AEG Mercenaries

Reqtii^jOJre use o f the

P l a y e r ’s h a n d b <

W orJym oN,

published by ^

Wizards of the Coast:0

w

Checkusoutat#bw-rpg

Another quality scan by AKriTTeBA

m E R C E n A R JE S

M o n e y i s t h e o n l y c a u s e w o r t h d y i n g f o r .

You’re probably wondering what the hell this page is doing in this book. Well I will briefly explain why to

you.

For those active in the scene there has been a sort of “split”. Not in the traditional sense when many members

of one group pull-up tent spikes and either join another group or start a whole new one never to return and

always looking to screw-over their prior friends.

In this case there was a disagreement. Some people have left on bad terms (why else leave at all?). This has

led some people (no I am not pointing the finger at any one person) to do some rather unsavory things. For

example, removing a persons’ nick from the file they released. I feel strongly that those who do the work of

scanning, proofing, etc should get the recognition they deserve. A lot of hard work goes into the release of

even a marginally good scan and it’s my feeling that removing a persons’ nick is even worse than stealing.

Logistically I cannot police my files once they are released to the general public, so until such time as people

stop removing my nick from my releases I will be adding this page to all my releases.

There are lots of people out there who make the whole rpg scanning scene work. There are also many

channels on many servers. The goal in the same for each group, create the best looking files and serve those

files to the public. I am hoping that in the near future that some of the differences that have cropped up of late

can be laid aside and we can all work a little closer.

That’s my dollars worth. Hope you enjoy this scan.

m m

I

I

I

I

:

Cordially,

p

I

^KriTTeR/

_{I M}

W g m

October 2, 2002

I

w r i t i n g

N o a h Dudley, A n d re w G e ttin g ,T ra v is H e e rm a n n , J e f f Ib a ch , M ik e L ead er, M ik e M earls, jim p in to, E ric S teig er, Jo h n B a x te r Strin gfellow , D ouglas Sun

ART DIRECTION

jim p in to

COVER DESIGN

D ave A g o sto n and M a rk Jelfo

COVER ILLUSTRATION

M ich a e l Phillippi

IN TERIO R ILLUSTRATIONS

S to rn C o o k , L iz D an fo rth , L im G uo L ian g, M ich a e l P hillipp i, K evin W asd en , Je f f W rig h t

EDITING

S h an e L a cy H en sley , jim p in to

INTERIO R DESIGN AND LAYOUT

D ave A g o sto n and M ark Jelfo

PROJECT MANAGER

jim p in to

PLAYTESTING AND ADVICE

M ik e L ead er, Ja m e s “S parky” S p arlin g , Je ff Ib ach , K evin M illard

SPECIAL THANKS

O n c e again , th e re are ju st far to o m an y p eop le to th an k , b ut I’ll d o m y best.

M ik e L ead er, first an d fo re m o st fo r his tireless q uest to m ak e th is b oo k as g o o d as it co u ld be.

R o b e rt L ee. I left h is n a m e o f f o f Gods. Sorry, Rob. A n d re w G e ttin g fo r co n sta n tly su rp risin g m e. M ik e M earls fo r e v e ry th in g .

Ju stin L a w le r fo r n o th in g .

Je f f Ib a ch fo r so m u ch h elp , it ca n ’t b e ca lcu lated . Travis H e e rm a n n fo r stick in g it o u t.

A le x a n d e r W illia m S p a r lin g ... ju st b ecau se.

S to rn C o o k . I f th e re ’s a b e tte r c lu tc h h itte r w o rk in g in th e m in o r leagu es today, I haven't m e t th e m .

S co tt Jam es. P erfect as always. K evin W asd en fo r sh o ts o n goal.

B est w ish es to E r ic S teiger.

A HEROES' WELCOME

To D ave A g o sto n fo r d o in g th e im p ossib le.

DEDICATION

T h is o n e is fo r all th e u n su n g h ero es. You k n o w w h o you are.

I

S tealth ...55

Chapter 4 : F e a ts ...5 7 Feat D escrip tions... 57

Chapter 5 : D e scrip tio n ... 6 9 M ercenary W arriors...69

A lig n m e n t... 70

Walk the W alk... 71

Religion... 77 Vital S tatistics... 80 Chapter 6 : E q u ip m e n t... S I Starting W ealth ... 81 Selling L o o t...83 W eapons... 84 New W eap on s... 87 A r m o r ... ... 92 D racotechn ics...94 Adventuring G ear... 95 Chariots...96

Class Tools and Skill K i ts ...96

C lo th in g ... 97

C o n ta c ts ... 97

G u ild s...97

Hirelings and Services... 97

Magic Item s...97

Mounts and Related G ear...97

Special and Superior Item s...98

T atto o s... 100

T itles...101

Goods and Services...102

Chapter 7: Spells... 1 0 7 Alchemist E lixirs... 107 Bard Spells... 110 Cleric S p e lls...I l l Cleric D o m ain s... 113 Druid S p e lls...125 Myridon Spells...126 Paladin Spells...127 Ranger S p ells...128

Guardian, Sorcerer, and Wizard Spells...128

Tattoo Mage S p e lls ...130 New Spells... 132 Chapter 8 : M e rc e n a rie s...1 4 7 Hiring M ercenaries...147 N egotiations...149 M o ra le ...152

Skirmish Combat Rules... 156

Random M ercenary C reation... 161

100 M ercenary Adventure Id e a s...166

Chapter 9 : M ercenary Com panies...1 6 9 The M ercenary C o m p an y ...169

M ercenary Legends...181

The Scarlet Fist...184

Scarlet Fist F e a ts ... 185

The Delvers... 187

Krotok’s C ro a k e rs...189

W ar Wizards’ Conclave... 191

Chapter 1 0 : Prestige C la sse s... 1 9 5 The Assemblage U n d in e ...195

Bone W a rr io r...196

Clan C h am p ion ... 197

Clan K a llin ...199

Dune R u n n e r...200

Exiles o f the Burning R oad ... 202

F a n a tic... ...203 The Fifth C o lu m n ...204 Goridin’s Knights... 205 The Grey W a lk e r... 206 Initiate o f Shattered S te e l...208 Legacy...209 M an-at-Arms...211

Order o f the Sanguine K n ig h ts...212

Partisan...213

Personal Cham pion...214

Skirmisher... 216

S lay er...217

Soldiers o f the Blackened R o ad ...218

Spellslayer...; ...219 Stalwart D efender...221 Urban Defender... 221 Unseen H an d ...223 Chapter 1 1 : Magic I t e m s ...2 2 5 New Magic I t e m s ...225 A rtifacts... ; ...232 Chapter 1 2 : M o n s te r s ... 2 3 3 Beasts o f B u rd e n ...233

I

<

IN TRODUCTION

— Josh Billings H is to ric a lly , m e r c e n a rie s liv ed h a rsh , d ifficu lt lives. To a ttra ct offers, th ey had to g a rn e r m ilita ry fam e, w h ich req u ired g re a t risk. To m ak e a p ro fit, th e y had to d em an d at least p artial p a y m e n t up fro n t (le st th e ir e m p lo y e rs’ c o f­ fers — salary an d all — g o to th e e n e m y ). To stay alive, th e y had to d e cid e w h e th e r to b etray th e ir p atro n , o r risk b ein g b etrayed th e m se lv e s (an a ll-to o -co m m o n o c c u r ­ re n c e w h e n u sin g n o m in a lly n e u tra l tro o p s re ce iv in g h ig h e r pay th an th e n o rm ). T h e cy cle th e n re p eated itse lf fo r d e ca d e s u n til th e y co u ld earn e n o u g h to retire. N ot su rp risin gly, alm o st n o n e su rvived lon g e n o u g h to d o so.

A nd th e y n e v e r had to w o rry ab ou t m ag ic. O r m o n ste rs.

O r actu al, im m e d ia te , k a rm ic re trib u tio n fo r th e ir activ ­ ities.

Fantasy m e rce n a rie s h ave n o su ch luxury, and m u st c o m p e te w ith th e c o m m o n a d v e n tu re r fo r m an y o f th e ir c o n tra cts . T h e y m ak e d a n g e ro u s foes, and p ossib ly even m o re d a n g e ro u s allies. M e rc e n a rie s are a te m p ta tio n to all w arlord s, and a p aw n to be sa crifice d . T h e y m ay fig h t for ideals, n atio n s, races, o r loyalty, b ut th e y alw ays fig h t for m oney.

W h ile m o st fan tasy a d v e n tu re rs v iew m e rce n a rie s w ith u n m itig a te d c o n te m p t, m e rce n a rie s th e m se lv e s p o in t o u t th a t a lm o st e v e ry o n e is a “m e r c e n a ry ” o n so m e level. E v e n th e m o st e n lig h te n e d soul rarely p lies his trad e fo r fre e , and m e rce n a rie s are — in th e ir o w n ey es at least — sim ­ p ly h o n e st ab ou t th e ir p ro fessio n . M e rc e n a rie s are esp e­ cially c ritic a l o f o th e r a d v e n tu re rs, w h o w o rk o n a fo r-h ire basis, y et se e m to lack th e co u ra g e to a ck n o w le d g e su ch m a te ria lism . A fte r all, n o t all m e rce n a rie s ab an ­ d o n m o ra lity in th e ir q u est fo r m oney.

A t least n o t at first.

T h e p ro b le m w ith su ch th in k in g is th at m e rc e n a r­ ies face th e w o rst th e w orld h as to offer, o n a co n sta n t basis. D e p e n d in g o n th e n atu re o f th e c o n tr a c t, th ey m u s t se rv e as s h o c k tro o p s, s k ir m is h e rs , su icid e squads, o r assassins (b attlefield o r o th e rw ise ). T h o u g h th ey p rid e th e m se lv e s o n th e ir m e n ta l an d p h ysical fo rtitu d e , ev en th e y h ave lim its, and th e g rin d in g ca r­ n age th a t m e rce n a rie s face tak es its toll. Few su rv ive lo n g w ith o u t su ccu m b in g to d esp air o r m a d n e s s ... but th o se w h o d o are h e ro e s in th e ir o w n rig h t, as w o rth y o f re s p e ct as an y palad in o r m age. A soul fo rg ed in th e te rro rs o f w a r h as little to fe a r o ff th e b attlefield , an d m u c h to g a in o n it. G od s o f w ar, slayers o f m e n , h e ro e s fo r h ire , vile traito rs, and h o n ­

o red ch a m p io n s — all m ay call th e m se lv e s m e rce n a rie s an d all w ith d ifferen t h op es at h eart.

It is th is life th a t tru e a d v e n tu re rs lead.

T h is b ook co n ta in s th e e sse n ce o f th e m e rce n a ry 's w orld , a w orld o f m e n b ou n d by c o n tra c t an d c o in ; lives sp e n t s crim p in g by, m a k in g a sca n t livin g w h ile o th e r g ro w fat o ff th e ir w ork . T h e life o f a m e rc e n a ry is n o t o n e to en v y o r e v e n b e g ru d g e , fo r th e day m ay c o m e w h en e v e n th e m o st p op u lar h e ro o f th e realm m u st sell his sw ord in o rd e r to eat.

T h is b oo k co n ta in s e v e ry th in g a DM n eed s to cre a te e x c itin g and uniqu e ca m p a ig n s and e v e ry th in g p layers n eed to b rin g a n e w level o f play to th e ir ad ven tu res. N ew ra ce s and classes e n h a n c e o r re p la ce th o se alread y in th e g a m e sy stem , and n ew feats an d e q u ip m e n t allow p layers m o re o p tio n s fo r cre a tin g g ritty sw ord s fo r hire.

>

<

R

UJJITh.^

____________________ AR A D A N

O ften p e rce iv e d as n a u g h t m o re th a n in te llig e n t v e rm in , aradan are as h a rd y and n im b le as th e rats th e y resem b le. T h e y in te g ra te th e m se lv e s in to o th e r ra c e s’ so cie tie s as b est th e y ca n , fe e d in g o ff th e refuse o f o th e rs. W h ile n o r­ m ally cow ard ly, arad an tu rn v icio u s w h e n th e ir h o m e s o r frien d s are th re a te n e d , and th e cre a tu re s tra v e l in packs.

P e r s o n a li ty : A rad an g reatly p re fe r a ctio n to p lan n in g . T h e y are in fam o u sly restless and im p e tu o u s, re ly in g o n th e ir in n a te to u g h n e ss and u n ca n n y ability to su rvive d an g e r; th e y e x h ib it d a rin g th a t m o s t o th e rs c a n n o t m a tch .

G lu tto n o u s and greed y, arad an h ave an en d less ap p etite fo r b oth food and w ealth , and th e y h oard b oth in s tin c ­ tively. T h e cre a tu re s o fte n p ick o v e r th e leavin gs o f o th e r races, lo o k in g fo r an y lost g o o d s th e y m ig h t use.

P h y s i c a l D e s c r i p t i o n : M o st a rad an stan d slig h tly s h o rte r th a n m en , n o m o re th an fo u r o r five fe e t tall and slig h tly built. F u r co v e rs th e ir e n tire b od ies, and th e ir fin­ gers and toes en d in sm all, sh arp talon s. T h e ir fu r co lo rs ran g e w idely, fro m th e rare sh ad es o f b lack o r w h ite to th e v a stly m o r e c o m m o n re d d ish b ro w n . T h e ir in c is o rs ex te n d b elow th e ir jaw , and ca n c u t th ro u g h w ood and flesh w ith equal ease. A n arad an ’s ey es are sm all and red, and re fle ct lig h t w ell. A rad an have av erag e v isio n , but p os­ sess g reat d ark visio n . In ad d itio n , aradan p ossess sh arp h e a rin g and a k e e n sen se o f sm ell. A rad an h ave an in cre d ­ ib ly rap id m e ta b o lis m th a t e n h a n c e s th e ir p h y sica l p row ess and h e a lin g ability, b ut g re a tly d e cre a se s th e ir life-span. A rad an g e n e ra lly m a tu re w ith in 10 years, and have a m a x im u m lifespan o f a ro u n d 4 0 years.

R e l a t i o n s : A rad an a tte m p t to fit in w ith o th e rs, b ut in vain. T h e y fin d it d ifficu lt to ad apt to life in a c o m m u n ity o f h u m an s, d w arves, elv e s o r g n o m e s, b ut th ey h ave an affinity fo r h alflin gs. A rad an are m o st o fte n fou n d alon e o r in h alflings lands.

A l i g n m e n t : A rad an ten d to be c h a o tic an d n eu tral. T h e y th riv e on ch a n g e , and h ave a n asty h ab it o f ca u sin g ch a o s w h e re v e r th e y go.

R a c e L a n d s : A rad an h ave n o land s o f th e ir ow n . T h ey live in th e lands o f o th e r races, w h e re th e y can c a rv e o u t a p lace o f th e ir ow n. T h e y can be fo u n d in m o st an y land , but are m o s t freq u en tly e n c o u n te re d in h alflin g land s o r in th e d re g s o f o th e r ra c e s’ citie s. F o r th e m o s t p art, th e y p re fe r an y typ e o f city o r village to th e w ild ern ess.

R e l ig i o n : T h e A rad an h ave n o re lig io n o f th e ir ow n. T h e y o fte n fo llow god s o f ch a o s, trick e ry and thievery. S o m e ch o o s e to fo llow th e h alflin g s' p a n th e o n , w h ile o th ­ ers p re fe r to live lives u n fe tte re d by th e w o rsh ip o f a deity. L a n g u a g e : A rad an speak th e ir o w n lan g u age, w h ich uses th e c o m m o n sc rip t (th o u g h in a larg ely illegib le m a n n e r). T h e y lack a n y th in g re se m b lin g lite ra tu re , w ith m o st o f th e ir g re a t sto rie s b e in g sh ared orally. T h e y speak th e C o m m o n an d H alflin g to n g u e s as w ell.

A r a d a n N a m e s : A n arad an h as a g iv e n n a m e , a clan n a m e , an d usually a ta k e n n a m e . O ccasio n ally , so m e aradan take n ick n a m e s o r are g iv e n n ick n a m e s by th e ir clans. N ick n a m e s g iv en by a cla n are alw ays an h o n o ra ry title , m o re th a n a n ick n a m e , an d are o n ly g iv e n to tru ly e x ce p tio n a l arad an . In so m e cases, th e h o n o ra ry n ick ­ n a m e is used in stead o f th e C lan n a m e , and g iv es rise to a n e w cla n o f arad an , co m p rise d o f th e fo u n d e r’s fam ily

R

and clo se friend s. B ecau se th e g iv en n a m e is a c o m p le te ly arad an n a m e and is usually g ra tin g to th e ears o f n o n -arad an , ind ividu als g e n e ra lly give th e m se lv e s a n am e that is H u m a n , o r m o re lik ely H alflin g , in o rig in . A s su ch , a arad an co u ld be n am ed L a rm re k o f C lan B lack fu r, and h ave B eau as h is tak en n a m e . T h u s, to arad an h e w ou ld call h im se lf L a rm re k o f C lan B lack fu r, but to n on -arad an he m ig h t say h is n am e w as Beau Blackfur.

M a l e N a m e s : A lre k , B rek , C ra k , G n a rl, K n o b b le , L a rm re k , R arl, S k re e k .T la rn , and W orl.

F e m a l e N a m e s : A m rai, B rek ely n , C rak alew n , G arn ek , L arak ew y n , M appy, N opkey, Skreak, V yrk na, and W arl.

C l a n N a m e s : A lm ste k , Blakfur, D alefu rth , D arkw alker, Fleagallow , N ord lask er, R ynfest, S h a rp te e th , V aleloafer, an d W ayfind er.

N i c k n a m e s : S o m e sa m p le c la n -g ra n te d h o n o ra r y n ick n a m e s are: B a ck b re a k e r, D e a th m o n g e r, Fo eslay er, G old fin d er, L ifetak er, and V erm in lord .

A d v e n tu r e r s : A rad an a d v e n tu re rs seek to use th e ir ab ilities to g a rn e r w ealth and p ow er, but rarely fam e. To m o st A rad an, a d v e n tu rin g is a c a r e e r o r w ay o f life, p re fe r­ able to th e d ru d g e ry o f n o rm a l liv in g and w ork.

ARADAN RACIAL TRAITS

• +2 D exterity , +2 C o n s titu tio n , - 2 In te llig e n ce , —4 C h a r­ ism a: A rad an are e x tre m e ly q uick, agile, and hardy, b ut th e ir lin eag e m ak es th e m less in te llig e n t, glib, and c o m e ly th a n m o st h u m an o id s.

• M ed iu m -size: A s M e d iu m -siz e c re a tu re s, arad an have n o sp ecial b o n u se s o r p e n a ltie s d u e to size.

• A rad an base speed is 4 0 ft.

• D ark vision: A rad an can see in th e dark up to 6 0 ft. A rad an d ark visio n is in full co lo r, and A rad an can fu n ctio n n o rm a lly w ith n o lig h t at all.

• + 2 racial b on u s o n L iste n ch e ck s: A rad an have k een ears and sen ses.

• S ce n t: A rad an h ave an e n h a n ce d sen se o f sm ell an d p ossess th e S ce n t ability. • A u to m a tic L an g u ag es: C o m m o n (al­

th o u g h aradan speak a lim ited v e r­ sio n ). B o n u s L an g u ag es: D w arv -en , E lv e n , G n o m e , G ob lin , H alfling, and O re.

• F av o red C lass: F ig h te r. A m u lti­ class arad an ’s fig h te r class d oes n o t c o u n t w h e n d e te rm in in g w h e th e r he su ffers an X P p e n a lty fo r m u lti-classing.

>

ASHEMI

A sh em i are quite ra re , b ecau se th e re n u m b e rs are sm all. T h e y are so lon g -liv ed , and p ro cre a te so in freq u en tly th at an y b irth o r d eath is a m a jo r e v e n t in ash e m i society. A sid e fro m t h e ir u n u su a l a p p e a ra n c e , th e y a re b est k n o w n fo r th e ir v iru le n t h atred o f evil and d ark n ess. T h ey fav o r all th in g s g o o d and p u re and p eacefu l. T h e y h ave a sim p le, p erh ap s ev en a u stere sen se o f beauty, and ca re lit­ tle fo r m aterial th in g s. T ru e beauty, as th ey see it, lies in th e w o n d e r an d g ra ce o f th e u n iv erse. I f th e re is a co n flic t v ersu s th e fo rce s o f d ark n ess, a sh em i w ill be p resen t to lend th e ir aid a g ain st evil.

M o st ash em i b eliev e th e ir ra ce to be th e o ld e st in e x is­ te n c e , o ld e r e v e n th a n th e elves. A s e le c t few o f th e E ld e r a sh em i k n o w th e old legen d s o f a tim e w h en th e sun w as a d ifferen t c o lo r and a d ifferen t size, w h en th e sky w as a d ifferen t co lo r, w h e n th e ir w in g s had stre n g th e n o u g h to allow th e m to fly, w h e n th e ir p op u latio n w as g re a t and w id espread.

R

T h e legen d s speak o f a g re a t stru g g le again st evil, w h ere untold th o u san d s o f th e ir n u m b e r w ere d estro y ed , and in this stru g g le th ey w ere fo rce d to relin q u ish th e ir h o m e to the fo rces o f d ark n ess, an d to find a n o th e r h o m e for th e m se lv e s.T h e se legen d s are k ept s e c r e t fro m th e y o u n g (th o se y o u n g e r th a n 5 0 0 y e a rs) b ecau se su ch tales te n d to u pset th e m . T h e E ld e rs b elieve n o p u rp o se is served by speaking o f w h a t w as lost o n c e and can n e v e r be reg ain ed . P e r s o n a lity : T h e few trav elers w h o h ave e n co u n te re d ashem i re m e m b e r th e m as q u iet and in tro sp e ctiv e , o ften d eeply p h ilo so p h ica l ab ou t

the n a tu re o f g ood and evil, the n atu re o f th e u n iv erse, and th e ir p lace in it. M an y a sh e m i e n jo y m u s ic , w h ile so m e fin d o n ly th e n a tu ra l m u sic o f n atu re to be w o rth y o f a tte n tio n , th e m e lo d y o f a b ro o k , the b eat o f th u n d e r, th e h a rm o n y o f th e w in d . T h e y g re a tly love th e op en sp aces o f n a tu re , an d find c o n f in e m e n t a n d th e d ark spaces o f th e u n d e rg ro u n d to be cla u stro p h o b ic . H o w e v e r, fo r all an a sh e m i’s love o f b eauty and q u ietu d e, th e fe ro city o f his w ra th , w h e n faced by th e fo rces o f d ark n ess o r th e evi­ d e n ce o f so m e d ep raved act, s o m e tim e s s h o c k s e v e n th e h ard iest fig h ters. A t all tim e s and in all situ atio n s, e v e n in b attle, a sh e m i a re ste a d fa stly p o lite to th e ir c o m r a d e s and th e ir e n e m ie s . T h e y v ie w th e b eauty in h e re n t in all th in g s as a so u rce o f tru e p ow er.

P h y s i c a l D e s c r i p t i o n : A sh e m i av erag e 6 ft. 6 in. tall, w ith n ar­ row, th in , w iry build s. T h e ir skin is iv o ry w h ite in co lo r, and c o m p le te ly h a irle ss . H o w e v e r, fo r all h is s m o o th d elicacy, ' ‘ a sh em i sk in is to u g h and re s ilie n t. S o m e say th e y re se m b le v e ry tall elves in th e ir facial

stru ctu re , b ut th a t re se m b la n ce e n d s at th e ir ey es, w h ich are fe atu reless g o ld en orb s set w id e on th e ir faces. T h e ir m o u th s and n oses are v e ry sm all, b ut th e ir eyes are about tw ice th e size o f n o rm a l h u m a n ’s. T h is c o m b in a tio n gives th e m an a lm o st in n o c e n t ap p e a ra n ce . A ll ash em i m ales are b o rn w ith m e m b ra n o u s v estigial w in gs. T h e se w in gs do n o t allow th e m to fly, b ut th e claw ed fin g e r at th e m ain jo in t o f e a ch w in g ca n be used fo r lig h t g rip p in g . S om e

ash e m i h o u ses re m o v e th e se w in g s at b irth to m a k e th e ir so n s m o re a cce p ta b le in a p p e a ra n ce to so m e o f th e o th e r races. T h e ir c lo th in g m o st o fte n co n sists o f fin ely w ov en silv er o r g o ld e n co lo re d clo th o r m e sh . T h e ir fin g ers are lo n g an d a lm o st p re h e n sile b e ca u se th e y have an e x tra jo in t. A sh e m i re a ch a d u lth o o d at th e age o f 5 0 , b ut can live to b e o v e r 1 ,0 0 0 years old.

R e l a t i o n s : A sh e m i g e t a lo n g w ell w ith all ra ce s th ey b elieve to be in h e re n tly g o o d , se e in g th e m as co m ra d e s in th e stru g g le again st d ark n ess. R aces b elieved to be evil are likely to re ce iv e o u trig h t h o stility fro m an ash e m i. T h e y g e t alo n g p a rticu la rly w ell w ith elves, w h o th e y see as k in d re d sp irits in th e ir love fo r b eauty and th e ir lon gevity. A h u m a n is view ed w ith so m e m e a su re o f d istru st u n til th e h u m a n p ro v es h im s e lf w orthy. D w arves are h eld in so m e distaste fo r th e ir g reed and th e ir love o f th e d a rk n e ss u n d e r th e e a rth . L ik ew ise w ith g n o m e s, w h o m th e a sh em i v iew as sim p ly too busy fo r th e ir ow n g o o d . H alf-o rcs a re lik ely talf-o be eq uated w ith o res, an d th u s th e ash e­

m i d istru st th e m at best. A l i g n m e n t : A sh e m i love th e co m p a n io n sh ip o f o th e rs, an d are loyal to o th e rs o f th e ir ra ce and m e m b e rs o f th e ir h o u s e an d fam ily. T h e y also d esp ise evil all its fo rm s . T h is c o m b in a tio n te n d s to m ak e m o st a sh e m i law ­ ful g o o d , h o w e v e r th e re are e x ce p tio n s. M a n y a s h e m i o f m o r e p h ilo s o p h ic a l m in d s e t m a y te n d to w a rd s n e u tra l al­ ig n m e n ts . A n d th e lo n e rs a n d o u tc a s ts m ay ev en b e so m e w h a t c h a o tic . H o w e v e r, an ash e­ m i w h o is evil is all b ur u n k n o w n . S u ch a th in g w ou ld be th e m o st reviled ab o m in a tio n c o n ­ ceivable. Such a c re a tu re w ou ld be ceaselessly h u n ted by his o w n race.

A s h e m i L a n d s : A sh e m i p re fe r to in h ab it th e w ild p laces o f th e e a rth , w h e re civ iliz a tio n h e sita te s to spread, in sm all co m m u n itie s. E a c h c o m m u n ity is called a H o u se, sim ila r in p u rp o se to a clan , w h e re all m e m b e rs are relat­ ed by b lood o r m a rria g e . O u tsid e rs are w e lco m e d , but a

H o u se is a tig h t k n it o rg a n iz a tio n . H o u se s so m e tim e s take th e n a m e th e area w h e re th e y se ttle , o r p erh ap s take th e n a m e o f a p a rticu la rly s p e cta c u la r n a tu ral featu re. T h e y p re fe r areas like m o u n ta in to p s, ca n y o n s, o r riv er valleys, w h e re th e y ca n see th e sk y above an d th e land ab ou t, and feel th e w in d o n th e ir sk in . I f a large c o n flic t is b re w in g ag ain st th e fo rce s o f d ark n ess, an e n tire H ou se so m e tim e s p ick s up and m o v es c lo s e r to th e co n te ste d area. In tim e s o f p e a ce , a sh em i m o s t o fte n asso ciate w ith elves, o th e rw ise te n d in g to k eep to th em selv es.

R e l ig i o n : A sh em i have n o p re fe rre d deity. T h e y ten d to w o rsh ip th e b eau ty o f th e u n iv e rse an d seek sp iritu al ful­ fillm e n t in a d esire fo r e n lig h te n m e n t — a tra n sfo rm a ­ tio n to a h ig h e r plane o f e x is te n c e th e y b elieve ca n be g ain ed th ro u g h m e d ita tio n an d so litu d e.

L a n g u a g e : A sh em i speak A sh e ru , a to n al lan g u age w ith has a co n tin u o u s cu rsiv e scrip t th at read s m u c h like m u sic, w ith th e varied to n e s re c o rd e d a lo n g w ith th e p h o ­ n e tic syllables. A sh e m i o fte n speak th e la n g u a g e o f th e ir frien d s (e lv e s) and e n em ies.

N a m e s : A n a s h e m i’s H o u se n a m e is alw ay s p ro ­ n o u n c e d first. H e is g iv e n a n am e at b irth by his m o th e r. H is n a m e is reg ard ed b oth as a b adge o f h o n o r and a g reat respon sib ility. H e m u st n e v e r b rin g sh a m e o r d ish o n o r o n to h is H o u se by so ilin g h is n am e. S o m e H o u se n am es in clu d e M ah ad eo , Yap heo, Zavaeo, R agueo, C h a m u e o , and A rak eo.

M a l e N a m e s : R ik iu l, Z u riu l, S a ru u l, G a rd iu l, S am an d riu l, K ep h aru l.

F e m a l e N a m e s : R ash iel, Y ep h iel, R e m ie l, Z o p h ie l, Je h u d ie l, Baradiel, A m ash iel.

A d v e n tu r e r s : A sh em i a d v e n tu re rs m o st o fte n leave th e ir H o u se s b e ca u se o f a cru sa d in g n e e d to b a ttle fo rce s o f evil, o r p e rh a p s a love o f e x c ite m e n t, o r a fe rv e n t d esire to b rin g g lo ry and h o n o r to h is h o u se. S im p le g re e d is n e v e r an ashem i's m o tiv a tio n , e x ce p t w h e re treasu re and a rtifa cts m ig h t acq u ire m o re afflu e n ce and p o w e r fo r his H o u se. T h e fe rv o r w ith w h ich an ash em i attack s evil cre a ­ tu res is v iew ed as a cre d it to h is H o u se , w h ich h elp s to exp la in h is fe ro city in co m b a t.

ASHEMI RACIAL TRAITS

• + 2 I n te llig e n c e , + 2 W is d o m , - 2 C o n s titu tio n , - 2 S tre n g th . A sh e m i are lon g -liv ed and w ell e d u ca te d , but th e ir b od ies are th in and wispy.

• M ed iu m -size. As m e d iu m -siz e cre a tu re s, ash em i h ave n o sp ecial b o n u se s o r p en alties d u e to th e ir size. • A sh e m i b ase sp eed is 3 0 ft.

• L ow -lig h t V ision : A sh e m i ca n see tw ice as far as a h u m a n in sta rlig h t, m o o n lig h t, to rch lig h t, an d sim ilar co n d itio n s o f p o o r illu m in a tio n . T h e y re ta in th e ability to d istin g u ish c o lo r and detail u n d e r th ese co n d itio n s. • + 2 racial b on u s o n sav in g th ro w s ag ain st sp ells and

sp ell-like effects.

-- ---H

• + 2 racial b o n u s to a tta ck rolls ag ain st cre a tu re s o f k n o w n evil a lig n m e n t, due to th e ir fe rv e n t, in g rain ed h atred o f evil. - 2 p e n a lty to a tta ck rolls ag ain st c re a ­ tu res o f k n o w n g o o d a lig n m e n t.

• +2 ra cia l b o n u s to all In tu it D ire ctio n , S earch , S en se M o tiv e , Spot, and W ild e rn e ss L o re ch e ck s.

• +1 n atu ral b o n u s to A C.

• A u to m a tic L anguages: A sh eru an d C o m m o n

• A n A sh e m i s o rc e re r ca n ca st o n e spell p e r day fo r free. It d oes n o t co u n t again st th e sp ells h e ca n ca st e a ch day. T h e spell ca n b e an y sp ell th e s o rc e re r know s.

• Favored C lass: S o rce re r. A sh e m i see th e b eau ty o f th e u n iv erse as a so u rce o f p o w e r and p ossess an in n a te tal­ e n t fo r d raw in g u p o n it. A m u lticla ss a sh e m i’s s o rc e re r class d o es n o t c o u n t w h en d e te rm in in g w h e th e r h e suf­ fers an X P penalty.

________ ___________ BAEL

T h e b ael are so m e o f th e m o st su cce ssfu l m e rc h a n ts in an y land. A side fro m b e in g quite beautiful, c h a rm in g , and in te llig e n t, th e y also p ossess a gift fo r fin a n ce and c o m ­ m e rce . M an y m e rch a n ts an d m e rc e n a ry c o m p a n ie s h ire bael to h an d le su pp ly and log istics, b e ca u se th e y h ave a ta le n t fo r “fin d in g th in g s.” T h e y p re fe r to avoid co m b a t w h e n e v e r p ossib le, m a in ly to avoid u n sig h tly b attle scars. T h e y also have an u n u su al affin ity fo r anim als. M o st bael g re a tly e n jo y k e e p in g p ets, so m e tim e s e v e n se n tie n t ones. S o m e bael a ch ie v e g re a t w e a lth an d p o w e r n o t as m e r­ ch a n ts b ut by o ffe rin g th e m se lv e s as p ro fessio n al d ip lo ­ m ats and m ed iato rs. T h e y o ffe r th e use o f th e ir in n a te social gifts to th e h ig h e st bidder.

F o r all th e ir in h e re n t g re e d in e ss, b ael h ave a c o d e o f c o n d u c t th a t p re v e n ts th e m fro m c h e a tin g e m p lo y e rs o r b u sin ess asso ciates, but d oes n o t p re v e n t th e m fro m tak ­ in g ad van tage o f an ideal situ atio n . T h is se e m s alien to h u m a n s, b u t is in h e re n t to th e ir cu ltu re . As an e xam p le, bael h o n o r all c o n tra cts . O n c e a d eal h as b een m ad e, th ey fo llow th ro u g h w ith it ev en if it is n o t to th e ir advan tage. A fterw ard s, th e y ch a stise th e m se lv e s fo r n o t b e in g m o re a stu te o r carefu l in th e first p lace.

P e r s o n a li ty : T h e ir stro n g p e rso n a litie s, g re a t in te lle ct, and “gift o f gab” m ak e th e m e x ce e d in g ly ch a rm in g and pleasant co m p an y. H ow ev er, u n d e r th is facade, th ey are co n n iv in g and sneaky. T h e ir in n a te av arice o fte n leads th e m to sh ad y deals and p rofit by an y m ean s. T h is g reed also m ak es m o s t o f th e m so m e w h a t u n ch a rita b le tow ard th e n eed s o f o th e rs. In fact, fin d in g m o re se lf-ce n te re d , vain p eop le is a d ifficult task. Bael are w ell a ccu sto m e d to u sin g th e ir looks and in te llig e n ce to g e t w h at th e y w ant, an d if th e y d o n o t, th e y are q u ick to a n g e r o r fru stratio n .

P h y s i c a l D e s c r i p t i o n : Bael are o fte n m ista k e n for h u m a n s, so clo se is th e re se m b la n ce . H o w e v e r, th ey are

3

-

R

m o re b eautiful th an h u m an s, so m e w h a t like elves, but th e ir featu res are m o re b lu nt an d ch ise le d th a n th e sh arp fin en ess o f elfin fe atu res. T h e y a v erag e 6 ft. tall, w ith a th ­ letic builds. T h e ir sk in is a c h e s tn u t b ro w n in co lo r, but th e ir ey es are a g o ld e n b ro n ze w ith sm all b lack pupils. T h e ir h a ir ran g es fro m d ark b ro w n to g o ld e n b lo n d e, w h ich b oth g e n d e rs g e n e ra lly w e a r cro p p e d clo se to th e ir heads. T h e y h ave n o b od y h a ir o th e r th a n o n th e ir heads. T h ey usually d ress in rich , co lo rfu l c lo th in g , to a u g m en t th e ir loo k s and use th e ir cra fty in te llig e n c e

to b est ad van tage. H o w e v e r, if th e y are trav­ elin g in th e d e se rt, as th e y like to do, they alw ays w ear th e layered w h ite rob es o f d e se rt n om ad s. T h e y h ave b eau tifu l sm ile s th a t c a n b e q u ite d isa rm in g , but th e ir ey es so m e tim e s b e tra y th e ir g reed an d av a rice , and p e rh a p s th e ir ca n in e te e th a re ju st a bit to o sh arp .

R e l a t i o n s : Bael h old n o ill-w ill tow ard an y o th e r ra ce , e x ce p t lahryk , w h o a re ju st as av aricio u s as th e bael. B ecau se th e y u n d e rsta n d th e lah ryk , th ey d esp ise th e m , v ie w in g th e m as ugly p oseu rs. But a n y o n e is a p o te n ­ tial b u sin ess asso ciate. As a g e n e ra l ru le, th e y v iew elves an d A sh e m i as to o effete, h a lf-o rcs and m o n s te r races as to o vulgar, g n o m e s and h alflings as to o sk ittish , d w arves as too g ru ff, and h u m a n s as to o stu ­ pid. In sh o rt, n o o n e is as g o o d as a b ael, w h ic h is all th e m o re rea­ so n o th e r ra c e s m u st be m ilk ed o f th e ir p re cio u s co in . B ecau se o f th e ir lo n g -sta n d in g b e lie f in th e ir o w n su p erio rity , b e h in d th e ir affab le v e n e e r, th e y ca n be h a u g h ty and a rro ­ gant. A l i g n m e n t : B e c a u se o f th e ir t e n d e n c y to w a rd s g re e d a n d vanity, b e ca u se o f th e ir so m e w h a t flexib le m o rality , th e m a jo rity o f bael a re c h a o tic n e u tra l, b ut th e y ca n be o f an y a lig n m e n t.

B a e l L a n d s : Bael p ossess n o lands o f th e ir ow n . In stead th e y live in th e lands o f o th e r races, w h e re v e r th e y find su fficie n t w ealth to acq u ire o r m a rk e ts to e x p lo it. B ecau se th e y a re so p e rso n a b le , th e y w o rk w ell w ith o th e rs, so m o st races hold th e m in h ig h regard. E x ce p t, o f co u rse , fo r ind ivid u als w h o h ave b e e n o n th e w ro n g side o f a bael b u sin ess d eal. Bael d o n o t fo rm co m m u n itie s. T h e y p re fe r to m ix an d m in g le freelv w ith o th e r races.

Bael legen d s say th at th ey c a m e fro m d istan t and d eso ­ late d e s e rt lands. T h is w ou ld exp lain th e ir affin ity fo r w arm , d ry clim ates.

R e l ig i o n : Bael are too p re o ccu p ie d w ith th e a ccu m u la ­ tio n o f w ealth to w o rsh ip a n y th in g else. T h e ir sp iritu al o u tlo o k d o es n o t esp o u se d eities. T h e y m u ch p re fe r to re ly o n th e ir ow-n c h a rm and g u ile to a ch ie v e th e ir en d s, instead o f se e k in g g u id a n ce and c o m f o rt fro m an ou tsid e so u rce . H o w e v e r, so m e ind ivid u als d o hold th e go d o f trav el in h ig h regard .

L a n g u a g e : T h e bael speak C o m m o n and th e ir o w n lan ­ g u ag e, w h ich th e y call bael. T h e y p re fe r to k e e p bael a s e c re t, so it is an u n w ritte n ru le a m o n g bael to teach th e ir lan g u age to o n e fro m a n o th e r race. T h e s e cre cy is u sefu l in b u sin ess d ealin g s b etw een b ael. S in ce th e y trad e w ith so m an y o th e r races, th e y have d ev elo p ed an affin ity fo r o th e r lan g u ages, and m a y c h o o s e tw o o th e r lan g u ages at c h a ra c te r

c re a tio n .

N a m e s : M o st bael n a m e s co n sist o f tw o syllables, w ith co n so n a n ts b e g in n in g and e n d in g e a ch syllable. S in ce th e y d o n ot fo rm large fam ilies o r c o m m u n itie s , th ey d o n ot take su rn a m e s. O fte n a n a m e is p assed d ow n fro m p aren t to ch ild , p a rticu ­ larly if a su cce ssfu l bael b elieves h is off­ s p rin g m ig h t b e n e fit fro m h is o w n

re n o w n e d n am e. M a l e N a m e s : Jo s tic h , B asril, T o d m ik , Ruspil. F e m a l e N a m e s : Jim a t, B irtris, S u ln am , H ad m el. A d v e n t u r e r s : M o st bael seek a d v e n tu re fo r a sin g le reason , a ccu m u la tio n o f w ealth and p o w e r. R u m o rs o f s o m e g re a t tre a s u re rip e fo r th e p lu c k in g su re ly d raw th e in te re st o f b f f o r r a n y b a e l w ith in e a rsh o t. T h e y also ■fcw / C ik, k n o w th a t la rg e -s c a le w a rfa re c a n b rin g g o ld e n o p p o rtu n i­ tie s fo r a m e r c h a n t w ith th e co u ra g e an d c o n n e c tio n s to se rv e a rm ie s on th e m a rch . F o r all th e ir a v e rsio n o f m e le e co m b a t, th e y are n ot w eak and h elp less, esp ecially w h e n it c o m e s to a rc a n e m ag ic. T h e y m ak e equally g o o d w izards and so rce re rs.

BAEL RACIAL TRAITS

• +2 In te llig e n ce , +2 C h a rism a , - 2 W isd o m . Bael are h ig h ly in te llig e n t an d q uite b eau tifu l, but are so m e tim e accu se d o f h av in g little c o m m o n sen se w ith re sp e ct to a n v th in e b ut w ealth .

• M e d iu m -siz e . As m e d iu m -siz e cre a tu re s, b ael h ave n o sp ecial b o n u se s o r p e n a ltie s d u e to th e ir size.

• Bael base sp eed is 3 0 ft.

• +2 ra cia l b on u s to all A n im al E m p a th y , Bluff, D ip lo­ m a cy , D isg u ise , H a n d le A n im a l, H id e , K n o w le d g e (c o m m e rc e ), and S en se M o tiv e ch e ck s.

• + 3 ra cia l b on u s to all S e a rch an d S pot ch e c k s in day­ lig h t, d u e to th e ir k een ey esig h t.

• +2 racial b on u s to all L iste n c h e c k s b e ca u se o f th e ir a cu te h earin g .

• + 2 racial b on u s to all W ild e rn e ss L o re c h e c k s m ad e in a d e se rt o r arid e n v iro n m e n t.

• - 2 racial p e n a lty to all S e a rch an d S p o t ch e c k s m ad e w h ile n o t in dayligh t.

• B ael p h y sio lo g y is w ell ad apted fo r arid e n v iro n m e n ts. As a re su lt th e y ca n g o w ith o u t food an d w a te r tw ice as lo n g as h u m a n s w ith o u t su fferin g an y ill effects. • Bael w izards an d so rc e re rs re ce iv e a + 2 b on u s to th e D C

o f an y e n c h a n tm e n t o r co n ju ra tio n sp ells th e y cast.

• A u to m a tic L an g u ag es: Bael and C o m m o n . In ad d ition to b o n u s lan g u ages fro m In te llig e n ce , th e c h a ra c te r m a y c h o o s e an y tw o o th e r b o n u s la n g u a g e s fro m D w a rv e n , D ra c o n ic , E lv e n , G ia n t, G n o m e , G ob lin , G noll, O re , S ylvan, and U n d e rc o m m o n .

• F av o red C lass: W iz a rd . Bael are m a ste rs at g e ttin g w hat th e y d esire, th ro u g h m a g ica l m e a n s if n ecessary . A m u l­ ticlass b ael’s w izard class d oes n o t c o u n t w h e n d e te r­ m in in g w h e th e r he su ffers an X P penalty.

___________________ DRALLOKS

F ro m h id d e n ca v e s an d u n k n o w n byw ays to th e d e p th s o f th e e a rth th e y e m e rg e d , m y ste rio u s fig u res clad in layers o f rob es, clo ak s, and o th e r g a rm e n ts. T h e ir featu res c o m ­ p letely co n ce a le d by th e ir clo th in g , th e d rallo k s — as th e y called th e m se lv e s — w e re m e t w ith fe a r an d trep id a­ tio n . Yet o v e r tim e th e y slow ly e a rn ed a c c e p ta n c e in th e sh ad o w y re a lm o f th e crim in a l u n d e rw o rld . D rallok s s e e m e d cap ab le o f p e n e tra tin g e v e n th e m o st tig h tly g u ard ed areas, and th e ir talen ts as th iev es and assassins attain ed le g e n d a ry status. As m y ste rio u s as th e y are rare, m o st c o m m o n e r s h ave n e v e r h eard o f th e drallok s, m u ch less seen o n e . N o n e w h o h ave seen th e ir tru e visage have sp o k en o f it. W h e th e r th a t is b ecau se n o o n e has d ared a tte m p t a p e e k o r th o se w h o h ave are dead and b u ried ,

n o n e c a n say.

In tru th , d rallo k s a re a su b te rra n e a n h u m a n o id sp ecies th a t d e te sts su n lig h t. U n d e r th e su n ’s cru e l g lare, th e ir ey es are dazzled an d th e y b e co m e w eak and queasy. I f su n lig h t d ire ctly to u ch e s a drallok's sk in , h e su stain s sev ere, so m e tim e s fatal, b u rn s. D rallo k s jo u rn e y to th e su rfa ce w orld in o rd e r to e a rn a fo rtu n e in g o ld an d o th e r rich e s. T h e ir so cie ty d icta te s th a t o n ly th o se w h o e a rn g re a t tre a su re m ay gain th e rig h t to rule. P e r s o n a l i t y : D ralloks are ru th le ss p rag m atists. A d rallok co ld ly assesses a p erson's ab ilities, ev alu ates th e m in lig h t o f his n eed s, an d th e n d e cid e s if an a llia n c e o r frie n d sh ip is p o ssib le. E v e n g o o d -alig n ed d rallo k s ten d tow ards th is b eh av ior, and w h ile it m ak es th e m ra th e r ch illy c o m p a n y it d oes e n su re th e y g a th e r th e b est, m o st cap a­ ble c o m p a n io n s o n t h e i r a d v e n tu re s. D ralloks rarely d rin k alco h o l and h ave a P u rita n ica l v iew tow ard s life, p re fe rrin g d u ty and toil to h o u rs w asted in u seless v revels.

P h y s i c a l D e s c r i p t i o n : T h e d rallok s w e a r tig h t, fo rm fittin g robes th at reveal sle n d e r, lith e figures. T h e ir faces are co v e re d w ith tig h tly b ou n d b an ­ d ages, as a re th e ir h an d s and feat. N orm ally ,

>

R

dralloks w ear rob es o v e r th is c o s tu m e , b u t ad v e n tu rin g on es o ften do w ith o u t rob es as th e y h in d e r th e ir m obility. T he d rallo k s’ ey es are th e o n ly p a rt o f th e b od y th a t sh ow s th rou g h th e ir co stu m e s, and th o se je t b lack o rb s have a d istu rb in g te n d e n c y to re fle ct a v ie w e r’s face b ack at h im . A d v en tu rin g d rallok s have strap s and b elts a cro ss th e ir clo th es, each w eig h ted w ith d agg ers, sh eath es, and p o u c h ­ es.

B en eath th e ir m a n y layers o f c lo th in g , d rallok s a re sle n ­ der, w h ite -sk in n e d h u m a n o id s w h o clo se ly re se m b le elves. T h e ir h air is alw ays p u re w h ite , an d th e ir skin q uickly tu rn s to an u gly b lack ish -p u rp le w h e n e x p o se d to the su n. D rallok s w e a r th e ir ro b es to p ro te c t th e m se lv e s from th e e le m e n ts, an d in tu rn use th is ra th e r p ra ctica l clo th in g to m ain tain an im age as a m y ste rio u s, d eadly race. D ralloks are q u ite aw are o f th e ir re p u ta tio n , and seek to em b ellish and use it w h e n e v e r n ecessary.

R e l a ti o n s : D rallok s tre a t all ra ce s w ith an e v e n h and . A drallok ca re s little if a p e rso n is an elf, h u m a n , o re , o r dw arf, so lo n g as h e ca n h e lp th e d rallo k a ch ie v e h is goals. As a race th at d eals p rim a rily in stealth , th e y te n d to see dw arves, o res, and h u m a n s as noisy, clu m sy sim p leto n s, but are carefu l to ju d g e ind ividu als based on th e ir actio n s and abilities.

A l ig n m e n t: A d v e n tu rin g d rallok s have a stro n g te n ­ d e n cy tow ards ch a o s, and m o st are c h a o tic n eu tral. T h e p ra ctica l-m in d e d d rallok s see g o o d and ev il as u n n e c e s ­ sary co m p lica tio n s in life, p re fe rrin g to look o u t fo r th e ir w ell-b ein g w ith o u t n eed lessly tra m p lin g th e lives o f o th ­ ers. G ood d rallok s are quite rare, b ut th o se few w h o are b e n e v o le n t are u n tirin g w o rk e rs fo r th e ir c h o se n cau ses. E vil d rallo k s o fte n w ork as assassins, fin d in g a read y and q uite p ro fitab le, m a rk e t fo r th e ir talen ts.

N o n -a d v e n tu rin g d rallo k s are usually law ful n eu tral. D rallok so cie ty is h ig h ly stratified b etw een ru le rs and the ru led, an d ind ivid u alists and reb els strik e o u t o n th e ir o w n to live life as th e y ch o o s e , o r o n e day re tu rn to claim a p lace o f p o w e r in d rallok society.

D r a l lo k L a n d s : D rallok co lo n ie s e x ist d e e p w ith in th e ea rth . T h e ir se cre tiv e te n d e n cie s e x te n d to la rg e r scales in d rallo k so ciety , and th e y w o rk h ard to c o n c e a l th e ir sm all se ttle m e n ts fro m drow , d eep g n o m e s, d w arves, an d o th e r d e n iz e n s o f th e u n d e re a rth . W h ile d rallok s o fte n w ork as m e rce n a rie s fo r o th e r races, tra d itio n d icta te s th a t d rallok co lo n ie s o n ly ally w ith o th e rs if th e ir e x is te n c e is th re a t­ e n e d w ith im m in e n t d e stru ctio n . A s m e rc e n a rie s and w a n d e re rs , d ra llo k a d v e n tu r e rs p re fe r to k e e p t h e ir h o m e s a n d fa m ilie s o u t o f th e c o n f lic ts t h e ir w ork in v o lv es and th e e n e m ie s th e y earn .

D rallok s w h o re m a in in th e ir co lo n ie s live h ig h ly re g i­ m e n te d lives o f strict o b e d ie n ce . T h e ru le rs o f a d rallok co lon y , k n o w n as o v erlo rd s, ru le w ith iro n fists. A n y o n e w h o w ish es to ascen d to a p o sitio n o f lead ersh ip m u st p re ­ s e n t a sizable trib u te o f go ld , m a g ic ite m s, an d o th e r valu ­

ables in o rd e r to literally b uy p o litical pow er. O rigin ally, d rallok s e x iste d as th iev es and m e rce n a rie s. W h o e v e r a m o n g st th e m cla im e d th e m o st rich e s used th at as e v i­ d e n ce o f th e ir skill, cu n n in g , and e x p e rie n c e and th u s ro se to p ow er. A fte r all, th e ric h e s t th ie f m u st be th e m o st su ccessfu l o n e . O v e r tim e , th e rich e st d rallo k fam ilies held all th e p o litical p o w e r in d rallok so ciety , and used th is to in stitu te a p o litica l sy stem in w h ich o n ly th e ric h ­ est d rallo k s co u ld lead. O rigin ally, th e ru lin g d rallo k fam ­ ilies w e re fo rce d to sh a re p ow er, as m a n y d rallo k s w orked as m e rce n a rie s and sp ies fo r o th e r races, k e e p in g p o w e r at least so m e w h a t b alan ced a cro ss society. O v e r tim e , fe w e r and fe w e r d rallok s so u g h t e m p lo y m e n t w ith o th e r races. M a n y d ro w c o m m u n itie s o u tlaw ed th e ir u se as sp ies as th e d ro w re co v e re d th e ir n u m b e rs in th e a fte rm a th o f a w a r w ith th e su rfa ce elves an d n o lo n g e r n e ed ed to rely on e x p e n siv e o u tsid e r m e rce n a rie s.

T h e tra d itio n o f d rallo k s s e rv in g as m e rce n a rie s c o n tin ­ ues, b ut n o w few lead th a t life. W h ile th e av erag e d rallok is little m o re th a n a serf, an y c o m m o n e r c a n d e m a n d th e rig h t to leave th e c o lo n y and seek h is fo rtu n e as an ad ven ­ tu re r o r m e rce n a ry . Few d rallok s take up th is ch a lle n g e , but th o se w h o d o head to th e su rfa ce w orld in se a rch o f th e ir destiny.

R e lig io n : D rallok s w o rsh ip T eth u s, th e ir c r e a to r and a g od o f se cre cy , c o m m e rc e , and m e rce n a rie s. T e th u s’s sy m ­ bol is a se t o f p e rfe c tly b alan ced scales w ith a p ile o f co in s o n o n e side and a p a ir o f d agg ers o n th e o th er. H is fo llow ­ e rs c h o o s e fro m th e E a rth , K n o w led g e, L u ck , and T rick e ry d om ain s. Tethus's favored w e a p o n is th e sh o rt sw ord. As T eth u s fin ds the c u rr e n t c o rru p te d , rig id , d rallok so cie ty d istastefu l, he takes a g re a t in te re st in th e a ctio n s o f th o se d rallo k s b rave e n o u g h to se e k th e ir fo rtu n e s in th e o u t­ side w orld.

L a n g u a g e : D rallok s sp eak U n d e rc o m m o n . M a n y also learn T erran and C o m m o n , p a rticu la rly th o se w h o jo u r­ n ey far fro m h o m e .

A d v e n tu r e r s : D rallok s tak e up a d v e n tu rin g as a w ay to e a rn a fo rtu n e w ith o u t d e a lin g w ith th e vag aries and tro u ­ bles o f a m e r c e n a ry ’s life. T radition ally, y o u n g d rallok s leave h o m e to a c cu m u la te g re a t w ealth . D rallok trad itio n h old s th at y o u n g d rallo k s m u st o ffe r up cash and m ag ical ite m s o f g re a t w o rth in o rd e r to b uy a p o sitio n o f le a d e r­ sh ip an d p o w e r in th e ir co lo n ie s. T h o se d rallok s w h o n e v e r do th is are fo rce d to live lives o f se rv ice and o b ed i­ e n c e to th e ir elders.

DRALLOK RACIAL TRAITS

• +2 D exterity , - 2 C h a rism a : D rallok s are n atu rally agile and quick, b ut th e ir odd a p p e a ra n ce an d co ld attitu d e s m ak e it d ifficu lt fo r th e m to flo u rish in so cia l situ a­ tion s.

• M ed iu m -size: As M ed iu m -siz e cre a tu re s, d rallok s have n o sp ecial ad van tages o r p e n a ltie s d u e to th e ir size.

,,V ■

R

• D rallok b ase speed is 3 0 ft.

• D rallo k s’ n atu ral ag ility an d g ra ce g ra n ts th e m a +2 racial b o n u s to B alan ce, E sca p e A rtist, H id e , and M ove S ilen tly ch e ck s.

• A ll a d v e n tu rin g d rallok s e a rn the d iv in e favor o f th e ir g o d , T eth u s, w h o b elieves his ch ild re n h ave b e co m e m e e k co w ard s. D rallok a d v e n tu re rs g a in a +2 d iv in e b o n u s o n all sav in g th row s. N o te th a t th is applies o n ly to PC and N P C a d v e n tu re rs, n o t d rallo k c o m m o n e r s o r n ob les w h o re m a in in th e se cu re e n v iro n s o f th e ir co lo n ie s.

• S im ila r to d ark elves, d rallo k s h ave an in n a te m a g ica l ability to ca st a few sp ells p e r day. T h e y m ay ca st d a n c in g lig h ts , fla re , an d g h o st so u n d o n c e p e r day e a ch as a ls t-le v e l so rce re r. D ra llo k s d o n o t s u ff e r a c h a n c e o f sp ell failure fo r w e a rin g arm o r. • F o r g e n e r a tio n s , d ra llo k s h a v e w o rk e d as sp ie s and m e rc e n a rie s fo r a v a rie ty o f su b te rra n e a n races. T h e y tra in to d eal w ith th e ir fello w d en iz e n s o f th e d e p th s fro m an early age, g a in in g a +1 b o n u s to h it ag ain st drow , sv irfn eb lin , an d k u o -to a. • L ig h t V u ln e ra b ility : D ra llo k s a re

e x tre m e ly sen sitiv e to lig h t. W h e n o p e ra tin g in su n lig h t o r in th e area o f e ffe ct o f a d ayligh t spell, th e y su ffer a - 1 p e n a lty to a tta ck rolls. T h e y also tak e l d 4 d am ag e e a ch full m in u te th e ir sk in is ex p o se d to d ire ct su n ­ lig h t, th o u g h a d a y lig h t sp ell cau s­ es d isco m fo rt b u t n o d am ag e. M o st d rallok s leave o n ly th e ir eyes e x p o se d w h e n trav elin g on th e su rface to avoid th is d am ag e. • D ark vision: A side e ffe ct o f th e ir

su b te rra n e a n e x is te n c e , d rallok s can see up to 6 0 ft. in th e dark.

• A u to m a tic L a n g u a g e s: U n d e r c o m m o n and C o m m o n . B o n u s L an g u ag es: D ra co n ic, D w a rv e n , G o b lin , Ig n a n , O re , an d T e rra n .

D rallok s c o m m o n ly m a ste r th e lan g u ag es o f o th e r c re a ­ tu res fou n d b e n e a th th e earth .

• F av o red C lass: R ogue. D rallo k s’ n atu ral agility, stealth , and m e r c e n a ry n atu re m a k e th e m w ell su ited to the ro g u e c h a r a c te r class. A m u lticlass d ra llo k s ro g u e class d oes n ot co u n t w h en d e te rm in in g w h e th e r he suffers an X P penalty.

_____________________ LAHRYK

O f all th e rep tilian biped races, lah ryk are th e m o st civ i­ lized. U n lik e m o st o th e r rep tilian sp ecies, th e y are n o t h a tch e d fro m eggs. L ah ry k m o th e rs usually g iv e b irth to 4 - 8 o ffsp rin g at a tim e fro m an ab d o m in al p o u ch ; h o w ev ­ er, th e y h ave a so m e w h a t e x te n d e d g e sta tio n p eriod at ju st u n d e r five years. A n y n ew b irth s in to a lah ryk fam ily are tre a te d w ith g re a t re v e re n ce , ce re m o n y , an d ce le b ra tio n .

L a h ry k fo rm c o m m u n itie s co m p rise d o f relativ es and e x te n d e d fam ilies. T h ro u g h c e n tu rie s o f h o a rd in g , m o st lah ryk fam ilies h ave am assed sizable fo rtu n e s, w h ich th ey seek to fu rth e r e n la rg e at e v e ry o p p o rtu ­ nity. L ah ry k w h o leave th e c o m m u n ity are e x p e cte d to tith e 20% o f all m o n e y th e y

acq u ire b ack to th e family.

P e r s o n a l i t y : L a h ry k a re v e ry loyal to o th e rs o f th e ir o w n k in d, e sp e cia lly th e ir o w n family. T h e y a re ca u tio u s, an d w h en e n te rin g a situ atio n th a t is u n fa m ilia r, th e y i n c e s ­ san tly taste th e air w ith th e ir sen sitiv e to n g u e s, try in g to sen se an y p os­ sible danger. B ecau se o f th e ir rep tilian n a tu re , th ey a re slow to ch a n g e s in e m o ­ tio n . T h e y are slow to an ger, b u t if p u sh ed h ard e n o u g h and lo n g e n o u g h , th e y a re ju st as slow to let th e a n g e r pass. B ecau se o f th is, m a n y ra ce s see th e m as slow -w itted a n d h u m o r le s s , b ut th a t is n o t th e case. W h ile th e y do n o t h ave the q u ick w it o f e lv e s o r b ael, th e y are in te llig e n t an d ca p a b le o f e n jo y in g life. B u t e v e ry e m o tio n , w h e th e r e n jo y m e n t o r rag e, c o m e s at its o w n p ace. T h e m o st in te n se e m o tio n th a t lah ryk p ossess is th e love o f rich e s, sh in y th in g s, sp ark ly bits. V enerable lah ryk are k n o w n to sleep in th e p iles o f th e ir treasu re h ord es.

P h y s i c a l D e s c r i p t i o n : L a h ry k stand a b o u t 5 ft. tall, w ith ro u g h , scaly sk in th a t look s a lm o st rep tilian , an im p ressio n th a t is stre n g th e n e d by th e ir lack o f e x te rio r ears. T h e y also lack an y p ro tru d in g n ose, p o ssessin g ju st tw o slits th e y ca n o p e n and clo se at w ill. T h e y h e a r

th ro u g h co in -siz e d ty m p a n ic m e m b ra n e s o n e ith e r side o f th e ir heads. T h e ir sk in ran g es in c o lo r fro m beige o r ligh t tan to dark b row n . T h e ir rigid, u n e x p re ssiv e lips and facial featu res m a k e it d ifficu lt fo r o th e r races to read th e ir e xp ressio n s. T h e ir soft, p in k m o u th s are filled w ith b o n y ridges th a t se rv e as te e th and b ulbou s p in k to n g u e s w ith w h ich th e y taste th e air. T h e ir ey es are g e n e ra lly yellow ish g reen , w ith a sin g le circ u la r p up il, and th e y h ave a se co n d , tra n sp a re n t eyelid , m u c h like a cro c o d ile . S in ce m o st lahryk se ttle m e n ts are in dry, d e se rt areas, th e y an oin t th e ir scaly flesh w ith oils to h elp p re v e n t loss o f m o istu re. T h e ir rich e s allow th e m to use th e fin est, m ost p u n g e n t, sce n te d oils. T h e y w e a r lig h t, a iry ro b es o f m ain ly silk o r fine lin en . M ales h ave a c re st o f v e ry fin e sp in es, a lm o st as fine as h airs, o n th e top o f th e ir h eads, w h ic h th e y o ften dye v ario u s co lo rs. F e m a le s h ave an ab d o m in al p o u ch th a t is all b ut u n d e te cta b le u n less it co n ta in s o ffsp rin g . W h ile lahryk are n o t as tall as so m e o th e r se n tie n t races, th is is o ffset by a b ro ad , stu rd y to u g h n e ss.

U n til a lah ry k re a ch e s a d u lth o o d , he m u st sh ed his skin o n c e p e r y e a r to a c c o m m o d a te his g ro w th . A fte r ad u lt­ h oo d , th e m o ltin g tak es p lace ab o u t e v e ry five years.

R e l a ti o n s : L a h ry k h old n o o th e r ra ce in ill-favor e x ce p t bael, w h o th e y v iew as sn o b b ish c o m p e tito rs fo r a c c u m u ­ lation o f w ealth , to o sm a rt an d tall fo r th e ir o w n g o o d . S o m e o f th e taller o r m o re q u ick -w itted ra ce s are also held in d istru st, like elves and h alflin gs. L a h ry k g et alo n g w ell w ith d w arves, b e ca u se th e ir h e ig h t is co m p a ra b le .

A l i g n m e n t : B e ca u se o f th e ir loy alty to th e ir g ro u p and b ecau se o f th e ir n o n -v o la tile n a tu re , m o st lah ryk are e ith e r lawful o r n e u tral a lig n m e n ts. C h a o tic ind ividu als are v iew ed by th e ir fam ilies as in san e, an d are usually d iso w n ed and ca st out.

L a h r y k L a n d s : L a h ry k se ttle in arid d e se rt areas w ith a so u rce o f w a te r su ch as a w ell o r oasis nearby. T h e ir h o u s­ es and stru ctu re s are usually a sin gly story, m a d e fro m m ud b rick s w ith th ick w alls to in su late ag ain st th e d e se rt h eat and co ld . M o st lah ryk h o m e s h ave a flat ro o f w h e re th e y o fte n lie in th e m o rn in g to w arm th e m se lv e s in th e rays o f th e su n. L a h ry k se ttle m e n ts are co n tro lle d by a c o n cla v e o f th e o ld est, w ealth iest ind ividu als in th e c o m ­ m u n ity. T h is co n cla v e m u st ag re e u n a n im o u sly b efo re an y d e cisio n s are m ad e, so an y c h a n g e s o r im p ro v e m e n ts are usually slow in co m in g . L a h ry k trad e freq u en tly w ith d e se rt n om ad s o f o th e r races an d so m e o f th e ir c o m m u n i­ ties a re th e o n ly o u tp o sts o f civ iliz a tio n in th e d eep d esert. S o m e o f th e m o st su cce ssfu l lah ryk c o m m u n itie s have b e c o m e afflu en t, b u stlin g trad e ro u te hubs.

R e l ig i o n : T h e c h ie f d e ity o f lah ry k is th e sun god. E v e ry la h ry k c o m m u n ity co n ta in s so m e so rt o f te m p le to h im . T h e y also fa v o r th e god o f n atu re.

L a n g u a g e : T h e n a m e “L a h ry k ” is actu ally a h u m an o id sim p lifica tio n o f th e ir tru e n a m e , w h ic h is all b u t u n p ro ­ n o u n c e a b le to a n o n -la h ry k . T h e la h ry k to n g u e is

e x tre m e ly d ifficu lt fo r o th e r ra ce s to speak, b e ca u se it uses m a n y d ifferen t typ es o f to n g u e clic k s an d g lo tta l pops. A c o n v e rsa tio n a m o n g several ind ividu als so u n d s to a n on -lah ryk like a ca c o p h o n y o f u n in tellig ib le pop s and click s. T h e ir w ritte n lan g u age u ses m a n y d o tte d sh ap es and d ash ed lin es to d e n o te th e se so u n d s. T h e b o n y rid ges in th e ir m o u th s th a t serv e as te e th are also cap ab le o f p ro ­ d u cin g so u n d s th a t c a n n o t be re p ro d u ce d in a h u m an o id m o u th .

N a m e s : L a h ry k n a m e s alw ays b egin w ith th e ind ivid ­ ual’s n a m e follow ed by the first n a m e s o f his m o th e r and fath er, in th a t o rd er. H is m o th e r g iv es h im h is n a m e at b irth alo n g w ith th e rest o f his p o u ch lin g s. Like th e ir lan ­ g u ag e, lah ryk n am es freq u en tly c o n ta in clic k s and pops th a t m ak e th e m d ifficu lt fo r o th e r ra ce s to p ro n o u n ce , th e re fo re ind ividu als w h o sp en d m u c h tim e w ith o th e r races so m e tim e s sim p lify th e ir n a m e s to m e re p h o n e tic syllables.

M a l e N a m e s : K ilb ik , K o k ta k , C h u b lik , S e e rtik , M ikm ak.

F e m a l e N a m e s : G ifbith , G o fre th , Z im lin , T u th m in , O freth .

A d v e n tu r e r s : B ecau se th e y are so d evo ted to fam ily, few o f th e m actu ally leave th e ir n ests. W h e n th e y do, it is u sually as a q u est fo r w ealth . O ccasio n ally , y o u n g lahryk are sen t to fin d h elp fo r a c o m m u n ity th a t is in tro u b le. H o w e v e r, b e in g aw ay fro m th e s h e lte r o f a c o m m u n ity m ak es h im u n co m fo rta b le , so h e in stin ctiv e ly a tte m p ts to find a n o th e r g ro u p to jo in . O n c e h e has p laced h im s e lf in a co m fo rta b le g ro u p , h e cre a te s a b o n d o f loy alty to th at g ro u p su p ersed ed o n ly by th e loyalty to h is family.

LAHRYK RACIAL TRAITS

• +2 C o n s titu tio n , - 2 C h a rism a . W h ile lah ryk are tou g h and c o m p a c t, th e y are so m e w h a t u gly by th e stan d ard s o f o th e r races.

• M ed iu m -size. As m e d iu m -siz e cre a tu re s, la h ry k h ave n o sp ecial b o n u se s o r p e n a ltie s d u e to th e ir size. • L a h ry k b ase sp eed is 3 0 ft.

• + 2 racial b o n u s on sav in g th ro w s ag ain st sp ells and spell-like effects.

• + 2 ra cia l b o n u s o n sa v in g th ro w s a g a in st p o iso n s. L a h ry k a re h ard y cre a tu re s, re sista n t to toxin s.

• +3 racial b o n u s to all W ild e rn e ss L o re ch e c k s m ad e in a d e se rt o r arid e n v iro n m e n t.

• +1 racial b o n u s to a tta ck rolls ag ain st b ael. L a h ry k have an in n a te dislike o f bael.

• +3 racial b o n u s o n all A pp raise ch e ck s. L a h ry k are skilled m e rc h a n ts an d trad ers.

• L ah ry k rep tilian p h y sio lo g y is w ell-ad ap ted fo r arid e n v iro n m e n ts . A s a resu lt th e y can g o w ith o u t food and w a te r th re e tim e s as lo n g as h u m a n s w ith o u t su fferin g an y ill effects.