• 1 point: Difficulty 5 • 2 points: Difficulty 6 • 3 points: Difficulty 7
Units (Warfare Difficulty)
• 4 (Starting): 20 militia, 10 archers, 10 infantry • 5: +5 infantry, +5 archers, +5 cavalry
• 6: +5 cavalry, +5 archers, +5 catapults • 7: +5 infantry, +5 cavalry, +5 cannons
R
egi
on
s
Name Keep / Castle Food Timber Ore Mana Lux
Prominence Capital Castle 1 0 1 1 1
Guilder Farms Keep 2 1 0 0 0
Dawncaves 0 0 1 0 0 Southkeep Keep 2 0 0 0 1 Units Militia Infantry Archers Cavalry
-1 Diff Stability +1 Diff
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
-4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4
The Autarch Physical Mental 44
Rapport: +4, Society: +7, Wits: +6
Lore: +8, Channeling: +8, Tactics: +5, Command: +7 Greatest Sorcerer in the Realm
Youngest to Pass The Harrowing
“We will not be sacrificed on the altar of civility!” Oldest Daughter of Arcus
Names
Aitark, Arcus, Aulim, Aulark, Micus, Destia, Octja, Publiark, Fulvia, Lucia, Tiberiat, Regulim, Quintim, Nalah, Yimarina, Yinerva, Yivian
Diplomacy Skirmish Infiltration Warfare Nalah Skirmish Physical Mental 44
Rapport: +1, Society: +0, Wits: +3 Fighting: +6, Tactics: +2
Super Hero of the Plainsmen War Brightest Student of Warmaster Kalos Four Step Sweeping Feint
“Is your life really worth this?”
Micus
Warfare
Physical
Mental 43
Rapport: +1, Society: +2, Wits: +4 Fighting: +5, Tactics: +6
Lord of Millet Plain
“I don’t care about odds! Back to the front!” Shrewd General
“We will outflank them!”
Minim
Infiltration
Physical
Mental 24
Rapport: +3, Society: +2, Wits: +6 Fighting: +5, Athletics: +5, Tactics: +1 Guild of Knowledge Grandmaster
“Under extreme pain we reveal our character” “I never forget a face”
Immune to Bribery
The Subtect
Diplomacy
Physical
Mental 34
Rapport: +6, Society: +6, Wits: +5 Fighting: +0, Tactics: +2
Guild of Trade Grandmaster “Hey… at least hear my offer” Admirer of Art and Beauty “It is good to know your allies”
Autarch is First Among Citizens Vast Network of Spies Council of 100 Guildmasters Economy of Expansion
Overthrowing the Autarch Severing the Autarch’s Power
• Call to Arms (optional): Diplomacy Difficulty 5 • Running the Gauntlet: Warfare Difficulty 5 • The Severing: Skirmish Difficulty 7
Assassinating the Autarch: Infiltration Difficulty 8 Conquering Prominence: Empire Warfare Difficulty Threat Pools
Leaders
The Autarch (Leader)
Physical 4
Mental 4
Consequences -2 1, -2 1, -4 1, -6 1
Legendary (+8) Lore, Channeling Epic (+7) Will, Society
Fantastic (+6) Command, Wits
Superb (+5) Tactics, Athletics
Great (+4) Rapport, Survival
Good (+3) Physique, Marksmanship
Decent (+2) Stealth, Fighting
Average (+1) Engineering, Thievery Greatest Sorcerer in the Realms
Youngest to Pass The Harrowing
“We will not be sacrificed on the altar of civility!” Oldest Daughter of Arcus
Bound to the Animaelic Forest (Special) The Autar- ch starts any conflict with mana equal to four times the current year.
Victor of the Harrowing (Special) May spend mana on any magical secret without having to roll for backlash.
Big Bad (General)
The current Autarch was born to Arcus, a Grand- master in the now abandoned Guild of Channeling. Born under the eighth moon, she was called Octia by her father, and began the study of magic immediately. Octia was a prodigy in magic, and quickly outpaced all of the Masters within the guild. At the age of eight, she emerged from The Harrowing alive, a test of magical will that affirmed her place as the next Autarch. She rose to power with little fanfare and much awe.
The Autarch’s quest for sorcerous knowledge has not abated with age. As the campaign unfolds, she is taking steps towards completing the Ritual of Law, a feat which will let her rule become absolute.
The exact nature of the conflict with the Strong- hold can slowly be revealed as the campaign pro- gresses. As mentioned in the Getting Started chapter, it could be fueled by resources the Stronghold controls, or from some defection in the past. Perhaps the heroes from the Stronghold know her desires to ascend the
mortal realm and seek to stop her. It could also be the case that the Autarch is a more sympathetic character, looking out for her own people against an expansionist Stronghold.
The Subtect (Leader)
Physical 3
Mental 4
Consequences -2 1, -2 1, -4 1
Fantastic (+6) Society, Rapport
Superb (+5) Wits, Will
Great (+4) Command, Lore
Good (+3) Channeling, Survival
Decent (+2) Tactics, Engineering
Average (+1) Stealth, Physique Guild of Trade Grandmaster “Hey, at least hear my offer” Admirer of Art and Beauty “It is good to know your allies!” High Grace (Society)
Commanding Word (Society) Life of the Party (Rapport)
The Subtect is the primary mouthpiece for the Empire. He is adept at leveraging the might of the Em- pire to close deals and gain new allies.
Nalah (Leader)
Physical 4
Mental 4
Consequences -2 1, -2 1, -4 1
Fantastic (+6) Fighting, Athletics
Superb (+5) Marksmanship, Physique
Great (+4) Stealth, Disguise
Good (+3) Wits, Will
Decent (+2) Command, Tactics
Average (+1) Lore, Rapport Super Hero of the Plainsmen War Brightest Student of Warmaster Kalos Four Step Sweeping Feint
“Is your life really worth this?” Whirling Attack (Fighting)
Improved Favored Weapon (Fighting)
Micus (Leader)
Physical 4
Mental 3
Consequences -2 1, -4 1
Fantastic (+6) Tactics, Command
Superb (+5) Fighting, Engineering
Great (+4) Wits, Physique
Good (+3) Survival, Athletics
Decent (+2) Marksmanship, Society
Average (+1) Rapport, Will Lord of the Millet Plain
“I don’t care about odds! Back to the front!” Shrewd General
“We will outflank them!” Battle Master (Tactics) Coordinated Strike (Tactics) Set for Charge (Tactics)
Micus is a legend within the Empire, leading the Empire to victory against the Plainsmen as well as sparking a major renaissance of military strategy.
Minim (Leader)
Physical 2
Mental 4
Consequences -2 1, -2 1, -4 1
Fantastic (+6) Wits, Stealth
Superb (+5) Fighting, Athletics
Great (+4) Disguise, Lore
Good (+3) Rapport, Channeling
Decent (+2) Society, Survival
Average (+1) Tactics, Engineering Guild of Knowledge Grandmaster
“Under extreme pain we reveal our character” “I never forget a face”
Gray Cloak Founder Orb of Scrying (General)
Diplomacy
Alliance missions are not conducted with the leadership of the Empire, but rather with an under- ground interested in overthrowing power within the Empire. When going on an alliance mission, use The Resistance mission described later in this chapter. The Imperial leaders and sample challenges described here are reserved for diplomatic threats.
The Subtect is always involved in diplomacy for the Empire, while the Autarch rarely ventures beyond the Empire’s borders. During threats, the Empire will focus on exposing flaws within the Stronghold, both real and perceived. This is a good chance to play up past transgressions, using them to dissuade minor fac- tions from allying closely with the Stronghold.
Base Difficulty: Threat Pool
Sample Challenges
• Engage in a discussion of Imperial law with the Subtect.
• Defend the actions of the Stronghold to minor fac- tion leaders.
• Expose bribery attempts by the Subtect.
• Respond to accusations of betrayal by the Autarch.
Infiltration
The network of spies and informants, known as the Gray Cloaks, operate throughout the Empire. Min- im is one of the key leaders within the Gray Cloaks, and should be used in all infiltration missions. The Empire is a vast place, with many large cities, making it easier for the heroes to move around anonymously. However, the Gray Cloaks are focused on looking out for incursions from the Stronghold.
Note that a mission to assassinate the Autarch has a fixed difficulty of 8, as she is surrounded by the most competent guard force.
Base Difficulty: Threat Pool Assassinating the Autarch: 8
Sample Challenges
• Escape through the cramped alleys of the Wharf Quarter in Prominence.
• Meet with Tatlia in the back room of the Plump Guildmaster.
• Watch guard movements outside of the Guild of Maps, a Gray Cloak front.
• Plot a course through the Dawncaves.
Skirmish
The Empire is only too willing to send capable soldiers and mercenaries to attack targets within the Stronghold. Nalah is typically sent on such missions, backed up by guards or mercenaries from other fac- tions.
Base Difficulty: Threat Pool
Sample Challenges
• Chase Stronghold defectors out of their hideout. • Avoid getting lured into Nalah’s wilderness ambush. • Work to get an important Stronghold leader out of harms way.
• Help defend Carley farmhouse from ogre pillagers.
Warfare
The amount and type of troops The Empire has at their disposal is based upon their warfare threat pool. Early in the campaign, they are busy fighting the Plainsmen, so most of their most proficient troops are unavailable. However, as that war winds down, if war- fare becomes a focus, they possess a potentially terrify- ing array of power, led by the Autarch and
Base Difficulty: Threat Pool
Sample Challenges
• Keep morale up during the long march through the South Downs.
• Flee from a magical assault by the Autarch.
• Strike quickly with a rain of arrows to take the Gold River Bridge.