Introduction

This is version 1.8 of Beneath the Red Sun Campaign document.

• Chapter 1 includes 10 new ancestries, replacing those available in the core book. As of 1.7 there are many level 4 options for each ancestry.
• Chapter 2 has new rules for professions and languages, these changes are minimal and mostly include adding new categories of professions: cultural, noble and occult (which replaces religious professions)
• Chapter 3 has campaign setting information, including descriptions of cities, peoples and places. It also has descriptions of pantheons, cults, arcane traditions and other sources of power. Now greatly expanded as of 1.7.

Character Creation Rules

1. Select Your Ancestry: Each ancestry will guide you through your starting stats. Eight ancestries are available at lvl 0: Human, Automata, Cherub, Dog, Ghoul, Intelligent Ape, Pig Demon, Talking Cat, Troglodyte and Zoog.
2. Select Your Professions: Every character has 2 professions, plus a culture profession and associated language from your Ancestry. Some ancestries, like Human, grant bonus professions.
3. Select a positive and negative personality trait: These are just roleplaying aids and have no mechanical benefit or penalty. They help the DM understand your character.
4. Starting Equipment: See page 25 of the core book. If you plan on playing a spellcaster and your starting wealth includes a spell invocation, it should probably be related to your previous magickal training (if any). Otherwise, it's an invocation you found or purchased.
5. Interesting Thing: You can pick your first interesting thing from the charts in the corebook, roll randomly, come up with something new or ask the DM to pick or invent something.

1: PLAYER ANCESTRIES

Humans

Urth was once dominated by humanity and it’s civilizations. What now remains is caught in a struggle for survival, torn between civilization, barbarism and degeneration.

Civilization hangs on by a thread. The Last Cities of Urth are diverse and different, but few could be called pleasant. Extreme wealth and extreme poverty live side by side. Despots, criminals, cults and slavers make cities dangerous places. Slaves make up the vast majority of humans in cities. Most cities are cosmopolitan places, full of refugees and immigrants from far away lands, but more than a few cities are locked fortresses that shun outsiders. Civilized humans often take great pride in lawfulness and ability to follow rules, even if the law itself is corrupt or vile.

Barbarism is the way of life for many humans. With the mighty empires of past ages long gone, the countryside and wilderness are lawless and savage places. Humans band together into small ethnic clans or communal gangs, nomads traveling across the wastes of Urth, seeking food, weapons and mounts. While unorganized, the sheer number of wasteland gangs, tribes and clans led to collapse of Urth's greast empire, the Imperium of Mundia, which was perpetually sacked by Amazons, Skraeling Raiders and Pictish Savages. Barbarians value strength and unity, seeing city dwellers as weak, selfish and morally depraved.

Degeneration has taken hold of the lost and forgotten. Humans live naked and dirty alongside animals. Feral human populations have increased since the fall of the Mundian Empire, with the most well known being the Dogmen of Mungo. These men and women live alongside wild dogs in large packs that roam the Mungo Desert. Such dogmen have no language and scramble on all four legs. Feral Humans are often caught by Zingaran slavers for the slave markets of Shandikar, but such chattle sell for very little, having few skills and proving hard to train. Dogmen and other feral humans do sometimes leave their packs and engage on great quests, drawn by circumstance or destiny. Other humans tend to be disgusted by their feral brothers and sisters, though some take pity on them or even envy their ignorance and freedom.

Atlantean Automata

Atlantean Automata are constructed beings of metal and marble, machine-men invented by the Atlanteans in ages past.

The Awakening: For ages, Atlantis lied in ruin, submerged deep beneath the ocean. But as the Red Sun scorched the earth, the city drained and the Automata have awoken. They poses no memories of the old city, the Atlanteans or their downfall. Despite a lack of memory, each automata remembers a name and most are highly trained in things like mining, engineering, mathematics, warfare or even technomagic.

Unique Machines: Each Automata is unique. Most resemble men, but some resemble centaurs. Each has a unique face made of marble and metal that is capable of remarkable expression. As machines, they are vulnerable to water and electricity, but can be repaired with ordinary tools. Their magitech nature means both technomancy repair spells and life magick work on them.

The Iron God: Some automata worship a great colossus in the ruins of Atlantis, which they call Titanus. The priests of the Iron God preach that the colossus will awaken and destroy humanity, creating a utopia for machines.

The Arkive of Dreams: When automata 'go to sleep' they are able to access an enormous library of forgotten memories and past lives. The fragments are hard to understand, but some automata believe these collective memories are tied to their initial creation in ancient Atlantis, and may be the key to their destiny.

Cherubs

Cherub’s are Heaven’s foot soldiers, angels of lowest rank. They appear as human toddlers or adolescents, but with beautiful white feathered wings. Cherubs guard the places where Urth and Heaven meet. Of all the angels of the heavens, cherubs are the most likely to descend to Urth for righteous missions, curiosity or lust for the pleasures of the mortal realm.

Babes of Heaven: Cherubs spontaneously spring into existence in groups of 5 to 30 called choirs. They are born as babies, but mature into adolescents within hours. While Cherubs are effectively ageless, most find death in combat or calamity within a few centuries.

Guardians of the Firmament: Cherubs are always born near places where Urth and Heaven meet, often on the peaks of places like Olympus or the Holy Mountain. While they spend the vast majority of their days playing, singing and dancing, they know their purpose is to defend the borders of Heaven from both monsters and men. These encounters with mortals often lead cherubs or entire choirs to descend to Urth to undertake holy missions and crusades.

Innocent, Naive and Cruel: Cherubs have playful childlike personalities. Their lives in Heaven have sheltered them from the suffering of mortals and their evils ways. Cherubs are taught to hold mankind and Urth in great contempt. Most Cherubs see humans as little more than violent, lusful animals. Cherubs hold utter hate for demons and blame them for the corruption and suffering of mortals. But surprisingly, these extremist views of the world beyond Heaven often lead cherubs astray, causing them to underestimate humans.

The Fallen: Of all the angels, Cherubs are the most likely to fall from grace. Righteous crusades and adventures in the mortal realm can take a toll on a cherub's soul. Heaven forgives some transgressions, but many Cherubs find their souls twisted into the very evil they sought to eradicate.

Dogs

In the darkness of the prehistoric world, man and wolf learned to live in harmony. Over time, the wolf became the dog. Dogs and Mankind have lived side by side since the dawn of history and many of civilization's greatest heroes adventured with trusty canine companions. Today, dogs can be generally be divided into three categories: domesticated, pariah and wild.

Domesticated Dogs: For centuries, mankind has trained and bred dogs for a wide range of tasks. Big dogs bred for war and little dogs bred for companionship. Dogs who can chase, dogs who can swim, dogs who can dig, dogs who can track, dogs who can guard and dogs who can jump. Pure bred dogs are prized and sold for as much as a decent human slave, and they're often more loyal.

Pariah Dogs: Other dogs live in the allies and gutters of civilization. They are not purposefully bred and they are rarely tamed or trained. Such pariah dogs scour garbage heaps for food, chew on discarded bones and hunt for rats, cats, bugs and whatever else seems tasty. Such dogs keenly recognize that humans are a food source, but also potentially dangerous and violent if annoyed. Some cultures, like the Aztlani tribesman and residents of Regium, will often catch and eat such dogs, if better sources of meat aren't available.

Wild Dogs: With the collapse of many human civilizations beneath the Red Sun, large packs of dogs have split off from humanity, seeking their own path. These wild dogs live in the wastes and forgotten forests of the world, hunting other animals for food, guarding their territory with great attention. In a strange twist of fate, some humans live among these packs, feral and wild as the dogs themselves. The Dogmen of Mungo are the best known of such feral humans.

Ghouls

Cursed be any human who eats the flesh of their brother.

The Transformation: Upon eating the flesh of another man, a human slowly transforms into a ghoul over about 1 week. Symptoms include, vomiting, fever and delirium. A newly transformed ghoul retains their human memories and personality, but slowly loses them over the course of months and years. Some ghouls even forget their names.

Cannibal Curse: Ghouls suffer from an endless hunger that can only be fed with dead human flesh, the more putrid the better. While they need not each much to survive, ghouls feel compelled to eat more than necessary. Few ghouls could be described as in their right mind, driving them to dangerous, desperate and even pathetic behavior.

Horrifying Physiology: A young ghoul looks mostly human, but covered in sores and flaky skin. Ancient ghouls have rubbery skin that ranges from sickly yellow to pale green, blue or purple. All ghouls have fangs and claws, some grow bat-like ears, snouts, tails or other bestial features. Bizarrely, ghouls are capable of giving birth to more ghouls, who mature in only a few months, but most ghouls have no desire to parent or share food. If well fed, a ghoul might live for centuries.

The World Below: Most ghouls congregate in places where the Underworld and Urth draw close, where dead human corpses are found in abundance. The most notable of such places is Ghoultown and Lepertown. Unlike most mortal creatures, ghouls are immune to the soul draining winds and waters of the Underworld, though they must still be wary of that realm's guardians and monsters.

The World Above: Other 'wild ghouls' live hidden in human cities, preying on the weak and sick, digging through their tombs and graveyards. Some turn to canibalizing the dead out of desperation and hunger, other through perversion, with the desire for dark power. Such ghouls rarely live long, as humans are quick to hunt and destroy them.

Intelligent Apes

The Apes of Bandar Log are an insular people who live hidden deep within the jungles of the Kongo Jungle. Bandar Log is a brutal heirachy of competing warriors, each striving to prove their greatness.

Great Apes: Intelligent apes are about the same size and weight of a human, but much much stronger. An intelligent ape can lift more than a human, jump higher than a human and run longer than a human. Completely unlike humans, Bandars have exceptionally strong jaws and large sharp teeth capable of crushing through bone and armor.

Fierce Warriors: Bandar Log is a hidden city and it is defended fiercly. Any human who gets to close will likely be killed on sight. Status in the heirarchy of Bandar Log is determined by feats of strength and victory in battle. A chief who doesn't fight alongside his warriors is coward. If one cannot fight, then the next best thing is forge weapons.

Enemies of Mankind: In ages past, the apes of Bandar Log fought brutal wars against humans. Outmached in both numbers and technology, the apes were forced to retreat into the deepest jungles of Afrika. Though the world of men has long forgotten these prehistoric conflicts, the Apes have not. It wounds the pride of many Bandars that they are not the rulers of this world.

Exiles: Many leave Bandar Log, for one reason or another. Some are exiled for crimes, others leave rather than face humiliation in front of their superiors. All exiles are sworn to secrecy to never reveal the location of Bandar Log. Those who can't be trusted with that oath are executed.

Pig Demon

Pig Demons are the lowest of the low, the cannon fodder of Hell’s armies. They are notorious schemers and liars. All live in constant fear of displeasing their infernal king.

Slaves of Hell: The Bronze King Moloch is ruler of Hell and Urth and all who dwell within are his slaves. Pig Demons know this truth better than most.

Pig Demons are born in Spawning Pits of , great lakes of slop formed from the runoff of fiery Phlegethon River. Fully grown, they are pulled from the pits and given weapons, then shipped off to fight Moloch's enemies in the Lower Circles.

The 666 Legions:

Demons on Urth: Naturally, many seek to leave. Getting out of the lower realms is difficult, but not impossible. Some find cracks in the walls of Hell and sneak through the Underworld, while others trick or cajole human wizards into summoning rituals. Once on Urth, Pig Demons begin plotting to seize power from humans. The more important their targets, the more likely they are to please their king Moloch. Still, many spend so many years in the shadows that they forget all about Hell and learn to live for their own dark desires.

Gluttons and Liars: Pig Demons are naturally good at lying, plotting and scheming. Despite being built for war, Pig Demons are exceedingly cunning and much smarter than most humans. But they know better than to flaunt their superior minds, instead preferring to play dumb and flatter the egos of Humans. In addition to seeking power over mankind, Pig Demons must seek food. Once on Urth, their gluttonous appetites are hard to sate, forcing them to eat much more than even large adult humans.

Talking Cat

Ulthar, the City of Cats, is an idyllic agricultural town in the countryside of Zingara, known for its hundreds of stray cats which are revered by the townsfolk. What most outsiders don’t know, is that these are no ordinary cats, but rather intelligent beings with great magic powers who live for centuries.

Secret Kings: Even the human residents of Ulthar aren't fully aware of their feline masters. The Cats of Ulthar subtly guide and control the populace, interfacing only with the priests of the local temple. All residents of Ulthar revere the cats though, treating them kindly, feeding them and never, ever, harming them. Any human, native or outsider, who harms a cat has a tendency to dissappear. The Cats are not malicious rulers, but rather seem themselves as benovolent guides and companions to their human subjects.

Masters of Time and Space: The Cats of Ulthar have innate magick, allowing them to communicate telepathically, teleport over vast distances and control the flow of time. They are loathe to use their magick in front of untrusted humans. The Cats of Ulthar see themselves of guardians of Urth. Though they know their power is limited and their numbers few, they are able to reach across vast distances and interverne in serious threats to Urth and Mankind.

Troglodytes

The Cavepeople of Gath are terrible devolved mutants who live underground and fear the sun. It is thought they were once human, but were cursed by gods whom they insulted.

Albino Cavedwellers: Troglodytes have grey or yellow skin, white hair and great yellow eyes. Most are filthy and covered chalky white warpaint. Their teeth are are long and sharp, protruding from their mouths. Troglodytes are incredibly strong. They stand a foot taller than most humans and weigh anywhere from 200 to 400 pounds. All troglodytes fear the sun, as it makes them sick and weak.

Brutal Predators: Troglodytes live and hunt in packs, generally no larger than 20. centered around one particularly strong male of female who beats the others into submission. Troglodytes will eat anything, but prefer the warm flesh of slaughtered humans. At night, troglodytes creep out of their caves to attack caravans and camps. Incredibly simple creatures, troglodytes have only a rudimentary language that humans call Darkspeech. Some of its words are eerily similar to human words, including 'meat', leading some scholars to suspect that the troglodytes were once human.

Leaving the Caverns: Some cavepeople do leave their packs, often cast out after battles for pack supremacy. Isolated and alone, many are killed by monsters or humans while others are captured by slavers. Troglodytes make decent slaves, though their stupidity limits them to mostly physical tasks. Some Troglodytes find their way to freedom or make their way in mankind's more anarchic settlements, such as Blackport or Regium.

Zoogs

The strange creatures called Zoogs hail from fungal forests of Madagascar. Appearing like grotesque lemurs with tentacle covered noses, few humans have ever seen a Zoog. They are simply so strange that most humans don’t even see them, or mistake them for ugly dogs, possums or rats. Zoogs are known for their Moon Wine and for possessing magical powers over dreams and illusions. Most Zoogs are cowardly skittish creatures, but some Zoogs grow a spine and venture out into the world, perhaps even just to steal shiny objects and taste some human cooking.

Invisible Ghosts: A zoog's natural invisibility allows it hide among human societies with ease. Unhelpfully, the deranged and insane are able to see Zoogs, but this causes the sane to dismiss the existence of Zoogs as a delusion. While it's easy to fool humans, dogs are able to sniff out Zoogs and typically try to chase them away or eat them. The Zoogs have fought lengthy wars against the Cats of Ulthar, who despise the Zoogs for their insidious and secretive natures.

Dream Eaters: Many human societies do tell stories about Zoogs, calling them Dream Eaters or Nightmare Monkeys. The Jomon call them Baku. Most often, these stories are told to scare children into behaving and going to bed at an appropriate hour. While hidden in civilization, Zoogs are able to siphon energy from the dreams of sleeping humans. This leads the sleeping humans to have bad dreams, sometimes especially disturbing and scary nightmares.

Creatures of the Dreamland: Zoogs can be found all over Urth, wherever humans are, but most live secluded in the fungus forests of Pnath in Madagascar. This strange forest lies at the convergence Urth, the Dreamlands and the Underworld and possibly other realms. The Zoogs have spent ages perfecting the magickal arts of dream travel and astral gliding. If you need to leave Urth, a Zoog probably knows a nearby exit.

2: PROFESSIONS AND LANGUAGES

Using Professions

Professions describe what your character knows how to do and how your character fits into the setting. They act as cues to help you decide how your character acts, what your character can do, and what things your character knows. The Game Master will sometimes look to your professions to judge whether an activity you describe results in a success or failure. A profession could grant a success or it might grant 1 boon to your roll if the outcome isn’t clear. If you have two or more applicable professions, you might gain 2 boons on your roll.

Identity Profession

At fourth level select one of your professions as your primary, core identity. You excel at this profession more than any other, to the point where you are likely known by it, such as 'Conan the Barbarian' or 'Aladin the Thief.' Your identity can be any type of profession, including culture professions. If you have a noble or occult profession, it is likely your identity. This profession works like any other, except you are granted 2 boons on rolls related to your identity. Whenever you level up, you may reselect your identity to any profession you have.

Languages

Instead of gaining a profession, often you will have the option of gaining a language. When you first gain a language, you learn to speak it. If you can already, speak a language, you can choose it again to become literate in that language. Some classes and ancestries (such as Magicians) automatically learn to read any language they can speak.

Customizing Professions

You may choose to customize your professions or invent new ones not listed below. You might customize a profession to reflect a specific title or status such as 'Journeyman Carpenter' or 'Master Carpenter' or even 'Master of the Shandikar Carpenter's Guild'. Instead of 'Soldier' you might choose 'Hoplite of Ashod' or 'Retired Soldier'. Other professions might change over gameplay, such as 'Prince of Shem' becoming 'King of Shem' or 'Slave' becoming 'Freed Slave.' You may rename professions whenever you level up, to reflect how your skill or status has changed.

Culture Professions

Culture professions represent your exposure to particular place, people and way of living. All players begin with one culture profession that represents where they have lived most of their life. This profession allows you to blend into your home, know its customs and traditions, navigate the locale and find whatever basic services are available.

All culture professions have associated languages, refer to your ancestry to see what culture profession you begin with and what your options are.

Your starting culture profession may or may not be your actual blood heritage. For example, a man of Mundian blood born as a slave in Shandikar would take Shandikar Resident as their starting culture profession. Some ethnicities, such as Stygians and Pythians, have no living culture, and take on whatever culture they live in. Those who wish to practice the old ways must instead research and select an appropriate academic profession.

Well traveled individuals might learn additional culture professions, just like any other profession. You do not automatically learn associated languages for these additional culture professions.

Civilized Human Culture Professions

Culture Profession	Associated Languages
Ashod Resident	Heliot, Common Pidgin
Blackport Resident	Common Pidgin
Prisoner of Leng	Lengenese
Regium Mundi Resident	Common Pidgin
Shandikar Resident	Arch-Zingaran, Common Pidgin
Shem Resident	Shemite, Common Pidgin
Yamagawa Resident	Jomonese, Comon Pidgin

Barbaric Human Culture Professions

Culture Profession	Associated Languages
Aztlani Raider	Nahuatl, Common Pidgin
Bedobi Nomad	Bedobi, Common Pidgin
Pictish Tribesman	Pict, Common Pidgin
Skraelangi Clansman	Skraelangi, Common Pidgin
Wasteland Gangster	Common Pidgin
Xeno-Amazonian Sister	Amazonian, Common Pidgin

Feral Human Culture Professions

Culture Profession	Associated Languages
Dogman of Mungo	Dog Communication
Raised by Bears	Bear Communication
Raised by Monkeys	Monkey Communication
Raised by ???	??? Communication

Dog Culture Professions

Culture Profession	Associated Languages
Domesticated Dog	Dog Communication
Pariah Dog	Dog Communication
Wild Dog	Dog Communication

Ghoul Culture Professions

Culture Profession	Associated Languages
Ghoul of Ghoultown	Pnathic
Ghoul of Lepertown	Pnathic, Common Pidgin

Non-Human Culture Professions

Culture Profession	Associated Languages
Ape of Bandar Log	Bandarkian
Babe of Heaven	Words of Creation
Cat of Ulthar	Cat Communication, Common Pidgin
Caveman of Gath	Darkspeech
Slave of Hell	High Infernal
Lemur of Madagascar	Lemurian

Academic Professions

Academic professions are gained through study, education and research. Many are just collections of facts written down in books and scrolls, while others may also pertain to laboratory techniques or other methods. Your character might be self taught, but more likely they had a mentor, tutor and some sort of formal or informal education.

Whenever you gain an academic profession, you learn to read one language you speak.

Academic Professions	Academic Professions
Architect	Lawyer
Archaeologist	Linguist
Astronomer	Poet
Botanist	Playwright
Cartographer	Scribe
Cosmologist*	Storyteller
Doctor	Surgeon
Engineer	Mathematician
Geologist	Philosopher
Historian**	Zoologist

*Heaven, Hell, The Underworld or other Hidden Realms

**Amazonia, Atlantis, Aztlan, Babylonia, Jomon, Mundia, Pythia, Shem, Skraeland, Stygia, Zingara

Common Professions

Common professions are tasks undertaken by the lowest classes, the workers and laborers, craftsman and serfs. Most people have a common profession, taken up as a hobby or in youth, even if they practice more prestigious professions.

Common Professions	Common Professions
Animal Trainer	Herder
Artisan*	Laborer
Barkeep	Merchant
Beggar	Midwife
Boatman	Miner
Butcher	Musician
Cook	Refugee
Courtesan	Servant
Entertainer	Shopkeeper
Farmer	Slave

*Blacksmith, Bookbinder, Carpenter, Cobbler, Jeweler, Glassblower, Leatherworker, Mason, Painter, Potter, Sculptor, Tailor, Weaver

Criminal Professions

Criminals develop survival skills needed to avoid the law and make a living. Most criminals don't get rich, but they a dream of the next big job. Having a criminal profession allows you make contacts with other criminals in adjacent lines of work, such as fences for your stolen jewelry. Such networks of criminals are often informal, but are sometimes organized into gangs and cartels.

Criminal Professions	Criminal Professions
Burglar	Pickpocket
Carouser	Pirate
Charlatan	Prisoner
Fence	Prostitute
Forger	Rebel
Gambler	Smuggler
Gangster	Thief
Grave Robber	Terrorist
Highwayman	Spy
Murderer	Thug

Martial Professions

Martial professions reflect serious training in warfare. Anyone can pick up a pistol and try to fire it, but only a soldier knows how to keep it clean and functioning. An army takes many men, each with their own tasks and roles, from grizzled veterans on the front lines, to the planners and commanders in the back.

But not all warriors are found on the battlefield, they're found in prisons, arenas, patrolling city streets and guarding property. Martial professions include any job where a weapon is a tool, where violence and or at least the threat of violence, is a solution.

Martial Professions	Martial Professions
Bodyguard	Militia
Cavalry	Legionnaire
Crusader	Peasant Conscript
Gladiator	Pillager
Guard	Siege Engineer
Infantryman	Soldier
Jailer	Squire
Knight	Strategist
Officer	Torturer
Mercenary	Watchman

Noble Professions

Noble professions reflect your position of authority. Not all kings are equal, and indeed many sit deposed without thrones and kingdoms. Noble Professions are likely customized to your character, like Prince of Shem or Chieftain of the Wygonk Tribe. You might be an Exiled Prince or a Former Mayor.

A noble profession is not just your title though, it reflects your competency to hold that position. A particularly uninterested prince or or recently appointed duke might not have a noble profession, reflecting their lack of knowledge and experience.

Noble Professions	Noble Professions
Aristocrat	Merchant Prince
Chieftain	Patriarch / Matriarch
Duke / Duchess	Prince / Princess
Elder	Senator
Emperor/ Empress	Shogun
General	Sultan
Lord	Thane
Mayor	Tribune
Judge	Tyrant
King / Queen	Warchief

Occult Professions

Occult Professions reflect your knowledge of the fantastic and magickal. Some occult professions like Hermetic Wizardry can be learned by anyone who finds the right books or teachers. Other occult professions reflect your initiation into a secret society, cult or priesthood. Any rogue might be able to figure out how to active Babylonian spellcrystals, but only a Crystal Mage truly understands the process of their creation. Any character taking the Magician or Priest novice paths will have at least one occult profession.

Below are only a few examples, some generic and some highly specific, see Chapter 3 for more details on religions, cults and magickal technique.

Occult Professions
Artificer
Cartomancer
Crystal Mage
Demigod Child of (any Deity)
Demonologist
Disciple of Moloch
Diyonesian Reveler
Follower of the Left Hand Path
Genie Binder
Hermetic Wizard
Initiate of the Delphinian Mysteries
Mundian Alchemist
Pictish Shaman
Priest of (any Deity)
Pythagorean Geometer
Rainbow Servant of Huzocoatl
Skraeling Skald
Snake Cultist
Stygian Necromancer
Witch

Wilderness Professions

Wilderness professions reflect your knowledge of the natural world, it's hazards and bounties. Barbarians and nomads often have wilderness professions, but so do city dwellers who find themselves traveling frequently.

Wilderness Professions	Wilderness Professions
Animal* Friend	Hermit
Bandit	Hunter
Birder	Pioneer
Caravan Driver	Prospector
Clam Diver	Shepherd
Explorer	Spelunker
Exile	Tracker
Fisherman	Trapper
Gatherer	Vagabond
Guide	Woodcutter

• Bigguana, Falcon, Monkey, Rat, Snake, Songbird, Vrek, Wolf or any other beast

Living Languages

The following languages are used in communities across Urth on a daily basis.

Life Under The Red Sun

Knowledge & Technology

The Last Cities of man are crumbling versions of their past glory. The water shortage makes farming difficult and arduous. Living trees are rare, so buildings are made with rock, concrete, mud or even the ‘lumber’ taken from dead, petrified forests. Plant-fiber clothing is a luxury, most people wear leather or wool.

Ironworking techniques are known, but most weapons and tools are made of bronze or copper. Black powder weapons are rare and expensive to maintain, most being antiques from fallen kingdoms or the inventions of eccentric engineers. Wagons, chariots and other vehicles are still made of wood, making them quite expensive.

The Old World’s libraries have been burned or looted. The historical record is full of holes and what is actual history and what is mere legend isn’t clear. The vast majority of people are unable to read and write and would have little need to do so.

Freedom & Slavery

Most people are either slaves or serfs, toiling for their masters or waiting to be sold. Free people maintain their liberty with weapons and wits, especially in cities where kidnappers prowl the streets at night, looking to capture drunks and foreigners. Still, most would suffer serfdom or slavery over risking death in the wastes. A typical slave sells for 1 gold coin, but might fetch more or less depending on their skills, age and health. Slaves typically wear metal collars and are marked with brands on their back to indicate their owner.

Beasts & Monsters

Many domesticated and feral animals still coexist with humans, including camels, dogs, pigs, goats, pigeons, cats, mice and other vermin. Large mammals are mostly extinct. The cow, elephant, deer and even horse, are now only creatures of legend. Instead, large domesticated reptiles act as mounts and beasts of burden. The most common is the Bigguana, a beefy quadruped suited for heavy labor and the Vrek, a fast bipedal creature suited for travelling and combat.

The vast majority of the wastes are inhospitable for any form of life, though many insects and reptiles, some exceptionally large, manage to survive on small amounts of food and water. But dangers lurk in the ruins of the Old World, including hungry giants, fiery dragons, the living dead, arcane golems, demons and other horrors.

Magick & the Gods

If the gods exist, then they are either extremely cruel or incapable. Most people have no time for religion, except to mutter a god’s name as an expletive or to celebrate an annual festival. Priests and magi are avoided by the common folk and with good reason. In the Last Cities there are countless temples dedicated to foul gods and demons where priests offer sacrifice, often in the form of human flesh, to learn magickal secrets. Few, if any, of these cults could be described as benevolent, but many kings rely on these organizations to stomp out chaos and disorder. Most common folk despise the priests, both for their bloody sacrifices and their hoarded wealth.

If priests are reviled, then magicians are outright feared. While a few academies have maintained their traditions, most magi are renegades relying on pilfered tomes and ancient artifacts. These sorcerers have no masters, making them dangerous and unpredictable to the common folk. But when the peasants do manage to stand up for themselves, it isn’t uncommon to see witches burning in the streets.

The Last Cities of Urth

Ashod, Citadel of Rust

When the sun turned red, the mighty Heliots of Ashod were prepared. All Heliot citizens of Ashod must complete mandatory military training and continued citizenship depends on readiness for war. Those who fail their training are cast out or tossed into Krypteros, the Pit of Death. Ashod is ruled by two kings and two royal dynasties, House Ajax and House Saturnus. The kings are equal in power and succession falls to the eldest male that has completed his military service. The kings mostly abide the decisions of their generals and the council of elders.

Bandar Log, City of Apes

Most men think the city only a legend, but there is much truth in the stories. In ages past, Man and Ape fought wars against each other, and the defeated Apes retreated into the jungles of Afrika. Bandar Log is hidden deep within the Kongo Jungles and built around an enormous tree, said to be the oldest on Urth. Many clans of apes guard the Great Tree and the jungle, fighting amongst each other, believing a state of constant war will keep them vigilant and prepared for when the humans return.

Blackport, City of Thieves

Blackport was once a notorious pirates cove, but now the bay and docks are replaced with salt flats and a graveyard of shipwrecks. Blackport is an anarchic shithole of filth and debauchery, an endless carnival of public drunkenness. Blackport has no government, but various Pirate Kings control territory through gangs. Many escaped slaves and criminals flee to Blackport seeking a fresh start.

Byzantium, City of Empire

Built at the strategic crossroads of Europa, Asia Minor and Afrika, the city of Byzantium is the final remnant of the great Mundian Empire. When the empire was ravaged by famine and raiders, the last Emperor abandoned Regium to the Gulgoth barbarians and relocated his court to Byzantium. The temple of the emperors, the Sancta Sophia, remains one of the largest buildings on Urth and a final monument of the thousand year old empire. While the empire has crumbled, Byzantium retains its place as the crossroads of the world and center of trade.

Gor, City of Skulls

The Warlord of Gor maintains something resembling a city on PLACE. Known as the City of Skulls, the brutal tyrant has impaled thousands of human heads on pikes encircling the settlement. No fortifications exist, and the Warlord lives in a great tent, as is traditional of the XYZ Nomads.

Leng, The Hidden City

The Plateau of Leng lies in the far southern reaches of the world, consumed in eternal windstorms of salt and ice. Somewhere on that grey plateau lies the the Hidden City. No outsiders ever visit Leng, but refugees recount lives of terrible slavery in the mines of a hellish underground prison where the only food is boiled centipedes. Survivors speak in hushed tones of their former overlords, the Hidden Masters, silent wizards who wear yellow robes and are too tall to be mere humans.

Persopolis, City of Fire

All that remains of the great Parthian Empire is it's summer capital, Persopolis. Fires burn day and night atop the cities tall towers, and also within the Temple of Eternal Fire where eunuch priests worship the Red Sun. Persolpolis is a highly stratified city. The vast majority of people in Persopolis are foreign born slaves bought as young boys, who live miserable lives of toil in barren farms and dangerous mines. Women are rare in Persopolis, they are either foriegn concubines or native Parthian noblewomen. It is said the Sultan Owns 100,000 slaves, including 1,000 concubines and 10,000 Jannisaries, a special caste of warrior elite who are sworn to never speak a lie.

Regium Mundi, City of Rats

The world’s largest empire, the Imperium of Mundia was destroyed by 100 years of civil war and rebellion, culminating with the capital of Regium Mundi burning to the ground. Today, the old capital is a hollow ruin contested by violent gangs and the crumbling Great Coliseum is a leper colony. Those who don’t join the gangs and don’t have leprosy, live in the shanty towns outside the old walls and venture into the ruins to hunt for rats and ratdogs or the ultimate catch: an old cache of fine Mundian wine.

Shandikar,

City of Wickedness

Even before the drought, Shandikar was home to Urth’s largest slave markets. Shandikar is ruled by the godless Zingaran Guild-Lords, an oligarchy of the city’s wealthiest merchants and oldest Zingaran families. It is said you can buy anything in Shandikar’s markets. Even assassins do open business, protected by their guild charter. The coin determines prestige in Shandikar and money lenders are all too eager to entrap the destitute into scams and slavery.

Shem, City of Gods

When the old kingdoms fell, many people fled to Shem and brought their idols with them. Today, the King of Shem still maintains his palace and royal guard, but the city itself is controlled by countless, squabbling cults. Shem’s temple district has a strange skyline of mismatched towers, pyramids, temples and ziggurats. Looming largest is the Temple of Moloch, where the high priests immolate human sacrifices inside a giant brass idol.

Oasis, City of Freedom

Beneath the floating ruin of Babylon lies a a great lake and a ramshackle settlement known as Oasis. Fed by a great waterfall from the ruin above, a lush forest of fruit trees and fertile land has given new life to the barren desert. While the city itself is still new, it has become a haven for wastelanders, barbarians, escaped slaves and outlaws. The defacto ruler of the Oasis is the bandit king Green Jack, leader of the Greenjacks, though he works closely with a group of Xeno-Amazon Battle Maidens. The only rules in the Oasis are no stealing, no murder, no slavery, no going to floating ruin and all refuse must go to the designated trash dump.

Ulthar, City of Cats

North of Shandikar is a forgotten little village that few travel to. The people of Ulthar are simple folk and have a meager life as fishermen and potato farmers. Any visitor will notice an over abundance of cats, some friendly and some skittish. But these are no ordinary cats, they are magickal creatures who can see across time and space. The talking cats will reveal themselves to noble heroes or innocents who are in need of protection. Anyone who harms a cat in Ulthar is said to disappear without a trace.

Yamagawa, City of Clouds

When the famines struck, the mad emperor of Jomon ordered his samurai to execute half of the peasantry. After a short civil war, the fortified mountain retreat of Yamagawa Castle was the only city left standing. The Supreme Shogun rules the fortress and is said to possess a sacred power called ‘The God Fist’. Jomon society is still divided in two castes of noble warriors and peasants. Yamagawa is closed to uninvited foreigners and the deposed royal family. But if you need a good sword, you can’t beat Jomon steel.

The Fallen Kingdoms of the Old World

Alexandria, Jewel of the World

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Assyria, Empire of Clay

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Atlantis,

the Drowned Kingdom

Long, long ago, the ancient kingdom of Atlantis was drowned beneath the oceans in a cataclysm. No one has ever met an Atlantean, but their strange ruins can be found, buried under fossilized coral and sediment. Adventurers who have explored the ruins tell tales of complex fortresses filled with traps and strange devices, including enormous golems of marble and metal that attack all intruders.

Aztlán, the Kingdoms of Blood

Aztlán was once a lush jungle before the drought. Many warring kingdoms fought endless wars and murdered their prisoners atop great basalt pyramids to appease their bloodthirsty gods. Those green jungles burned in the drought, nothing but the toxic, thorny, strangleweed grows in Aztlán now. The drought accelerated the cycle of war and sacrifice, pushing the kingdoms into anarchy. Refugees fled in all directions, leaving behind their bloody pyramids, but taking their demonic cults with them.

Babylonia, Towers of Heaven

Babylonia was once a land of marvelous floating towers, palaces and gardens. It is said that the Wizards of Babylon attempted to build a tower into Heaven, and for their crime, the gods shattered their kingdom with tremendous earthquake, lightning and thunder. Today, the Babylonians are dispersed across Urth in a vast diaspora. Many believe the floating towers may still be out there in the sandstorms, waiting to be reclaimed.

Lemuria, the Black Crystals

East of the jungles of Madagascar, deep in the white sands of the Indus Desert, lie the Black Crystals of Lemuria. Enormous black crystal edifices rise out of the desert on moonless nights and emit an eerie green glow. Terrible horrors, known as Nightmare Machines lurk in those cursed tombs, waiting to destroy the minds of mortal men. Strangely, the machines speak the language of the Zoogs of Madagascar, though the ghost lemurs claim ignorance of their neighbors and refuse to speak of them.

Mundia, The Eternal Empire

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Pythia, the Serpent Kingdoms

In their temples, the ancient kings and priests of Pythia worshiped giant snakes and fed the reptile overlords with human slaves in exchange for magickal power. Some say that the naga grew too hungry and eventually devoured everyone. Today, Pythians and their serpent cults can still be found in Shem and Shandikar.

Punt, the River of Gold

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Phonecia, Kingdom of Sails

The ancient Phonecian cities of Tyre, Sidon, Antioch and Bylbos were home to Urths first shipyards. Skilled shipbuilders and sailors, many of the great cities along the Mungo Salt wastes were founded by colonists and traders from Phonecia, including the great city of Ashod. It is said that in antiquity, more phonecians lived on boats than lived in their cities. When the sun turned red, the seas quick shrank and their mercantile empire collapsed. Suddenly penileless refugees, many died from deprivation or strife. Those who survived fled to foriegn cities or joined up with the increasing hordes of bandits raiders in the wastes.

Stygia, Kingdom of the Dead

Stygia is among the oldest kingdoms on Urth. For milleniums, the God-Pharaohs of Stygia expanded their empire along the fertile banks of the River Styx, from delta on the Mungo Sea to the grasslands of Nubia. They built great pyramids and tombs for themselves, where the high priests perfected the black arts of necromancy and mummification. When the Sun turned red, the Styx turned black and foul, and the kingdom quickly descended into famine and chaos. The people of Stygia murdered their kings and fled to foreign lands. Today, most Stygians live in Shem, but they can be found all across the Urth. Many speak of ancient treasures sealed in the pyramids, but also of terrible undead monsters who continue to defend the tombs.

The Thracian League

The Thracian League was a loose confederation of city states along the Agean Sea including fabled cities like Athens, Pellagea, Ithica, Ephesus, Miletus, Rhodes and Thebes. These cities were renowned centers of learning, including mathematics, engineering and philosophy. Some cities were ruled by kings and tyrants while others were ruled by councils or senates of citizens. The great conqueror Alexander united the cities of Thracia and led an army across the known world, conquering lands as war east as Parthia and Pythia and as far south as Stygia. After his death, his empire fractured into kingdoms ruled by his generals and allies. In the ages since, the cities have been part of many empires, including the recent Mundian Empire and all now lay in ruin.

Nomads of the Endless Wastes

The Bedobi Camel Herders

The Bedobi are a nomads who organize in small family clans. For thousands of years, the camel herders have guided camels and goats from oasis to oasis as the seasons change. They are known for fine camel hair textiles and skill at mounted archery. They will trade with friendly outsiders, but do not seek them out.

The Wastelanders

The Cavemen of Uratu

The Dog-Men of Mungo

Mungo was a great ocean, but today it is a desert of pure salt. The Mungans are primitive nomads who roam the desert with packs of wild dogs, hunting anything that moves. Most of the time they prefer to behave as wild dogs, mingling in the greater pack. The Mungans have no religion, no myths, no art, no stories. Most of the Dog-Men speak rudimentary pidgin, but prefer not to. The Dog-Men avoid other humans and they are frequently targeted by Zingaran slavers who consider them an easy catch.

The Pict Tribes

The Red Sun transformed the forests of the Picts into a graveyard of petrified trees. Growing desperate, the nomadic tribes banded together under a single warchief and sacked the Imperium of Mundia, repeatedly, leading to that empire’s collapse. “Pict” is a Mundian word that means ‘painted one’, which describes the Pict’s terrifying warpaint. The Picts worship animal spirits and clothe themselves in trophies and totems.

The Skraeling Barbarians

In the old world, the Skraelings were master boat builders and fearsome pirates who grew rich from pillaging their neighbors. When the oceans dried up, Skraeling culture collapsed. Without the ability to travel great distances, the Skraeling clans began raiding each other. Today, Skraelings can still be found in the wastes, living in small nomadic tribes, but most live in chains. Skraeling slaves are highly prized for their muscular physiques.

The Scythaean Lizardlords

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The Xeno-Amazons

The Sisterhood is a crusading gang that has declared war against slavery and patriarchy. Taking inspiration from the Amazons of legend, the Sisters raid the cities of Urth, killing slavers and freeing slaves. Only women and eunuchs are initiated into the Sisterhood, and the most extreme members believe in murdering all men.

The Five Realms

The Red Sun shines from Heaven, the Realm of the Gods, below which lies Urth, the Realm of Man, below which lies the Underworld, the Realm of the Dead, below which lies Hell, the Realm of the Damned.

Heaven

The Heavens vault above Urth. Angels live amongst the clouds and each star is the realm of one the Gods of Heaven. Heaven and Urth are said to touch on the highest mountain tops, such as the Holy Mountain of Shem, Mount Fuji, Mount Kailash, Mount Olympus, Mount Telamon, Sagarmatha and others.

The High Heavens, the stars of the night sky, are each a Paradise. Some Paradises are great palaces, towers or castles, some are luxurious gardens filled with endless fruit and rivers of wine. Some are pristine wilderness, untouched by civilization and some are realms of pure color and light. Some are ruled by great gods, others are home to hosts of angels and some remain empty and perfect in their emptiness.

A mortal's soul can only pass through the Gates of the High Heavens in death. While each mortal's soul is made of Heaven, it is shackled in the dirt of the Urth. Indeed, trying to pass through the Gates themselves will destroy any mortal body. Throughout the ages, many great heroes and holy men have died and ascended to Heaven, only to be reborn with a divine mandate from the gods. But such figures are rare, most mortal souls will never reach heaven and most of its Gods turn away from the world.

The Red Sun hangs in the High Heavens. It is Heaven's Judgement. The Men of Urth have grown decadent and sinful. They enslave each other and worse, they willingly enslave themselves to the demons of Hell, permanetly corrupting their divine souls.

The Low Heavens are closer to Urth, they contain the winds and clouds. While most of the Low Heavens are empty, hidden among the clouds are Celestial Gatehouses, great fortresses filled with angels who guard the way to the High Heavens.

Angels sometimes guard the places where Urth and Heaven draw close, the peaks of the greatest mountains, such as the Holy Mountain of Shem, Mount Fuji, Mount Kailash, Mount Olympus, Mount Telamon, Sagarmatha and others. The floating citadels of Babylonia touch the Low Heavens and their Great Tower of Babel tried to reach the High Heavens, but was destroyed before it was completed.

Bandarkian Mysticism

Not all intelligent apes are blood thirsty warriors. The maharishis of the Great Tree practice a primordial magick tied to the ebb and flow of life in the jungle. By calming their souls, they are able to heal wounds, control plants and channel animal spirits.

Pictish Druidism

Unlike the Shamans who dwell within in Pict tribes, the Druids live completely isolated and shun contact with outsiders. Most picts fear the druids, well aware that they periodically kidnap tribesmen for initiation or ritual sacrifice. Animals instinctively flee from these cultists. Fear and madness drive these murderous priests, as they believe their bloody rites appease terrible unnamed beings that dwell in the wilderness.

*All druids can select the Madness tradition.

The Iron God Titanus

Some Atlantean Automata worship the great colossus as a god of war, whom they call Titanus. The priests of the Iron God proclaim that Titanus will soon rise from the Urth, and crush Humanity beneath its feet. Priests of Titanus despise humans and animals and think all creatures of flesh and blood should be destroyed. They often wear human skulls as holy symbols.

Jomon Ancestor Worship

All castes of Jomon society, whether they be noble, serf or outcast, pay respects to their ancestors through funeral ceremonies and family shrines. Many shrines incorporate talismans of important deceased ancestors, such as suits of of scrolls, armor, swords, or even mummified hands. Jomon priests act as intermediaries between the living and the dead, but many of the priesthood wander the countryside of the old empire, tending to the shrines and graveyards of the millions killed by the civil war. Each new tradition a Jomon priest learns represents a connection to a different ancestor.

Mundian Mystery Cults

The official state religion of the Imperium was Mundus Invictus or “Mundia Unconquered”, a military brotherhood that exalted warfare and worshiped the emperor as a living god. Other minor mystery cults, often of Thracian origin, existed in the empire. These secretive cults still persist across Urth, though the state religion has fallen into disrepute after the collapse of the empire, with most adherents living in the city of Byzantium.

Parthian Fire Cult

The Parthian eunuch priests, known as Mazdayans, worship Ahura Mazda, the name they give to the Red Sun. They preach of the eternal struggle between light and darkness, truth and lies, Heaven and Hell. Mazdayazna is a strict religion, that teaches all will be judged by their deeds after they die, the righteous will join Ahura Mazda in the House of Song and the evil will be cast into the Abyss. Lying is considered the greatest crime for the priests, resulting in them being burned at the stake. Mazadayans are trained from the young age of 5, when they are selected from noble houses and castrated. They are strict monotheists and do not engage in idolatrous worship of other gods. The high priests of Ahura Mazda tend to the Eternal Flame in their temple in Persopolis, while younger priests tend to ancient fire temples in the ruined cities of the empire.

Pictish Shamanism

The wild pictish tribes worship a wide variety of animal, plant and nature spirits. They give these beings names like Great Mother Sky, Great Corncob, Great Black Wolf or even simpler names like Coyote, Turtle and Crow. Each domain that a Pict Priest selects represents one of these nature spirits. Shamans often construct totem poles that contain all of their personal guardian spirits. Many also wear masks that channel their totem spirits.

Pythian Snake Cults

While the serpent kingdoms lie in ruin, snake cults still persist in Shem, Shandikar and other hidden places. The cults maintain and worship the ‘Living Gods’, terrible giant serpents who feast on human flesh. The Pythian priests believe that these creatures are children of Python, the great serpent slain by the Shemmite god Marduk. In exchange for sacrifices, the serpents bestow dark magic powers upon their disciples.

Shemmite Pantheon

These gods were once worshiped across the lands of Shem, Phonecia and Assyria and Babylonia, but today most of their cults reside in Shem. The people there make sacrifices of food or flesh, hoping to gain favor with the gods and their priests. Many highborn consider it a great honor to give their children to the cults, either to be ritually sacrificed or trained as an acolyte. Most common foik find these practices deranged or repulsive, they avoid the priests and their temples. It is said even the king fears the priests of Moloch and their burning brass idol.

Shemmite Archangels

Many common people of Shem make informal prayers to seven great Archangels who are said to reside in the high heavens and serve as guardians of humanity. The deity Enoch was said to among their number, but was cast out for fornicating with the daughters of man and teaching them to read and write. These angels have no temples, priesthood or rites associated with them. Sometimes they answer mortal prayers for deliverance, but mostly they do not. Rarely, they bless mortal champions with their power. More often, hermetic wizards learn their names and sigils to seize their power directly.

*Any Priest blessed by an archangel may also select Theurgy as a tradition.

Shemmite Demon Cults

These demons are not worshipped in public temples, but more often by lone cultists or secretive cults. These demons reside in hell, and most vascilate between being servants and rivals of Moloch, the king of hell.

*Any cultist of a demon prince may select the Demonology tradition.

Skraeling Pantheon

The Skraelings worship a pantheon of hero-gods through a rich oral history of epic sagas and morality tales. Skraeling religion is not based around ceremony or sacrifice, but instead practiced with the community through informal prayers, song and storytelling. Skraeling skalds willingly share these stories with anyone who will listen and many of the tales have become popular across Urth. The skalds also pass down the incantations that allow one to invoke the power of these ancient gods.

*Any Priest who worships a Skraeling god may also select Song as a tradition.

Stygian Pantheon

Stygia was theocracy ruled by dynasties of God-Pharaohs, many of whom were deified. The last God-Pharoah, Amon-Hotep XI and his high priests were murdered when the Styx turned black and the kingdom descended into famine and revolt. What remains of the Stygian religion takes the form of secretive cults, mostly in the city of Shem, where the priests still pass down sacred texts and teach the dark arts of mummification and necromancy. Most Stygians have long abandoned their old gods and many initiates come from far away lands.

*Any Priest who worships a Stygian god may also select Necromancy as a tradition.

Thracian Pantheon

Thrace was a prosperous republic that revered great titans that purportedly reside on Mount Olympus. These titans were fickle and unpredictable, the people of Thrace had many stories about their gods coming down from the mountain and masquerading as mortals. Jupiter was the chief god of the Thracians. Stories tell how he waged war in heaven against his father, Saturn. Few people still worship these Olympians, few even remember their names. When Thracia was conquered by the Mundian Empire, their cults declined.

Demonic Blood

As a pig demon ages, their blood grows potent and foul, often resulting in strange new mutations and powers. Some demons learn to change their shapes, others to belch fire and while some learn to enchant mortal minds. Rarely, humans and or other creatures posses demonic blood, usually as a result of a deal with a demon or a cursed bloodline. Such mortals often have twisted forms and posses many Marks of Darkness.

Implements: Blood, Marks of Darkness, Mutations

Traditions: Demonology, Enchantment, Fire, Transformation

Ghostly Possession

Ghosts and other restless spirits sometimes inhabit a living mortal’s body rather than moving on to the afterlife. Possession can be unwanted, accidental or intentional. Often the ghost was known in life, a sibling, parent, friend or lover. Some dark magi summon the ghosts of ancient wizards to gain their power, but such arrangements are dangerous and the magi risks losing control.

Implements: bones, lock of hair, keepsakes, heirlooms

Traditions: Air, Death, Spiritualism, Telekinesis

The Ghoul Curse

The Cannibal Curse can bestow strange powers upon those who give into their desire to eat dead flesh. The more rotten meat the ghoul consumes, the more it's flesh warps and the more it forgets it's past life. The oldest of ghouls display inexplicable supernatural power.

Implements: bones, skulls, vials of blood, skin suits

Traditions: Alteration, Death, Forbidden, Shadow

Godspawn

Most gods are distant entities, if they exist at all. But from time to time, they descend (or ascend) to the mortal realm and fornicate with men, women, beasts, trees, rivers or whatever else they might fancy. Their offspring are demigods of great power. Some godspawn look like normal, while others appear monstrous. Not all deities have mortal children. Cults dedicated to Aztlani demons or Shemmite gods conduct rituals to create such unions. Thracian or Skraeling gods disguise themselves to abduct or seduce beautiful mortals. Some Godspawn are unaware of their heritage and most have a difficult or hostile relationship to their parent and parent’s priesthood.

Implements: divine weapons or objects

Traditions: Any tradition granted by the divine parent

Hashashi Mysticism

The Hashashi are a mystical order of assassins and spies. Their agents take a vow of secrecy, while the most devoted assassins take a vow of silence, sewing their mouths shut. Central to practice of Hashashi mysticism is in the smoking of hashih and vision quests through the dreamlands. Many Hashashini live double lives, spending years living under fake identities, waiting and preparing for murders that are decades in the making. Their hidden fortress is said to lie somewhere in the Himilyan Mountains.

Implements: hashish, pipes, swords, veils

Traditions: Alchemy, Illusion, Shadow, Trickery

Hermeticism & Emerald Tablet

The ancient sorcerer Thoth-Hermes is said to have learned the names of all the angels of Heaven by watching the movements of the stars and that he inscribed his knowledge on 400 emerald tablets. For centuries, these secrets were closely guarded by Stygian priests, but today copied fragments of the Emerald Tablet can be found across Urth. The principle of Hermeticism is symmetry: “As Is Above, So Is Below”. The hermetic wizard aligns events on earth with the stars of Heaven by drawing magic circles and inscribing the names of angels and demons. By using these principles, the wizard achieves the three ‘High Arts’ of Abjuration, Conjuration and Divination.

Implements: magic circles, grimoires, wands, mirrors

Traditions: Arcana, Divination, Conjuration, Protection

The Left Hand Path

While the Hermetic Technique can be put to great good, it can be twisted for sinister purposes. Practitioners of the Left Hand Path use The Lesser Key of Hades, a tome containing the names of demons of Hell, in order to summon and trap evil spirits and learn forbidden spells. These magi do not worship devils, but form twisted relationships where it often becomes unclear who is the master and who is the slave.

Implements: 5-pointed star, demon relics, knives

Traditions: Demonology, Fire, Forbidden, Transformation

Lemurian Necrotech

The terrible machine-magic of Lemuria is a dangerous and mind-bending practice. Creating nightmare machines requires an intelligent, but unhinged mind. Similar to the Atlantean method, Lemurian Necrotech uses foul power sources, often utilizing human and alien bones, toxic slime and necromantic ritual. The resulting bio-necro-techno-mantic inventions are capable of unleashing terrible death rays, burning radiation and inducing insanity, both in the target and wielder.

Implements: machines, radioactive guns, slime, bones

Traditions: Death, Madness, Necromancy, Technomancy

Pythian Mesmerism

Pythian Mesmerists employ a combination of smoke, mirrors and other alchemical stagecraft but the true magick lies in a unique hypnotic technique. The rhythmic chanting, dancing and music of Pythian Mesmerism allow the magi to control another person’s mind and movements, fool their senses, or induce euphoria or madness. Many mesmerists learn their magical craft from mentors in the carnivals and circuses of Blackport.

Implements: baubles, capes, bells, alchemical supplies

Traditions: Alchemy, Enchantment, Illusion, Song

Scrappers

In the ruins of the Old World, you can find many marvelous wonders: flamethrowers, cannons, ballistas, machines and stranger inventions. The abandoned workshops of Mundia’s military are home to many rusting war machines and plenty of black powder. Junkers, scrappers, powdermonkeys, bombers and engineers by any other name, often go searching the wastes for lost tech. The Brotherhood of Blood has many scrappers in its ranks who create fantastic chariots.

Implements: flamethrowers, bombs, ballista, machines

Traditions: Alchemy, Fire, Metal, Technomancy

Ultharian Chronomancy

The talking cats of Ulthar know the secrets of space and time, mind and matter. Using wands, crystal balls, clocks, crowns and tiaras, the cats and their servants unleash righteous magic against the forces of chaos and death. Using Ultharian Chronomancy requires the dramatic recitation of sacred oaths to fight the forces of darkness. Mortal servants sometimes gain favor of the cats, who often act as mentors, gifting them with the required magical wands and other tools.

Implements: Wands, Crowns, Tiaras, Clocks

Traditions: Celestial, Telepathy, Teleportation, Time

The Way of Emptiness

Through years of meditation and stillness, a meditant can achieve unique mental and physical powers. By emptying heart and mind of all thought and emotion, the mystic believes that the universe flows through him, allowing him to alter his mind and alter reality. The monks of Yamagawa are the best known practitioners of ‘The Way’ and will teach their techniques to any disciple who demonstrates dedication, but demand a strict ascetic lifestyle of poverty and discipline.

Implements: incense, martial arts weapons, calligraphy

Traditions: Soul, Telekinesis, Telepathy, Time

The Words of Creation

The angel Enoch became so enamored with the maidens of Shem that he descended from Heaven and sired many children. Before he departed, he taught his children the Words of Creation, the secret language of the angels. Today various incomplete ‘Enochian Keys’ exist across Urth, and while the legends may not be true, the words do hold magickal power. By reciting the incantations, a magican can speak with the angels and seize the power of Heaven for himself. The Cult of Enoch in Shem forbids the use of Enochian by human wizards. Cherubs often learn the Words of Creation directly from superior angels or each other. Implements: words, rods, staves, scrolls

Traditions: Celestial, Life, Order, Theurgy

Zingaran Genie Prisons

The magi of Shandikar are known for their elemental prowess and binding angels, demons and other djinn into magick bottles and lamps. By sealing the spirit in a prison, the magi is able to draw elemental power from his slave. Many genie’s resent their master, but will respect one who treats it fairly or promises it release it before the magi dies. Most imprisoned djinn can offer only one or two traditions, but a magi can create new prisons and bind additional spirits, if he dares.

Implements: bottle, lamp, puzzle-box, bag, hourglass

Traditions: Air, Chaos, Earth, Fire, Storm, Water

Zoog Dream Magick

The ghost lemurs of madagascar are strange tricksters with innate magical power over dreams. Zoog dream magick can be learned by outsiders, but only by drinking moonwine and going on dreamquests with a zoog as your guide. These zoog tricks aren't with out risk, the dream world is full of unseen danger.

Implements: moonwine, mushrooms, dolls, lost socks

Traditions: Illusion, Shadow, Teleportation, Trickery

Factions of Urth

Many guilds, orders, gangs and other orginizations exist on Urth. Warriors and Rogues might associate with these groups. Priests and Magicians might also be members, but none of these groups have any magic to teach.

Phrygian Order of Alexander

The Phrygian Order of Alexander are an ancient knightly order founded by the great Thracian conqueror Alexander. They were meant to maintain the peace of his fledgling empire, but were unable to prevent the empires splintering after his death. Regardless, the order has persisted for nearly one thousand years, initiating new warriors each spring. The knights follow a code of honor, requiring righteous behavior and defending the common folk from barbarians and monsters. Today their number is few, and they patrol the Anatolian Plateau from their fortress in Ankyra.

The Silent

The Silent are an organized conspiracy dedicated to abolishing slavery. Their origins are unknown and their hierarchy, if it exists, is also a mystery. Most members know only a few other members within their network. Members are expected to aid escaped slaves and slave rebellions. The Silent are active across the realms of Men, and members identify each other with a simple hand gesture or raising two fingers to the lips. In the cities of Shandikar and Shem, where slavery is rampant, membership can result in public execution. In the more anarchic cities like Blackport and Regium, the Silent do their work without opposition.

Wayfinder's Company

The Wayfinders are a recently formed company in the city of Byzantium, but have offices in most of the world's remaining cities. Comprised of the best guides, mapmakers and bodyguards that money can buy, the Wayfinders are an effective, yet expensive, way to navigate across what remains of civilization. The Wayfinder General is currently Lord Calvino II, a nobleman and son of the companies founder and he serves at the pleasure of his council of investors. Under the Calvino's guidance, the Wayfinder's Guild has sought both profit and to preserve and pass on the skills of cartography.