recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Alisia Silverstone

#### Backstory

During life, Alisia Silverstone was a bad-ass warrior with a mean streak. She was an adventurer who enjoyed visiting new places and beating up new people. She always found herself getting in trouble. Most notably, she traveled with a band of mercenaries to the Freezing Wastes on a job to retrieve a certain gem. Little did they know, the gem was actually Cyric's prison, and they delivered it into the hands of Gramorn Duskfell.

After that group disbanded, Alisia tried to stay out of the larger Harbinger conflict. As a human, she didn't think she had much to worry about. But one night her guilt and aggression got the best of her and she attacked one of the Stin Cepel troops working for the Harbingers. She was killed that night, he soul sent to Vuul'kira.

#### Campaign

She was discovered, like many are in Vuul'kira, and brought to Maron in Oasis. He immediately saw her skill as a fighter, as well as her aggression and no-nonsense attitude. He asked her to join his Enforcers to keep the rule of law in the city. Alisia gladly agreed.

She was killed by the Sandstriders in the Oasis Tower Control Room.
Isle of Beasts

The Isle of Beasts is an island in the Astral Sea which has been avoided by sailors for years. It was razed and then used by the Consortium during the Astral Civil War.

#### Clan Ro'Hani

The Isle of Beasts was an island like any other in the Astral Sea. It was uninhabited by sentient life, holding only a large jungle which housed all manner of animals. It only began to get the reputation for being an "Isle of Beasts" roughly 15 years B.C. This is when Clan Ro'Hani, led by Finn Ro'Hani, settled on the island. They spread rumors and created illusions to make passing sailors think twice about stopping on the island.

Finn wanted to keep the Ro'Hani presence there a secret, since he had witnessed what he believed to be the murder of Kett and Zorah by one of the Gods. The clan set up a permanent encampment there and survived for twenty years.

#### Astral Civil War and Quen Sandstrider

Then, the Astral Civil War broke out. The Consortium started taking over islands and had their sights set on the Isle of Beasts. Meanwhile, Quen got a tip from a sailor about a possible Vis'tani clan living on the island. She decided to pursue the lead, and arrived on the beach to find that some Consortium forces had already set up camp.

While she made her way through the jungle, she ran into Aelis of the Moonleaf. The two formed an uneasy alliance and eventually found the Vis'tani encampment, where Quen was reunited with her uncle Finn. During this reunion, Consortium forces, led by a Dragon named Uaeneth, began burning down the jungle. Quen, the Vis'tani, and Aelis escaped through a portal to Kilat.

#### Aftermath

The Consortium burnt down the forest and began setting up a base on the island. They never completed the base, though, as the War Camp Assault effectively ended the Astral Civil War. The Isle of Beasts remains a burnt ruin.
Commandante Gork

Commandante Gork is a crazy old Science Officer in the Consortium. His research focuses mostly on

weapons, and recently, he has focused on nanobot technology. He was a key player in The Raven and The Spire, after which he was designated Director of the top-secret Nanotechnology Research Wing of the Consortium.

Recently, Gork has been kidnapped by the Spire ship VOIDWALKER.
Plasma Wastes

The Plasma Wastes is a section of space in neutral territory, close to Spire space. Most ships avoid it due to its high energy output and penchant for destroying weaker vessels. Captain Jennifer Spears attempted to pilot the CSS RAVEN QUEEN through the Wastes during The Raven and The Spire, but was unsuccessful.
Parker

*"If I need it, I take it, and fuck everyone else."*

Parker is the leader of a faction of survivors called the **Partisans** in post-apocalyptic Seattle. He used to be Jeff's second-in-command, but left to form his own faction when Jeff refused to be more aggressive in dealing with other factions, namely Brangor's **Elven** cell and Dani's **Shadowrunners**. Before he left, Parker began hounding Gabriel about his ability to connect to the Ghost World, pleading with him to try to exert influence over the Mechs.

The **Partisans** operate out of Tacoma.
Grey Sisters

*"You attain holiness through work, respect, and compliance. There is no other way."*

The Grey Sisters are a religious order based in Shapeir on the continent of Vitaurum.

#### History and Role in Vitaurum

The Grey Sisters have been around as long as ancestor worship has been popular on Vitaurum. They are a semi-cloistered order, focused on hard work as a way to achieve holiness. The Grey Sisters recruit women of all ages, even taking children into their order and putting them to work. They run the Grey Temples located around Vitaurum, areas where people can come to commune with their ancestors or their Gods.

The Grey Sisters have been accused of being a shill for the Grey Council, there to convince the people that obedience is the best way to be holy. While the Sisters would deny this, they would say that respecting one's leaders is an important tenet of a holy life.
Jenivieve Andolian

*"How can it be that the rich drink fine wine and the poor starve on the streets? It cannot be."*

Jenivieve Andolian is the current Matriarch of House Andolian and a Jenova's Witness. Sister of Tyana Andolian.

#### History

The true first daughter of Eve and Gavyn, Jenivieve never really fit in with the Andolian way of doing things. She was kind, and thoughtful, and sympathetic to
the commoners and those who had less. This led to friction with her mother, who was trying to groom her to one day take over stewardship of the Mountains and the matriarch position of House Andolian.

Jeni learned about the Lady of Shadow and became convinced that her life was supposed to take a different path. After witnessing the horrible way her mother treated her people, Jeni knew she could not stay. She made a very public speech to her mother years ago:

“*I, Jenivieve of House Andolian, the Watchers of the Mountains, the Drow of Moonraker Peak, hereby renounce my family name, my titles, any claim to lands or riches. I give up my family name because you, mother, have perverted its meaning, its history, its power. I have prayed, many a moon, for the Lady to cleanse this name, to help me make you see. But I see now that this is not possible. Over all, I renounce you, mother. I will pray every day for the Lady to curse the name Andolian from here until the end of time.”*

  She was thereby banished from the Mountains region, under penalty of death. She carried out the will of Jenova around Stin Cepel, helping the poor and needy.

#### Shadows of Moonraker Peak

Many years later, Jeni felt the call from Jenova to return to Alagir. She took a pseudonym - Andiel - and began trying to help the poor, who were suffering horribly under her mother's rule. She befriended many of the poor, including Ashcan Pete, an old hobo with a heart of gold and some demon problems. When Ashcan Pete lost control and killed Wren Volvi in an attempt to get food for his young ward, Vyra, Jeni decided to take the blame.

However, she was rescued by a group of mercenaries and her younger sister, Tyana. They escaped Alagir and presented the Queen with evidence of her mother's treason. In a whirlwind of events, Jeni became the new matriarch of House Andolian, where she sits now.
Elven Split

The Elven Split occurred thousands of years ago. At that time, there was only one recognized race of Elf. All Elves lived in the Faewild. Over time, however, different groups had begun to evolve in different ways, leaving three distinct types of elf: High, Wood, and Dark. While the three attempted to coexist, it became apparent that it would be impossible to do so.

The Dark Elves, called Drow, were the first to be kicked out of the collective. The High Elves (Eladrin) and Wood Elves (Elves) joined forces to send them to the Underdark, where they were conscripted into the service of Lolth, the Spider Queen.

The High and Wood Elves continued to coexist for a while, until the High Elves decreed that the Wood Elves would be forced to leave the Faewild. They settled the country of Dryadis while the High Elves remained in the Faewild.
Gramorn Duskfell

*"My God is returning. I must prepare for his arrival."*

The former head of the Stin Cepel King's Guard and regent of Stin Cepel, after the Harbinger Coup. Born of a well-respected family, Gramorn had a
reputation of being brutal on the battlefield. King Vaclav liked this about
him, and after the retiring of the previous head of the King’s Guard, Gramorn
was named as its leader. However, during an expedition in Stin Cepel, Gramorn
came into contact with a Book of Cyric, and through it, found a way to come
into contact with Cyric himself. Gramorn plotted to use his own influence as
well as the power of the Harbingers of Purity to overtake Stin Cepel and free Cyric.

He acted as regent during the Harbinger takeover, along with Seaorin. He used mind magic to bring out xenophobic sentiment among the population of Stin Cepel.

During the Battle of
Broumov, Gramorn led a force into the city square to fight the rebels, but was
summarily killed by a Paladin of Bahamut named Evangeline Krost, who then took
his place as head of the Queen’s Guard under Queen Vyra.
Eastern Continent

The Eastern Continent is a large, mostly-unexplored continent. It is home to the Seven Goliath Clans, who reside in the aptly-named Seven Clans Region. The Lonely Mountains make up most of the segment in the middle of the continent, past the River of Judges; beyond the Lonely Mountains, the continent is mostly unexplored.
Half-elves

*"I said I'm Half-elf. I never said what the other half was. (Human. It's totally Human.)"*

Half-elves is the catch-all term used to refer to those who carry half Elven (Elven meaning one of the three races created during the Elven Split, not specifically Wood Elves) blood and half non-Elven blood. Most commonly they are the children of a Human-Woof Elf pairing, but that is not always the case.

#### History

The history of Half-elves is long. Humans and Wood Elves have generally had good relations over the years and found themselves compatible mates in many instances. This pairing makes up the majority of Half-elves in the world. After the resettlement of the Drow to Stin Cepel after the Shadow Wars, Human-Drow pairings became much more common, especially after Queen Ana II married a Drow noble, Tovyn Illium.

#### Traits

Half-elves tend to carry traits from the races of their parents (as do all children, of course). This means that a half-Human half-Drow will be different than a half-Dragonborn half-Eladrin (which does exist). However, Half-elves are generally charismatic and tend to be good with diplomacy and social situations, mostly because they are many times forced to understand the cultural norms of two different societies. Half-elves can also exhibit wisdom beyond their years - though some carry a Human brashness. They tend to split the difference in lifespan between their parents. For example, most half-Human half-Wood Elves live to be between 100-200 years old.

#### Inter-Elf Pairings

There is some confusion about what to term the child of a Drow and a Wood Elf or a Wood Elf and an Eladrin. These pairings are generally uncommon - especially with Eladrin, who tend to carry an attitude of purity and superiority about racial intermixing - but they do happen. Some of these children still claim the title of Half-elf, even though technically they carry full-Elf blood. Others identify as fully one race or the other, for various personal reasons, and yet others called themselves "Mixed." It is an evolving issue.
Destruction of the Spire

*"We've been waiting* how long*? Oh hell no. Fuck this. Guard!"*

The Destruction of the Spire refers to the events around the Sandstriders' attempts to retrieve the Orange Gem from the Genasi.

#### The Setup

The Sandstriders had collected 5 of 7 of the Seven Colored Gems. They knew that Maron had one - the Green Gem - but they wanted to gather as many as they could before facing him.

They traveled to the Elemental Dunes, to the wall of fire protecting the Genasi lands. After some painful trial and error, Quen teleported them through. They traveled through the dunes and eventually turned themselves in to a couple of Firesoul Genasi who were on patrol.

The Firesoul led them inside the Genasi city. From afar, the Sandstriders saw the Spire, the tallest building they'd ever seen. Their plan was to meet with the Genasi leadership and try to work out a deal to borrow the gem.

#### The Wait

The Firesoul guards placed the Sandstriders inside a small home and locked them in. There they waited for 10 hours for Sharassa, the Firesoul leader, to show up. The Sandstriders decided this was unacceptable and began formulating a plan of escape.

Quen convinced the guards that the party needed to use the restroom. The guards eventually relented and let them out; the party snuck off behind them and made their way through the city, toward the Spire. They found their way in and up a set of stairs.

#### The Trials

While traveling up, they faced four trials. During the Water trial, they had to hold their breath and maneuver through a dangerous room; the Earth trial dealt with rocks trying to smash them; the Fire trial had, you guessed it, fire; and the Wind trial flew them the whole way to the top.

#### The Orange Gem

The group reached the top and found the Orange Gem perched atop an altar of sorts. Surrounding them were four statues - one each for each element. When the party grabbed the Gem, the statues attacked. One by one, the Sandstriders defeated them; but as they did, a new split was created in the Spire. When all the statues were defeated, the Spire split into four and began to collapse.

The Sandstriders, using the power of the Colored Gems and some of their own magic, were able to slow the descent of their portion of the Spire and land safely. The rest of the city did not make out so well. The Spire destroyed large swaths of the city and probably killed many Genasi.

All because of a ten hour wait.

#### Aftermath

The Genasi mobilized for a counterstrike and sent scouts out to find the Sandstriders.

Meanwhile, the group returned to the rebel base in the Shadow Forest and worked out a deal with Maron to combine their gems and get out of Vuul'kira.

The pressure of the impending Genasi attack was palpable, but Asana was able to enact the ritual and the Genasi never reached the group before the Events at the Old Gate.

However, it's unclear what happened to the people left behind in Vuul'kira once the Genasi reached their destination.
Gremm

The Gremm are a reptilian race known for their skill at trading and manufacturing. They control the largest supply of fuel in the galaxy.

#### History

The Gremm were a generally powerless race for a long time. They proved adept at trading, but had few resources to speak of. Most Gremm left their homeworld in search of riches elsewhere.

This all changed due to two factors. One, the Gremm discovered an abundant supply of fuel, which they were able to sell to the newly-created Consortium as well as The Spire. And two, through a technological breakthrough in their own physiology, the Gremm found a way to survive without sleeping. These two factors combined to make the Gremm the number one providers of fuel in the galaxy.

#### Future

The Gremm don't seem to be running out of fuel anytime soon. However, many believe it's only a matter of time before the Gremm homeworld is annexed either by the Spire or the Consortium.
Humans

*"They have short, shitty lives. It's probably why they're so insane."*

Humans are a race known for their penchant for adventuring and innovating. They make up the majority of the population in Stin Cepel.

#### Traits

Humans have short lifespans - most only live to be between 60 and 80 years old, on average, and many die far younger. Because of their shorter lifespan, other races tend to view them as somewhat childlike and lacking in patience and wisdom. Humans are curious creatures and are driven to greatness by the thought of legacy. Since humans can't live for thousands of years (like Eladrin) or even hundreds of years (like Elves or Dwarves), they leave their mark through heroic (or evil) deeds or innovation. Humans tend to be obsessed with questions of power.

#### Central Continent

The vast majority of the human population is located on the Central Continent. Most of these are in Stin Cepel, though some claim Woestijn as their home. The history of humans on the Central Continent is long, but really only began being well-recorded after the creation of Stin Cepel by King Victor I. Humans also have a long history in Woestijn, as they were one of the two sides of the Civil War of Woestijn until the relatively recent introduction of Half-orcs.

#### Culture and Religion

Humans do not have a dominant religion. A plurality follow Jenova due to Stin Cepel's ties with the deity. Humans generally like a good time - life is short, after all.

#### Interracial Mixing

Humans are far more likely than other races to pursue relationships outside their own race. This may be due to their experimental nature, but some humans also find comfort in the fact that their bloodline has a better chance of surviving since their children may have a longer lifespan than they do. See for example: Half-elf, Half-orc.

Some humans, though, are human purists. This type of philosophy created the Harbingers of Purity and groups like them.
Spellplague

A Spellplague is a disruption in magical energies which infects the very fabric of nature itself. It is a powerful and complex phenomenon that can lead to various strange results. For example, the ground in an area under a Spellplague may appear to be solid, but one could fall into an endless pit, while the next person walks right over it, never the wiser.

Each Spellplague is different, but all are deadly and dangerous.

The most famous Spellplague is the one that overtook Urghoz on the Material Plane. It was caused by an interplay between ancient dark magics of the island, and the Blade of Chaos. It was ended by McCreedy, Tolsmir, and agents of Jenova when McCreedy took the Blade of Chaos.
Arzoa

Arzoa is a Githyanki Psiosword in the employ of the Eighth Son.

#### Backstory

Arzoa took the worst parts of her race and put them to good use. She teamed up with Datari, and the two became the most formidable assassin duo in the Astral Sea. However, they were exiled when they tried - and failed - to assassinate the High Priest of The Raven Queen. They found themselves in the employ of the Eighth Son soon after.

#### Campaign

Datari and Arzoa knocked out Laz Ursulus and brought him to the Eighth Son after Eighth Son saw Laz's likeness on a piece of wall from the Temple of the One. When Laz was sent to follow the Sandstriders, Datari and Arzoa checked in on him, using Datari's Astral Mark to track him wherever he went.

While the Sandstriders were gone in the Faewild, Datari and Arzoa assassinated The Mixer, pinning the blame on Elendeil. They continued to monitor Laz until he had his demonmark removed by an expert in Gurno.

The duo returned to Eighth Son and were there when he held his economic conference. The Sandstriders defeated them in battle and dismantled Eighth Son's operations. Datari, Arzoa, and Eighth Son are all currently sitting in prison cells in Stin Cepel.
King Victor I

*"All human clans will unite under one rule. We will create a glorious Kingdom, and we will call it Stin Cepel."*

King Victor I was the first ruler of Stin Cepel, 2,000 years B.C. Through his battle prowess and keen sense of diplomacy, he brought together the various human clans under his rule and established the Kingdom of Stin Cepel. He is viewed as one of the two most influential rulers in Stin Cepel's history (along with Ana II), and is called the Father of Stin Cepel.
Renraku

Renraku was one of the major Megacorps in Seattle. After the Shutdown of the Matrix, Renraku continued to experiment with artificial intelligence in secret, despite the chaos caused by Deus. Renraku discovered a way to tap in to the Ghost World, the remnants of The Matrix.

This eventually backfired, as the vast array of Mechs they had created became self-aware and began destroying cities and countries around the world. They are responsible for the current state of affairs in Seattle and the rest of the former United Canadian and American States.
Events at the Old Gate

*"You may not like it, but this is the best way. You play nice, I play nice, and we all get out of here alive."*

*-Maron, right before he died*

The Events at the Old Gate refer to the enactment of an ancient Shardmind ritual which allowed the Sandstriders (and some others) to finally leave Vuul'kira.

#### Background

Through their travels, the party discovered that there was only one way to get out of Vuul'kira: by enacting an ancient Shardmind ritual using the Seven Colored Gems.

The Sandstriders collected six of the seven stones – but their nemesis, Maron, had gotten the last one. He suggested a parlay – and offered the party
their old friend Asana, alive and well, back as a peace offering. They
struck a deal where everyone worked together to get out – everyone
contributed the stones they had, and everyone could go through.

#### The Ritual

When the time came, however, there were some complications. One, a huge storm
started coming toward the site where the portal would be opened from the West. When the lightning from the storms in Vuul’kira hit the sand, it would create giant glass monsters which could wreak havoc.

Two, the Genasi armies were advancing from the East, seeking retribution for the Destruction of the Spire, and to get their gem back. The party had to make a choice: go ahead immediately
with the ritual and try to ride out the storm, or wait until the storm
passed and maybe have to deal with the Genasi armies. They elected the former.

Present at this event: Brak, Tolsmir, McCreedy, Quen, Pointy. Asana, Maron, The Professor. Treyn, Daneida, Eldak, Rakeesh, Bahamut, Erathis, The Raven Queen.

As
 the ritual came to a close, the storm started picking up fiercely.
Almost as soon as the portal was opened, the Professor activated some sort of sabotage of the Green Gem, and the portal began closing. He jumped through,
giving two middle fingers to everyone. Chaos ensued. Daneida, the changeling leader of the rebels, attacked Maron, which caused a mass fight between rebels and Oasians. Glass monsters started forming
 from the lightning. There was fighting all around. One by one, the party made their way to, and through, the portal. All except Pointy, who told Eldak, his sister’s husband, to go in his place. Left behind were Rakeesh and Treyn, a Shadr-Kai who had been helping the party.

#### Pointy

After all the party except he had made it through, Pointy made a choice. He didn’t want the Genasi to be able to reopen the portal and kill his friends. So, when he was sure they were all safe, he grabbed the green gem and used a teleportation power called Faestep – and disappeared from existence entirely.

#### Aftermath

The Sandstriders were returned to their bodies and discovered that they had been possessed by Cyric and used for evil means. The Professor and Daneida both returned to Vitaurum; the former entered the employ of Eighth Son, while the latter reunited with her lover Darnyr. Little is known about the others who made it out, such as Richard Koshek, and even less about those left behind.
Arryn Goldfoot

A blonde Dwarf, dressed in all fine clothing, though he looks worse for wear himself. He runs the Goldfoot Mountain Trading

Company, which is Stin Cepel’s premier trading company when it comes to trading with the northern Dwarven Nations. He lives in a nice apartment over his company’s headquarters. Arryn was once an adventurer, but gave that up for a more luxurious and comfortable life as a businessman. He runs the books while his cousin, Ygrom, runs the deliveries.
Halflings

*"Eat. Drink. Be merry! Life is short, and so are we!"*

Halflings are a nomadic humanoid race hailing from Rhineland near the Central Continent.

### Traits

Halflings are short - adults range from 3'6" to 4', usually, with some taller adults growing to the upper levels of 4'. They tend to be good-natured and enjoy the simple things in life, like good food and music. They are curious creatures, but not too curious - many of them will travel all around Rhineland, but never leave the island itself. Halflings make good thieves, as they are small and dextrous. They usually live to be around 120 years old.

### Culture

Halflings are nomadic, in the sense that they rarely live in the same place for more than a few years. Despite this, they enjoy the creature comforts of home. Halflings are responsible for most of the nursery rhymes and simple songs that everyone in the world seems to know.
Benji

Benji is the teenage son of The Mixer. He lives in Raj under the close supervision of William Maynots, supervision which is required on account of how much of a screwup the kid is. Benji was kept a secret by The Mixer for fear of her enemies using him against her, but when she died, she revealed his existence in a letter to Maynots.

Benji "helped" the Sandstriders locate Sir Robin Stanislov after meeting the old man during a bender.
Lizardfolk

The Lizardfolk are the secretive race that live in the jungles of Akaeni. They are highly distrustful of outsiders and generally keep to themselves. Lizardfolk can turn invisible as a racial trait. When Cyric awakened new evils, his power influenced the Lizardfolk who carried out raids on Half-orc encampments on the border with Woestijn.
Omnia Outpost

Omnia Outpost is a neutral outpost located in neutral space. It is under the control of Administrator Erin O'Brien, a human cyborg with no love for the Spire or the Consortium. Home to Club Oasys, one of the most popular clubs in the sector, and Zook's Spaceship Emporium.

During the events of The Raven and The Spire, the crew of the CSS RAPTOR visited the Outpost in search of information regarding the whereabouts of Captain Jennifer Spears.
McCreedy

*"It's just that life is chaos, and I feel bad."*

McCreedy is a Half-orc Warlock and wielder of the Blade of Chaos. He played a large part in ending the Civil War of Woestijn and is an original member of the Sandstriders.

### Backstory

McCreedy grew up in Vitaurum with
his parents, an orc father and a human mother. They had come to Vitaurum to
escape the turmoil in their native country of Woestijn, and in doing so, shamed
their family name. They took up simple lives – lives which McCreedy found
boring and unfulfilling. No matter how much his parents tried to convince him
to take up a simple life of craftsmanship, his soul called out for more. His
orc side craved challenge and battle; his sharp human intellect craved
stimulation.

So, when he was young – probably
too young – he struck out and started doing security work. Though young, he
quickly proved himself more than capable in the private market, running jobs
for various crime lords and local governments. Eventually, he was recommended
to the Grey Council, and joined their ranks, eventually becoming their top
agent. Along with his partner, a changeling named Daneida, McCreedy did many a
black op for the Grey Council.

One particular mission, though,
changed everything. The Grey Council discovered the existence of a descendent
of one of the Royal Families of Vitaurum, a young girl named Helen Odessa.
Fearing that she might try to rise up and claim her rightful place as ruler,
they sent McCreedy and Daneida to assassinate the girl. The mission didn’t go
as smoothly as they would have liked and, instead of killing her silently or
cleanly, ended up burning the family’s house down – with her inside. The
screams still echo within McCreedy’s head to this day.

### Campaign

After that mission, McCreedy had
a crisis of conscience – a problem he never thought he’d have. He decided to
leave the employ of the Grey Council and hopped on a ship heading for Stin Cepel,
in hopes of starting a new life. On the ship, he met Quen, and soon after the
rest of the Sandstriders. McCreedy was an integral part in both the Civil War of Woestijn as well as the Reclamation of Stin Cepel. Along with Ulrak and
Belros, he helped to create a new system of government for Woestijn that will
hopefully help it continue to thrive.

After the Reclamation of Stin
Cepel, McCreedy took on some assignments with Tolsmir to help with wiping out
the remainder of the Harbingers of Purity, as well as other forces. During one
of these missions, to an orc island known as Urghoz, McCreedy found an ancient
blade buried deep within a cave. With the help of Jenova, he claimed the blade
for himself. This blade, called the Blade of Chaos, is of the Primordials, and
allows McCreedy to channel powerful elemental magics.
Autumn Queen

*"I'm going to enjoy watching your entrails fall out of your pathetic body."*

 The Autumn Queen is one of the four Greater Fae who shares control of the Faewild. The mantle of the Autumn Queen is generally regarded as the most devious, manipulative, impulsive, and violent of all the Greater Fae. Autumn is obsessed with death and causing pain. Eladrin regard her as somewhat of a "bogeyman."

The Autumn Queen can take on multiple forms, including a beautiful woman or a terrifying clawed monster.

Recently, the mantle of the Autumn Queen was transferred to a pixie named Twee. The negative effects of the mantle seem tempered, but not altogether overcome.
Violet Gem

The Violet Gem is one of the Seven Colored Gems of Vuul'kira. It contains the soul of a dead Shardmind.

#### Shadow Forest

The violet gem was located in a Dark Temple in the Shadow Forest of Vuul'kira. Treyn, a Shadr-Kai, helped the Sandstriders to obtain it by taking over the Shadr-Kai clan stationed there.

When inside the temple, the Sandstriders found a scrap of paper, giving them a clue about the nature of the room where the gem was located. The walkway was invisible due to some magic; it floated far above a floor with swarms of rats. Pointy tried to convince the party to kill the rats, but they elected to ignore them.

When they grabbed the Violet Gem, the rat swarms attacked them. They escaped the temple in one piece and in possession of the Violet Gem.
Drelam Relas

Or Dre', for short - don't forget about him.

Spending time with the
Sandstriders changed him. He was still fairly nervous; but from the group, he
learned that you can help people, even without there being a tangible benefit
on the other side. He learned about friendship and being a member of a team.
And, when the party reached the border between the Faedark and the Faewild, Dre' cleared a path for them by leading a group of Drow warriors away from the
entrance. When they found out he had led them astray, he paid in flesh, though
his family name protected him from actual death.

When Lolth joined the Coalition in the Astral Civil War and called her forces to the Astral Sea, Dre' volunteered to go along.
Oasis

Oasis is one of only two stable settlements in the history of Vuul'kira.

#### History

Oasis was founded by Maron, who acted as its Administrator from day one. Maron used the expertise of The Professor in creating the powerful protective field known as The Veil, which allowed Oasis to thrive and grow while all other settlements in Vuul'kira were overrun by creatures or natural phenomena. Maron ruled the city with strictly enforced laws - enacted by his Enforcers - and for a while, it seemed that Oasis could last in perpetuity.

However, it soon became clear that the supply of Mafari Crystals - the fuel that powered The Veil - was dwindling in areas Maron controlled. As such, the fate of Oasis became unclear, and Maron turned to more extreme measures to keep it going and, ultimately, try to abandon it. After the Events at the Old Gate, the fate of Oasis is unknown.

#### General Information

**Population:** ~15,000; very diverse mix of races

**Economy:** Food was rationed out using slips of paper, but gold could be used to
buy luxury items, if people could afford it. Mafari Crystals were worth a TON on
the black market, but that’s very, very risky.

The city was
protected by a unique field known as The Veil. Without a wristband attuned to
the magical frequency of the field – which is constantly rotating – a person or
creature walks straight through where the city would be, like pushing aside a
curtain unknowingly, never seeing what is on the other side.

With an attuned
wristband, if someone approaches one of the three gates, a partition appears in
the field and allows them to enter.

This field is powered by Mafari Crystals, a valuable resource.

#### Geography

Oasis started as a Western-style town and grew outward. The center of the city is a straight dirt path with various shops, the government building, the security office, etc.

The northern portion of the city is generally residential.

The eastern/southeastern portion of the city has most of the city’s shops and
taverns.

The southern/southwestern portion of the city has a few massive factory-type
buildings, intermixed with residences.

There is a field
for crops in the western part of the city. This is also where the park is
located, such as it is.

The citizens have used magic to create the illusion of a day/night cycle. The have also
somehow figured out how to get water from a huge well, located in the central
part of town.

#### The rules of Oasis, under Administrator Maron

No murder.

No unapproved political gatherings or rallies.

No stealing.

No black market trading of Mafari Crystals.

No putting Oasis at risk for outside attack.
Spire (L&F)

*"We claim your planet through right of conquest. The strong rule the weak. That is the way of it."*

The Spire is a mysterious entity that has been around for as long as anyone can remember. They are arguably the most powerful group in the galaxy.

#### History

No one is quite sure when the Spire got its start. In fact, almost everything about the group is a mystery. Every Spire operative wears a full-body metal suit which distorts their voices. The Spire is dedicated to conquest and the conquering of planets, and will routinely enslave alien races to suit their needs.

They are based on the philosophy that the strong rule the weak, and so in defeating a race, they earn the right to enslave them.

#### The Raven and The Spire

The Spire faces a new threat, unlike one it has seen before: The Consortium. Prior to its creation, there had never been a planetary coalition as big - or as threatening to The Spire. There is a feeling of brinksmanship and an inevitability of war. This could have been started when Captain Jennifer Spears went into Spire space in search of Void Crystals. However, the crew of the CSS RAPTOR found her first.

#### The Future

Many believe The Spire will inevitably move to war. As of now, they have kept a cold peace with the Consortium. But if history is a guide, the Spire cannot abide a rival power.

#### Fleet

The Spire fleet is made up of four distinct classes of ship:

* **FIRESTORM**, an offensive juggernaut
* **WINDWAKER**, a cloaked ship
* **WATERDANCER**, agile and maneuverable
* **MOUNTAIN**, with nearly impenetrable shields
Vis'tani

*"The soul of a Vis'tani yearns to explore, to seek, and to understand. A Vis'tani never accepts an answer that doesn't make sense."*

The term Vis'tani refers to a group of the most daring explorers in history.

#### History

Very little is known about how the Vis'tani were formed. What is known is their exploits. Among them:

* The Vis'tani created the Planeshift ritual. By using it, a Vis'tani clan was the first to travel between the Astral Sea and the Material Plane through non-religious means.
* A Vis'tani traveler has the distinction of being the only known woman in history to have visited every known plane of existence, including each of the Nine Hells.
* Prior to the Sandstriders, Kett and Zorah, of Clan Ro'Hani, were the only mortals to ever visit the Temple of the One without the help of the Gods.
* They created the artifact known as the Tourmaline Turtle.
* Throughout the ages, Vis'tani have been known to be favored by various royals. This trend continues to this day with Queen Vyra of Stin Cepel and Quen Sandstrider.

#### What Makes One a Vis'tani?

Vis'tani is not a race or a family. It is a group identity formed around travelers. There is no evidence of a direct family line between the Vis'tani of the past and those who exist now.

Generally, one becomes a Vis'tani through birth or through being inducted into the group via a set of group rituals. These rituals are mysterious and some say they are magical. Indeed, it seems that Vis'tani do tend to share a magical bond of some sort, and oftentimes are able to pick each other out of a crowd.

It is tempting to think of Vis'tani only as a title, but in truth it seems to go deeper than that.

#### Current State

Since the disappearance of Kett and Zorah and Clan Ro'Hani from the Material Plane, there has been no strong Vis'tani presence of note. Individuals still exist here or there, but as an institution, the Vis'tani seem to be extinct.

The Sandstriders found a Vis'tani clan under the leadership of Linn in Vuul'kira. He claimed the group had angered The Raven Queen and been banished there.

Quen also met what remained of Clan Ro'Hani on the Isle of Beasts in the Astral Sea. Her uncle, Finn, had relocated them there after Kett and Zorah disappeared and he dropped her off with the Grey Sisters.

#### Culture

Vis'tani are known as vagabonds and explorers. They tend to be intently curious about the world and tend to question everything. Many Vis'tani are talented with magic, especially with Psionic magics, which are fairly uncommon in the world. A small ritual of Vis'tani culture revolves around the wedding rings of parents. When two Vis'tani have a child, they remove their wedding rings and place them on a chain, like a necklace. They gift this chain to the child, and then get new wedding rings. If they have another child, the process repeats.
Goldfoot Mountain Trading Company

*"Stin Cepel's premier trading company in the Mountains region! Owned and operated by Dwarves who know the routes to get your goods where they need to go. Stop in today!"*

The Goldfoot Mountain Trading Company is a trading company located in Alagir, in the Mountains region of Stin Cepel. It is owned by Arryn Goldfoot and was operated by his cousin, Ygrom Goldfoot, until Ygrom's death during the events of Shadows of Moonraker Peak.

#### History

Arryn and Ygrom Goldfoot founded the GMTC many years ago. The current iteration is the second one; the first shuttered its doors during the Harbinger Coup. Arryn attempted to reopen after Reclamation, but the Queen cut off all trade with the Dwarves due to their perceived complicity with the Harbingers (they sold metallic warriors called Warforged to the Harbingers). Recently, Queen Vyra reopened trade, and the GMTC reopened for business.

#### Shadows of Moonraker Peak

The Queen hired the GMTC to transport a Planar Stone from the Dwarven Nations (clan Stoneweaver) to Broumov. Ygrom led the caravan and retrieved the stone, but was ambushed by the New Harbingers. Ygrom and the rest of the caravan were killed and the Planar Stone stolen.

Arryn, not knowing what happened, posted a job notice in the Planewalker Brewery and Inn. He did not get any takers, but a group of mercenaries visited him later, saying they had retrieved the Stone. Arryn struck a deal with Odrik Ravenshield to have the mercenaries deliver the stone to its final destination.
Shapeir

*"They call it 'The Glimmering City.' Don't ask me why."*

Shapeir is the largest city in Vitaurum, home to nearly 85% of the continent's population. It is under the control of the Shapeir Economic Consortium, a group of "businessmen" (read: crime lords), though with the efforts of its new Mayor Darnyr Firebeard, that may be changing.

The city is a hive of merchants, mercenaries, criminals, and caravanners. Quen Sandstrider grew up in Shapeir; McCreedy spent a lot of time there during his Grey Council days.
Underdark

The realm of Lolth, the Spider Queen, the Underdark is made up of a complex series of interconnected tunnels. True to its name, there is nearly no light in the Underdark; the Drow, who make up the majority of the sentient population, can all see in the dark. The Underdark is unnervingly warm and damp, and is home to many dangers, both flora and fauna.

From the Underdark, you can reach the Shadowfell and the Faedark.
Mafari Crystals

*"Without Mafari Crystals, this city falls. Period. End of story."*

*-Maron, on Oasis*

Mafari Crystals are a magical conduit and power source in Vuul'kira, the Plane of the Unwanted. They were used to power Oasis' Veil, which kept unwanted intruders out of the city. Maron would often send Vis'tani caravans, led by Linn, out into the desert to hunt for more.

Eventually, it became clear that the supply of Mafari Crystals available to Maron was dwindling. He believed that other groups had access to them, and so attempted to create a weapon, partially by using Mafari Crystals, and partially using the Seven Colored Gems.

The Sandstriders learned later that Mafari Crystals are actually the remains of Shardminds, a native species to Vuul'kira.
Asmodeus

*"If you don't rule with an iron fist, how do you hold on to anything?"*

**Alignment:** Lawful Evil

**Domains:** Tyranny, Civilization

**Followers:** The Order of the Nine-Pointed Star

Asmodeus is the demon King of the Nine Hells. He craves order in the universe and believes it can only be achieved through force. He has had a complicated relationship with the Council of Three, opposing them at times, but when Cyric stripped them of their divinity, he did not rejoice in the chaos it caused. He decided to join Kord's Coalition to fight back against Cyric, especially because his rival, Levistus, stood with the Consortium.
Vyra

*(This article is about Vyra Winn, from the Cthulu Dark session. You may be looking for the Queen of Stin Cepel.)*

*"I hear them...I hear the voices...they want to free me..."*

Vyra Winn is a young girl who grew up in a farming village of the Foothills region of Stin Cepel. She was named after the now-Queen by her parents, Thomas and Marjorie.

#### Backstory

From a young age, Vyra was promised in marriage to a local boy named Victor. One night, he got drunk and forced himself on her. She was devastated; she told her parents, but they decided not to push it, since Victor's family was much better-off than they were. This violation wrecked Vyra; she began running away from home, into the woods. On one of these expeditions, she found a Book of Cyric in a cave, and it began to exert its influence on her.

#### Cthulu Dark

Usually, her expeditions wouldn't keep her out past first light, and her parents were none the wiser. One night, though, she did not return. She had embraced the power of the book and it had transformed her into a horrible demon-like monster. She found Victor, killed him, and brought him back to Darkmoon Cavern. She was found by Ashcan Pete, Mick Reedy, and Glenda, the Bad Witch, cradling Victor's body in her arms. She appeared as half-human, half-demon, soaked in blood, crying and singing. They were able to talk her "off the ledge" and decided to whisk her away.

#### Shadows of Moonraker Peak

Vyra ended up staying with Ashcan Pete, traveling across Stin Cepel. Eventually she wound up in Alagir, begging on the streets. After Pete killed Wren Volvi in an attempt to steal food to provide for her, the two were forced to flee Alagir as well.
Vyseth

*"I do not care to hear your excuses. Only your dying breath."*

Vyseth is a half-devil in the service of Asmodeus, commonly known as the Hand of the Devil. He worked with the Sandstriders during the Astral Civil War.

#### Backstory

Vyseth is a child
of rape of a devil father and a human mother. He was raised by his mother until
he was 13 in Vitaurum; at that point, he had already killed another child with
his bare hands, and his mother kicked him out, convinced she would be unable to
tame him. He wandered the desert before coming across a band of vagabonds; they
tried to take him prisoner, but he killed their leader and, at the age of 16,
took over the gang. They traveled the desert pillaging until one day, they came
upon a Cult of Asmodeus who proved to be too strong for them. The cult killed
all of his companions but took him prisoner, seeing his half-devil roots. They
found out that his father is, in fact, Bel, the Prince of the First Hell.

Through prayer and blood magic,
the Priests of Asmodeus were able to summon Bel, who promptly killed them for
wasting his time. He was, however, struck by his newly-discovered son and
decided to take him to the Nine Hells to grow his power. Vyseth’s true identity
was kept a secret from Asmodeus for a period of decades – an attempt for Bel to
grow him in his power in order to one day overthrow the King of the Nine Hells.

However, Vyseth soon figured out that his father would never be strong enough
or enjoy enough support among the other Devil Princes to overthrow Asmodeus, so
he outed himself, pledging his allegiance directly to Asmodeus, in opposition
to his father. He has since become one of Asmodeus’ most called-upon
subordinates, as Vyseth has a well-deserved reputation for ruthless efficiency.

Vyseth almost always walks around
wearing an iron mask in the shape of a devil’s face, a red nine-pointed star painted
on the front. Some say it is a magical helmet which grants him immortality;
others say he wears it for intimidation; yet others claim he wears it because
he is ashamed of his half-human heritage, especially around other devils.
Though, anyone who has made fun of his appearance has not been alive very long.

His items include his mask, a rod
with thorns woven throughout, black chainmail, and a Nine-Pointed Star amulet
around his neck.

#### Campaign

Vyseth served as Asmodeus' representative to the Coalition War Council during the Astral Civil War. He also carried out missions, including working with the Sandstriders on a few occasions, most notably hunting down a false spymaster and destroying the Consortium's supply of Blast Powder (see: Echoes of the Primordials).
The Hogfather

The Hogfather was an adventure that followed a group of diverse Pixies on their quest to find Elanwen Diragrion's missing wedding ring. It centered around The Hog, a crime boss in the "underworld" of the Faewild, and took place between Episode I: Reclamation and Episode II: Oasis.

#### Synopsis

Elanwen Diragrion calls over some of her pixie friends to ask a favor. Her wedding ring has been stolen by a rabbit, and she doesn't have the time to get it back on her own. She promises the pixies lots of candy if they agree to help her, which they do, because pixies LOVE CANDY.

They begin by exploring the seedy underground of the Rabbit Hole, the home of the rabbits and some of the most unsavory characters in the Faewild. They interrogate some shopkeepers - some more forcefully than others - and eventually track the ring down to Peter, the infamous Rabbit Thief. After fighting some kung-fu bunnies, they chase down Peter and corner him. He tells them he's already sold the ring - to The Hog, a hedgehog and the biggest crime boss among the small creatures of the Faewild.

The group travels to The Hog's headquarters - inside of a giant tree. They decide to get creative and try to smoke him out. They're successful - they see him wearing the ring on a chain around his neck. A battle ensues where the Pixies defeat the Hog and return the ring to Elanwen. They are heartily rewarded with candy.

#### Participants

The four Pixies who went on this adventure were:

* Moth, a stone-cold agent of Autumn
* Cobweb, a Winter Pixie with serious magical talent
* Mustardseed, a Warden of the forests of Summer
* Peaseblossom, a rapping bard of Spring
The One

The One is a mythic creature, the God-to-the-Gods. The Gods believe that the One is the architect of all reality.

#### Campaign

The Sandstriders first heard about The One when the Council of Three mentioned it in Vuul'kira. The issue came up again later, when they discovered a slab of wall featuring a likeness of Laz Ursulus that ostensibly originated in the Temple of the One. Most of Episode IV: Astral Rifts was spent looking for the temple itself, which the Sandstriders eventually found.