DreamLyrics™ Play-by-Post Forums Hall of Fame - Latest Top 10 completed games HHE: The Haunted Helm INFO: Our Canon

In the course of playing HHE, we'll be defining more about the 13th Age setting, the Dragon Empire, and creating new material of our own. Here we document it separately, to give us a concise, abridged reference, that other 13th Age gaming groups might find useful.

The Gaming Group

Introducing the gaming group that will be playing this 13th Age, and their characters.

D - Level 2 Dark Elf Rogue
"I was the Shadow of Assassins"
Created and played by Pandemonium

Jexric - Level 2 Human Bard
"I was eaten by the Blue and it was far worse on the way out"
Originally created and played by Khamsin, replaced by Neptune in August 2015

Nestaron - Level 1 Half-elf Cleric
"I had a vision of the divine proportions of Creation"
Originally created and played by Owain until August 2015, gradually written out

Seyja - Level 2 Human Barbarian
"I am the only female to ever win the Orc Lord's heart"
Created and played by Exeter

Tindarien - Level 2 High Elf Sorceror
"I am the last of the Aurenaur e Du"
Created and played by Gypsy

Weston - Level 2 Human Fighter
"I wear an ornate ivory ring that cost the lives of my family"
Created and played by MikeD

Zoltan - Level 2 Tiefling Paladin
"I am the only son of the Demon Lord Yzarra"
Created and played by Zeim

The 13 Ages of the Dragon Empire

The rule book often refers to significant events as happening "centuries ago", or "in a past age", and relates other events to them using similarly vague terms. This is intentional, so the gaming group can customise the setting.

In HHE we've opted for a relatively traditional D&D ambience, so to determine the ages I used a period of time that, in the real world, would span from Classic Greece to 1500 AD. Around 3000 years. So we can better envisage the time and changes seen by the Dragon Empire.

• 13th Age - 100 ya to present day. The Diabolist unleashes a zombie plague on the Empire. More recently, the Priestess cured the plague and a new Orc Lord arose
• 12th Age - 300 ya. The Blue is constrained by the Dragon Emperor and the Archmage. The City of New Port is founded by refugees from Drakkenhall
• 11th Age - 500 ya. The Midland Sea is tamed by the Blessed Emperor, all of its monsters driven into the rivers and East beyond the Koru Straits
• 10th Age - 600 ya
• 9th Age - 800 ya. The Abyss opens. The Great Gold Wyrm sacrifices itself to hold it closed
• 8th Age - 1000 ya. The Golden Age of the Dwarves is ended by the war with the Elves. Drow flood the Deep Underworld with poisonous gas and the Dwarves are driven back to the surface
• 7th Age - 1200 ya
• 6th Age - 1500 ya
• 5th Age - 1700 ya
• 4th Age - 1900 ya. The Lich King is defeated, largely by the Orc Lord's efforts
• 3rd Age - 2100 ya. The Lich King rises from the grave on his former island capital, now known as Necropolis
• 2nd Age - 2400 ya. An army of giants sack the Dwarf Kingdoms and raze Axis†
• 1st Age - 3000 ya. Wizard King is defeated by an army of metallic dragon riders and "orcs" created by the elves. The Dragon Empire is founded, the first Orc Lord is slain in the battle†
• Pre-History - 3000+ ya. Wizard King slays the White in battle, creating the wild magic region known as the Moonwreck. The Wizard King turns the Iron Sea into an angry, monster spawning ground*

Notes
*When the Wizard King battled the White, it was said to have caused the Moonwreck, a region of wild magic and devastation to the north-west of the Empire. (It's marked on the official map.)
†The start of the 1st and 2nd Age are the only ones clearly defined in the published material.
Blanks are indeed blank.

The Playbook of Jex Dragon-Spoor, the Jester of Drakkenhall
[As written by Neptune]

I'll be filling this out with Neptune's bardic contributions.

The Song of Heroes

Additional verses to the classic taproom ballad.

Who disturbs our rest this night
Who wants to know if we interesting
Who are you to give us such fright
Who bothers our restful slumbering

From the darkness a form started to squirm
The heroes would now face the great white wyrm
The dragon yearns for the ring of power
The one which had been named Aurenaur.

From its maw came a cloud of frozen breath
In its eyes they foresaw an icy death
Yet the heroes stood their ground on this night
The dragon now faced a group with great might.

[...]

As the white dragon beat its frosty wing.
It tried to steal Weston's ivory ring.
Wanting to kill them with its frosty breath
The great wyrm then delivered icy death

But bravely a few heroes stood their ground
They would fight the dragon till it was downed.
To ensure that the end was not tragic
They fought the dragon with steel and magic.


The Journey Ballad

Composed by Jex on the journey along the river valley to the Titan's Elbow.

We walk along a long and winding road
rarely traveled by merchants with a load.

Our eyes scanning the way ahead,
knowing full well to where this route led.

And as we followed the snaking river
We thought about what this trek would deliver.

A mission to return all of the treasure
To a beast we know about but cannot measure.

We are going where only brave or foolish go
Our next stop will be to camp at Titan's Elbow.

The Ballad of the Eternal Alchemists

Jex tells the story of the Eternal Alchemists and their foolhardy quest for true immortality.

There were golden elixers the alchemists wanted to brew
Magical ingredients flavored their special stew
Living forever would be their goal from the start
Crafting of the special ale meant using an unsavory art

Living for eternity
Finding deaths remedy
Living for eternity
The future is for me

Inspired from tales read in tomes crumbling and old
They searched far and wide for the secret to unfold
They Bathed themselves in tubs filled with dragons blood,
They feasted on mermaid flesh and drinking magic mud.

Living for eternity
Finding deaths remedy
Living for eternity
The future is for me

They wished to be become immune to poison, blade and even old age.
Perhaps they would have succeeded had it not been for their own rage.
As smart as the alchemist were, they were betrayed by their spirts.
Delusions consumed their hearts and they were beseiged by envious fits.

Living for eternity
Finding deaths remedy
Living for eternity
The future is for me

So then they ceased their efforts to live for all of eternity
To revile former colleagues who were now their mortal enemy
They plotted murder against each other to as the mania spread
They would not live forever fore in the end they were all dead.

Living for eternity
Finding deaths remedy
Living for eternity
The future is THIS KEY!

How to Greet an Imaginary Dire Wolf

A short rhyme to placate such savage and nigh invulnerable creatures.

Ooooooh my puppy
Ooooooh my friend.
Weeeeee travel together
Toooooo the bitter end.

Love it!

Bestiary

Wanting to use an old D&D module I never previously had a chance to, I took The Haunted Helm adventure by James Ward, from AC10 D&D Bestiary of Dragons and Giants, and decanted it into the 13th Age beginners adventure Blood & Lightning. This allowed me to parallel the beginners adventure closely, ensuring I didn't make any huge mistakes and giving me the confidence to tweak difficulty for the group.

I adapted stats from the beginners adventure and the official 13th Age Bestiary (Pelgrane Press, 2013).

Followers

• Heilbutt. Reskin of Orc Warrior from 13th Age rule book and SRD
• Sergeant Almador. Reskin of Human Thug from 13th Age rule book and SRD
• Bearkiller. Reskin of Ettercap Hunter from 13th Age Bestiary

The Opening Chapter

• Pathetic Zombies (8). Reskin of Pathetic Goblin Zombies in 13th Age beginners adventure Blood & Lightning
• Zombie Leader. Zombie Shuffler from 13th Age rule book and SRD

The Battle of Heilbutt's Hallow

• Goblin Grunts (6)
• Goblin Scum (4)
• Goblin Shaman (2)
• Orc Warrior (3)
• Orc Berserker (2)
• Lermoriach. Orc Shaman from 13th Age rule book and SRD

By the Light of the Last Moon

• Master of Winter. Reskin of Crippled Blue Dragon from 13th Age beginners adventure Blood & Lightning

The Ice Chamber

• Master of Winter II. Reskin of The Traitor from 13th Age beginners adventure Blood & Lightning
• Master of Winter III. Reskin of Transformed Dragon-Thing from 13th Age beginners adventure Blood & Lightning

Bearkiller, Harthorn Mountain Halfling
2nd level blocker [HUMANOID]
Initiative: +6
Poison knife +7 vs AC--- 6 damage, and 4 ongoing poison damage
...Miss: If the target is dazed, hampered or stuck, it takes 4 extra damage.
C: He Who Sicks Balls +8 vs PD (1d4 nearby enemies in a group)--- 3 damage
...Natural even hit: The target is hampered (save ends).
...Natural odd hit: The target is stuck (save ends).
...Limited use: 1/battle.
Balls that clank: When an enemy of level 4 or lower rolls a natural 1-5 with a melee attack against Bearkiller, that enemy is dazed (save ends).
AC 18
PD 14
MD 14
HP 32

Pathetic Zombie
0 level mook [UNDEAD]
Initiative: -1
Vulnerability: holy
Withered limb +5 vs AC--- 2 damage
...Natural 16+: Both the zombie and its target take 1d4 damage.
Headshot: A critical hit against a pathetic zombie deals triple damage instead of the normal double damage for a crit
AC 13
PD 10
MD 7
HP 7 (mook)
Mook: You kill a pathetic zombie mook for every 7 damage you deal to the mob.

Master of Winter, Beast of Titan's Elbow, Maimed Primeval Blizzard Dragon
Large 4th level caster [DRAGON]
Initiative: +7
Vulnerability: fire
Double claws +8 vs AC (2 attacks)--- 7 damage
...Natural even hit or miss: The dragon can a bite attack as a free action.
[Special trigger]Bite +8 vs AC--- 10 damage, and 1d10 cold damage
C: Ice blizzard breath +8 vs PD (1d3 nearby or far away enemies)--- 20 cold damage, 5 ongoing cold damage
...Natural 18+: The target takes 10 ongoing cold damage instead of 5.
...Natural odd hit or miss: The dragon takes 2d6 damage
Already staggered: This dragon is so badly hurt that it counts as being staggered.
Crippled escalator: When the escalation die is even, the dragon adds the escalation die to its attack rolls.
Wheezing breath: The dragon can use blizzard breath 1d2 times per battle, but never two turns in a row.
Wreathed in snow and cold: When a enemy is engaged with the blizzard dragon at the start of its turn, it takes 5 cold damage.
Whipping Tail: When an enemy engaged with the enemy rolls a natural 1 or 2 with an attack roll, the dragon can make an opportunity attack against that creature as a free action. The attack is setup by the dragon's whipping tail but delivered by the dragon's usual melee attack.
Resist cold 14+: When a cold attack targets this creature, the attacker must roll a natural 14+ on the attack roll or it only deals half damage.
AC 20
PD 18
MD 18
HP 120

Master of Winter II, Ancient White Lord
1st level troop [HUMANOID]
Initiative: +6
Scary-Looking Sword +7 vs AC--- 6 damage
...Terrible: Once per battle, when a creature wielding Scary-Looking Sword hits with an attack that staggers or drops an enemy, it can make another melee attack that turn as a free action.
Dirty Trick: Once per battle after missing with an attack, the Master of Winter can make a dirty trick attack against the enemy it missed as a free action.
Dirty Trick +6 vs MD (one missed target)--- The target is dazed until the end of the Master of Winter's next turn.
R: Thrown Spear +6 vs AC--- 5 damage
AC 16
PD 12
MD 15
HP 28

Master of Winter III, Transformed Dragon
Large 3rd level wrecker [DRAGON]
Initiative: +8
Vulnerability: fire
Fangs and claws and spikes +8 vs AC--- 11 damage
...Unexpected Attack: The dragon rolls 3d20 for this attack and uses the hightest roll -- lots of crits!
...Natural 16+: The dragon can make a dying blizzard breath attack as a free action.
[Special trigger]C: Dying blizzard breath +8 vs PD (1d3 nearby enemies)--- 20 cold damage
...Natural odd hit or miss: The dragon takes 2d6 damage
Dragonblooded: Once per battle, the dragon can entirely negate the effects of one attack against it.Resist cold 14+: When a cold attack targets this creature, the attacker must roll a natural 14+ on the attack roll or it only deals half damage.
Resist cold 14+: When a cold attack targets this creature, the attacker must roll a natural 14+ on the attack roll or it only deals half damage.
AC 19
PD 16
MD 15
HP 90

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.