Factions

There are as many groups as their are environments, from urban settlements to vast wilderness, and everything in between. How one sees the world depends on where they come from. And, because the world is unforgiving, rarely do goals align between these differing groups - no matter how much they have found common ground each group has its own agenda.

Abbey

Population: 40,000 (45% human, 30% halfling, 15% gnome, 5% dwarf, 2% half-elf, 3% other)

Blue Shoal

Population: 6,500 (30% human, 20% gnome, 20% halfling, 30% other)

Government

Absolute Monarchy

Half Moon is the only hereditary monarchy left in the city states. The current practicing head of state is Price Edwin, a self absorbed prince, although King Balen II is still officially monarch. None have seen the king in some months, leading to whispers about why the prince is holding audience instead of his father. With the disarray, the black markets and underground are thriving in the city even more than usual.

Inhabitants

The split between the haves and have nots are extreme here. The poor form a serfdom that work toward a path to citizenship. Once they can buy their citizenship, they can own land and run a business, but few can make that jump. The upper class pander to the crown in order to gain favors and positions. The city is run almost feudally, with Dukes being appointed to districts, Counts to sub-districts and so on. Each member of society knows their place, and they rarely move upward no matter their current status.

Architecture

Arranged as a spoked wheel, the port leads to the city center in a wide northern road, the Grand Arena the tallest structure to see. The king's keep lies just north of that on top of a high cliff overlooking the entire city. Along that route, white granite buildings line the streets.

Point of Interest

This city is many different things, depending on who you ask. On one hand, there are gladiatorial arenas, black markets full of contraband, casinos and other pleasures of life. On the other hand, there are slums and ghettos, forced labor, and terrible prisons. In between there is a thriving market full of peoples from all over the coastline, looking to buy, sell, and trade.

The Field of Strife is the largest arena in the city states. If you're visiting Half Moon it is worth it to at least see one of the matches or events taking place here. From chariot races to blood matches, there is something for everyone.

Notable NPC

Rask, a half-orc pit fighter, has gained notoriety in the city of late. A local celebrity, he fights dirty in the arenas and the people love it. He said he'd only enter the Field of Strife against a member of the aristocracy, and the people are demanding a knight to combat this warrior. They want to see blood, but no one will fight him.

Government

Direct Democratic Plutocracy

New Haven is a city ruled by those citizens who can afford to buy votes. It sits near enough to the mainland that it built its wealth on resource trade with nearby cities, and it uses that wealth mainly on mercenary militias and privateer navies. Because wealth is the source of political power, merchant families tend to run the city, although anyone with significant wealth is able to swing votes if unexpected.

Inhabitants

The city of New Haven is on an almost fifty mile island, Tilland. There are a number of towns, one of which approaches 14,000 inhabitants itself. Much of the island is made up of fields that supply New Haven and its towns with food. Because of the high population, even the local agriculture isn't enough, and New Haven must import food from other sources.

Dwarves make up a large number of the population of New Haven, which has earned New Haven the title of unofficial capital of the dwarven people. This is something that the people of the city have embraced, mostly because of the wealth that the dwarves are able to bring into the city. If the people of New Haven believe in anything, gold is amongst the most important.

Government

Magocratic Meritocracy

Overlook is a gnomish city ruled by the most powerful spell casters of the gnomish mercantile families. This is the business center of most gnomish deals and alliances. Despite being a small city, it is one of the more powerful city states politically because of this nature.

Inhabitants

The city's people take car of each other. Everyone pitches in and provides what they can, and hard work is something that everyone is accustomed to. Upward mobility is a constant push, and if you can prove yourself then you move up in responsibility and reward.

Architecture

Built on a high cliff, Overlook is one of the oldest city states. High buildings lie just on the cliffs, with pulley systems of platforms the main mode of transportation from one level to others. A citizen's social status is reflected in how high they live. The poorest live in homes carved into the rocks near the waves, while the richest live in great towers hundreds of feet in the air.

What little flat ground there is forms the High Market and the Low Market. The High Market lies at the top of the cliffs surrounded by domiciles. The Low Market is on the ports at the base of the cliffs much of which is situated on floating planks

Point of Interest

Many visit to see the Celestial Arcanum. A cross between a temple of the Holy Order and an observatory between Planes of Existence, spellcasters attempt to enter a deep meditative state where they can project into other world. The cloistered ministry run the temple, though here they are call magisters. It is said that those who make the pilgrimage can learn answers to important questions in their lives. Not just anything can be learned - the subject must have a deep connection to the question and answer.

Notable NPC

Billafour Puttinpot, the head of the Runemade Council, is perhaps the most powerful spellcaster by the coast. His practice of divination magic is unmatched, and he has led his family to become the most well respected court wizards amongst the nobility of the city states.

Vos Pillar

Population (overall): 58,500

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Population (outer layer): 30,000 (30% halfling, 30% human, 25% gnome, 15% other)

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Population (middle layer): 23,000 (45% gnome, 25% halfling, 25% human, 5% other)

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Population (inner layer): 5000 (100% gnome)

Government

Authoritarian Aristocracy

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The city is ruled by a council of gnome aristocrats, each from one of the noble families of the gnomish people. Together their dictates are law in the city. No one family has more power than the others - directly at least - since each family gets one vote. The families are always plotting and scheming to get the best of their peers, although they would never admit openly about their intrigues.

Inhabitants

The outermost layer of the city is a vast trading hub. Located in a prized location in the middle of the city states, Vos Pillar sees a lot of traffic go through its port. Even though the city is considered to be one of the biggest gnomish cities, one wouldn’t know this from the outer city, where most outsiders will be restricted to. The city is bustling with people of every walk of life, from goliath and elves to humans and halflings.

Architecture

One of the more physically imposing city states, as far as architecture goes, it embodies function over form. At its heart Vos Pillar is one large sprawling palace, surrounded by walls, then surrounded by a city of towers, and surrounded by more walls, which are themselves surrounded by a bustling metropolis, and then surrounded by more walls. And below ground wind a vast network of underground tunnels, each layer of wall above ground mimicked in the undercity by singular, narrow, well guarded checkpoints. The outermost city is gray stone with no need for such things as fountains or statues, and that is as far as almost all visitors ever see.

The Iron Towers

The Iron Towers are a series of eight towers forged of iron, each spaced about a mile apart in a line along the northern coast on the beaches bordering the North Sea. They were built long before the first colonists settled the islands, and no one is sure who built them.

Several of them are used as outposts by the city states as keeps in the north to warn of incoming orcish hordes. It isn't often that a large number of orc raiding parties bands together, but when they do it is open war on the seas, and these towers serve as an early warning while protecting those inside from assault. The trip up to the towers is perilous, and keeping them supplied even more so. Perhaps due to it being years since the last mass invasion, many are questioning whether it is still worth manning.

Horn

Until recently, Horn was one of the few city states on the mainland. That is, until the city states were reminded why there are so few cities on the continent itself. Horn over-reached, letting slightly slip defense in their attempt to control more territory. As soon as they were open, there was an invasion: a hobgoblin army led by a great dragon swooped upon the walls and leveled much of the city, killing its inhabitants and taking the city for themselves.

Now Horn is ruled by a red dragon and his legions. He demands tribute yearly or threatens to destroy any ships that pass near Horn. So far, no one has dared oppose the new rule of Horn, and tribute is paid on time every year.

Kelp Sea

This stretch of water is mostly controlled underwater by merfolk, with whom the city states have a tenuous alliance with for the purposes of sending their ships over their waters. This isn’t a completely safe area, however, as other creatures, mostly from the Sea of Teeth can often be found here as well.

The merfolk are natural enemies of the creatures of the Sea of Teeth, and mostly keep them at bay. The two are constantly at war and borders change as a matter of course. Thus, the area is mostly safe, but captains should keep a watch out for the unexpected.

The Marble Spire

This tower of marble is the main academy of mages headed by the Nottinrin noble gnomish family and the original magic academy in the islands. In their final years of study, all mages come here for their final tests. This is the center for the best among the mage apprentices, a final stop before setting out into the world. It also serves as a center of research and learning for sages who use its vast magical libraries to search for knowledge that goes beyond just the arcane.

Religions

Most religions has the same basic history or mythology, because they all track back to the creation of the world and the creatures that inhabit it. However, they have their own twist on who is a god and who is a demigod.

Barenburs

This family has managed to lock down the magic item trade amongst the city states. Those who wish to buy from them must first purchase a Barenbur Ring of Alliance from a gnomish merchant aligned with the mercantile family. Upon seeing it glow, the gnomish merchants will sell to the wearer from that time onward. The wearer can buy magical items at 85% normal value, sell all magical goods they don’t want for normal sale price, and adventurers often receive well paying work from the merchants of the guild. In return they are not allowed to shop anywhere else for magic items or reagents nor are they allowed to sell their acquired items anywhere but to a Barenbur aligned shop.

Nottinrins

This family heads the Nottinrin Mage Academy and Mage Guild. Many decades ago the Nottinrin family only allowed gnomes into their guild, sharing secrets amongst their gnome brothers. Then they decided to open the doors, and the guild flooded. They have since built an academy in every city state except Stone Bluff (who doesn’t want an academy) and Timber (who runs their own competing academy).

These academies teach those who are able to learn (and pay), crafting most of the most powerful mages of today. Most court wizards are now Nottinrins, and noble families see it as a point of status to have a Nottinrin mage available on retainer.

Heggles & Ritterkinds

Members of this family are adept with wards and other protective spells. They perfect their calling for multiple kinds of protections, from personal home protection marketed to noble family manors, to wards on a town or even city sized scale to protect versus invaders. This family is quite spread out amongst all the city states with little in the way of central authority. In fact the "family" is made up of two main groups as opposed to one, who vie for power against each other occasionally. Right now the Heggles are the dominant group, but that could change in the future.

Thimwins

These are alchemists. They work with various non-magical materials to create magical effects. The family guards its alchemical secrets jealously, and there have been many unsuccessful attempts to steal their formulas.

Bizzlebins

These gnomes have learned secrets of construct creation, from golems to warforged. They work tirelessly in Overlook, constantly making constructs for nobles and kings. No one knows where the secrets to their creation come from, as while others have learned to make constructs, none match the superior quality of the Bizzlebin family.

Puttinpots

When you need to find out something that no one knows, go to a Puttinpot. They are masters of divination magic, able to track and find just about anything. The elite among them are able to learn secrets that are long hidden. It is said that the Puttinpots have devised all sorts of divination magic and even items that can discern secrets and learn truths.

Most rulers of the city states have at least one Puttinpot advisor, for their answers can often spell the difference between success and failure.

Dwitinfins

Artificers who craft each item they make as if it is a work of art, these gnomes are very close to the dwarves, working with them and sharing secrets to create amazing magical creations. They scour the mainland in search of long lost secrets, ancient tomes, and long lost artifacts. The creation of a magic item never seen before is what each family member constantly works toward, always wanting to create something truly unique.

Bearers

Centuries ago, a wanderer of the open hand wanted to do more. He spread the aid of the Holy Order for years, but believed that it was too constraining to only rely on the clergy to help those who cannot help themselves. He left the Church, on good terms, to create a group that could bear the burdens of the world against evil for those who were too weak to defend themselves.

Members of this group search the islands for rights to wrong and evil to vanquish. There is enough that they do not have to wander aimlessly, they often have a list of problems that they could never hope to get through. And, so they recruit more members and pass along between each other the needs of the people, doing what must be done.

Hinterlanders

An exclusive club of seasoned explorers make up this group. They are mainly focused around exploration of the continent, but often will explore uncharted islands, undersea caverns, or other more exotic locations. Not just anyone can join, and usually a new member must declare some discovery or revelation in order to be counted amongst their ranks. A small group, the are very close knit, and they will often work together on expeditions or seek out answers to a member's disappearance.

Merchant Marines

Each city state has a fleet of merchant marines dedicated to trade for that entity. There are benefits and downsides to this, but a ship owned and captained by a citizen of a city state can often offer themselves as a merchant marine for their state. They lose some autonomy, but they always have a variety of shipping options available so long as they base themselves out of their home port, and they gain substantial cost savings on taxes and other fees. Overall, it can be a lucrative option for captains who do not wish to play the negotiation game.

Skipper Kith

Anyone who has taken command of a boat can call themselves a skipper, not just the captains of vessels or military ranked officers. For those with real experience leading, whether a captain or not, the Kith will take you in as one of their own. Often the more affluent scoff at this society, as it places the head of a fishing boat on equal terms with a naval admiral as far as they're concerned. This group can be informal, or rough around the edges to say the least. But members know how to help each other out.

Spiders

This is a very new group, but one that has seemingly sprung up everywhere at once. A guild of thieves, it is not made up of cutthroats or marauders. It's membership is selective, allowing in only those who have skill in cat burglary, assassination, con artistry, or other skilled forms of law breaking. While its members are mostly unknown, and otherwise it would be virtually undetectable, the anonymous leadership of the group has taken credit for many high profile felonies, based out of the anarchic state of Blue Shoal.

Troubled Waters

This group of sailors seeks to make the seas as safe to travel as possible. To that end, they perform several tasks, such as mapping sea routes, attempting to make peace and deals with sea denizens, and encouraging patrolling of various unsafe waters. They are also heavily involved in stopping piracy, and have many lucrative bounties out for the more famous or dangerous pirates that sail the waters.

Venturers

This lot loves to boast about their latest foray into the unknown. They gather in Timber to drink strong ale and tell tall tales. Because of their notoriety as the largest adventuring organization, they attract a great deal of outside requests for various work.

The Venturers have an offshoot, the Sentries, who operate out of Dawn and hunt down bounties for the local constabulary. Being a member of the Venturers is a requirement to joining the Sentries, but the Sentries are not as easy to join. First one must prove themself as a member of the Venturers, not just pay their dues.

Dragonborn

Riggamin's cabin didn't look like it belonged on a boat. Volitile liquids crowded a large shelf, books sat open overlapping on a rickety old table, and a lantern sat on top of a pile of parchment on the floor some fifty sheets high. That old gnome never had to worry about such things, however. Magic kept everythign in place despite the worst waves that the sea could throw at the Bastion.

His studies would not be interrupted by such a small thing as a storm, as he put it. The fact that it made visitors uncomfortable was simply a plus to the old Dwittinfin, and I saw a smile cross his face every time a newcomer came to seek him out in his roving workshop.

Quote...

Ships

There are many kinds of ships on the sea. They vary in design, some faster or more maneuverable, others giving up speed for more cargo or living space.

Travel

Ships are at the mercy of the sea. Sometimes just getting out of port can be difficult. When leaving or arriving at port, roll on the following table.

Once out of port, the DM will calculate the minimum time in days that the voyage will take and the difficulty of charting course. Favorable winds can help make good time, but sometimes days pass with poor winds or a storm comes through and you have to lay anchor and wait it out.

The crew Navigator then makes a Wisdom (Navigator's Tools) check to chart the best course in order to reach the destination. Roll on the table below for the outcome.

Trade

Ships can haul cargo from place to place. Generally, a ship can expect to get 5%-10% of the profit for selling goods. Arbitrage and demand can change the amount of profit that a ship makes, both up and down. Carrying cargo further as the bird flies will allow a ship to charge a higher percentage, with more dangerous routes being more expensive.

Below are example prices at 10% of the profit for the goods. This represents a good negotiator hauling cargo around 600 miles through reasonably safe waters, for example Boulder to Vos Pillar.

Passage

Another way of making money is to take on passengers to carry from one location to another. Usually ships carry cargo will carry some passengers along their normal routes for a nominal fee. Higher paying passengers may be able to convince a captain to veer off course a bit. Very high paying passengers may be able to hire a ship to go to a specific location for them, wait for them, or pick them up at a later time. Passage is normally paid for by mile.

A typical cost for passage to a location the ship is already headed is 1 sp per mile per passenger.

Captain

Desired Skills: Persuasion, Intimidation, Vehicles (Water)
Ultimately responsible for every aspect of the ship and its voyages. Sets the course and speed as well as directs crew members as needed, ensuring proper procedures are followed. Keeps all ship logs.

First Mate

Desired Skills: Persuasion, Intimidation, Vehicles (Water)
Deck officer ensuring the efficient running of the ship and oversees other officers. Focused on the safety and security of the ship as well as crew welfare and training.

Second Mate

Desired Skills: Navigator's Tools
Tasked with the safe and efficient voyage of the ship. Responsible for day to day duties dealing with sailing as well as acting as navigator for the ship.

Steward

Desired Skills: Insight, Investigation
Assigns general labor on the ship as well as keeps track of ship inventory. Interacts with merchants, collects money for business dealings, and keeps the ship ledger.

Master Gunner

Desired Skills: Intimidation, Perception
On a ship with cannons or other weapons, the master gunner commands the crew manning the weapons. Needs a good eye and the ability to keep the crew acting while under fire.

Boatswain

Desired Skills: Carpenter's Tools
Provides technical expertise on the ship as well as oversees any necessary repairs and maintenance. In charge of sails, rigging, anchors. Oversees deck work.

Cabin Boy

Desired Skills: None
Runs errands and conveys messages for officers. Waits on passengers, seeing to their needs. Usually an unpaid position.

Cook

Desired Skills: Cook's Utensils
Plans meals for officers and passengers, cooking . Purchases and tracks mess. Controls crew access to foodstuff.

Lookout

Desired Skills: Perception
Keeps watch for danger or anything out of the ordinary. Visibility from deck is 2 miles in good conditions, but it is 10 miles from the crow's nest.

Sailor

Desired Skills: Vehicles (Water)
Works the rigging and rudder, tacking the sail.

Deck Hand

Desired Skills: None
Cooking, swabbing the deck, some sailing duties while under direct supervision.

Crew Loyalty

The contentment and even happiness is of high concern for a ship. A content crew follows orders quickly and efficiently. An unhappy crew is difficult to maintain and command. Loyalty follows the rules for NPCs in the DMG page 93.

Loyalty ranges from 0 to the highest Charisma score among officers. Base loyalty is half this amount, and actions by officers can raise or lower this number. The officers never know the exact loyalty of the crew but can make a Wisdom (Insight) check in order to get an idea of the current loyalty.

Loyalty above 15 will result in advantage on crew skill checks. Loyalty under 5 will result in disadvantage on those checks. If Loyalty drops to 0, the crew may mutiny.

Crew

Special

Upkeep Costs

Backgrounds

Feature: Idolized

While you were in the arena, you became quite popular. Your winning streaks drew crowds screaming your name. Even though you're out and retired, many who were a part of those crowds remember you. When in your home city (or a 50% chance when traveling), you can always find those willing to pay your way giving you a comfortable lifestyle for free. They will purchase your food, ale, and rooms at good inns.

Suggested Characteristics

Pit fighters are molded by their experiences in the ring and out of it. The reasons for fighting vary greatly from fighter to fighter, and the reason for leaving can be just as a shaping experience as the reason for entering.

Homeland

Randomly determine what sort of refugee you are by rolling, choose an option that looks interesting, or use it as inspiration for your own back story.

Feature:

Mechanics

Ezekiel

Human Cleric of the Open Hand

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• Armor Class 16
• Vigor 4
• Cost 35 gp / month to the Church

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• Str +1 Dex +0 Con +1 Int +2 Wis +3 Cha +2
• Skills (+2) Perception, Medicine, Religion, Navigator's Tools
• Senses passive Perception 15
• Languages Common, Dwarvish

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Aid. All allies increase maximum hit points by 5.

Bless. All allies gain +1d4 to hit. If Ezekiel takes damage, this effect ends for the encounter.

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Sacred Flame. If Ezekiel takes no action in a round, ally can add +1d8 radiant damage to an attack.

Cohort Actions

Guidance. Ezekiel adds +1d4 to his ally's skill check.

Preserve Life. (short rest) Range 30 ft. Heal 10 hit points split among all allies. Max half hit points.

Cure Wounds. (short rest) Ezekiel heals his ally for 1d8+8 hit points.

Spiritual Weapon. (long rest) Ezekiel's ally can add 1d8+3 damage to one attack per round.

Downtime at Sea

Not all downtime activities can be done at sea, but several can. Sometimes a voyage may take several days to complete with nothing interesting happening along the way. When this happens, record the number of days traveled and describe what your character has been doing. You can perform a single available downtime activity during this time.

Sometimes downtime activities at sea require you to have pre-supplied with the needed materials. For example, you can perform religious rites at sea, but you need to have a shrine on the ship. As long as you meet the requirements, you can perform the downtime activity.

Thaumaturgic Ward (Cold)

4th level abjuration

• Casting Time: 1 action
• Range: Touch
• Components: V
• Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour

You touch a part of a ship and it gains protection from cold, granting the ship resistance to cold damage. In addition, Any creatures on board the ship ignore effects of cold exposure.

If you cast this spell on a ship for 100 consecutive days, the abjuration becomes permanent until dispelled.

Thaumaturgic Ward (Damage)

4th level abjuration

• Casting Time: 1 action
• Range: Touch
• Components: V
• Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour

You touch a part of a ship and it gains protection from attacks, granting the ship resistance to non-magic bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing damage.

If you cast this spell on a ship for 100 consecutive days, the abjuration becomes permanent until dispelled.

Thaumaturgic Ward (Fire)

4th level abjuration

• Casting Time: 1 action
• Range: Touch
• Components: V
• Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour

You touch a part of a ship and it gains protection from fire, granting the ship resistance to fire damage. In addition, if any portion of the ship would normally catch on fire it instead smolders losing any physical damage resistance in that area.

If you cast this spell on a ship for 100 consecutive days, the abjuration becomes permanent until dispelled.

Thaumaturgic Ward (Storm)

4th level abjuration

• Casting Time: 1 action
• Range: Touch
• Components: V
• Duration: Concentration, up to 1 hour

You touch a part of a ship and it gains protection from storms, granting the ship resistance to lightning and thunder damage. In addition, ????

If you cast this spell on a ship for 100 consecutive days, the abjuration becomes permanent until dispelled.

Buried Chest

Wondrous item, rare

This pair of chests look normal - wooden chests with a steel banding and basic key. They also come with a single nondescript key usually made of bronze or iron.

These two chests are intertwined. When one is locked with the key, and the other unlocked with the same key, you can access the combined contents of the two chests.

Unscrupulous pirates often bury one of these chests with the intent to trick their crew into thinking that they'll come back later for the contents, only to use the other chest to access the booty themselves.

Enchanted Steel Ingot

Wondrous item, uncommon

This ingot can be used to create a magic weapon or shield. It will make a Weapon +1 or a Shield +1. It takes half the time to create this item as it normally would to make a mundane item of the same type.

Gauntlets of Life

Wondrous item, uncommon

When wearing the gauntlets of life and you cast a healing spell of 1st level or higher, you can reroll all 1’s rolled.

If you are a member of the Wanderers of the Open Hand, this item counts as a holy symbol for you.

Herald's Stratagem

Weapon (any sword), rare (requires attunement)

This silver sword practically shines in the light. Although slender, its weight in your hands is heavier expected. The symbol of the Holy Order is on the pommel.

While wielding this magic weapon, any creature that starts its turn adjacent to you has its movement halved until the start of its next turn.

This weapon counts as a holy symbol for members of the Knights of the Standard. When using Guided Strike or War God’s Blessing, the attack deals an extra +1d6 damage.

Oars of Stamina

Wondrous item, uncommon

These wooden oars come in pairs. They are well crafted, and often have some sort of small rune inscribed into the paddle.

When using these oars, you do not tire as easily, gaining advantage on all checks made to row. The first time you would gain exhaustion while rowing with these oars, you immediately remove it before its effects take affect.

Tome of Clarity of Purpose

Wondrous item, uncommon

Three times per day you can open this book and ponder a question in order to cast augury. A message instantly appears on the page in a language that you can read.

As an action, you can open the book to any previous page that you have created in the past or a random page that you have never seen before created by another. Given 1 minute you can open to any page that you have previously seen that was created by another user.

This weapon counts as a holy symbol for members of the Cloistered Ministry. In addition you can use Knowledge of the Ages as a bonus action.