recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Treachery and Sorrow: The Story of Count Hillen Daydraft

Treachery and Sorrow: The Story of Count Hillen Daydraft is a book discovered beneath the ruined keep of Cal Dorthorne.

## Description

Part cage, part maze, the central decorative form of bronze on the front cover is a fanciful feature that gives weight to the tome. Golden edging has been applied to each of the pages, catching the light with each turning sheet.

## Research

### Completed by Otto van der Velde VI

*The Daydraft family were those that ruled over the town of Estertan, guiding its populace in the rebuilding process following the wake of Naavugrux the Fiend Lizard that would eventually result in the renaming of the settlement to Esterving. The Daydrafts would order the creation of the Moonwatch, splitting the force in two to create both a dedicated army for Astedia and a guard to patrol the territories beyond as well as the streets within. Despite these increased precautions, this expansion would generate the stirring of conflicts between the Daydrafts and the College of Claxinns, who felt that they were in reality more than capable of defending themselves with the new wards and other abjuration-magics weaved into the walls of their new construction. Believing that the town of Esterving was now positioned to impose restrictions on their own actions and interests and subsequently fearful that they would be forced to pay tithe to prevent this, animosity between the two organisations grew.*

*Nonetheless, for a time both existed in unison as traders and merchants continued to pass through Esterving and scholars and acolytes alike came to study at the College. The inevitable would happen at the celebration of a century passing since the rebuilding of the city in 651AG, when the newly-ascended Count Hillen Daydraft announced novel taxation laws - laws from which the College was no longer exempt. The Inner Sanctum of the College were quick to remind the new Count of the history of Astedia, formed as it was around the College, not the other way around. Defiant, the Count sent the Moonwatch to stand guard outside the College, preventing all entry and exit, as well as providing the same courtesy to those passing through the town gates with intentions to visit. After the impromptu siege continued, the Inner Sanctum unleashed their wrath - targetted at the Count specifically.*

*Under the guise of parley, they met with the ruler of the city, imprisoning him by means of Minimus Containment. The pale corundum gemstone in which he was trapped was turned into an arcane focus by the College, wielding it as a sign of their power. From henceforth, Esterving was ruled by the College and after a brief campaign the other settlements quickly fell into line behind it. The College would update their nomenclature, declaring themselves the High College of Claxinns, hiring a number of individuals from the Duchies of Tynd to aid in the administration - although they would all serve under the High College's specific instructions. With the town under their control, the Inner Sanctum would continue to expand unfettered, drawing further interest from the surrounding nations.*
Worm Sage

Worm Sage is a potent herbal plant unrelated to Common Sage.

## Description

Hailing from the Weald's Wake, Worm Sage is striking in its appearance, a deathly-pale blot on the verdant canvas of greens and browns. Producing bell-shaped flowers of the same pallid hue, they are instead gathered by herbalists and mystics for their leaves and stems, although their flowers are sometimes used for floral arrangements for sake of contrast.

## Usage

When powdered, Worm Sage creates a coarse pale-green mix than when inhaled as an action can create a cataleptic stupor indistinguishable from death in a willing creature, lasting up to one hour per dosage administered. Repeated dosages can present a latent toxicity that hinders a creature's ability to be targetted effectively by conventional healing draughts, potions and spells.
Zalalza

Zalalza is a faerie dragon encountered in the Greater Greensong forest.

## Description

Like their mate Athizrelo, Zalalza is old by faerie dragon standards, as made plain by her violet-purple scales. Like many dragons, in this time, Zalalza has deepened their magical abilities and thus can cast a number of spells innately. Particularly fond of the richness of truffles, the pair of faerie dragons had taken to terrorising opportunistic farmers like Louys by turning their truffle-hunting pigs into a number of wild beasts, allowing the dragons to steal any uncovered truffles for themselves.

Through the efforts of a party of adventurers, a deal was bartered, in which Louys would provide the dragon pair with a steady supply of truffles in exchange for their continued lack of interference. It is uncertain how long this deal lasted before the dragons grew bored with the terms, or elsewise moved on from the Greensong.
Valentine al’Cullo

Valentine al'Cullo was a Human Fighter of elven blood hired by Nelenet to explore the continent of Ahlus.

## Personality

Valentine was a cocky man with a penchant for conflict. He was known for his confidence, dark humour and arrogance. He carried an air of promiscuity and vanity, both inherited from his half-elven father Wren Howell, and from his time as a pirate on the high seas. Although generally faithless and irreligious, throughout his life, he displayed periods of faith for the Malign divinity Carcharodon.

Following his alliance with his half-brother Fonteyne, he became more subdued. Despite this, he maintained his rebellious nature, which resulted in minor conflicts between the siblings.

Though not particularly charismatic, he enjoyed talking.

## Backstory

Valentine was born to a human woman called Cullo, in a quaint fishing village. He did not know his father, but his mother spoke often and well of him - some swaggering half-elf or something of that sort. Val had his father’s eyes, and though he didn’t have the looks or charisma of a half-elf, his sight was keener than most everyone in his village, and his hands were quick as lightning.

His village was peaceful and his life was good, but he could not stand it. He left without a word to make a living as a swashbuckling vagabond. His archery bought favour with the crew of the Smoky Kraken and the captain, Va’rhon, would teach him the sort of ‘arrow-dances’ you wouldn’t learn in a fishing village. All good things must come to an end, however, and the Smoky Kraken was sunk by a band of arcane pirate hunters. Val managed to survive, his only memory of the sinking being a voice urging him to survive as the water filled his lungs. When he awoke on a beach, he knew that it was his time to flee his homeland…

## Adventures in Ahlus

Despite his active streak, Valentine would rarely take part in adventures in Ahlus, although he partook in certain adventures which resulted in clashes with fey, hags and undead. Most of the havoc that he caused in Ahlus was domestic, in the land of Viridell. He made an enemy of the Triumvir Fonteyne through the theft and vandalism of the property of wealthy citizens of the town. After being caught by members of Lord Howell's precinct, Valentine told Fonteyne of their shared history, and of the elusive bandit company; the Sons of the Howler.

Valentine and Fonteyne struck a deal, and Valentine thus became an officer of Fonteyne's law, and thus it would remain for the decades to come. Fonteyne, establishing the White Coats of his town, was served by Valentine as a captain of the company, until the latter's estrangement and vanishing in the night, never to be heard of again, outside of rumour.
The Windwalker

The Windwalker is a captain amongst the Thrice-Damned.

## Description

That which little is known of the Windwalker comes from a letter discovered at Ringlet Cay, and the belongings of an expedition of Thrice-Damned members discovered at Last Gasp Isle, most notably so that of the notes of the gnome Thacktall Goddlergiddle. It seems that they possess notable arcane powers, and have used to build respect amongst their peers, and strike down their rivals.

Warnings have come nonetheless however, with letters decrying their affiliation with a new sinister master, as well as their apparent decision to abandon an number of their followers to the residents of the Crypt of Maledict's Pulse in exchange for their coveted prize. According to Mourn'tar Mlezzazza, their ship, the Crescendo, does not require crew to sail, and can move at great speed in spite of whatever the surrounding weather conditions may be. It is therefore speculated that they may be in possession of one of the Primordial Fragments, presumably the one associated with the Voice in the Gale, Stratavalan.

### Legend Lore

When Anivia Reman cast *Legend Lore* in 135WD, Otealt-Greencrown, the spell yielded the following result.

> *"Rise and fall, as waves, as veils, as fortune, across the grey, blue and gold which stands between,*
>
>
> *For power, lust drives, defeats hollow echo still chimes, heart and mind bleed,*
>
>
> *And so begins the climb, lifted upon the volume of the Gale, ship and soul tipped in careen,*
>
>
> *To a crescendo upon the crescendo, of domination, of control, not by greed, but creed.*
>
>
> *But a singular pulse thrums aboard, the breath of the wind fills the sails at their command,*
>
>
> *And those others of the breath, the voice, to the Walker, to the Fragment, are bound,*
>
>
> *No port is called home, and should the Heart be drawn overhead, no port against will stand,*
>
>
>
> *And yet, brother fights brother, peer fights peer, those of flight, those of the drowned."*
>
>

When Elinor visited the city of Oxresh alongside several other adventurers from Amber Run, she used her renown with the Academy of Erudition to commission a cursory examination of the Academy's records pertaining to the Windwalker. The search yielded information known to the party already, with one addition - that of suspicions that given the Windwalker's lack of provenance and sudden ascension to a position of influence and power, it was suspected they may not have come from the Material Plane, but instead somewhere beyond it.
The Well-Travelled Traveller

The Well-Travelled Traveller is an adventuring store located in Viridell.

It is owned and operated by Margus.

## Description

Located near the southeastern gate of the city, The Well-Travelled Traveller was quite deliberately built on the road towards Fernlight, a journey less travelled than those to the north and west towards Faelight Falls and Fort Arken respectively. Although the building has since expanded since its first construction after Margus' injury that promptly ended his adventuring days, the dwarven proprietor has kept the façade of the original shack up out front, giving the building a rustic and appropriately explorer-tinged exterior.

Specialising in the supply, commissioning and whole and general sale of adventuring gear, Margus has provided much and more to explorers setting forth into the Tviatini Jungle, and thus his store often proves to be busy when visited.

## Known Stock

### Weapons:

* Blowgun
* Crossbow, Hand
* Dagger
* Net
* Scimitar
* Shortsword

### Adventuring Gear:

* Antitoxin (Vial)
* Backpack
* Bedroll
* Blanket
* Candle
* Chalk
* Climber's kit
* Clothes, traveler's
* Crowbar
* Fishing tackle
* Hunting trap
* Insect repellent, arcane
* Insect repellent, herbal
* Lantern, hooded
* Mess kit
* Piton
* Rations
* Rope, hempen (50 feet)
* Rope, silk (50 feet)
* Sack
* Tent, two-person
* Tinderbox
* Torch
* Waterskin

### Potions:

* Potion of Climbing
* Potion of Healing
* Potion of Water Breathing

### Tools:

* Cartographer's tools
* Cook's utensils
* Herbalism kit
* Navigator's tools
Ulua

Ulua are a family large piscine beasts found in temperate and tropical waters worldwide.

## Description

Capable of surviving in a variety of marine environments, Ulua are found from the estuary of the River Tvia to southern tip of Tyndian Headlands and the eastern edge of the Penance Peninsula, with several other similar species beneath the family banner of Ulua found elsewhere in the continent.

A powerful predatory fish, they patrol above shallow reefs, hunting other fish, as well as crustaceans, cephalopods and molluscs, although ultimately falling foul to Coral Drakes, large shark species and juvenile dragon turtles. Ulua have been witnessed hunting alongside Lobster Eels, each fish serving to flush prey creatures into the other's preferred hunting grounds.
The Spire of Beckoning

### Destroyed

At some point roughly equivalent to Onteer-Greencrown 135WD on the Material Plane

## Location Information

### Region

The Timeless Vale

The Spire of Beckoning was a structure that existed within the corrupted version of the Timeless Vale created by cultists of Venari.

## Description

Falling somewhere between an organic structure seemingly grown from the stone of its surroundings atop an elevated peak at the heart of the Timeless Vale, and that of an inorganic ruin on the verge of decay and desolation, the Spire of Beckoning was a series of spires and broken walls that came to be after the corruption of the Vale associated with the death of the Wellspring Mare. It was speculated that this death allowed the partition between the two Echoes - the Feywild and the Shadowfell - to be shattered through, creating a vast and unyielding portal between the two.

From the Spire of Beckoning, individuals aligned with Venari created the entity Myslovetsi, known also as the Agony's Feast, that seemed to serve as a puppet for the presence of the Shadowfell felt throughout, a huge grasping claw-like hand shifting the Archfey-like creature across the battlefield as it reached from the rippling portal of baleful black overhead. Orchestrated primarily by a pair of vampires - Kristoph and Narcisa - the spire was stationed by a large number of shadar-kai, darklings and animated shadows, as well as bloodwood giants, roosting gloomstalkers and rabenhexes - and due to the presence of a nearby connection to the Plane of Shadow, numerous types of Sorrowsworn monstrosities.

## History

An adventuring party from Amber Run, aided by the individuals Enor, Gwynrir and Isra Ssalla, travelled to the Timeless Vale, eventually collectively coming across the desolation at its heart, and moved to assault it with aid called in from Erastus, Sir of Silverbell Keep. Holding back the defenders for numerous rounds with assistance from flocks of Kavouri thousands strong and a trio of Sokan, the party managed to buy enough time for the assumed Archfey to evoke an potent incantation of epic scale, seemingly siphoning off the last of his divine life force and energy to simultaneously reset the Timeless Vale and its surroundings to rid them of their corruption, destroy the Agony's Feast, and sever the connection to the Shadowfell in one blinding flash of light.

Upon waking in the gentle, cool but unmoving waters of the Timeless Vale, the adventurers noted that the Spire of Beckoning had been subsequently eradicated, or elsewise cast back into the Plane of Shadow.
Zariel

## Lord of the First Layer of Baator

* Artwork
* Symbol

Zariel, known also as the Blackened Feather and the Fury of the Ingress, is an Archdevil of the Nine Hells and Lord of the First Layer of Baator, Avernus.

## Description

Once an angel, Zariel was corrupted by the Hells, and has since fought for its interests endlessly. The Blackened Feather is that amongst the Lords of the Nine most directly involved in the Blood War, leading from the frontlines with *Warden's Will* in hand, an almighty chain whip seized from a demon lord slain by her hand. She actively despises those amongst her peers that attempt to shirk their responsibilities to the conflict and instead offer up token gestures to appease the infernal war machine.

## Appearance & Personality

A twisted mimicry of the appearance of a radiant solar, Zariel's wings are that of a burned black-red, her once flawless complexion now marred with soot, gore and scars, and a halo of infernal fire a ring around her brow.

Obsessed with battle, Zariel is a warmonger in every sense, interested only in the martial prowess of individuals and their willingness to use their skills. Though still disciplined when compared to many of the hordes of the Abyss, Zariel and her legions readily gave into their rash and reckless bloodlust for death and glory.
Smotherling

Smotherlings are malign fey that inhabit the darkest corners of forested regions.

## Description

Said to be cursed spirits cast out from the Feywild, Smotherlings shy aware from any source of light, instead looming in the shadow and gloom cast by thick canopies overhead. Slinking in the dark in large packs to hunt humanoid prey, when amassed into larger swarms, they have the ability to smother and quench sources of light by willpower alone, allowing them to feast unseen with bloodthirsty delight and joy amongst the sound of heavy tiresome breathing.

The form of a Smotherling is ill-defined, seemingly to bleed into the shadows in which they inhabit, but are roughly described as skeletal, gaunt goblinoid-like creatures with heavy-set but dimly glowing yellow eyes. While repulsed by them, they are attracted to unnatural sources of light, presuming they will find prey nearby.

## History

While travelling through the Tviatini Jungle, an adventuring party taking refuge within a *Tiny Hut* were surrounded by a pack of Smotherlings. During his watch, the cleric Ignatius Saurwind sought aid from his deity Aita who intervened to aid her faithful, engulfing the pack in a wave of divine radiance, akin to the sudden arrival of dawn, destroying them all instantaneously.
Zopherin

Zopherin are a type of crustacean fey creature.

## Description

Similar in appearance to a giant woodlouse with a more pronounced tortoise-like shell, Zopherin typically around three feet tall. Their skin is pale grey and oft flabby, owing to the predilection towards slow-moving and generally slothful lives tucked away in private groves and hidden hovels. Moderately dextrous despite only having a pair of fingers and no thumb on either hand, they often pass their time gardening.

When threatened, Zopherin can retract into their shell, usually moving to lie on the thinner plates of the plastron that covers their belly, leaving the jagged and almost rock-like upper carapace pointed outwards. If in a particular dire situation, they are able to use a very limited amount of innate magic to turn themselves invisible, or fall back on a mildly poisonous bite that has a chance of blinding their assailant.

## History

A Zopherin unusually adroit with travel across the Feywild known as Fembledamble served as the guide for the party from Amber Run during their visit to the Feywild that started in 134WD, Vluk-Whiterose by Material Plane reckoning.
Verdellia Velenthir

Verdellia Velenthir, known also as the Verdantborn, is an eladrin noble and member of the Wayward Blossoms of Cal Araenora.

## Description

Youngest amongst the Wayward Blossoms - save Gwynrir, supposedly - Verdellia is said to be more fey than anyone else of her kin. Graceful and otherworldly in appearance and movement alike, she however lacks the bold grandeur of many of her keen, and instead considered quiet, meek and thoughtful. Deeply entrenched in her affection for her people, she is most commonly found tending to those suffering, as well as serving as a patron for many crafters, artisans, labourers and other working folk in their time of need. She holds the Shiere Knights of Cal Araenora, commanded by her relative Luceryon Velenthir in particularly high regard, and is said to known the name, preferences and sense of humour of every one within the city.

## History

While the other Aeirs of Aenarion vanished into the Feywild, Verdellia stayed behind in the city of Cal Araenora, and was thus encountered by a group of adventurers that travelled to the city on their quest to return Enor to life. Pouncing on their connection to Gwynrir, Arnica quizzed the Verdantborn on what she knew of the Sproutling, to which Verdellia gently rebuked the idea of the Sproutling being "kidnapped" and reassured Arnica that they were growing strong, as all plants should aim and desire to do.
Tonic of the Oak

Tonics of the Oak are rare magical potions that bolster the defences and senses of the imbiber.

## Description

This unpleasantly bitter brown tonic is gritty and rough to the tongue, but provides a number of benefits to those willing to stomach it. Usually created through use of a Herbalism Kit, Tonics of the Oak utilise a Fundamentum Herbidris base, combined with shredded and soaked Bronzeoak leaves and a whole Netlace Mushroom.

## Effects

Drinking this tonic causes your skin to harden and grow coarse, as well as sprouting roots create pad-like knots under your feet. For 1 hour after drinking it, you gain the effect of the barkskin spell, and you have tremorsense out to a range of 30 feet. Once the hour is up, you shed the bark and roots painlessly, which subsequently crumble to dust.
Zibby

**Zibby** is a goblin child living in the Savage Creek Hills. She is a daughter to Warrf and Purxie and little sister to the goblin sorcerer Moxzi Bluhedd.

## Description

Zibby is the eighth and youngest child of the goblin couple Warrf and Purxie. Zibby's life story may only be in its opening paragraphs but her seemingly endless energy and spirit might already be on par with her older siblings. Never resting unless she has to, Zibby spends her days crawling in and around the family home, looking for anything fun and interesting to put in her mouth to investigate it.

While she might not yet have developed the ability to speak. She already has shown to have a strong bond with her brothers and sisters. Always smiling whenever they are around or even bringing them things she has found for them to taste as well.
Tove Akseldatter

Tove Akseldatter is an aasimar ranger affiliated with the Sons of the Land.

## Description

Tove is, like many of the caterans, an individual defined by their life spent in the wilds. Carrying near all of her personal belongings with her at any given time, she makes extensive use of her longbow, wielding it as a capable and accomplished hunter. Unlike many of the other caterans however, she claims to have been born within Howell Holdings territory, specifically that of Ironbreach itself, although has since embraced the way of life of the caterans readily.

Like many of the members of the caterans, Tove seemed to have some limited ability to shapechange, specifically into that of a large Bodun's Sea Eagle.

## History

Tove was the first of the caterans to be encountered, albeit while in her eagle form. Having noticed the party camping one evening, she would then bear witness to their reverence - led by the declarations of Ódóvir Jotunsson at a shrine dedicated to the Ossuric Pantheon - prompting her to engage the paladin in conversation. She offered little information to their operations, simply that they were acting out of a need of survival, the White Coats hunting down and eradicating their kind and culture both, on account of them disputing Fonteyne Howell's rule over the territory.

Tove would later be encountered again, deep in the Notchbark Woods, in which both her aptitude with flail and longbow, and her aasimar heritage - manifesting as a set of spectral black-feathered wings and smoking blood-red eyes, were made present. Fighting alongside Rynros Onyxblade to hold the western flank, she would take no part in the subsequent looting, and would instead last been seen fleeing with Dakkonk after Timbermitt's transformation into a Wekito. After the party left, she would then return to the sight of the massacre, finding Ódóvir still waiting, the pair discussing what would come next, although remarking that the others had scattered.
Winged Weasel

Winged Weasels are a type of weasel capable of flight.

## Description

Elusively coy, Winged Weasels are a rare type of beast found in the forests where their wingless kin are often found, using their aerial mobility to weave and glide between the trees while hunting flying insects and similar prey. Their skittishness, when combined with their elevated mobility, makes them difficult to approach, catch or otherwise encounter, although it is reported that chwingas are sometimes seen riding upon their backs.

## History

The explorer and archivist Elerus Tas' familiar Pebbles most commonly takes the form of a Winged Weasel.
Tonic of the Hedgehog

Tonics of the Hedgehog are rare magical potions that damage those that come into contact with the imbiber.

## Description

Created by means of a Fundamentum Herbidris combined with Furzepig saliva and chilled Liver Vetch, the resulting mixture is a cream-coloured liquid is laced through with thin streaks of brown. When imbibed, Tonics of the Hedgehog cause a prickling or tingly sensation upon the tongue and throat that then spreads to the extremities, immediately after which the effects take hold.

## Effects

When you drink this tonic, your skin grows a layer of sharp quills for 1 hour. Each time a creature hits you with a melee attack, they take 1d6 non-magical piercing damage.
Thogal Krathagsson

**Thogal Krathagsson** is a Goliath warrior of the One-Eyed Crow and follower of Ódóvir Jotunsson.

## Description

A hulking Goliath barbarian, and a giant of few words. Thogal is rarely seen smiling, except when enjoying the insults of flyting in the tavern, Skålhalla. On a day to day basis, Thogal ensures that peace is kept in the growing district of followers of the faith in the village of Amber Run, though tends to do most of his communicating of displeasure with grunts and furrowed brow stares. Much of the goliath's body has been tattooed and enscribed with runes of devotion to the faith and church of the One-Eyed Crow.

## History

Born in Ironbreach, Thogal was a renown foreman in the mines of the settlement and comes from a long line of Goliath ancestors who were adept in the profession of mining and prospecting. He speaks of his family's lineage that tracks back to the peoples of Lylcairn.
Yaldin

## God of Justice and Logic

* Artwork
* Symbol

Yaldin, also known as the Lantern Lord, the Holder of the Scales, the Judge and Keeper of the Beacon of Souls is a member of the Ahlusian Pantheon known as the Principal Sixteen.

He is one of the more powerful members, serving as the God of Justice and Logic.

## Commandments

* Serve as a paragon of all that is just and fair, treating those deserving with fairness and candor.
* Live each moment knowing that Yaldin is your witness, and that each deed is noted for the purpose of judgement.
* Do not act brashly, overwhelmed by emotion or you will suffer from your lack of consideration. Study your surroundings and find the path already laid before you.

## Holy Day

The Feast of the Lanterns takes place near the end of year, on the seventeenth day of the last month. It is tied inherently to Ancestor Day, which takes place on the day before. Both celebrate the lives of those passed, remembering their deeds and commemorating their successes and victories that grant them passage into the Valley of Iotl. The Feast of the Lanterns puts particular emphasis on the Moment of Judgement, during which the souls of the deceased approach the flaming beacon tended to by Yaldin. Should their souls be true and good, the fire will brighten and they pass onto the Seven Heavens of Celestia. Souls weighed by evil deeds cause the flame to falter, and find themselves damned to the Nine Hells.

## During Aita's Gift

Yaldin chronicles the acts of the Principal Races, detailing the greatest amongst them in celestial tomes that will hold these efforts in high regard for eternity. He granted the peoples a copy of this Book of Exalted Deeds so they may know how best to treat one another. During Aita's Gift, Yaldin aided Tohmos in his choices of where to grant the gift of noble blood.
The White Tusk Tribe

The White Tusk Tribe was an Orc War Tribe based deep within the Hoarfrost Expanse.

## History

The White Tusk Tribe worship a deity they refer to as the Bringer of the Blizzard, pillaging nearby ruins, tombs and other structures for gold, gemstones and other valuables to place as offerings to keep their god placated in an eternal and frozen slumber.

While prone to hostility, sufficient gifts and tolls paid by those passing through their lands have been shown effective at placating their proclivity towards violence.

They were lead by the Orog Hvik Scalerime, before his death in 8WD, Loghelt-Amberlight.
Vicword

Vicword is a half-elf alchemist secretly working within the Three Brothers Warehouse for the Other Hand.

## Description

Little much is known of Vicword, exempt that gleaned by Ashewan through use of his soil spirit familiar, whom managed to earth glide accidentally into the laboratory in which Vicword operates beneath the Three Brothers Warehouse. Working to combine Sentry Shrub, a herb found in the Weald's Wake know for its stimulating and analeptic properties with trace quantities of Iviniuum to produce the drug Phymm.
Tlahtoa

Tlahtoa is a couatl and current leader of Culhuaca, the Crystal City.

## Description

After the passing of Chaklinas, Tlahtoa was chosen to guide the residents of the couatl's creation, the Crystal City and has continued to protect it from hostile ingress since.

Tlahtoa seems to possess a talent for restorative magic, managing to both bring a sense of peace to the simultaneously addled and troubled mind of Cassius, who had been guided to the city by the couatl egg in his possession - having since hatched into the couatl hatchling Nexxoh, and realign the souls of Hassk and Micxapetlas into a singular balanced entity.
The Tytox

* Uniform
* Sigil

The Tytox, known colloquially sometimes as Fonteyne's Fist, are the elite guards of the Lord of Howell Town Fonteyne Howell.

## Description

Founded by Lord Fonteyne Howell to serve as his bodyguards, sworn to protect the Lord of Howell Town and his family with their own lives, as well as partake in any other tasks asked of them by the Lord. So dedicated to this role are the Tytox that they make oaths of fealty beyond that even of the Knights of Atralran, including clauses that revoke their names and past lives, serving simply to serve.

The Tytox are always eight in number, with the fall of one of their members, a new member is expected to find appointment within the day, and when the call to make the oath is offered, it is considered and honour and order alike, and as such it is yet to have been declined. All the members wear and wield identical armour and weapons, and along with additional clauses about never willingly removing their armament, it is impossible to tell that upon interacting with a member of the Tytox it is the same or different member from that which may have previously been encountered.

The Tytox are further augmented by a number of magical enchantments. It is remarked that they all speak with the same voice, so it is suspected that to further ensure homogeneity between them. Their boots allow them to march upon the air with as much ease as another would the soil and stone, while their weapons and armour are said to be laced through with adamantine. Though few in number, they are considered a formidable weapon in the arsenal wielded by Howell Holdings.
Totem of the Shattered Obelisk

The Totem of the Shattered Obelisk is a relic recovered from the body of the hill giant warlock Skognar.

## Description

Featuring an uneven sphere of black stone etched with a rune of Nuldomul, the Totem of the Shattered Obelisk is set upon a heavy rusted iron chain and mounted tightly within a disk of beaten metal.

## Research

### Completed by Dorian Ukko

Examination of the totem reveals faint signs that the central sphere of stone has been at least somewhat worked into a roughly spherical form, although whether this was achieved by mundane chisel or magical tool remains uncertain. The stone can be damaged by means of conventional tools, though quickly blunts any iron or steel used to mark or otherwise mar its surface at a much greater rate that any significant progress is made in producing scratches, notches or inscriptions upon its surface. Seemingly impossibly heavy when first attempts are made to lift the object, in time this weight settles, more closely matching the expected - and thus still not insignificant - weight of an object of such density and composition.

Through further investigations, you once more find the weight of the relic increasing as you grow closer to attuning to the Totem. As the muscles of your arm, shoulders and chest strain under the mass, you seek assistance from a table, pedestal or likewise similar object, only for it too to buckle. Floor boards start to splinter and fragment, the foundations beneath you crumbling as you chase into the abyss below torn into existence by the totem's descent, mind racing to follow where your body already stumbles. Before you, piercing through a bleak landscape stretching beyond the horizon a vast monolithic stands, engulfed in flame, suspended only by immense rusted chains. The sounds of iron against bone reverberate through the dust at your feet, the soil stained red, sodden and saturated, and yet it stirs for more. The flames rise, burning white as they melt at the stone, and the world around you stirs, ending the vision.

Bearing the weight of the Totem of the Shattered Obelisk requires a Strength score of 17 or higher. While attuned to the Totem of the Shattered Obelisk, you gain the following benefits:

* Increase your Constitution ability score by 1, to a maximum of 20.
* You know how to cast the *Magic Stone* and *Mold Earth* cantrips.
* The Totem of the Shattered Obelisk has three charges. While attuned to it, you can use an action to expend 1 or more of its charges to cast one of the following spells from it, using your spell save DC: *Earth Tremor* (1 charge), *Earthen Grasp* (2 charges), *Erupting Earth* (3 charges), *Feldspike* (2 charges) or *Meld Into Stone* (3 charges). The Totem of the Shattered Obelisk regains 1d2+1 charges at dawn.
Yarzu Proudivory

Yarzu Proudivory was a halfling rogue associated with the Lightfingers.

## Description

Yarzu was encountered at the Matron House by a group of adventurers in the early months of 132WD. His body was discovered near the Gloom Circle, a tavern, pit fighting and gambling den located deep in the Estaemarl district of Rydoon. Immobilised by means of slashed ankles and killed by a crossbow bolt between his eyes, he was also found to missing his left hand, but no other of his possessions.

His body was brought to the Matron House for interment, as often occurs for those discovered dead in the impoverished region of the city, where his wounds were noticed to be very similar to those experienced by Adrestis Zashan - leading to Lady Ilana opening an investigation into the matter.

It was later discovered that Yarzu had been slain by a devil known as Witherwrit, who used the tabaxi Uneven Scales pleas for justice at a shrine of Yaldin as terms for a contract in which he hunted those named, claiming their souls. Yarzu was named because Scales suspected that Yarzu was cheating at games of cards and dice, stealing from those with little coin to their name.
Whistling Crane

Whistling Cranes are a type of avian beast native to the waterways of western and southern Ahlus.

## Description

Wading amongst wetland marshes and grassland plains atop slender pale yellow legs, the Whistling Crane is heralded as a elegant creature, complete with a dappled turtleshell-like plumage of browns, blacks, creams and whites. Distinguished in appearance from other cranes by the dozen or so narrow black feathers that extend from the back of its head, Whistling Cranes are further differentiated from their kin due to their birdsong, which is said to resemble extended and complex melodies whistled from afar.

Whistling Cranes are highly migratory, maintaining breeding grounds between the Savage Creek Hills and Rossthane Thicket in Highreign months, while travelling south to the Wildwood, Weald's Wake and Candlegrove Forest with the approach of Whiterose.

## History

In 134WD, Halla-Highreign, an adventuring party encountered a Whistling Crane called Hodge that had been Awakened by Vankeshtad at the behest of his patron Ilena, the Alicorn Queen to aid him into scouting out the Hall of the Virtuous with the intention of recovering the seed of the Chromarind Heart Tree contained within. As the party progressed deeper into the tunnels, with the growing threat of danger, Vankeshtad instructed Hodge and the other awaken beasts to meet them back on the surface, worried for their own safety.
Varg Milanowach

Varg Milanowach is a dwarven auctioneer that works within the Myriad Market of Oxresh.

## Description

Bold and bright in both voice and choice of clothing, Varg revels in his role at the auction halls of the Myriad Market, acting as one of the main auctioneers of the choice goods sold within the establishment. By means of the magics woven through the auction hall, his voice is projected to anyone shopping in the surrounding stalls and shops, with the intention of catching their intention and drawing them in to partake.

Varg takes his job very seriously, and does not entertain those would disrupt the proceedings. Likewise, he respects his clients right to privacy, both sellers and buyers, working closely with the Academy Notary Doe Ravengleam to facilitate this.

## History

When the Myriad Market was visited by Moxzi Bluhedd and Ódóvir Jotunsson in Otealt-Greencrown, 134WD, they found Varg nearing the end of an auction. Disregarding the other lots - a barrel of Ambis Wine, a set of animal figurines made from hessonite and carnelian and a golden bottle stopper decorated with black jaspers, Ódóvir would then, with some sense of reluctance, purchase a collection of Astedian books for a sum of 2000gp from the auction hall - intending to use them to curry favour with the dragon Avoles.
Wolvshidian Pointer

Wolvshidian Pointers are a large breed of dog.

## Description

Named for their origin around the Hollow Concord settlement of Wolvshide, Wolvshidian Pointers were originally bred as war dogs to accompany the Rydooni army into battle, and thus fiercely loyal to their masters. After it was noted of their acuity of perception, the breed found a surge of popularity amongst nobles and commonfolk alike, aiding them in hunts - or acts of poaching - particularly when combined with the aid of a smaller flushing dog.

Some smaller races, such as slight halflings and gnomes, are known to use the breed as a mount.

## History

In 134WD, Halla-Highreign, an adventuring party encountered a Wolvshidian Pointer called Stonerose that had been Awakened by Vankeshtad at the behest of his patron Ilena, the Alicorn Queen to aid him into scouting out the Hall of the Virtuous with the intention of recovering the seed of the Chromarind Heart Tree contained within. As the party progressed deeper into the tunnels, with the growing threat of danger, Vankeshtad instructed Stonerose and the other awaken beasts to meet them back on the surface, worried for their own safety.
Winestain Gnat

Winestain Gnats are pest beasts commonly found near stagnant water.

## Description

Named the red and blotchy rash that develops following the bite of this pest insect, Winestain Gnats swarm over areas of stagnant water, overripe fruit and livestock pens, and are capable of spreading a number of tropical diseases, including Shivering Sickness, Goregum, Breakbone Dance, Bluebane and Honeyrot.

Winestain Gnats are effectively repelled through use of salves on exposed skin or burning incense sticks rubbed on clothing intending to be worn while venturing into the Tviatini Jungle.

## History

In anticapation of their trip into their jungle with the explorer Gills, the party of adventurers purchased several tubs of insect-repellent salve from the Well-Travelled Traveller in hope of preventing their passage attracting the attention of swarms of Winestain Gnats.
Thumizkreh

Thumizkreh, also known as the Carnelian Prince was an adult red dragon.

He was slain by Cassius when he attempted to usurp Irsecrinth and steal his hoard.

## History

Named the Burning Fang, Thumizkreh was ambitious and deeply covetous of the other Eight's treasures and power - even beyond the typical jealousy of Chromatic Dragons. Tensions in particular resided between Thumizkreh and Balzanok, as well as with Irsecrinth, whom Thumizkreh believed has no right to rule. It is instead a role they believed should be held by a Red Dragon.

Thumizkreh in particular enjoyed the treasures of dwarves, making his home in one of their halls, attended to by several tribes of kobolds - Scorchfang, Coalclaw, Sootscale and Flametalon - who he commanded to compete in their aspirations to bring him the greatest and most valuable treasures.

## Description

*"Frills of patinated bronze decorate the brow, crown and spine of the hulking mass that descends suddenly, wreathed in white-hot flame. Scales still with a glossy scarlet hue betraying his less aged nature compared to that of other members of the Creed, the bulk beneath them builds further the terror spurned by his presence. The air grows dry, each breath clawing and difficult - and with it the heat haze spreads further."*
Tolas

Tolas is a human gardener living in the city of Rydoon.

## Description

Nails more often than not caked in dirt and skin a deep bronze from his time working outside in the gardens of the Saltstack tower owned by the Myron Family within the Radiant Heart District of Rydoon, Tolas maintains a modest life within the city. Spending much of his income on buying fresh fish with which to treat his cat Alkestis - named for the historical Stregarch - Estaemarl suited his way of life, the properties affordable, close to his place of employment and usually quiet enough to allow him the peace found likewise amongst hedgerow and flower bed.

## History

Tolas was encountered briefly by Rover Custard Augustine when he spent time within the city learning about the troubles being faced by the populace in anticipation of his election bid. Amongst these was Tolas, who reported that his cat Alkestis was repeatedly going missing for days at a time, before returning smelling of mildew and damp.

Visiting Tolas in his home within Estaemarl near the border with the Radiant Heart district, an adventuring party in 134WD Halla-Highreign discovered that Alkestis had been *Awakened* by the dragonborn and Archon election-hopeful Vankeshtad alongside several other creatures, both pets and native wildlife to aid him in scouting out the tunnels beneath the city to find a way into the storage tunnels of the Hall of the Virtuous.
Gurkvale Marsh

* Artwork
* Map

Gurkvale Marsh is a large bog in Faeflame Forest.

## Description

Connected to Tvia Bay by a number of boggy gulleys and waterways, Gurkvale Marsh is near perpetually bathed in humid mists and fogs, creating the perfect damp environment for the colony of Bullywugs that called the region home. Using trenches and flooded fields in the marshland to cultivate shrimps, crawfish and lobsters, as well as numerous species of mushrooms and weeds, the Bullywugs flourished. Having also constructed a number of wooden huts, most in a state of perpetual rot, their success resulted in a series of petty civil wars.

When visited by a group of adventurers in 132WD, Gurkvale Marsh was ruled by Splougglox Bedabblequag. Their arrival triggered a coup by Blarbex Gunkgulp, who promptly betrayed the party after using them to slay the former King and his pet slug Splarlunk the Mighty. Blarbex too was slain after this betrayal, leaving the region leaderless.
The Wildwood

* Artwork
* Map

The Wildwood is a vast forested region on the southwestern edge of the Ahlusian continent.

## Description

Scarcely contained within the borders of what once was the Realm of Sunstone and the neighbouring state of Kingbourne, the Wildwood is a vast arboreal peninsula and coastline covered in a mixed forest of firs and deciduous trees such as elm, aspen, maple and oak. At the fringes, intensive forestry has occurred, followed by replanting with predominately spruce monocultures - the timbers useful as a building product and source of resin and pulpwood for parchment creation.

While the eastern edges more inland feature gentle slopes with rounded hills, the western cliffs are deeply incised, prone to sudden steep falls in terrain height, filled with narrow valleys and ravines. The southernmost stretch of the forest is sometimes known by its own name, the Regal Forest.

Both the gold dragon Xelzintarth and the green dragon Acrimos were known to make their lairs in the region.
Umihns Liatumal

Umihns Liatumal was a high elf noble that lived within Astedia.

A major Lord within the Empire, he was the acting head of the Liatumal family at time of their destruction during the Manifestation.

## History

The grandson of the famed artisan and archer Luqen Liatumal, Umihns had held the position of Lord of the Manor for over one hundred and fifty years by the time of his death in 1099AG. Plagued by the weight of his family's fame, his daughter Alamaria Liatumal would prove a particular challenge, her activism bringing widespread calls of treason to be set at his feet against his entire family. The power and influence of his son Virric Liatumal would do a great deal to quell this dissent by much of the Imperial populace, and despite it all Umihns rarely bore any ill-will against his spirited daughter, instead simply despairing for the impossible situation placed before him.

Umihns was a private individual, preferring the company of Cogheart servants in most instances.

## Death

During the Manifestation, Umihns resisted the call to trance for as long as he could must, but following his slipping into a meditative slumber found his being consumed by aberrant forces, and thus transformed into a kaorti that scurried through the house, butchering family and servants alike.

## The Liatumal Family

* Luqen Liatumal - Grandfather, slayer of Naavugrux, commissioner of Easel's Might
* Yasmin Liatumal - Grandmother, master sculptor, wife of Luqen Liatumal
* Salvos Liatumal - Father, lover of masonry and carpentry
* Elnwyn Liatumal - Mother, skilled painter with all manner of inks
* Umihns Liatumal
* Bihana Liatumal - Sister, illustrator for the Esterving Printing Press. Killed during the collapse of the Great Conduit
* Reyzana Liatumal - Wife, jeweller extraordinaire. Killed during the destruction of Esterving
* Virric Liatumal - Son, one of the Increscent Six. Killed by Eordemos Lightvale
* Alamaria Liatumal - Daughter, faithful of the Herdsman's Creed. Killed by Eordemos Lightvale
* Horras Liatumal - Grandson, transformed into a gibbering mouther during the Manifestation
Urnik Zraseth

Urnik Zraseth was a dragonborn cleric associated with the Merry Few, an adventuring party led by Foebe Howell.

## Description

Urnik Zraseth took part in the 255th Kroan Games alongside the other members of the adventuring party known as the Merry Few, though found little success in the events. Nonetheless, Urnik sought to maintain an amicable disposition throughout, as well as delivering a couple of very impressive javelin throws - despite a lack of audience enthusiasm for his attempts at showmanship.

Later in the competition however, Urnik would prove a capable Eidolo player, particularly during a number of special rounds in which the traditional rules banning the use of spellcasting were waived.

## Death

After being contacted by Euora to aid them in their efforts to free Foebe Howell on the eve of her wedding, Urnik managed to get in touch with a few members of the Merry Few and arrange for a boat to be waiting on the southern edge of the isle of Midalios near the main port through which to stage their escape. Unfortunately, with the detonation of an arcane storm at the Hippodros, the adventurers that managed to make it to the city in time - Ruby, Urnik and Yuchi - were all slain.