(Pathfinder) Hannibal Campaign: A Riddle of Erden

[danjvelker]

This thread may be periodically updated as the campaign progresses. Consider it a repository for what's going on. The roadmap of my vision is:

• Create a primer for the setting.
• Create a list of player characters.
• Maintain an updated list of NPCs.
• Include a map.
• Include lore for the setting.
• Include a quest tracker.
• Have periodic updates of "the story so far."

SETTING

The campaign is set in the world of Sagea, which comprises the mainland continent of Erden and the island archipelago of Utrecht. The players will begin in Utrecht, in the windswept hills and pine forests where the Shepherds dwell in harmony with the Clans.

Men and Elfs and Dwarfs all live together in relative harmony on the mainland. On the islands, there is a tenuous peace between Men and the Shepherds, a race of giant people who tend to flocks of forests. Of halflings and gnomes, little is known - but they are regarded as a harmless curiosity. Orcs and half-orcs are barely tolerated, while all the lesser races are detested and attacked on sight, with rare exceptions.

There are many friends and foes to be encountered in the lands of Sagea. There are the Shepherds, gentle giants with tremendous hearts for nature; the bann-sidhe and leanne-sidhe, vicious and tempestuous spirits who ride on moonless autumn midnights; the terrifying draghemoth, who breathes fire and devours steel; and the fey-elementa, forces of nature which manifest as nymphs (wind and water), golems (stone and fire), and dryads (earth and wood) who guard their domains jealously.

There are five kings, five kingdoms, and five foes in Sagea. In the Utrecht archipelago, the Mariner-king keeps the sea in check; and the Fell-king threatens his kingdom with all the temper of her winds and waves. In bitter Kaedlor to the north, the Summit-king keeps the peace of ice and thaw, which is constantly threatened by the advances of the Bittermourne-king from his frozen wastes. In gentle Oberheim, the Oxen-king guards his thousand quiet hills; but the Flame-king longs to burn all the good green things therein. The nobles of Aedvir obey the wisdom of the Barding-king, and peace has been held under generations of his rule, though the Witch-king wishes the destruction of all knowledge, all tomes and all scrolls, and of every last riddle. Greatest of all is Caemell in the east, Courant in the west; and they are ruled by the Riddling-king, to whom knowledge has been given over every rhyme, riddle, and curious thing. But the greatest kingdom has the greatest foe: the Shadow-king lies just across the Pyrenes Mountains, and only the great power of Caemell holds him back from the destruction of all that is free and good.

Destiny belongs to those who seek it. Be brave, be bold, and no power against you will stand.

CHARACTERS
This will be updated as more characters are met.

PLAYER CHARACTERS (PCs)

• Caleb - Druid/Hunter.
• Wade - Cleric.
• Nathan - Fighter.
• Jordan - Samurai.
• Charles - Swiss Army Wizard.

NON-PLAYER CHARACTERS (NPCs)

• Yarrow Ilan. Works at the inn; has work for newcomers. Check with him to get started.
• Thane Jarre. His family has held the island fortress Seahold for generations against raiders.
• Bjarmir of None. A lone Shepherd whose flock has strayed far from its natural courses.

HOSTILE CHARACTERS (HCs)

• The Fell-king. King of lichs, curses, and drowned ones. Dwells in caverns beneath the waves.
• The Greyman; the Liath-Mor. A creature cursed to undying nights, that roams the upper hills.
• Aelfrygg Seaborn. Leader of a clanless band that are stationed in a treacherous region of sea.

[danjvelker]

This is the map we will be using for the campaign. It paints in broad strokes - meaning that everything you can see, you can visit; but the blank spaces are not necessarily empty. Exploring will always reward the party: you may find dungeons, ruins, castles and villages, hidden secrets or treasures, and more!

- The Utrecht Isles are west of Erden. While the islands Arfod, Ynysborn and Morborn all rightly claim their independence, they all pay homage to the Chief Jarl who sits in Hjalborn's mead-hall. The four clans (Halfsmund, Iliar, Opalheim, Ulfhar) are wild and brave, and can never seem to agree on anything - unless it is to unite against a common foe. One such foe inhabits the Fell Keep to the south, nearer to the Edge-of-the-World than any but the bravest men dare to sail.

- Oberheim is in the south of Erden. The capital city is Dungerg, while its chief trading city Oberwald lies a little to the north over the river Runn, in the Waldbannforst. Goslenburg du Tur is its chief stronghold in the western marshes. The citizens of Oberheim love and respect their animals and forests, though that does not stop them from riding their horses into battle. The Flame Keep lies to the south, near the borders of the Great Desert, where no creature can live for long.

- Aedvir is Erden's central kingdom. Its capital city, Aedgard, is the busiest port in a thousand miles. Amalgard is its chief fortress, and Aedsind sits on the borders of the Arbre forest. Faravel du Lak is hidden in the mountains, and is often the recipient of some unwelcome magical troubles! Theudlind is an independent vassal state north of the river Nar. The people of Aedvir value learning above all else, though the doom of the sea weighs heavily upon their grey hearts. The Witching Keep is guarded by the Grey Towers to the north and the east.

- Kaedlor lies in the bitter north. Its capital city is Kaer Triss, which gained its riches from the gemstones and precious metals mined in the Pyrenes Mountains. Nun is a little south of the snowier regions, but Ked is thoroughly frozen year-round. The people of Kaedlor are hardy and tough, though they are not without mercy; they are a people mostly of miners, bankers, and engineers, and are not fond of war or its machinations. The Bittermourne Keep is to the north, in the Frozen Wastes created by its bitter king of frost.

- Caemell and Courant are sister cities that lie to the east; one guarding the Pyrenes Pass, the other guarding Erden against evil forces from the south and the east. Courant is a diverse town where people of all races live in relative peace; but little is known of Caemell unless it comes from the paladins and wizards who go to fight its battles. Caemell draws a levy of food, men, and funding from all the free kingdoms (save the Isles) in order to maintain its bulkhead position. It is said that the Shadow Keep lies far to the east, near the Worldwomb. The ultimate goal of Caemell is to assault the Keep, but all expeditions to locate and assault it have failed.

Viewable link here.

[danjvelker]

LORE

Stories to be included at a later date.
- Tales of Sagea
- Where Fate Prowls
- Where Forests Roam
- Where the Barrow-Roses Bloom
- Where the Willow Fails