|
|
Post by distortedhumor on Dec 8, 2016 5:30:22 GMT
 Name: Adytum Population: 5,000 (rules 10,000) Leadership: Council of 7 members Coat of arms: White on blue, seven stars over a beehive, with a open scroll below. Background: The City of Adytum, formally known as the "Rock of Adytum", consists of a fortified rock outcropping overlooking the Azure Sea. The city is famous for its seven great universities - Alydar, Arch, De Vriis, Goldbreach, Oxcross, Millstone, and Zulane. Each university has it own library, and positions for great sages to do research and write. In the center of the city lies the beehive shaped great library. Each year the seven universities submit items to the central library, in which all seven universities have access to. Adytum is the greatest source of knowledge on the Azure sea, as the libraries contain historical works that have been long forgotten, and unique works that cannot be found outside of Adytum. Everything from the only known copies of the Xylim Sel to at least fifteen grandmaster scrolls of prophecies created by the monks of the Sulon Tesh cult. Access to the libraries of Adytum is strictly controlled, access to a university library requires a major gift to the university, while the access to the central library requires a full professorship in one of the universities, or at least the willingness for a professor to order a copy of the work and give it to you. Economy: Between the root crops and oats grown on the harsh soil, and the fish of the sea, Adytum would not starve, however the wealth of the city is not to be questioned. Not only are all seven universities and the central library well endowed in finances, they recive gifts on a regular basis. Due to their sage nature, gifts of rare books many times are more valuable then silver or gold, but there is plenty of coin to buy luxuries or information. In addition, inland lays swampland that scribe-reed is grown, a plant who fibers can be easily made into paper for both scrolls and Codexes. In addition, the production of potions and books takes up much of the cities economy. Bookmaking is both by hand copying and by woodblock printing, a secret held closely by the printing guild. Culture: The culture is well learned, the local fisherman not only most likely is literate, but may have been a son of a sage, such as the fishmoger-poet Roger De Voint. Society is generally is split into five roles. Scribes copy books and record information, Guildsmen range from the usual, to the unique papermaking, printing, and binder guilds. Freeholders include farmers and other non-guild workers who are involved in the economy. (Adytum does not have serfs, and slavery, while not illegal, is culturally verboten outside of small specific examples). Faculty consists all that work for one of the universities. And Pilgrims which includes all those who come to Adytum to seek something, be it wealth or knowledge, and no matter if their stay is for 1 hour or years. Military: Adytum has a city guard of 75 men and woman to stand guard and keep the peace, most of the time they stay in the "Pilgrim" section, to keep a eye on visitors. In addition, there is a Militia, which consists of every able bodied man, and any woman who wish, that is mustered in case of attack. In addition, the professors are generally highly skilled individuals, and the centuries of research means each university has unique defenses to help defend the city, ranging from bronzed automatons to qucikfire. In addition, Adytum is known to operate a well organized spy network that not only keeps tabs of military and political issues, but obtains rare information for the libraries. Religion: To be finished later after Religious section is complete. DM Notes: In the central "beehive" is "The Font of Wisdom", which each full professor has access too. It consists of the personality and knowledge of all the professors that served in one of the seven universities. They can ask questions and gain knowledge from the font. However on death, the professor joins the others in the font, to help spread knowledge to future sages... |
|
|
|
Post by distortedhumor on Dec 8, 2016 6:35:03 GMT
Wendigo
FREQUENCY: Rare
NO. APPEARING: 1-4
ARMOUR CLASS: 5
MOVE: 10”
HIT DICE: 4+1
% IN LAIR: 40%
TREASURE TYPE: Nil
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-6 or by weapon
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Nil
SPECIAL DEFENSES: See Below
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard
INTELLIGENCE: Intelligent
ALIGNMENT: Chaotic Evil
SIZE: M (6-7’ tall)
PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil
Attack/Defence Modes: Nil
A special curse awaits those who are foolhardy enough to be driven by greed and willingness to break one of the great taboos. Wendigo's are formed when the god punish someone who on a quest for greed feeds on the flesh of his or her own kind. Appearing to be a human, gaunt in appearance, they will be charismatic, friendly, and helpful. They are strong (STR 17 for checks), and as cunning as a wererat. They are driven by the need to commit cannibalism. They can eat normal foods, but only eating the flesh of humans or demi-humans will they be able to heal. If the Wendigo has eaten its special meal in the last 24 hours, it will heal 1 hp per round, unless the damage is magical, by acid or by cold. Wendigo's lairs will range from a cave, with past victims hidden away, to human habitation (many times, the former homes of their victims.) They are naturally greedy, but will lavishly spend any coin or wealth they obtain. If someone willingly shares with a Wendigo its special meal (and knowing it to be as such) they too will gain the curse.
|
|
|
|
Post by distortedhumor on Dec 8, 2016 7:34:24 GMT
Preface:
There are three types of beings worshiped by the inhabitants of Azure Sea. The first is the Adunite Gods, or the traditional gods. These are the descendants of Adune, the creator god of Azure Sea. The second is the Haraindiko, or simply the others. These in many cultures are called demons or devils. Finally, there is the foreign gods, beings who are not part of the Adunite pantheon, ranging from mortals gaining Apotheosis to idols brought on lost ships.
Religion is split into three "Brands" - the Adunite faith, which consists of 12 major gods, and a number of smaller gods. Secondly their are Sects, these are faiths that worship foreign gods, mystery schools, and Adunite worship that is so odd that it falls outside the norms of ritual. Finally their are the cults, who worship the one or more of the Haraindiko.
One thing to remember about the Adunite faith is that the gods range from lawful to chaotic, and just because it is lawful does not mean it is nice, nor if it is chaotic it is evil. Lest not forget that executions for criminal acts or oath-breaking are offerings to the lawful Adpeh, while the priests of Cameral run the Cameral houses for the insane. While few if any claim to worship no god, as only fools are atheists in the Azure sea, most are not that devout. Most will follow one, at most two gods, and occasionally take part in festivals (For example, Illumin "Night of lights" is a highly popular celebration across the Azure Sea) As long as they are not cultists, most in the Azure Sea choose who and what way they will worship their chosen gods. Cities will have usually a number of temples and shrines, larger ones may very well have temples for all 12 major gods and shrines for very many others.
In addition, each of the major god has 53 aspects, sometimes going by not the same name. Cultists and their shrines and temples are almost always hidden, and due to many cities age and building over the ruins of the past, some religious rites require long passages under cities to get to the holy sites.
Common Adunite Mythos:
While each of the major gods have variations of the common story, and sometimes the ritual for aspects of the same god might disagree there is a common creation myth, this is a summary of the creation myth that is taught across the Azure Sea.
Adune sat on his throne in the high heavens, in time he had many children, many of great note. Many great and wondrous things where created in these high heavens, and while the children and grandchildren squabbled, it was mostly peaceful.
Then came the unknowable Haraindiko, who tried to invade, and then laid siege to the high heavens. There was a great war of power unimaginable. The gods created beings in their own image, elves, humans, and beings more odd to fight the Haraindiko. Adune knew that the siege could not be lifted, but understood that though great sacrifice he could protect his children, and his many creations.
Adune created (or in some versions, organized) the world from his very essence, and locked the Haraindiko to the outer planes, using the elemental planes he built the physical world, and then with his godly force breathed life into it. The great work caused him to forever become one with the world. His offspring, the Adunite gods, gained powers as Adune saw fit, giving each a role to play, some to organize, some to keep peace, and others to spark creation though chaos.
As for the servants of Adune and the Haraindiko, they where placed on world to be born, to live and to die. In the Adunite faith, souls go to the god they served, and those who where heroic in that regard may become saints or great angels.
The Major Adunite gods:
Lawful
Adpeh – The God of Knowledge and Law
Miphic – God of Magic and mystical secrets
Evangeline - Goddess of healing
Yulia – Goddess of Peace
Neutral
Kralic – God of peaceful death
Vassa – Goddess of Divination, Justice, and Truth
The Unknown one – god of the unknown
Steenhoth – Goddess of the Hearth
Choatic
Xi the Unpredictable
Cameral – God of madness
Alexis – Goddess of Taboo
Janos – God of Battle
Minor
Kithal, the Dwarf-father – God of the Dwarves
Concorda – Goddess of Truces
Jasper – God of Charity
Cansor the Robed – god of darkness
Illumin - Goddess of light
Haros – God of Fire
Harkas – Goddess of the hunt
Hefron Stormbringer – Goddess of Storms
Haraindiko Lords
Akella (Magic)
Lekkli the Shapeless (Slimes)
Mortica the Pale (Undead)
Orkfather (Patron of Orcs)
Slaymon (Worm of Wisdom)
Zug (Might)
Linsat (Treachery)
Marcos (Corruption)
Jessafas (Flaming Truth)
|
|
|
|
Post by jamerowe1 on Dec 20, 2016 0:45:51 GMT
Sounds like this is B/X or LL.
|
|
|
|
Post by distortedhumor on Dec 25, 2016 1:54:20 GMT
Sounds like this is B/X or LL. Yep. I will play AD&D, but I DM OD&D -> B/X -> BECMI. (Or things like S&W white box or LL that are variations.) |
|
