Campaign Alphabet - C

Eberron (Defendersverse)

Captain Aundair

This Extranormal being was, in many historian's minds, the only reason Aundair survived past the final days of the Last War.

Art by pursuer-of-darkness

Shortly after the plans by Lord Marlex were intercepted and acted against with brutal efficiency by the Thranes in late 925 YK, and another crushing setback in 927, Aundair was put on their back foot in the war and were struggling to hold their lines against an empowered Thrane and keep a stalling presence upon the Karnnathi front. This was not to be for long.

Thrane pushed forward and held much of southern Aundair, cowing the citizens there and denying them food to break their wills. The Karnns, however, were conducting even viler practices. Though known to have employed undead in their armies, a new commander on the western front, known as Kron, was reviled, even among his allies for corpse-harvesting battlefields to bolster his armies. 

Aundair could not stand by any longer. The Knights Arcane had collected the only survivor from the field of a Karnnathi victory, a body clinging to life after the awful enervating touch of an undead had nearly claimed him. He was taken to the towers of Arcanix and powerful magics and alchemies were concocted and forced into this soldier's body. 

On the brink of death as he was, his physical shell could not fight off any of the effects forced into him, and all involved feared that this soldier would give his life for his country on the slap of an arcane lab. It was not to be, however, as his will to fight and live held the magics tight to his frame, shaping him into the peak of human perfection. 

Aundair had the first of what they hoped was a series of enhanced soldiers, and by keeping him unnamed, save for the nomme de guerre of Captain Aundair, had a powerful tool to rebolster patriotism and, in theory, also aid the failing recruitment seen in the nation. 

Captain Aundair was dispatched to the Eastern Front to battle Karnnath, where he met in battle with Kron and soundly defeated him, leading Kaius II to dismiss the general in the face of defeat and overwhelming political pressure over Kron's battlefield atrocities. Kron was a blessing in comparison to his replacement, however, a diabolical soldier - matched in many ways to Captain Aundair - and being called the Red Skull.

Captain Aundair served diligently and courageously for the crown of Aundair for sixty-six years in the Last War, never seeming to age a day in his service. He ended up missing in action, and feared dead, after the Day of Mourning, as he was in Metrol around that time.

Sabotage brought about the end of the program which birthed the Captain, and though heralded as the first Extranormal early on, evidence that others had come before leaves many to believe that he is simply the first in the modern era.

Golarion

The Catacombs (of Wrath)

Discovered by Vic, Walt, and Rissi after pursuing Tsuto Kaijutsu through the Glassworks in Sandpoint, the heroes did multiple excursions into these vaults, even once taking the sage, Brodert Quink, with them to help determine the age and purpose behind the structure, as well as determine who built it.

Quink was certain (and correct) that the catacombs were constructed during the days of ancient Thassilon, and the party discovered cells and chambers that made it apparent that it had served as a prison during that time. 

Deep in the bowels of this structure, the heroes encountered twisted rage-driven abominations and even a weaker form of demon known as a quasit, both of which gave the group more trouble than they bargained for.

Khardtha

The Council

Alternately known as the Council, the Council of Wyrms, the Dragon Knights, or the Dragon Council, this odd body is rumored to be composed of some of the oldest and most powerful of each type of dragon on Khardtha.

Little else is known about the Council, save that it was presumably founded by Clughfelyliam, a great wyrm green - who is also rumored to be the first dragon to ever step foot on Khardtha - after supposedly delcaring that he would gather his kind in grand council. For what reasons then or now the dragons band together is unknown, though it is said by those claiming to have seen them that they never travel in their true forms, instead traipsing the countryside disguised as knights (thus the alternate name for the group), resplendent in fantastic armors, and carrying equally magnificent weapons.

Each, in their knightly forms, sits astride a mount unique to the rider and reflecting their supposed demeanor. Among these beasts are enormous hell hounds, nightmares, pegasi, and more. Others have reported seeing the members of this group riding horses that match their own draconic hues, leading some to speculate that the 'horses' were dragons, as well, using shaping magic to assume the form of stallions.

Whatever the truth behind the Council, even if they are these great dragons, indeed, when and if they decide to act upon or against any idea or individual or group, they will present what may be the most powerful force ever gathered on Khardtha.

The Wilderlands

The City-State of the Invincible Overlord

The Great Enemy. The City State of the Invincible Overlord - known as Ryan's Ruin to sages, Rhamsandron to wizards, and Normoot to the native barbarian Altanians - or simply, the City State, lies to the east of Viridistan and has been a constant needle in the side of the World Emperor.

Though defeated decisively in almost every engagement, the City State is seen as a necessary pest, the bug that shall not be permanently smashed, as its tributes keep a steady flow of gold into Viridistan's coffers. The periodic incursions and the contested borders that are a hotbed of military and civil action are of little distraction, though the tension grows and may someday soon pop, making Viridistan finally conquer their neighbor to the east.

Travel and commerce between the city-states is sometimes necessary, but no true Viridistani would stay long in a city occupied by those would would regularly traffic with the monstrous races of orcs, trolls, and goblins.

Likewise, the heretical beliefs practiced in the City State no doubt breeds the poor dispositions that most denizens of that tyranny display. Might be all the mammals they eat, too.

At least, that's what the World Emperor's own Guard Sergeant Trisful says...

Campaign Alphabet - B

Khardtha

Sir Balthasar of Moorhulden

Balthasar could very well be the last of his kind, self-identified as a Firbolg, this powerful warrior looks like a giant of a man made into a giant, standing fully 11 feet tall, with broad shoulders and arms and legs the size of tree trunks. Though ponderously massive, Balthasar showed grace in battle and was accepted as a companion of the High Lord Denain when he set forth to reclaim Makalus and restore it to its former glory.

Though showing clever wit and intelligence, Balthasar conducted himself primarily as a bodyguard to the Ogre, Denain, and their Halfling companion, Serafina, eventually earning his knighthood from the High Lord after years of service. An honor which he cherishes as a true act of friendship and trust by his Ogrish friend, and enacts to the best of his ability, serving as the General of the Reaches, a position giving him control over all military personnel and engagements beyond the borders of his liege's realm.

However, the giant-kin's loyalty and friendship may stem from the fact that no other firbolg has been seen in centuries, perhaps hinting to the fact that Balthasar is the sole survivor of some tragedy or natural decline of his kind. Balthasar says little of his past or of his people, and though he has mentioned it a few times, he has never been known to use the natural illusions his people can manifest.

These days, the wizened knight serves in the capacity of his duties to the realm, but has become exceedingly more distant, and even the High Lord is lucky to be in his General's presence, but forgives the warrior's eccentricities out of friendship.

Wilderlands

Bugbear Falls

On the Eastern Reaches of the territory held by the World Emperor of Viridistan, amid near-constant skirmishes and contests to claim the region by Viridistan and the City-State (of the Invincible Overlord), sits an ancient, moderately-sized keep that houses some of the most resilient people the Wilderlands know.

Reclaimed a couple of centuries ago after years of fierce engagements between men and goblinoid, Dunkiel was founded by the warlord Efilon on his press to claim more territory for the City-State. He and his army succeeded, executing the bugbear chieftain that had held the keep, and his retinue, by sending them over the cliffs. This act would stick fast in the minds of subsequent generations and earn the keep its current popular name, "Dunkiel" all but forgotten as time wears on.

Seventy seven years ago, however, the forces of the World Emperor took the ill-defended keep and began to garrison it, tenuously holding it for the first few decades, then asserting more control on the outpost in more recent years. A decade ago, the old Vuzughar (landed noble, like a duke) was recalled to the city of Viridistan, and appointed Dal Lago, a trusted officer under his command, as his replacement.

Since Dal Lago took over, banditry, plague, famine, and a number of other maladies have struck the region, as well as increased hostility from the City-State and a number of other disasters and threats have cropped up. The Vuzughar has called for the aid of adventurers in the past, but recently stopped directly recruiting them after a failed coup a year and a half ago. Drastic social changes such as the adoption of the faith of The Black Rider as the city's patron, as well as recent changes in politics and law with Lago's marriage to another noble has only added to some of the unrest that has begun to slowly boil.

To make matters worse, the Emperor and his advisors have instituted an initiative where they send petty criminals and vagrants to the outer holdings of the "Empire" and encourage them to claim the wild territories and the disputed borderlands between the holdings of Viridistan and its neighbors. This initiative has brought many to the region, either in hopes of striking it rich as bandits or adventurers, or to provide services or goods to those who have come to make their own lives. This has made crime rise in the area, but has, conveniently, given Viridistan a buffer zone of rough peoples for which the City-State must contend before they can gain footholds into the Empire proper.

Bihye the Bull

In the cave system to the east of Bugbear Falls, in one of the harder-to-access caverns, resides a mystic and shaman that holds unparalleled knowledge of and power over life.

The minotaur known as Bihye has lived in the region since before Dal Lago began his reign as Vuzughar, and some say before Lago's predecessor, and has weathered every malady and mishap that has plagued the region, all the while fending off raids by other monstrous creatures as well as adventurers, though he has been rumored to give aid and advice to the latter to as many groups as he has ended the careers of.

The Bull, as he sometimes introduces himself as (variably Bihye or Bihye the Bull), while being as fearsome as the others of his race, may well be the greatest treasure of the lands surrounding Bugbear Falls, as some say that he actually knows the rites and spells required to bring someone back from the dead, an art that has been lost for generations.

If Bihye can or will perform these rites is unknown for certain, but it is known that if one should seek his council on any matters, especially topics as dire as death, then they should be prepared to bring a king's ransom worth of gems and jewelry, as its the only thing the minotaur will trade his services for.

Golarion

The Brotherhood of the Seven

This mysterious organization has been in operation for hundreds of years, and has something to do with the slaying of Aldern Foxglove and his subsequent transformation into a ghast, as well as the killings he perpetrated. Aldern's mysterious references to "the pack" could point to this group.

The Brotherhood is known to own Seven's Sawmill on , and due to their financing of Foxglove Manor, seem to have considerable, if not vast, stores of wealth. In addition, the Brotherhood may have ties to/be the patron(s) of cults, one of which was discovered operating at the sawmill, under the direction of a known High Justice of Magnimar.

A letter referencing "Xanesha, Mistress of the Brotherhood" was found amongst Lord Foxglove's belongings, but who, exactly, she is and, perhaps more importantly, what exactly the Brotherhood is, is anyone's guess at this moment, but a search for this shadowy matron has been mounted.

Pondering The Confusion of Tongues

I don't consider myself a biblical historian, but I am very interested in the historical (if any) significance of the tales in the Old Testament. One of these is the tale of the Tower of Babel (Migdal Bavel, Burj Babil, Etemenanki, etc.).

Though the actual location of the tower's location is hotly debated amongst scholars, a primary consistency is the tale related in Genesis:

The whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Šin'âr, and they dwelt there. And they said one to another, "Come, let us make bricks and burn them thoroughly." And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for mortar. And they said, "Come, let us build us a city and a tower whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth."
     And the Lord came down to see the city and the tower which the children of men built. And the Lord said, "Behold, the people are one and they have all one language, and this they begin to do; and now nothing will be withheld from them which they have imagined to do. Come, let Us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech." So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth; and they left off building the city.
     Therefore is the name of it called Bâbel (that is "Confusion") because the Lord did there confound the language of all the earth; and from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.

[Genesis 11.1-9;
tr. King James 21st Century]

I could go into depth about the various stories and histories revolving around the Tower and how it came to fall, plans to rebuild it by Alexander the Great, etc., but my primary interest today is in the act known as the Confusion of Tongues.

Now, the Book of Jubilees states that the tower was built for "forty and three years" before God said "No, no!", but other sources give various other times, even a century or more.

Here's where we get to the meat of an idea that holds fast for gaming; how did the various tribes form? What caused the Confusion of Tongues? Sure, we can go ahead and say God did it. Deities are powerful, and command the ability to do crazy things like that. From a cultural point of view, however, it wouldn't make sense.

How would various cultures arise simply because people speak different languages. French, Italian, and Spanish cultures share more similarities than they have differences, yet their languages are different and they came from a single "tribe"; ancient Rome. And so, I present the alternate theory that the languages and cultures developed among work groups, which, working only amongst themselves, would have used specific jargon for the job, and only associating with others working on their section, side, specific job (stonecutter, hauler, mortar-makers) would begin only speaking the common words of their trade/living space/whatever, and may be completely unfamiliar with those on the other side of the structure.

Now, if anyone is unsure how much a language can change in such a short amount of time, simply think about how young the United States is, and how differently we speak from the British, and that's with relatively constant contact. Imagine if your family and one other lived across the road from one another for 40-100 years and never had contact with one another or with any outside mutual language-sharers, relying only on the land you live on. I would assume that these two families would speak in, perhaps drastically, different ways.

In any event, this theory might inform world-building when defining the cultures of your game world. It's certainly made me think more on the concepts of culture.