Eleven Pillars Setting Guide for RPGMusings [EXAMPLE[

SettingGuideforTheElevenPillars

AFantasyRoleplayingCampaignSetting

BySamuelDillon20132014

2013SamuelDillon Page2

TableofContentsTHEWORLD...................................................................................................................................................420QuestionsabouttheElevenPillarsSetting..........................................................................................4Religion.................................................................................................................................................4MarketsandShops...............................................................................................................................5MonstersinTown.................................................................................................................................5StrongMage..........................................................................................................................................5StrongFighter.......................................................................................................................................5StrongWealth.......................................................................................................................................5MagicalHealing.....................................................................................................................................5Disease..................................................................................................................................................6MagicGuild...........................................................................................................................................6KnowledgeableNPCs............................................................................................................................6MenforHire..........................................................................................................................................6LawsoftheLand...................................................................................................................................6TavernsandInns...................................................................................................................................6LocalOutdoorDangers.........................................................................................................................7LargeScaleStrife...................................................................................................................................7Tournaments.........................................................................................................................................7SecretSocieties.....................................................................................................................................7Food......................................................................................................................................................7AncientArtifacts...................................................................................................................................8TreasureHordes....................................................................................................................................8

FurtherFactsYouShouldKnow................................................................................................................8GettingLost...........................................................................................................................................8LowerlandCities....................................................................................................................................9Castles...................................................................................................................................................9Rivers.....................................................................................................................................................9AerialCreatures....................................................................................................................................9

TheElevenPillarsandTheirSpecialties..................................................................................................10AureatePillar......................................................................................................................................10CinerealPillar......................................................................................................................................10


CobaltPillar.........................................................................................................................................11EcruPillar............................................................................................................................................12GambogePillar....................................................................................................................................12MalachitePillar...................................................................................................................................12OnyxPillar...........................................................................................................................................13RussetPillar.........................................................................................................................................13SiennaPillar.........................................................................................................................................14ViridianPillar.......................................................................................................................................14

PlayersMap............................................................................................................................................14MapoftheMountainlandswithminimalexploredLowerlandhexes................................................14MapofGeneralPillarStructure..........................................................................................................17

CivilizedRaces.........................................................................................................................................18PantheonofNewGods...........................................................................................................................19

GMsSection...............................................................................................................................................23MapoftheElevenPillarsLowerlandRegion..........................................................................................23LowerlandsRegions................................................................................................................................24CinerealMarsh....................................................................................................................................24TheFraywood.....................................................................................................................................26

ViridianPillarRegionalMap....................................................................................................................29CreditWhereCreditisDueThisworkoriginatedwithacoupleofblogpostsonRPGMusings.comandIgatheredinspirationfromavarietyofsources(and30yearsofgaming).Thereare3maininspirations,however,towhichIwouldliketogivecredit.ThefirstisPaulHughesfromBlogofHolding(http://blogofholding.com/?p=5937),whichprovidedthekindlingforthesparkofcreativitythatwasprovidedbyJeffGrubb,asrelayedbySteveWinterontheWotCpodcast(http://www.wizards.com/dnd/Article.aspx?x=dnd/4pod/20130510).Andlastly,JeffRients,whose20questionspost(http://jrients.blogspot.com/2011/04/twentyquickquestionsforyour.html)spurredmetoreallystartdevelopingthissetting.


THEWORLDTheElevenPillarsisanewsettinginanoldworld.ThisisasettinginwhichthecivilizedfolkhavemoveduptotheMountainlands(thetopsofmountainsabovethecloudline)becausetheLowerlandshavebeenoverrunwithallsortsofvilecreaturesforcenturies.ThismassmovementofcivilizedpeopleisreferredtoastheGreatMigration.ThecitiesandsettlementsintheLowerlandshavefallentoruin.Troubleisbrewing,however,anditisatimeofexplorationandexpansionforthecivilizedpopulaceoftheMountainlands.ManyarepushingforresettlementoftheLowerlandswhileothersmaintainthatitistoodangerousandunlivablebelowthecloudline.20QuestionsabouttheElevenPillarsSettingRatherthanhityouwithpagesofhistoryaboutthesetting,Ihavefounditusefultoproviderelevantinformationinaquestionandanswerformat.HereareanswerstosomequestionsthatareofdirectsignificancetothePCsthingsthatcouldimpactyourchoicesatcharactercreation.TheanswerssetforththebroadfoundationofthesettingalongwithprovidingyouwithknowledgethatanyPCwouldknowsimplyfromgrowingupintheworld.ReligionWhatisthedealwithmyclericsreligion?Thecivilizedraceshavegonethrougharelativelyrecentreligioustransformation.Beliefsanddeitiesaresplitintotwosegments,theoldworldandthenewworld.Theoldworldreligioncontainsthedeitiesthatwereworshipedinancienttimes,whenthemajorityofthecivilizedfolklivednearsealevel(inwhatisnowcalledtheLowerlands).Atthattimeitwasbelievedthatthegodslivedupintheclouds(muchliketheancientGreeksbelievedthatthegodslivedonMt.Olympus).Thegodswerebelievedtohavedirectcontroloversomepartsoftheworldandthepowertointerveneintheaffairsofmortalsiftheychose.Theshiftintothenewworldreligionbeganwiththemovementofpeopleupintothemountains,intheveryearlieststagesoftheGreatMigration.TheLowerlandswerebecomingovercomewithphantasmalcorruptionandevilcreatures.BelieversintheolddeitiesthoughttheLowerlandchaoswasapunishmentsincethegodsdidnotcometothepeoplesaid,thepeoplemustbeunworthy.Whennogodlypalaceswerefoundonthetopsofeventhehighestmountainsaparadigmshiftstartedtooccurandthenewworldreligionwasbornortookhold,dependingonwhoyouask,forsomewillsaythatthenewworldgodswerethereallalongandthepeoplewereworshipingfalsedeities.ThenewworldreligionistheresultofthatshiftinbeliefsandconsistsofmoremoderndeitiesworshipedbymostofthecivilizedpeoplesoftheMountainlands.Therearestillpocketsofoldworldbelievers,buttheydonotadvertisetheirpresenceastheyareeitherlaughedatorpersecuted(orboth).


MarketsandShopsWherecanwegotobuystandardequipment?ThePillarsarethemaincitiesoftheMountainlands.Theyarethepopulationcentersthatthriveonthemountainsabovethecloudline.EachofthePillarshasalargeenoughpopulationtosupportatleastonegeneralstore,smithy,armorsmith,andtoolmaker/weaponsmith,andseveralofthePillarsaremuchlarger.FoundaroundthePillarsandabovethecloudlinearesmall,outlyingsettlementsconsistingmostlyofherdersandfarmers.Theseruralhomesteadsusuallyoperateastinyvillagesandhouseresidentsofmanyskills.MonstersinTownWherecanwegotogetplatemailcustomfittedforthismonsterIjustbefriended?HopefullyonesuchasyourselfwillnotbefoolishenoughtobringyournewfriendintothePillarwithyou,sinceitwillprobablybekilledonsight.However,ifyoucouldmeettherightpeople,sayamemberoftheBlueShroud(thefactionthatcontrolstheblackmarketinseveralofthePillars),youcouldprobablyfindsomeonetobuildasetofplatemailforyourstrangelyproportionedfriend.StrongMageWhoisthemightiestwizardintheland?Youarentexperiencedenoughtoreallyknowthisfirsthand,butrumorshaveitthatErazemtheSceptor,GrandViziertoLordThoas,RegentoftheViridianPillar,isthemightiestwizardintheMountainlands.Asfarasyouknow,therearenomightywizardsintheLowerlands.StrongFighterWhoisthegreatestwarriorintheland?RonadetheDaunting,oftheCobaltPillar,wasgrantedHighMasterstatusatthelastStanchionTournament.StrongWealthWhoistherichestpersonintheland?LordThoas,RegentoftheViridianPillarisrumoredtocontrolthevastwealthoffouroftheelevenpillarsbutheispartofthenobility,ofcourse.TherichestnonroyalthatyouhaveheardofisClancySharar,MerchantExtraordinaireandpurveyoroffineLowerlandgoodsforallages.ClancycontractswithallmannerofmercenaryandtreasurehuntertogathergoodsfromtheLowerlandssothathecansellthemtothehighestbidder.RoyalLadiesinWaitingandmoneyedcollectorsareinterestedinLowerlandsartifactstothepointofpayingheftybounties.Shararisamiddlemanbroker,buthecorneredthemarketin3Pillarsbeforeanyoneelsecouldgetintothegame.MagicalHealingWherecanwegotogetsomemagicalhealing?ThereareseveraltemplesineachPillarandmanyofthemhavechaplainscapableofbasichealingskills,herbology,andwounddressing.Theseservicescanbepurchasedorbartered(i.e.ifyouhavenomoney,youcandocommunityworkstopayoffthedebt).SomeoutlyingMountainlandcommunitiesalsocontainresidentsskilledinbasichealingarts(ormore).


DiseaseWherecanwegotogetcuresforthefollowingconditions:poison,disease,curse,leveldrain,lycanthropy,polymorph,alignmentchange,death,undeath?ThesetypesofafflictionsarealsotreatedinthePillarTemples,butnoteverytemplewillhaveapriestwithenoughskilltocareforthesediseases.Itwilltakesomeexplorationandinvestigationtofindoutwhichonescanoffertheseconvocations.MagicGuildIsthereamagicguildmyMagicUserbelongstoorthatIcanjoininordertogetmorespells?Thosewithmagicaltalents(arcaneanddivine)aresenteithertooneofthe2mainarcaneacademies,ortoamonasterytohonetheirskillsinmagicalarts.Theseareprestigiousinstitutionsandarethereforeveryexpensiveand/orverychoosyitishardtogetaplacethereandevenhardertokeepit.KnowledgeableNPCsWherecanIfindanalchemist,sageorotherexpertNPC?ManypeoplewithspecializedskillsorknowledgearefoundwithineachofthePillars.ThereisanalchemyguildintheRussetPillar,buttheirmembershiplistisguardedandtheydonotreadilyidentifythemselvesassuch.Sagesareseeminglyfoundeverywhere,butitissaidthatalltruesagesresideintheAureatePillar.MenforHireWherecanIhiremercenaries?EveryPillarhasanobleguardandastandingpillarguard.Mostablebodiedadultcitizensarepartofthevolunteermilitiawhichisonlycalledintoserviceifthepillarisundersiege.Mercenariescanbehiredfromtheranksoftheguard(standardforcheaperfees,withthenobleguardbeingmuchmorecostly).LawsoftheLandIsthereanyplaceonthemapwhereswordsareillegal,magicisoutlawedoranyothernotablehasslesfromJohnnyLaw?EachPillarhastheirownsetofrulesandlaws,butthemajorityofthemallowcitizenstocarryweaponswithoutpenalty.InthelargerPillarscastingmagicintheopenisillegalunlessapermithasbeenissued.ThisisagreatsourceofrevenuefortheCinerealPillar,whichisclosetooneofthearcaneacademiesandhasasteadyinfluxofyoungarcanetalentattemptingtoshowofftheirskillsinanattempttobenoticedbyofficialsfromthenearbyacademy.TavernsandInnsWhichwaytothenearesttavern?TavernsarealwaysonthelowerfloorsofmultistoryPillars.NotallPillarshavemultiplestoriesaboveground,andinthatcase,thetavernsareongroundlevel.


LocalOutdoorDangersWhatmonstersareterrorizingthecountrysidesufficientlythatifIkillthemIwillbecomefamous?SkyFrogsareextremelydangerousandtheybreedquicklysohavebecomeadangertoPillarresidents.Theyattackinmobs(anarmyofSkyFrogs)andhavebeenknowntodestroystonewiththeirpowerfultongues.KillingaSkyFrogQueenandtherebydispersingthehivewouldmakeyoualocalhero.MountainRopersoftensetupnexttowelltraveledpassagesjustoutsideofthePillarsonceagainprovidingachancetobecomealocalhero.BringingevidenceofslayingpowerfulcreaturesfromtheLowerlandsalwaysbringsgreatprestige.LargeScaleStrifeArethereanywarsbrewingIcouldgofight?RelationshipsbetweenPillarsaregenerallyamicableatthistime,withmostPillarsruledbyaroyalfamilywithgenerationsofpowerbehindtheRegent.Mostofthetroubleisduetoshrinkingrealestate.ManycitizensareclamoringforlandoftheirownorbetterconditionswithintheovercrowdedPillar.ThereisamovementofpeoplewhobelievethattheLowerlandscanberetakenandthepoorofthePillarscanmovebacktotheirancienthomelands.ThisdoesntsitwellwiththenoblesandrichmerchantsbecausetheeconomiesofthePillarsarebuiltonthebacksofthepoorandunskilled.IfthecheaplaborleavesthepoweroftheRegentsmayfalter.ThisconflictbrewsjustbelowthesurfaceandthePillarshavebeefeduptheguardforceagreatdealinthepastfewmonths.AretheLowerlandsreallysafe?TournamentsHowaboutgladiatorialarenascompletewithhardwongloryandfabulouscashprizes?EachPillarhasalocaltournamentandonceevery3yearslocalchampions(upto5fromeachPillar)competeintheStanchionTournament.Thenotorietyisgreat,butthecashprizescomewithstringsattached.SecretSocietiesArethereanysecretsocietieswithsinisteragendasIcouldjoinand/orfight?TheBlueShroudcontrolstheblackmarketofgoodsandinformation.TheCopperGuildisalooseorganizationofpoorbeggars(i.e.thievesandfighters)tryingtobegtheirwaytopowerandinfluence.TheGemReaversareaguildofminersthatpurportedlyhavetiestoFarisSiv,anevilnecromancerheldinthePitofLoathing,aformermineturnedprisoncomplexlocatedjustbelowthecloudlineneartheCinerealPillar.FoodWhatistheretoeataroundhere?MostmealscontainmeatintheformofHighGoatorCloudBoar.Severalvegetablesandedibleplantsgrowjustaboveorinthecloudlineofthemountainlandcommunities.HighendtavernsandinnswillalsoserveLowerlandfloraandfauna,whichsellforamuchhigherpriceduetothedangerousnatureofobtainingthegoodsandtherateatwhichtheyspoil.


AncientArtifactsAnylegendarylosttreasuresIcouldbelookingfor?Thereare3ancientplacesthathouseuntoldrichesandmagicalartifacts.TheseareHagranRockdale,theSpireofKradnickHills,andtheRuinsofFraywood.TheselocationsarefoundintheLowerlandsandaresaidtocontainvasttreasurehoards.Eachoftheselocationscontainsatleastonestoriedartifact.HargranRockdaleisanancientgnomishcraftworkshopnexttothecityofTimidFork,agnomesettlementnowinruins.ItisrumoredtohousegreattreasureincludingtheBarkofLogananartifactthatissaidtohavepropertiessimilartothefabledfountainofyouth.TheSpireofKradnickHillsisaruinedtemplethatsunkintothegroundwhenthehillsfinallysuccumbedtotheencroachingswamp.ThetemplewasaprovinggroundfortheHandsofJustice,agroupofpaladinswhofollowedtheteachingsofBrindaliatheWise,adevoutpaladinofNedenoe(BringerofLight;oneoftheoldgods).WithinthetempleruinissaidtoresttheRingofMitya,apowerfulmagicalpiecesaidtobringflighttodeservingwearers.HistoriansbelievethattheRuinsofFraywoodaretheremnantsofthefabledSeminaryofSaintAbdarandthattheMaskofHammancanbefounddeepwithintherubble.TheMaskcanonlybefoundandwornbythechosenone.Manyanadventurerhassoughtthemaskandneverreturned;scholarsshrugandconcludethattheseekermustnothavebeenthechosenone.Speculationaboundsregardingtheactualpowerofthemask,butmanybelieveittograntthepowertocontroldragons.TreasureHordesWhereisthenearestdragonorothermonsterwithTypeHtreasure?InthiscasetypeHisatruetreasurehoardwithpilesofcoinageandabundantmagicalitems.Itsnotexactlyclose,buttheLowerlandscontainaplacecalledLonelyFallintheQuiltedHills.ItissaidtobethehomeofGundisalvis,ahugeBrassDragonofindeterminateage.SinceBrassDragonsaresogreedyandthisoneissoold(youpresume,duetoitssize),onewouldexpecttofindavasthoardinitslair.FurtherFactsYouShouldKnowGettingLostGettinglostcangetyoukilledinthissetting.Youcanendupwanderinginarandomdirectionfordays.Beneaththecloudcoveryoucan'tusethesunorthestarsfornavigationpurposeslikeyouwouldinatraditionaloutdooradventure.


LowerlandCitiesThissettinginvertsthebasicideausedintraditionalfantasycampaignsettings.Usuallymountainsareroughandnearlyimpassableandtownsareyourrestingplace.Now,thetopsofmountainsaresaferthanthevalleybelowthepeak.Lowerlandcitiesmaybeplacesofhighdanger,horriblecorruption,andthehomesofpowerfulhorrors.Normallyinacityencounter,youhaveahighchanceofinteractingwithcivilizedfolkandhumanoidsofvarioustypes.EvenbeforethepeoplemoveduptotheMountainlandtherewerelotsofundeadincitiesitisspeculatedthatnecromancersarethecauseofthephantasmalcorruptionthatledtotheGreatMigrationuptheMountainlands.Inthissettingcitiesbelowthecloudlayerareruins,oldminesaredungeons,andoldtempleslongagorelinquishedtheirsacredgroundtothephantasmalcorruption.Itmakessensethat,duetotheconstantcloudcoverintheLowerlands,you'reneversafeundeadcreatureswhichwouldnormallyfearthesun.Itisrumoredthatthecitiesarefilledwithvampirelordsorpowerfulnecromancerswhokeeploathsomezombiesandunfortunatehumansastheirslaves.Itisrumoredthatanyonewhodiesbelowthecloudlineisraisedbythenecromancersandmustliveouttherestoftheirexistenceincold,undead,servitude.Lowerlandtownsandvillagesmaybethemostdangerousplacesintheworld.CastlesTheStatusofthecastlesisunclearatthispoint.Aslargefortifiedbuildings,itispossiblethattheyareevenmoredangerousthanthetownsandcities.However,therearerumorsthatatleastoneofthecastleshasbeentakenbyagroupofgoodclerics,andcouldthereforebeasafeplacetogointimeofneed.Whispersaboutthecastlessuggestthatthesegoodclericsareallpartofoneholyorderdedicatedtorecapturingthelandfromevil.ThisgroupiscalledthePaleMiter.RiversThesearetheareasonewouldtrytotravelnearinaregularsetting,butintheLowerlandstherivershaveabadreputation.Why?ForthepiratesThesearethemenwhohavebeenexiled(ascriminalsorenemiesoftheregents)fromtheMountainlands.Thatmeanstheyareforcedtostaybelowthecloudlayerandtheyareprobablygoingtotryandstayinthesafestareaspossibletherivers.Theymustekeoutanexistencebelowthecloudlayer.Thereisverylittleforthemtopreyuponintheworldunderthecloudlayersincecivilizedtradersandmerchantsremainabovetheclouds.Themajorityoflifeformsthepiratesencounterarebeastlyratherthanhuman.Theycanfindfoodonorneartheriversandremainrelativelysafewhilealsoterrorizing,oratleastkeepingtrackof,thingsmovingfromoneregiontoanother(trackingcrossrivertraffic).AerialCreaturesAsforflyingmonstersThereisnoreasonthatyouknowofforwhytheywouldntbeabletoflyabovethecloudlayerbutareonlyveryrarelyseenbyresidentsoftheMountainlands.Afterall,thereisamplefoodbelowthecloudlayerandtheycanruletheirdomainswithoutthegoodpeoplehuntingthem.


TheElevenPillarsandTheirSpecialtiesThepillarsarenamedforthepredominantcolorofthestonefacadewhenfirstconstructedthedifferingcolorsduetodifferentproportionsofminerals.EachPillarentrygivesinformationregardingthemajorrace(s),sizeofthepillar,anythingthepillarisknownfor,itsgenerallocation,andanyimportanttradeorvisitorinformation.

AureatePillar(hex0428)Regent:IosbailTepinThestoneusedtobuildtheAureatepillarhasahighproportionofLimoniteandFeldspar,givingthewallsagoldenyellowhueintherightlight,andleadingtothenameAureate,whichmeansgoldenorgilded.Thisisasmallpillarlocatedinthesouthwesternportionoftheregion.Thepopulationispredominantlyhuman.TheAureatePillarisknownfortheHouseofVellum,awellrespectedgroupofsagesandhistorians.TheHousemaintainsalarge,butprivatelibraryofhistoryandarcanetomes,scrolls,andcorrespondence.TheNaritMonastery,wheremanygotostudytherightsandceremoniesofSednaandFazl(twoofthemostpowerfulgodsofthepantheon)islocatedclosertothispillarthananyother.

CinerealPillar(hex1225)Regent:PeliasAtreosThestoneusedtobuildtheCinerealPillarismostlyhematite,givingitagrey,slatecolor.ThisisalargePillarlocatedinthesouthernportionoftheregionbetweenandEastoftheOnyxandAureatePillars.TheCinerealPillaristhelargestpillar,andapproximately1/3ofthepillarisunderground.Thisisalargemetropolitancitywithalargeanddiversepopulation.HumansandDwarvesformthemajority,butlargenumbersoftheothercivilizedracesalsoresideinthecity.


TheHovelArcana,thelargestarcaneacademy,islocatedneartheCinerealPillarandprospectivestudentsoftentraveltotheCinerealPillarinhopesofbeingacceptedtotheprestigiousschool.Becauseofthelargenumberofarcaneusersinthevicinity,castinginpublicwithoutapermitbringsexorbitantfinestoanyonewhogetscaught.Thisisasurprisinglylargesourceofincomeforthepillargovernment.TheCinerealPillarisalsohometotheGemReaversguild,aproudgroupofminerswhomonitorthegemandjewelrymarkets,ensuringstabilityoftheeconomyandtheminedareasoftheMountainlands.Thelargepopulationhasahighproportionofpoor,manyofwhomclaimmembershipintheCopperGuild,alooseorganizationofbeggarstryingtogaininfluence.TheCinerealPillarisalargeportcitythatexperiencesalotofmerchanttrafficandtradinghallsitisoneofonly3pillarsthatcanhostships(ViridianandQuartzbeingtheothertwo).JustbelowthecloudlinetotheSouthEastoftheCinerealPillaristhePitofLoathing,aformermineturnedprisoncomplex.ThiscomplexhousesthosethataredeemedtoopowerfulanddangeroustobeexiledtotheLowerlands.

CobaltPillar(hex2204)Regent:GwiltIsauraThestoneusedtoconstructtheCobaltPillarishighinyouguessedit,cobaltgivingthewallsadeepbluetint.ThisisasmallpillarlocatedintheNorthEasternedgeoftheregion.TheCobaltPillarisprimarilyinhabitedbyHalflingsandallbutthetoptwolevelsofthepillarareunderground.ThisistheshortestpillaranditsonlyclaimtofameisRonadetheDaunting,HighMasterofthelastStanchionTournament.TheHalflingswereaseafaringracebeforetheGreatMigrationandtheyhaveyettofindanothersuccessfultrade.TheirpopulationhasbeendwindlingforaslongasanyonecanremembersomuchsothatseveralofthelowerlevelsoftheCobaltPillarareempty.


EcruPillar(hex2011)Regent:LudavineTogusThispillarishighindolomite,providingawhiteorverylightbrownsheen.ItisasmallpillarlocatedtotheSouthandWestoftheCobaltandQuartzPillars.TheEcruPillarsuppliesmostofthehighqualitywoodusedbywainwrights,wheelwrights,andcarpenters.ThepopulationispredominantlyHalfElvenandHuman.Theytravelbelowthecloudlineinlargetreeharvestingparties.ThewoodisthensenttotheGambogeandQuartzPillarstobeworked.

GambogePillar(hex1613)Regent:LenzVkmosThispillarisadeepyellowishbrown,accountedforbythetypeofironintherockofthismountainrange.ThispillarislocatedtotheSouthoftheEcruandViridianPillars.TheGambogePillarhasatradingagreementwiththeTreeHarvestersoftheEcruPillar,whodeliverthefinesthighqualityrawwoodtotheCarpentersandWainwrightsGuildlocatedintheGambogePillar.

MalachitePillar(hex0413)Regent:OksarBalchThistallgreenPillarhasnumerousgreenbandsdecoratingitssurfaceduetotheMalachiteintherocksusedtoconstructthecity.ThisisamediumpillarlocatedNorthoftheAureatePillarandSouthoftheRussetPillar.Thispillarsitsinthecenterofanareawithsomeofthemostfertilegrazingandplantinglandoftheentireregion.Thepillaritselfissurroundedbyasprawlingagriculturalareaconsistingofseveralsmallhamletsandthorps.TheMalachitePillarisalsoknownforitsHighLiveryTheaterTroupe,whichstartedasagroupoftravelingjestersprovidingentertainmentforfarmersandherders,andhasbecomeapremierschoolofdramaandtragedy.


OnyxPillar(hex0920)Regent:ThannosKiolTheDwarvesoftheOnyxPillarpridethemselvesintheirabilitytorunaselfsufficientcity.Thoughtheywelcomeanyonetravelingthrough,theyhavebecomewearyoftherabblerousersontheirwaytotheCinerealpillarandhavecrackeddownonanytroublemakers.ThelawsintheOnyxPillararethemostrestrictiveofanypillarand,oflate,thepillarhasbeengettinglotsofrefugeesfromlargercitiesthosejustlookingforaplacetoearnadecentlivingandnotbebotheredbyothers.SofarThannosKiol,theDwarvenRegent,hasbeentolerant(andsometimesalmostkind)totheseimmigrants,buttheDwarvenpopulationspatienceiswearingthin.TheOnyxPillarislocatedjustnorthoftheCinerealPillar.

QuartzPillar(hex2407)Regent:HevelOysinTheresidentsoftheQuartzPillarhaveagreementswiththeEcruandGambogePillarsintheinterestofcraftinghighqualitygoodstoselltotheViridianPillar.TheQuartzPillarisasmallpillarwithapredominantlyhumanpopulation.Thispillarboaststhemosthighlytraveledpopulationasthemerchantsmanageshipmentsandbringtogethergoodsandservices,providingthemtotheViridianPillarinperson,havingtraveledthroughtheother5closestpillars.Thisisthesmallestpillartohaveaportforcloudships.

RussetPillar(hex0404)Regent:AnderaPallalThisisalargepillarbutitdoesntboastametropolitanpopulationcentersimilartotheViridianandCinerealPillars.TheRussetPillarissprawling,butwithstrictlyenforcedlaws.Thispillaristheseatoftwoimportantguilds,theGuildofAlchemists,whichconductsitsbusinessunderashroudofsecrecy,andtheGlassBlowersForge,whichismuchmoreopenaboutthegoingsonintheguildhallandbeyond.


SiennaPillar(hex1602)Regent:DonigKenvinThistinypillaristhefamilyhomeofClancySharar,merchantextraordinaireandpurveyoroffinegoodstotherestoftheworld.ShararrunshisbusinessoutoftheQuartzPillarbecauseoftheportlocatedthere,buthesendsmuchofhisprofithometotheSiennaPillar,whichnowhousesthelargestandrichestbankoftheregion.TheSiennaPillaristheleastknownofthepillars.

ViridianPillar(hex1210)Regent:OrmenusThoasThislargegreenhuedpillaristheseatofpowerfortheentireeasternhalfoftheregion.ItisthehomeofLordThoas,regentandthemostprosperousruler(nobleman)ofallthepillars.Hehas,asavizier,apowerfulmage(ErazemtheSceptor).LordThoascontrolsthewealthof4otherpillars,givinghimahandintheirpoliticalcontrol,theyinclude;Gamboge,Ecru,Quartz,andCobalt.TheViridianPillarissimilartotheCinerealPillarithasalargediversepopulation,issimilarinsize,hasabusyport,andevenhasanarcaneacademynearby.ThelawsherearelessstringentthantheCinerealPillar,andtheportionofthepopulationthatispoorishigher.TheGloamingHouseisthenameofthesecond

arcaneacademy,anditboastsErazemtheSceptorasitsmostfamousalum.

PlayersMapsMapoftheMountainlandswithminimalexploredLowerlandhexesTheScaleandSize1hex=5miles;themapis3030hexes,makingthetotalareaapproximately22,500squaremiles.


TerrainRememberthatallbutthehighestpartsofthemountainrangesarenormallysubjecttoconstantcloudcover,soasyouarelookingatamapfromabovethecloudline,mostoftheLowerlandssimplyshowclouds.MostoftheLowerlandsonthemapareunchartedterritoryforthecharactersbecausetheyhaventbeenmappedoutbythepopulace.ThePillarsareonthemap,andintheLowerlandsyouseeoneoldtown/village,asingletemple,andanotedruin.ThisistheinformationthathasbeengleanedfrommappingexpeditionsfundedbysomeofthePillars(somepillargovernmentsrefusetofundsuchexpeditions).ThispatchworkfundingofexpeditionsiswhyyouseesomepillarswitharelativelylargeamountofmappedLowerlandterritoryandsomewithbasicallynomappedLowerlandterritory.Hereisakey,thoughsomeoftheseyoudonotseeonthemapbecausetheyhavenotbeenexploredyet:BridgesYouwillnoticeseveralthinbrownlinesconnectingthemountainrangesonwhichthePillarsareplacedthesearetheancientbridges.Yes,footbridges.ThecurrentresidentsofthePillarsdontknowwhobuiltthebridgesorhowtheyaremaintained.Thelongestofthesebridgesspansthe15milegapbetweentherangeshousingtheMalachitePillarandtheRussetPillar.


MapofGeneralPillarStructureThePillarsallfollowthesamegeneralplanthatofalargetower.Eachpillarhascertainquirks,differentnumbersoffloors,anddifferentproportionsunderground.Therearealsodifferentoverallsizesanddifferentpopulations.Theoutsidewallsaremadeofstonetakenfromnearbymountainsandareatleast5feetthickonallfloorsabovegroundlevel.Mostpillarshave3floorsunderthegroundlevel.Thelargestpillarshavebetween7and10floorsabovetheground.Floorheightvariesbetween8and12feet,dependingonthepillar.Therearewatchmensfootpathsandlookoutstationsaroundthesmallerupperlevels.HereisagenericprofileofthestandardPillarstructure:Inside,eachfloorhasnumeroussupportcolumnstobeartheweightoftheupperfloors.Thestoresandbuildingsonthelowerlevelsaremadeofstoneandarebuiltrightintothetower.Ontheupperfloorsthebuildingsincorporatemorewoodandreed,andotherlighterthanstonebuildingmaterials.Therearenowindowsinthepillarsexceptontheupperlevels(above2nd).Itisnosurprisethattheupperfloorsusuallyhavewealthyresidentsandthelower,lesscomfortablefloorshousethepoor.


CivilizedRacesHumanHumansareaproudraceinthissetting,andmenandwomenfromallhumannationshavesurvivedtheGreatMigrationandthrivedintheMountainlands.Theyareoftenreveredaswiseandhonorablebytheothercivilizedraces.Theiroverallpopulationhasseenthebiggestincreaseofanyotherrace,makingthemthemostcommonraceontheplanet.TheycanbefoundineveryPillar.DwarfDwarvesinthissettingareanoldrace,possiblytheoldest.Thebulkoftheirpopulationisrathersecludedandpreferstoremaininsular,residingprimarilyintheOnyxPillar.RumorsofadarkskinnedraceofdwarvesthatlivedeepintheearthareoftentoldbythosethatarebigotedagainsttheDwarvenfolk.ThesedarkskinnedonestookpartintheancientPlagueWarandsupposedlyusheredinthePhantasmalCorruptionwhichledtotheGreatMigration.Oflate,aonceforgottenwarbetweenDwarvesandHalfOrcshasreignited.TheancienthatredofthesetworacestowardeachotherwasputasideduringtheGreatMigration,butrecentunrestseemstoindicatearesurgenceofanimosity.CommonDwarveswillnotabidebythepresenceofaHalfOrcintheirMountainlandsandthefeelingismutual.Manyofthecivilizedraces,whenforcedtodecide,choosetosidewiththeDwarves.ElfandHalfElfThereismuchanimositybetweenthesetworaces.TheHalfElves,thoughdescendedfromthepairingofahumanmaleandelvenfemale,believetheyarethegreaterracebecausetheyhavenoneofthephysicalfragilityofelvesandtheyinheritedtheingenuityofhumans.TheElvesconsidertheHalfElvesataintedraceandbelievethemselvesabovethebaserhubrisandhedonisticbehaviorofHalfElves.TheElvessufferedgreatlossesbeforetheGreatMigration,resultinginmanymoreHalfElvesthanElvesintheworldnow,buttherearestillafairnumberofElves.TheRussetPillarhasthehighestproportionofElveswithinitswalls,andrumorhasitthattheymakeupthemajorityofthemembersofthealchemistsguild.TheyalsoresideintheCinerealandViridianPillarsinabundanceduetothetwoarcaneacademiescloseby.GnomeGnomeswereonceabundantintheworld,buttheirpopulationwasdevastatedduringtheancientPlagueWarandnotmanyofthemsurvivedtheonslaughtofthePhantasmalCorruptionandtheGreatMigration.Theirpopulationishavingahardtimerecovering.Thegnomeshaveforgedstrongfriendshipswiththedwarves,beingtheonlymajorcivilizedracethatdoesnotautomaticallygarnerscornorsuspicionfromthestoutdwarves.


HalflingHalflingsaregenerallythoughttobecreatedbythecrossbreedingofdwarvesandhumans.Itisonlyrecentlythattheyhavebeenconsideredtheirownrace.ThisisduetoPiergoMoran,apowerfulHalflingwizardwhohelpedstaveofftheonslaughtofthePhantasmalCorruption,givingtimetotheelvesandseveralhumansettlementstojointheGreatMigration.Moransbravedeedsendedinhisdeath,butheisreveredbyallHalflingsandhasbroughtfavortotheirrace.Theyareslowlybecomingmorecommonamongthecivilizedfolk.TheyaretheonlyracethattheElvesdontautomaticallysuspectofselfishmotives.HalfOrcHalfOrcsaredescendedfromthepairingofamaleDwarfandfemaleOrc,thoughneitherracewilladmititisso.HalfOrcpopulationsaresprinkledthroughouttheElevenPillars,withtheexceptionoftheOnyxPillarwhichbansthemfromthepremises.ThehighestpopulationscanbefoundintheCinerealandMalachitePillars,buttheyreallyhavenoplacetocalltheirown.BeforetheGreatMigration,HalfOrcshadabadreputationaspiratesandbrigandsareputationwhichtheyhavebeenworkinghardtochange.Thoughtheyhaveapoorreputationamongcommonfolk,manygroupswhomaketheirlivingfishingthemountainlakesknowtheHalfOrcsasskillednavigators,excellentsailors,andverygoodfishermen.JustasDwarveswillnotabidebythepresenceofaHalfOrc,theHalfOrcshaveasimilarfeelingregardingDwarvesitisexceedinglyuncommontoseeaDwarfandHalfOrcinthesameroom(thoughthereareexceptions,butmostcommonfolkwouldnotbelieveitso).PantheonofNewGodsThecivilizedpeopleoftheElevenPillarsliveinapantheisticsociety.Theyworshipthegodshopingtogarnerfavor,luck,orprosperitybypleasingasmanygodsandgoddessesastheycan.Theydonotbelieveingodswhocomedownandtakeamortalform,buttheydobelievethatthegodshaveahandinthefatesofmortals(ifthegodsochooses),andtheybelieveindivineintervention.Herearethe7primarygodsofthepantheonandthreespecificgodsofthedemihumanraces.Sedna,LordoftheMountainsAlignment:LawfulGoodSymbol:Atrianglewithahorizontallineabout1/4thewaydown(representsthecloudline)SednaistheGodoftheEarth,GiverofKnowledge,ArbiterofCivilization,BringerofWealth,andBastionofStrength.Heisworshippedbyallaschiefgod,andwhenpeoplefeelwrongedorignoredbyothergods,theylooktoSednatograntthemredemptionintheeyesoftheothergods.TemplestoSednaoftenfeatureceremoniesthatincludepassingarounddirtthathasbeenblessedbythepriestsandrepresentsthepowerofSednaovertheearth.


Abiel,GoddessofThunderAlignment:NeutralSymbol:AlightningboltAbielistheGoddessinchargeoftheWeather,andanytimethereisanunusuallyhotday,thepeoplepraythatshebringsrainafterthesunsothatthecropswillgrow.ShealsoholdsswayoverTime,theLuckoftheStars,theMoon,andNaturalChange.Agriculturalbounty,mildseasons,fulllakes,thebirthanddeathoffoodanimalsareallunderthepurviewofAbiel.TemplestoAbielaretheonlyoneswhichareoftenbuiltoutsideofthePillar.Theyareopenairbuildingswithlotsofcolumnscarvedintotreeshapesandnoproperroof.ThepriestsandpriestessesofAbielproffertheirsermonsandceremoniesonaplatforminthemiddleofthestructure.Ifastormbeginsinthemiddleoftherites,thepriestorpriestessmuststayinthetempleuntilthestormpassescompletely.Kusti,GodofAngerAlignment:LawfulEvilSymbol:Arectanglesplitintothreeequalparts,themiddleonedarkened,butwithaholeinitKustiistheLordofAgony,SowerofDeath,andSireofSuffering.Heisthesourceofalldisease,tyranny,anddestruction.Inpractice,Kustiissimplythescapegoatforalltheillsintheworldperceivedbythepeople.Yousustainaninjury,Kustiistauntingyou.Youfallillwithanunknownsickness,Kustiismetingouthisjusticeonyou.TheresponseofthepopulacerangesfromtheafflictedonesbeingsogoodthatKustimustpunishthemtotheafflictedonesdeservingitfortheirpoorbehavior.TherearenoopentemplestoKusti,butrumorsaboundthatoneofthepillarscontainsatruetempletotheLordofAgonyanditisadarkanddirtyplacefilledwiththebonesofthesacrificed.Ofcourse,whereveryouhearthis,itisalwaysadifferentpillarthathassuchavileplace.Kustiissaidtobeworshippedbytheminionsofthedarkandignorantcreaturesoftheworld,especiallythosethatemploymethodssuchaskidnapping,slaving,ambushing,andnastytrickery.


Lanno,LadyofScalesAlignment:ChaoticGoodSymbol:Acirclewithahalo(sunshaped)Lannoisthemasterofknowledgeandfindingpeaceinknowingallthings.Sheisreveredbythosewhodelightinknowledgeforknowledgessake;especiallyinhistory,includingmysticalarcana,religioushistory,aswellasnaturalhistoryandecology.Theorigins,rites,andceremoniesofmostofthedeitiesofthenewreligioncanbetracedfairlyeasily,butthatisnotthecasewithLanno.Hermoniker,LadyofScales,canbeinterpretedmultiplewaysandsheissometimesshownwithasetofscales,andothertimesshownashavingscalesonherbody.ManybelievethatLannoisresponsibleforthearcanepoweroftheworld,shedrawsthepowerfromfateitself,andthatwithoutLanno,therewouldbenoarcanepower.Ceremoniesalwaysincludearcanemagicandthepriestsareskilledmages.Fazl,LordofLakesAlignment:NeutralGoodSymbol:AcirclewithaplussigninthemiddleInanefforttofeedandprotecttheinhabitantsoftheMountainlands,Fazlcreatedlakeshighinthemountains.Heissaidtobeapowerfulcombatant,tohavenopatiencefordisobedience,andtopunishthosethatdonotadhere(intheirheartofhearts)tothelawsthathehassetpunishablebycropfailureandsickness.Heisreveredbyallmanneroffishermen,farmers,andherders,andwellasdockworkers,shipbuilders,navigators,andastronomers.Heoffershisfollowersabundance,openlakes,freedom,andprotectionfromnaturalbeasts.RitesattheTempleofFazlareoftenfeaststhatincludefishandrootvegetables.Fisheggsaresacred,alongwithyounganimals,whicharenevertobehuntedoreaten.Matfey,LordofGrowthAlignment:NeutralGoodSymbol:AsaplinggrowingoutofananvilIfFazlisthepunishinggodofmountainlakes,Matfeyisthebenevolentgodofmountainfields.Helooksafterthecropsandbringsforthnewgrowthfromplantedseeds.HeistheBringerofLife,CreatorofPlants,andLoverofHope.Heisalsothepatrongodofcreators,suchascarpenters,wainwrights,blacksmiths,andartists,alongwithothercraftsmen.InthefirstfewdecadesaftertheGreatMigration,Matfeyrosetoprominenceasoneofthemostimportantgodsashewasresponsibleforthegrowthofcropsnecessarytofeedthebeleagueredpopulace.TheceremoniesofMatfeyincludeapromisetoplantnewtreesandcropstoreplenishthesupply.


Ness,SealerofDealsAlignment:ChaoticNeutralSymbol:AsquarewithadaggerstickingintothesidefromtheleftNessisaloverofriskandexcess.Hethriveswheretemptationleadsonetocommitactsofhighrisk.Heisthepatrongodofgamblersandtraders,andpossiblyhasthelargestfollowingasheislookedtoforprotectionbypotionmakers,inventors,assassins,shopkeepers,tavernmasters,merchants,andtravelingcaravaneers.AnythingwithriskandrewardinvolvedisamagnetforfollowersofNess.Heisalsoembracedbythievesguilds,corruptpoliticiansandroyalty,andwhimsicaljesters.Hyrker,PatronGoddessofHalflingsAlignment:NeutralSymbol:Acoinwithabox,abarrel,andamugHyrkeristheKeeperoftheSmallOnes,BreakerofBread,andPurveyorofLuckfortheHalflingrace.SheisknowntohelpoutaneedyHalflinginapinch,butsometimesexactsaharshrepayment.Sheisthusworshippedinearnestandwithgreatfaith,butsheisalsofeared.Eord,PatronGodoftheElvesAlignment:LawfulGoodSymbol:AsheepinsilhouetteEord(pronouncedyerd)istheancient,genderlessgodoftheforest.EordisnotonlythepatronofElves,butisalsoworshippedbytrackers,traders,hunters,naturelovers,manyfarmersthatholdlivestock,andanimaltrainers.ThereisalargebreakintheElvishcommunitycausedbynewinterpretationsoftheWillofEord.AlargeportionofthepopulationbelievesthatEordwantstheElvestoreclaimtheirancienthomelandsbytravelingintotheLowerlandsandsettlingintheforeststhere.Fallow,PatronGodoftheDwarvesAlignment:NeutralSymbol:AnanvilwithflamesbehinditTheDwarvesmaintainthatFallowistheAllFather,theGodofGods,andtheprogenitorofallcivilizedlife.TheybelieveDwarvestobetheoldestrace,andthereforethetrueleadersoftheraces.ThisteachingwasbolsteredwhentheGreatMigrationbroughteveryoneuptothemountains,theDwarvesancestralbirthplace.TheDwarvesareskilledminers,tinkers,armorsmiths,blacksmiths,engineers,builders,jewelers,jewelrymakers,andtraders.Theyareratherarrogantandlookuponotherracesaschildren,oftenpatronizingthemeventhoughtheyrespectthemagreatdealtheydobelieveinbeingpolite,eventochildren.TemplestoFallowonlyallowDwarvestoenter,andsotheirceremoniesandritesareprivate.


GMsSectionMapoftheElevenPillarsLowerlandRegion


RedXsarespecificlocationstobekeyedusinghexcrawltables/guidelines.Thesetablesandguidelinesareforthcoming,butarenotreadyforpublicationyet.Thismapusesthesamebasickeyastheplayersmaponpage15:LowerlandsRegionsCinerealMarshTheregionjusttothesouthandeastoftheCineralPillarcontainsafewmilesofhillsthatgivewaytoaneverencroachingmarshland.TheancientnameofthisregionislosttotimesomostofthecurrentresidentsoftheworldrefertoitastheCinerealMarsh.Thisareawasmentioned,thoughnotbyname,inmyoriginalpostasthelocationoftheSpireofKradnickHills,wherealegendarylosttreasurecanpossiblybefound.Hereistheinitialinformation:TheSpireofKradnickHillsisaruinedtemplethatsunkintothegroundwhenthehillsfinallysuccumbedtotheencroachingswamp.ThetemplewasaprovinggroundfortheHandsofJustice,agroupofpaladinswhofollowedtheteachingsofBrindaliatheWise,adevoutpaladinofNedenoe(BringerofLight;oneoftheoldgods).WithinthetempleruinissaidtoresttheRingofMitya,apowerfulmagicalpiecesaidtobringflighttodeservingwearers.FindingtheRingofMityamay,infact,bethefirstmajorquestofthecampaign.TheCinerealPillarisclosetooneofthearcaneacademiesandisapopulardestinationforthosewhowishtotradearcanesecretsorsellthosespellcomponentsgatheredonthelastoutingintotheLowerlands.Sowhatdoesamarshlooklikeinthissetting?Onceagainitseemsweshouldrunintoastrange,otherworldlysetoffloraandfauna,butitisntasstrangeasyoumaythink.RememberthatbeingbelowconstantcloudcoverdoesntmeanNOsun,itjustmeanslessdirectsunlight.Afterall,ahumanonearthcangetasunburnevenonanovercastday.Thatmeansthattheleafyplantsandmarshgrassesthatgrowinthisregionwillgetsun,butitwillbeasifunderaconstantheavyshadetree.Thereforethegrasseswilltendtohavewidebladesandanyleafyplantwilltendtohavethinandwideleaves.Theamplewaterwillallowthemtogrowtallandstiffly,andIcanseethingslikecattails,sedges,reeds,andlotsoffloatersandpondweeds.Thegroundwillbesoggyandsometimesmuddyduetotheconstantstateofwatersaturationintheregion.Nowoodytreesorshrubswillbethere,butswampferns(fernswithlarge,thinfronds)andbogbushes(nonwoodybushstyleplants)willbeplentiful.Ontheoutskirtsofthemarshlotsofrootvegetableswillgrow,thrivingontheabundantwaterandthenutrientrunofffromthenearbyhills.


TheBogFrillanditsKinOneofthemoreviciousandstealthypredatorsintheCinerealMarshistheBogFrill(seethepictureatthebeginningofthepost).Bogfrillsareaquaticpredatorswhoseintricategillsystemallowthemtoeasilyswimthroughmudandalgaeladenbodiesofwater.Theircolorrangesfrombluegreytomottledbrownandtheyexhibitaslightchangeinskincolorwhenmovingintoareaswithdifferentmudoralgaecontent,providinganaturalcamouflage.Theyusuallyhuntaloneandhavebeenknowntoslideoutofthewatertoattackavictimonthebankofaslowmovingbogriverormarshpool.Thesedangerouscreaturescangrowupto5feetinlengthandveryoldonescanhaveamouthgapeofupto3feet.Thislargegapeisduetotheflexiblehingesontheirjawsthatallowthemtoswallowtheirpreywhole.BogFrillsarereportedtobeomnivorous,buttheirmanyfacetedteeth,whichbranchandspiralinwardinmultiplerows,allowfleshtobetrappedonceitgoesin,itisntmeanttocomeout.Theseteetharebuiltforcarnivorousefficiency,butscholarsdonotagreeonthisanimalseatinghabits.BogFrillsaredistantlyrelatedtoCloudEels,whichliveandhuntinthecloudlayer.CloudEelsaresmallerandlessnumerousthantheirLowerlandcousins,butstillverydangerous.CloudEelgillsarenotaslargeordeveloped,buttheirteetharenearlyidenticaltotheBogFrill.RandomEncountersintheCinerealMarshApartytravelingnearorthroughtheCinerealMarshmusttakecaretonotmuddyupthewaterthattendstoattracttheBogFrill,whosesensescanpickuponalargeanimalmovingthroughthemarshuptoamileaway.TheonlymajorintelligenthumanoidcreaturethatmakesitshomeintheCinerealMarshisapopulationoflizardmen.Theyclaimallofthemarshastheirterritory,butdonotactivelypatrolsincenoothercreaturetriestoimpingeontheirland.PlentyofothercreaturesliveintheMarshtofindoutifanyareencountered,rollforwanderingmonstersasnormalifanencounterisindicated,roll3d6andconsulttheCinerealMarshWanderingMonstertablebelow:


TheFraywoodInalandwherethereisconstantcloudcover,onewouldexpectthatplantswhichtraditionallyneedsunlighttosurvivemayoperateabitdifferently.ThatistrueoftheFraywood.Thislargeforestismadeoftalltreeswhicharehybridsbetweentraditionalwoodyplantsandmorefleshyfungalspeciesi.e.acrossbetweenregulartreesandmushrooms.Thesetallhybridshaveevolvedintomanydifferentspecies,somemorecloselyresemblesconifers(bearconesforreproductionandalwayshaveleavesorneedles)andsomearecompletelydeciduous(losetheirleavesduringoneortwoseasonsoftheyear).MostoftheshorterbushesandplantsfoundintheFraywoodareeithercompletelyfungalinnatureoraresomevariationonthehybridwoody+fungustype.Thereareveryfewnaturallyoccurringallwoodyplants.Ofcourse,normaloozes,slimemolds,andlichensarealsopresent.Thisforestisawetter,colder,darkerforestthanatraditionaloldgrowthortropicalforest,anditisobviousassoonasthePCsenterthearea.Theflooroftheforestisspongywithmossesandpuddlesofstandingwaterarecommon.Thetreesareofvaryingheights,butthecanopyisthickandmanylayeredduetothecapsofthetrees(remember,thesearemoremushroomlikethantraditionaltrees,andsohavecapsratherthanleafycanopies).ThetypesofanimalsthatarelivinginandtravelingthroughtheFraywoodaresimilartowhatwouldnormallybefoundinatraditionalforestherdsofungulates(e.g.deer,pigs),smallermammals(e.g.squirrels,raccoon,foxes,andbadgers),andlargermammals(e.g.monkeys,sloths,wolves,largecats),thoughtheywillbeslightlydifferentduetosomeobviousdietarychanges.Themajordifferencesmaybeinthebirdlifeandinsectsfoundinthefungalforests.Ants,Termites,andBeetleswillbethemostnumerousinsectsandthereforebirds(andmammals)thateatthesetypesofinsectswillalsobefoundinlargepopulations.Insectsinthisregiongrowlargerthannormal,withmanyspeciesbeingtrulygiant.


TheMisnefAtthetopofthefoodchainintheFraywoodaretheMisnefs.Misnefsarethinhumanoidcreaturesthatstandbetween6.5and7feettall.TheskinofaMisnefrangesfromalightbrown/creamcolortoadeeperreddishhue.Theyhavegrotesquelylonglegs,shortstubsforarms,andgillsringingtheirelongatednecks.Thoughthesemushroomstylegillsarenotusuallyfoundonnonplants,thesehumanoidsare,biologicallyspeaking,fullymammalian.Theircolorationandshapeprovidethemwithnaturalcamouflageastheyblendinwiththeirsurroundingsverywell.Theyareintelligent,patientpredatorswhostalktheirpreyinsilentgroups.Theysitintheirhuntinggroundsandwaitpatiently(sometimesforhourswithoutmoving)foranappropriatepreyitemtocomealong,afterwhichtheystalkitforseveralhoursbeforefinallyapproachingthevictim.TheMisnefhuntingpartyambushesitspreysoquicklyandsilentlythatthepoorcreaturehardlyhastimetoreact.TheMisnefsuffocatesitspreywithitsneckgillsasitusesitssharpteethtopunctureitspreysskinandsoakupthelifefluidsofthevictim.ThoughtheMisnefisanomnivorousspecies,mostofitsdietisderivedfromtheproteinaceousfleshofforestanimals.Alongwithbeingextremelyintelligent,Misnefsarefiercelyterritorial.Theymarktheirtribalterritorieswithmediumsizedobelisksmadeofapetrifiedfungusmaterialbuffeduptoaheartyshine.Itisnotunusualtoseetwoobeliskswithslightlydifferentshapes,colors,orsymbolsrightnexttoeachotheronemarkingtheendofoneterritoryandtheothermarkingthebeginningofasecondterritory.Misnefssometimesuseinsectpheromonestotraingiantgnatsorbeetlestoremainclosetotheobelisks,actingasveritableguardanimalsforthetribesterritory.Misnefslairunderground,withtheexternalentrancedoublingasaburialmoundforthedeadofthetribe.Misnefssendindividualscoutstopatrolandchecktheterritorymarkers,butwhilehuntingtheytravelinpacksof312.RandomEncountersintheFraywoodApartytravelingwithintheboundariesofaMisneftribeterritoryduringthedayhavea20%chanceofencounteringaMisnefhuntingpartyanda10%chanceofencounteringasolitaryMisnefpatrollingtheborder.Misnefdonotpatrolatnight.IfaMisnefisnotencountered,rollforwanderingmonstersasnormalifanencounterisindicated,roll3d6andconsulttheFraywoodForestRandomEncountertablebelow:


ViridianPillarRegionalMapHereisamapoftheMountainlandregionaroundtheViridianPillar:

Table of ContentsCredit Where Credit is Due

THE WORLD20 Questions about the Eleven Pillars SettingReligionMarkets and ShopsMonsters in TownStrong MageStrong FighterStrong WealthMagical HealingDiseaseMagic GuildKnowledgeable NPCsMen for HireLaws of the LandTaverns and InnsLocal Outdoor DangersLarge Scale StrifeTournamentsSecret SocietiesFoodAncient ArtifactsTreasure Hordes

Further Facts You Should KnowGetting LostLowerland CitiesCastlesRiversAerial Creatures

The Eleven Pillars and Their SpecialtiesAureate PillarCinereal PillarCobalt PillarEcru PillarGamboge PillarMalachite PillarOnyx PillarQuartz PillarRusset PillarSienna PillarViridian Pillar

Players MapsMap of the Mountainlands with minimal explored Lowerland hexesMap of General Pillar Structure

Civilized RacesHumanDwarfElf and HalfElfGnomeHalflingHalfOrc

Pantheon of New GodsSednaAbielKustiLannoFazlMatfeyNessHyrkerEordFallow

GMs SectionMap of the Eleven Pillars Lowerland RegionLowerlands RegionsCinereal MarshThe Fraywood

Viridian Pillar Regional Map

Eleven Pillars Setting Guide for RPGMusings [EXAMPLE[

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