Glossary
13th Age encourages the gaming group to create their own material, using the official Dragon Empire as inspiration and a framework. Below is a glossary of only the new material we created for HHE.
Aasla
BG CHARACTER, ICON
The Priestess, based in the Cathedral in Santa Cora. Little was known about her, except that she recently cured the zombie plague and was uniting the religions of the Dragon Empire. She and Nestaron had great debates about the true nature of the cosmos, and he believed that Aasla might have the power to call forth gods where before there were none [One Unique Thing].
[Aasla was the original name of the Immortal Alphatia, taken from D&D GAZ6 Dawn of the Emperors: Thyatis and Alphatia (TSR, 1989)]
Achelus, Captain
NPC
Captain of the Guards in Rosencliff. Former a constable in Axis, City of Swords, he was recruited by Lady Morgen to keep the peace in the town after her husband died. Also a member of the Order of Averness, and was tasked with spying on the Baronessa. He sometimes feigned heavy drinking.
Almador, Sergeant
NPC, COMPANION
A greying, portly old Sergeant of the Guard whose grandfather was Gorulon Gorehound. He volunteered to join the quest to return the haunted helm, proving himself a steadfast, though not hugely helpful companion. He held the rest of the party in high esteem, forming close bond with Weston and D. He later revealed his first name was Gill.
Ar
BG CHARACTER, ICON
The Archmage, based in Horizon, City of Wonders. In his early career he was a member of the Eternal Alchemists, seeking true immortality, but is now embroiled in saving the Dragon Empire from destruction.
[Ar was the original name of the Immortal Palartarkan, taken from D&D GAZ6 - Dawn of the Emperors: Thyatis and Alphatia (TSR, 1989)]
Aurenaur e Du
FACTION
A secret society of elven necromancers who crafted a ring from the White's horn after it was slain by the Wizard King, over 3000 years ago. They were dedicated to eradicated the undead menace of the Lich King. The ring was lost in the annuls of time, but recently reappeared in the possession of Weston [One Unique Thing]. His parents were delivering it for the Grandmaster of the Order of Averness. According to the Master of Winter, it can grant the wearer the White's master over the dead. 'Aurenaur' is Elvish and is a circle of light in ritual magic, but can also mean a ring of fire, halo or corona, whilst 'Du' can mean darkness or night. Roughly translated, the name meant 'Sun-fire in Darkness' or 'Night Sun'. Tindarien's parents belonged to the society and he was the last of their line [One Unique Thing].
Bearkiller
NPC, COMPANION
Mohawked halfling in buckskins with weather-worn, inscrutable features. A warrior from the Harthorn tribe, he was tracking the knight errant, Red Ed to exact vengeance for wronging the tribe. He fell in with the party after they were attacked by the Master of Winter, and together they vanquished the monster. Bearkiller swore a bond of friendship with the adventurers and gave them his bearclaw necklace. Bearkiller had a imaginary pet dire wolf, called He Who Sicks Balls, who might actually have been an animal spirit.
[Bearkiller was a featured NPC in AC10 D&D Bestiary of Dragons and Giants adventure by James Ward, The Haunted Helm (TSR, 1987)]
Bodejackers
FACTION
A troupe of daring bandits that harried the Sheriffs of Quod, gaining fame and gratitude of the local peoples, including the Harthorn halfling tribe. Jex was reputed to be one of these Bodejackers.
Casados, Master
NPC
Casados was the salty, good-humoured captain of the trade ship, The Issitia. He was most thankful to the adventurers after they saved his ship from soul-eating zombies that had boarded during a 'Dead Squall'.
Dukagsh
BG CHARACTER, ICON
The Orc Lord. In his early years he was captured by giants and raised cruelly by them. It seems he grew prodigiously while captive, as tall as a frost giant at least, and eventually escaped after learning many of their secrets. He then roamed the Frost Range, preying on giants. Soon he gathered more orcs around him, discovering that he could speak directly into their minds. He is a monster orc, but loves the human barbarian Seyja and seeks her relentlessly [One Unique Thing].
[Dukagsh is the deity of the Scro, an orc super-race from another world, in the Dragon Magazine Annual #1 article by Roger E. Moore, Campaign Classics - The Scro: A SPELLJAMMER monster for groundling campaigns (TSR, 1996)]
Edwardias Pendry
BG CHARACTER, DEAD
Aka Sir Edward the Red, aka Red Ed. A knight errant and member of the Order of Averness, he disappeared on a quest to the Titan's Elbow, instigating a search to find him. Known as a skilled monster slayer and treasure hunter, he was also a self-absorbed braggart. He married the Harthorn tribal chief's daughter so he could steal their sacred treasure, the Long Tears, which he used in another trade. Red Ed's partially-devoured remains were later found in the dragon's lair, and he was held responsible for disturbing the Master of Winter and the haunted helm from its resting place.
Eternal Alchemists
FACTION
A coterie of wizards, sharing their research into true immortality some 300 years ago. They were inspired by myths of people attaining true immortality from magical materials, such as golden apples, gold dust, golden ambrosia, to other more extreme examples like bathing in dragon's blood or eating mermaid flesh. So coveted was their research that they eventually killed each other out of paranoia. The party found evidence that Eternal Alchemists had, at some point, been interested in the Titan's Elbow.
Fuldroik
NPC
Dwarven hunter, servant of the Wild Woods and Heilbutt's first master before Nestaron. He lent his half-orc apprentice to Nestaron to aid him in the quest to restore the River Scintilla.
Gorulon Gorehound
NPC, MONSTER, DEAD
Ex-gladiator from Axis, around 100 years ago. Famed for lopping off his opponent's hands. He later won his freedom and enjoyed a career as a mercenary, before settling in Rosencliff, starting a family. After many years, he grew vexed by his diminishing funds and set out with a band of his old comrades to find the fabled treasure of Titan's Elbow. Gorulon was never seen of again until decades later his long-lost helm arrived in Rosencliff. The helm was haunted by his ghost, which demanded it be returned to its resting place under the Titan's Elbow within two days time. This was done by his grandson, amongst others, and Gorulon Gorehound's ghost was finally laid to rest.
Griefer
NPC, MONSTER
Demon in the form of a large black cat, he had a simian-like mouth and was fond of unhealthy food, including vagrants and spoilt children. He served as the Diabolist's messenger and had many dealings with the dark elf, D.
Harthorn
MOUNTAIN
The Mountain That Stands Alone. Heavily wooded but surrounded by grasslands, Harthorn had a distinct broken peak and was home to a savage tribe of halflings who wore their hair in mohawks. In past times, this tribe had been venerated by cloud giants and gifted a fabulous necklace, called the Long Tears. This was stolen by the knight errant, Red Ed.
Heilbutt
NPC, COMPANION, DEAD
Young, spear-wielding half-orc from the Wake Islands. He was Nestaron's follower, having previously been apprenticed to Fuldroik the Dwarf, loyally serving the High Druid. According to clan tradition, Heilbutt was named after the last thing killed by his father before he was born, a halibut. Often sullen and quick-tempered, he struggled with a burgeoning love for Seyja. He was killed in defence of Seyja, during an orc-goblin ambush. His remains were floated downriver to the sea, and the marvellous cascades where he fell were named Heilbutt's Hallow by the party.
Herald, The
DEITY
A messenger god, bringer of enlightment and illumination, represented in the heavens by a constellation. Worshipped in the northern Dragon Empire, and prayed to by the paladin, Zoltan.
Inn of the Last Call
ESTABLISHMENT
The first decent inn uphill of the docks in Shadow Port, its landlord Forfar ran a clean but sprawling establishment for a finer class of ne'er-do-well.
[The Last Call Inn by Willie Walsh was a feature article in Dragon Magazine #160 (TSR, 1990)]
Iron Skull
NPC, MONSTER
Built by a mad, black-hearted dwarf, this forgeborn had an armoured head shaped like a skull with no eyes or sockets. It was created as a hunter-killer, and its first act was to murder its creator. It later entered service with the Orc Lord and was sent to capture Seyja and bring her back alive, killing many of the barbarian's friends in the process.
Irt
NPC
Hailing from a long line of shepherds, Irt and his sheepdog, Wanshanks, guided the adventurers from Rosencliff to where the river valley was navigable.
Issitia, The
SHIP
A trading caravel from the home port of Santa Cora. She plied the coastal trade routes of the Midland Sea, from Santa Cora to Shadow Port. On her most recent voyage she carried eight passengers to Rosencliff.
Lalleh
NPC, DEAD
Old gypsy woman, fortune-teller and potion brewer. Seyja travelled with her Lalleh's family until they were attacked in the wilderness by the Iron Skull and his orcs. Lalleh and the gypsies were killed, but Seyja escaped by diving from a cliff into the sea.
Lermoriach
NPC, MONSTER, DEAD
This orcish chieftain had a throat sac that ballooned when he roared. Resentful of answering to the forgeborn Iron Skull, he gladly split off from the rest of the band. His scout party, comprised of goblins and orcs, ambushed Seyja and co as they journeyed up the Scintilla River. Lermoriach was defeated, hacked open and then incinerated by sorcery.
Lixiss
BG CHARACTER, DEAD
Indomitable elven paladin and mother of Nestaron. She was later captured by Yzarra, Demon Lord of Infernal Device. She bore him a tiefling son, Zoltan, who was smuggled out of the hellish realm by cambion demons. Her ever-living head is kept as a trophy Yzarra's throne room.
Madan
DEITY
Glory, Mother of Dawn. A nature goddess representing life and rebirth, worshipped by Nestaron, amongst others.
Master of Winter
NPC, MONSTER, DEAD
Aka the Beast of Titan's Elbow. Primeval blizzard dragon from the time before the First Age, when dragons had only titles not names. The Master of Winter played a key role in the defeat of the Wizard King by destroying his capital, killing thousands. With terrible wounds, the ancient white wyrm crawled off to die and disappeared into legend. But the dragon survived, sleeping beneath the Titan's Elbow, killing anyone who disturbed it. Finally, D, Jex, Seyja, Tindarien, Weston, and Zoltan cornered it in its lair and it was slain.
Meniscus
ISLAND
Roughly crescent-shaped island kingdom with a renowned orium mine. Mining led to the destruction of the farming and fishing, until the island's common folk were reliant on imports and the King. The Meniscans eventually revolted against their ruler, overthrowing the King and closing the mine. Nestaron and Tindarien were involved. The island was situated between Shadow Port in the east and Glitterhaegen to the west.
Moonshadow
BG CHARACTER
When the Harthorn halfling tribe needed to commit a dishonorable deed against outsiders, they chose one of their own to become a 'ghost', an exile. Moonshadow was the tribe's only female ghost, and she volunteered. Thus she was well known amongst the tribe. She was a mohawked halfling with her face painted black and white. D had a near death vision of her, together with the Baronessa of Rosencliff and a dwarf with a sleeve tattoo, depicting a hippalectryon. Moonshadow's last known destination was Trahice.
Morgen, Lady
NPC
Baronessa of Rosencliff, Lady Morgen was a southern gypsy who married the elderly baron. He soon died of old age, leaving the Baronessa to take charge of his dominion. Lady Morgen was extremely beautiful, dark, sultry and curvaceous. She looked like a temptress but proved herself to be fiercely independent, ruthless and resourceful in dealing with threats to the barony. She had friends in low places, was said to consort with the Fey and wield sorcery. She gave patronage to Jex in Glitterhaegen, and assembled the party of adventurers to save the town and return the haunted helm.
Order of Averness
FACTION
Founded by the legendary hero and monster slayer, Gedrick Averness, and dedicated to the Great Gold Wyrm. Over centuries the Order came to focus mainly on protecting the Dragon Empire from the most intelligent monsters, the mastersminds and puppeteers. The Order considered these a far greater threat than mere marauding trolls. Based in the City of Swords, in the Shoppe on Spar Street, the Order was run by the Grandmaster. Zoltan and Weston were both agents, as were Captain Achelus and Red Ed himself. Most people thought the Order had become an association of mutual back-scratchers, whose monster slaying days were ancient history.
[Gedrick Averness was a background character in Grimmshade's 13th Age adventure The Burrowing Dead (WWW, 2013)]
Renn and Caeric
BG CHARACTER, DEAD
Dragon-rider and mount. Renn of Quagglen was a swordmage and procurator for the Crusader, fierce rival of Red Ed. The party found the remains of both Renn and Caeric on the slopes of the Titan's Elbow. It seemed likely that Renn was following the knight errant, hoping to swoop in and take whatever treasure was unearthed. Instead, he was himself swooped on, midair, by the Master of Winter, and he and his dragon mount killed.
[Renn and Caeric were featured NPCs in AC10 D&D Bestiary of Dragons and Giants adventure by James Ward, The Haunted Helm (TSR, 1987)]
Rosencliff
TOWN
Fishing town and barony located on the northern coast of the Sword Point, east of Axis. Built on the steep cliffs around the outlet of the River Scintilla, it had formidable fortications, paid for by the town's main industry, mother of pearl. This was farmed from briny mussels. The town fell afoul of a curse after Red Ed awoke the Beast of Titan's Elbow. Gorulon Gorehound's haunted helm arrived in town on the back of the Red Ed's riderless horse, and soon after the mussels died out. The Baronessa urgently assembled what heroes she could, and they departed on a quest to lift the curse.
Scintilla
RIVER
Narrow, fast-flowing river in the Sword Point. It flowed steeply down to the sea from around the Titan's Elbow, with notable cascades and waterfalls. The fishing town of Rosencliff was situated at its mouth, and both suffered from the noxious poison trickling into the river from the Titan's Elbow. Animal life died or fled the river valley entirely. The poison proved to be dragon's blood and leachate from the rocks it had flowed over. Nature was eventually restored after the dragon was slain.
Sheriffs of Quod
FACTION
Rulers of a confederacy of four shires, likely located on the Throne Point. Unpopular with the common folk, the locals celebrated when the Sheriffs were harrassed by bandits called the Bodejackers.
Shoreblade Revolt
CONFLICT
An dispute between the Dons of the Sword Point and the Dragon Throne in Axis. The Dons disagreed with the Emperor's road-building plans and withheld taxes. Mercenaries were extensively used in the campaign to outst the Dons, and most of their towns were made into new fiefdoms and awarded to loyal supporters of the Empire.
Talitha
BG CHARACTER, ICON
Princess of Shadows, lover of the former Prince. After he was poisoned, he was forced into working for the Black or lose his soul, so the Prince sacrificed himself in an ancient ritual, fragmenting his soul into four shards. Talitha tricked four whores into drinking these soul shards and they later gave birth to D, Moonshadow, Lady Morgen and presumably the tattooed dwarf. Somehow the soul shards can be reunited and the Prince of Shadows remade. In the meantime, Talitha runs his enterprise.
[Talitha the Thief was the name of a native Alphatian Immortal in D&D GAZ6 Dawn of the Emperors: Thyatis and Alphatia (TSR, 1989)]
Titan's Elbow
MOUNTAIN
Karst archway in the Sword Point with wooded slopes, home to a dragon's lair and an abandoned dwarven-gnomish pyrite mine. Over the centuries, locals came to think of it as a cursed peak, haunted by the 'Beast', a ravenous, unescapable monster. This was later revealed to be a Primeval blizzard dragon, the Master of Winter. Most recently it was wounded fighting the knight errant, Sir Edward the Red, and Renn the swordmage and his dragon mount Caeric. The Master of Winter's blood leaked into the river with dire effect.
Trahice
RUINS
Elven ruins high in the Oldwall Mountains, west-south-west of Nomad. A town beside a lake. Ancient, few knew their name and origins, but the ruins were the halfling, Moonshadow's last destination, and Tindarien was called 'Son of Trahice' by the Master of Winter. The Elvish name 'Trahice' could be roughly translated as 'luke warm', possibly meaning a hot spring or spa.
Vorspring
DOMINION
Kingdom ruled by the Queen of Vorspring. Her sires were infamous for their warmongering and sickening chevaunchées, but the Queen preferred more decadent pleasures, especially jewels. The knight errant, Sir Edward the Red, stole the Long Tears for her, in return for which she granted access to her family crypt. The kingdom was likely located close to the Bitterwood.
Yzarra
BG CHARACTER, MONSTER
Demon Lord of Infernal Device, father of the paladin, Zoltan [One Unique Thing]. Until recently, Yzarra had been struggling to maintain position in the hierarchy of Hell. His fortunes were reversed by some new enterprise, but his seat on the Brass Throne could be jeopardised by any of his offspring. So Yzarra always killed his children personally, using a dark ritual to ensure their irreversible death. He was troubled to hear that one had gotten away, even more so when he realised it was the son of the elven paladin, Lixiss. So much had this woman tormented him, he had her ever-living head displayed as a trophy in his throne room.