| page I

Credits
Rules Design
Dan Cross
Randall Petras

Game Developers
Anders Johanson
Dieter Zimmerman
Larry Hols
Lloyd Pumphrey
Jon Creffield
Joseph C. Wolf
Malcolm Bowers
Mike Thomas
Seth Clayton
Spencer Wright

Layout
Kosala Ubayasekara
Carrie Murphy

Artists
Cover: Eric Bergeron
Interior: Eric Bergeron, Peter Bradley, James Bardes
Logo Design: Carrie Murphy

Editors
Malcolm Bowers
Richard T. Balsley
Dan Cross

Ainerêve Campaign setting

Peter Schaefer (principal author)
Dan Cross (developer)
Jon Creffield (developer)

Special Thanks to

Amanda Moyer, Bruce Wiggins, Carrie Murphy, Chris Lewis, Dan Kaufman, Dana Driscoll, Dave Yeager, Elena Holmes, Evilcat, Eytan
Bernstein, Frank Mertin, Gary Kahler, Greg Shields, Heather Myers, Jason Wardlow, Jeremy Smith, Jim Mattaboni, Joe Rydzuski, Kassy
Fowler, Kelly Ohlert, Kosala Ubayasekara, Kristyn Varner, Lloyd Pumphrey, Mark Moyer, Matthew Scheer, Mena Oranzi, Mike Thomas,
Mike Thompson, Nathan Frund, Nikki Clarkson, Peter Ohlert, Scott Frederick, Sean Holland, Seth Clayton, Slim Battle, Tom Pigeon

| page 1
 Table of Contents
Foreword . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Glossary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Chapter 1: Character Creation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Step 1: Racial Packages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Race. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Gender/Age. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Advantages & Disadvantages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Step 2: Abilities & Occupation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Abilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Bonus Ranks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Occupation (optional). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Character Name. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Step 3: Calculate Defense Pools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Step 4: Character Concept & Equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Chapter 2: Action System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Ability Checks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Degrees of Success. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Ability Trees and Branches. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Ability Description. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Skill Successions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Primary Abilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Magic Abilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Support Abilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Chapter 3: Combat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Combat Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Combat Rounds and Battle Phases. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Random Initiative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Surprise. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Movement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
The Attack Action. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Standard Attacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Melee Attacks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Magic Attacks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Ranged Attacks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Unarmed Attacks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Helpless Foes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Cover and Penalties. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Defense Pools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Active Defense Pools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
page 2 | Contents
Defense Descriptions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Order of Defenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Active Defense Limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Combat Options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Dual Wielding and Two-Weapon Attack . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Opportune Attack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Sacrifice: to restore Active D-Pool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Revitalize . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Melee Weapons Maneuvers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Ranged Weapon Maneuvers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Unarmed Combat Maneuvers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Chapter 4: Magic Spells and Powers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
The 7 Pillars of Magic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Alteration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Arcanum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Conjuration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Elementalism. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Illusion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Invocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Psychogenics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Spell Casting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Spell Structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
The Thaumaturge Repertoire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
The Laws of Magic. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Magic In Combat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Magic Defense Pools. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Standard Threat Spells. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Protection Effects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Immunities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Magical Afflictions (a.k.a Status Effect). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Improvised Spells (For Advanced Players) . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Multi-Effect Spells. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Spell Vulnerabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Spheres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Magic Effects by Pillar. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Alteration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Arcanum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Conjuration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Elementalism. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Illusion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Invocation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Psychogenics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Master Spell List . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Full-Fledged NPCs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Unusual Monster and NPC Ability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

Alteration: Chaos Sphere . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Too Tough Rule. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

Alteration: Order Sphere. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Conjuration: Dimension Sphere. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Conjuration: Order Sphere. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Elementalism: Air Sphere . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Elementalism: Earth Sphere. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Elementalism Energy Sphere . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Elementalism: Fire Sphere . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Elementalism: Water Sphere . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75
Illusion: Dream Sphere . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Chapter 6: Bestiary of Beings Diverse and Malign . . . . . . . . 100
Optional Player Races. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Chapter 7: The World of Ainerêve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
How to Use This Section. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
AINERÊVE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Maedoen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Grimsete . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Astalch Castle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
The Town of Crossroads. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151

Invocation: Entropy Sphere . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78 Psarmorum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158

Temple Mount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Invocation: Life Sphere. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Forest of Meath. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Invocation: Nature Sphere. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Fertile Glens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Invocation: Matter Sphere . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 Phantos – “City of Life”. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Psychogenic: Mind Sphere. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Appendix 1: Names and Places . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Chapter 5: Game Mastering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 Pronunciation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Character advancement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83 Names . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Weapons and Armor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84 Towns and villages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Weapons Chart. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84
Settlement Names. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Armor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Hazard Rules. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85 Appendix 2: Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196

Collision (falls, boulders, etc.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Weather (heat, cold, etc.). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Toxins and Diseases (plague, pox, etc.). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Traps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Creating Traps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

Opponent and NPC Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

Creature Type. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Threat Dice. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Attack Forms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Extra Attacks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Creature Hit Points . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Opponent Damage Reduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Creature Saving Throws. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Agility Rank. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Creature Movement Rate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

NPC Equipment and Treasure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Generic Treasure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Contents | page 3
Foreword invariably presented as a confusing pile of loose paper with
scribbled notes. I wanted to play a game, not playtest untried
rules! It was therefore ironic when my friend Randy Petras offered
Tabletop Role-Playing games (RPGs) are a unique form of
to collaborate on a new fantasy role-playing game. Like most
entertainment. Players create characters to explore a world
aficionados of tabletop gaming, we developed our own preferences
described by a Game Master, who prepares and referees the game,
over the years, and had a very good idea of how we felt an epic
and assumes the roles of all things encountered, friend or foe.
fantasy RPG worked best for us. The trick was creating a game
The Game Master is not competing against the players, but rather
that translated our preferences into an effective theme and style,
collaborating in the creation of a shared story. The story is typically
while differentiating itself from the competition. There is no
action oriented, with dramatic conflict mediated by rules using
guarantee that anybody’s vision will be particularly marketable in
polyhedral dice.
this industry.

The “game system” as a whole is designed to simulate adventures

But after an arduous journey of design and playtest, we think
in a fantasy (or other) realm. RPGs evolved from miniatures
we’ve created something special. The first edition of this game was
wargaming, and were first popularized as a game form by
published in 2008 by Goodman Games, and this Revised Edition
Dungeons and Dragons®. The game form has since evolved into
was funded by fans via Kickstarter in 2013. This updated book now
myriad types, covering many genres, some emphasizing tactical
includes the full campaign setting of Ainerêve, as well as expanded
combat while others focus more on narrative and role assumption.
sections for monsters, deadly traps, and new treasures to discover.

If you are new to Role-Playing games in general, then you are

The Eldritch Role-Playing Game (or ERP for short) features a
about to embark on one of the most rewarding hobbies imaginable.
lot of flexibility in character creation. You are not restricted to
This book presents all the information you need to run the game
certain classes or archetypes. Character creation focuses more on
for a group of players, explains the rules of heroic conflict, and
character concept than on combat optimization. The player decides
provides a default setting that serves a good basis for fantasy
all personality traits for the character. In Eldritch RPG, we like to
adventure.
say character concept is king, although the game is still at heart a
book of rules for heroic combat and derring-do. Miniatures and a
If you are a seasoned Game Master you might scoff at the notion
battle mat are not assumed, and a narrative is emphasized, but the
of yet another fantasy role-playing system (FRPG). Who needs
game is far from diceless. It may look like a lot to learn, but once
another “elves, dwarves, and dragons” game, when so many
the mechanics are understood, they serve the story and fade into
continue to utilize tired tropes and game mechanics? I feel your
the background.
pain; I often felt the same way. I was annoyed when invited to
a game only to discover the GM had written his own system,

page 4 | Foreword
Action system
Eldritch’s rules are quick in play, easy for a Game Master (GM) to
run, and easy to customize. Its rules stand out in their capacity to
handle many different scenarios and settings with the very flexible
and manageable ability-based action system, which lets the player
create and customize a character exactly to his or her liking. The
skills and resolution system are smooth, allowing combat and other
actions to flow naturally with little need to consult books during
play. The mechanics are detailed but always reinforce narration;
this overflows to the rest of gameplay, getting everybody into the
storytelling groove. Combat is abstract, replacing the traditional
“attack roll versus target number” with a system of threat points
versus various Defense Pools. Odds in action resolution skew in
favor of the heroes, so that neither impossible target numbers nor
invincible foes spoil the fun. Heroes are powerful in this game,
but still vulnerable alone or without good teamwork, and the
same goes for villains and monsters. Combat rules ask players
to describe how their characters survive each attack, before all
defensive points are lost, rather than making the Game Master
dictate all consequences. Thus, action scenes become truly
collaborative.
Story
The game world of Ainerêve is an open-ended, “sandbox” kind
of setting. The world manifests from dreams and exists in its
own plane — a common theme, chosen to allow Game Masters
creative license and full control over the nature of their campaign.
Inspirations for the setting include Michael Moorcock’s conception
of the multiverse (which also influenced age-old DnD cosmology),
Roger Zelanzy’s Chronicles of Amber, and just about every trope
of the pseudo-medieval fantasy campaign setting. But Ainerêve is
not an unstable, ever-shifting environment. It’s meant to be highly
customizable, though there is a core with its own history featuring
unique adventure areas. This revised rulebook provides detailed
descriptions of three lands in Ainerêve: Maedoen, a mountainous
Celtic realm resembling pre-Roman Wales; the Crusader state of
Psarmorum with its Templar castles; and the vast and mysterious
Forest of Meath that lies between them, where Celtic myth
predominates.
Adventuring campaigns are about the development of characters
into true world-shaking heroes, supported by rules like those put in
a nutshell below:
Combat: Attacker rolls dice to determine “threat points”, opponent
chooses Defense type; any excess threat points affect armor, then
the body. Combat is descriptive; there is no hit-or-miss “attack roll”.
Action resolution: The challenge for many actions is determined
by a random roll performed by the GM. The difficulty of actions is
represented by a basic system that plays very quickly, allowing for
instant results that do not interrupt the flow of the story.
Character Concept: You play the character you want, without
being tied to specific occupational classes, with plenty of room for
development and diversity. New characters are created through a
point-buy method, granting full flexibility of design. Eldritch RPG
characters can specialize in one area or dabble in many.
Magic: The general term for practicing magic is Thaumaturgy
(wonder-working). There are many different magic abilities, broken
down by what thaumaturges call “the Pillars of Magic”. The Pillars
are Alteration, Conjuration, Elementalism, Illusion, Invocation, and
Psychogenic, together with Arcanum, which provides a general
magical ability that covers folk and ritual magic. Magic is powerful
and flexible, but also desgined to prevent ludicrous, game-breaking
effects.
Most importantly, the game is not difficult to play, whether enjoyed
by young adults or big kids like the authors.
Check out our Patreon: www.patreon.com/eldritchrpg
Note: PDF Updated April, 2019.
This game is dedicated to the memory of E. Gary Gygax,
my friend and childhood hero.
Foreword | page 5
Introduction
Eldritch Role-playing System: A Role-playing Game is a fantasy
game that can incorporate any of the wonderful things fantasy
gamers enjoy. Knights in shining armor, dragons with glinting
scales, evil cultists scheming in the middle of the night, and
sage wizards laboring in lonely towers — those can all be part
of the game. Even those things that fall outside the bounds of
traditional fantasy — mutant crossbreeding of men and jackals, or
vicious, horse-sized carnivorous bats — are possible. The Eldritch
Role-playing System does not require a specific setting in order to
run smoothly. Although the system best supports an epic milieu,
the rules will work as well with a game of high chivalry as with a
game of gritty desperation. This Revised Edition includes details of
the official campaign setting of Ainerêve, which although unique,
offers a basic framework upon which individual groups and Game
Masters can hang realms of their own creation.
Glossary
Some terms are nearly universal to role-playing games (PC, NPC,
GM, etc.). This book uses these terms in the conventional sense
(defined below for new gamers). Other terms and acronyms are
unique to the Eldritch Role-playing System.
Ability: Any skill or innate capacity possessed by a creature.
page 6 | Introduction
Ability Branch: A single branch of an Ability Tree, referring to Speci-
alities and Masteries, linked together by some logical succession.
An ability check is made using such a branch, and cannot incorpo-
rate more than one roll of the basic tier, plus one of its Specialities,
plus one of the Speciality’s Masteries (see Ability Tree).
Ability Check: Most actions use this resolution system to determine
an outcome. A creature’s effort may involve a basic physical ability
or a test of skill; the challenge may be provided by the nature
of the action or by active opposition. An ability check uses one
chosen Ability Branch, with up to three dice rolled to try to beat a
Needed Number. Most challenges have such values given as die
ranges. Spells, innate powers, and special combat maneuvers tend
to have fixed numbers instead.
Ability Tree: The basic ability rank plus all its branches. A Basic
ability (1st tier) can have multiple Specialities (2nd tier), which
can in turn each have multiple Masteries (3rd tier). For example,
Melee Weapons is a basic ability, while specializing in a weapon
group (example: Melee Weapons → Swords) lengthens the branch,
and mastery in specific weapons extends the single branch further
(example: Melee Weapons → Swords → Shortsword).
“Basic” tier: The first tier in any ability tree, always a single die
(ranging from D4 up to D12). The basic ability may have several
branches leading into speciality and/or mastery.
Branch Rank: A character’s level of competence or power in a single Max-Value (MV): Each rank has a corresponding die type, as
ability branch is ranked from Weak to Super. This useful general explained under “Die Rank.” The max-value of each die is simply
guideline is determined by adding up the Max-Value all of the die the highest roll possible. Thus, the max-value of D4 is 4, of D6 is 6,
ranks in the branch. For example, a character with Agility D10 → D8 is 8, D10 is 10, and D12 is 12. Sometimes several Max-Values
Reflexes D8 would have an 18 in that branch, a “respectable” level. are added together to determine Defense Pools. For example,
a player calculates his swashbuckler character’s Agility Defense
Branch Rank score, adding the Max Values of basic Agility (D6) and his Speed
Average 4+ speciality (D8) together; 8+6 = 14 hit points in that Defense pool.
Respectable 6+
Skilled 12+ Needed Number (NN): The number that must be met or exceeded
by a thaumaturge’s ability check in order to cast a spell; a measure
Great 18+
of casting difficulty. Part of each spell definition.
Phenomenal 24+
Legendary 30+
NPC (Non-Player Character): Any character controlled by the GM
and not a player.
Character Points (CPs): Points used to build a character’s abilities.

PC (Player Character): A character in the game that is controlled by

Damage Reduction (DR): Armor and shields are forms of Damage
one of the players.
Reduction, different from the ablative hit point based Defense
Pools. Shields reduce threat points by 1 to 3 points (depending on
Rank: Level of skill, effect, etc. See Branch Rank, Die Rank.
shield type) before the chosen Active Defense Pool is reduced.
Armor reduces threat points that exceed the defender’s Active
Restricted or Unrestricted Ability: The use of restricted abilities is
Defense, by a die roll depending on the armor type.
conditional. A restricted ability, power, special maneuver, or spell
cannot be attempted without meeting prerequisites. Most of the
Defense Pool (DP or D-Pool): A Defense Pool is a number of hit
time that means the character must purchase at least a D4 rank
points used to mitigate or negate threat points.
in the ability, either at the basic, speciality, or mastery tier. Most
abilities at the basic tier are unrestricted, and default to a D4.
Defense, Active: All willful and reflexive defensive actions taken
by a combatant using one of the Active DPs, e.g. parrying (Melee
Saving Throw: Some spells, innate powers, and special combat
Weapons DP), sidestepping an attack in close quarters (Agility
maneuvers allow an opposed roll by the opponent. PCs and NPCs
DP), blocking a magic attack by arcane manipulation (various
use whatever ability is needed, adding together the rolls for each
magic abilities’ DPs) or dodging headlong out of the way (Agility
applicable die in the ability branch. Other creatures are assigned
DP). Includes the Melee Weapons, Agility, and Unarmed Combat
a Saving Throw rank, usually from 1D4 up through 2D10+, that
Defense Pools. Shields are used actively in conjunction with
applies to every situation requiring an opposed roll.
a chosen Active Defense, and are covered under the rules for
Damage Reduction.
Special Maneuvers: These are feats for use with combat abilities:
Melee Weapons, Ranged Weapons, and Unarmed Combat. They
Defense, Passive: Any protection afforded to a creature without
are masteries that can modify or replace standard attacks. Char-
conscious activation or effort. This includes the one passive
acters purchase ranks in them as they do for other masteries, and
Defense Pool of Fortitude (toughness). Armor is a passive Defense,
they add to Defense Pools.
but is covered under the rules for Damage Reduction.

Threat Points (or just "Threat"): This refers to the potential harm
Die Rank: This is expressed in the rules as the die value itself: D3
possible from any attack or source of danger. For example, an
(below average), D4 (default basic rank), D6, D8, D10, D12 (highest
Ability branch of Unarmed D6 → Punch D4 has a Potential Harm
rank for standard characters), and D14, D16, D18, and D20 (special
range of of 2–10. These threat points do not cause physical
monsters). Die rank refers only to the value of a single die of any
damage unless the attack penetrates both the target’s Active
ability tree tier.
Defenses and armor, hitting the body.

GM: “Game Master.” This person runs the game, and has final say
over how actionare resolved.

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Eldritch Role-playing System is copyright © 2019 Dan Cross and Randall Petras. Introduction | page 7
Ainerêve Campaign Setting is copyright © 2019 Dan Cross
Chapter 1: Character Creation
I looked into the Eldritch Man’s cauldron and beheld all times, all places
and all people, and I saw that all was one. That I was all and all was me.
I can be anything. I am everything. I only need choose, and lo, it is so.
---
From the Song of Fallen Stars, by Lady Clannaray of Meath
Character creation is a simple four-step process. Begin with 30
Character Points (CPs), and a character sheet.
Step 1. Choose a character race: pay CPs for the bundled abilities.
+ Assign the character’s sex and age.
+ Optionally choose advantages (cost CPs) and disadvantages (to
gain CPs).
Step 2. Purchase abilities (basic + possible speciality/mastery) with
CPs.
+ Optionally choose occupation (a vocation with recognised skills).
+ Assign the character’s name.
Step 3. Calculate Defense Pools (derived from ability trees).
Step 4. Refine character concept and choose equipment.
Character creation begins with a standard allotment of Character
Points (CPs). These points are used for the selection of basic
abilities, as well as related Specialities and Masteries, which are
all rated on a ranking scale of D4 up through D12 — the higher
the number that the polyhedral die can generate, the better the
knowledge or proficiency rank at that tier.
page 8 | Chapter 1: Character Creation
Each character begins play with 30 character points with which
to purchase abilities and advantages. There are three tiers of
ability, each ranked separately: Basic (trunk), Speciality (branch),
and Mastery (offshoot). It costs 1 point to add a restricted ability,
branch or offshoot at the D4 rank. It costs 2 Character Points per
rank to increase any die beyond D4. Note that any unrestricted
ability grants a default D4 at no cost, meaning it costs 2 points to
move from D4 to D6 (rather than the 3 CPs total cost for restricted
abilities). Most abilities are unrestricted at the basic level (unless
indicated otherwise).
Cost per level of Rank in Character Points
• Unrestricted basic tier: D4 is free, then 2 CPs per rank, D6
through D12.
• All other ability ranks (restricted basic tier, all specialities, and
all masteries): 1 CP for D4, then 2 CPs per rank; D4, D6, D8,
D10, and D12.
Primary abilities are those that directly impact combat statistics,
while Support abilities usually do not. Primary abilities are critical
to the adventuring life, and include Agility, Fortitude, Melee
Weapons, Ranged Weapons, Unarmed Combat, Willpower, and
the magic abilities. Support abilities are commonly used, important
to different aspects of play, and critical in various contexts. These
include Animal Handling, Healing, Influence, Knowledge, Percep-
tion, Skullduggery, and Talent.
Note that specialities can exceed the basic tier rank (called
the trunk for illustration), and a mastery can exceed its related
speciality rank if doing so fits the character concept (although
that is often a waste of Character Points since mastery dice are
used in fewer situations). Abilities trees may branch off into many
hierarchies of speciality and mastery, limited only by character
points earned.
Step 1: Racial Packages

All races have minimum Rank requirements in specific abilities,

purchased with character points at the time of creation. In rule
terms, racial packages and listed fantasy races are simply bundles
of such abilities. Advantages and disadvantages are rules allowing
greater customization of fantasy personas. Some races have special
innate capabilities, but keep in mind that aside from racial bundle
requirements, there are no character classes with a standard, base
set of abilities: the choices vary according to character concept.

For example, to be a human one must use CPs to buy a rank of

Willpower and a rank of Fortitude, bringing both up to D6, traits
which typify a human hero (or anti-hero) in the world of ERP
(Eldritch Role-Playing). No race escapes the purchase of basic
ability requirements: the player must choose the full package,
although the GM may override the typical selection if an usuual
background is suggested by a player. The requirements constitute
the stereotypical range of knowledge, skills, and abilities for these
races. Elf

Beginning characters may increase racial ability ranks above the
minimum required. Players should purchase any specialities in the
next step of character creation. In addition, the game treats innate
racial powers as advantages, which cost up to three CPs each.
Race
The races presented are representative of generic fantasy, but if
needed, the GM should find it easy to put together his own racial
templates to suit any setting. Some examples of races specific to
the Ainerêve setting are given at the end of Chapter 6.

Dwarf (15 points)

Dwarves are extremely tough, possessing great endurance and
strength, and a natural resistance to poison and the elements.
All have perfect Night Vision. All Dwarves train in some form of
martial weapon, usually axes or bludgeons.
Minimum Ranks: FORTITUDE D6 (2 CPs) → Feats of Strength D6 (4
CPs) + Endurance D4 (2 CPs), MELEE WEAPONS D8 (4 CPs).
Advantage: Night Vision (3 CPs).

Elf (12 points)

Elves have heightened agility, are fleet of foot, and possess great
willpower, which affords them greater resistance to magic. All elves
have some innate ability in the magic arts, and so have at least one
rank in such a skill, as below. Most train in some form of martial
weapon, usually (beautifully crafted) swords and (high-quality,
ornate) bows. They can see well in low-light conditions. Elves
tend to be either aloof and haughty or fun-loving and frivolous,
depending on their clan or bloodline.

Dwarf

Chapter 1: Character Creation | page 9

 in minimum ranks below). All half-elves possess
Minimum Ranks: AGILITY D6 (2 CPs)
Low-light Vision.
→ Speed D4 (2 CPs), WILLPOWER
Minimum Ranks: AGILITY D6 (2 CPs),
D6 (2 CPs), MELEE WEAPONS
WILLPOWER D6 (2 CPs), FORTITUDE
D6 (2 CPs), and ILLUSION D4
D6 (2 CPs).
(2 CPs).
Advantages: Low-Light Vision (2
Advantage: Low-Light Vision
CPs).
(2 CPs).

Gnome (7 points) Half-orc (9 points)

Born of an unfortunate union
Gnomes are a race of small,
between a savage orc and a
misshapen, dwarf-like
human, these demi-humans
creatures that dwell in the
are always stronger than the
earth. They are observant,
average human, but have the
stubborn, crafty, and
disadvantage of being ugly.
swift on their feet when
Minimum Ranks:
confronted by superior
FORTITUDE D6 (2 CPs) →
foes.
Feats of Strength D4 (2 CPs),
Minimum Ranks:
WILLPOWER D6 (2 CPs),
PERCEPTION D6 (2
UNARMED COMBAT D6
CPs), AGILITY D4 (0
(2 CPs Advantage: Low-light
CPs) → Speed D4 (2
Vision (2 CPs).
CPs), WILLPOWER D6
Disadvantage: Ugliness (+1
(2 CPs).
Gnome CP).
Advantage: Low-Light
Vision (2 CPs).
Disadvantage: Restriction: small weapons only
Halfling (11 points)
These short humanoids are not
(+1 CP).
disproportionate in their physical features despite their small
size. Halflings are almost child-like in appearance, having round
Half-elf (8 points)
faces and bright almond-shaped eyes, but the adults have
Prevailing relations between humans and
unmistakably mature physiques. Halflings are generally mischie-
elves dictate if a half-elf is revered
vous and roguish.
or reviled in any given society. If
Minimum Ranks: AGILITY D8 (4 CPs), SKULL-
human kingdoms, for example,
DUGGERY D6 (2 CPs) → Stealth D8 (6 CPs).
were encroaching upon the
Disadvantage: Restriction: small weapons
elves, their forest homelands
only (+1 CP).
in danger, then half-elves
might have a tough time in
human or elven lands. If, on
Human (4 points)
Homo sapiens, the most recognizable
the other hand, the elves
primates of any fantasy world, usually
and humans were allies, the
enjoy military supremacy because of
half-elf could likely travel
their tenaciousness, fecundity, and
anywhere in peace.
penchant for war. Humans are
The union between human
usually also the most influential
and elf usually grants greater
sentient creatures in the world,
agility, innate resistance to
owing to their resourcefulness,
magic through enhanced
willpower, supreme inventiveness,
willpower and better
and incredible knack for survival
endurance through their
against all odds.
human blood (as reflected
Minimum Ranks: Willpower D6 (2
CPs), Fortitude D6 (2 CPs).
Halfling

page 10 | Chapter 1: Character Creation

Gender/Age
Human characters most often begin their adventuring careers
during their youth, but players may create a new character of any
age. Disadvantages can simulate problems related to old age if
the player and GM so desire, but there are no strict penalties for
creating elderly characters.
Many demi-human races live for an astounding number of years,
but the ERP system assumes a childhood for these races that is
the same duration as humans. The differences lie in where middle
and old age begin, and the potential maximum age of each. New
characters of demi-human races should fall within the same
“prime” range as humans. The GM must approve older characters
with assumed experience if this might grant an unfair advantage to
a single player.

Advantages & Disadvantages

Advantages are useful traits that a character can possess that
are not as quantifiable as a skill set. These abilities tend to be
something the character either does or does not have from the
outset. Each advantage costs Character Points (usually 1 to 3). A
few advantages are optionally broken into levels. In these cases, Half-Elf
each level costs 1 to 2 Character Points. Some advantages are
innate and/or race-specific, and can be purchased only at time Advantages
of character creation. Rare advantages may be obtained while Attractiveness: Others find the PC beautiful or handsome. As such,
adventuring. they tend to react well to the PC. This ranked advantage ranges
from a single D4 to a D12 at 2 CPs per level. The PC can attempt
to manipulate NPCs with an opposing die roll vs. Willpower.

Enhanced Defense (4 to 6 CPs):

Magic Defense: Thaumaturges may opt to buy an
Advantage that allows expansion of a standard magic
Defense pool, which normally only works to mitigate
magical attacks. This works the same way for every
magic ability tree. Spending 2 CPs lets the Defense
Pool apply against physical Melee and Unarmed
attacks. Spending 4 CPs allows defensive action
against Melee, Unarmed, and Ranged attacks.

Martial Defense: Warriors may opt to expand the

Melee Weapons Defense pool, which normally
only mitigates the threat of hand–to–hand
attacks. Spending 2 CPs lets the Defense pool
apply against Ranged attacks (parry arrows).
Spending 4 CPs allows defensive action
against standard, targeted Magic attacks
(in lieu of the Agility DP). Note that non-
physical damage is preternatural and cannot
be blocked or parried by mundane shields or
swords.

Half-Orc Unarmed Defense: A martial artist would

Chapter 1: Character Creation | page 11

 Worked Example

To illustrate the process, we will generate a character.

In this case, the player has a general idea what he wants
to start with, a stalwart but dour dwarf axeman named
Gegdin. Note that steps are not inflexible: it is fairly
common to add in a disadvantage in step 2 to be able to
start with a certain ability, say.

1. Racial Package. As a dwarf, Gegdin must purchase:

Fortitude D6 (2 CPs) → Feats of Strength D6 (4 CPs)
+ Endurance D4 (2 CPs), and Melee Weapons D8 (4
CPs). Also, all dwarves begin play with the advantage of
Night Vision (3 CPs). The total racial package costs 15
points, leaving the player with 15 CPs to customize the
character. At this point it is also decided that the dwarf is
to be male and young.

2. Abilities & Occupation. The player has 15 CPs to work

with, so must choose abilities carefully. Gegdin is less
Human
than charming, in fact, he is downright frightening, so
the player chooses Influence D6 → Coercion D4, costing
buy this advantage to simulate all manner of enhanced defensive
4 CPs (11 left). Gegdin is an excellent guide in his native
capabilities. The ability to defend against unarmed attacks with the
underground environment, earning him a Knowledge
unarmed ability Defense Pool is free, but spending 2 CPs unlocks
D4 → Survival D6 → Underground D4). So, his skill is
the DP for use against hand-to-hand weapon Melee attacks, and
average for one trained in exploring, observing, and
spending 4 CPs lets it be used against Ranged attacks as well (in
evaluating, but is quite respectable when underground.
lieu of the Agility DP). Spending 6 points allows defensive action
The basic ability is free; D6 speciality and D4 mastery
against targeted, physical Magic attacks (non-physical attacks
cost 6 CPs, with 5 now remaining. The player purchases
deplete Willpower DP). Also, one with this advantage no longer
the advantage of Sense of Direction for an additional
suffers damage when parried by an armed foe (see Chapter 3,
point. To spice things up, the dwarf has an understanding
Unarmed Attacks).
of the arcane, and knows a few primordial, earth magic
spells (Elementalism → Create) learnt while living in
Heightened Senses (sight, vision, taste/smell, touch): The character’s
his underground homeland. The die rank of D4 in
senses are superior to those of the average member of his race.
Elementalism (a restricted ability) and the D4 speciality
The PC can choose one heightened sense for every 2 CPs. This
in the Create power focus brings him down to zero CPs.
allows a +1 bonus on ability checks using the heightened sense.

Inconspicuous Caster (2 CPs): Spells are usually cast with dramatic

advantage once for each language in which he is literate, or just
words and gestures, making magic use quite obvious. Sometimes
spend two points and assume nominal literacy in all languages he
thaumaturges may wish to be subtler and avoid one or both,
knows. Note that either the character can read the language or
but it is difficult, adding +8 to the Needed Number, dropping
not; the rules do not call for ability checks based on literacy. The
either words or gestures, and +16 to cast with neither words nor
PC who wants to learn ancient or arcane languages should instead
gestures. This advantage halves the penalties to +4/+8. It is most
purchase ranks under the Knowledge ability.
useful if the caster is silenced or restrained in some way, e.g. bound
and gagged.
Low-light Vision (2 CPs): This is the ability to see well in dim lighting
conditions, including starlight, without penalties to ability checks in
Literacy (1 CP for literacy in one language and 2 CPs for literacy in
combat and other situations. The character with this innate ability
ALL languages known): The ability to read. Note the PC need not
is usually an elf, half-elf, gnome, or half-orc.
be able to speak a language to be literate in it. He may take the

Night Vision (3 CPs): This is the ability to see well in total darkness,

page 12 | Chapter 1: Character Creation

 Disadvantages
Gegdin is named already, and fits the fighter archetype
The opposite of advantages, these are traits that hinder a character
and occupation (quite fitting given his racial increases in
in some way. When selecting a disadvantage, a character gains
both basic abilities).
between one and four Character Points to use in character
creation. These bonus CPs are available at character creation only.
3. Defense Pools. These are calculated and recorded
Acquiring a disadvantage through game play does not award any
on the Character Sheet. Gegdin’s Active Defenses
points. The number of disadvantages any PC possesses to start
include Melee Weapons (8) and Agility (4). Magic
with should not exceed 4 CPs in total.
Defense (usable against magical attacks only) is 4 for
Elementalism + 4 for Create = 8. Passive Defense is the
Addiction: The character is addicted to some substance. The
Fortitude ability tree (6 for Fortitude + 6 for Feats of
character will spend at least an hour a day using the substance
Strength + 4 for Endurance = 16, so Gegdin is respect-
and spend a good portion of income acquiring it. It is possible
ably tough).
to get clean from an addiction, but in times of great stress, the
character will have to make a Willpower roll to avoid returning to
4. Character Concept and Equipment. The dwarf is as
the substance. Addiction may be acquired as a 1 CP, 2 CP, or 3 CP
intelligent, charismatic, and wise as desired. In this case,
disadvantage.
the player decides that Gegdin is blessed with great
acumen (and so is wise in many a thing), and is pragmatic
If the character is forced to go for 2 days without the object of a
and logical, but is neither charismatic nor particularly
1-point addiction, all actions are at –1 penalty, and will increase
intelligent. The player will role-play him accordingly,
by an additional –1 for every two days that pass without using
interpreting abilities in light of that. In addition, Gegdin’s
the substance. A 2-point addiction lowers any ability roll by –2
Melee Weapons ability is probably strength-based, given
for every 3 days without the object of addiction, and a 3-point
his penchant for wielding axes. (Despite this, the player
addiction lowers any ability roll by –3 for every 4 days. Note that
could still decide that Gegdin’s combat style is based on
addictive substances often have other effects on the character’s
quickness and dexterity, perhaps mastering the hand
behavior.
or throwing axe rather than the great axe. The rules do
not force any particular interpretation of ability — Ranks
Compulsion: This disadvantage is much like an addiction, but to
measure levels of knowledge and proficiency, not their
an activity, not a substance. A compulsive PC will constantly try
manifestation. The player or GM fills in details, based on
to perform the stated behavior, and will do so at any opportunity.
the guidelines provided.) Given his background, Gegdin
Examples of a compulsive person are a pyromaniac, a pathological
would scorn any elemental spells other than Earth-based
liar, and a problem gambler. The Compulsion disadvantage causes
ones, at least to start with.
the same penalties as the Addiction disadvantage, and it may be
acquired as a 1 CP, 2 CP, or 3 CP disadvantage.
As an archetypical fighter, Gegdin gets one weapon of
Impaired Hearing: A character with this disadvantage does not hear
choice. For that reason the GM and player agree that the
as well as others. He is at a –1 penalty to any skill in which hearing
dwarf’s concept supports possession of a heavy, broad-
is required (1 CP). Optional levels are available at the GM’s discre-
headed combat axe and a suit of chainmail (see Combat
tion. For 2 CPs, the character is at –2 for skills involving hearing.
section for details), in addition to the essential goods for
travel and exploration.

without penalty to ability checks in combat and other situations.

The character with this ability is usually a dwarf.

Sense of Direction (1 CP): This is the innate ability to find one’s way.
A character with this advantage is always able to find true north,
and thus know what direction he faces, even underground or in the
dark. One with this advantage will sense the borders of unsettled
lands, the directionless places where true north no longer holds.

Underworld Contacts (1 CP): The character knows several shady

characters in less than reputable lines of work. In new locations,
the character will know where to find contacts. The GM controls all
such contacts.
Chapter 1: Character Creation | page 13
At the 3-point level, the character is completely deaf and may not
make hearing rolls. This can affect the cost and availability of skills
based on hearing, like virtuosity with speciality in music (GM’s
discretion).
Impaired Smell and Taste: The character cannot smell or taste
anything (1 CP). The character cannot detect anything through
these senses, but is also unaffected by bad smells, like the stench
of a skunk, a stagnant, noisome sewer, the putrid smell of rotting
fish, and so on.
Impaired Vision: This disadvantage requires the character to use
some form of mechanical aid to see clearly (i.e. spectacles or
magical goggles of some kind). Without glasses or the equivalent,
the character is at a –1 penalty to any skill that requires sight (1
CP). Optional levels are available at the GM’s discretion. For 2
CPs, the character is at –2 penalty for skills involving sight when
unaided by artificial lenses. At the 3-point level, the character
is completely blind, and may not make sight rolls at all. Such a
character had best obtain significant powers to compensate for
blindness, say by learning magic and focusing on “Sense” spell
types (see Chapter 4).
Missing Arm: The character is without the use of an arm (2 CPs).
It need not be completely missing, but is not usable in any way.
Tasks that require the use of two hands are all but impossible.
The character cannot wield two weapons at once, including small
shields, and he can never master two-handed weapons, which are
always wielded at –2.
Missing Leg: The character is without a leg (3 CPs). He can walk
with either an artificial leg or crutch at –1 penalty in Speed and –1
to Agility.
Mute: The character is unable to speak (2 CPs). No spells are
possible that require the use of speech, nor skills where speech is
important. This is ideal for the player who just had his jaw wired
shut due to some freak accident.
Ugliness: The character has an appearance characteristic that is
generally unappealing in some way. The character has a hunchback,
crossed eyes, bowed legs, or is just plain ugly. This will often cause
a –1 penalty to reaction or cause a –1 penalty per level to reactions
from strangers. A character may take this disadvantage up to three
times at 1 CP per level, for a truly unappealing or monstrous visage.
page 14 | Chapter 1: Character Creation
Step 2: Abilities & Occupation
Abilities
Abilities are at the heart of ERP. One or more dice represent a
character’s level of proficiency in any action, from swinging a
sword, to performing a song, to turning a foe into a newt. As in
life, some abilities are relatively simple and anyone can attempt
them, while other abilities are more complex and require in-depth
training just to be able to attempt. In some cases, such as Athletics,
restrictions simply represent levels of training and expertise
beyond the norm. D4 is the default score for all basic, unrestricted
abilities. Characters purchase abilities and increase Ranks with
Character Points, costing 2 CPs per increase to Die Rank. If an
ability is unrestricted, then the D4 rank is automatic and costs no
CPs.
Player Character Die-Ranks are D4, D6, D8, D10, and D12 (highest
rank for standard characters). Die rank refers only to the value of a
single die of any ability tree.
Ability List (each rank increase costs 2CPs)
Basic abilities and common specialities are listed below. See
Chapter 2 for for an expanded list and full ability descriptions.
Abilities are noted as Primary or Support (P or S), Restricted or
Unrestricted (R or U).
Arcanum* [P,U] → Artificing; Curses; Potions; Wards
Agility [P,U] → Acrobatics; Reflexes; Speed
Fortitude [P,U] → Athletics; Endurance; Feats of Strength; Quick
Recovery
Healing [S,R] → Animals; Humanoids; Medicine
Influence [S,U] → Coercion; Interrogation; Persuasion
Knowledge [S,U] → Anthropology; Appraisal; Engineering; History;
Linguistics; Mathematics; Religion; Survival
Magic Abilities* [all P,R] → Change; Create; Control; Sense
(individual Pillars are Alteration, Conjuration,
Elementalism, Illusion, Invocation, and Psychogenic)
Melee Weapons** [P,U] → Axe; Bludgeon; Chain/Whip; Knife;
Polearm/Spear; Sword
Perception [S,U] → Investigation; Notice
Ranged Weapons** [P,U] → Bow; Crossbow; Thrown
Skullduggery [S,U] → Confidence Games; Disguise; Forgery; Sense
Motive; Sleight of Hand; Stealth; Thievery
Talent [S,R] → Handicraft; Performance; Smithing
Unarmed** [P,U] → Grapple; Kick; Punch
Willpower [P,U] → Resistance
* See Chapter 4 for special masteries (spells).
** See Chapter 3 for special masteries.
Bonus Ranks
Some characters will at rare times gain bonus Ranks to abilities,
usually through arcane spells or magic items. For example, a bonus
+1 rank would increase a roll from a D4 to D6, or a D8 to D10, etc.
These bonuses can be applied to the basic skill tier, specialities tier,
or masteries tier. However, if the character’s ability (at whatever
tier is considered) is already maxed-out at Rank D12, simply apply a
+1 bonus when checking for success to the sum result of the ability
roll (all dice added together). These bonuses can be cumulative.
Adding speciality or mastery dice grants better average rolls and
higher maximum values. Somebody with the highest rank D12
in Knowledge has broad understanding of many things, but still
wouldn’t perform as well as somebody specialized in some specific
field.
A rule of thumb to gauge relative capability is to add the Maximum
Value (MV) of the ability branch dice, and check the branch
rank level, using the table below as a guide. Example: Ilvuzor the
alchemist has Arcanum ability with Arcanum D8 → Potions D10 →
Healing Potion D8.
Table 1.1 Ability Branch MV Levels (Sum of Maximum
dice Value in Ability Branch)
Average: 4+
Respectable: 6+
Skilled: 12+
Great: 18+
Phenomenal: 24+
Legendary 30+
This means Ilvuor the alchemist has respectable ability with
Arcanum (8 MV), is great with creating potions (adding up to 18
MV) but is phenomenal at making healing potions (total of 26 MV).
Occupation (optional)
All characters may choose an occupational path, which helps orient
the character within the campaign setting. These are occupational
templates, consisting of bundles of abilities to aid the player in
conceptualizing his adventuring hero.
unless all requisite abilities are possessed, but it is possible to
be “on the path” to earning a particular title. Therefore, a player
may decide to begin with only some of the listed abilities and
purchase new ones as the character advances. In either case, she
must justify her choices to her GM in terms of her character’s total
concept. The occupational templates below are lists of suggested
abilities for certain character types.
These are guidelines to character development, not straitjackets.
Characters usually fulfill the requirements of the archetypal
classes — fighter, rogue, thaumaturge — before pursuing more
specific occupational paths. Doing so follows well-established
precedents in fantasy literature and games, and serves to make
character concepts more cohesive.
Society recognizes characters as aspiring members of a given
occupation upon purchasing at least a one Rank increase in all
associated basic abilities.
Archer (Ranged → Bow → Long Bow)
Barbarian (Fortitude → Feats of Strength, Influence → Intimidation,
Unarmed Combat)
Bard (Talent → Performance → Musical Instrument, Skullduggery)
Bounty Hunter (Investigation, Melee Weapons, Ranged Weapons,
Knowledge → Survival)
Cavalry (Animal Handling → Riding, Melee Weapons → Pole-Arms)
Elementalist (Elementalism)
Fighter (Fortitude, Melee Weapons → Shield + [any weapon
group])
Gladiator (Melee Weapons → Exotic Weapons* → Net*)
Knight (Melee Weapons → Pole-Arms, Knowledge → Heraldry,
Animal Handling → Riding → Warhorses)
Mercenary (Fortitude, Perception → Notice)
Mind Mage (Psychogenic)
Mystic Warrior (Unarmed Combat → Grapple + Kick + Punch →
specific martial arts maneuvers)
Paladin (Restoration, Knowledge → Heraldry + Religion)
Ranger (Perception → Scouting → Tracking)
Rogue (Skullduggery → Stealth, Knowledge → Appraisal)
Samurai (Melee Weapons → Swords → Katana)
Theurgist (Invocation, and any other fitting the deity profile)
Wizard (Conjuration, Illusion; any that fit the school attended)

For example, in order to begin play as a knight-in-training (a

squire), one must purchase the skills requisite for becoming a
fighter (Fortitude, one weapon group speciality, and shield) and at
least some specialities unique to knights, like riding, pole arms, or
heraldry. A character is not considered fully a part of an occupation

Chapter 1: Character Creation | page 15


* To be defined by the GM.
Character Name proposed background. Clothes can be whatever the player
Any gamer worth his salt knows the importance of a good name for
his character. Before naming your character it is wise to ask your
GM if the character must be from a certain region and if so, whether
there are certain kinds of names required or restricted.
Step 3: Calculate Defense Pools
A Defense Pool is a number of hit points used to mitigate or negate
threat points. There are two types of Defense, Active and Passive.
Active Defenses include actions like parrying (using Melee Weapons
DP), dodging (Agility DP), or “rolling with the punches” (Agility or
Unarmed Combat DP).
Your character’s Defense Pools are calculated based on the
Maximum Values of the entire ability tree added up, including all
specialities and masteries. Remember, the Max-Value of each die is
simply the highest roll possible. Thus, the max-value of D4 is 4, of
D6 is 6, and so on.
Active Defense also works in tandem with shields, which offer
straight damage reduction before hit points are depleted ((in other
words, subtraction without rolling a die). See the Combat Chapter
for more info on shields.
page 16 | Chapter 1: Character Creation
Passive Defense is represented by the Fortitude DP, and is
reduced only after any Damage Reduction due to armor is
applied.
Step 4: Character Concept & Equipment
The character concept is worked out in cooperation with the
GM. Attributes like intellect, charm, and acumen are up to the
player to determine and communicate; the rules do not seek
to quantify them. Nor are there rules to dictate whether the
character relies more on brute strength or on adroitness and
speed in battle. The player has full freedom to interpret these
attributes within the scope of his desired character concept.
All characters begin play with equipment appropriate to the
life of an adventurer. This includes things like backpacks,
bedrolls, belt pouches, utility daggers, flint & tinder, lanterns
(and oil), parchment or paper, a pack mule, rations for a week,
sacks, torches, waterskins, whetstones, and wooden poles. The
GM can approve or deny other things based on a character’s
imagines is appropriate for his character. Magic items should not
be granted to starting characters, unless the GM has a special
reason to do so.
In addition, archetypical items granted at the start of play are as
follows:
Fighter: One weapon of choice. Also, add one type of armor, and
a shield, and a steed as decided by the GM based on character
background.
Rogue: One set of thieves’ tools, light armor, and one weapon.
Thaumaturge: One spell book, holy text, relic, staff, or some
focus depending on type of magic practiced.
Monetary transactions in the game world use a system like our
own modern-day currency; simply substitute the word “crowns”
for dollars. Assign dollar amounts to items that would be compa-
rable to things in our own world. For example, renting a car is
not unlike renting a horse in the medieval context, so charge 50
crowns a day for a good horse. Imagine what something is worth
today, and pretend that translates into the fantasy economy,
making all conversions easy and fun, even if totally unrealistic.
The reason for a short equipment section is that mundane
items do not require excruciating detail — the stock-in-trade of
adventurers is mostly weapons, magic, and armor. Accordingly,
the rules cover these items thoroughly. Normal treasure found
during the course of an adventure takes many forms, but players
usually convert loot into regular currency without fanfare. A
little reading on ancient and medieval history ought to give the GM
sufficient imagery for the rest. A Speciality is a refinement of a basic ability. For example, a
mundane character with a farming background would likely have

Chapter 2: Action System the broad, general skill of Animal Handling, the default ranking of
which assumes basic proficiency. A speciality in Farming would

‘You think the world moves in accord with your will and design? The gods cover the care and breeding of livestock, such as cows, pigs, sheep,
laugh at such folly. Do you not know that all is chaos? All is chance? and most any farm or herd animal. If the character were a cattle
You ride astride a blind mad mare and where it takes you none can say. farmer, he would likely have the mastery of Cattle, which means he
Laugh, because you may as well enjoy the ride.’
would be particularly good at anything to do with bulls and cows.
--- Adventuring skills work in the same way.
As spoken from the stake by the heresiarch Priscus before the flames
took him.
The player must first determine the relevant ability for any of his
character’s actions. This is usually a matter of common sense.
The next thing to go over is the action resolution system. Various For example, if a character wishes to shadow a villain in an urban
types and quantities of dice measure abilities in the game. Rank environment, he would use his Skullduggery → Stealth → Urban. No
refers to the number of sides on a die, and quantity refers to the more than three dice can apply to a single ability check. In addition,
number of dice rolled for a single action resolution attempt. any speciality and mastery dice rolled must derive from the same
Ability Branch.
For any single ability, die type corresponds to its “rank.” The
more sides on the die, the higher the rank. Ability ranks normally
Ability Checks
progress from D4 through D12. Many in-game calculations
require the highest possible number for a die rank, or for all dice
All ability checks are performed in essentially the same way. The
in an ability tree. This number is the Maximum Value, abbreviated
player chooses the ability (and branch) that the character uses, and
Max-Value, or just MV.
adds together the rolls for each applicable die in the ability branch.
For example, a character with Skullduggery D8 → Stealth D6 →
As briefly mentioned in Chapter 1, a single broad ability tree can
Urban D4 might roll D8+D6+D4 if he were shadowing someone in
branch off into several narrower branches. The basic ability is like
town, but only D8 if he were attempting general Skullduggery, or
the trunk of the tree, with every branch representing specialities,
a task in a branch he did not possess. The total of the ability check
which can themselves split into masteries, or offshoots. There are
(up to three rolled dice) is then used in a way depending on the
up to three tiers of ability in any one ability branch, beginning with
task or situation:
the trunk, sometimes called the Basic tier. Next is the Speciality
tier (branch), and then the Mastery tier (offshoot).
Contest: Against an active opponent, e.g. in a contest of skill, the

Chapter 2: Action System | page 17

total is compared to an opposed roll by the opponent; the higher
result wins, with the defender winning a tie.
Challenge: When there is no active opponent, e.g. if trying to climb
a wall, the GM decides on a level of challenge, and rolls the appli-
cable dice; if the player’s total is higher, the character succeeds.
Spells: When using most spells, innate powers, and special combat
maneuvers, the total is compared to a fixed number for the action;
if the player’s total is equal or higher, the action takes effect
(although its success may depend on a following opposed roll).
Attacks: In combat attacks, the total determines “threat points,”
which directly reduce one or more defensive hit point scores (aka
Defense Pools) before they can cause actual damage.
More detail is given hereafter. The rest of this chapter will focus
on ability checks for the first two kinds of action, while the combat
and magic chapters explain battle, special maneuvers, spells, and
powers in detail.
Contested opposition occurs when there is an active opponent. For
example, our adventuring dwarf Gegdin is attempting to shadow
an elf named Adira in the woods. The GM laughs, knowing that will
be difficult for the dwarf, and says that Gegdin must roll a check
against Stealth (a speciality of Skullduggery).
All characters begin play with at least D4 in Skullduggery, so the
dwarf can attempt to shadow the elusive elf through the woods.
Alas, he rolls a 2. Adira, on the other hand, is quite stealthy. In fact,
the nimble elf is not only specialized in Stealth, but has mastered
hiding in the forest (let us say the Ranks are as follows: Skulldug-
gery D6 → Stealth D10 → Forest D8 ).
Clearly, the elf cannot possibly roll lower than the dwarf
(D6+D10+D8 has a minimum roll of 3). On the other hand, if the
dwarf were shadowing the elf in a small town, his quarry’s terrain-
specific mastery would not apply, making it possible for Adira to
roll a 2. Even so, defenders win ties, so the elf is guaranteed to get
away.
Situational opposition happens when there is no active, living
opponent, such as when a character is trying to climb a wall. For
ability checks of this type, the Game Master will assign an appro-
priate level of challenge, thus setting the number of Challenge Dice
for an opposition roll. The sum of the roll is the Needed Number
for that action. The situational Challenge Dice range was designed
to simulate heroes who succeed more often than fail, and implies
cinematic skill.
page 18 | Chapter 2: Action System
The levels of challenge and their corresponding dice are shown in
Table 2.1. A rating of “easy” is the lowest rating a challenge may
have. If the GM determines the challenge is less taxing than that,
the character automatically succeeds at the attempt. Likewise,
no challenge is more difficult than Herculean — the only way to
describe a task more daunting is to call it “impossible”.
Table 2.1 Challenge Dice: Roll dice to determine
Needed Number
Easy 1D4
Moderate 1D8
Difficult 1D10
Demanding 2D6
Formidable 2D8
Extreme 2D10
Herculean 2D12
Once the GM establishes and rolls for difficulty, the player rolls in
opposition, using the dice indicated by his character’s ability, and
comparing the results. If the player’s roll is greater than the Needed
Number, the character succeeds.
For example, Frederick the farmer needs to calm an enraged bull.
Fred has the following Ability Tree: Animal Handling D8 → Farming
D6 → Cattle D4. The GM determines that the challenge is Formi-
dable (2D10). Fred rolls D8 + D6 + D4 for his Ability Branch, the
GM rolls 2D10. If Fred’s totaled dice beat the GM’s roll, the beast
will be calmed. If he fails… well, he could be in real trouble! The GM
then describes what happened based on the results of the player’s
roll. Sometimes the results are immediate and obvious. Other times
the GM may evaluate degrees of success, as explained below.
Degrees of Success
The GM has leeway in describing the results of the attempt from
start to finish. The only given is that the outcome of the check
must be respected. Beyond that given, details of how the outcome
appears are up to him. A failure, for example, could occur at the
beginning of the attempt, almost at the point of completion, or
at any point in between. Likewise, he could describe a successful
attempt as barely getting the task done, or succeeding in fantastic
fashion.
How much a check succeeds or fails by (the difference between
a character’s ability check total, and the total of the opposition
dice) can affect the described results. For instance, a result that
just barely succeeds indicates just basic success. The GM could
describe the attempt as “just enough,” like jumping just far enough
to clear a chasm and roll to safety away from the edge. The greater
the difference between the player’s roll and the Needed Number,
the better the effects of the action will be. Likewise, the amount by
which a character fails a check can determine how bad the results
end up.
The GM can describe barely missing the roll as near success in the
attempt. A terrible roll can result in a catastrophe for the character.
If a character were attempting to use alchemical reagents to turn
lead into gold, missing the target by one point might result in silver,
or maybe fool’s gold, while a catastrophic failure might blow up
the reagents with deadly effect. Following our earlier example,
Frederick the farmer is staring the bull in the face using all his years
of experience to calm it down. Whether he succeeds or fails, and
by how much, will determine the description the GM would use.
Example: Margin of Success
Better than +6: Fred not only calms the animal and locks it away in
its pen, but a lovely local barmaid swoons over his bravery.
+4 to +6: Fred calms the runaway bull and manages to lock it away.
+1 to +3: The bull is calmed, and is led away towards its pen.
0: The bull is calm but not ready to listen to instructions.
–1 to –3: The bull will not heed Fred, but it is not trying to gore him
either. Fred may try again.
–4 to –6: The bull is enraged and prepares to charge poor Fred.
Ability Trees and Branches
Most actions correspond to some basic ability (any innate physical
or mental capacity or learned skill). These abilities form the basis
for almost all action in the game. GMs should note that character
capacities and powers ill-suited to the three-tiered structure (trunk,
branch, and offshoot) are usually better described by Advantages.
For example, a creature either has Dark Vision or not. The basic
abilities listed below are the core capacities and skills of the game,
listed with suggested Specialities and Masteries.
The lists of Specialities and Masteries are by no means exhaustive,
and players and GMs are encouraged to add to or alter the lists.
Feel free to make up new (Basic → Speciality → Mastery) ability
successions, or alter existing ones to suit your game and campaign
setting. The abilities as structured and presented here reflect the
life of an adventurer (in the world of Ainerêve). Some speciality
or mastery levels are more detailed than others because they are
common actions in game scenarios.
Ability Description
Specialities and/or masteries add dice to opposed checks when
those capacities are relevant and called upon. Some abilities
convert to defensive pools of hit points (Defense Pools or D-Pools),
or increase an attacker’s damage potential (threat points). Basic
abilities default to a rank of D4 (average) if the character is
untrained, unless the skill is designated “restricted”, in which case
the GM may disallow an attempt to use the skill.
There are two descriptive categories of ability: primary and
support. Primary abilities are critical to the adventuring life,
especially combat. Primary abilities directly affect action scenes,
while support abilities may do so indirectly, but the importance
of each depends on the story and the nature of the campaign.
The primary abilities are often more difficult to alter without rules
consequences, but the support abilities are highly customizable.
Support abilities are commonly used during the course of an
adventure, and often important to different aspects of play or even
critical in some contexts.
Some abilities qualify as a Defense Pool. These abilities convert to
reservoirs of hit points to use in defending against threat points.
Some Defense Pools are “Active”, being the first mode of Defense
against attack, while Fortitude (the physical body, including ability
to withstand fatigue and some degree of spiritual endurance) is
“Passive”, the last layer of Defense when all else fails. Simply add
up the highest value of all dice in the ability tree (MV), including all
specialities and masteries, to calculate the score. See the Chapter 3
for more information.
The use of restricted abilities is conditional. A restricted ability,
power, special maneuver, or spell cannot be attempted without
meeting prerequisites. Most of the time that means the character
must purchase at least a D4 rank in the ability, either at the basic,
speciality, or mastery tier. Note that most abilities at the basic tier
are unrestricted, and also default to a D4. There is no default roll
for capacities above the basic tier.
Skill Successions
Basic abilities, specialities, and masteries are listed on page 20–21.
Full descriptions are given hereafter. Abilities are noted as Primary
or Support (P or S), Restricted or Unrestricted (R or U).
Chapter 2: Action System | page 19
Basic Ability Speciality Mastery
Animal Handling [S,U] → Farming → cattle; chickens; horses; pigs; etc.
→ Hunting → dogs; raptors (falcons, hawks); etc.
→ Riding → draft horses; horses; warhorses; exotic
mounts (one per mastery)
→ Training → one species of animal per mastery
Arcanum* [P,U] → Artificing *
→ Curses *
→ Potions *
→ Wards *
Agility [P,U] → Acrobatics → balance; evasion; falling; jumping;
tumbling
→ Reflexes → reaction time
→ Speed → running; sprinting
Fortitude [P,U] → Athletics → climbing; jumping; swimming
→ Endurance → distance running; resist (one per mastery)
debilitation, incapacitation, paralysis,
slowing, stunning
→ Feats of Strength → break & bend; lift & carry; push & pull
→ Quick Recovery → pain; vs. body control; vs. incapacitation
Healing [S,R] → Animals → animal anatomy; diseases; wounds
→ Humanoids → diseases; humanoid anatomy; madness;
wounds
→ Medicine → first aid; herbal remedies; salves &
ointments
→ Monsters → diseases; monstrous anatomy; wounds
Influence [S,U] → Coercion → intimidation; physical threat
→ Interrogation → inquisition; torture
→ Persuasion → argument; seduction
Knowledge [S,U] → Anthropology → specific race
→ Appraisal → antiquities; art; coins; gems; jewelry;
weapon value
→ Engineering → building; siege engines
→ Legends & Lore → era, culture, or monster lore
→ Linguistics → specific language
→ Mathematics → astronomy
→ Religion → specific pantheon
→ Survival → coast; desert; forest; mountains; plains;
swamp
Magic Abilities* [P,R] → Change; Control; Create; Sense All magic masteries are specific spells
Alteration ↑ *
Conjuration ↑ *
Elementalism ↑ *
Illusion ↑ *
Invocation ↑ *
Psychogenic ↑ *

page 20 | Chapter 2: Action System

 Basic Ability Speciality Mastery
Melee Weapons** [P,U] → Axe → combat axe; great axe; hand axe; pick
→ Bludgeon → baton/tonfa; bo staff; club; footman’s
flail; footman’s mace; horseman’s mace;
military hammer; morning star; quarterstaff;
shield; sledgehammer
→ Chain/ Whip → bull whip; cat o’ nine tails; horseman’s
flail (mace & chain); loose chain; nunchaku
→ Knife → dagger; kris; parry dagger; throwing
dagger; utility knife
→ Pole-arm/ Spear → halberd; lance; pike; spear
→ Sword → greatsword; fencing; katana; long; short
Perception [S,U] → Investigation → search
→ Notice → traps; illusion
→ Scouting → surveillance; tracking
Ranged Weapons** [P,U] → Bow → compound; long; short
→ Crossbow → hand; heavy; light
→ Thrown → dart; knife; shuriken; spear; sling & stone;
throwing axe
Skullduggery [S,U] → Confidence Games → espionage; gambling; lying; riddles; wit
and repartee
→ Disguise → sex; race
→ Forgery → handwriting; legal docs; military docs
→ Sense Motive → bluff; detect lie; sense emotion
→ Sleight of Hand → conceal; hold-out
→ Stealth → urban; wilderness
→ Thievery → dangerous traps; filching; streetwise
Talent [S,R] → Handicraft → cobbling; cooking; sewing; weaving;
woodworking; sculpting
→ Performance → musical instruments; singing; theatrics
→ Smithing → armor; bronze; copper; gold; iron; silver;
tin; weaponcraft
Unarmed** [P,U] → Grapple **
→ Kick **
→ Punch **
Willpower [P,U] → Resistance → versus (one per mastery): coercion,
confusion, curses, distraction, persuasion,
mind control, terror, possession
* See Magic Spells in Chapter 4 for a list of masteries.
** See Chapter 3 for special masteries.

Chapter 2: Action System | page 21

Primary Abilities
Agility (Unrestricted; Defense Pool): This skill measures adroitness,
nimbleness, dexterity, and gracefulness in action. It also ranks a
character’s celerity in close combat, and the responsiveness of his
central nervous system, whether instinctive or through training. It
defines hand/eye coordination, quickness of actions, and reaction
time. Masteries include jumping, balance, running, tumbling,
catching things, and dodging. This skill determines the character’s
combat initiative, and hence battle phase (the higher the MV the
faster the reaction time; see Chapter 3).
The Agility Defense-Pool determines ability to avoid physical harm.
This includes close-quarter evasion of melee or unarmed attacks,
dodging ranged weapons, or running quickly to avoid a dangerous
area effect.
Agility’s Speed speciality enhances the body’s natural ability to
move swiftly, a measure of celerity. Movement is 18 + Agility MV
yards per round. Then add +1 yard per die rank for the Speed
speciality; and +1 yard (only) for mastery in each of Running or
Sprinting, for up to +7 yards, maxing out at 37 yards per round.
Running is 2x and Sprinting 4x Movement.
Running requires a Moderate challenge roll of Agility → Speed
→ Running versus 2D4 each 5 minutes before tiring out (see
Fortitude for distance running). Sprinting requires a challenge roll
of Agility → Speed → Sprinting each round, starting at Easy (D4) on
round 1 and increasing by 1 level per round to Herculean (3D12).
See Table 2.1.
The Reflexes speciality and Reaction Time mastery increase initia-
tive, the rapidity of action and response that determines Battle
Phase, adding +1 per die rank to the base Agility MV (see combat
rules).
For fast, grid-based combat using miniatures use this simple rule
instead: Agility Die-Rank MV +1 per Speed Die-Rank = 5’ Squares
Per Round (x2 for running).
Fortitude (Unrestricted; Defense Pool): This is the ability to
withstand physical hardship, fatigue, and torment, and is a measure
of the body’s natural strength and endurance. Many specialities
are possible, such as athletics, endurance, feats of strength, and
quick recovery from stunning, fatigue and so on. Masteries include
climbing, swimming, distance running, pain resistance, and so on.
Fortitude’s Endurance speciality is used as a Saving Throw against
physical affliction spells, with masteries including resisting physical
status effects such as debilitation, incapacitation, paralysis,
slowing, and stunning. Running requires a Moderate challenge roll
of Fortitude → Endurance → Distance Running versus 2D4 each 10
minutes before tiring out (cf. Agility).
page 22 | Chapter 2: Action System
The Fortitude D-Pool is a passive Defense that measures how much
physical punishment a character can take before dropping uncon-
scious or dying. See Chapter 3.
Fortitude’s Feats of Strength speciality helps when a character’s
might is applied in certain ways. This can be for anything from
lifting a boulder to arm wrestling, but does not apply in combat—
because requiste might is assumed for all heroes' chosen attack
methods. Masteries of Feats of Strength include breaking items,
lifting weights, performance (bending bars), pushing, etc. Note
that all normal strength-based actions default to basic Fortitude if
lacking this speciality.
Melee Weapons (Unrestricted; Defense Pool): This skill allows
basic proficiency with all types of medieval style weaponry, and
is further broken down into specialities for weapon groups and
masteries for specific weapons. Halflings and gnomes can use small
weapons only (no larger than a short sword or hand axe), else there
is no restriction on weapon use other than character concept.
The Melee Weapons D-Pool determines the fighter’s ability to defend
with all manner of weaponry and shields. The active Defense involves
parrying melee attacks or deflecting with a shield. The Enhanced
Martial Defense Advantage expands this to parrying missile weapons
and even some types of magic attacks. See Chapter 3.
Ranged Weapons (Unrestricted): The basic ability to use missile
weapons of any sort. It is further broken down into specialities for
missile weapon groups and masteries for specific weapons. As with
Melee Weapons, halflings and gnomes can use small weapons only
(short bow, throwing axe, and so on). Ranged Weapons ranks do
not add to the Melee Weapons Defense Pool (See Chapter 1 & 3).
Unarmed Combat (Unrestricted; Defense Pool): Every
humanoid creature has an automatic rank of D4 in Unarmed
Combat, representing basic ability in fisticuffs, which is the ability
to brawl rather than disciplined martial combat. Specialities
indicate training in various techniques, leading into masteries
representing various special maneuvers. See Chapter 1 & 3.
The Unarmed D-Pool determines ability to mitigate or avoid the harm
of unarmed attacks or the natural attacks of animals. The Enhanced
Unarmed Defense Advantage unlocks the capacity for close quarter
evasion of melee weapon attacks, or even dodging ranged weapons.
Willpower (Unrestricted; Defense Pool): The Willpower skill
measures one’s self-control and mental fortitude. It is a measure
of resistance to mental pressures and the ability to force one’s self
to perform actions against better judgment. Specialities can take
many forms, such as resistance to fear or torture, self-control, and
mental fortitude (useful for overcoming mind control).
The Resistance Speciality represents the ability to resist spiritual
or psychic harm from all forms of magic attack (see Afflictions in
Chapter 4). Masteries can include resist coercion, persuasion, and
the various magical status effects: Coercion, Confusion, Curses,
Distraction, Persuasion, Mind control, Terror, or Possession.
Willpower converts to a multi-purpose Defense Pool. It is used most
often to absorb the fatigue caused by casting improvised spells, or by
casting spells from a book or scroll without formal knowledge. It can
also be an active Defense against certain spells or magical traps, but
must be the sole such Defense if chosen (only one active Defense can
be used against any one attack).
Magic Abilities
In Eldritch, magic is treated much like any ability tree, with roots
and branches, Defense pools (vs. damaging magic) and harm
potential. Magic is built around the six main pillars of magic, each
with its own ability tree(s): alteration, conjuration, elementalism,
invocation, illusion, and psychogenics. Proficiency in any of these
restricted abilities requires innate capability or years of training.
With only the basic level (1st tier) in any of the six pillars, casters
can attempt to cast lower difficulty spells. Magic users may attempt
anything, though specialities increase success within certain focus
areas, and spell mastery represents the highest proficiency.
All spells have a Needed Number (NN) that must be met or
exceeded in order for the effect to succeed. If the NN is zero, or
the dice branch can't roll lower than the NN (especially in the case
of a mastered spell), then the spell automatically succeeds, the roll
determining the strength of the effect (see Chapter 4, Magic).
In addition, the seventh pillar, Arcanum, provides an unrestricted
magical ability covering folk and ritual magic. While general
knowledge of wards, hexes, potions, and so on is the province
of hedge wizards and wise women, those who gain mastery in
alchemy or item enchantment (especially combined with other
magic abilities) can be potent practitioners of the craft.
The magic Defense Pools defend against magical attacks. Thauma-
turges may opt to buy an advantage that lets the DP be used against
physical attacks. This is called, simply enough, Enhanced Magic
Defense, and works the same way for every magic tree (See Chapter 1;
Advantages).
Alteration (Restricted): This magic ability details spells that
allow thaumaturges to increase ability or augment the senses of
creatures, or to fortify, mend, or enchant objects. This form of
magic can be mystic or supernatural in origin.
Arcanum (Unrestricted): This is the skill of using magical formulae
to create effects. Arcanum is more craft than art, and in theory
anyone can obtain and use the skill. Arcanists follow the prescribed
rituals, prepare the magical ingredients when the stars are right,
chant the ancient phrases, and so on, as if following a recipe. If all
is correct, it works, but not everyone can follow a recipe, and when
invoking mystic forces, the results of failure can be more than a
burned pot.
Conjuration (Restricted): At its simplest, conjuring is the ability
to create something where there was nothing before. At the basic
level the mage can call forth simple things, and summon simple
creatures. Summoning more powerful creatures is harder (with
higher NNs). This branch of magic also allows calling forth of
magical energy, and teleportation (in effect, summoning a place).
Elementalism (Restricted): This is power affecting the basic
forces of nature itself (the elements of fire, water, earth, air, and
energy), and the art of magic requires deep understanding of these
and other forces in order to wield mystic power. This is a single
ability in the world of Ainerêve, but other settings may require
thaumaturges to acquire knowledge of each element separately (in
which case each has its own D-Pool).
Illusion (Restricted): The magic user wields the power of illusion,
confusing and beguiling opponents.
Invocation (Restricted: This magic ability is primarily concerned
with the life force of living and growing things. The thaumaturge
invokes a spiritual source (life being the province of the divine) to
restore, revive, heal, or vivify.
Psychogenics (Restricted): This is the ability to read minds and
auras, see the invisible, or control the actions of other creatures.
Support Abilities
Animal Handling (Unrestricted): The basic ability grants some
knowledge of how to approach, calm, tame, train, and breed
animals, and how to use them for a suitable purpose. This skill
includes working plow animals, breaking horses, training a hunting
dog, controlling a steed (usually a horse), or taming a wild beast.
It extends to activities such as charioteering or dog-sledding. In
addition, those with Animal Handling usually have a fair idea of
how to deal with livestock (chickens, cows, etc.), birds (sparrows,
condors, eagles, etc.), wild animals (bears, tigers, badgers, etc.), or
domesticated animals (cats, dogs, etc.). A character can master a
particular type of riding, including riding specific horses, or more
exotic aquatic or aerial species, with possible mastery in elephants,
griffons, or pegasi. A mounted character always uses Animal
Handling skill instead of Agility for determining initiative.
Chapter 2: Action System | page 23
Healing (Restricted): This is the skill of mending the wounded.
Specialities include healing people or animals, and knowledge of
medicine. The ability covers treating injuries from cuts and bruises,
poisons, and sickness. Greater margins of success bring greater
results. Better than +6 allows recovery at twice normal speed; +4
to +6 allows recovery at 1.5 × normal speed; zero to +3 stems the
flow of blood and brings a Player Character back to 0 Fortitude
if already below; –1 to –6 can have any number of unfortunate
consequences.
Influence (Unrestricted): The ability to induce fear or trust
through sociability and persuasiveness or force of will and
presence. An intimidating person does not often need to use force;
typically, the threat of force is enough. An influencer can use his
or her presence to induce fear, coerce or win cooperation, and
sometimes to inspire. Specialities include interrogation and intimi-
dation. Masteries include argument and seduction (see page 20).
Knowledge (Unrestricted): At the most basic level of Knowledge
ability, all educated characters know their local and perhaps
regional history and language (depending somewhat on character
concept). In addition, most characters above the status of peasant
will know at least something of grammar, logic, rhetoric, astronomy,
philosophy, and basic mathematics. Specialities cover various broad
areas of knowledge. Masteries tend toward occupational subjects
(and can be almost anything related approved by the GM), but may
just indicate more complete knowledge. For example, masteries in
history might be by era, culture, or region, or even narrow down
to a specific event. Masteries in linguistics include languages other
than the native tongue.
Specializing in Appraisal lets one estimate the value of an item
(and spot counterfeits). Characters may focus on a large range of
masteries, from antiquities, art, coins, gems, jewelry, and tapestries
to weapons. Lastly, specializing in Survival allows one to survive
in uncivilized environments, finding food, water, and shelter. All
adventurers have some level of ability in this regard (defaulting to
basic tier, general knowledge at D4). Masteries are by wilderness
terrain type, and extend the ability in that terrain so as to under-
stand hazards, explore areas to scout out information, and track
and observe creatures.
Perception (Unrestricted): A character with this ability can
often see or discover things others miss. The Notice speciality
covers things such as locating suspicious characters in a crowd or
a mechanism for a trap door, and detecting hidden persons and
things, and stealthy creatures. Masteries are diverse and include
sensing movement, reading lips, knowledge of security procedures,
sensing a creature’s mood or motive, or seeing unusual things.
page 24 | Chapter 2: Action System
The Investigation speciality covers finding or finding out about
something or someone, either through searching, researching,
or discussions and interviews with key people. Masteries are in
various types of investigation and information. This includes casing
a place, courtly investigative techniques, general investigation,
politicking to penetrate bureaucracies, military investigative
techniques, scholarly research, or street knowledge to allow one to
penetrate the criminal underworld (also covered by Skullduggery).
Getting NPCs to divulge information usually switches the activity
from Investigation to Influence.
The Scouting speciality covers watching, spying, reconnoitring, and
following tracks. It is a wilderness skill. Surveillance is observing
and exploring without being seen, to discover the strength and
placement of an enemy, or features of the terrain. Tracking lets
one follow footmarks and other traces of passage. The GM sets a
difficulty based on number of creatures, terrain, weather, and time
since the spoor was left (see Table 2.1). Attempts to hide footprints
or lay false trails require an opposed roll as well.
Skullduggery (Unrestricted): Any roguish activity, including
crafty deception and trickery. Deceit, disguise, bluffing, withholding
information, secrets — the skullduggery ability covers all these
things. Specialities cover general areas of nefarious activity, and
masteries cover specific types of action and deception, or the
detection thereof, such as lying and sensing the lies of others.
If specialized in Stealth, the character possesses greater skill in
moving while being silent, or hiding while stationary. It is a primary
skill for thieves, assassins, and anyone who wants to go unseen.
Mastery is by general environment, wilderness or urban. Skulldug-
gery → Stealth opposes an observing creature’s Perception ability.
The speciality of Thievery covers any action involving the skills of
professional thieves, not in terms of beguilement, but in the actual
technical physical practices. Masteries include disabling dangerous
traps, filching items, and opening locks.
Talent (Restricted): The ability to employ artistic talents, craft
skills, or useful knacks. The artistic masteries fall under the
Performance speciality, and include writing, painting, and sculpting
in various styles, performing music, and so on. The Handicraft
speciality covers most skills that involve making things with one’s
hands. Many masteries exist, including woodworking, sewing,
weaving, etc. Smithing is a separate speciality because of the need
for mastery in forging weapons and armor. The Talent ability is
useful in describing professional abilities related to backgrounds
for both NPCs and PCs. One useful speciality is a knack for
cooking; with this skill, an adventurer can whip up a decent meal
for himself and his comrades. Masteries include styles or methods
of cooking (ethnic or cultural) or food preparation.
Chapter 3: Combat
Three times arrows struck him, then a blow from an axe that sheared
off cheek and ear. Four of the seneschal’s men lay at his feet – a mass
of blood and severed limbs – and then Yellowbeard sat down on a rock,
grinned at me, and said, ‘This is how a dwarf dies.’
---
As recounted by the bard Magdellion
Combat Basics
Like many fantasy role-playing games, Eldritch Role-playing System
assumes a substantial part of game play will focus on heroic battle.
This does not preclude the GM from generating adventures that
feature great interaction with less violent plots. Rather, these rules
focus on combat because it is traditionally the most difficult aspect
for GMs to arbitrate with consistent fairness. Even so, the ERP
combat system is abstract rather than a “simulation,” the emergent
story being the focus of play and the mechanics existing only to
further action in the story.
Whenever battle commences, it is up to each defender to describe
how he parries, dodges, evades, deflects, or otherwise absorbs
the damage of an opponent’s attack. A single roll of the dice
determines the success of an attack and resultant damage. This
is reduced by one of several different hit point scores available to
the defender. (Monsters are simpler, and many have only a single
combined hit point score to deal with.)
There are two ways to mitigate damage: Defense Pools and
armor-based damage reduction. Hit points describe a character’s
ability to withstand or avoid damage, with various Defense Pools
representing many types of defensive action, such as the ability to
parry a weapon, dodge a boulder hurled by a giant, avoid a close
knife thrust to the gut, deflect with a shield, interpose a magic
force field, and so on.
There are two types of Defense Pool, Active and Passive. Active
Defense Pools cover parries, blocking, dodging, and evading
attacks. Fortitude is the sole Passive Defense Pool, representing
overall toughness against physical attack and resilience against
fatigue. Damage Reduction reduces threat points.
Shields reduce threat points by a fixed amount based on type
(e.g. –1 damage) before it affects the Active Defense Pool; if
any exceeds the Active Defense, armour reduces it by a random
amount (a die roll based on type). Magic may work in either way.
The following is a full breakdown of combat: rounds and
movement, attacking, defending, and armor. We’ll begin with the
combat round and battle phases.
Combat Rounds and Battle Phases
The system divides combat into rounds. Battle phases help keep
track of actions within the round. Creatures typically take their
actions in descending order of Agility rank, ranging from D12
(really fast) down to D4 (average speed). Correspondingly, a round
has five battle phases (D12 down to D4) and lasts roughly 10
seconds. Creatures with Agility ranks higher than D12 take their
actions before all others, and creatures with an Agility lower than
D4 move last in the round.
Chapter 3: Combat | page 25
Creatures get one action per round. This could be attacking, casting then standard creatures, and then the lowly minor creatures (see
a spell, activating a magic item, or using a special ability. Actions Chapter 5, Creature Type). However, when “Full-Fledged” NPCs
may be complex, but usually take only a battle phase to perform. and legendary monsters act in the same battle phase as Player
Do not assume action occurs broken into lockstep phases, as if Characters, initiative is determined by rolling Agility dice (see
creatures were politely taking turns to attack and defend. Rather, Random Initiative below), highest result acting first.
envision a chaotic situation of frantic action! Once all creatures
have taken their actions, a new round begins, the first action being Random Initiative
taken by the creature or character with the highest initiative, that
Full-fledged NPCs and legendary monsters are elevated in
is, the Max-Value of basic Agility, plus any adjustments.
narrative status to the same level as Player Characters, so to
speak (See Chapter 5). Sometimes they act in the same battle
Initiative Modifiers: Weapon speed, magic, and ranks in Agility’s
phase as player characters. In this case, both sides determine
Reflexes speciality and Reaction Time mastery can adjust the
initiative by rolling basic Agility and applying modifiers, the side
basic Agility MV. Weapon speed can result in an Initiative Bonus,
with the highest result acting first. Each creature adds its weapon
given on the Weapons Chart (Chapter 5), but only factors in if the
speed initiative bonus, magic bonuses, and other modifiers to its
wielder is specialized in the weapon group. Magic adjustments are
individual roll. This done either once for the entire combat, or once
given in the spell descriptions. The Agility → Reflexes → Reaction
per round (GM’s choice).
Time ability branch adds bonuses at the speciality and mastery
tiers of +1 at D4, +2 at D8, or +3 at D12 rank, for a maximum total
As noted above, the speciality and mastery tiers of the Agility →
bonus of +2 to +6.
Reflexes → Reaction Time ability branch modify the result. Dice are
not rolled, but bonuses of +1 at D4, +2 at D8, or +3 at D12 rank
The adjusted number determines if the creature acts in a higher
are added to initiative. For example, Swift the halfling rogue has
or lower battle phase. For example, our friend Gegdin the dwarf is
Agility D10 → Reflexes D8 → Reaction Time D6, rolls a 6 for his
about to enter combat against several lowly troglodytes. His Agility
basic Agility, and adds +2 for Reflexes and +1 for Reaction Time,
ability is D4, which places him in battle phase 5 (see table below),
totaling 9.
acting in the last segment of the round. However, he specialized in
axes, and when wielding a combat axe he gets +1 to initiative. The
Ties between a PC and full-fledged characters or legendary
increase from 4 to 5 (Agility D4 MV +1) bumps him up to Battle
monsters are always won by the Player Characters. Ties between
Phase 4. The troglodytes act in phase 5, so Gegdin attacks first
two PCs or NPCs attacking each other are resolved in descending
every round.
order of range and weapon reach, or the GM may force a re-roll.

Table 3.1 Battle Phases

Agility Rank Adjusted Branch MV Battle Phase Surprise
D12 11–12+ Phase 1 (fastest) Characters who succeed in an opposed roll of Skullduggery (plus
D10 9–10 Phase 2 Stealth speciality if possessed) vs. Perception win simple surprise
D8 7–8 Phase 3 over their foes. Defending creatures who suffer simple surprise
D6 5–6 Phase 4 lose a full round of attacks, but can use any D-Pools in response

D4 1–4 Phase 5 (slowest) to assault or ambush. Characters who succeed in such a roll twice
(once for move silently, and the other for sneak attack) win total

But what happens if opponents act in the same battle phase? surprise over their foes. Defenders who suffer total surprise lose

In these instances, use the “Heroic Action Order” to determine all actions and cannot use any active D-Pools in the first round of

sequence of actions: combat! Characters can be on the receiving end too, of course.

A) Player Characters (PCs), Full-Fledged NPCs,

and Legendary creatures. Surprise is usually determined for each creature (or character)

B) Exceptional creatures. individually, but the GM can decide whether defenders make a

C) Standard creatures. surprise check as a group, using the highest relevant ability score.

D) Minor creatures. Naturally, an advance scout or sentry can ruin either type of
surprise from afar by warning his friends of the danger. Precogni-

If using the heroic action order, Player Characters act first when tive powers and magic can also thwart the element of surprise.

facing foes of the same Agility rank. They are assumed to be heroes
after all, and therefore superior. Exceptional creatures act next,

page 26 | Chapter 3: Combat

Movement
Movement in the Eldritch RPG is usually abstract, players
describing such movement as necessary, while the GM tracks how
it will affect actions and timing. Occasionally, judging speed and
distance becomes important for tactical or dramatic situations.
In that case, maximum movement is determined by character or
creature Agility. The following determines how far a character or
other humanoid may move in a round and how it affects attacks.
(For animals and monsters, see Chapter 5.)
Movement — 18 + Agility MV in yards per round (attack without penalty)
Running — Movement ×2 (attack with penalty, –3)
Sprinting — Movement ×4 (no attack possible at the end of movement)
This is a base move of 22 yards per round at D4 rank, up to 30
yards per round at D12. Then add +1 yard per die rank for the
Speed speciality; and +1 yard (only) for mastery in each of Running
or Sprinting (for a maximum possible bonus of +7 yards per round).
Movement rates of 22/ 30/ 37 yards per round correspond to
walking at 3/ 4/ 5 miles per hour, which are normal/ fit/ heroic
levels of motion for people — although animals and monsters often
move much faster!
For example, Swift the halfling rogue has Agility D10 → Speed D8.
He can walk briskly and engage without penalty at 18+10+3=
31 yards per round (15 seconds), or 6 yards per battle phase (3
seconds). Swift could cover 62 yards per round running or 124
sprinting (that is, 12 or 24 yards per battle phase).
Grid Combat. For those using a combat board and miniatures or
the like, a simplified movement scheme is suggested: use Agility
MV + 1 square per Speed specialization rank. Moving at over half
MV rate (running) causes -3 to attack. Any move at maximum rate
(sprinting) disallows attack.
The Attack Action
A standard attempt to inflict damage requires no “to-hit” roll.
Instead, once the attacker chooses the method of attack, he
rolls the dice to determine threat points, and the defender then
chooses an appropriate Defense Pool (D-Pool) to thwart the
effectiveness of the attack, that is, mitigate the threat.
When a creature makes an attack, it will be effective and do damage
unless the defender can avoid or reduce the damage. The defender
can choose how to to mitigate the threat. For instance, he may
parry with a weapon (Melee Weapons D-Pool), physically sidestep
the attack (Agility D-Pool), jump out of the way of a ranged attack
(Agility D-Pool), or block with his shield (subsumed by the Melee
Weapons D-Pool; note that shields provide additional damage
reduction first).
The defender can choose only one mode of active Defense against
an individual strike, whether it be from a blade or lightning bolt.
Individual D-Pools are depleted over a combat, simulating fatigue,
luck, flesh wounds, and so on.
If the damage exceeds the defender’s chosen active D-Pool score,
then armor damage reductions kick in, assuming armor is worn,
which is determined by a random die roll (see Armor in Game
Mastering Chapter). Damage exceeding both active Defense
and armor depletes Fortitude's passive D-Pool). If the defender’s
Fortitude Defense Pool score falls to zero or below, he becomes
unconscious. If the score falls to the negative Fortitude MV, the
character dies.
The attack roll method is as follows:
1) Attacker rolls for "potential harm". Normally, only one attack per
creature is permitted (but see Special Maneuvers later).
2) Resulting threat points are determined by adding the result of
ability rolls as follows:
• Melee Weapons + Weapon Group (speciality) [+ weapon
harm bonus] + Specific Weapon or Special Maneuver
(mastery)
• Ranged Weapons + Weapon Group (speciality) [+ weapon
harm bonus] + Specific Weapon or Special Maneuver
(mastery)
• Unarmed Combat + Attack type (speciality) [+ style harm
bonus] + Special Attack or Special Maneuver (mastery)
• Magic pillar + Spell Type (speciality) + Specific Spell
(mastery)
For example, a swordsman with D4 in Melee Weapons, D8 in Sword,
and D4 in Short Sword would roll D8+2D4 to determine threat points
inflicted on a foe.
3) Defenders holding a shield subtract 1 to 3 threat points
(depending on shield size) before the chosen active Defense is
depleted. (The chosen mode of active Defense must be above zero
to take advantage of shield damage reduction.)
4) The defender chooses one Active Defense, and subtracts the
attacker’s threat points from the chosen Defense Pool hit points. If
the score is exceeded, go to the next step.
5) Defenders wearing armor subtract a die roll (its type dependent
on the kind of armor) from the incoming threat points. Any
remaining harm depletes Fortitude, causing actual bodily damage,
reducing the Fortitude Defense Pool.
Chapter 3: Combat | page 27
For example, Gantal the Paladin brandishes his footman’s mace and
rushes headlong into battle, attacking a knight. His basic Melee
ability is only D4, but his speciality skill is Bludgeons at D10, and
he is also a master with the footman’s mace at D6. Therefore,
Gantal rolls a D4+D10+D6 against the knight as a single attack,
3–20 threat points before any bonuses (which we will ignore here).
Gantal rolls with a result of 15. The defending knight may choose
to avoid the attack by physically moving out of the way (depleting
his Agility D-Pool) or he may parry (depleting his Melee Weapons
D-Pool). He chooses to parry, but only has 8 points in his Melee
Weapons D-Pool, so the attack exceeds his active Defense. He still
must contend with 7 more threat points, but is wearing chain mail
armor, allowing a D8 armor roll reduction. He rolls 5, so his armor
did not afford him full protection, but it helped. The remaining
2 points cause actual damage, which depletes his meager D4
Fortitude (4 in DP), leaving him with 2 points.

Optional Rule: Players must announce their chosen Active Defense

before witnessing the GM’s roll. This prevents players metagaming; for
example, foregoing Active Defense knowing full well armor can absorb
the hit. Conversely, some GMs feel the characters should have a good
idea of the strength of an enemy attack and reveal the number in
advance. We leave this up to group preference.

Standard Attacks

Melee Attacks
Most humanoid creatures have at minimum a D4 rank in Melee are listed in the Weapons Chart in Chapter 5 (under Equipment).
Weapons ability, because nearly anybody can pick up an object See also the Special Maneuvers section in this chapter.
and swing it as a weapon, whether a tree branch or a heavy sword.
Characters using only basic Melee can make only untrained attacks, Magic Attacks
with no specific weapon bonuses added. A higher rank in basic
Woe to any creature assailed by one gifted with arcane might!
Melee represents either increasing brute force or speed, or an
Luckily, not all creatures are capable of wielding magical power
admixture, the interpretation depending on the character concept
to attack their enemies. A basic magical attack targets a single
or monster description. This is why there are no purely combat-
creature within line of sight. The thaumaturge rolls Magic Ability
oriented “strength” or “precision” ability scores in the game. If a PC
(trunk) + Spell Type speciality (branch) + Specific Spell mastery
uses a two-handed sword, he is assumed to be strong enough to
(offshoot) to determine threat points. Such spells manifest
wield it. If the player makes his character a weakling who cannot
physically and visibly, by touch or at range, and may be dodged by
wield a certain weapon, that is fine too. It may be that the PC
Agility DP, or even blocked by Weapons DP (see Enhanced Martial
prefers light, fast weapons, so his die rank is interpreted in terms of
Defense advantage, Chapter 1). Not all spells are easily blocked,
precision and finesse. Rules never trump character concepts.
parried, or dodged, and some may bypass certain types of active
Defense or protection. But only the most adept are capable of
A Melee Weapon speciality branch grants skill with an entire
inflicting magical harm that bypasses most or all protection. Some
type of weaponry, allowing harm and initiative bonuses when
monsters are also capable of attacking with innate, arcane powers,
specific weapons of that group are brought into play. Mastery in
such as the fiery breath of a dragon, or an energy bolt from the
single, specific weapons or special maneuvers grants the warrior
horn of a unicorn. Some spells and powers, such as mind control or
even greater damage potential and capabilities. A higher rank in a
stunning effects, use opposed rolls rather than delivering straight
speciality or mastery represents increasing force, speed, precision,
damage.
or some blending of the three. Specialities and masteries are listed
in Chapter 2 (Skill Successions), and the various weapons bonuses

page 28 | Chapter 3: Combat

Every pillar of magic is also a source of hit points against any Helpless Foes
magical attack, each converting to a limited Defense Pool. Thauma-
Using the combat maneuvers Focused Strike or Precision Shot on
turges may opt to purchase the Enhanced Magic Defense advantage,
an unconscious foe is considered a coup de grâce, and gains a +2
expanding a magic Defense pool to cover physical attack forms.
to the roll. A coup de grâce bypasses all protection, inflicting the
This works the same way for every magic ability tree (See Chapter
Max-Value of the attacker’s ability branch dice.
1, Advantages).

Cover and Penalties

Ranged Attacks
Distance and cover penalties to ranged attacks are often
Most humanoid creatures have at minimum a D4 rank in Ranged
unnecessary. The rules deal with range abstractly; if the attacker
ability, because nearly anybody can pick up a rock and hurl it at
can see his target, just roll the dice. Remember, in Eldritch RPG,
a foe, and most heroes in a fantasy world ought to be familiar
the attack and damage roll are one, expressed together as threat
enough with conventional missile weapons to pick up the average
points. However, if the GM still wishes to consider distance
short bow or crossbow and fire it. Some creatures use unusual
penalties, some general guidelines apply:
ranged attacks, like the projectile quills of a manticore, or the acidic
spit of a giant frog, or a giant who routinely rips trees out of the
Range: Close range to short range carries no penalties to a ranged
earth and hurls them at human pests. A higher rank in basic Ranged
attack. A shot at medium range imposes a penalty of –1 damage
ability represents greater inborn talent, excellent eyesight and
per die rolled, while a shot at long-range imposes a penalty of –2
aim, or a combination of these, the interpretation depending on
damage per die rolled. See below for common missile weapon
character concept. However, making a ranged attack without any
range increments.
speciality is considered an untrained shot, and allows no specific
weapon bonuses to damage.
Table 3.2 Missile Weapon Ranges (feet)
Long Bow 30/75/150
A speciality grants skill with an entire type of missile weaponry,
Short Bow 20/50/100
allowing harm bonuses when specific weapons of that group are
brought into play. Mastery in single, specific weapons or special Compound Bow 50/100/300
maneuvers grants the missile weapon expert even greater damage Crossbow, heavy 55/115/200
potential and capabilities. A higher rank in a speciality or mastery Crossbow, light 75/150/300
represents represent not only skill and aim, but also the honing Sling 10/20/50
of finesse, speed, natural talent, or all of them. Specialities and Dagger, throwing 10/30/50
masteries are listed in Chapter 2 (Skill Successions), and the various Spear 10/30/50
weapons bonuses are listed in the Weapons Chart in Chapter 5
(under Equipment). See also the Special Maneuvers section in this Partial to full cover: Each level of cover subtracts from the attack’s
chapter. damage. It’s possible to hit a target behind total cover, assuming
the weapon used could penetrate the cover. For example, a long
Unarmed Attacks bow arrow can easily penetrate a cheap wooden table.

Every humanoid creature has an automatic rank of D4 in Unarmed

Note: Lying prone would provide the equivalent of moderate cover,
Combat, representing the basic ability to brawl rather than the
but would disallow use of any active D-Pools.
disciplined art of martial combat. Specialities include punch, kick,
or grapple attacks; mastery is in related special maneuvers. See the
Minimal Cover (¼) — subtracts 1 point.
Special Maneuvers section in this chapter. Beasts and dangerous
Moderate Cover (½) — subtracts 2 points.
animals use Unarmed as their main attack form (a simpler version
Good Cover (¾) — subtracts 3 points.
that just deals damage, without the penalty below).
Total Cover — threat points are applied to the cover first, as
if it were an extra Defense Pool. See Table 4.4 for suggested
An unarmed attacker sustains damage when parried by an armed foe,
structural hit points for some common things.
equal to a roll of the target’s Melee Weapons basic rank (i.e., 1st tier,
or trunk rank). This damage directly affects Fortitude if not reduced by
armor (shield is disallowed). Also, an unarmed, physical strike against
a foe wearing heavy armor (D8 and above) causes damage to the
attacker equal to the opponent's average DR (1/2 the armor die-rank).
Buying the Unarmed Defense advantage eliminates these penalties
(see Chapter 1).
Chapter 3: Combat | page 29
Defense Pools
Defense Pools (D-Pools) are seperate hit points scores divided
into types of self-protective action, and represent all the ways
the character can evade, mitigate, or endure damage. They are
organized into “Active” Defense pools, as described below, and a
single Passive Defense pool, Fortitude (see Defense Descriptions).
All Defense Pools are calcualted by adding up the maximum value
all of its related Ability Tree die-ranks.
Active Defense Pools
Active D-Pools are the first line of Defense a character can employ.
Each represents something a character does to avoid threat points.
It is typically parrying with a weapon, or dodging.
Active Defenses are fully refreshed after escaping or
ending combat. Generally, a minute to catch one’s breath is
enough.
Example: Our Daring Hero Fred the Fierce (said to be a former
farmer) has Melee Weapons at D6, speciality in Knives at D10, and
mastery in Utility Knives at D8. Thus, his Melee Weapons Defense
Pool is 24 hit points. That is, he can protect himself against 24
points of Potential Harm per combat before getting bloody.
Note that one cannot combine two Defense types to reduce the
damage of an attack. For example, a character cannot evade an
attack while simultaneously parrying. All the threat points from
an attack must be applied to one chosen Active Defense Pool. In
other words, one cannot choose to use only a few points from each
page 30 | Chapter 3: Combat
of several Defense Pools. Threat points exceeding the defender’s
chosen Active Defense means the attack has penetrated. Luckily,
armor normally reduces such Potential Harm.
However, if an attacker makes multiple strikes or shots with the
same weapon (see Special Maneuvers), then the defender may
choose one Active D-Pool for each separate strike or shot.
Example: Fred the Fierce is trying to defend against 8 threat
points from a single attack. Fred has 4 D-Pool points left in Melee
Weapons, and 8 D-Pool points left in Agility. He can choose to
use the 4 points left in Melee Weapons to parry, leaving 4 points
of penetrating harm that must be stopped by his armor or reduce
his Fortitude, or he can choose to use Agility to avoid all damage,
which would bring that D-Pool down to zero.
Defense Descriptions
Agility Defense-Pool (Evade, Dodge) = Ability Tree MV
This Defense Pool represents dodging out of the way, or evasion
by means of sudden or repeated shifts of movement, place, or
position, as well as feints, or “rolling with the punches”. It lets one
avoid most attacks. Such Defense represents swashbuckling or
acrobatic maneuvers, whichever best fits the character concept. It
measures how well a character can anticipate and move quickly out
of the path of danger, usually by running or leaping out of harm’s
way. Characters can evade hand-to-hand attacks, or dodge missile
weapons, dangerous area spells or explosions, or a charging foe
(such as a knight charging on horseback).
Melee Weapons Defense-Pool = Ability Tree MV
This hit point pool represents defensive actions made with
weapons to deflect or parry a melee attack. This includes actions
such as parrying or blocking with a sword, club, or staff, temporary
entanglement (as with a length of chain or a whip), or keeping
an opponent at a distance by means of a reach weapon (such as
with a polearm, bo-staff, or long spear). This category total is the
abstract score of a character’s overall knowledge of weapon-based
defensive maneuvers.
The full point total of Melee Weapons D-Pool is usable by the
creature regardless of weapon wielded. For simplicity sake, a
creature may switch between weapons at will, but readying a
weapon delays the combatant's action by one battle phase. Once
Melee Weapons D-Pool hit points reach zero, the character is too
exhausted to defend himself with his weapons and must find other
means of protecting himself.
Example: A fighter character has the following Ability tree. For
illustration, bold ranks add to Melee Weapons D-Pool. Remember,
you add the base rank (trunk) in Melee Weapons only once when
determining the D-Pool hit points.
Melee Weapons D10 → Swords D6 → Long Sword D6
Melee Weapons D10 → Bludgeons D4 → Focused Strike D4
Melee Weapons Defense Pool = 30
Certain weapons may be limited in the capacity to deflect attacks
from larger weapons. For example, a utility knife cannot defend
against a broad axe. The common-sense arbitration of such situa-
tions is left to the GM.
Willpower Defense-Pool = Ability Tree MV
This limited Defense Pool represents resistance to mental and
spiritual pressure, exhaustion, and non-physical harm. Willpower is
occasionally used as an Active D-Pool to provide Defense against
the Threat caused by certain mind-affecting spells or magical traps
(where stated). More commonly, it also absorbs the fatigue caused
by casting improvised spells, or by casting spells from a book or
scroll without formal knowledge. As with physical active Defenses,
the pool is fully refreshed after danger has ended and the character
has had time to rest.
Fortitude Defense-Pool (Passive Defense) = Ability Tree MV
Fortitude is a measure of how much physical punishment a
character can take before dropping unconscious or dying. A
character is unconscious at zero Fortitude, and can survive damage
up to a negative number equal to basic rank Max-Value. So a PC
with basic Fortitude of D8 will die at –8, and so on. Characters
may Roll Fortitude → Endurance (or Quick Recovery) every round
to keep going and avoid falling unconscious. This D-Pool recovers
slowly, 1 hit point per day of rest or 2 hit points per day of total
bed rest, unless aided by magic or healing ability.
Order of Defenses
Note that shields provide damage reduction before any physical
active Defense is depleted, but the chosen mode of Defense must
be above zero to take advantage of this.
1. Shield damage reduction. Subtract points from attacker’s threat
points depending on kind of shield held.
2. Choose Active Defense. Target chooses one applicable Active
Defense. Attacker’s threat points reduce D-Pool. If chosen
D-Pool’s score is not exceeded, stop here.
3. Armor roll. Roll for Armor damage reduction, if the target wears
any armor.
4. Fortitude loss. Reduce Fortitude D-Pool by any threat points
penetrating armor.
Note on “called shots” and critical damage: Attacks at specific body
parts simply cannot succeed if an Active D-Pool absorbs the
damage. In general, the spirit of the Eldritch Role Playing Game
rules does not favor specific, gruesome damage results. Exceptions
are up to the discretion and imagination of the GM, but no “hit-
location” system is encouraged.
Dangerous Environs (Optional): dangerous environments (dungeon
corridor, haunted house, muddy swamp) may slow recovery time
immediately following combat to 10 minutes.
Active Defense Limitations
Not all Active Defenses are applicable all the time. The Agility
DP may be used against any standard attack, physical or magical,
unless otherwise specified by particular spells, powers, or traps.
The Melee Weapons DP defends only against melee and unarmed
attacks, unless the target possesses the Enhanced Martial Defense
advantage, which allows one to block Ranged attacks, and (at extra
cost) physical Magic attacks (see Chapter 1). The Unarmed Combat
DP defends only against unarmed attacks, unless the target
possesses the Unarmed Defense advantage, which lets one block
Melee Weapon attacks, and (at extra cost) Ranged Weapon attacks
(see Chapter 1).
Each Magic Ability grants a Defense Pool against magic harm only,
unless the target purchases an Enhanced Magic Defense advantage,
which lets one block Melee Weapon and Unarmed Combat attacks,
and (at extra cost) Ranged Weapon attacks (see Chapter 1). The
Willpower DP is limited to defending against psychic or non-
physical Threat effects specified by particular spells, powers, or
traps, or to absorbing fatigue due to the use of improvised magic
and some enchanted items.
Chapter 3: Combat | page 31

Combat Options
Dual Wielding and Two-Weapon Attack
Any character may choose to fight with a weapon in each hand,
provided the off-hand weapon is smaller and lighter. Basic dual
wielding lets one quickly switch between weapons to vary tactics.
Specialization in both weapons allows a coordinated attack with
them. Use the primary weapon to determine Ability Branch and
add the bonuses for both weapons when modifying damage.
Mastery in both weapons allows dual wielding in combination with
the Multiple Strikes special maneuver, with the harm bonus applied
to each separate die roll. In addition, a master may wield two
weapons of the same size.
Dual wielding always incurs a one battle phase penalty. If the char-
acter’s Agility Rank is already D4, apply a –1 penalty to initiative.
Only adjust initiative by the lowest of the two weapon speeds. (See
Combat Rounds and Battle Phases.)
page 32 | Chapter 3: Combat
Opportune Attack
An attack of opportunity allows a PC or NPC an extra, single
attack with the full Ability Branch against a target with which he
is engaged. This is a free attack action at close range with a melee
weapon or using unarmed combat skill (not ranged or with magic).
Use this option in three circumstances:
1. The target turns his back in close combat and runs away
at full speed, without any attempt at performing a tactical
withdrawal. No target Active D-Pool use is possible in this
case. Note: A tactical withdrawal means retreating as the full
action in a round (at least 5 feet) while still facing foe, so as to
avoid or fend off any attack.
2. The target uses a ranged attack at point-blank range against
an armed foe (unless the target is a master of the ranged
weapon being used).
3. The target casts a magic spell when engaged in close combat.
The spell is not disrupted unless the magic-user takes damage
directly to the Fortitude D-Pool.
Sacrifice: to restore Active D-Pool
A PC or Full-Fledged creature may, at any time during the round
and as a free action, temporarily “sacrifice” any number of Speciali-
ties or Masteries (counted in actual number of dice) to bolster a
related Defense Pool or add threat points to a single attack. Add
the Max-Value of the temporarily sacrificed dice to its associated
Defense Pool or Potential Threat. All dice sacrified must be in the
same Ability Branch. This is usually done to offset a potentially
lethal attack, or as a last ditch attempt to slay a foe before
defeat. However, the penalty for this gain in hit points is severe;
characters cannot roll burned dice again during that encounter. The
consequences are reduced potential harm, hindered ability checks,
and lost spells and maneuvers for that time. A character can never
sacrifice basic (1st tier of ability) ranks! A character reinstates the
sacrificed dice only after combat or immediate danger ends.
Hit points added to a Defense Pool in this manner can temporarily
exceed the normal hit point maximum. Any points exceeding the
normal maximum of the D-Pool vanish after the battle. It is simply,
in semantic terms, transference of skilled energy.
For example, Fred the Fierce “sacrifices” his mastery of D8 in Utility
Knife and adds 8 temporary points to his Melee Weapons Defense
Pool. He cannot add the Utility Knife mastery rank die to an attack
roll until the next encounter.
Revitalize
A combatant may choose to forego all action for that round to
rest and “revitalize” 20 % all of his Active D-Pools, regaining some
strength and vitality. If the character (or Full-Fledged NPC) is
engaged in hand-to-hand or melee combat, he must perform a
tactical withdrawal before attempting the revitalize combat option.
Special Maneuvers
Special maneuvers, or feats, for Melee Weapons, Ranged Weapons,
and Unarmed Combat abilities are masteries that modify or replace
standard attacks. Characters purchase ranks in them as they do
for other masteries, and they add to Defense Pools. Adventurers
are capable of extraordinary feats, and can defeat their enemies
with such surprising maneuvers, gaining the upper hand in a
critical moment of combat. Any Player Character may attempt a
special combat maneuver if possessing the necessary rank in the
related Ability Branch by making an Ability Check against a Needed
Number (NN). Failing to beat a Needed Number with some special
maneuvers can cause the attacker to miss the target altogether,
negating threat points.
If a maneuver is mastered and given a die-rank, then the character
may roll his maneuver mastery die, or roll the die of the associated
mastered weapon, whichever is higher. For example, if you master
Multiple Strikes at D4 in Swords, but you've mastered the long
sword at D8, then roll the 1D8 when wielding the long sword, and
roll the 1D4 when attacking with other sword types.
Combat maneuvers can be combined to perform a new feat, or
heroes may invent entirely new maneuvers on the spot. Simply add
maneuvers’ NNs together when combining (halve for mastery first).
All special maneuvers use the following format:
Maneuver: The name of the maneuver.
Ability: The related 1st tier ability (e.g. Melee Weapons).
Speciality: The related 2nd tier speciality (e.g.
Swords). Heroes may attempt the maneuver
without a speciality if their ability branch
check can possibly meet or exceed the NN.
For example, a warrior with a 1D10 Melee
Weapons alone may attempt a Focused Strike
maneuver with an NN of 4 or 8.
Needed Number (NN): The number to meet or
beat on an ability roll for the move to succeed.
Most maneuvers require rolling over a 4 to
12, and failure has consequences. Those who
master a maneuver check at half the Needed
Number. A few rare and powerful feats have
a NN of 24, and cannot be accomplished
without mastery (by halving the difficulty).
Mastering a maneuver with an NN of 4 or
less eliminates the possibility of failure when
rolling three dice.
Maintenance Penalty: Most maneuvers are
instantaneous, but some, like unarmed
grappling, may impose a penalty each round
on all other Ability Checks until the target is
released.
Description: A brief explanation of the
maneuver.
Consequence: The game mechanics, mostly
based on the Effects of Chapter 4, Magic
Spells.
Failure Effect: This is what happens when
failing to beat the NN.
Chapter 3: Combat | page 33
Melee Weapons Maneuvers
Bypass Armor Attack
Ability: Melee Weapons
Speciality: Any related attack speciality
NN: 8 + Armor MV + 2 × shield
Description: Bypasses opponent's armor, reducing HP directly.
Consequence: Attacker detects vulnerability in his opponent's
armor and negates any armor Damage Reduction from either
shield, armor, or both. A successful check against NN totally
negates the opponent's shield bonus DR first, and then remaining
threat points bypass armor, but only if the total potential harm
exceeds the opponent's Active Defense. Does not work against
natural armor.
Failure Effect: Cannot reattempt for 1 round on same target.
Disarm
Ability: Melee Weapons
Speciality: Any melee weapon group
NN: 4, then Opposed Roll vs. target’s Melee Weapons ability
branch
Maintenance Penalty: n/a
Description: Remove attacker’s weapon. If the Disarm manuever is
mastered, then the character rolls his manuever mastery die-rank
or rolls the die-rank of a mastered weapon currently readied in the
same weapon group, whichever is higher.
Consequence: Does no damage, but opponent drops weapon
Failure Effect: Cannot reattempt for 1 round on same target.
Feint
Ability: Melee Weapons
Speciality: Any melee weapon group
NN: 4
Maintenance Penalty: n/a
Description: Appear to attack from one direction, but shift to
another at the last second.
Consequence: +1 threat points, and bypass non-magical shield if
rolling 12 or more. Failure Effect: Attack is –1 to threat points
Focused Strike
Ability: Melee Weapons
Speciality: Any melee weapon group
NN: 4 to 24 (4 × bonus)
Maintenance Penalty: n/a
Description: Wind up to deliver a crushing attack
Consequence: Add bonus of +1 to +6 to threat points on the next
attack round; cannot change weapons.
Failure Effect: Damage reduced equal to the bonus attempted.
page 34 | Chapter 3: Combat
Multiple Strikes
Ability: Melee Weapons
Speciality: Any melee weapon group; mandatory
NN: 2 to 12 (2 + 2 × weapon’s harm bonus; see Weapons Chart)
Maintenance Penalty: n/a
Description: Multiple attacks with any one-handed weapon.
Consequence: Damage can be split into multiple strikes, even
against different targets within reach. Only 1 die is applied to each
strike, but the weapon’s harm bonus is added to each. All attacks
are resolved on the actor's turn.
Failure Effect: Too slow; use only 1 die for one attack.
Trip
Ability: Melee Weapons
Speciality: Any melee weapon group
NN: 10, then Opposed Roll vs. target’s Melee Weapons or Agility
Maintenance Penalty: n/a
Description: Trip an opponent with weapon, making him fall prone,
slowing him.
Consequence: Does no damage, but target falls, and initiative
reduced by one battle phase.
Failure Effect: Cannot reattempt for 1 round on same target
Ranged Weapon Maneuvers
Bypass Armor Shot
Ability: Melee Weapons
Speciality: Any related attack speciality
NN: 8 + Armor MV + 2 × shield.
Description: Bypasses opponent's armor, reducing HP directly.
Consequence: Attacker detects vulnerability in his opponent's
armor and negates any armor Damage Reduction from either
shield, armor, or both. A successful check against NN totally
negates the opponent's shield bonus DR first, and then remaining
threat points bypass armor, but only if the total potential harm
exceeds the opponent's Active Defense. Does not work against
natural armor.
Failure Effect: Cannot reattempt for 1 round on same target.
Pin
Ability: Ranged Weapons
Speciality: Any ranged weapon group
NN: 8
Maintenance Penalty: n/a
Description: Pinning a target to a spot using the threat of your
weapon.
Consequence: Targets lose ability to use Agility D-Pool until they
uproot themselves. Escaping a pin requires an opposed roll of
Agility → Reflexes → Reaction Time. Failing this, target provokes an
attack of opportunity.
Failure Effect: Damage reduced by 3
Precision Shot Bypass Armor Strike
Ability: Ranged Weapons Ability: Melee Weapons
Speciality: Any ranged weapon group Speciality: Any related attack speciality
NN: 4 to 24 (4 × bonus) NN: 8 + Armor MV + 2 × shield.
Maintenance Penalty: n/a Description: Bypasses opponent's armor, reducing HP directly.
Description: Carefully aiming a shot for an additional bonus Consequence: Attacker detects vulnerability in his opponent's
Consequence: Add bonus of +1 to +6 to threat points NEXT attack armor and negates any armor Damage Reduction from either
round; cannot change weapons. shield, armor, or both. A successful check against NN totally
Failure Effect: Damage reduced equal to the bonus attempted negates the opponent's shield bonus DR first, and then remaining
threat points bypass armor, but only if the total potential harm
Ranged Disarm exceeds the opponent's Active Defense. This maneuver is risky
Ability: Ranged Weapons against armed and armored opponents without the Enhanced
Speciality: Any ranged weapon group Unarmed Defense Advantage because it can cause the attacker
NN: 8, then Opposed Roll vs. target’s Melee Weapons ability harm (See Chapter 3, Combat, p. 29). Does not work against
branch natural armor.
Maintenance Penalty: n/a Failure Effect: Cannot reattempt for 1 round on same target.
Description: Shoot an opponent’s weapon out of his or her hand
Consequence: Does no damage, but opponent drops weapon. Throw
Failure Effect: Slow response; drop back one battle phase for the Ability: Unarmed Combat
next round of combat Speciality: Grapple
NN: 6
Ranged Multi-Shot Maintenance Penalty: n/a
Ability: Ranged Weapons Description: Opponent is grabbed and thrown
Speciality: Any ranged weapon group; mandatory Consequence: Damage bonus of +2. Damage can be split if
NN: 2 to 12 (2 + 2 × weapon’s harm bonus; see Weapons Chart) the grabbed opponent is thrown at 1 or 2 other opponents or
Maintenance Penalty: n/a breakable targets (table, door, etc.). Only 1 die is applied to each
Description: Multiple attacks with any ranged weapon target, but the +2 applies to each. See Table 4.4 for structural hit
Consequence: Damage can be split into multiple shots, even points.
against different targets within range. Only 1 die is applied to each Failure Effect: Miss initial target and remain off balance next round,
shot, but the weapon’s harm bonus is added to each. at –2 to actions
Failure Effect: Too slow; use only 1 die for one attack
Hold
Unarmed Combat Maneuvers Ability: Unarmed Combat
Speciality: Grapple
Arm Lock NN: 4, then Opposed Roll vs. target’s Agility → Acrobatics →
Ability: Unarmed Combat Evasion or → Reflexes
Speciality: Grapple Maintenance Penalty: –4
NN: 10 Description: Grabbing and holding an opponent
Maintenance Penalty: –2 Consequence: No damage is done, but opponent held helpless
Description: Grab opponent and twist arm to lock joint until hold broken. Defender can break the hold with Fortitude →
Consequence: Opponent held helpless until hold broken. It only Feat of Strength vs. attacker’s choice of Unarmed → Grapple or
requires one hand to maintain the hold, leaving the other hand Fortitude → Feat of Strength.
free. Breaking the hold requires an opposed roll of Fortitude → Feat Failure Effect: Miss target; embarrassment
of Strength (defender) vs. Unarmed → Grapple (aggressor). If an
attempt to break free fails, opponent takes Basic tier die damage.
Failure Effect: Totally open! Act last in next round, and at –2 to
each die rolled

Chapter 3: Combat | page 35

Knee Kick Maintenance Penalty: n/a
Ability: Unarmed Combat Description: A turning kick that puts your body’s full
Speciality: Kick momentum into the strike
NN: 6 Consequence: Damage bonus of +3
Maintenance Penalty: n/a Failure Effect: Initiative penalty next round of –2 to Basic
Description: A close range attack with the knee Agility
Consequence: Bonus of +1 damage. Unless lower body armor is
worn, armor is bypassed; unless shield is medium or larger, shield is Tackle
bypassed. Ability: Unarmed Combat
Failure Effect: Damage is reduced to lowest die only, and no bonus or Speciality: Grapple
armor/shield exclusions NN: 4, then Opposed Roll vs. target’s Agility → Acrobatics →
Evasion or → Reflexes
Knife Hand Maintenance Penalty: n/a
Ability: Unarmed Combat Description: Standard attack using the whole body
Speciality: Punch Consequence: Inflicts threat points based on ability branch,
NN: 4 and opponent who fails Agility roll is knocked down and must
Maintenance Penalty: n/a spend next round getting up
Description: An open hand karate-style strike Failure Effect: Trip over your own oafish feet and fall down
Consequence: Does +2 damage
Failure Effect: Lousy hit, your sensei will be disappointed; –2 threat Uppercut
points Ability: Unarmed Combat
Speciality: Punch
Leg Sweep NN: 8
Ability: Unarmed Combat Maintenance Penalty: n/a
Speciality: Kick Description: A punch to the chin that begins at the waist of the
NN: 2, then Opposed Roll vs. target’s Agility + → Acrobatics → Evasion attacker
or → Reflexes Consequence: Does +2 damage unless opponent helmeted,
Maintenance Penalty: n/a armor and shield do not apply; opponent loses 1 battle phase
Description: A minimum damage kick that causes defender to fall next round
Consequence: Only does Basic tier die damage. If defender fails Agility Failure Effect: Left open to attack. Act last in next round, and
roll vs. the attack to remain standing, he falls and must spend next at –2 to each die rolled.
round getting up.
Failure Effect: Initiative penalty next round of –2 phases to attacker

Rabbit Punches
Ability: Unarmed Combat
Speciality: Punch; mandatory
NN: 6
Maintenance Penalty: n/a
Description: 3 quick punches to a single target (2 if lacking mastery)
Consequence: Damage is split into 2 or 3 strikes against a single target
(armor applies against each strike). Only 1 die is applied to each strike,
but a +2 damage bonus applies to each.
Failure Effect: Only manage a single strike at the lowest die rank, with
no bonus, of course

Roundhouse Kick
Ability: Unarmed Combat
Speciality: Kick
NN: 6

page 36 | Chapter 3: Combat

Chapter 4: Magic Spells and
Powers
‘The practice of magic is nothing more than the art of bringing reality
into accordance with one’s will. It is my will that every citizen of
Crossroads shall die, and thus I will make it so.’
---
As spoken by Phantos, dread Lord of the Living City.
Magic in the Eldritch Role Playing game is versatile and powerful.
There are many different magic abilities, each with its own flavor.
They work like other abilities, with specialities (ways to weave
magic) and masteries (individual spells). There are lists of spells to
help magic-using characters get started and to help GMs prepare
adventures. Players can also improvise spells on the spot to deal
with the unexpected, or perform ritual magic to enchant items.
This chapter explains how characters cast archetypal, improvised,
and ritual spells. It also details the seven Pillars of Magic that are
the sources of power, and the four spell types that shape it.
Practitioners of magic are called thaumaturges (wonder-workers).
There are a myriad manifestations of the craft of thaumaturgy,
shaped for each spell caster by how circumstance, background, and
experience converge. Thaumaturges can approach the arcane in
many ways: mystic study, where the wizard or summoner acquires
magical arts through hard work and learning; connection to
supernatural forces, where a god, pantheon, or other-dimensional
being grants aid to the theurgist, witch, or warlock; primordial
connection, where the druid or elementalist communes with the
forces of nature itself (the druid by supernatural means); and
mental abilities, where the psychic’s understanding of the innate
potential of the mind (including the collective subconscious) lets
him or her perform miracles. These broad paths to power are used
mostly for narrative purposes, but are useful to keep in mind.
There are many origins possible for magic-using adventurers
in Ainerêve, most in the nation of Maedoen, and especially in
the adventurers’ and explorers’ haven of Crossroads, near the
enchanted forest of Meath.
The setting has opportunities for characters to learn the secrets
of thaumaturgy in all its manifestations, whether training under
the mystic Wizards and Mind Mages of Crossroads, learning the
primordial power of the Gan Creadigeath, or via initiation into
theurgists’ rites, whether of Sol Invictus or other supernatural
entities. While the people of Ainerêve typically categorize spell
casters by known approaches to obtaining magical power (mystic
and so forth), the game rules instead mainly deal with the expres-
sion of that power, which depends on seven fundamental pillars of
magic. These are explained next.
Chapter 4-1: Magic Spells and Powers | page 37
The 7 Pillars of Magic
Alteration, Arcanum, Conjuration, Elementalism, Illusion, Invocation,
Psychogenics
The seven listed abilities form the realm’s known Pillars of Magic.
The pillars are like schools of thaumaturgy, each with a different
power source, theory or doctrine, and practical application; each
school has its own philosophy and style, and a set of core castings
that reflect its nature. However, “school” is perhaps a misnomer,
as only some of the magically inclined find formal teachers, and
such masters are more often individual savants rather than part
of a formal academy. Most thaumaturges are born with an innate
gift for the manipulation of magic, whether mystic, supernatural,
primordial, or mental powers. (Thus, they can and often do
improvise spells, based on general arcane knowledge and magical
experimentation.) While it is common to concentrate on mastering
one such ability, as each represents a tremendous amount of
knowledge and training, a gifted thaumaturge may study multiple
pillars of magic.
All of the magic pillar abilities except Arcanum branch into the
same spell type specialities, representing actions taken to shape
magic, often with concomitant speech and gestures (verbal and
somatic components). Thaumaturges thus use their magic to
change, create, control, or sense the warp and weft of the fabric
of reality. Arcanum’s specialities are artificing, curses, potions, and
wards, indicating the ability’s more practical focus, and its rituals
tend to use material components.
Alteration
This magic ability is primarily concerned with changing or
enhancing qualities, for instance to increase ability, amplify the
senses of creatures, or to fortify or enchant objects. It can make
things lighter or heavier. It can even extend to shape-changing,
perhaps to boost movement or combat ability, e.g. if one were to
assume the form of a tiger. Conversely, it can be used to weaken
instead of strengthen, to dull perceptions, and to slow or even
petrify creatures.
• Change the abilities, form, or substance of creatures, objects,
and areas.
• Create new capabilities: abilities, attack forms, or Defense
modes.
• Control mind, body, spirit, or matter by forcibly modifying
physical, mental, or spiritual capability or properties.
• Sense alteration magic affecting creatures or objects.
page 38 | Chapter 4-1: Magic Spells and Powers
Arcanum
Arcanum is the skill of using magical formulae to create effects. Its
emphasis on utility rather than understanding shows in its speciali-
ties. This pillar relies upon magical components and so on, not the
innate wielding of mystical forces, and so is the only unrestricted
magical ability. At lower levels of ability, Arcanum is the sphere of
folk magic, peddlers of charms and elixirs, witch doctors, and petty
magicians who work by rules. When great skill is combined with
understanding, though, it can be a puissant art.
• Artificing is creating magical weapons and equipment, and
activatable spell scrolls.
• Curses are ritually cast spells to afflict or harm someone over
time. This speciality also confers knowledge of how to break
curses.
• Potions are alchemically brewed elixirs that are imbibed to
produce magical effects.
• Wards are spells written with magic sigils, used to protect,
summon, or trap.
Conjuration
At its simplest, conjuring is the ability to cause something to
appear where there was nothing before. The pillar concentrates on
bringing things into existence through magic, whether by creation
or translocation. At the basic level the thaumaturge can create
simple things. A more advanced conjurer can produce complex
items, or summon creatures to do his bidding, from pulling rabbits
out of hats to invoking supernatural beings. This pillar also allows
the calling forth of magical energy, dimensional manipulation
(which lies at its heart), planar travel, and teleportation (in effect,
summoning a place).
• Change the physical location of creatures, objects, or areas
through teleportation, summoning, and dimensional manipula-
tion.
• Create armor, weapons, or useful objects both mundane and
otherworldly.
• Control creatures and objects through summoning strictures.
• Sense, counter, and better resist conjuration magic affecting
creatures or objects.
Elementalism
This is power affecting the essential forces of nature itself: the four
elements that form the world, and the quintessence of pure energy
that binds them together. Elemental magic has spells that let the
caster take on elemental form or harness elemental forces.
Air: breath, breezes, lightning, flight; sow winds and reap
whirlwinds. Earth: barriers, earthquakes, quicksand; walk through
walls. Energy: energy bolts, force fields, telekinesis; use the force.
Fire: explosions, blazing weapons, smoke, incineration; let it burn.
Water: waves, rain, whirlpools, ice; go with the flow.
Elemental spells all fall under the same ability tree, but are
organized by the individual elements in the Master Spell List. GMs
can thus easily make each element a separate ability if that works
better for the milieu. Either way, the specialities of Elementalism
shape all primordial energies equally.
• Change into elemental forms, or shape the elements to help,
hinder, or harm.
• Create elemental forces to light a path, rain rocks upon the
wicked, obscure the sight of enemies with fog, or hurl death
by fire, storm, ice, or electrical energy.
• Control sentient elemental creatures, manipulate elements
within the physical realm, or determine the behavior and path
of elemental forces.
• Sense, counter, and better resist elemental magic affecting
creatures or objects.
Illusion
The thaumaturge wields the power of illusion, confusing and
beguiling opponents. This pillar deals with seeming and the
senses (particularly light and sound, and thus sight and hearing),
deception, perception, disguise, invisibility, and altered reality. Its
oblique approach relies on trickery and misdirection, which can be
a powerful tactic when intelligently applied.
• Change the entire appearance of creatures, places, and things.
• Create alternative realities, places, creatures, and objects of
deception.
• Control color, light, and shadow, sensation, sight and sound;
beguile and delude others with illusory sensory data.
• Sense, counter, and better resist illusions affecting creatures
or objects.
Invocation
This pillar deals with the life force of living and growing things.
Since life is a divine gift, the thaumaturge invokes a supernatural
spiritual source to restore, revive, heal, vivify or otherwise affect
plants, animals, people, or even monsters. Usually, theurgists call
upon their gods and druids or shamans call upon nature (although
angels, devils, and spirits may serve). As well as animating plants,
revitalizing weary adventurers, and even restoring life, the ability
covers those life-related powers that higher beings bestow, such
as Boons or turning undead. But just as death is part of the cycle
of life, so this ability can be used by necromancers and so on to
invoke evil powers and use negative energy to animate the dead,
or inflict death, disease, and decay.
• Change the physical condition of creatures to restore or drain
balance or health, eliminate or cause fatigue; change the size
or properties of vegetation (i.e. animate, reshape, transform).
• Create new restorative or maledictive properties in creatures,
objects, and areas; generate healing or enervating effects,
auras granting new immunities or resistances or fast-healing
powers, or cursed auras causing vulnerabilities; reorder plant
life to form barriers or clearings.
• Control the spread of disease and illness, nullify or quicken
poisons and harmful forces, reverse decay and restore order;
grow, heal, wither, or diminish vegetation; animate plants or
the limbs of trees to grab, push, or strike.
• Sense chaos, mental and physical and spiritual disorder; gain
empathy with all things; anticipate reaction and consequence;
sense forest fires, supernatural minds, Fertile Glens, and
nature spirits.
Psychogenics
This pillar encompasses all paranormal and extrasensory effects,
such as telepathy, clairvoyance, and precognition. It is the ability
to read minds and auras, see the invisible, and mentally influence
or control the actions of other creatures. Psychogenics also
potentially lets the psychic divine the history of objects or places,
entrance or enthrall others, sense spirits, and perceive future or
distant events.
• Change a creature’s perceptions psychically, alter the mental
properties of the living, or alter the integrity and properties of
inanimate things through sheer force of will.
• Create new neural pathways, allowing for accelerated learning,
language apprehension, precognition, or heightened senses.
• Control minds and bodies psychically, overpowering the will,
or manipulate physical systems with psychokinesis.
• Sense, counter, and better resist illusions affecting creatures or
objects. See clairvoyantly at great distances.
The Seven Pillars, their different spell type variations, and the
general rules of spellcasting are fully explicated in the Laws
of Magic section. That information provides a comprehensive
reference for spell use. All that you need to start using magic in the
game, though, is the Spell Casting section below along with the
Master Spell List.
Chapter 4-1: Magic Spells and Powers | page 39
Spell Casting
Spells are specific expressions of magic by pillar and type intended
to produce a defined result. Each school has characteristic spells
(see The Laws of Magic, and Master Spell List) that have been
wrought and refined over the ages, with most pillars providing their
own styles of offensive, defensive, and general-purpose spells.
Trained thaumaturges are familiar with the named spells, meaning
they understand them in principle, even if some are too difficult
to cast without great knowledge. A thaumaturge must know (have
learned) a spell in order to cast it normally, that is, without the
fatigue that attends on improvised spells. One steeped in his pillar’s
lore will have a repertoire of known spells that he can cast at will.
The rarest of spells are learned through the mentoring and training
of reclusive archmages, or on attaining the highest ranks of priest-
hood, or are discovered in ancient grimoires and scrolls.
To cast a magic spell, thaumaturges must make an ability check
against a Needed Number (NN); if the player’s total is higher, the
magic takes effect (although its success may depend, for instance,
on an additional opposed roll by the spell’s target). Failing to beat
a Needed Number may incur a penalty. Mastery of a spell makes
casting it far easier (halving the NN).
page 40 | Chapter 4-1: Magic Spells and Powers
Spell Structure
All spells use the following five-entry format: Spell, Ability, NN,
Description, Consequence.
Spell: Name of the spell (which may be individually mastered, once
it is known and its associated speciality is acquired).
Ability: Shows the branch of the named magic ability tree. Basic
ability in the pillar is a prerequisite to casting any related spell.
Listed as: Pillar (Sphere) → Speciality.
Sphere is what is affected or manipulated by the spell, in terms
of the elements and aspects of existence: see below under
Effects by Pillar. Used for underlying organization and game
color.
Speciality is the type of spell cast: Change, Create, Control, or
Sense, for all magic abilities except Arcanum. Possessing the
speciality allows the caster an additional die roll during the
ability check, but is not required.
Needed Number (NN): The number that must be met or exceeded
by the thaumaturge’s ability check; a measure of casting difficulty
(see Table 4.1). Rolling over the NN activates the spell during the
caster’s turn in a round. Number listed is for default target(s) or
area of effect; the spell’s description lists other targeting options, if
any. Some spells’ NN is zero, as with most cantrips. The typical NN
range is from 0 (for standard attack spells with no harm bonus) to
12.
Mastery halves the Needed Number, which means masters of easy
spells (NN 4 or below) cannot fail, though some effects still allow
the target a saving throw. On the other hand, there are a few rare,
powerful spells that have an NN of 24 or more, making them impos-
sible to cast without mastery (or bonuses and modifiers from magic
items and so on).
Description [Duration/Range]: A brief explanation of the spell’s
effect(s), including target and range considerations, and whether it
is instant or can be maintained.
Duration covers whether the effect is maintainable (M) or
instant (Inst). The maintenance penalty is not listed because
many spells are scalable. See general effects below.
Range is usually 10 × basic tier MV in feet, double that for
mastered spells. The target or origination point must always
be in direct line of sight: you cannot aim around corners. Spells
may target either an Area, or one or more specific targets, listed as
Self, Creature, Object. Persistent spell effects can be maintained
beyond the caster’s line of sight. See general effects below.
Spell dimensions are tied into range, and apply to all spells
regardless of effect, physical or non-physical, for woe or for
weal. Specific target spells usually manifest as a bolt or a
stream. A bolt appears as a missile of some substance or a
visible effect up to 1 foot in diameter that streaks towards
the target (e.g. an ice spear or glowing ball). A stream is a
continuous line of effect up to 2 feet wide originating from the
caster (e.g. an arc of flame). Area spells usually appear as a bolt
that expands or explodes on reaching the targeted origination
point. The area affected is usually a radius of Ability Branch MV
in feet (forming a sphere), double that for mastered spells. A
cubic volume will generally be up to 2 × basic tier MV in feet for
height, width, and depth, double that for mastered spells. The
GM should make an educated guess at NN increases for variant
areas of effect.
Consequence [Effect(s) / ST]: The game mechanics for the spell’s
effect(s). These give a quick indication of what the spell does, and
are Afflict, Boon, Threat, Modify, Protect, Restore, and Trigger.
Afflict covers any status effect: Confuse, Control mind, Debilitate
sense, Distract, Incapacitate, Knock prone, Paralyze, Possess
spirit, Slow, Stun, and Terrorize. Boons include all benefits like
new temporary powers, divine favor, useful non-combat spells,
enhanced luck, and so on. Threat effects are magical attacks.
Modify effects either augment or curse abilities or equipment.
Protect effects are just that: magic shielding and armor. Restore
effects heal, eliminate fatigue, cure disease, revitalize the soul, and
even raise the dead. Trigger (in the sense of causing an event or a
change) covers miscellaneous spells not fitting neatly into the other
categories.
Casting modifiers are extemporary modifiers to NN for targeting
multiple creatures, expanding area of effect, increasing potential
harm, or other scalable options. These options are built into
the formula, and are not true improvisation (and thus have no
Willpower DP cost). Note that Casting modifiers are added after
halving for mastery (see The Thaumaturge Repertoire).
Unique Spells
GMs will note that some named spells feature restrictions,
unusual area effect dimensions, or other parameters that
improvised spells may not. For example, Earth Strike works by
reshaping the ground into a weapon, but the caster must be
in contact with the earth. So an Air Elementalist might levitate
his Earth Mage target and prevent him from using Earth Strike.
Call Lightning Strike bypasses only metal armor, its restriction
on armor type lowering the spell’s harm enhancement cost.
Restrictions may arise because of the unique circumstances of
the spell’s creation or the quirks of its creator, or may have been
a way to reduce spell costs (NN, failure effects). Still, mastering
such spells is worthwhile despite restrictions because you get to
roll three dice and halve the NN.
Saving Throw (ST) indicates whether or not a saving throw can be
used to thwart the spell, if successfully cast. Saving throws use
either Willpower → Resistance → relevant mastery or Fortitude
→ Endurance → relevant mastery. Listed as ST [Willpower or
Fortitude], “n/a”, or “none”.
General Effects.
Other characteristics of a spell are not listed with each spell entry
where they are based on NN rather than individual spell differ-
ences. These characteristics follow general tables, and include:
Maintenance Penalty: Each spell maintained causes a penalty
against any ability checks (add each together for the total penalty).
Luckily, the penalty does not diminish the effects of maintained
spell(s). Maintenance penalties are determined at time of initial
casting, after halving the NN for spell mastery. If the spell is instant,
it cannot be maintained. See Table 4.1 and 4.2.
Chapter 4-1: Magic Spells and Powers | page 41
 Concentration check: If a thaumaturge suffers an attack that Thaumaturges can attempt to cast listed spells outside their
penetrates to Fortitude, he or she must make a concentration known repertoire or improvise new magic effects, provided they
check: failure means all maintained magical powers fizzle. The possess basic skill in the relevant magic ability. Most thaumaturges,
roll is Willpower → Resistance → relevant mastery versus the however, learn and master a number of signature spells rather than
attacker’s original ability roll. relying overmuch on fatiguing and potentially hazardous improvisa-
tion (see Improvised Spells).
Target Variations: There are several possible spell targeting varia-
tions: the self only (–2 NN), multiple creatures or objects (+1 per Altering the Formula; Casting Modifiers
additional target), an area effect spell (+4 NN), a selective area Thaumaturges may alter a learned or mastered spell, rejiggering
effect (+8 NN), or some other special range, as with clairvoyance, the formula to add a fixed range of modifiers. These involve scaling
which is a long-range area effect. Most spells require line of sight up the spell’s effectiveness, whether for potential harm or protec-
for initial casting, but may be maintained at a distance. Variations tion, or increasing its range and dimensions (following the same
are explained in the spell’s description. See also Magic in Combat. NN guidelines given throughout this chapter). Notably, casting
modifers are extemporary and always add to NN after halving for
Failure Effect: Penalty if the NN is not met. Spell mastery improves mastery. To add such spell alterations permanently means creating
the odds against failure, but it’s always the unmastered Needed a new (improvised) spell, which could be learned as usual.
Number that determines consequence. See Table 4.2. Simple
cantrips may require a Needed Number to cast (GM fiat), but never The Laws of Magic
have failure penalties.
The ways in which specialities are applied to cause magical effects
constitute the laws of spellcasting. The laws of magic are described
The Thaumaturge Repertoire below, beginning with a list of typical spell difficulties, maintenance
penalties, and failure consequences. Some spells fall under
Knowledge of any Magic Pillar assumes training, whether by universally applicable rules, while others fall under specific pillars.
college or individual mentor. Such training may initially include Examples are given at various levels of spellcasting difficulty,
the teaching of selected spells. All restricted Magic Abilities grant indicated by the Needed Number (NN).
a number of learned spells equal to 1 per basic die rank (D4 = 1,
D6 = 2, and so on) the first time a Magic Ability is learned, either Magic Powers Rarity and Spell Maintenance
during character generation or during adventures. Known spells This section provides some general information about spells. Table
are picked from the archetypal and esoteric spells in the spell 4.1 provides the basic templates for most spells and powers in the
list, in any combination desired, and added to the thaumaturge’s game, and are useful for improvised and newly created spells.
repertoire. Legendary spells (those with an NN of 16+) must be Spells in the Master Spell List are listed with their NN value. Rarity
discovered during quests. Character Points may be spent to master might also indicate how often the spells are found in grimoires,
any learned spell in the character’s repertoire (2 CP per die rank). treasure hoards, or NPC repertoires (cantrips are often improvised,
The player should keep track of his character’s personal collection and so rarely turn up on scrolls etc.).
of known spells (which could be kept in a spellbook or formulary,
or all in the mind). Note that because Arcanum’s rituals are inde- Table 4.1 Spell rarity, difficulty and Maintenance Pen-
pendent of accumulative magic theory, they can be cast normally alties by NN
without formal learning.
Rarity NN Difficulty Penalty
Cantrips 0-2 Easy 0
Increasing die ranks in any Pillar’s tree whilst adventuring does not
Uncommon 4 Moderate –1
automatically add spells to one’s repertoire. Instead, players have
Rare 6 Difficult –2
the option of adding newly discovered (or improvised) spells to
their characters’ repertoires with an ability roll to learn the formula. Esoteric 8 Demanding –3
Once an improvised spell is cast once, it can be learned with an Occult 12 Formidable –4
ability check (Pillar → Spell Type), rolling against half the spell’s NN Legendary 16 Extreme –5
to memorize the formula. Success means the spell is now known, Mythic 20+ Herculean –6
which eliminates the fatigue penalty for improvising. Failure means
the spell was too difficult to translate for rote memorization, but
another attempt can be made in a number of days equal to the
spell NN.

page 42 | Chapter 4-1: Magic Spells and Powers

The penalty applies to all ability rolls while maintaining a spell
or power. Add together the penalties for each spell maintained
per round (e.g. two Difficult spells would penalize ability checks
by –2–2 = –4). Instant spells or attacks have zero maintenance
penalty. The halved NN for mastery reduces maintenance
penalties.

The difficulty description indicates how hard spells are to learn and
cast. An ability check to learn a spell is only half the NN, though,
since the thaumaturge is assumed to be studying in calm and
conducive surroundings.

Table 4.2 Spell failure effects by NN

NN Spell Failure and Enervation
0–2 Spell fizzles, no consequence.
4 Spell fizzles, cannot reattempt for 1 round.
6 Spell fizzles, –1 to D-Pool; minor enervation. Cannot
reattempt for 2 rounds.
8 Spell fizzles, –2 to D-Pool; moderate enervation. Cannot
reattempt for 3 rounds.
12 Spell fizzles, –3 to D-Pool; serious enervation. Cannot
reattempt for 4 rounds.
16 Spell fizzles. Slowed for one round (falls back a battle
phase next turn). –4 to D-Pool; severe fatigue. Cannot
cast any spells for 1D4 rounds.
20 Spell fails. Stunned for 1 battle phase (3 seconds). Asso-
ciated Magic D-Pool reduced by –5. Cannot cast any
spells for 1D6 rounds. Reaching 0 in the Magic D-Pool
due to this sort of backfire knocks the thaumaturge out,
helpless for 1D4 rounds.
30+ Spell fails spectacularly; caster stunned for two battle
phases, and associated Magic D-Pool reduced by –6.
Cannot cast any spells for 2D4 rounds. Reaching 0 in
the Magic D-Pool due to this sort of backfire knocks the
thaumaturge out, helpless for 1D8 rounds. Such spells
are not for the faint of heart.

Enervation means the ability being used to attempt the casting

has its magic Defense Pool reduced; the caster also feels tired and
drained, with the game effect stated in the table.

Chapter 4-1: Magic Spells and Powers | page 43

Magic In Combat
GM Note: Players do not need to memorize anything in this Game
Master oriented magic section. Players may simply use the master
spell lists and not bother with improvisational magic until more
comfortable with the system.
Magic Defense Pools
Every pillar of magic is also a source of hit points against any
magical attack, each converting to a limited Active Defense Pool.
Although activated by native force of mind, the magic Defense
pools are neither learned nor mastered as spells. Such use is
considered a latent ability, representing the focused strength of a
trained mind, counterspelling with will and word (and may be used
in lieu of Willpower DP against psychic attacks, since psychogenics
itself is a type of magic in Ainerêve). Thaumaturges may opt to
purchase the Enhanced Magic Defense advantage, expanding
a magic Defense pool to cover non-magical attack forms. This
works the same way for every magic ability tree (See Chapter 1,
Advantages).
Standard Threat Spells
A thaumaturge’s standard magical attack targets a single creature
within line of sight. Such spells manifest physically and visibly,
by touch or at range, and and may be dodged by Agility DP, or
even blocked by Weapons DP (see Enhanced Martial Defense
advantage, Chapter 1). But not all spells are easily blocked, parried,
or dodged, and some may bypass certain types of active Defense
or protection. Such harm spells always increase the Needed
Number to cast above zero.
Example spell: An area-effect poison gas cloud with +4 Threat
affecting everyone, with the gas negating both shields and armor,
plus bypassing Melee DP: Final NN = 0 + 8 (threat point bonus)
+4 (area effect) +2 (bypass shield) + 6 (bypass armor) + 8 (bypass
Melee Weapons DP) = 28. The thaumaturge realizes this powerful
effect cannot be improvised: 24 is the maximum roll without
mastery. Mastery would reduce the NN to 14, but even the
highest-level master would fail 20% of the time. So he eliminates
the base harm bonus, resetting the NN to 20 improvised, 10
mastered (93% base chance of success for a 3D12 master).
Non-lethal Threat
Non-lethal magical harm subdues the target, but does not kill. A
target brought to zero Fortitude in this manner is incapacitated
until brought above zero, and also unconscious for 1D4 rounds if
failing a Fortitude saving throw versus the attack roll.
Non-physical Attacks
Some spells do not cause direct, standard physical harm. Threat
points from such an attack are considered non-physical, and drain
the chosen applicable active DP first (e.g. Willpower, Magic Ability),
Fortitude after. Non-physical damage is preternatural and cannot
be blocked or parried by normal shields or swords (so it has a
minimum NN of 8).
However, there is usually some visual and auditory component to a
non-physical attack spell — a beam of crackling energy, a popping
distortion field, or the electric hiss of spiraling tendrils of radiance
— and therefore it can be dodged using Agility DP.

Threat Spell Enhancements

+1 to NN to affect multiple targets (1 per die rolled); cannot be
combined with Area Effect.
+2 to NN to negate target’s shield damage reduction.
+2 to NN per extra threat point bonus (per attack).
+4 to NN make area effect, radius equals ability branch maximum.
+6 to NN to bypass target’s armor *
+8 to NN to bypass one Active DP (select one at time of spell
improvisation, which may be set at time of mastery).
+8 to NN to turn spell into a selective area effect (as area effect, but
affects foes only).
*(conditionally; Active Defense must be exceeded).

Bypassing two Active Defense Pools is possible, but must be

improvised during casting, +4 NN for every additional DP bypassed
(factored in after mastery halves original spell’s NN).

page 44 | Chapter 4-1: Magic Spells and Powers


Some non-physical attacks are also non-lethal, meaning they
subdue rather than slay. One can be brought to zero Fortitude
and thus made unconscious with this mode of attack, but can’t
be brought below zero. For example, illusory threat points are a
special case of non-physical damage, mitigated only by Willpower
before reducing Fortitude (or until a successful saving throw is
made; see Illusory attacks under the Illusion entry below).
Needed Number determines thickness, and can be increased to
change the wall substance and hence its structural hit points.
NN = 4 × thickness in feet, not exceeding basic tier MV. [structural
hit points = ability branch MV]
+1 NN = wood, +1 hp per foot of wall’s thickness.
+2 NN = stone, +2 hp per foot of wall’s thickness.
+3 NN = iron, +3 hp per foot of wall’s thickness.

Protection Effects +4 NN = bronze, +4 hp per foot of wall’s thickness.

Magic that provides damage reduction (DR) or cover to an indi-

Penetrable Elemental Walls
vidual or multiple targets is divided into shield, armor, wall effect
NN = 6 × diameter in feet, not exceeding basic tier MV
types, and immunity.

Walls made of fire, wind, or water usually provide total cover

Armoring Effects
directly in front of the caster. Most are created by elementalists,
The thaumaturge provides himself or the recipient with magical
though similar effects have been seen invoked by priests or
protection, whether conjuring a suit of armor out of thin air or
activated through pyrokinesis. Rather than ranged attacks whittling
generating a force field that envelops and moves with the body;
down their structural hit points, as with most total cover, such
manifestation depends on the source of magic. All protection/
walls impose a –4 threat point reduction to ranged attacks. This
armor spells grant passive damage reduction: the DR value is
is due to the opaqueness of fire or partial opacity and rushing
randomly determined, and it activates only once the beneficiary’s
movement of wind or water elemental walls; it’s difficult to target
chosen Active Defense is exceeded.
those hiding beyond. Unless made to surround the caster, the
typical elemental wall spell provides good (¾) cover further out to
NN = Max-Value of magic armor protection die, from 4 for D4, to
the sides, but no cover behind. Passing bodily through such a wall
12 for D12.
also has consequences.

Shielding Effects
Fire: Causes fire damage equal to caster’s ability roll, +1 per foot
A shield spell reduces potential harm even before the defender
thick, bypassing Agility if somebody willfully walks through it. Half
chooses an Active Defense form. It might be a conjured magic
damage if one charges through. Shields and armor do apply.
shield, appearing in the recipient’s free hand, or a semipermeable
energy field generated around the body. Unlike regular shields or
Water or Air: A wall of rushing water, like an impossibly truncated
parrying weapons, such magic damage reduction works even when
waterfall, can be imposing. One attempting to cross must roll an
the protected recipient’s Active Defenses are exhausted.
Agility saving throw versus the thaumaturge’s ability roll or be
knocked down, or pushed back from the wall. Charging at a full
NN = 6 × static damage reduction bonus. Maximum +6 DR.
run means the one knocked down or pushed may find themselves
prone on the other side of the wall, for better or worse. A wall of air
+4 to NN to turn spell into an Area Effect (Ability Branch MV
has the same effects, but is less striking, marked only by whirling
radius in feet, doubled for mastery).
debris and noise.

Shielding spells affecting an area do not work like walls, but move
Force Fields
with the group protected. For example, a conjurer may create a
NN = 12 base (+8 to NN to stop non-physical harm types as well).
shimmering and strangely viscous membrane centered on and
moving with him and his companions.
Force fields are different from standard walls, their impenetrability
making thickness and material irrelevant. A force field manifests
Walls of Protection
as a stationary bubble around the caster or larger area, its surface
Barrier walls are provided by Conjuration, Invocation, and Earth
repelling all physical damage, mundane or magical. Physical attacks
Elementalism. A wall spell provides total cover for those standing
cannot pass through the barrier. Non-physical threats bypass force
behind it. Its area equals ability branch maximum in feet for length
fields, unless the protection is augmented to defend against such
and height, but it can be reshaped at the time of casting. The base
(+8 NN).
wall type is packed earth or matted vegetation, with structural hit
points equal to the thaumaturge’s ability branch maximum. The

Chapter 4-1: Magic Spells and Powers | page 45


Immunities
Elemental Immunity
Some spells can confer elemental immunities, but only against
natural, non-magical elements. Immunity for the self versus
regular fire, electricity, or violent wind has a Needed Number of
12, and self-immunity to lesser environmental hazards (heat, cold)
has an NN of 6. These kinds of spells are often used ritually by
thaumaturges who explore extraplanar places settled by elemental
beings. No known magic spell has been discovered that confers
total immunity versus magic harm (although a robust Magic Ability
Defense Pool can come close).
Physical Attack Immunity
Physical attack immunity is a potent protection, disallowing
potential harm from normal weapons, whether close or ranged,
and unarmed attacks, including natural attacks by creatures. Such
immunity is broken into three types, each NN 12: vs. bludgeoning,
vs. piercing, vs. slashing. Therefore, total physical attack immunity
would be NN 36 before mastery, preventing damage from a club,
the ham fist of an ogre, an arrow loosed, a sword’s cutting edge,
a wyvern’s piercing bite, or a tiger’s slashing claws. Nonetheless,
any preternatural harm can affect one so protected, including
spells and bonuses from magic weapons, whether enchanted or
enhanced via spell.
page 46 | Chapter 4-1: Magic Spells and Powers
In contrast, no known spells grant total immunity against any type
of magic. Such a spell would be dangerous knowledge indeed.
Luckily for thaumaturges, they can use Magic D-Pools to defend
against preternatural damage whilst honing abilities that improve
their saving throws.
Some elemental transformation spells grant immunity versus
physical attack, but also limit offensive options. For example, a
mage who transforms into pure air or spirit usually cannot make
standard physical attacks, nor cast spells without difficulty (see
Spells without Gesture or Word). Precluding physical attack options
by assuming such a form halves the spell’s final NN (to 18). On
the other hand, some elemental forms are inherently threatening.
For example, a body of fire or energy allows unarmed attacks with
appendages of flame or aetheric electricity, using the caster’s basic
magic ability die for threat points.
Disease and Poison Immunity
Priests, witches, or shamans may have rituals or spells that confer
immunity to diseases or poisons of various strengths. Arcanists and
Conjurers may create or summon magic items and potions that
grant such immunity, either maintainable or made permanent until
dispelled. Spells that grant immunity against poison and disease are
NN 20 combined, or NN 12 separately.
Protection Examples
Alteration: Toughen skin, change physical resistance, make immune
to physical attack.
Conjuration: Summon armor or shields, or translocate attuned
magic items capable of generating force fields and other shielding
powers (see Arcanum, Wards, Attunement Sigil).
Elementalism: Create barrier walls of stone, wood, bronze, iron,
force; walls of fire, water, wind. Assume pure elemental form,
gaining varied levels of physical attack immunity.
Invocation: Call upon gods or spirits to shield from harm; either
damage reduction or various immunities granted for one or many.
Psychogenics: Generate kinetic shields.
GM Note: Players may creatively activate Magic Ability Defense
Pools in ways mirroring some of the protection effect examples
given above. However, Magic DP use interrupts attacks in any
battle phase, its effect is always instant, and its manifestation
dissipates immediately.
Magical Afflictions (a.k.a Status Effects)
Spells that override the target’s free will, or cause a persistent
change in a creature’s mental, spiritual, or physical status allow an
opposed roll versus the thaumaturge’s ability roll. This includes
being stunned, slowed, distracted, incapacitated, or magically
controlled (either mentally or physically). The thaumaturge using
such a “status effect” must meet or exceed the NN and beat the
target’s opposed roll.
Such afflictions cannot be blocked by Defense Pools, and are
persistent for as long as the caster maintains the spell. The default
saving throw abilities are the target’s Willpower → Resistance →
relevant mastery vs. mental or spiritual affliction, or Fortitude →
Endurance → relevant mastery vs. physical affliction, but the GM
may allow ability substitutions, depending on the spell or power
description.
The afflicted may make a saving throw each round the status effect
is maintained, and success ends the condition. Saving against a
maintained status effect does not trigger a concentration roll on
the part of the caster.
All status spells follow the same game rules for each condition
listed below, regardless of Magic Pillar or Spell Type.
Physical Afflictions
Slow, NN 8 (Demanding): Reduce initiative of the target by one
battle phase (reducing the basic Agility rank by one full step, for
example, from D10 to D8). Increase NN by +1 difficulty for slowing
the target two battle phases, and so on until dropping down to to
D2 basic Agility, with movement reduced accordingly.
Knock Prone, NN 10 (Demanding): Target is knocked off his feet,
falling prone, and is slowed.
Stun, NN 12 (Formidable): The target may not either move or attack
for one full round.
Debilitate Sense, NN 14 (Formidable): Cause total blindness or
hearing loss (NN 28 for both), meaning most perception checks
using that sense automatically fail (GM’s discretion; compensating
for the loss may allow a roll with a –12 penalty).
Paralyze, NN 16 (Extreme): Target is physically immobilized, and
loses access to any Active D-Pool, but can still use innate powers,
or cast spells with no somatic components (see Spells without
Gesture or Word).
Incapacitate, NN 20 (Herculean): The target is rendered uncon-
scious, falls to the ground, and is vulnerable to attack. The first
saving throw calls for Willpower → Resistance → relevant mastery,
and failing that, the incapacitated target is still afforded a roll
of Fortitude → Quick Recovery → vs. incapacitation. Attacks on
incapacitated targets bypass Active Defenses and shield to reduce
the target’s Fortitude, but armor may be rolled for during general
melee.
Mental and Spiritual Afflictions
Distract, NN 12 (Formidable): Reduce the Initiative of the target
by the threat points rolled, divided by six, always rounded up
(affecting random initiative and/or battle phase).
Confuse, NN 14 (Formidable): Cause the target to become sluggish
and dull-witted, and thus attack in a haphazard fashion. Any attack
the target makes allows an opportune attack by those engaged in
close combat with him. The target may not make an attack until
the same battle phase next round. He is however free to move,
support, or help out in other ways in a fight.
Terrorize, NN 16 (Extreme): The target is stricken with fear, may not
attack the spellcaster, and will run for his life until the same battle
phase next round. If anyone (even the spellcaster) stands in his
way, though, he will attack them to try to get past.
Control Mind, NN 18 (Extreme): Victim’s mind is taken over, the
caster’s thoughts insinuated into the brain, changing opinions or
perceptions.
Possess Spirit, NN 20 (Herculean): The target’s body and mind is
controlled so long as the power is maintained by the caster. Victims
may be forced to attack friends.
Other Effects
Boon: Any magic effect that grants a person or group some general
advantage in dangerous or challenging situations. Such spells
represent magic of great utility, expeditiousness, or convenience to
the heroes. For example, hastened travel through difficult terrain,
the ability to breathe underwater, or the favor of the gods in battle
(see spell listings for examples).
Modify: Mostly the province of Alteration magic, modification
spells increase or decrease a creature’s ability rolls or die rank(s),
or change various properties of objects. The Modify effect covers
transmutation, shapeshift, and polymorph. It never drains or
increases hit points (see Effects by Pillar, Alteration).
Restore: Always governed by the Invocation ability, restoration
magic heals, restores, and mends both creatures and objects. But
the celestial energy has a flip side, and this effect allows invokers
to harness the dark forces of entropy (see Invocation).
Trigger: A Trigger is a miscellaneous effect that causes something
to exist, or an event to happen, by means of magic not otherwise
pigeonholed. This covers the generation, dismissal, or manipulation
of a substances or energies (Elementalist spells), the summoning or
Chapter 4-1: Magic Spells and Powers | page 47
translocation of creatures or objects (as with Conjuration spells),
or an effect set off by a contingent circumstance (see Multi-Effect
spells, Contingency Spells for the last application). Elementalists,
priests, and summoners invoking extradimensional beings, or
conjurers translocating or teleporting creatures and objects, or
opening rifts into other worlds, use triggered effects.
Improvised Spells (For Advanced Players)
Eldritch’s listed spells are representative, not exhaustive, to allow
plenty of scope for additions and to encourage players to invent
their own. New spells can be tailored to character concept or
improvised as needed, within given guidelines. In the game world,
thaumaturges can and often do improvise spells outside their
known repertoire. Any spell may be attempted, whether based on
a named spell or created from whole cloth, solely with basic under-
standing of (ability in) the magic pillar used as the power source.
Determining the spell type and Needed Number is a collaborative
process between player and GM. Improvised magic, as with any
formally named spell, must be categorized by spell type (speciali-
ties of Change, Control, Create, or Sense). Any speciality may be
designated when improvising a magic spell, so long as its choice
is reasoned and consistent with the creative description. The GM
and player consult the Effects by Pillar section in this chapter and
choose an appropriate Needed Number. How the spell manifests
depends on the speciality and the pillar of magic used. Target(s) of
improvised magical attacks may defend with any applicable DP (see
Standard Threat Spells).
page 48 | Chapter 4-1: Magic Spells and Powers
Improvisational flexibility comes with a cost. The Willpower DP
acts as reservoir of mental energy for the fatigue caused by casting
improvised spells (as well as spells cast from a book or scroll
without formal knowledge, and certain limited spell types and
traps). It costs 1 Willpower to cast a single target spell, 2 Willpower
to cast an area effect spell (or selectively targeting multiple
creatures in an area), 3 for a multi-effect single target spell, and
4 for a multi-effect area effect spell. NN and failure consequence
are still fully in effect. Failing an ability check to cast an improvised
spell, in addition to the normal consequence, doubles the cost to
Willpower, that cost spilling over to Fortitude if the Willpower DP
is exceeded.
Example of Improvised Magic
Morgana the illusionist attempts to give a rock wall the appear-
ance of an open portal, hoping her enemies will crash into the
barrier. The GM decides such a spell is demanding, settling on a
Needed Number of 8. GM and player agree that Control is the
spell speciality, based on player description (Illusion → Control).
The spell succeeds with a roll of 9 or above. Morgana possesses
Illusion basic rank at D12, so succeeds with a roll of 10, and burns
two Willpower Defense points (area effect spell). The GM permits
the targets a roll of Perception → Notice → Illusion to save against
her illusion, versus her ability check result of 10, but they all fail
(because none have the noted speciality or mastery).
After her enemies knock themselves out on a wall, Morgana
gleefully names her new spell “Trick Portal”, notes its Control speci-
ality, succeeds in the ability check to learn it, jots it down in her
spell book, and thereby fixes its form. Later, she decides that sort
of magic is great fun, and picks up a rank of the Control speciality
at D4. She would then roll D12+D4 with any Illusion-Control spell.
Eventually, she masters “Trick Portal” specifically, at D4 rank (for
2 CP), and thereby halves its Needed Number. Thus, in the future,
Morgana would make a D12+2D4 ability check versus an NN of 4
when casting her signature Trick Portal spell.
Learning Improvised Spells
Adding improvised spells to the thaumaturge’s repertoire requires
an ability roll to learn the new or altered formula. Once an impro-
vised or known spell altered is cast once, it can be learned with
an ability check (Pillar → Spell Type), rolling against half the spell’s
NN to memorize the formula. Success means the spell is now
known, and no longer considered improvised, which eliminates
the Willpower DP cost. Failure means the spell was too difficult to
translate for rote memorization, but another attempt can be made
in a number of days equal to the spell NN (see The Thaumaturge
Repertoire).
Cantrips
Cantrips are the most common spells learned, ranging the easiest
of minor effects to more potent magical attacks and spells. Some
cantrips are improvised, others learned as part of the thaumaturgist
repertoire, and all range from a 1-3 Needed Number to cast. Zero
NN cantrips have no Willpower cost when improvised. Cantrips
follow the standard rules for range and area of effect, modifiable as
desired when effects are improvised.
Examples of innocuous, 0 NN cantrips are like the brooms of a
sorcerer’s apprentice. Illusion: change the face of a card; make
copper coins seem like gold. Elementalism: air, blow out a candle;
give a musty room a fresh scent; water, a wizard wreaths himself
in eerie green vapors; fire, the mage’s hands burst into flame as a
warning. And more… The evil priest’s snake-headed staff opens its
reptilian eyes, terrifying the helpless captive. A druid imitates the
howl of a wolf to signal to his allies. The theurgist’s symbol sheds
holy light. The enchantress keeps her hair shifting in an unfelt
breeze. The GM may allow a cantrip to grant +1 on an ability check
in some cases, e.g. the necromancer makes his eyes glow, adding
to his Intimidation attempt. The GM may also assign an NN if a
cantrip seems to need it.
Spells without Gesture or Word
Gesture and word help focus the energies and direct the mind for
spellcraft, so casting spells usually entails free use of the voice,
hands, and arms. Channeling magic or psionic power without
incantation or movement is more difficult, but can be a life-saving
advantage for a thaumaturge taken prisoner, because intelligent
foes usually bind and/or gag those suspected of eldritch power.
Other uses occur in adventures, e.g. if climbing a cliff or plunged
underwater.
Casting a spell either without words or without gestures adds +8 to
any spell’s NN. This is factored in after halving the original NN for
mastery (if any). Casting without gestures and words is extremely
difficult, adding +16 to the NN. Worse, spell failure doubles the
fatigue cost to Willpower for improvised spells other than psycho-
genic spells (which suffer only the usual fatigue penalty). Buying
the Inconspicuous Caster advantage halves the NN addition to
+4/+8 (see Chapter 1).
Non-Physical Threat without Word or Gesture
Masters of spellcraft know that non-physical attacks are invisible
if cast without gestures. Eliminating the visual component makes
such an attack difficult to dodge, granting +2 potential harm. The
defender’s situation worsens if the thaumaturge also casts without
words, rendering the effect both invisible and silent. A pure psychic
attack is an example of a non-physical attack cast without gesture
or word. Defenders cannot block or dodge non-physical harm that
is both silent and invisible.
The Willpower DP may be used as an active Defense against
any type of non-physical harm, resisting by sheer determination,
otherwise only a Magic Ability DP can help. Either way, only one
active Defense can be used against any single attack.
Magic attacks generating non-physical types of damage can be
cast as if the thaumaturge possesses the Inconspicuous Caster
advantage (see Chapter 1, Advantages), or at half those penalties if
already possessing the advantage.
Multi-Effect Spells
There are two types of Multi-Effect spells, Combined and Contin-
gency. Multi-Effect spells are improvised using only one ability
branch, regardless of effect combination.
Combined Effect Spells
The combined effect spells are quite difficult to cast improvised.
Combined effects add the NNs together, which also increases
spell failure consequence (see Table 4.1 above). One speciality and
associated effect must be named as primary during improvisation,
setting the base NN. Some combined effects are not possible
without mastery.
An example of a combined spell is “Stone Armor”. The caster
surrounds himself in an armor of stone, adding armor protection
of D8, and +2 threat points. It’s a combined effect spell because
the extra threat points from stone fists depend on the initial stone
body armor effect activating. This combines two effects of Create,
protection and harm. The protection effect determines the NN for
each check.
Chapter 4-1: Magic Spells and Powers | page 49

Contingency Spells
Contingency spells work like combined spells for the initial casting,
but the effects only occur if certain conditions are met. For
instance, if a spell creates a pit trap with great potential harm, it
might be written as Elementalism (Earth) → Create → Hidden Pit (if
named and mastered), using contingent Threat (if somebody falls
in). A good example of a chained effect spell is one that generates
a protective armor (Protect) that also shocks any enemies coming
within close range (contingent Threat). However, a spell that
creates an unhidden, natural hazard is not a combined spell. For
example, creating a wide open pit with Earth Magic is just one
effect; anybody should be able to see and avoid the pit.
Triggering Effects
Contingency spells can create conditions for potential harm, but it’s
always indirect. For example, the creation of a pool of quicksand
would be possible with the Earth → Create Ability, for example.
No harm would come to one unless stepping into the generated
quickstand.
The difficulty rating can rise with circumstance. Delayed or contin-
gency effects are covered by this, like “flame trap”, or wards. Most
magical traps and wards are created by means of the Arcanum
ability, though.
+2 to NN Simple trigger (anyone steps here, delay while main-
tained)
+4 to NN Moderate trigger (any foe steps here, the bell strikes,
delay until Tuesday noon)
+8 to NN Complex trigger (intricate programmed illusions, magical
dungeon puzzles and riddles).
Maintenance penalty: additional –1 penalty per contingency tuned
to the spell.
Complex trigger example: One who wears the Amulet of Illusory
Death appears to drop dead when reduced to zero Fortitude,
but it’s an elaborate triggered illusion. What really happens is the
wearer is restored to 100% Fortitude while becoming invisible, and
an illusory corpse is created. If the wearer is knocked unconscious,
then he is teleported to an attuned safe zone.
Spell Vulnerabilities
Improvised spells that exploit the target’s vulnerabilities use a
rule of thumb: a vulnerability adds at least +2 to a spell’s NN. For
instance, lightning that exploits metal armor to do more damage.
On the other hand, a vulnerability inherent to the spell could
endanger the caster himself, even lowering the spell’s overall
difficulty if it narrows a range of defensive options for the caster.
Obviously, how a vulnerability is applied can be extremely varied
page 50 | Chapter 4-1: Magic Spells and Powers
(see spell lists for examples). GMs should use the general effect
guidelines to set a fair level of increased difficulty.
Spheres
The spheres are the primal building blocks of the game multiverse,
covering all generative, operative, and destructive forces of reality.
They are primordial elements (such as earth or air) or supernatural,
mystic, or mental aspects of experience (such as order, chaos, or
thought). In game terms, a sphere is the strand of reality that a
spell influences or controls. It is useful to distinguish between the
elements in Elementalism, for example.
The spheres as known in the world of Ainerêve are shown in the
list below. The Pillars of Magic are formalized ways to channel
power to affect various spheres. For example, Invocation is the
Pillar of Magic connected to the spheres of Entropy, Life, and
Nature.
Aether (Arcanum): Pure magic, generates energy overarching all
pillars.
Air (Elementalism): Elemental air, wind, lightning, etc.
Chaos (Alteration): Disorder, luck, randomness.
Dimension (Conjuration): Space, time, planes, travel.
Dream (Illusion): Thoughts, images, and sensations, reality settling
or unsettling.
Earth (Elementalism): Elemental mineral, rock, crystal, etc.
Energy (Elementalism): Quintessence, spirit; direct manipulation of
spirit.
Entropy (Invocation): Death, decay, also breakdown of systems.
Fire (Elementalism): Elemental heat, flame, and light.
Life (Invocation): That which quickens matter. The intersection of
Dream, Magic, and Order.
Matter (Psychogenic): The physical world, as it manifests in settled
lands.
Mind (Psychogenic): Psychic power, organized thought; focused,
directed will.
Nature (Invocation): All living things beneath intelligent races; inter-
sects with the chaos of weather patterns, and the five elements.
Order (Alteration, Conjuration): Hierarchy in all spheres. Allows for
creature summoning and controlling magic. Slows shifts in Dream
in settled lands.
Time (Arcanun, Elementalism, Alteration): The cosmic weave of
past, present, and future, influenced by Dream, Shadow and Mind.
Shadow (Elementalism): The intersection of dream and entropy, the
reverse of energy, occult manifestations.
Water (Elementalism): Elemental water, ice, cold, etc.
Read on to learn more about each Pillar’s distinctive properties.
Each Pillar lists the essential effects it uses in alphabetical order.

Magic Effects by Pillar
Both Game Masters and their players can peruse the magic effects
explicated in this section, including story examples of how they
might work in a game. This information is extensively detailed
where needed, covering the essential powers of each Pillar, but
needn’t be memorized for game play.
Alteration
Alteration magic’s essential effects are Afflict, Threat, and Modify.
Masters of this ability are known in Ainerêve as Transmuters.
Transmuter Affliction
Slow: The transmuter in the shadows spread his arms, eyes
flashing, and spoke a word of power that resonated through the
victim’s body, weakening muscle tone so that movement was
enfeebled. The race favorite slowed from a gallop to a canter
and fell back behind the field, ensuring a fat prize purse for the
unscrupulous mage.
Knock Prone: “We must be still,” warned the wizened man,
leaning heavily upon his short, lacquered femur stick. His ranger
companion was gruff, exasperated; “Why have you stopped?
Where is this escaped circus experiment? You’ve not yet lived up to
your reputation, mage! Why must we be still?” The old transmuter’s
gaze moved beyond the irritated man, down the sloping corridor.
“Because, Hunter,” he answered calmly, “you are well positioned…”
The ranger turned and gasped; a nameless creature loped out of
the darkness. The transmuter pointed his walking stick: a dizzying
spiral of transmutative energy erupted from the ivory bone’s tip,
enveloping the ranger. There was a ringing in Hunter’s ears as his
equilibrium was altered, and the world seemed to whirl around; he
staggered, unable to regain his balance, and fell heavily. Silently,
quickly, the nameless creature was upon him: then gibbering,
claws, a devouring madness. Hunter screamed and was lost. The
creature’s essence merged with his dying body, turning into…
something else. “Thanks,” said the old man, “for remaining still.”
Paralyze: The deer was mortally wounded, but could make a mile or
two yet, and the light was too poor for a good bowshot. Dairmud
had no wish to see it suffer — or track it for hours across ravines
and ridges in the sleety wind. He turned to his gillie: “Cuid ye see
to it, man?” “Aye,” said his attendant, bracing himself and throwing
out his arm at the deer, which stiffened as the gyring spell hit;
its joints made inflexible, it stopped below the crest of the ridge.
“Guid man!” said Dairmud, scrambling across the slope and drawing
his knife, “And noo for the gralloching!”
Incapacitate: The assassin by the parapet was uncomfortable in the
dead guard’s uniform. His target was late, and his escape depended
on timing. But there, the doors below were opening. As he reached
into his belt pouch, he heard the door onto the balcony open too,
and spun to see a wispy-bearded man in faded rainbow robes, who
spoke a rumbling, grinding phrase ill-suited to the human voice
and raised his hand. A tangled knot of force that distorted the air
like a flaw in clear glass shot from his hand to strike the assassin,
whose body crackled and grayed as he turned to stone. Whether
he could have known or felt anything as the guards pitched him
over the edge to shatter on the flagstones below is a matter for
philosophers.
Transmuter Threat
Transmuters often make magical attacks that are macabre and
bizarre. The magic originates from the caster, whether emanating
from the eyes, or a bolt of twisting, churning transmutation
magic from an extended hand, or a writhing blast of energy from
a Transmuter’s Staff. Luckily it’s normally possible to dodge or
block alteration magic. Failing to evade such an attack could mean
twisted arms and legs, swollen joints, and distorted bones, causing
muscle or tendon damage, or skin and muscle briefly made so
fragile that they tear and bleed. As with all magical harm effects,
the transmuter may increase the deadliness of attacks, improvising
to add threat points or bypass an Active Defense, shield, or armor.
Chapter 4-1: Magic Spells and Powers | page 51
Few warriors have stood their ground after witnessing their
comrades clash with a transmuter. Some of their most terrifying
spells combine Threat with Status effects: a spell might compress
the ribcage making it hard to breathe (Threat+Slow); cause the
target’s skin to cover the mouth and nose, to suffocate and stop
spellcasting (Threat+Stun effect); shrink armor to constrict, or make
rings into thumbscrews (Threat+Paralyze); turn armor or clothing
into spike-lined death traps (Threat+Slow: save lets victim strip off
spiky gear). If such alterations are instant rather than maintained
(say, a brief ribcage crunch), they count as simple harm effects.
Object Transmutation
NN 4 (Moderate): Morph object. Change size or weight by one
category (see Table 4.3), or alter the color or shape of an item.
Altering clothing or accoutrements in this manner adds 1D4 to
Disguise checks.
NN 8 (Demanding): Shapeshift object. Change an item from one
thing into another, although material remains the same. Size and
weight can be shifted by one category (e.g. change a wooden desk
into a chair).

Transmuter Creature or Object Modification NN 14 (Formidable): Transform object/area. Change hardness,

Creature Shapeshift mass, or state (liquid, solid, or gas) or composition of an object.

Transmute lead into gold. The effect is temporary, and must be
NN 6 (Difficult): Transmute creature. Caster can alter hair and skin
maintained (see alchemist or magic item creation rules for more
color and texture, height, weight, and gender within the norms of
information).
the caster or target species.

Object Change Adjustments

NN 10 or 12 (Demanding or Formidable): Shapeshift self (10) or
other (12), allowing a saving throw if target is resisting. Can change +2 to NN to to affect multiple objects (1 per die rolled).
size (in the range tiny, small, medium); alter type into goblinoid, +4 to NN per extra size or weight category change (per object).
animal, aquatic, or vermin. (Add +4 NN per change in size outside
the given range.) Target gains any racial abilities; height, weight, Note: A set of clothing or armor, or a pile of coins or pebbles,
and gender are under caster control, but must fall within the counts as one object for these effects.
norms for the new form. Equipment held or worn melds into form,
reappearing when the effect ends. Caster can know one form Table 4.3 General categories of sizes and weights
per Speciality die rank, unless new form is improvised, costing a Description Size Weight Animal Object Structural
Willpower point (see Improvisation). (solid/open) HP Range
Miniscule to 5/ 20 to 5 oz Mouse Mug 1
NN 16 or 20 (Extreme or Herculean): Shapeshift self (16) or creature cu in
(24). Can change into giant or even legendary beast, and able to
Tiny to 20/ 300 to 5 lb Rat Breadbox 1–2
alter size to large, huge, even gargantuan. Target gains all physical
cu in
special attacks and Defenses possessed by the form, but does not
Small to 3/ 9 cu ft to 100 lb Goblin Chair 2–5
gain Fortitude or Active Defense bonuses based on size or nature
Medium to 6/ 36 to 300 lb Human Desk 5–10
(see True Polymorph below for that).
cu ft
Note: The base number is for a giant beast; the NN should be harder for
Large to 50/ 500 to 2500 lb Horse Wagon 100
legendary beast forms, say, from +4 for a werewolf to +8 for a ghost to
cu ft
+12 for a dragon (GM’s call).
Huge to 500/ to 25,000 Elephant Cottage 500
5,000 cu ft lb
NN 20 (Herculean): Turn creature to stone or some other hard
Gargantuan to 1000/ to 50,000 Dragon House 1000+
substance, making it helpless until spell is broken. Allows saving
10,000 cu ft lb
throw.

These table categories are rough guidelines; the example objects

NN 36 (Herculean): True Polymorph. A master of shapeshifting can
are ‘open’ in form. The structural hit point range indicates general
transform into any living being from a mouse to a dragon at will,
item robustness, but bringing an object to zero hit points is rarely
shifting up to once per round so long as the spell is maintained.
necessary in order to make it dysfunctional. Breaking something is
Only at this level will the caster assume any percent increases to
not as difficult as reducing it to rubble or powder.
Fortitude based on size or supernatural nature (see Chapter 5,
Game Mastering, and Chapter 6, Bestiary). Ability Roll Bonus or Penalty

This effect modifies the rank of an ability by augmenting or

diminishing the target’s die rolls. Victims of a penalty are affected

page 52 | Chapter 4-1: Magic Spells and Powers

without a saving throw. The recipient of a bonus may be the self or
another creature within range. No diminishment can be applied to
the self (even if an attempt is forced under mind control). Hit points
cannot be augmented or drained directly. However, augmenting
or suppressing an ability can modify the recipient’s threat points,
saving throws, and reaction time. A spell generally names one
ability to augment, though two or more are possible, or even a
select few in an area of effect (all of which would increase the
spell’s Needed Number and maintenance penalty).
NN = 4 × static bonus or penalty affecting single, targeted ability (No
higher than ±6).
+2 to NN per extra ability affected by spell.
+4 to NN to turn the spell into an Area Effect (fog cloud affecting
all Perception rolls, for example).
+8 to NN for a selective Area Effect (all allies, all foes, or all
creatures but one or the other are affected).
Sense Roll Alteration
This effect allows the thaumaturge to alter his own or others’
senses, such as sight and hearing, either enhancing or disabling
them to various degrees.
NN = 2 × static bonus or penalty affecting single, targeted sense. No
higher than ±6. (Debilitate Sense, in Afflictions above, is more severe,
but allows a saving throw.)
–2 to NN if affecting a sense other than sight or hearing (i.e. taste/
smell or sensation).
Die Rank Augmentation
The thaumaturge can increase the die rank of any tier of a target’s
ability branch. Only physical ability branches can be augmented in
this way: Agility, Endurance, Fortitude, and Perception. Altering die
ranks in this way can help with challenge rolls and physical saving
throws, but never increases the target’s normal Defense Pools.
NN = 4 per Die Rank increase, to a maximum of D12.
+4 to NN per +1 static bonus if targeted die rank is already at D12,
up to +6.
A bonus +1 die rank increases the die rolled from a D4 to D6, or a
D8 to D10, etc. These static rank increases can be applied to the
basic skill tier, specialities tier, or masteries tier. Bonuses can be
cumulative for multiple tiers.
Examples: D4 to D6 is NN 4; D8 to D12 is NN 8; D4 to D12 is NN
16. Zero rank to D4 is NN 4 (cannot work at mastery level, which
must be earned).
Die Rank Reduction
The thaumaturge can decrease the die rank of any tier of a target’s
physical ability branches: Agility, Endurance, Fortitude, and Percep-
tion. Suppressing die ranks in this way can hinder challenge rolls,
physical saving throws, battle phase order (or random initiative
rolls), but never decreases the target’s normal Defense Pools.
NN = 4 per Die Rank decrease, down to D4.
+4 to NN per –1 static penalty if targeted die rank is already at D4, up
to –6.
Examples: D6 to D4 is NN 4; D12 to D8 is NN 8; and D12 to D4 is
NN 16.
Weapon Enhancement
The thaumaturge increases or reduces a weapon’s harm or initia-
tive bonus:
NN = 4 × static bonus or penalty affecting single, targeted object. No
higher than ±6.
Object Durability
The thaumaturge increases or reduces an object’s hardness
(thereby increasing or diminishing structural hit points):
NN = 2 per 10% of item’s hit points increased or diminished (e.g. NN =
10 at 50%).
Diminishing an object’s hit points by 100% (NN 20) allows an item
a saving throw (Bronze 3D10, Iron 2D12, Stone 2D10, Brick 2D8,
Wood 2D6), else the object shatters or crumbles. The thauma-
turge’s Alteration → Control branch MV × 2 determines base cubic
feet affected for sizeable wooden objects: base structural HP are
1 per cubic foot of wood, 2 for stone, and 3 for metal. Doors are
medium to large (10 cu ft for a sturdy single door to 50 cubic feet
for large double doors), walls are huge.
Arcanum
At its basic level, Arcanum grants knowledge of general magical
components, rituals, and techniques. With a spellbook, proper
instruction, and careful planning, much is possible, and most
dabblers in the arcane stick to this tier of ability. Arcanum rituals
can be cast normally without formal learning, and may be individu-
ally mastered. More advanced arcanists may specialize in artificing
(magic item creation), curses (hexes of objects and places, vodoun),
Chapter 4-1: Magic Spells and Powers | page 53
potions (alchemy), and wards (sigil magic to fend off evil). At this
point, they start to understand the principles of imbuing materials
with arcane energy. Those who master this ability are generally
known in Ainerêve as Arcanists or Artificers.

Ritual Components
Components are exotic magical ingredients. They could be physical
substances or items (special gemstones, mandrake root, dryad’s
tears, dragon’s scale, gorgon blood, eye of newt) or more fanciful
ones (a maiden’s sigh, scent of thyme, moonlight, distilled dreams,
the strength of thunder). These sorts of details, as with those
involved in preparation and the rituals themselves (inscribe the
scroll using a cockatrice quill, walk widdershins thrice around
the astrolabe in the noonday sun), are left up to the GM. While
such details are mostly there for flavor, they could give rise to
adventures from the need to find rare components.

Artificing Speciality
This is the skill of creating magical weapons, activatable
spell scrolls, and equipment. The other Pillars of Magic allow
thaumaturges to enchant existing weapons and gear, but such
spells are temporary, lasting only so long as actively maintained,
and are often less potent. Use of the Arcanum ability for magic
item creation requires the Artificing speciality. Magic energy is
transferred to the item upon completion of the enchantment ritual,
and stored until activated by a user.

An arcanist working without assistance must have basic knowledge

of the kind of magic he imbues into an item. For instance, no
artificer lacking some proficiency in Fire Magic could enchant a
wand to cast fireballs. The arcanist may work with other thauma-
turges, if he lacks knowledge of a pillar, but if so can only benefit
from the other caster’s expertise to the lower total of his own
Arcanum → Artificing branch rank or that called on by the assisting
caster (e.g. an Elementalist with Fire → Create helping to make a
fire wand). Every magical item effect is assigned dice mirroring its
creator’s proficiency in the Magic Pillar branch or branches used,
including mastery if a specific spell is infused.
For example, a wand of fireballs with Threat 2D8 would need a Fire
Elementalist with at least 1D8 → 1D8, and at least Arcanum D4 →
Artificing D4 to create it by himself.
Artificers require time and components to imbue items with
magical effects, as well as, usually, Talent specialities in handicraft
or smithing (at D4 or above), with masteries in wood carving,
leather crafting, calligraphy, or the like aiding in the ability check.
Artificers may employ expert and master crafters to help them
in talents they lack, working together with them to craft a magic
item. Note that only master arcanists (Arcanum → Artificing branch
page 54 | Chapter 4-1: Magic Spells and Powers
rank of super, 28–36 MV) can craft permanent magic items and
weapons.
Item imbuement time = NN × 15 minutes for every effect included
in the item.
NN to imbue item = combined NN of chosen imbued effects.
Increase zero NN effects to a minimum of 2 for this calculation,
and roll the ability check at the end of imbuement time. Threat
effects depend on the caster’s own harm potential, delivering up
to the maximum dice of Arcanum → Artificing → specific artificing
ritual.
Magic Item Use
Some permanent magic items such as weaponry or armor always
convey their benefits when used, making them very valuable.
Others have short-term effects activated upon command. Every
activatable magic item has energy points, that score determined
by the MV of the Arcanum → Artificing → magic item creation ritual
mastery branch. For instance, if an arcanist had Arcanum D10 →
Artificing D6, and the specified magic item creation ritual mastered
at rank D4, the item would have 20 internal energy points (10 +
6 + 4). The wand of fireballs mentioned above with 2D8 potential
harm would have 16 energy points.
The owner of any magic item can activate it repeatedly, with the
item’s energy point cost as follows: 1 for single effect, 2 for area
effect, 3 for multi-effect single target, 4 for multi-effect multiple
target. Maintainable powers cost the same number of energy
points during each round of continuous use. A non-permanent
magic item brought to –1 or below becomes inert and forever
useless.
Some items are “instant”, one-shot items, and are instantly drained
when used. Potions, and some one-shot magic scrolls and wards,
are of this kind. Instant items never require energy points to
activate. Short-term effect duration, for powers not maintained
by the user, is equal to the item creator's Arcanum rank in minutes
(or 1D8 rounds for Archetypal/Common items, 1D10 rounds for
Esoteric items, and 1D12 for Legendary items).
If a “permanency” ritual has been cast upon an item, it can be
recharged again (see the Artificer Permanency Ritual below). A user
possessing the Arcanum ability, or learned in the Pillars of Magic
used in the item’s creation, may roll an ability check to recharge
the item, starting at NN 2 to recharge 10%. Arcanum → Artificing →
Recharge Magic Item mastery may be used to cut the NN in half.
Recharge magic item: NN = 2 per 10% of item’s charges restored
(e.g. NN = 10 at 50%).
Arcanum’s Magic Defense Pool and focus objects
Arcanum practitioners often use focus objects to activate their
latent magic Defense pool, whether a magic ring, staff, or some
other accoutrement. Such an object is a prop in this case, or a
focus for defensive counterspelling, and need not be enchanted or
specifically attuned (see Magic In Combat, Standard Threat Spells,
Magic Defense Pools).
Permanency Ritual
Making magical things or ritual spells permanent, so that they
never go inert, is possible. This falls under Arcanum → [Artificing,
Curses, Wards] → Permanency for the ability check. The perma-
nency ritual can be used on magic objects with static bonuses (i.e.
+1 to threat points, etc.), on charged items (so that they can be
recharged even if they lose all energy points), magical traps, and
wards. Permanent items work almost like all others, save that they
do not become useless and inert if drained below 0 energy points.
A player who seeks to have his thaumaturge make an item’s regular
effect permanent must consult the following table:
Table 4.4 Difficulty for crafting permanent magical
items or traps
Highest Effect NN, MV Range, Permanency ritual NN
or Modifier (mastery halves)
1–4 or ±1 6
5–9 or ±2 12
10–18 or ±3 18
19–27 or ±4 24
28–36 or ±5 30
So a ritual spell to create a permanent trap with an Obscure effect
of 2D12 (a range of up to 24 points max value) requires an ability
check rolled against a difficulty of 24 (or 12 if mastered). The time
it takes to perform a permanency ritual is the same as the prepara-
tion time of the magic item or effect to be made permanent.
Permanency Transference
A thaumaturge can transfer the permanency bound to an item
to a status effect, causing persistent affliction, but it is costly,
expending half of the item’s energy points. For example, a
Transmuter activates his Wand of Petrifaction and unbinds the
permanency from it in a crackling discharge of power that arcs
to an incapacitated giant, making its stony state permanent (until
dispelled). Only permanent magic items can be used for this, and
the transference can only be done once: the item becomes non-
permanent unless another permanency ritual is cast on it.
Examples:
The sample core artificing rituals below serve as templates for
many types of magic items, though covering mostly the archetypal.
Esoteric and legendary items may combine many effects and be
created by collaborative efforts of masters (see Chapter 5, Game
Mastering, for random magic item tables).
Arcane Weapon Bonus
Description: Adds potential harm to a weapon, up to +6 bonus
Components: Parts to make the weapon, 1000 crowns of precious
metals × bonus
Time to Make: Double time for normal weapon smithing × bonus
Target: One weapon
Effect: +1 to potential harm for the weapon per bonus
Prerequisite: Artificing speciality, skill to make a weapon
NN: 4 to 24 (4 × bonus)
Failure: Weapon is flawed, –1 per attempted bonus, components
wasted.
Chapter 4-1: Magic Spells and Powers | page 55
Gloves of Strength
Description: Increases strength of wielder
Components: 4 gems (2 per glove) worth at least 300 crowns each,
leather to make gloves
Target: One pair of gloves
Effect: Raises Feat of Strength rolls by 1 die rank for every die in
the ability branch.
Usable for lifting & carrying only.
Prerequisite: Artificing speciality, leather crafting
NN: 6
Failure: Item is flawed, gloves offer no bonus, and components
wasted.
Curses Speciality
Curses are spells cast ritually to significantly enhance duration,
avoiding maintenance penalties for the caster. As with other
elements of Arcanum, components are needed to curse the victim.
This speciality also confers knowledge of breaking curses.
Curse creation time = NN in minutes. Thus a NN 6 curse to attract
Undead would require six minutes to inflict, assuming the needed
materials.
NN to finalize accursed totem = Combined NN of all Effects
Examples:
Blight/Murrain
Description: Inflicts disease on either cultivated plants or farm
animals
Components: Hex bag to be buried in field: contains rare herbs,
mummy dust, etc.
Target: One chosen crop or herd
Effect: Causes withering/sickening, fatal to desired extent
Prerequisite: Curses speciality, nasty disposition
NN: 2 per 10% of crop/herd to perish (e.g. NN = 10 at 50%)
Failure: Hex bag is rejected by the soil itself, so no effect. Caster
may be identified, or made subject to own hex, if bag discovered
and taken to knowledgeable thaumaturge.
Malediction
Description: Whoever touches the maledicted totem is cursed and
cannot get rid of it
Components: Any object, usually a trinket or minor treasure;
ethereal glue
Target: First intelligent, living creature to handle object
Effect: Afflicts handler with a penalty to ability checks; item always
turns up
Prerequisite: Curses speciality, a grudge
NN: 6 per –1 to victim’s ability checks
page 56 | Chapter 4-1: Magic Spells and Powers
Failure: The object is not cursed, but the arcanist must make an
ability check versus the original NN to know for sure.
Potions Speciality
This is the specific skill of brewing drinkable potions that could
have a myriad effects. Simple magical effects require easy-to-
obtain components, and minimal time, half an hour at least.
Complex effects are possible, but components can be difficult
to obtain, and brewing times can be hours, days, or more! The
consequence of potions almost always mirror magic spells, thus the
NN to create the potion is equal to the Needed Number for the
desired effect.
NN to finalize potion (rolled at end of brew time) = combined NN
of chosen spell effects.
Brew time = NN × 15 minutes for every effect included in the
potion.
Components: Varies with magic type and effect.
Description: Arcanist imbues a potion with one or more chosen
effects, which must directly affect the imbiber.
Consequence: The imbiber is affected, exactly how depends on
chosen Law of Magic.
Examples:
Potion of Healing
Description: Heals minor injuries and refreshes imbiber
Brew time: 180 minutes
Components: Morning dew, woundwort, incense
Effect: 1D10 restored to Fortitude and 20% to Active Defenses
Prerequisite: Potions speciality
NN: 12
Failure: Potion has no effect.
Potion of Quickness
Description: Speeds up reactions
Brew time: 120 minutes
Components: Hairs from a hare’s scut
Effect: Increases battle phase by 1 or initiative roll by +2
Prerequisite: Potions speciality
NN: 8
Failure: Potion imbiber easily startled instead: –1 to resist fear
effects.
Wards Speciality
Wards are written spells that serve a specific function, used to
protect, summon, or trap. Wards are generally sigils written directly
on an object, room, or less commonly a being. Simple wards are
merely written, carved, or tattooed (for permanency). Creating a
+1 ward vs. demons in a room would require nothing more than
a way to draw the sigil. Complex wards can require components.
For example, creating a ward to summon and trap a demon might
require a circle of sulfur, with yew fronds at the 4 points of the
compass and a powder of human bone in the center.
Ward Inscribe Time = NN in seconds (chalk). Thus a NN 6 sigil to
protect against goblins would require two battle phases to draw,
assuming the needed materials (explained in the ward description).
Wards are often imbued with contingency effects (see Contingency
Spells). Other times they are in an “always on” state, radiating
magical amity or antipathy effects (e.g. through use of status or
modification effects).
NN to activate ward (rolled at end of drawing time) = combined
NN of chosen effects.
Wards can be broken by an Arcanum → Wards → Dispel Magic roll,
opposing the target ward’s NN. The Dispel Magic ritual always has
an NN equal to the force being dispelled, takes an amount of time
equal to the original ritual to complete, and can dismiss any magical
status effect. Dispelling the magic of any actively maintained
spell requires one battle phase in a round, but failing the attempt
imposes a penalty matching the targeted effect’s NN (see Table
4.1).
Examples:
Ward of Minor Protection
Description: Grants the owner or renter of a domicile protection
within its walls
Components: Simply a way to draw the ward
Target: One room
Effect: +1 damage reduction off the top of any harm that attempts
to befall the beneficiary. Also adds +1 to any Defense rolls vs.
magical opposed rolls.
NN: 8
Failure: Ward offers no protection.
Demon Trap
Description: A circle through which a demon can enter but not
leave
Components: Simply a way to draw the ward circle
Target: One area, generally 4 feet in diameter
Effect: Demons cannot exit the trap until the circle is broken,
and the trapped demon is forbidden to break the circle without
a saving throw versus the trap’s NN. A successful saving throw
allows the demon to break the circle in the next round, or 15
seconds.
NN: 6 to 24+ (the NN to set the trap equals the NN for a demon to
break free)
Failure: Ward offers no protection. You don’t want to find that out
too late!
Attunement Sigil [requires Conjuration ability]
Description: A inscribed or painted symbol that attunes the object
to the caster.
Components: Simply a way to draw, engrave, or burn in the sigil
(the Conjurer’s Seal).
Target: One object or creature (such as a dagger or a steed).
Effect: Attuned objects may be called to a conjurer’s hand with
an archetypal teleportation spell. NN: 2 (or zero if not in combat,
given enough time).
Failure: The sigil may be correct, but the attunement fizzled.
The Ritualization of Spells
Those with Arcanum ability can ritualize the spells from other
Pillars of magic in which they are proficient. Ritualized spells do
not incur maintenance penalties, but rather require focus objects,
which must not be broken during the spell’s intended duration. The
amount of time required to perform a ritual is equal to the desired
duration. Therefore, an arcanist conjurer who performs a one-hour
ritual to summon a demon will have that infernal minion available
for one hour before it vanishes. Ritualizing a spell eliminates the
regular maintenance penalty by using a focus object to store the
spell’s energy reserve. Basically, the spell’s maintenance cost is
shifted to an item of transference, even if that item remains distant
from the effect. A properly prepared focus object must incorporate
or be treated with magical components suited to its intended use.
Ritualized spells use the same rules as normal spells for range
and difficulty and Needed Number, with some exceptions. First,
no instantaneous duration spell can be ritualized. Secondly, the
thaumaturge gains a +2 bonus to the casting roll for every extra
ten minutes spent in unbroken ritual casting, up to a maximum
of +6. Third, once successfully cast, an active ritual spell can be
broken in three ways: 1) break the ritual focus object; or 2) an
Arcanum → Wards → Dispel Magic roll, opposing the spell’s NN, or
3) the thaumaturge suffers an attack that penetrates to Fortitude
while performing a renewal ritual. This prompts a Willpower check
opposing the attack roll, with failure causing all maintained magical
powers to fizzle, including that ritual. (However, other ritual spells
still within duration are unaffected, so long as their focus objects
remain safe.)
Permanency and Ritualized Spells
Making a maintained spell effect on a creature permanent is
impractical in normal circumstances. The ritual takes so long to
cast that the creature affected would certainly overcome the magic
before it was completed. Instead, the thaumaturge maintaining
the spell would have to have prepared a scroll or other magic item
Chapter 4-1: Magic Spells and Powers | page 57
to make the effect permanent, and apply it on the spot. The item
used (scroll, powder of permanency bottle) becomes the item of
transference.

Conjuration
Conjuration’s essential Effect is Trigger, which includes summoning
and translocation of creatures and objects, and teleportation.
Those who master this ability are known in Ainerêve as either
Conjurers or Summoners.

Summoning (trigger effect)

This effect allows a thaumaturge to summon creatures from
common beasts to demons and elementals, banish said creatures
to another dimension, forcibly teleport a victim elsewhere, conjure
or dismiss an object, or even open rifts for travel by “summoning”
named places. A basic summon spell calls one specific object,
or one creature type, per round, each incurring separate spell
maintenance penalties. The range is line of sight, up to basic die
MV × 10. The NN can be modified by the size and magical nature
of some creatures, as below. The summoner can banish a monster
under his control without effort. However, if he loses control over a
summoned creature, a battle of wills ensues (relevant Magic Ability
branch versus the monster’s main attack: its highest Threat Dice).
Be wary of speaking with the dead
Summon Creature
NN 20 (Herculean): Legendary creature (See Monster section
The creature materializes at the chosen point of origination (which statistics).
must be safe in itself or the creature gets an immediate special
+2 NN for each rank above D4, applied to all threat dice.
saving throw to break the spell: summoned dice value vs. the
+2 NN per level of Geas, a sub-effect that increases duration
spell roll). After the first round, a summoned creature gets to roll
between saving throws to break servitude. Level 1, a save every
its highest Threat Dice every round versus the caster’s Willpower
two rounds, level 2, every three rounds, up to every 4 rounds,
→ Resistance or relevant Magic Ability branch, whichever the
which is one minute. Longer durations between saving throws
Player Character prefers, to break free of the spell. If the conjured
requires a ritual summoning.
creature wins the contest, it vanishes or may attack the caster
(GM’s discretion).
So summoning a minor creature (1D max) with 1D10 (Threat
Dice 1D10, HP 10) would be NN 8 + 2×3 = 14. Summoning a
NN 0–2 (Easy): Aides, very minor creatures (cat, rat, bat; 1–2
2D8 soldier to do one’s bidding would be NN 12 + 2×2×2 = 20.
potential harm and fortitude).
Rather than calculating each time, see the list of Base NNs below.
NN 8 (Demanding): 1D Minor creatures
Maintenance penalties also increase with the NN of summoned
NN 12 (Formidable): 2D Standard creatures
creatures (see Table 4.1).
NN 14 (Formidable): 3D Exceptional creatures
Base NNs for Summoned Creatures (mastery halves)
NN 16 (Extreme): Full-Fledged creature (See Monster section
statistics).
1D4 (8); 1D6 (10); 1D8 (12); 1D10 (14); 1D12 (16); 1D14 (18);
1D16 (20); 1D18 (22); 1D20 (24)
2D4 (12); 2D6 (16); 2D8 (20); 2D10 (24); 2D12 (28); 2D14 (32);
2D16 (36); 2D18 (40); 2D20 (44)

page 58 | Chapter 4-1: Magic Spells and Powers

 3D4 (14); 3D6 (20); 3D8 (26); 3D10 (32); 3D12 (38); 3D14 (44);
3D16 (50); 3D18 (56); 3D20 (62)
Note that some creatures are impossible to summon improvisa-
tionally without powerful assistive magic. For example, even an
Archmage summoner with a Conjurer’s Staff of +3D12 — good luck
finding one of those without stealing it from a deity! — would be
unlikely to conjure a 3D20 monster without mastery.
Summoned Creature Modifiers
(Factored into spell before mastery.)
Size
+4 NN Large modifier (horse, bear, tiger): ×2 to Fortitude.
+6 NN Huge modifier (elephant, giant squid, wyvern): ×3 to
Fortitude.
+8 NN Gargantuan modifier (dragon, dinosaur, whale): ×4 to
Fortitude.
Nature
+4 NN Magical modifier: ×2 to Active Defense or Fortitude.
+6 NN Preternatural modifier: ×3 to Active Defense or Fortitude.
+8 NN Supernatural modifier: ×4 to Active Defense or Fortitude.
For example, the fabled Blue Wind Tiger has ×2 to fortitude for
large size, another ×3 for preternatural toughness (total ×5), and ×4
to Active Defense for supernatural speed; summoning one would
be at +4+6+8 = +18 to the NN.
Swarm Summoning
A thaumaturge summoner can also choose to cast a swarm
summoning, which conjures multiple very weak creatures, whether
a horde of imps or a swarm of bees. The number of creatures
summoned is equal to the result of the ability check, and each
creature has 1 threat point, 1 hit point, and 0 Active Defense. The
creatures act as one group, with initiative rank equal to the caster’s
spell type speciality. Swarms are always instinct-driven, and while
able to follow simple commands, never possess real intelligence or
significant equipment.
NN = 2. A maintenance penalty kicks in on the second round,
determined by the original ability roll (or half that if mastered).
The summoner can command a swarm or minion horde to attack in
the same round they appear. The spell operates much like a regular
area effect Threat spell, with the swarm attacking as many targets
as it can surround, but unlike such a spell, the swarm damage is
divided among those trapped by the summoned attackers.
That means one defender caught takes the full brunt, but many
take less potential harm, since the attackers are split between
defenders. The maintenance penalty is based on the ability roll
total, rather than the initial Needed Number of 2. For example, a
successful casting roll of 10 (which is 10 swarm creatures; 1 hit
points each; 10 threat points per round) means the MP is based on
an NN of 10 (–3 per round).
Banish Summoned Creature
Banishment requires meeting or exceeding the NN required to
summon the targeted creature. Success means the summoning is
broken and the creature will vanish. Any failed attempt to banish
a summoned creature also allows it an immediate saving throw to
break free of the original summoner’s command. All thaumaturges
know when a summoned creature under their command is subject
to an attempt to banish it.
Ritualized Creature Summoning
Ritual summoning of creatures increases spell duration, and does
not incur maintenance penalties, but rather requires a focus object
which must not be broken during the spell’s intended duration. The
amount of time required to perform a ritual is equal to its desired
duration. The summoned creature can attempt to break free after
each multiple of that duration (creature rolls its highest Threat
Die rank versus thaumaturge’s Willpower → Resistance or relevant
Magic Ability branch, as the player prefers). Therefore, a ritual
requiring two rounds to summon a goblin lets the goblin attempt
escape after every two rounds (so it could be free on the third).
However, the conjured creature becomes a permanent resident
of the summoner’s settled land if it remains controlled for three
months. After that, the creature may attempt to break free of the
spell once a year, or if forced into suicidal actions. If successful, the
creature may attack or return to its home plane, or wander at will.
Summon Object
Objects conjured for entertainment, like a colorful explosion of
flowers, or small harmless items, are handled via cantrips. These
and other conjured objects are not illusory; each will have the
expected mass and weight, and possess structural hit points in
that general range (GM decides; see Table 4.3 for a guide). Such
creation is not ex nihilo, instead pulling an object from near or far
(even if whereabouts are unknown). Summoned objects materialize
where desired within allowable range, if the space is free of any
creature or solid object.
They remain so long as the spell is maintained. These objects will
be more or less as envisioned, e.g. lamps will be lit and filled with
oil if so desired. The summoned objects effect can also be used as
Chapter 4-1: Magic Spells and Powers | page 59
a means of attack, within limits, say by dropping an anvil out of the
sky (see Conjured Items as Hazards, below).
The object is normally one of the following: one piece of regular
armor, a weapon, a container, tool, wheeled vehicle, or mount, a
plant, money (copper, silver, gold, platinum, mithral, adamantium,
gems), one ration, or clothes. Objects must be mundane in nature
and common to the experiences of the average adventurer.
Ignorance of how an item works does not hinder the effectiveness
of a conjuration spell. For example, if someone conjures a padlock,
it will work (so long as he conjures a key to accompany it). He does
not need to be a locksmith to do this.
Of course, this leads to interesting questions; how hard would the
lock be to pick? What if he wants to create a silver dagger rather
than one made of steel? How heavy is a conjured boulder? How
much money can a conjurer create out of thin air? These sorts of
questions are answerable with impromptu GM arbitration, but
there are general, standardized parameters (as for Table 4.3):
NN 2 (Easy): miniscule, hold in palm of hand, up to 5 oz, e.g. ring,
mug
NN 4 (Moderate): tiny, hold in one hand, up to 5 lb, e.g. coconut,
breadbox
NN 6 (Difficult): small, hold in two hands, up to 50 lb, e.g. saddle,
chair
NN 8 (Demanding): medium, lift with effort, up to 300 lb, e.g. anvil,
desk
NN 12 (Formidable): large, can’t lift, up to 2500 lb, e.g. 3 ft boulder,
wagon
NN 16 (Extreme): huge, up to 25,000 lb, e.g. 6 ft boulder, siege
engine
NN 20 (Herculean): gargantuan, up to 50,000 lb, e.g. 8 ft boulder,
small ship
+1 NN Per 50 crowns’ worth of precious metal, gems, etc.
+2 NN Set of related objects (set of clothing or armor, bag of coins)
+4 NN Complex object; moving parts, gears, etc.
+2 NN Per 10 feet above the target (for objects to drop in attack.
Example Object Summoning: The party watched the darkness where
the circling wolves’ eyes glowed redly, reflecting the flames of
the campfire that held them at bay. Suddenly, the campfire disap-
peared! “Oh crap!” said the wizard. “Another bloody conjurer who
can’t be bothered collecting his own firewood!”
Conjured Items as Hazards
A conjured item can be dangerous if made to fall from the sky, or
materialize where it will roll, slide, or tumble onto some hapless
creature. Generally, such spell use can be treated like a standard
page 60 | Chapter 4-1: Magic Spells and Powers
conjuration attack spell, with damage determined by the ability roll.
Optionally, use the hazard rules for more detail, basing NN on size,
increased by the object’s height above the target (as above); threat
points per 10 feet fallen are: small 6, medium 8, large 12, huge 16,
gargantuan 24. Agility Defense pool is allowed, before depleting
Fortitude. Indirect attacks (rolling boulders, toppling doors) do less
damage than direct drops but are harder to avoid, so threat points
stay the same. Unlike hazards, this allows no saving throw.
Ritualized Object Summoning
Items conjured by ritual do not incur maintenance penalties,
but rather becomes the spell’s focus objects, and will remain in
existence for the spell’s duration.
A tiny or bigger object requires one round to cast per 4 NN points
(round up).
The preparation time used in the ritual determines the frequency
of the conjuration’s renewal requirement. If the thaumaturge
spends two rounds to conjure a small wagon, then he must
perform the ritual every third round.
Teleportation (trigger effect)
Teleportation is like summoning, but usually involves the thau-
maturge sending himself, other creatures, or objects somewhere
else. The place to which creatures or objects are sent must be in
sight, or have been visited before, or have been studied extensively
in books and accurately envisioned. Successful teleportation to a
place inaccurately envisioned may result in going astray by 2D6
miles, but perhaps 1 mile closer to the mark per margin of success
(see Chapter 2, Degrees of Success). Teleporting to the wrong place
is immediately intuited if the thaumaturgist has visited the place
before.
There is also the option to teleport the unwilling to unsafe
locations, near or far: this allows saving throws. Creatures
teleported away against their will are permitted an opposed roll
every round of the encounter in an attempt to break the spell’s
power. Success means the banishment is ended, and the one
affected returns to the very spot occupied before he was whisked
away by magic. Failure to save means the creature remains stuck,
and the next save is at a penalty of –2, and so on until there’s no
escape. If a saving throw becomes impossible, the spell no longer
needs to be maintained and the affected creature remains where it
was sent.
NN 8 (Demanding): Teleportation of self or another who is willing,
or small objects only short distances (distance traveled is default
range: up to 10 × basic tier MV in feet).
NN 12 (Formidable): Teleportation of creatures (including self) or up
to medium-sized objects, up to base ability MV in number, up to a
number of miles equalling the branch MV. One ability roll covers all
affected.
NN 16 (Extreme): Actual personal travel to other planes of
existence for self and other willing creatures, including carried
objects, up to base ability MV in number. Unwilling creatures get
a saving throw each round (with an increasing penalty), and the
must be maintained until the affected cannot possibly win an
opposed roll.
Teleport Attuned Items
A thaumaturge can summon a unique existing item to his hands
if he has owned it for at least one lunar cycle, and has carved his
personal sigil into it. The distance determines NN according to the
teleportation (not summoning) rules. Attuned objects can include
branded horses and wagons engraved with the sigil (using Arcanum
→ Wards → Attunement Sigil), allowing for mass teleportation of
traveling parties. Attuned items stay once summoned.
Elementalism
Elementalism’s most characteristic effects are Afflict, Threat,
Protection, and Trigger. Its spells tap into the primordial spheres
of air, earth, fire, water and aether. Those who master this ability
are known generally in Ainerêve as Elemental Mages (albeit some
identify as Fire Mages, Earth Mages, Aether (Spirit) Mages, and so
on, depending on the focus of their spell repertoires).
Afflict; Elemental Status Effects
Slow: Two brigands burst out of the trees, ambushing a hooded
woman traveling by wagon with one companion. Both travelers
seem unarmed and unarmored: easy prey. The woman turns to
face her ambushers, unperturbed, and raises her hands as if lifting
something in pantomime. “Not so fast fellas!” she says, her eyes
flashing like sapphires. The earth trembles and becomes unsteady,
slowing the charging ambushers. She then nods to her companion,
who reins in the the horse and wagon, stands while grabbing a
crossbow from his seat, and kills both thieves.
Knock Prone: The elementalist smiles wryly at the charging knight
on horseback, points his scepter of cold at the verdant ground, and
makes a brief incantation: ice forms and causes both attacker and
mount to fall and slide ignobly past.
Stun: The Master of Winds is attacked by a line of archers, all
standing side by side. First he bats all arrows away with a gust of
wind, then with gesture and word of will, whips up a great wind,
tossing the archers against the battlement walls, stunning them all.
Paralyze: The wycche, well studied in matters of energy and spirit,
sits in her library, reading over an ancient tome, when the door
bursts open. Armed zombies shamble in, swords drawn. A cloaked
invoker steps in behind, saying, “You will be granting your library to
my priesthood.” The good witch shakes her head and says, “Then
you alone will have to take them,” and speaks a word of power
shakes the building. The necromancer gasps as his battalion of
zombie soldiers freeze in place, their unholy life-force suspended.
Incapacitate: The goblins believed the man was probably dead.
They scuttled toward their pit trap, anticipating loot and and man
flesh, but as soon as they approached, their quarry rose out of the
pit, propelled upward by jets of flame from his hands and feet.
Then he dropped to the floor, and with a sweeping motion, filled
the air with asphyxiating smoke. The goblins realized too late they
were the ones trapped, not he, and each dropped to the ground,
unconscious…
Threat; Elemental Combat Magic
Elemental spells constitute some of the most destructive spells
known: a fireball exploding over a multitude of foes; a lightning
bolt cooking a single creature; a blinding rain to thwart attacks;
a spear of ice forming out the fog, a blast of wind tossing foes
backward, or a mighty rending of earth and stone itself. The
Elementalism ability, like every pillar of occult knowledge, converts
to a limited Defense Pool used to thwart magical attacks (see
Magic in Combat section and the Master Spell List). However, this
is not the same as immunity.
Elemental Protection
Elemental Immunities
Some mythical creatures, especially if of a primordial nature, have
immunity to one of the four elements. For instance, Fire, Earth,
Water, and Air elementals, or mages transformed into an elemental
form, cannot be harmed by the elements of which they are
composed. Incorporeal undead like ghosts are immune to Energy
attacks, since they exist as (spiritual) energy, the ‘fifth essence’.
Zombies other corporeal undead are harmed by Energy attack
spells, which weaken their vessels of flesh and bone.
Vulnerabilities
Some spells naturally exploit a creature’s vulnerabilities. For
example, fire magic may double the threat points against a golem
made of ice. Electricity may bypass metal armor, and even reverse
a metal shield’s damage reduction bonus, damaging its owner. Situ-
ations that justify such effects are common to fantasy games, and
are left to the GM to adjudicate (see Improvisational Magic).
Chapter 4-1: Magic Spells and Powers | page 61

Illusion
Illusion’s essential Effects are Afflict, Threat, and Modify (to alter
perception). Its spells modify the appearance of reality, triggering
effects that deceive or afflict creatures’ minds. Those who master
this ability are known in Ainerêve as Illusionists or Dreamweavers.
Potential harm is usually indirect, as with an adventurer falling into
a pit disguised with an illusory rug. The permutations of illusion are
too numerous to list; see the Master Spell List for starting points.
Afflict; Illusion Status Effects
Distract: The gate guard sees the shadow of a man in the trees
ahead. He doesn’t see the illusionist rogue hiding in the shadows,
nor does he see through the lurker’s shadow puppet ruse. As he
moves forward to investigate, the rogue lunges at his back, dagger
drawn — the moving shadow vanishes, but the guard’s imminent
misfortune is no illusion.
Stun: The barbarian steps over his now vanquished foe: a scrawny,
cloaked woman who dared challenge his manhood and battle
prowess. She mutters something; he’s curious. The giant warrior
leans down to hear the woman’s whispered words: “I’ve beaten
you, do you not see?” she coughs out the words between gasps.
“You are disarmed,” she intones. The barbarian doesn’t comprehend
her audacity, but respects it. Clearly she’s earned a coup de grâce.
“You die now,” he promises. She responds, “Not without arms…” He
glances at his battle axe — but doesn’t see it. Nor his own hand or
arm. In fact, his limbs appear to be missing…
Threat; Illusionist Attacks
A non-physical attack using illusion is possible, the threat points
generated by the branch roll (Illusion → Create → Illusory Attack),
only reducing Willpower DP, no matter which active Defense the
defender player believes the character to have chosen! In other
words, one subjected to an illusory attack may think he parried,
blocked, or dodged, but in fact only lost points from Willpower DP.
page 62 | Chapter 4-1: Magic Spells and Powers
The character will be duped by the spell, until a successful saving
throw is made (allowed once per round versus one illusory source
of magic, not per attack). The Game Master is under no obligation
to reveal this fact to players until after a successful saving throw
is made. Luckily, illusion threat points are also non-lethal, meaning
that although such an attack can knock out an opponent, it cannot
reduce Fortitude below zero as does physical damage.
Invocation
The prime effects of Invocation are Afflict, Threat, Boon, Protect,
and Restore. Those who master this ability are variously known in
Ainerêve as theurgists, witches, druids, necromancers, sorcerers,
and shamans: all of these types are Invokers. Each path calls upon
good or evil forces to channel magic.
Invocational Afflictions
Confuse: A murder of crows circles the adventurers in maddening
patterns, their squawks and wings confusing their senses, and
obscuring the druid who steps out of a nearby tree trunk, his skin
like bark, with eyes reflecting the fury of nature…
Distract: The room’s temperature drops precipitously; the walls
ooze some alien black substance from between the cracks.
Debilitate Sense: A hideous sorcerer, cornered at a dead end of a
dungeon corridor, intones demonic words of power, thus producing
a jet of ink-like substance, completely blinding those who pursue in
hopes of his capture.
Knock Prone: A priest gains the upper hand against a group of
subterranean monsters with a single word of celestial command,
causing a burst of concussive force. Most fall to the ground,
howling in pain.
Incapacitate: The druid seems small, old, tired, but unperturbed.
The bandits are emboldened, and draw their weapons, advancing
into the copse of trees where he sits in the shade. “You dare accost
me in this fertile glen?”, says the druid. He expects no response.
The surrounding tree limbs reach down and seize each of his
attackers, squeezing them until unconscious, holding them aloft
like prey caught in a web of bark.
Slow: The theurgist creates a temporary sense of numinous terror
that delays target’s action.
Stun: The sorcerer causes slimy tentacles to burst from the floor
and hold all targets in the area of effect. Or, an invisible phantom
holds the target in a ghostly vice-like grip.
Paralyze: A necromancer summons unhallowed energies, or a cleric
evokes the power of his deity, to knock his victim unconscious,
or just freeze the target into a state of total inaction, the effect
accompanied perhaps by brimstone upon heated wind, or a
dramatic thunderclap.
Possess Spirit: A sorcerer summons a demon, or a theurgist
summons an angelic being, to possess the target creature, thereby
controlling physical action. Alternatively, a priest controls a
creature’s body through the power temporarily granted by a god.
Terrorize: A sorcerer draws upon infernal energies to inculcate a
feeling of fear and despair, or a theurgist invokes the awesome
avatar of her god. The afflicted feels that running is the only
option…
Invocational Boon (or, reversed, Malediction)
Invokers may grant boons in the form of new, temporary abilities,
powers, or some magical facility allowing for faster travel, greater
luck, and so on. They may also inflict maledictions, using status
effects, or curse their enemies. Invocational boons and maledic-
tions that affect ability cannot match the power of alteration spells,
but may seem similar to the unlearned.
NN 12 (Formidable): Communication between planes of existence
(such as astral plane, elemental planes, demonic dimensions, or
divine planes).
NN 20 (Herculean): Can attempt direct communication with gods,
demigods, and so on. Not without its risks.
Invocational Threat
Standard Threat spells using invocational magic are always
non-physical, blasting enemies with pure enervative energy (NN
8). Other attack forms require more diverse abilities. Even the
gods are beholden to the Laws of Magic; supernatural beings
understand they cannot grant knowledge of any Pillar of Magic
vicariously to their worshippers, supplicants, and minions. For
example, a god of fire expects his priests to study Elementalism
assiduously and learn fire spells.
A standard, single-target enervation attack resembles a whip or
tendril of black light, a streak in space darker than pitch black, or
an area-effect dark flash of the same qualities, accompanied by
a strange implosion-like sound. It is possible to evade the effect
(Agility DP), but it bypasses non-magical armor and shields.

Invocational Restoration
Benediction or Malediction: NN = 2 × bonus or penalty to all
Restoring means to heal, mend, or imbue with vitality in some way,
saving throws, no higher than ±6.
whether treating injuries, curing disease, countering poison, or
revitalization to the extent of raising the dead.
Modify Ability or Die Rank: NN = 4 × static bonus or penalty
affecting single, targeted ability, no higher than ±3.
Restore Active Defense

Active Defenses (Agility, Melee Weapons, Unarmed Combat,

Movement Benedictions
Willpower, or Magic DPs) all replenish fully after a brief rest,
NN 8 (Demanding): Negate penalties to ability checks based on bad
therefore spells that restore them are used in the midst of combat,
weather conditions.
and are most useful in extended battles.
NN 10 (Demanding): Negate penalties due to bad weather, and
damage per round due to terrible heat or cold (Death Valley or
NN 8 (Demanding): All of recipient’s Active Defense pools restored
Arctic conditions).
by amount rolled.
NN 12 (Formidable): Increase overland movement rate, ignoring
NN 16 (Extreme): All of recipient’s Active Defense pools restored by
terrain difficulties. The individual or party moves with preternatural
MV of spell ability branch.
speed and ease.
NN 20 (Herculean): All of recipient’s Active Defense pools fully
NN 14 (Formidable): Grant the ability to survive in planes and
restored.
dimensions totally hostile to living creatures. (Note that only the
+1 to NN per additional Active Defense pool (affecting any number
greatest of sages understand that all such places remain within the
of visible targets, but once a target is chosen, DPs are affected, and
bounds of Ainerêve.)
the NN increased accordingly).

Communication Benedictions
Restore Fortitude
NN 8 (Demanding): Speak/read non-human or supernatural
NN 12 (Formidable): Fortitude is restored by amount rolled.
language, e.g. speak to ghosts, spirits, or animals (specify which),
NN 16 (Extreme): Fortitude is restored by amount equal to MV of
the dead (questioning a recently deceased), and the like; responses
spell’s ability branch.
if any are liable to be cryptic.
NN 20 (Herculean): Fortitude is fully restored.
NN 10 (Demanding): Divination and augury allowing direct, less
cryptic answers from channeled beings. Able to navigate Unsettled
Lands (areas subject to magical flux: see Chapter 7, Ainerêve). Chapter 4-1: Magic Spells and Powers | page 63

Spiritual & Physical Revitalization
NN 36 (Herculean): Raise the dead (only a master can do this:
branch rank of super, 28–36 MV).
Cure Affliction
NN of opposed roll = strength of poison, disease, or condition to
cure (determined either by status effect NN or by challenge roll
specified in trap, ward, hex, or cursed magic item description).
Psychogenics
The essential effects of Psychogenics are Afflict, Boon, Threat, and
Protect. Those who master this ability are known in Ainerêve as
The Odic Brotherhood: their psychic powers manipulate mind and
matter through katas of gesture, word, and will.
Afflict; Examples of Psychogenic Status Effects
Confuse: A psychic prevents harm to himself by dominating the
mind of a soldier, warping his thoughts. Now the soldier stands
confused before the strange man he was about to attack, suddenly
recognizing him as a dear friend.
Control Body or Mind: A psychic controls a target’s actions by
dominating his mind. A vampire commands his victim to walk
toward him, despite her fear.
Distract: The target’s mind is clouded, as a psychic attack befuddles
him with shadows that reduce his Initiative.
Incapacitate: A mentalist infiltrates the mind of his victim and
forces her into deep, dreamless sleep. Alternatively, a psychic
shoves a target into a wall with a shaped blast of telekinetic force,
knocking her unconscious.
Knock Prone: A caravan of merchants reaches a bridge spanning
a chasm, and halts before a large troll. The troll steps forward,
demanding coin. The caravan’s leader, a psi master, raises his hand,
revealing the tattoo of the Odic Brotherhood. “Aren’t you supposed
to be under the bridge?” he mocks. Then, “Let me pass”. The Troll
glowers, takes one thundering, threatening step forward. The psi
master sighs, weary of the annoyance. Suddenly, violently, the
troll is pushed off the precipice by an invisible force, and howls in
astonishment as it plummets to its death.
Paralyze: The shaman prepares to point the bone at the explorers,
but the psychic stares into his eyes, and says “Thou art chained.”
The mesmeric mental force causes the shaman to believe that
heavy chains manacle him at every point, pinning him to the
ground, preventing any movement or action. His tribe stares
page 64 | Chapter 4-1: Magic Spells and Powers
amazed as he stands there, twitching.
Slow: The thief bumps against the young noble, relieving him of his
purse, but when the psychic attending the noble makes a gesture,
suddenly realizes that he is old and crippled, unable to move or
react with the speed he once had. He totters towards the inn door,
but is easily caught.
Stun: A psychic blast disorients the target, causing vertigo and
nausea for one round. Or, a psychokinetic attack lifts all targets off
the ground and slams them back to the earth.
Threat; Psychogenic Attacks
Standard psychogenic Threat spells can take two forms; telekinesis
or psychic energy. Telekinesis is a standard Threat spell, hurling
objects like missiles (NN zero). Psychic energy attacks (NN 8) use
non-physical harm (see Magic in Combat), draining Willpower DP
first, Fortitude after, bypassing non-magical armor and shield. A
standard psychic attack causes a visible distortion in the air, either
in a straight line to the target or in the area of effect, accompanied
by temporary tinnitus. It is thus possible to evade (Agility DP).
However, the psychic can launch a pure psychic attack, which
is silent and invisible, bypassing Agility as well (at +8 to the NN
after mastery calculations). Doing this in conjunction with the
Inconspicuous Caster advantage is deadly effective for assassins.
Note: There is some overlap between psychogenic powers and the
magic of other pillars. Pyrokinesis has been observed in the world
of Ainerêve, and appears like elemental fire. But thaumaturges
know it’s unwise for a psychic to use such a power while chal-
lenging an Elementalist, who’s able to snuff out a pyrokinetic fire as
a 2 NN cantrip. Adding insult to injury, elementalists can suppress
a psychic’s pyrokinesis attempts with an opposed roll of Energy
(elemental) versus Psychogenic and a –1 maintenance penalty.
A similar problem exists for psychics who use apportation; their
power can be easily thwarted or suppressed by a conjurer. A
notable exception to one pillar’s magic trumping another is teleki-
nesis. Both Psychogenic and Elementalism (Energy) telekinesis
manipulate the physical world, but the power sources are different,
being respectively psyche and spiritual force, which are intertwined
but not identical.
Psychogenic Protection
Psychogenic Shield Spells
NN = 6 × static damage reduction bonus. Maximum +6 DR.
Shield spells reduce potential harm, even before the defender
chooses an Active Defense form. Unlike regular shields or parrying
weapons, magic shielding works even when the protected recipi-
ent’s Active Defenses are exhausted.
Boon; Sense-Based Psychogenic Powers NN 16 (Extreme): Clairvoyance extending to other planes.

NN 6 (Difficult): Telepathy to read surface thoughts (must know

language, and cannot read the mind of target), or sense emotions

NN 10 (Demanding): Clairvoyance over long distances. Anywhere

known or obvious (such as behind a wall) conveys the desired view.
For long-distance scrying, use the rules for teleportation to find
what is seen — although a few castings can generally zero in on the
target.

Chapter 4-1: Magic Spells and Powers | page 65

Master Spell List effect on a subject and extends it with a successful Jinx spell of NN
16 so it lasts a day, he can then give commands and retreat to his
hideout, using clairvoyance to watch how it goes. However, jinxing
General a maintained spell allows one to be “tracked” by skilled conjurers,
who specialize in translocation and can sense the magical thread of
the jinx, possibly allowing teleportation to the caster’s location.
Dispel Effect
Ability: All Pillars (Aether) → Control Alteration: Chaos Sphere
NN: 2
Description [Inst / Special]: Eliminates a maintained, non-
Animal Transformation
permanent magic effect.
Ability: Alteration (Chaos) → Change
Consequence [Trigger / ST special]: This spell has many variations,
NN: 10
one version per Pillar, and per effect (Afflict, Boon, etc.) dispelled.
Description [M / Self]: The thaumaturge takes on the form of a
Dispel Effect cannot undo or reverse instant spells like firebolts.
chosen animal.
The effect dispelled must be in the same pillar or it won’t work, and
Consequence [Modify / ST none]: Can know one animal form
that may require identification first.
per basic die rank. Can change size in the range of tiny, small,
or medium. The caster assumes the animal’s height and weight
After beating the NN, the caster’s roll must also exceed challenge
(gender is under caster control).
dice based either on the original caster’s roll (if known), or on spell
rarity: Cantrip D4; Archetypal 2D8; Esoteric 2D10; Legendary
Equipment held or worn melds into form, reappearing when the
3D12. Often used to dispel magical barriers, such as shields, walls,
effect ends. Abilities are adjusted (see Alteration’s Modify effect
and armor.
guidelines): Fortitude will remain unchanged, but other abilities,
armor and shielding, and possible Agility and Melee bonuses can
Identify Magic
be affected (GM fiat).
Ability: All Pillars (Aether) → Sense
NN: 2
Blindness
Description [M / Self]: Can detect and identify magic emanations.
Ability: Alteration (Chaos) → Change
Consequence [Boon / ST none]: The NN starts at 2, and the
NN: 14
higher the roll, the better the result. A roll above 2 detects magic
Description [M / Creature]: Disrupts the sense of sight.
if present somewhere near. A roll above 4 detects the general
Consequence [Afflict-Debilitate Sense / ST Willpower]: Perception
direction of magic emanations (can feel strength and if near or far).
checks using sight automatically fail (at GM’s discretion, compen-
Above 8 reveals the precise strength and location of magic effects.
sating for the loss, e.g. by relying on hearing, may allow a roll with a
–12 penalty).
Above 10 also identifies the specific pillar associated with the
effect; above 12 also detects magic type (speciality). Rolling above
Claw Growth
16 also identifies a specific thaumaturge’s spell signature (even
Ability: Alteration (Chaos) → Change
if that caster is unknown), and above 20 also detects triggers on
NN: 4
contingency spells as well as traps with magic detection shielding.
Description [M / Creature]: Recipient grows sharp, animal-like
claws.
Jinx
Consequence [Modify / ST none]: Unarmed attacks gain +1 to
Ability: All Pillars (Aether) → Change
threat points.
NN: 8 or 16
Description [Inst / Creature]: Extends any Affliction spell’s period
Deafness
between saves from a round to an hour (NN 8) or a day (NN 16),
Ability: Alteration (Chaos) → Change
with failure of the Jinx negating the original spell.
NN: 14
Consequence [Afflict-variant / ST special]: A jinx makes a status
Description [M / Creature]: Disrupts the sense of hearing.
effect (stun, distract, mind control, etc.) more dangerous by
Consequence [Afflict-Debilitate Sense / ST Willpower]: Percep-
increasing the time between Saving Throws after the first. The
tion checks using hearing automatically fail (at GM’s discretion,
original spell’s maintenance penalty is active for the duration, and
the thaumaturge does not need to remain within sight or nearby
to maintain it. For example, if a thaumaturge casts a “mind control”

page 66 | Chapter 4-2: Master Spell List

compensating for the loss, e.g. by lip-reading, may allow a roll with Consequence [Afflict-Incapacite / ST Willpower]: Turn creature
a –12 penalty). to stone or some other hard substance, rendering it helpless until
spell is broken or saving throw made.
Ears of the Bat
Ability: Alteration (Chaos) → Sense Savorless
NN: 4 × bonus Ability: Alteration (Chaos) → Change
Description [M / Creature]: Perception boost to the sense of NN: 2
hearing. Description [M / Creature]: Disrupt perception of taste and smell.
Consequence [Modify / ST n/a]: Add +1 to 6 bonus to perception Consequence [Modify / ST none]: Can not roll for perception
rolls involving hearing. with these senses (at GM’s discretion, compensating for the loss,
e.g. a dog tracking by sight not scent, may allow a roll with a –12
Eyes of the Eagle penalty).
Ability: Alteration (Chaos) → Sense
NN: 4 × bonus Strengthen Creature
Description [M / Creature]: Perception boost to the sense of sight. Ability: Alteration (Chaos) → Change
Consequence [Modify / ST n/a]: Add +1 to 6 bonus to perception NN: 4 × bonus
rolls involving sight. Description [M / Creature]: Boosts the threat points of the
recipient by strengthening muscle.
Lighten Consequence [Modify / ST n/a]: Adds 1 to 6 threat points to all
Ability: Alteration (Chaos) → Change physical attacks.
NN: 2
Description [M / Object]: Reduce the weight of an object or Warp Strike
individual. Ability: Alteration (Chaos) → Create
Consequence [Modify / ST none for object or Willpower for NN: 0
creature]: Reduction to half is an easy, to a quarter is demanding, Description [Inst / Creature]: A transmuter’s standard attack. A bolt
and to weightlessness is extreme (for maintenance purposes). of twisting, churning magic shoots from an extended hand, or a
writhing blast of energy emanates from the eyes.
Monster Form Consequence [Threat / ST none] The spell causes standard physical
Ability: Alteration (Chaos) → Change harm, and can be blocked with a shield, avoided with active
NN: 14 Defenses, or absorbed harmlessly by armor. Damage could be via
Description [M / Self]: Take on a fully monstrous form. twisted arms and legs, swollen joints, distorted bones, or tendons,
Consequence [Modify / ST n/a]: Creature form has a shield value skin, or muscle briefly made so fragile that they pull, tear, or bleed.
of 1, D4 armor, and +1 to potential harm and perception rolls.
Transmuter may use ability branch of this spell to cause harm, Weaken Creature
which includes a ranged attack (player’s choice as to form of the Ability: Alteration (Chaos) → Change
attack). NN: 4 × penalty
Description [M / Creature]: The transmuter alters the target
Nose of the Wolf creature so that its muscles are weakened, lowering its potential
Ability: Alteration (Chaos) → Sense harm with any physical strike.
NN: 2 × bonus Consequence [Modify / ST none]: Target creature weakened,
Description [M / Creature]: Perception boost to sense of smell (and lowering ability checks and/or threat points from any physical
taste). attack or feat of strength by 1 to 6.
Consequence [Modify / ST none]: Add +1 to 6 bonus to perception
rolls involving scent. Weaken Object
Ability: Alteration (Chaos) → Control
Petrify NN: 2 per 10% of item’s hit points decreased
Ability: Alteration (Chaos) → Change Description [M / Creature]: Cause an object to become frail. Can
NN: 24 be ritualized and combined with a permanency effect.
Description [M / Creature]: Immobilize: a dreaded spell to turn Consequence [Modify / ST special]: Items brought to zero hit
someone to stone. points must beat an item Saving Throw (Steel 3D12, Bronze 3D10,
Iron 2D12, Stone 2D10, Brick 2D8, Wood 2D6), or crumble.

Chapter 4-2: Master Spell List | page 67

Alteration: Order Sphere
Fortify Object
Ability: Alteration (Order) → Control
NN: 2 per 10% of item’s hit points increased
Description [M / Object]: Make an object harder to break.
Consequence [Modify / ST n/a]: Increases an item’s structural hit
points.
Magic Ride
Ability: Alteration (Order) → Control
NN: 4
Description [M / Object]: Can add the power of flight to an object.
Consequence [Boon / ST n/a]: Object can be ridden as long as the
spell is maintained: carpets and brooms seem especially popular.
Movement rate is the caster’s sprinting speed (see Chapter 2,
Agility).
Conjuration: Dimension Sphere
Armor of Ages
Ability: Conjuration (Dimension) → Create
NN: 4 to 12 (MV of armor die)
Description [M / Creature]: Can conjure armor for the caster or a
companion.
Consequence [Protection / ST n/a]: Acts as normal armor with a
die value of the caster’s choosing (D4 to D12), this determining
armor type or some less common equivalent. Rolling over an 8
allows the conjurer to make the armor instantly donned with
proper fit. Otherwise, proper fit is assumed, but the armor must be
donned, taking a round.
Conjure Weapon
Ability: Conjuration (Dimension) → Create
NN: 2
Description [M / Special]: Can conjure a basic weapon of any
variety.
Consequence [Trigger / ST n/a]: Weapon has the stats typical of
a normal weapon of that type. A roll over 4 allows the weapon
to be instantly wielded by the spell’s recipient. Otherwise, the
weapon must be readied, taking a round. Wielder does not need to
maintain contact to keep the weapon in this plane.
Disruption Beam
Ability: Conjuration (Dimension) → Control
NN: 14
Description [Inst / Creature]: The beam molecularly deconstructs
and reassembles the target in the blink of an eye.
Consequence [Multi-Effect / ST None]: This spell causes potential
harm with any roll over 2. If the roll is over 12 and any threat points
penetrate to Fortitude, it triggers instant incapacitation without
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a saving throw owing to disruption of the nervous system. The
victim flickers in and out of existence in a state of agony for 1D2
rounds. Inanimate objects are unharmed by the disruption beam,
only shimmering momentarily. Shields, active Defenses, and armor
apply.
Flux Bolt
Ability: Conjuration (Dimension) → Create
NN: 0
Description [Inst / Creature]: A conjurer’s standard attack. A
strange, bright beam of dimensional energy causing rapid oscil-
lation betwixt the settled lands and the 4th dimension, causing
damage to living creatures, but having no notable effect on objects.
Consequence [Threat / ST none]: The beam causes standard
physical harm, and can be blocked with a shield, avoided with
active Defenses, or absorbed harmlessly by armor.
Object Space
Ability: Conjuration (Dimension) → Change
NN: 8
Description [M / Special]: Ability to access an extradimensional
area for holding items.
Consequence [Boon / ST n/a]: The size of the space accessed is
roughly the Basic die rank MV in cubic feet. Objects in the sub
dimension will remain there until removed, and do not age, rot, or
deteriorate. If the spell is not maintained, the item is inaccessible
until the spell is recast. The space is incompatible with living
matter, so any attempt to teleport creatures into it will fizzle. (A
thaumaturge could conceivably open another’s object space, by
extracting the attunement knowledge with a psychogenic spell,
and then using this spell at double the NN.)
Summon Trinket
Ability: Conjuration (Dimension) → Control
NN: 0
Description [M / Object]: Can pluck a small object from thin air.
Consequence [Cantrip / ST n/a]: Object must be able to be held
in the palm of the hand, less than 5 oz, and not complex (no swiss
watches, guns, or computers).
Teleport Self
Ability: Conjuration (Dimension) → Change
NN: 10
Description [Inst / Self]: Translocate oneself, including any objects
on one’s person.
Consequence [Trigger / ST n/a]: Distance traveled by caster and
all worn or carried is up to 10 x basic tier MV in feet within line
of sight. Teleportation can be used defensively in conjunction
with the Conjuration D-Pool (and only that). If an enemy’s attack
fails to penetrate the caster’s Conjuration D-Pool, then the caster
can make a challenge roll of Conjure → Change → Teleport Self vs.
both the NN of the spell and the NN of the attacker’s roll. If both
are successful, the teleport activates and conjurer escapes close
engagement or a vulnerable location with no opportune attack
allowed. If the enemy’s attack penetrates, this maneuver will not
work.
Teleport Object
Ability: Conjuration (Dimension) → Control
NN: 2 to 24
Description [Inst / Object]: The ability to translocate an item from
place to place.
Consequence [Trigger / ST Willpower]: The target object is
teleported a short distance, up to 10 x basic tier MV in feet within
line of sight. The size of the object moved determines base NN: 2
for miniscule to 24 for gargantuan (see Effects by Pillar, Conjura-
tion, Summon Object).
Conjuration: Order Sphere
Minion Horde
Ability: Conjuration (Order) → Control
NN: 8
Description [M / Creature]: Summon a horde of humanoid minions
to attack an enemy.
Consequence [Trigger / ST None]: The number of creatures
summoned is equal to the result of the ability check, and each
creature has 1 threat point, 1 hit point, and 0 Active Defense. The
creatures’ initiative rank is as one group, equal to the caster’s spell
type speciality. The spell operates much like a regular area effect
Threat spell, with the horde attacking as many targets as it can
surround, but unlike such a spell, threat points are divided among
those trapped by the summoned attackers. Such swarms are
always instinct-driven, and while able to follow simple commands,
never possess real intelligence or significant equipment. The caster
can cast other spells while directing the horde under maintenance
penalty, which kicks in on the second round, determined by
the original ability roll (or half that if mastered). For example, a
successful casting roll of 10 (10 minions) means the MP is now
based on an NN of 10 (–3 per round).
Summon Animal
Ability: Conjuration (Order) → Control
NN: Varies
Description [M / Creature]: Summons named animal to do
summoner’s bidding.
Consequence [Trigger / ST Willpower]: The thaumaturge summons
a normal animal, which is under his or her control and can take
basic commands. The size and type of the animal determine NN
(see Effects by Pillar, Conjuration, Summon Creature). Example
animals: small rat, snake, canary, cat; medium dog, wolf, eagle,
honey badger; large horse, cow, bison, anaconda, ostrich; huge
rhino, elephant, giraffe. Once the animal is named, this becomes
an individual spell, and is so recorded on the character sheet. For
example, if a summoner chose “horse”, the player would write it
down with the determined NN; it would be mastered as Summon
Horse.
Summon Monster
Ability: Conjuration (Order) → Control
NN: Varies
Description [M / Creature]: Summons named monster to do
summoner’s bidding.
Consequence [Trigger / ST Willpower]: The thaumaturge summons
a monster, which is under his or her control and can take basic
commands. The size, type, and nature of the creature determine
NN (see Effects by Pillar, Conjuration, Summon Creature). Example
monsters: small goblin, giant rat, halfling, swipe; medium orc, elf,
hag, werewolf; large griffin, cockatrice, centaur; huge amphisbaena,
ogre, giant. Once the monster is named, this becomes an individual
spell, and is so recorded on the character sheet. For example, if a
summoner chose “griffin”, the player would write it down with the
determined NN; it would be mastered as Summon Griffin.
Elementalism: Air Sphere
Air Bolt
Ability: Elementalism (Air) → Create
NN: 0
Description [Inst / Creature]: A bolt of compressed air bursts from
the caster’s hand, striking the target with a boom.
Consequence [Threat / ST none]: Inflicts ability branch threat
points against one or more targets. Casting modifiers: +2 to NN per
extra threat point bonus (per attack), +1 per additional target.
Air Bubble
Ability: Elementalism (Air) → Create
NN: 4
Description [M / Self, Creature, or Area]: Traps air so as to allow
breathing underwater.
Consequence [Boon / ST n/a]: Creates a small bubble of breathable
air around the caster’s or a companion’s head. As the bubble is
gas-permeable, this does not block poisons. Casting modifiers: self
or one creature is NN 4; +1 NN per additional creature affected;
creating a large breathable bubble is an area effect, adding +4 to
NN.
Body of Air
Ability: Elementalism (Air) → Change
NN: 16
Description [M / Self]: Become a being of pure wind.
Chapter 4-2: Master Spell List | page 69
Consequence [Modify / ST n/a]: Caster turns completely into air,
an indistinct humanoid form kicking up eddies of leaves or debris.
Immune to all standard, physical attacks, but non-physical harm, as
well as explosions that disturb the air, will do full threat points. Can
communicate with a voice like the wind (whisper, moan, or howl),
but cannot speak clearly or gesture exactly enough to cast spells
normally (see Spells without Gesture or Word). The thaumaturge
can attack with microbursts of air, doing basic Elementalism die
threat points.
Breeze
Ability: Elementalism (Air) → Control
NN: 0
Description [M / Area]: Create a breeze in the direction desired.
Consequence [Cantrip / ST none): The light wind created can be
used to mask a scent or propel a ship. Breezes can be used for
misdirection, annoyance, and mischief.
Call Lightning Strike
Ability: Elementalism (Air) → Create
NN: 12
Description [Inst / Creature]: Manipulate air to generate a lightning
bolt to damage a foe.
Consequence [Threat / ST none]: Causes Potential Harm equal
to ability roll to target. The lightning bolt bypasses metal armor
protection. Metal shields add rather than subtract DR score when
wielder is struck. The thaumaturge can add targets (and divide
damage) with a single branching strike, + 1 to NN per victim, up to
3 (maximum one per die rolled).
Cleanse Air
Ability: Elementalism (Air) → Change
NN: 0
Description [Inst / Area]: Remove airborne poisons, smoke, etc.
Consequence [Boon / ST none]: The GM will assign a difficulty
based on the air quality. Basic pollen or smog, easy (NN 0). Clearing
the air in a burning building or room, extreme (NN 16). Clearing
airborne toxins should always be at least a demanding challenge
(NN 8). Area cleared equals branch MV radius in feet or double
that if mastered.
Dust Devils
Ability: Elementalism (Air) → Create
NN: 4
Description [M / Area]: Launch small tornadoes that can harm all in
their path.
Consequence [Threat / ST none]: Dust devils appear in the
selected area, and move quickly and randomly about. They will
do ability branch potential harm to anything in their path, which
includes all creatures in the area effect (branch MV radius in feet,
or double that if mastered).
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Fresh Air
Ability: Elementalism (Air) → Create
NN: 4
Description [M / Area]: Create fresh, breathable air.
Consequence [Boon / ST none]: This spell creates a breathable
zone in the form of a bubble. The air continues to exist once
created, but maintenance prevents dissipation. It is useful if one
finds oneself suddenly high in the atmosphere, or underwater, or
teleported into a dimensional space with no air. If it is cast in a
confined space, it can increase air pressure. Area effect is ability
branch MV radius in feet, doubled if mastered.
Pressure Shield
Ability: Elementalism (Air) → Change
NN: 12
Description [M / Creature]: A shield of rapidly changing air
pressure surrounds the caster.
Consequence [Protection / ST n/a]: Adds a shield effect of +2.
Push
Ability: Elementalism (Air) → Create
NN: 2 × bonus
Description [M / Self]: Adds bonus threat points to melee or
unarmed attacks.
Consequence [Modify / ST none]: Adds threat points to the
physical attacks of the caster, no higher than +6, with microbursts
of air at every point of impact. Casting modifiers: The caster can opt
to knock a target prone with with any attack roll over 12 (at +10 to
NN).
Sense Air Currents
Ability: Elementalism (Air) → Sense
NN: 2 × bonus
Description [M / Self]: Feel the air like a motion detector to read
the environment.
Consequence [Boon / ST none]: The thaumaturge senses any
movement in the air around him. Add +1 to 6 bonus to perception
rolls where there is any air current or movement present, or offset
penalties due to darkness or blindness.
Steal Breath
Ability: Elementalism (Air) → Control
NN: 0
Description [M-variant / Creature]: Remove the air from victim’s
lungs causing asphyxiation.
Consequence [Threat variant / ST none]: No threat points for
first round, but breath shortens. Increase by 1 point for every
round thereafter to MV of the caster’s basic die (1 threat point on
2nd round, 2 on 3rd, etc.). The maintenance penalty is based on
current threat point level, rather than initial NN (see Table 4.2).
For example, by round 5, at 4 threat points, the penalty increases
from zero to –1 per round. Damage points inflicted in this way will
immediately return if the spell is cancelled, blocked, or otherwise
dispelled.
Tornado Armor
Ability: Elementalism (Air) → Change
NN: 20
Description [M / Self]: A dangerous, spinning vortex of wind whips
about the caster.
Consequence [Multi-Effect / ST none]: The spell reduces harm
to the caster, and makes his attacks more dangerous. Adds +2
DR shielding, before applying Active Defense, and increases
nimbleness (+2 to Agility). It also adds +3 to Melee or Unarmed
attacks, and the caster has immunity to violent, non-magical winds,
remaining unmoved even in hurricanes.
Wind Riding
Ability: Elementalism (Air) → Change
NN: 12, 14, or 27
Description [M / Self, Creature(s)]: Allows gliding flight for self,
another, or others.
Consequence [Boon / ST none]: Allows a gliding flight at the speed
of the caster’s ability branch MV in mph. Range options are self at
NN 12, one target creature at 14, or selective area effect at 27.
Intelligent creatures granted the ability of wind riding can direct
their movement out of the caster’s line of sight, so long as the spell
is maintained. Unintelligent animals lose the ability upon leaving
the thaumaturge’s sight.
Wind Rush
Ability: Elementalism (Air) → Create
NN: 16
Description [M / Area]: A massive gust of air that can knock over
large objects.
Consequence [Afflict-Knock Prone / ST Agility → Acrobatics →
Balance]: A very potent version of the Breeze spell. The area
affected is a steadily widening stream from the caster to a circle of
basic tier MV in feet, at a range of ability branch MV in feet, double
that for mastered spells. Opponents must roll vs. Agility or be
knocked over and spend the next round getting up.
Zephyr Mind
Ability: Elementalism (Air) → Control
NN: 2
Description [M / Creature]: Summons a small wind creature to spy
etc.
Consequence [Boon / ST n/a]: The spell summons a small wind
creature (1 hit point, 0 threat points) that can not fight, but can be
sent to spy for the caster. It can range away from the caster, and
can communicate, sending messages like whispers upon the wind,
heard only by the caster. The caster can speak to the Zephyr Mind
in turn, and it will obey simple commands, e.g. snuffing a candle. It
appears as a turbulent ball of wind, about 3 inches wide, difficult to
see if one is not looking for it: –5 to any perception roll to spot it.
Elementalism: Earth Sphere
Body of Stone
Ability: Elementalism (Earth) → Change
NN: 28
Description [M / Self]: Caster becomes living stone.
Consequence [Protection / ST n/a]: Caster’s body changes to
stone, but can still act normally. Add +5 threat points, and add a
DR of 3 and armor of D12. Must be set in advance, not used as a
defensive maneuver.
Earth Brother
Ability: Elementalism (Earth) → Change
NN: 8
Description [M / Self]: Skin is hardened like stone, acts as armor.
Consequence [Protection / ST n/a]: Caster’s skin becomes stony.
Add armor of D8. Must be set in advance, not used as a defensive
maneuver.
Earth Merge
Ability: Elementalism (Earth) → Change
NN: 12
Description [M / Self]: Gives the ability to pass through earth and
stone.
Consequence [Boon / n/a]: Allows passage through earth or stone.
The caster moves at a substantially slower speed (half normal
movement, no sprinting), and leaves no tunnel. There is some
danger of disorientation in large bodies of rock (GM’s call).
Earth Strike
Ability: Elementalism (Earth) → Control
NN: 0
Description [Inst / Creature]: Reshapes the ground into a weapon.
Consequence [Threat / ST none]: The caster must be in contact
with the earth to cast this spell, which shapes a weapon out of the
earth. This can be used for an instantaneous attack, or the shape
can be maintained in position from round to round. In either case it
can strike for ability branch MV potential harm. NN is +1 to affect
multiple targets (1 per die rolled).
Fissure
Ability: Elementalism (Earth) → Control
NN: 4
Chapter 4-2: Master Spell List | page 71
Description [M / Area variant]: Opens a hole in the ground,
whether stone or soil.
Consequence [Threat variant-Contingent damage / ST Agility →
Reflexes]: The caster must be standing upon solid earth or floor
to cast this spell, which creates a fissure in the earth. The area
of effect is special: width approximately 4 feet, by length ability
branch MV in feet, by depth 10 + ability roll in feet. Those standing
in the area of effect must roll Agility vs. the caster’s spell strength
or take 10 threat points for every 10 feet fallen. Casting modifiers:
+4 to NN for every additional 10 feet deep and 2 feet wide (calcu-
lated after mastery). The hole is open as long as it is maintained.
Those in the hole are expelled without further harm when the spell
ends.
Minor Earthquake
Ability: Elementalism (Earth) → Control
NN: 8
Description [M / Area]: Causes a structure-damaging earth tremor.
Consequence [Trigger / ST special]: This spell causes shaking and
rumbling of the ground, damaging structures, but with little effect
on individuals unless caught by falling debris or directly targeted
for the full effect. Ability branch MV damage is done to structures
in the area of effect. Falling debris near the point of origination
may pose a serious danger (see Chapter 5, Hazard Rules). The
earthquake affects an area of ability branch MV radius in feet,
doubled for mastery. Creatures targeted directly are shaken, falling
prone if failing an Agility roll.
Quicksand
Ability: Elementalism (Earth) → Control
NN: 12
Description [M / Area variant]: Creates a pool of quicksand.
Consequence [Trigger / ST special]: Quicksand Pool is 4 feet
diameter per die rolled, plus 4 feet deep for every die rank in the
basic tier of the Ability Branch rolled (max 12 ft wide × 20 ft deep).
Creatures trapped by the quicksand (usually by failing a Perception
or Agility roll) begin to sink, but no deeper than the waist; strug-
gling will not make them sink further. Those trapped are immobi-
lized, but may take limited physical action with their arms. Trying
to pull the victim out requires a Fortitude → Feat of Strength roll
versus the caster’s spell roll, but such force is directly damaging to
the victim, causing threat points equal to the Feat of Strength roll
to Fortitude DP. Casting modifiers: The caster can alter the sand’s
viscosity, asphyxiating victims by sinking them completely, causing
4 threat points per round until escape (at +12 to NN). Those in the
pool are expelled without further harm when the spell ends.
Rend Walls
Ability: Elementalism (Earth) → Control
NN: 4
Description [M / Area-variant]: Topple constructed stone walls.
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Consequence [Trigger / ST by item type]: The caster topples or
crumbles a stone wall in range, width approximately 4 feet, by
length ability branch MV in feet, by height 10 + ability roll in feet.
The spell works on artificial structures made of separate stones,
not solid earth or rock, and they get an item saving throw: Stone
2D10, Brick 2D8. Falling debris near the point of origination may
pose a serious danger (see Chapter 5, Hazard Rules).
Rock Ball
Ability: Elementalism (Earth) → Create
NN: 0
Description [M / Special]: Create a rock from out of nowhere.
Consequence [Boon / ST n/a]: The created rock can be as large in
inches diameter as the MV of the ability branch. Useful for making
quick sling stones.
Shower of Stones
Ability: Elementalism (Earth) → Create
NN: 4
Description [M / Area]: Rocks rain from the sky, hammering
creatures beneath.
Consequence [Threat / ST none]: The shower of stones that rain
down from out of thin air are translocated from a storm on the
elemental plane of Earth. Potential harm is calculated as ½ the
ability roll, but the stones cannot be blocked by the standard
Weapons DP. Area affected is ability branch MV radius in feet,
doubled for mastery.
Stone Armor
Ability: Elementalism (Earth) → Change
NN: 12
Description [M / Self]: Caster surrounds himself in armor of stone.
Consequence [Multi-Effect / ST n/a]: The spell reduces harm to
the caster, and makes his attacks more dangerous. Must be set in
advance, not used as a defensive maneuver. Add armor of D8, and
+2 threat points (spiky bits).
Stone Javelin
Ability: Elementalism (Earth) → Create
NN: 4
Description [M / Creature]: Launch a missile of rock towards an
enemy.
Consequence [Threat / ST none]: The stone javelin’s threat points
equal ability branch MV +2.
Stone Shield
Ability: Elementalism (Earth) → Create
NN: 10
Description [M / Self]: Create a shield of stone.
Consequence [Protection / ST n/a]: The stone shield acts as a
normal shield with a damage reduction value of 2. The shield mate-
rializes in the caster’s hand ready to use, and can be even handed
to another person in the next round if maintained.
Stone Weapon
Ability: Elementalism (Earth) → Create
NN: 10
Description [M / Special]: Create a bladed weapon of diamond-
hard stone.
Consequence [Modify / ST n/a]: The glittering weapon created has
+5 threat points and uses any appropriate weapon skill to wield.
May be used to attack in the round of creation.
Elementalism Energy Sphere
Energy Blade
Ability: Elementalism (Energy) → Create
NN: 8
Description [M/ Self]: Creates a bladed weapon of pure visible
energy; buzzes faintly.
Consequence [Threat / ST n/a]: Caster wields blade of light as if
it were a real weapon, using the higher of this spell branch or the
appropriate Melee branch, usually Sword. Can harm creatures
or objects. Any non-magical weapon, shield, or armor hit by the
energy blade (e.g. if blocking), must make an item saving throw or
be destroyed; even if it saves, its attack/Defense value is reduced
by 1.
Energy Form
Ability: Elementalism (Energy) → Change
NN: 16
Description [M / Self]: Caster becomes a cloud of raw magical
energy.
Consequence [Modify / ST n/a]: Caster completely turns into
energy, seen as a humanoid form composed of some glowing,
crackling aetheric substance. Can not be harmed physically, but
motion is at the mercy of astral winds (GM’s whim). Can commu-
nicate with a strange electric voice (crackle and hum), but cannot
speak clearly or gesture exactly enough to cast spells normally (see
Spells without Gesture or Word). The thaumaturge can attack with
pulses of damaging energy, doing basic Elementalism die threat
points.
Energy Shield
Ability: Elementalism (Energy) → Create
NN: 12
Description [M / Self]: Creates a visible, ghostly shield of pure
energy, hovering in front of the caster.
Consequence [Protect / ST n/a]: DR of +2 vs all forms of physical
attacks, similar to a medium shield, but also reduces the damage
of energy attacks. Unlike regular shields, this spell’s magic damage
reduction works even when the protected recipient’s Active
Defenses are exhausted.
Energy Strike
Ability: Elementalism (Energy) → Create
NN: 0
Description [Inst / Creature]: A bolt of crackling energy bursts into
the physical plane to strike an opponent.
Consequence [Threat / ST none]: The energy strike inflicts ability
branch potential harm. Casting modifers: +8 to NN intensifies the
energy so that its threat points are considered non-physical, and
drain the chosen applicable active DP first (e.g. Willpower, Magic
Ability), Fortitude after. Non-physical damage is preternatural
and cannot be blocked or parried by normal shields or swords.
However, the bolt of energy can be dodged using Agility DP.
Impenetrable Shield
Ability: Elementalism (Energy) → Create
NN: 12
Description [M / Special]: Creates a barrier that can not be pierced.
Consequence [Protect / ST n/a]: The shield is impregnable, but
the caster is forced to be immobile and maintain the spell, and can
do nothing else while it is raised. Can not be used as a defensive
maneuver, must be in place before an attack.
Mystic Armor
Ability: Elementalism (Energy) → Create
NN: 12
Description [M / Creature]: Magical armor of pure visible energy
appears on the recipient.
Consequence [Protect / ST n/a]: A suit of magical armor, seemingly
made of light, appears upon the caster or another designated
being. This is D12 magical armor.
Elementalism: Fire Sphere
Ball of Light
Ability: Elementalism (Fire) → Create
NN: 0
Description [M / Area]: Creates a ball of light that illuminates an
area.
Consequence [Cantrip / ST n/a]: The ball of light will bob in the air
following the mage, or can be attached to an item. It is not harmful,
but can light up a large area (up to the ability branch MV in radius
in feet) as if it were a steady lantern. The thaumaturge can adjust
the radius of the light.
Extinguish Flame
Ability: Elementalism (Fire) → Control
NN: 4
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Description [Inst / Area variant]: Flames are snuffed out instantly
upon a successful roll.
Consequence [Trigger / ST special]: As the name implies, this is the
ability to get rid of existing fire. The thaumaturge rolls only once,
but each flame source gets a separate saving throw (an opposed
roll, as per Table 2.1) based on its size. Candles would be easy
(D4) to extinguish, a burning house or area of forest fire would be
extreme (2D12). Area of effect (ability branch MV radius in feet,
doubled for mastery) is approximate, and flexible — the caster can
choose which flames to affect, so long as the flames are in line of
sight.
Fire Armor
Ability: Elementalism (Fire) → Change
NN: 8
Description Description [M / Self]: Caster surrounds himself in
armor of fire.
Consequence [Multi-Effect / ST none]: Fire surrounds the caster’s
body. He or she is immune to fire, is dangerous to touch, and does
threat points via unarmed attacks as for the Flame Fists spell.
Any direct touch to the caster does Basic die threat points to the
attacker.
Fire Bolt
Ability: Elementalism (Fire) → Create
NN: 0
Description [Inst / Creature]: A bolt of fire streaks from the caster’s
outstretched hand to strike a foe.
Consequence [Threat / ST none]: This is a standard ranged fire
spell that does ability branch threat points, generating a fiery bolt
1 foot in diameter without need of a nearby fire source. Casting
modifiers: +2 to NN per extra threat point.
Fire Strike
Ability: Elementalism (Fire) → Control
NN: 0
Description [M / Creature]: Change form of existing fire to make it
move or attack.
Consequence [Threat / ST none]: Using existing fire, a mage can
change its form to make it move like a living thing, but it still needs
fuel from a nearby source. The fire can be used to do ability branch
potential harm, and is maintainable, unlike Fire Bolt. The fire to
control can be at a distance of 5 × basic Elementalism die rank in
feet, or up to 10 × basic rank with mastery.
Casting modifiers: +4 to NN to spread fire in front of foes, acting as
a barrier to block movement. This causes fire damage equal to the
caster’s ability roll, bypassing Agility, if somebody willfully walks
through it, half damage if one charges through; shields and armor
do apply.
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Firebomb
Ability: Elementalism (Fire) → Create
NN: 4
Description [M / Area]: Causes a concussive firestorm to erupt in
the air at a chosen point.
Consequence [Threat / ST none]: Firebomb is a standard area
effect Threat spell. Fire explodes in a sphere around the origin,
inflicting threat points on all present. Range is 10 × basic tier MV in
feet in line of sight, radius of explosion is Ability Branch MV in feet
(mastery doubles these).
Flame Creature
Ability: Elementalism (Fire) → Control
NN: 4
Description [M / Creature]: Creates a critter of flame to do the
elementalist’s bidding.
Consequence [Trigger / ST none]: This spell animates a flame
creature from existing flame, rather than summoning one, so it gets
no Willpower roll to break the spell. The flame creature is non-
intelligent, but will attack enemy targets autonomously each round,
doing basic die fire threat points. Casting modifiers: +2 to NN per
extra threat point, up to maximum of caster’s basic die rank. (Flame
Creature hit points = the caster’s Elementalism basic die rank MV.)
Flame Fists
Ability: Elementalism (Fire) → Create
NN: 4
Description [M / Creature]: Adds fire threat points to recipient’s
unarmed attacks.
Consequence [Modify / ST n/a]: The recipient’s fists develop a
hot glow: add the Elementalism basic die to the threat points
of unarmed attacks. Casting modifiers: +4 to NN per Die Rank
increase. (Lest someone think this is a good way to make invisible
foes visible, note that unwilling creatures shrug off the magic.)
Flame Form
Ability: Elementalism (Fire) → Change
NN: 16
Description [M / Self]: Caster becomes living flame.
Consequence [Multi-Effect / ST n/a]: Caster completely turns into
fire, manifesting as a humanoid-shaped flame. Immune to physical
attacks and fire, but water, air, and concussive (explosion) attacks
will do full threat points. Can communicate with a strange crackling
tones, rising to a roaring bellow, but cannot speak clearly or
gesture exactly enough to cast spells normally (see Spells without
Gesture or Word). The thaumaturge can attack with fists of fire,
doing basic Elementalism die threat points.
Flame Trap
Ability: Elementalism (Fire) → Create
NN: 14
Description [M / Creature]: Sets a trap in a particular area that will
erupt in fire if touched.
Consequence [Trigger / ST Perception]: Flame trap leaves a
temporary ward on the surface of trapped area. Roll Perception
against a Formidable challenge (2D10) to spot the trap. Threat
points inflicted by trap equals caster’s ability branch MV.
Flame Weapon
Ability: Elementalism (Fire) → Create
NN: 2 × bonus
Description [M / Creature]: Weapon wielded ignites, adding bonus
threat points.
Consequence [Boon / ST n/a]: Weapon acts as a normal weapon of
the type, wieldable using the appropriate Melee Weapons branch,
but adds scalable harm of +1 to +5 fire threat points.
Fuel Flames
Ability: Elementalism (Fire) → Control
NN: 2 × bonus
Description [M / Area]: Increase the size and potential harm of a
fire.
Consequence [Threat / ST none]: By feeding an existing fire with
elemental fuel, the caster can expand the size or height of the
target flames by up to ability branch MV in feet (double that if
mastered). This gives a bonus of +1 to +5 fire threat points.
Heat
Ability: Elementalism (Fire) → Control
NN: 2
Description [M-variant / Area]: Cause wave of heat to increase
temperature slowly.
Consequence [Threat variant / ST none]: The heat wave can affect
an area or item. No threat points for first round, but temperature
rises noticeably. Increase by 1 point for every round thereafter to
MV of the caster’s basic die (1 threat point on 2nd round, 2 on 3rd,
etc.). The maintenance penalty is based on current threat point
level, rather than initial NN (see Table 4.2). For example, by round
5, at 4 threat points, the penalty increases from zero to –1 per
round.
Propel
Ability: Elementalism (Fire) → Change
NN: 8
Description [M / Self]: Caster can fly by jetting flame behind like a
rocket.
Consequence [Boon / ST n/a]: Flight power is provided by flames
shooting from lower limbs; this is loud and quite visible, so stealth
is not easy. Movement is based on the Elementalism (Fire) →
Change → Propel ability branch rather than Agility.
Resist Fire
Ability: Elementalism (Fire) → Change
NN: 12
Description [M / Self]: Caster is immune to non-magical fire.
Consequence [Boon / ST none]: The caster takes no damage
from normal fire. Must be set in advance, not used as a defensive
maneuver.
Wall of Flame
Ability: Elementalism (Fire) → Create
NN: 4 × feet thickness
Description [M / Area]: A wall of fire that damages to those that
pass through it.
Consequence The wall of flame cuts across an area equal to the
thaumaturge’s Ability Branch MV in feet (double that if mastered)
in a straight line, but can be reshaped at the time of casting. It
causes fire damage equal to caster’s ability roll, +1 per foot thick,
bypassing Agility if somebody willfully walks through it. Half
damage is taken if one charges through, and shields and armor
do apply. The wall imposes a –4 threat point reduction to ranged
attacks passing through it.
Elementalism: Water Sphere
Boil Water
Ability: Elementalism (Water) → Control
NN: 2
Description [M / Area]: The thaumaturge heats water quickly.
Consequence [Trigger / ST n/a]: The spell simply heats water to
the boiling point. Water vapor is not manipulable until cooled. Area
of effect is up to 2 × Basic die rank in height, width, and depth in
feet. Creatures standing in affected water suffer no threat points
for first round, but temperature rises noticeably. Increase by 1
point for every round thereafter to MV of the caster’s basic die (1
threat point on 2nd round, 2 on 3rd, etc.). The maintenance penalty
is based on current threat point level, rather than initial NN (see
Table 4.2). For example, by round 5, at 4 threat points, the penalty
increases from zero to –1 per round.
Drown
Ability: Elementalism (Water) → Create
NN: 2
Description [M / Creature]: Slowly increase the amount of water in
someone’s lungs.
Consequence [Threat / ST none]: Drowns target. Does no threat
points for 2 rounds as the lungs begin to fill, but after that does 1
Chapter 4-2: Master Spell List | page 75
threat point per round to Fortitude (or a magic D-pool if the target
has one) until the target perishes, or the spell is interrupted.
Freeze
Ability: Elementalism (Water) → Create
NN: 2
Description [M / Area]: Cools water to a frozen state.
Consequence [Trigger / ST Special]: This spell simply freezes water
(it does not shape the ice). Area of effect is up to 2 × Basic die rank
in height, width, and depth in feet. Casting modifiers: Attempting to
freeze water fast enough to trap a medium-sized creature is +10 to
the NN. Failing an Agility or Fortitude → Feat of Strength roll means
the target is stuck, unable to free himself from the frozen surface,
nullifying Agility DP (or all Active DPs if unlucky enough to be
stuck bodily) until the spell is lifted or ice melted.
Ice Blade
Ability: Elementalism (Water) → Create
NN: 6
Description [M / Special]: A bladed weapon of ice materializes in
the hands of the caster.
Consequence [Multi-Effect / ST none]: The ice weapon this spell
creates is used with either Elementalism → Create → Ice Blade,
or the appropriate Melee Weapons branch, whichever is higher.
The weapon can ignore 2 points of shielding or armor. There is
a 10% chance that the weapon shatters when used for Defense,
which causes basic die potential harm to the attacker (the caster is
immune to the flying shards).
Ice Bolt
Ability: Elementalism (Water) → Create
NN: 0
Description [Inst / Creature]: Launch a missile of ice towards an
enemy.
Consequence [Threat / ST none]: Quickly freezes the moisture in
air into a spear-like missile, then launches it at the target. The ice
bolt’s threat points equal ability branch MV, or double that against
fire creatures.
Ice Shield
Ability: Elementalism (Water) → Create
NN: 8
Description [M / Special]: Create a shield of ice.
Consequence [Multi-Effect / ST none]: The ice shield confers a DR
value of 2. There is a 10% chance that the shield shatters when
used for Defense, which causes basic die potential harm to the
attacker (the caster is immune to the flying shards).
Liquid Armor
Ability: Elementalism (Water) → Change
NN: 18
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Description [M / Special]: Caster surrounds himself in armor of
swirling water.
Consequence [Multi-Effect / ST none]: A volume of clear but
fast moving water surrounds the caster from head to toe like a
bodysuit, parting only at the eyes, ears, and mouth to allow clear
sight, hearing, and speech. Adds a D4 armor die, and +2 DR versus
elemental attacks. The caster can also attack with tendrils of water
adding +2 threat points to any melee, unarmed, or water magic
based attacks.
Rain
Ability: Elementalism (Water) → Change
NN: 4
Description [M / Area variant]: Create a heavy shower of rain over
an area.
Consequence [Trigger / ST n/a]: Heavy rain falls, causing –1 to
ranged attacks and –1 to perception rolls. Area affected is special:
10 feet diameter per die rank possessed in each tier.
Water Bolt
Ability: Elementalism (Water) → Control
NN: 0
Description [M / Creature]: Strikes one or more targets with a
high-speed blast of water.
Consequence [Threat / ST none]: Basic attack, by blast of water,
for ability branch potential harm. Casting modifiers: +1 NN per
additional single target within range.
Water Form
Ability: Elementalism (Water) → Change
NN: 16
Description [M / Self]: Caster becomes a being of pure water.
Consequence [Multi-Effect / ST n/a]: Caster turns completely
into a whirling, humanoid-shaped being of water. Impervious to
non-magical physical attacks, but takes full threat points from
explosions that bypass shielding. Can communicate with peculiar
bubbling tones, rising to a shout like the rush of angry rapids,
but cannot speak clearly or gesture exactly enough to cast spells
normally (see Spells without Gesture or Word). The thaumaturge
can pummel enemies with fists like hydraulic hammers, doing basic
Elementalism die threat points.
Water Skin
Ability: Elementalism (Water) → Change
NN: 10
Description [M / Self]: Skin is covered by a thin layer of water.
Consequence [Protect / ST n/a]: Adds a +5 DR vs elemental type
attacks that works like a shield (half NN cost due to limitation on
attack type).
Water Streaming
Ability: Elementalism (Water) → Control
NN: 0
Description [M / Area]: Move water from place to place.
Consequence [Trigger / ST none]: This is simply the ability to
manipulate small amounts of water, for example, to drain a pool.
Area of effect is up to 2 × Basic die rank in height, width, and depth
in feet.
Whelm
Ability: Elementalism (Water) → Control
NN: 16
Description [M / Area]: Waves of water surge at opponents while
the spell lasts.
Consequence [Stun / ST Agility or Fortitude]: Waves of water
disrupt the area and may knock over and stun opponents.
Those caught in the waves must roll versus Fortitude or Agility
to maintain balance, choosing an appropriate branch (feats of
strength, acrobatics, or reflexes, with any relevant mastery). Those
who fail fall stunned, losing any move or attack next round.
Illusion: Dream Sphere
Assume Inanimate Form
Ability: Illusion (Dream) → Control
NN: 12
Description [M / Creature]: Disguises recipient as an inanimate
object.
Consequence [Trigger / ST Perception]: This spell makes a creature
look like an object: a chair, table, pillar, chest, barrel, rug, etc. as
desired. The illusion only fools visual searches; scent and touch
are not affected. Perception can be used to detect those hidden
by this illusion, but people not specifically looking for someone are
unlikely to notice anything unusual.
Audio Illusion
Ability: Illusion (Dream) → Control
NN: 4
Description [M / Creature]: The caster manipulates illusionary
sound.
Consequence [Trigger / ST Perception]: The spell is targeted at a
certain object as the sound source. The sound can be anything the
caster wishes, and can be soft or loud, but not painfully loud.
Chameleon
Ability: Illusion (Dream) → Change
NN: 4
Description [M / Self]: Caster can blend in with the background.
Consequence [Trigger / ST Perception]: This spell lets the caster
blend into his surroundings, but he can not move. People not
specifically looking for someone are unlikely to notice anything
unusual. Perception rolls used to detect the caster are at –6.
Cone of Silence
Ability: Illusion (Dream) → Create
NN: 8
Description [M / Area]: Creates a conical area that sounds can not
penetrate.
Consequence [Afflict / ST Willpower]: Cone is ability branch MV x
5 inches in diameter, and the same length to its origin. Sounds can
not pass from the inside to the outside of the cone or vice versa.
Those within the cone can hear one another; it is usually oriented
point upwards.
Dreamscape
Ability: Illusion (Dream) → Create
NN: 12
Description [M / Creature]: Creates a fully immersive illusion for a
victim.
Consequence [Afflict / ST Willpower]: This is the big boy of the
illusion category. The victim experiences only what the caster
wishes, and believes what he is seeing, feeling, and hearing. This
can be a simple scenario where the victim thinks everything,
including that cliff, is 5 feet to the left, or he can be led to believe
he is at the gates of hell. It is resisted with Willpower.
Full Body Illusion
Ability: Illusion (Dream) → Change
NN: 8
Description [M / Self]: Completely alter one’s appearance to look
like another living creature.
Consequence [Modify / ST Perception]: Can fully change appear-
ance, including clothing, voice, and scent, into something else
entirely. This is only an illusion, and grants none of the powers
of the creature imitated. It cannot be used to mimic specific
individuals.
Illusory Attack
Ability: Illusion (Dream) → Create
NN: 0
Description [M / Creature]: The caster creates the appearance of
an attack on a foe.
Consequence [Threat / ST none]: The Illusory Attack seems to
be an actual weapon attack, say, a thrown or missile weapon
shooting from some random direction, the attacker indiscernible.
Illusory threat points cause non-physical damage, mitigated only by
Willpower before reducing Fortitude (or until a successful saving
throw is made): see Effects by Pillar, Threat; Illusionist Attacks.
Illusory Disguise
Ability: Illusion (Dream) → Change
NN: 8
Chapter 4-2: Master Spell List | page 77
Description [M / Creature]: Alter recipient’s appearance to that of
a specific individual.
Consequence [Modify / ST Perception]: The caster can fully change
appearance of a creature, including clothing, so as to look like a
specific individual. The illusion is visual only, voice and scent are
not altered in any way.
Invisibility
Ability: Illusion (Dream) → Change
NN: 12
Description [M / Creature]: Recipient remains unseen, even when
moving.
Consequence [Modify / ST Perception]: Blend in completely
with the surroundings: can move around normally. People not
specifically looking for someone are unlikely to notice anything
unusual. Perception rolls used to detect the recipient are at –6.
Succeeding with a perception roll allows an attack at a penalty of
–6, but failure means the attacker is essentially striking blind, with
a penalty of –12.
Minor Illusion
Ability: Illusion (Dream) → Create
NN: 4
Description [M / Area]: Create a simple visual illusion of an object
that is not there.
Consequence [Trigger / ST Perception]: It simply looks like an
object is there when it isn’t. The object should be small, less than a
cubic foot, and easy to describe.
Olfactory Illusion
Ability: Illusion (Dream) → Create
NN: 2
Description [M / Area]: Create an illusion using scent.
Consequence [Trigger / ST Perception]: The spell is targeted at a
certain object as the scent source. The scent can be anything the
caster wishes, and can be pleasant or unpleasant, but never so bad
as to cause nausea.
Invocation: Entropy Sphere
Enervating Tendrils
Ability: Invocation (Entropy) → Change
NN: 8
Description [Inst / Creature]: Tendrils of black light enwrap the
target to subdue its very soul.
Consequence [Threat / ST Special]: The thaumaturge invokes a
supernatural force to drain the target’s inner vitality. This is non-
page 78 | Chapter 4-2: Master Spell List
lethal, non-physical energy that bypasses shield and armor. The
victim brought to zero Fortitude simply falls unconscious, but so
horrific is the subdual that he can’t be awakened without magical
healing.
Entropic Whip
Ability: Invocation (Entropy) → Create
NN: 8
Description [Inst / Creature]: The caster wields an unnatural whip
of black light to strike a foe.
Consequence [Threat / ST none]: The spell invokes a lethal whip
of necromantic energy causing ability branch threat points that
cannot be blocked by non-magical means. The whip can extend
uncannily to strike, up to 10 x basic tier MV in feet, double that if
mastered; the caster does not need any Melee ability to wield it.
Invocation: Life Sphere
Heal
Ability: Invocation (Life) → Control
NN: 4
Description [Inst / Creature]: Restores Fortitude DP.
Consequence [Restore / ST n/a]: This is the basic healing spell
that heals physical damage. Recipient’s Fortitude DP restored by
amount rolled.
Neutralize Poison
Ability: Invocation (Life) → Control
NN: 4
Description [Inst / Object or Creature]: Renders poison harmless.
Consequence [Restore / ST n/a]: Cast upon a bottled poison,
or a poisoned victim, it will nullify the effects of the poison if a
challenge roll is successful. The GM sets the difficulty based on the
strength of the poison. It will not restore damage, and casting it on
a poisonous creature will not neutralize its venom.
Recovery of the Unready
Ability: Invocation (Life) → Change
NN: 8
Description [Inst / Creature]: Restores Unarmed DP.
Consequence [Restore / ST n/a]: This spell repairs the skeletal
muscle fibers of the body, overcoming fatigue. Recipient’s
Unarmed DP restored by amount rolled.
Rejuvenate
Ability: Invocation (Life) → Change
NN: 8
Description [Inst / Creature]: Restores Agility DP.
Consequence [Restore / ST n/a]: This spell helps to loosen muscles
and tendons, especially those of the lower body. Recipient’s Agility
DP restored by amount rolled.
Remove Curse
Ability: Invocation (Life) → Change
NN: 8
Description [Inst / Creature or Object]: Dispels an existing curse.
Consequence [Restore / ST n/a]: This spell removes a curse on an
object or creature. Roll this ability branch versus the initial roll of
the curse to break it.
Rest of the Weary
Ability: Invocation (Life) → Change
NN: 8
Description [Inst / Creature]: Restores Melee Weapons DP.
Consequence [Restore / ST n/a]: This spell relaxes the muscles of
the upper body, especially, overcoming combat fatigue. Recipient’s
Melee Weapons DP restored by amount rolled.
Shield of Vitality
Ability: Invocation (Life) → Create
NN: 12
Description [M / Creature]: Strengthens the body’s life energy
field, granting a shield-like bonus against physical attacks.
Consequence [Protect / ST n/a]: The spell grants increased resist-
ance, a DR bonus of +2, to all forms of physical attack. It acts as a
shield, before any Active Defense.
Sleepy Self
Ability: Invocation (Life) → Change
NN: 4
Description [M / Creature]: Force sleep even if not tired.
Consequence [Boon / ST n/a]: Allows rest, which helps recovery
of Fortitude at twice the normal rate as long as the spell is main-
tained. It is frequently ritualized to increase duration.
Soothe
Ability: Invocation (Life) → Change
NN: 2
Description [Inst / Creature]: Relaxes the target.
Consequence [Restore / ST n/a]: Recipient’s Willpower DP
restored by amount rolled.
Speak with the Dead
Ability: Invocation (Life) → Sense
NN: 12
Description [M / Self]: Lets one question the dead.
Consequence [Boon / ST none]: This spell grants the ability
to commune with the dead when seeking answers to specific
questions: answers can often be vague, and open to interpretation.
The dead can relate events of the location’s past, or speak of
hidden things. GMs can apply a difficulty based on the question.
Failure of the ability roll will yield no answer at all. Failure to meet
or exceed the NN will yield wrong answers!
Invocation: Nature Sphere
Animate Flora
Ability: Invocation (Nature) → Control
NN: 8
Description [M / Area]: Plants move as caster wills; can slow
targets.
Consequence [Afflict-Slow variant / ST Agility → Reflexes]: Plants
move in accord with caster’s will, but cannot be uprooted. Area
affected is the ability branch MV radius in feet, double that if
mastered. Plants can obstruct and drag at creatures, slowing them.
They can even hold them, but plants are weak with this spell, and
even if failing the saving throw, a victim only needs to roll Strength
versus D4 to shake the effect (allowed after the first round).
Blossom/Wither Plants
Ability: Invocation (Nature) → Control
NN: 2
Description [Inst / Area]: The caster makes affected plant life
bloom or die.
Consequence [Boon or Afflict (plant) / ST none]: This spell’s
blooming or withering effect is instant, and permanent. The
caster can affect 10 lb of material per die rank. If cast at a golem
or elemental made of vegetation, then it’s treated as a zero NN
Restore/Threat spell, the roll equaling healing/threat points.
Withering plants has been known to draw unwanted attention
from druids, nature spirits, and the shee.
Bramble Wall
Ability: Invocation (Nature) → Create
NN: 4
Description [M / Area]: Creates a wall of thorny plants instantly
from out of the earth.
Consequence [Multi-Effect / ST none]: This spell uses plant
life that is dormant in the earth, and can thus be cast virtually
anywhere. Its area equals ability branch MV in feet for length and
height, but it can be reshaped at the time of casting. The wall is
a foot thick of prickly shrubs and tangled vines, with structural
hit points equal to the thaumaturge’s ability branch MV. Casting
modifiers: +1 to NN per extra foot thick. Those trying to charge
rather than cut through the wall take D4 potential harm +1 per
extra foot thick.
Branch to Staff
Ability: Invocation (Nature) → Change
NN: 4
Description [Inst / Object]: Transform an ordinary tree branch into
a tough staff.
Consequence [Modify / ST n/a]: The staff created is permanent
and perfectly balanced, but only adds its preternatural +1 bonus to
Chapter 4-2: Master Spell List | page 79
 Plant Behemoth
Ability: Invocation (Nature) → Create
potential harm while spell is maintained. The staff is wielded using
NN: 20
the appropriate Melee Weapons branch.
Description [M / Special]: Creates a large plant creature to do the
caster’s bidding.
Commune with Plants
Consequence [Trigger / ST none]: This spell animates vegetation
Ability: Invocation (Nature) → Control
(about a medium tree’s worth) rather than summoning a creature,
NN: 4
so it gets no Willpower roll to break the spell. The plant behemoth
Description [M / Self]: Lets one question plants.
is under the caster’s control, and can follow simple instructions,
Consequence [Boon / ST none]: The caster taps into the sentience
or move about and attack on its own. It is an exceptional creature:
of the plant life, and may ask specific questions, such as if any
3D4 threat points, hit points = threat point MV, D6 armor. Casting
sentient being has passed recently. Small plants, like grasses and
modifiers: +2 to NN for each rank above D4, applied to all threat
flowers have a low intelligence, and can only give vague answers.
dice.
Ancient trees, on the other hand, can be very wise, but are often
guarded in responses, even to those that call plants friend.
Plant Growth
Ability: Invocation (Nature) → Control
Might of the Oak
NN: 4
Ability: Invocation (Nature) → Change
Description [M / Object (plant)]: Increases the size of target plant.
NN: 34
Consequence [Modify variant / ST none]: This spell can affect
Description [M / Self]: The caster becomes as tough as oak, and
approximately 50 lb of plant material per die rank, and can be used
strong with it.
to obstruct. Ending maintenance returns the plant to normal.
Consequence [Multi-Effect / ST n/a]: The spell hardens flesh and
skin to the state of springy wood, reducing harm and augmenting
Plant Meld
attacks. Add +3 threat points, armor of D8, and damage reduction
Ability: Invocation (Nature) → Change
of 2. The caster is impervious to cold, and floats on water. In this
NN: 8
form any Fortitude damage is healed at a rate of D4 per round.
Description [M / Self]: Caster melds into a tree or large plant.
Consequence [Modify / ST n/a]: The caster actually can meld with
Plant Armor
any plant if there is enough material in which to hide. He then can
Ability: Invocation (Nature) → Create
not be detected, except by magical means. He can “see” out from
NN: 14
within the plant, but can not otherwise take action.
Description [M / Self]: Caster surrounds himself in armor of bark
and plants.
Rose Whip
Consequence [Multi-Effect / ST n/a]: The spell reduces harm to
Ability: Invocation (Nature) → Control
the caster, and improves his attacks. Adds armor of D6, and +1 to
NN: 2
threat points. The caster also blends in with plant surroundings: +1
Description [M / Object (rose)]: Transform an ordinary rose to a
to stealth checks if in an appropriate environment.
whip-like weapon.
Consequence [Modify / ST none]: Requires a rose to transform.
Plant Automaton
Returns to the form of a rose after the spell ends. Use the appro-
Ability: Invocation (Nature) → Create
priate Melee branch to wield whip.
NN: 8
Description [M / Special]: Creates a small creature of vegetation to
Seizing Plants
do the caster’s bidding.
Ability: Invocation (Nature) → Control
Consequence [Trigger / ST none]: This spell animates vegetation
NN: 8
rather than summoning a creature, so it gets no Willpower roll to
Description [M / Area]: Vines, branches, or the like grab at and
break the spell. The plant automaton is under the caster’s control,
hold targets in area.
and can follow simple instructions, or move about and attack on its
Consequence [Afflict / ST Agility or Fortitude → Feat of Strength]:
own, for D4 threat points. It has D6 hit points.
Plants animate and seize creatures in the area of effect, holding
them fast. Creatures can initially resist with an Agility or Fortitude

page 80 | Chapter 4-2: Master Spell List

→ Feat of Strength roll. Once caught, two consecutive Fortitude →
Feat of Strength rolls are necessary to break free. One can combine
strength with companions to escape.
Shape Wood
Ability: Invocation (Nature) → Control
NN: 8
Description [Inst or M / Object]: Shape or bend wood.
Consequence [Modify / ST none]: The thaumaturge can alter form
of wood, whether living tree branches or roots (perhaps to make
a path hazardous) or wooden products, such as tables, staves, and
the like. One can shape dead wood instantly and permanently, but
living wood springs back once unmaintained. Can affect 10 lb of
material per die rank.
Invocation: Matter Sphere
Mend
Ability: Invocation (Matter) → Control
NN: 4
Description [Inst / Object]: Effect basic repair of an object.
Consequence [Restore / ST n/a]: Object will be repaired, if mostly
intact with all parts present. The GM can set a difficulty based on
the state the object is in: snapped in half, Easy (D4); crushed to
bits, Extreme (2D12).
Sharpen Blade
Ability: Invocation (Life) → Control
NN: 4
Description [Inst / Object]: Weapon is restored to a quality like
new.
Consequence [Restore / ST n/a]: A specific repair spell for
maintaining weapons. Edges are sharpened, bends and rust are
removed. It cannot restore completely missing chunks, but even a
badly damaged weapon will become serviceable.
Psychogenic: Matter Sphere
Assembly Line
Ability: Psychogenic (Matter) → Control
NN: 4
Description [M / Area]: Move one or more objects in a predictable,
repetitive manner.
Consequence [Boon / ST n/a]: It is this spell which allows dishes
to wash themselves, several brooms to sweep a floor, books to
stack, etc. It is a favorite of hedge witches calling on the cleanliest
of domestic spirits. The number of objects manipulated at a time is
limited by the number of dice in the ability branch.
Dance of Blades
Ability: Psychogenic (Matter) → Control
NN: 8
Description [M / Area]: Weapons will animate and attack caster’s
foes as directed.
Consequence [Threat / ST none]: This spell lets the caster animate
and control weapons in the area of effect: one weapon unless the
spell is mastered, else up to the mastery MV. Weapons will follow
the caster’s direction and threaten or attack foes. Each weapon
manipulated can attack independently, doing threat points of
D2 plus any threat points bonus for the weapon (see Chapter 5,
Equipment, Weapons Table).
Object Read
Ability: Psychogenic (Matter) → Control
NN: 8
Description [M / Object]: See the general history of an object.
Consequence [Boon / ST n/a]: This spell yield general information
about the object. Notable events will flash in the mind of the
caster. GMs can apply a difficulty to search for information about a
specific event (see Table 2.1 Challenge Dice); failure of the roll will
still yield general information.
Psychogenic: Mind Sphere
Control Animal
Ability: Psychogenic (Mind) → Control
NN: 8
Description [M / Creature]: Take control of an animal.
Consequence [Afflict / ST Willpower]: This spell lets the caster
control the actions of the target animal.
Control Swarm
Ability: Psychogenic (Mind) → Control
NN: 4
Description [M / Creature]: Take control of an existing swarm of
insects or other bugs.
Consequence [Threat /ST none]: The thaumaturge controls the
movement and actions of a swarm of insects. If used to attack,
then threat points equals the caster’s ability branch roll (the swarm
becomes more aggressive and dangerous as the thaumaturge’s skill
increases). Use the rules for swarm summoning (Effects by Pillar,
Conjuration).
Chapter 4-2: Master Spell List | page 81

Hypnotic Suggestion
Ability: Psychogenic (Mind) → Control
NN: 12
Description [Inst / Creature]: Place a command or idea in the mind
of another.
Consequence [Afflict / ST Willpower]: The thaumaturge is able
to insinuate thoughts leading to actions that seem rational to the
victim. Commands should be short. An additional roll to save is
allowed when the action is to be completed. Once complete, the
spell’s compunction wears off.
Induce Sleep
Ability: Psychogenic (Mind) → Control
NN: 12
Description [Inst / Creature]: Force sleep even if not tired.
Consequence [Afflict / ST Willpower]: The spell makes the victim
fall asleep. The victim rolls versus Willpower upon casting the spell
to remain awake. Failing the roll means the victim remains asleep a
number of rounds determined by a roll of the caster’s Psychogenic
basic die (D4 to D12), or until awakened.
Mind Control
Ability: Psychogenic (Mind) → Control
NN: 16
Description [M / Creature]: Take control of any sentient creature.
Consequence [Afflict / ST Willpower]: Infiltrates and controls the
mind of the targeted creature, overwhelming its will. The afflicted
creature follows any command short of suicide, even if it is to
harm allies, so long as language or general intent is understood.
The power can continue to dominate a mind once out of sight.
The subject may make a saving throw each round the effect is
maintained: success ends the condition, regardless of distance.
Mind Read
Ability: Psychogenic (Mind) → Sense
NN: 8
Description [M / Creature]: The ability to pick up surface thoughts
of a target.
Consequence [Afflict / ST Willpower]: The caster gains insight into
the thoughts and emotional state of the target, which is a good
way to sense deception. Each attempt at discerning thought or
emotion allows a saving throw, even if spell is maintained.
page 82 | Chapter 4-2: Master Spell List
Psychic Bolt
Ability: Psychogenic (Mind) → Create
NN: 8
Description [Inst / Creature]: A bolt of pure psychic energy slams
the target’s mind.
Consequence [Threat / ST none]: This is the standard psychic
attack. It causes a visible distortion in the air in a straight line
to the target; Agility DP can be used to evade. A struck target
suffers temporary tinnitus. Psychic Bolts inflict non-physical harm
bypassing non-magical armor and shield, draining Willpower DP
first, Fortitude after. Casting modifers: The psychic can launch a
pure psychic attack, which is silent and invisible, bypassing Agility
as well, at +8 to the NN (after mastery calculations).
See Aura
Ability: Psychogenic (Mind) → Sense
NN: 8
Description [M / Self]: Can see the psychic aura of a person or
object.
Consequence [Boon / ST n/a]: This spell lets the caster read auras
(psychic energy fields). It shows general state of health, such as
sick, weary, or wounded. On a roll of 20 or better it can determine
the type of being, e.g. human, dwarf, elf, from aura alone. It shows
the presence of magic, and on a roll of 24 or better can distinguish
the type of magic present.
See Invisible
Ability: Psychogenic (Mind) → Sense
NN: 4
Description [M / Self]: Can see things that are normally hidden by
invisibility.
Consequence [Boon / ST n/a]: This spell allows for normal visual
checks against things that are invisible. If the invisibility is due
to the target’s own spell, then roll an opposed roll (Magic ability
branch versus Magic ability branch) to determine if See Invisible
penetrates the invisibility.
Chapter 5: Game Mastering
Everything is light and shadow. Nothing is real. And yet these dreams
can both heal and hurt. Be it nightmare or paradise-glimpse, all is but
a phantasm. Is the one who steers the dream truly a god or mayhap a
god’s dream?
---
The illusionist Easmer, as recorded by her disciple Yeg
If you are a seasoned Game Master you already know what to do.
Put together compelling adventures with a good mix of explora-
tion, interaction, combat, puzzles, tricks, and traps; know the rules
well enough that players don’t need to; referee the game fairly
while taking on the roles of all men and monsters other than the
PCs and describing scenes and results of actions as they occur in
response to players’ statements. Players control their characters,
you control everything else, and collaborate in creating the story of
their exploits. Simple.
If you are a novice, don’t worry, it gets easier with experience. You
can learn along with your players. There is plenty of advice around
on gamemastering, but as with the Eldritch role playing system, the
essentials are simple. Understand the game rules and apply them
impartially. Prepare for the adventure, but be ready to improvise,
because your players surely will. Keep the game moving and the
players involved with brief, colorful descriptions and interactions.
Always let characters have choices and chances, and encourage
and reward good play.
Character advancement
Eldritch RPG measures character experience by use of character
points, without dictating advancement in terms of any one
“character class” or bundle of abilities. Characters typically earn
between 1 and 3 points per session. This is for showing up,
participating, and a bonus point for entertaining and intelligent
play during the session (see individual bonus points below). The
rules assume an average of 3 points per session, increased through
exceptional play.
Group Bonus Points
• Survived devastating battle: 1 CP for every PC who survives
the battle, even if carried away unconscious by companions.
Characters resurrected by their friends retroactively earn the
group play point.
• Overcame extremely precarious situation: 2 CP for every
character involved.
Individual Bonus Points
• Singular action award; an idea or impulse that wins an
encounter for the PCs: 2 CP.
• Creative play award; entertaining role assumption, clever spell
improvisations, or entertaining combat narrative: 1 CP.
• Role assumption award, granted if player would have
benefited from ignoring character concept, maybe even risking
the character (without detriment to group play): 1 CP.
Chapter 5: Game Mastering | page 83
Weapons and Armor

As noted in Chapter 1, all characters begin play with equipment

appropriate to the life of an adventurer. Mundane items need no
special description — these are a matter for common sense and
GM judgement. The really important things for most characters
are weapons, armor, and magic. The first two are detailed below.
Melee Weapons’ handedness and reach affects harm and initiative
bonuses. The lighter weapons tend to have the initiative advantage
over the longer, heavier weapons.

Weapons Chart
Melee Weapon specialities: Axe, Bludgeon, Chain/Whip, Knife,
Pole-Arm/Spear, Sword.
Ranged Weapon specialities: Bow, Crossbow, Thrown.
Unarmed Combat specialities: Grapple, Kick, Punch

Name Handed- Threat / Reach or

ness Initiative Bonus Ranges (ft.)
Melee Weapons - Axe
Combat Axe 1H +2/+1 Medium
Great Axe 2H +4/0 Medium
Hand Axe 1H +1/+2 Short
Pick 1H 0/+3 Medium Melee Weapons - Knife
Throwing Axe 1H +1/+2 Medium Dagger 1H 0/+2 Short
Kris 1H +1/+2 Medium
Melee Weapons - Bludgeon
Parry Dagger 1H 0/+2 Short
Baton/Tonfa 1H 0/+3 Short
Throwing Dagger 1H 0/+3 Short
Bo Staff 2H +1/+3 Long
Utility Knife 1H 0/+2 Short
Club 1H +1/+3 Medium
Footman’s Flail 2H +3/+2 Long Melee Weapons - Pole-Arm/Spear
Footman’s Mace 1H +2/+1 Medium Halberd 2H +4/+1 Long

Horseman’s Mace 1H +3/0 Medium Lance 1H +3/+1 Long

Military Hammer 1H +1/0 Short Pike – medium 2H +3/+1 Long

Morning Star 2H +3/0 Medium Pike – short 2H +2/+2 Medium

Quarterstaff 2H +1/+2 Medium Spear 1H +1/+1 Medium

Shield (bash) 1H 0/0 Short Melee Weapons - Sword

Sledgehammer 2H +3/0 Medium Fencing 1H +1/+3 Medium

Melee Weapons - Chain/Whip Greatsword 2H +4/0 Medium

Bull whip 1H 0/+4 Long Katana 2H +3/+2 Medium

Cat o’ nine tails 1H 0/+2 Medium Long – used 1H 1H +2/+2 Medium

Chain – long 1H +3/0 Long Long – used 2H 2H +3/+2 Medium

Chain – medium 1H +2/+1 Medium Short 1H +2/+3 Short

Chain – short 1H +1/+2 Short Ranged Weapons - Thrown

Horseman’s Flail 1H +3/0 Varies w/ Dart 1H 0/+4 10/20/30
(mace & chain) length Throwing Dagger 1H +2/+3 10/30/50
Nunchaku 2H +1/+2 Short Shuriken 1H +1/+4 10/20/30
Sling & stone 1H 0/+2 10/20/50

page 84 | Chapter 5: Game Mastering

 Spear 1H +3/+2 10/30/50 Hazard Rules
Throwing Axe 1H +2/+3 10/25/40
Ranged Weapons - Crossbow Collision (falls, boulders, etc.)
Hand 1H +2/0 25/50/100 Falling causes damage equal to 10 hit points for every 10 feet
Heavy 2H +4/0 55/115/200 fallen, with Fortitude the only Defense.
Light 2H +3/0 75/150/300
Ranged Weapons - Bow For objects falling onto a living creature, the GM should assign 4,
Compound 2H +4/0 50/100/300 6, 8, 10, or 12 points of damage for every 10 feet fallen, depending
Long 2H +3/0 30/75/150 on size and weight (small, medium, large, huge, gargantuan,

Short 2H +2/0 20/50/100 respectively): see Chapter 4, Conjuration, Summon Object. For
objects slamming into a living creature, modify by velocity and
Unarmed Combat (see Chapter 3)
circumstance; usually the damage will be similar. Do not bother
Grapple 1H or 2H 0/0 Short
with complex formulas for this. The GM may allow the Agility
(opposed rolls)
Defense pool to apply against most of these types of harm, before
Kick 2H +2/0 Short
depleting Fortitude. If a hero is out of Agility DP the GM may allow
Punch 1H +1/+1 Short a saving throw instead. Roll Fortitude → Endurance vs. the amount
of damage: the difference in rolls is applied to Fortitude.
Armor
Armor reduces threat points that exceeds the defender’s Active
Weather (heat, cold, etc.)
Defense, by a die roll depending on the armor type. Magic armor Bad weather conditions can create situations causing penalties
types add a Rank (e.g. D10 chain) or a static bonus (this bonus to ability checks, while extreme weather can damage creatures’
cannot be bypassed). Creatures with natural armor wearing Fortitude Defense Pool directly. The GM may assign random
additional armor, or humanoids wearing multiple types of armor: damage per round, as with terrible heat or cold, or a flat number of
roll the highest die-rank of armor types, +1 per die rank for the damage points for situations like lightning strikes or tornadoes. The
secondary armor. range is usually anywhere from 1D4 to 3D12 (1 point to 36 points).

Hide / 1D4 — Light Toxins (venoms, poisons) and Diseases

Leather / 1D6 — Light
(plague, pox, etc.)
Chain / D8 — Medium
Plate / D10 — Heavy Toxins and diseases are generally assigned a level of
challenge and die-rank from Easy 1D4 to Herculean 3D12
Mithral variations (see Table 2.1 Challenge Dice). The GM also decides how
(exceptional metal): they take effect, and what effect they have. Toxins or
Chain / 2D4 — diseases must penetrate the target’s Active Defenses if
Light delivered by physical attack, such as by a striking snake
Plate / 2D6 — or poisoned sword tip. However a disease is introduced
Medium to the host, it only takes hold if a Fortitude → Endurance
check against it is failed. Some poisons can be similarity
Shields resisted, though others are more potent, with the differ-
Small / 1 ence in rolls being applied as damage to the Fortitude
Medium / 2 DP (or to a specific Ability, depending on the nature of
Large / 3 the poison). This could occur all at once, per period of
exposure, etc. Other toxins or diseases could, for example, apply a
Shields reduce threat points by 1 to 3 points as per shield type –1 per die rank penalty to ability checks, or cause the equivalent of
above, before the chosen Active Defense Pool is reduced. The magical effects (e.g. immobilization).
chosen DP must be above zero, or the wielder is too fatigued to Traps
use the shield to block effectively. Magic shield types add a static
bonus (e.g. small +1 shield reduces threat points by 2). A parry
dagger (main gauche) blocks like a small shield.

Chapter 5: Game Mastering | page 85

Deadly traps are a staple of fantasy role-playing games, adding
spice to adventures and keeping heroes from getting overconfi-
dent. They can be clever mechanical blades hidden in the walls of
a dungeon, crudely made spiked pits in the jungle, magical tomes
that explode when opened, or just about anything else.
The key components of traps are that a) they have a damaging,
debilitating, or immobilizing effect, b) they are usually sprung when
a specific circumstance is met, and c) they usually take their target
unawares. Traps are characterized by their type, the difficulty of
detecting and disarming them, their effect, Defenses against them,
their area of effect, and an overall description.
Type: Traps are divided into two categories: mechanical and
magical. Mechanical traps can be constructed by mundane means
and require neither magical knowledge nor components. Magical
traps, obviously, rely upon arcane effects to harm their victims.
Detection: Traps are usually designed to take people by surprise,
and thus are often cleverly concealed. Most will not be detected
unless actively searched for. A trap’s detection difficulty is
measured by the level of challenge and die-rank assigned on Table
2.1 Challenge Dice.
Traps provide situational opposition, requiring a Challenge ability
check to detect (or disarm). A character searching an area for
traps rolls a check using Perception → Notice → Traps against the
trap’s detection difficulty dice. How well the character succeeds
determines what information he gains about the trap. If he barely
succeeds, he will only know that there is a trap and whether it is
mechanical or magical. A better success might mean he knows
what the trap does or how it is triggered. A much better success
would give him all of that information.
Magical traps are often themselves invisible, but they do leave
signs that magically-trained characters can detect, such as a mystic
rune inscribed on a door, a slightly odd lighting effect, or a tingle
affecting the skin. A character can use Perception to detect magical
traps, but only if he or she also has Arcanum → Wards, or at least
D6 in a Magic ability used for the trap’s creation. Basic Arcanum
knowledge alone is insufficient for detecting magic traps.
Disarming: If a trap is detected before it is triggered, it can poten-
tially be disarmed. As with detection, a trap’s disarm difficulty is
assigned on Table 2.1. A character attempting to disarm a trap rolls
against the trap’s disarm difficulty dice.
Mechanical traps are disarmed using Skullduggery → Thievery →
Dangerous Traps. Magical traps are disarmed using the same Magic
ability branch used to cast the spell that created the trap. If a
character tries to disarm a trap and fails, the trap may be triggered
page 86 | Chapter 5: Game Mastering
depending on its nature and how badly the attempt failed (see
Chapter 2, Degrees of Success).
Effect: Mechanical traps are usually meant to cause harm through
a physical attack, which is represented as threat points, and can
be avoided by using an Active Defense. Mechanical traps can have
effects other than (or in addition to) causing potential harm, such
as poison (see Hazards, above).
Magical traps are often just spells with a delayed trigger. The effect
of magical traps is thus usually described in the same terms as the
spell that created them (normally a harming or status effect) and
the die-rank of the effect.
Defenses: The nature of a trap’s effect may mean that certain
Defenses (e.g. armor or specified Active DPs) afford no protection
against it, so those that are effective are noted here.
Area: This describes what is affected when the trap is triggered.
It can be a single creature, an area of effect, or something else
entirely.
Description: This describes the trap in general, and any other
important details, such as whether the trap can be reset, and if so,
if the reset is automatic or manual; energy points used for certain
magical traps, etc.
Creating Traps
Some encountered traps are ages old, their provenance obscure:
the ancient sorceries that ward the cobwebbed tombs of magician-
kings; the shifting stonework in abandoned dwarven deeps. Most
are more contemporary, set in place by campaign NPCs to protect
themselves, treasure vaults, kidnapped princesses, and so on.
Player characters, too, can make traps.
Mechanical traps are built with whatever relevant ability branches
a character might have, assuming the resources and time are
available. Whether a PC can build a particular trap and the details
of that trap are left to the discretion of the GM.
To create a magical trap, a thaumaturge must create a trap ritual
using Arcanum → Wards. Trap rituals are constructed in the same
manner as any other magic item, but can only be used for creating
a specific trap.
If a thaumaturge has a Branch Rank total in Arcanum → Wards
between 28–36 MV, then he or she can create magical traps with
Threat effects that exceed the normal ranges. There are 5 ranks of
such magical traps, and when triggered they inflict threat points
equal to (Rank x 6) + D6, i.e. from 7–12 to 31–36 threat points.
The chosen rank determines the Needed Number to set the trap,
as defined in Chapter 4, Magic.
There are also particularly nasty mechanical traps or hazards that
can inflict these 5 special ranks of threat points. Magical traps are
active until triggered or dispelled. Magical traps follow the same
rules as any other magic item (see Chapter 4): they have internal
energy points, and become inert when those points are spent,
unless recharged or made perpetual with a permanency ritual.
Example Traps
Bear Trap
Type: Mechanical
Detect / Disarm: 2D4 / 1D8
Effect: 3D10 threat points
Defenses: Armor, Agility DP
Area: One creature
Description: Concealed under a pile of dead leaves or other loose
material is a set of iron jaws that snap shut on the leg of a creature
stepping into it. The bear trap can be manually reset.
The Brick
Type: Mechanical
Detect / Disarm: 2D6 / 2D8
Effect: 2D10 threat points
Defenses: Agility DP
Area: One creature
Description: Inset in a wall are a series of gems, at roughly the
height of a human, dwarf, elf, gnome, etc. The gems seem valuable
and cannot be pried out. If a lone brick that sticks half-way out of
the bottom of the wall is pushed, a stone dowel will launch from
the wall behind the prospective gem collector and strike him or her
with significant force. The “gems” that then clatter to the floor will
be found to be near worthless. The trap does not reset.
Death Scroll
Type: Magical
Detect / Disarm: 1D4 / 2D10 (Arcanum → Curse)
Effect: Maintained threat points, 12+D6 (13–18) per round
Defenses: Fortitude
Area: Creature reading scroll
Description: A dusty old scroll, rolled up with a magic seal, placed
just where some unsuspecting or naive adventurer will inevitability
pick it up and regret it. The act of reading it triggers the effect.
Willpower DP can be used against the trap’s threat points. Also, an
Chapter 5: Game Mastering | page 87
opposed roll of Willpower versus 2D10 will stop the maintained
threat points, otherwise damage continues until death.
Electric Room
Type: Magical
Detect / Disarm: 2D12 / 2D10 (Elementalism)
Effect: 3D10 electricity threat points
Defenses: Fortitude DP
Area: One creature
Description: A ritual was performed to electrify the walls of the
room, as well as any closed doors, and made permanent (Energy
Points: 30 pool / 5 points per triggering). The effect can be
detected if the low electric hum is heard, otherwise the field is
invisible. Anybody touching a vertical surface will be shocked for
3D10 threat points. Metal walls increase damage by ×1.5.
Explosive Book Trap
Type: Magical
Detect / Disarm: 1D12 / 1D12 (Elementalism)
Effect: 12+D6 (13–18) Threat
Defenses: Agility DP
Area: 5-foot radius
Description: A magical rune on the cover of the book causes an
explosive fireball any time the book is opened. Unless the book is
protected against fire, it will be destroyed in the explosion.
Enfeeblement Trap
Type: Magical
Detect / Disarm: 1D10 / 1D8 (Arcanum → Wards)
Effect: 2D6 Curse (Feats of Strength)
Defenses: Willpower → Resistance → Curses
Area: Archway
Description: Blue light fills the archway when someone passes
through it, and that person is affected by a Modification effect that
drains the Feats of Strength speciality and all Melee Weapon and
Unarmed Combat attacks. The trap automatically resets after it is
triggered.
Microburst (Arcane Ward)
Type: Magical
Detect / Disarm: 2D8 / 2D10 (Elementalism)
Effect: 2D10 threat points
Defenses: Fortitude → Feat of Strength (saving throw) then
Fortitude DP
Area: One creature
Description: This permanent arcane ward can be placed on almost
anything: a book, a door, a chest, a robe, a wand, etc. Anyone other
than the caster who touches the item is engulfed in a powerful
whirlwind, lifted rapidly into the air, and then dashed to the
ground.
page 88 | Chapter 5: Game Mastering
Nightmares
Type: Magical
Detect / Disarm: 2D8 / 2D8 (Conjuration)
Effect: 6+D6 (7–12) threat points per round for D4 rounds, then
stunned for D6 rounds.
Defenses: Willpower → Resistance → Psychogenic effects
Area: A forest glade, a room, perhaps a whole (haunted) manor
Description: Any creatures attempting to sleep in this area will
experience horrible nightmares, becoming increasingly drained,
then at last awakening but unable to react to their surroundings
for a time. Willpower → Resistance can be used as a Defense Pool
against the trap’s threat points. Once the temporary DP is zero, the
character is stuck in the nightmare until the effect ends.
Poisonous Gas Cloud
Type: Mechanical
Detect / Disarm: 2D8 to 2D10 / 2D4 to 2D8
Effect: Poison; either 2D6 to 2D12 threat points, once, or 1D8 to
2D6 Fortitude loss per hour
Defenses: Agility DP, exceeding threat points reduce Fortitude DP.
Area: 5-foot diameter cloud
Description: This trap can be placed virtually anywhere: the mouth
of a statue, the keyhole on a treasure chest or a door, etc., or it
could just be an alchemical effort gone wrong. When triggered a
small glass container breaks and the gas escapes. The potency of
the gas is variable and it can have a one-time effect on any who
contacted it, or linger until neutralized. The trap does not reset.
Poison Needle Trap
Type: Mechanical
Detect / Disarm: 2D8 / 2D10
Effect: Poison; 1D8 Fortitude loss per hour
Defenses: Agility → Reflexes saving throw, + armor roll if protec-
tive gauntlets worn
Area: One creature
Description: A poisoned needle inside the lock pricks the finger of
anyone attempting to pick the lock, unless he is wearing something
stronger than leather on his hands. A victim pricked by the needle
suffers the effects of a powerful poison, which remains in effect
until it is neutralized or the victim is dead. There is only enough
poison on the needle to affect one creature, so the trap cannot be
reset.
The Reverse Pit
Type: Magical
Detect / Disarm: 2D8 / 2D12 (Elementalism + Illusion)
Effect: 18+D6 (19–24) threat points, + 2D6 threat points
Defenses: Willpower → Resistance, Illusion → Sense, or Agility DP
Area: One creature
Description: An overhead shaft of 20 feet in height is masked by
an illusionary 10-foot square section of ceiling. When stepping
under the shaft the unfortunate character is propelled upward via a
sudden reversal of gravity and then slammed back to the ground by
another reversal of gravity. The top of the shaft is filled with spikes
(for the 2D6 threat points). The trap is constant.
Screaming Crystal
Type: Magical
Detect / Disarm: 1D4 / 3D12 (Conjuration)
Effect: Increasing threat points + status effect
[round one 2D6 + distract, round two 3D6 + stun; round three
18+D6 (19–24) + incapacitate]
Defenses: Willpower → Resistance saving Throw
Area: 5-foot radius
Description: Any creature moving within 5 feet of this shiny
glowing crystal shard will evoke supernatural screams from
the souls trapped within. Every round the basic effect gets
more serious, inflicting increasing damage; any creature whose
Willpower is brought to zero suffers distraction in round 1,
stunning in round 2, and incapacitation in round 3. The trap resets
once every living thing within the area of effect is unconscious.
Slanting Corridor
Type: Mechanical
Detect / Disarm: 2D8 / 2D6
Effect: 2D8 to 2D12 threat points, *possibly + 2D8 threat points
Defenses: Agility DP
Area: Special
Description: A corridor of varying length leads to an ornate metal
door. The door is quite large and looks very secure. When enough
weight is gathered in front of the door (generally three persons) a
section of the corridor suddenly slants downward, dumping all into
a shallow pit slightly larger than the door. The door, which is merely
a large metal weight, then falls in on top of them. *If his Agility
DP reaches zero, then the character is trapped beneath the metal
weight and may suffer further damage. The trap does not reset.
Spear Trap
Type: Mechanical
Detect / Disarm: 1D8 / 1D8
Effect: 2D10 threat points
Defenses: Armor, Shield, Agility DP, Melee Weapons
Area: One creature
Description: A pressure plate in the floor causes a spring-loaded
spear to be thrust from a false panel in the wall at the creature that
triggered the trap. The trap can be manually reset.
Spiked Pit Trap
Type: Mechanical
Detect / Disarm: 2D4 / 2D12
Effect: 2D10 threat points, 2D6 threat points
Defenses: Pit, Agility DP; Spikes, Agility DP, Armor
Area: 10-foot square
Description: A 10-foot by 10-foot section of the floor has been
designed to collapse when more than 150 pounds of weight is
placed upon it. When it does, anything on it falls into a 20-foot
deep pit with iron spikes. The fall causes 2D10 threat points and
the spikes cause an additional 2D6 threat points. If a character
manages to avoid falling in the pit (Agility DP), then he is unaf-
fected by the spikes as well. It requires a Moderate (2D4) climbing
roll to get out of the pit. The trap cannot be reset.
Spin Trap
Type: Magical
Detect / Disarm: 2D6 / 2D6 (Alteration)
Effect: Turns creatures around
Defenses: The advantage “Sense of Direction”
Area: Usually 5 to 10 foot square to trigger, but as large as desired
Description: Stepping into this area triggers a magic field that
affects every sentient creature standing within 10 feet of the area
or another affected creature, like a chain reaction. All creatures
are immediately faced in the opposite direction. This creates no
sensation other than confusion, but if the Spin Trap takes effect in
darkness or a hall of mirrors, it can be problematic. The advantage
of “sense of direction” thwarts the trap outright for those
possessing it.
Tainted Trove
Type: Magical
Detect / Disarm: 2D8 / 2D8 (Illusion)
Effect: Poison 2D10 threat points per hour until neutralized,
ending one day after contact
Defenses: Fortitude DP
Area: One or more creatures
Description: A vast and fantastic treasure trove is discovered
containing all manner of valuables as devised by the GM. This is
an intricate illusion layered on top of base metal coins, rocks, and
junk weapons, etc. Everything has been treated with a slow-acting
but very potent contact poison, activated by body heat, that will
eat away at Fortitude, likely resulting in death. Unused poison
dissipates with the illusion a few minutes after contact, and the
trap does not reset.
Tripwire Darts / Pendulum Blade / Falling Block, etc.
Type: Mechanical
Chapter 5: Game Mastering | page 89
Detect / Disarm: 2D4 to 2D8 / 2D4 to 2D8
Effect: 2D4 to 2D10 threat points
Defenses: Agility DP
Area: One creature
Description: A very thin, camouflaged, or hidden
tripwire springs the trap when broken. The exact
nature of the trap is variable and left to the discre-
tion of the GM. The trap does not reset.

Vanishing Stairs
Type: Mechanical
Detect / Disarm: 2D6 / 2D8
Effect: 2D6 to 2D12 threat points
Defenses: Agility DP
Area: Stairway
Description: A stairway of any type, ascending
or descending, straight or spiral, can host this
trap. When unsuspecting character(s) trigger the
trap (GM’s discretion) the stairs suddenly flatten
out, forming a slide. The surface is highly polished
and very slick! All affected cascade downward or
backward as the case may be, to where there is usually a deep spike-
laden pit waiting for them, or perhaps a pool of burning oil. The trap
can reset at the GM’s discretion.

Vermin Box
Type: Magical
Detect / Disarm: 2D4 / n/a (Conjuration)
Effect: Distraction and 1D4 threat points
Defenses: Agility DP
Area: 5-foot radius
Description: A small magical box containing an impossible number
of aggressive rats opens upon being touched. Anybody within
5 feet of the box suffers a +1 battle phase penalty on initiative
during their next action. Also, those who are standing in the area
take 1D4 threat points (mitigated by Agility DP).
Opponent and NPC Development
Role-playing games are not exciting without conflict. These
games are about adventure, after all, allowing us to step out of
our mundane existence, vicariously clobbering wickedness in the
fantasy realms of our creation. Warriors brandish swords to thwart
evil, wizards bend reality to achieve the impossible, and rogues
sneak past them both to claim the treasure for themselves. Eldritch
provides a straightforward system to represent the monsters and
foes of legend and nightmare. GMs do not have to spend hours
creating statistics for the opponents in the game, but can focus on
speedy action and excitement during play.
There are five categories of creature significance in ERP: Minor,
Standard, Exceptional, Legendary, and “Full-Fledged.” Minor,
Standard, and Exceptional creatures encourage quick battle
resolution, Legendary creatures are a tougher proposition, and
Full-Fledged ones are fleshed out with a character sheet, their skills
usually covering more than combat. Of course, there is no bar to
creating interesting personalities, quirks, and strategies for lesser
foes.

Most opponents possess only the most basic of statistics. Those

statistics are Type, Threat Dice, Extra Attacks, Hit Points, Damage
Reduction, Saving Throw, Agility Rank, Weapons, Armor, and

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Treasure, and any notes specific to a template, including unusual
movement, magic effects, and so on. Creature descriptions are as
below:

Creature Name: Either monster or NPC name.

Type (TY): Minor, Standard, Exceptional, Legendary (Full-Fledged

will be individuals built like Player Characters).

Threat Dice (TD): Dice used for close combat, missile, and magic/
general special power attacks (up to three dice in each category).

Extra Attacks (EA): If applicable — different from multiple attacks via

special maneuvers.

Hit Points (HP): Total creature hit points equals Max Value of only
the main attack form’s threat dice for Minor creatures, or the
MV of all threat dice for Standard through Legendary opponents
(Full-Fledged NPCs will use Fortitude Branch). This can be modified
depending on the creature’s size and nature.

Damage Reduction (DR): Armor dice and shield bonus, if applicable.

Shield bonus and armor DR is applied before reducing HP for
normal opponents. A defender may always opt to take the average
level of armor protection rather than roll the dice (1/2 the armor
die-rank; See Opponent Damage Reduction).
Saving Throw (ST): Used for determining saving throws against
certain magic and powers. The dice used are determined by the
creature template, or whatever is deemed appropriate by the GM
for a particular creature.
Abilities (AB): Agility is always listed, and determines the Battle
Phase in a round when the creature attacks. Most creatures don't
list other Abilities, such as Fortitude, which is why HP is dealt with
more abstractly, based on Threat Dice MV.
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure (WAT): Lists the creature’s commonly
wielded weapons, worn armor, and typical treasure.
Notes: Special abilities and powers, if possessing an arcane attack,
common equipment, etc. Movement rate if unusual in some way.
Legends and lore pertinent to game play.
Creature Type
Minor creatures are the most common type and the easiest to
defeat in combat, like the wimpy goblins that make large-scale
battles swift. Inferior and abundant monsters fit into this bottom-
end category. Examples include rapacious hordes of goblins or
kobolds, ordinary rabble, inexperienced town militias, weaker sorts
of undead minions like skeletons and zombies, etc.
Minor opponents rarely have more than one attack type above D4
(see Threat Dice below), and are usually medium-sized or smaller.
At the GM’s discretion, strong minor creatures (e.g. goblin leaders)
may have more than one single die attack higher than D4, but no
more than D12. They rarely have much treasure.
Standard opponents are more of a threat, but still no match for
a single full-fledged PC. Typical standard creatures include town
guards, ordinary soldiers, common criminals, experienced hirelings,
and animals and monsters of all sorts. These foes use up to two
dice to attack (as in 2D6 Melee etc.), and can inflict significant
damage on a hero when attacking in numbers, especially if there
are eight or more.

Exceptional creatures pose a great threat, use up to three dice to

attack (as in 3D8 Ranged etc.), and have more hit points and so
are tougher to defeat. Experienced warriors, assassins, dangerous
animals like lions, crocodiles, or elephants, or any other sort of
major opponent can be an exceptional foe.

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Legendary monsters like gorgons, chimeras, lesser dragons, golems,
and werewolves sometimes have exceptional-level Threat Dice and
abilities, and can exceed D12 for potential harm.
Full-Fledged opponents are NPCs or creatures as fully developed as
PCs. They may be anything from minor to legendary in combat, but
are important enough to the adventure or campaign to warrant a
full character sheet.
Legendary monsters and iconic NPCs are the only categories of
opponent in the game that can possess ranks of D14, D16, D18,
and D20. Game Masters may decide to open up these levels of
ability to Player Characters as well, allowing superheroics at an
epic, world-shaking level of play. (Dice with unusual numbers of
sides are easy to find and purchase on the internet, or can be
simulated fairly easily.)
Note that extra attacks and modifiers to hit points based on size
or supernatural properties make these categories shiftable (see
Creature Hit Points). If a monster with great celerity is granted
three extra attacks in a round, but none are above a single die, it is
no longer a “minor” creature, because its maximum potential harm
per round has increased significantly.
Threat Dice
Threat Dice describe all attack forms available to a creature. Such
attacks are abstract, with specific weapon modifiers used for
creatures of standard or greater rank. (Specialities and masteries
as such are considered for unusual or full-fledged opponents.) The
means of attack are Melee, Unarmed, Ranged, and Arcane.
All humanoids possess a minimum of D4 in Melee and Unarmed.
Most also have a minimum D4 rank in Ranged ability (for at least
throwing stones), although if they carry no missile weapons into
combat, then the point may be moot. The GM should use common
sense to decide whether other creatures can use melee or ranged
attacks, based on biology. For instance, apes might easily use
branches as clubs, but most bears cannot throw stones unless
strange magic dictates otherwise. Even if certain creatures usually
go unarmed, a GM who wants a convenient makeshift weapon
lying around can make it so (there is usually at least a rock to
throw).
A creature’s main attack is whichever attack form has the highest
potential harm (the threat dice with the highest MV). Minor
creatures typically have only one attack type above D4, with a
main attack of up to D12. Standard creatures can have two attacks
above D4, with a main attack of up to 2D12. Exceptional creatures
can have three attacks above D4, with a main attack of up to
3D12. Legendary creatures can have any number of attacks above
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D4, and a main attack of up to a staggering 3D20. Extra attack
forms, if any, are independent of the main one. A standard creature
with a main attack of 2D6 could have a secondary attack of 1D4 or
1D8, not necessarily 2D4, etc.
Natural attacks by dangerous beasts usually use Unarmed as the
means of attack. Some use unusual, but non-magical, Ranged
attacks, like the projectile quills of a manticore, or the acidic spit
of a giant frog, or a behemoth that routinely rips trees out of the
earth and hurls them at human pests. Some monsters are capable
of attacking by Arcane means, such as a dragon’s fiery breath, or an
energy bolt from the horn of a unicorn.
Magic or general power attacks use the Threat spell effect by
default (see Chapter 4, Magic). Standard attacks have no Needed
Number assigned, but some special attacks may have bonuses to
damage or may bypass shields and/or armor, and require beating
the NN. Some Legendary monsters may forgo any NN to attack,
as with a dragon using its innate breath weapon. Determine range
based on the nature of the attack, or the range given by a spell
description. By default creature spells have a range of 10 × Arcane
MV in feet. Creatures capable of other sorts of magic effects, or
those possessing innate magical abilities mirroring magic spells, will
have the fact noted in their templates.
Attack Forms
Do note that monsters aren’t required to use “conventional” Ability
Branches. It doesn’t matter if a giant is using an ability branch
as precise as Unarmed → Fist → Pulverize, or the wyvern uses
Unarmed → Claws. The potential harm can be expressed as simply
as 3D6 (pulverize), or 2D10 (claws of sharpness).
Threat bonuses: Some of the most powerful creatures can inflict
extra damage, reflecting a creature’s unusual natural capacities,
size, or nature. This threat point bonus is written next to any single
threat dice category (Melee, Unarmed, Ranged, or Arcane), and
ranges from +4 to +12 per strike. If a creature can perform multiple
strikes (as the special maneuver in Chapter 3), add the bonus to
each roll. The bonus does not apply to any Extra Attacks, unless
specifically stated in a creature’s description. 
Extra Attacks
Some monsters have special, extra attacks, in addition to their
regular attacks. These always occur one battle phase after the
creature’s regular attacks in the round. Each additional attack is
listed in any monster stat block after the abbreviation “EA,” and
can be of any type (physical, mental, magical, etc.), and take any
form (claws, bite, fire breath, psionic attack, etc.). The extra attacks
follow the standard rules (like a maximum of three dice tiers with
Threat Dice). Otherwise, a creature may have any number of Extra Creature Hit Points
Attacks in a round, limited only by its concept.
Creature hit points are listed in the format: HP: # (Active/Passive)
[constitution, size, nature]. Optional Rule: The single hit point score
This rule better simulates special creatures with unusual attack
may be split in parentheses (Active Defense and passive defense-
combinations — hellhounds, multi-limbed demons or golems, giant
Fortitude); some descriptive qualities that may affect hit points
squid, giant snakes, dragons, two-headed giants with psychogenic
follow in square brackets (along with any HP multiplier).
powers, the ever loved and admired hydras, and so on. Do not
confuse an Extra Attack category with multiple strikes via special
Base creature hit points equal either the Max-Value of the
maneuvers, achieved by “splitting” an ability branch.
main attack form (Minor creatures), or the sum of all threat dice
(Standard, Exceptional, Legendary). This counts the base threat
For illustration, imagine a humanoid monster with four arms, and
dice only, without extra attacks (EA), and sans extra damage due to
just to make it really frightening, it wields in each hand a magic
special effects or bonuses. Hit points can be modified depending
fiery bludgeon, each club inflicting +1 damage, plus an extra 1D6
on the creature’s size and nature, and the resultant HP score
of fire-based threat points (as a magic Threat effect). Consider its
can be split if needed or desired. In brief: add modifiers for size
template:
and nature together, divide by 2, and multiply base hit points by
the result; if the creature is armored, then split HP according to
Example of Exceptional Monster Stats
constitution.
TY: Exceptional
TD: Melee 3D8 (+1, +D6 fire) ~ Unarmed D4 ~ Ranged D6 ~
HP Modifiers
Arcane Nil
Size is miniscule, tiny, small, medium, large, huge, or gargantuan:
EA: 1. 2D8 (+1, +D6 fire) 2. D8 (+1, +D6 fire) 3. D8 (+1, +D6 fire)
see Table 4.4. Nature is mundane, magical, preternatural, or super-
HP: 68 (34/34) [normal, medium, preternatural; ×2]
natural. Mundane creatures are normal, and not innately magical
DR: Shield n/a, armor D4 (hide)
(although they may possess magic abilities). Magical creatures are
ST: D12 basic; 3D8 versus Melee Weapons combat maneuvers
so innately, but are not otherworldly: unicorns and the like.
AR: D10 (BP 2; but initiative 13 with clubs, letting it act in BP 1);
Preternatural creatures include most magical ‘monsters’ as such,
Notes: Has the Multiple Strikes special maneuver. Each club (harm
generally anything eldritch or weird. Supernatural creatures are
+1, initiative bonus +3) wielded is magical, granting +1 to damage,
usually extraplanar or incorporeal types, and include vampires,
plus an extra D6 fire threat points with every strike, treated as an
angels, and so on.
attack spell. Cannot sprint (top-heavy).

Creature size modifier guidelines

Example of Battle: This dangerous generic monster attacks a
Miniscule or tiny modifier (mouse to cat): +0
terrified soldier in battle phase 1, using its clubs, and decides to
Small or medium modifier (goblin to human): +1
split its regular Melee attack. One die is applied to each strike,
Large modifier (horse, bear, tiger): +2
with the weapon’s harm bonus added to each. So the GM rolls
Huge modifier (elephant, giant squid, wyvern): +3
against the monster’s target: tossing down 1D8+2 (strike 1) and
Gargantuan modifier (dragon, dinosaur, whale): +4
then adding 1D6 (as magic Threat), and then repeating the process
twice against the same target. The damage penetrates the hapless
Creature nature modifier guidelines
foe’s Defenses, killing him. But Le Monstre is not finished. Turning
Mundane (human, dwarf, wolf): +1
to the next foe, in the very next battle phase of the round, it uses
Magical modifier (fay, shee, werewolf): +2
its extra limbs to attack three more times (2D8, then 1D8, then
Preternatural modifier (golem, hag, plant monster): +3
1D8). Remember to allow a targeted foe his armor roll against each
Supernatural modifier (demon, elemental, ghost): +4
individual Extra Attack; never roll EAs all at once and total the
damage (doing so would overwhelm many Defenses and be grossly
Add the two modifiers together, halve that sum (do not round),
unfair).
then multiply base hit points by the result (always round up). The
resultant single, abstract hit points score combines Active Defense
GM Note: “Minor” type creatures generally do not get extra attacks,
types (Melee, Agility, and so on) and Fortitude, making it very open
but as is the case with most rules, that is only a guideline. Also,
to GM narrative interpretation during battles. If a monster has no
remember that powers or spells which ignore (bypass) Active DPs
natural or manufactured armor, or you just want to keep things
are unusual, and more difficult to accomplish.
simple, use the single HP score as is. It is suggested that you use a
single HP score for Minor creatures.

Chapter 5: Game Mastering | page 93


Splitting Hit Points (Optional Rule)
You can split HP to delineate Defenses, or if a foe is armored, to
determine when to roll for armor (when Active Defense is pene-
trated). Constitution is normal, fast, or tough, and determines how
the score is split. A normal HP score is split evenly between Active
Defense and Fortitude. Fast creatures rely more on movement,
evasion, and skill, and usually split the score 75% Active Defense
and 25% Fortitude. Tough creatures rely more on toughness and
armor, and reverse that percent split, with 75% going to Fortitude
and 25% toward Active Defense. (Always round the results.) GMs
beware that opponents whose hit points skew toward Fortitude
will roll their armor Damage Reduction more often, as the Active
Defense Pool is more easily penetrated. If such opponents have
good armor, they are much tougher to subdue or kill.
Examples and Notes
For example, a minor human archer with main attack Ranged D10,
second highest Melee D8, and possessing only the default D4 in
Unarmed, with no proficiency in Arcane attacks, would have a base
HP score of 10. As he is medium, mundane, and wears no armor,
his HP remains at 10. An otherwise identical faerie archer with a
magical modifier to HP of +2, and armor, would have a multiplier
of ×1.5 and a total HP score of 15, split into Active Defense 8 and
Fortitude 7. A medium, supernatural creature with 50 base HP
might add 1 (medium size) +4 (supernatural nature) ÷ 2 for a multi-
plier of ×2.5. So the creature would have a modified 125 HP. If it
were normal, it could split HP 50/50 (63/62); if it were fast 75/25
(94/31); if it were tough 25/75 (31/94). The bestiary supplies such
details for the monsters it describes.
These rules are guidelines, and GMs may alter hit point scores
to suit circumstances and their conceptions of creatures. What
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seems right for a monster is more important than mechanical
application of modifiers. A large but unrobust creature (giraffe) or
a not particularly magical monster might get no modifier. Fragile
creatures with strong attacks can even have hit points reduced. On
the other hand, some creatures can be made very hard to harm,
although total modifiers should not usually exceed +6. GMs could
even give monsters different HP splits, such as 20/80 or 66/34, if
that fitted the concept better.
Note on elemental or incorporeal creatures: Whatever elemental form
is assumed conveys immunity to that element, as well as immunity
from certain physical attack forms. An incorporeal creature is
immune to physical attack, but still susceptible to non-physical
magic harm (although incorporeal undead like ghosts are immune
to Energy attacks).
Opponent Damage Reduction
Most normal creatures have Damage Reduction for neither shields
nor armor. Their single HP score takes normal skin, hide, or fur into
account. For humanoid types, shields used and armor worn are
as for Player Characters (see Equipment in this chapter), although
Minor creatures should just have their HP increased by 1 per armor
die rank (+1 for a shield) to keep fights fast (or cut armor rolls in
half for easier battles). Sometimes armor is worn by other types of
creature, e.g. horse barding. More often, monsters and particular
creatures may have integument or magical protections equivalent
to armor (and possibly shield).
Shields or their equivalent reduce threat points by 1/ 2/ 3 points
for a small/ medium/ large shield before any Active Defense.
Armor reduces threat points that exceeds the Active Defense, by a
die roll depending on the armor type; a rough guide to equivalents
is given below for GMs designing or defining creatures:
Hide / D4 – Light Tough hide, spines or quills, bark
Leather / D6 – Light Hard scales, thick fur or blubber, huge
Chain / D8 – Medium Thick chitin, horny plates, gargantuan
Plate / D10 – Heavy Stony, metallic, enchanted
Creature Saving Throws
Monster and NPC Saving Throws come into play when a magic
effect, special power, or deadly trap triggers a status effect (see
Chapter 4, Afflictions). Every creature is assigned a Saving Throw
rank, usually from 1D4 up through 2D10+, that is applicable to
every situation requiring an opposed roll. This usually represents
only Willpower, but can cover more, either as noted on the
creature template or assigned by GM fiat. Some creatures have
different Saving Throws against different attack types, listed after
the basic ST die rank; e.g. D4; D10 versus Magic; 3D10 versus
Melee Maneuvers.
Threat ranks may sometimes stand in as Saving Throws, if indicated
in the ST listing. For GMs making up opponents on the fly, this
table can serve as a rough guideline:

Typical Saving Throw Scores for Opponents (basic score):

Minor: D4 to D8
Standard: D6 to D12
Extraordinary: 2D4 to 2D8
Legendary: 2D10 to 3D12

Agility Rank
Each creature template has an Agility rank, which determines
its Battle Phase, and hence when it acts in a round. There is no
formula for this. It varies for each creature and animal, based on
averages for that type. Minor to exceptional creatures automati-
cally lose initiative vs. Player Characters if they act in the same
Battle Phase. (See Chapter 3, Combat Rounds and Battle Phases.)

A creature with two or more dice in the Melee attack rank may
gain a weapon’s initiative bonus, but only if it is specialized in the
general type of weapon wielded. For example, a speciality in Sword
allows a creature that uses a short sword to gain a +2 to initiative.
If its Agility rank were D6 (BP 4), this bonus would raise initiative
to 8 (BP 3). For convenience’s sake, the GM can assume that a
standard or greater creature has a speciality in whatever type of
weapon it holds entering into battle.
Creature Movement Rate
Movement in Eldritch is usually abstract, with the GM tracking
everything. If it is important, maximum movement is determined
by Agility rank plus a number for all creatures. As a guideline,
the number for base movement is 18 yards per round for most
humanoids and similar bipeds, and varies with Agility for most
creatures with 4+ legs (Agility rank/Number: D4/25, D6/38,
D8/51, D10/63, D12/76; the die MV corresponds to base
movement rate in mph).
Movement — Number + Agility MV (attack with no penalty)
Running — Movement ×2 (attack with penalty, –3)
Sprinting — Movement ×4 (no attack possible after movement)
Racing. The effects of adventurers’ typical gear, armour, and
weaponry are already factored into running and sprinting speeds.
The GM may let characters with little more than a loincloth
and dagger run and sprint more quickly: movement ×3 and ×6
respectively. This would allow a character with maximum skills to
move at world record speeds. Notably speedy creatures (antelope,
cheetahs, horses without riders) can also run and sprint more
quickly.
Huge, gargantuan, and naturally armored creatures (elephants,
etc.) cannot sprint at all, unless, like rhinos, they charge as a special
attack form. Predators and other beasts that charge as their usual
attack form attack with no penalty at the end of movement. Small
fast creatures use half their initiative Agility rank for movement.
NPC Equipment and Treasure
The GM determines regular treasure depending on the type of
creature encountered and circumstances. Opponents may carry
whatever weapons and armor befit their roles. Adventurers
like fortune hunters, explorers, buccaneers, and swashbucklers
typically carry equipment appropriate to their experience and
power. Specialized NPCs like infamous mages, reclusive druids, and
prominent theurgists often have magic items. Commoners — serfs,
menial servants, ordinary soldiers, peasants, servants, tavern
keeps, hedge magicians, and so on — carry whatever their station
entails. Nobles often possess the highest quality clothes, armor,
and weapons, and typically wear fine jewelry. Rogues and assassins
carry thieves’ tools, often poison vials, and occasionally magic
items designed for deception. Monsters from minor to legendary
possess treasure according to their ecology and culture. All in all,
it’s up to the GM to decide.
As noted in Chapter 1, coinage in the realm uses a system like our
own modern day currency; simply substitute the word “crowns” for
dollars. Assign dollar amounts to items that would be comparable
to things in our own world. The following table serves a quick
guideline to treasure size.

Chapter 5: Game Mastering | page 95

Generic Treasure Magic Shields
Archetypal (+1 max)
Type Coins Chance of Magic 01–33 Wooden
Trinkets 1–6 01% 1 item 34–66 Steel
Small cache 2–20 05% 1 item 67–00 Bronze
Cache 20–200 10% 1 item Esoteric
Small trove 100–600 20% D2 items 01–34 Hledrith Shield, elven (+1D4 DR once
Trove 200–2000 30% D3 items per round, vs. ranged damage)
Hoard 1000–10,000 40% D4 items 35–67 Anoth Shield, dwarven (+1D4 DR once
Dragon’s hoard 10,000–60,000+ 50% D8 items per round, vs. melee damage)
68–00 Goedenhud Shield, druid (Gan Creadi-
$1= 1 coin (crown) = 1 oz. gold, silver, copper, etc. at the GM’s geath); (+1D4 DR once per round, vs.
desire. magic damage)
Legendary
Magic Items, Examples 01–33 Invictus Shield, Steel (Psarmorum) +1D6
DR once/round.
(see Chapter 4, Arcanum for item creation rules)
34–66 Tylwyth Shield, wood (Maedoen) +1D8
01–17 Armor
DR once/round vs. shee (fairy) magic
18–34 Grimoires and scrolls
67–00 Wrhydri Shield, any material (Cross-
35–50 Magic Rings
roads) +1D6 DR once/round vs. any
51–67 Potions spell-based threat points
68–83 Rods, Staffs, & wands
84–00 Weapons
Grimoires and scrolls
Archetypal
Roll 1D6 for Magic Item Rarity 01–25 Contains 1D4 spells
1–3 Archetypal 26–50 Grants 1 CP toward next rank in
4–5 Esoteric designated speciality
6 Legendary 51–75 Grants 1 CP toward next rank in
designated pillar (basic)
Magic Armor 76–00 Magically grants 2 CP toward mastery, if
Archetypal (Static Bonus +1 to +4) spell in repertoire

01–25 Leather Esoteric

26–50 Chain 01–25 Contains 1D6 spells

51–75 Scale 26–50 Grants 2 CP toward next rank in

76–00 Plate designated speciality

Esoteric (magical metals or exotic material) 51–75 Grants 4 CP toward next rank in
designated pillar (basic)
01–34 Hledrith Armor, elven 2D4 protection,
light 76–00 Magically grants 4 CP toward mastery,
either two ranks, or two spells, if already
35–67 Anoth Armor, dwarven 1D12+1,
in repertoire
medium armor
Legendary
68–00 Goedenhud Armor, druidical (Gan
Creadigeath) as leather +1D4 or higher 01–25 Contains 2D4 spells

STs versus magic 26–50 Awards next rank in designated speci-

Legendary ality (immediate increase)

01–33 Invictus Plate (Psarmorum) 2D8 51–75 Grants next rank in designated pillar
(immediate increase)
34–66 Tylwyth Leather (Maedoen) 2D6
76–00 Magically grants two ranks to any basic
67–00 Wrhydri Chain (Crossroads) Magic
pillar, related speciality, or mastered
damage cannot bypass this armor
spell

page 96 | Chapter 5: Game Mastering

 Rods, Staffs, and wands
Magic Rings Archetypal
Archetypal 01–33 Rod of Invocation: +1D3 to Invocation
01–33 Luck (+1 to Support Ability rolls) spell checks
34–66 Danger Sense (ring heats slightly when 34–67 Staff of Elemental Power: +1D4 or 1D6
danger is near) to Elemental threat points
67–00 Adeptness (+1 to any Primary Ability 68–00 Wand of Illusion: +1D3 to Illusion spell
challenge roll, but not threat points) checks
Esoteric Esoteric
01–34 Invisibility 01–34 Rod of Protection: +3 shielding DR
35–67 Might (Feats of Strength +1D4, +1 when activated
threat points) 35–67 Staff of Conjuration: +1D4 or 1D6 to all
68–00 Fleetness (x2 movement once per Conjuration spells
round) 68–00 Wand of Psionics: +1D8 to Psychogenic
Legendary threat points
01–33 Transmutation (self) Legendary
34–67 Ring of [named Pillar/specialty] +1 or 01–33 Rod of Transmutation (permanent item):
greater to all spells in that speciality 1D12 Transmute effects
68–00 Teleport (able to teleport short 34–67 Staff of Threat: 5 ranks exist; threat
distances in lieu of regular movement, points equal to (Rank x 6) + D6
combine this with a standard attack, 68–00 Wand of Affliction: Imbued with 1D12
forcing a surprise roll the first time) status effects
Potions Weapons, Melee and Ranged
Archetypal Archetypal, common effects (See Master Weapons list)
01–25 Healing (fortitude) 01–33 Add +1 to Threat, or to Initiative
26–50 Rejuvenate (Active Defenses) 34–67 Add +1D4 to Threat, or to Initiative
51–75 Puissance (+1D4 to any ability) 68–00 Activate latent spell effect
76–00 Remove Affliction (Magic Pillar Varies) Esoteric
Esoteric 01–33 Add +2 to Threat, or to Initiative.
01–20 Sense enhancement (sight, smell, 34–67 Add +1D6 both to Threat and to Initia-
hearing) tive
21–40 Precognition 68–00 Imbued with 1D4 spell effects
41–60 Quickening Legendary
61–80 Flight 01–33 Hledrith Bow or Blade, elven: +1D6
81–00 Remove esoteric Affliction 34–66 Anoth Axe or Crossbow, dwarven +1D6
Legendary 67–00 Goedenhud Quarterstaff, druid (Gan
01–25 Shapeshift Creadigeath) +1D4 and bypass Wrhydri
26–50 Immunity (elemental) Chain.
51–75 Astral transfiguration (fast unsettled
lands travel)

76–00 Remove legendary Affliction

Chapter 5: Game Mastering | page 97

Full-Fledged NPCs

The GM might decide to use the standard character creation rules

to generate Full-Fledged NPCs. The guidelines below on Character
Point totals can be considered when designing adversaries, but
remember, they measure total experience within a given character
concept, and would cover many abilities. Do not confuse impor-
tance with combat power in ERP. A Full-Fledged character serves
many roles in the game, and can certainly be apparently weak (in
terms of a typical adventurer) but act behind the scenes.

Common NPC Point Values

Weak: 15 CPs
Average: 30 CPs
Respectable: 50 CPs
Good: 100 CPs
Super 200+ CPs

Ability lists as they appear here and in published adventures are

alphabetical for full-fledged NPC stats; each basic ability is separated by
a comma in simple lists, or else a full stop or new line; tiers are separated
by a “→”. A “+” separates multiple specialities or masteries, with the latter
in parentheses. Die values follow abilities. Abbreviations may be used.
For example:

Basic 1 D8 → Speciality D6 → Mastery D4. Basic 2 D4 → Spec D6 →

Mast D8.
Ranged D8 → Bow D6 → Longbow D4. Unarmed D4 → Punch D6 →
Rabbit Punches D8.

Basic D6 → Spec 1 D4 + Spec 2 D6 → Mast D4 + Spec 3 D4 → (Mast 1

D6 + Mast 2 D4).
Melee D6 → Sword D4 + Axe D6 → Combat Axe D4 + Knife D4 →
(Dagger D6 + Utility D4).

Defense Pool Cap (Optional Rule): Even the most outrageously

powerful Full-Fledged creatures have a limit on hit points. A
Full-Fledged NPC’s or monster’s maximum Defense Pool score for
any qualifying ability tree equals MV of basic rank, plus 4 speciality
branches, plus 4 masteries. That’s a maximum Defense Pool of 108
hit points at D12 rank and 180 hit points at D20 rank.
Additional speciality and mastery ranks reap no additional hit
points. For example, some iconic characters have mastered every
spell in a certain sphere or pillar (e.g. The Eldritch Man; see Part
2, Ainerêve), but for purpose of calculating hit points, it does not
matter how many spells are mastered beyond 4 per ability tree.
Multipliers due to increased creature size, or preternatural/super-
natural nature do not count against this limit. Player Characters,
being the special heroes that they are, have no such limits.

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Unusual Monster and NPC Ability If any single creature has more HP than that, no matter the regular
rules for calculating HP, then simply scale it back. Thus, a troll of 176

Some extraordinary, legendary, or full-fledged hit points facing the following party — a warrior with 2D6 in close

opponents are listed with abilities that are amazing, combat, a wizard with 2D4 in magic, and a cleric with 3D8 in energy

rolling several dice for the basic rank. In other words, a magic (listing only the highest potential harm of any branch for each)

creature may have Stealth at 2D6, before considering — would drop down to (12+8+24) × 1.5 = 66 HP.

specialities and masteries. In such a case, a speciality

would add another die, e.g. 2D6 (basic) + D8 (speciality).
Adding a mastery die is also possible, but even unusual GM Arbitration — the most important rule
creatures cannot exceed five dice in a single ability
branch (3D Basic → 1D Spec → 1D Mast). Threat Dice for
some unusual monsters are listed in exactly this manner. First rule, see to the entertainment of all players. One of the nice
For example, if a godlike avatar’s Unarmed attack is things about the system is its simplicity and symmetry, which
listed as 3D8 fist [basic], that means 3D8 is rolled before avoids drowning everybody’s fun in a morass of rules. A guiding
specialities and masteries. A brutal giant, for example, design principle is that of rules transparency, meaning that once
might have an Unarmed attack of 2D10 (basic) + 2D10 you understand the game’s mechanics, they serve the story and
(Specialty of Bludgeons). Some powerful magic items become transparent, fading eventually into the background. It’s also
and spells can also have similar effects. easy to tailor the Eldritch RPG rules to suit your group’s unique play
style. Go ahead, bend the rules; they’re hard to break. The other
design principle is “nothing is impossible,” which is why resolution
Too Tough Rule
favors randomization, and we are careful to avoid impossible target
numbers and invincible damage resistances. However, adventurers
Excessive hit points may add more time than excitement
do have plenty of growth potential. Nothing is impossible… given
to battle, though that’s a judgment call. The GM can
the right tools, skills, and powers. Hero development through
decide at any point to reduce an opponent’s HP below
an unfolding story is important and part of the fun of play. If at a
1.5 × the party’s total maximum threat points per round.
disadvantage through lacking a certain spell or combat maneuver or
The GM usually works this number out in advance. If
magic item, then the heroes of Ainerêve can seek higher knowledge,
you don’t have copies or summaries of the character
develop greater puissance, and quest for mightier artifacts.
sheets, just ask each player what his single highest
potential harm Ability branch is, and add them up. The
result is the group’s maximum potential harm per round.

Chapter 5: Game Mastering | page 99

Chapter 6: Bestiary of Beings
Diverse and Malign
Avoid travelling on cloudy days. Those pirates love the clouds. From
hidden ships they’ll swoop down on their abominable steeds and let fly
with devil-forged weapons of flame and steel.
---
From Frazer’s Guide to the Kingdoms
Note: Two copies of this bestiary exist, both in the town of
Crossroads. One is in the shielded reading room (advanced
section) of the spiral tower of the Octocirculi Academy. The other
is in the private vaults of the Guardians’ Guild. Each bestiary is a
large, locked, brass-bound volume chained to a lectern; access is
available on request (and possibly after payment) to those deemed
suitable, stable, and discreet. The information outlined is not only
not generally known, but not safe to know. To speak of, or even
hint at, some of the things revealed is to invite attention of the
most unwelcome kind. Caveat lector!
I, Signoret, sage and wizard, pupil of the late Hawklord, and student
of the Octocirculi Academy, being by virtue of personal experience
well informed where the more extraordinary inhabitants of this world
are concerned, have decided to compile a bestiary. In so doing I have
been moved to create as accurate an account as possible and thus I go
beyond my own knowledge and quote freely from sources I know to be
reliable.
Herein are compiled the travelers’ tales of Nathal and Virgil, the
wisdom of the Duchess Sibyl, and the contents of numerous grimoires,
scrolls, and librams. I have resorted to reading from an occult tome
that describes the city of Phantos; so appalling are the secrets therein
page 100 | Chapter 6: Bestiary
revealed that I quote them verbatim, lest some reader accuse me of
inventing its horrors. So too have I studied the writings of witches both
light and malign; I have trawled through accursed works that give a
seeker knowledge ― a terrible knowledge I would sometimes rather
forget.
Be clear that I have no fondness for the dark things I describe; and
yet I offer what I have read of the motives and goals of such terrible
sorcerous entities as Lilith and Baphomet without comment — let the
reader ascertain the truth of their claims or prove them a lie.
Grim indeed are the threats that face us, and if one should wonder why
any sane man stays in these lands, then let him remember that not all
is given over to horror — there are good folk and good places aplenty
here in the realms of Ainerêve. The Guardians’ Guild is one beacon of
light against the darkness, but all kingdoms cry out for more heroes and
heroines. Will you be of their number?
Lest the reader should balk at the sheer number and variety of beasts,
let us recall the gates leading to worlds far and near, to places, times,
and dimensions as diverse as the universe itself. Every kind of creature
comes crawling, slithering, loping, or charging through the gates at
Crossroads ― truly the gates are both blessing and curse.
To better categorize and explain these beings I have applied a system of
numerical gradation and probability mapping; the discerning adventurer
will see from the number ranges that the danger of each creature,
its resistances and abilities, are all clearly expressed. Now, on to a
consideration of the beings an adventurer passing through Crossroads or
crossing the lands of Ainerêve might meet. Gird your sword, ready your
shield; if magic be your trade, then prepare a spell ― for surely battle is
upon you and the difference betwixt life and death no more than a quick
wit or a quicker blade.

Accursed, the
Type: Minor (undead)
Threat Dice: Unarmed D6 ~ Melee D4 ~ Ranged D4
Extra Attacks: D8 rotting attack, once per round (see below)
Hit Points: 10 (5/5) [normal, medium, magical; ×1.5]
Damage Reduction: D4 (natural toughness)
Saving Throw: D4
Agility Rank: D3
Legends and Lore: The Accursed are shambling, moaning zombies
determined to eat the flesh of the living. They are found in unhal-
lowed graveyards and defiled temples where the priesthood and
acolytes were murdered by the minions of some rival, evil god.
Abilities and Powers: The Accursed are undead creatures devoid of
will and without any ability to speak of, other than inflicting harm.
They are immune to curses, Mental Affliction effects, and any harm
spells of a necromantic origin (that of the Entropy sphere). Each
Accursed also has a rotting power. If this D8 attack penetrates
a target’s chosen Active Defense, it causes D4 to be lost from
Fortitude each round until a revitalization effect is used to stop it.
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: The Accursed do not generally wear
armor; if one does, it’s falling apart and basically useless. They
cannot wield any weapon that provides specific bonuses (being
Minor), but they can be described as wielding whatever the GM
describes (mechanically, it makes no difference). For treasure, they
carry only trinkets: 1–6 coins and 1% chance of 1 minor magic item
per group.
Ambulant Thresher
Type: Standard (plant)
Threat Dice: Unarmed 2D10
Extra Attacks: D10 (suffering slumber attack)
Hit Points: 40 (10/30) [tough, large, magical; ×2]
Damage Reduction: D4 (natural)
Saving Throw: D10
Agility Rank: D6
Legends and Lore: Three summers past the druid Cathbad, when
returning from some far distant sphere, brought back with him
three strange seedlings. These plants, each with oddly tentacle-like
leaves, grew swiftly into life-threatening man-eaters. They rove
woodlands seeking prey, and if unable to get it, will quest even
into villages or farms. According to Nathal, who has hunted down
a score of these horrors, when full grown a thresher resembles
a bulbous black cactus crowned with a quartet of long purple
tentacles. One can grow to twice the size of a man. Its movement
is a wobbling undulation of its lower quarters that lets it ripple
across the ground with surprising swiftness. Why the threshers
seek out sentient prey is unknown, however, in the Grimoire of
Giseld it is written that there are unsettled realms where thoughts
are food and where pain-wracked consciousness can be channeled
to alien gods for whom suffering is sustenance. The plant-beings
were first known in Crossroads, although they have spread across
the land despite the efforts of Nathal.
Abilities and Powers: A thresher can strike at multiple foes with its
tentacles; range equals the height of its trunk ― typically 5 to 12
feet. Strikes penetrating to Fortitude cause pain and lethargy, so
that one struck multiple times will be slowed (ST vs. Willpower),
and eventually slip into a suffering slumber where they dream of
torture and death while the thresher digs small roots into their
brain to drain nutrients and in time extinguish life. The spiky
projections on a thresher’s trunk pose a hazard to one fighting it at
close quarters.
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: The cactus-like trunk of the thresher
is equal to hide armor; spikes may strike an adversary in close
melee (+1 to potential harm when engaged unarmed or with short
weapons). They have no treasure, but legend has it that eating
the plant flesh of the Thresher grants one a glimpse of the final
memories of its recent victims.
Afriti
Type: Extraordinary
Threat Dice: Arcane 3D12 ~ Unarmed D6 ~ Melee D4 ~ Ranged
D4
Hit Points: 100 [tough, medium, preternatural; ×2]
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 the stability of a given realm. Let summoner or binder beware: all
such wishes and tasks are fuelled by hate; that which comes forth
from anger is ignobly born, and surely any creation of hate will bear
bitter fruit.

Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: For occult reasons, brass does not
melt in the hands of an afriti; they have an affinity for it, adorn
themselves in curious brazen jewelry, and sometimes bear other
artifacts of brass ― likewise, fire opals, bloodstones, and rubies are
unharmed by an afriti’s fiery touch. Treasure carried is in the range
of a trove: 200–2000 coins and 30% chance of D3 magic items.

Damage Reduction: Immune to fire, normal or magical
Saving Throw: D12, or 3D12 versus Elemental Fire spells (other
than Threat)
Agility Rank: D16
Legends and Lore: There are combustible realms in Ainerêve
where flashes of fury ignite into raging elemental storms; such are
elemental spheres of fire and magma. The afriti, it is said, are but
one of many fire-beings that dwell in such inhospitable realms,
although the gnome explorer Sprouta claims they have fashioned a
city of sorts that floats upon an ever-burning sea of flames.
The afriti are formed by sparks of anger; fire and smoke bound into
a shifting, sometimes man-like, form. When they attack, their upper
body blazes outwards in a fan-like glare in which a hateful counte-
nance can be seen. As to their will and purposes, who can say? But
one summoned into our own realms is a thing of spite and fury; if
you meet one, lay it low, for their anger cannot be quenched, not
even in the depths of the sea.
Amphisbaena
Type: Extraordinary
Threat Dice: Arcane 3D8 ~ Unarmed 3D6
Hit Points: 126 [tough, huge, preternatural; x3]
Damage Reduction: Immune to mental and spiritual afflictions
Saving Throw: D10
Agility Rank: D4
Legends and Lore: Ouroboros unbound; cyclicity become chaos;
in essence a large snake with a head at each end of its broad
barrel-like body with mouths big enough to swallow a horse whole.
Around the amphisbaena vegetation spoils and dies. Only in water
does it regain tranquility. If submerged beneath water one head
swallows the other and Ouroboros is reborn.
From whence does it come? From dreams of greed, I am told, that
cause Ouroboros to unbind; the natural order is usurped by lust
for something ― usually wealth or power. That which should be
tranquil and peaceful, wise and eternal, becomes a raging coiling
avatar of death.

Abilities and Powers: The afriti are invulnerable to fire; however,

an attack, magical or otherwise, that incorporates water or ice will
cause double normal harm. The afriti creates a field of fire about
itself that burns anyone close enough to strike a blow against it. At
will, it can project fire up to twenty feet away: such a strike ignites
combustible materials and causes ongoing burns. It can envelop a
foe in its body of magma and flame, immolating its victim within its
fiery core.

He who binds an afriti can force it to do three tasks; the greater

amongst their number can cause reality shifts sufficient to grant a
wish, but not one that is overly powerful or that too much disturbs

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Abilities and Powers: One of the cavernous serpentine maws can
breathe poisonous vapors, the other has fangs dripping a dreadful
green caustic venom that pits the very ground it falls upon.
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: True to the greed that gave it
birth, the Amphisbaena always seeks, or possessively guards,
some object of desire ― it will be a thing of great value, whether
financial, magical, or living: a person, an artist, a beauty, a creator
or an inventor may be taken this way. A traveler from Meath, one
whose beard was green, hinted to me that at times the very victim
of the Amphisbaena is its creator, although how or why that should
be is a mystery upon which I cannot comment.
Angel
Type: Legendary
Threat Dice: Melee 2D20+8 ~ Ranged D20+D12+6 ~ Unarmed
2D10+10 ~ Arcane D20+6
Hit Points: 168 (84/84) [normal, medium, supernatural; ×1.5]
Damage Reduction: By armor, shield, or magic item
Saving Throw: 2D10
Agility Rank: D12 or D20
Legends and Lore: Angels are beatific celestial beings, as one would
probably imagine. There’s not some imperative that each has to
have a pair of wings, much less a harp, but all will be powerful, not
only in might but also in wisdom. Angels are symbolic of all that is
just and holy in the spiritual world. They often serve as proxies to
the celestial gods. Their incarnation in the mortal realm is usually
humanoid, and of the most handsome and superior sort, but
depends on its associated deity and culture. A high-ranking priest
may summon one, or the master deity may send an archangel on
a mission to the mortal realm. They are proud and willful, rarely
merciful if provoked, and do not take direct commands unless
issued by a higher power. An angel does not ordinarily stay
around once its mission is finished, unless it must to guard some
important, holy place. Archangels are supposed to exist, few in
number but even more powerful: the radiance of their glory is said
burn up mere mortals who gaze on them.
Abilities and Powers: The average ability for an angel is at a D12
(basic) + D12 (speciality). Notable abilities include Influence →
Coercion, and Knowledge; just about any speciality imaginable is
possible. Languages spoken include the common trade language,
plus Celestial. Also, angels can invoke the following powers, using
their Arcane threat dice:
Spiritual blast (NN 8, Energy sphere, ST None): A harmful stream of
brilliant, electric-blue light which sears the target’s soul, bypassing
Agility DP. Add +4 to NN to make it an area spell.
Command the infidel (NN 9, Mind sphere, ST Willpower): The angel
intones a command, and the target cannot help but obey.
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: Any weapon and any armor, usually
magical with up to +5 in bonuses to protection or damage. The
usual ranged weapon is a bow. Angels may have any piece of
equipment desired, but do not carry food, coin, or other sundries
because they don’t have bodily needs. They will carry a magic item
other than their weapons 85% of the time — usually an orb or
wand of some kind. Typically, angels carry a special holy weapon
(any type), with the following properties:
Holy Weapon: The general properties of the weapon match that
of the type. It has up to a +5 bonus to damage. It can also do +D8
non-physical Energy harm once a round (this is a permanent effect).
In the hands of an angel, a holy weapon does triple damage versus
demons (including the bonus and non-physical harm).
Seraphim (“Angel,” city of Phantos)
TY Extraordinary / TD Melee 3D10 ~ Ranged 1D12+4 ~ Unarmed
2D10+10 ~ Arcane 2D10 / EA Looking at one does 4 threat points
per round to Willpower then Fortitude / HP 123 (61/62) [normal,
medium, supernatural; ×1.5] / DR By armor, shield, or magic item
/ ST 2D10 / AR D14 / WAT Holy Weapon with D8 Threat effect;
magic chain mail D8 +2 and a steel “Invictus” shield granting +D6
DR once/round; trove = 200–2000 coins worth of valuables, and
the magic weapons and armor, possibly granted to those that free
them (see Chapter 7, Phantos).
Anthropophagi
Type: Standard
Threat Dice: Unarmed 2D6 ~ Melee D4
Hit Points: 24 [normal, medium, magical; ×1.5]
Damage Reduction: –2 versus Unarmed or bludgeoning attacks
Saving Throw: D4, immune to mental affliction
Agility Rank: D6
Legends and Lore: My source for information about these man-like
cannibals may not be reliable. Much of what I am told comes from
the goblinoid half-orc Throk. He tells me he has seen the dreaded
Revel of Flesh; a dance and unholy feasting conjured up from the
darkest pits. He saw the anthropophagi, their near-naked bodies
deformed by the spirit-energy of the victims they eat ― frightened
faces bulge from bellies, extra eyes open on arms, a second face
on the back of the head, writhing mouths opening like wounds on
torso and limb. Amongst them are the most fearsome of their kind,
the blemmyes, so deformed as to now resemble little more than a
headless torso of combined flesh, a trunk from which sprout arms
and legs at awkward angles, askew, misaligned. A great face forms
in the midst of the torso, its thick-lipped mouth full of teeth and
ready to devour yet more men. The Revel of Flesh is spreading,
I am told; it is a dance writhing in the shadows, and at night the
anthropophagi stumble, bumble, and tumble into moonlit groves to
begin a hunt for more eyes and mouths to join their horrid feasting.
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Abilities and Powers: Attacks are a mixture of bites and clubbing
strikes; if a victim is grappled, he will be bitten many times. A bite
from a blemmyes will induce a blasphemous craving in a victim,
an unholy desire to dance and feast on the flesh of men, or worse
still, a desire to be eaten, a wish to be consumed (Saving Throw vs.
Willpower, once at time of bite, then once per day).
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: Incidental wealth may abound;
anthropophagi have no use for a victim’s possessions ― they will
be scattered, as may be entrails and body parts, in the wake of their
dreadful dance. It is possible that within one of these cannibals, an
item of value might be found, eaten thoughtlessly as its struggling
owner was devoured.
Arimaspians
Type: Standard; some exceptional
Threat Dice: Arcane 2D6 ~ Melee D10 ~ Ranged D8
~ Unarmed D6
Hit Points: 54 (27/27) [normal, medium, magical; ×1.5]
Damage Reduction: Immune to Air Sphere magic
Saving Throw: 2D10
Agility Rank: D8+D8 (speed)
Legends and Lore: Of the arimaspians, I speak with authority, for I
was a “guest” of their Duke Pathafarial in his cloud-borne palace. A
single eye glares from the forehead of these cyclops-like man-sized
warriors. They are ruthless reavers, plunderers of gold ― they are
adorned with gold jewelry and lust after the metal. Dressed in
flamboyant nautical garments, they have a bronze, almost gold, hue
to their skin, and an evil demeanor. They enslave griffins and are
oft encountered mounted upon or leading such beasts. They are
pirates of the skies, flying upon their fearsome subjugated steeds.
Abilities and Powers: They can conjure forth mists and winds, and
the greatest amongst them can cause clouds to become as ice
and bring forth sleet or snow ― amongst their own kind, these
wielders of elemental magic are called navigators. An ice-cloud
formed as a flying creature passes through it becomes a prison
(NN 9; ST vs. Fortitude). The ice-clouds stay aloft, unless cast to
earth by the arimaspian sorcerer. Their warriors, invariably led by a
flamboyant or aggressive captain, wield cutlasses, and some bear
fearsome weapons of metal and wood that can shoot balls of lead
into a man’s heart. These somehow make use of an alchemical
black powder. Only the arimaspians and the sea elves know the
secrets of such “pistols” as they name them. Flying ships have been
reported, upon which are mounted siege engines of iron and flame,
so-called “cannons,” able, they say, to lay low a city from the air.
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: Gold, jewels, enchanted weapons,
magical items that grant the power of flight, even flying ships,
islands, and palaces, all await the adventuring band that can defeat
page 104 | Chapter 6: Bestiary
the arimaspians. Their cutlasses add bonus threat points to Melee
or Unarmed attacks with microbursts of air at every point of impact
(+1 threat point per strike). Some also wield bizarre weapons that
belch noise, fire, and brimstony smoke, as below.
Alchemical black powder “pistol”. Roll Ranged ability against NN 4 to
hit; a 12 bypasses all armor. Threat points equal Ranged → Firearms
(extremely rare specialty) → Pistol ability branch +6.
Banshee
Type: Legendary
Threat Dice: Arcane 3D14 ~ Melee 2D4 ~ Unarmed D6+D4 ~
Ranged D4
Hit Points: 160 [fast, medium, supernatural; ×2.5]
Damage Reduction: –2 against all potential harm
Saving Throw: D12, or 2D14 versus Spiritual Afflictions
Agility Rank: D10
Legends and Lore: Fearsome spirit-women of Maedoen, the
banshee are harbingers of death. Oft appearing as old crones
holding out bloodied clothing, with sly grins upon their
age-wracked faces; it is said that a warrior recognizing his own
garb in the banshee’s claws is doomed. Alternatively, the banshee
might take the guise of a fair maid to lead a warrior astray — to
where something horrid lies in wait. In the library of Duchess Sibyl
I found a scroll reportedly penned by the Eldritch Man. It says the
banshee are seeking vengeance for every bitter and heartless deed
warrior-men have done, and that they shall take vengeance until
moon and sun shine together in a darkened sky.
Abilities and Powers: One who sees his own clothes in the
banshee’s grasp, hears her mournful and frightsome keening wail,
or is led away by her from his comrades into the dark wood, mist,
or mire, falls under a curse, and death will stalk him by day and by
night. (Save versus Willpower, or else suffer +2 potential harm from
all traps and hazards, plus –1 rank per tier on all Saving Throws
until the curse is lifted.)
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: Some locations, the sites of
remorseless deeds perhaps, become nexial gathering places for the
banshee, and in such locales the bodies of many warriors might lie,
adorned still with armor and treasures, with sword and steel.
Baphomet
Type: Legendary (avatar)
Threat Dice: Arcane 3D20 ~ Melee 3D20 ~ Ranged 2D12 ~
Unarmed 2D10
Hit Points: 492 (369/123) [fast, large, supernatural; ×3]
Damage Reduction: D12 (plate armor)
Saving Throw: 3D14
Agility Rank: D14
 status of the divine. To the true Baphomet believer there are no
real gods, no true devils ― both are manifestations of limitation;
artificialities created by human consciousness fearing its own
power; thus, they say, men have made two masters, two rods for
our backs. And yet, their texts say, the power of freedom will not
be denied, so in addition to our prison we have fashioned an occult
key. That key is Baphomet, and both Heaven and Hell fear the
nullification Baphomet will bring: death, night, and a new dawn in
a new Eden ― one built by the true will of man. Baphomet hates
the powers of Hell and all so-called gods, whether divine or darkly
satanic: they are artificialities that existed before him (or so he
and his adherents claim) and obstacles to his will. He would undo
the whole of creation, turn it back to primal matter, so that man
can start again and build a better and more fitting world ― or so
Baphomet believes.

To his followers, all gods are demiurges, craftsmen of inferior

skill that have built a prison for life rather than a paradise. In this
view, Baphomet is “good” because he will liberate life through
destruction of the illusion/matter that binds us. Good and Evil
both are part of the system Baphomet would destroy. And thus
it is that Baphomet seeks some method to undo creation here
in Ainerêve; to reshape Earth via mankind’s dreams ― to reorder
reality in reverse from the dreamworld back into the physical. To
do this he must gain power here, and he plays a long game, willing
to take centuries, for what are years when placed against eternity?
Heaven and Hell have become aware of his strategies, and through
a strange and unexpected alliance have woven a web of energy
light and dark across Ainerêve to bind Baphomet’s power as best
Legends and Lore: Here I shall write of that which men call
they may. In response, Lilith, Baphomet’s bride ― and some say
Baphomet; I find little, even in the darkest grimoires, to tell me
creatrix ― has sent her presence too, seeking a way to free her
the truth of this being that some claim is demonic, and for certain
consort’s full energies once more.
has truck with much that is demoniacal and of the shadow. There
are the oddest hints, webs of thought linking Baphomet with the
Abilities and Powers: Although many forms might be taken, I have
Templar Knights, but how can this be so? They that so staunchly,
read of three (all extraordinary mortals): the knight, the bard, and
even heartlessly, cleanse (or persecute?) all they deem heretics,
the emissary. The knight brings war, is garbed in impenetrable
witches, or demonists, let alone demons, how can they have any
steel, is fear made manifest, and can stand in tourney against any
communion with the Sabbatic Goat?
champion. The bard would appear to bring merriment, and jovial
clowns may follow in his wake; quick of wit and sharp of eye, he
It is said Baphomet can put on the guise of any man or spirit ―
makes a play of every drama he sees, and stirs drama where peace
why, some scrolls even claim any god ― that he chooses. The
once prevailed. Quick to feel boredom, and careless of those he
avatar so assumed can take many forms, but when contemplating
might hurt, he moves on swiftly after spreading his stage across a
Baphomet, the reader of this bestiary is best served by considering
tavern, village, or even a kingdom. The emissary ― he offers much,
Baphomet’s accepted image ― half male, half female, the body
is peace made real; soft, kind, cheerful, quick to please others, and
parts of human and goat, phallic in its strength, creative in its
ever wanting the approval of those he meets, and yet, if it is not
potency; an embodiment of occult and alchemical concepts and
given, he will fall into the depths of sorrow, and swiftly thereafter
power.
fade beneath the shadow, and in his going call forth bard or knight
― or something even more fearsome, bestial, and dark.
To the inner cabal of those who secretly worship Baphomet, his
existence is known to be the result of all mankind’s desires, all
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: Any. Without exception, Baphomet’s
magical workings, the wizardly attempts to lift humanity to the

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avatars will be adorned with strange, often cursed and dangerous,
items of the most complex sorcery. Baphomet may choose to leave
such behind when seemingly defeated; indeed, his whole purpose
for coming might be to leave a trinket, an item worthy of Pandora,
when he departs. Treasure possessed is a hoard: 1000–10,000
coins but 100% chance of D4 magic items.
Basilisk
Type: Standard to Extraordinary
Threat Dice: Unarmed 2D10 to 3D10 ~ Ranged (special) ~ Arcane
(special)
Extra Attacks: Killing miasma, gaze, and rotting bite
Hit Points: 60 to 90 (15/45 to 22/68) [tough, huge, preternatural;
×3)
Damage Reduction: D4 (tough hide)
Saving Throw: D10 to D12
Agility Rank: D6
Legends and Lore: Existing in multiple forms, or perhaps breeds, the
basilisk is the king of serpents, distinguished by a crown-like crest
and a single white spot between its narrow reptilian eyes ― unlike
other serpents, its eyes are man-like, with heavily hooded lids and
a pronounced slant. In youth no more than twelve fingers in length,
the thing grows both in size and danger, so that when full grown it
rears up to the height of a man atop a horse, and in length exceeds
that of three horses.
Abilities and Powers: Greater basilisks exude a killing miasma, so
their very presence causes death, not only in man but in beast and
plant too; where goes the basilisk, there goes death and decay and
desert. Their glance is fatal, stopping breath; their bite so caustic
that the venom penetrates not only the victim but also anything
or anyone touching the victim. A basilisk biting a horse will kill
its rider too, the very skin and flesh rotting from man and mount,
leaving nothing but bones and skulls, half clothed in flesh.
Killing miasma: Any creature within 5 feet must save versus
Fortitude or fall incapacitated and take D10 to 3D10 every round
thereafter, depending on size and age of the basilisk.
Gaze: Victim must roll vs. Perception to avert gaze else suffer harm
directly to Fortitude (D10 to 3D10, depending on size and age of
the basilisk).
Rotting bite: Regular shields and armor can protect the defender,
but must make item saving throws versus the basilisk’s threat rank
dice or be destroyed. Make a Fortitude save if even one point
reduces Fortitude DP; failure to save inflicts another threat dice
roll affecting Fortitude DP.
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: I am told by the elven traveler
Nathal that a visitor to the Seelie Court brought a tale told in
the east, that each basilisk guards a gem of great size (value
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10,000–60,000 in coin), and that if this gem is properly incubated,
a dragon will come forth from it. Of the truth of this I cannot say.
Brownie
Type: Minor to Standard
Threat Dice: Any attack type, D4 to 2D4
Hit Points: 4 to 8 (2/2 to 4/4) [normal, tiny, magical; ×1]
Damage Reduction: –1 if wearing properly sized brownie armor
Saving Throw: D4 to D8
Agility Rank: D4 to D8
Legends and Lore: The brownie is a tiny shee that dwells unseen in
the homes of mortals. Small men and women with weedy arms and
legs, clothed in scraps of cloth and often with an acorn, thimble, or
spider-web shawl worn on the head; their spindly-fingered hands
are quick to perform all household chores, and they can mend and
fix too. If spied out of the corner of the eye, one might be seen
clutching needle and thread, set upon useful tasks like repairing
socks or busily knocking the dents out of a damaged pot.
But a home blessed with brownies had best not mention or watch
the little things; they are shy and wary, dislike attention, and will
seek another home if disturbed. Small gifts, a little milk, some
cheese and bread perhaps, or maybe some cloth that they might
sew, will earn the brownies’ favor ― but only if given discreetly,
without seeming to recognize the little people’s presence at all.
Abilities and Powers: Brownies have magic, of a kind sort that helps
with fixing, hiding, and bringing luck. But if harmed, they can leave
curses and misfortune, cause hammers to hit fingers, pots to crack,
cauldrons to overflow, and hearth fires either to burn too hot or to
fade and go out (treat as zero NN cantrips).
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: It is a common error of all-too-
greedy men to mistake the brownie for some other type of shee
altogether, and seek from it some fabled and non-existent pot
of gold, as if the thing were a miserly leprechaun ― doing so is
unwise, and the foolhardy mortal who treats a brownie so will
regret it until the end of his stubbed-toed, broken-tooled days.
They do often carry trinkets: 1–6 coins and 1% chance of 1 minor
magic item.
Capture Vine
Type: Minor (plant)
Threat Dice: Unarmed D12 (capture & constriction)
Hit Points: 18 (6/12) [tough, large, magical; ×1.5]
Damage Reduction: D8 (tough nature)
Saving Throw: D4 versus physical
Agility Rank: It doesn’t move; D10 for initiative when in striking
distance.
Legends and Lore: There’s always some sort of plant life out in the

world that wants to kill you. Capture Vines prefer a slow death for
their victims. The sentient vine will detect warm blood, lash out,
wrap its vines around the neck or torso, and pull its victim to its
central stalk, where thousands of hollow needles prick the skin
and drain the blood. If the plant wins surprise, it can a bring out
a vine to capture and constrict with amazing speed, although it is
otherwise immobile, its central stalk being rooted into something
organic: the soil, timber, even a dead body.
Abilities and Powers: In the first round, the vine rolls D12 against
the target’s Agility → Reflexes → Reaction Time: success means
capture. The round after a capture an opposed roll of D12 is made
versus the victim’s Feats of Strength. If the victim succeeds, he is
able to escape, otherwise he will take D12 points of constriction
damage to Fortitude DP, with armor adding to the damage (roll its
value and add).
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: The Capture Vine has natural
“armor” of D8 because its stalks and vines are very tough to break
or cut. Plants don’t carry treasure.
Centaur
Type: Standard, up to full-fledged
Threat Dice: Unarmed 2D6 ~ Melee 2D4 ~ Ranged 2D4 ~ Arcane
D4 (10%)
Extra Attacks: Kick D10+4
Hit Points 64 (16/48) [tough, large, magical; ×1.5]
Damage Reduction: D4 (large and tough hide)
Saving Throw: D4 to D12
Agility Rank: D10+D6 (speed)
Legends and Lore: The centaur has the lower body a horse but
torso, arms, and head of a man. Two distinct species are known
to exist, albeit some claim that they are one and the same, their
natures changing when provoked or roused to lust. No matter,
whether two species, or one in which two natures war, the practi-
calities are the same: in some the animal nature dominates ― this
is the animal-side of man given form here in the vision-world of
Ainerêve; he is bestial, drunken, savage, prone to heavy drinking,
acts of debauchery, and even rape. However, at times, or in one
variation, the centaur represents what nature and the animal
kingdom can teach man: he is a scholar, a teacher ― such centaurs
are wise, learned, and might even impart knowledge and skill to
the children of men. In Crossroads the arrival of centaurs causes
unease; the Guardians’ Guild has requested that all such beings be
prevented from drinking alcohol.
Abilities and Powers: Centaurs are excellent archers, huntsmen, and
warriors, unparalleled in their skill with spear, club, and bow. Some
few, of both variations, can cause trees to walk, animals to do their
will, and the forces of nature to accommodate their wishes ― but
this capacity is rare (10% chance), and the workings of such
wonders seem more incidental than planned, instinctive rather
than deliberate.
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: The cerebrally inclined species of
centaur may possess scrolls of ancient knowledge, although they
rarely work magic. Centaurs travel light, but many possess in their
domiciles a trove: 200–2000 coins and 30% chance of D3 magic
items.
Changeling
Type: Standard (Fay), up to full-fledged
Threat Dice: Arcane 2D8 ~ Melee 2D6 ~ Unarmed 2D8 ~ Ranged
2D4
Hit Points: 78 (58/20) [fast, medium to large, preternatural; ×1.5]
Damage Reduction: By any armor worn
Saving Throw: D16
Agility Rank: D10+4
Legends and Lore: Doppelganger infiltrators spreading paranoia
and dissension everywhere while fostering distrust and mystery,
changelings are part of the various societies of the Fay, living
mostly in the great forest of Meath, waylaying travelers from
settled lands to steal their shiniest possessions, or walking
throughout the kingdoms, seeking to seduce or lure hapless folk
into the dark of the forest, where human souls are forsaken and
memories lost.
Abilities and Powers: The Changelings are masters of deceit and
trickery. As such, they are almost all quite skilled in areas such as
Skullduggery (including specialities of Stealth and Thievery) and
Perception (up to 3D12). In fact, they are so good at such things
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that they may be assigned a rank of up to D12 at any tier for any
related action. All changelings have the ability to shapeshift into
the semblance of any humanoid race, short or tall. A changeling’s
shapeshifting powers are limited to the range of “self” but require
no difficulty checks.
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: Any weapon or armor is possible,
limited only by the size of the form assumed by the changeling at
the time. Equipment melds into a new form during a shape-shift,
but can be willed back onto the body and into hands after the
change. Changelings often keep their treasure in their domiciles
(small trove: 100–600 coins and 20% chance of D2 magic items).
Otherwise they carry trinkets, and 20% encountered will have
some sort of magic item. The kinds of magic items they prefer
block psychogenic power or scrying.
Cockatrice
Type: Extraordinary
Threat Dice: Unarmed 3D4
Extra Attacks: Petrification
Hit Points: 24 [normal, large, magical; ×2]
Damage Reduction: None
Saving Throw: 2D8 or D4 versus Mental sphere
Agility Rank: D8
Legends and Lore: The cockatrice is a dragon-like combination
of serpent and cockerel; its head is that of a fighting cock with
sharp beak and wide eyes, likewise its two limbs are feathered,
positioned at the fore of its serpentine, coiling body, where they
can be used in movement, or to strike with vicious bird-like talons.
Its body has a warty, toad-like appearance. The creature is large,
twice the height of a man.
Abilities and Powers: Fearsome indeed is this fabled bird, for it can
turn a man to stone ― some by pecking, others by a talon strike, a
few by glance alone, and, so I am informed by the priests of Astra,
who claim to have subdued such a creature, there are cockatrices
with dragon-like breath, a poisonous fume that brings either
petrification or a slow choking death.
Petrification: Every time threat points exceed active Defense and
armor, the victim must makes a save versus Fortitude or immedi-
ately take 3D4 points to Willpower. Victim is turned to stone
permanently if Willpower DP depletes to zero.
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: The cockatrices like their reflections
and will gather up gold and position shiny metals so they glimpse
themselves passing by. Curiously, in the presence of a cockatrice,
gold develops a greenish sheen and silver slowly fades to a
tarnished black.
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A party of treasure seekers set out from Crossroads one autumn,
seeking the cockatrice called Ignatious by the Fay-folk of Meath;
a treasure hunt was this, sadly unsuccessful, but the two that
returned alive from the dark statue-studded glen where Ignatious
roams and pecks claim it to be filled with treasures.
Demon
Type: Legendary
Threat Dice: Melee 3D16 ~ Arcane 2D20 ~ Unarmed 2D18 ~
Ranged 2D12
Hit Points: 296 (148/148) [normal, large, supernatural; ×2]
Damage Reduction: By any armor worn
Saving Throw: 2D12
Agility Rank: D10
Legends and Lore: Demons are malignant spiritual tumors, the
cloacal concentrations of every foulness, sniggering malice,
brutality, perversion, and derangement in the mind of man. Their
form is thus often humanoid, but twisted: leering, evil-visaged,
bat-winged, horned. Their nature is protean, though, so some have
fearful forms out of nightmare, or can even assume a pleasing
shape for a while to seduce or deceive. They serve infernal powers,
and themselves. Luckily they are so chaotic and violent that they
spend as much time infighting as defiling or destroying the good.
Demons, like angels, are nearly demigods and are not to be thrown
into the path of adventurers on a whim. Possessing supernatural
strength and skill, these creatures inflict devastating amounts of
damage, are cruel beyond measure, have high resistance to magic,
and grant no mercy. Furthermore, they can summon hordes of
minions to aid them — up to 2D20 devilish imps per round (TY
Minor / TD Melee D4 ~ Unarmed D4 ~ Ranged D4 ~ Arcane D4 /
HP 4).
Abilities and Powers: Demons know just about any skill, and possess
any imagined ability. They can see in the dark, or cast any spell of
the Chaos, Fire, or Entropy spheres. They use the Arcane rank of
2D20 for all spells and innate powers causing damage or other
effects. Their innate powers have no Needed Number:
Infernal blast (Fire sphere): A harmful bolt of fiery red energy sears
the target.
Command the weak (Mind+Matter spheres, ST Willpower): The
demon intones a command, and the target’s body cannot help but
obey.
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: Demons wear any armor, wield any
weapon (with weapon based bonuses), and possess vast treasure
in their abodes (hoard: 1000–10,000 coins and 40% chance of D4
esoteric or better magic items).
Archdemon, Phantos
TY Legendary Demon / TD Melee 3D16+4 (axe) ~ Arcane 3D12
~ Unarmed 2D18 ~ Ranged 2D12 / HP 288 (144/144) [normal,
large, supernatural; ×2] / DR D8+2 (armor) / ST 2D12 / AR
D12+D8 / WAT Wields a massive great axe and wears magic chain
mail. Magical great axe (+4) ignores normal armor and shatters
shields (20% each strike). Anybody who touches the axe other
than Phantos takes D10 damage and must make a Fortitude save
or be stunned. Has a demon hoard in his sanctum, and possibly
a dragon’s hoard (10,000–60,000 coins and 100% chance of D8
magic items) in his realm beyond the spirit gate there.
Dragon
Type: Extraordinary to Legendary
Threat Dice: Unarmed 3D10 to 3D20* ~ Arcane 3D10 to 3D20*
(dragon breath)
Extra Attacks: Tail lash or buffeting wings 2D4 to 2D14*
Hit Points: 90 to 480 [normal, large to gargantuan*, magical; ×1.5
to ×4*]
Damage Reduction: D12 natural scale armor, +1 per stage*
Saving Throw: 3D10, +1 per stage*
Agility Rank: D10
* die rank or value generally depends on age; see below.
Foolhardy are the adventurers of every world, every realm, and as
those passing through Crossroads are no different, I will include in
this bestiary a description of those fabled beasts called dragons.
But first, a word to the wise, a suggestion to every would-be
dragon hunter: don’t! Do not seek out the great wyrms, go not near
their cavernous abodes, pretend for all the world that they do not
exist, and hope beyond hope that one never decides to seek out
you.
Now, as this advice will doubtless be ignored, we move on to the
creatures themselves, although truth be told, they deserve their
own volume. A dragon, when met in the flesh (or in the scale?), is
much as traditionally depicted ― a fiery, flying, scaled monstrosity;
its wings are bat-like, its body serpentine. They have a varying
number of limbs, hues, and abilities: four-legged, fire-breathing
specimens are the most widely reported. And yet, be prepared
for more snake-like horrors, with but two forepaws, or six-legged
examples that will sweep down upon you, blast you to the floor
with their wings, and then snatch you up with your companions,
fly high, and drop you. Some dragons are tied to a single element,
thus there are storm dragons of the air, water dragons of the deep,
and rock-like dragons and even lava-dragons. Cultural influences
too shape the dragon and its powers; thus, I am told, in certain
oriental realms the dragons harbor wisdom rather than hatred — a
manifestation of cultural expectation, not of the act that created
the creature.
Legends and Lore: I have many reports, and yet I must be concise.
Perhaps a consideration of what forms most dragons is in order.
Dragons are born in unsettled lands; they are stray currents of
energy, usually, but not always, of a negative kind. When some
great and powerful evil occurs on Earth ― a massacre, an act of
genocide, or some other terrifying evil ― the psychic repercussions
would disrupt any settled land, no matter how close it hews to
its earthly archetype, and so the waves of unfulfilled destiny
manifest in Ainerêve as a vengeance-seeking beast. The fearful,
hateful, angry, primitive core of its mind is a collective creation
of those Earth-bound people whose horrifying death created the
dragon — their anxiety, grief, fury, and despair. Normally dragons
are drawn to travel the unsettled lands until they reach the borders
of a settled realm; one with a culture the dragon’s subconscious
collective memory recalls. Often this initial manifestation takes the
form of an egg; I am told some dragons breed true, and thus, if two
meet, they can create more eggs, a ripple of destruction that has
crippled kingdoms, laid low empires, and killed more adventurers
than legends can count.
Abilities and Powers: We will speak first of typical dragons, if any
can be called such; a plume of fiery breath, hot enough to sear
flesh from bone; if airborne, a deadly swoop, snatch, lift and drop;
hovering, a blindness caused by whirled up soil and debris, plus
strikes from every claw; a lashing tail that can knock even an ogre
prone. Yes, those but recently hatched are easier to destroy, but
where you see whelps, be ready for their larger kin. The dragon is
sharp in all its senses, with the eyes of a hawk; although prone to
slumber, they awaken easily. I have read of great invincible beasts
that, sleeping for centuries, grow so vast that the awakening of
such leads to cultural nullification and extinction in surrounding
realms ― if the beast is evil, and most are.
The breath of a dragon is magic energy, made of fire, cold,
lightning, or other destructive forms. Whatever the type of breath
weapon, the dragon is immune to that type of damage. (Dragons
increase in size and power with age, in 6 stages: whelp, young,
adult, old, elder, ancient / TD D10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 / EA D4, 6, 8,
10, 12, 14 / HP ×1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4.)
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: Dragons gather treasure out of
instinct, for, despite their often great intellect, they are driven by
the primitive lustful part of their brain. The dragon is greedy in
every regard, not just in the eating of men, but in the plundering of
their goods too. Caches of weapons, antique armor, masses of gold
and silver, statuettes and gems, not to mention antiques, librams,
and magics rare, will all be found in the abode of a long-lived
dragon (a typical dragon’s hoard: 10,000–60,000 coins and 50%
chance of D8 magic items).
Chapter 6: Bestiary | page 109
Let us discuss one of the great dragons of Ainerêve, for in the
consideration of one, we will learn much of all.
Example: Dragon, Xoraxai
TY Legendary Dragon (Elder) / TD Unarmed 3D18+6 (bite or claws)
~ Arcane 3D18 (fire breath weapon; area effect 80 ft stream) / EA
Unarmed 2D12 (wings or tail) + knock prone if AD penetrated / HP
378 (94/284) [tough, gargantuan, magical; ×3.5] / AR D12+D8 /
WAT Xoraxai was chained to the side of a mountain when captured
by the demon lord Phantos, without treasure (this makes him even
more angry). His dragon’s hoard — whether it lies in his former
lair, or was taken by Phantos — is 10,000–60,000 coins and 100%
chance of D8 magic items, several of which are Legendary.
Dwarf
Type: Minor, up to full-fledged
Threat Dice: Unarmed D8 ~ Melee D8 ~ Ranged D4 ~ Arcane D4
Hit Points: 8 (2/6) [tough, medium, mundane]
Damage Reduction: By armor and shield type
Saving Throw: D4 to 2D10
Agility Rank: D4 to D6 average
Legends and Lore: Sons of the deep earth, born from maggots
hatched in a giant’s innards, according to some; to others, a race
forged by the primordial gods themselves to be the lords of the
earth and the guardians of its secrets. In my own realm, so common
is the dwarvish race that to describe them in a bestiary such as this
would seem insulting; and yet I am mindful that here in Crossroads
there is a meeting of realms and realities, and not all who pass this
way will be familiar with this short, squat humanoid race. How to
describe a typical dwarf? Could one describe a typical man? Let
us picture a man-like being, not dissimilar to the warrior races that
inhabit the northern Thule-like realms of some Earth-realities.
Standing less than five feet tall, sometimes only four, the dwarf is
small but powerfully built, with muscles typically sheathed in finely
crafted mail of plate, for the dwarves are smiths, master armorers
and weapon-crafters.
Not a few of their race know the secret of forging magic weapons
too, and other artifacts of strange enchantment. One cannot
discuss dwarves without commenting on their beards, typically
worn long, ornamented, and styled. Length of beard is an indicator
of age, gold beads an indicator of station, and style an indicator of
personality. Beware the dwarf whose beard is unkempt, most likely
he is a berserker or renegade.
And yet, there are many species of dwarf, some black-hearted
rather than stoic, some greedy rather than taciturn. I have noted a
species of dwarf that passes oft through Crossroads and might be
said to dominate here in Ainerêve. They are the scions of a stable
realm connected to Crossroads called the Iron Dome. They call
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themselves Nordwur and are garbed in Viking-like gear (for those
unfamiliar with the stable realms of Scandinavian lore, picture a
warrior armed with round shield, cap-like metal helm with partial
face guard, mail armor, axe, and spear). They are somewhat leaner
of limb, paler of skin and slyer in demeanor than is otherwise
common. They trade in strange treasures, are greedy and oft
dishonest, and can forge powerful weapons; but beware their gifts
and trades, be careful of their bespiked, rune-cut weapons forged
of black steel.
Abilities and Powers: Typically, skilled with axe, maul, crossbow, and
other arms; some have an ability to weave enchantments into the
items they forge (magic is of the Earth sphere). For the Nordwur,
these enchantments come at a price to the user, a curse of sorts
that might give what the owner seeks, while taking away that
which he loves most.
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: Expect arms and armor of the
highest quality; often a goodly portion of gold and gems, for
even the most honorable of dwarves has a dragon’s heart where
treasure is concerned.
Elemental
Type: Extraordinary
Threat Dice: Unarmed 3D6 to 3D12 ~ Arcane 3D6 to 3D12
Hit Points: 168 to 252 [any constitution, huge, supernatural; ×3.5]
Damage Reduction: Immune to one elemental sphere; same as
composition
Saving Throw: D16 or 2D8
Agility Rank: D12 to D20
Legends and Lore: Elementals are creatures of pure Fire, Air, Earth,
Water, or Energy. The building blocks of Earthly creation, when
combined they can form material worlds ― although doing so
provokes the wrath of their near-godlike elemental overlords,
who regard such creation as an abridgment of their liberty. As the
dream realms of Ainerêve settle into substantial form, elementals
can become ensnared in the new realities, combined in physical
substantiality. They dislike this, and if broken free by spell or
mishap, will seek vengeance unless correctly bound.
Abilities and Powers: Elementals can use any elemental spell within
their sphere within the creature and control specialties, with
no Needed Number to exceed. Their ranged attacks are magic
elemental threat points. Individual elementals vary in threat dice,
agility, etc.
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: Elementals do not carry weapons,
armor, or treasure.
Notes: Ranged attacks are Elemental Bolts or Area Effects of three
dice (MV=12–36) up to Ranged ×2 feet radius in area of effect).
Example: Earth Elemental
TY Extraordinary / TD Unarmed 3D12 (punch) ~ Ranged 3D10 /
HP 231 (58/173) [tough, huge, supernatural; ×3.5] / DR 2D6 / ST
2D8 / AR 2D8 / WAT None.
Elf
Type: Minor, up to full-fledged
Threat Dice: Melee D8 ~ Ranged D8 ~ Arcane D6 ~ Unarmed D4
Hit Points: 8 (4/4) [normal, medium, mundane]
Damage Reduction: By armor and shield type
Saving Throw: D10
Agility Rank: D8 to D12
Legends and Lore: Here I speak of the mysterious, beautiful,
artistic, near-immortal beings of my own realm; some few of whom
now pass through Crossroads to explore the unique wonders of
Ainerêve. Although similar to the shee of Meath and Maedoen,
these elves are visitors from realms where the elven race, much
like the aforementioned dwarves, live in close cohabitation with
man and exhibit certain traits in common. They are lovers of music,
wood, and wold; they live a free and magical life; masters of bow
and blade, near every elf also knows a spell or three.
There are a great variety of elves, dark and light. The High Elves,
tall and graceful, like the noblest of kings, can be curt with other
races, and although pure of heart, their aloofness can inspire
hostility; they know magical secrets from the dawn of creation. The
Forest Elves, sometimes called Wyld, are free spirits, an
embodiment of nature, often clad in leaves and vines,
they laugh, run and hunt, carefree, and yet are like
the most fearsome barbarian-born warriors in
battle, so it is fortunate they are not bellicose.
The elves of the ocean are of two species.
The Sea Elves rules the waves in great ships
powered by wind and magic: they explore, and
even piratically raid, as they spread across the
oceans of the world; they share some form of
brotherhood with the arimaspians of the air. The
other variety, the Elves of Seadeep, dwell beneath
the waves, breathing the water through gills in their
necks; blue or green of skin, they build palaces of
coral and share their domain with eels and fish,
great oysters and squid.
All know of the dark elves, the
sinister brethren to the elves born
high: accursed, they dwell ’neath
the earth in caverns ever dark.
There they plot and scheme,
planning to bring a veil of shadow
over the sunlit world; meantime they indulge themselves in artistic
tortures, exquisite ballets of death, and other works of cruelty
amidst their cavern-homes of ancient spires, baroque dwellings,
and rock-hewn temples.
Abilities and Powers: Elves are typically well-skilled with bow and
spell; masters of the forest; adept at tracking and woodcraft, with
other powers relating to their origin. Thus Seadeep elves can call
fish, control sharks, and work other watery enchantments; Sea
Elves can call the wind to their sails and still or call up a storm.
High Elves know the deepest arts of magic: all forms of wizardry
are theirs, and some claim they taught magic to men ― a decision
they came to regret.
Wyld Elves know the secrets of bark and briar, woodland animals
come to their call, arrows answer to their whispers, and few
mortals can resist the sound of their revelry ― take care if you
drink too deeply of their wine: it is good to dance and play, but
mortals need more rest than the children of the wood will allow.
As for the Dark Elves, what horror of black magic is not theirs to
wield?
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: Typically, light armor, bow,
longsword; other varieties armed as follows: Seadeep, trident, net;
Sea Elf, cutlass, alchemical black powder “pistol” (see the Arimas-
pians entry); Wyld, spear and bow; High, longsword and knightly
accouterments; Dark, spider web nets, and poisoned
weapons: throwing daggers, short swords, and
crossbow quarrels. Elves avoid traveling with
lots of equipment, though many possess in
their domiciles a cache: 20–200 coins
and 10% chance of 1 magic item.
Chapter 6: Bestiary | page 111
Faun/Satyr
Type: Minor, up to full-fledged
Threat Dice: Melee D6 ~ Ranged D6 ~ Arcane D6 ~ Unarmed D4
(+2 kick)
Extra Attacks: Spells (Nature sphere) D6
Hit Points: 6 (3/3) [normal, medium, mundane]
Damage Reduction: D6
Saving Throw: D6
Agility Rank: D10
Legends and Lore: The Fauns and Satyrs are denizens of the Forest
of Meath, but ones with a secret link to Baphomet; they are spirits
that have abandoned the contest between heaven and hell and
through Baphomet’s sorceries been reformed in their new master’s
image. Fauns appear as goat-legged men with animal horns: their
lower body is clad in woolly fur, with cloven hooves in place of
feet. The faun appears gentle, and will guide travelers through
the woods, but be wary, for it might take a traveler to Phantos or
some other hellish abode. The satyr has goat-like tail and ears, but
a man’s legs and body; it is wild, lustful, and sometimes warlike ― if
the faun is a gentle yet capricious creature with motives hard to
fathom, the satyr is a being of wild passion, its motives often all too
apparent. What few understand is that both beings are the same;
the one transforms into the other, the transition reflecting the
being’s thoughts. Their ultimate aim is to be free of all constraint
and to give that freedom too to their horned lord; meantime they
participate in Lilith’s revels and work weal or woe seemingly upon
a whim ― and yet there is hidden purpose to all they do: the will of
Baphomet.
Abilities and Powers: Faun and satyr both can exhibit startling
bursts of speed; they know magics that can turn the forest dark,
bend trees and plants, and control wild beasts. The faun can deliver
a potent kick, while the satyr wields club or other armament to
hand and is adept at wrestling.
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: Little is likely to be carried upon
the person; a faun may know of forest monsters and their hidden
troves and could be prevailed upon, or might willingly offer, to lead
adventurers through the woodland depths to a promised glittering
reward. Fauns and Satyrs often possess in their own dwelling a
small trove: 100–600 coins and 20% chance of D2 magic items.
Fox Folk
Type: Minor, up to full-fledged
Threat Dice: Unarmed D8 ~ Melee D6 ~ Ranged D6 ~ Arcane D4
(but see below)
Hit Points: 12 (6/6) [normal, small or medium, magical; ×1.5]
Damage Reduction: By armor or shield type
Saving Throw: D8
Agility Rank: D10
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Legends and Lore: Fox Folk are mischievous, and sometimes even
a little malicious, shee capable of taking the form of a man-fox (a
human with a fox head), an ordinary fox, or a fully human form.
They are beautiful ― females are seductive, males handsome;
like succubae and incubi they can lead mortals astray, and yet
their purposes are more often mirthful than wicked. Tricksters,
thieves, rogues, the fox-folk dress well and adorn themselves with
finery ― they are alluring in all guises, real foxy ladies and exotically
handsome men. It is said that those with black fur around their
eyes when in fox-form are unkinder, likely to be assassins, while
those with golden fur are kinder of heart, and although inveterate
tricksters, unlikely to do harm.
Abilities and Powers: Masters of illusion and physical transforma-
tion, they are oft-times drawn to involve themselves in theatrical
display, and roguish fox-folk sometimes join, or create their own,
traveling circuses and theatrical groups. Love spells, invisibility
charms, and other enchantments that confound, mislead, and
mentally entrap the victim are all part of the fox-folk armory of
magic. They are capable of casting any illusion spell, rolling 3D12
against the NN.
Armor, Equipment, and Treasure: Fox-folk favor small fast weapons,
shuriken, daggers, whips, hand crossbows, and the like; some are
adept with ropes; a few, of a crueler and darker disposition, with
the garrote. Jewels, gems, small antiques, priceless antiquities — all
are of interest to the fox-folk, and if they are not carrying them,
you can be sure they are scheming to steal such at the earliest
opportunity. It’s not unusual for the fox-folk to possess a treasure
trove: 200–2000 coins and 30% chance of D3 magic items.
Gargoyle
Type: Standard
Threat Dice: Unarmed 2D8+1 (claws) ~ Melee 2D6 ~ Arcane D8
Hit Points: 54 (27/27) [normal, medium, magical; ×1.5]
Damage Reduction: 2D6 (stone skin) vs. slashing / D4 vs. bludg-
eoning & heavy piercing
Saving Throw: D10
Agility Rank: D14
Legends and Lore: In appearance, the ugly gargoyles resemble the
apotropaic waterspout carvings from any church building. The
hideous living gargoyles are the secret creation of Psarmorum’s
inner circle, originally intended as a way to help convert the
heathen while protecting Psarmorum; an occult plague secretly
sent to terrorize Maedoen but hunting through the woodlands of
Meath too, indiscriminate in their destructive acts, save for never
striking against a true believer in the church of Sol Invictus.
Abilities and Powers: The gargoyles can sense religious affiliation,
and do so by sniffing ― only the scent of a believer in Sol Invictus
stills their cruel claws. They can fly, have tough stone-like hides,
and, by covering themselves with their typically bat-like wings,
increase this protection to near invulnerability (DR +4). When still,
a living gargoyle is indistinguishable from a stone carving.
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: Gargoyles generally attack with their
claws. Their tough, stone-like hide is more vulnerable to smashing
weapons like maces or mauls, or to piercing weapons like picks
that pack a hefty punch behind a single point of impact. They rarely
have treasure, although occasionally they are used as couriers, and
thus might carry some secret message, potion, or item to one of
Psarmorum’s agents.
Ghul
Type: Standard (Undead)
Threat Dice: Melee ~ D8+D6 ~ Unarmed D6+D4 ~ Ranged D8
Hit Points: 48 (16/32) [tough, medium, magical; ×1.5]
Damage Reduction: Immune to non-magical weapons
Saving Throw: D4
Agility Rank: D6
Legends and Lore: It is in the Book of Red Flowers that I read of the
ghul, adherents of a bloody cannibal cult; once mortal men, they
transform through participation in unholy rites in to flesh-feasting
hunters of graveyards. Cult members consider the ghul state a
form of immortality; in decadent cities they partake in secret horrid
feasts that mirror the mass of Sol celebrated in Psarmorum, but
with a bloody host and with real blood in their chalice too ― one
who “eats the body and drinks from the cup” for many years will
eventually become undead and transform into a ghul. It is rumored
that the Guardians’ Guild suspects one or more ghul to have
passed through Crossroads, but surely so blasphemous a cult could
grow no root here ’neath the watchful gaze of Virgil. And yet, dark
auguries have of late troubled M’lady Sibyl…
Abilities and Powers: The ghul are undead, can shape-shift to the
form of a hyena, take on a man-like hyena-headed form, or appear
as mortal ― but the longer they have been in full ghul state, the
less human they appear. Enchanted weaponry is needed to cause
ghul permanent physical harm, although a limb lopped off will
not regrow and the severing of the head is effective; even then,
a horrid, convulsive and continuous clawing occurs, dangerous to
one nearby (D8 potential harm). Depending on form taken, attacks
can be weapon strike, claw, or bite ― or all three.
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: Treasures owned in mortal life,
plundered grave goods, and items of malevolent occult power
might be found in a ghul’s possession (small cache: 2–20 coins and
5% chance of 1 magic item). Armor and weaponry, often of good
quality, can be found, especially so on one but recently “rewarded”
with the ghul-state.
Giant
Type: Standard to Extraordinary
Threat Dice: Unarmed 2D10 to 3D12 ~ Melee 2D10 to 3D12 ~
Ranged 2D6 to 3D6 ~ Arcane nil to 3D12
Extra Attacks: Sweeping strike
Hit Points: 130 (52/78) to 378 (94/284) [tough, huge to gargan-
tuan, magical; ×2.5 to ×3]
Damage Reduction: By armor or shield (specially fitted or made but
same die or DR)
Saving Throw: D12 to 2D8+
Agility Rank: D8
Legends and Lore: Let us reflect upon the several forms of giant,
the different kinds of huge man-like beings born in the cultural
imaginations of Earth and given birth here in Ainerêve ― from the
elemental to the misshapen. Now, what one man might call a giant,
another might call an ogre. And where an ogre to some is a lesser
giant, or one able to pass itself off as a man, to another it is the
most fearsome of giant-kin, and the most ravenous. No matter, let
us say that in general, the giantish races stand anything from one
and a half times the height of a man to mighty titans that loom
taller than a cathedral spire. There are ice giants swathed in frost
and animal hides, fearsomely ugly fire giants with flaming fists,
trolls with sly faces and murderous claws, and every other kind of
giant being from folklore and myth. While most are crude and dull-
witted, some are fairly personable: one such, an enslaved hulking
Viking-like Jotunn, dwelt here in Crossroads for some months,
fetching and carrying at its capricious goblin-overlord’s whim, until
the elf-son Nathal forced the goblin to free it and let it pass home
through the gates.
Abilities and Powers: Typically armed with clubs, large throwing
rocks, and sometimes more conventional weapons and armor too.
For the primitive sort, just blows and kicks are enough to shatter
most foes. Elemental giants typically have some power, great or
small, to influence their environment: they might produce flame, a
patch of ice, a swirling mist, or a deadly rock fall. Giantish mages
have greater powers and might summon elementals too.
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: The first two: rough animal hides
through to iron plate; humble huntsman’s gear through to the
armaments of a barbarian prince or knight. Fire giants forge armor
and weapons, other giants may trade for them or be fitted out by
an employer. Treasure always, for the giants are plunderers born; a
sack of loot ― for the largest perhaps a sack of struggling victims
too. In an ogre’s or giantish mage’s lair, wonders of treasure, magic,
and items rare ― singing music boxes, talking books, every item of
fairytale lore. A giant’s treasure is valued as a hoard: 1000–10,000
coins and 40% chance of D4 magic items.
As an example, consider the giants of Phantos.
Chapter 6: Bestiary | page 113
Example: Giant, Jotterthug
TY Standard Giant / TD Unarmed 2D10+8 ~ Melee 2D10+6 ~
Ranged D10 / HP 125 (31/94) [tough, huge, magical; ×2.5] / DR
By armor type / ST D6 / AR D4 / WAT Metal weapons and armor
in Phantos stadium, else rocks and fists; no treasure in Phantos,
typical hoard in group lair, magic will be from victims, perhaps
some late hero’s magic sword used to pick the flesh from between
the giant’s crooked, stained teeth.
Notes: These giants are big, stupid, greedy, and enjoy eating
humans or other fleshy creatures. Primordial, existing since the
dawn of the human imagination, they personify the terrible
strength of the earth. They stride from unsettled lands into civilized
places to wreak havoc and terrorize the populace. A&P Jotterthug
giants are incredibly strong. Only a magical or exceptionally
wrought weapon can parry its unarmed attack safely: others
risk breakage (5% chance per threat point inflicted). Shields may
be broken likewise, and any small shield is useless for damage
reduction against their might.
Giant Ant
Type: Minor to Standard
Threat Dice: Unarmed D4 to 2D12 (bite)
Hit Points: 4 (2/2) to 24 (12/12) [normal, medium, mundane]
Damage Reduction: D4 (chitinous hide) or special
Saving Throw: D6 to 2D8
Agility Rank: D12
Legends and Lore: The giant ant is a pest: it undermines castles,
ruins fields, carries off livestock, and even makes war ― for the ants
together have a hive mind capable of the most complex strategy. A
typical specimen stands about the size of a pony, although varieties
smaller and larger can be found.
Soldier ants have glowing runes on their segmented bodies, gifts
from the hive-queen, who works magic spells. An established hive
will even barter and trade with human settlements, although care
should be taken, for the ants often prefer to overrun and occupy an
established settlement when swarming time comes.
Abilities and Powers: For the soldiers, bite and sting; the latter
injects a toxin that can paralyze or kill (ST vs. Fortitude). Red ant
varieties inject a venom that causes intense pain, disabling the
victim and making all tasks doubly hard; black ant toxin induces
slumber and paralysis; green ant toxin can be deadly. (Effects
are respectively stun, but allows non-combat actions without
movement; incapacitate; and poison: green ant’s attack roll versus
victim’s Fortitude, the difference in rolls applies as extra damage
to the Fortitude DP.) More humble worker ants can bite, grab, and
pull an opponent away ― they will mob a victim.
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The queen, a cumbersome creature surrounded by larvae, weaves
magic and cuts runes into her favored followers’ carapaces. The
following runes are known: yellow cross ― the ant regenerates
harm (D4 per round); glowing blue circle ― invulnerability to
normal weaponry (up to two attacks per round); red triangle ― fiery
bite that doubles harm (to Fortitude); purple star ― teleportation
and phasing (the ant disappears and reappears at will each round,
always behind a new victim if possible). Other runes certainly
exist and combinations of runes are common; the queen will have
warded herself with every rune she knows (D4+1 of them).
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: The giant ants are avid traders. The
ant nest will contain a fortune in treasure and plundered goods.
Typically, a hive trades to build up a surplus in wealth so that food
stocks can be bought when war and raiding are unprofitable. The
queen will buy magic items too, since she eats them to power her
runes. The hive usually pools its treasure together near the queen’s
chamber, a veritable dragon’s hoard: 10,000–60,000 coins and
50% chance of D8 magic items.
Giant Bird
Type: Standard to Extraordinary
Threat Dice: Unarmed 2D6 to 3D12 (talons and beak)
Hit Points: 24 to 144 [normal, medium to gargantuan, magical; ×2
to ×3]
Damage Reduction: None
Saving Throw: D4
Agility Rank: D12 (large), D10 (huge), or D8 (gargantuan) in flight
Legends and Lore: There are a number of giant birds that sweep
aloft on the air currents of Ainerêve. The best known is the roc, so
prodigious in size that it can bear an elephant aloft or take a dragon
in its claws. Giant versions of more typical fowl exist too, eagles
and hawks, owls and robins. The latter talk, and can take the form
of red-jacketed men. Indeed, certain giant owls have enchanted
speech and a knowledge to rival my own. Beware men in black and
white harlequin garb if they sport a feather in their cap ― for they
are magpie robbers. Texts tell me sentience is common in many of
the greater birds, but not so in the roc.
Abilities and Powers: Sharp senses, swooping attacks, grab and drop
tactics, razor-like beaks and talons. For some, transformation into
men or smaller birds.
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: No treasure is typical in a giant bird
nest, save perhaps that which accidentally accrues to the predatory
types as they pluck up victims and carry them back ― in such case,
any amount of valuables might be found amidst stick, twig, bone,
and moss.
The more intelligent may have garnered precious stuff, or dwell in
comfortable and furnished aeries. Those with a magpie-like bent
might actually be thieves and deliberately rob goods and amass
wealth (small trove: 100–600 coins and 20% chance of D2 magic
items).
Giant Rat
Type: Minor
Threat Dice: Unarmed D4 (bite/claw)
Extra Attack: Disease (10%)
Hit Points: 4 [normal, small, mundane]
Saving Throw: D2
Agility Rank: D10
Legends and Lore: What adventurer worth his salt hasn’t bravely
faced down some rodent of unusual size? For the neophyte,
it’s practically a rite of passage! Next to goblins, it’s what many
aspiring kings and would-be Destroyers of Worlds start with, early
in their careers. In a land rich in heroes, these creatures might well
be placed on the king’s endangered species list.
Abilities and Powers: Giant rats only have the power to scare
children or give warriors a reason to wear thick boots, although in
greater numbers they can rise above the level of mere annoyance.
Some (10%) are capable of inflicting disease on somebody after
penetrating armor and if a Fortitude → Endurance check against
threat dice is failed, at which point it deals 1 point of harm per
round until the victim falls unconscious and starts to die from a
wasting disease.
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: These rodents have no equipment or
treasure, save perhaps a gold coin or two in their stomachs.
Gnome
Type: Minor, up to full-fledged
Threat Dice: Melee D6 ~ Ranged D4 ~ Arcane D10 ~ Unarmed D4
Hit Points: 6 [normal, small, mundane]
Damage Reduction: By armor and shield type
Saving Throw: D10 or 2D4 vs. magic of Dimension and Order
Agility Rank: D8
Legends and Lore: As with dwarves and elves, the gnomes passing
through Crossroads come from a settled land where certain
traditions in regard to the races seem firmly entrenched. These
small beings, slighter than dwarves but with a kinship in appear-
ance ― someway betwixt halfling and dwarf one might say, with
cherub-like features in the youngest, but all wrinkled wisdom in the
oldest. Tinkerers, inventors, pioneers of science; part engineer, part
magician. Heroes familiar with gnomish adventurers have grown
fearful of their potions and inventions, oft times as likely to cause
havoc to friend as to foe.
Those that have settled Ainerêve practice alchemy ― they seek
the philosophers’ stone, though why here rather than elsewhere I
cannot say. I challenged one once, saying ‘Surely the stone is the
seeker’s own will, used to turn the elements of his common spirit
into a soul of gold?’ but to this the gnome gave only a cryptic smile
and said no more.
Abilities and Powers: Gnomic magic centers on the spheres of
Dimension and Order. Gnomes use their own magical machinery,
arcane inventions, and potions that cause magical effects, both
for weal and woe. Every item should be given a misfire chance ― a
probability of opposite or non-action (5% to 20% — roll each time
the invention, potion, or other item is used).
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: Good quality weapons and armor
are the norm, with everything from flying clockwork planes to
exploding gloves as additional equipment; potions, elixirs, and
strange unguents are likely. Gnomes are often rich, and sometimes
envied; gold coins and gems are secreted in belt and pouch
(individual cache, 20–200 coins and 10% chance of 1 magic item;
domicile trove, 200–2000 coins and 30% chance of D3 magic
items).
Goblin
Type: Minor, up to full-fledged
Threat Dice: Melee D6 ~ Unarmed D4 ~ Ranged D4
Hit Points: 6 (3/3) [normal, small, mundane]
Damage Reduction: By armor or shield
Saving Throw: D4 to D10
Agility Rank: D6 to D12
Chapter 6: Bestiary | page 115
 automaton, doing the bidding of its master, may one day, at a time
ripe for wickedness, strike and act at Lilith’s will.

Abilities and Powers: Possessed of great strength and durability, the

golem is a dutiful servant in labor or war, and can be set as a guard.
One possessed by a spirit of occult cruelty will act to bring chaos
and dishonor to all it has served and while so possessed, it may
gain demonic powers to harm and kill: an ability to pass through
walls, to mimic voices, to move items by will, and to weave strange
choking fogs, are all recorded in De Rerum Horrida, a volume of
weird occult lore. Elemental golems, of ice, rock, earth, lava, clay,
etc., are known, and each will have an additional power appropriate
to the element from which it is formed. Golems of metal, crystal,
and even diamond have been reported. The flesh golem is the work
of a necromancer, or misguided scientist, and almost certain to
attract a stray soul. A golem may be a near-unstoppable juggernaut,
Abilities and Powers: Goblins lack any remarkable skills, but grow
but, as surviving adventurers have noted, it is one possible to
into adulthood learning how to kill with any implement they may
outrun.
find. They are ruthless, lazy, greedy, and sadistic as a species,
growing as they do out of the nightmares of humankind. They
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: Armor levels as appropriate to the
breed among their own kind, but the first is said to have stalked
element or combination of elements/materials from which the
out from the unsettled lands.
golem is formed. Smashing fist strikes and leg stomps form the
basis of attack ― additional harm and magical results may ensue:
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: Goblins normally wear leather
fire, ice bursts, muddy entrapment, stunning, etc.
or hide armor. Favored weapon is the hand axe or short sword.
Individually a goblin’s treasure amounts to little more than trinkets
Griffin
(1–6 coins and 1% chance of 1 minor magic item). Or, if found in a
Type: Extraordinary
lair, a small cache (2–20 coins and 5% chance of 1 magic item).
Threat Dice: Unarmed 3D10 (beak and talons)
Extra Attacks: Hind lion claws 3D12 (contingent attack, see below)
Golem
Hit Points: 60 (15/45) [tough, large, preternatural; ×2]
Type: Standard to Legendary
Damage Reduction: D4 (natural toughness)
Threat Dice: Unarmed 2D8 to 3D18 ~ Melee 2D6 to 3D14 ~
Saving Throw: 2D6
Ranged 2D4 to 2D12 ~ Arcane 2D10 to 3D14
Agility Rank: D8 ground; D10 flight
Extra Attacks: Possible elemental blasts (by associated sphere)
equal to main attack
Hit Points: 112 (28/84) to 324 (81/243) [tough, large, preter-
natural; ×2]
Damage Reduction: D4 to D18 natural armor plus immunity to
main associated sphere
Saving Throw: D4 to 3D12
Agility Rank: D6

Legends and Lore: A shell of stone and clay, large, hulking, man-like.
It is inscribed with runic marks, glyphs, spells: secret names of God
― and the devil too? It is the work of a magician, often misguided;
kneeling before the unfinished construct, he implores the powers
of heaven and hell to give it life. Yet it is the servants of Lilith
most likely to enter within, there to work the sinister will of their
mistress. The golem might be mindless or possessed of a wicked
spirit, and who can tell the difference? For a seemingly mindless

page 116 | Chapter 6: Bestiary

Legends and Lore: With the wings, forelimbs, and head of an eagle
and the hindquarters of a lion, the griffin is a fearsome combination
of two mighty predators. Their ears prick up, a sign of their near-
prescient senses. Griffins lair in mountainous homes and whether
by accident or design, their airborne prides oft-times have aeries
above deposits of gold, so that a prospector can be guided to gold
ore by following their flight. This leads to conflict, as griffins will
not tolerate intruders in their hunting ranges. Here lies the origin
of the griffins’ enslavement by the Arimaspians; seeking gold, to
plunder or mine, inevitably led the one-eyed reavers into conflict
with griffins; and sore woe came unto the winged bird-lions when
the Arimaspians learnt some occult method of binding them.
Abilities and Powers: Griffins see and hear with great acuity. All
a griffin’s senses, including those of smell, vibration, and taste,
are heightened, so that it is impossible to surprise one, unless
magically hidden. Beak and talon strike, backed by a hunting bird’s
accuracy and a lion’s ferocious strength. A griffin that strikes with
bird-like forelimbs can, thereafter, bunch up its lion-like rear limbs
and make a devastating clawing strike as it holds its prey fast
(whenever the main attack exceeds the defender’s Active DP).
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: Only incidental wealth will be found
in a griffin aerie, left amongst victims’ remains.
Hag
Type: Standard
Threat Dice: Arcane 2D10 ~ Unarmed D6 ~ Melee D4
~ Ranged D4
Extra Attacks: Critter swarm (2D6, zero NN)
Hit Points: 68 (51/17) [fast, medium, preternatural; ×2]
Damage Reduction: None.
Saving Throw: 2D10 versus Entropy sphere; else D10
Agility Rank: D6
Legends and Lore: These horrid spirits in the form of crones stalk
the Forest of Meath and are found in Maedoen too; typical
witch-like women, black teeth, stony eyed, that seek to lead mortal
children away, to feast upon their blood and bone. The hags have
other objectives too, they form covens, weave spells, and some
have ranged from their native homes into other lands, there to
increase wickedness and spread their sinister power across the
realm.
Abilities and Powers: Each hag cradles a basket in her arm: ’neath
its lid are horrors; from the basket the hag can pluck forth imps,
spiders, serpents, bugs, even goblins and other hateful things.
Fear the hag, for she carries evil wherever she goes. In addition,
each hag can perform magical spells and workings in the spheres
of Chaos, Dream, and Entropy, and if in the company of twelve of
her sisters, a full coven, the power of such is doubled ― trebled on
certain occult and accursed nights in the sabbatic calendar of dark
wizardry. The swarm a hag plucks from her basket is as below:
Critter swarm: The number of critters summoned is equal to the
result of the ability check, and each creature has 1 threat point, 1
hit point, and 0 Active Defense. The creatures act as one group,
with initiative rank equal to the hag’s spell type speciality. See
Swarm Summoning in Chapter 4.
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: Hags may have jewels and treasures,
magic items, and cursed objects hidden in their baskets (200–2000
coins value and 30% chance of D3 magic items). If her life is
seriously endangered, one will offer to trade goods for it (plucking
forth cursed objects first, of course).
Halfling
Type: Minor, up to full-fledged
Threat Dice: Melee D6 ~ Ranged D6 ~ Unarmed D4
Hit Points: 6 (3/3) [normal, small, mundane]
Damage Reduction: By armor or shield type
Saving Throw: D10
Agility Rank: D8
Legends and Lore: The halfling is is a country-born, oft shy,
sometimes impulsive, but loyal and adventurous fellow who,
while loving life’s comforts, can undertake arduous tasks, and win
through despite the odds. He is a diminutive fellow with child-like
features, of similar size and build to the gnome, but with something
more of the peasant-stock in both build and nature. Halflings (as
with the elves, dwarves, and gnomes passing through Crossroads
of late), seem to come from some shared reality where the intel-
ligent companion races of man’s imaginings manifest in certain
archetypal patterns.
Chapter 6: Bestiary | page 117
The halflings must take care if near the borders of Psarmorum,
where they are mistaken for godless shee and must live the life of
outlaws. Some speculate that the Templars know full well
that the halfling-folk are not true shee, but persecute
them for another, unknown reason. But what could
cause mighty knights to fear such simple country
folk?

Abilities and Powers: Be not misled by the

halfling’s seeming passivity, these are nimble
fleet-footed raiders of dragon lairs, adept at
stealth, with a sharp eye for accurate shots,
and quick to dodge away from a telling
blow.

Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: Typically

light or no armor, bare of foot, with
perhaps a dagger or short sword, maybe
a small bow or sling. Little in the way of
wealth, unless returning from a successful
adventure ― but their earth-burrow homes
contain comforts and antiques.

Treasure carried is usually trinkets (1–6 coins

and 1% chance of 1 minor magic item); in a domicile, a
small cache (2–20 coins and 5% chance of 1 magic item).
Harpy
Type: Standard
Threat Dice: Unarmed 2D6 (talons)
Hit Points 24 (18/6) [fast, medium, preternatural; ×2]
Saving Throw: 2D10 versus Illusion; else D8
Agility Rank: D8
Legends and Lore: With a bloated bird body, wickedly taloned legs,
wings not arms, and the deformed head of an ugly woman, the
harpy is a horror to behold; only the hair holds beauty: it is flowing
and luxuriant.
Abilities and Powers: Through illusion a harpy can appear as an
exotically attractive winged maiden, perhaps to be mistaken for
an angel. They can make their cackling squawks sound like soft
and pleasant song, and through such contrivances lure a man to
his death, for their talons are wickedly sharp, and they will gorge
themselves on a dead man’s flesh. (Their powers are Illusory
Disguise and Audio Illusion, as the spells, but no need to roll NN.)
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: The harpy is sometimes used as a
guardian of occult places, as a protector of some greater creature’s
wealth (trove: 200–2000 coins and 30% chance of D3 magic
items).
Horse
Type: Minor to Standard
Threat Dice: Unarmed D10 (riding horse) to 2D12 (warhorse)
Hit Points: 20 to 48 [normal, large, mundane; ×2]
Damage Reduction: By any armor (barding) up to D12
Saving Throw: D4 to D8
Agility Rank: D10
Legends and Lore: Horses are important in any medieval society,
and even in lands where magic functions, nothing beats their
reliability and strength. Magic remains taxing, and the effects
relatively short-lived, so most folk still need conventional modes
of transportation. The average riding horse can carry 250 pounds
thirty miles in eight hours.
Abilities and Powers: Horses can also be used in combat, and
warhorses typically have a higher Unarmed rank (usually as high as
its trainer’s Animal Handling ability).
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: Horses, especially warhorses, may
be fitted with armor (barding), granting general protection, with the
usual armor types listed in Chapter 5.

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Hunting Dog
Type: Minor
Threat Dice: Unarmed D6 (bite)
Hit Points: 6 [normal, small, mundane]
Saving Throw: D4 to D8 magical affliction).
Agility Rank: D8
Legends and Lore: Nobles often use hunting dogs in sport, or when
tracking down escaped prisoners. They’re either scent hounds like
coon hounds, or sight hounds like pointers.
Abilities and Powers: Hunting dogs can follow even the faintest
scent trails, with a roll of 3D12, or spot small quarry (including
Swipes) with the same level of ability. Their hearing is also very
good, with a default Perception check of D6+4.
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: Most owners don’t fit their hunting
dogs with armor, or allow them to carry treasures.
Hydra
Type: Standard to Legendary
Threat Dice: Unarmed 2D12 to 3D20 (primary head’s bite, or
constriction)
Extra Attacks: 2D6 per head (4 heads standard, 8 extraordinary, 12
legendary)
Hit Points: 48 (12/36) to 120 (30/90) [tough, large, magical; ×2]
Damage Reduction: D6 (tough hide)
Saving Throw: D6
Agility Rank: D4
Legends and Lore: The hydra is a water serpent with many heads
that often hunts on land. If stretched out, in length it is like that
of two men. Its constrictor-like thick serpent trunk breaks into
multiple ophidian heads, each with venomous jaws.
Abilities and Powers: Able both to constrict and bite, the hydra is a
fearsome foe. Multiple toxins can be found in a single specimen,
so bites from one head may cause paralysis, from another somno-
lence, while a third induces a berserk frenzy against the victim’s
companions, and so forth.
While some hydras can be killed by decapitation of each head,
or by chopping through the central trunk by a prodigious feat
of strength, others (1 in 6) will grow D3 fresh heads each time a
head is severed, thus making them harder to kill with each telling
blow. Fire might be used to cauterize the neck stumps and prevent
re-growth… or so legends say…
Poison: Any hydra head’s bite penetrating Active Defenses forces
a Saving Throw versus the attack roll, else victim suffers a poison
effect. Usually this is another instant D10 poison damage (ST vs.
Fortitude). Some (1 in 4) hydras have a random effect per head, e.g.
roll D12: 1–5 poison, 6 GM’s whim, 7 stun, 8 blind, 9 paralyze, 10
incapacitate, 11 confuse, 12 terrorize (ST vs. Fortitude or as per
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: Often found as guardians of (un)holy
sites, the hydra might be tasked with protecting wealth, or some
sacred object of power (hoard: 1000–10,000 coins value and 40%
chance of D4 magic items).
Lilith
Type: Legendary (avatar)
Threat Dice: Arcane 3D18 ~ Melee 3D10 ~ Unarmed 2D8 ~
Ranged 2D6
Extra Attacks: Extra spell action
Hit Points: 336 (252/84) [fast, large, supernatural; ×3]
Damage Reduction: By armor and shield type; immunity to Entropy
sphere spells and mundane weaponry
Saving Throw: 3D10
Agility Rank: D16
Legends and Lore: Lilith, Mother of the Night, first woman, creatrix,
elder sister of Eve. Embittered against heaven, weary of hell, she
is wed in unholy union with Baphomet and seeks to free him from
the constricting webs of heaven and hell ― to grant him ultimate
power and freedom, and with it the end of all, the coming of night,
the journey across the abyss and ultimately rebirth. She is the
Whore of Babylon; dressed in red, a lion at her right hand, a many-
headed dragon behind her. Hidden from sight, first wife of Adam,
the true Sophia, Lilith has existed through countless incarnations,
trapped in the warped matter of reality, downtrodden, forgotten,
humiliated, accursed; in Ainerêve she seeks the source of her
suffering; is she born in the mind of man? Have all her pains been
mortal dreams? Was Eden first here or on Earth?
Abilities and Powers: Lilith chooses to appear in the guise of a
demonic vampire queen, beautiful beyond reason. She inspires a
charmed lust that forces men, and some women too, to seek her
approval and voluntarily do her will (mesmerizing command). She
is a mistress of all dark magics, can heal herself by drinking blood,
take on the form of wolf, bat, or screech owl, and put those she
talks to into a submissive trance (entrance).
Despite appearances to the contrary, Lilith is not truly undead, she
is a manifest spiritual entity, and, so certain drug-maddened sages
argue in the Scrolls of Licentia, mother to all living things. Immune
to all but the most highly enchanted weapons, Lilith’s avatar is still,
like a vampire, vulnerable to wooden stakes, submersion in running
water, and decapitation.
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Extra spell action: Choose 1 extra spell action, 1 battle phase after
initial attack — mesmerizing command, any Psychogenic pillar spell,
or any spell of the Entropy sphere at +D10 (3D18+D10).Mesmer-
izing command: Inspires charmed lust in susceptible mortals: NN 0
Control Mind effect using 3D18; ST Willpower.
Entrance: Induce trance state (semi-conscious until stimulus or 10
minutes) by talking uninterrupted to mortal for one round, NN 0
effect using 3D18; ST Willpower.
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: Lilith’s avatar can conjure any item
for her use. She will be clad in valuable finery, usually of a gothic
bent, and carry many mystical and magical objects (small trove:
100–600 coins, but 20% chance of D10 legendary magic items).
Lilith’s Daughters
Type: Standard
Threat Dice: Arcane 2D10 ~ Melee D10 ~ Unarmed D8
~ Ranged D6
Extra Attacks: Extra spell action
Hit Points: 88 (66/22) [fast, medium, preternatural; ×2]
Damage Reduction: D4 (preternatural toughness)
Saving Throw: 2D10 versus Entropy sphere, or D10
Agility Rank: D8
Legends and Lore: The Daughters of Lilith are Vampiric succubi;
visions of passion and lust but with a touch of terror ― their eyes
are without pupils and their fingers end in claws.
Abilities and Powers: As with their dark mistress, all the classic
powers of the vampire belong to Lilith’s daughters, and yet they
too are flesh-clothed spirits rather than undead entities. Each can
wield dark magic and otherwise has Lilith’s powers in reduced
capacity, but they often choose to attack with their bite and
iron-hard talons rather than rely on enchantments.
Extra spell action: Choose 1 extra spell action, 1 battle phase after
initial attack — mesmerizing command, any Psychogenic pillar spell,
or any spell of the Entropy sphere (the last two at NN 2 using a
D10 if other than a Threat effect spell).
Mesmerizing command: Inspires charmed lust in susceptible mortals:
NN 4 Control Mind effect using D10; ST Willpower.
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: Usually each has a small cache
(2–20 coins and 5% chance of 1 magic item), but their mistress may
have set them to guard a greater treasure.
Orc
Type: Minor, up to full-fledged
Threat Dice: Unarmed D8 ~ Melee D6 ~ Ranged D4
Hit Points: 8 (4/4) [normal, medium, mundane]
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Damage Reduction: By armor or shield
Saving Throw: D4
Agility Rank: D6
Legends and Lore: Orcs are stupid, barbaric, tribal creatures. Bigger
and meaner than goblins, they enjoy robbing human villages and
terrorizing every living thing.
Abilities and Powers: Orcs are very strong, capable of Feats of
Strength at 2D8, and have a keen sense of smell (Perception D10).
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: Orcs usually wield inferior axes and
swords to spread mayhem, and don hide or leather armor. Their
shields often provide only 1 point of DR even if medium-sized
for they are not known for good workmanship. They may possess
trinkets (1–6 coins and 1% chance of 1 minor magic item) or for
exceptional specimens as much as a small cache (2–20 coins and
5% chance of 1 magic item).
Peri
Type: Minor, up to full-fledged
Threat Dice: Arcane D10 ~ Melee D8 ~ Ranged D6 ~ Unarmed D4
Hit Points: 10 (7/3) [fast, medium, magical; ×1.5]
Damage Reduction: By armor and shield type
Saving Throw: 2D4
Agility Rank: D10 (D12 in flight)
Legends and Lore: It is with a heavy heart I speak of the Peris, for
they unwittingly spread evil and fear on the borders of our land of
Maedoen, persecuting those of ancient wisdom and tradition by
order of their master, Lord Sol Invictus. Beautiful, with sapphire
eyes, bird-like wings, and the passion of a young star, a Peri is at
once angelic and formidable.
Nathal of the Seelie court insists that the near-immortal peris
are not evil, despite their incursions into Maedoen. Originally
summoned as servant angels of Psarmorum, they were and are
willing to fight the powers of Hell. In turn, some of the ablest
knights of Psarmorum have gone to aid their battles in their
own realm, so the bond is strong. However, of those peris that
linger here long, many a one has grown suspicious of the Order
of Chaplains’ good intentions, as they encounter more of the
good people of Maedoen. Peri defectors are welcomed by the
High elves, usually joining the Seelie Court, and protected by the
Guardians Guild. Although resembling and welcomed by High
Elves, peris prefer the company of Wyld Elves, for they are more
impulsive and passionate, which matches their fiery sensibilities.
Called Rogue Angels here in Crossroads, peris often hide their
wings when traveling through the kingdoms of Maedoen, for fear
they’d be assumed spies.

Abilities and Powers: Peris are adept magic users, preferring the
Elementalism and Invocation Pillars of magic, and focusing on the
spheres of Aether, Energy, and Life. They also possess the power of
flight, their base agility increasing a full die rank when in flight.
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: Peris wear light armor, often magical
as provided by the Church of Psarmorum, and usually prefer ranged
spells to missile weapons. Up close the peris are capable fighters,
and will often conjure their weapons as needed. Like elves, Peris
don’t like to travel with a heavy burden, though many keep a cache
in their homes: 100–200 coins and 20% chance of 1 magic item.
Raptor
Type: Minor
Threat Dice: Unarmed D8+1 (beak or talons)
Hit Points: 8 [normal, small, mundane]
Saving Throw: D4
Agility Rank: D16
Legends and Lore: Raptors are birds of prey, and hunt game for their
trainers, who are either called falconers (for falcons) or austringers
(for hawks). The raptors of the city of Phantos are more than
hunting hawks, it is said, and are greatly feared there.
Abilities and Powers: Those birds of prey trained to attack or
retrieve are highly valued. They have a “static” speed score of 16,
which means they rarely lose initiative in a fight, and are incredibly
fast when flying.
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: None.
Sacred Ophidian Sisterhood of Seven Serpents Entwined
Type: Standard
Threat Dice: Ranged 2D12 ~ Arcane 2D10 ~ Melee 2D8 ~
Unarmed 2D6
Extra Attacks: Petrifying gaze or poison bite (contingent attack, see
below)
Hit Points: 72 (54/18) [fast, medium, preternatural; ×1]
Damage Reduction: By armor or shield
Saving Throw: 2D6
Agility Rank: D8
Legends and Lore: I offer here a description of the Sacred Ophidian
Sisterhood of Seven Serpents Entwined. The members of this
select order are commonly thought of as monsters and so I include
them in this bestiary, and yet I set them aside too as they are
not quite true monsters ― as shall be seen. Certain Earth-realms
hold to an ancient legend of a barbarous serpent-haired entity
named Medusa and it is for this creature that the members of the
sisterhood are named. Incongruously, those that encounter them
often call each member a medusa. The sisterhood does nothing to
challenge this, perhaps motivated by a degree of appreciation for
the fear the name engenders.
The impact of this Earth-myth created an order of serpent-revering
prophets. Young girls showing promise join at the invitation of the
Sisters of the Serpent; typically, the sisterhood garners recruits
from communities afflicted by war. Oft the young girls brought into
its ranks are orphans, keen to get a measure of vengeance on those
that have brought them suffering. The order’s witchcraft creates
the serpent hair and grants each convert a baleful stare ― petrifica-
tion awaits the one who challenges a Sister of the Snake. The order
reveres serpents as a symbol of wisdom.
Despite evidence to the contrary, the sisterhood is not pure evil,
but its members are intimidating, and their aims may conflict with
that of other powers. They seek an end to the wars that threaten
the realms of Ainerêve; to achieve peace they are willing to kill
combatants on all sides. Through the use of hoods, subtlety, and
stealth ― not to mention spells of illusion ― the sisters disguise
their appearance; issuing from hidden gates they move through
Meath, Psarmorum, and Maedoen working always towards a
peaceful end, but firmly convinced that to achieve that end, any
means are justified ― including betrayal, assassination, and acts of
calculated fury.
The sisters vie with each other to bring back the heads of those
they deem warmongers ― each might be viewed as a huntress of
sorts, setting out from the ophidian pocket-realm of Serpentes to
spread peace through acts of insurrection.
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Let it be said that the knights of Psarmorum dispute my judgement,
holding the sisterhood irredeemably evil. I heard a Templar chaplain
demand a crusade after the assassination of his commander: “We
must exterminate this vile brood of snake-sisters, sorcerous scum
born from slithering slime! Murder for peace? Never! Sol is our
judge, not viper-loving witches who make even the wanton shee
seem wholesome!”
Hid in a realm to itself is the City of the Snake, sometimes called
Serpentes or the City of the Pyramid. Here a great bronze-
sheathed pyramid rises above a steaming jungle overrun with
venomous fauna. Befittingly, the city’s walls are undulating and
long, setting off a complex of flat-roofed dwellings, parks, and
waterways ― the waterways form an interconnected series of
twisting moats, so that an invader passing the wall would need to
cross numerous water obstacles, each teeming with snakes. There
are vast hatcheries: pools where the sisters lie entwined with their
venomous kin ― for they can breed true as well as recruit, and do
so either with serpent fathers or with specially selected men. Be
wary of an invite to Serpentes, there are sorceries here: drugs,
sights, and magics that can forever change a man’s soul.
A recent rumor speaks of an unheard of thing: four male members
of the species. If this is true, it is an occurrence most strange, for
only females have ever been bred or recruited. Sources speak
of sorcerous male prophets that lead a faction in Serpentes that
would change the Sacred Ophidian Sisterhood of Seven Serpents
Entwined’s objectives; it is claimed that the new prophets would
have the sisterhood achieve its aims by dint of conquest ― forcing
peace by taking the reigns of power. What will come of this is
uncertain; there are dark portents of civil war in the serpentine
city. And whence came these prophets?
Abilities and Powers: The members of the order grow snakes in
place of hair; the serpents’ venom increases in toxicity as the sister
ages ― the most experienced members have toxins utterly deadly
that devastate flesh and stop heart in but moments. Worse still is
the petrifying glance of death that turns a man who meets a sister’s
gaze to stone.
This terrifying glare is an act of will on the serpent-sister’s part ―
one need not fear accidentally being turned to stone by a member
of the order simply by looking at her. With that said, the streets
of Serpentes are decorated by numerous statues. Witchcraft and
other magics are commonly learned as a sister progresses through
the order’s ranks. Archery and the arts of a huntsman are prized.
Petrifying gaze: Victim must roll vs. Perception to avert gaze else
suffer harm directly to Fortitude (as for poison below, but results in
permanent petrification, not death).
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Poison bite: If a medusa grapples and holds her opponent with both
hands then her head snakes attack anywhere exposed, causing
causing the following instant poison damage by serpent-sister
age: young D4+8, adolescent D4+12, adult D4+16, middle-aged
D4+20, old D10+24 (vs. Fort.)
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: The sisterhood favors hefty jewelry
of gem-inlayed bronze. As a gift, they might give a favored
companion an item of jewelry, a wrist clasp inscribed with runes,
that grants immunity to the sisterhood’s toxins ― only trusted
friends are given such gifts: males chosen as breeding partners
need such protection as a sister’s hair will bite in ecstasy during
their sinuous couplings. Carried treasure is typically a small trove:
100–600 coins and 20% chance of D2 magic items, or in domicile a
trove: 200–2000 coins and 30% chance of D3 magic items.
Sea Serpent
Type: Legendary
Threat Dice: Unarmed 2D20 (crushing attack)
Extra Attack: D14+24 (bite)
Hit Points: 200 (50/150) [tough, gargantuan, mundane; ×5]
Damage Reduction: D10 (thick, scaly hide)
Saving Throw: 2D10
Agility Rank: D10 in the sea
Legends and Lore: Sea serpents are the bane of the oceans and
great lakes of the world. Those who travel by sea had better keep
a thaumaturge on board who can summon the wind and speed
their travel before such a beast appears. Rare though they may be,
just one of these death-dealing beasts quickly sinks ships and their
treasures. In the Murex Scrolls, it is written that one of these beasts,
known of old as Leviathan, has lived so long that it nears twice the
size of its lesser kindred, but this is surely myth.
Abilities and Powers: Sea serpents can capsize a large galley in
only five rounds, crushing the hull like matchsticks. If attacked or
hungry, they will bite at the attackers as well.
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: None.
Sentinel
Type: Standard to Legendary
Threat Dice: Any attack type, 2D to 3D, any die rank
Extra Attack: up to 3 (2D or 3D, any die rank)
Hit Points: 8 to 720 [any constitution, any size, any nature;
up to ×5]
Saving Throw: D12 to 3D12
Agility Rank: D8+
Legends and Lore: All places, sacred or profane, have their
guardians. Sometimes this is a non-sentient protection, such as a
glyph or runic trap, but often it’s a creature summoned or created
for the purpose of guarding something important. Because a
sentinel can be just about any imposing creature or something
unique, the statistics shown here are specific to the Guardian of
the Sanctum in the city of Phantos, a typical specimen of its kind.
Example: The Impassable Child (Sanctum Guardian)
TY Standard / TD Arcane D12+12+push / EA 1. D10+10+push,
2. D10+10+push, 3. D10+10+push / HP 18 (9/9) [normal, small,
preternatural; ×1.5] / DR D10+4+D8 (magic protection) / ST 3D10
/ AR D10 / WAT The Impassable Child has +4 magic armor with
a +D8 bonus rolled against all attacks, physical or magical, but it
crumbles if taken by mortal hands. He may also use his levitating
mirror shields to counter spells or attacks, with a damage reduction
roll of D10+10 (up to three times in a round in lieu of one of his
extra “push” attacks). Notes: A&P The Impassable Child appears
with three strange mirror-like shields floating around his small
body, controlled by his mind. Each round he can use each to “push”
an opponent back from the Spirit Gate: threat points exceeding
the Active Defense score do no harm but cause a target to fall
back a number of feet equal to the amount by which the score was
exceeded. His arcane attack, a visible, kinetic energy blast, also has
this “push” effect and is stronger: threat points exceeding Active
Defense cause damage to Fortitude as well.
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: Weapons and armor depend on the
particular sentinel. Treasure guarded ranges from from trinkets to
the equivalent of a dragon’s hoard (wildly varied, 1 to 60,000 in
coin value, 1 to 50% or greater chance of magic items).
Source of Evil
Type: Legendary (avatar)
Threat Dice: Arcane D20+30 ~ Melee D8+24 ~ Unarmed D6+18 ~
Ranged D6+12
Hit Points: 80 (40/40) [normal, medium, supernatural; ×2]
Damage Reduction: Immune to non-magical weaponry
Saving Throw: D10+10
Agility Rank: Battle Phase 1 default or D20+10 for random initia-
tive
Legends and Lore: The Source of Evil, Satan, the Accuser, Lucifer;
known by different names in other cultures. A radiant angel once,
and even now able to appear with an image of purity ― but a cold
and cynical purity, full of self-righteousness and pride — at other
times, the bestial figure of folklore, horned and tailed: the Devil.
Wary of the usurper Baphomet and his consort Lilith, Satan has
turned a casual eye across Ainerêve, wondering why this realm of
dreams is so important to the Sabbatic Goat. Initially he did so with
a sense of superiority (was Baphomet now seeking only to rule in
dreams?), but then a dread fear gripped Satan’s black heart ― and
black it is, for Satan is vicious, psychopathic, remorseless, and vile
― what if, he thought, this realm of dreams was his source?
What if, he reasoned, there had been no true Heaven from which
he fell, and only here, in the unstable lands, had he burst into
creation? He, that had always hated and persecuted man, now
feared he was their son ― their creation ― their miscarried fear and
loathing, shadow, and hate. And if that were so, could Baphomet
and Lilith be seeking a reverse creation, one in which the dream
realms of Ainerêve reshaped Earth? And thus, through emissaries
and intermediaries, has Satan reached out to Heaven, and betwixt
the two a spider web of energies, a net of power, a fine but firm
chain, has been spread across Ainerêve to limit and bind Bapho-
met’s power, and Heaven and Hell alike hold their breath, waiting
to see if in truth they too are but a dream or facsimile.
Abilities and Powers: Any. Satan is very close to, but just falls short
of, complete omniscience and omnipotence… or so he believes…
and he is right, surely he is right, is he not? When the Avatar of
Evil comes to mortal realms it may toy with men, presenting itself
as a daring alternative to normal societal rules, but it is a raging
wrathful hateful thing. Despite all appearances of aristocracy,
intellect, debonair charm, and wit, this thing is the utter and
complete opposite of love ― and it will have its way in a revel of
perverse destruction, humiliation, and remorseless death. Yet he is
often overconfident, often allowing some vulnerability in his avatar
form to taunt his attackers, as if mortal combat were a game. But
to Satan, death is a game, of which he is a master.
Regenerates 10 HP per battle phase, plus gains temporary hit
points equal to all damage inflicted against a target’s Fortitude or
Willpower. Avatar regenerates even from dust after D4 rounds if
slain, but in Hell.
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: Again, potentially any item, treasure,
or device (dragon’s hoard: 10,000–60,000 coins in value and 100%
chance of D8 magic items).
Spectre (or Limbo Spirit)
Type: Standard (undead)
Threat Dice: Threat Dice: Unarmed D10 (+D8 non-physical harm
via spectral touch).
Hit Points: 18 [normal, medium, supernatural; ×2]
Damage Reduction: Immune to non-magical attacks
and Energy sphere spells
Saving Throw: D6
Agility Rank: D10+12
Legends and Lore: Ghosts and spirits that act as guides, allies giving
clues to the living, wandering souls, or guardians of holy or unholy
places. Sometimes called “Limbo Spirits” as an aspersion, those
Chapter 6: Bestiary | page 123

unworthy of transcending the mortal coil even in death, cursed to
dwell forever between the worlds of the living and the dead.
Abilities and Powers: These ghosts seem almost solid, if not for
a faint shimmering, but can turn invisible at will. Striking at one
with non-magical weapons is pointless, as they are immune to
such. They are also immune to Energy attacks, since they exist as
(spiritual) energy, the “fifth essence”. Thaumaturges can unravel
a spirit’s manifestation with non-physical harm spells, especially
entropic spells, which inflict double damage. The weapons of a
Limbo Spirit appear real, but are actually dense energy fields. Their
weapons cannot be used to parry, but ghosts don’t often use such
tactics. All damage from their attacks bypasses non-magical armor.
Spectral touch: The spirit’s extra non-physical damage die, whether
delivered by touch or weapon, is preternatural and cannot be
blocked by armor — but only roll the extra damage die if the base
Unarmed threat roll exceeds the target’s chosen Active Defense.
Some spectres have extra powers consistent with their nature. The
Limbo Spirits of Phantos, for instance, can blast a foe with positive
energy, a bolt of light that has no effect on celestial creatures such
as angels (Arcane D10, non-physical harm).
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: These spirits don’t carry real
equipment or treasure.
Swipes (Astral Footpads)
Type: Standard (extraplanar)
Threat Dice: Ranged D10 (+D8 kestros) ~ Unarmed D4+2 (claws) ~
Melee D4
Extra Attacks: Astral snap D6+D4 (by touch)
Hit Points: 26 (20/6) [fast, tiny, preternatural; ×1.5]
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Damage Reduction: D4 astral field (phasing in and out)
Saving Throw: D10; immune to teleportation and summoning
Agility Rank: D12+4
Legends and Lore: Small and fleet of foot, swipes look like small,
fuzzy monkeys with huge eyes. As a species, they are mostly
thieves with the most annoying hideout possible: the astral
plane. They can shift at will into unsettled territory. These “astral
footpads” are capable of traveling great distances, teleporting upon
mental command.
A swipe will steal a coin purse, and then with a brief shimmering
and a “pop” sound, it’s gone. They are as intelligent as humans, and
organized into tribal, nomadic societies that invade small towns,
quickly depleting food sources and other items, then moving on.
Abilities and Powers: A swipe gets +4 to initiative to increase Battle
Phase and/or random initiative roll (see Chapter 3, Combat). They
use small weapons only, and are expert dart throwers (using a
“kestros” sling). Swipes can see in total darkness. Their teleporta-
tion ability may be used once per round for short distances, and
as a natural Defense (D4 damage reduction), but if the swipe
shifts into the astral plane for longer than a battle phase, then it
can’t return for D2 rounds (it must get reoriented). They speak the
common language, which allows them to converse with travelers of
all sorts, and are easily bribed. Unbeknownst to most, the swipes
are experts at navigating the chaos of unsettled lands, and once a
place is described to them, they can guide anybody there in a short
amount of time.
Astral snap: Once per round, a swipe can touch a creature and
send its spirit into the astral plane, but only for a split second. The
victim’s spirit snaps back into the body with a jarring, disorienting
effect (D6+D4 Stun effect vs. Willpower).
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: Swipes are strange creatures, as
their bodies exist almost in two places at once: the astral and
the settled realms. As such, they have some natural resistance
to normal forms of damage, and get a D4 damage reduction
against every physical attack. They are immune to teleportation
and summoning spells if they are unwilling to be affected by
them (though they can choose to be summoned, hitching a ride
to adventure, but no conjurer has figured out how to control or
command one). If found traveling alone, a swipe may only have a
trinket or two (1–6 coins and 1% chance of 1 minor magic item),
but if adventurers invade a swipe community in the astral plane,
they’ll have a small trove: 100–600 coins and 20% chance of D2
magic items.
Vampire
Type: Standard (undead)
Threat Dice: Arcane 2D12 ~ Melee D10+D6 ~ Ranged D4 ~
Unarmed D16+2
Extra Attacks: Vampiric bite or hypnotic gaze
Hit Points: 150 (75/75) [normal, medium, supernatural; ×2.5]
Damage Reduction: By armor worn and shield wielded, if any
Saving Throw: 2D12
Agility Rank: D10+D10 (speed)+D10 (reaction time)
Legends and Lore: Several types of this horrid undead parasite exist,
from zombie-like corpse-things shuffling in search of blood to
highly magical specimens able to maintain a semblance of humanity
― sometimes with an enticing charisma. Thus one might encounter
a seductress, fanged and sultry, reminiscent of Lilith’s brood, with
attendant vampiric horrors that are obviously dead: things risen but
recently from the grave. Some vampires choose to revere Satan,
some Baphomet, and not a few regard Lilith as their creatrix. Many
display a self-assured disdain for all, as they term them, so-called
and self-proclaimed deities.
Abilities and Powers: In Ainerêve, where every folktale becomes
a reality, the cultural base of a realm will dictate the vampire’s
powers and vulnerabilities. Typical are powers of charm that can
fascinate and disarm a foe, the ability to fly, either in human or bat
form, shape-changing to bat or wolf. Some can take on the form of
a mist and flow ’neath doors or through cracks; all can drink blood,
regenerating and thriving upon it. Some can only enter an abode
if invited, are repelled by garlic or holy symbols, burn in the sun,
expire beneath water, and die only if staked or perhaps beheaded.
Chapter 6: Bestiary | page 125
Vampiric bite: Vampire rolls D16 versus the target’s
Unarmed ability to grapple, and upon success,
bites the victim, which has a stun effect
(no NN for the vampire). Once grappled,
stunned or not, the victim takes D6 blood
loss per round directly to Fortitude.
Although stunning is a physical affliction,
the Saving Throw to break the effect
(versus the vampire’ s original grapple
roll) is Willpower, allowed initially,
and once per round. Once stunning is
eliminated, an opposed roll of Unarmed
may let the victim break free.
Hypnotic gaze: If the vampire concentrates
and gazes into its victim’s eyes, it can create a mind
control effect (zero NN; Vampire rolls 2D12 versus
target’s Willpower).

Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: Grave

goods for some, for others all the
finery of an aristocrat ― much depends
upon the vampire’s goals, its mode of
operating, and its need, or not, to acquire
material power (treasure is typically a
trove: 200–2000 coins and 30% chance
of D3 magic items).

Werewolf weaponry. It will only use melee weapons in humanoid form.

Type: Extraordinary
Threat Dice: Unarmed 3D8+8 (bite, claw, punch) ~ Melee D10+8 ~
Ranged D6
Hit Points: 80 (40/40) [normal, medium, magical; ×2]
Damage Reduction: Immune to normal weapons except magic and
silver
Saving Throw: 2D4
Agility Rank: D8 human or D12 wolf
Legends and Lore: As with the vampire, to which it bears a degree
of kinship, the werewolf is shaped by Ainerêve’s dream-reality.
In some realms it is undead, in others an accursed human who
has donned, willingly or not, a cruelly enchanted belt that forces
wolf-form upon its wearers. Some werewolves appear as ravenous
man-wolves, a bipedal mixture of man and wolf, in others the
were-creature comes as an exemplary wolf ― bigger, fiercer,
swifter than its kin, but a wolf nonetheless. In most cases it is a
living thing, a human that, at the time of the full moon, becomes a
blood-hungry hunter of the night.
Weapons, Armor, and Treasure: Usually none, save that which it
possess naturally in human forms. In some realms, skinning the
werewolf and donning its hide will allow the wearer himself to
assume wolfish guise. Often, the werewolf drops all its gear when
assuming wolf-form — although some, in a half-man, half-wolf
state, maintain possession of weapons, armor, and other accoutre-
ments (a small trove: 100–600 coins and 20% chance of D2 magic
items).
*****
And thus we come to the end of this bestiary, and may it bring
knowledge and help to all its readers. Remember, the written word is
only as valuable as its source, and I, Signoret, can vouch only that I have
tried to garner the truth of all herein reported.
One more caveat, Ainerêve is a world of dreams, and dreams shift and
change ― be careful of everything, depend upon nothing, and at all
times, expect that which you least expect.

Abilities and Powers: It has all the abilities of a wolf, and its bite may
spread lycanthropy. Fearsomely strong and agile, with a matchless
ferocity, it may be vulnerable to silver and otherwise unharmed by

page 126 | Chapter 6: Bestiary

Optional Player Races

GMs may decide to let players choose one of the following races
Goblin: Melee D6 (2 CPs). Night Vision (3 CPs), Ugliness (+1 CP).
for their characters. Minimum ranks, advantages, disadvantages,
Orc: Unarmed D8 (4 CPs), Melee D6 (2 CPs). Night Vision (3 CPs),
and character point costs are shown (see Chapter 1).
Ugliness (+1 CP).
Peri*: Arcane D10 (8 CPs), Melee D8 (4 CPs), Ranged D6 (2 CPs).
Centaur*: Melee D8 (4 CPs), Ranged D8 (4 CPs), Unarmed D6 (2 Winged flight (6 CPs), Attractiveness (2CPs).
CPs).
Changeling*: Ranged D10 (8 CPs), Unarmed D8 (4 CPs), Magic * The magical nature or size of some races does not increase Player
(Illusion) D8 (6 CPs).
Character Defense pools as it does with regular opponent hit
Faun/Satyr: Melee D6 (2 CPs), Ranged D6 (2 CPs), Magic point calculations. Player Characters can achieve great power and
(Invocation-Nature) D6 (4 CPs).
versatility, so there’s no need to stack the deck.
Fox Folk*: Unarmed D8 (4 CPs), Melee D6 (2 CPs), Magic D4 (any)
(2 CPs). Low-light Vision (2 CPs).

Chapter 6: Bestiary | page 127

 The hills are shadows, and they flow
From form to form, and nothing stands;
They melt like mist, the solid lands,
Like clouds they shape themselves and go.
---
[ Tennyson, In Memoriam, CXXIII ]

The Eldritch Man; an accursed honorific, more slave than hierophant. It is true he carries the spark of Cernunnos, but Titania and
Mother Mali keep him from such knowledge. They are wise to do so, lest he learn of his true station, and rise to avenge the blood of
Chydonax, shattering the treaty between humans and the Shee.
---
The wizard Signoret to Duchess Sibyl

There is nowhere as calm and beautiful as Adwedd Hill; its groves are perfumed by sweet-smelling wild flowers. Wherever you
wander, you are embraced by greenery; betwixt its bowers you glimpse colourful shrubs, masses of bright petals and shady spots
just inviting a picnic or the artist’s brush. I love Adwedd Hill; most of all, I like to sleep beneath its trees…
---
The gnome explorer Sprouta, as recorded in her Journal of Lost Lands

Fear Adwedd Hill; fear it I say. There is sorcery in its hushed creepings. What natural place could move so? And move slyly too, so
few honest folk ever know of it. Why comes the lightning? Why the phantasms that beset a sleeper’s mind? When these heathen
realms have fallen, I shall dig up the hill and cleanse every evil sod with Sol’s blessed light.
---
From Frazer’s Guide to the Kingdoms

‘You are travelling through Meath you say? The forest is a wonder – so beautiful; so deadly! Consider that great woodland as you
would an ocean – it is vast, deep. Rather than islands, there are glens – some are tranquil places to bring a traveller welcome rest;
others are deadly lands unto themselves, where even dragons fear to set down their scaly limbs.’
---
The half-elf Nathal to a group of adventurers leaving Crossroads.

‘I speak only truth; the dwarven ambassador had an acorn-man in his beard. The little fellow wore a thimble as a helmet and
wielded a needle in place of a sword. I am told he is part of a lost immortal being and that the dwarf seeks to reunite his overly
animated and heavy drinking acorn-brother with…, well… with itself!’
---
Virgil of the Guardians Guild after a conference in Crossroads.

‘I dwelt in Phantos – in the city itself! I’ve seen it with my own eyes, and wish I hadn’t! Why would you go to such a place? Why
seek out death? There is nothing there except corruption and cruelty? You want life, you say? The eternal life of Phantos… I
thought I did too… and gods be damned, I accepted the offer… and paid the price…”
---
Overheard in the Crossroads Coffee House

page 128 | Quotes of the Realm

Chapter 7: The World of
Ainerêve
The breadth of this world encapsulates all: every dream and reality of
man. Here it is: all you have searched for! Towering cities of ruby, bronze
and smoke; endless dungeons tunnelling into the night; forests and
cloudscapes teeming with beasts and wonders. Here, all is adventure
and every adventure ends with a new quest.
---
The gnome explorer Sprouta, as recorded in her Journal of Lost Lands
This is the first campaign setting for the Eldritch Role Playing
Game. As such, Ainerêve is a best-of world of fantasy. It has room
enough for all the archetypes people are used to from Tolkien and
Dungeons & Dragons.
How to Use This Section
In this book are detailed descriptions of the two nations of
Maedoen and Psarmorum, and the vast and mysterious Forest of
Meath between them. Each major location has a number of smaller
locations contained within — cities, towns, landmarks, and the like.
(Or groves, clearings, and fairy courts in Meath.) What follows is an
example of the format used to introduce those places to you, with
explanations of what they mean.
Note that not every location will have an entry. First, some place
descriptions (those that cover entire nations, for example) are so
large that their guilds and training halls (for example) are better
left to more regional descriptions. Second, smaller locations often
share the qualities of the larger places within which they fit.
Place Name: This is the name of whatever place currently being
described.
Description: Here, obviously enough, is a description of the place.
It is reasonably thorough and includes a measure of the location’s
history. Enough to tell you what you need to know.
Regional Pantheon: What gods or similar entities are worshipped in
the place, openly or not, and which creatures exert their influence
over the area, recognized and worshipped or not. Some places have
no “regional pantheon” entry; these default to a larger location.
Population: This is a short entry. It describes the local population
density as sparse, moderate, or heavy and includes a short descrip-
tion of why or how that is.
Economy: Here is where you learn about the location’s economic
survival. What it buys, what it produces and sells, what it needs
more or less of. That sort of thing. Many places have specific or
unique economies based on whatever qualities makes them stand
out.
Chapter 7: The World of Ainerêve | page 129
Important Entities: Whether gamemaster-controlled characters or
well-known monsters, they will be described and given statistics
here if they’re important to the region. Only the most influential or
mighty creatures deserve definition on the grand scale of a nation,
so most end up within a specific location. Also in the individual
character descriptions will be some rough directions for rivalries,
alliances, and how else things might play out in a game.
Local Authorities: Who lays down the law? Well, this is where you
go to find out.
Noteworthy Landmarks: This tells you what all pilgrims, travelers,
locals, or sightseers recognize about the place, what’s famous or
infamous, and what isn’t well-known, but still may be important.
Great pyramids and great whorehouses both fall under this
category.
Relics and Treasures: Famous bits of loot or powerful artifacts that
can be found in the region. Anything important enough to draw a
petty thief’s eye but too well-guarded for him to steal falls under
this category, as do other interesting prizes.
Vendors and Dealers: Every good adventurer needs someone who
can turn the treasures he or she “finds” into lovely, lovely cash.
These are the good ones (and sometimes the bad ’uns, too). These
can also serve as “fixers” for some mission-style games.
Guilds and Training: Not every place is large enough for organiza-
tions to be present, but when they are, this is where you find them.
Thieves’ guilds, mage’s guilds, churches, and the like. Also, when a
character wants to find a teacher for some skill or the other, guilds
and individual teachers or independent schools listed here fill that
need.
Regional Monsters: Here you find a description of the sort of thing
your heroes can find to fight in any given place, along with sample
statistics.
Adventure Hooks: This is just about the most important entry in
the whole list. Sure, you need to know what a region looks like and
how its inhabitants act, but what you really need are some good
ideas for your games. This is where you find them. (There are also
plenty of potential adventure seeds in the text should you wish to
develop them.)
Note: Most local names in this book should be fairly easy to pronounce,
but a list of important names in Ainerêve and a guide to pronunciation
is given in Appendix A.
page 130 | Chapter 7: The World of Ainerêve
AINERÊVE
The cloud-capp’d towers, the gorgeous palaces,
The solemn temples, the great globe itself,
Yea all which it inherit, shall dissolve
And, like this insubstantial pageant faded,
Leave not a rack behind. We are such stuff
As dreams are made on, and our little life
Is rounded with a sleep.
---
[ The Tempest (IV i) ]
Ainerêve is a dream world, a shadow realm, an alternative
dimension. It coexists undetectably with the Earth that we all know
so well. Its essence may be primordial chaos, raw protomatter left
over from the creation of the universe, or perhaps the aether of the
ancients: the fifth element, breathed by the gods and forming the
soul. Whatever its basis, its substance is mainly shaped by thought,
and takes local form from the beliefs and imaginings of humankind.
Ainerêve is thus something like a phantom Earth — it has lands
and seas, mountains and rivers, sun and moon — but reality there
is unstable, and areas of normality are set like mosaic pieces in a
changeable flux of dream and caprice.
In general terms, Ainerêve is made up of settled lands and unsettled
lands. These terms are in common use, in one form or another,
across the dream world. Settled lands are stable regions, internally
consistent and relatively static. Physical phenomena and those
things that depend on them (such as travel) are normal. There can
be weird things in settled lands, things that no person on Earth
ever saw, but even the weird things there are somewhat predict-
able, being folk beliefs and so on conceived of on Earth.
Ainerêve’s primordial protomatter has a receptive intelligence,
literally reifying the thoughts and dreams it responds to. It fills
in the gaps from the Earth it swirls through, so when a forest
or herd of animals is imagined, each tree and beast is real and
indistinguishable from its earthly model. Extraordinary creatures
are extrapolated from this basis, so they are mostly real, and for
instance, a shee (one of the fairy folk) can mate with a human.
Sentient beings have free will and in some cases their own souls.
In short, things are pretty much like a fantastic Earth. Walk down
the road to the baker, and he’ll always be there. Houses don’t get
infected with some sap’s random thought of Baba Yaga and walk
away on their owners. It is beliefs, solid and lasting, that create
settled lands. Over time, as a mythology or religion refuses to fade
on Earth, it creates a place in the infinitely malleable Ainerêve. That
is where settled lands come from.
Unsettled lands are lands unclaimed by any belief, and they are
ruled by dreams. Where lasting faith or consistently-held ideas
forge a settled land and stabilize it, the quicksilver dreams of
humanity keep the unsettled lands in constant flux. Far stranger
things happen or live there than in the settled lands, and they
are far more dangerous. A location in the unsettled lands can be
concrete and real in appearance (even if thematic), dreamlike, or
completely abstract, and may sometimes change with the ideas of
the moment. Love may create a blushing pink-and-red area with
soft curves and some razor-sharp angles. Cult beliefs might focus
on the cult leader and vague savior figures, perhaps with the cold,
blue and white backdrops of unswerving dedication.
Proximity in Ainerêve is dictated largely by conceptual nearness.
That is, two places are only as close as the dreams or beliefs
that color and shape those locations. To travel from an unsettled
place based on fear of death to one based on fear of the dark is a
short jaunt — the emotions are the same, and both are shadowy
unknowns. Going from the idea of a circus, complete with spun
sugar and clowns, to a wealthy fantasy kingdom requires a longer
trip. Worse, in the unsettled lands you can never be sure if going
the same direction means you’ll get to the same place each time.
Ainerêve’s definition of nearness means that the settled lands,
defined largely by a single belief system, surround themselves
with related concepts. Travel out of a Buddhist settled land, and
the unsettled lands will be more Hindu or Taoist than Christian or
Norse. Still, it usually takes a significant period of traveling through
unsettled lands to reach a settled land not one’s own. Leaving the
Buddhist region, one is likely to come across pseudo-Buddhist
unsettled ideas first. Buddhist-like religions, ideas of peace, rein-
carnation, vegetarianism, and other Buddhist precepts will abound.
Next might come admixtures of Buddhist and Hindu concepts, and
then near-Hindu beliefs before the traveler finally reaches a Hindu-
flavored settled land.
The change is very gradual. Settled lands exert their stabilizing
influence over a significant area. Leaving one means that a traveler
will experience a slow change in general wilderness décor as one
belief melds into another, and from the various ideas that have
seeped in over the years. It is only far from any settled land that a
person finds places that change as he watches and where a misstep
can mean a thousand years of pain. There are not settled lands for
every religion and belief, or Ainerêve would all be settled lands,
with a slow change in nature as one traveled across it. Instead,
the criterion for becoming a settled land is the sort of imaginative
energy that resonates with the realm.
One can navigate unsettled lands in two ways: in the educated
manner, following the chain of concepts from one settled land to
another; and by conventional (settled land) navigation, which may
function as intended, but usually depends more on instinct. In the
end, both are equally effective — or ineffective. Skilled travelers of
unsettled lands are very rare, and usually mix the two methods to
find their way in and out more than once.
Beyond conceptual similarity, there is one other thing that can
bring two places together in the dream world. Repeated and shared
experience can solidify parts of the unsettled lands to make a
reliable (if not necessarily safe) path between two unalike locations.
This happens only rarely.
Inhabitants come to Ainerêve from two sources: Earth dreams and
beliefs, and Earth itself. The first is more common, as Victorian-age
children dream a Dracula into existence or early American settlers
have nightmares about the fiendish red Indians. Entire unsettled
lands have been populated this way, though the inhabitants
generally fade over time and disappear unless reinforced with
belief. People from Earth occasionally travel to the dream world
through a form of unknown magic. Once there, most end up
making their lives there and beginning a new society in whatever
settled land they can find. Usually, people from Earth only find their
way through to settled lands to which they are close — those based
on beliefs similar to theirs.
This book concerns itself with a very small section of Ainerêve. It
involves three settled lands with enough concepts in common that
they grew together over long periods of time. Today, the three are
bound together irrevocably. They are the Forest of Meath, a place
defined by Celtic mythology, whose native shee clash with Persian
angels (peris) and demons (deevs); Psarmorum, peopled by a lost
company of Templar Knights and pilgrims tricked into worshipping
a demon in a twisted simulacrum of Christianity; and Maedoen,
a kingdom founded on the Celtic/Welsh culture that preceded
Roman occupation, but changed forever under the influence of the
powerful shee.
Psarmorum is evangelistic and conformist, and their discovery of
the heathen Maedoens on the other side of the Forest of Meath
roused them to another of their many holy crusades. This one
has been going on for at least a hundred years, but it’s hard to be
certain. On the Maedoens’ part, they war for their way of life and
their shee brethren. The Forest of Meath, apparently stuck in the
middle, manages to flourish despite soldiers tromping back and
forth through it.
Chapter 7: The World of Ainerêve | page 131
page 132 | Eldritch Map
Maedoen
Ruling over Maedoen in the realm of economy, law, and war is

Description: Maedoen is a land of mountains, rivers, and rocky currently Gwalter ap Dagda. The title “ap Dagda,” meaning “son

beaches washed by cold waves. It is most like old Wales, and of the Dagda,” is appended to every king’s name, and it indicates

its nature and legendry resemble those of Welsh and Celtic that the great blessing and goodwill of the Dagda is with the king.

mythology. Maedoen is shaped much like Great Britain on Earth, By the nation’s most ancient law, the product of a forgotten pact

but is a peninsula. To the west lies the cold ocean and several large with the natural creatures of the land, the Maedoen high king is

islands. To the north and south lie great seas, difficult to cross, that half-shee. Once a king is crowned and married, he travels with

separate the Maedoens from the dangerous unsettled lands there. a small retinue of Gan Creadigeath to find the ‘proper’ shee, as

Directly in the center of the nation’s eastern border lies a hundred- determined by the king and his advisors. The shee, once found,

mile stretch of land that ties the peninsula to the Forest of Meath, spends one night with the queen and disappears, leaving only a

and through that to Psarmorum, with which Maedoen wars. guest gift behind. The next king is born later. It is rare, but in the

Traveling on the seas around the forest brings one to unsettled event that the king’s heir is unfit to rule (or simply declared so),

lands that resemble, but are not, Psarmorum. Meath cannot be the king must repeat the process (usually with a new wife). Human

entered on that side; it does not even appear to connect to the blood is always stronger than shee, so the miscegenation must

continent, though explorers believe that it somehow must. continue each generation.

Ages ago, what would become Maedoen was an island of warring Gwalter is a strong king. His sway over Maedoen is undeniable, and

kings, and the shee who lived there played mischievously with the the Gan Creadigeath sorely miss the great influence they wielded

inhabitants instead of looking out for them. At some point, the during the reign of his father, Maddox ap Dagda (Maedoens ignore

sea to the east became fecund, and trees grew out from the water the surrogate shee). Gwalter has the strength of arms and will to

and floated there atop it. Their seeds planted more trees, and the lead men well. The Maedoens respect him, and the strength of his

trees grew outward from the sea over centuries, until they touched position makes it difficult for the Gan Creadigeath to refuse his

Maedoen on the east and the far land on the west, making the sea requests of them.

unsailable. Exploring it, the people of that ancient land found the
sea-forest as stable as any that grew on the land, and more fertile Regional Pantheon: An admixture of the Celtic and Welsh mytholo-

for both vegetation and magic, and soon they forgot its origin and gies, but principally tales of the Dagda and Math ap Mathonwy

knew it only as the strange forest. respectively; a host of creatures from those legends, and the
people of the hills (Irish gaelic shee) or fair folk (Welsh tylwyth teg).

An unknown period later, the first Knight Templar emerged from

the forest, and the war between Psarmorum and Maedoen began Population: Sparse. Maedoen has a substantial population, enough

shortly after that. It has lasted centuries. In addition, great horned to guard it against the depredations of troublesome shee and the

demon-shee attack from the west, regularly and with great ferocity. implacable forces of Psarmorum, but they live spread out. When

Their ships sail the waves preceded by long, iron horns under Maedoens congregate in larger groups, they never number more

the waterline, and their great drums roll with their rowing after than what Psarmorum would consider a “town.”

they drop sails for an assault. They have immense strength and
endurance, and if they can capture rather than kill, they do. These Economy: Maedoen is an agrarian society, but all men and many

ship-borne monsters are the most regular threat to the Maedoens women of age are capable enough with weapons to defend

from the sea. themselves. At a pinch, the Maedoens can rise up in arms to
defend their homes. Most of the nation’s economy is internal,

Maedoen has two leaders, one spiritual and one temporal. The involving trading grains and other foods for woven cloth, iron tools,

Eldritch Man is the nation’s official spiritual leader. He is the sole and services.

male member of the druidic Gan Creadigeath, and their chosen

representative to the shee creatures of Meath and Maedoen, and It’s notable that, while the Maedoens do mine and refine iron ore,

the gods. Some believe the Eldritch Man lives forever, but he is they carefully never use iron shaped while cold. Cold-wrought iron

in fact replaced periodically by a properly-trained young man. His has properties that make it dangerous to the nation’s shee allies.

name is never known, and he spends nearly all his time among Denizens of the faerie realm are also averse to hot-forged iron and

the fay creatures and legendary gods of Maedoen. Though the steel for this reason, though it does them no special harm. Since

Eldritch Man is supposed to guide the spiritual life of Maedoen, he many a poet calls steel “cold iron”, perhaps this contributed to the

is almost never there; the Gan Creadigeath guide the people in his confusion, but in any event, it would be unpolitic of Maedoens to

name. carry steel weapons commonly. As a result, most of the nation’s

Chapter 7: Maedoen | page 133

tools that require great sharpness or hardness — mostly for tools
Nerthach, The Eldritch Man
of war — are made of bronze. Because bronze is harder to come
Occupation: Hierophant
by than simple iron, the uncomplicated folk of Maedoen still use
Race/Gender: Human (shee blood) male.
ordinary wrought iron to make their knives and simple tools. The
‘cold-wrought iron’ weaponry is of course only available via black
Abilities:
market suppliers and by paying massively exorbitant prices, and
Agility D8 → Reflexes D10 + Speed D6 {DP 24 or 174 with
often is unauthentic. Only kings can or must spend the effort and
magic ring}
money to distribute all-bronze weapons and tools to their subjects.
Animal Handling D10 → Riding D10 → Horses D10
Fortitude D6 → Endurance D6 {DP 12 or 112 with magic cloak}
Of course, not all fairy folk are friendly; when one foresees
Invocation D12* → Change D12* + Control D12* + Create D12*
encountering a troublesome shee, there is little stigma in carrying
+ Sense D12* {DP 108}
a knife of cold iron for security, although the other shee one might
Knowledge D12 → Anthropology D10 → (Fairy Lore D12 +
meet with may not agree.
Shee Courts D12) + History D12 → Forest of Meath D12 +
Mathematics D10 → Astronomy D8 + Religion D12
Externally, Maedoen trades to some extent with the shee. It is the
→ Gan Creadigeath D12
Gan Creadigeath, led by the Eldritch Man, who take on this difficult
Melee D8 → Swords D8 {DP 16}
task, because the shee require strange and hard-to-acquire goods
Ranged D10 → Bows D12
or services. In exchange, Maedoen receives long-lasting spells and
Skullduggery D6 → Stealth D12 → Wilderness D10
glamor, enchanted objects, and advice. Some individuals choose to
Survival D12 → Forest D12
barter for shee goods and blessings without the protection of the
Talent D12 → Performance D10 → (Dance D10 + Musical
Gan Credigeath. Only the clever succeed.
Instruments D10 + Storytelling D10) + Handicraft D10 →
Woodworking D10
Some brave merchants manage to trade reliably with Psarmorum.
Willpower D8 → Resistance D8 → Persuasion D10 {DP 26}
They regularly bring back weapons of excellent steel and foreign
arts and craftwork; from Maedoen, they take local woodwork and
*D20 when in any sylvan area {DP 100}, a power granted as a
things of fay make. The best make a great living, but they are few.
gift from the shee. Nerthach has mastered all listed Invocation
(Nature) spells at D12.
One of the secrets that none have been able to bring back from
Psarmorum is that of making good steel. Over the last two
Equipment:
hundred years, many have tried, but without a single success.
Nerthach carries a magical, druidic yew staff, created by the
Most Maedoens who think about it believe that the smiths of
most powerful magic of the shee, capable of producing all
Psarmorum must be supremely protective of their crafts, or the
spells in the Nature sphere. He can also use the staff’s power
close-mouthed government is skilled at killing those who acquire
to distract, stun, or incapacitate opponents at 3D10 per use
that knowledge for Maedoen. In truth, it is the fay of the Forest
(see Chapter 4, Magic in Combat, Afflictions). The staff is a
of Meath, and the shee of Maedoen, who are to blame. They stop
permanent magic item with 240 energy points (–1 point per
those who would carry the process to Maedoen; the forest fay do
activation). He carries a short bow (+2 harm) with arrows that
it to spite them, the allied shee of Maedoen do it because they
cause magical sleep (3D8 versus the target’s Willpower →
prefer bronze. To the shee, bronze is a soothing alloy.
Resistance, but only if target’s Active DP is penetrated). The
arrows are one-shot items, but he normally has a magical quiver
Important Entities
of 80. He also wears a ring of protection that adds 150 points
The Eldritch Man: Nerthach began his life as the child of a
to his Agility DP, and a magic cloak that adds 100 points to
fisherman and his wife, living off the sea a few days’ travel south
his Fortitude DP. The energy points of these permanent items
of where the Forest of Meath touches Maedoen. He lived simply.
equals the extra hit points granted. An ability check to recharge
Nerthach almost grew up on his father’s small fishing boat with a
the ring or cloak is 2 per 10% of items’ charges restored
net in his hand, and was deft with both. Then, when he was 13, the
(Arcanum → Artificing → Recharge Magic Item mastery may be
Gan Creadigeath came to his small, five-house village. They took
used to cut the NN in half). These two items are enchanted to
him without explanation, using their status as sisters as a shield,
disintegrate if anyone but the Eldritch Man wears them.
and removed him to Cartrefol Cyfain.

Treasure:
There, away from the eyes and ears of any not initiated into their
About $4000 in rare druidic accouterments, jewelry, gems, and
druidic secrets, the sisters told him what had happened. The
Maedoen coinage.

page 134 | Chapter 7: Maedoen

Eldritch Man had died on the same day that Nerthach turned 13
Mali, Mother Gan Creadigeath
and became a man. That, along with a modicum of shee blood in
Occupation: Druid
Nerthach, marked the child as the next Eldritch Man. His training
Race/Gender: Human female
was harsh, because ancient agreements with the shee allowed only
one year from the death of one Eldritch Man before presentation
Abilities:
of the next. Nerthach learned a great deal of druidic and fairy lore,
Agility D6 → Reflexes D4 {DP 10}
manners in the shee courts, various useful magics and spells, and
Animal Handling D10 → Farming D10 + Riding D8 + Wild
how to completely ignore the use of his “discarded name.”
Animals D12
Fortitude D6 (x2 for strong fay blood) {DP = 12; 62 with magic
That was almost 10 years ago. Now, the Eldritch Man is constantly
cloak}
busy entertaining in one shee court or another. He has realized
Elementalism* D12 → Change D12 + Control D12 + Create D12
that he is not an emissary, though he occasionally brokers deals.
+ Sense D12 {DP 84}
The Eldritch Man is a sacrifice, a toy given to the shee until death
Healing D12 → Animals D12 → Diseases D8 + Medicine D12 →
to satisfy their whims and urges. He only lives in Maedoen proper
(First Aid D6 + Herbal Remedies D12)
long enough to travel from one shee court to the next, and he
Invocation* D12 → Change D12 + Control D12 + Create D12 +
often walks the secret paths of the fay even for that. He has not
Sense D12 {DP 108}
seen another human for years, since the last druid came to check
Knowledge D12 → Anthropology D6 → (Fairy Lore D8 + Shee
up on him. The Eldritch Man felt quite poorly, but the sister judged
Courts D10) + History D10 → Forest of Meath D8 + Linguistics
him well and congratulated him on the journey to the next court.
D10 + Religion D12 → Gan Creadigeath D12
Melee D6 → Bludgeons D6 → Staff D4 {DP 20; 30 when using
Mali, Mother of Gan Creadigeath: She is the current “mother” of the
magic staff}
Gan Creadigeath, guiding them with a firm hand. She was one of
Psychogenics D8 → Sense D12 → augury and divination spells
the very rare true prodigies, chosen by the traveling sisters at age
only {DP 20}
four and done with her training in Cartrefol Cyfain at age seven. By
Survival D4 → Forest D12
the time she had completed her tour of Maedoen, she had already
Talent D12 → Performance D10 → Musical Instruments D6 +
made allies of a dozen shee and earned the respect of many of her
Handicraft D10 → Sewing D10
sisters.
Willpower D12 → Resistance D12 → (Confusion D8 + Persuasion
D10 + Shee Glamor D10) {DP 52}
Mali’s ambition as mother is to achieve a greater integration
between the human and shee population of Maedoen. She believes
* Mali has mastered all listed Elementalism spells at D6 and
that, with the two of them cooperating on a more fundamental
Invocation (Nature) spells at D12. She also has the full Enhanced
level, she could guide the nation to greater wisdom. The unique
Magic Defense advantage associated with Invocation, allowing
perspectives of the shee would inspire the more mundane inhabit-
her to defend against any physical attack with that DP.
ants of the nation. The baser natures of the human Maedoens
would ground the shee in something closer to reality and teach
Equipment:
them to use their fantastic skills for everyone’s spiritual gain.
Mali uses a gnarled, magical, yew-wood quarterstaff in battle.
She can use the staff’s power to fire a bolt of primordial energy
Under Mother Mali’s direction, the druids of the Gan Creadigeath
for 3D12 Threat, manifesting as any of the five elements. It also
have been making entreaties to the shee courts. She considered
grants 10 points of DP. The staff is a permanent magic item with
involving Gwalter ap Dagda, but she believes (correctly) that he
120 energy points. She also wears a magic cloak given to her by
would resent her intrusion into the realm of the people’s everyday
the fay that adds 50 points to her Fortitude DP.
welfare. Many Maedoens would not properly understand her goal,
she knows, which is why she is dealing mostly with the shee for
Treasure:
now. If she can forge an agreement with the shee of Maedoen and
$500 on person, $1,000,000 in domicile at Cartrefol Cyfain.
entice them to intermingle with its human population, she knows
that the humans will not resist, or not for long.

The good mother is not so ambitious in this regard that she

neglects her other duties. Sisters continue to travel Maedoen in
the long-established and complex patterns that keep their arrival
times unpredictable. They find and bring new sisters to the Gan

Chapter 7: Maedoen | page 135

 Black Fergus, Commander of The Black Standard
Occupation: Military Commander
Race/Gender: Human male
Abilities:
Agility D10 → Speed D10 + Reflexes D10 → Reaction Time D4
{DP 34}
Animal Handling D12 → Riding D6 → Warhorses D6
Fortitude D12 → Athletics D10 → (Swimming D4 + Climbing D8)
+ Endurance D10 + Feats of Strength D10 → (Break & Bend D4
+ Lift & Carry D4 + Use Huge Weapons D4) {DP 62}
Healing D8 → Humanoids D8
Influence D10 → Persuasion D10 + Intimidation D10 + Inter-
rogation D6
Knowledge D12 → Engineering D8 → (Fortifications D8 + Siege
Engines D6) + Military D12 → (Battle Tactics D12 + Magical
Tactics D6) + Survival D12 → Forest D8
Melee D12 → Bludgeon D10 → (Horseman’s Mace D4 + Shield
D6) + Swords D12 → (Greatsword D8 + Long D6) {DP 58}
Ranged D12 → Bow D12
Skullduggery D8 → Stealth D6 + Ambush D10
Unarmed D10 → Grapple D6 + Punch D10 {DP 26}
Willpower D8 → Resistance D6 → Resist Coercion D4 {DP 18}
Equipment:
Black Fergus wields a massive oversized greatsword (Pionós
an Bháis, meaning death sentence). The weapon is so large
it requires a Feat of Strength roll over 2 simply to lift it, and
a roll of 4 or better every round to wield it (although Fergus
need not roll). The sword adds +5 threat points. Its size means
damage can be carried over from a primary target if additional
targets are in the path of the swing, stopping only when all
threat points are used up or there are no more targets in range!
He carries a magic round shield (D6 with active Defense) that
shines with a deep, dark hue, nearly black as night. His ebony
armor is padded with heavy fur that offers a layer of protection
even in the gaps normal in armor. The heavy padding along with
the thick armor conveys astounding protection from physical
and elemental harm (D12+2 vs. both regular attacks and
elemental attacks penetrating Active Defense). Black Fergus
page 136 | Chapter 7: Maedoen
rides astride his warhorse Eccher, whose barding matches its
rider’s armor.
Treasure:
Has access to thousands in coins and gems, but much of it
is used to pay for the needs of the army. He usually carries
200–2000 worth in valuables, with a 30% chance of D4 magic
items beyond those mentioned above.
Notes:
As leader of a powerful army, Black Fergus has access to many
weapons, but prefers large swords and maces. He has no spells
or other powers, but relies on his great physical prowess and
military genius.
Creadigeath’s stronghold, where the mother and other sisters
teach them. Mali directs many emissaries every year to the many
shee courts in pursuit of common needs — subtle spells recast,
new wisdom revealed, exchanges of goods and secret aid given to
various ailing towns, villages, or efforts. To her most trusted sisters
she gives the task of carefully watching and herding the Eldritch
Man, making sure he remains suitable for his mission among the
fairy folk. That one is most important, because losing him would
lose their favor and ruin her greater plans.
Black Fergus: The Black Standard, a free-roaming independent
militia of long standing, is small right now. Black Fergus leads a
band of barely more than five hundred, small enough that none of
the five lesser Maedoen kings worry about him. Only Gwalter ap
Dagda has concerns, and Fergus pays the great king little mind.
Centuries and centuries of tradition stand between Gwalter and
Black Fergus clashing, unless one were to attack the other’s men
directly. Fergus would never be so stupid as to start such an
altercation, even if he had the slightest inclination to do so, which
he doesn’t.
Black Fergus knows that the Black Standard is currently under-
manned and could stand against few important threats, but is not
worried by this. He had reasons to let the Black Standard’s ranks
diminish. First, a farmer off soldiering needs another to farm for
him — he uses and does not produce. By dismissing soldiers, he
allowed more food and goods to be produced. Second, a soldier
needs to eat. Since the Black Standard is forbidden to settle in
any kingdom, it is always on the move (if not always quickly), and
a moving army quickly drains resources. A smaller company puts
significantly less strain on the villages it passes. Third and last, a
small Black Standard puts the kings at ease, which makes it easier
for the company to scout out dangers as Black Fergus likes and
otherwise get along without difficulty.
The commander is worried that he may find a great threat to the
kingdom that will devastate the Black Standard before he can
gather its full strength. Gathering extra soldiers only as required
is part of Black Fergus’s strategy. The men of the many companies
that he disbanded when he was elected to the command are now
farming or fishing or smithing, but they still know how to soldier.
And Fergus has recruited more farmers and farmers’ sons, who
have promised, some eagerly, to come if called. He can send out
twenty fast riders within ten minutes, and have a sizeable and
suitable army marching to meet him as quickly as any king could
gather his troops.
Black Fergus doesn’t know what he might encounter, but he’s
ready. He hopes.
Local Authorities
Gwalter ap Dagda has authority over Maedoen in secular matters,
and the Gan Creadigeath direct the Maedoens in the spiritual
aspects of life. Tradition separates Maedoen into six distinct
regions, each called kingdoms, each of which has its own king.
Gwalter ap Dagda rules only one region, Enwys, directly; in the
other five, lesser kings (without the “ap Dagda” title) rule in his
name. Each king has the right to call upon the men and women of
his kingdom for war, and they occasionally war with each other,
but Gwalter has the right to command each warrior of Maedoen
individually, and so can end wars when necessary.
Noteworthy Landmarks
An ancient land, Maedoen has many places known across the
nation.
Yr Gwethva: Also called the White Graves, these are the three
highest mountains in Maedoen, quite near each other in the
southeast of the peninsula. The circular valley they create between
them is one of the traditional burial grounds of the Maedoen kings.
By this point in the nation’s history, there are over three hundred
different sons of the Dagda buried there. Each one has its own
burial mound of two to five chambers, containing the body lying
in state, treasured possessions, and occasionally favored pets.
In some cases, minor shee watch over a tomb to protect it, or to
attract robbers to it out of mischief.
The Great Pasture: There is a place in mid-northern Maedoen
where thousands of cows and sheep walk without supervision,
free of any fences or shepherds. The peaceful creatures do not
fear predators here, and they do not compete for food or space.
The grass is always plentiful and nutritious, and wolves do not
notice the vast green field, though they hunt around it. Farmers
who inflict no harm to the animals, who gently milk or shear them,
walk among them without difficulty. But these creatures are not for
food or hide — anyone who harms a creature in the great pasture
instantly suffers the ire of the great mixed herd, which quickly
chases the offender from the field or tramples him to death.
When the field’s population grows beyond what it can support,
some creatures wander past its borders. Then, they are fair game
for predators, human or beast. People of Maedoen consider this
the birthplace of both the cow and the sheep. The Gan Creadi-
geath tell that both cow and sheep grew out of seedpods of a tree
tended by Belenus, and that the tree of life remains in the center of
the field, but unfindable.
The god Belenus (Bel, or Beli Mawr, in his aspect as god of cattle)
watches over this area. He tends it himself, invisibly, making
sure it is always fertile and free of disease. Loving and gentle, he
ensures that his creatures come to no harm, even as they serve the
Maedoens Belenus also loves.
Sechdraic Valley: In the center of Maedoen lies a valley that
supports little life. It is certainly not barren, but it stands out from
the abundant land that surrounds it. Sechdraic Valley is a place
of frequent earthquakes and great heat. The villages nearby take
advantage of this, mining the ores that earthquakes uncover and
using the heat to help their smiths craft iron. Some very hard
woods grow there as well, resistant to heat and difficult to carve,
but worth a great deal to those nearby.
The valley’s qualities come from the twin dragons imprisoned
beneath it. They want to break free of their prison, but each dragon
hates the other more than freedom. The two will fight until the end
of time or their eventual release. When the locals desire peace, or
need the ground safely still for whatever reason, they mix many
tuns of mead and wine and pour them down the deepest tunnels
of the valley. The dragons become drunk, and sleep for several
weeks afterward. Prophecy states that a great hero will release the
dragons, tame them, and ride them to victory against Maedoen’s
looming enemies.
Mawr Ibar: In the south, there is a region of very lush growth. The
region grows more hilly as one travels toward its center, where
grows the Mawr Ibar, the Great Yew, surrounded by many normal
trees of its kind. The Great Yew is two hundred feet tall at least,
and it is older than most of the country, if the Gan Creadigeath are
correct. Maedoens come to the Mawr Ibar to harvest yew for its
many spiritual properties, but also for making longbows from its
wood.
At certain times of the year, the Gan Creadigeath come to the
Great Yew to conduct rites that may be described only to the
initiated. Also on occasion, the Mawr Ibar takes the form of a
person and walks the length of Maedoen, fathering children (or
sometimes having children fathered upon it). Such children are
considered blessed and almost always become initiates of the Gan
Creadigeath.
Chapter 7: Maedoen | page 137
Cartrefol gan Cyfain: Often just called Cartrefol Cyfain, this low
fortress consists entirely of sloping earthworks covered with grass
and flowers, with thick, thorny bushes as crenellations and massive
trees serving as towers and strong points. It is home to the Gan
Creadigeath. Resting in Maedoen’s east, it is near the spiritually
strong south and the mystical Forest of Meath. The latter is most
important, as the shee who live there are less friendly toward
Maedoens; they are not bound by the ties between Maedoen and
its native creatures. From Cartrefol Cyfain, the sisters Gan Creadi-
geath can present a unified front to those more dangerous shee.

The natural-seeming fortress also serves as the home and school

for all girls and young women training to become full members of
the order. Until they are ready to journey with a full-fledged sister,
they remain here and study the secret runes, tongues, and spells of
the Gan Creadigeath.

Though it is pleasing to the eye, Cartrefol Cyfain is a very

defensible position, especially when guarded by the sisters and any
allies they are able to call to their aid. History proved the fortress’s
strength over seventy years ago, when Evan ap Dagda called all the
armies of Maedoen down on it in an effort to bend the Gan Creadi-
geath to his will. When his siege was broken, so was his rule, and it
took three decades before the ruler of Maedoen had regained the
power that Evan ap Dagda had lost.

Equinox Gates: These portals are mysterious archways that harness

the magic of the ley lines that crisscross the settled lands. The ley
lines’ energy surges in spring and fall, when they are briefly visible
as glowing mists; the surges activate the portals in Maedoen and
beyond, opening to lands near, far, and unsettled.
The sage Signoret believes that Cernunnos built the gates to
give his lover Arianrhod easy entrance to the otherworld. The
Horned God and the fay goddess of the moon had a daughter,
the demigoddess Mab. Arianrhod later betrayed Cernunnos,
sorcerously binding him while Mab seduced and murdered the
archdruid Chydonax. Mother and daughter then used the gates to
surprise the order of male druids and send them all to perish in the
far reaches of chaos (as was long planned by Arianrhod, Danu, and
Titania). This sacrifice, to secure shee power in the face of human
encroachment, occurred at the first Nexus Portal at Cartrefol
Cyfain, and heralded the start of the matriarchal order of the Gan
Creadigeath. Mab gave birth to Chydonax’s son, who became the
first Eldritch Man, fulfilling a promise to the Tuatha dé Danann to
honor the bloodline of Cernunnos.
Olafort: This squat, sprawling fortress lies several miles from the
effective border between Maedoen and the Forest of Meath. It
is less than two hundred years old, a rare thing in the old land
of Maedoen. Olafort is the easternmost defensive construction
for the country, built and manned by the unrescinded order of
an earlier king. The soldiers there are ever watchful for invasion
from Psarmorum (and, less so, for incursion of Meath’s shee),
against which they are the first line of Defense. So far, the fort
has fallen twice, but each time it has held off the Templar Knights
until reinforcements could push them back through the forest.
Olafort has enough financial and political support from Gwalter ap
Dagda and other kings that its commander has actually managed
successful raids through Meath into Psarmorum. The smaller size
of the Maedoen raiding parties lets them avoid the similar encamp-
ment on the Psarmorum side.
Guilds and Training
Gan Creadigeath: The Gan Creadigeath command most aspects
of of Maedoens’ spiritual lives. All women but for the Eldritch Man,
they tell the gods’ stories, soothe the fay when necessary, and read
the omens in chicken entrails and the flights of birds. It is the Gan
Creadigeath who say when the gods have blessed the planting, and
when it is fortunate to remove tons of iron ore from the mountains
that bear them. Their influence is ubiquitious in Maedoen.

page 138 | Chapter 7: Maedoen

A member of the Gan Creadi- Maedoen and the shee
geath is usually called a druid, to keep both healthy
or “sister Gan Creadigeath.” and happy. Length of
The wisest woman in the education depends on
order, decided by various tests, the individual, but it
is addressed as “mother” and is typically between
guides the Gan Creadigeath. three and seven years.
Druids often have other regional The order does accept
names and titles that apply, children as young as
depending on whom addresses four, but their training
them or where they grew up. changes even the
Sisters and mothers travel the fastest students into
length of Maedoen annually reserved, mysterious
to find new members. They sisters by the time
visit each town or village, even it is complete. Even
ones no more significant than seven-year-old druids
a pair of hovels by a spring, speak well and with
and examine all girls between wisdom.
the ages of four and nine.
Those they find acceptable, Formal education
they claim for the Gan complete, the young
Creadigeath, often to sister then travels with
the dismay of their one more experienced.
parents. A daughter This is the druid’s
lost to the druids is official journey across
one that cannot plant, Maedoen, which the
weave, clean, or marry to bind Gan Creadigeath’s oral
families. histories describe the
first sisters as doing to
A child the Gan Creadigeath wants looks fair — somewhat achieve wisdom and affinity
pretty, if not of startling beauty. The child is smart and insightful. with the land. Along the way, the journeyer
Finally, the child has active shee blood. The first two criteria test learns many things firsthand that she could not have seen in
aspects related to fairy ancestry, but a small magical examination Cartrefol Cyfain. She is also meant to encounter shee on her own,
reveals if the third criterion is met. deal with situations successfully, and hopefully gain a few personal
allies along the way.
All Maedoens have some blood of the fay, having lived so close
to them for so long, but it often doesn’t express itself. A child Sisters Gan Creadigeath revere Brigit, daughter of the Dagda,
only needs a little active glamor in her blood to be eligible, but it whom they say taught the first sisters their druidic secrets and
must be there or the girl cannot treat with the shee on Maedoen’s charged them with keeping the peace between the people of her
behalf. father (the shee) and the people of Maedoen. Legend suggests that
Brigit served as wife of the first great king centuries ago, Hlacheu
While such criteria are not shared with anyone outside the order, ap Dagda, chosen of the moon goddess Arianrhod. Since the
some parents guess the first two. They try to dirty up their girls current tradition demands that a male shee impregnate the king’s
when they know the sisters are coming (which they rarely do), but wife, few give the legend much weight, though it is true.
do not often go so far as to knock out teeth or bruise them. They
instruct them not to answer a druid’s questions (asked privately) or As students of Brigit (at least by association), the sisters Gan
to answer poorly, but the Gan Creadigeath know how to tease real Creadigeath use high-pitched, keening songs in many of their
answers out of children. rituals. It is also their duty to sing dirges over the dead. They play
many musical instruments as a part of their tasks, especially wind
After being chosen, a girl travels to the Cartrefol gan Cyfain, instruments like the flute or recorder.
where she receives her education in what it means to serve the

Chapter 7: Maedoen | page 139

The Guardians’ Guild: The Guardians’ Guild is an association of
swashbucklers and explorers. Members are usually independent
adventurers and treasure hunters, often viewed as mischief-makers
outside of their nerve center, the prominent town of Crossroads.
Sworn members have access to superior equipment and training,
as well as a far-reaching network of potential allies across both
Maedoen and Psarmorum. In return, the Guardians tithe a part of
their earnings back to the Guild’s leadership, whose mission it is to
gather treasure and knowledge in the service of eradicating evil.
The guild is charged with preventing the evils of the forest from
entering the Kingdom of Enwys, where Gwalter ap Dagda, high
king of Maedoen, sits upon the throne of Grimsete.
But despite that charge, and in full knowledge of the war between
nations, the guild the often partners with the State of Psarmorum
against servants of Satan and the creatures of Hell. While avoiding
direct involvement with the corrupted High Priests of Sol, the
Guardians aid and protect Psarmorum’s warriors against Satan’s
legions. Psarmorum crusaders are therefore protected in the town
of Crossroads, and guaranteed asylum so long as they do not raise
a sword to any Maedoen native.
The Black Standard: Eons ago, the nation of Maedoen (then a
fractious and warring land known by a hundred different names)
became the chosen victim of an unknown force. Armies of terrible
fiends with mind-rending spells swarmed out of the oceans on all
sides onto the peninsula. Though vaguely human in shape, these
monsters were always pale white and malformed in numerous
ways that marked their ranks or types. The shee named them the
cythraul, and the shee were afraid.
Their first ferocious assault took the people of the land by surprise.
Cythraul fiends scythed through rank after rank of each petty king’s
armsmen. Worse, they also took prisoners. Men and women taken
by the devil-creatures could be heard for miles, screaming, begging,
pleading, and making less recognizable sounds, until they stopped.
Children stolen fared worse. Early in the onslaught, the warlords’
fortresses would open their gates to small bands of children who
claimed to be escaped refugees. Blood and terror soon taught
those who survived otherwise, and the child-things dissembled less
and ravened more as the war wore on.
Despite the horrifying tales carried from the sea by rivers of
refugees, the hundred kings of early Maedoen did not put aside
their personal feuds. Perhaps the refugees were not convincing, or
the kings had no ears for words that didn’t please them. Who can
know? But the land’s many lords paid little heed to the cythraul
sweeping in from the shores.
The people, without walls to shield them from the hell Maedoen
was becoming, could not ignore the threat. Ruled by kings who
page 140 | Chapter 7: Maedoen
would do nothing, the people decided to defend themselves. The
first to raise a banner was an old farmer who had once served as an
armsman. His banner was black and plain because it was the only
large and sturdy cloth he owned, but the word that soon spread
was of black against the cythraul’s white faces, and plain against
the creatures’ multifarious bodies. The black banner and unnamed
farmer drew a surprisingly large army unaffiliated with any kings.
Men, women, and sometimes children volunteered, and all were
accepted. Most rulers denounced the force as unlawful, and many
would have set their personal armies against it if their soldiers
had not refused, or even defected to follow the black banner
themselves.
This was the turning point. Members of the Black Standard, as it
came to be known, blunted the spearhead of the invading fiends.
Though they could rarely stand up to the cythraul in direct battle,
they delayed or deflected many attacks so that they fell upon
evacuated villages or well-defended fortresses. They did not end
the war — that happened when a group of young women made a
pact with the land’s shee, planting the seed that would become
Maedoen — but they prolonged it until it could be ended.
In the earliest years after the war, a score or more of the then-kings
tried to outlaw the “dangerous rabble.” They did not remain kings
for long. And as the hundreds of kings dwindled to forty, the
Black Standard forced the kings to accept their existence. The
kings swore that they and their successors, for all time, would let
the Black Standard cross their lands freely, so long as the Black
Standard did not march against them.
None of the kings swore to give the Black Standard a home. The
roughshod army didn’t ask, because they knew it wouldn’t be
given. An army not under one’s control is a frightening thing to
have around, and armies consume much and produce nothing
(more like locusts than people, oftentimes).
As the threat dwindled, so did the army. Many of the soldiers had
family waiting, or farms and livestock and old friends to see again,
and so departed. But some of the Black Standard kept marching
from one kingdom to the next, watching and ready for threats
that the kings would ignore. And they found them. The core of the
Black Standard army that remains can call willing farmers and the
like to it when the need arises. Maybe there’s something magical
about the Black Standard, maybe the spirit of the farmer who first
decided to fight walks with them, but shepherds and green boys all
fight better when they march under its banner.
Today, although one hundred kingdoms have coalesced into
six, ultimately ruled over by just one, the Black Standard is still
unaffiliated with any king or lord. This has made most kings in
recent history more than a little nervous. They still do not like it.
Gwalter ap Dagda, in particular, considers the existence of the
Black Standard a slight on his ability as the ruler and protector of
Maedoen. He also sees it as a black mark on the records of all kings
who preceded him, both because they could not rid themselves of
the Standard and because they needed it. Gwalter ap Dagda and
Black Fergus do not get along; though Fergus keeps his nose out of
politics, as he believes the Black Standard should, Gwalter is more
than eager to find some way or reason to disband the man’s army
and absorb its soldiers into his own armsmen. Fergus is a friend of
the Guardians’ Guild, and in fact guild members march with him,
but he is not himself a member. His allegiance is to his own.
Adventure Hooks
There are many quests to be had in Maedoen; just look at ancient
Welsh legends for inspiration. But here are a few ideas.
Escaping Providence: The Eldritch Man has disappeared, and all of
the Gan Creadigeath are searching for him. Why has he left, and
where is he going?
The Eldritch Man has figured out that he’s more of a prisoner than
anything else, a toy for the shee, and he’s decided not to take it
any longer. En route from one shee glen to another fairy court, he
stepped off the path and disappeared into Maedoen. The spells
and secrets he learned over his years in the many shee courts now
serve to keep him hidden. If nobody finds him, the shee will break
off with Maedoen, the king will lose the blessing of the Dagda, and
Maedoen will descend into chaos. With Psarmorum waiting like
jackals, that can’t be allowed.
The players’ characters are the ones who find the Eldritch Man,
whether they were seeking him or not. Stuck between his misery
and refusal to go back (willingly, at least) and the great potential
harm for the entire nation, the heroes have some thinking to do.
Do they return him to the Gan Creadigeath and the shee, help him
escape, or go about forging a new pact with the shee that keeps
Maedoen together?
Or maybe the Eldritch Man’s disappearance is an inspired bit of
foreign sabotage. When their spies figure out that it is the Eldritch
Man upon whom Maedoen’s treaty with its native shee depends,
Psarmorum attempts to destroy its enemies from within. A small
squad of stealthy commandos enter Maedoen and track down the
Eldritch Man, then kidnap him. It is up to the heroes to rescue him
before the Knights Templar escape with him behind their battle
lines, or before the shee decide the pact is completely broken.
For a situation with more ambiguity, the men from Psarmorum
did not kidnap him. They pulled the wool from his eyes, helping
him see that he’s more of a prisoner than a diplomat. Now, they’re
helping him escape, and he is their willing ward. Can the heroes
return the Eldritch Man when he does not want to go?
Missing Soldiers: A small unit of Gwalter ap Dagda’s soldiers, about
fifty strong, has disappeared completely. They left one guardpost
but never reported to the next while traveling through a lesser
king’s kingdom. Gwalter is not one to suffer such an affront, and
if the disappearance isn’t resolved before he hears of it, the great
king is likely to ruin anyone he considers responsible. What’s more,
the Black Standard was passing through the same area around the
same time, and Gwalter would love an opportunity to blame them
and have them disbanded permanently. Either the local king or
Black Fergus want to get to bottom of the disappearance, and the
players’ characters are there to help. The simplest option is that
they encountered a band of monsters or unfriendly shee, and that
was the end of that. The heroes either need to prove it somehow,
or find and rescue any surviving members of the unit for eyewit-
nesses.
More complicated, the soldiers deserted. As a unit, they decided
to flee the military and try to disappear. When they were passing
through the territory of a king Gwalter doesn’t trust and the Black
Standard came by, they saw an opportunity and took it. Letting the
politics of the situation cover their tracks, they got out of there
as quickly as possible. Heroes can track them by asking the right
questions in nearby villages, where a suspicious number of men
may have come through to pick up supplies, or by finding a hillside
shepherd who saw the soldiers disperse.
Or the soldiers may have deserted to join the Black Standard.
Knowing that Gwalter would be furious but unable to turn away
men who want to serve, Black Fergus requests the heroes’ help to
confuse the issue and perhaps direct suspicion onto the lesser king.
Return of the Druids: Not all male druids were destroyed by
Arianrhod’s treachery (see Equinox Gates above). Many perished
in the unsettled wastes beyond space and time, but the strongest
survived, and became heirophants with powers and perspectives
far exceeding those of mortal men. At some convenient equinox,
these patriarchs of the ancient order will exit the Equinox Gates
in style, wreathed in power, and fully apprised of current affairs
by Cernunnos. They can, amongst other things, snuff out any spell
used by a mortal as an NN 2 cantrip.
They could completely overturn the current order, but do not
wish to damage Maedoen overmuch. They can still cause as much
turmoil and NPC consternation as the GM desires. Most likely
they will seek their natural allies, Gwalter ap Dagda, the Guardians
Guild, and the Eldritch Man (who is of the blood of Cernunnos),
and gradually try to return spiritual life and mankind to what
Chapter 7: Maedoen | page 141
they were. Their attitudes towards the “silly little girls” of the Gan
Creadigeath and suchlike are very old-fashioned. They do not
trust females, and will definitely wish to train more male human
druids — perhaps such PCs could be their harbingers, trainees of
the emissaries of Cernunnos in Meath. The heroes could aid them,
oppose them, try to broker a compromise between parties, or take
advantage of the ferment they cause in some way.
Grimsete
Description: Grimsete is Maedoen’s only city. It is also home to the
king, Gwalter ap Dagda, and serves as the nation’s capital. It is here
that Gwalter holds court, houses his close family and advisors, and
garrisons his personal armsmen. From the walls of Grimsete Castle,
Gwalter’s edicts guide all Maedoens, especially in the war against
Psarmorum that he inherited from his father, his father before him,
and so on back two hundred years.
The people of Grimsete are used to war. Ancient kings built the
castle, in times forgotten, to help guard the coast against coastal
raids, and it serves that purpose still. The horned demons have
not stopped raiding, so the soldiers of Grimsete have not stopped
fighting them. But in the period since, nearly twenty thousand
Maedoens have come to live in the city, once ramshackle but now
strong and stone, outside the castle. The city has its own wall, and
even more live outside it, tending the many hundreds of acres of
planted crops and livestock.
Regional Pantheon: Licha, a shee countess who lives beneath
Grimsete Castle. She is happy to live there peacefully, for the most
part. She demands little other than occasional company, tastes
of all foods prepared for the king, and a brief moment alone with
condemned men before their execution. Licha enjoys the company,
tastes the food for poison because she enjoys her arrangement
with the king, and sups on the criminals’ fear of death for her
sustenance. People of Grimsete offer her thanks often, especially
Gwalter ap Dagda.
Population: Heavy. Grimsete is the only place in Maedoen with this
many people in this small a place. Anywhere else, the population is
going to be moderate at most.
Economy: A bastion of war, Grimsete has great need of weapons.
It can buy iron, copper, and tin ore to forge its own, if necessary,
because the castle has a foundry in its depths and there are many
metalworkers in the city. It is easier for the garrison to purchase
weapons, as smiths are often busy repairing weapons or dealing
with other projects. Home to many people, Grimsete is too large to
sustain itself on locally produced foodstuffs, and the city needs to
import 15–25% of its comestibles each year.
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Gwalter ap Dagda
Occupation: King
Race/Gender: Human male
Abilities:
Agility D10 → Acrobatics D6 + Reflexes D10 → Reaction Time
D8 + Speed D8 → Sprinting D12 {DP 54}
Fortitude D12 → Endurance D8 → (Drinking D8 + Poison D6 +
Pain D6) {DP 40}
Knowledge D10 → History D10 → (Local History D12 +
Maedoen D12) + Mathematics D8 → Astronomy D8 + Military
D12 → (Battle Tactics D10 + Magical Siege D8) + Native
Languages D10 + Shee D10 + Religion D10 + Survival D10 →
Wilderness D10
Melee D12 → Axe D10 → (Combat Axe D8 + Great Axe D8 +
Throwing Axe D6) + Bludgeon D8 → (Military Hammer D6 +
Footman’s Mace D8 + Shield D10) + Pole Arm/ Spear D12 →
(Lance D12 + Halberd D10 + Spear D6) + Sword D12 → (Long
D12 + Short D10 + Greatsword D8) {DP 98}
Ranged D12 → Bow D12 → (Long D12 + Short D10)
Perception D8 → Sense Motive D6*
Unarmed D10 → Grapple D10 {DP 20}
Willpower D12 → Resistance D10 → Mind Control D10 {DP 32}
* Alternative speciality placement
Advantages:
Quick Draw and Quick Shot. These advantages grant +1 to
initiative when using a sword or bow respectively (for PCs, it’s 4
CPs per +1 to initiative). Specialization in those weapon groups
is prerequisite. The bonuses stack with Agility → Reflexes →
Reaction Time.
Equipment:
Gwalter possess all manner of exquisite weapons, certainly the
finest of any weapon mastered. He carries a magic greatsword
called Táethen, an item of fay make, +6 threat points, which
upon command directs 2D20 of eldritch fire (physical harm) in a
searing arc following his swing toward any foe within 40 feet.
Treasure:
$6000 on person, and $2,000,000 in domicile.
None of this is particularly taxing on the economy of the city,
because the needed food, ores, and weapons are paid as taxes to
the king. In exchange, the king (or resident steward) protects the
villages and towns along the coast and for about a hundred miles
inland.
 Margred, Sister Gan Creadigeath
Occupation: Druid
Race/Gender: Human female
Abilities:
Agility D8 → Reflexes D6 + Speed D4 {DP 18}
Animal Handling D8
Elementalism D10 → Change D8 + Control D10 + Create D6 +
Sense D12 {DP 56}
Fortitude D4
Healing D8
Invocation D10 → Change D8 + Control D6 + Sense D6 {DP 30}
Knowledge D8 → Augury D10 → Entrails D8 (goats, chickens,
etc.) {54}
Melee Weapons D4 {DP 4}
Ranged D4
Talent D8 → Perform D6 → Singing D6 + Craft D6 → Sewing D10
Unarmed D4 {DP 4}
Willpower D10 → Resistance D10 → Shee Glamor D8 {DP 28}
Equipment:
Margred holds a wand created by the Order’s mother, which can
create a blocking wall of living flora, granting D12 “armor” to
those who stand behind it (36 energy points, permanent item).
Treasure:
$500 on person, or $2000 in domicile.
Spell Repertoire:
Elementalism: Learned: Body of Air, Call Lightning Strike,
Pressure Shield, Rain. Mastered (D10): Call Lightning Strike.
Invocation: Learned: Heal, Nullify Poison, Remove Curse, and
Speak with the Dead. In addition, knows all Nature sphere
spells.
Important Entities
Gwalter ap Dagda: Gwalter is king by virtue of his birth, and he
suits the throne well. His shee blood is strong, evident in his fair
hair and eyes, his slender height, and his beauty. He is politically
and militarily canny, and a fierce warrior. He is indiscriminate in his
friends, drinking and supping with everyone, but when angered
he holds a grudge. His heritage gives him a wide variety of natural
shee magic at his disposal, but he has not taken the time to
develop any single arcane discipline very deeply.
Emlyn Steward (Grimsete)
Occupation: Steward
Race/Gender: Human male
Abilities:
Agility D6 {DP 6}
Fortitude D6 → Endurance D4 {DP 10}
Knowledge D8 → Appraisal D10 + Gather Information D12
+ Court & Politics D8 → (Bureaucracy D6 + Heraldry D12 +
Stewardship D12)
Perception D8 → Notice D8 → Unusual Things D10
Willpower D8 {DP 8}
Equipment: Emlyn carries a magic knife (+1 to threat points),
capable of granting him a protect effect on command (+3 DR, 30
EP –1 point per activation). The knife is a permanent magic item.
Treasure:
On person, about $500 in accoutrements and coin. In dwelling,
$10,000 in goods.
If Gwalter has his way, the power of the Gan Creadigeath will wane
and that of the throne will wax. In fact, his aspiration is to divest
Maedoen of all sources of power outside the throne, especially the
lesser kings. He would leave the Gan Creadigeath only a shadow
of its current self, true guides instead of the puppet masters they
try to be. He is smart enough to hide this from the mother Gan
Creadigeath and Margred, his appointed Gan Credigeath advisor,
but they certainly get inklings.
Margred, Sister Gan Creadigeath: She is the most politically percep-
tive and deceptive sister that Mother Mali could find, so she is the
one appointed to be Gwalter ap Dagda’s personal advisor. Margred
sits in at all of the king’s councils and meetings, and she’s present
for all his major decisions. The sister makes conscientious reports
on Gwalter’s actions and apparent aims, and her presence in the
king’s court influences greatly how much he dares to displease the
Gan Creadigeath. Margred is a master of many shee glamors that
help her in the courtly environment.
Emlyn Steward: Emlyn’s family has served Gwalter’s for generations,
and Emlyn is as loyal and incorruptible as household servants can
be. It is Emlyn who runs the everyday activities of Grimsete Castle,
hiring and firing servants, arranging schedules, keeping the pantries
and wine cellars stocked, and making sure everything’s clean.
When Gwalter is away with his household guard, it is Emlyn who
directs the small remaining garrison in Defense of the walls and
watch schedules, so he has some small experience with Defense.
Chapter 7: Maedoen | page 143
Local Authorities
Several thousand of the king’s most able and loyal armsmen are
garrisoned in Grimsete and around Enwyn, and they are the only
authority Gwalter ap Dagda needs. He does not often need to
close that mailed fist, because the many Gan Creadigeath sisters
and secular magistrates are able to resolve most problems. Both
are practiced at turning aside wrath and disarming potentially
troublesome citizens.
Noteworthy Landmarks
As one of the largest cities in Maedoen, Grimsete certainly has a
few tourist attractions.
Grimsete Castle: The castle that started it all stands tall over
the rest of the city. Situated advantageously on a low hill above
Grimsete itself, the castle’s three towers are strong and its wall is
thick. Rumors that the castle was built on a shee mound are wrong
(Licha came to live in the castle of her own accord), but it does
have strange qualities.
Viewed from above, the pattern of the castle’s interior and exterior
walls form something very like a Celtic knot, which lends resilience
to Grimsete Castle’s Defenses, subtle strength to its men, and
mystical power to druidic enchantments cast within.
The second mystery is that of the castle’s founders. The name is
written clearly at the gate and in the grand hall for all to see, but it
is foreign to the local tongues. Even the druids have not been able
to decipher its origin. In truth, visitors who came long ago from a
distant land, in peace instead of war, designed Grimsete Castle and
laid its first stones. Its magic is of their invention, and they left as
peacefully as they came.
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Adweth Hill: Gently sloping and covered with lush grass, but
just taller than a man from its base to its peak, Adweth Hill is
exactly one mile south of Grimsete’s southernmost point. It has
always been so, since there was nothing more than a castle and
despite the many years of Grimsete’s slow expansion. This is one
of its magical properties. Few notice, because it’s hard to notice
something that moves so slowly, and the memory plays tricks to
make it seem normal.
Adweth Hill is a very comfortable place for a picnic or an outdoor
lesson. The springy grass makes a natural cushion, and the slight
trees on the hill provide cooling shade. Despite being a popular
place to visit, it is never crowded. Adweth Hill subtly directs those
approaching it to an unoccupied spot or grove; if there is no
good place vacant on the hill, people just find themselves going
elsewhere on their walk. They never notice. One going just to see
the hill, not to occupy a place, never has any trouble getting there.
There are also a few noticeable peculiarities about Adweth Hill that
make the local populace think of it as something special. Whenever
there is a storm, one and only one lightning bolt strikes the hill.
There is never any evidence of the strike afterward. People who
sleep on the hill all dream of the same thing: themselves, on board
a vast ship of silvery-blue wood, sailing into a storm. No one knows
that it means.
Despite these strange qualities, the Gan Creadigeath has not
forbidden going to the hill, or even mentioned it, so the people
of Grimsete feel confident in visiting it. In fact, the oldest treaties
between the Gan Creadigeath and the shee states that no law,
rule, pact, or treaty may address Adweth Hill. The Gan Creadigeath
cannot warn people away from it without breaching the old agree-
ments. The reason for the shee’s stipulation is that Adweth Hill is
where the shee of Maedoen must gather for their foretold mass
exodus to their homeland. When they return to the land of the
fairy from the hill, life in Maedoen will change immensely.
Relics and Treasures
As one of the oldest castles and greatest centers of population in
Maedoen, Grimsete has some interesting trinkets about.
The Brass Cup Forsaken: Once, legend states, an old man was
waiting in a field for death to find him, because his time was near.
Before his life ended, a similarly old man of the shee approached
him, also waiting for death. The two sat without words for some
time, until death was on the horizon. Then the shee offered a drink
of fresh water from a brass cup to the dying man; the old man
accepted gratefully, because he thirsted, and he died. The shee
said, “My debt is paid,” and bowed to the dead one, then left. His
cup lay on the grass of the field.
Whether or not this is true, the brass cup remains in Grimsete,
near where women by the hearth place the death in the legend.
It rests on the high mantle, twenty feet off the ground, in Gwalter
ap Dagda’s favorite feasting hall. It does not look impressive to
the naked eye, but wizards and druids who look upon it have been
known to catch their breath for a brief moment.
The cup has one property: to sip from it means death, or something
near it. If one fills the cup with any non-alcoholic concoction,
drinking from it makes one fall asleep. This is a magical sleep from
which one cannot be roused for a time depending on the amount
imbibed. A sip is about an hour, the full draught is almost a week. If
one fills the cup with two parts water and one part wine (or mead,
or ale), drinking from it puts one into a deathlike coma for the same
time per dose. A person so affected cannot be told apart from one
dead. Finally, drinking unwatered wine, mead, or ale from the brass
cup results in death, inexorable and complete.
The Heart of Grimsete: Though it is not magical, this diamond is
the size of a grown man’s head, and that is magic enough for
most people. Legend states that the ancestor of the king, while
laying the foundation of Grimsete Castle, found this stone resting
at the nadir of the deepest basement. As the castle was built
by foreigners, this is clearly false, but the diamond is more than
a myth. It rests in its own special room in the castle’s deepest
basement, a combination vault and viewing room.
Further legends state that only as long as the king’s family
possesses the jewel will they continue to rule over all Maedoen.
Some suggest that, should it be stolen or lost, whoever holds it will
have the right to rule the country. It’s really the mixed bloodline
with the shee that gives a king the right to rule, but that doesn’t
stop the peasantry — and some of the lesser kings — from talking,
and sometimes believing.
Occasionally, shee who visit Gwalter ap Dagda’s court request a
viewing of the diamond, which is why the vault is designed to make
looking on the stone simple. The shee get nothing out of viewing
the diamond beyond pleasure at seeing such a large and flawless
jewel, and maybe a little joy from misdirecting the king and the Gan
Creadigeath. Even though the heart of Grimsete has no magical
properties, it’s still a giant diamond and worth an utter fortune,
enough that it probably couldn’t be sold without breaking it up into
smaller diamonds. Though maybe someone in Psarmorum, where
the wealthy are wealthier and the tastes are most costly, might buy
it whole.
Vendors and Dealers
In a city the size of Grimsete, there’s a buyer for almost any prize.
Porreth Bazaar: A few minutes’ walk from the city’s northeastern
gate, the stone buildings open away from the street to reveal a
wide, cobblestone plaza over half a mile across. Hundreds of large
booths and small stands spread out before visitors to the city,
and scores of dancers, jugglers, barkers, other entertainers, and
salesmen compete with each other. There are people there whose
sole tasks are to welcome travelers to Porreth Bazaar, where
anything and everything can be bought or sold. Many hundreds
of merchants and traders come to Porreth Bazaar to pick up new
merchandise or divest themselves of their wares. There is almost
always an interested buyer, no matter how common or rare the
item in question, and only the most completely worthless things
go unsold. Nothing but cold-wrought iron is illegal here (and even
that can be part of an under-the-table exchange). The criers who
welcome people to the bazaar call to them to leave their cold iron
behind; booths at the bazaar’s border keep items for people until
they return with the claim ticket.
The reason for the restriction on cold iron goods is that one-tenth
of the fair’s grounds, that in the very center, is given over at all
times to the shee. The beautiful, taffeta-and-velvet tents there are
not always occupied, but when they are there are strange trades
to be made. Some fairy folk happily exchange solely normal goods,
trading bales of cotton for bronze blades and shields, and there is
always at least one such among the shee crowd. Where the goods
they trade come from is a happy mystery to most who receive
them.
Others exchange something exotic for something normal. In one
direction, a mortal might trade the memory of a beating for a
collection of fine carving woods; in the other, one might give an
expertly-made metal puzzle for the ability to control one’s dreams.
Finally, some of the shee deal only in the strange and magical.
Chapter 7: Maedoen | page 145
These are the ones who can give you a new face in exchange for
your true love, or a mighty enchanted sword for a firstborn child.
Surrounding Porreth Bazaar are many large warehouses where
merchants carrying stock in bulk can stow goods until they sell
them. The warehouses offer another function as well as space:
providing exchange tokens. When a set of goods is registered, the
warehouse factor verifies what is to be sold with a series of tokens.
These are generally about the size of a palm, cut from wood, and
painted to represent common lots of trade goods, like bales of
hay, large quantities of foods, weapons, and so on. Marked with
the trader’s name or sigil, they can be taken into the fair and sold,
whereupon the buyer can bring the tokens to the warehouse to
claim his purchases.
The king in Grimsete also uses the warehouses to calculate taxes.
There are few alternatives to dropping one’s goods off there, and
limited storage room in the bazaar itself, so the warehouse factors
record the goods and declare a tax on behalf of the king. Some
factors are corrupt, some are fair, some lax, and careful merchants
make sure they know the factors they deal with.
Most smaller goods go untaxed in Porreth Bazaar, despite the
law that anything sold for a certain amount or more be reported.
Just in case, the king has shrewd agents who wander the stalls,
keeping their eyes peeled for anything that the king would want to
know was being traded in Grimsete. Sometimes such objects are
confiscated, sometimes confiscated with compensation, sometimes
they are taxed, and sometimes they are ignored. Not that it’s too
difficult to trade without attracting any attention, which is the
preferred option for grave robbers, thieves, and other “treasure
hunters.”
Argoel Artaith: Argoel is an ancient witch. Her age and provenance
are unknown, but her tinted skin and her strange magic mark her
as foreign to Maedoen. Sisters Gan Creadigeath used to visit her
often to inquire about her methods, but she rebuffed them all and
now they keep away. People whisper that she came from a far land
and took a new Maedoen name, and they are right. But she never
speaks of her past.
The witch makes and sells potions, tinctures, salves, ointments,
and other mixtures, all with special properties. Many of them are
simply for healing, but they work surprisingly well and sometimes
even leave no scars. Some of her oils do other things, like speeding
the growth of plants, strengthening woods or metals, or bursting
into flame when opened. For her concoctions, Argoel Artaith is
constantly ordering myriad exotic ingredients, including quicksilver,
gold, silver, cinnabar, and many rare herbs. She pays well for them,
and never seems short of coin or barter goods.
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Guilds and Training
There are not many guilds in Grimsete.
The Armsmen of the King: The closest thing to a group of guildsmen
or people offering weapons training, Gwalter’s armsmen serve him
loyally. One may join them with a simple oath of loyal service to
the king, at which point one is expected to live with them, sup with
them, and train with them. It is an occupation, not just a club.
Without joining for life, a warrior can train with them for a small bit
of coin. They may be loyal to their king, but he’s never told them
not to spar save with brother armsmen. So it isn’t hard to learn a
little sword or spear work from the king’s skilled men, but going
for lessons every day of the week will see the armsmen urging a
warrior, especially a skilled one, to join them. After all, the pay is
decent, the food is okay, the lodging certain, and one more person
in the ranks means a greater chance of leaving the next war alive.
Adventure Hooks
Here are a couple possible adventures in Grimsete.
Rebellion: Two of the lesser kings, acting together, have surprised
Gwalter ap Dagda and besieged Grimsete and the castle while
the bulk of his armsmen deal with an incursion by horned demons
many miles north. The kings have refused to obey Gwalter’s
commands despite his right of rule. Together, their armies
outnumber the remaining men Gwalter can field from his local
garrison, and he hasn’t been able to get word out to his forces
elsewhere, or his still-loyal kings. Gwalter is a fierce warrior and a
skilled tactician, but even he can’t beat a force four times the size
of his that also has the advantage of preparation. Gwalter needs
some help, which is where the players’ characters come in.
Most simply, they can slip or break through the siege lines to bring
word from Gwalter to some of his manned outposts. Alerting
enough soldiers means that the two kings trying to depose Gwalter
will end up trapped between a new army and the hard walls of
Grimsete. More directly, the heroes could seek out and kill or
kidnap the two rebelling kings. Gwalter would prefer to have them
alive, because it would be more politically advantageous to defeat
and chastise the kings than to kill them and have them be replaced
by revenge-minded sons. Still, either action will end the siege.
The heroes could also supplement Gwalter’s army with diplomacy
or creative warfare. The shee in Porreth Bazaar may be willing to
sell military aid for some price, who really knows? And the potions
of Argoel Artaith could do interesting things to a besieging army,
especially when catapulted on top of them en masse.
Theft: Something of value has been stolen from Grimsete Castle,
and it’s time to catch the thief. Emlyn Steward is certain that the
criminal did not have time to leave the city before he shut the
gates and stopped letting anyone in or out, and that there was no
other way out of the castle. Tension is running high in Grimsete,
especially as traveling merchants are losing money, people are
getting hungrier, and no one even knows what’s disappeared. If
the players’ characters want to leave, they’ll have to sneak past all
the king’s guards (and the two small armies that have since settled
in outside the walls, if you want to combine this with the first
scenario), or find the thief.
But what’s been stolen? It could be something as straightforward
as a great treasure. Perhaps it’s the Heart of Grimsete, something
Gwalter would certainly want back, and he wouldn’t want any
more people than necessary to know it was missing. On the other
hand, the stolen object might be a private message from Gwalter,
giving away the king’s intention to do away with the lesser kings or
weaken the Gan Creadigeath, neither something he would want his
targets to find out.
Population: Sparse. Not only are there no villages nearby, there are
no woodsmen or hermits in the woods, fields, or hills surrounding
the castle. Only a few animals (few enough for the scarcity to look
strange to an experienced outdoorsman) and the monsterous
cythraul live here.
Economy: There is no economy since nobody lives here, but there
is a great deal of arable land and old growth wood not being used
for anything here. The hills even contain decent quantities of
copper, tin, and iron. Reclaiming this land could make anyone who
managed to secure that claim fairly wealthy.
Important Entities
The only important entities here are the monsters, with one
disturbing exception, the Womb of Cythraul…
Local Authorities
None. Anyone who could have kept the peace has been chased off

Astalch Castle or tortured and devoured.

Description: Far in the north of Maedoen, Astalch Castle was once

Relics and Treasures
a military stronghold for one of the kings in the north. Today, it’s a
As the place is an ancient, abandoned castle, there should be
ruin. Only two of Astalch’s five towers still stand, and they may not
plenty of interesting treasure to be found. These are just a few
stand long, as one leans and the other sprouts bushes. The other
suggestions.
three lie, like the splayed limbs of a dead man, across the moat
and surrounding field. Climbing through the dry moat over the old
The Library of Astalch: Astalch was a small castle in the distant
towers’ stones is the only easy access to the castle now, since the
past, little more than a fortified mansion, and no great palace or
drawbridge rotted through and collapsed long ago.
walled city, so its library would have been uninspiring. Today, any
book contained in its library is worth a fortune in both hard cash
The forest, once cleared from around the castle so that guards
and knowledge to historians. Though the library itself has been
could see anyone who tried to approach, has grown closer. It is not
ravaged by the cythraul, nearly all the books are still intact, the
yet so close that a tree cut or pulled down would bridge the moat,
cythraul knowing instinctually that a future captive might be able
but trying to make the castle usable again would involve clearing
to interpret them to their advantage.
a lot of land. Astalch is one of many abandoned castles dotting the
landscape of Maedoen (there is no need now for the vast number
Gavin’s Horn: This is a bone horn, probably taken from an enormous
of castles the land supported in its past), but few of them come
mountain goat, and banded in bronze. Various druidic runes of
with difficulties as great.
knowledge, wisdom, and enlightened communication mark its
length. Though the legend is long lost, Gavin, son of Fercos, once
The nearest villages are over four days’ travel from the castle.
stood on a near hill and watched over a decisive battle. When he
All the inhabitants of those villages know intimately the legends
knew it was lost, he blew his horn to tell the women and children
of what lives there: white-faced creatures, like but not like the
to flee. How it ended up in Astalch Castle is a mystery. This horn, if
shee, who torture and devour any they catch. Inhabitants of every
blown, can be heard over great distances. Anyone the horn blower
surrounding village know not to travel more than a half-day toward
considers an ally can hear the horn, regardless of distance, and
Astalch Castle, because that is entering their territory.
understands its meaning: victory, defeat, mourning, et cetera. It
cannot carry messages more elaborate than that.
After the war that saw the founding of the Black Standard and the
first pact with Maedoen’s shee, most cythraul were forced back
Honest Scale: This plain brass scale is the height of a short man
into the sea, from where they have not since emerged. But not all
and stockily built. It has a magical Defense that must be unwoven
fled. Here, a cell of cythraul infiltrated and infected Astalch Castle,
before the scale can be harmed in any way physically. This is
turning it into a home for their hate and hungers in Maedoen. They
separate from its core enchantment, which is to describe perfectly
have lived there for many generations of men and have fed.
the balance between any two things, physical or metaphysical.

Chapter 7: Maedoen | page 147

 Womb of Cythraul
TY: Extraordinary
TD: 3D20 Psychic Influence (any sub-effect), or 5D10 bite (see
notes) on contact
EA: 1. 2D10 Psychic Threat, 2. 2D10 Psychic Threat, 3. 6D10
Afflict: Stun.
HP: 240 [normal, tiny*, supernatural; ×4]
*size not counted in the womb’s HP multiplier.
DR: None
ST: Any strike bringing HP below zero must beat an item save
vs. 3D10 or all harm from that strike is forfeit
AR: Battle Phase 1 (no agility die), mind only. The womb does
not move unless carried.
WAT: No treasure, unless the womb itself is valued as a gem…
but it may be an unfortunate prize to bring to the jeweler.
Notes:
Whether the cythraul who settled here brought it with them or
somehow constructed it over the several centuries they’ve had
here, this is what allows them to live comfortably within Astalch
Castle, and to grow in number. It sits in one of the central
lower chambers of the castle, resting on the floor and filling the
room with an ivory light. Cythraul avoid it, even to the point of
refusing to chase fleeing heroes into that chamber. It appears
to be a cut crystal about the size of a woman’s palm. The catch
is that it looks like treasure, and players’ characters are just the
sort to bring it out of the castle. And when they do, cythraul and
death will follow.
The honest scale can be used for mere weight, and is never wrong,
but the person using the scale can state what quality it is to weigh.
The honest scale then compares the relative values of that quality
in any two things set upon its yard-wide scale plates. This could
be the monetary, philosophic, historic, or military value of most
items, or even the morality, cruelty, or worth of people. The scale is
always as right as it can be — some things are governed by chance,
and it does not predict the future.
Astalch Keystone: In the days that saw Astalch Castle raised, it was
common for wizards to enchant the foundations of major construc-
tions. Though this is no longer as common, the keystone of Astalch
was so enchanted, and it retains that magic. Someone trying to
repair Astalch Castle will benefit from it: the work crews will work
faster, tire more slowly, have fewer accidents, and ask for less pay.
All in all, the repair would take about 25% less time than usual.
Removing the keystone from the castle to use in the foundation of
another building would give the same benefits to that project.
page 148 | Chapter 7: Maedoen
The womb is intelligent. It can communicate telepathically with
anyone caught within its pale light. It is also a master of reading
others and deceiving them. The womb never communicates with
someone unless this will be advantageous, and then it fabricates
some story to manipulate its victim into obeying it. One example:
It might claim to be the spirit of an ancient princess locked in
a gemstone, and then describe a ritual to “free the spirit” that
would actually birth hundreds of new cythraul.
The womb can make direct mental contact with any cythraul
within one mile, knowing their thoughts and memories, seeing
through their eyes, and commanding them. Cythraul almost
always obey the mental directions of the cythraul womb. It can
create new cythraul by consuming the mind of one human or
the flesh of five, or by consuming five pounds of pure precious
metal. Material being consumed appears to disappear over about
a day; consuming a human mind is entirely mental and is more
difficult.
The womb is capable of casting any psychogenic spell with no
chance of error, and can summon, control and heal (or destroy)
cythraul. The womb can bite with a razor-sharp mouth that is
invisible, but soon discovered by any creature that touches its
crystalline form with exposed flesh.
Vendors and Dealers: Surprisingly, there is one, but he’s not the
friendly neighborhood grocer, or even the sleazy skinflint visiting
merchant. He’s something else.
Old Eryi looks like a weak and weary old man. He is hunched over,
with a roughly-trimmed beard, and the clothes he wears have been
cobbled together from a half-dozen different shirts and pants. The
trader speaks haltingly, as if he were always taking a moment to
search for a better word, or any word at all. He never looks directly
at those he talks to, instead gazing just over their right shoulders.
He can always be found standing southeast of Astalch Castle, at
the end of one of the fallen towers. Old Eryi never appears to sit,
lie down, or sleep, and anyone dealing with him is never attacked
by the cythraul.
Concealed among the tumbled stones are what he has to trade:
many of the minor treasures of Astalch Castle, from small gems and
pieces of jewelry to age-old cutlery and the ancient Astalch crest
from above the hearth. He’s perfectly willing to take all forms of
minted currency, raw precious metals, or other valuables. Eryi puts
especial value on books, and a trader braving the forest to bring
him current written materials could make a killing.
The trader is only part Eryi at this point. He is half-merged with a
Gweithraul
cythraul, and he trades for precious metals because the cythraul
TY: Standard (humanoid)
can use them to spread. He values written materials because they
TD: 2D8 Unarmed ~ 2D6 Melee ~ 2D4 Ranged ~ D4 Arcane
help the cythraul learn about the world around them. If someone
HP: 80 (40/40) [normal, medium, magical; ×2]
kills Eryi, the body slowly turns into a cythraul after about an hour.
DR: D6
It will then rise, the guise destroyed. There may be a way for heroes
ST: 2D4
to purge Eryi of the cythraul within him, at the GM’s option, but it
AR: D8
should be difficult.

Notes:
Regional Monsters
The gweithraul has an extra forearm and hand at each elbow.
The cythraul are white humanoids who hate all human life. They
Each forearm has as much freedom to move as a human’s single
are truly creatures out of nightmare, looking vaguely human, but
forearm does. All its fingers end in wicked, barbed claws that
with elongated features, and always some aspect that is entirely
are as good for tearing flesh as they are for grasping objects.
alien. They are barbaric and insane by human standards, but not
Gweithraul are, roughly, the worker caste, though they are as
stupid, and only the simplest will attack without considering
terrifying in combat as most cythraul.
acquiring an advantage or kill without thinking about taking a
prisoner.
The gweithraul possess tough skin, granting them the equiva-
lent of leather armor for D6 points of protection. In addition,
Cythraul have a limited hive mind. At times, individual cythraul
due to their unusually tough nature, they receive ×2 HP, rather
“check in” to the communal mind. At that moment, the cythraul
than ×1.5.
has the perspective and memory of the entire race, and it updates
the hive memory with the individual’s experiences since the last
WAT: The gweithraul are capable of using standard weapons,
communion. Though cythraul can stray from the hive’s goals over
but usually have no need, given their many, scary appendages.
time, they naturally check in every week or two, which reinforces
Their hide is useful in creating armor, and when incorporated
an individual’s communal responsibilities and sets it back on
into armor or shields it grants a +1 bonus to either.
course. A straying cythraul would have to subdue its natural urge
to connect with the hive consciously, which gets harder over time.
the land can’t be anything but good, and there is potentially more
Some specific aspect of the cythraul’s inhuman features marks long-term wealth involved if they can claim the castle as their own.
them as belonging to a certain caste, determining rough pecking
orders and responsibilities. The cythraul womb described above Campaign-style: Here, the game focuses on the threat the castle
has the ability to change a cythraul from one caste to another, and presents for more than a few sessions. That threat probably looms
even to devise new castes for specific purposes. The cythraul in over the rest of Maedoen, as the cythraul are just now beginning
question must spend a half-hour stationary in the womb’s glow to to explore the world outside their castle. Those small villages have
complete the transition. Three sample castes follow, though there probably been destroyed, and the plague of fiends is spreading.
are certainly more. After building up to an assault on the castle over several sessions,
the heroes go in to stop the cythraul and save the world, or die
Adventure Hooks trying. All the treasure from the previous two options is there, but
Astalch Castle is, itself, a giant adventure hook. Still, there are a the characters can also become nationwide legends.
couple ways for players’ characters to treat it.

Raid-style: Get in, get stuff, get out. This is the classic dungeon-
delve, where the heroes know that there are both monsters and
treasure, and they’re determined to fight the first and take out the
second.

Quest-style: This time, they have to accomplish a specific task while

they’re in the castle. For Astalch, that probably means cleaning out
the nest of cythraul who want to eat them. Wiping the blight from

Chapter 7: Maedoen | page 149

 Aniathraul
TY: Extraordinary (humanoid)
TD: Arcane 3D12 (Threat) ~ Melee 2D8 ~ Unarmed 2D6 ~
Ranged 2D4
EA: 1. 3D12 Malediction –3, 2. 3D12 Afflict-Stun
HP: 108 (81/27) [fast, medium, magical; ×1.5]
DR: None
ST: 3D10
AR: D10
Notes
Aniathraul have no eyes, possessing only deep black voids
where the ocular cavities should be. Further, their fingers are
about twice as long as a normal human’s, with an extra set of
joints. They are very dexterous, and they can create strange,
razor-sharp ivory needles and scalpels out of their own flesh in
an instant without apparent pain. The aniathraul are the wizards
and mad doctors of the cythraul. They wield terrifying magic
completely foreign to druids, and it is they who change human
captives into tortured weapons, tools, and playthings.
These horrid monsters have extra attacks, even occurring in
the very same phase as the primary attack, capable of turning
foes into… just about anything. The first extra attack is always
a malediction effect (modify ability; NN 6; –3 to ability), mani-
festing as a force that warps some facet of the target’s physical
body, reducing ability checks in one of the following: Agility,
Fortitude, Melee Weapons, Perception, Ranged Weapons,
Unarmed Combat, Willpower.
The second extra attack can transmute the target into
something else, even an ordinary object (e.g. the target is
temporarily changed or part-changed into a cabbage or
cauldron or candle). This is Alteration magic, but its game effect
is Affliction, Stun (NN 12, see Chapter 4, Afflictions).
WAT: These monsters can conjure almost any sort of equipment
needed. The brain of an aniathraul, if pulverized and eaten, adds
2D12 to Willpower DP for one week. Most mortals cannot
stomach such a feat, and the very attempt causes 12 points
of damage directly to Fortitude, causing unconsciousness for
one day per point exceeding that score. Once awake, the user
can evoke psychogenic powers mirroring any standard magical
effects.
page 150 | Chapter 7: Maedoen
Draigthraul
TY: Extraordinary (humanoid)
TD: 3D10 Unarmed* ~ 3D10 Melee (flail mastery) ~ Ranged
2D10 ~ Arcane 2D6
EA: 1. 2D20 Melee, 2. D20 Melee
HP: 138 (34/104) [tough, large, magical; ×1.5]
DR: By armor, plus another D4 (natural toughness)
ST: 3D10 versus mental afflictions, else 2D10
AR: D16
Notes:
Draigthraul are taller by a foot than the average cythraul, with
more massive bodies and very evident, very white fangs. They
are immensely strong and skilled at unarmed combat (their
natural way of fighting) and combat with all sorts of weapons.
When a draigthraul chooses to run, it can match a horse for
speed. Draigthraul are one of the many cythraul war castes,
effectively designed to battle and kill living creatures of all kinds.
By grabbing and biting a living or recently dead opponent, the
monster can drain some of the victim’s blood and regain some
vitality. Draigthraul who do this gain a ruddy cast to their white
skin until they have not consumed any blood for at least a day.
The draigthraul are superhumanly strong and quick, capable of
attacking up to three times in a round.
*Special attack
A draigthraul can leech life force from a victim like a vampire, but
must first grab the victim. A contest of Unarmed ability between
the monster and its opponent determines whether the target
has been grappled. If the monster wins a second opposed roll,
the grappled opponent is pinned and unable to evade until he
breaks the hold. The monster can then drain his blood, sucking
out 3D10 points of Fortitude DP, bypassing all active Defense
and armor. Use an opposed roll each round to see if the target
breaks free of the hold. Vampirism can bring a target below
zero Fortitude. Whatever points are drained are added to the
draigthraul’s HP, restoring its health up to its maximum. Note
also that the attacker gets no active Defense while grappling.
Also, the draigthraul cannot make extra melee attacks when
grappling.
WAT: The draigthraul prefer the flail (+3/+2 harm/init bonus),
or the combat axe (+2/+1  harm/init bonus). It is not unusual to
discover one of these monsters was carrying an item possessing
magic effects, or some permanent bonuses to harm or armor of
D4 strength.
The Town of Crossroads the king’s interests. This guild is led by Virgil, an eccentric old man
who set up the guild to protect outcast warriors and renegade
Description: This town is situated on the edge of the Forest
mages. It remains independent in outlook, but over the years, the
of Meath, and is a haven for interdimensional travelers. The
group has developed into a major force for weal in the world, the
surrounding arable land is especially fertile.
amassed skills, expertise, and daring of its members having proved
particularly effective when dealing with menacing monsters and
Regional Pantheon: The travelers in Crossroads worship many gods
dark magic. The Guardians’ Guild has established secret (if not
and goddesses, which differ based on their realm of origin. Celtic
wholly stable) routes through Meath, in addition to the main road.
deities predominate. The Shee Lords of Maedeon keep spiritual
Its members are vigilant about preventing dangerous monsters
leaders in Crossroads, to ensure that no interlopers come into the
from entering Crossroad, and are entrusted with doing the
realm hoping to usurp the rulers of the Seelie and Unseelie courts.
same for the Kingdom of Enwys as a whole. The Guardians have
Psarmorum has a small, hidden temple in Crossroads; a refuge for
outposts along the ley lines, near the borders of the unsettled
travelers from that realm who want to pray and cleanse themselves
lands, and often hire special bands of adventurers to hunt down
of the taint of foreign gods.
and destroy monstrous threats across the six kingdoms. (Mages
trained in such matters can discern the best place to build these
They were granted the temple and right to worship for past aid
outposts without extreme risk.) The Guild Hall has large books
to Crossroads, and pay a secret maintenance tax to Sibyl, the
of places and creatures cataloged: some identified by travelers
Duchess of Crossroads; a proxy of the Eldritch Man. There is a
passing through the Equinox Portal; other information revealed by
large shrine to Dagda and Math ap Mathonwy within the manse of
captured unfriendly beings (there is a Guild prison for interrogation
the Duchess. There is a smaller shrine to Cernunnos in the forest
of such). The information may be had for a price — a very steep
nearby.
price for non-members.

Population: Moderate. The town is an active trading center,

Local Authorities
with a surplus of farm produce and timber, and a constant flow
Duchess Sibyl oversees Crossroads, and pays homage to Gwalter
of mundane and exotic goods and those trade in them. There
ap Dagda, the King of Maedoen. She knows the town is particularly
are many people passing through Crossroads, including some
hazardous, situated as it is on the nexus of major ley lines, and
especially strange denizens who arrive via the guarded Equinox
thus prone to infiltration or outright attack by powerful monsters.
Portals, which open to a dimensional rift twice a year. Those who
The town guard is paid handsomely, and helps keep dangerous
travel through unsettled lands are drawn to Equinox Portals, which
beings from entering the town or raiding farms. It is sometimes
sit on the nexus of ley lines. This brings in to Crossroads travelers
supplemented by unusual members of the Guardians’ Guild. The
from different cultures, as well as otherworldly places in Ainerêve.
guard is led by a goblinoid half-orc named Throk: he actually was
captured outside town, exposed as a guide leading black-market
Economy: Strange travelers from Meath Forest, wayfarers once lost
criminals into Crossroads, and was to be executed by the Duchess,
in unsettled lands but stumbling upon this town, and merchants
because she needs to control the criminal element, and regards
from both Maedeon and Psarmorum create an economy of barter
goblinoid creatures as demons. But an elf named Nathal, one of the
and trade in Crossroads, especially in exotic teas and coffee. A
Gan Creadigeath’s emissaries from the Seelie court, stepped in and
small number of other-realm adventurers (and monsters) filter
saved Throk’s life on the condition that he serve the town forever.
through to Maedoen and Psarmorum, making Crossroads the
Nathal claimed that the half-orc’s human side had some shee
perfect place to find black market items, magic items, and weapons
blood; and, therefore, he was not a complete abomination.
and armor uncommon to local realms. It’s a great place to hire
a ranger guide, or typical mercenaries. Information is also a big
Noteworthy Landmarks
commodity in Crossroads. The Guardians’ Guild and Mages’ College
The Duchess’s mansion is constructed of marble, brick and timber.
are the prime sources.
On the same site is the shrine of Math, housing the Priesthood of
the Dagda.
Important Entities
One of the most prominent features of the town is the Guardians’
There also is a small Temple of Astra, whose shrine serves as a
Guild. The Guardians’ Guild is composed of explorers, swashbuck-
neutral zone for merchant travelers from Psarmorum. (Astra, one of
lers, and adventurers. It takes a percent fee on treasures gained
the aspects of their god Sol Invictus, is called the savior by many in
by its members in return for providing access to information,
Psarmorum. There are those who believe he soon will return to the
training, employment, and other services. The Guild pays a tax to
realm and end the war, heralding an age of peace.) The followers
the Duchess, and respects the high king of Maedoen, but looks
of Sol are protected by Virgil’s Guardians’ Guild, who prevent the
the other way when its members’ activities might be at odds with

Chapter 7: Maedoen | page 151

 Virgil, founder of the Guardians’ Guild (Crossroads)
Occupation: Guild Master, adventurer
Race/Gender: Human male
Abilities:
Animal Handling D10 → Riding D10 → (Horses D8
+ Pegasus D6)
Arcanum D12 → Artificing D12 → (Traveling Staff D12 + Arcane
Weapon Bonus D12 + Imbue Conjuration Magic D12 + Imbue
Alteration Magic D12) + Potions D10 + Wards D8 {DP 90}
Alteration* D8 → Change D6 + Control D6 + Create D6 + Sense
D6 {DP 32}
Agility D10 → Speed D6 {DP 16}
Conjuration* D10 → Change D10 + Create D10 +
Sense D6 {DP 36}
Fortitude D12 → Quick Recovery D8 {DP 20}
Healing D10 → Animals D8 + Humanoids D8 + Medicine D10 +
Monsters D6
Influence D12 → Persuasion D12
Knowledge D12 → Anthropology D10 + Appraisal D12 +
History D6 → (Maedoen D12 + Psarmorum D10) + Linguistics
D10 → Shee D10 + Mathematics D6 + Religion D8
Melee Weapons D12 → Sword D12 → (Rapier D12 + Short
Sword D10) + Bludgeon D8 + Knife D6 {DP 60}
Perception D10 → Investigation D10 + Notice D10 → (Illusion
D10 + Traps D10)
Ranged Weapons D10 → Bow D10 + Crossbow D8 → hand D6
Skullduggery D6 → Confidence Games D6 + Disguise D8 +
Forgery D8 + Sense Motive D12 + Stealth D12 → (Urban D10 +
Wilderness D10)
Notes:
Virgil is a renowned traveler, explorer, and local hero. His
wit, quick thinking, spryness, and strength belie his old age. A
master artificer and collector of magic items, Virgil’s obsession
with understanding the nature of the multiverse led him
to study the Equinox portals. He first arrived in Crossroads
following news of the activation of the transdimensional gate,
and consequent death of Duke Verurteilt, husband of the young,
half-elven Duchess Sibyl. Arriving quickly, he stepped through
the portal to assist, finding his way with the power of the Jaunt
Staff, but too late.
The devil Lord Phantos had razed the then fledgling town of
Crossroads and destroyed its first stronghold. Virgil befriended
the widowed Duchess Sibyl and together they led an unlikely
alliance between the local Shrine of Math and the devil hunters
of Psarmorum to help banish Phantos into the forest of Meath.
As a reward for their trust, the devil hunters were granted the
Temple of Astra, and the Duchess declared Crossroads neutral
ground. This decree was begrudgingly agreed to by the powers
page 152 | Chapter 7: Maedoen
of Grimesete, to whom the Duchess owes fealty. The neutral
zone attracted adventurers from myriad backgrounds, including
the likes of Bertran Forthwind, who famously set up the only
mage school in the realms, the Octocirculi Academy. This was
in part to help Virgil and the Duchess protect the kingdoms of
Maedoen from the dangers of the Equinox Gates. Thus, the
Guardians’ Guild was born.
*Virgil has mastered all listed Conjuration spells at D10. He has
learned, but not mastered, all listed Alteration spells. He also
has the full Enhanced Magic Defense advantage associated with
Conjuration, allowing him to defend against any physical attack
with that DP.
Equipment:
Virgil’s Jaunt Staff, like most of the traveling staffs Virgil created,
is attuned along ley lines in Maedoen and Psarmorum, allowing
him unhindered travel via the gates in either realm. The staff
is an artifact capable of manipulating Ainereve’s protomatter
within the unsettled lands, amplifying Virgil’s “dreamvision”
during travel, actually reshaping the terrain, leading him where
he wants to go like a divining rod. The jaunt staff has a crystal
ball affixed to its top, which amplifies Virgil’s imaginal journey
vision, helping him find his way. It is also imbued with the
following spell-like powers: Dispel Effect (Conjuration), Flux
Bolt, Teleport Object, Teleport Self.
The legendary Rapier of Banishment [Rapier: 1H, +1/+3,
Medium reach], +4 to Threat supernatural. Striking a super-
natural creature with this rapier triggers an opposed roll of
3D10 versus the creature’s Saving Throw, or the summoner’s
Conjuration branch, whichever is more relevant. Failing this save
means the creature is instantly banished. It’s a permanent item
with its banishment properties always on (therefore no energy
points required). Wrhydri Chain (D8+4): magic damage cannot
bypass a roll of this armor. Virgil also possesses any number
of other magic items, including many potions of healing and
protection, and perhaps some means of prolonging life, since he
is now very old indeed.
Treasure:
Virgil owns a bank and his net worth amounts to that of a
dragon’s hoard (something the Duchess is fond of reminding
him): 10,000–60,000 coins value and 50% chance of 2D12
magic items.
apprehension of travelers deemed unwelcome by the Nation
of Maedoen, and have saved many from murder by the Dagda
Priesthood.
The Mage College (Octocirculi Academy): Several tall towers like
twisted candles and long stone buildings connect to form the only
school of wizardry in the land. The college is also the site of the
Annual Council of Renewal. The council, usually hosted by Bertran
Forthwind at the Mage College’s amphitheater, is one of the few
times that the Gan Creadigeath trots out the Eldritch Man to read
poetic tales of their alliance. This is also the only time each year
the Kings of Maedoen gather on neutral ground to reaffirm their
mutual bonds.
The Equinox Portal is housed inside a large building near the
central mansion, and is heavily guarded. Twice each year, there’s a
ceremony to herald the opening of the gate attended by delegates
from the kingdom, as well as warriors and mages. Nobody knows
who, or what, will come through the gate at those times. The
rift shifts from one realm to another, the place predictable only
by augury. The exact place follows an unpredictable pattern, as
dictated by the dreams, hopes, and fears of humans on Earth. The
destination is always somewhere on the outskirts of settled lands
in Ainerêve, and therefore is inherently dangerous. Some travelers
Duchess Sibyl (Crossroads)
Occupation: Duchess
Race/Gender: Half-elf female
Abilities:
Animal Handling D6 → Riding D6 + Hunting D4
Arcanum D10 → Wards D10 {DP 20; 40 with Guardian Brooch}
Agility D6 {DP 6}
Fortitude D8 {DP 8}
Healing D10
Influence D12 → Persuasion D12 → Forge Alliances D10
Knowledge D12 → Court & Politics D12 → Heraldry D12
Melee Weapons D8 → Knife D8 → Dagger D4 {DP 20}
Perception D8 → Investigation D6 + Notice D6
Ranged Weapons D10 → Crossbows D4
Talent D12 → Handicraft D10 → Sewing D12 + Weaving D10
Willpower D12 → Versus Persuasion D12 {DP 24}
Notes:
Duchess Sibyl is tall and regal, usually seen wearing beautiful
flowing sapphire gowns and valuable but understated jewelry
(one item of which, a garnet ring, is the focus for her Arcanum
Defense Pool). She has a keen mind and is a good judge of
character, which is why she was fairly certain she’d be soon
stepping into her late husband’s role.
pass through the rift and travel to the realm of their choice:
perhaps in an induced trance, or with the aid of an artifact that
allows quick passage through unsettled lands.
Relics and Treasures
Traveling Staves. The leader of the Guardians’ Guild crafts magic
items that he calls traveling staffs (or staves), fashioned after his
own original, the powerful Jaunt Staff. Travelers holding a traveling
staff, and possessing a basic rank in Arcanum, can usually find their
way through unsettled lands without getting hopelessly lost. The
staves’ magic helps guide wayfarers toward their destination so
long as the place is adequately named and described. Each staff
has a painted, hollow, sphere-shaped bauble affixed to its top, with
a scene depicting symbols of the place to which it is attuned.
Vendors and Dealers
Within the town are the following: ale houses; armorer (with armor
from several realms); apothecary; an actual bank, owned by Virgil;
blacksmith; boatwright (a river runs next to the town, and into
the forest); bookshop with books from all kinds of exotic places;
coffee house (for the intelligentsia of Crossroads, and visiting
sages); college (with its striking spiral towers); fishmonger; falconer;
gambling house; lapidary (needed when gem-laden adventurers
come back from dungeons); general store; horse trader; many
The Duchess understood the value of good alliances and
relished the power the marriage afforded her, despite the
common knowledge that Duke Verurteilt was a fool. She
confidently expected Verurteilt to undo himself sooner or later,
which, gratifyingly, he did forthwith. Her subsequent friendship
with Virgil and Bertran Forthwind was fortuitous, allowing
her to secure the land the Duke had claimed, building it into
Crossroads as it is today, and affording herself a unique amount
of power and prestige among the lords of Maedoen. She was
appointed proxy of the Eldritch man, in the protection of the
borderlands of Meath, and therefore granted the aid of Nathal,
a Seelie Emissary of the Gan Creadigeath.
Equipment:
Dagger of the Moon (2D10, 20 EP), capable of activating the
spells Full Body Illusion and Illusory Attack, like a wand. Magical
azure cloak (+2 DR as shield, before Active Defense). Staff of
the Unsettled (3D12, 24 EP travel staff, capable of Teleport Self
and attuned to Crossroads Equinox Gate). Guardian Sigil Brooch
(legendary, persistent magic, Boon, doubles Arcanum DP;
attuned to Duchess Sibyl only).
Treasure:
The Duchess possess all of the riches of her station and also the
heirlooms of her late husband. Value of cash assets is easily two
hoards: 2000–20,000 coins worth.
Chapter 7: Maedoen | page 153
 Throk (Crossroads)
Occupation: Captain, town guard
Race/Gender: Half-orc male
Abilities:
Animal Handling D10 → Riding D8 → Warhorses D6
Agility D10 → Stealth* D8 {DP 18}
Fortitude D12 → Endurance D10 + Feats of Strength D12 +
Athletics D12 {DP 46}
Healing D4 → Medicine D4
Knowledge D4 → Orc Culture* D4 + Orc Tongue D8*
Melee Weapons Melee Weapons D12 → Axe D10 → (Great Axe
D12 + Focused Strike D10) + Bludgeon D10 → (Horseman’s
Mace D6 + Military Hammer D6 + Sledgehammer D10) +
Pole-arm/Spear D10 → Spear D10 + Sword D12 → (Greatsword
D12 + Multiple Strikes D10) {DP 98}
Ranged Weapons D10 → Crossbow D10 + Thrown D8
→ Spear D8
Unarmed D10 → Grapple D10 → Hold D10 + Kick D8 + Punch
D12 → Pulverizing strike D12 {DP 50}
Willpower D10 {DP 10}
* Alternative speciality placement
Notes:
Throk is a half-orc, an unfortunate fact few have failed to
recognize due to his exceptionally homely appearance. His
origin was one of violence and tragedy. His human mother was
called “Mère Aufahm” by her mercenary hirelings, and “The
Whore of the Orcs” by the goblinoid tribes. She was no victim
but a perpetrator, a blackheart who forced the women of her
remote town to copulate with the local Orc chieftain, only to
sell the unnaturally strong babies as warrior slaves to nomad
tribes in the far reaches of Psarmorum. “Throk” was named
after the sound made when she’d smack his large, crooked nose.
He was an exception to her business model, her own child
raised solely to protect her. But her luck ran out, as did Throk,
residents’ homes; several hostels near Crossroad; a main inn;
famous weaponsmith; many traders (and places for them to trade),
wagoners.
Guilds and Training
The Guardians’ Guild is a large, powerful guild of mercenaries
and explorers. If it can’t provide training in an area itself, it can
certainly direct members to those that can provide it. Crossroads
is also home to one of the most powerful mage colleges in the
Nation of Maedoen, sanctioned by both the Gan Creadigeath
and Shee Lords of Maedeon, both eager to learn and support
the dissemination of secrets beyond their own purview and
experience. The college, called the Octocirculi Academy, is headed
page 154 | Chapter 7: Maedoen
when Lucalla tribesmen raided, and slaughtered her and all of
her half-orc slaves. Throk fled into Meath forest, met many
strange allies, and emerged a year later near Crossroads, where
he suddenly appeared to help the elf Nathal escape a band of
marauding harpies near the forest border.
Advantages:
Underworld Contacts (1 point): Throk knows several shady char-
acters in less than reputable lines of work. Unarmed Defense
(2-point level; may use DP against physical Melee attacks).
Low-light Vision. Heightened Senses (smell). Disadvantage:
Unpleasant Appearance (2-point).
Special maneuvers:
Focused Strike (Melee Weapons → Axe): NN 8; +3 threat points
next attack round. Multiple Strikes (Melee Weapons → Sword):
NN 9; 3 strikes. Hold (Unarmed → Grapple): NN 4 + opposed roll.
Pulverizing Strike (new and NPC-specific: Unarmed → Punch):
NN 6, +6 threat points.
Equipment:
Great Axe of Shattering (a roll above 8 bypasses armor if attack
exceeds defender’s chosen Active Defense. Opponent’s armor
must make an item saving throw of double its die rank (i.e.
leather 2D6, Chain 2D8, etc) or be reduced one die-rank until
repaired. In addition, defender’s shields, if used, have a 2%
chance of shattering per threat point inflicted with Throk’s Axe
(including archetypal magical shields). He also owns several
spears, and a sledgehammer. Tylwyth Leather Armor (2D6).
Treasure:
Throk carries beef jerky, a few coins, and his weapons. Now
and then he may have a severed head in his bag as a temporary
souvenir. He’s not known to care much for treasure.
by a powerful Mind Mage, a master of psychogenics named
Bertran Forthwind. Crossroads, in addition, seems to attract skilled
individuals of all sorts.
Regional Monsters
Since Crossroads is a nexus of ley lines, and the location of the
Equinox Portal, there are innumerable monsters in the area. That
is why their town guard force is abnormally large and diverse in
capability. (See Chapter 6 for the bestiary penned by Signoret, the
honorary sage of Crossroads, and a renowned visiting wizard at the
Octocirculi Academy.)
Crossroads Adventure Hooks
Roll up, Roll Up! Canguistine the Magnificent is a showman beyond
compare. All he needs is a show. Since Crossroads is known to
have many monsters, he has come here to capture a menagerie
of beasts that he will take on tour to the seven corners of the
cosmos — or so he says. Canguistine is slender, dark, energetic,
charismatic and just a little sly: his magic is showy but of little
substance, as is his personality. He has money and will pay for
the capture of rare creatures — he might go so far as to use
the network of ley lines and the Equinox Portal to summon a
particularly spectacular monster, with the intention of capturing
Nathal (Crossroads)
Occupation: Gan Creadigeath Seelie emissary, adventurer
Race/Gender: Elf male
Abilities:
Animal Handling D8 → Hunting D8 + Farming D6 + Riding D8 +
Training D8
Arcanum D10 → Wards D10 {DP 20}
Agility D12 → Acrobatics D10 → (Balance D10 + Evasion D8 +
Tumbling D4) + Reflexes D10 → Reaction Time D8 {DP 62}
Fortitude D6 → Athletics D6 + Quick Recovery D4 {DP 16}
Healing D8 → Animals D6 + Humanoids D4
Influence D12 → Persuasion D12 + Sense Motive D12*
Illusion D12 → Create D10 {DP 52}
Knowledge D10 → History D8 → (Meath D4 + Gan Creadigeath
D4) + Religion D6 → Áes Dána D4 + Survival D10 → Forest D12
Melee Weapons D10 → Knife D6 + Sword D8 → Long D6 {DP
30}
Ranged Weapons D12 → Bow D10 → Short D6 + Crossbow D8
→ Hand D6 + Thrown D6 → Knife D4
Talent D12 → Performance D10 → Harp D8 + Singing D10
Unarmed D10 {DP 10}
Willpower D10 → Resistance D8 → vs. Mind Control D6 {DP 24}
* Alternative speciality placement
Spell Repertoire:
Arcanum: Learned: Demon Trap, Ward of Minor Protection.
Illusion: Learned: Chameleon, Illusory Attack. Mastered:
Dreamscape D8, Cone of Silence D6, Minor Illusion D10, Audio
Illusion D6.
Notes:
Nathal is a high elf and one of the Shee nobility, a son of
Titania — daughter of the Goddess Danu, Queen of the Fair
Folk of Meath. He is kind hearted and soft spoken, but of steely
resolve when facing evil and injustice. He is tall, with platinum
it of course. He just needs a hand… and guess who he wants to
recruit to give it to him?
Golden Acorn: A curious trader comes through the Equinox Portal;
a seelie with the form of a woman, and yet one that is as much
tree as flesh. Branches sprout from her hair, leaves flurry about
her and acorns tumble at her feet. Golden Acorn says she comes
from all times and none. She knows the adventurers and speaks in
riddles; she claims to be from outside their timeline, to know them
in the future — she is always confused as to what has and hasn’t
happened yet. She gives garbled hints as to what might occur,
while claiming it would be wrong to say too much. She offers
magical items for sale and also brings gifts: gifts given by the
hair (matching his scintillant armor), fair skin, and golden eyes,
earning him the appellation “The White Lion”. He represents
the Seelie Court as a liaison between the shee and the druids
in Crossroads, and presides over the annual Council of Renewal
between the humans of Maedoen and the Tuatha Dé Danann.
The council is a tradition that began with the pact made by the
earliest human with the natural creatures of the land, which
established the Dagda Priesthood.
Although Nathal has no quarrel with Mali, leader of the Gan
Creadigeath, he deeply questions the legitimacy of the matri-
archal order. His mother Titania was a party to the treachery
that destroyed the older, male, druidical order of Cernunnos.
He was also there centuries ago when his father decreed that
the Cernunnos bloodline be honored by making the son of Mab,
daughter of moon goddess Arianrhod, the first Eldritch Man
(which has proved to be a curse to those who hold the “honor”).
Nathal knows that Mab has since joined the Unseelie Courts
planning retaliation against his father Oberon.
Despite the shee’s tumultuous history, Nathal is not a
proponent of their leaving Maedoen for another fabled realm
deemed their homeland, and therefore shuns pilgrimages to
Adweth Hill. He thinks the foretold exodus is a misreading of
legend, and that the realms can be made to be their heaven
with enough vision. In this he finds an ally in Mother Mali,
because she would like to see integration between the human
culture and shee.
Equipment:
Sword of Fae Might +4, bypassing mundane shields and armor
on a roll over 13. Magic Breast Plate and elven chain armor
2D8. Cloak of Invisibility (20 energy points).
Treasure:
Carries only a few coins (20–200) with him; has a hoard, 1000–
10,000 coins value in gems and “arboreal” art, in domicile.
Chapter 7: Maedoen | page 155
 Bertran Forthwind (Crossroads)
Occupation: Chancellor, Octocirculi Academy
Race/Gender: Human male
Abilities:
Animal Handling D10 → Riding D6
Arcanum D12 → Artificing D12 + Potions D10 + Wards D8 {DP
42}
Agility D10 {DP 10}
Alteration* D10 → Change D8 + Control D8 + Create D8 +
Sense D8 {DP 42}
Conjuration* D8 → Change D8 + Control D8 + Create D8 +
Sense D8 {DP 40}
Fortitude D8 {DP 8}
Elementalism* D12 → Change D12 + Control D12 + Create D12
+ Sense D12 {DP 60}
Influence D10 → Persuasion D10
Knowledge D12 → Anthropology D10 + Appraisal D8 + Court &
Politics D10 + Engineering D8 + History D10 → Maedoen D8 +
Linguistics D10 + Mathematics D10 → Astronomy D8
+ Religion D8
Melee Weapons D8 → Knife D6 {DP 14}
Perception D10 → Notice D10
Psychogenic* D12 → Change D12 + Control D12 + Create D12
+ Sense D12 {DP 108}
Ranged Weapons D6
Skullduggery D8
*Bertrand has mastered all listed Psychogenic spells at D12.
For the other Pillars, the GM may assume all known spells
are learned, and in his repertoire (roll basic + specialty). His
Psychogenic DP usually involves telekinesis.
Notes:
Bertrand, although plucky and adventurous, is a serious
man. Medium of height and build, he appears at first glance
unremarkable. He is never foppish in dress or demeanor,
but is rather quiet and unassuming, usually seen wearing a
simple tunic and cloak. There are always several gnarled, dark
page 156 | Chapter 7: Maedoen
wooden wands slipped into his belt, alongside a simple athamé
(ceremonial dagger). Bertrand — along with the college’s seven
appointed archmage mentors (one teacher per Pillar, their
identities never quite certain) — is dedicated to bringing forth
the societal boons of thaumaturgy. The academy accepts ten
students a year, male or female, of any intelligent (and even
innately magical) race, so long as they show latent talent, and
are not associated with the Gan Creadigeath, whose power he
believes weakens and stifles society.
The Gan Creadigeath, in turn, underestimates his influence and
vision for a more advanced, and decidedly arcane, civilization.
Travelers will note that the college grounds is testament to his
vision, with lamps lit by magic, and details like a small sourceless
stream running moat-like around the academy, softly aglow at
night. The beautiful, circular meeting table in the main meeting
hall can display an explorable map of the known realms, like a
mahogany scrying surface. Even the college’s sewage system
and aqueducts are magically aflow. He happily entertains
townsfolk each year with fireworks displays, and throws feasts
for nobility with meals cooked by invisible hands, magic, and
elemental fire. The Academy recognizes gods and goddesses,
but does not encourage worship so much as a healthy respect
for their power. The Eight, as the staff of the academy call
themselves, secretly wish to convince Gwalter Ap Dagda to
allow Nerthach, the Eldritch Man, to seek asylum within their
walls as a blatant challenge to the ancient pact that holds the
realms in thrall to the Seelie Court. He sees as a golden age
the days when the druids were the powerful masters of nature,
rather than the mere proxies of the fairies of Meath forest.
He’d wish the peaceful return of the order of Cernunnos, not
to destroy the Gan Creadigeath, but to integrate and reform,
but understands that peace is an unrealistic expectation should
those circumstances arise.
Equipment:
Wand of Binding, 3D10 incapacitation, maintainable. Wand
of Psionics, adds 2D10 to all Psychogenic threat points (200
energy points), single target or area effect. Wrhydri bracers
(magical leather), +1 to passive armor, and +D6 DR once/round
vs. any spell-based threat points. Small dagger, athamé (more
often used as a focus item).
Treasure:
Betrand keeps only a few items on his person, like his wands,
and little to no coinage. The college itself, however, is a practical
museum of strange and dangerous artifacts, the value of which
is indeterminable. A thief may loot the treasury of the college
and come away with several hundred thousand coinage worth
in wealth, with 100% chance of 3D12 magic items in the haul
(many cursed), but it’s unlikely any but the most legendary
footpads would ever make it out alive.
adventurers’ future selves — or by their friends. She is unwilling,
or unable, to say which amongst the band still live in the future
days she has visited. Golden Acorn’s ramblings contain hints and
hooks, suggestions and warnings, that might prompt the party in
the direction of adventure. She comes and goes – her presence
presaged by roots growing from floors, vines from ceilings, and a
scattering of squirrels that run at her feet. When she visits, there is
no guarantee that to her the meeting will be consecutive with the
last encounter: the fifth time she meets the party might, to her, be
the first or twentieth!
Auxiliaries of the Guardians’ Guild: Heavens above, why are so many
hideous things coming through the Equinox Portal? Can they help
uncover the reasons behind it all? Worse than any time on record,
things strange and bizarre are overrunning the town guard and
even Virgil’s stout guildsmen. Will the party sign on as probationary
members of the guild to aid in this time of crisis?
Ygmir’s Gambit: The mayor of Phantos (over the border in Meath)
has hit upon an ingenious scheme. He would trade cheaply bought
plundered goods for foodstuffs, bring the food back to Phantos,
sell it for a great profit, buy yet more stolen luxuries, and trade
again ad infinitum until he is as wealthy and powerful as a prince.
He looks to Crossroads as a place where he can make his trades
— but the Duchess Sibyl would never allow Phantos’s brigand-won
treasures to be sold on her town’s streets.
Ygmir needs dupes who will carry this task out for him. He seeks
kind-hearted adventurers; to these he will pose as one concerned
for the poor starving citizens of Phantos — won’t they help him
bring food to his suffering people? He will even go so far as to
pretend to be a secret opponent of Phantos and the Seven to gain
sympathy. The dupes are granted entry to the “City of Life”, and
might make several trips to and from the city before realising the
great profits Ygmir is making and what little advantage is coming to
the oppressed people; Petal Violet might tip them off, seeking to
recruit them to her own cause. And what of Phantos himself? Will
this charade amuse him? If it doesn’t, the adventurers might find
themselves on the sandy floor of the Jotterthug Stadium.
Nathal’s Fear: The elven emissary has received word that a dark
mirror realm — one that is a duplicate of Crossroads but a mirror
image, where that which is evil has become good and vice versa,
is drawing metaphorically near to the Equinox gateways and that
an overlap will occur. His concerns have been dismissed by the
duchess, since the sage Signoret has detected no such dangers
and neither have any of her seers. But Nathal has not been misled,
a shadow is about to fall over Crossroads that will see some of
its residents intertwined with their mirror images — a Crossroads
where the Guardian Guild oppresses rather than protects and evil
entities are welcomed through the portals…
Chapter 7: Maedoen | page 157
Psarmorum
Description
Psarmorum is home to racial and religious purists descended from
the Templars and pilgrims. They derive their magical strength
from their unrecognized demon blood, and worship Sol Invictus,
whom they call the Lord and the one true god; but who actually is
a powerful demon, Baphomet. The government is headed by the
Grand Master, and strongly influenced by the politically powerful
Order of Knights, the Bishop, and other noblemen and religious
figures.
Geography: Geographically, Psarmorum is bounded on the west by
the Orllewin Sea. This is the Maedoen name, which the Psarmorum
settlers eventually adopted, having originally named it after
an ocean of Earth. From there, the nation is structured much
as France is, with coastal plains giving way to hilly forests and
mountainous terrain in the south and southeast, although none
of the landmarks are specific analogs to those on Earth. In the
center, between the plains and the forests, is a small desert area
with several small, fertile valleys. There, the first settlers of the area
found an abandoned city that reminded them of their destination:
Today, it is the site of the new Temple Mount.
As one travels farther south or north, the land becomes less settled
and more dangerous. There are strange, ungodly things; monsters
and abominations that hunger for the flesh or dreams of man. Ships
that sail too far out to sea, beyond the small and desolate islands
off the nation’s coasts, do not return. The Istigh Sea is unnavigable
because of maelstroms and monsters. Only to the west do
the settled lands continue, and then they become significantly
dangerous. Along the northern half of the nation’s western border
is the Forest of Meath, where demons and angels dwell. That forest
is thought, by the uneducated, to be a gateway on Earth to both
Heaven and Hell. Wiser heads know that it is a place of frightening
magic, which serves as passage to the heathen nation of Meath,
and contains gateways to Heaven and Hell.
page 158 | Chapter 7: Psarmorum
To the south and east, strange nomads dwell beyond the nation’s
borders; on the edge of the unsettled lands, or beyond. Often, they
are not quite human. Many of them have strange eyes, hair, or skin;
usually, a unique tribal trait. These tribes are universally heathens
in the Templars’ eyes. The people of Psarmorum and these barbar-
ians war often, and on great scales. They are one of the reasons
that the Templar Knights and their armies, much larger than those
of Maedoen, have not crushed their Celtic enemies.
History: The generally known history of Psarmorum is soon told.
A large band of Templar Knights, including members of all ranks,
protecting a group of several thousand on a long pilgrimage from
France to Jerusalem, somehow found themselves in a new and
different land instead. Separated from the world they knew and
with no way back, the knights organized the “immigrants” in order
to ensure survival. That began the pattern of government by the
Poor Knights of the Faith that continues to this day. The Knights
claimed the new land for civilization, named a Master Templar
of the region and a provisional bishop (pending approval by the
Pope), and went about making the land livable. After a century or
two of defending themselves against the nightmares of Ainerêve
(records are vague), the Templar Knights named the land with
some forgotten Latin tag as a sign of piety: this name soon was
shortened to Psarmorum. They raised their master to grand master
and decided the Pope’s approval was implicit, accepting that their
separation from France and Rome was permanent. The nation
flourished, growing mighty in battle and strong in faith; its priests
working miracles and its leaders advised by angels. So far, the war
of two hundred years with Maedoen is just a grace note on the
nation’s already long history.
The nation’s secret histories, recorded only within the vaults of the
Temple Mount, are not so simple. The outer circle of Psarmorum’s
elite — low-ranking Templars, nobles, ecclesiastics, those holding
office — know more of the nation’s early years. Angels and archan-
gels of the Lord came to the knights and pilgrims lost in a strange
land, offering blessings, aid, and guidance in founding a new nation
and renewed church in Ainerêve. As part of this aid, these celestials
shared their essence and nature with the Templars, imbuing them
and their children with the heavenly strength and righteous power
needed to combat the strange enemies that assailed them. The first
generation of half-angel children were called the Nephilim; they
were trained by the angels to be guardians of the realm. Legend
has it that they still live, and patrol the far reaches of the land,
guarding it against incursion. The Church Celestial, whose colors of
gold, red, and white fly above Psarmorum’s cathedrals and armies,
was but a change of lineaments for the old church, since it made
sense to use new names and forms of worship for a fresh start
in a new land. The holy trinity of Sol, Luna, and Astra (sun, moon,
stars) is much as it ever was. Celestials (angels to the unlettered)
still confer their wisdom upon those of high rank, and may aid the
pious of any station.
The inner circle of Psarmorum’s elite, the highest-ranking
Templars and nobles, know more of the truth. The leaders of the
original band of Knights Templar secretly worshipped the demon
Baphomet. Knights adjudged worldly and wicked enough were
initiated into occult rites, and promised wealth and power. When
the stars were right, the demon was able to use the link magically
forged by worship to summon the Templars and the pilgrims they
escorted from Earth to Ainerêve. It was not angels who came
to the aid of the pilgrimage, but Baphomet’s vassal demons in
heavenly guise, who granted the power to survive. Today, the
blood of demons flows, to lesser or greater degrees, in the veins of
all Psarmorum’s nobility, kept strong by periodic reinfusion.
The demons who started the slow process of corruption have
guided and shaped Psarmorum since its beginning, through always-
plausible and wise-seeming advice to the high and mighty. The
Church, too, has changed, and the faith is not what it was. It was
close at first, and there were genuine saints early on whose relics
now have power in this magical world. The celestial imagery was
a cloak, though, and the change of names essential to Baphomet’s
plan, since names have power.
He presents himself as Sol (Invictus), a pure, implacable, and
warlike god; whose other aspects (Luna, Astra) deal with facets
such as mercy and a savior figure. Baphomet, through his priests,
talks of brotherhood, purity, and faith, so as to harness those who
believe in such things to work for him. Over time, relying on faulty
human memory, he has magically changed scripture to stress
unquestioning obedience, fierce piety, conformity, and intolerance
of mystical creatures, outsiders, or any that are lax in devotion.
Even so, redemptive aspects remain, and clues for the truly percep-
tive.
Baphomet, like many demons, sought power. Unlike the rest, he
had cunning and patience, kept his bargains, and achieved it. He
and his vassal demons left Satan’s court in Hell when his plans
were ripe. With the aid of two other entities, he was able to work
the great magic that brought the knights and pilgrims to Ainerêve.
In exchange, they gain some measure of power via worship as
the aspects of Luna and Astra in his unholy trinity. (Luna is his
consort, Lilith; Astra’s identity is unknown.) In order to harness
the full strength of (demon-tainted) humanity over the long term,
Baphomet needed to have good and evil serve him alike, so had to
maintain the illusion of righteousness. His ‘celestials’ thus include
not only disguised demons but also peris, recruited from the stable
land of Persian myth.
Peris are good, very attractive fay with magical powers, long life,
and the passions of mortals, who often take winged form. They
are happy to help deserving souls in angelic ways; so Baphomet
employs peris for such lesser matters and to keep up appearances,
and at times to bolster the morale of troops raiding Maedoen. In
return for their aid, he promised them help in their eternal war with
the cruel and ugly deevs (Persian demons). Peris often need help
from mortal heroes in this struggle, and Baphomet supplies them
knights of great prowess who prove not to be “morally flexible”
enough for high rank. He keeps serving peris out of his way in the
Forest of Meath, where they clash with other demons (all deevs to
them).
Baphomet now has a temporal and spiritual power base in
Psarmorum: a nation of fierce warriors dedicated to him (in
his persona as Sol Invictus), with little of the fickleness of pure
demons. What his plans are, only he knows — world domination?
true godhood? Only the wisest of sages know enough to speculate.
Baphomet’s success infuriated Satan and his demons beyond
measure, and they strive against him and his people just as hard
as they ever fought against good. In turn, Baphomet makes sure
that Psarmorum’s rulers ruthlessly hunt down and destroy those
demons not in thrall to him, and those people they “turn from the
light”. This helps keep the populace on their toes, suspicious, and in
a state of fear, and thus more easily controlled. And since Church
and State are “fighting the good fight” against genuine servants of
darkness, creatures of the pit, and devil-worshippers, who could
doubt their essential virtue?
The People: People living in Psarmorum come in two basic types:
citizens and brothers. Brothers are those who served in the army.
They are typically accorded more freedom and authority than
citizens, that is, everyone else. Citizens can be influential, by virtue
of noble birth or wealth, and brothers can get trod upon, say, if
they were simple infantry in the military but have returned to
civilian life. A person’s status as brother or citizen is secondary. A
wealthy citizen still has power over a poor mason, but a brother
mason has an advantage over a citizen mason down the street.
Baphomet’s demons have often been surprised by the people they
think they control, for instance, when the Knights Templar decided
there was no return to Earth, and avoided a complete civil war.
Still, they are pleased with their work. As strictly conformist as the
country is now, the demons could leave it alone for years without
the risk of it becoming any more tolerant or pleasant in nature.
Baphomet sees the benefit of alloying evil with some good to
make it stronger, and gradually extending the inner circle of true
initiates. His demons are more impatient, and would like to see a
wholly dissolute nation that openly worships Baphomet (which
Chapter 7: Psarmorum | page 159
would of course burn itself up in an orgy of demonic debauchery
in a generation or two). Baphomet keeps them on plan, working on
the very slow corruption that he knows is the only certain way to
retain his power. The demons still compete through their charges,
as is their nature. They have a lot of work to do, but that’s what
they get for starting out on a people as dedicated as a large group
of knights and pilgrims.
Regional Pantheon
The Holy Trinity (Sol, Luna, Astra), and the Celestials (the host of
angels). Opposing them, Satan and his demonic hordes.
People of Psarmorum may not be faithful to a man, but those that
aren’t pretend to be. To call its atmosphere that of an inquisition
would be excessive, but not by a great deal. One who does not go
to church weekly gets funny looks, less business, and sometimes
social abuse (thrown vegetables and the like). A person or family
who is not pious enough is encouraged to change, and those who
do not change convincingly enough must go on a state-organized
pilgrimage to find their faith. People suspected of demon-
worshipping in any form whatsoever are thoroughly investigated
and, if found guilty, executed or sentenced to hard labor.
Farther from the nation’s centers of population, there are villages
that are harsher or more lax. There are even some villages where
they worship not at all, or the wrong god. When the Templar
Knights learn of such a place, they punish the disbelievers.
Population
Moderate. There are some very densely-populated cities in
Psarmorum, but there’s a lot of space that is devoted entirely to
farming or lies unused.
Economy
Since Maedoen is the only nearby other nation, and the people of
Psarmorum consider them godless heathens, there isn’t a lot of
real trade between them. Individual merchants sometimes brave
the forest to sell and bring back goods that bring high prices, but
there is nothing on a significant scale, and no “official” exports or
imports.
What the people of Maedoen most prefer to purchase from
Psarmorum’s brave traders is the weaponry they manage to get
through Meath. Psarmorum produces sturdy, if not exceptional,
weapons and armor, and Maedoen is happy to have it. Merchants
traveling between the two nations (not to mention just to and from
the Forest of Meath) also make good money selling the regional
artwork of each.
There are tribes of heathens, usually barbaric, who live beyond the
nation’s boundaries and threaten the people’s welfare. But even so,
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there are some traders who make their money selling good steel
weapons to the warlike tribes or bringing back their native arts as
oddities. These carvings, musical instruments, and hide paintings
are occasionally considered beautiful works of art, but are usually
treated as little more than cheap curios.
Internally, Psarmorum is largely agrarian, as it must be to feed its
populace. Many large farming communities have reliable buyers in
the middlemen who transport and sell the crops (mostly grains) to
the major cities. Threats to the nation’s welfare — from barbarians,
monsters, demons, demon worshippers, and others — are common
enough to keep the military elite in control of the country and the
military well-funded. Danger from the west is rare and often more
easily faced on land, so Psarmorum’s navy is weak.
Local Authorities
Psarmorum maintains an army large enough to withstand
prolonged assault from a serious force. They have had to do so
several times over the nation’s long history, so nobody questions
the choice to have the army now. Only the Templar order is
allowed to field an organized and armed force larger than ten
people, so all members of the military belong, if only loosely, to
the order. The army is called “the Sword of Invictus” officially, but
the title is rarely used outside formal writings. In conversation, it is
simply “the army,” “the military,” or “the sergeants’ lesser brothers.”
The army has five main stations in Psarmorum. One is near the
Temple Mount, and the other four are near clusters of significant
cities or points of tactical importance. Most cities also have smaller
garrisons to provide police services and Defense until the larger
units march to relieve them.
Noteworthy Landmarks
Most landmarks are better described on a local level, but a few
stand out.
Astra’s Threshold: This is a giant archway formed within the trunk
of a massive, ancient oak tree, leading into a giant, dark hollow for
most of the year. The Bishop of Psarmorum, head of the Order of
Chaplains, gathers here with the highest ranking of the priesthood
during the summer solstice to greet the angels (peris), who often
lead them into battle. This site is actually one of the mysterious
Equinox Gates, a transdimensional portal commandeered by the
will of Baphomet and the strong beliefs of Psarmorum’s devout.
Legend has it that the tree absorbed the souls of the fallen Shee
Lords during Astra’s Last Battle, their blood fusing with its sap.
Ceremonial use of shee blood can wrench the gates open during
the equinoxes. The local devil worshipers have tried this on several
occasions, but Astra’s Threshold is well guarded by the Poor
Knights of the Faith.
Mont Blanc: It’s not the same shape as the original, and it’s a little
bit shorter, but it is always covered in snow, and at least there’s
no Italy to contest its ownership in Ainerêve. The settlers from
Earth named it Mont Blanc before they knew any better, and the
name stuck. Also in the southeast, the three monasteries that dot
its slopes serve as common destinations for the more devoted
pilgrims.
Most of the remains of Grand Master de Sablé II, one of the more
renowned grand masters, were interred somewhere on the slopes
of Mont Blanc. Most legends claim that he was buried with great
wealth and that his body will rise, armed with his great sword
Valiance and his heavy armor, to defend Psarmorum should the
need arise.
The first is true, the second is somewhat off: the chaplains who
oversaw his burial worked sorceries on the grave. Invoked by the
proper rituals, de Sablé II’s spirit comes to defend any holy man on
Mont Blanc (especially in the monasteries). Only a member of the
Order of Chaplains can call on him, and each chaplain only once.
Grand River: So named for its enormous width and inexorably
steady flow, the Grand runs from east to west, cutting the nation
of Psarmorum roughly in half. At some places in flatter terrain, the
river is as much as two to three miles wide.
There, it is gentle and fairly slow; it is never low enough to be
forded, but the villages that thrive along its slower reaches provide
bounties of fish for the rest of the nation, and there are constantly
sails on the water there. Higher in the hills, the Grand River is
narrower, faster, and much less forgiving. The mountain river men
who float rafts and barges filled with ore and other goods down to
the cities from the mountains and high towns are legends of sorts
in the rest of Psarmorum.
Men who ply the river in quieter waters share tall tales inspired by
the horrible rapids and white waters the mountain river men must
face. Many of the stories aren’t too far off the mark.
Pont Glorieux. Facing the Forest of Meath to the northwest,
upriver from the unnavigable Istigh Sea, sits the Pont Glorieux, the
glorious bridge. Massive, raised of smooth and polished granite
and trimmed with marble, the Pont Glorieux is wide enough for
one hundred men to cross abreast. Massive walls and two strong
garrisoned towers protect the west end of the bridge from assault.
The bridge was named not only for its physical magnificence but
also for the ambitions of the grand master who commissioned it.
It is the eastern end of the Safe Road through Meath, originally
meant for a triumphal mass invasion of Maedoen. Other threats to
Psarmorum and internal politics mean this has never taken place as
envisaged.
The town to the east of the great bridge is one of the
army’s five main stations, with ten thousand warriors and their
support troops, much siege weaponry (and the teams to operate
them), and two generals from the Order of Knights to command
them. Usually, about half the troops are on patrol, throughout the
northern forest of Psarmorum, or along the Safe Road. Special
task forces sometimes dare the Forest of Meath itself. As well as
general tradesmen and so on in town, some trade (legitimate and
otherwise) goes on with Maedoen and Meath.
Sol’s Gauntlets: These twin fortresses are so-named because they
guarded the original northern river border of Psarmorum at a
natural crossing point. Psarmorum has long since expanded into
the northern forests beyond, and the fortresses now guard a
mighty bridge that now provides the main way across the Grand
river. Although the garrison is only a token force, a town of
significant size has grown around bridge and fortresses. There is a
great deal of wealth to be had by trading at the bridge, rather than
spending a week or longer finding the nearest ferry or lesser bridge
and paying more for a slower crossing.
Guilds and Training
There is only one “guild” notable on a national scale in Psarmorum,
and it is central to the country’s entire way of life. It offers training
on a very limited scale to non-members.
The Orders of Knights, Sergeants, and Chaplains: Originally, each
of these was a specific rank among the Poor Knights of the Faith.
Knights were the order’s champions, heavy cavalry, deadly in battle
and inspiring to men. Sergeants were the light cavalry and heavy
infantry, formidable opponents on their own, but especially skilled
in fighting as groups or units. Chaplains were ordained priests and
served the order’s spiritual needs.
After many centuries in which a nation developed around the order
and its practices, these offices have changed somewhat. Templar
knights no longer have to swear to poverty and chastity, and all
but the most skilled buy their way into the position with some
financial gift to the Temple Mount. They serve Psarmorum as the
army’s generals (the least experienced knights occasionally serve
as lower-ranking officers, but never lower than lieutenant colonel).
About half the nobility belong to the Order of Knights, and the
grand master is the head of this order, though he is rarely the most
martially capable.
Chapter 7: Psarmorum | page 161
Though they are all called knights, the order has a complex system
of determining superiority. One knight may outrank another based
on military rank (a brigadier general defers to a major general,
for example), achievements (a knight honored for defending a
pilgrimage against banditry has more sway than one who has
received no honors), or experience (based mostly on age, but also
accounting for time in active service). Family has no official effect
on influence within the Order of Knights, but a knight whose family
has made a significant donation to the Temple Mount is more
likely to be recognized by the grand master and earn the esteem
necessary to boss around lesser knights.
Sergeants are significantly more numerous than knights. This is
largely because joining the Order of Sergeants comes with fewer
expectations of nobility and wealth. Becoming a sergeant is a
matter of aptitude and dedication, and few who have even one of
those are turned away. Rarely, when the Order of Knights refuses
a nobleman’s son, that nobleman may buy a place in the Order of
Sergeants for the son, it being better than nothing. Sergeants make
up most of the lower-ranking officers in the nation’s military, nearly
everything from second lieutenant to colonel.
Military Ranks of Psarmorum
Grand Master Lieutenant-Sergeant
General, major 2nd Lieutenant-Sergeant
General, brigadier Sergeant
Captain or colonel Corporal
Lieutenant colonel Archers
Major Men-at-arms
Sergeant-colonel Proletariat
Devil worshippers
TY: Minor to Exceptional
TD: Minor: Arcane D8 ~ Melee D4 ~ Ranged D4 ~ Unarmed D4
Standard: Arcane 2D8 ~ Melee D6 ~ Ranged D6 ~ Unarmed D4
Exceptional: Arcane 3D8 ~ Melee 2D6 ~ Ranged D8
~ Unarmed D4
HP: Minor 8, standard 32, exceptional 48 [normal, medium,
mundane]
DR: Standard +1 (cloak), exceptional D6 to D8 (armor) as well
ST: Minor D4, standard D8, exceptional D12
AR: D6
Notes:
Devil worshippers: Mostly human in appearance, devil worship-
pers usually travel in groups of ten to thirty. At their worst, they
have some light demonic traits, like red-tinted skin and nubs of
horns. They despise Sol and revere Satan in all his wickedness. To
worship him, they perform evils in his name, from ruining wagons
to eating babies. Most travel rather than settling; when there
is a stationary community that worships something other than
page 162 | Chapter 7: Psarmorum
Knights occasionally serve at similar ranks as the highest-ranked
sergeants; officially, when a sergeant-colonel and a knight-colonel
disagree, the knight takes precedence. In practice, there is usually
a higher-ranking knight nearby who knows enough to take the
sergeant’s advice. But not always — some knights look down on
the sergeants and stubbornly refuse to see wisdom in their words;
others are trapped by the politics that often surround military
decisions, and let that force their hands.
Because no citizen of Psarmorum may participate in an organized
armed force without being a member of the Templars, the Temple
Mount created the Order of Sergeants. Citizens who join the
army are inducted as “lesser brothers,” which basically lets them
become infantry without initiating them into the Templars’ serious
mysteries. Not all members of the Order of Sergeants serve the
Poor Knights in a military capacity, and many have other skills.
Knights govern and the chaplains see to faith, but everything else
falls to the sergeants. Often today this means administrative work.
Most craftwork falls to non-initiated citizens, who are directed and
funded by sergeants.
The Order of Chaplains started out seeing to the piety of
the initiated Poor Knights of the Faith, but today it serves all
Psarmorum. All ordained priests, from the Bishop of the city of
the Temple Mount on down, are initiated members of the order.
They learn how to read, give services, perform expected rituals
Sol, it usually consists of wayward humans and not monsters.
Devil worshippers control sorceries proportional to the evils they
perpetrate. Some bands never do anything worse than breaking
things and blaspheming, and they have minor magical powers.
Others are more dedicated to Hell, and they make animal or
human sacrifices and engage in ritual orgies. Their powers are
more varied and more potent. Minor worshippers can cast Threat
spells via Invocation. Standard worshippers have that basic
power, but can also Curse via Arcanum. Exceptional worshippers
have Threat, Curse, and Conjure (imps or demons). The GM may
add or subtract powers as needed, of course.
WAT: Minor worshippers have crude weapons and only minor
harm spells. Standard worshippers wear cloaks unhallowed by
demons, granting them +1 damage reduction against every
threat point, and get weapon-specific bonuses. Exceptional
worshippers often carry magical items of unhallowed nature,
and sometimes wear leather to chain armor (D6 to D8). Treasure:
minor $50, standard $100, exceptional $200.
 Gethra
TY: Standard
TD: Ranged 2D10 ~ Melee ~ 2D8 ~ Unarmed 1D10
HP: 46 (23/23) [normal, medium, mundane]
DR: By armor or shield type
ST: 2D6
AR: 1D8
Notes:
These creatures are not overly common, but they appear with
enough regularity that they cannot be considered unique. Gethra
walk digitigrade, on cloven hooves, and have the furred flanks
of a goat or deer up to their waists. Above the waist, they have a
muscled bare chest, and antlers top their heads. They fight with
crude spears or axes, or steel weapons if they can steal them.
Gethra usually work alone and are best known for kidnapping
innocent villagers. Most presume that the gethra eat them,
and they often do, but some gethra try to make their own little
villages out of their prisoners.
WAT: Gethra carry crude spears or axes, or steel weapons if they
can steal them. They do benefit from specific weapon bonuses,
but not mastery bonuses (as per all standard monsters). Treasure:
These creatures usually hold onto miscellaneous stolen goods,
D4 × $100 worth.
(weddings, funerals, etc.), and generally see to people’s immortal
souls. The Order of Chaplains is the Church in Psarmorum.
After the ruling of Grand Master d’Echallens changed magic from
a source of evil to (at least in part) a blessing from the Lord Sol, it
became the province of the Order of Chaplains. When the army
marches, the chaplains march with it not just to lead daily prayer,
but also to support it with their arcane knowledge. Chaplains use
their magic in the course of their work to heal the faithful, exorcise
demons, and strike down the unworthy, but also to manifest the
divine favor of Sol in their services. Just as the grand master is
rarely the best warrior, the Bishop of Psarmorum (foremost ecclesi-
astical authority in the nation and head of the Order of Chaplains)
is not always the mightiest theurgist, but more often a man skilled
in debate, philosophy, rhetoric, and politics.
Regional Monsters
Monsters in Psarmorum usually wander in from the unsettled lands
beyond the borders. They are embodiments of the people’s fears:
vaguely demonic, vaguely human, all unholy or heathen. Examples
include devil worshippers and gethra.
Temple Mount
Description: The Temple Mount is the nerve center of all life for
the Poor Knights of the Faith and the society that has risen around
them in the phantom world of Ainerêve. The term Temple Mount
properly refers only to the fortress-cathedral at the foot of a
mountain, but most folk apply it to the grand city that surrounds
it. Only scholars and chroniclers remember and use the city’s
old name, Piusarmorum. It is a beehive of chaplain and sergeant
activity, and it is from here that Grand Master de Chartres IV
directs his knights’ activities.
Large enough to contain all of the order’s official members in case
of siege or emergency, the Temple Mount was designed by Psar-
morum’s first inhabitants as a combination of temple and fortress.
It provided both consecrated ground whereon the order’s chaplains
could conduct holy services, and a stronghold against the terrifying
creatures who constantly threatened the Poor Knights in this
strange land. The walls first built around the Temple Mount marked
out an area 300 by 550 yards and stood at the height of three men.
Within the walls’ safety, the gold-domed temple provided a respite
from the apparently godless surroundings.
Since then, heathen armies have razed the Temple Mount fortress
twice and its surroundings several times more. Each time, the
Templar Knights have rebuilt more strongly than before. Today, the
Temple Mount is visible from leagues away, its hundred-yard-high
cathedral roof and all six of its slender towers sheathed in beaten
gold. Its walls, now twenty yards high and heavily defended by
crossbow and ballista, guard several square miles appropriated
by the holy order. The order’s experience with sieges ensures it
is prepared: the walls are well stocked with missiles and other
armaments, and food enough to keep a full complement of troops
fed for weeks. Scaling the wall with siege ladders is made hard by
the long iron spikes sticking out from the battlements.
The city itself is a sprawling affair. It originally grew up to house
the pilgrims who came with the Poor Knights into Ainerêve. The
city’s first incarnation was as a small agricultural center. With
each rebuild, the Templar Knights have had more manpower and
a stronger economy for reconstruction. Archived maps of the city
show its evolution from a spread-out farming community to an
efficiently designed, stone-built city, with disordered peripheral
areas (and, alas, a perennially troublesome waste-removal system).
Almost one out of every ten buildings is a temple, minor or major,
to Sol, and any inhabitants who don’t pray regularly get strange
looks from their neighbors. Eventually, Templar chaplains come to
visit such malcontents, who either reaffirm their piety or are told
to go on a state-sanctioned pilgrimage to one of Psarmorum’s holy
sites.
Chapter 7: Psarmorum | page 163
A large oasis, fed by an underground river, sits beside the Temple
Grand Master de Chartres IV (Temple Mount)
Mount and city. It is used for local agriculture. Pipes from the river
Occupation: Grand Master, nobleman, and knight
itself provide water for the city’s needs, and keep the many
Race/Gender: Human male
underground cisterns full. The city cisterns, which can be
separated from the river in case of poison, hold water enough
Abilities:
for a three-month siege or drought. Should the city be lost, the
Agility D6 → Speed D4 + Stealth D6* + Reflexes D6 → (Reaction
Temple Mount itself could hold against a siege for six months with
Time D6 + Balance D4) {DP 32}
full barracks.
Animal Handling D10 → Riding D8
Arcanum D6
Population
Fortitude D6 → Athletics D12 → (Swimming D6 + Climbing D6)
Heavy. More than a hundred thousand people inhabit the Temple
{DP 30}
Mount’s city.
Healing D10 → Humanoids D8
Influence → Intimidation D10 + Coercion D6 + Blackmail D6
Economy
Knowledge D12 → Augury D6 → Astrology + Court & Politics
Of all the towns in Psarmorum, the Temple Mount produces the
D10 → (Bureaucracy D10 + Monarchy D10) + Engineering D12
least. It is home to the nation’s bureaucracy. At the top sits Grand
→ (Fortifications D12 + Siege Engines D10) + Gather Informa-
Master de Chartres IV, and beneath him are scores upon scores
tion D12 + Linguistics D6 → Celestial D4 + Mathematics D6
of the order’s knights, sergeants, and chaplains, all with minutely-
→ Astronomy D4 + Military D12 → (Leadership D12 + Battle
differentiated rank and eager to advance, and hinder others’
Tactics D12 + Magical Tactics D12)
advancement or accelerate others’ decline. Commands from the
Melee Weapons D12 → Sword D12 → Long D10 {DP 34}
grand master or his lieutenants and other lesser functionaries
Ranged D6 → Bow D6
are sent from the Temple Mount to hundreds of knights and
Willpower D12 → Resistance D6 → (Psychogenics D8 + Pain D6
sergeants, wandering chaplains, and mayors across the land every
+ Mind Control D8) {DP 40}
day, and couriers return with as many reports, all of which need to
be read, recorded, summarized, and eventually archived.
* Alternative speciality placement

The Temple Mount is a busy place, and nearly everyone who lives
Equipment:
there serves the vast bureaucracy in some way. Templar factors
Chartres IV has access to many weapons, but only trains
organize the purchase of food for the city and for the many
regularly with a longsword, and fences in several styles for
beasts of burden that the town uses. Local farmers only produce
exercise. He usually carries a fine grade longsword (+4 harm
enough in a year to feed the city for a month. The order demands
bonus, +2 init bonus) and a Medium shield (+1). He wears a fine
a standing tithe of any and all surplus from the other farmers
set of mail, embellished only slightly to distinguish his rank (2D6
of Psarmorum. Those who tithe most earn payment from the
armor).
Templars’ deep coffers and favor from the order, assuming they
aren’t already in financial or social debt to the Temple Mount and
Treasure:
the grand master.
As a Grand Master he has access to the full treasury of his
nation, but chooses to live as simply as his station will allow.
Much of the Temple Mount’s economic strength — besides being
the capital city of a powerful totalitarian government — comes
He has an attunement with mystic forces (Arcanum D6) but
from the debt that all businessmen incur as a matter of course. As
knows no spells and has not developed any of this raw talent.
the only legal armed force in Psarmorum, the Poor Knights of the
Faith take it for granted that their knights and sergeants will escort
merchants, pilgrims, and other travelers to protect them from Important Entities
bandits, heathens, and the abominations that never quite seem Grand Master de Chartres IV: The grand master is not a large man,
to go away. While no traveler is forced to accept this protection, and does not impress people with his image, size, or appetites. He
those who don’t really are in some danger (and may be looked doesn’t dress ostentatiously, wearing the simplest clothing that
upon with some suspicion). The Templar Knights see this service befits his rank as ruler of the nation. In fact, in company with other
as a duty, but do claim restitution for it. Knights Templar, Templar Masters, and nobles, he might seem
the least impressive — but only until he spoke. De Chartres IV’s
voice carries a tone of command that is unmistakable, his personal
presence is intense, and he is difficult to disobey.

page 164 | Chapter 7: Psarmorum

 Originally Percival de Cadeaux before he chose the name de
Vernon de Cadeaux (Temple Mount)
Chartres IV for his office, the grand master began life aspiring to
Occupation: Commander of City Garrison
be a powerful knight, as many noble children do. But Percival did
Race/Gender: Human male
not grow to be tall, strong, deft with a blade, or even particularly
handsome. He is of medium height, and his mastery of the manly
Abilities:
sports was adequate at best. His mastery is of the mind: he is a
Agility D10 → Speed D10 + Reflexes D10 → (Balance D8 +
brilliant strategist and tactician. Though Percival’s father had to
Reaction Time D10 + Evasion D6) {DP 54}
buy the boy’s way into the Order of Knights, Percival distinguished
Animal Handling D10 → Riding D10 → Warhorses D6
himself commanding soldiers, and gained prestige and rank quickly.
Fortitude D10 → Athletics D8 → (Climbing D8 + Swimming D4)
He has a similar great facility with politics, seeing it in much the
+ Endurance D12 → Pain D8 + Feat of Strength D8 → (Break &
same light as moving soldiers on a field.
Bend D8 + Lift & Carry D8) {DP 70}
Healing D10 → Humanoids D10
De Cadeaux is not a powerful family, so nobody considered
Influence D10 → Intimidation D12 + Interrogation D8
Percival (or any of his cousins) to be a genuine contender for high
Knowledge D8 → Engineering D4 → Fortifications D4 + Gather
office until he won a famous battle. Percival was the second-
Information D12 → Linguistics D4 → Celestial D4 + Military D8 →
ranking Knight Templar of the Sword of Invictus when it faced an
Battle Tactics D6 + Reconnaissance D10
assault from the barbaric heathens out of the north. The situation
Melee Weapons D12 → Knife D10 → Dagger D6 + Sword D8 →
looked grim, and even worse when the commander fell in battle;
Long Sword D6 {DP 42}
but once in command, Percival rallied the army, out-maneuvered
Perception D8 → Scouting D8 → Surveillance D10
the foe, and won a devastating victory. The northern heathens
Skullduggery D10 → Stealth D10 → Urban D10
have not roused themselves to more than a raid since that defeat
Ranged D12 → Thrown D8
over a decade ago.
Skullduggery D10 → Stealth D10 → Urban D10
Unarmed D10 → Punch D10 → (Knife Hand D10 + Rabbit
Percival’s popularity was high after the battle, just when the
Punches D10 + Uppercut D10) {DP 50}
previous grand master died. Many nobles of more powerful families
Willpower D6 → Resistance D12 {DP 18}
still didn’t give him a second thought, and he rode his fame and
amazing military performance into the office while they were busy
Equipment:
with internecine squabbles. After the vote went his way, Percival
De Cadeaux has access to many weapons as Captain of the
took the name of de Chartres (after the cathedral of long-lost
Guard, however he mainly dresses and arms himself in one of
France) for his victory over foreign heathens and to indicate that he
two ways. When acting in his official capacity he wields a fine
intended to be a mediator. Since Percival’s ascendance, the family
quality longsword (+1 bonus threat point for craftsmanship,
de Cadeaux has gained a great deal of financial and political power,
totaling +4 harm /+2 init bonus 2-handed) and a Medium shield
and de Chartres IV has done a near-miraculous job at balancing the
(+1 due to craftsmanship; total 3 DR). He wears fine plate mail
other major families against each other. De Chartres IV has held
adorned to distinguish his rank (2D6 armor), and sometimes a
the office for 13 years, since his major victory in the field at age 30.
surcoat with heraldry. Off duty, he may stalk the city covertly
It has been a remarkably stable period of rule — yet another reason
in a heavy cloak and leather armor (D6 + 1). Additionally, he
for the other noble families to feel jealous of him.
will have a small buckler shield and carry several daggers and
throwing knives. In this guise he is easily mistaken for a common
Grand Master de Chartres IV meets with his “angel” advisor once
scoundrel.
every other new moon. Because of increasing tensions in the
demons’ own ranks, the emissary to de Chartres IV (who takes the
Treasure:
form of a beautiful female angel called Avnas) has taken measures
As a captain of the guard he has access to the full treasury of the
to protect her investment. She has warned him that the denizens
garrison, as well as anything confiscated from criminals. Much
of Hell may attempt to influence him in disguise, and the two have
of this latter is allocated to the guards as pay and rewards. This
arranged security codes to ensure that each knows the other.
makes his men loyal followers.

Vernon de Cadeaux: Cousin of Grand Master de Chartres IV, Vernon

achieved his current office upon the elevation of his cousin to the
highest office in the land. Vernon assiduously serves as commander
of the city garrison, and his sergeants and knights police the city
with skill and honor.

Chapter 7: Psarmorum | page 165

Vernon always had a significant rivalry with the grand master; he
Bishop Mallory (Temple Mount)
was everything Percival was not — tall, handsome, blessed with
Occupation: Patriarch
skill with the blade and lance, and at other noble and knightly
Race/Gender: Human male
pursuits. These virtues awoke resentment in Vernon’s younger
cousin, who started trying to make life difficult for Vernon and
Abilities:
began their rivalry.
Agility D6 → Reflexes D6 + Speed D6 {DP 18}
Animal Handling D8 → Riding D6 → Horses D6
When the grand master took his current office, he had earned the
Arcanum D10 → Potions D8 + Wards D8 {DP = 26}
ultimate honor, one his cousin could never surpass, and he was
Fortitude D10 → Athletics D8 + Feats of Strength D8 {DP 26}
mollified. De Chartres IV appointed Vernon to his current position
Healing D12 → Humanoids D8 + Medicine D10 → (First Aid D6
as a peace offering, and Vernon accepted with few reservations.
+ Herbal Remedies D6 + Salves & Ointments D6)
Now, it is Vernon’s turn to fume and let his anger grow. He does
Influence D10 → Coercion D10 + Interrogation D6
not feel that his cousin can begin a feud and then choose to end it.
Invocation D10 → Change D8 + Control D8 + Create D8 +
Vernon serves faithfully, but he is not a proponent of his cousin’s
Sense D10 {DP 76}
rule. He will not undermine de Chartres IV openly, but he secretly
Knowledge D12 → Augury D8 → Astrology D10 + Appraise D12
associates himself with opponents of the grand master.
→ Jewelry D6 + History D8 + Gather Information D8 → Court &
Politics D6 + Linguistics D8 + Religion D12 → Sol Invictus D12
Someday, he may be tempted to try a coup. It wouldn’t be the
Melee Weapons D8 → Knife D8 + Bludgeon D8
first in the history of Psarmorum. He has already quietly laid the
→ Quarterstaff D4 {DP 28}
foundations for such an action, after prompting by his own visiting
Talent D8 → Public Speaking D8
“angel,” who calls upon him irregularly but is acting to counter the
Unarmed D4 → Grapple D4 → Hold D4 {DP 12}
influence of the demon who visits the grand master.
Willpower D10 → Resistance D12 {DP 22}

Bishop Mallory: Philip Mallory was the third son in his noble family,
and was expected to join the Order of Knights, or, given his status
as a late child, the Order of Sergeants. The good Philip disap-
pointed his father (but gave his pious mother great joy) when he
joined the Order of Chaplains instead and worked arduously, and
without much thought for his family’s advantage.
Philip Mallory is a truly pious man, and it was his devotion to the
Sun Lord and, moreover, to his flock that earned him the accolades
and respect that escalated him to the office of bishop. He often
comes up with new and creative methods for helping spread the
word and increase attendance and general piety. Bishop Mallory is
less interested in alleviating worldly troubles than he is seeing to
everyone’s afterlife.
Local Authorities
Sergeants of the order provide the city’s police presence, led by the
knight Vernon de Cadeaux, cousin of the current grand master. The
central offices are within the walls of the cathedral-fortress, but
Vernon keeps secondary offices in the city’s densest section, where
he spends most of his time. Sergeants serving as police wear chain
shirts and arm themselves with short swords and batons. They are
quite skilled at urban warfare and can draw from the city’s stores
of spears, long swords, and crossbows in little time.
Noteworthy Landmarks
As the capital of Psarmorum, the Temple Mount is the most
homogenous city of a nation that works toward homogeneity. Still,
Equipment:
Bishop Mallory usually wears his formal robes in public. He
generally carries a knife concealed within the robes. The bishop
carries a treasured Mitre staff when in public, which halves
Invocation NNs. Mallory has mastered all Life sphere spells
at D8, but none from the other spheres. While he does not
usually use his Mitre staff as a weapon, he can if necessary. The
staff has a heavy gold headpiece, but is not really balanced for
combat (2H, +2 harm). The bishop is not bellicose in nature, and
while he can fight, he generally chooses not to do so.
Treasure:
Has access to thousands in coins and gems, but all of it is used
for the needs of the church.
Mallory can cast any Invocation spell, but has not mastered
those of the Nature sphere.
even such a city can’t avoid a few places that earn notoriety or are
known across the land.
Mont de Déité: commonly called the “Mountain of Sol,” it rises
upward from the hills around the Temple Mount to about a
mile and a half. Mont de Déité is neither particularly steep nor
treacherous, so its summit is achievable, even if a somewhat
arduous trip. A small official monastery of the order’s chaplains
rests atop it; a common destination for pilgrims who already live in
the city of the Temple Mount. (Pilgrims from farther away would
rather visit the fortress-cathedral itself.) It is not a destination for

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Templar-sanctioned pilgrimages, because the trip would be over
too soon.
Lay Brothers Hostelry: This sprawling caravanserai sits at the edge
of the city. It manages to stay open despite its name mostly by
paying hefty bribes to Vernon de Cadeaux, which it can afford
because it’s so very popular. It puts up entire caravans of goods,
cleaning and feeding the mounts and making a decent living that
way. But the location is really known because Talebot and his staff
simultaneously run the most extensive brothel in (if barely in) the
city of the Temple Mount, and maintain an extremely strict policy
of silence and studied ignorance. Even a chaplain can have a good
time there without concern for his good name.
Seervall Cathedral: This cathedral is the largest house of Sol outside
the fortress-cathedral itself. Constructed from a rosy-white stone
quarried in distant unsettled lands, it is a unique and recognizable
building that rises above its neighbors and, indeed, most of the
city. It is from here that Bishop Mallory directs the city’s religious
life, which encompasses a lot of what goes on every day. He
remains bishop at the grand master’s whim, and consults him often,
but makes up his own mind on spiritual matters. Even if he were
gutless and not in control of his own teachings, though, Mallory
could exert a great deal of influence over the inhabitants of the city
of Temple Mount.
The cathedral’s interior, all of its pews, and its altar are carved
entirely of the same pale red stone that makes up its exterior. The
many hangings that adorn its walls display scenes from holy writ
or from the history of the Knights Templar, and it contains several
holy relics for devout worshippers and pilgrims to view. The pipes
of the great instrument Merlion’s Organ are a shining white.
People believe the pipes to be made of white gold, the bones of a
dragon, a special metal stolen from unsettled lands, a gift directly
from Sol, or several dozen other possibilities. Since Merlion’s
Organ is over two centuries old (older than Seervall Cathedral, and
retrieved intact from an earlier house of Sol demolished in a war)
and its maker long since gone to the Celestial Realm, the truth is
anyone’s guess.
Walk of the Ages: The Walk of Ages is a long and perfectly straight
walkway lined with elegant buildings on both sides. One terminus
is in the city’s most noble (and expensive) district, and the other is
currently near the city wall. A covering of gold and glass covers the
walkway along its length.
This is the Templar Knights’ official hall of history and historical
artifacts, not counting those relics of religious import (which are
kept in the Seervall Cathedral or the Temple Mount itself). It is over
three miles long at present, and has been growing for centuries.
All the buildings on either side of the Walk of Ages are part of the
museum, built and maintained using the city’s impressive taxes and
by the order of Temple Mount.
The original building, donated by heirless noble Charles Picaud,
rests near other nobles’ homes on top of the low Argent Hill; it
contains the portraits and accouterments of the city’s first Templar
Masters in Ainerêve. The second building is entirely dedicated
to De Herriot, the Templar master who had the strength to
declare himself grand master. As time went on, and individual
grand masters tried to buy remembrance and entire buildings by
increasing the museum’s funding, the Walk of Ages grew. At its
predicted rate of growth, and if the architects continue to insist it
be perfectly straight, another few decades will see it piercing the
city wall.
The relics have survived countless raids and looting attempts
because of the strong ward magic in the halls. Those who attempt
to plunder its halls may even face demons. Baphomet oftentimes
protects his antiquities better than his living subjects, and stations
powerful celestial guardians in the Walk of Ages during times of
trouble.
Sol’s Sheath: About ten miles outside the city, north by northeast,
lies Sol’s Sheath, so named because it is where Psarmorum rests
the blade of its military. It is a tract of land seven miles square, of
mixed hilly, wooded, and flat terrain, surrounded by several miles
of buildings. These house soldiers both fledgling and veteran,
who use the land set aside for marching, training, war games, and
honing their skills. A portion of the army stationed here is ready to
defend the city and the Temple Mount at all times.
Sol’s Sheath consumes copious quantities of food and material,
though it supplements these by using recruits to till its own fields
and grow its own crops. It is one of the main sources of weapon
and magic training (at least for offensive magic) in Psarmorum.
Relics and Treasures
As a repository for many of Psarmorum’s holy relics, the city of the
Temple Mount and the Temple Mount itself contain many treasures
— but few for the taking.
Cupola of the Temple Mount: This is the golden dome that now
caps the Grand Cathedral within the Temple Mount. Though few
know it, the cupola was constructed for the first temple in the first
Temple Mount of Ainerêve. Despite its age, it is structurally intact,
and has been integrated centrally into every rebuilding of the
Temple Mount’s internal house of Sol. There are obscure stairs at
the top of the cathedral’s central tower that allow the grand master
and his closest advisors to access the cupola.
Chapter 7: Psarmorum | page 167
From the outside, the cupola appears to be pure beaten gold. From
within, it is transparent. One who looks through it can see clearly
and in detail for dozens of miles around. The viewer can even
peer a short way through solid objects. Everything seen through
the cupola is colored faintly gold. (Perhaps here lie the origins of
the phrase “golden sight”, used to describe the optimism of some
unfortunate past grand masters who believed that there was
nothing wrong with Psarmorum even as things crumbled around
them.) The cupola appears to be indestructible, though this might
just be luck (it can be marred and defaced).
Merlion’s Organ: This tall, white-steel organ is emplaced in the
Seervall Cathedral in the city of Temple Mount. The chaplains of
the order play it regularly for services, and some note that it brings
out piety and reverence in those attending the service. In truth, it
makes them docile. People hearing the gentle tones of this organ
(which can be heard across a large swath of the city when played
at its loudest) grow calm and accepting. They’re not immune to
passionate feelings, like anger or jealousy, but it becomes harder to
rouse them, let alone whip them into a frenzied mob.
This effect is just incidental. The main power of the organ is
emotion-manipulating magic. Playing a particular tune “primes”
Merlion’s Organ, so that the next song played affects those who
hear it much more strongly, evoking whatever emotion is natural
to the song. A tarantella makes people joyous and celebratory;
a dirge makes them weep. The music that activates this power
(a toccata) is obscure. Merlion himself composed it, but while he
fancied himself a composer, society appreciated only his brilliant
organ-making. His many compositions reside mostly in the deepest
basements of musical archivists and obsessive collectors.
Shard of the Spear: There are many mighty relics and artifacts
hidden in the deepest vaults of the Temple Mount, but only a few
are described here. One of the most treasured is a shard of the
spear of Longinus, the spear that pierced Astra’s side as he hung
on the tree. Astra is a saviour figure, said to be an aspect of Sol. He
incarnated on Ainereve to save the people from the pagan devils,
and sacrificed himself in a losing battle, his spirit remaining among
the people to save their souls. It was the Shee Lords who nailed
him to a tree. As they pierced his side, his spilt blood burnt the
ground and consumed his captors with pale fire. His sacrifice saved
the people and his star now burns in the heavens as a beacon of
righteousness.
About as long a man’s hand from palm to fingertip, the jagged
shard thins from two finger widths to one after about half its
length. It is said that a wound from this shard dooms a soul to Hell,
as it lades all the world’s sins on a person. What is known is that
a blow from the shard can (and usually does) slay a mortal target.
It forces some form of transmutation upon the victim’s blood
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that only those with great resistance survive. Inhuman creatures
are unpredictably susceptible to this power, and it is unrelated to
blood. Angels and demons, for example, almost always succumb to
the shard’s magic, while the shee of Meath do so only rarely. It may
protect the wielder somehow as well.
The shard can be wielded as a weapon, but it’s not easy. One may
affix it to a haft with straps of leather or rope, but it may fall off on
delivering a solid blow. The shard could be used as a short dagger
or knife, but it is sharp and must be worn with thick gloves, lest
it cut the warrior and turn its deadly magic on him. And even the
strongest gloves cannot ensure that the shard will not accidentally
cut the one who fights with it.
Chaplains and knights of the order disagree about the shard’s
proper placement in the vaults. Chaplains want to treat it as the
holy relic it is and allow it to be shown on special holy days (under
heavy guard, of course), but otherwise leave it alone in the vaults.
The shard inflicts 12 threat points against shee, 36 against
humans, 72 against undead, or 100 against demons (no random
roll) with every strike. With every use, there is a 5% chance the
shard will pierce or cut the wielder, doing damage immediately.
The knights would prefer to keep it in the Temple Mount’s most
secure armory, bringing it out for important battles and wars and
otherwise keeping it away from the populace as they would any
dangerous and valuable weapon. Where the shard is kept and how
it is treated changes along with the balance of political power in
the Temple Mount.
Roll of Years: This is a long scroll of parchment of uncertain
provenance, yellowed with great age. It sits alone on an ivory
pedestal in a special room among the vaults beneath the Temple
Mount. In blocky red letters, the history of the Poor Knights of the
Faith is recorded, perfect down to every relevant detail, from the
very moment when the Templars first stepped on the magical soil
of Ainerêve. The scroll, wrapped around a cylinder at each end,
always displays the current events on its pedestal. Rolling upward,
one can read the past; rolling downward, one sees that it even
describes the future.
Unlike its always-accurate history, the future written on the roll of
years may be completely correct, blatantly false, or partially flawed.
There is no way to tell which, since it always seems believable. A
noble, whom the roll accurately notes as disaffected and corrupt,
might be described as leading a coup, when in truth his conviction
will waver and he will instead decide to retire to his country villa.
Grand masters of the order have spent far too long reading the roll
of years, searching for patterns in history or, more often, seeking
advantage in the red-lettered future. It is important to note that
the roll of years is objective, recording facts not judgements. Thus,
it never tells a reader why he failed in the past, and never gives
warning that he is obsessing over the relic rather than governing. In
some cases, the roll is the source of the “golden sight” attributed to
spectacularly failed grand masters in the order’s past.
Note: Requires a successful Arcanum roll when reading the scroll,
the difficulty depending on the complexity of the situation, and the
question at hand.
Gleipnir, the Mad Wolf’s Ribbon: The Mad Wolf, the legend goes,
was so strong that no chain could hold it — but the enchanted
ribbon Gleipnir did. Legendary Templar Aloin de Ridefort returned
with Gleipnir and its legend from parts unknown, and presented
the scintillating ribbon to the then grand master at the ceremony
that welcomed him home. That man, Jullien Pinault, promptly
bound Aloin with it, declaring the knight a traitor and puppet
of Satan, and Aloin met his end on the execution block. Pinault
himself was shortly thereafter deposed and executed as a madman
and demon worshipper.
The Mad Wolf’s ribbon shines iridescently, and its texture is that
of fine silk. Binding a person or thing with this ribbon renders that
person incapable of escape or resistance. Even a symbolic binding,
like tying the ribbon around a person’s wrist, is more effective than
imprisoning someone with dozens of heavy chains — the person
cannot flee, remove the ribbon, or fight back.
The artifact now rests in a chamber along with many other arcane
objects foreign to Psarmorum’s faith. Presumably, the Mad Wolf
is no longer bound, but this is a matter for the faraway land from
whence it came (which Aloin suggested was on the brink of a war
of great scale). It is known that Gleipnir has an additional power:
when the correct three esoteric knots are tied into the ribbon, it
summons a massive, devilish wolf with smoky eyes, fetid breath,
and stiff hairs sharp as razors.
The wolf obeys the one who holds the ribbon, performing any
tasks requested with a great deal of cunning, and disappears after
twenty-two minutes. For the most part, this artifact is considered
unholy, and its use proscribed. In times of intense war or impiety,
this proscription does not always hold.
To bind a person requires a grappling ability test. If the defender
makes the roll, the combatants experience a burst of light and are
forced apart. If he loses, he must roll Fortitude vs. a difficulty of
Extreme (2D12), or be bound permanently by the ribbon (unless
somebody else removes it). If the Mad Wolf is invoked, the
following creature appears…
Mad Wolf
TY: Legendary beast
TD: Unarmed 4D10 (bite) ~ Arcane 3D10 (Affliction/incapacitate
breath weapon: area effect 50 ft stream)
EA: 1. 3D12 claw, 2. 3D12 claw
HP: 210 (105/105) [normal, large, supernatural; ×3]
DR: D8
ST: 2D10
AR: D14
WAT: Carries no treasure.
Shinbone of d’Echallens: One of the most lauded and remembered
grand masters in Psarmorum’s history, Marlon d’Echallens was a
skilled orator, politician, and general. He reformed the nation’s
nobility, cleansing their ranks of the worthless and corrupt, and he
inspired the people with his words and his noble ideals. He is best
known for completely restructuring the order’s military. (This is his
greatest legacy, but perhaps also the nobility do not wish folk to
remember that they needed to be culled.) d’Echallens incorporated
the use of prepared enchantments and active magic into the
army’s tactics for the first time. Owing to his changes, individual
companies now include two to five members proficient in the
magical arts; quartermasters equip the troops with charms to ease
marching and ward against diseases like trench foot and dysentery;
and officers learn how to field their company arcanists. Much of
d’Echallens’s work was to convince the order and the people of the
still-young nation that not all magic equated to worship of demons
or foul sorcery.
d’Echallens was the first person elevated to sainthood by the Poor
Knights of the Faith once the Grand Master de Caillaux and Bishop
Poincare agreed that they could do so, failing any communication
from the Pope. This was several hundred years ago.
Since then, various parts of d’Echallens’s body have appeared
across Psarmorum. Some are no doubt fakes, made up by
charlatans who charge money for the viewing. Several monasteries
claim a bone or piece of preserved flesh from the saint’s body,
and have thus become greater attractions for pilgrims. This relic,
the shinbone of d’Echallens, is real. Kept in one of the grandest
chambers of the Seervall Cathedral, the shinbone rests on silken
cloth-of-gold on a marble pedestal, and it is placed nightly into the
cathedral’s strongest vault (as befits a powerful magical artifact —
stealing it would not only be sacrilege but the greatest theft of the
generation).
Simply looking upon the shinbone makes a person more secure
in his beliefs. Most often, this simply makes a person’s faith so
strong as to be unassailable by naysayers, because those who
look on it are usually pilgrims. Should someone else look upon it,
for example, a Satanist or someone determined to steal it, that
Chapter 7: Psarmorum | page 169
person’s resolve is likewise reinforced. This does not affect mere
whimsy: a paranoid thief who idly considers stealing the relic is not
convinced to do so; more likely, she is convinced her paranoia is
warranted and acts accordingly.
Touching the shinbone, a privilege allowed only to the most
honored, the most holy, or the most generous donors to the
church, conveys the benefit of a long and healthy life. Only a light
brush is necessary, and it chases all but the most deadly diseases
from the beneficiary’s body (weakening those it cannot banish) and
reduces the ill effects of old age. Only the elite of Psarmorum know
of the effect, and they consider each touch to add five years to life
(up to some reasonable limit).
To bear the shinbone would be an honor so great that it is
unconsidered by anyone. It also has significant benefits. No magical
effects can harm or otherwise adversely affect the person who
carries the shinbone. Such spells fade out and disappear as they
near the bearer. The only people to benefit from this power over
the centuries have been the four official bearers who take the relic
to and from the vault every day. They have no idea of the protec-
tion that surrounds them when performing their duties.
Vendors and Dealers
In a city the size and population of that surrounding the Temple
Mount, adventurers should have no trouble finding someone to
buy or sell what they need bought or sold. But with all the knights
and sergeants of the order wandering around, it’s difficult for
anyone to operate beneath the law’s radar for long, and harder
to find those who do successfully. Here are some notables, both
above and below board.
Walk of Ages Consignment Office: Located about one mile down the
Walk from where the street begins, the office is located in a small
alleyway. Dominick Balmain runs the office: a socially timid man
who comes completely out of his shell when confronted with relics
of history. He and his subordinates are charged with receiving
donations of historical objects or accounts relevant to the Walk
of Ages and confirming their authenticity. He is quite good at and
dedicated to his job.
More importantly to players’ characters, Balmain is also
empowered to purchase relics for the museums. Since the Walk’s
funding is reliably good, he has a good deal of leeway in the offers
he makes, and he can be quite generous. The office can also be a
source of employment: Balmain has several dozen freelance agents
who scour the city for artifacts that would interest him, and a few
more who range all Psarmorum. Such agents try to find an object
of interest and purchase it at a low price. Some may go so far as to
deceive its current owners as to its worth, or out-and-out steal it. If
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they find a bargain, they can often make an enormous profit selling
it to Balmain.
Dominick Balmain never sells anything. A history-laden object is
too valuable to sell, and an object of no worth is better thrown
away. Not all his subordinates are as scrupulous.
Sol’s Sheath Bursar: For arms and armor, there’s no place in the city
of Temple Mount better than the Office of Surplus and Finances
of Sol’s Sheath. The selection is expansive and the prices generally
low. Edouard Reynaud is the facility’s bursar and head of office.
He is responsible in part for finding space in the budget to run
Sol’s Sheath on a daily basis, and he and his staff also manage the
surplus arms and armor that accrue. The craftsmanship of the
government smiths who manufacture these swords and shields
is never superior. But it is suitable for its intended purpose, and
substandard pieces are rare. The Temple Mount believes it gains
more security than danger from an independently armed populace,
so is happy to sell them decent equipment at fairly low prices. Only
the promise of greater variety and higher quality lets other vendors
of weaponry, shields, and armor survive in the city.
City Guides: Several decades ago, a fellow called Slim Rupert
founded a company called the “Illustrious Guides to the City of
Temple Mount.” (Now universally called the city guides.) He hired
the uncouth youths of the city, all the sewer rats, ragamuffins, and
unloved waifs he could find. Slim’s theory was that nobody knew
the city better than those who had starved in it, and there must
have been something to that. His guides were more effective and
soon more favored than all the many independent guides.
After a short few years, Slim had saved up the cash to buy uniforms
for the kids, nice enough that the police wouldn’t chase them
immediately out of the city’s nicer areas. After that, there was
nothing to hold the company back. Today, it is an institution. There
are many guides — or content retirees — who spent their entire
lives leading people around the city. Slim Rupert is gone, having
passed on his command to “Penchant,” a lame man or woman never
seen and purportedly once a guide him or herself.
City guides frequent both gates into the city, and many of them
“patrol” the more confusing and/or dangerous parts of the city.
All of them seek people who look lost or willing to pay for a little
direction to where they’re going, or from where they don’t want to
be. Reasonably, they charge more to get people out of danger.
Under the surface, the city guides are the city’s most widespread
and reliable network of fences. They dispose of illegal items,
turning them into hard cash for the seller, minus an often hefty cut.
Under Penchant’s direction, the guides can also get anything for
anyone, within reason: drugs of all sorts, poisons, rare weapons,
and other contraband. They also case places for people, and some
higher in the ranks can arrange “gainful employment” for the
willing, in exchange for a cut of the action.
The city guides aren’t blatant. Most often, if people mention that
they’d like something illegal, the guide says, “Huh, no idea where
you’d get something like that.” A few hours or days later (depending
on difficulty of the request and the urgency involved), someone
apparently unrelated to the guides makes contact and names a
price or talks terms. The contact man is often carrying the goods
already for many requests, or money for the stolen object based
on the expected selling price. Supposedly, people can even get in
touch with able-bodied men and women to help with certain tasks,
like robbing a place or getting rid of a body.
Why the generally effective city police haven’t stomped the
group flat like they do most lawbreakers is a common point
of idle debate among those who know of the guides’ sideline
activities. Most assume the guides have a very effective series of
cutouts and a cell-like structure. In fact, it’s because Slim Rupert
was smarter than most people think. He approached Vernon de
Cadeaux’s predecessor after his guides were in full swing and
made a proposal, which the commander of police accepted. The
grand master tacitly agreed to the charade as well. In short, Slim
Rupert (now Penchant) pays taxes on the guides’ profits to help
fund the police. He also keeps track of the criminals the guides
deal with, and the worst of them end up in prison or, more usually,
in a shallow grave. Penchant and de Cadeaux are very careful to
prevent people from catching on to the ruse. So far, it’s worked.
This doesn’t mean that players should be worried about their
characters using the city guides for guidance. Even fencing and
buying goods through the guides should go smoothly nearly all
of the time. It’s when they’re doing things that they shouldn’t tell
anyone about — like major sabotage, espionage, robbing the Temple
Mount’s vaults, or things on that scale — that involving the guides
would get them in serious trouble.
Seervall Cathedral: As with the Temple Mount, few treasure hunters
would really want to approach the cathedral with an exciting
discovery. Both places are likely to simply claim it, and then work
hard to enforce that claim. Unlike the tight-fisted Temple Mount,
Seervall Cathedral is a little more flexible with what it already
owns. Though they never sell a religious relic or other magical
treasure, the chaplains in charge of the cathedral’s treasures have
sometimes found it financially advantageous to lease them.
Prices range from merely gouging for the least relics to astronomi-
cally exorbitant for famous or powerful religious treasures. The
cathedral is reluctant to lease to anyone not initiated into the
Templar Knights, but occasionally will (for a large increase in fee).
No matter who rents the item, the time the chaplains allow it out is
strictly limited, and they lay a strong spell of tracking on the object
to prevent it from being stolen.
As the magical arm of the martial order, the Templar chaplains can
also work miracles for the benefit of the faithful. Many of Seervall’s
spells go toward glorifying Sol but it is commonly known that the
proper tithe can purchase treatments such as healing the sick and
strengthening the health of the young. Conventionally, chaplains
are not present at births, but those who disregard that are also able
to dull the pain of a difficult birth for a few fortunate mothers.
Church doctrine nowhere states that people are equal and deserve
equal assistance. Merchants with extra money pay for blessings
on their merchandise, on the health of their beasts of burden, and
on their silver tongues. Farmers purchase healthier crops and the
foreknowledge to hire the best field workers. It may not be fair, but
it’s the way it works. Prices are high to keep demand within limits.
The Crossing: Henry Channing runs “the Crossing,” a large, dusty
store at the intersection of two of the city’s busiest streets.
Through the small, loudly-squeaking door, a visitor finds two
sprawling floors of shelves covered with various knickknacks.
Small porcelain bowls, ivory and wood tobacco pipes, writing pens
inlaid with runes, odd-looking chairs, silvered mirrors in strange
shapes, and many other items fill the shop. They are all magical
to greater or lesser degree, and they are all for sale. Channing
assigns every piece a price — generally very fair — based on their
powers, strengths, ease of use, and aesthetic and material values.
He likewise buys magical objects. Although not much of an arcanist
himself, he is skilled at determining whether or not an object is
magical and then deciphering its abilities.
Channing has an agreement with Bishop Mallory (a cousin of
his) and the Order of Chaplains in general. He never purchases
or sells religious relics, magical or not, though he will appraise
them. None of the magical trinkets in his shop have any religious
associations. When a relic comes to him, his advice is to take it to
Seervall Cathedral. Depending on how greedy and knowledgeable
the person is, Henry may suggest that the Bishop will purchase it
there. (He won’t; instead, the chaplains confiscate it if the person
refuses to donate it.) He always reports any such relics he sees
to the chaplains and gives information about the individual who
possessed it.
There are no reliable vendors for religious relics in the city. The
very possession of them by anyone other than the Poor Knights of
the Faith is illegal, and the city’s police force is effective at rooting
out any who would break that law.
Chapter 7: Psarmorum | page 171
Guilds and Training
As befits its size and population, the city of the Temple Mount has
hundreds of guilds (although many are small and insignificant), and
many sources of training. Here are some of the most important:
Sol’s Sheath: The commanders of Sol’s Sheath are willing to train
individuals, but only for a price. The wealthy can purchase places
for themselves or their scions in the military facility’s school
for civilians. Those not fortunate enough to have a fortune can
get the training by promising a span of years in the army when
called (usually five). Psarmorum is happy to have, in case of an
emergency, a trained populace with a debt to pay.
Sol’s Sheath offers classes in self-Defense, wilderness survival,
and the care and use of horses. Self-Defense amounts to training
with the sword and shield, though other common weapons like the
spear and axe are available on request. Those who qualify for (or
purchase) riding lessons sometimes also learn the lance. Survival
amounts to lessons in how to find or construct shelter, and what to
or not to eat.
Temple Mount and Seervall Cathedral: Both the Temple Mount and
Seervall Cathedral are interested in enlightening the populace, in
certain ways. They always need more missionaries and wandering
chaplains to spread the word of the faith and the order. The Temple
Mount also trains its knights and sergeants in the arts of war, of
course, but it sends them to Sol’s Sheath for that, or squires them
to existing knights.
Grand Master de Chartres IV funds the cathedral’s program to find
and train any with the avocation to become Templar chaplains. To
this end, the cathedral offers training, free of charge, in reading
and writing, memorization, public speaking, community organiza-
tion, and enduring the hardships of the road; all with a focus on
scripture.
Those who take advantage of such ‘free’ training, though, are soon
expected to assist with duties at the cathedral or its many satellite
churches around the city. They hold minor services, act as scribes,
help administer public works, or even do janitorial work. Any who
slack at these duties (which begin lightly and grow more onerous)
or show too little piety are asked not to return to classes. Though
phrased as a request, this is a command that will be backed up by
the city’s police, if necessary. Eventually, dedicated students will
become ordained and initiated into the Order of Chaplains, after
which there is no going back. Before that point, many key lessons
are withheld, making it hard for citizens who wish to remain
citizens to gain much from the cathedral’s training.
Elise Brossolette, Gentlewoman Thief: Now in her early fifties and
retired, Elise was the cat burglar known only as Glisser. Thought
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by most in the male-dominated culture to be a man, she evaded
capture and identification completely over her career. Already
daughter of a wealthy man, she amassed even greater wealth by
stealing from the wealthy and the politically powerful. Glisser often
made political points or gibes with her robberies, mocking the
wealthy who used their wealth for trivialities. In counterpoint to
those she robbed, Elise uses her excess wealth to fund businesses
that rejuvenate entire swathes of the city, keeping many areas
economically healthy. She goes unthanked, since most consider
the work to be that of her husband Bertrand — who in fact spends
most of his time either playing at noble sports with his friends or
soused.
Elise now wishes to pass on her knowledge before she dies or
becomes too old to demonstrate it. In the guise of a mysterious
woman from unsettled lands, she teaches several students her old
skills. They learn how to move unseen and unheard, how to evade
or bypass traps, how to pick or get around locks and doors, how to
tell the truly valuable from the dross and to know which items can
be stolen without causing a huge fuss, and how to lie convincingly
to people who lie for a living (like the nobility and politicians). She
is currently taking on more students.
Society of Merchants: Few traders in the city are not members of
this inclusive society. Accepted and endorsed by the Temple Mount
itself, the Society of Merchants works to fix prices on all goods
across the board. The Temple Mount will only freeze prices when
stability is necessary. Merchants who take part prize the ability
to gouge customers, and they get away with it as long as it’s not
too bad or for too long. And the grand master’s bursars appreciate
the ability to enforce the cost of grain or iron, which they do
infrequently enough that the Society considers the arrangement to
be a net gain.
Simple annual dues guarantee one’s membership in the society.
As long as a merchant follows the fixed prices, he is not ejected
from the group. Prices are generally set at a level to provide a
decent profit; the most successful merchants of the society,
therefore, are those who find the cheapest sources for their wares.
Non-members who try to sell large quantities of goods in the city
face a concerted effort to undercut prices until they leave the city
in defeat. The Society of Merchants can raise the prices slightly on
other goods to make up the difference, while individual merchants
do not have that option. Most often, though, free traders are met
at or near the gates by representatives of the society who offer to
buy all they have. The price offered is usually enough to give the
non-member some profit while keeping the wares profitable for the
society. Traders from far away with rarer goods for sale can make
substantial profits from such gate sales.
Over the century and a half that the Society of Merchants has been
around, something called the Merchant’s Hostel has developed.
Almost a village, it sits right outside the city’s main gate and
provides room and board (at a price, of course) to dealers who do
not belong to the society. There, the society’s factors deal with
foreign merchants while keeping them in relative comfort.
The Society of Merchants is a remarkable guild, but the individual
merchants who make it up are nondescript, and so listed here
rather than under Dealers and Vendors.
City Police: The sergeants who police the city are technically the
city’s army garrison. While they are fully capable of defending the
city against attack while the army marches from Sol’s Sheath, their
primary function is keeping everyday order in the city. The police
force has more lesser brothers per sergeant than in the army,
since city encounters are more varied and involve fewer men than
battles, so the brothers need to make decisions more often, and are
more independent.
It is not difficult to join the city police. The induction process to
become a lesser brother is simple, if binding, and anyone already an
initiated Templar can swear himself to service for a one-, two-, or
five-year period (or even for life). The force accepts assistance from
several quarters.
The city police normally never ask help of civilians, but groups
of active citizen volunteers keep their eyes open for dangerous
or suspicious people, warn the sergeants, and occasionally help
outnumbered police corner criminals. Informants without the
backbone to do anything more active are more common — after all,
it’s easier to rat on a person than it is to confront them. Someone
who tips off the policing Templars becomes a permanent source for
them.
Adventure Hooks
As the center of the Templar order and the large nation of
Psarmorum, the city and the Temple Mount have a lot of
potential. The Temple Mount really is smack-dab in the center of
Psarmorum’s settled lands, densely populated, and very thoroughly
“civilized,” so adventure hooks here are more political and
city-focused. Adventurers who prefer to explore ruins and fight
monsters can find the hooks to adventures here, but the actual
adventures are going to end up elsewhere.
De Chartres’ Angels: Every government needs deniable operatives.
The government of Psarmorum is no exception. This is a (poten-
tially) long-term scenario in which the players’ characters serve as
the grand master’s private and secret team of operatives.
Working for de Chartres through a single, trustworthy cutout, the
characters perform any number of secret tasks. Some examples:
Seek a stolen artifact when it’s too dangerous or secret to tell the
official police it’s missing. Expose or derail a noblewoman’s plot
to maneuver her cousin into position to become the next bishop.
Uncover a secret group of Satanists and deliver them for justice.
Stop an assassination in the nick of time. Recover a relic from a
distant monastery before it can be stolen.
Missions may be self-contained, or may blossom into larger-scale
quests, as happens with many of the inspiring sources. Those
sources are often action-oriented. That can be a fun style for the
game, but it’s not necessary. The basic scenario works well with a
more politically- or mystery-oriented game. You need not choose
only one style — it’s easy to switch back and forth.
Notions Eleven: Maybe it’s personal, or maybe it’s just a job.
Whatever the reason, the players’ characters are in position to
make one of the biggest heists in the Temple Mount’s history. It
might be one of the relics in the Seervall Cathedral, which would
be very impressive, but it’s more likely one of the artifacts kept
deep within the Temple Mount’s most secure vaults.
While there aren’t any high-tech gadgets in Ainerêve, magic
can take their place, and most of the tricks used in such movies
are tried and true techniques for worming into a secure place.
Eldritch’s skill system lets individual sorcerers have distinct special-
ties and unique spells. It can be important, for this sort of game, to
have a single adversary for the group to focus on. In this case, it’s
likely Bishop Mallory, Grand Master de Chartres IV, the operating
head of security for either location, or Vernon de Cadeaux as the
commander of the local garrison and policing force.
Kill People for Satan: There is a demon-worshipper loose in the city,
and rumors are flying: he’s murdering people for his fell master;
it’s a coven of Devil-worshipping witches; someone tried to assas-
sinate the bishop by wielding unholy powers. The police are out
in force, de Cadeaux is frantically trying to locate the individual,
and all sermons focus on the responsibility of the pious to speak
out against the Devil and related evils wherever they arise. Since
it’s not letting up and no one knows what’s true, the people are
beginning to panic. And when the army comes, and suddenly
nobody’s getting in or out of the city, it gets much worse.
There are multiple ways to play this scenario. In one, the heroes
simply seek out the demon-worshippers and end the terror one
way or another. Perhaps the damned people kill someone close
to the players’ characters or just cross too near their paths. Or, to
provide a stronger motivation, the characters may end up suspects
in the investigation. Perhaps one of the real demon-worshippers
stayed in a room near one of the heroes, and the hero is guilty by
association. The only way to prove innocence is to find the guilty.
Chapter 7: Psarmorum | page 173
In a more morally ambiguous set-up, the “demon-worshippers”
may be innocent of any impiety. Perhaps a group is unfairly
targeted. The Society of Merchants is pulling strings to eliminate
a rival consortium, or a noble is playing games with people who
displeased him. But even if it’s unfair, every government office has
condemned them — what to do? Alternately, the targeted group
may be from Maedoen — they’re certainly not worshippers of Sol,
but they’re not worshipping the Devil, either. Their case may end
up just the same as if they were standard evil devil-worshippers, or
the heroes may decide that religious persecution is a bad thing.
I’m Not With Him: After some high-profile heroic feat, one that
put the characters in the eyes of the city’s wealthy and powerful,
they are invited to attend a luxurious party and rub elbows with
some of the Order’s movers and shakers. Unfortunately, the heroes
were invited for two reasons, neither to honor them as they might
assume: to make the host look good, and to make his enemies
think the players’ characters are somehow implicit in his schemes.
Now, they’re caught up in the politics game.
Nobody is what he or she seems anymore. Their innkeeper or
landlord hints not-so-subtly about their affiliation, and people the
heroes have known for ages start to treat them as co-conspirators
or seem to pay too much attention to what they do. Eventually,
a political rival to the characters’ “patron” begins trying to nullify
them as “political weapons.” He tries to discredit them, or convert
their fame into infamy, or get them sent out of the city on pointless
missions.
It’s almost impossible to make everyone believe that the characters
aren’t involved in these plots (especially if they are involved in
other plots). Public statements just inflame speculation. Leaving
reduces it to a simmer, but returning after an absence can return
the rumors to the front burner. What will the characters do to get
themselves out of the conspiratorial frame? And what will they do
when they figure out how their original host used them?
Succession: Grand master is a lifelong office — and de Chartres IV’s
life has just ended, peacefully and in bed. The next grand master
is to be elected in a convocation of current masters. (The only
thing that keeps it remotely fair is that a master cannot vote for
himself, and that the current bishop also gets a vote.) The city of
the Temple Mount is even busier and more crowded than usual, as
all 11 masters and their considerable retinues take up residence.
Even the usually efficient police cannot keep everything stable,
as sergeants close to their masters get into altercations over who
should succeed as grand master.
In the higher echelons of political life, there’s more going on.
Templar Masters almost all belong to a noble family, and only
the most ethical (truly saintly) grand masters avoid favoring their
page 174 | Chapter 7: Psarmorum
brethren on election. So every noble in the city (and many a noble
who comes just to influence the election) is busy calling on favors
owed and trying to earn more without giving too many away. Each
master is pulling every string to secure a vote (or buy, steal, or
extort a vote, depending on morality).
Player characters can be pawns in the game, performing distasteful
work that nobles don’t want connected to them, or dangerous
work (like recovering a lost relic) that could bring fame to the
master who sponsors them. If the heroes are famous (having
already performed some legendary feat), masters and noble
families may seek their support as is. Infamous characters might
be maneuvered to show support for rivals, dragging that master’s
prospects down. And the characters could have their own aspira-
tions, especially if they have any noble family ties.
Finally, the grand master wasn’t exactly old. Rumors about murder
begin circulating immediately, and what if there’s some truth to
them? Who’s going to investigate, and how far will others go to
keep them quiet?
Lucalla Nomads — Example Heathen Threat
Description: South of the Psarmorum border, the nomadic Lucalla
tribe marks its annual path with the skulls of animals, and occasion-
ally humans. Other southern tribes recognize its markers, know the
Lucalla warriors’ ferocity by repute or experience, and so avoid the
path during the proper seasons. Some southerners of Psarmorum
learn the language of the southern tribes, a strange bastardization
of French (basically distorted Spanish), can read the warning
posts, and know when the Lucalla claim each area. Others had
best keep away from the marked lands, or be prepared to face the
consequences — death or slavery.
Savvy southern adventurers can tell the Lucalla apart from the
other southern tribes by their piercings and how they wear their
hair, long down the back but shaved at the sides above the ears.
Everyone can distinguish them by their unique irises, the color of
red-hot iron; this goes with night vision so good chaplains claim
it must be supernatural. This is one reason the Templar Knights
characterize the Lucalla specifically as heathen worshippers of the
Devil, even Satan’s children. They have never been able to destroy
the tribe, though, winning minor victories at best.
Though the Lucalla are largely products of the unsettled lands, the
demons of Meath and Psarmorum shaped their nature centuries
ago. They endowed the people’s eyes with their color and percep-
tion, but they did not put the lust for war in the tribe’s blood. That
comes from a long history of competition with other southern
nomads, and of small crusades instigated by the local Templar
Master.
Of course, the Lucalla people raided the southern lands of
Psarmorum first, as is their way — in the end, each people finds
fault with the other, and they will probably continue to war until
the end of time.
Lucalla hunter-warriors tame and ride fierce horses that they
capture on the wild plains of the unsettled lands, but do not breed.
Such horses often show unique characteristics — some are faster
or more resilient, but some have six legs, have strange coloring,
or breathe fire. The warriors ride while they hunt, and fight with
throwing spears and bows from horseback or long knives afoot.
Others of the tribe, women and children, walk behind the riders,
gathering food and so on as they go. They travel slowly, and the
warriors return to them before nightfall. Some warriors always
remain behind, circling the noncombatants, ready to race out and
call the hunters back in case of attack.
Gero, Chief of the Lucalla (Lucalla Nomads)
TY: Extraordinary (human male)
TD: Melee 3D10 (+4 with sword) ~ Ranged 3D8 ~ Unarmed
2D10
HP: 74 (37/37) [normal, medium, mundane]
DR: D8 (chain)
ST: D12+4
AR: D10+D4 (reflexes)
Notes:
Chief of the Lucalla, Gero is a tall, lean warrior of great strength
and skill. He talks little, preferring to lead by example — he will
not ask any Lucalla warrior to do a thing he will not do himself.
His most trusted warriors, his brothers and cousins, know him
so well that his small gestures and low grunts give them enough
information to relay commands for him. He is specialized in
swords, and has mastered the greatsword.
WAT:
Equipment: Wears chain mail D8, and carries a steel greatsword
(+4 threat points). Treasure: $500 in accoutrements and coin.
The tribe chooses its chief via ritual contests gauging manhood:
skill at wrestling, hunting, horsemanship, and marksmanship. These
take place every autumn, to determine who is most fit to lead the
tribe through winter. Most Lucalla warriors are allowed two wives;
the chieftain has three, one of whom is the matron of the tribe —
the living woman who has borne the most children. When another
woman has more children, she takes the old matron’s place as the
chief’s third wife; and when the chieftain is displaced, the matron
goes to the new chief. If one woman is especially fertile, she can
remain matron well into old age (around forty or fifty in the tribe).
Together, the chief and the matron are very much the alpha male
and female of the tribe; all warriors obey the chieftain, and all
women and children obey the matron. Questioning a direction is
acceptable, but disobedience is punishable by withholding food
and assigning hard tasks (or shameful tasks, such as requiring a
warrior to walk with the women).
Regional Pantheon:
Lucalla people are animists and worship the “spirits” in natural
and unnatural objects and phenomena. Demons occasionally
impersonate such spirits.
Population: Moderate. There are over two thousand warriors in
the Lucalla tribe, about twice as many women of child-bearing age,
and about another two thousand aged or children. They spread
out over several miles while they walk, so are more likely to be
encountered as a long stream of women and children who often
Ipar (Lucalla Nomads)
TY: Extraordinary (human male)
TD: Melee 3D8 ~ Unarmed 2D6 ~ Ranged 2D4 ~ Arcane 2D4
HP: 52 (26/26) [normal, medium, mundane]
DR: D8 magic hide (+2 die-rank bonus to armor).
ST: D12
AR: D6
Notes:
Gero’s cousin, Ipar, has traveled alone into Psarmorum many
times. Ipar believes that the tribe should adopt certain aspects
of the land’s culture. He especially favors their different magic
and crafts, but also wants to incorporate certain aspects of the
religion into Lucalla life. Ipar would love to displace Gero as
chieftain, but lacks the skill. He is specialized in pole-arms, and
has mastered the spear.
WAT:
Equipment: Fire and Ice Spear (+1 threat points, +1 init, or +2 init
thrown), +D10 Fire threat points, or +D10 Cold threat points (20
energy points). Treasure: $50 on person, $800 in domicile.
Chapter 7: Psarmorum | page 175
stop to pull up and pound roots or draw water into skins. Warriors
spread themselves even thinner, but if they find intruders in their
path they are quick to gather spears and thunder down on the
unfortunates.
Economy: The tribe has no real economy to speak of. It is feared
by many of the other southern tribes, so when the Lucalla chief is
strong he often exacts tribute from the weaker tribes they come
across. Because of their long history of conflict with the Poor
Knights of the Faith to the north, the Lucalla rarely trade with a
person of Psarmorum.
Local Authorities
The chief and the matron are the only true authorities. Beneath
them, a complex structure of honor, seniority, and skill determines
who has influence over whom. Warriors have authority over their
wives and children, second only to the matron.
Noteworthy Landmarks
As the Lucalla are nomads, their “territory” is loosely claimed and
constantly changing. There are two important landmarks, both to
the Lucalla and to those who want to avoid them.
Alnor Mountain: Alnor is the northernmost mountain in the
southern range, about a hundred miles east of the Orllewin Sea.
Many people in southwestern Psarmorum — and many southern
tribes as well — are thankful for that, because Alnor Mountain
marks the farthest west that the Lucalla tribe travels. That
Balere (Lucalla Nomads)
TY: Minor
TD: D6 Arcane ~ D4 Melee
HP: 6 (3/3) [normal, medium, mundane]
DR: D4 (hide)
ST: D4
AR: D4
Notes:
At 27 years, Balere has given birth to seven children, four of
whom were healthy males. She is the current matron, third wife
of Gero, and she is anticipating another child within the year.
Balere is not the strongest-minded matron the tribe has ever
seen; an indication of the selection method’s flaws. Her mother,
Gurutze, advises Balere so much that most understand where
the real power lies.
WAT:
Equipment: Wears hide armor, D4. Treasure: On person $100, in
domicile $800 in accoutrements and coin.
page 176 | Chapter 7: Psarmorum
100-mile strip between mountain and ocean provides a corridor for
adventurers and weaker tribes to travel without (or with less) fear.
The Lucalla stop there on the westward leg of their annual journey,
and aim to arrive in the fall. On the slopes of Alnor, warriors
compete to be chief. Wives prefer to give birth on the mountain,
believing that sons born there will become great warriors. After a
half-month there, the longest period the tribe spends in any one
place, the Lucalla head south, then back to the east, toward their
other landmark.
Mer Medeter: The eastern border of the Lucalla tribe’s nomadic
range is marked by the Medeter Sea, a large sea that separates
the southeast of Psarmorum from unsettled lands. (Members of
the Knights Templar occasionally cross that sea to bring salvation
to the lost peoples on the other side; sometimes, they do not
return.) Girls born during the two weeks the Lucalla spend here are
believed to be destined to be great mothers.
Buried beneath the sands here, in a place indicated by several
children’s rhymes and old legends told by the mothers and matron,
is Garuko’s fang. It is a bone dagger said to be inhabited by the
spirit of the black wolf Garuko (see hereafter).
Alnor Mountain and Mer Medeter mark the southernmost settled
lands of Psarmorum. They are stable, as are some other landmarks
near them, but most of the lands that the Lucalla travel shift and
change unknowably.
Ostor (Lucalla Nomads)
TY: Standard (human male)
TD: Melee 2D8 ~ Unarmed 2D6 ~ Ranged 2D6
HP: 40 (20/20) [normal, medium, mundane]
DR: D6+1 (magic hide)
ST: 2D6
AR: D10+D4 (reflexes)
Notes:
The most famed and respected warrior of the Lucalla, Ostor
is rare in his desire not to lead the tribe. Though most assume
he could best Gero, if not by much, at the annual competition,
Ostor refuses to try. He claims his honor comes from serving the
Lucalla and his chieftain, not asking the Lucalla to serve him. He
is specialized in bludgeons (D8).
WAT:
Equipment: Wears magic hide armor D6 (+1 die-rank bonus), and
carries a magic warhammer (+3 threat points), capable of a jolt
of electricity when penetrating armor, delivering 2D10 threat
points. Treasure: $250 in person, $2000 in domicile.
Relics and Treasures
The Lucalla people hold few objects sacred, but they do like to
keep trophies. Occasionally, one of these has some special power
or worth.
Teeth of Eucherius: The current matron of the Lucalla always wears
five old, yellowed teeth hanging on a leather thong. The teeth
were part of a silver and glass reliquary taken from a slain intruder
a century ago, and belonged to Saint Eucherius. The Order of
Chaplains would dearly love to recover the religious relic, but they
have no idea what happened to the teeth, beyond that the chaplain
carrying them disappeared.
When worn or carried, the teeth of Eucherius bestow wisdom.
One who wears them gains great facility with philosophy, vast
knowledge of Templar lore, and the ability to write or speak
eloquently on those or other subjects. Matrons of the Lucalla use
the philosophical understanding to help guide the tribe spiritually,
the lore to anticipate those who would destroy the tribe, and the
eloquence not at all — the speaking and writing are both in Latin.
When one matron is replaced by the next, she spends several
weeks in seclusion with her successor. During that time, she
teaches her many things, one of which is the secret of how to
use the teeth. A matron about to die with her title is usually wise
enough to pass on her knowledge to her anticipated successor
(wearing the teeth virtually guarantees it).
The Teeth of Eucherius grant +1 die-rank Knowledge, plus bonus
specialities in religion (D12) and philosophy (D12), mastery in
the religion of the Templars (D12). They also grant Influence
and Persuasion at D10, if one can speak and one’s audience can
understand Latin.
Garuko’s Fang: This is a black bone dagger, carved from an
unknown animal. Its textured grip is the length of a man’s hand
from palm to longest fingertip, and the ever-sharp blade is as long
as a forearm. The knife features frequently in the Lucalla’s legends
and oral histories, and they consider it a tool to recover only in the
most dire need. A creature lives within the Fang, giving it several
extraordinary properties and making it exceptionally dangerous.
That creature is Garuko, black wolf of the night, who once trod the
unsettled lands making mischief and spreading terror. Ages ago, the
forebears of the Lucalla fought Garuko and bound the monster’s
spirit into the long dagger.
Legend states that a warrior then buried the dagger, which had
turned dark from within, under the pure sands of the Mer Medeter,
where the spirit would be sealed away. (In truth, the warrior
wandered the southern unsettled lands. A black lust for death took
him, and he left rivers of blood in his wake before a gathering of
tribes put him down and buried the dagger.)
Garuko’s fang is made unbreakable by the black wolf’s spirit. It
increases the strength of anyone who wields it tenfold, and adds
its own devilish mastery of war to that of its wielder. Fighting
with the dagger gives a warrior frightening speed, and makes it
nearly impossible for him to fall in battle. The sands of the sea
bind Garuko for now, but releasing it from its prison will allow the
spirit to call ambitious wielders to it. If the dagger slays enough
people, or all descendants of the warrior who defeated it, the wolf
believes it will have another body — it is not sure which, but is
willing to try for both. One way to destroy the dagger, and Garuko,
forever is to find an albino wolf cub, plunge the knife into its
heart, and bury both beneath the sands of the Mer Medeter. After
a hundred years, the dagger will have rotted to nothing. There may
be other ways.
This relic never loses energy points, and grants the user an extra
3D12 threat points, bypassing all but magic armor. The fang
emits a strange, faint growling sound when penetrating flesh.
Any warrior holding this dagger immediately gains specialization
in military knowledge at D12, and mastery in battle tactics also
at D12. Also, the wielder gains +2 die-ranks to their Reflexes
rank in every other round of combat (bonus ranks above D12
granting +1 to base). However, its use drains 12 points of
Fortitude from the wielder each round.
Vendors and Dealers
Lucalla are not a trading people, for the most part. Only the most
silver-tongued traders can convince them to exchange goods
peacefully, and that tongue had better speak the tribe’s language.
Otherwise, they’re most likely to take what they want and leave
the trader’s body as yet another warning.
Guilds and Training
One who can impress the warriors of the Lucalla tribe may be
accepted as an honorary brother warrior. An honorary warrior
is expected to take one wife and travel with the tribe for a part
of every year, lest he neglect his wife and potential children. If
accepted thus, a person may avail himself of the exceptional
training the tribe offers in all the skills necessary to survive —
riding, archery with short bows, spear-throwing, dagger-fighting
and wrestling, tracking and hunting, and the lore of the southern
tribes.
Regional Monsters
In the unsettled lands where the Lucalla roam, almost anything can
be a danger. From the horses they tame to the other tribes they
fight, everything has at least a touch of the monster about it.
The Asemata: Every once in a while, among the Lucalla or the other
tribes, a boy is born with a dull, unnatural sepia skin, marking
Chapter 7: Psarmorum | page 177
that child as evil. Once, all tribes in the south killed such children
at birth, but great diseases and storms racked them until they
stopped. Now, tribes leave the boys to die of exposure. They rarely
do, for something finds and gathers them, and together they form
the Asemata, a tribe of insane murderers.
The Asemata tribe never numbers more than fifty or so at most,
because its members die too quickly. Since they are immediately
recognizable by their skin color, and almost always attack living
creatures on sight or ambush them, the Asemata are usually killed
in self Defense. Asemata fight with the same weapons as other
southern tribes, but their insanity lends them strength, and they
are known for their awareness. It usually takes several warriors
working together to take one down.
Adventure Hooks
Adventures among or around the Lucalla are likely to revolve
around combat, since the tribe itself is so warlike. But battle isn’t
the only solution: diplomatic characters should be able to find
other methods to resolve most dangers presented.
Red-Eyed Raiders: Lucalla warriors are raiding the southern towns
of Psarmorum. They attack with the onset of dawn or dusk, kill
a dozen or so in a brief sortie, take a small amount of loot, and
retreat on their fierce mounts out of sight. The raids aren’t doing
too much damage, but they don’t seem to be stopping, either. So
far, the military has been helpless, as the Lucalla avoid any town
it moves to protect, and there are too many southern towns to
guard them all. The players’ characters may be asked for aid as
local heroes or expert adventurers — the Lucalla will have a harder
time avoiding a small band of travelers than they do a legion on the
march.
Asemata
TY: Standard
TD: Melee D8 ~ Unarmed D6 ~ Ranged D6
HP: 40 (10/30) [tough, medium, mundane; ×2]
DR: By armor type
ST: D10
AR: D6
Notes: All Asemata possess Skullduggery D10 → Stealth D10.
Their insanity makes them difficult to combat, gaining them ×2
to HP.
WAT: Asemata carry a wide range of weapons and armor, and
always gain the benefits of specific weapon bonuses. They
normally do not wear armor better than leather (D6), although
leaders have been known to find very good armaments, both
mundane and magical. Treasure is usually around $300 per
Asemata in weaponry, coins, rations, trinkets, and accoutre-
ments.
page 178 | Chapter 7: Psarmorum
Attacking so often is out of character for the Lucalla, so why are
they doing it? There may be something important they are trying to
find, such as a prophesied child, or perhaps an omen signals their
downfall if they cannot claim a certain artifact. The Lucalla may
know of a great danger slowly coming from the south, and their
attacks are meant to attract the attention of the nation’s military or
heroes.
Black Wolf Walks Again: Garuko’s fang has been found. Perhaps
someone deciphered the riddles hidden in the rhymes and legends
of the Lucalla and dug it up, a fearsome storm washed over the
beach and unearthed it, or something else, but it’s out and about.
Armed with the dagger, a mysterious warrior is leaving a trail of
bloody death across the south. The Lucalla tribe diverts from its
regular path and prepares to fight whoever bears the knife. Players’
characters get involved because they’re in the south, in the path
of the storm. They might have a tenuous alliance with the Lucalla
tribe, or desire one, and choose to stop the killer on those grounds.
Or they may be on a mission to one of the southern towns of
Psarmorum, but they can’t get what they need if the wielder of the
knife murders every living soul in the town.
Moreover, once the murderous warrior is dead, they must deal with
Garuko’s fang. It still calls to those with black hearts and death in
their eyes, and must be reburied or destroyed. To learn how to do
either, the heroes must consult the wise matron of the Lucalla.
Percto
TY: Standard Beast
TD: 2D10 Bite
EA: 2D8 claws
HP: 30 [normal, large, mundane; ×1.5]
ST: D4
AR: D8
Notes: This beast looks like a coyote from the front, with similar
muzzle, eyes, and fur. Seen from the side, the difference is
immediately apparent: it is about ten feet long, with three sets
of legs with retractable claws. Perctos have many of the same
habits as coyotes, hunting and scavenging, but their large bodies
give them a great deal of resilience. Older perctos are longer,
stronger, and have more sets of legs. When cut in two pieces,
the two halves can regrow a head and a rear, becoming multiple
creatures, as long as a segment has at least two pairs of legs. Add
10 HP and +2 to damage for each pair of legs over 3.
WAT: The pelt of a Percto is worth $1000 to a furrier hoping to
make old rich women happy (and young mistresses of old rich
men too).
Forest of Meath When the Romans conquered the Celts and later forced religious
integration, the obvious parallel with the Christian God meant that

Description the new beliefs of the Romans were quickly adopted. The changes

The vast and lush forest of Meath seems at first to be normal, in religion changed Meath. Mischievous but largely unaligned fay

with sunny and shaded stretches, hills and dales, waterways, light creatures waned in number, displaced by demons, imps, and so on.

woods, thickets, and clearings. It is a home to beautiful open They served or opposed the distant but powerful God.

valleys, many hundreds of square miles of pristine woodland, and

countless secret, verdant dells that hide secrets both earthly and After the decline of the Roman Empire, the Celtic Christian church

esoteric. At the edges it is fairly natural, but it is an enchanted had its core in Ireland and Wales. It was then, before the faith

forest and the abode of the shee. began to spread again, that Meath’s mischievous fairy creatures
became more like the fay of those countries, and recovered their

These changeable forest denizens fit the traditional beliefs they numbers. By this point, the Forest of Meath was a vast, sprawling,

are shaped by, with most valuing cleverness and courtesy and primeval woodland filled with strange creatures and bizarre natural

despising boorishness and greed, regardless of whether they are magic. That was the last major influx of belief and imagination the

cruel or kind, grim or playful. The most powerful and stern of the forest received from Earth, although a steady trickle of fairy lore

shee rulers treat Maedoen as a plaything and mingle with its royal has added to it gradually since, helping to leaven and lighten the

bloodlines. Also hidden in the glens of Meath are the angels (celes- place somewhat.

tials or peris) and devils (demons or deevs) that the inhabitants of

Psarmorum worship or revile. Together, this mix of various beliefs made it a conceptual destina-
tion both for the Welsh of the time and the later (mainly) Christian

This juxtaposition of beliefs is more than a simple accident of fate. Knights Templar. Thus, it became a bridge between the two

The first tree of Meath sprouted with the beginning of the Celtic worlds. Baphomet’s adoption of the sun god persona, Sol Invictus

religion in the region on Earth that would become Wales. As this (supposedly as Ainerêve’s name for God, but in fact from a Roman

belief commingled with the superstitions of the Celtic people, the cult) took advantage of underlying beliefs to twist Meath’s Celtic

land around the first sapling grew more fertile and the tree’s seeds Christianity to his own religion.

took hold. The strength of the belief and the widespread nature of
the Celtic religion gave the young Meath enough energy to grow. There is constant skirmishing going on in some areas of the forest.

In its youth, the forest was a dark place filled with gnomes and The angels (peris in service to Baphomet) and demons (those

goblins, full of mischief and danger; but strong, ruled over by the opposed to Baphomet), clash here in Meath as in Psarmorum,

one druidic sun god. but are united in their dislike of the shee. The two are as likely to
encroach upon the portions of the forest inhabited by the fairy
creatures as to fight each other, and sometimes make (very) brief

Chapter 7: Forest of Meath | page 179

alliances against them, since the shee are numerous. The shee
fight back obliquely. Many are content to evade the assaults of the
celestial and demonic beings, playing tricks in return and spreading
mischief in their ranks. Others war directly, raising legions of
their own, hundreds of strange and unique creatures who tangle
with the demons and angels, killing some and sometimes dying
themselves. No matter how many die on both sides, there always
seem to be more.
Besides the war that mirrors that of Psarmorum and Maedoen,
there is an incidental effect of the intermingling in the Forest of
Meath. As time passes, the occasional angel or demon may find
the shee not so despicable after all, and become more interested in
experiencing life in Meath. Likewise, the occasional shee may learn
to take pleasure in the company and practices of angels or demons.
Their natures may gradually change through such associations.
There are always more pure shee, angels, and demons, but the
number of creatures that have traits of two species slowly grows.
Regional Pantheon
The shee and like fay creatures mostly worship Bel (Belenus, in
his aspect as god of sun and fire); various demons (also known as
devils or deevs) worship the Devil, Prince of Darkness and Father
of Lies; resident humans and half-humans may worship Sol Invictus
(not known by them to be Baphomet), or Maedoen gods such as
Cernunnos. The angels that are peris serve Sol, for now. Rarely,
genuine angels from various faiths may appear to aid the truly good
and oppose the truly evil.
Population
Sparse. Meath has no dearth of natural and supernatural creatures,
but it’s so vast in scope and changeable in nature that even a
master woodsman might sometimes have difficulty finding a
sentient inhabitant — assuming one was not looking for him as
well. There are human hamlets near the forest edge, but the
camps, courts, and other domiciles of the shee and so on are often
magically hidden (see Appendix A).
Economy
Despite the war between Maedoen and Psarmorum, there are
some merchants (too brave or too foolish, as their contemporaries
say) who dare travel from one nation to the other. They take the
sole long safe road forged through Meath, and pay heavy tariffs,
imposts, and levies, or sometimes short-cut trails, hoping not to
run into one of the frivolously cruel shee or the gleefully cruel
demons who live in the woods. The inhabitants of Meath levy no
page 180 | Chapter 7: Forest of Meath
tax or toll per se, though some may sometimes claim unwilling
travelers as living playthings — which serves as a heavy enough toll
on all who would pass through the forest.
There’s almost as much to trade with the forest residents as
there is to trade with the humans on the other side. The fay folk
of Meath, benign or malign or simply capricious, take pleasure in
playing with the less magical humankind. Wit and politeness are
oft the best sword and shield for those who deal with them, and
innocent children have been known to wander scatheless through
the woods. Some humans (usually of Maedoen) enter the forest
specifically to try their luck with the mercurial shee, hoping to
receive a random boon or endure the fairies’ tricks or tests long
enough for their mood to become more generous. (Many folktales
told on both sides of the forest have the moral that those who
enter Meath seeking gifts are more likely to receive nothing. That
doesn’t stop the occasional adventurer from trying for the even
more occasional success.) There is even a steady trade outside the
forest in charms and enchantments that their barkers claim will
make the fay look upon one favorably.
Others don’t take chances. A fortune hunter who is daring and
silver-tongued enough might forge a deal with the shee. (If the
stories are to be believed, a promise or bargain made by the fair
folk is impossible for them to break.) Most typically, a human
volunteers to undergo a quest (or to be the butt of the shee’s
jokes, pranks, and other mischief), and after success (or a set time)
the fairy gives him or her a moderate boon, often in the form that
folktales describe (since that is what people expect). Less moral
individuals may trade others for their boons. Whether they provide
indentured servants, men trying to alleviate debts or liens, or
slaves (illegal in either human nation), the entrepreneur can earn
significant benefits from certain shee (if they are what they seem).
Shee are not the only inhabitants of the forest who indulge in
bargaining with the humanfolk who come by. The most powerful
creatures and gods of the forest (of which Bel is one) are often
willing to accept sacrifices in exchange for potential benefits.
Demons in the east do much the same as the shee in the west,
tormenting travelers they find in Meath but also eagerly dealing
with them for souls or to tempt their victims into sin.
Within the forest itself, its inhabitants engage in myriad different
forms of exchange. Some trade in the comprehendible medium
of enchanted silver or fairy gold, but many others incur and pay
debts by performing songs, teaching rhymes, with bits of seeds,
worthless crystals, or even by being inhospitable or wittily rude to
another. Only the sharpest travelers manage to break even trading
in Meath.
Noteworthy Landmarks
The Safe Road: The road that runs through Meath from Psarmorum
to Maedoen is packed-earth 30 feet wide, with 30 feet a side
clear. Psarmorum built it, maintains it, and patrols it to within a
few score miles of Maedoen, which patrols its end. Save for the
ends, the road is protected by a potent enchantment, agreed to
by all including the shee. The magical effects of the forest do not
apply there, but no one may fight unless combat is mutually agreed
to. So a lone knight may challenge someone, and if the challenge
is accepted, the contest can proceed normally; or patrols from
Psarmorum and Maedoen can skirmish if so inclined. Otherwise
blows, missiles, and spells (which manifest visibly) all seem to move
as if through thick syrup, and have no effect. Of course, if one
should leave the road and enter the forest, all bets are off. There
are many temptations to do so.
The Forest: The realms of faerie can be cruel or enchanting or
whimsical, but are always changeable. Meath is no exception. It
has few stable landmarks, and apart from strange encounters,
has effects of its own that generally result in a traveler becoming
Shee (Fay or Faerie)
TY: Minor to Standard
TD: Minor: Arcane D10 (glamor) ~ Ranged D8 ~ Melee D6 ~
Unarmed D4
Standard: Arcane 2D6 (glamor) ~ Ranged 2D4 ~ Melee D8 ~
Unarmed D4
HP: Minor: 15 to 25; Standard: 48 to 80 [any constitution,
miniscule to large, preternatural; ×1.5 to ×2.5]
DR: By armor or shield (often crafted by fay and fitted to size)
ST: 2D6 or 2D8
AR: D4 to D12
Notes:
Creatures of the faerie world assume many forms: diminutive
winged pixies, tall, almost angelic beings (not unlike the Peris),
elegant alfar, short, wizened and frightening bögges, or magical
spirits of nature (sidhe gaoithe). Some commoners describe the
shee as any magical creature, but it’s usually the more ethereal
creatures that are counted. Indeed, woe to the one who suggests
that a goblin might count among the exalted creatures of the
Tuatha Dé Danann! The shee’s glamor power allows them to
distract or stun targets, whether for self-Defense or mischief
(using their Arcane dice as the opposing rolls). Shee typically
learn and cast spells using the Nature, Life, Illusion, and Plant
spheres.
WAT:
Treasure: 100–1000 coins value in gems or “arboreal” art.
hopelessly lost, and perhaps prey to monsters or wicked shee. For
each half-day of travel off the safe road, roll a D12.
1. Glamor. Illusion subtly changes landmarks and features as one
goes. Travel is hard going save for certain paths, which vanish after
a time, and only lead deeper in.
2. Change. As for glamor, above, but changes are real. Trees move
to block routes etc.
3. Travel rate. Seems normal but is at D6: 1 tenth, 2 fifth, 3 half, 4
twice, 5 five times, 6 ten times normal.
4. Distance. Actual distance between places varies as for rate,
above.
5. Direction. Travel is in a random direction (D8 for compass
heading: N, NE, E, etc.), but sun, moon, stars, and direction sense
all indicate travelers are heading the way they think they are going.
6. Plain lost. No idea which way is which, end up traveling in circles.
7–12. No effect.
Effects last the day (or night). Magic can counter some of them
(GM’s call), but will attract magic-using denizens of the forest.
There are some deer trails, and a series of loosely-linked bridle
paths that the shee have woven through the forest for their own
use, but these are very hard to find and not stable, keeping to the
same general route for only a few days. The bridle paths are not
magical per se, but the shee are bound by their laws not to molest
any who remain thereon. The Guardians’ Guild of Crossroads has
worked out how to find and follow such paths to travel to a desired
location, most of the time (5 in 6), with only brief treks through the
more dangerous forest itself.
The Waters: Reflecting the fluidity of faerie, water is often magical
in Meath. Streams and pools in the forest (off road or path) will be
Shee Lord
TY: Extraordinary
TD: Arcane 3D8 (glamor) ~ Ranged 2D10 ~ Melee D8 ~
Unarmed D4
HP: 96 (48/48) [normal, medium, preternatural; ×2]
DR: By armor or shield
ST: 3D8
AR: D10
Notes:
The Shee’s innate glamor power allows them to distract or stun
targets, whether for self-Defense or mischief. Shee typically
learn and cast spells using the Nature, Life, Illusion, and Plant
spheres. As well as being more powerful, the Shee Lords tend to
be more serious than their oft-times frivolous lesser kin.
WAT: Treasure: 1000–10,000 coins value in gems or “arboreal”
art.
Chapter 7: Forest of Meath | page 181
clear and refreshing unless polluted by some fell beast or other,
but have a 1 in 6 chance of being enchanted when drunk from
(and an hour after). Roll a D6 to see what happens if the waters are
magical.
1. Sleep. Fall into deep slumber after a few rounds.
2. Memory loss. Who are we? Why are we here? Where is here
anyway?
3. Confusion. Lose sense of direction; no idea how to find one’s
way.
4. Tranquility. Perfectly at peace; just want to lie back, eat lotuses,
etc.
5. As a beneficent potion. Whatever the character seems to need
most.
6. Touch of faerie glamor. Next encounter reaction will be positive.
Effects last the day (or night), as for forest magic. Meath water in a
waterskin varies with its source while in Meath (i.e. 1 in 6 magical if
an hour or more has passed).
Regional Monsters
Though they would object to the term “monsters,” the shee are
the best example of the local fauna. They are hard to categorize,
since each strives for a unique appearance and nature. As a general
rule, one of the shee is practiced at the magic of glamor, which can
make the false appear real, the real look false, and can accomplish
myriad effects. Shee generally feed off emotions or feelings
from humans they meet, and thus they play inventive and often
dangerous games with them. On the rare occasions that the shee
make mortal heroes welcome, they can be charming hosts, fêting
them with wondrous food, drink, music, and stories.
Imp
TY: Standard (devil)
TD: Arcane D10 ~ Unarmed 2D4 (claws) ~ Ranged D6 (sling) ~
Melee D4
HP: 44
AR: D8
Notes:
More common to the eastern end of the forest are imps and
minor demons. With few responsibilities, they can wander into
Meath to make trouble for passers-by and other inhabitants.
Their magic is generally less flexible than that of even minor
shee, and more useful for tricks and deceptions than full glamor.
An imp’s primary attack is the Curse effect, an innate power
power it can activate at will, and without any somatic or verbal
components.
page 182 | Chapter 7: Forest of Meath
The shee will seldom refuse a contest, and are especially fond of
fighting and chess, at which they are skilled enough that many
mortals have lost all they owned in a match. In their places of
power, the fay folk can often exceed the normal bounds of magic.
For instance, even minor sprites and so on can cast cantrips that
affect ordinary mortals. While demi-human heroes will be called
“cousins” as a courtesy, they get no special favors.
Fertile Glens
Description: Fertile glens are typically one of the many small valleys
in the Forest of Meath. The canopy is no less thick above it, and it
is no less verdant, but there is typically a single easy path in at one
end of the glen that threads the valley to the other side, where it
stops, usually at the bottom of a cliff. These glens are fertile not
just in plants, but also in magic. Fertile glens serve as homes to
the many strange shee creatures that live in Meath. A glen often
houses a small fairy court of some kind, with one powerful creature
presiding over the rest. All of them typically play at some form
of internecine politics, allying and backstabbing to their hearts’
delight. If they have hearts, that is. A glen is not always a valley,
although that is the most common: it could be a clearing, a small
lake, a hollow hill (rath), and so on. The only true requirement is
that the glen has one way in and out. Most are fairly idyllic places,
since most Fay like it that way.
Many fertile glens have unique properties. One might cause those
who die there to live on in its memory, another could turn silver
that crosses its boundaries into gold. Most glens cause some
measure of local time distortion. Common legends talk of visitors
spending a day but returning after a minute and vice versa. Usually,
the distortion is less. Only the most powerful fairy lords rule glens
that have great effects on time. Each glen has its own unique name
An imp may curse its foe’s primary or secondary abilities (1 point
penalty per 4 points NN, rolling its Arcanum D10). The imp must
penetrate the target’s Willpower DP before the penalty to the
target’s ability is applied. Once the effect causes enough threat
points to deplete the target’s Willpower, apply the penalty.
Never apply excess points to the target’s Fortitude. The imp can
maintain its innate power by paying half the cost of the original
activation.
WAT:
Imps carry little to no equipment, and are usually found without
clothes. Their ranged attacks are usually made via sling-shots,
but they are not specialized in such weapons, and get no special
bonuses.
Treasure: 100–600 coins value in strange artifacts, gems, or ugly
jewelry.
that describes and defines it to inhabitants and potential visitors.
Some fertile glens, like many of the fay creatures they house, also
have secret names. One who knows that secret name has power
over the glen, including the power to seal it away from the rest
of Meath and alter its appearance and nature. Ways to discover
a secret name are intrinsic to the place — perhaps a specific rite
performed at the glen’s heart, or reading tea leaves under a specific
moon, might reveal it.
Usually only the single strongest shee in a fertile glen knows the
glen’s secret name (if any), though other strong shee may know it
as well. It is not uncommon for a shee lord, not tied down to any
glen or fairy court, to know many glens’ names and use them as
leverage for safe travel. It is the more strange and magical glens
that have secret names, and the most powerful actually have
two — such glens are intelligent entities in their own right, and
dangerous to cross. Glens’ second secret names can be revealed
against the entities’ wills, but the rituals to learn them are known
only to the sagest of theurgists.
Glens can actually be “killed,” though the methods for slaying them
are unique to each glen. Planting a mistletoe twig in one might
destroy it, while stealing three of the place’s seven gem-laden
idols might slay another. Killing a glen eliminates one of its secret
names. If a conscious glen loses its second and more secret name,
it becomes little more than a fertile glen of special ability. Killing
a glen with only a single secret name is less like murder and more
like disabling or breaking a potent weapon or tool. A glen with no
secret names is just a magical place, and cannot be further harmed
in this way.
Demons and angels (peris) also use fertile glens for their domiciles
in Meath. Some learn the secret name of a glen, and may try
to change it into something that suits them. Such changes are
more than decorative, so it takes time for a fertile glen to don a
diabolic or paradisiac aspect. Where the change is complete, an
unsuspecting traveler in Meath can step from verdant forest to
hellfire-burned wasteland (or harp-strewn cloudscape) in the space
of a minute’s walk — and it can often be harder to leave than to
enter.
The following table is provided to help GMs characterise the large
numbers of fertile glens in Meath. They are often (5 in 6) inhabited,
although the main inhabitants might be away for a while (roll of
4 or 5). Glens usually have D4 special properties, stronger glens
more. Choose or roll for typical ones below, D6 for the first, D20
for any more.
1. Animals can talk. Plants can D10: 1–4 talk, 5–6 talk and move,
7–10 only dream.
2. Directions reversed. Must walk backwards to go forwards, left to
move right, etc.
3. Magic is erratic: half the time spells have punning and/or
amusing results.
4. Objects can D6: 1–4 talk, 5–6 talk and move. On a 6, includes
sun, moon, and stars.
5. Time. Seems normal but passes in glen at D6: 1 thirtieth, 2
tenth, 3 third, 4 thrice, 5 ten times, 6 thirty times outside rate.
6. Travel takes D6: 1 five, 2 ten, 3 fifty, 4 100, 5 200, 6 500
times longer to cover ground (a field might seem a plain, a hill a
mountain), but returning is at normal rates.
7. All creatures (and gear) entering the glen are shrunk to miniature
size, so normal-sized glen and plants seem enormous. Common for
important Fay courts and settlements.
8. Animals and plants are D4: 1–2 miniature, 3–4 giant-sized.
9. Color. Everything is D6: 1 pastel shades, 2 riotously bright,
3 striped, 4 rainbow hues, 5 other than normal, 6 monochrome
shades (D8: 1 red, 2 orange, 3 yellow, 4 green, 5 blue, 6 purple, 7
gray, 8 brown).
10. Gravity. D4: 1 all creatures can fly, 2 moon gravity, 3 objects
float in air if left there, 4 water flows uphill.
11. Intangibles are tangible. D6: 1 sunlight, moonlight, songs,
dreams can be woven, forged, or distilled, 2 auras are visible,
reflect thought and emotion, 3 speech (and spells) appear in
bubbles — pop to hear (or take effect; needs magic weapon), 4
dreams become real if one sleeps, 5 death, truth, the world, etc.
may appear as characters or symbolic creatures, 6 enchanted pool
shows how to obtain desired goals, items.
12. Objects are D4: 1–2 miniature, 3–4 giant-sized.
13. Season. D6: 1 spring, 2 summer, 3 autumn, 4 winter, 5 four
seasons in one day, 6 random season each hour.
14. Stream in glen is D8: 1 ale, 2 liquid gold, 3 liquid silver, 4 mead,
5 milk and honey, 6 wine, 7 as for forest stream; or 8 small pool in
cave is liquid cold iron.
15. Terrain. D6: 1 arctic, 2 desert, 3 jungle, 4 misty and foggy, 5
cloudscape, 6 crystalline.
16. The glen is a lake, or island thereon. (Inhabitants may grant
guests water breathing, or passage on an enchanted boat.)
17. Time of day. D6: 1 dawn, 2 day, 3 twilight, 4 night, 5 random
each hour, 6 all four at once (light/dark rotate visibly around glade
center).
18. Tree grows D6: 1 all manner of food and drink, 2 fruit whose
stones are gems, 3 edible gems, 4 weapons, 5 armor, 6 spell fruit
(to be thrown or eaten).
19. Wind can talk, may (possibly) provide information or transport
if asked nicely.
20. Wind sounds like D8: 1 bells, 2 chimes, 3 flute, 4 harp, 5 lyre, 6
pipes, 7 singing, 8 woodwind.
Chapter 7: Forest of Meath | page 183
Note that liquid metal is cold, not molten, and will solidify once
removed from glen. Edible gems are delicious and juicy in the glen,
but turn to valuables outside it. Talking animals and so on also
usually become ordinary once removed. Things work they way
they do in fairy tales: if something is asked for or freely given, it
is good, otherwise it will may well have a curse or geas or severe
drawback attached. There may be stated conditions that must not
be breached (with irrevocable penalties), but simple mistakes, like
plucking an apple from a sentient tree without asking (“Ow, what
did you do that for?”) can be remedied, by mollification, agreeing to
undertake quests, etc.
Adventure Hooks
Since Meath is so changeable, these are encounters, although it’s
easy enough to add a few longer-term consequences.
Distrait giant: A sorrowful 8–9 foot ogre or giant carries a human
skeleton wrapped in rich silken robes. He asks “What think you,
mortals, of my fair and lovely wife?” He is quite mad, but can sense
truth, and will be enraged if people lie or tell him she is dead. The
best reply is something like “She is a bride like no other,” or “She
has great bones,” but magical remedies may suggest themselves.
Enemy in need: A party foe — a knight of Psarmorum, a druidess,
a goblin lord, a notorious bandit — is magically trapped, being
dragged down slowly but inexorably into solid ground. If the party
effect a rescue, they will be owed a big favor, and if they do so
without hesitation or bargaining, they will have a friend.
Faery knight: All clad in green on black horse. Blocks road, and will
allow passage only if bested in mortal combat. As skilled as the
party’s strongest fighter. If slain, will gather head under arm and
page 184 | Chapter 7: Forest of Meath
ride off, muttering. He will leave behind a golden key — what it
unlocks is up to the GM. If the party champion is slain, his goods
are forfeit to the knight, and they and his body will vanish. He is
tended to by maidens of the Pool of Life for a sennight and a day,
and will then be transported by the fabled blue wind tiger to his
usual haunts, alive again.
Flowers in their hair: As many pretty Fay females as there are male
heroes will invite males for an afternoon’s (or evening’s or night’s)
pleasant dalliance in a secluded grove. All is as it seems. Female
and suspicious party members can cool their heels — there is wine
and food set aside. Polite refusal will be met only with tears “Don’t
you like me?” and a feeling of being a heartless cad, but rudeness,
by fairy law, will mean the next encounter will be with some nasty
Legendary beast(s) in a bad mood.
Gingerbread house: Icing roof, sugar windows, etc. An old half-hag
witch, short-sighted and hard of hearing, will be overjoyed to see
any halflings or gnomes: “Dear children, I’d love to have you in for
dinner.” Thinks the rest of the party are talking trees.
Goblin market: Fay of all kinds, other forest inhabitants, angels
and demons, creatures from other realms, the odd wizard, and
select traders (of which the party is assumed to be) gather here
under truce to wander through the tents and tables piled high
with stupendous goods and produce. As for the shee section of
the Porreth Bazaar in Grimsete, but vendors, choice, and clientele
are wider. Everything is noise, bustle, color. Rare wines, ambrosial
foods, faery fabrics, marvelous magic, wondrous weapons are all
displayed. Counsel can also be sought — how best to win the hand
of a princess, how to lift a potent curse. The more desirable goods
and services generally require elaborate quests as payment, to
perform deeds or gain items for the seller.
Phantos – “City of Life” formed the so-called City of Life, a place where any mortal creature
who sacrifices his firstborn to Phantos stops aging (Phantos does
Description: Not far within the borders of Meath, hidden in a glade
not mention the slight drawback that if one leaves the city, one
shielded by dense forest, briars, and rock-strewn hills, lies the
ages — quickly, if one is very old.)
horrid haven of a devil-lord. Once a fertile glen that held a small
temple of Sol, it is now a hideous town of death, where all that is
This sacrifice must be performed in public, which pleases Phantos
good is mocked and twisted. Here, perverse cruelty reigns.
greatly. Residents still in their youth face no coercion to convert
(for Phantos likes a youthful form), but once a citizen ages beyond
Phantos entered Ainerêve through the Equinox Gate in Crossroads;
a certain point he is hunted down. The authorities label an older
a foolish sorcerer summoned him, thinking to master that
person “accursed” and kill him, dumping his body into a mass
which cannot be tamed and to gain both immortality from the
grave. And in the times since, many mortals of evil mien have come
youth-giving devil and worldly power. For three nights before
seeking the right to stay in the “city” — attracted by whispers of
Phantos came the good folk of Crossroads were witness to signs
Phantos’s terrible gift, or fleeing justice elsewhere.
and portents — blood fell from the sky, the moon bore a mocking
visage, and croaking frogs spoke the devil-lord’s name in a
Visitors enter the place in the High quarter, and there at first
distorted chorus. At the coming of Phantos, the conceited sorcerer
glance it seems to live up to its name. It is pleasant and well-
who opened the gate to him was the first to die — it is said that
appointed: the main streets clean, the walls and buildings faced
one who waits at midnight near the Equinox Gate can hear his
with gleaming stone and leafy with vines, and the people young
spirit shrieking in shrill surprise.
and handsome, laughing as they shop for luxuries along the
esplanade, or wait for the games to begin in the amphitheater.
The Duke Verurteilt and a handful of knights and wizards rushed
The attendant serfs and slaves are neat and tidy. Even the goblin
to challenge him, but Phantos, overwhelmingly strong, used his
guards seem only there to highlight the rest by contrast. But this
manifold powers to dispatch the ill-prepared sortie, raze the
is misleading: the seedy and overcrowded low-born quarter (really
new town, and destroy its first stronghold. Virgil, arriving in the
three quarters) is hidden by architecture and illusion from here,
aftermath, met the Duchess, who had rallied her scattered people
there is a brittle quality to the laughter, the vines seem to move
with the new day, and led a combined and well-coordinated assault
even without wind, and was that a whiff of carrion in the air?
by survivors, theurgists of Math, and devil hunters of Psarmorum
(there following up portents), that drove Phantos away.
Regional Pantheon
As far as Phantos and his aristocracy of the damned are concerned
The devil-lord had no wish to test himself further against such
there is but one god, and that god is Phantos, by whose name the
strong opposition. He took himself off to the nearby wilderlands
city is also known. Sol is still worshipped in secret.
of Meath and there found a small temple-community dedicated
to Sol Invictus: a hidden town and shrine intended by the Templar
Phantos did not slay all the priests of Sol. Such as remain of the old
Knights of Psarmorum as a waystation and forward base in their
priesthood, plus brave agents of Psarmorum questing here to help
efforts to spread the sun god’s faith. It had proved unsuccessful:
their brethren, are always at risk of exposure and a terrible death
few converts had been won and the original pilgrim-settlers were
— either they live reclusively in the surrounding woods or else pose
losing faith; Sol’s followers were also fading in power here where
as loyal citizens of the devil-lord’s macabre realm. Some of the
other entities held sway.
more powerful servants of Sol Invictus tried to escape by changing
into spirit form, but were captured and enslaved. It amused
Phantos surprised and killed the high priest of Sol, then slaugh-
Phantos to transform them into terrible “angels” and use them
tered the leaderless priests, so he could build a pleasure-realm
to hunt out followers of the old order. These tortured spirits are
of youth and cruelty on the grounds of the sun god’s desecrated
called the seraphim (see the bestiary, under angels), and Phantos
church. Quickly gaining control of the fertile glen (which he
commands them to kill or imprison their old priesthood. He dubs
recognised for what it was, even if the followers of Sol did not) he
Sol’s priests the Priests of Limbo (because — he claims — their god
began shaping the land around him. He transformed the temple by
is lost in limbo).
the power of his will and imagination, making it the centre for his
dark cult of youth and dubbing it the sanctum.
Population
The population of the small city of Phantos itself is dense, with
For the pilgrim-settlers the choice was simple, accept the new
many hundreds of either oppressed or willing followers of the
order or die. Many did accept, tempted by the devil-lord’s promise
devil-lord crammed together in old Templar buildings modified by
of eternal life in this world, at a price. Others went along in the
Phantos’s dark will. The whole place is overgrown with flesh eating
hope that this new overlord would soon be overthrown. So was

Chapter 7: City of Phantos | page 185

vines and warded by feral packs of goblins at the gates; these act
as city guards — although who guards the citizens from the goblins
is a question many ask.
Beyond the vine-warded walls, in the fens and woods, the
population is sparse. To the north dwell fearsome giants, so what
communities of relatively free people there are lie predominantly
to the south — yet even here there is much to fear from monster,
undead thing, malevolent shee, or the followers of Phantos.
Economy
Officially, the city buys nothing, but takes what it needs. It still
allows trade. Bandits and brigands love the City of Life, and many
come here to trade their plunder — unscrupulous merchants
buy their goods and profit from selling them in distant markets.
Unwholesome traders are shown secret routes to the city, passes
are issued, and goblin guards brutally instructed to let favoured
traders and raiders through the gates. Trade in slaves is common
too, for no commodity, or cruelty, is off limits here. Most of those
captured by bandits from Maedoen to Psarmorum end up here as
slaves, for fresh supplies are always needed.
Goods are for sale, as well as people, but they are not made here —
and that which is sold may well still be drenched in its true owner’s
blood. There is a shortage of everyday necessities just as there is
a surfeit of stolen luxury goods — thus it is that bread and other
needed things sell at five or more times their usual price while
exotic items, plundered on the road, might be bought for a quarter
of the going rate.
page 186 | Chapter 7: City of Phantos
Caveat emptor: those doing the selling are as likely to cut the
throat and steal the money of the seemingly weak as they are to
go through with the sale. In short, the place produces little except
suffering.
Of note are The Twistings, an area of interlocked alleys where
thieves and robbers offer up their goods from darkened stalls or
seedy tavern tables; The Blackened Hand, an inn of sorts where
dark wizards gather to trade in items needful to the evil side of
their craft, including certain charms and magics, made in the city, of
interest to corrupt magicians; and Plentiful Street, the sarcastically
named market area where feeble dribbles of food are offered at
extortionate rates to supplement the low-born citizens’ diet of rat
(and the aristocracy’s diet of horse).
Bandits sell stolen horses here as well. Horses in Phantos are
not used for transport, but eaten. They are often seized or stolen
at the city gate: the wild goblin guards have an obsession with
horsemeat that is shared by Phantos’s depraved priesthood and
aristocracy, who consider it a delicacy. Travelers who come into
the city by horse usually find themselves without a mount, and
perhaps fighting for their horse’s life as the Wild Goblin guard
(called the Horsekillers Tribe by some) tries to take it to the
butcher. Transportation in the city is usually by carriage, wagon, or,
for the aristocracy, the Sedan Chair. Large demonic hounds pull the
wagons and eat those who fail to pay their fare. (Demonic hounds:
TY Standard / TD Unarmed 2D8 ~ Arcane (fire breath weapon)
2D8 / HP 32 / DR D4 vs. fire only / ST D10 / AR D12.)
Important Entities
Of obvious precedence here is the incredibly powerful Demon Lord
Phantos himself (see the bestiary). He dwells in a magical place
beyond the so-called Spirit Gate in his unholy sanctum. Some say
he adopts the guise of youthful beings of whatever race suits his
whim and might be found in the city itself, walking in the company
of his closest worshippers while engaged in some seemingly happy
activity — shopping for clothing or gems, watching a gladiatorial
display, or delighting in some random act of wild cruelty.
Of note is the dragon Xoraxai (see the bestiary). The city officials
of Phantos have low tolerance for large, aggressive serpents
spreading terror: it tends to undermine the town militias’ efforts
to terrorize the populace themselves. The demon lord Phantos did
battle with one marauding dragon early in his reign, and victorious,
he enslaved the magnificent beast to his will. The dragon Xoraxai,
an elder fire drake, remains chained to the side of a cliff to this
day, in a remote location far outside the city gates. (Phantos keeps
it alive, just in case he tires of ruling and decides to unleash it on
the city.) Although no friend of man, and as likely to kill each and
every denizen of the city as it is to kill the followers of Phantos, the
dragon could conceivably be of use to one seeking to overthrow
the devil-lord’s rule — if its fury could somehow be channeled, or
the fate of non-followers was of no concern.
Thomas the Seneschal has charge of the moat-warded palace that
looms near Phantos’s sanctum. As with all the devil-lord’s lackeys,
he has the look of youth, and yet in reality he is aged — formerly
a supposedly loyal monk with long years in the service of Sol, he
had forced himself on a serving maid; shamed, she did not reveal
his assault, even when she bore his bastard son and her shame was
made public. The son grew to be a confident and hard-working
lad — his mother’s joy — but when Phantos made his vile offer,
Thomas dragged the grown lad before him and stabbed him
through the heart. As a reward the old monk was not only given
youth but fighting prowess too. He stands tall and strong, dressed
in blue armor and wielding a sword with an invisible blade. The
aged mother still lives, hiding in the fens outside the city — she is
half mad but in her insanity has learnt something of witchery and
magic; she would have vengeance on Thomas.
Petal Violet is the uncrowned queen of all the thieves and ruffians
that come to Phantos to buy and sell; the head of the local thieves’
guild, Petal Violet is seemingly a follower of Phantos: she has
eternal youth after her former husband offered up her beloved
new-born son against her will. She mastered the arts of stealth and
murder, killed her husband, and by dint of bloody skill became head
of all the city’s crime gangs. She dresses in the height of fashion,
puts on a girlish display of spoilt petulance, coquettishness, and
flirtatious fun, but this belies a secret and steely determination to
rule the city herself.
Note: The GM is encouraged to create NPC stats for those in Phantos
not listed in the bestiary, and to scale difficulty according to the player
characters’ current strengths.
Local Authorities
Again, first in precedence is Phantos himself, afterwards a council
of priests, called the Seven Worthy Students, that serve him most
closely; next is the Seneschal. In matters of war the seneschal can
act without the seven’s approval — there is rivalry between them
as a result.
The Seven are an evil brood; although fair of face, each is as
wicked as a mortal can be; intrigue, assassination, and the worst
kind of insincere camaraderie are their hallmarks. The wickedest
of denizens vie for these roles at the top of the city aristocracy
(where rank depends on wealth). Some of the Seven are former
priests of Sol, tempted by power, others evildoers from Maedoen
or Psarmorum. Phantos grants powers to these his priests but is
not worshipped directly; since his only creed is “Do as you like,”
those who revel in the life of his city please him. Of course, failure
to enjoy this worldly paradise is a sure sign of apostasy and aging.
The Seven’s main duties are to organize entertainment and deal
with the aged and the servants of other gods, mainly Sol. The
changelings (see below) taught the Seven how to use human
corpses as temporary bodies, thus letting them “shape-change” by
switching bodies while in astral form.
Chapter 7: City of Phantos | page 187
There is no true law. The town has a supposed Mayor, Ygmir, a
dwarf who seems for one of his race both affable and surprisingly
interested in the wellbeing of the city’s inhabitants — this creature
was appointed by the Seven, and is in truth selfish and corrupt,
as one might expect, and only interested in grabbing power and
wealth. He has a number of powerful cronies in Phantos’s priest-
hood who benefit from the crooked and unscrupulous deals he
engineers.

The office of High Constable is currently taken by Olan Hind, a fop

with dandyish good looks, always dressed in the height of fashion.
Olan is thought to be Ygmir’s stooge, but unbeknownst to the
scheming dwarf, Olan is actually loyal to the thieves’ guild — with
which he has substantial gambling debts. He is secretly besotted
with Petal Violet, who uses his infatuation to her own ends. Olan
takes bribes, extorts money, and generally misuses his power. He
heads up the New Guard, an amalgam of former brigands, merce-
naries, and evil adventurers. Its tasks include hunting down the
“Priests of Limbo” (renegade priests from the old religious order,
before Phantos) and those who show signs of aging, so the priests
of Phantos can deal with them.

Revenue and taxes: The so-called Changeling Tax Collectors gather

money from the downtrodden residents of the city. They also
aid the New Guard with the task of hunting down and capturing
followers of Sol Invictus.

Noteworthy Landmarks
The city is a place of luxury and death; of seeming beauty on the
one hand, but evil on the other — like a rose with poisonous thorns
and scent.
The Dump: The city graveyard, a festering pit of rotting corpses just
outside the city — smelt rather than seen by a first-time visitor;
long-time residents are accustomed to its charnel house vapours
when the wind blows from the south. Anyone who ages in the City
of Life is evidently undeserving of eternal life. So once a person
starts to lose his youthful appearance (which can happen at any
age after 20 for humans, but always before 30), he is accursed by
Phantos and hunted down for disposal, so the city can rid itself of
“trash”. The bodies dumped here are those deemed unfit to be “a
good change of clothes” for the changeling tax-collectors.
The Sanctum: Phantos’s unholy dwelling, in appearance, a
columned edifice of shining white stone. It is guarded within by
seemingly angelic beings; here the Spirit Gate leads to Phantos’s
own realm — and, it is whispered, one confronting him here can
destroy the devil-lord if they know a certain secret (but what that
secret might be, none can say). In any event, the Impassable Child
wards the gate.
The Palace: Shaped by Phantos’s will, the palace is an edifice of
supernatural magnificence. Gleaming emerald green walls of a
glassy substance with the density of rock rise in a twisting plethora
of towers and battlements, so that the whole resembles a mass
of tentacles or tangled roots rising in the air, or writhing snakes
petrified in mid-undulation. It is both imposing and oddly capti-
vating, and one looking long at the towers can become dreamy and
detached, as if hypnotized by actual movement. A moat of green
water surrounds the palace and in it dwells a sea serpent of great
ferocity (see bestiary).
Raptors’ Aerie: This tall black spire is a place of unspeakable sorcery
where the eyes of men are put to hideous use. The tower is as
dark and malevolent as the ends its inhabitants serve. Certain evil
aristocrats have the dubious honor of acting as keepers for the
augmented birds (see Raptors hereafter).
Jotterthug Stadium: This is the city’s amphitheater where unfor-
tunate adventurers may find themselves in a battle to the death
with captured members of the nearby Jotterthug tribe of giants.
The stadium has something of a barbaric feel, fashioned from giant
blocks of unmortared stone and floored with blood-soaked sand.
The treasure awarded to victors in the Jotterthug Stadium usually

page 188 | Chapter 7: City of Phantos

amounts to 1000 in the gold coin of the realm, and temporary
freedom from harassment.
Relics and Treasures
There are tavern tales of powerful artifacts linked to the church
of Sol that allow Phantos to control the seraphim that were once
servitors of the sun god — one penetrating the sanctum might
learn the truth of this.
The Whip of Scales: This lengthy whip of dragon scales can control,
for a short time, a subdued dragon; could it control Xoraxai? In any
event, it is in the seneschal’s possession — kept in his chamber high
up in the palace’s tallest tower.
Vendors and Dealers
A roving fay called the Metal Man deals in exotic jewellry
and gems, and secrets too — he might be found in the
Twistings, or perhaps wandering the woods that surround
the city. He is capricious and unpredictable, but pays well
in buying, offers a good deal in selling. He has four arms
beneath his cloak, and can take on the form of a man-size
bipedal insect with an armored exoskeleton as hard as steel;
in this form he wields four swords.
The Butcher is a favorite of the wild goblins; he always has meat
— wild game; often horse; sometimes man. He is a fat goblin-like
thing sired by a demon on a hobgoblin hag. He knows spells that
tear flesh from bone or boil a man’s marrow while he yet lives. He
can fight too, and predictably carries a big and bloody cleaver. His
shop is uncomfortably close to the dump, so the freshness of his
wares is hard to judge.
Guilds and Training
The thieves’ guild is the only coherent group other than those
of Phantos and the Seven, and offers training in both arms and
skullduggery. The guild house lies in the Twistings — the house
is a series of above and below ground chambers, all tastefully
decorated to Petal Violet’s precise instruction; there are comfy
pillows and pretty wall hangings as well as a deadly trap or three.
The New Guard offers no training as it only hires thugs who already
know how to bully.
Regional Monsters
The entries in the bestiary have game statistics for the many of the
strange and deadly creatures that dwell in or near this accursed
city, and its vile ruler. Details relevant or specific to Phantos, the
so-called “City of Life,” are given below.
The Accursed: These zombies were people murdered by the Priests
of Phantos, whose bodies were disposed of like lumps of meat
in “The Dump”. But they, too, linger on, perhaps animated by the
same force that gives rise to limbo spirits.
Capture Vine: This vine grows all over the buildings of Phantos,
Chapter 7: City of Phantos | page 189
climbing up the walls. The minions of Lord Phantos planted them
all over the city to help capture runaways, such as low-born
criminals. Oddly, their worst enemies are the Accursed. Undead
creatures wither Capture Vines instantly should they pass by within
ten feet.

Changeling Collectors: The changelings found a perfect home in

the abode of the Demon Lord Phantos. A city that welcomes them
unconditionally without condemning their chaotic behavior, plus a
master who rewards them with many glittery, shiny things. Why, it
just couldn’t be better for Fay creatures! In return, the changelings
collect the taxes from the downtrodden residents of the city. They
also aid the New Guard. The changelings, in return for having a
new, wonderful playground, taught the leaders of Phantos City
how to prepare human corpses as temporary bodies, granting even
humans the ability to “shape-change” by switching bodies while
in astral form. The Changeling Collectors often use pointer dogs
to track down the Swipes, who frequently steal from the barracks
coffers. Many changelings are fond of taking on the form and
abilities of a hunting dog as well, if the real thing isn’t available. Of
course, a changeling hunting dog won’t tolerate leashes!

Giant, Jotterthug: The city of Phantos is located in a valley on

the north side of which is a forested, slightly mountainous area
called the Jotters’ Hills, named after a race of giants that would
kill travelers and “jot” down the kill score total on the side of a
cliff, near their main lair. Phantos thought this immensely amusing,
and has several of the giants captured each year. He uses them
for gladiatorial sport in the city’s amphitheater, called Jotterthug
Guardian of the Sanctum: Adjacent to the palace sits the Sanctum.
Stadium. Captured adversaries of greater prestige or rank than the
Its guardian is actually a minion of the demon lord Phantos,
low born find themselves facing these huge humanoids in a battle
summoned to guard the Spirit Gate, where the priesthood may
to the death.
enter into their god’s realm. Its form and visage is that of a
small boy, making the priesthood feel welcome, but unnerving
Giant Rats: Giant rats are a staple food of the low born in Phantos,
trespassers. Trying to get by the Impassable Child may prove to be
as well as the Accursed zombies in The Dump. Some say the rats
quite a feat, as he is capable of interposing several magical shields
taste particularly delicious if they recently feasted on changeling
to push back any creature trying to get past him.
flesh, but few believe the rumor.

Limbo Spirits: The city of Phantos was created upon the desecrated
Goblin: Most communities dislike the idea of large, roving bands of
ground of an old religious outpost of Sol Invictus. Their high
violent goblins hanging around their town or city. But in Phantos
priest was murdered, and the priesthood hunted down like dogs.
it’s welcomed, as the goblins serve as the de facto “gate guards”.
Priests of the old religious order are killed when discovered. Some,
Common in the area surrounding the city of Phantos, the Wild
however, return in spirit form, whether through the distant agency
Goblins prevent most adventurers from proceeding too far, owing
of Sol or a magical effect of the fertile glen. These are vengeful
to their great numbers. Only the more powerful explorers make it
spirits, attacking officials of the city without mercy until contained
to the center of the valley, which suits the leaders of the city just
by powerful necromancers. These spirits are called spectres by the
fine. If some do reach the city, they can be conscripted into service
denizens of Phantos, and are rarely encountered.
or set to face the Jotterthug giants in gladiatorial combat. The
goblins are also involved in a strange sort of “horse trading”, as they
Raptors: Raptors are feared in the city of Phantos, not because of
enjoy eating horse, as do the officials of the city. Many travelers
their unceasing vigilance, but because some of the low-born slaves
will have their mounts killed on the spot, and attempting to defend
get taken away to become “Raptor Hosts”. These poor souls are
their mounts usually results in capture and jail time.
chained into a cell, their eyes carefully removed from their skulls

page 190 | Chapter 7: City of Phantos

and used to replace the raptor’s eyes. Then, with the aid of a
sorcerer’s spell, the bird and the man are connected forever, and
he sees through the bird’s perspective.

If the Raptor Host’s body is killed, his soul immediately travels to

the bird’s body and takes over its mind. Therefore, some raptors
are as intelligent as humans. All of them are controlled by the
city’s few Raptor Keepers, who are usually aristocrats.

Seraphim: The “angels” of Phantos are called the Seraphim, and

they are terrible creatures: humanoids with four heads and
six wings. Just looking at one causes 4 points of damage to
Willpower DP, then Fortitude, every round. The average citizen
would be incinerated in a minute or so. They are the enslaved
spirits of “Priests of Limbo”: Phantos collected their tortured,
disembodied minds into four crystal jars, and keeps them on
his mantelpiece in his palace in the center of the city. Phantos
commands the Seraphim into action, always to kill or imprison
their old priesthood wherever they may be hiding.

The four crystal jars are powerful artifacts. They act like spiritual
Leyden jars, collecting the prayers of the pious and good nearby.
Phantos uses the jars to imprison and torment the spirits, and to
charge them to near-angelic power when occasionally released to
hunt. Breaking the jars would release the Seraphim, learning the
commands would let one control them, and returning the jars to
Psarmorum (which has its own uses for them) would gain one a
great deal of wealth.

Swipes: Swipes are useful to some in the city of Phantos. Easily

bribed, the monkey-like creatures make for great spies and
filchers. These creatures are reviled by the aristocracy and priest-
hood, which view them as the low born’s method of challenging
their authority and stealing their riches.
Adventure Hooks
When Baphomet Calls: The witch-addled mother of the
seneschal’s murdered son whispers that it was no chance
that brought the devil-lord to one of Sol’s enclaves; she hints
guardedly of something unspeakable, an impossible entangle-
ment betwixt Sol and Baphomet — but surely this is just her
madness raving? And yet, a roving “minstrel” has slipped through
the gates, when he plays his tunes even the goblins caper and
laugh, and he plays especially for those who might turn against
Phantos. Who will accompany this strange bard into Phantos’s
sanctum? He seeks adventurous comrades. Hell has reason
to hate Baphomet as surely as heaven — and by striking here,
Phantos has weakened Baphomet’s long-term plans. Now a
reckoning might be due, or mayhap the minstrel has plans of his
own and will leave his comrades long before the battle is won.
Recycling: Uh-oh, when the wife of one of the Seven showed signs
of aging she was swiftly killed in the proper fashion, but the foolish
guards forgot to remove her precious jewellery before disposing of
her in the dump. Now a race is on to get the jewels from beneath
the piles of corpses: her former husband wants them back and has
despatched some lesser priests to fetch them; meanwhile Mayor
Ygmir has prevailed upon the High Constable to send a squad of
the New Guard; not to be outdone, Petal Violet has pointed a
group of daring thieves in the right direction.
The adventurers are contacted by the Metal Man — will they try
and beat these rival groups, dodge the accursed, and bring back
the gems for a rich reward? The Metal Man can give secrets as well
as gold…

Chapter 7: City of Phantos | page 191

Axes of Evil: Disreputable dwarves from afar (led by Rak, Ran, and
Kor, relatives of the Mayor, Ygmir) have been making forays deep
into the forest to hew down a sacred grove, while city goblins cart
away the timber. Phantos extends tendrils of his dark power to
protect them from the fay, who are not happy, and seek mortal
aid (since Phantos’s magic is not directed at such), to wit, the PCs.
How directly or indirectly the PCs are approached, whether they
are cajoled or threatened, and why Phantos wants this destruction,
or the magical timber, are left in the GM’s hands. If the PCs are
smart, they might extract a binding promise from the fay, if they are
capable, they might overcome the dwarves, and if they are percep-
tive, they might find out what is going on.

NPC Rivalries: Everyone here is a rival of everyone else;

consider each named character in the service of Phantos
as a rival of the rest — and Phantos himself is no friend
to his followers — in truth, he despises them all and
once they no longer amuse him then all will be dead.
Perhaps the greatest hidden rivalry is that between
the thieves’ guild under Petal Violet and the
followers of Phantos. This is hidden… for now…

page 192 | Chapter 7: City of Phantos

Appendix 1: Names and Places Welsh (Maedoen) is smooth and musical. Words are stressed on
the next to last syllable. A /y/ as the last syllable is a long /ee/
sound, and the /i/ is always short. The /ch/ is as in ‘loch’. We have
This appendix contains names and notes on people and places
written the breathy Welsh /ll/ as it sounds, /hl/.
in Ainerêve. They should help with adding background color,
expanding the setting, naming characters and NPCs, and so on.
Gaelic (Meath) is fairly smooth but throaty. Stress is on the first
syllable. Accented vowels are longer. The /c/ and /g/ are hard, and
Pronunciation the /r/ is rolled. The /ch/ is as in ‘loch’; /h/ softens consonants;
/ae/ is pronounced /ai/ and /oe/ is pronounced /oi/.
Most local names in this book are spelled fairly phonetically:
Fergus, Shee, Roberre, rather than the orthographic but misleading
French (Psarmorum) is nasal. The /é/ and /ei/ rhyme with ‘hey’;
Fearghas, Sidhe, Robert. Just say the words as you see them,
other e’s are as in ‘men’; a final ‘e’ is silent unless accented. Final
perhaps with a trace of a suitable accent (Welsh, Irish, or French).
consonants are often silent. The /i/ is a long /ee/ sound. The
Some tips are provided for important names.
/eau/ rhymes with ‘go’. We have written French /oi/, /gn/, /j/ as
they sound, /wa/, /ny/, /zh/ (e.g. Agnes, Joie, Guy = Ahnyes, Zhwa,
Ainerêve. Varies with regional accents: an-Ah-reev in Maedoen;
Ghee).
Ann-ah-reev in Meath; Ai-nurr-evv in Psarmorum.
Cartrefol Cyfain. kar-Treff-oll Kiff-ain.
Chartres. Shah-trez. Names
Cythraul. Kai-thrawl.
d’Echallens. Deh-Shall-onz. This section provides lists of typical names for the inhabit-
Grimsete. Grim-seat. ants populating the towns, villages, and groves of Maedoen,
Gan Creadigeath. Gann Krraid-gaith. Psarmorum, and Meath. Choose, or roll dice to allocate randomly.
Mali. Mal-ih.
Maedoen. may-Doe-en. Maedoen. Maedoen names are mostly Welsh; some are Gaelic
Meath. Meeth. because of interaction with Meath. Bynames (e.g. Huw of Seatown,
Psarmorum. sar-Mor-um. Huw Math’s son, Huw the Fisher, Huw the Tall) are used rather
Shee. She; as in banshee. than fixed surnames. In Old Welsh, ‘ap’ meant ‘son of’ and ‘merch’
meant ‘daughter of’, so Huw’s children might be called Owen ap
Huw and Olwen merch Huw.

Roll D6: 1–3 main, 4–5 other, 6 Gaelic (see Meath).

Male main (D20): 1 Aneirin, 2 Arthur, 3 Bran, 4 Bryn, 5 Cadoc, 6

Derwyn, 7 Dylan, 8 Emrys, 9 Geraint, 10 Griffyth, 11 Hlewellyn, 12
Hloyd, 13 Huw, 14 Madoc, 15 Melvyn, 16 Morgan, 17 Owen, 18
Pendaran, 19 Rhys, 20 Tecwyn.

Male other (D20): 1 Amren, 2 Angwyn, 3 Avon, 4 Berwyn, 5

Cadfael, 6 Caradoc, 7 Corryn, 8 Elphin, 9 Gethin, 10 Gwydion,
11 Maelgwin, 12 Math, 13 Mawr, 14 Meredyth, 15 Nerthach, 16
Owein, 17 Peredur, 18 Pryderi, 19 Taliesin, 20 Uther.

Female main (D20): 1 Angharad, 2 Anwen, 3 Blodwen, 4 Branwen,

5 Bronwen, 6 Ceinwen, 7 Gwendolyn, 8 Lynwen, 9 Mederei, 10
Morwenna, 11 Nerys, 12 Nest, 13 Nona, 14 Olwen, 15 Rhiain, 16
Rhonda, 17 Tangwen, 18 Tegan, 19 Wynne, 20 Yseult.

Female other (D20): 1 Adwen, 2 Brisen, 3 Carys, 4 Creirwyn, 5

Dwynwen, 6 Eurfron, 7 Gwendyth, 8 Gweneal, 9 Gwenevar, 10
Hafren, 11 Innogen, 12 Malvina, 13 Mererid, 14 Morved, 15
Neued, 16 Nimue, 17 Rhiannon, 18 Saeth, 19 Sirona, 20 Tangustel.

Appendix 1 | page 193

Psarmorum. Names in Psarmorum are almost all French, but a few
are from elsewhere in Europe. Surnames are used. Ecclesiastics
sometimes adopt Latinate names when they take holy orders.
Noble family surnames often start with ‘de’ (meaning ‘of’ or ‘from’)
before a place name, as in de Nimes or d’Or.

Roll D10: 1–6 main, 7–9 other, 0 other European (GM’s whim).

Male main (D20): 1 Ahnri, 2 Alain, 3 Baudouin, 4 Bertrohn, 5

Blaise, 6 Clowde, 7 Etienne, 8 Franswah, 9 Gaston, 10 Gautier, 11
Geoffroy, 12 Ghee, 13 Guiyaume, 14 Jacque, 15 Louis, 16 Mathieu,
17 Pierre, 18 Roberre, 19 Ugues, 20 Zhean.

Male other (D20): 1 Abelard, 2 André, 3 Antwahn, 4 Benwah,

5 Bernar, 6 Blondel, 7 Deni, 8 Gaspar, 9 Gervase, 10 Gilberre,
11 Isembar, 12 Maurice, 13 Michel, 14 Philippe, 15 Raimon, 16
Renart, 17 Rishard, 18 Toussaint, 19 Zherome, 20 Zhoscelin.

Female main (D20): 1 Ahnyes, 2 Alice, 3 Anne, 4 Bernadette, 5

Blanche, 6 Charlotte, 7 Eleanor, 8 Emma, 9 Isabeau, 10 Isabelle,
11 Louise, 12 Madeleine, 13 Marguerite, 14 Marie, 15 Marthe, 16
Matilda, 17 Mowde, 18 Suzanne, 19 Yvonne, 20 Zheanne.
Female other (D20): 1 Amice, 2 Antoinette, 3 Arletta, 4 Beatrice,
5 Clotilde, 6 Constance, 7 Eglantine, 8 Esclarmonde, 9 Estelle, 10
Eugenie, 11 Fransoise, 12 Gabrielle, 13 Helene, 14 Melisonde, 15
Rixende, 16 Stephanie, 17 Tomassia, 18 Vuissance, 19 Wahseel, 20
Yolande.
Surnames main (D20): 1 Armand, 2 Bernard, 3 Bertrand, 4 David, 5
Dubois, 6 Durand, 7 Fournier, 8 Girard, 9 Laurent, 10 Lefebvre, 11
Leroy, 12 Martin, 13 Michel, 14 Moreau, 15 Petit, 16 Rishard, 17
Roberre, 18 Roux, 19 Simon, 20 Thomas.
Surnames other (D20): 1 Arpin, 2 Bouchard, 3 Charette, 4 Charles,
5 Clement, 6 Dubois, 7 Fontaine, 8 Garnier, 9 Hamel, 10 Joliot, 11
L’hiver, 12 Laroux, 13 Marceau, 14 Olivier, 15 Perreault, 16 Picard,
17 Roussel, 18 St Crois, 19 Tibault, 20 Vautier.
Ecclesiastical (D20): 1 Aemilius, 2 Ambrosius, 3 Beneventus, 4
Celestinus, 5 Cornelius, 6 Gregorius, 7 Honorius, 8 Jacobus, 9
Julius, 10 Lucius, 11 Marcus, 12 Parvus, 13 Paulinus, 14 Petrus, 15
Pius, 16 Quintus, 17 Simplicius, 18 Theodoricus, 19 Theophilus, 20
Vigilius. (Change -us ending to -a for females.)
Meath. Names of Forest of Meath natives are mostly Gaelic; some
are Welsh because of interaction with Maedoen. Bynames are
used (e.g. Mór of Redgrove, Mór Sahrich’s daughter, Mór the Tree-
speaker, Mór the Nimble) rather than fixed surnames. In Gaelic,
‘mac’ meant ‘son of’ and ‘ingean’ meant ‘daughter of’, so Fergus’s
children might be called Cormac mac Fergus and Maeve ingean
Fergus.
Roll D6: 1–3 main, 4–5 other, 6 Welsh (see Maedoen).
Male main (D20): 1 Áed, 2 Ailill, 3 Angus, 4 Brian, 5 Cathal, 6
Conall, 7 Conovar, 8 Cormac, 9 Domnall, 10 Eochaid, 11 Eoghan,
12 Fergus, 13 Fland, 14 Lochlainn, 15 Lugaid, 16 Niall, 17
Oishean, 18 Rónan, 19 Shéamus, 20 Sheán.
Male other (D20): 1 Bróccan, 2 Cónan, 3 Conn, 4 Dáire, 5 Dairmud,
6 Dálach, 7 Donnchad, 8 Dovnall, 9 Duthach, 10 Ferchar, 11
Fergal, 12 Finn, 13 Gavran, 14 Lugaid, 15 Máeldúin, 16 Morrann,
17 Nuadu, 18 Orthanach, 19 Tuathal, 20 Uaithne.
Female main (D20): 1 Bévinn, 2 Ciannah, 3 Djearváil, 4 Duvessa, 5
Ehnat, 6 Eithne, 7 Fionnavair, 8 Goormla, 9 Grahnya, 10 Maeve,
11 Mór, 12 Muirenn, 13 Nessa, 14 Nuala, 15 Oona, 16 Orlah, 17
Sáerlah, 18 Sahrich, 19 Sheila, 20 Tailltiu.
Female other (D20): 1 Affraic, 2 Brigit, 3 Caírech, 4 Caitilín, 5
Cawran, 6 Doireand, 7 Éile, 8 Emer, 9 Fionnuala, 10 Gohbnit,
11 Lethann, 12 Muirecht, 13 Niav, 14 Órnat, 15 Rónnait, 16
Samthann, 17 Sarnah, 18 Sath, 19 Shivahn, 20 Táethen.

page 194 | Appendix 1

Towns and villages
Ainerêve is a ‘sandbox’ setting, with some important things
specified, such as cities and adventure locations, and the rest left
for you to arrange to suit your campaign. For instance, lesser and
less adventurous settlements can be added to the map as required.
Guidelines are given below.
Settlement sizes for Psarmorum (halve for Maedoen or Meath):
Hamlet 50–300 (D6 x 50)
Village 400–900 (D6 x 100 + 300)
Town 1000–6000 (D6 x 1000)
Maedoen is moderately populated, and its settlements are small.
Roll D6 for size: 1–3 hamlet, 4–5 village, 6 town. Psarmorum is well
populated. Roll D6 for size: 1 hamlet, 2–4 village, 5–6 town. For
Meath, roll D8 for size: 1–4 hamlet, 5–7 village, 8 town. Human
settlements are few, near the edge of the forest, and all hamlets.
If the settlement is elsewhere or larger, it is a Fay community or
encampment, and probably hidden by illusion at least.
General notes. Assume an average of five persons per dwelling
place; one tradesman (blacksmith, brewer, carpenter, hedge wizard,
etc.) per 150 population; and one inn or tavern, plus one shrine or
temple, per 200 population. Hamlets tend to centre on one activity
(farming, fishing, forestry, hunting and trapping, mining); villages
will deal with several; and towns are centers for more extensive
trade and will be on main roads and beside rivers.
Villages are with 10 miles of a castle or keep in Maedoen, 5 miles
in Psarmorum. Each town in either country is walled and has
an associated castle. Each castle has a lord and fighting men, a
thaumaturge or two, and various officials, but draws on the local
populace for its servants.
Attitudes. Although this book focuses on the many monsters and
problems that adventuring heroes will fight and face, most people
in the realm live fairly ordinary lives concerned with everyday
matters. They provide a base of normality, and are not usually
hostile. Their general dispositions, by settlement, are as follows:
Maedoen D6: 1–3 friendly, 4–5 neutral, 6 unfriendly.
Psarmorum D6: 1–2 friendly, 3–4 neutral, 5–6 unfriendly.
Meath D6: 1 friendly, 2–3 neutral, 4–6 unfriendly.
Obviously, you can choose what you like, individuals will vary,
and adventurer actions can modify the base reaction. Friendly
can mean smiles, greetings, and visitors made welcome, or simple
politeness in towns. Neutral means wariness (perhaps the party are
thought to be tax collectors?), indifference, or a business-as-usual
approach. Unfriendly can mean surliness or fear of strangers
(maybe the village has something to hide, or there are guards
because of recent raids), or (as is usual with Fay) a wish to be left
undisturbed.
Settlement Names
Here are lists of native names for towns and villages of Maedoen,
Psarmorum, and Meath. Choose, or roll dice to allocate randomly.
Mix as you like with ordinary names like Wayford, Rivertown, and
Hillfort.
Maedoen. Names are mostly Welsh; 1 in 6 is Gaelic (see Meath).
Roll D30 (or D10, and on a D6 roll of 1–2/ 3–4/ 5–6 add 0/ 10/ 20
to the result).
1 Aberlech, 2 Asaph, 3 Bala, 4 Bandor, 5 Bethgelert, 6 Bron-yr-Aur,
7 Caereinion, 8 Caerthig, 9 Carreg, 10 Carystwyth, 11 Cenan, 12
Clywedog, 13 Colwyn, 14 Conwy, 15 Dolwythelan, 16 Ernarvon,
17 Ffestiniog, 18 Hlanberis, 19 Hlanvair, 20 Hlangollen, 21
Hlechweth, 22 Mawthach, 23 Morva, 24 Neath, 25 Powis, 26
Rhuthlan, 27 Rhyl, 28 Ruthin, 29 Talley, 30 Tegid.
Psarmorum. Names are French. Roll D20, and on a D6 roll of 1–2/
3–4/ 5–6 add 0/ 20/ 40 to the result).
1 Aigueze, 2 Ansouis, 3 Arc, 4 Auvillar, 5 Balazuc, 6 Barfleur,
7 Bargeme, 8 Belcastel, 9 Belves, 10 Beuvron, 11 Beynac, 12
Bonneval, 13 Brancion, 14 Bruniquel, 15 Camon, 16 Carennac,
17 Charroux, 18 Coaraze, 19 Conques, 20 Domme, 21 Entrevaux,
22 Estaing, 23 Evol, 24 Eze, 25 Fer-ah-Sheval, 26 Flavigny, 27
Fources, 28 Galan, 29 Gordes, 30 Laroche, 31 Lagrasse, 32 Lautrec,
33 Lauzerte, 34 Lavardin, 35 Lods, 36 Loubressac, 37 Lourmarin,
38 Lyons-la-Forey, 39 Mirmande, 40 Monpazier, 41 Montsoreau,
42 Mornac, 43 Mortemart, 44 Mosset, 45 Nazhac, 46 Noyers,
47 Parfondeval, 48 Peillon, 49 Peyrouges, 50 Rocheforre, 51
Roussillon, 52 San-Florey, 53 San-Veyran, 54 Sarlat, 55 Sarront, 56
Seillans, 57 Seyguret, 58 Usson, 59 Vouvant, 60 Yvwahr.
Meath. Names are mostly Gaelic; 1 in 6 is Welsh (see Maedoen).
Roll D30 (or D10, and on a D6 roll of 1–2/ 3–4/ 5–6 add 0/ 10/ 20
to the result).
1 An Daingean, 2 Ardara, 3 Athkenny, 4 Athlone, 5 Bandon, 6
Buttevant, 7 Cashel, 8 Chainoc, 9 Clonmel, 10 Clontarf, 11 Dalkey,
12 Dingle, 13 Drogheda, 14 Dundalk, 15 Duverick, 16 Eothaile, 17
Fethard, 18 Galadare, 19 Kenmare, 20 Kilderry, 21 Kilmallock, 22
Kinsale, 23 Limlin, 24 Raith Mor, 25 Rindoon, 26 Tara, 27 Tracht,
28 Trim, 29 Uisnech, 30 Youghal.
Appendix 1 | page 195
Appendix 2: Tables
Generic Treasure

Table 1.1 Branch Rank and Meaning (Sum of MVs) Type Coins Chance of Magic
Average: 4 Trinkets 1–6 01% 1 item
Respectable 6+ Small cache 2–20 05% 1 item
Skilled 12+ Cache 20–200 10% 1 item
Great 18+ Small trove 100–600 20% D2 items
Phenomenal 24+ Trove 200–2000 30% D3 items
Legendary 30+ Hoard 1000–10,000 40% D4 items
Dragon’s hoard 10,000–60,000+ 50% D8 items
Table 2.1 Challenge Dice: Roll dice to determine
Needed Number $1 = 1 coin (crown) = 1 oz. gold, silver, copper, etc. at the GM’s
Easy 1D4 desire.
Moderate 1D8
Difficult 1D10
Table 4.1 Spell Difficulty and Maintenance Penalties by
Demanding 2D6 NN
Formidable 2D8
Extreme 2D10 Rarity NN Difficulty Maintenance
Herculean 2D12 Penalty
Cantrips 0-2 Easy 0
Table 3.1 Battle Phases Uncommon 4 Moderate –1
Agility Rank Initiative total Battle Phase Rare 6 Difficult –2
D12 11–12+ Phase 1 (fastest) Esoteric 8 Demanding –3
D10 09–10 Phase 2 Occult 12 Formidable –4
D8 07–08 Phase 3 Legendary 16 Extreme –5
D6 05–06 Phase 4 Mythic 20+ Herculean –6
D4 01–04 Phase 5 (slowest)
The penalty applies to all ability rolls while maintaining a spell
Table 3.2 Missile Weapon Ranges (feet) or power. Add together the penalties for each spell maintained
Long Bow 30/75/150 per round (e.g. two Difficult spells would penalize ability checks
Short Bow 20/50/100 by –2–2 = –4). Instant spells or attacks have zero maintenance
Compound Bow 50/100/300 penalty. The halved NN for mastery reduces maintenance
Crossbow, heavy 55/115/200 penalties.
Crossbow, light 75/150/300
The difficulty description indicates how hard spells are to learn and
Sling 10/20/50
cast. An ability check to learn a spell is only half the NN, though,
Dagger, throwing 10/30/50
since the thaumaturge is assumed to be studying in calm and
Spear 10/30/50
conducive surroundings.

Typical Saving Throw Scores for Opponents (basic

score):
Minor D4 to D8
Standard D6 to D12
Extraordinary 2D4 to 2D8
Legendary 2D10 to 3D12

page 196 | Appendix 2

Table 4.2 Spell failure effects by NN Shield Types
Small / 1
NN Spell Failure and Enervation Medium / 2
0–2 Spell fizzles, no consequence. Large / 3
4 Spell fizzles, cannot reattempt for 1 round.
6 Spell fizzles, –1 to D-Pool; minor enervation. Cannot Shields reduce threat points by 1 to 3 points as per shield
reattempt for 2 rounds. type above, before the chosen Active Defense Pool is
8 Spell fizzles, –2 to D-Pool; moderate enervation. Cannot reduced. The chosen DP must be above zero, or the
reattempt for 3 rounds. wielder is too fatigued to use the shield to block effec-
12 Spell fizzles, –3 to D-Pool; serious enervation. Cannot tively. Magic shield types add a static bonus (e.g. small +1
reattempt for 4 rounds. shield reduces threat points by 2). A parry dagger (main
gauche) blocks like a small shield.
16 Spell fizzles. Slowed for one round (falls back a battle
phase next turn). –4 to D-Pool; severe fatigue. Cannot
cast any spells for 1D4 rounds.
Armor Types
20 Spell fails. Stunned for 1 battle phase (3 seconds). Asso-
Hide / D4 — Light
ciated Magic D-Pool reduced by –5. Cannot cast any
spells for 1D6 rounds. Reaching 0 in the Magic D-Pool Leather / D6 — Light
due to this sort of backfire knocks the thaumaturge out, Chain / D8 — Medium
helpless for 1D4 rounds. Plate / 1D10 — Heavy
30+ Spell fails spectacularly; caster stunned for two battle
phases, and associated Magic D-Pool reduced by –6. Mithral variations (exceptional metal):
Cannot cast any spells for 2D4 rounds. Reaching 0 in Chain / 2D4 — Light
the Magic D-Pool due to this sort of backfire knocks the Plate / 2D6 — Medium
thaumaturge out, helpless for 1D8 rounds. Such spells
are not for the faint of heart.
Deadlier Armor Values Optional Rule
Table 4.3 General categories of sizes and weights Hide / D2 — Light
Leather / D3 — Light
Description Size Weight Animal Object Structural Chain / D4 — Medium
(solid/open) HP Range
Plate / 1D5 — Heavy
Miniscule to 5/ 20 to 5 oz Mouse Mug 1
cu in
Mithral variations (exceptional metal):
Tiny to 20/ 300 to 5 lb Rat Breadbox 1–2 Chain / 1D8+1 — Light
cu in
Plate / 1D10+1 — Medium
Small to 3/ 9 cu ft to 100 lb Goblin Chair 2–5
Medium to 6/ 36 to 300 lb Human Desk 5–10
cu ft
Large to 50/ 500 to 2500 lb Horse Wagon 100
cu ft
Huge to 500/ to 25,000 Elephant Cottage 500
5,000 cu ft lb
Gargantuan to 1000/ to 50,000 Dragon House 1000+
10,000 cu ft lb

Appendix 2 | page 197

Name
Occupation Race Age
Basic Ability > Speciality > Mastery Equipment
Animal Handling [S,U] :
Arcanum* [P,U] :
Agility [P,U] :
Fortitude [P,U] :
Healing [S,R] :
Influence [S,U] :
Knowledge [S,U] :
Melee Weapons** [P,U] :
Perception [S,U] :
Ranged Weapons** [P,U] :
Skullduggery [S,U] :
Talent [S,R] :
Unarmed** [P,U] :
Willpower [P,U] :
Magic Abilities (Basic > Speciality > Mastery*)
Alteration [P,R] : Advantages Disadvantages
Conjuration [P,R] :
Elementalism [P,R] :
Illusion [P,R] :
Invocation [P,R] :
Psychogenic [P,R] :

page 198 | Appendix 2

* See Magic Spells in Chapter 4 for a list of masteries. Character
** See Chapter 3 for special masteries Points Awarded Spent Remaining
Permission Granted to Photocopy for personal use
 Appendix 2 | page 199
Basic Ability > Speciality > Mastery

Action Defense Pools

Magic Defense Pools

Arcanum Agility
Melee Weapons
Alteration
Unarmed
Conjuration
Willpower
Elementalism
Weapon Harm Bonus Init. Bonus Reach
Illusion Armor Die
Invocation
Shield DR
Psychogenics
Fortitude
Permission Granted to Photocopy for personal use
page 200 | Appendix 2