Range: 60ft
Components: V, S
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
Class Lists: Cleric, Druid, Paladin, Ranger
You call forth a nature spirit to bestow your allies with the
hunter’s cunning of Vulkoor. The intangible spirit appears
in a space that is a 10-foot cube you can see within range,
appearing as a transparent giant scorpion.
Until the spell ends, whenever you or a creature you can
see moves into the spirit’s space for the first time on a turn or
starts its turn there, you can cause the spirit to grant them its
striking venom. The next time the creature hits with a
melee attack, the target must make
a Constitution saving throw against
your spell save DC, taking 2d6 poison
damage and becoming poisoned until
the end of its next turn on a failure. On
a success, a creature takes half as much
damage, and is not poisoned.
As a bonus action on your turn,
you can move the spirit up to 30 feet
to a space you can see. The spirit
can grant this blessing a number of
times equal to 1 + your spellcasting
ability modifier (minimum of twice), and
disappears after doing so.
CHAPTER
CHAPTER7 8| CHARACTER
| TOOLS & TREASURES
OPTIONS

Spirit of the Tilxin Bird
1st-Level Conjuration
Casting Time: 1 bonus action
Range: 80ft
Components: V, S
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
Class Lists: Cleric, Druid, Paladin, Ranger
You call forth a nature spirit to bestow your allies with a
bird’s speed in flight. The intangible spirit appears in a space
that is a 5-foot cube you can see within range, appearing as an
intangible tilxin hummingbird.
Until the spell ends, whenever you or a creature you
can see moves into the spirit’s space for the first time on
a turn or starts its turn there, you can cause the spirit to
grant them a tilxin’s speed. An affected creature gains an
extra action for that turn, which they can only use to Dash,
Disengage, or Dodge.
As a bonus action on your turn, you can move the spirit
up to 80 feet to a space you can see. The spirit can grant this
blessing a number of times equal to 1 + your spellcasting
ability modifier (minimum of twice), and disappears
after doing so.
Tactical Transposition
4th-Level Conjuration
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 60 feet
Components: V, S, M (a carved crystal game piece)
Duration: Instantaneous
Class Lists: Artificer, Sorcerer, Wizard
You tactically rearrange the positions of creatures within a
40-foot cube within range. Every creature of your choice
within that area is teleported by you, in an order of your
choosing, to any other unoccupied location on the ground
or floor within the area. An unwilling creature can attempt a
Charisma saving throw to avoid being teleported in this way.
At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a
spell slot of 5th level or higher, the size of the affected area
increases by 10 feet for every level above 4th.
CHAPTER 78 | TOOLS
CHARACTER
& TREASURES
OPTIONS
Vector Bind
1st-Level Enchantment
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 30 feet
Components: V, S, M (a length of string tied in knot)
Duration: 1 turn
Class Lists: Artificer, Sorcerer, Wizard
You tie together your own momentum and velocity with
those of a creature that you can see within range. Until the
end of your turn, whenever you move, the creature moves
the same distance and direction as you. It cannot be made
to move further than its own speed, and does not provoke
opportunity attacks while moving in this way. A creature
with multiple types of movement can choose which of its
movement speeds to use.
An unwilling creature can attempt a Wisdom saving throw
to resist the effect.
Wall of Bone
6th-Level Necromancy
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 120ft
Components: V, S, M (a broken wishbone)
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 minute
Class Lists: Cleric, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
Content Warning: Gore, Body Horror, Loss of Agency
for the Dead
You create a crackling wall of organic bone on a solid surface
within range. You can form it into a hemispherical dome or
a sphere with radius of up to 10 feet, or you can shape a flat
surface made up of ten 10-foot-square panels. Each panel
must be contiguous with another panel. In any form, the wall
is 1 foot thick and lasts for the duration. If a section of the
wall would form in a space occupied by a corpse, the corpse is
instead destroyed and forms that 10ft panel of wall, extending
the overall wall in length.
One side of the wall, selected by you when you cast this
spell, is covered in grasping hands that reach for the living. A
creature that begins their turn within 10 feet of that side of
the wall, moves within 10 feet of that side of the wall, or is in
the wall’s space when it appears, must make a Strength saving
throw. On a failed save, the creature takes 4d12 piercing
damage and is restrained. On a success, they take half as much
damage and are not restrained.
The wall is an object that can be damaged and thus
breached. It has AC 12 and 30 Hit Points per 10-foot section,
and has immunity to poison, psychic and necrotic damage.
Reducing a 10-foot section of wall to 0 Hit Points destroys it
and frees any creature restrained by it.
At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell
slot of 7th level or higher, the damage increases by 1d12 for
each spell slot above 6th.
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 Artifact Spells
Casting a spell means shackling the forces of magic to your Level Spell Name School Class Lists
will. This takes a high amount of mental and physical strain,
Key To The Gates Cleric, Sorcerer,
and wizards train to improve their control in order to cast 1 Conjuration
Of Wonder Warlock, Wizard
more powerful spells. For the giants, their eventual innate
Bard, Cleric, Druid,
sorcery and physical strength gave them a higher capacity for 2 Renew Evocation
Paladin, Ranger
casting magic compared to smaller humanoids. As a result,
some spells that can be found in Xen’drik are of vast strength. Druid, Sorcerer,
3 Inferno Spiral Evocation
Warlock, Wizard
They are too strong and complex to be learned, but can be
Bard, Cleric, Druid,
temporarily stored in the mind, then cast but a single time 4 Acidic Eruption Transmutation
Ranger, Sorcerer
due to the sheer mental toll of conceptualizing them. These
Bard, Cleric, Druid,
are Artifact Spells. 7 Spirit of the Roc Conjuration
Sorcerer
Lost Arcana. Artifact Spells can be found in the
deepest libraries and carved into vast monuments or eldritch Bard, Cleric, Druid,
8 Devouring Deep Conjuration
Sorcerer, Warlock
machines; typically, their complexity means that they require
arrays of magical apparatus, and thus cannot be moved 8 Dream Gate Conjuration
Sorcerer, Warlock,
from their location (at least, that has been the case so far). A Wizard
spellcaster who spends 1d4 hours deciphering the spell gains Druid, Sorcerer,
the ability to cast that spell once within the next year using 8 Meteor Strike Evocation
Warlock, Wizard
a spell slot of the appropriate level, or earlier at the GM’s
Cleric, Sorcerer,
discretion with an appropriate incurred cost. Deciphering 9 Conjure The End Conjuration
Warlock, Wizard
one successfully requires an Arcana (Intelligence) check with Bard, Cleric, Druid,
a DC equal to 10 + the spell’s level. A character cannot have 9 Giant Incarnation Transmutation Sorcerer, Warlock,
more than one Artifact Spell held in their mind at once, nor Wizard
copy the spell into a Spell Scroll, Wizard’s spellbook or any
other kind of physical medium. A character who returns to
the physical location of the spell after one year has passed strikes a surface above them before reaching the maximum
from the time they first learned it (whether they cast it, or height takes the full 6d6 bludgeoning damage. Creatures that
not) can once again store it in their mind. fall are additionally knocked prone. A creature that succeeds
Plot Spells. Any spell can be presented as an artifact on the saving throw is not thrown into the air, and takes
spell by removing any material components. This is a simple half damage.
way to give players access to ‘emergency spells’ for when At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell
things go wrong, while letting them look forward to pulling slot of 6th level or higher, the acid damage increases by 2d6
out the big guns. Artifact spells can also act as easy plot for each spell slot above 5th.
points. Spells such as dream of the blue veilTCoE or dreamwalk*
are unappealing options, but if they become important for
Conjure The End
the plot, the characters can set out on a quest to find them
9th-Level Necromancy
as ‘loot’. This is the intended use for artifact spells such
as dream gate*, which exist solely as a plot point or quest
Casting Time: 1 action
objective. Finally, artifact spells can let you test out your
Range: 60 feet
own homebrew spells - even if it goes wrong, it can only
Components: V, S
go wrong once!
Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour
Class Lists: Cleric, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
Acidic Eruption
4th-Level Transmutation You condense a mass of profane power, granting it sentience
and the will to annihilate. The summoned nightwalker
Casting Time: 1 action appears in an unoccupied space within range, and is friendly
Range: 100ft to you and your allies, but can still damage you with its
Components: V, S Annihilating Aura. In combat, the nightwalker shares your
Duration: Instantaneous initiative count, but it takes its turn immediately after yours.
Class Lists: Druid, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard It obeys your verbal commands (no action required by you).
If you don’t issue any, it attempts to kill the nearest creature it
You cause the ground in a 20-foot radius circle to erupt in can see, or seek out a creature to kill.
a gout of acid with such force it launches things into the When the spell ends, the nightwalker doesn't disappear.
air. Every creature in the affected area must succeed on a Instead, you lose control of the undead, it becomes hostile
Dexterity saving throw against your spell save DC. On a towards you and your companions, and it might attack.
failure, they take 6d6 acid damage and are launched 50 When this occurs, it regards all living creatures as enemies to
feet into the air before falling and taking an additional be consumed, and its only purpose is to end as many lives as
6d6 bludgeoning damage as normal unless they possible. The nightwalker disappears when it is reduced to 0
have a method to reduce it. A creature that hit points as its will returns to the darkness of Mabar.

CHAPTER
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 Ancestries - Backgrounds - Subclasses - Dark Gifts - Feats - Maneuvers - Spells
Devouring Deep
8th-Level Conjuration
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 500ft
Components: V, S
Duration: 1 hour
Class Lists: Bard, Cleric, Druid, Sorcerer, Warlock
You rend open breaches to the lightless abyss, calling forth
shapeless nightmares unseen by mortal eyes with an ululating
cry of ecstatic terror. Choose 10 unoccupied 15-foot-square
spaces within range. Flailing tentacles and chthonic flesh
spill forth from portals to the deep in those spaces, tearing at
everything nearby.
A creature that starts its turn within 10 feet of such a
portal, or moves within 10 feet of one on its turn, must
succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or take 5d8 bludgeoning
damage, 5d8 cold damage, and become grappled. On a
success, it takes half damage but is otherwise unaffected.
Objects and structures within the affected areas automatically
take the bludgeoning damage. To break out, a grappled
creature can use its action to make a Strength check against
your spell save DC. On a success, the target escapes. The
individual tentacles grappling a creature can also be attacked,
releasing them if reduced to 0 hit points (AC 20; 40 hit points;
immunity to cold and psychic damage).
A creature reduced to 0 hit points while grappled in this
way is pulled into the nearest portal, which leads to a location
in the deep ocean of the GM’s choosing.
This spell can only be ended before its full duration by
slaying the caster.
Dream Gate
8th-Level Conjuration
Casting Time: 10 minutes
Range: 30ft
Components: V, S
Duration: 1 hour
Class Lists: Druid, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
Using ancient Cul’sir oneiromancy, you tear open the planar
barrier between Dal Quor and the Material Plane with such
force it creates a portal to the distant Sea of Dreams at an
unoccupied point you can see within range. The resulting
portal is a 15-foot-radius circular breach, which allows
creatures and objects to freely travel from one plane to
the other. The portal is a two-dimensional ring limned in
kaleidoscopic mist, which hovers inches from the ground and
perpendicular to it. It is only visible from, and can only be
entered from, one side.
Giant Incarnation
9th-Level Transmutation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Components: V, S
Duration: Concentration, Up to 1 hour
Class Lists: Bard, Cleric, Druid, Sorcerer, Wizard
CHAPTER 78 | TOOLS
CHARACTER
& TREASURES
OPTIONS
You repeat the ancient arcane rite that turned the giants into
beings of immense planar power. Upon completion, casting
this spell turns you or a willing humanoid you touch into
a giant of a kind chosen by you. If you concentrate on the
spell for the duration, the transformation is permanent until
dispelled. The target gains the following benefits:
• Their size increases to Huge.
• Their type becomes Giant.
• Their melee attacks deal an additional weapon
die on a hit.
• Their Strength ability score increases by 8, up to a
maximum of 30.
• They gain immunity to one of the following
damage types, as chosen by you: fire, lightning,
cold, or thunder.
Inferno Spiral
3rd-Level Evocation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 60ft
Components: V, S
Duration: Instantaneous
Class Lists: Druid, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
You shape a helix of incinerating fire that shoots out in a line
60 feet long and 15 feet wide. Each creature in the line must
make a Dexterity saving throw, taking 8d8 fire damage on a
failure, or half on a success. The heat of this spell ignites and
burns through objects that aren’t being worn or carried; as
a result, it burns through wood and melts stone in its path,
boring through structures that aren’t made of metal and
hitting any creatures behind full cover. The spell stops if it
hits a solid metal surface. The tunnel left behind by the spell
takes one minute to cool down and become usable if bored
through rock; a creature that enters the molten space created
by the spell hitting rock for the first time on their turn, or
starts their turn there, takes 4d8 fire damage.
At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell
slot of 6th level or higher, the acid damage increases by 2d6
for each spell slot above 5th.
Key to the Gates of Wonder
1st-Level Conjuration
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 1 mile
Components: V, S
Duration: Instantaneous
Class Lists: Bard, Druid, Ranger, Sorcerer, Warlock
With a whistle and a blown kiss, you summon the entire
fey city of Pylas Taraelya to a point in the open ocean
within range, the miles-long whale that bears the feyspire
breaching through the surface of the sea in an awe-inspiring
display. When you do so, every evil creature within 1 mile
of the feyspire must succeed on a DC 25 Charisma saving
throw or be turned for the next minute, or until it
takes damage.
A turned creature must spend its turns trying
to move as far away from Pylas Taraelya as it
325
 can, and cannot willingly move towards the city while within
1 mile of it. It also can't take reactions. For its action, it can
use only the Dash action or try to escape from an effect that
prevents it from moving. If there's nowhere to move, the
creature can use the Dodge action.
Meteor Strike
8th-Level Evocation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: 1 mile
Components: V, S
Duration: Instantaneous
Class Lists: Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard
A blazing orb of fire and rock plummets to the ground at a
point you can see within range. Each creature in a 40-foot-
radius sphere centered on each point you choose must make a
Dexterity saving throw. The sphere spreads around corners.
A creature takes 20d6 fire damage and 20d6 bludgeoning
damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a
successful one.
The spell damages objects in the area and ignites flammable
objects that aren’t being worn or carried.
Renew
2nd-Level Evocation
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Touch
Components: V, S
Duration: Instantaneous
Class Lists: Artificer, Bard, Cleric, Druid, Paladin, Ranger
With a touch, you restore vitality to a creature with an
intricate spell of restoration, mending flesh and bone.
326326
The target creature regains 6d8 hit points. You can
additionally choose to end any of the following conditions
affecting the target: blinded, deafened, paralyzed or poisoned.
At Higher Levels: When you cast this spell using a spell
slot of 3rd level or higher, the healing increases by 1d8 for
every spell level above 2nd.
Spirit of the Roc
7th-Level Conjuration
Casting Time: 1 action
Range: Self
Components: V, S
Duration: 24 hours
Class Lists: Bard, Cleric, Druid, Sorcerer
You call on the grand spirits of the land itself, such as
Rushemé, Kwinharin, and Raiarin, summoning their power
in the form of a colossal roc, which manifests 20 feet above
you at the start of your next turn. The roc is an ally to you
and your companions.
In combat, the roc shares your initiative count, but
it takes its turn immediately after yours. It obeys your
verbal commands (no action required by you) unless those
commands would damage nature, or go against the will of the
land spirits. If you don’t issue any, it attempts to kill anything
that would harm you and your allies.
The roc is large enough to act as a mount for a Huge
creature, and can easily carry a full party of Medium
adventurers through the sky. The roc can travel at a
maximum speed of 16 miles an hour without tiring for a
maximum of 384 miles per day. It disappears after flying its
maximum distance for a day, or if it drops to 0 hit points. You
can dismiss the roc as an action.
CHAPTER
CHAPTER7 8| CHARACTER
| TOOLS & TREASURES
OPTIONS
 CHAPTER 8

TOOLS & TREASURES

CHAPTER 8 | TOOLS & TREASURES

327
 Tools & Treasures
Elven Remnants Eldritch Machines

M
agic Items are 1. Alternity Anchor
the embodiment 1. Arquis Tellora - VR*
2. Dream Colosseum
of success in many 2. Cardaen's Legacy (Empire's
3. Dream Prison
TTRPGs. This Bane, Null Dominion, Splinter
4. Grand Pyroclast
chapter features a of Innovation) - R*
5. Mandate Heart
wide array of items 3. Eye of Vadallia - A
6. Manifest Anchor
from the giant empires of old, to the 4. Fangs of Vaela - A*
modern cultures that have succeeded 5. Taeri's Twinblade - L* Modern Craftwork
them, each designed to provide new 6. Null & Void - R*, R*
1. Arcanissa Toolkit - R*
and interesting opportunities while
highlighting the nature of the culture
Giant Relics 2. Asherat Sandnet - C
3. Beacon of Passage - C
that created them. This includes Cul'sir Empire - Lucid Bonds - C 4. Breathblade - U*
non-magical goods and weapons that Oneiric Harp - U 5. Curseknell - R*
tau'Xen characters might wield. Somnic Mask - U 6. Cuttlerobe - U
Crux - Balanced Greatsword - C 7. Dra-tin Chatkcha - R
Endecimal Treaty - A 8. Runewood Staff - R*
Drow Artifice Scales Mail - R* 9. Shadowsilk Studded Leather - C
Melee Weapons Karrakos - Memoir Charm - U* 10. Siberys Compass - R*
1. Grapnel Veil Knife - VR* 11. Starfall Torc - U
2. Long Knife Ju'qata - Hand of Onatar - U* 12. Storyweave Armor - U*
3. Scorpion Chain Genesine - Arcane Dynamo - R*
4. Two-bladed Sword Fluxwhip - R* Warforged Components
Saddle of Ooze Riding - R 1. Auxiliary Arms - R*
Ranged Weapons Sohl'aran - Potion of the Refuge - L 2. Behemoth Belt - U*
1. Fire Lance Refractor Shield - R* 3. Defense of the Makers - VR*
2. Lantaka Rowa’s Botany Kit - R 4. Scorpion Belt - R*
3. Triple Boomerang Hekaton -Arm of the 5. Scorpion Claw Gauntlets - U*
Conqueror - VR*
Consumables Bloodshards - C, U Class-Specific Items
1. Black Power - Bomb, Horn, Keg Infernal Firelock - VR*
2. Blackroot Oil Artificer - Arcanissa Toolkit - R*
Esht - Dominance Collar - R*
3. Blinding Mangrove Bard - Oneiric Harp - U*
Rowa's Wrath - U*
4. Bullets, Lantaka Cleric - Refractor Shield - R*
Ix Il'ar - Il’ara’s Grace - U*
5. Dream Serpent Venom Druid - Fangs of Vaela - L*
Gallimaufry - Kinmask - L*
6. Khyber's Breath - Keg, Pouch Runewood Staff - R*
Migration Key - VR*
7. Knockout Poison Stormroc Sickle - R*
Portstone - R
8. Qulasht Skyhook - L Fighter - Taeri's Twinblade - L*
9. Scorpion Venom - Paladin - Refractor Shield - R*
Shae Fir - Mnemonic Anemone - U
Common, Giant Ranger - Gloves of the Hunter - R*
Zja Aqat - Crown of
One Mind - VR* Rogue - Gloves of the Hunter - R*
Magic Items Veil Knife - VR*
1. Blades of the Promise - U* Timeloop - R*
Sorcerer - Dusteater - VR*
2. Bracers of the Hunter - U* Sul'at League - Bracers of
Hand of Onatar - U*
3. Curseknell - R* the Wind - U*
Il'ara's Grace - U*
4. Eternal Rations - C Cloak of the Tides - U*
Primordial Diadem - A*
5. Firebrass Armor - U Primordial Diadem - A*
Rowa's Wrath - U*
6. Firebrass Weapons - U Stoneward Armor - VR*
Warlock - Dusteater - VR*
7. Firesled - VR
Hunter's Trophies Wizard - Dusteater - VR*
8. Headdress of Vulkoor - VR*
Splinter of Innovation - R*
9. Glassflow Blade - U* 1. Cindersender - VR*
10. Gloves of the Hunter - R 2. Dream & Darkness - VR*
11. Lightscroll - C 3. Dusteaster - VR* Item Key
12. Shadecrystal - C* 4. Fluxhide Cuirass - R*
5. Frostburn - R * - Attunement VR - Very Rare
6. Glacial Desire - R* C - Common L - Legendary
7. Insatiable Plate - VR* U - Uncommon A - Artifact
8. Light’s Edge - VR*
9. Silken Splendor - VR*
10. Stormroc Sickle - R*
CHAPTER
CHAPTER
8 | TOOLS
8 | MAGIC
& TREASURES
ITEMS
328328
 Drow - Elven - Giant - Hunters - Modern - Warforged

Drow Artifice Melee Weapons

Grapnel. If a Large or smaller creature is hit by more
The drow are experts at producing useful equipment due than one grapnel in the same round, it is grappled by all
to their cultural penchant for adventure. This ranges from creatures that hit it with grapnel attacks; while grappled in
specialised weaponry, to unique magic items, to a wide this way, it is restrained. Grapnels have no effect on creatures
array of poisons sourced from the wild. Mundane weapons that are formless. Dealing 5 slashing damage to a grapnel (AC
and consumables can be bought from fitting traders across 11) also frees the creature without harming it, ending the
Xen'drik, or used as starting items. Poisons are available from effect and destroying the grapnel.
the Vulkooridal, and carry no stigma or illegal status. The restrained creature is considered to be within reach
of any creature that hit it with a grapnel attack in the round
it became restrained for the purposes of shove attacks. If
Drow Weapons you made your grapnel attack as a ranged attack, you have
Several weapons are unique to drow culture. The Vulkooridal disadvantage on Strength (Athletics) checks to shove a
use long knives, scorpion chains, and triple boomerangs, creature restrained by that grapnel.
while Súlatar make use of two-bladed swords and firearms. If a creature restrained by your grapnel escapes the grapple
Ko employ grapnels as traversal tools and aerial weapons. or wins a shove contest, it destroys the grapnel unless you use
A Xen'drik drow character can replace a short sword your reaction to loose it.
with a long knife, and any javelins with an equal number Long Knife. The long knife resembles a short sword
of boomerangs. balanced for throwing. It’s perhaps the single most culturally
important weapon of the Vulkooridal, serving as weapon,
Melee
Cost Damage Weight Properties tool, sporting equipment, and marker of adulthood.
Weapon
Finesse, light, reach, Scorpion Chain. The scorpion chain has curved,
Grapnel 15gp 1 piercing 5 lb. thrown (range stinger-shaped blades at either end. It takes its name from
10/20), special the common attack posture of holding the chain behind one’s
1d6 back and flipping the chain over one’s head.
Finesse, light, thrown
Long Knife 15gp piercing or 2 lb. Two-Bladed Sword. The iconic Sulatar sword is
(20/60)
slashing balanced equally well for thrusting and slashing – with blades
Scorpion 1d6 Double, finesse, on both ends of an elongated grip.
40gp 3 lb.
Chain slashing reach, two-handed

Two-bladed
1d6 Ranged Weapons
125gp piercing or 8 lb. Double, two-handed
Sword Fire Lance. A fire lance consists of a long, hollow lance
slashing
connected via a tube to a rubber pouch of Khyber’s breath
(see the Alchemicals & Poisons section); triggers on the haft
Ranged
Cost Damage Weight Properties of the lance open the valve and ignite the gas. A fire lance
Weapon
does its damage in a 5 by 30 ft. line; as an action, the wielder
Ammunition
can expend a dose of Khyber’s breath and force each creature
(special), heavy,
Fire Lance 500 gp 2d6 fire 15 lb. within the area to make a Dexterity saving throw equal to 8
loading (special),
two-handed + the wielder’s Dexterity modifier + the wielder’s proficiency
Ammunition (range bonus if proficient with firearms. On a failed save, the
1d12 creature takes the fire lance’s damage, or half as much on a
Lantaka 500 gp 10 lb. 40/120), loading,
piercing
two-handed successful one. A wielder proficient with the fire lance can
also choose to deal damage in a 30 ft. cone; this takes three
Triple 1d6 Finesse, thrown
15 gp 2 lb. doses of Khyber’s breath. A fire lance can store 6 doses of
Boomerang bludgeoning (20/60), special
Khyber’s breath, but takes 10 minutes to reload regardless of
how much Khyber’s breath is being added.
Double Weapons Lantaka. A lantaka is essentially a small handheld
cannon, consisting of a smooth brass tube on a haft. It fires
Some drow weapons are double weapons, a new weapon paper cartridges with the aid of a Tiny fire elemental bound
property introduced in the Korranberg Chronicle: Adventurer’s to a Khyber dragonshard where the matchlock would be on a
Almanac. A double weapon has two striking ends on either lantaka from Earth.
side of an elongated grip. It is too unwieldy for Small Triple Boomerang. When you miss a ranged
creatures to handle properly; they have disadvantage on attack roll with a nonmagical boomerang, it returns to
attack rolls with double-ended weapons. When you use your you at the end of your turn. A non-magical boomerang
Attack action to make an attack with a double-ended weapon, can be caught with a DC 10 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check.
you can also use a bonus action to make an additional attack Magical boomerangs return to you at the end of your turn,
with it. You don’t add your ability modifier to the damage of regardless of whether you hit or miss, and they can be caught
the bonus action attack, unless that modifier is negative. If automatically.
you have the Two-Weapon Fighting fighting style or Dual If you fail the Acrobatics check or you do not have
Wielder feat, you gain all of their benefits while wielding a a hand free to catch the returning boomerang, it
double weapon, as if it were two different weapons. falls to the ground 10 feet away from you in a
random direction.

CHAPTER 8 | TOOLS & TREASURES

329
 Drow Consumables
Poison is a common part of the hunter’s arsenal, not
to mention the scorpion wraith’s. Quarter all prices in
the Dungeon Master’s Guide, as legality is not a concern
among the drow.
hit with an attack that deals fire damage, or a roll of 1 on a
saving throw against an effect that deals fire damage, ignites
a carried powder horn; any hit with an attack that deals fire
damage or failed saving throw against an effect that deals fire
damage ignites a carried powder keg.

Item Doses Cost Weight Blackroot Oil. Surface drow brew this oil from the
stringy roots of a deep grey fern. As an action, you can drop a
dose of oil into your eyes; if you do so, you lose the Sunlight
Black powder bomb 1 150 gp 1 lb. Sensitivity trait for 1 hour.

Blinding Mangrove (Contact or Inhaled). A

Black powder horn 100 35 gp 2 lb.
creature that comes into contact with blinding mangrove
latex must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or
Black powder keg 1000 250 gp 20 lb. be poisoned for 1 minute. The creature can repeat the saving
throw at the end of each of its turn, ending the effect on a
success. If a creature fails any such saving throw by 5 or more,
Blackroot oil 8 15 gp ½ lb. the latex has gotten in its eyes, and the creature is blinded
for as long as it is poisoned. A creature that inhales burning
blinding mangrove is blinded for as long as it is poisoned,
Blinding mangrove 1 50 gp – regardless of degree of failure. A creature blinded by blinding
mangrove cannot use gaze attacks, eye rays, or any other
effect that emanates from the eyes.
Bullets, lantaka 10 3 gp 2 lb.
Bullets. Lantaka bullets are large, round metal balls and
come with cartridge paper; black powder is stored separately
Dream serpent so as not to cause bullet explosions. A character can fill as
1 75 gp –
venom
many cartridges as they have black powder for over the
course of a short rest.
Khyber’s breath,
60 200 gp 10 lbs.
keg
Dream Serpent Venom (Injury). A creature
subjected to this poison automatically takes 5 (1d10) poison
Khyber’s breath, damage. A creature that takes poison damage in this way
6 20 gp 1 lb.
pouch must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or
have their Wisdom score reduced by 1d4. If this reduces
Knockout poison 1 50 gp – the target’s Wisdom to 0, the target is cursed and magically
falls asleep. The first time that a creature that has had its
Wisdom score reduced in this way falls asleep, they dream
vividly of vibrant jungles and thousands of angry hissing
Qulasht 5 5 gp ½ lb.
serpents. A creature that trances experiences the same, but
finds the serpents within their mental reverie to not be
Scorpion venom immediately hostile.
10 25 gp –
(common) While cursed, the target’s Wisdom score cannot be
restored and it cannot awaken until the curse is removed
Scorpion venom by the remove curse spell or similar magic. Otherwise, the
1 125 gp – reduction lasts until the target finishes a long rest.
(giant)

Khyber’s Breath. Natural gas is an interesting oddity

Black Powder Bomb. As an action, a character can
light this bomb and throw it at a point up to 60 feet away.
Each creature within 5 feet of that point must succeed on a
DC 12 Dexterity saving throw or take 3d6 fire damage.
Black Powder, Horn or Keg. A dose of black
powder is enough for one cartridge. Setting fire to a
container full of black powder can cause it to explode, dealing
fire damage to creatures within 10 feet of it (3d6 for a powder
horn, 7d6 for a keg). A successful DC 12 Dexterity
saving throw halves the damage. Setting fire to an
ounce of gunpowder causes it to flare for 1 round,
shedding bright light in a 30-foot radius and
dim light for an additional 30 feet. A critical
in the Menechtarun; the Súlatar call it “Khyber’s breath”, and
utilize it in their fire lances and elemental magic (Khyber’s
breath can replace any material component of equivalent
value in a spell that deals or summons a creature that deals
fire damage), as well as for its insidious power to suffocate.
A dose of Khyber’s breath fills one five-foot cube of air with
natural gas. A creature who enters the cube or who is in the
cube when the dose is used must make a DC 13 Constitution
saving throw. On a successful save, they start holding their
breath; on a failed save, they begin suffocating. Moving to
an area without Khyber’s breath in it allows them to breathe
normally again.
Whenever a creature or object takes fire damage inside a
space full of Khyber’s breath, all creatures in that space and

CHAPTER 8 | TOOLS & TREASURES

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 Drow - Elven - Giant - Hunters - Modern - Warforged
adjacent spaces full of Khyber’s breath must make a DC 12
Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, the creature takes
2d6 fire damage, or half as much on a successful one.
The treated storage material of Khyber’s breath protects the
fuel from fire, but if the wielder suffers a critical hit from a
weapon that deals slashing or piercing damage, the container
is ruptured and the Khyber’s breath begins to leak out into
the air in a 10-foot radius around the user.
Knockout Poison (Injury). Knockout poison is
heavily diluted dream serpent venom. A creature subjected
to this poison must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving
throw or be poisoned for 1 hour. If the saving throw fails by
5 or more, the creature is also unconscious while poisoned
in this way, and experiences vivid dreams of vibrant jungles
and thousands of angry hissing serpents while unconscious
(although this has no additional effect). The creature wakes
up if it takes damage or if another creature takes an action to
shake it awake.
Qulasht. Qulasht is dream serpent venom mixed with
brine pool salts into a psychoactive drug. A dose of qulasht
causes 2 (1d4) psychic damage upon ingestion. This damage
cannot reduce a creature to less than 1 hit point. A creature
that takes psychic damage from qulasht gains advantage on
Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws for the
next hour as soothing strands of dream coil through the
waking world, but suffers disadvantage on Strength and
Dexterity saving throws and has its speed halved for the next
hour as lethargy and dizziness overtake it.
A creature that goes to sleep while under the effects of
qulasht dreams vividly of vibrant jungles and thousands of
angry hissing serpents. A creature that trances experiences
the same, but finds the serpents within their mental reverie to
not be immediately hostile.
Scorpion Venom, Common (Injury). This poison
must be harvested from a dead or incapacitated scorpion.
A creature subjected to this poison must succeed on a DC 9
Constitution saving throw, taking 4 (1d8) poison damage on
a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
Scorpion Venom, Giant (Injury). This poison must
be harvested from a dead or incapacitated giant scorpion. A
creature subjected to this poison must succeed on a DC 12
Constitution saving throw, taking 22 (4d10) poison damage
on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
Drow Magic Items
Blades of the Promise
Weapon (two-bladed sword), uncommon (requires attunement)
The Súlatar reserve these swords for their champions and
special units; the blades are composed of bloodglass, a razor-
sharp mix of obsidian and Khyber dragonshards that makes a
perfect conduit for binding small fire elementals. Whenever
you hit a target with a Blade of the Promise, it deals an extra
1 damage of the weapon’s type and an extra 1d6 fire damage.
Bloodglass items count as being made of crystal, and have the
commensurate Armor Class and hit points, although as magic
items they are not vulnerable to shatter.
CHAPTER 8 | TOOLS & TREASURES
Bracers of the Hunter
Wondrous item, uncommon (requires attunement)
These scorpion-chitin gauntlets are made from honored
hunting scorpions; the palms are etched with prayers to
Vulkoor, while the backs of the hands bear the preserved
bodies of mundane scorpions. While attuned to these
gauntlets, your appearance and clothing change subtly
to match the environment, granting you advantage on
Dexterity (Stealth) checks and the ability to hide in areas
lightly obscured by nature (such as fog, foliage, rain or
snow). Additionally, you can add your proficiency bonus to
initiative rolls.
Whenever you would deal damage with an attack that used
a superiority die, the hunter’s mark spell, the Favored Foe
feature, or the Sneak Attack feature for the first time on your
turn, you deal an additional 1d6 poison damage. This only
applies once if a creature takes damage from more than one
of those sources.
Curseknell
Wondrous Item, Rare (requires attunement by a spellcaster)
Among the Ko, the bell is a symbol of freedom and
destruction - never to be rung lightly, but often necessary.
Some communities hold that their ancestors were so
unobtrusive they were forced to wear bells to alert their
slaveowners to their presence, and later adopted bells to
speak for them when they needed to be loud; others hold that
they were inspired by the bell-like calls of silver cloudfrogs,
and that a fey spirit gives the bell its power. A Curseknell is
a stout, slightly flared Ko handbell decorated with fearsome
carvings, whose sound can shatter curses on artifacts and
people alike.
You can use the Curseknell as a spellcasting focus for your
spells. Additionally, you can cast the spells remove curse,
banishment, and dispel good & evil using the Curseknell as
a focus without expending a spell slot or requiring verbal
components. You can cast any of these spells once, and cannot
cast any of them again in this way until you finish a long
rest. When you cast a spell in this way without expending a
spell slot, every creature of your choice within 30 feet of you
that can hear you gains temporary hit points equal to your
proficiency bonus.
Eternal Rations
Wondrous item, common
The gurk’ash, a leathery-skinned bovid native to Xen’drik,
and the long corn plant (a form of millet; “corn” is used in
the sense of “hard grain” rather than the maize of Aerenal),
theorized to be a feral version of a crop magebred by the
giants of old, both have uncanny resistance to plague and
disease. Gurk’ash meat and milk, and long corn products,
never spoil and are always subject to a purify food and drink
effect. Eternal rations inside an antimagic field do spoil, and
can be poisoned or diseased. Eternal rations are available in
many Xen’drik markets, costing 25 sp and weighing 2 lb. per
day’s worth.
Firebrass Armor
Armor (medium or heavy, but not hide), uncommon
Firebrass is a light, flexible metal, similar to mithral;
like mithral armor, a firebrass chain shirt or
breastplate can be worn under normal clothes.
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 If the armor normally imposes disadvantage on Dexterity
(Stealth) checks or has a Strength requirement, the firebrass
version of the armor doesn't. Additionally, firebrass armor
always has the Temperate minor property (Dungeon Master’s
Guide, p. 143).
Firebrass Weapons
Weapon (any), common
Weapons with the thrown property and ammunition have
their normal and long ranges doubled when made from
firebrass. Melee weapons that do not normally have the heavy
property gain the finesse property when made from firebrass.
Melee weapons that do normally have the heavy property do
not have it when made from firebrass.
Firesled
Wondrous item (air vehicle), very rare
A firesled is a slender 9-foot-long flying vessel made from
dark wood and inlaid with intricate firebrass moldings. An
elemental ring of fire wraps around the stern, with a short
staff set before it in a rotating mount. The bow is shaped
to accommodate the pilot, who lies prone with total cover
from below, while a second passenger can stand using the
staff as a brace.
Pilot. While a firesled always hovers, the pilot can use an
action to communicate telepathically with the bound fire
elemental that forms the ring while within 15 feet of it,
gaining control over the firesled’s movements. Any character
can attempt to do this and become the pilot, but if they do
not speak Ignan or cannot otherwise communicate with
the fire elemental, they must succeed on a DC15 Charisma
(Air Vehicles) check to take control. Once per turn, the pilot
can mentally command the firesled to move 100 feet in any
direction. They can additionally attempt a DC15 Dexterity
(Acrobatics) or (Air Vehicles) check as an action to move
the firesled an additional 60 feet in a straight line. If the
pilot is ever more than 15 feet from the firesled, they can no
longer communicate with the elemental telepathically, and
lose control.
Caster. The passenger, while holding the staff at the
firesled’s stern, can use it to channel excess power from the
ring in the form of blazing fireballs. The staff can be used to
cast scorching ray at will (+6 to hit), and fireball twice (DC15),
regaining all expended uses daily at dawn. A character
attempting to do so who cannot speak Ignan or otherwise
communicate with the fire elemental must succeed on a DC15
Charisma (Persuasion) or (Intimidation) check; on a failure,
they can still cast spells using it, but take 1d10 fire damage
every time they do so.
Glassflow Blade
Weapon (any), uncommon (requires attunement)
Glassflow blades are made of blood glass, a razor-sharp mix
of obsidian and Khyber dragonshards that make a perfect
conduit for binding small fire elementals; rather than
channeling the elemental’s power to set enemies ablaze, the
elemental is used to melt and reshape the blood glass. As an
action while attuned to this weapon, you can transform it
from any melee weapon that deals piercing or slashing
damage into any other melee weapon that deals
piercing or slashing damage. Whenever you hit a
target with a glassflow blade, it deals an extra 1
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damage of the weapon’s damage type. Blood glass items count
as being made of crystal, and have the commensurate Armor
Class and hit points, although as magic items they are not
vulnerable to shatter.
Headdress of Vulkoor
Wondrous Item, Very Rare (requires attunement)
This headdress is a copper crown topped by the preserved
exoskeleton of a large mundane scorpion, with the tail
and stinger poised above the wearer’s brow and blood-
red gemstones in place of eyes. Long, beaded strands of
semiprecious stones dangle from the crown around the back
of the wearer’s head.Wearing a Headdress of Vulkoor grants
the following benefits:
The Cunning. You gain advantage on Dexterity (Stealth)
checks, and your footsteps make no sound.
The Hunter. If you remain still for 1 minute after taking
the Hide action, you become invisible until you are no longer
hidden, make an attack, or cast a spell.
The Mother. You can cast giant insect without expending a
spell slot, targeting only a scorpion. You can cast the spell in
this way once, and regain the ability to do so upon finishing
a long rest.
The Wrathful. You can cast seething curse* a number of
times equal to your proficiency modifier without expending
a spell slot. You regain all expended uses upon finishing
a long rest.
Lightscroll
Wondrous item, common
The lightscroll is the drow equivalent to the Khorvairian
SpellshardERLW, and has the same properties. Xen’drik lacks
Eberron dragonshards, which can be attuned to hold any kind
of spell effect; instead, Lightscrolls are bamboo tubes stuffed
with braided drow hair, since the drow body resonates with
their innate dancing lights ability. Words made of light can be
“unrolled” from the tube. Unlike a Spellshard, which requires
only concentration to write in, a Lightscroll can only be
written in by someone who knows the dancing lights cantrip.
Lightscrolls are commonly available in drow markets, costing
5 gp for a blank Lightscroll and weighing 1 lb.; they are also
common gifts among drow – many a young lover has given
their sweetheart poems written in their hair.
Since Lightscrolls are based on the any-color dancing lights
ability, drow literary practice incorporates a wide array of
color. One common convention for plays and dialogues and
such is to write each participant's lines in a different color.
Shade Crystal
Crystal, common (requires attunement)
This arcane focus is made from crystals found in Mabar
manifest zones. While attuned to the focus, you can cast the
shade cantrip targeting the crystal, but only by using the shade
crystal as a spellcasting focus for the spell. You may do so
even if you cannot normally use arcane foci. Shade crystals
are commonly available in drow markets, costing 20 gp and
weighing 1 lb.
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 Drow - Elven - Giant - Hunters - Modern - Warforged
Elven Remnants
Arquis Tellora
Weapon (double-bladed scimitar), very rare (requires attunement)
This beautiful double scimitar was once wielded during the
rebellion by an elven hero with whom it shares its name.
The steel blades of the scimitar are blessed to strike down
evil, and shimmer with a green brilliance inlaid with gold.
While wielding this magic weapon, you gain a +2 bonus to
attack and damage rolls, which deal an additional 2d6 slashing
damage against giants.
Once per day while attuned to this weapon, you can choose
to channel the spirit of Arquis Tellora within yourself to
cast holy word, using the verbal components “death to the
oppressors!”. When cast in this way, giants have disadvantage
on the saving throw. You regain the ability to cast the spell
upon finishing a long rest.
Cardaen’s Legacy
The wizard Cardaen was instrumental in the Elven Rebellion.
Raised by Cul’sir himself as a sheltered arcane prodigy,
Cardaen was pulled from his prison of ignorance by Vadallia,
the Queen of Swords. His skill in the creation of spells was
unparalleled, and the Cul’sir giants used many of those spells
against the elves - including Vadallia. Her death in battle
drove Cardaen to wage war against the giants, countering
their devastating curses. The wizard’s staff was a legendary
item through which he channeled his magic. It was lost
when Cardaen stayed behind during the Exodus, swearing to
defeat Cul’sir so the elves could truly be free. Even its broken
fragments are tools without parallel for those who live and
breathe the arcane.
Cardaen’s Legacy is a set of three items, each a former
component of the wizard’s staff. Attuning to multiple items
from the set grants successive bonuses on top of the items’
effects, as shown below.
2 items: You can prepare a number of extra wizard spells
equal to your proficiency bonus.
3 items: The bonus to your spell attack rolls and saving
throw DCs from Empire’s Bane increases to +3. You can use
the Never Again feature of Null Dominion twice per long
rest. You can modify two spells at once with the Arcane
Freedom feature of the Splinter of Innovation.
Empire’s Bane
Rod, rare (requires attunement)
This broken staff was once wielded by Cardaen in battle,
and is still imbued with some of the battle magic he wielded
against the Cul’sir Dominion - as well as his vengeance
towards the titan who raised him. While wielding this arcane
focus, you gain a +2 bonus to spell attack rolls and to the
saving throw DCs of your wizard spells. Additionally, once
per turn when you hit a Huge or larger creature with a spell
attack roll using this rod, you can choose to roll one of the
attack’s damage die and add it to the total damage dealt.
Null Dominion
Wondrous Item, rare (requires attunement)
Once the focus atop the staff of Empire’s Bane, the Null
Dominion was crafted by Cardaen as a counter to all the
CHAPTER 8 | TOOLS & TREASURES
magic he held dear - a crystallization
of his grief at watching Vadallia die
to a curse of his own design. The
small crystal orb pulses with inner
light in the presence of magic, and
is almost shattered by a scorched
crack down the center.
After attuning to the orb, you
can use an action to toss it into the
air, where it levitates and begins
orbiting your head at a distance of 1
foot. Thereafter, another creature can
use an action to grasp the orb to separate it
from you, either by making a successful attack roll against AC
24 or a successful DC 24 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check. You
can use an action to seize and stow the orb, ending its effects.
Arcane Lens. While attuned to Null Dominion, you
can cast detect magic and identify at will, using the orb as a
spellcasting focus. Additionally, you can instantly identify any
spell that is being cast by a character you can see, including
the level of the spell.
Never Again. While attuned to Null Dominion, you learn
the spell counterspell, which does not count towards your total
number of prepared spells. As a reaction to a spell being cast
that you can see, you can cast counterspell without expending
a spell slot using the orb as a focus, at the highest level of spell
that you are capable of casting. Once you do so, you cannot
use this feature again until you finish a long rest.
Splinter of Innovation
Wondrous item, rare (requires attunement by a wizard)
The Splinter of Innovation is a scorched wooden fragment
of Cardaen’s wizard staff with giant runes scratched out
and replaced with Elven letters. The Splinter is drawn to
wellsprings of arcane knowledge, and contains some of
its creator's adoration for the wonders of magic. During
the attunement period, you must hold the Splinter to your
spellbook, where it attaches and begins subtly enhancing
the knowledge within. Elven notes appear in the margins,
arcane formulae begin rearranging for greater efficiency, and
spells show suggestions for new effects and improvements.
Copying spells into the spellbook takes half the usual
time and cost
Flowing Spells. If you spend 1 minute studying your
spellbook with the Splinter attached, you can replace one of
your prepared wizard spells with a different unprepared spell
in the book. Once you do so, you cannot replace a spell in this
way again until you finish a long rest.
Arcane Freedom. Additionally, when you cast a leveled
spell, you can choose to modify it, choosing one option from
the list below. You can modify a spell in this way once, which
lasts until you next finish a long rest, and cannot choose to
modify another spell until you do so.
• All damage dealt by the spell changes to fire, lightning,
cold, acid, or thunder.
• When you cast the spell, it does so as though cast at a
level one higher than the expended spell slot.
• When you cast the spell, it does not require verbal or
somatic components.
• When you cast the spell, if it would affect
an area, you can choose to be immune to
its effects.
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 Eye of Vadallia
Wondrous item, artifact (requires attunement)
The famous diamond eye of the elven general Vadallia was
said to be a gift from an enigmatic hag, and granted her
insights into the future. Vadallia wore the diamond in place
of her right eye, and after her death, Cardaen placed it atop
his staff as a reminder. When the mage stayed to fight Cul’sir
during the Elven Exodus, it was lost with him - but the Eye
might remain at the memorial of Cardaen’s Tears (p.252).
The diamond’s true purpose has never been revealed, though
its role in shaping Xen’drik’s history is undeniable. Perhaps its
power shapes itself towards the fate of the wielder, altering
destiny along with it…
The Eye of Vadallia is an intricately cut diamond that
sparkles internally with swirling magic. Attuning to the
Eye happens as normal, although replacing a lost eye with
the diamond is likely to have interesting consequences. It
is possible that the Eye itself chooses who it can attune to,
and grants prophetic visions following its own
mysterious agenda.
Random Properties. The Eye
of Vadallia has the following
random properties:
• 1 minor beneficial property
• 1 major beneficial property
• 1 minor detrimental property
Properties of the Eye. While attuned to the Eye of
Vadallia, you gain the following benefits:
You gain 30 feet of blindsight, and immunity to the
blinded condition.
When you are hit by an attack, but before damage is
rolled, you can declare that you foresaw this attack coming
as a premonition and evaded it, causing the attack to instead
miss. You can do so once, and regain the ability to do so upon
finishing a long rest.
The Eye has 3 charges, and regains 1d3 charges upon
finishing a long rest. You can expend 1 charge to cast one of
the following spells without requiring material components,
using the Eye as the spellcasting focus: hunter’s mark (1
charge), identify (1 charge), clairvoyance (3 charges).
Awakened: When Awakened, the Eye’s properties
become more powerful. You gain the following benefits:
• You gain 30 feet of truesight.
• When you succeed on a Dexterity saving throw and
would take damage, you instead take none.
• The first time each day that you would be reduced to
0 hit points by an attack, you can instead choose to
declare that the attack has missed, as the Eye saves you
from a dire fate. You can do so regardless of whether
you have already used your reaction to make an attack
miss using the Eye.
• The Eye’s charges increase to 6, and it regains 1d4+1
charges upon finishing a long rest. You gain the
following additional options: legend lore (4 charges),
find the path (5 charges).
Unleashed: When Unleashed, the Eye might gain
any of the following properties; these are examples,
and the abilities should be tailored to the character
and ongoing plot.
334334
• You become aware of the moment of your own
demise. When you roll initiative, you can solemnly
declare that no matter the outcome of this battle, you
will die - and not just that, but in a way that will make
it impossible for you to be brought back. from the
dead. If you do so, you gain advantage on all ability
checks, attack rolls, and saving throws that you make
during this battle, and cannot be reduced below 1
hit point by any means (through sheer willpower,
determination, or luck). As soon as the battle is over
(or before, if it’s dramatic), you die a hero.
• The Eye’s charges increase to 10, and it regains 2d4+2
charges upon finishing a long rest. You gain the
following additional options: true seeing (5 charges),
foresight (8 charges)
• After every character in a fight (including you) has
rolled initiative, you can choose to swap the result of
your initiative roll with that of a willing ally.
• You can see the flow of time unfold before you,
and alter it to a degree. You can cast time stop once
without expending a spell slot, using the Eye as a
spellcasting focus.
Growing Foresight
The following properties of the Eye of Vadallia are
meant to portray how the Eye might grow along with
a character, gaining increasingly powerful divinatory
abilities. The final stage of growth is undefined, and
should be crafted to suit the role it plays in the story,
as well as the abilities of the character in question. The
Eye itself is a literal plot device. The properties here are
merely suggestions, and a GM should feel free to use
it in whichever way they wish (including deciding the
dramatic timing of when its abilities become unlocked).
The power level of the eye roughly increases from Rare,
to Very Rare, to Legendary/Artifact at each stage.
The Fangs of Vaela
Wondrous Item, artifact (requires attunement by a druid)
The first of the Gyrderi walked as an elf and a beast in equal
measure. Vaela brought the ferocity of the wild to bear
against the giants, and their teeth were the only weapon they
needed. It is said that the Fangs of Vaela are so imbued with
the elf’s wild power that they remain as relics, and revenants
who claim one can embody their primal fury.
To attune to one of the Fangs of Vaela, you must remove
one of your own teeth, and hold the Fang to the wound.
A true revenant of Vaela can face such brutality without
hesitation. Over the course of attunement, the tooth resizes
to fit your mouth, and becomes implanted, granting you the
abilities below. Teeth implanted this way cannot be removed
while you are attuned to the Fangs, and your attunement
to them cannot willingly be ended. You can gain the effects
of multiple teeth, which count as attuning to the same
Fangs of Vaela.
Rending Fangs. While you are attuned to at least one of
the Fangs of Vaela, your teeth count as a magic weapon with
the finesse property with which you can make melee attacks.
You gain a +1 bonus to the attack and damage rolls of your
bite for each Fang you have implanted, which deals 1d8 +
your Strength modifier on a hit. This bonus to attack and
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 Drow - Elven - Giant - Hunters - Modern - Warforged
damage rolls additionally applies to melee attacks made while
under the effects of Wild Shape. You gain additional effects
depending on the Fang attuned to, which stack for every
additional Fang.
Tooth Effect
The damage of your bite increases to 1d10,
Rabbit’s and to 2d10 against plants, plant creatures,
Incisor and wooden objects. Your jump distances are
doubled, including while in Wild Shape.
You gain 60 feet of darkvision and can add
your Wisdom modifier to Dexterity (Stealth)
checks. If you have darkvision, its range instead
Tiger’s increases by 60 feet. When you reduce an
Canine enemy to 0 hit points that is size Medium or
larger with a melee attack, you gain temporary
hit points equal to your level.
You learn the spell animal shapes, which you
always have prepared without it counting
towards your total prepared spells. You can cast
the spell once without expending a spell slot,
Elk’s and regain the ability to do so upon finishing
Premolar a long rest. While in Wild Shape, if you move
20 feet in a straight line towards an creature
and hit them with a melee attack, they must
succeed on a Strength saving throw against
your spell save DC or be knocked prone.
You can choose to use your Wisdom modifier
instead of Strength or Dexterity for the attack
and damage rolls of your melee attacks. When
Elephant’s
you transform into a Beast using Wild Shape or
Molar
a druid spell, you can choose to become one
size larger than normal, gaining advantage on
Strength ability checks and saving throws.
Taeri’s Twinblade
Weapon (double-bladed scimitar), legendary (Requires attunement
by a fighter)
While Vadallia is known first and foremost for her
leadership, Taeri is known for his martial skill. His double-
scimitar cut down more giants than any other, bringing
fear to the generals of the Cul’sir and Sul’at League. Taeri’s
Twinblade appears utterly mundane, except for two things -
the edge is still razor-sharp even after 40,000 years, and the
hundreds of tally marks scratched into the blades for every
giant its owner felled.
While wielding this magic weapon, you gain a +2 bonus to
attack and damage rolls, and critically hit on a roll of 19 or 20.
Random Properties. Taeri’s Twinblade has the following
random properties:
• 1 minor beneficial property
• 1 major beneficial property
• 1 minor detrimental property
Tally Mark. When you reduce a creature larger than
you to 0 hit points, a tally mark is magically etched into one
of the blades of this weapon. For every tally mark you have
added to the blade, your hit point maximum increases by 1.
Additionally, you gain a bonus to your Dexterity (Acrobatics)
and Charisma (Intimidation) ability checks equal to half the
number of tally marks you have added, rounded down. You
can etch a number of tally marks up to a maximum of equal
to your level.
CHAPTER 8 | TOOLS & TREASURES
War Dance. When you use your bonus action to attack
with the double-bladed scimitar, as part of that bonus action,
you can move up to your speed towards an enemy before or
after making the attack roll without provoking opportunity
attacks. When you hit a creature that is larger than you
with an attack using your bonus action, the attack deals an
additional 2d4 damage.
Titanfall. When you Action Surge, you can choose to
use your extra action to make a special attack that carved
the name Taeri into legend. Make one attack with Taeri’s
Twinblade against a creature within reach - a single strike to
the neck with such speed that it can bring down giants before
they even realize. On a hit, instead of the normal damage, you
deal an amount of slashing damage equal to 10 times your
level, then teleport to an occupied space you can see within
15 feet of the target. If this damage reduces the target to 0 hit
points, it is instantly beheaded, and instantly dies if it cannot
survive without a head. If you hit a Huge or larger target in
this way (and they survive), they are additionally knocked
prone. You can take this action once, and regain the ability to
do so upon finishing a long rest.
Twin Hands of Silence
Falaen, known as The Silence, was one of the most feared
assassins of the Elven Rebellion. Raised by the drow, Falaen
first worked to kill her own kind before turning on the giants
with ruthless ability. Her patience was legendary - as were
her two whispering blades. A character attuned to one of the
scimitars can attune to the other without it counting towards
their attunement limit.
Null
Weapon (Scimitar), rare (requires attunement)
While wielding this magical scimitar, you gain a +1 to attack
and damage rolls. Additionally, you can use a bonus action
to force a creature that you can see within 100 feet of you
to make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, you
become invisible to that target for 1 minute. The effect ends if
you cast a spell or attack the target. You can use this feature a
number of times equal to your proficiency bonus, and regain
all expended uses when you complete a long rest.
Void
Weapon (Scimitar), rare (requires attunement)
While wielding this magical scimitar, you gain a +1 to
attack and damage rolls. Additionally, when you hit with
this weapon and have advantage on the attack roll, you deal
an additional 1d8 damage and can choose to teleport to an
unoccupied space you can see within 60 feet that is in dim
light or darkness. If you do so, you can use your reaction to
attempt to hide by making a Dexterity (Stealth) check.
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 Giant Relics
The following items are all works of planar artifice created by
the giants of old. These can be found in giant ruins, or rarely
bought from traders such as the Winged League of Kul Lerek.
The items here are grouped by their city-state, so that GM's
can easily find the relevant loot for adventures in specific
regions. Some of these items are unique and powerful, and
may have great ramifications if retrieved.
Dal Quor - Cul'sir Empire
Lucid Bonds
Wondrous item, common
A Lucid Bond is a piece of jewelry marked by an inset Siberys
dragonshard attuned to Dal Quor. A creature who sleeps
while wearing a Lucid Bond remains lucid during their dream
(if capable of dreaming), and can control their dreamspace at
will. They also gain advantage on saving throws to resist the
spell dream. If multiple creatures wearing Lucid Bonds fall
asleep while adjacent to each other, they share a dreamspace.
Oneiric Harp
Wondrous Item (instrument), uncommon
This intricate curving harp is formed from crystallized
dreams with strings of spun imagination. Its link to the plane
of dreams has long been broken. While holding this harp,
when you grant Bardic Inspiration, you can use your reaction
to force one creature that can hear you within 30 feet of
you to make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, they are
frightened of you until the end of their next turn. Creatures
with telepathy have disadvantage on the saving throw.
Somnic Mask
Wondrous Item, Uncommon
Key figures in the armies of the Cul’sir Empire wore Somnic
Masks while sleeping on the march, protecting their dreams
from psionic attack. While wearing a Somnic Mask, you are
immune to the negative effects of the dream spell and other
effects that would seek to harm you through your dreams.
Other creatures cannot enter your dreams unless you allow it.
Additionally, upon waking, you are aware of any attempts to
tamper with your dreams (but not necessarily who did it).
Daanvi - Crux
Balanced Greatsword
Weapon (greatsword), common
Crux paladins wielded weapons enchanted with Daanvian
magic that took no chances - literally. On a hit, instead of
rolling the weapon’s damage dice, this greatsword deals 7
slashing damage before adding additional modifiers. On
a critical hit, instead of rolling additional damage dice,
add an extra 4 slashing damage for each damage die that
would be rolled.
The Endecimal Treaty
Wondrous Item, artifact
The founding treaty of the Group of Eleven is an
indestructible contract marked with titan blood.
As long as at least one of the eleven founding
Titans are alive, the epic geas on the contract
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remains - and its terms continue. A creature holding the
Endecimal Treaty can spend one minute of concentration
to focus on one of the Titan names signed in blood on the
parchment. Upon completion, they gain an understanding of
the exact location and plane of existence of that Titan - if they
are still alive. This effect supersedes all divinatory protection,
and cannot be blocked by any means.
Scales Mail
Armor (scale mail), rare (requires attunement)
This perfectly formed silver armor has geometric scales that
form the pattern of a marut’s eye. When you are critically
hit while wearing this armor, you can choose to roll a d20
as a reaction and record the number rolled. You can replace
any attack roll, saving throw, or ability check made by you or
a creature that you can see with this foretelling roll, as you
rebalance probabilities to a more favorable state from the
poor luck of the prior blow. You must choose to do so before
the roll. The foretelling roll can be used only once, and is lost
when you finish a long rest. You can use this reaction once,
and regain the ability to do so upon completing a long rest.
Dolurrh - Karrakos
Memoir Charm
Wondrous Item, uncommon (requires attunement)
This intricate metal charm is carved with the name of an
ancient giant. While attuned to the Memoir Charm, you can
remember glimpses of their past. When you make an ability
check that uses a skill, you can roll a d6 immediately after
seeing the number on the d20 and add that number to the
check. You can use this feature once, and regain the ability to
do so upon completing a long rest.
Additionally, the ancient memories allow you to write,
speak and understand Giant.
Veil Knife
Weapon (dagger), very rare (requires attunement by a rogue)
This dark assassin’s dagger, wrought from husksteel glass
containing the memories of those slain in Shae Tirias Tolai,
was wielded by those who served the will of the Queen of the
Dead. While wielding this dagger, you gain a +2 bonus to
attack and damage rolls.
As a bonus action while holding the Veil Knife, you can
slice at reality and step through, entering the Ethereal Plane
as though affected by the spell etherealness. When you take
the Attack action with this weapon while in the Ethereal,
you can target a creature on the Material. If you do so, you
immediately return to the Material, while your first attack roll
gains advantage. If it hits, the target’s maximum hit points are
reduced by the amount of damage dealt by that attack for the
next 24 hours. The effects of etherealness otherwise end after
a period of 1 minute. You can use this bonus action once, and
regain the ability to do so upon completing a long rest.
Fernia - Grand Ju'qata
Hand of Onatar
Wondrous item, uncommon (requires attunement by a sorcerer, or
ancestry with the innate ability to deal fire damage)
This intricate filigree gauntlet has a Siberys dragonshard set
in the palm that glows with a burning light. While attuned to
this magic item, you gain a +1 bonus to the attack rolls and
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 Drow - Elven - Giant - Hunters - Modern - Warforged
spell save DC of your spells and abilities that deal fire damage.
Additionally, you can cast heat metal without expending a
spell slot a number of times equal to your proficiency bonus.
You regain all expended uses upon completing a long rest.
Kythri - Genesis Twins
Arcane Dynamo
Wondrous Item, rare (requires attunement)
This complex battery contains a Siberys shard that shifts
through the colors of the rainbow. The dynamo has 3
charges, and regains 1d3 charges daily at dawn. When you
take acid, fire, thunder, or cold damage, you can expend
1 charge as a reaction to gain resistance to the triggering
damage type until the start of your next turn. When you do
so, on your next turn, your speed is doubled and you deal an
additional 1d6 force damage on your first attack that hits.
When you expend the last charge, roll a d20. On a 1, the
Dynamo overloads and explodes after conferring its normal
effect, dealing 8d10 force damage to you.
Fluxwhip
Wondrous Item, rare (requires attunement)
This flexile whip is made from elastic slime. While wielding
this weapon, you have a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls.
Additionally, as a bonus action, you can choose for the whip
to have one of the following properties until you use a bonus
action to switch to another.
• The whip deals an additional 1d4 acid damage on a hit.
• The whip’s reach increases to 15 feet.
• As an action, you can flick the whip to a point within
30 feet of you, allowing you to create a temporary
rope, close doors, or snatch a small object. If you hit
a wall with this action, you can pull yourself to that
point in a straight line, which expends movement and
provokes opportunity attacks as normal. If you hit a
ceiling, you can choose for the whip to attach, and act
as a 30 foot length of rope until you pull it away (no
action required). You cannot attack with the whip
while it is attached in this way.
Saddle of Ooze Riding
Wondrous Item, rare (requires attunement)
This giant’s toy for children allows one to ride a Large or
greater ooze as a mount. The saddle was intended for use
with tame mimics, and can only be attached to non-friendly
oozes if they are rendered unconscious first (which is implied
by them no longer eating nearby creatures). When attached,
the Saddle immediately becomes attuned to by the person
who attached it. An attuned Saddle causes the ooze to regard
that person and their companions as allies, doubles the ooze’s
movement speed, and allows the attuner to ride the ooze as a
mount without suffering the effects of being in contact with
the ooze itself. Removing the saddle causes the attunement to
end, and the ooze to return to its prior instincts.
Irian - Sohl'aran
Potion of the Refuge
Potion, legendary
This crystal-clear potion is actually blessed water from the
layer of Irian known as the Refuge, granted by its immortal
caretaker Araam. Drinking this potion grants the full
CHAPTER 8 | TOOLS & TREASURES
benefits of a long rest after a period of 1 minute, restoring
hit points, spell slots, and uses of abilities. It does not cure
any ongoing conditions on the recipient that would not
otherwise be cured by taking a long rest (such as those caused
by ongoing spells).
Refractor Shield
Shield, rare (requires attunement by a Cleric or Paladin)
This glittering golden shield has a surface polished to a
mirror sheen. When you restore hit points to a creature
with a spell or ability for the first time on your turn, you
can choose to deal radiant damage equal to half the amount
restored to a creature of your choice within 15 feet of you.
The creature must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw
against your spell save DC, taking half the damage on a
success, or all on a failure.
Rowa’s Botany Kit
Wondrous Item, Tools (Herbalism Kit), rare
This herbalism kit is stocked with extraordinarily rare herbs
and reagents taken from the gardens of Rowa’s Path. If you
are proficient with an Herbalism Kit, you can add twice
your proficiency bonus to ability checks made using Rowa’s
Botany Kit, as well as Intelligence (Nature) checks made to
identify the properties of plants. Additionally, you can spend
10 minutes of uninterrupted time to brew either a Potion of
Heroism, Potion of Greater Healing or a Potion of Poison using
the materials in the kit. You can brew one potion in this way
every 24 hours, as the materials within slowly regenerate
due to ancient Irian growth magic. A potion created in this
way loses its potency after 24 hours due to the age of the
herbs within.
Lamannia - Esht Primacy
Dominance Collar
Wondrous Item, rare (requires attunement)
This primal leather collar is worn by a familiar or animal
companion, empowering them with the magic of Lamannia.
As part of the attunement process, a Beast, Monstrosity, or
familiar of any type must willingly wear this collar on their
body. Upon attunement, the collar cannot be removed unless
you unattune to it or the creature dies. A familiar that wears
the collar retains it if temporarily dismissed.
While wearing the collar, a creature gains advantage on
Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma saving throws. You can
cast enlarge/reduce targeting the creature wearing the collar
once per day as a bonus action, without expending a spell
slot or requiring components. You regain the ability to do so
upon completing a long rest.
Rowa’s Wrath
Wondrous item, uncommon (requires attunement by a sorcerer, or
ancestry with the innate ability to deal lightning damage)
This golden diadem is inlaid with a Siberys dragonshard that
sparks with static. While attuned to this magic item, you gain
a +1 bonus to the attack rolls and spell save DC of your spells
and abilities that deal lightning damage. Additionally, when
you deal lightning damage to a creature, it cannot use
any reactions until the start of its next turn.
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 Il’ara’s Grace
Wondrous item, uncommon (requires attunement by a sorcerer, or
ancestry with the innate ability to deal cold damage)
This silver pendant is inlaid with a Siberys dragonshard
that glows with an icy blue light. While attuned to this
magic item, you gain a +1 bonus to the attack rolls and spell
save DC of your spells and abilities that deal cold damage.
Additionally, as a reaction to taking damage, you can flash-
freeze yourself in Risian ice. You gain temporary hit points
equal to 5 times your level, which you lose at the end of your
next turn. While you have these temporary hit points, your
speed is reduced to 0. You can use this reaction once, and
regain the ability to do so upon finishing a long rest.
Shavarath - Hekaton
Arm of the Conqueror
Weapon (any), very rare (requires attunement)
This brutal weapon has an engraved Siberys shard in the hilt
that pulses with soft red light. While you have fewer than
half your maximum hit points (rounded down), you can use
a bonus action to summon your sword wraith reflection
from Shavarath. You can choose to either channel the wraith
within yourself, or summon it to an unoccupied space within
30 feet of you. If summoned, it shares your initiative order,
and acts immediately after you as per your vocal commands
(no action required).
If you choose to channel the wraith within yourself, you
can attack one additional time when you take the Attack
action, as its spectral arms manifest from your body to strike
with a copy of the weaponry you are holding.
You can use either of these features once, which lasts until
you dismiss the effect as a bonus action, the sword wraith is
reduced to 0 hit points, or your hit points rise above half your
total hit point maximum. You regain the ability to use either
feature upon completing a long rest.
Bloodshards
Engraving Siberys shards with the right runes and attuning
them to Shavarath can create dangerous tools known as
Bloodshards. Attaching a Bloodshard to a weapon imbues it
with power from the plane of war - a valuable effect when
your soul screams for murder. Hekaton smiths soon learned
different ways of lensing this magic, using a variety of runes
to devastating effect.
A Bloodshard can be attached to any mundane weapon.
The attachment and detachment processes take 1 hour of
work, which can be performed during a short rest, and makes
the weapon magical. Example Bloodshards include:
Savage Bloodshard
Wondrous item, uncommon
When you roll a 1 on the damage die of the weapon this
bloodshard is attached to, you can reroll that die, and must
use the new result.
Keen Bloodshard
Wondrous item, uncommon
The weapon this bloodshard is attached to critically
hits on an attack roll of 19 or 20; if it already does so,
it additionally critically hits on a roll of 18.
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Blessed Bloodshard
Wondrous item, common
The weapon this bloodshard is attached to counts as being
made from silver, and emits dim sunlight in a 15-foot radius.
You can use a bonus action while holding the weapon to
enable or disable this light.
Returning Bloodshard
Wondrous item, common
The weapon this bloodshard is attached to returns to
your hand when thrown after dealing damage or missing
with an attack..
Adamantine Bloodshard
Wondrous item, common
The weapon this bloodshard is attached to automatically
critically hits against objects and structures.
Cleaving Bloodshard
Wondrous item, uncommon
When you hit a creature with the weapon this bloodshard
is attached to, you can choose to deal damage equal to your
strength modifier to a different creature within reach.
Infernal Firelock
Weapon (firearm), very rare (requires attunement)
An infernal firelock appears like an antiquated musket made
of rusted brass; the interior is filled with fiendish flame,
which acts as both the gunpowder and ammunition. The
weapon has a normal range of 100 feet, a long range of
300 feet, and the two-handed property for creatures of size
Medium or smaller. It deals 2d6 fire damage on a hit, and
does not require ammunition nor reloading.
An infernal firelock has 6 charges, and regains 1d3+1
charges upon completing a long rest. While wielding an
infernal firelock, you can choose to replace an attack you
make with the weapon, replicating the effects of one of the
following spells: burning hands (1 charge), scorching ray (2
charges), fireball (3 charges). These effects use your ranged
weapon attack modifier, and have a saving throw DC of 15.
Syrania - The Gallimaufry
Kinmask
Wondrous Item, legendary (requires attunement)
A Kinmask is a hand-crafted item created by one of the titans
of the Gallimaufry, imbued with the pact magic they gained
from the Dominions of Syrania. They used these masks
to hide their emotions during business deals and visits to
Syrania to meet with their patrons.While wearing a Kinmask,
you gain the following benefits:
• You can cast levitate and warding wind at will (DC 15).
• As an action, you can choose to hover an inch above
the ground at all times, including while moving. This
renders you unaffected by difficult terrain. The effect
lasts until you use an action to dispel it, or you are
knocked prone, restrained, or incapacitated.
• You are hidden from divination magic, and cannot be
targeted by such magic, nor perceived through magical
scrying sensors. Additionally, magic cannot detect
whether you are telling the truth or lying, compel you
to tell the truth, or sense your alignment.
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 Drow - Elven - Giant - Hunters - Modern - Warforged
• You can cast plane shift once every three days targeting
yourself and willing allies, but can only use it to travel
to the Immeasurable Market of Syrania, or back to the
Material Plane.
Additionally, every Kinmask is linked to a specific angel of
Syrania, granting spells from their domain. A Kinmask has 3
charges, and regains 1d3 charges upon finishing a long rest,
which can be used to cast the spells from its specific domain
(which is chosen by the GM). Spells cast in this way do not
require material components. Example domains include:
Arcana: detect magic (1 charge), dispel magic (2 charges),
teleportation circle (3 charges)
Commerce: comprehend languages (1 charge), sending (2
charges), telepathic bond (3 charges)
Knowledge: identify (1 charge), clairvoyance (2 charges),
legend lore (3 charges)
Life: cure wounds (1 charge), beacon of hope (2 charges), mass
cure wounds (3 charges)
Nature: speak with animals (1 charge), speak with plants (2
charges), commune with nature (3 charges)
Migration Key
Wondrous Item, very rare (requires attunement)
This torc is wrought from silver filigree with a cloudy
Siberys shard set into the middle. While attuned to the
Migration Key, you can spend 1 minute of uninterrupted
concentration to magically link or unlink it to a Skyhook*
that you are aware of within 500 feet of you. This fails if the
Skyhook is already linked to a different Migration Key. An
attuned Migration Key can link to any number of Skyhooks.
If you unattune to the Migration Key, it retains these links,
but none of its properties can be used until reattuned to by a
character. While linked, the abilities of the Skyhook can only
be activated by the person attuned to its Migration Key.
While attuned to the Migration Key, you can concentrate
for 1 minute to activate any of the abilities of any Skyhook
it is linked to while on the same plane of existence as those
particular Skyhooks.
Portstone
Wondrous Item, rare
A Portstone is an intricately carved sliver of Siberys shard
that levitates inside a gilded brooch. When held flat, the shard
rotates like a compass, pointing in the exact direction of the
city of Kul Lerek. Additionally, anyone holding the Portstone
can use it to cast find the path at will targeting Kul Lerek, with
the brooch itself acting as the material component.
Skyhook
Wondrous Item, legendary
This hovering metallic gyroscope is 10 feet wide, and has a
floating Siberys manifest shard in its center that glows with
a faint blue light. A Skyhook floats 10 feet above the ground,
and falls at a rate of 30 feet a round if deactivated in mid-air.
By concentrating on a Skyhook for 1 minute while within 30
feet of it, a creature with the ability to cast spells (innate or
otherwise) can cause one of the following effects by inducing
an artificial Syranian manifest zone:
Form Cloud: You create or rearrange solid Syranian
cloud, which is soft like wool, but stable enough to stand on
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and support buildings. When first used, over the course of
a minute, this causes a 150-foot radius hemisphere of cloud
to form, with the Skyhook in the center of the flat upper
surface. Any space that is occupied causes no cloud to form
within its space, unless it is occupied by a creature, in which
case the creature is lifted by the gathering cloud onto the
upper flat surface so that the space can be filled.
When used again while this area is active, the effect can
either be deactivated (causing the entire region of cloud to
disappear, and everything on it to fall), or used to selectively
remove or reposition areas of cloud for aesthetic and
architectural purposes. It takes 10 minutes of time for cloud
removed in this way to fully disappear, which is done in 15-
foot square cubes as per the will of the one controlling the
Skyhook. These cubes can be repositioned anywhere within
a 300-foot radius of the Skyhook, but more clouds cannot
be formed than were originally created when the Skyhook
was activated.
Levity Field: All creatures that begin falling within 300
feet of the Skyhook fall at a rate of 60 feet a round, can
choose to land on their feet, and take no falling damage
when they land.
Migration Path: The Skyhook and any cloud formed by it
are blown by steady winds in a direction of your choosing at
a maximum speed of 100 feet every 6 seconds (or 10 miles per
hour for convenience), until you activate this ability again to
change speed, direction, or stop. This movement continues
indefinitely, and continues 24 hours a day (resulting in a
traveled distance of 240 miles per day at maximum speed)
Calm Zone: The area in a 300-foot radius of the Skyhook
is unaffected by weather and strong winds unless you
choose so. Rain and snow that would fall within the area are
deflected around it by the manifest zone. As an action, you
can cause the weather within that radius to change to light
rain, snow, mist, or clear skies.
A Skyhook can be linked to a Migration Key*, preventing its
abilities from being used by anyone except the one attuned to
that Migration Key, and allowing its abilities to be used from
any distance while on the same plane of existence.
Thelanis - Twilight Court
Mnemonic Anemone
Wondrous Item, uncommon
This glittering flower was grown in the fertile soil of a
memory. A character that smells the flower gains the memory
that was used to grow it with perfect recall.
Xoriat - Zja Aqat
Crown of One Mind
Wondrous item, very rare (requires attunement)
This alien circlet is wrought from smooth crystal and comes
from a doomed alternate reality. Only a few Crowns of
One Mind exist in this world, all hidden deep beneath the
giant city of Zja Aqat. There, they were used to rapidly
share knowledge, preparing powerful psions for their
incorporation into the city’s gestalt god-mind.
While wearing a Crown of One Mind, you gain
1000 feet of telepathy, but can only use it to talk
to another creature also wearing a Crown.
Additionally, when you attune to the Crown,
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 you can choose one skill you are proficient in. Whenever a
creature attuned to a Crown within 1000 feet of you makes
an ability check using that skill, they can choose to use your
skill bonus instead of their own.
Time Loop
Wondrous Item, rare (requires attunement)
This moebius-loop shaped ring is formed of shell-like sentira;
it bestows a constant sense of odd deja vu. As a reaction to
taking damage, you can choose to instead gain immunity to
it and any effects caused, by pulling your future self out of
the future to take the blow for you. Your future self returns
to the future immediately upon taking the damage, even
if the damage kills them. At any point over the next three
days, the GM can declare that you have now become that
future self, causing you to immediately suffer the damage and
effects you gained immunity to (which occurs regardless of
whether the ring is unattuned to or destroyed). You cannot
use this property of the ring again until you suffer the damage
you have caused to yourself, at which causality is once
again repaired.
If you die before you can suffer the damage you have caused
to your future self, the ring shatters in a horrific fractal
sundering of timelines.
The Sul'at League
Bracers of the Wind
Wondrous Item, uncommon (requires attunement)
These rune-etched silver bracers are inset with Khyber
dragonshards containing weak air elementals. In place of
straps, the bracers bind to the arms with bands of flowing
wind. While wearing these bracers, you can speak the
command word (requiring no action) to surround yourself
with a warding gale in a 10-foot radius, causing the
following effects:
• The winds hedge out vapor, gas, and fog that can be
dispersed by strong winds.
• The winds extinguish unprotected flames that are the
size of a torch or smaller.
• As a bonus action, you cause the next ranged weapon
attack you make this turn to ignore partial cover and
have double the normal short and long ranges.
• You can use your reaction when targeted by a ranged
weapon attack from a character you can see to give
that attack disadvantage.
Cloak of the Tides
Wondrous Item, rare (requires attunement)
A Cloak of the Tides appears as a white half-cape with a clasp
inset with a Khyber dragonshard. When worn, rivulets of
water flow endlessly over the surface of the cape, forming
the shape of shifting giant runes. This water maintains its
patterning despite gravity, and does not wet the wearer in
any way. While wearing this item, you are immune to the
effects of extreme heat, and can walk on water as though it
were solid ground. Additionally, when you take fire damage
from a spell, ability, or attack, you can use your reaction to
grant resistance to that triggering damage to you and
every character within 10 feet of you who also take
damage from the same source.
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Primordial Diadem
Wondrous Item, artifact (requires attunement by a Sorcerer)
This ancient crown was worn by one of the Five Luminaries
of the Sul’at League as a symbol of their power. The Diadem
is formed from five flawless Khyber dragonshards arrayed in
a sunburst in the center of a circlet of pure unalloyed gold.
Gemstones and jewels taken from the planes are inset around
the edge of the glittering circlet. Each of the dragonshards
contains a different bound elemental, turning the Diadem
into a spellcasting focus for powerful magic. The Diadem has
3 charges, and regains 1d3 charges upon finishing a long rest.
While attuned, you gain the following abilities:
Master of the Elements. You can use an action
to expend 1 or more charges to cast one of the following
spells from the Diadem, using your spell save DC: cone of
cold (1 charge), control winds (1 charge), maelstrom (1 charge),
immolation (1 charge), wall of stone (1 charge), fire storm
(2 charges), whirlwind (2 charges), earthquake (3 charges),
tsunami (3 charges).
Binder’s Command. You can cast dominate monster
without expending a spell slot, targeting an Elemental or
Fiend. When cast in this way, elementals have disadvantage
on the saving throw. You can cast the spell in this way once,
and regain the ability to do so upon finishing a long rest.
Ruler’s Stride. You can expend 2 sorcery points
as a bonus action to gain one of the following benefits
for 1 minute:
• Wind. You gain a flying speed equal to your
walking speed.
• Earth. You gain a 15ft burrow speed that allows you to
travel through nonmagical, unworked earth and stone.
While doing so, you disturb the material you travel
through, but leave no tunnel behind you.
• Fire. Your speed increases by 15 feet, and you do not
provoke opportunity attacks when moving.
• Water. You gain a swim speed equal to your walking
speed, and can stand and walk across any liquid surface
as if it were solid ground.
Stoneward Plate
Heavy Armor (Plate), very rare (requires attunement)
This solid set of plate is forged from Sul’at ur-cobalt, with
delicate veins of quartz running through the umber metal. A
large Khyber dragonshard containing an earth elemental is
bound into the center of the breastplate. When worn, giant
runes picked out in crystal begin to glow on the greaves and
gauntlets of the armor. The weight of the metal is immense
due to the effects of the earth elemental. As a result, this set
of magical armor has a Strength requirement of 17. While
wearing this magical armor, you gain a +1 bonus to your
AC. In addition, you cannot be moved against your will by
another creature unless they are Gargantuan in size.
The armor has 6 charges, and regains 1d6 charges upon
finishing a long rest.
Earthen Embrace. You can expend 1 charge as an action
to cast the spell meld into stone, or 3 charges to cast wall of stone
(DC 18), without requiring components.
Quaking Blow. When you hit a creature with a melee
attack, you can expend 1 charge to force it to make a DC 18
Strength saving throw. On a failure, it is knocked prone.
Stone Aegis. As a reaction to taking bludgeoning,
piercing, or slashing damage, you can expend 2 charges
to gain resistance to that damage type until the start of
your next turn.
CHAPTER 8 | TOOLS & TREASURES
 Drow - Elven - Giant - Hunters - Modern - Warforged
Eldritch Machines
An eldritch machine is a powerful magic item that cannot
easily be moved, and is capable of creating wide-ranging
effects. Many are capable of great destruction or feats of
magic, and often rely on manifest zones, special components,
and other effects to achieve their purpose. In a literal sense,
every eldritch machine is a plot device - a dramatic creation
to be used by villains to enact their final plans without
requiring a deep explanation for their functions.
Xen’drik is littered with eldritch machines built during
the Age of Giants. These range from civic infrastructure to
powerful armaments, with every city-state specializing in
different areas. Even machines that once served to water
crops can be a threat in the modern day, deluging areas now
overgrown with tangled forest. Other machines have been
buried by time, and lie beneath jungle loam, rockfalls, or
desert sands. As a result, a party might be affected by an giant
device without knowing it lies nearby.
The most dangerous of all are weaponry emplacements,
which are often targets for tyrannical groups. One such
example is the Grand Pyroclast*, which was used to meteor
strike* Stormreach half a century ago under the control of the
Battalion of Basalt Towers.
The following are example Eldritch Machines mentioned
in this guide, but are by no means an exhaustive list.
Alternity Anchor
An Alternity Anchor appears as a floating sentira gyroscope
with a large Siberys dragonshard in the center that has been
cut into fractal patterns. When functioning, the concentric
rings of the gyroscope slowly rotate around each other,
lighting up with carved runes. The gyroscope has a radius of
20 feet, and floats 20 feet above the ground.
A creature standing beneath the Alternity Anchor can
spend 1 minute of concentration, as though on a spell, to
activate or deactivate it. When activated, reality in a 100-
foot radius area around the anchor (excluding the radius of
space in the center, containing the anchor) is replaced by the
matching region in another specific reality, which is specified
by the enchantments laid on the anchor’s Siberys shard. Any
creature that leaves the outer boundary of the zone exits
into the reality that they are not native to; i.e, an adventurer
from Khorvaire that walks out of the zone superimposed
by the anchor will walk into the other new reality, while a
creature from that reality that enters the zone, then walks out
of it, will exit into the adventurer’s version of Eberron. Any
creature can cross the inner boundary of the zone, entering
and exiting the area containing the Alternity Anchor itself. A
creature deactivating the Anchor ends the effect, returning
the region to normal. Any creature within that zone when
the Anchor is deactivated remains in the alternate reality that
was accessed.
Each Anchor’s Siberys shard is attuned to a specific
alternate version of reality. Replacing a Siberys shard with
one from a different Alternity Anchor will change the
reality it accesses. Determining basic facts about the reality
accessed by a deactivated Anchor requires a DC 20 Arcana
(Intelligence) check while standing beneath it.
CHAPTER 8 | TOOLS & TREASURES
Dream Colosseum
Eldritch Machine
Many Cul’sir ruins have massive buildings lined with stone
pallets known as Dream Colosseums. A creature that sleeps
within such a building always dreams of the same sealed space
in Dal Quor - a psychic ‘disaster shelter’ that prevents quori
from entering and interfering with the dream. The contents
of the dream are typically palatial, but the effects of the
Turning of the Age may have had dire consequences.
Dream Prison
Eldritch Machine
A Dream Prison is a tall stone statue of a giant with their arms
held together, as though clasping something between their
hands. Any creature in the Ethereal Plane that moves within
30 feet of a Dream Prison must succeed on a DC 20 Wisdom
saving throw or be pulled inside the statue. A creature
trapped in this way remains trapped inside indefinitely.
The only way they can be freed (other than destroying the
statue), is for a creature touching the statue to willingly allow
themselves to be possessed by a creature trapped within.
Grand Pyroclast
The largest arcane artillery emplacements of the Sul’at League
were enough to hold back both the Cul’sir Empire and Group
of Eleven combined, out of fear of the destruction they could
cause. A Grand Pyroclast is a 40-foot-long siege staff carved
from eldritch whirlwood, with every inch engraved with
a delicate arcane lattice to channel its power. Around the
central core is a firebronze and ur-cobalt casing etched with
giant runes, with an enormous Khyber dragonshard set into
the top. Within that dragonshard is a planar elemental of
such power that Khorvaire has yet to witness - an incarnation
of tectonic ruin.
A spellcaster capable of casting spells of 5th level or above
can use the Pyroclast to cast meteor strike* every 6 hours
with a range of 2 miles. Additionally, the range of their
own evocation spells cast through the Pyroclast increase by a
factor of 10.
The Mandate Heart
The core of the city of the Crux is a vast computational
engine that controls the hundreds of constructs that patrol
the city. The Heart is their baseline for the Law and Order
that defines them, and whoever can control the Heart can
use those constructs as their hands, limbs, and blades - an
undying army under their command.
In its standard state, the Heart is a machine that performs
hundreds of divinatory spells a second, then relays the
results to the constructs like a command center. Whatever
those spells deem to be the ‘correct’ choice is performed by
them instantaneously. Since the Heart deems ‘correct’ to
be what is lawful, the constructs do their best to maintain
the city, uphold its laws, and throw out any intruders
who break them.
The Mandate Heart is located at the top of the Iex Mekina
tower at the center of Crux, occupying an entire floor, with
commanding views over the entire city. A character
that spends 1 minute concentrating in front of the
Mandate Heart, as though on a spell, can perform the
following actions once that minute has passed:
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 • Cast any divination spell of 9th level of lower without
requiring components or expending a spell slot. Spells
without a range of touch or self have their range
increased to the entire continent of Xen’drik. If this
function is used for casting a spell of 5th level or
higher, it cannot be used again for a number of hours
equal to the level of the spell. Spells that contact other
planes or beings for information are all answered by
relevant beings from the plane of Daanvi.
• Neutralize the effects of one curse, affecting anything
from an item, to an individual, to the entire continent
of Xen’drik, including immense magical effects such as
the Durash’ka Tul and Traveler’s Curse. The intensity
of doing so for a continent-wide curse requires nearly
the full power of the Mandate Heart. As a result, the
Heart can only neutralize one such curse at a time.
• Summon any mechanical Construct with a Challenge
Rating of 10 or lower. This function cannot be
performed again until a number of hours have passed
equal to the Challenge Rating of the Construct. The
Construct is an ally of the character who summoned
it, and follows their verbal commands (no action
required). The Construct cannot leave the boundaries
of the city of Crux, and is immediately reduced to 0 hit
points if made to do so for any reason.
• Give a command no longer than a sentence to the
entire construct army of Crux, which they will fulfill
without question or obstruction until a different
command is given. The command can contain vague
directives, but those directives will be interpreted
(potentially dangerously) by the logical divinatory
core of the Heart itself. A different command can
only be given after 1 hour has passed, as thousands
of constructs recalibrate across the city - along with
the entire divinatory process of the Heart. Giving
more complex commands is possible, but the strain
of channeling raw Daanvian magic from the Mandate
Heart to do so is immense - something only the
Fulcrum Hala’gon himself could handle routinely.
Doing so unprepared can entirely overload one’s mind,
rendering a character incapacitated, and reducing their
Intelligence score to 1 unless they succeed on a DC
25 Intelligence saving throw. This effect can only be
cured by spells such as greater restoration or stronger.
A being of a Chaotic alignment or tendency that attempts
any of these actions must succeed on a DC 25 Wisdom saving
throw or have their alignment changed to Lawful, as the full
force of the Mandate Heart overwhelms them. Until restored
by spells such as greater restoration or stronger, breaking any
local or national law becomes anathema to their soul, causing
them to immediately lose a number of hit points equal to half
their maximum hit points if they do so.
Manifest Anchor
A Manifest Anchor is a large device that channels planar
magic into an area, typically resulting in that area gaining
one of the linked plane’s properties. Every city-state in Group
of Eleven made extensive use of Manifest Anchors to
support their population. While the appearance of
each Anchor depends on the city-state in question,
every one is built around a core component - a
342342
large Siberys dragonshard carved with runes to attune it to a
specific plane, and govern what effect it has.
d13 Example Manifest Anchor
Creatures who willingly lie or harm another
near an Armisticer - once used for diplomatic
meetings - must succeed on a DC20 Wisdom
Daanvi saving throw. On a failure, they take force
damage equal to a quarter of their maximum
hit points and are knocked prone.
Entire cities were linked by Empire Chains,
which caused creatures in the region to dream
Dal Quor within the same shared space in Dal Quor.
Many still function, creating ‘Dreamtouched
Locales’ occupied by lost Cul’sir minds.
Once used by Karrakos to speak to the dead, a
Memorandum allows creatures to see into the
Dolurrh Ethereal Plane. Any creature that dies within
the vicinity is more likely to rise as a ghost;
accordingly, many are crowded with undead.
Creatures in the vicinity of a Forgemark gain
Fernia advantage on all Tools-based ability checks, as
it bestows them with the properties of Fernia.
Healing spells and abilities within the radius
of a Sunspire restore an additional die of hit
Irian points. Additionally, dim light becomes bright
light, and plants and animals grow rapidly.
Dynamo Arrays harness and transmute
different types of energy for (formerly) safe
use. Spells and abilities that deal fire damage
Kythri
might instead deal cold, lightning might
become thunder, while radiant might
become necrotic - and vice versa.
Plants grows rapidly within a Growth Anchor's
radius, which were used for farms and
Lamannia orchards. Spells and abilities that create or
affect plants cannot be willingly ended, and
might continue for hours or even days.
Creatures that die within the radius of a
Qabalrin Soul Siphon have their souls pulled
Mabar into a central obsidian pillar; Three questions
can be asked of a soul, which it must answer
truthfully. After the last, it is pulled into Mabar.
Ice within the radius of a Preservation Cradle is
imbued with Risian magic; items (and people)
Risia frozen in such ice are placed into unconscious
stasis, do not age, and remain until freed.
A Swordcircle is a magic sparring ring that
pulls the sword wraith reflection of a
Shavarath character into the Material for them to fight.
Formerly a training method, Swordcircles are
now a danger for unwitting explorers.
An Immeasury draws on Syrania for ‘perfect
Syrania understanding’; creatures within the area can
understand all spoken and written language.
Every Grand Fable is unique, drawing the
storybook logic of the fey into reality for work
Thelanis and whimsy. This carries the risk of offending
whichever archfey is linked to the Fable.
Xoriat Alternity Anchors* are detailed above.
CHAPTER 8 | TOOLS & TREASURES
 Drow - Elven - Giant - Hunters - Modern - Warforged
Hunter's Trophies
The following items are intended as thematic rewards that
can be crafted from named creatures such as Lurking Two-
Maws* in the Legendary Monsters section on p.152.
1. The Cinder Sisters - Cindersender
2. Glimmerdoom - Light’s Edge
3. Kraa’ak Lors - Stormroc Sickle
4. Lurking Two-Maws - Insatiable Plate
5. Kaskylla of Glass - Glacial Desire
6. The Mistmother - Silken Splendor
7. Menechtar - Dusteater
8. The Flux Beast - Fluxhide Cuirass
9. Thousandfold - Frostburn
10. The Somnoboros - Dream & Darkness
Cindersender
Whip, very rare (requires attunement)
This nine-headed whip, made of pyrohydra sinew and
tipped with the teeth of the Cinder Sisters*, burns with the
creature’s inner fire - and resonates with your fury. While
wielding this magic whip, you gain a +1 bonus to attack and
damage rolls, and deal an additional 1d4 fire damage on a hit.
Cindersweep. When you take the Attack action while
wielding this whip, you can sweep Cindersender in a whirl of
flame and teeth, replacing one attack you make. Each other
creature in a 10ft radius around you must succeed on a DC
16 Dexterity saving throw or take 2d8 fire and 2d8 piercing
damage, or half on a success. If you are under half your
maximum hit points, creatures have disadvantage on this
saving throw. If you are under a number of hit points equal
to your level, you do not roll, instead dealing the maximum
damage. Once you use this ability, you can't do so again until
you finish a short or long rest.
Dream & Darkness
Wondrous Item, very rare (requires attunement)
These snake-scale gauntlets are adorned with dream serpent
fangs that extend from your knuckles, taken from the
legendary Somnoboros*. While wearing these gauntlets,
you gain a +1 bonus to attack and damage rolls made with
your unarmed strikes, which deal an additional 1d4 poison
damage on a hit. The gauntlets have 6 charges, and regain
1d3+1 charges upon finishing a long rest. While wearing the
gauntlets, you can expend charges in the following ways:
Dream. When you deal damage to a creature with an
unarmed strike, you can expend 1 charge to cast sleep centered
on the creature, requiring no verbal or material components.
You are immune to the spell when cast in this way. You can
additionally expend 4 charges to cast dream.
Darkness. When you deal damage to a creature with an
unarmed strike, you can expend 1 charge to force them to
make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw (or your Ki save DC
if you are a Monk.) On a failure, a creature takes 2d4 poison
damage and is blinded until the end of its next turn, or takes
half damage on a success. You can additionally spend 1 charge
to cast darkvision.
CHAPTER 8 | TOOLS & TREASURES
Dusteater
Staff, very rare (requires attunement by a sorcerer,
warlock, or wizard)
This twisting purple staff is carved from the shell of the
Menechtar*, and retains its destructive potential. While
wielding this magic staff, you gain a +1 bonus to your
spell attack rolls and spell save DC, and have resistance to
force damage.
Annihilator. When you roll to deal force damage to a
creature while wielding this staff, you can treat a 1 on any
of the damage die as a 2. If you reduce a creature to 0 hit
points by dealing force damage to it, it is turned to fine dust.
Additionally, you can use the staff to cast disintegrate once
without expending a spell slot, and regain the ability to do so
upon finishing a long rest.
Fluxhide Cuirass
Light Armor (Studded Leather), rare (requires attunement)
This armor, made from the morphic hide of the Flux Beast*,
continues to shift and pulse while worn. This armor has 6
charges, and regains 1d3+1 charges after finishing a long rest.
While worn, you can expend charges to cast the following
spells without requiring verbal or somatic components, using
the armor as a spellcasting focus: absorb elements (1 charge),
chaos bolt (1 charge), elemental baneXGE (3 charges), polymorph
targeting only yourself (4 charges).
Additionally, you can choose to cast any of these spells
by sacrificing a number of hit dice equal to the number of
charges that the spell would otherwise cost.
Frostburn
Glaive, very rare
This curving scythe of ice is a detached leg from the giant
remorhaz construct known as the Thousandfold*. Despite
being formed entirely of sculpted frost, it burns with an inner
fire, and is warm to the touch.
While wielding this magic weapon, you gain a +1 bonus to
attack and damage rolls, and can choose one of the following
states for Frostburn to be in. You can change states as a bonus
action, switching the effects granted.
Frost. This weapon freezes into ice, dealing an additional
1d6 cold damage on a hit. The first time you deal that
additional cold damage on a turn, you gain an equal number
of temporary hit points. You additionally gain resistance to
fire damage.
Flame. The inner fire flares, boiling through the outer
shell. This weapon deals an additional 1d6 fire damage on a
hit, which is additionally dealt to every creature within 5 feet
of you. You gain resistance to cold damage.
Glacial Desire
Shield, rare (requires attunement)
This icy shield is a large carapace plate taken from the body of
the morkoth Kaskylla*. Its freezing surface is infused with
frost from the Iceflow Sea, as well as the monster’s endless
greed. While wielding this magic shield, you gain resistance
to cold damage.
Additionally, this shield has 3 charges, and regains 1d3
charges upon finishing a long rest. You can use an
action and expend 1 charge to divine the location of
the single most valuable item or greatest amount of
gathered gold within 500 feet of you, as long as
343
 it is not protected by anti-divination effects or a layer of lead
of any thickness. You can expend 2 charges to instead learn
the greatest desire of a creature that you can see within 60
feet of you.
Insatiable Plate
Medium Armor (Breastplate), very rare
This dinosaur-hide plate was taken from the mutant
tyrannosaurus-rex ‘Lurking Two-Maws*’, and retains
its endless hunger. The center of the breastplate has a
horrendous circular mouth ringed with teeth, and tendrils
that seek to pull in prey.
The armor has two scaled tendrils, which you can use to
manipulate an object, open or close a door or container, or
pick up or set down a Tiny object without using your hands.
Additionally, when you attempt to grapple a creature, you can
use the tendrils, leaving your hands free. A creature that starts
its turns grappled by you takes 1d8 piercing damage from the
teeth in the center of the armor. If a creature grappled by you
is reduced to 0 hit points, you gain 2d8 temporary hit points
as the armor absorbs some of their flesh and blood.
Light’s Edge
Dagger, very rare (requires attunement)
This shimmering opalescent dagger is formed from the
fang of the behir Glimmerdoom*. While wielding this
magic dagger, you gain a +2 bonus to attack and damage
rolls. Additionally, as an action, you can cause the dagger to
become invisible as long as you are holding it or it is on your
person, granting you advantage on all Dexterity (Sleight of
Hand) checks made to conceal it.
Mirror Blade. Light’s Edge has 3 charges, and regains 1d3
charges upon finishing a long rest. You can expend 1 charge
to cast either invisibility or mirror image using the dagger as
a spellcasting focus. When you cast mirror image in this way,
you have advantage on attack rolls while the spell is in effect.
Silken Splendor
Wondrous Item, very rare (requires attunement)
This ghostly ethereal cloak is made from the fuzzy hide of the
arachnid Mistmother* . It appears invisible unless looked at
directly. While wearing Silken Splendor, you gain a +1 bonus
to your AC. The cloak has 3 charges, and regains 1d3 charges
upon finishing a long rest. You can expend 1 charge to cast
blur, or to cast polymorph targeting yourself, but you can only
turn into a spider or giant spider.
Stormroc Sickle
Sickle, rare (requires attunement by a druid)
This magical sickle is formed from a carved talon taken from
Kraa'ark Lors*. You gain a +1 bonus to attack and damage
rolls made with this magic weapon, as well as a +1 bonus to
your spell attack rolls and spell save DC. Additionally, when
you deal lightning or thunder damage, you ignore resistance
to those damage types.
Thunderheart. While attuned to the Stormroc Sickle, you
always have the spell call lightning prepared, which does not
count towards your prepared spell limit. While you are under
the radius of the spell’s stormcloud, you gain a flying
speed equal to your movement speed.
Stormbird. When you use Wild Shape to
transform into a creature with a fly speed
that is Small or larger, you gain immunity
344344
to thunder and lightning damage while in that form.
Additionally, your speed increases by 10 feet, and your attacks
deal an additional 1d6 lightning damage on a hit.
Modern Craftwork
Arcanissa Toolkit
Wondrous item, rare (requires attunement by an artificer)
The Arcanissa yuan-ti live in magically irradiated ruins, using
their innate resistances and technical know-how to survive.
Arcanissa artificers carry specialist tools used to disassemble
dangerous equipment, often with in-built wards in case of
catastrophic failure. This Toolkit can be used as Tinker's
Tools or Thieves' Tools. While holding this Toolkit, you gain
a +1 bonus to the spell attack rolls and saving throw DCs of
your artificer spells, as well as to ability checks made to safely
disassemble magical devices or defuse traps.
Additionally, when you succeed on a saving throw against
a spell or magical effect that would deal damage to you, you
can choose as a reaction for the protective wards placed on
the toolkit to absorb some of the arcane energy. Reduce
the damage you would take by an amount equal to your
proficiency bonus. Until the end of your next turn, your AC
increases by that amount.
Asherat Sandnet
Weapon (net), common
This net is made from geomantic desert sand that binds
to its target. Attacks made with this magical net do not
have disadvantage when used against a target standing on
unworked stone, sand, or earth, as the ground around them
temporarily binds to the net. Additionally, when destroyed,
the sand reforms back into the net after a period of 1 minute.
Beacon of Passage
Wondrous Item, common
A Beacon of Passage is a small decorative item crafted by the
Eternal Dominion that permits a ship to sail the Thunder
Sea. The spell locate object can detect a Beacon of Passage
at a distance of up to 10,000 feet, rather than within the
normal range of 1000 feet. Each Beacon has a small section
of the biological sahuagin material known as ‘korlass’, which
gradually degrades over a period of time as a sign of when the
Beacon was first granted.
Breathblade
Weapon (Longsword), Uncommon (requires attunement by
a dragonborn)
The organic tools of the Trothurkear dragonborn are often
produced by their bolatashi, and can be considered living
creatures. Breathblades are one example. These living swords
- which symbiotically bind to their wielder’s hands - have
sharp bone blades and fleshy scaled handles. While attuned
to this weapon, you can use a bonus action while wielding it
to painlessly merge one of your hands with the scales of the
weapon. Until you choose to undo this as a bonus action, you
gain the following benefits:
• You cannot be disarmed of the Breathblade, or drop it
for any reason.
CHAPTER 8 | TOOLS & TREASURES
 Drow - Elven - Giant - Hunters - Modern - Warforged
• When you use your Breath Weapon to deal damage,
the blade surges with the same elemental energy. For
the next minute, when you hit with the Breathblade
for the first time on a turn, it deals an additional 1d6
damage of the same type as your Breath Weapon.
• When you critically hit with the Breathblade, for the
next minute, your Breath Weapon deals an additional
damage die.
While you are attuned to the Breathblade, other creatures
have disadvantage on attack rolls using it.
Curseknell
Wondrous Item, Rare (requires attunement by a spellcaster)
Among the Ko, the bell is a symbol of freedom and
destruction - never to be rung lightly, but often necessary.
Some communities hold that their ancestors were so
unobtrusive they were forced to wear bells to alert their
slaveowners to their presence, and later adopted bells to
speak for them when they needed to be loud. Others hold that
they were inspired by the bell-like calls of silver cloudfrogs,
and that a fey spirit gives the bell its power. A curseknell is
a stout, slightly flared ko handbell decorated with fearsome
carvings, whose sound can shatter curses on artifacts and
people alike.
You can use the Curseknell as a spellcasting focus for
your spells. Additionally, you can cast the spells remove curse,
banishment, and dispel good & evil using the Curseknell as
a focus without expending a spell slot or requiring verbal
components. You can cast any of these spells once, and
cannot cast them again in this way until you finish a long
rest. When you cast a spell in this way without expending a
spell slot, every creature of your choice within 30 feet of you
that can hear you gains temporary hit points equal to your
proficiency bonus.
Cuttlerobe
Wondrous Item, Uncommon
This elastic form-fitting bodysuit was made by a Simeq
clothier from the hide of a giant cuttlefish, and retains some
of the creature's shape-changing abilities. While wearing
the Cuttlerobe, you gain a swim speed equal to your walking
speed. As an action, you can change the texture, color,
and pattern of the Cuttlerobe as you wish. If you do so, by
not moving for a minute, you become invisible until you
move, attack, or cast a spell, as the robe shifts to match
the background.
Dra-tin Chatkcha
Weapon (dart), Rare
Thri-kreen warriors often wield three-tined throwing
weapons known as chatkchas. Those who hunt beings-that-
dream sometimes wield chatkchas dangerously linked to Dal
Quor, carved from a form of jade-like thri-kreen sentira.
Against creatures who do not dream, they have no additional
effect. Against those who do, they bestow crippling fear.
While wielding this magic dart, you gain a +1 bonus
to attack and damage rolls. After throwing the dart, it
automatically returns to you at the end of your turn, as long
as you have a free hand to catch it.
When you hit a creature capable of dreaming with this
weapon, it deals an additional 1d4 psychic damage, and the
creature must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw
CHAPTER 8 | TOOLS & TREASURES
or immediately fall prone and become frightened of you
until the end of their next turn. While frightened in this
way, a creature screams uncontrollably, preventing them
from speaking. A creature that succeeds on the saving throw
becomes immune to the effect for 24 hours.
Runewood Staff
Wondrous Item, Rare (Requires attunement by a druid)
The giants of the Guardians of Rusheme have combined
their primal magic with the runic traditions of their
forebears. Many higher-ranking Kelshoc and Rushem’dal
carry Runewood Staves that aid them in their travels across
Xen’drik. Generally, a Runewood Staff is carved from a
small tree native to where the druid grew up, with runic
additions made over the years as they deepen their ties to the
land. Many of these staves still have living wood, growing
and blooming with the seasons. While holding this magical
staff, you gain a +1 bonus to your spell attack rolls, and
Spell Save DC.
When you take a short or long rest outside of a man-made
construction, you can plant your staff into the ground to
enhance the plant life in the area. After 30 minutes of resting,
you can choose to imbue the land in a 30-foot radius around
you with one of the following effects:
• You induce rapid growth in the land, causing the
region to become difficult terrain for all creatures
except the allies you rest with, as new life blooms.
• You focus on establishing a magic link with the
existing plant life, allowing you to communicate
with the plants as if you shared a common language.
You can question the plants about events in the
spell’s area within the past day, gaining information
about creatures that have passed, weather, and other
circumstances.
• One healing goodberry grows for each total hour you
spend resting. A berry can be eaten or fed to another
creature as an action to restore 1 hit point, and
provides enough nourishment to sustain a creature
for one day. The berries last until you begin your
next long rest.
These effects last until you leave the affected area, and are
additionally blocked by total cover.
Shadowsilk Studded Leather
Light armor (studded leather), common
This outfit of lightweight silk is impossibly soft and
surprisingly resistant to blows. While wearing Shadowsilk
Studded Leather, you can attempt to take the Hide action
when only lightly obscured by vegetation, falling snow,
or other environmental conditions, even when standing
in the open.
Siberys Compass
Wondrous item, rare (requires attunement by a character with the
Mark of Passage)
These intricate dragonmarked focus items are inset with a
Siberys shard from Xen’drik. The abilities of the Mark
of Passage allow House Orien a unique form of
resistance to the Traveler’s Curse, and an heir using
one of these devices might optionally ignore the
effects of the Curse entirely.
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 An attuned Siberys Compass allows a character and their
allies to travel in Xen’drik for up to 10 hours without risking
exhaustion. Additionally, their sense of direction causes
them to intrinsically avoid dangers and difficult terrain. As a
result, a party moving overland at a normal pace is able to use
Stealth as though they were traveling at a slow pace, while
a party moving overland at a fast pace suffers no penalty to
their Passive Wisdom (Perception) scores as a result.
Starfall Torc
Wondrous Item, Uncommon
This crystalline band, carved by Irsvern kobold ‘blood seers’,
is infused with the divinity of the Dragon Above. If you
begin your turn flying, and move at least 30 feet directly
downwards before landing on the ground on your turn,
you become cloaked in radiance like a falling star. Every
creature of your choice within 10 feet of you when you land
takes radiant damage equal to your proficiency modifier,
and must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be
knocked prone.
Storyweave Armor
Light Armor (Studded Leather), Uncommon (requires attunement)
The fae’drik carry Heirloom Tales, passed down through
generations since the fall of the Twilight Court. These
stories carry the history of their people, as well as the tales
of the archfey of Thelanis. Skilled fae’drik artisans can weave
these stories into lightweight armor that carries narrative
enchantments sewn into the leather. By wrapping the wearer
in tales of heroism and bravery, they gain some of the ‘plot
armor’ of a Tale’s protagonist. Storyweave is often worn by
members of the Unbound Brigade, who specialize in fighting
giants. A character can spend an action to read the story itself
off the armor, which they hear in their mind in the voice of
the weaver. You are considered proficient with this armor
even if you lack proficiency with light armor.
Additionally, when you reduce a creature larger than you
to 0 hit points, you can use your reaction to give a heroic
shout. Every creature of your choice within 30 feet of you
that can hear you can roll a d4 and add the number rolled to
their next attack roll or saving throw within 1 minute. Once
you take this reaction, you cannot do so again until you finish
a long rest.
Warforged
Components
Auxiliary Arms
Wondrous Item, rare (requires attunement by a warforged)
These insectoid arms were designed by the Vulkoori drow,
and are intended to bring warforged closer to the form of a
scorpion. When you attune to them, they merge with the
sides of your chest, and can be controlled the same as your
main arms. These designs were partly inspired by the odd
forms of some Quorforged, who have multiple arms
innate to their design.
While attuned to the Auxiliary Arms, you can use
them to manipulate an object, open or close a
346346
door or container, pick up or set down a Tiny object, or wield
a weapon that has the light property.
Behemoth Belt
Wondrous Item, uncommon (requires attunement by a warforged)
This golden belt was designed by the quori to let their soldiers
stand toe-to-toe with the giants. While you attuned to this
belt, it integrates into your form and becomes inseparable.
As an action while attuned to this belt, you can magically
increase your size to Large, causing your dimensions to
double and your weight to be multiplied by eight. Your
equipment similarly increases. If there isn’t enough room
for you to achieve that size, you instead attain the maximum
possible size for the space available. While Large, your
weapon attacks deal an additional 1d4 damage, and you have
advantage on Strength ability checks and Saving throws. This
effect lasts for 10 minutes, or until you end it as an action.
Defense of the Makers
Wondrous Item, very rare (requires attunement by a warforged)
This helm, crafted for a warforged champion of the quori,
contains the power to take down the largest of giants. The
Defense of the Makers is made from pure silver, with gold
tracery and a Khyber dragonshard inset vertically above the
eyes. While attuned to this helmet, it integrates into your
form, becoming inseparable.
The Defense of the Makers grants you a +5 bonus to
Strength (Athletics) checks made to resist being grappled or
shoved by creatures of a size larger than you. Additionally,
whenever you hit a creature that is a size larger than you with
a melee attack, you deal an additional 1d6 damage. When
you deal this damage to a creature, you can spend your bonus
action to force the creature to succeed on a DC 18 Wisdom
saving throw or fall under the effects of the spell confusion
for up to 1 minute, or until it succeeds on a saving throw to
end the effect. Once you do so, you cannot use this ability
again until you finish a short or long rest.
Scorpion Belt
Wondrous Item, rare (requires attunement by a warforged)
Crafted by the Vulkoori drow as an homage to the god
Vulkoor, the Scorpion Belt is made from adamantine links
inlaid with Siberys dragonshards, with a central buckle in the
shape of a segment of carapace. While attuned to this belt, it
integrates into your form, becoming inseparable.
While attuned to a Scorpion Belt, you can use an action
to cast polymorph on yourself, transforming into either a
scorpion or giant scorpion. In either form, you physically
resemble that of a warforged, with metal carapace and
wooden joints. Additionally, while polymorphed in this way,
you retain the benefits of your Constructed Resilience trait
and gain a +1 to your AC. You can use this ability once, and
regain the ability to do so upon finishing a long rest.
Scorpion Claw Gauntlets
Wondrous Item, uncommon (requires attunement by a warforged)
These sharp insectoid claws are made of metal and designed
by the Vulkoori drow. When you attune to them, they merge
with your hands, becoming inseparable.
While attuned to the gauntlets, you gain advantage on
melee attack rolls against targets that you are grappling.
Additionally, when you begin your turn grappling a creature,
you can choose for it to take 1d6 poison damage.
CHAPTER 8 | TOOLS & TREASURES
 Appendix A
Example Soundtracks
The following are example YouTube background tracks for
different regions of Xen’drik. Each list has different themes
intended to save time for DMs who are planning sessions,
and provide ambience for writing. These tracks are not
exhaustive by any means, and are heavily biased by the media
I have consumed.
Stormreach & Thunder Sea
• Cryo Chamber - Dark Underwater Ambience
• Dishonored 1 OST - Grime & Grandeur
Ambience Mix
• Dishonored 2 OST - Karnaca Ambience
• Divinity: Original Sin 2 OST - Xantezza’s Pocket
Plane Ambience
• League of Legends OST - Bilgewater Mix
• Pillars of Eternity OST - Combat E (Extended)
• Tripmaster Monk - Zen Gangster Ballad Lo-fi Pt. 1
Skyfall Peninsula & Hydra Basin
• Elden Ring OST - Regal Ancestor Spirit (Extended)
• Guild Wars 2: Heart of Thorns OST - Battle
- Mordremoth
• Hollow Knight OST - Greenpath Ambience
• Michael Ghelfi - Dinosaur Jungle at Night
• Michael Ghelfi - Nylea’s Shrine
• World of Warcraft OST - Stranglethorn Vale and
Zul’Gurub Ambience
The Menechtarun
• Diablo 4 OST - Jirandai Town Music (Dry
Steppes Region)
• Diablo 4 OST - Dry Steppes Supercut
• Legends of the Ever Earth - Ashatan Battle Music
• Michael Ghelfi - Windy Desert Ambience
• Monster Hunter World OST - Wildspire Waste
Battle Theme
• World of Warcraft OST - Ahn’Qiraj Ambience
• World of Warcraft OST - Vol’dun Ambience
The Iceflow Sea
• Diablo 4 OST - Fractured Peaks Supercut
• Elder Scrolls: Skyrim OST - Night Music
and Ambience
• Elder Scrolls: Skyrim OST - Winter Storms
Music & Ambience
• Michael Ghelfi - Frozen Tundra
• Frostpunk OST - The City Must Survive
• Monster Hunter OST - Ice Map Battle
Theme Medley
• Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep OST -
Flamerock Refuge
CHAPTER 81| |TOOLS
APPENDIX EXAMPLE
& TREASURES
SOUNDTRACKS
Dread Lake
• Hollow Knight OST - Deepnest Ambience
• Little Nightmares 2 OST - Down the Hall (Extended)
• Little Nightmares 2 - Six’s Music Box (Extended)
• Monster Hunter World OST - Rotten Vale Battle
Theme (Extended)
• Red Dead Redemption 2 - Bayou Nwa
Theme (Night)
• Red Dead Redemption 2 - West Elizabeth Theme
• Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice - The Phantom, Lady
Butterfly Phase 2 (Extended)
Valley of Shadows
• Monster Hunter World OST - Glavenus’
Theme (Extended)
• Michael Ghelfi - Volcanic Field
• World of Warcraft OST - Blade’s Edge
Mountains - Ambience
• World of Warcraft OST - Ironforge Ambience
• World of Warcraft OST - Shadowmoon Valley
(Outland) Ambience
Giant Ruins
• Cryo Chamber - Old Ruins and Ancient Temples
• Darkest Dungeon - Explore the Ruins (Extended)
• Divinity Original Sin 2 OST - Symphony of the
Void (Extended)
• Fire Emblem: Three Houses OST - As Fierce as
Fire (Extended)
• Fire Emblem: Three Houses OST - Dwellings of the
Ancient Gods (Rain) (Extended)
• Fool’s Gold: Into The Bellowing Wilds OST -
Foreclaimer Ruins
• Monster Hunter Rise OST - Lava Caverns, Cold
Blues and Flaming Reds
• World of Warcraft OST - Suramar Ambience
347
 Appendix B Example NPCs
1. Cirris d'Orien - Orien Mailman
2. Daeleth Elaras - Silaes Tairn Artificer
Adventurers & NPCs 3.
4.
En-Rayin - Asherati Merchant
Ghaltar Virtuous - Fire Giant Paladin of the Flame
5. Harghost Serpent Nabora - Goliath Beast Hunter
The 'Example Plot Characters' section on p.24 was originally 6. Katlassir - Shulassakar Agent
a lot longer, and featured over 30 different characters one 7. Narrvae Aurixgarurt Mrithmaug - Cursed Soldier
might encounter in Xen'drik. That was scaled back to save 8. Omun - Wereraven Frost Giant Druid
on time and space, but I've expanded it here with the benefit 9. The Prescient - Cyclops Oracle
of time. The characters featured here might be encountered 10. Serahar i Dereia - Cloud Giant Archaeologist
anywhere across Xen'drik, and are intended to provide 11. Trill - Awakened Lyrebird
opportunities for roleplay, social encounters, and the 12. Wyrhaen of the Coral Court - Lost Triton Knight
introduction of quest hooks. 13. Xizka Charir - Winged Plains Kobold

Example Adventuring Groups Cirris d’Orien

Group Background
House Orien Courier (he/him):
A feisty crew of kobolds known across the Sun
Pillars for their derring-do. They specialise in
Personality: Chipper and peppy, with a love for puns.
Ulto's Crew testing traps for kobold settlements. As sworn
Ideals: To do the impossible, by delivering mail in Xen’drik
enemies of the behir Glimmerdoom, they have
(and stick it to his parents by doing so).
clashed with the beast on many occasions.
Bonds: The Orien folk in Stormreach, and the gruff
An arrogant squad of wealthy students from
The Wolf prospectors of Zantashk, who have gained a fair amount of
Khorvairan universities trying to earn some
Pack respect for the scion (and often treat him to beer).
scars and stories on summer break.
The Hantar'kúl drow treat dungeoneering as a Flaws: A weakness for beer and a hasty desire to find
part of everyday life. The N'tash Kúl ('Wraith someone to remedy his loneliness.
N'tash Hunters') are a group of experienced drow
adventurers who specialise in dealing with Cirris is the only Orien courier to deliver mail in Xen’drik
Kúl
giant ruins. They look down on other groups outside the walls of Stormreach. A familiar sight in Zantashk
who blunder their way through them. and other outposts, the popular heir is here to defy his
overbearing parents, and carve a reputation for himself with
A group of terrified hostages of the dragon
The his own two hands. Cirris’s expertise has helped the House
Ketheptis, sentenced to bring back interesting
Disposables develop items such as Siberys Compasses*, and he earns a hefty
giant relics or be utterly destroyed by her.
wage for his dangerous services. The only mail he refuses to
A group of dragonmarked excoriates who
Shadow touch are the letters from his parents.
track and investigate monsters for big money
Hound
from the Lords of the Hunt in Stormreach.
The primal practitioners of the Rushem Dain Daeleth Elaras
Rushem take commands from druid circles across Tairnadal Warrior (they/them):
Dain Xen'drik, working to eliminate threats to
nature, especially mutated monsters. Personality: Strategic, logical, and driven.
A group of famous Stormreach adventurers Ideals: To embody Elaras, Daeleth’s patron ancestor, by
The Golden who appear in Sharn's broadsheets. Secretly disassembling dangerous giant artifice.
Edge being pushed to stoke tensions in northern Bonds: Her patron ancestor, and the members of
Xen'drik by a rakshasa patron. her warband.
The Banor'drakai often operate as small Flaws: Revenants of Elaras can border dangerously on self-
squads of hunters, each group geared towards sacrificial - a nod to their patron’s fate.
Fire's Pyre a different kind of dragon. The Fire's Pyre are
each resistant to flame, and take down red, Uniquely among the Tairnadal, some Silaes Tairn have
gold, and brass dragons in the name of glory. patron ancestors revered for their acts of sabotage against the
A cutthroat group of Ko gangsters from the giants. The revenants who embody them specialise in doing
Toll Takers Skylarks of Kul Lerek, who specialise in... the same, disarming ancient giant devices and weaponry
'material acquisition'. By any means necessary. across Xen'drik. Daeleth Elaras is one such warrior - a Silaes
A group of Talentan halflings hired by House Tairn on her first Xen'drik campaign. As intelligent as they
Tharashk to help the frontier town of are, the elf burns to prove themself, and feels the pressure to
The Plain honor Elaras themself.
Zantashk. The reeve hopes their expertise
Janes
with dinosaurs will help the town with its
jungle enterprises.

APPENDIX 2 | EXAMPLE NPCS

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 En-Rayin
Asherati Merchant (she/her):
Personality: Cheeky, talkative, and
dangerously convincing.
Ideals: To protect the Menechtarun from foreign raiders
by supporting its people.
Bonds: The En family of asherati in Ushemra, and her pet
sunscale lizard Vesh.
Flaws: En-Rayin is a merchant to the bone, and willing to
put some morals aside in the name of profit.
The merchants of the asherati use their ability to swim
through sand to travel and far wide across the Menechtarun.
En-Rayin is one of the most adventurous, and regularly
travels beyond the sands, despite her people's discomfort with
water. The merchant has set up a small shop in Blackgrove
Refuge, traveling between the rainforest and burning sands
to trade between their disparate people. She has become
somewhat infamous for the layers of clothing she wears
to avoid the jungle rain. Rayin regularly pays hunters and
adventurers for items they discover, and funds expeditions
for rare goods.
Ghaltar Virtuous
Fire Giant Paladin of the Flame (he/him):
Personality: Solemn, stoic, and endlessly kind.
Ideals: To spread peace and fight evil in the name of the
Torch of Progress.
Bonds: His daughter Haekran and the city of Bazek Mohl.
Flaws: Ghaltar's age is catching up to him, and his memory
and hearing are beginning to fail him.
A number of devout fire giants hold positions in the Torch
of Progress, worshipping the Silver Flame in the name of
peace. Ghaltar Virtuous is the oldest among their number,
having patrolled the Hydra Basin for hundreds of years. His
compassion and valor have made him a familiar face across
the region. With his life coming to an end, Ghaltar has felt
the need to raise up new torchbearers for the challenges
ahead, and is doing his best to train the next generation in the
city of Bazek Mohl.
Harghost Serpent Nabora
Goliath Patchwork Blade (she/her):
Personality: Hot-blooded, charismatic, and fiercely
protective of those she loves.
Ideals: To ascend as a chosen of Banor, like the legendary
titan Kand’ari.
Bonds: The god Banor, the Bloody Spear.
Flaws: An interest in fighting something proportional to
how deadly it is.
The storm goliaths of the Blood of Kanda live on the coast
of the Thunderwall, hunting aquatic behemoths in the Dark
Sea. Each goliath earns a second name depending on the beast
they first hunt, and gain power from it through blood rites to
Banor. Harghost is one such hunter - a ‘patchwork blade’ who
gains power from the creatures she kills. Her serpentine eyes
CHAPTER 82| |TOOLS
APPENDIX EXAMPLE
& TREASURES
NPCS
and turquoise scales are an immediate sign of her heritage.
The goliath grew tired of the Dark Sea, and now travels the
Xen’drik interior in search of new and thrilling prey.
Katlassir
Secretive Shulassakar Agent (she/her):
Personality: Feisty, confident, and prideful.
Ideals: To guard Stormreach from disaster, by any means
necessary, and find her partner before it's too late.
Bonds: Her missing lover Harvess.
Flaws: The shulassakar is surprisingly bad at lying, and
can't be convinced of that fact.
The shulassakar keep a secretive watch on the port of
Stormreach. Their greatest fear is that the humans who
have settled the site are a tool of Sakinnirot, and that the
Overlord's return is rapidly approaching. To that end, they
employ agents such as Katlassir to spy for any fiendish
activity or rising cults. Katlassir in particular asked to be
stationed in Stormreach for a different reason. Her partner
Harvess has gone missing, and the only way she can allay her
fears is to find her wife herself. The shulassakar is struggling
to balance her directives, her need to stay hidden, and her
desire to cut down anything and everything between her
and Harvess.
Narrvae Aurixgarurt Mrithmaug
Aberrant Dragonborn Soldier (she/her)
Personality: The uptight rigor and stony expression
of a career soldier, mixed with pride about her role in
safeguarding the world from the Ring of Storms.
Ideals: To cleanse herself of the touch of Valaara, and
return to become a noble guardian of her clan once more.
Bonds: The Aurixgarurt clan, and their bolatashi ‘great
mother’, Mrithmaug, as well as her dragonnel mount Noach.
Flaws: The dragonborn has a high shield of distrust
raised, bolstered by her fears about her appearance; she
hopes to resolve her quest alone, to avoid any shame about
receiving help.
The gold dragonborn Narrvae of clan Aurixgarurt (Golden
Axe), scion of the bolatashi known as Mrithmaug, is a
self-exile from the Ring of Storms. Formerly one of the
dragonborn soldiers who guard the Ring from intruders,
Narrvae was cursed by the aberrant touch of one of Valaara’s
star spawn larva mages. She now has the compound
eyes of an insect, and can feel her body gradually warping
into an aberration. To avoid turning on her people, she has
journeyed beyond the Ring, desperately hoping to find a cure.
Omun
Frost Giant Wereraven (Rimewalker Druid*) (she/her):
Personality: Tricksy, whimsical, and esoteric.
Ideals: The lessons of intelligence and survival taught
by the ravens to help keep the nature of the Iceflow
Sea untouched.
Bonds: Her fellow members of the
Rimewalkers and the land spirit Raiarin.
349
 Flaws: The druid is slow to take action and adapt - a result
of a long life in the Iceflow.
The venerable Omun is a member of the Rimewalker druids,
and a stoic guardian of the Iceflow Sea. The frost giant is a
natural lycanthrope - a gift from the land spirit Raiarin - and
uses her gifts to fly between the frozen isles, keeping a keen
eye on goings-on. Omun lost an eye in a fierce battle with
one of the half-dragon children of Ketheptis the One-Eyed
Crone, and fears what the vengeful dragon has planned. In
the meantime, she enjoys games of words and wit where
possible, and treasures her encounters with new people.
The Prescient
Old Cyclops Oracle (she/her):
Personality: Strong-willed and crotchety, with a feisty
sense of humor
Ideals: To guide and teach the heroes of tomorrow.
Bonds: To all her students, no matter how scary
they find her.
Flaws: An unwillingness to mince words, and a slight
addiction to strong alcohol.
Generations of pilgrims have traveled high into the Skyraker
Claws in search of a singular cyclops. The Prescient has
spent decades training her people's innate gift for foresight,
and is said to understand the prophetic underpinnings of
the world itself. Much to the surprise of many visitors, the
sage doesn't care who she offends, and seemingly left her
politeness at the base of the mountain she lives on. However,
beneath the feistiness, the Prescient is far wiser than she
seems. Her oracular gifts have set many on the right path, and
subtly saved the people of the Menechtarun from all manner
of threats.
Serahar i Deraia
Cloud Giant Archaeologist (he/him):
Personality: Stern, serious, and calculating.
Ideals: To be the one to uncover the secret to creating
Skyhooks*, and allow Kul Lerek to grow.
Bonds: His husband Brasir, and the Scriveners of the Sky.
Flaws: Serahar is intolerant of anything that could threaten
Kul Lerek and his partner, and withholds any information
that might do so.
One of the more active archaeologists in the Scriveners of
the Sky, Serahar is a scholar specializing in the Gallimaufry.
The ancient nation of cloud giants were the forebears of
the Scriveners, and their flying castles can be found across
Xen’drik. Serahar’s work is crucial, for it focuses on the items
known as Skyhooks* that power them. If he can understand
the secret to their creation, he may solve some of the
fundamental problems in the flying city of Kul Lerek.
350350
Trill
Awakened Lyrebird Bard (they/them):
Personality: A bold and inventive virtuoso.
Ideals: To become Xen’drik’s ultimate singer by
recovering lost songs.
Bonds: The College of Hymns and the sentient birds of Kul
Lerek’s Gilded Glide.
Flaws: The lyrebird is excessively vain, and takes
great offense at not being recognised for their talent
(and sentience).
The giants of the Twilight Court awakened certain creatures
as a fashion statement. A flock of sentient lyrebirds was one
example, prized for their ability to mimic nearly any sound.
The unusual choir was used to impress the archfey, earning
their favor during diplomatic meetings. In a twist of fate,
their descendants have outlived the Twilight Court itself.
Trill is one such example - a famous cantor and traveling
bard in central Xen’drik, trained in Bazek Mohl’s College of
Hymns. Their expertise in ancient songs is well-known, with
the bird paying well for recovered music.
Wyrhael of the Coral Court
Lost Fey Triton (he/him):
Personality: A noble and well-meaning clumsy idiot.
Ideals: To triumph over the greatest evils of the air.
Bonds: The merfolk knights of the Coral Court.
Flaws: Wyrhael has a hefty ego, with a penchant for
sulking if he considers his pride hurt.
Wyrhael is a fey triton from the oceanic city of Pylas Taraelya
with a penchant for getting very, very, lost. The knight of
the Coral Court is a wandering do-gooder, and a surprisingly
skilled fighter, though his noble journeys have taken him
impressively far from home. Adventurers have found
Wyrhael at the summits of volcanoes, sulking about the dry
heat, and looking for evil to fight. As it happens, the triton
always knows the location of Pylas Taraelya; the city just
moves to a different sea long before he can reach it.
Xizka Charir
Sun Pillar Kobold (she/her):
Personality: Rebellious and independent.
Ideals: To stick it to the man and throw out tradition.
Bonds: Her parents, as well as her best friend and partner
in crime Salx.
Flaws: A hatred of being told what to do and why.
Xizka is a winged irvhir kobold from the Sun Pillars with a
powerful knack for divine sorcery. Her peers believe her to
be an aasimar of Siberys, born to be a hero in an upcoming
catastrophe. For her part, the kobold couldn't care less, and
chafes at the strict role her elders and blood seers are forcing
her into. She has begun roaming from her home in a cavern
village high in the Sun Pillars, hoping for an excuse to travel
on adventures and leave her bonds behind.
APPENDIX 2 | EXAMPLE NPCS
 Walk in the
Footsteps of Giants
Explore the wild and ancient land of Xen'drik in this
colossal expansion for the Eberron campaign setting.
The Giant Guide to Xen'drik is an expansion on all fronts,
introducing new locations, ancient empires, devious
factions, and terrifying foes to bring into to your campaign.

Experience the arcane legacy of the ancient giants,

from the heights of their wonder, to the depths of
their folly. Dream your way into the nightmares of the
Cul'sir Empire, delve into the burning ruins of the Sul'at
League, and fight through the Ring of Storms to uncover
the secrets of the elven Qabalrin. The battle won't be
easy. Over 80 mighty foes await in the bestiary, from
the tiniest tilxin bird, to the terrifying titans of yore.

As the scars of the past clash with the needs of the

present, heroes must rise to protect the land from danger,
and players can find a wealth of character options within
these pages. You'll discover new archetypes for every
class, including the titanic Behemoth druid, soaring Wind
Runner ranger, and burning Pyreheart barbarian. New
ancestries, backgrounds, martial abilities, spells, and magic
items provide a wealth of options for creating Xen'drik
characters, supported by expanded lore on cultures and
factions. Everyone has their place, and as colonial powers
and ancient threats seek to shatter the continent once
more, there is never a better time for heroes to rise.

CHAPTER 8 | TOOLS & TREASURES

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