Table of Contents

• Introduction: Archivist's Guide to Pryxis

• The World

  • General Information
    • World Makeup
    • Stellar System
    • Cosmology
  • Technology
    • Gear, Oil, Steam and Wire
    • Firearms
  • Magic
    • Arcane, Divine and Psionic
    • Magic Brokers - Not Shops
    • High Magic
  • The Guild of Three
    • Body of Magi
    • Merchant's Guild
    • Warrior's Cabal

• The History

  • Timeline
    • Ancient History
    • Age of Dragons
      • Spellplague
      • Draconic Imperium
      • Rise of the Mad Kings
      • Meteorfall
    • Age of Rebellion
      • The Reawakening
      • Dragon War
      • Time of Rebirth
    • Age of Peace
      • Founding of the Guild
      • Current Age
  • Calendar

• The Powers

  • Melting Pot of Faith
  • Pryxis, Archmagus Eternal
  • The Pantheon of Sin
    • Greed: Zariel
    • Pride: Tyr
    • Wrath: Melchar
    • Gluttony: Oghma
    • Envy: Hex
    • Lust: Mishakal
    • Sloth: Chemosh
  • The Heroic Tribunal
    • Gilthunder Dragonheart
    • Haedrig Wyrmsbane
    • Zolis Sephret
  • Mystery Cults

• The Land

  • General Overview
  • The Continents
    • Apulean Chain
    • Belgrad
    • Briarn
    • Egyix
    • Ilend Isles
    • Olis
    • Pryxiria
    • Triarch
    • Tuyari
    • Vanwa
  • Non-Continents
    • Arctic
    • Antarctic
    • Drizu's Crags
    • Dragon's Tooth and Spine
    • Gulf of Herkut
    • Olde Man Mountain
    • Holmla Isles

• The Objects

  • Magic vs Tech
    • Magic Items
    • Technological Items
    • Artifacts
    • Vehicles
    • Eldritch Machines

The World

World Makeup

The World of Pryxis itself is distinct in it's form and function - and many who travel to and from the planet can attest to it's unique qualities.

Stellar System

The World of Pryxis is nestled in a particularly unique star system compared to many other of its brethren worlds.

Pryxis & Arivae

The main populated planet of the Labe-Suo system, the world of Pryxis resides closest to the stars.

Aside from the crystalline rings and glowing moon, Pryxis itself is immediately noticeable from orbit as a lush oceanic world, with heavily populated urban sprawls nestled within wide open landmasses that are as varied as the people who inhabit them.

Pryxis has generally been sought after as a beautiful haven world by other star systems - with access to technological wonders, deep and mysterious magic, as well as several unique flora and fauna found only within it's incredible wilds.

General Information about the world of Pryxis are included in this document - as the main focus of this guide revolves around all information pertaining to the world itself (it is, after all, called the "Archivist's Guide to Pryxis" not the "Archivist's Guide to the Labe-Suo System").

Helsto & Cidla

Nestled among the astroid belt of the Labe-Suo system lies a planet comprised of molten rock and stone - where oceans of vast lavaflows and weather patterns resembling hot metal which rain from the skies. Helsto has truly earned it's namesake for being a haven for the fiendish, infernal, and those not adverse to hellish conditions.

On the flip side of the spectrum lies Cidla: the main moon which orbits the hellish planet and whose gravity acts as a reflective shield towards the asteroid field (albeit, at the expense of flinging asteroids directly into Helsto).

Cidla itself is a tiny, veritably humid, garden world dominated by expansive tropical forest. The excess heat from it's parent planet combined with that of Labe-Suo have trapped moisture over the eons into liquid water. It would be a paradise world, with the exception of constant rainfall and toxic smog which coalesces in low level areas.

Meupra & Thimi

In the outer half of the Labe-Suo system sits the greenhouse gas-covered planet of Meupra. This world is wracked with countless silicon dust storms and incredible pressure.

Strangely enough, despite the veil of greenhouse gases, Meupra's environment is not beyond livable (in terms of heat and temperature), as it's distance from the dual-stars would normally yield a potentially colder planet - yet the high levels of carbon dioxide in the air trap most heat on the surface.

Fortunately, Meupra is what many consider a "hollow world" - a planet where the surface crust covers a massive cavernous maw of tunnels and cave systems where a traditional upper magma mantle would reside. Within this subterranean landscape lies a flourishing ecosystem of fungus and algae which have essentially rendered the underground an oxygen rich environment. Many hardy peoples and creatures have grown accustomed to the twisting tunnels and dangerous surface of a planet they call home.

The moon Thimi is the only satellite that orbits Meupra, and appears to be comprised of an incredibly powerful magnetic material that renders most electronic and magical equipment inert in orbit. No scouting missions to Thimi have ever reported back - theories abound that the moon is hyper-lethal to most living beings, cursed, or even alive.

Pryxian Shatter-Sphere

At the edge of the Labe-Suo star system, within the depths of the vast empty space past Geckuri lies a threshold comprised of artifice, arcanic, psionic and divine design.

This threshold is known as the Pryxian Shatter-Sphere: an orb-like creation of intense magical nexuses and artificial gravitational forces that encase the entirety of the Labe-Suo system within.

Long ago when the spellplague began, the crystal sphere that held the Labe-Suo system shattered into a massive crystalline cloud of dust that now resides at the furthest edges of the solar system.

The Shatter-Sphere is now it's replacement; crafted shortly after the end of the Dragon War by a union of Pryxis and the Seven Sins, this "net" of force is what now acts as a Crystal Sphere - but with the added benefit of continuous surveillance via the countless Asteroid-sized Runic Crystal Orbs that remain suspended within the net. Through these orbs, anti-intrusion countermeasures can be launched to persuade or destroy would-be threats to the System.

Passing through the Shatter-Sphere is the same as any Crystal Sphere - with the exception that a magical signal must be transmitted to prevent being a target of the Runic Orbs defense systems.

"Io's Claw" Nebula

The miniature nebula within which the Labe-Suo star system resides - cloaked in a claw-like cloud of various gases, dust and phlogithon that render it almost unnoticeable to those not knowing where to search.

This nebula glows with the light shed from the Labe-Suo stars, which bounces, curves, and refracts off the crystalline dust and rainbow phlogithon that surrounds the system. The Labe-Suo star system resides within the central mass of the nebula - namely the "palm of the claw".

Cosmology

The planar cosmology of Pryxis is practically identical to that of Abeir-Toril, with all the main planes having portals or metaphysical tethers to the material world.

However, due to the great magical potential of the world of Pryxis, access to other planes unique to other material worlds (such as those of Eberron, Athas, and others) is relatively common.

The presence of physical portals and tears to other planes are a common anomaly throughout all corners of the world - particularly in magic infused lands that harbor elemental or planar energies that spill over into the material world.

Outsiders of all forms are also a regular anomaly upon the world - with everything from Aasimar, Tieflings, Genasi and Gith to full on Celestials, Fiends, Elementals and more.

Gyrating Nexus Effects

Eldritch Storms

When magical currents become trapped amid winds and clouds, eldritch storms can result. This section offers an Eldritch Storm unique to the Gyre.

Planar Maelstrom. In very rare cases, Gyre Tissue may become so dense in an isolated area that it momentarily strips away the energy which sustains the barriers between planes - physically "grinding" other planes against the material plane with great force.

The Gyre Tissues begin to rapidly expand, reverberate, and blanket the landscape, as materials and influences from the planes begin to metaphysically blend together with violent vigor. The area within a Planar Maelstrom is lightly obscured, and is considered difficult terrain.

Each creature that starts its turn within the planar maelstrom has to make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or begin to disintegrate. A target takes 2d10 force damage on a failed save.

From the moment the planes begin to collide, it takes 1d10 minutes before the planar barriers correct themselves and the maelstrom recedes.

Once the Maelstrom passes, the surroundings are reverted back to the material plane - but may share some traits of other planes, these traits last for 1d6 days. Creatures killed by the Planar Maelstrom have a 50% chance of reverting back to life via material recompilation after the maelstrom passes.

Technology

The inhabitants of Pryxis have been blessed with a wide variety of access to multiple forms of technology - blending their own style of invention with those of their brethren worlds of Kaladesh and Eberron.

The main aspect of inventors and artificers in Pryxis is their hesitance to incorporate too much magic into their technology, as they have learned their lesson in regards to what happens when magic fails. Instead, they choose to create technological marvels based off of science and craft to improve the lives of those on the planet.

Needless to say, this does not stop magical essences from being built into forms of artifice and industry - but more likely than not, an inventor will only resort to using magic when absolutely necessary.

Firearms

By far, one of the most important aspects of technological advancement - as well as the reason why mortalkind is free from the enslavement of the dragons - is the development of firearms, ammunition, and siege weapons.

There are several forms of firearms that have been developed, but they can easily be broken down into two categories: analog and steambolt.

Magic

Pryxis is a world not only rife with technological advancement, but with magical ingenuity as well. Taking influences from their brother worlds of Abeir-Toril and Shandalar, the magi and scholars of Pryxis have learned to tap into the weave directly to study their findings, using their technologies to their advantage.

The Magi of Pryxis have studied magic for countless millennium since the reignition of magic since the collapse of the Weave. When magic first returned, it was a scramble for the sole purpose of harnessing enough wild power to combat the Draconic Imperium, which led to a magical "arms race" so-to-speak, with both sides attempting to reach greater heights than the other in lesser time.

This resulted in a cut-throat view on magical studies; with mages and scholars zealously guarding their newfound discoveries for fear that it could either be taken from them, or used by their enemies. Even the prospect of infusing magical items with spells and powers is a dangerous act, as it can call great attention to the individual - both positive and negative.

Nevertheless, magic is an essential aspect of Pryxis, and many magi all seek to study the potential through which their will can exert pressure and draw power from the weave.

Divine

Divine magic is magic in which spells and powers are granted from powerful entities to less powerful ones. Despite the name, the source of the powers can be quite unholy, primal, natural, or the spells could theoretically be granted by a being who became very powerful through the use of arcane magic. The power is granted to the wielder, who then holds onto it until such a time as that power is released by the casting of a divine spell.

Some theorize that the casting of a divine spell is in fact only the final part of the spell's casting and that the act of casting the spell does not release the magical energies so much as it completes them. If this is the case, it would prove a striking difference between divine and arcane magic, as well as a concrete reason for the capabilities of divine magic which arcane magic has yet to duplicate.

• Strengths. - Generally speaking, divine magic is capable of attaining effects far greater and stronger than those that can be achieved by most wielders of arcane magic, due to the greater power and understanding of the entity granting the spells. The effects of divine magic can duplicate those of arcane magic, depending on the source of the power.

• Faults. - The wielder of the magic is unlikely to have control of what exactly they are granted and capable of doing - the one granting them the magic has an agenda of their own, and would not empower the wielder to move against it.

Psionics

Psionic energies are achieved through willpower and thought processes alone. Whether these abilities are born out of physiological capabilities or training and harnessing of the mind is a matter of some debate, but the effects are the same: thought alters reality.

Unlike arcane and divine magic, psionics do not rely on external power resevoirs which are shaped and molded to achieve the desired result, but instead psionics represent the channeling of internal strength and power.

If psionic capabilities are a result of physiology, this would mark an additional difference between psionics and arcane and divine magic, as well as hint at a facet of reality we had not previously considered.

• Strengths. - The inner nature of psionic energies allows the art to be applied without having to draw on an external reservoir of power, either in the form of a cooperative entity or raw magical energies waiting to be shaped.

• Faults. - The internal nature of psionics places a practical limit on the capabilities of the art, as there is a definitive limit on the power reservoir within oneself.

Magic Brokers - Not Shops

Even though the world of Pryxis is rife with magical prowess and study, the presence of magic items and objects is still a highly rare - and consequently highly coveted - aspect of society.

Magic shops do not exist in the traditional sense upon Pryxis, as the constant trade of magical goods takes place on a daily basis for those with the materials and energy to create them. Instead, what is more often found are Magic Item Brokers - information dealers that keep track of those who are willing to trade or sell a magic item they have in their possession.

The presence of Magic Brokers became a necessity when the need for magic items outweighed the supply. Many powerful magic items can never be truly "bought" as their sheer power is enough to drive many wealthy merchants to purchase them almost immediately - creating a monopoly.

Now instead, Magic Item Brokers reside in most civilized trade cities, and they keep records of dealings from past purchasers. Their main goal is to have a list of individuals or creatures that may have access to the magic item that is needed - and for a price, they will offer said information and lead the customer to the client.

Of course, minor magic item shops - known as Esotericists - exist in every corner of the globe, offering minor and uncommon magical items and objects (such as potions, scrolls, ammunition, or common magic items from Xanathar's Guide to Everything). But to get a truly powerful and rare magic item, one must either go through a broker, or visit a nearby magical museum and hope you can purchase the piece on display.

Esotericist Shops

The main source for magical materials and arcane objects, Esotericists are minor magic shops centered around the free trade of loose components and easily circulated or created magic items.

While most magic items can only be acquired by being purchased from brokers, granted to an investor by a museum, bestowed by a previous owner, or found via theft or legitimate salvage, Esotericists supply the main bulk of magical paraphernalia.

These shops are generally well known locations: multistory or sprawling complexes similar to a bazaar or mall rather than a simple shop, housing a massive collection of esoteric and eldritch contents.

Generally, at least one Magic Item Broker resides in an Esotericist shop at any time, and most staff members that work in these shops are magic users or crafters in their own regard - and will not hesitate to help those who need it, or hinder those who heckle them.

Merchant's Guild

The Merchant's Guild represents the main system of Banking and Trade on the world of Pryxis.

This branch of the Guild of Three consists of a wide variety of effective, shrewd, and business-minded individuals who keep continuous records of each official transaction made by main governing bodies across the world.

The Merchant's guild is responsible for funding countries, maintaining massive corporations, balancing the taxation limitations of official groups, and ensuring trade routes are protected.

When a loan is needed, a tax levied, or a kingdom funded, the Merchant's guild oversees the transactions. When a trader is officiated, they have a license that verifies their legal trading. And when a group violates the sanctity of trade and banking, the Merchant's Guild ensures they pay - one way ... or another.

The Merchant's Guild functions as an Aristocrat group patron from Tasha's Cauldron of Everything.

2nd Age - Age of Rebellion (AR)

The Age of Rebellion (AR) represents the era in which the mortal masses of Pryxis threw off the shackles of Draconic Tyranny.

The Reawakening

• Circa: 5448 AD / 0 AR

Pryxis the Archmagus Eternal tirelessly devoted his time to developing not only his city-state and its survival, but also a means to bridge the metaphysical barrier of the Planet - trying desperately to bring magic back.

One night, upon the completion of a ritual using his own blood and the remains of the Eldritch God-King, he established a connection to the outer planes, and heard the communion of the gods waiting on the other end from the outer planes.

In a panic, hoping he had enough time and energy he desperately explained that the effects of the spellplague had not subsided from his realm: magic was gone, his people were enslaved by the dragons, and for the past 5448 years, hope has been but the faintest glimmer of an ember. He begged the gods to bridge to them as soon as they could.

As soon as he was done pleading through the telepathic link, the connection was severed and he sat alone and consumed by uncertainty. That is, until magic began to slowly erupt across the land: starting with supernatural anomalies, sightings of portals ripping open throughout the planet, rumors of mortals feeling the barest glimmers of the weave again.

During this time, Pryxis the Archmagus began to organize a underground resistance, utilizing the technologies developed in secret from the dragons. Skirmishes began to break out across the world, as the masses began their revolution against their overlords with firearms, magic, and rage.

It was not until 5 years later that Pryxis's pleas were finally answered in full - with divine justice.

The Dragon War

• Circa: 5 AR

One day, a thunderous booming crack shook the very foundations of the planet, and a wave of multicolored blue fire flashed across every corner of the globe. At it's apex, a portal ripped open, and from it, spilled forth an armada of heavenly and otherworldly forces, led by 7 gods who heard the pleas of the Archmage.

These seven gods were Zariel, Tyr, Melchar, Oghma, Hex, Mishakal, and Chemosh, and they vowed that the people of Pryxis would once again be free, their shackles would be broken, and their overlords cast back down where they belong.

Thus began the Dragon War: a catastrophic awakening of magic across the world, as the masses reeled from the experience of magic coursing through their veins for the first time in 5000 years - they rebelled in an act of total, unsuppressed war.

The war was fought on all fronts, led by Pryxis the Archmagus Eternal, and coordinated by the 7 gods - whom the Draconic Imperium scorned and mockingly called them "The Seven Sins". Holding their act of rebellion as both sin and sacrament, the people of Pryxis gave each god a corresponding sin to drive them in battle: Greed, Pride, Wrath, Gluttony, Envy, Lust, and Sloth - respectively.

United as one force, one unrelenting drive, the Draconic Imperium was pushed back on every front, taking the War even to the planes themselves. Over time, the Draconic Imperium was driven to a state of turmoil and despair, and called forth Tiamat from her infernal throne in the Nine Hells, bringing with her the forces of devils at her disposal, and utilizing the githyanki forces from her pact with the Lich-Queen Vlaakith.

In the end, after 700 years of war, in one final bloody battle, Tiamat was cast back down to Hell, the Mad Kings executed for their crimes, the Lich-Queen banished, and the planet freed.

In return for answering their pleas, and their steadfast divine intervention, the people of Pryxis worship the 7 sins who brought hope back to the planet.

I did not merely ask for help; I pleaded, I begged for the divine to return.

For all my power, I was alone. It is not a weakness to admit defeat; to admit that I lacked the ability to repel all threats.

It was strength.

-- Pryxis

Calendar

Pryxis is a world that is dominated by magic and technology, and where even the gods walk amongst the masses. However, even with such incredible powers at work, the creatures and entities that dwell here are still (mostly) bound by the constraints of time.

Aside from the standard 24 hour day period, Pryxis seems to reside a further distance from it's stars - resulting in a longer year, but curiously, not a longer day. Rumors and theories abound by astrologists and sages alike that the planet is artificially or magically maintained in it's orbit - having seen no natural orbital decay over several eons.

Global Holidays

The planet of Pryxis has a vast variety of cultures and people that each celebrate their own holidays and celebrations - but there are 4 holidays during the year that are commonly celebrated by all.

The four holidays each coincide with the middle of each season, and correspond with one of the 4 prime elements: water, fire, earth, and air respectively.

Green Festival

A Day of Compassion

The second day of the Festival of Magic - celebrating the growth and blooming of nature. This day embodies the instinctive drive of all nature to grow, adapt, and change - with many people retreating to public gardens, parks, wooded areas, and forests to partake in more "au natural" behavior.

This day can be seen as a follow-up for the Red Festival, as the interactions between individuals is still quite primal. Many common festivities include public nudity, wild or animalistic behavior, hunts, the use of hallucinogenics, and druidic or nature based rituals.

Many people use this day to forgive and forget many past trespasses and rivalries, believing that compassion and change are key features of growth and magic - and many would be rivals can often be found partaking in co-op activities, whether they be hunting, druidic communion with nature, or heavy drug use.

White Festival

A Day of Piety

The third day of the Festival of Magic - celebrating the light in all things, focusing on spiritualism, worship, and celestial objects such as the moon, stars, and sun. This day focuses on peace and morality, as many individuals retreat to places of worship or holy ground to commune with the outer powers.

This day is the mid day of the Festival of Magic, with many people partaking in religious or spiritual concentration. Often times, the main festivities of this day include the zealous worship of the Gods - mainly the 7 sins - and the connections to one's family ancestors. Indeed, the veil between worlds seems thinest on this day, and it is quite commonplace to see one's ancestral spirits take form and commune with their descendants.

Many clerics, priests, and paladins use this day as a means to form deeper connections to their benefactors, and often times temples and churches will give away many donations built up through the year to those in need.

Blue Festival

A Day of Enlightenment

The fourth day of the Festival of Magic - celebrating the pursuit of knowledge, and the mercurial nature of existence. This day is used to pursue the freedom of knowledge and technology, and many magicians, mages, sages, and engineers use this time to show off some of their most incredible exercises of prowess. Many mages will perform magical shows of power, while many artificers take the stage to show off insane inventions.

This day is a day of pure education and magic, with wizards and sorcerers engaging in epic showdowns for the bemusement and wonder of the masses. Artificers will engage in intense rivalry, often times saving their most intense inventions for this day specifically.

On this day, the collateral damage and magical residue will rock the foundations of many cities to their cores in the pursuit of knowledge, and it is commonplace that many mages and artificers will give away more menial spells or schematics to those who wish to pursue the same endeavors.

Black Festival

A Day of Restitution

The fifth day of the Festival of Magic - celebrating the passing of loved ones, death, and the ending of the year. This day is seen as the sorrowful - yet celebratory - honoring of those who have passed within the last year.

The ancestral spirits that passed over when the veil was thin on the third day, will pay their regards and respects to those who continue their family's lineage before passing on once more beyond the veil.

Many necromancers or clerics will raise the dead of those who wish to speak with their loved ones once more before the coming year - settling differences and concluding their love to allow the spirits to pass on peacefully. Many others will partake in mass rituals of astral projection to explore the astral plane and the plane of dreams.

Day of Conclusion

A Day of Culmination

The final day of the Festival of Magic, where the festival has passed, and the congregations of people may return to their lives to continue into the new year with renewed spirit and fresh slates.

This day is characterized by the masses retreating back to their homesteads to heal, rest, and prepare themselves for the coming year. Many people use this time to relieve themselves of the headcolds, injuries, and mistakes they made during the week, and it is not uncommon for hospitals and clinics to have a massive influx of the weary festival-goers.

Many Adventurers take this time to prepare caravans and parties to move back to their places of work, travel, or questing.

The Powers

Pryxis's Forms

Being an extraordinary and supernatural mortal, Pryxis normally does not adopt a particularly striking or otherworldly appearance when approaching or appearing before those he would consider his "congregation".

Pryxis appears as a humanoid draped in extravagant green robes and finery, wearing a crowned mask at all times - and those who have attempted to remove his mask in times past have found themselves quite literally in orbit.

Pryxis rarely makes an appearance before any mortals or gods - as he feels his time is better spent in quiet study and meditation. His refuge within the tallest tower of the Academy of Dweomer is nigh inaccessible to any without direct permission from the Archmagus, and many attempts to breach his study have been met with his honorguards.

On only one occassion is Pryxis seen in public: the commencement ceremony for the Midnight Renewal - which takes place at the end of each year. During this time, Pryxis appears upon his balcony platform and projects his voice amidst the masses of the Metropolis below, speaking of the overcoming of hardships, and the pronunciation of the new year.

When Pryxis does choose to appear to his followers individually, he can only appear in his apparition form:

Pryxis's Champions

• Alignment: Any, usually neutral
• Suggested Classes: Any
• Suggested Cleric Domains: None
• Suggested Backgrounds: Any
• Associated Pantheons: None

Pryxis welcomes any and all to delve into the studies and understandings of the powers inherent within the belief of oneself. His followers are almost always Iconoclasts, but some exceptions exist; such as an Ancestral or Arcana Cleric who shuns the worship of gods, or a Paladin who upholds the people against greater entities. Those who follow Pryxis's ways devote themselves to the practice of achieving personal power above their peers and deities.

The Pantheon of Sin

When the Dragon War began, it was at the behest of 7 gods who stepped through the dimensional rift that reignited magic upon the world of Pryxis. These 7 Gods from various pantheons and core practices were the very first entities to respond to the call of desperation made by Pryxis the Archmagus.

The Seven Gods were eventually granted the names of the seven primal sins by the Draconic Imperium with the intentions to demoralize the masses - this of course, backfired, as the mortal masses of the world of Pryxis rallied around the idea that if the Dragons considered their survival and freedom a sin, then that is what they would embrace.

Thus, each god corresponds with a primal sin that the people of Pryxis associate not only their actions during the Dragon War, but also the powers they hold over the basis of reality and within the souls of mortalkind.

Zariel's Forms

Walking the line between the Celestial Choir and the Fiendish Ranks, Zariel has been known to adopt many forms throughout the ages. Her most recent form is that of a Shaytan - a form of fallen angel that has not lost all touch with its heavenly nature.

Zariel can appear to any of her congregation through various forms and means, and almost always in a form most pleasing to the individual and more aptly able to pique their interest.

When Zariel appears to her followers, she can appear in the following forms:

Zariel's Champions

• Alignment: Usually lawful, often evil
• Suggested Classes: Bloodhunter, fighter, paladin, rogue, warlock
• Suggested Cleric Domains: Blood, Law, Light, War, Wealth
• Suggested Backgrounds: Charlatan, criminal, noble, outlander, soldier
• Associated Pantheons: Faerûnian pantheon, Archdukes of the Nine Hells

Most champions of Zariel pursue personal gain in some form, whether through proving in battle, or socio-political mind games. They are often interested in forbidden magics or unethical practices that they see as the ultimate reward and exertion of personal power.

Tyr's Forms

As a god of protection and war, and hailing from the realm of Ysgard, Tyr often appears to many who follow the honorable and trustworthy path of the loyal knight. He often appears in forms befitting a being of his noble stature.

Tyr appears to those of his followers who cry out for protection or guidance in times of extreme hardship or toil, and the guardian god never refuses when the need is dire.

When Tyr appears to his followers, he can appear in the following forms:

Tyr's Champions

• Alignment: Usually lawful, often good
• Suggested Classes: Cleric, fighter, monk, paladin, wizard
• Suggested Cleric Domains: Forge, Light, Order, Protection, War
• Suggested Backgrounds: City watch, courtier, folk hero, knight, soldier
• Associated Pantheons: Faerûnian pantheon, Norse Pantheon

Many champions of Tyr seek out sources of evil and darkness to burn away from the fabric of the world, trusting in the seemingly infallible honor of their god. They often pursue great acts of kindness and never turn down a challenge - either towards themselves, their god, or on behalf of others.

Melchar's Forms

Hailing from the Mulhorandi (Egyptian) pantheon, the god of rage and freedom often appears to those who are bound and chained, and those who are in most need of their anger being fulfilled. He often appears in forms that strike fear and awe in those who witness him.

Melchar appears to those who shout his name as well as those who whisper it through hushed cries and tears. He instills those who call upon him with the energy and power to break their limitations.

When Melchar appears to his followers, he can appear in the following forms:

Melchar's Champions

• Alignment: Usually chaotic, often neutral
• Suggested Classes: Barbarian, fighter, monk, sorcerer, warlock
• Suggested Cleric Domains: Ancestral, Elementalism, Rage, Tempest, War
• Suggested Backgrounds: Athlete, folk hero, outlander, sailor, soldier
• Associated Pantheons: Faerûnian pantheon, Mulhorandi (Egyptian) pantheon

Most champions of Melchar are devoted to the art of freedom and warfare, choosing to express themselves through acts of power and vengeance. They often pursue the life of a wanderer or mercenary, spreading the word of their god in their wake.

Oghma's Forms

As a Celtic deity, the Lord of Lore often appears to studious individuals who pursue the acquisition of knowledge - whether within the cloistered halls and libraries of monasteries, or out in the field delving into the furthest corners of the overgrown nature of the world.

Oghma answers the prayers and questions of his devoted when in need of an answer not normally accessible or knowable, but only when all other forms of research have been exhausted and their thirst for knowing overflowing.

When Oghma appears to his followers, he can appear in the following forms:

Oghma's Champions

• Alignment: Usually neutral
• Suggested Classes: Bard, druid, monk, ranger, wizard
• Suggested Cleric Domains: Arcana, Knowledge, Luck, Nature, Time
• Suggested Backgrounds: Acolyte, entertainer, hermit, outlander, sage
• Associated Pantheons: Faerûnian pantheon, Celtic pantheon

Oghma's champions are intensely studious and committed to higher learning, maintaining a constant drive of dissecting more knowledge and understanding of the world around them. They often are isolationists - remaining detached from those who would interrupt their studies.

Hex's Forms

As an Eldritch entity and hailing as the Eberron god: The Shadow, Hex often appears to their people when they are most likely to descend into madness or carry out a life-threatening task under veil of darkness. Hex always appears out of shadowed and dark areas.

Hex answers those who seek refuge or embrace of madness and darkness, but not always for the purposes of protecting them. When Hex feels the individual (and themselves) may benefit from the madness or failure at hand, they will gladly force it upon them - and only when the individual comes to will they understand the reasons why.

When Hex appears to their followers, they can appear in the following forms:

Hex's Champions

• Alignment: Usually neutral
• Suggested Classes: Artificer, cleric, rogue, warlock, wizard
• Suggested Cleric Domains: Far, Mind, Technology, Trickery, Twilight
• Suggested Backgrounds: Acolyte, charlatan, criminal, haunted one, sailor
• Associated Pantheons: Eberronian pantheon, Eldritch entities

The champions of Hex are generally reserved, quiet, or relatively mad to some degree, as their faith in the god of madness pushes them to walk the razor's edge of sanity.

Mishakal's Forms

As a Grecian goddess from ages past, and a goddess of light belonging to the gods of Krynn, Mishakal often appears to those in most need of healing, life, and fulfillment. More often than not, Mishakal normally appears out of sources of water.

Mishakal answers those who need the embrace of a motherly or loving figure - whether it is a motherhead to stand firm against threats and pain on behalf of their child, or as a lover's embrace to show that life is not a punishment, it is a work of art that only you can paint.

When Mishakal appears to her followers, she can appear in the following forms:

Mishakal's Champions

• Alignment: Usually lawful, often good
• Suggested Classes: Cleric, druid, monk, paladin, ranger
• Suggested Cleric Domains: Feast, Hearth, Life, Peace, Twilight
• Suggested Backgrounds: Acolyte, guild artisan, outlander, sage, urchin
• Associated Pantheons: Krynnian pantheon, Greek pantheon

The champions of Mishakal tend to be quite profound performers, diplomats, concubines, and healers all - as they exemplify the most gentle and compassionate nature of their goddess.

Chemosh's Forms

As a Demonic entity and an Evil God of the Krynnian pantheon, Chemosh only appears before his most dutiful of worshipers and those on the brink of death or within the embrace of ever-sleep. Chemosh generally appears from the surroundings as a gust of darkened fog swirls and manifests as the god of death.

Chemosh comes to those who are most in need of the touch of death - whether this touch must be applied to the worshiper, or their enemies is none of his concern. His most zealous of followers enact his dark will without question, and while not embracing apathy and sleep, are just as cold and calculated as the force of Death himself.

When Chemosh appears to his followers, he can appear in the following forms:

Chemosh's Champions

• Alignment: Usually neutral, often evil
• Suggested Classes: Cleric, fighter, rogue, warlock, wizard
• Suggested Cleric Domains: Death, Grave, Soul, Time, Trickery
• Suggested Backgrounds: Acolyte, charlatan, criminal, haunted one, urchin
• Associated Pantheons: Krynnian pantheon, Demonic Princes of the Abyss

Most champions of Chemosh seek to embrace the touch of death and the state of unlife and apathy. They find fulfillment in carrying out the demands of their God, knowing that they will earn their inevitable end.

The Heroic Tribunal

During the Dragon War, many powerful heroes and champions of each god stepped forth to combat the Draconic Imperium for hundreds of years in order to secure a future of freedom for the world of Pryxis and it's inhabitants. However, towards the very end of the war, three individual heroes with fealty only to their fellow man came to fight as a unified front that ultimately ended the War.

These three heroes are known as the Heroic Tribunal - a sect of Divine Saints of mortalkind that sacrificed themselves in the final battle against Tiamat and her Greatwyrms to push her back into the throes of Hell.

Minor Gifts

For the Heroic Tribunal, power is not something that can be given as easily as it can be by those of the Pantheon of Sin, thus, the Heroic Tribunal can only grant momentary powers in the form of gifts.

These minor gifts require no strict adherence to the morals or guidelines of the deities being worshiped. Instead it relies upon the individual to look up to or feel drawn to the tenets given by the minor deity.

Tales of Gilthunder

The stories of Gilthunder tell of his cunning and deadly precision during the fall of the Draconic Imperium.

Nightcutter. The renowned greatspear-scythe of Gilthunder Dragonheart, crafted from blackened mithril and silver, Nightcutter is exceptionally light and was known to pierce scales and plate with but the lightest of taps, and equally cleave through meat and bone as if it were naught but paper. The weapon earned its namesake for its ability to seemingly blend into the shadows and night sky as Gilthunder leapt from mountain cliffs, city towers, and tree tops alike to pierce Dragons out of his night skies.

Dark-Strider. Gilthunder was no stranger to the cover of night nor the mantle of shadows - being a dark elf and having drank the blood of a shadow dragon, the only means for him to survive was to remain under constant darkness. However, as his studies of the innate magics within dragon's blood continued, he tapped into the ability to subsume a fog of pure shadow, allowing him to remain present even in direct sunlight. Although, evening, dusk and night were still the favored times of the shadow lancer.

Tales of Haedrig

Stories told of Haedrig describe his unstoppable fortitude and earth-shattering strength during the Dragon War.

Wyrmsbane. A massive Splitting Maul crafted from the adamantium meteorite and remains of the ancient dragon slain by it, this combination maul-greataxe struck fear into the hearts of all who witnessed it's path of destruction. Haedrig named the maul-greataxe after himself as he viewed it as his crowning achievement and representation of his royalty. Wyrmsbane carried with it an innate thirst for the blood of it's brethren, becoming a powerful dragon-slaying weapon.

Storm-Bringer. Blessed by the war gods of the Pantheon of Sin, as well as those of the norse, Haedrig manifested powerful supernatural abilites to harness the energies of the storm and gale. It is said that in times of extreme duress, Haedrig was able to mantle gale-force winds and the wrath of the skies above to strike down upon his foes - and almost always at the behest of his maul-greataxe.

Tales of Zolis

The Tales of Zolis delve into her tenacity and willpower to lead the unenlightened masses of Pryxis to a brighter future.

Gravekeeper. A simple, yet elegant, spear-staff that was utilized by Zolis herself as a holy symbol and weapon to combat threats against her people. This entropium, shovel-like, spear-staff was granted to her under mysterious circumstances; namely, bestowed to her by a higher power who acted beyond the interests of the gods themselves. This otherworldly entity led a life of quiet contemplation and guardianship over the remains of all Dead Gods, and goes by the name Chac-Mool to some, and to others, Anubis. This entity sought out Zolis for her refusal to bend knee to deities, and granted her a fraction of their own power to be utilized to her own ends.

Phoenix-Mantled. Zolis once sought to free an enslaved Phoenix who had been used as a tool by the likes of a Red Greatwyrm during the Dragon War - channeling the phoenix's powers into itself to resurrect after death. Zolis had managed to defeat the Greatwyrm with great difficulty, and had rushed to save the Phoenix, who had begun to turn to ash within her hands - it's lifeforce drained into the red dragon. Before the phoenix could completely wither into nothingness, it lashed out with it's powers one last time to grant Zolis a mantle of it's ever-burning feathers.

The Land

The Continents

Each listed continent contains a main key that breaks down the expected environments, the capital city of the continent, and the main non-capital cities.

After each key section, a general breakdown of each continent will be listed, as well as several points of interest native to that individual land.

Each continent holds it's own people, customs, governments, creatures, and unique locales - and these facets should be kept in mind while traversing them. Some areas of each land remain undiscovered or forbidden to some, and many adventures await those with the willingness to traverse the yawning dark.

Anelin

A small city located in the western coast of the middle-most landmass of the Apulean Chain, Anelin is nestled in a vibrant marsh along the edges of the largest lake in the area.

Much of the city is comprised of simple wood and stone structures, with roughly one third of the overall buildings residing on floating flats upon the inner lake of the marsh.

A group of hermetic psionic halflings call Anelin their native home, and have lived in the area since before written histories - and many other races who settle in their city are usually welcomed by these halflings, but normally only after proving their worth.

Due to the uneasy disputes between Anelin and Mallaig, the tunnel through the mountain range that leads to the meadowlands beyond is heavily guarded from through traffic.

Anelin is hidden from the rest of the island it resides upon by the mountain range that holds the marsh at bay. Behind this mountain range, the inhabitants of Anelin maintain a steady trade of marshland flora and fauna to those who dock in their port nearby.

Legends tell of an ancient power that slumbers deep within the lake of the swamp, one which has been credited with the psychic powers granted to the Halflings who dwell here. Supposedly, this same power has protected Anelin from outside threats for untold millennia.

Ghothra

Planted firmly into the coastline of the western landmass of the Apulean Chain, this mazelike fortress stands in stark contrast to the surrounding hyperlethal landscape.

Completely contained within a series of iron-bound wooden walls, the city-fortress of Ghothra is the only settlement on the western landmass of the Apulean Chain - the reasons for such being the presence of a Demonic Incursion which spills forth from deep within the tropical jungle to the south of the landmass, corrupting all flora and fauna into abyssal monstrosities.

The city of Ghothra functions as the main militaristic countermeasure to the demonic incursion on the landmass, placed here by orders from the Guild of Three. Troops and supplies are regularly deployed to the island to prevent the incursion from spreading further, with patrols of heavily armed soldiers and mages being sent to purge the demonic influence.

Due to the long-standing presence of the Abyss on the landmass, simply "burning away" the demonic influence is nigh impossible. The Abyssal infraction has existed upon the tropical island for well over three centuries, and continuous attempts to destroy the main abyss gate have been made - to no success. Even the Archmagus Eternal himself has begun to funnel funds and resources directly to the city of Ghothra in an attempt to create a greater foothold against the Demonic Forces.

Many who get stationed at Ghothra are often hardened criminals or veteran soldiers who know full well that their lives may end by the hands of demonic influence - and those that have survived the longest usually end up in positions of meritocratic power.

Mallaig

A walled city built high atop the tallest plateau island of the southern archipelago of the middle-most Apulean landmass, Mallaig is a coastal fortress surrounded by a network of bridges, docks, and boardwalks that stretch throughout the archipelago.

Mostly inhabited by a dominant tribe of Orcs, the city of Mallaig is a stone stronghold that was once the site of an ancient kingdom that fell out of power around the time of the Dragon War - supposedly once belonging to a Mad King, who was overthrown by the Orcish slaves that took advantage of the collapse of the Draconic Imperium.

While the stronghold still stands, patchwork masonry and carpentry make up the vast majority of architecture spreading outwards from the fortress - and the main series of stone bridges leading to the mainland are still functional, albeit crumbling.

The Orcs of Mallaig have a view of disdain for the city of Anelin - and subsequently, the Ghostwise Halflings that dwell there. The reasons for this bad blood is supposedly derived from a view of ignorance on the Halflings' part towards the Orcs' enslavement during the reign of the Draconic Imperium, but the Halflings plead that they knew nothing of the strife the Orcs underwent. Nevertheless, the conflict between both groups of people has not yet subsided.

Apulean Chain Settlements

Settlements and Towns built upon the Apulean Chain tend to be more akin to Utilitarian fishing villages, logging or mining towns, and the occasional repurposed ruin or fort. Some coastal towns are abandoned or limitedly populated due to raiding.

Apulean Sites of Interest

Dhor Volbur

Clinging to the safety of the stony mountainside of Mount Volbur, the city of Dhor Volbur - which translates to "door of Volbur" - is a city that has been carved both on the side and inside of the mountain itself.

The city is located beyond the massive stone gate of the mountain, lying within a great natural cavern that is deeper than it is wide, surrounding a massive pitfall (known as The Sink) which leads into the underdark.

Dhor Volbur is separated into a series of four rings: the lower ring consists of mines and tunnels which branch outwards into the mountain and lead directly into the Sink, the middle ring is at ground level with the main gate of Dhor Volbur and is the main residential and trade area, the upper ring is less of a ring and more of a series of extravagant bridges and catwalks that connect the stalactites which have been hollowed out and utilized as high class residencies, manors and banks, and the sky ring is located on the outside peak of the mountain where the royalty resides.

The original creators of Dhor Volbur were a generation of gray dwarves who separated from their underdark brethren in an effort to change their fates. They stumbled upon Mount Volbur and began tunneling upwards instead of downwards.

Na'Arth

Na'Arth is an ancient elven city that predates even the Dragon War itself, having been abandoned during the rule of the Draconic Imperium.

Soon after the Imperium began their rule on the world of Pryxis, the city fell under siege from ransacking and pillaging by the Greatwyrms - realizing the inherent power the ancient elves of the time held within their grasps, they acted quickly to quell any opposition.

During the starting years of the Dragon War many elves who had escaped captivity fled here, being drawn by an intense supernatural longing that drove them to rediscover the ruins. Soon after the rediscovery, the city was once again inhabited by elvenkind; particularly high elves who sought to restore the city to it's original glory.

Now, the city lies as a shimmering sanctuary of beauty and splendor amidst the overgrowth and bramble - the scars of the eons etched into it's streets: revered and studied by elves and other races alike. Archeological and magical expeditions are often led throughout the city and it's surrounding areas in an attempt to uncover some hidden history as to the times before the rule of Dragons.

Many chambers and layers of the city's depths remain unknown, undiscovered and potentially dangerous, but may hold great hidden powers or secrets just waiting to be unearthed.

Belgrad Settlements

Many small towns and villages dot the landscape of Belgrad, most of which are Baroque-style towns centered around trade and various forms of ranching or farming. The most successful of these small towns are logging towns - which supply wood to the surrounding towns and cities.

Belgradian Sites of Interest

Hulgal

Built upon the coastline of the north-eastern peninsula, the city of Hulgal is a bustling trade city.

Brimming with traders, merchants and businessmen alike, Hulgal is a city built to welcome the various trade goods and items that come from the mainland of Pryxiria.

Constructed upon some of the oldest glacial grooves left behind by ancient ice shelves that retreated from the area well before the Draconic Imperium, the city of Hulgal not only grants a multitude of fine goods for trade, but allows many an archaeologist & paleontologist the opportunity to study the records of the world from before the harsh and destructive rule of the dragons.

The city itself is continuously funded by various high-ranking officials, and many of the buildings are finely crafted from materials found from throughout the world - as well as from a good portion of the local populace of megafauna. Due to the vast expanse of glacial groove plains beset on the northern and southern sides, various megafauna enjoy the temperate landscape. Hunters take to the plains to make a massive profit from taking down some of the largest creatures that dot the glacial grooves.

Aside from trade goods and glacial megafauna, the last aspect of Hulgal that attracts many individuals is it's tourism: a peaceful coastal city that allows many private resorts and beaches for those willing to pay the extra coin for investing.

Khol Lodar

Nestled within the center of the mountainous landscape, this eerie sprawl of stony structures lies in congruity with the surrounding mountain valley.

Upon the shores of the inner sea: Lodar (which translates to Lodestone - as khol Lodar translates directly to "King of the Lodestone"), the city was originally built as an extravagant seat of the Dwarven Empire of the world of Pryxis, where the head of the sovereignty would reside and oversee the many exploits of the empire.

The operations of Khol Lodar (and subsequently, the Empire) were housed within the main palace of the city - a massive stone ziggurat that towers over the surrounding landscape and - no pun intended - dwarfs all other structures in the area, lending great majesty to the power of the dwarves.

Dwarves of all kinds resided within Khol Lodar - as it was intended to function as holy ground; honorable and sacred, to all sects, clans and branches of the dwarven peoples. With each generation of dwarves that settled and lived within the valley, their customs, beliefs, trade and architecture was added to the sprawling metropolis, furthering the glory of the unified dwarven empire.

Upon the clear waters of Lodar lies a jutting spire of labradorescent stone which houses the souls of every ruler which has sat upon the throne of Khol Lodar; continuing their vigilance over the dwarven empire they once led, and continue to lead the ruling sovereign to further glory.

Briarn Settlements

Most Briarn settlements - if not all - are Romanesque stone mining towns or incredibly old and repopulated quarries. Those that are not mining towns tend to be ranchers that specialize in the animals and beasts that roam the mountainous landscape. Some truly rare towns will have access to the old mining tunnels below them - making especially robust and valuable settlements.

Briarnist Sites of Interest

Saneus

A coastal gateway to the land of Egyix; Saneus acts as the threshold city to the Bare Wastes themselves.

Built along the coastline where antarctic currents feed in from the south, Saneus is a veritable temperate city beset by mountains to the north and south - and the inhabitants here enjoy a comfortable trade city.

The city was originally constructed long ago as one of the main slave ports of the Draconic Imperium into the vast desert landscape - and the city still bears the scars and criminal stench from eons past. Originally used as a city to break, herd, train and trade sentient livestock, the city resembles that of a massive fortress prison.

Because of its semi-remote location, much of the laws of the lands of Egyix are either ignored or nullified in the city limits, making it a prime locale for those trading illicit materials (such as vice, living chattel, contraband, etc) to be exported without much scrutiny. This being said, the city of Saneus is well known for being a corrupt desert alcove for those with the moral ambiguity to overlook such actions.

Aksai

Built upon a tropical desert landmass, Aksai is seen as a veritable paradise nestled among the Ocean.

The city of Aksai is built into - and out of - the singular plateau that dominates the center of the isle. The lower districts that wrap around the plateau act as the main centers of trade, commerce, and residence. Atop the plateau resides the granite fortress that encompasses the noble district and the governing hall. An incredibly cluttered main road wraps its way to the northern section of the isle - where it leads to the main docks and ship refueling port.

Originally settled as counter-assault base meant to stand in offense to the now-destroyed Herkutatop (city of Herkut), the city of Aksai was constructed as a rebellion port - one that has been raided, sacked, burned, flooded, and rebuilt each time.

The city holds a special place as the main witness to the event known as "Meteorfall" - and just barely survived the meteor's impact to the east. Within the halls of the main palace is a full historical recounting of the events pertaining to the Meteorfall.

Benou

Settled on the coast of the Gulf of Herkut as well as the Egyxian Jungle, Benou is a dangerous - yet lucrative - settlement.

The city of Benou has been called the "Edge City" - referring to the fact that the industrial mining city is precariously planted on the very edge of the Gulf of Herkut.

The city peers directly into the perilous yawning abyss of twisted silt and glass; where it stretches it's tendril-like docks and bridges into the Gulf in order to harvest the multitude of incredibly rare, high-pressure formed materials and ores available no where else on the planet.

The city is the only permitted form of mining action allowed to take place within the Gulf of Herkut - and because of the intense oversight by all branches of the Guild of Three, the security and capability of the city is highly regulated. In fact, the process to be hired in to the Benou Mining Coalition (BMC) is a grueling and secretive process. Even the shipments going out from Benou are almost always carried out by armored airships alone.

Kipos

Isolated to the southeast of Egyix, this city built in the shadow of Mount Kipos is barren and desolate - but only seemingly so.

A massive spire of mountainous rock juts from the surrounding desert, known as Mount Kipos. Carved within this spire lies the seemingly abandoned metropolis of Kipos.

The city and surrounding area is overrun with a nigh incurable form of undeath - one which can be transferred to other living beings by contact or prolonged airborne exposure. The form of undeath is known as the "Soulblight", a Mad King's final gift to the world of Pryxis through which his subjects and all those exposed to it would be pulled into a form of half-life.

An area encompassing a 700 mile radius from the center of Mount Kipos is considered quarantined by Pryxis the Archamgus Eternal himself - marked by metal poles affixed with a psionic crystal which telepathically communicate the quarantine warning to any sentient creature within 100 feet. These poles are evenly distributed every 100 feet around the entirely of the quarantine perimeter. Many detachments of autonomous constructs and immune adventurers patrol the perimeter to destroy any Blighted creatures that may step through.

Egyix Settlements

The Bare Wastes of Egyix hinder the creation of typical towns and settlements - due to sandstorms, inhospitable terrain and dangerous creatures - as a result, most villages congregate around the occasionally rare oasis, ancient Doric sandstone ruins, or will be roaming caravans and mobile tribal camps.

Egyxian Sites of Interest

Brego

Brego is the south-eastern city of the tri-coastal area, and is much less of a city as it is a collection of prefabricated structures, canvas marquees, and various thrown together buildings comprised of the local foliage.

The settlement of Brego was once a forward command post for an incredibly large group of adventurers hells-bent on discovering and conquering the wilds of the lower land of the Ilend Isles. When the veritable army landed about a century ago, they pushed inwards leaving their camp behind to map out the local boreal forest. Unfortunately, none of the adventurers returned, leaving many questions as to what had befallen the army.

Nevertheless, the entourage of squires, animal handlers, and servants made the camp their home, only venturing as far as a few miles outwards - and immediately return to Brego before nightfall. Merchants and tradesmen regularly visit the settlement to restock them with necessary supplies and sundries.

Rumors abound of strange sounds heard after nightfall, and various shapes and figures seen within the fog beyond the edges of the marshland and forest further inland. As such, the residents are continuously interested in funding operations to map out the surrounding areas - to very limited success.

Ulross

Ulross is the north-eastern city of the tri-coastal area, and is considered an "unbecoming" settlement. The city itself is the only well-known aspect of the island it resides upon, as the lands beyond the city walls are restricted to only those who have the express permission of the noble caste that rule over the city.

The citizens inside the city of Ulross are oddly complacent with odd and strange happenings within or without the city - a fact capitalized by visitors and inhabitants from those from Brego or Farfell. When a kidnapping or disappearance takes place, many native dwellers naught but bat an eyelash at it, and even full-blown murder at times goes completely disregarded.

This form of complacency has led many to name the citizens as "strange-folk" - as their inability to feel the fear, disgust or many negative feelings associated with such mortal danger as genuinely disconcerting.

With crimes being ignored, trespasses being forgotten, and blatant killings overlooked, the sense that something is innately wrong with the island strikes true in many people's hearts.

In fact, many theorize that a group of ghouls masquerading as the noble cast have subjugated the city into bidding their every whim as they answer to a higher authority - but no precise evidence has ever come forward. The best advice from those who have visited and survived the city are as follows: "Be ever alert, Never alone, Draw no attention, Lock your doors, and Sleep in shifts".

Regardless of the strange inhabitants and inherent danger, the exotic materials for trade and unique prospects available make visiting Ulross almost a necessity for those interested in the esoteric and eldritch.

Ilend Isles Settlements

The Ilend Isles are filled with mostly swampy and marshy terrain, and what is not brackish water is generally darker woods. As a result, most settlements outside the main cities are walled Gothic towns intent on remaining guarded at all times. Other towns are ramshackle conglomerates of huts built on top of the swamps and bogs.

Illendian Sites of Interest

Olis Settlements

Home to rife piracy and retired (or active) criminals, Olis settlements are rarely populated for very long, as they are overtaken by rival pirates and raiders on a regular basis. Most "towns" are settled along the coastlines and are made of broken shipwrecks - and on rare occasions when a settlement has survived long enough: solid wooden or metal Scavenger structures.

Olisan Sites of Interest

Cartofoloph

Settled within the verdant fields to the North of the continent of Pryxiria, and beset by two mountain-fed rivers, Cartofoloph is a bustling city of both agriculture and engineering.

Owing it's existence as being a massive farming settlement during the dragon war, Cartofoloph is no stranger to agriculture. The city was originally constructed to supply food, cattle, and various forms of living material to outfit the humanoid forces of the Imperium.

Since the fall of the Imperium, the city and surrounding areas remain in use as farmland - but keyed to an alternative crop: sustainable energy.

Cartofoloph is renowned for the eco-engineers and their ability to construct batteries and energy cells from the use of biodegradable fuels derived from plant matter (namely the Cartofolophen signature "Blotato"). Indeed, much non-magic technology is powered by the innovative practices of the scientists and farmers who call this city their home.

Whether through the simple farm life, or by means of agricultural artificery, the inhabitants of Cartofoloph offer an invaluable service to all of the world of Pryxis - a fact that they boast with pride.

Kragenferth

Hugging the northern coastline of the inner sea, Kragenferth is best known for the docking and decommissioning of a great multitude of spelljammers and starships in the waters of which it is built along.

The incredibly vast watery depths of the inner sea allow airships and starships to be worked upon in active wet/dry dock. Due to the sheer number of ships continuously landing within the nearby waters, the city of Kragenferth has become a vast machiner's paradise. All manner of factories, fabricators, machinists, and warehouses exist along the shorelines - all created with the sole purpose of maintaining, repairing, or replacing essential aspects of spelljammers or their crew.

Because of the sheer size of traveling working class populace that habit Kragenferth, the city has been referred to jokingly as the "Mini-Pryxis". Indeed, in addition to the machinist corporations and warehouses, a good majority of creature comforts exist to satiate the temporary population who find themselves unable to make the several days travel to the nearby Megapolis.

Aryowend

Settled upon the delta isle which splits the main waterway leading into the Pryxiria mainland, Aryowend is a city split in thirds: two thirds upon the banks which flank the waterway, and one third as the fortress built upon the delta isle.

One of the largest trade cities, owing it's existence towards the Draconic Imperium's attempt to maintain a method of surveillance and impediment on the nearby Pryxis Megapolis. Aryowend was created as a means to ensure the newly founded city (reluctantly permitted by the Draconic Imperium for the Archmagus Eternal's hand in saving the planet) was not to have it's influence extend further than the water ways permitted to it.

Unfortunately, when the Dragon War began, Aryowend was one of the first cities to revolt against the Imperium - due in part to the nearly direct influence of the Megapolis and it's residents. Now, the city enacts the charge of overseeing what sea-worthy vessels may pass through to the rivers of Pryxiria, and maintains the largest inner-continental water taxi service in the world.

Pryxiria Settlements

Due to the sheer population of the Megapolis, settlements and towns of the surrounding Pryxiria landscape are akin to miniature cities all to themselves - complete with a myriad of Victorian metal structures, towers, and various stone construction. Like the Megapolis itself, even the smallest of towns boast a myriad of trades to passerbys.

Pryxirian Sites of Interest

Falsar

Falsar, the City of Magic and the heart to the waterways and roads of the continent.

The city of Falsar is dominated by the Ivory Tower: an intimidating white stone and metal spire which reaches high into the cloud cover and rests upon a raised hill above the city. From this tower, the Magocracy (a mage-led form of government) rules over the city itself while answering to the ruling queen of the Triarch.

The Magocracy leads the city of Falsar in the study and pursuit of purely magical experimentation - generally outside the views of the Pryxian Academy of Dweomer, yet within oversight of the Body of Magi. Because of this, old and new forms of magic are continuously discovered and tested within the tower of Falsar (and it's seemingly endless rooms and levels allow great leeway into the methods of magical application).

Generally, Falsar's main exports include various magical components, alchemical reagents, tomes, scrolls, magic objects, and various other spell paraphernalia - which grants the city a greater amount of revenue in comparison to it's lesser brethren cities.

Marrowtown

A city of combat, conditioning and discipline - Marrowtown exists as the Triarch's leading supplier of exceptional soldiers.

A militaristic city ruled by a Lord General who answers to the Triarch Queen. Marrowtown was founded by a paladin who wielded a great dragon slaying weapon during the Dragon War who swore his weapon and armies to the Warrior Queen in solidarity to her rule.

The city now leads the continent (and subsequent regions) in military training - indeed, training within the city of Marrowtown is considered a great honor and a prestigious occasion; as the access to the extensive (yet grueling) exercises, teachings and disciplines granted by the hundreds of generations of soldiers found there cannot be obtained elsewhere.

Many paladins make it a key point in their lives to travel on a pilgrimage to the city of Marrowtown, seeking to follow in the footsteps of their predecessors. It is said that within the martial libraries of the city lie the core teachings of some of the very first paladins to lead the charge against the Draconic Imperium - and that only those who prove themselves worthy may read of their exploits.

Uzbecki

A recent city - at least in regards to the others of the continent - Uzbecki was founded by a group of rock gnomes who had settled in the region soon after being released from captivity from the Draconic Imperium only five centuries prior.

Having never experienced the overworld, these rock gnomes were enamored with the ever-expanding horizon and the endless sky above them, and sought to "conquer" it in their own unique way: they would scrap every single piece of technology, objects, or random assortments of nonsense to reach the sky.

Their relentlessness paid off, and over time, these gnomes created some of the first dirigibles to grace the skies of Pryxis - and were eager to create more. Nowadays, descendants of these rock gnomes have become known as studious - if desperate - adventurers and inventors alike.

Triarch Settlelments

With massive rolling hills between rocky mountain ranges, the people that populate Triarch build their settlements as Tudor and rustic as possible - resembling traditional wood, stone and hay structures. Many towns in Triarch are dedicated to farming and foraging.

Triarchist Sites of Interest

Tongha

A floating city of surprisingly well-built stone and wooden structures that sit upon the waves of the western coast.

Originating as a series of fishing shacks and trade buoys several centuries ago, the city of Tongha has had more and more additions placed into the mass of floating buildings and ever-expanding network of docks and bridges.

The city's construction resembles the same jaden stonework as the capital of Shedo - albeit, more wood than stone. Split into 12 individual blocks, each block is built upon a floating foundation which holds massive buoys that keep the block afloat. Docks and bridges make up a majority of the foot traffic, but travel by boat is the most efficient way to get around town.

Considered the main trade hub for the entirety of the continent of Tuyari, most commerce and trade goods go through the city of Tongha.

Yungai

The city of Yungai is settled upon the shoreline of the northern island of the Tuyaric empire.

An air of mystery and subterfuge surrounds this isolated island, and the city itself is the only well known facet of the island - other than the main island is forbidden to be stepped upon without particular empirical support.

The city itself is no more than a heavily walled monastery (albeit an incredibly sprawling complex of buildings surrounding a central temple), where the main denizens are monks, priests, and holy practitioners.

Strangely enough, the religious practices of the monastery are not known to the general public, and those who visit the island are sworn to an oath of secrecy that - if violated - is punishable by death. Many individuals who have been known to violate the oath have disappeared without a trace - and even the words that were uttered that violated the secrecy are always seemingly forgotten.

Tuyari Settlements

Settled among the hills, marshes and fields of Tuyari, many settlements take on the appearance of wooden structures, elevated slightly off the ground, with tiled or thatched roofs. Bearing a more Oriental purpose, towns of Tuyari function as simplistic hamlets or farms.

Tuyaric Sites of Interest

Barakburg

A city built upon the highest hill of veritable rolling plains, and dominated by a massive obelisk of obsidian at it's center.

Still a newly founded city-state, Barakaburg is known as the "city of freedom", having been founded with the sole purpose to offer new life and liberties to those willing to settle there. Due to this mindset, the city has attracted a majority of mercenaries, pirates, farmers, peasants, and adventurers alike - all wanting and willing to partake in a brand new life.

The city itself has been built around the original drinking hall that has stood in place for several centuries, and the original proprietor of the establishment welcomes the new lifeblood that has begun to flow into the sprawling hills.

The main founders (known colloquially as the "Blue Scales") still reside in the city within the massive obsidian tower which overlooks the entirety of the city and hillside. The Blue scales are led by a powerful sorcerer who is rumored to carry the last remnant bloodline of the Mad Kings.

Fiskaholm

An incredibly old village nestled upon the north-eastern coast of Vanwa.

Originally, Fiskaholm was created by a pirate lord who wished to retire from her criminal exploits. She discovered the semi-tropical ruins left behind from an ancient city that was - mostly - submerged by the deluge of Meteorfall. Determined to create a new life, she took to the ruins with her crew and rebuilt the village - bearing her name upon it's title.

Nowadays, the city has sprawled forth along the coastline, and welcomes travelers passing through the Esvista Expanse. They offer safe refuge from the terrors of the sea and the land, and safeguard the entrance through the souuthern mountain tunnel that leads into the wastes of the Untamed Wilds. In the times since Fiska the Pirate Lord landed, they have kept a record of all major events that take place within Vanwa - and recommend strangers stay away.

Vanwa Settlements

Due to the inherent dangers of the Untamed Wilds, towns of Vanwa follow suit with their Nordic and robust construction. Log cabins, drinking halls, and heavy stone structures dominate what few towns exist - and almost always bustling with hardy folk.

Vanwan Sites of Interest

Non-Continents

Some areas upon the world of Pryxis are not inhabited enough to result in being called "continents" and may also rest outside the jurisdiction of other continents, kingdoms, or governments.

These areas are generally referred to as unique locales, and are outside the laws of most other groups. Only a few of these locales are well-known enough to be listed.

Drizu's Crags

• Main Environs: Coastal, Mountain

Long ago, far before the spellplague, a powerful psionic entity named Drizu tired of the inhabitants of the world and sought to extend her reach to the stars above by harnessing the inherent powers of the mind and exerting them upon the forces of reality itself.

In layman's terms, this powerful mystic intended to create a bridge to the Pryxian Moon: Arivae.

To reach this goal, Drizu found an intersection of magical ley lines (also known as Mana paths) where she began to bend the will of the land itself to her whim. Her intentions were to create a literal stairway connected to the moon itself - from which she would rule an empire of her own making, far from the eyes of the world.

At first, her goal seemed feasible, as the island which held the leylines began to rise and meld to the form she wished. What Drizu did not know, however, was that the massive and exuberant amount of energy being poured forth would inherently create an entity known as an Elemental Locus - a literal living land.

This Elemental Locus lashed out at Drizu, as it's birth was chaotic and sudden, and the mind within it was new and erratic. Drizu sought to fight back against the Elemental, to limited success, as the Locus was several miles in size and scope - and it's powers rivaled the mystic's.

After continuous strife, the mortal body of Drizu was annihilated by the Elemental Locus, but her mind was not. The Psionic energies of Drizu began to unravel the Elemental's mind and lifeforce, resulting in it's subsequent destruction.

What now lies in the middle of the Loccon Depths is a massive congregation of floating earthmotes, hanging islands and crystalline shards that levitate continuously far into the upper atmosphere. The remains of the Elemental Locus held aloft by massive psionic resonance and imbued with the natural energies of the leylines that flow erraticly throughout it.

These earthmotes are caught in a gravitational flux; with motes flying and crashing into one another to create a dire airspace, but some larger masses may hold their own gravitational pull. In addition to the bizarre gravity, the wind currents that whip around the airspace are direly fast - with speeds that could easily fling large and smaller creatures into the surroundings.

Mapping out these landmasses is nigh impossible, and navigating such is even more improbable.

Legends state that there still exists a confluence of leyline energy that can potentially teleport individuals to the moon Arivae, where the original psionic anchor remains tethered to the moon itself by Drizu.

Other stories tell of whispers and unintelligible phrases heard upon the howling winds of the crags - thought to be the remnant mind of Drizu herself.

Dragon's Spine and Tooth

• Main Environs: Coastal, Grassland

This archipelago of barren plateaus is located on the edges of the Esvista Expanse and Cycallu Ocean, and represents the border in which the two seas are physically separated. Because of the barren nature of the plateaus (as well as the shape of the archipelago) the area has earned the name "The Dragon's Spine".

A series of flat islands make up the bulk of the Dragon's Spine, which are devoid of all foliage and canopy - save for a unique species of long grass native only to the islands themselves. This grass can grow to over 10 feet tall and has been named "Mirgrass" for its ability reflect light and heat, as well as its ability to even reflect magic. Unfortunately, the grass holds razor sharp edges which can cause heavy lacerations from the lightest of touches.

No life can live naturally on the island, as the native grass chokes out all other plant life and eviscerates any animal life foolish enough to run through the tall grassy fields. Looking upon the island from afar during the day reveals the nature of the islands - as the light of the sun reflects violently through the waving sea of grass, giving off the illusion of a massive surface of scales.

In addition to the alien-like grass, the archipelago experiences constant earthquakes that make habitation nearly impossible. These earthquakes seem to be isolated only to the islands themselves, and do not extend their seismic activity to the surrounding waters - meaning only the archipelago itself shakes.

Stranger still, when a creature does die upon the islands, their body is subsumed by the soil and stone of the land upon the next earthquake - crushed and buried by the churning soil and waving grass.

The only safe refuge within the surrounding islands is a massive jutting structure of stone where no Mirgrass can grow. This massive spire has been named "The Dragon's Tooth" in regards to the rest of the archipelago. The tooth has no defining characteristics, save for the presence of a massive tree dominating the very apex of the spire. This tree, strangely enough, begins to glow subtly when an earthquake is about to take place upon the archipelago. Because of this, many believe the tree and the grasses are related at least in some fashion.

Many scholars speculate that the archipelago was once the body of a super massive titan creature from ancient times that was felled in this spot - and that the earthquakes represent it's inability to die completely. Others state that the islands belonged to a world that was consumed into the Plane of Positive Energy, and that only these islands made it out without being absorbed into the overwhelming positive energies. And some say that the islands are just naturally mutated to be the way they are, and that all other theories are hearsay and speculation. Regardless, nobody really knows the origin of the Dragon's Spine and Tooth.

Gulf of Herkut

• Main Environs: Coastal, Underground

A well known site of a major, world-shaking catastrophe - the Gulf of Herkut is a massive maw-like crater that separates the Esvista Expanse and the Loccon Depths, and lies between the continents of Pryxiria and Egyix.

The gulf was created when the event known as "Meteorfall" took place over 4000 years ago - the magical showdown between the Archmagus Eternal and the Primal Mad King which ended in the summoning of a massive meteor, and it's subsequent transmutation to pure ice and silt to prevent total global destruction.

When the meteor made impact, the silt that comprised it's outer shell was vaporized, and the ice within melted within a split-second into liquid water which burst forth in a great deluge, which rapidly raised the global sea levels and produced torrential monsoons across the world.

As the waters settled, the impact site revealed a misshapen basin; an incredibly deep crater composed of jagged and expansive stony and crystalline formations that arched and stretched in every direction, surrounded by an uneven atoll of silt islands that held the strange structures in place.

Waters from the surrounding seas regularly flow into this superstructure of twisted and jagged landbridges, with an abyssal maw lying below the arching stones - which invariably leads to the underdark. The water that flows into the gulf has been discovered to flow through underground channels and streams which lead to natural springs and lakes throughout the immediate landmasses - ultimately resulting in a never-filling crater.

Due to the nature of the unstable earthen structures, the sheer force of flowing water, and the ever-present danger of falling several thousand feet into the yawning dark below - traversing the Gulf of Herkut is an incredibly dangerous pursuit; however, the presence of crystal and ore only found through extreme superheating and high pressure yields great reward to those willing to mine the surrounding landbridges.

Strangely enough, the Gulf exhibits a peculiar tendency to harbor otherworldly and bizarre creatures which call the abyssal crater their home. These creatures have often times been found to be supernaturally altered or mutated by eldritch influences - exhibiting characteristics akin to aberrations or abominations. The source of these mutations has been theorized to stem from the dormant energies left behind by either the remains of the Primal Mad King, the alien nature of the Meteor, the High Magic used by both the Mad King and the Archmagus Eternal, or a combination of the three.

Olde Man Mountain

• Main Environs: Coastal, Mountain

This massive mountain of basalt is located upon a lone island to the south of the Apulean Chain and north of the continent of Tuyari, and is named for being known as the largest extinct volcano upon the world of Pryxis.

The extinct volcano resides upon an island that is continuously wracked by a perpetual hurricane which never settles nor subsides, and which the eye of the storm revolves around the apex of the mountain itself. The main aspect of the island is that a series of bioluminescent fungi and mushrooms pervades the entirety of the surrounding - the strongest concentration of which is focused entirely within the main caldera of the extinct volcano.

A common sight is the presence of luminescent spores which are blown about the island by the winds of the everchurning storm which illuminates the surrounding with periodic lightning strikes. When approaching the island, many sailors and adventurers take note of the expanding network of glowing mycelia that grows over the entirety of the island, and which reaches down into the waters below - illuminating the rocky shores of the turbulent sea.

Reaching the island is a feat in-and-of itself, as the rocky outcroppings of the shorelines combined with the choppy waves and gale-force winds present a very dangerous hazard to even the most veteran of sailors. But when one reaches the island itself (or rather, reaches a point where the spores are noticeably close) the greatest threat lies within breathing the highly toxic spores that suffuse the air (and even water for those who traverse the sea).

The fungal growth upon the island represents the greatest biological hazard to those who seek to traverse the extinct volcano. While mostly harmless from physical contact (aside from a slight itchy rash from prolonged exposure) the spores released by the mushrooms and mycelia infects all who breathe them in - but never killing them. The most horrific aspect of the spores is that once they have taken root within the respiratory tracts, they begin to grow rapidly throughout the host's nervous system.

Immediate symptoms of spore infection include coughing and sneezing, with mucous that carries flecks of blue-green. As the infection progresses for several hours, the next signs that the spores have made it to the nervous system include paranoia, hallucinations, and glowing blue-green eyes, followed by strangely numbing sensations across the body. The final stage of infection involves a complete loss of bodily autonomy, as the spore network now increases adrenal production and hijacks the creature's nervous system to facilitate further reproduction - this often results in hyper-aggressive behavior. Generally, the host's body can only withstand infection for a few days before the spore network bursts forth from their body to reproduce - killing the host.

Because of the extreme danger of the island - many governments have classified it as an incredible biohazard and forbid almost all sentient creatures from stepping foot on the island. Those that do and make it off the island are required to undergo extreme magical purging to prevent infection, and if they are infected - immediate destruction. Many scholars and mages believe the storm may have been put over the island as both a warning and a safeguard by a supernatural entity.

The Holmla Isles

• Main Environs: Coastal, Forest

Found far off the western coast of Belgrad lies The Holmla Isles; an archipelago of incredibly small tropical islands settled in the middle of the Cycallu Ocean.

These islands are comprised of vast networks of coral reefs overgrown with verdant tropical plantlife combined with mossy algal growths. While the ground of the islands consists of various forms of coral, sand, and dirt, the main islands themselves are only a fraction of the overall coral reef that connects all the islands and spreads several miles underwater.

Aside from the vast network of coral, the other forms of plant life that exist on the islands include various forms of moss and algae which cling to the surrounding coastlines. A veritable layer of moss suffuses the surface of the islands, with various forms of massive tropical trees that pierce the mosswork. Stranger still, many of these trees not only pierce through the islands, but also extend outwards from the base of the coral reef itself - their roots intertwined with the coral, and reaching out of the sea.

Some of these trees which extend from both the water and land can be seen pouring freshwater straight from natural holes within the trunks and limbs of the trees. These trees have aptly been nicknamed "Cascade Trees" for their ability to seemingly produce water from their insides. The methods from which these trees produce this water is not fully understood - but it is thought that they potentially absorb saltwater from the sea and filter the water through their bodies, pushing out the newly filtered freshwater.

Even though the islands present a verdant, lush, and tropical paradise, a common danger inherent to the Holmla Isles is the threat of seasonal flooding. As seasons of precipitation and rainfall increase in the surrounding islands, the combination of algal blooms and increased water runoff triggers a natural phenomena in the Cascade Trees - one which throws the trees' water production into overdrive. This results in a mass flooding of freshwater that rushes out of the cascade trees and swathes over the islands, pushing much of the plantlife and wildlife into the surrounding seas. Because of the presence of seasonal flooding, many creatures of the islands are either amphibious or have adapted to living at higher elevations to avoid the floods.

Many speculate that the trees on the islands were once planted by Fey beings from ages long past, or were carried as seeds by a sea creature which swam from the recesses of the elemental plane of water - presumably having consumed the seeds and ejecting them as it passed. Regardless of it's genesis, the coral reefs themselves seem to have been barren and dead before the cascade trees took root, but now have had life breathed into them through a symbiosis of function.

The Objects

Batteries

A tiny, hand sized metalloid cylinder filled with highly conductive acidic fluids, a battery can be used to power certain technological devices. Most batteries can be interchanged between different technological devices, but certain devices can only function with higher capacity batteries.

Aids & Prosthetics

Life is not always an easy quest - especially amongst adventurers, and odds are that sooner or later, someone is going to be missing something.

While magical healing is an amazing thing, the truth is that most parties aren’t going to have a healer of sufficiently advanced level to cast regenerate to reattach a missing limb or restore mobility. Even when healing magic is applied, sometimes the healing process cannot undo significant damage that is already done. At lower levels, the amount of money required for such healing may be unattainable.

In short, there are going to be times when someone’s going to need an aid for their own flesh and blood, at least in the short term - but sometimes in the long term.

Prosthetic Limbs

Prosthetics are types of artificial replacements for a missing limb or body part - and range from the incredibly basic, to mechanical replacements that are nearly as capable as the genuine article.

Aside from the simplistic replacements such as hooks and peg legs, the following are prosthetics that provide full range of functionality.

• Basic. A standard semi-mechanical prosthetic - usually crafted of wood, metal or ceramic parts. Once attached to a functional prosthetic base, allows the user the same range of motion and functionality of the arm, leg, or limb it is replacing. The lack of sensory feedback from the limb, however, can make some tasks more difficult than normal.
  
  A Basic Prosthetic generally is crafted for the individual who will have it applied - matching their size and build to fulfill basic functionality.
  
  Basic Prosthetics function exactly as (and replace) the Prosthetic Limb from Tasha's Cauldron of Everything - and are not magical by any means.

Equipment Modifications

Not all equipment is magical - and not all enchantments or magical abilities are as useful as they should be. With the presence of technological advancements comes the ability to upgrade, amplify, or reinforce both mundane and magical equipment.

Modifications allow you to customize your arms and apparel to meet any tactical or environmental operating conditions that your current equipment may be lacking.

All equipment modifications are nonmagical in nature.

Any object, whether magical or otherwise, can only be outfitted with up to 2 modifications.

Artifacts cannot be outfitted with equipment modifications - unless by a master craftsman.

Armor/Clothing Mods

Armor and Clothing modifications are available for those who take their personal protection very seriously. For example, you could replace your armor's metal components with compact ceramics, rubbers, or industrial fabrics. You could attach solar-powered light modules that activate for short periods of time. You could even plate it with gold to be used in lieu of material spell components (or to just look cool).

You cannot transfer armor or clothing mods from one set of apparel to another, such as transferring ones applied to a robe to those on a suit of plate armor - as they have been integrated into the piece of clothing.

If you wear multiple pieces of modified apparel (such as an armored robe, and additionally plated leather armor) you can only benefit from one or the other, not both.

Armor and Clothing modifications do not apply to shields unless specified otherwise.

Weapon Mods

Weapon modifications are available to those who take their self defense to heart. For example, you can outfit your weapon to become balanced for throwing in combat. You could outfit it with an explosive charge that detonates when you flip a switch. Or you could plate it in gold to utilize in lieu of material components for spells (or to just look cool).

You cannot transfer weapon mods from one weapon to another, such as transferring ones applied to a longsword to a quaterstaff -as they have been integrated into the weapon.