Well, I've continued working on the custom campaign setting for DnD that I posted a while ago. Can you let me know what you think so far?
On The Motivations of These Deities: These are not the standard fantasy deities. The campaign world and everything in it is essentially a big game of risk for them. They pretend to act as normal deities and cultivate an image that fits their spheres of influence, mostly for deceiving their followers into thinking they actually care.
Essentially, this little game goes on until civilization is destroyed. Once all of civilization has ended, they repopulate the races of the world, let them be for a little while, then have at it again. There are no rules to this game except that no deity can just end the world themselves. A god can start wars or do other, more dangerous actions (like dropping giant abominations on a continent). This game has been played numerous times through to the inevitable conclusion multiple times, so ruins are common.
One other thing to keep in mind is that none of the deities have any hostility to each other. They convince mortals that other gods are their enemies, but this is only to get a edge in their little game. They do not care what other gods do to their followers, as it is just taken with good humour.
Lastly, the gods are not in actual conflict with each other (they actually like each other) so anyone who angers one god might end up getting punished by all of them.
Acellus (Lawful Good)
Portfolio: Law, Order, Light, Fire, Justice, Zeal
Domains: Good, Law, Sun, Fire
Favoured Weapon: Scythe
Holy Symbol: Flaming Sickle
-- The god of righteousness and holy zeal. Acellus strives for the total annihilation of evil and the absolute dominance of good and law. Followers of Acellus are most often crusading priests and knights who have become obsessed with exterminating evil and ensuring the reign of law. At best, they are dedicated soldiers of virtue, and at worst they can be tunnel-visioned fanatics.
Miousene (Neutral Good)
Portfolio: Mercy, Healing, Life, Fertility, Love, Understanding
Domains: Good, Healing, Plants, Animal
Favoured Weapon: Sap
Holy Symbol: Crystal Lilly
-- Miousene is the goddess of mercy and compassion. She seeks to end suffering and pain while seeking to further love among mortal races. Followers of Miousene tend to be doctors and healers, though many bards also pay her respect. Many good aligned druids venerate Miousene as the representation of nature's more gentle aspects.
Norgon (Chaotic Good)
Portfolio: Daring, Adventure, Swiftness, Wit, Treasure, Courage
Domains: Good, Luck, Travel, Air
Favoured Weapon: longsword
Holy Symbol: Temple Coin
-- The god of daring and adventure, Norgon is a popular deity among treasure hunters and dungeon delvers alike. He is a god that emphasizes individuality, cleverness, and courage in the face of adversity. His followers tend to be optimists who strive to be all they can be, facing life's adversity with trademark enthusiasm. Clerics of Norgon are a beacon to the poor and downtrodden in times of peril, providing encouragement and blessings to those in need.
Mallanus (Lawful Neutral)
Portfolio: Law, Judgement, Common Sense, Truth, Fairness, Nobility
Domains: Law, Knowledge, Strength, Protection
Favoured Weapon: Warhammer
Holy Symbol: Judge's Gavel
-- The adjudicator of all celestial grievances and the very embodiment of justice. Mallanus is obsessed with the eradication of disorder and lawlessness, seeking to establish the reign of perfect order in the world. There is no in-between actions for Mallanus, only right and wrong. Any lawbreaker caught by a follower of Mallanus can expect little mercy or sympathy. Followers of Mallanus tend to be stern and humourless individuals, loathing uncertainty and chaos while attempting to bring order to their surroundings.
Zyl (True Neutral)
Portfolio: Knowledge, Learning, Magic, Moon, Secrets, Planning, Patience
Domains: Magic, Knowledge, Water, Air
Favoured Weapon: Trident
Holy Symbol: Glass Eye
-- Perhaps the most enigmatic and aloof of all the gods, Zyl is the goddess of magic and knowledge. Spellcasters of all kinds revere her and her limitless knowledge of the arcane. She is an ever patient and contemplative deity, preferring not to interfere with the mortal world unless it is absolutely necessary. As such she is unlikely to answer the prayers of the faithful, but will gift her devotees with much knowledge and power in time.
Frezzach (Chaotic Neutral)
Portfolio: Chaos, Madness, Unreliability, Revelry, Gambling, Humour
Domains: Chaos, Luck, Trickery, Travel
Favoured Weapon: Whip
Holy Symbol: A Pair of Dice
-- A truly crazed and unpredictable being, Frezzach is the patron of hedonism, comedy, and raw chaos. Frezzach has few followers as not many are willing to brave the attentions of a mad god. Those praying to him are just as likely to have something horrible happen to them as they are likely to get aid. Only madmen and hedonistic party goers pay Frezzach any kind of real devotion.
Kanthor (Chaotic Evil)
Portfolio: Destruction, Chaos, Rage, Killing, Slaughter, Discord
Domains: Chaos, Evil, Fire, Destruction
Favoured Weapon: Greatclub
Holy Symbol: Burnt Skull
-- Brutal and depraved, Kanthor is the very embodiment of mindless destruction and anger. The only thing he seeks is to see all of creation destroyed. The followers of Kanthor tend to be murderers, pyromaniacs, and psychopaths. All bend their efforts to their deranged gods goal.
Braxis (Neutral Evil)
Portfolio: Suffering, Pain, Hate, Undead, Darkness, Sorrow
Domains: Death, Earth, Evil, Trickery
Favoured Weapon: Flail
Holy Symbol: Sacrificial Dagger
-- The corrupter of all things, lady of pestilence, and mistress of hatred. Braxis, as mortals name her, is a nefarious being. She is death to what lives, hatred to those who love, and suffering to those who feel joy. This foul deity is the patron of the undead and a tormentor of lost souls. Followers of Braxis are corrupters as much as they are corrupted, tainting the souls of mortals and despoiling that which is pure. Necromancers revere Braxis as the absolute ruler of all undead.
Listor (Lawful Evil)
Portfolio: Order, Loyalty, Tyranny, Strength, Valour, Discipline
Domains: Law, War, Knowledge, Strength
Favoured Weapon: Halberd
Holy Symbol: Steel Sceptre
-- Listor is the tyrant god, enforcing and iron willed rule upon the weak and thrusting the strong into lordship. He cares little for the weak but understands that they are vital to the survival of the strong, establishing rigid monarchies and complex webs of loyalty to keep the powerful in place. All must honour their obligations, both master and servant, lest society crumble and succumb to chaos. Many of his followers are militaristic lords and army officers, people who truly value Listor's ideals. It is unwise to cross his devotee's as they are more than likely to be experienced combatants.
Nordicia
Nordicia was founded centuries ago by sea faring barbarian kings who had been driven from their lands during the dwarven conquest of what is now Tarador. The hardy travelers settled the harsh land, spread across it, and made it their own, creating a island empire renowned for it's nautical prowess and powerfull warriors. The nation effectivly ceased to exist after the rise of Glamrung glacier and the resulting freezing over of much of the island (turning it into an arctic waste). As of late only the towns of Oakhill and Fendale remain as the capital and major cities have fallen to the ever encroaching frosts.
Glamrung Glacier
The mysterious mountain of ice known as Glamrung glacier emerged in the heartland of Nordicia seemingly overnight. With its arrival came the decline of Nordicia as an unstoppable frost spread from the glacier, freezing anything and everything in its path. Few have ever braved the glacier to discover it's secrets and fewer still have returned.
Mallowhill
Mallowhill was once the the center of naval power for Nordicia. In it's hayday the vast harbours were bustling with warships and merchant vessels carrying all types of exotic goods. Now the city is nothing more than an empty ruin, overwhelmed by the bitter frosts of Glamrung glacier and covered in it's snows.
Bywilde
Formerly a quiet town with vast farms and large lumber industry. Bywilde was responsible for supplying much of the lumber for the construction of the Nordician navy. However, it is now as frigid and lifeless as much of the land it was part of.
Longland
Longland had been the captial of Nordicia before the frosts enveloped much of the island. The city was ruled by the council of kings who presided over their kingdom from the House of lords in the center of the city. The city itself was a vast metropolis of wooden and stone houses with a large amount of forges and metalworks near the cities heart. Weapons created in Longland were famed for their quality. Outside of the main walls the cities vast harbour was rivaled only by those of Mallowhill. Now the great walled city of the north lies frozen in a perpetual winter, neither the wisdom of it's warrior kings nor the famed quality of their steel could protect their beloved capital from the might of ice and snow.
Westerville
Westerville was formerly a minor trading city, being an important stop for ships sailing to and from Mallowhill in need of a safe port and fresh supplies. Many ships still inhabit the decrepit harbour, frozen in place by the unstoppable cold that now plagues the kingdom.
Fendale
Formerly an outlying town of little importance. Fendale is now one of only two Nordician settlements remaining. It is a small town, with barely 5000 inhabitants, and is supported by fishing and local agriculture. So far it has remained out of reach of the ice and snow that has ravaged the island, being safely nestled in a river canyon.
Oakhill
Like Fendale this was once an unimportant town on the outskirts of Nordician territory. Now it is one of the last pieces of the dying kingdom. It is a fairly well sized port town, yet much of it is in disrepair as a result of near constant piracy and outlaw attacks. Nevertheless it has seen a great deal of buisness from people fleeing the inhospitable northern reaches.
Oceanus
Oceanus is an island nation inhabited by a people who arrived from the eastern lands beyond the northern sea. What makes the island unique is that it is not an actual island at all, but a great coral reef that has breached the surface of the ocean. The island has proven a good home for it's inhabitants, providing the oceans bounty to the people and granting them a place of prestige in the great merchant lanes of the world.
Ocean's Eye
The one city of the kingdom of the island, Ocean's Eye is a great jewel of the waters. The city is home to vast harbours that never sleep. Every and any kind of good imaginable runs through the cities harbour and inevitably arrives in the markets where they are bought and sold at the cost of small fortunes every day. The city itself is surrounded by a towering wall while the streets are constructed like a giant storm drain, protect the city from the violent storms that trouble the region. Such is the wealth of the city that the entirety of the wall and the streets inside it are all paved with the finest marble. Few who enter this city are not struck with awe.
Islands of Ash
The islands of ash were at one time territories of Amaranthia, annexed by a greedy king who sought to add to his already extensive territory. The islands were rich with metals that had been brought to the surface in ages past by the dormant volcanoes that defined the area. Any prosperity this could have brought was ended when the volcanoes became acitve once more, scorching the life from the island chains and somehow bringing forth creatures of earth and fire. Few come to these lands anymore.
Shark Bay
Named for the great packs of sharks that patrol the waters around what was once a bustling town, Shark bay fell victim to the same fate as the rest of the islands of ash. All that remains of this settlement is half melted buildings and mounds of volcanic rubble.
Brass Town
Formerly famous for it's exports of brass and other semi-valuable metals the town now lies in ruins, ironically buried under the same ore that once made it famous.
Loracre
Loracre was the most heavily populated settlement of the islands. It boasted of population of roughly 6000 and enjoyed a fair amount of wealth from the ocean and from the bounties of the mountain. When the volcanoes became active once more Loracre was caught in a lave flow miles wide. Today there is little evidence that it ever existed.
Corsa
A town with few noteworthy qualities before it's demise. In death however, it is something spectacular. Corsa was consumed by lava flows, but unlike Loracre it was not consumed, instead being perfectly preserved under a sheet of translucent black glass. It is said that the former inhabitants are still there frozen in undeath beneath their glass prison.
Albis
Albis was formerly a minor island kingdom controlled by a consortium of mages. While it never achieved the prominece and power of some of it's neighbors Albis was considered to be a fairly successful kingdom. Albis was renowned as a place of learning and a as a land immersed in the magical arts. However, one night a burning black star crashed into the heart of the Death's Crown Peaks. With this one event the fate of Albis was sealed. The dead began to rise up from their graves to slay the living. While normally an unorganised force by nature the undead that rose to plague Albis acted as a single coordinated force, destroying the kingdom in under a year. Now all that remains are empty cities and legions of roaming corpse to welcome adventurers.
Death's Crown Peaks
Named for their infamous lethality, the Death's Crown Peaks are a small cluster of three mountains. The peaks are constantly scoured by freezing winds and intense blizzards making exploration nearly impossible. It was here that the black star impacted, nestled between where the three peaks meet. The mountains are infested with all matter of undead at the lower levels, though no one has ever climbed high enough to see what matter of creatures lurk closer to the peaks.
Lorden
The city of Lorden was a prosperous seaside settlement that enjoyed a quiet prosperity up until it's destruction. Of particular note was the prevalence of towers in the city, giving it a rather distict skyline that endures even after the inhabitants have died.
Dornesse
Dornesse was the captial city of Albis and home to a great academy of mages.Arcane practitioners of all kinds made Dornesse their home. The central academy doubled as the palace, serving as a meeting ground for the kindgoms ruling magocrats. Dornesse was the first city to fall once the undead hordes arose. It's walls besiged by legions of the walking dead, the cities forces were caught unprepared and were overwhelmed. Even the mages could do little to stem the tide of undeath. The city and all it's inhabitants were lost.
Shadehaven
The last settlement to be overrun by the undead terrorising Albis was the town of Shadehaven. While it was initially an insignificant and out of the way town on one of the kingdoms fringe islands, Shadehaven quickly became a destination for many fleeing the undead onslaught. Whatever had been animating the dead took significantly longer to reach Shadehaven than anywhere else in Albis, but when it did the town put forth a spirited defense. Unlike the other settlements that had been destroyed a large amount of the inhabitants actually managed to escape alive.
Tarador
The Dwarf empire of Tarador has endured for the better part of eight centuries. The lands that make up the empire were once fragmented pocket kingdoms ruled by various human and elven kings. The dwarves of the Steelback mountains led by Lord Throrace Ironmane conquered the fragments kingdoms, bringing them under dwarven rule. A century later the dwarves had occupied the desert lands known as the desolation. Tarador has prosepered under dwarven leadership both militarily and socially. Tarador is famous for it's unsurpassed military might and its acceptance of other cultures.The people of Tarador are stern in demeanor and have a very serious nature.
The Desolation
Jalmac Peak
Steelback Mountaions
Horzan Peak
Fakrin Badlands
Highbridge
Windholt
Oldsilver
Keffa
Greenlay
Valhurst
Cliffwatch
Lochbeach
Lindsdale
Bymerrow
Twinport
Spree
Kormont Mountains
Kormont Lowlands
Kormont Bay
Elvish Lands
The Great Pillar
Amaranthia
The Golden Plain
Glittering Peaks
Swamp Spire Mountain
Blighted Moors
Roseland
Last Light
Redham
Newbarow
Lorcrest
Ostford
Silverbrook
Capitorum
Erinesse
Wildelyn
Easthaven
Bluefog Hollow
Faymoor
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Topic: DnD Custom Campaign setting (updated) (Read 1958 times)