Worlds
A Wolf of Shadow, from the Shattered World
This is part of my ongoing series on the Shattered World setting, which contains pieces you can drop into your own game. In this post, I’ll introduce one of the three major factions of the Shattered World, and a sample NPC belonging to that faction. The Empire of Shadow Over a century ago, a council of wizards … Continue reading
The Brain Squid, a Monster of the Shattered World
This is part of my ongoing series on the Shattered World setting, which contains pieces you can drop into your own game. Time for a different take on the legendary D&D monster, the Illithid/Mind Flayer. What if Mind Flayers were all working for somebody? Brain Squid Physical Description A brain squid is a semi-intelligent humanoid that stands about … Continue reading
Ashoka Thrall, a Monster of the Shattered World
This is part of my ongoing series on the Shattered World setting, which contains pieces you can drop into your own game. Here is a zombie-like thrall of an ashoka. Ashoka Thrall Introduction Any intelligent creatures brought close to an ashoka become thralls within a few seconds. This usually occurs during a ceremony in which a brain squid brings … Continue reading
Ashoka, a Monster of the Shattered World
This is part of my ongoing series on the Shattered World setting, which contains pieces you can drop into your own game. This post introduces the ashoka (a version of the aboleth). Ashoka Introduction Few people believe in the existence of ashoka. The very idea of giant, millennia-old, squid-like creatures floating placidly deep beneath the waves, commanding … Continue reading
An Introduction to the Shattered World
The Shattered World: a planet of islands and adventure. This is a world where merchant fleets employe battle wizards to fight off kraken and pirates, while three distinct empires struggle to dominate hundreds of islands. I’m currently developing the Shattered World as a complete setting, that I’ll publish as an extensive ebook later this year. … Continue reading
The Places of Pyre: The Depths
This is part of my “Pyre” world. The Depths One reaches The Depths through long, steep stairways (once escalators) called Descenders. These reveal a city-within-a-city of elegant, tall buildings, full of swooping arches and high buttresses. At the center of the Depths lies two towers, as though competing for attention. The largest and slightly smaller … Continue reading
The Places of Pyre: The Unmentionables’ District
This is part of my “Pyre” world. The Unmentionables’ District Common Enemies: Zombies These poor wretches worked to keep the gleaming city functioning. Born full-grown in vats beneath the Depths, they toiled to keep the more mundane machinery of Pyre working smoothly. This section of the city is utter chaos. There are no central buildings. … Continue reading
The Places of Pyre: The Priest-Mechanics’ District
This is part of my “Pyre” world. The Priest-Mechanics’ District Common Enemies: Oriforged Constructs, Entrapment Orbs, and Doms While the shamans conjured all manner of wonders, it was more difficult to keep these wonders running. Enter the Priest-Mechanics. The Priest-Mechanics were themselves actually a separate order of shaman. Instead of relying on carved runes, they … Continue reading
The Places of Pyre: The Warriors’ District
This is part of my “Pyre” world. The Warriors’ District Common Enemies: Ghosts and Zombies Pyre needed its defenders. These warriors trained in many fighting styles, favoring hand-to-hand combat (since shamans could handle ranged fighting). Their halls contain many holograms endlessly re-enacting their stances and strikes. Children who were not chosen as shamans were also … Continue reading
The Places of Pyre: The Merchant’s District
This is part of my “Pyre” world. The Merchants’ District Common Enemies: Oriforged Constructs, Chewers, and Shockers Pyre was a relatively industrial civilization, so it needed a lot of trade with nearby countries for raw resources. Thus the need for merchants, who were some of the best in the world at the time. This district … Continue reading