Campaign Compendium

Party Members

Zarael

Sassy female Shadowkin (Drow) elf Warlock. Her powers all center around darkness and summoning living shadows that move with eager hunger and wrap around enemies like living tentacles. The shadows cling to her in a way that seems both familiar and twisted to those who understand shadow magic, suggesting her connection to shadow magic is older and more dangerous than typical warlock abilities. She is developing romantic feelings for Flynt.

Roth

A determined male human Oathsworn (Paladin) from the Vozhk tribe. Focuses on defense and protection, using his shield as a weapon while emanating a protective aura that shields nearby allies from harm. There's an old light radiating from him that predates Primus's influence, and he has a habit of poking people to verify they're real. He literally died and came back at some point, and can become possessed by Bortos, a violent spirit he can summon using a glowy magic orb.

Flynt

A male human Ranger from the Vozhk tribe. Uses hand crossbows and a flaming scimitar called Celtadon that previously belonged to a tiefling named Faustus. He bears scars that tell stories of hard experience and has the thousand-yard stare of someone who has seen too much but keeps going. He wears a moon pendant and belongs to the Order of the Moon Goddess, which is dangerous to admit in Primus's empire. He is developing romantic feelings for Zarael and has complicated history with Artemis.

Aluni

Spunky Gnome artificer alchemist. In combat, she brews and flings acid concoctions and other potions when she's not shooting her trusty crossbow. She has an intense curiosity about how things work and immediately wants to disassemble any interesting items, magical or otherwise, she encounters. She is nearing her exile radius limit and has a troubled history with others from her home territory, including Fenwick Cogspinner. She carries a magical wagon that can be stored in her pocket.

Noctis

A Tiefling Monk and current apprentice of the Shadow Line. He wields the Umbral Fang which has the ability to disappear and reappear in his hand, and follows the teachings of his master Kael, living by the principle "They burn out. We endure." He is tracking a Firestormer (burnout) across the region who recently passed through Kleesaddle and headed toward Hot Bog.

NPCs

Primus Solerian

God-Emperor of Soleria, First of Men, Bringer of Morning. Originally human, now deity with domains of Light and Life. Created as the first human by the old gods, he led alliances against the Viatori and Infernal Draconics, then declared war on the Pantheon after finding his wife murdered by Zhoellek. Used the sword Sunset to slay the gods and created the sunshrines to replace the fallen sun, ruling all creation for thousands of years while gifting fractions of his power to his closest supporters to become Sants. He forbids the worship of the old gods to prevent them from gaining enough power to return.

Sant Annouria of the Endless Book

Half-Elf Sant, Patron of Artists and Scholars with Arcane and Knowledge domains. The most brilliant mage of her generation, trained by Zhoellek before betraying him for Primus during the Sunset War. Resides at the Intellectum as Head Scholar, devoted to studying science and magic for public good while refusing to create weapons or engage in politics except concerning education.

Sant Ilenian of the Worn Boots

Elven Sant, Patron of Musicians and Travelers with Trickery and Twilight domains. His past contributions to Primus remain mysterious, but he's known as the Sant most people would want to share an ale with. Spends most of his time traveling incognito, rarely staying anywhere more than a few days, and makes impromptu visits to music schools across the empire.

Sant Galadius of the Broken Sun

Sant of unknown species, Patron of Athletes and Soldiers with Tempest and War domains. Has olive green skin and protruding tusks, likely warped by proximity to the Well of the Old Gods. Personally leads the Knights of the Broken Sun in patrolling the Burning Wastes and surrounding regions, seeking threats from adherents of older faiths. He grants honorable deaths to knights who have gone mad from their exposure to the Old Gods' taint. Sant Galadius personally visited and turned to ash those who helped Orloff two hundred years ago. Cinderhold's refusal to aid Orloff likely saved them from this fate.

Sant Marcus of the Sunwall

Half-Elf Sant, Patron of Craftsmen and Lawmen with Forge and Order domains. Known as the Right Hand of the Emperor and the empire's de facto ruler, trusted above all others by Primus. A renowned military leader and swordsman who operated from the Sunwall fortress, coordinating forces through magical communication while rarely leaving his base. Recently deceased. The timing of his death coincides suspiciously with Firestormer movement across the Spine.

Sant Negata of the Dancing Blade

Elven Sant, Patron of Dancers and Executioners with Death and Grave domains. Her past as either an assassin or dancer remains unclear, but she made it possible for Primus to land the killing blow against Zhoellek. Depicted as a hooded figure whose face brings death to those who see it, she allegedly trains the world's deadliest assassins in secret underground academies.

Sant Lunaria of the Benevolent Moon

Originally human Sant, Patron of Healers and Caretakers with Nature and Peace domains. The only deceased Sant, killed two thousand years ago while single-handedly delaying a rebellion led by someone claiming to be Kevart Drakha reborn. Her followers believe she may one day be reborn through enough prayers and good deeds done in her name.

Orloff

A dead tribal shaman that the party can conjure using a glowy magic orb. He knew of Cinderhold from two hundred years ago and went to village elders seeking aid but was turned away. He recognizes Roth as a returned sun god.

The Exalted Jet

A figure associated with Primus's people who employs the party for missions. The party works for them out of necessity but maintains distrust of their motives and methods.

Faustus

A tiefling who previously owned the flaming scimitar Celtadon before Flynt acquired it. His current fate or whereabouts are unknown.

Kael Umbris

Noctis's master in the Shadow Line. Taught him the principle "They burn out. We endure."

Zhoellek

The sun god who murdered Primus's wife, sparking the Sunset War. He was slain by Primus using the sword Sunset at the ruined city that bore his name, causing the original sun to fall from the sky and crash into the earth. His death created the Burning Wastes and the ongoing firestorm that rages there.

Kevart Drakha

A historical figure whose name was claimed by the rebel leader who killed Sant Lunaria two thousand years ago. The true identity and significance of the original Kevart Drakha remains unclear.

Artemis

A ranger with auburn hair and pale green eyes who moves like someone trained for war but carries herself like nobility. She wears a moon pendant matching Flynt's and belongs to the Order of the Moon Goddess, sharing deep history with Flynt. Sent by Aristandros to track "the creature" that destroyed a settlement and is now moving with purpose across the Spine.

Luna

Artemis's massive wolf companion. Recognizes Flynt as a friend from their shared history.

Aristandros

A quasi-divine druid who sent Artemis to investigate corruption and dark energy infestations. He has been studying some kind of rot that may be connected to the shadow wolves and other supernatural threats.

Oscar

Dwarven barkeeper of the Rolling Oak Inn in Kleesaddle. Known to Aluni from her home territory and familiar with trouble that seems to follow her around.

Fenwick Cogspinner

A gnome regular at the Rolling Oak Inn from Aluni's home territory. Has bad history with Aluni and reacts to her presence with open hostility, carrying a knife and making threatening gestures.

Swanger

Someone who recommended the Rolling Oak Inn to the party as a good place to stay in Kleesaddle.

Bortos

A violent spirit that Roth can summon using his glowy magic orb. Described as a serial killer, Bortos can possess Roth and dramatically change his personality and fighting style, making him coldly violent and efficient.

Gregor

A dwarf who possessed tracking abilities and could follow the party using a magic pendant. He was killed along with his companions in a violent confrontation at the Rolling Oak Inn over the rescued avian egg.

Locations

Kleesaddle

A settlement located in the steeps, accessible by a nine-hour hike through forested terrain. The town contains at least two inns - the Rolling Oak Inn and the Switchback Rest - and serves as a waypoint for travelers crossing the region.

Rolling Oak Inn (The Rolling Poke)

A well-built tavern in Kleesaddle featuring dwarven stonework and good ale. Run by Oscar the dwarf barkeeper, it's considered one of the better establishments in the area where travelers can actually relax, though trouble seems to find patrons there regularly. Recently the site of a violent confrontation between the party and a group of dwarven trackers.

Switchback Rest

A tavern in Kleesaddle where Artemis went to meet a contact. It serves as a meeting place for those conducting business away from the main inn.

Cinderhold

A village that was approached by Orloff two hundred years ago seeking aid but refused him. This refusal likely saved the village from Gladius's attention, as those who did help ended up being personally visited and left as ash.

The Spine

A geographical barrier that Firestormers must cross to reach certain territories. Recent crossings are considered unusual and potentially significant.

Nocturne

The realm or region where the Church of Primus holds influence and where diverse populations of tieflings and dragonborn live. Society here struggles with prejudice despite official policies of equality, with many believing these races resulted from an evil curse during the Second War. This is the world that Primus has defended multiple times and now rules over.

Vozhk Territories

Tribal lands inhabited by the Vozhk people, who are among the least educated but most accepting peoples of Nocturne. These frontier regions face threats from orc raids and harsh worldstorms, leading to pragmatic acceptance of all races who can contribute to survival.

Dwarven Holds

Mountain fortifications inhabited by dwarves who maintain long-standing business relationships with Vozhk tribes. They provide expert construction services for fortifications and hold all outsiders in equal contempt.

Soleri Territories

Regions inhabited by the Soleri people, who rely on sunshrines for their power. They are viewed by the Vozhk as weaklings despite their military strength, and rarely venture outside cities into frontier areas.

The Intellectum

The empire's most prestigious institute of learning where Sant Annouria resides in a private tower. She serves as Head Scholar but has recently cloistered herself to focus on her studies.

The Sunwall

A fortress where Sant Marcus maintained his base of operations, coordinating the empire's military forces through magical communication. He rarely left this stronghold except to visit his sister every 100 years.

Burning Wastes

Western wastelands also known as the Land of the Broken Sun, where the ruined city of Zhoellek lies. When the sun god was slain, the sun fell from the sky and crashed here, creating a great storm of fire that still rages thousands of years later. The largest pieces of sun debris called sunshards are scattered throughout this region, providing light and heat to Vozhk communities who use them as substitutes for sunshrines.

Zhoellek (Ruined City)

The ruined city where Primus defeated the sun god of the same name. Located at the center of the Burning Wastes, this is where the sun made earthfall after being slain. The impact scattered sun debris across the continent and created the ongoing firestorm.

Well of the Old Gods

Located at the center of the firestorm in the ruined city of Zhoellek. This is where the lingering energy of the slain gods' final moments swirls in a maelstrom of chaotic power. The old gods lack the power to reform but can still touch the world from this place, making it both dangerous and significant to the Knights of the Broken Sun.

Keep of the Broken Sun

The garrison where Knights of the Broken Sun who have gone mad from exposure to the Old Gods return. Here Sant Galadius grants them honorable deaths in single combat as a final act of mercy.

Hot Bog

A town north of Kleesaddle. The Firestormer being tracked by Noctis was last seen heading in this direction after asking for directions at the Rolling Oak Inn.

Active Quests

Pursue the Firestormer

Noctis is tracking a burnout who recently passed through Kleesaddle and was last seen heading north toward Hot Bog, leaving scorch marks and paying well for directions.

Deliver the rescued egg

The party rescued an egg from dwarves who had slaughtered an avian tribe. The tracking dwarves led by Gregor confronted the party at the Rolling Oak Inn and were killed in the ensuing battle, ending their pursuit of the egg.

Investigate the creature

Artemis is tracking a dangerous entity that destroyed a settlement and is now moving with purpose across the Spine, sent by Aristandros to investigate this threat and related corruption.

Resolved Quests