Campaign Setting

The World in which we play

Antarra (lawful Good)

hEART OF Justice

The first born daughter and oldest child of Xarce and Allowyn. She was born a short time after Heirmos was defeated and his minions still fought to spread his evil throughout the world. Antarra saw a world of chaos and injustice. Allowyn focused on Willowyn had lost sight of the rest of the world and so Antarra made it her duty to bring justice and order to the world. Antarra is often evoked in trials and when oaths are sworn, a common saying being "I swear on Antarra's sword may her justice be fair and true".

Antarra's worshippers tend to be paladins, knights, and police, though many who seek justice will pray to Antarra. Antarra's worshippers have two totems that represent her such as a sword and scales, or two dragons faced opposite eating the tail of the other representing the balance between order and chaos. Antarra is known to give favour to those that strive for justice when it comes at great cost.

Gods of A'riil

In Dungeons & Dragons gods can play an important role in a campaign. In many settings the gods have a similar existence to that of the ancient Greeks gods in that the gods are present and interact with the people of the world. Like the pantheons of ancient Greece or Egypt the gods have specific roles, some are good and some are evil. In the Forged Lands setting the gods bestow favours on their followers, and at times may request that followers take on labours (like those Hercules was asked to do) for which they gain further boons from the god. It is not a requirement for a character to have a god and some characters may worship more than one god (but they can only have one favour), having a god that the character follows adds a role-play dimension to the character and in some cases a purpose. In some cases adventurers become gods, the god Grimm was an adventurer that ascended to godhood by completing feats of heroism.

Allowyn (Neutral Good)

Goddess of life

Allowyn is the mother of life, while Xarce may have created the world it was Allowyn that gave it life. Allowyn is considered the queen of the gods though she seldom interacts with any but her children. Allowyn tends and takes care of Willowyn, world tree. The world tree requires constant attention due to damage that was done in the early days of the world. It was her dragons, known as her first children that helped fight of the evil god Heirmos and limit the damage to the world tree. It is this never ending rot that allows evil into the world, and why Allowyn never leaves Willowyn.

Allowyn is the primary god of many elves, druids, dragons, and those that live among nature. Her totem is a tree inside a circle representing the eternity of the tree of life. Allowyn is good aligned and actively helps those that fight evil in the world. Allowyn has two forms an elven form and that of an astral dragon.

Emelora (Chaotic neutral)

The Trickster

Emelora is a childlike goddess whose origins are mysterious. Some claim she is the daughter of Xarce and a fairy queen, while others claim she comes from the same far away realm that Xarce left. Emelora is worshipped by many bards, rogues, and those that make a living from tricking others. Emelora is known to spend time in the feywild among pixies and fairies.

Emelora's tricks are not mean spirited though some can have serious consequences. Emelora is one of the few gods that enjoys spending time on A'riil often taking the shape of animals. One of Emelora's favourite tricks is to appear as a large stag leading hunters on a wild chase until they get lost.

Emelora's symbols include a small jingle bell with no ball inside, or a snake with a head at each end of its body.

Hiermos (lawful Evil)

God of Death and Darkness

Heirmos is the youngest child of Xarce and Allowyn. He was resentful and jealous of his siblings which eventually led to him despising them. To impress his mother and become the favourite child Heirmos decided to create life. His creation was the wodamin, a species of creatures that thrive on killing and destruction. Allowyn was disgusted by the creatures Hiermos created. Heirmos in a fit of rage trapped his mother and attacked the tree of life in an attempt to reshape A'rill to his own desire. Allowyn's first born were able to stop Heirmos's armies while his siblings Baldon and Antarra banished him to the underworld. Heirmos is an expert in the laws of the gods and uses them to his advantage.

Heirmos is worshipped by many evil creatures. His totems include a skull adorned with a black crown, or a scythe on a black disk with the scythe representing death and the black disc representing darkness.

Xarce (Neutral)

The Forge faTHER

Xarce is a renegade god from another realm, he left his home in order to forge a world that he would rule over. Xarce named the world he forged A'riil. For centuries the world of A'Riil was barren for thought Xarce knew how to forge the elements needed to make a world he did not know how to give it life. He sought out the wisdom of the great wyrm Saridor on how to give his world life. Saridor suggested his daughter Allowyn go and plant a tree of life and tend the tree as a goddess of the realm. Xarce agreed and later would marry the dragon goddess Allowyn. Trades people and engineers are likely to favour Xarce, and keep a small house shrine to him, or carry Xarce's hammer and anvil totem. They will ask for Xarce's blessing in all that they create. Xarce is a neutral god, but favours those who build things from the elements he has given them.

Baldon (Neutral Good)

The recordkeeper

Baldon is the first son of Xarce and Allowyn. Baldon is thought to be the wisest of all the gods and his council is sought by others. He is despised by his younger brother Heirmos and his battles with his younger brother are legendary. Baldon believes that balance and harmony are most important and strives to find balance in all things. Baldon is often prayed to by those seeking wisdom, especially when they are faced with difficult choices. Many monasteries and monks carry with them an owl totem or a book with an owl etched into the cover, which represents the wisdom of Baldon.

Though neutral Baldon despises the evil creatures such as goblins due to their unthinking cruelty. Baldon is married to Abilinna and is often found walking through forests with his wife. Baldon and his brother Hiermos are enemies and their feud often spills out into the world of mortals.

Eneara (Chaotic Neutral)

Mistress of Fortune

Eneara is believed to be the sister of Xarce, though some ancient scripts have her coming from Valloun the final resting place of warriors and the brave. Eneara enjoys interacting with mortals more than the gods and is often found watching over important world events that involve a high degree of risk or chance. Many say a short prayer to Eneara before taking risks, and her name is often evoked around games of chance.

Prayers are said to Eneara when people seek luck, or are involved in something that involves a degree of chance. She is a favoured god of thieves and gamblers and is known to aid those she deems worthy, though her favours can be fleeting. Her totem is a jade sword with a dragon.

Albuldur (Neutral Evil)

God of War

In any world where there are creatures with self awareness there is eventually war. Albuldur is married to Emelora, though his wife seems to have little interest in her husband, so he spends his days watching the wars of the world play out, and helping those that show great tenacity and courage. Albuldur is worshipped by both good and evil creatures seeking his guidance and favour when heading into battle.

Albuldur provokes and manipulates events so that they eventually lead to war. Albuldur is depicted carrying two war maces and two crossed maces are used as a totem to Albuldur.

Oroc (Chaotic EVil)

The Destroyer

When Xarce explored the many planes of existence collecting the minerals that would become his forged lands he unknowingly collected a celestial that lived among those minerals. The beings name was Oroc. Oroc was forged into the land which imprisoned him deep within the earth of the A'Riil. When Allowyn brought life to the world Oroc grew angrier vowed to destroy all the life they brought into the world. From the earth Oroc created Orcs, goblins, and other evil creatures sending them out to destroy the creations of the other gods. Though it was Xarce that trapped him Oroc hates Allowyn and Arin most among the other gods. He especially delights when Orcs take the lives of Elves, knowing that Arin is grief stricken by each elven death. Oroc was the creature that corrupted the chromatic dragons turning them away from Allowyn.

Oroc has been known to work with Heirmos. Oroc sent his armies to aid Heirmos when heirmos tried to corrupt the tree of life.

Farrah (Chaotic Neutral)

Goddess of the Night and Secrets

Like her twin sister Mercy, Farrah tends to stay out of the affairs of the other gods. She enjoys the company of her twin sister and is just as enamored with mortals as Mercy. However, the mortals are more like play things to Farrah. Farrah is the keeper of secrets. While her knowledge is not as vast as Baldons' she has hidden away secrets that even Baldon has no knowledge of.

Farrah is the goddess of night and her worshippers use a crescent moon totem when praying to her. Her worshippers vary from thieves to sages, and even holy orders of clerics and paladins. Her most favoured worshipers are the desert monks of Okepia, it is said that Farrah stored the secrets of creation in their desert temple. Farrah is always depicted wearing black.

Mercy (Neutral Good)

The Lady,

The Collector

Mercy is very seldom spoken of by name, she is known as The Lady, or The Collector. Mercy is ambivalent, she is neither good, evil, or neutral. She does not care about law or chaos. She seldom takes part in the grand game of mortals that the other gods seem to enjoy, yet she often takes the form of mortals to walk the earth. The ability to take mortal form is a secret that Mercy has shared only with her twin sister Farrah. Many of the other gods believe taking a mortal form is wrong yet she is envied for her ability to walk among her followers something the other gods cannot do.

Many people fear Mercy because of her ability to walk among them and her worshippers are shunned or even attacked. Due to this the worshippers of Mercy do so in private, there are few temples dedicated to her and those that exist are not overtly known. Mercy is most often depicted wearing red.

Arin (Chaotic Good)

Goddess of wine and celebrations

Arin is an elven goddess and half sister to Allowyn. When the tree of life was giving seed for the creatures of the world to spread Arin took one seed and enchanted it with her magic. From that seed the elves were born. It is believed that Arin's magic is what gives the elves their magical nature.

Arin is delights in celebration, believing that even the smallest wonders are worth acknowledging. She is fond of the trickster goddess Emelora and delights in Emelora's whimsical practical jokes, especially when the jokes are on evil creatures.

Arin despises evil creatures and the violence they bring to the world. She has fought with Oroc, and sent out her followers to thwart Oroc's armies. She once managed to convince Emelora to help her trick one of Oroc's armies into attacking its own rear flank. Arin's totem is a silver chalice. She is worshipped by many elves, bards, and others that live good but carefree lives.

Abilinna (Neutral good)

Goddess of Nature

Abilinna was a powerful elven druid that through her heroic actions became immortal. Raised among the wood elves in the Yeemledell forest Abilinna was attuned to nature from a young age. Her natural magical ability led her to become a powerful druid. Abilinna best friend was a dark horse with rams horns named Zoledon. Oroc always seeking ways to punish elves sent armies to attack the elven city of Yeemledell. With the elven forces concentrated on the city a small warband of orcs landed in the north with the goal of burning the forest, Oroc's true purpose.

With most of the elves drawn to the south few remained to fight off the orcs, but Abilinna was there. Despite being vastly outnumbered Abilinna with Zoledon by her side fought the orcs for days. On the fourth day of fighting Abilinna finally fell to the orc attacks, however, the orcs had been held off long enough for eleves to reach the northern edge of the forest and stop the orcs.

Several of the gods had watched Abilinna's heroic fight among them Baldon and Allowyn. It was Allowyn that asked the other gods to grant Abilinna immortality and a place among the gods. Baldon who had fallen in love with the elf druid fully supported his mother. Enough gods agreed and Abilinna was offered immortality, she agreed on the condition that Zoledon who had fought at her side be granted the same immortality. The gods agreed and Ablinna became a goddess of nature and courage. The image of Zoledon a horse with rams horns became to totem of Abilinna.

Shemori (Neutral Evil)

The Serpent

Shemori is one of the newest gods of A'riil with his ascension to godhood brought about by Heirmos, Oroc, and Abuldur just 45 years ago. Shemori was a human named Justinian who started a group called the Greater Co-Prosperity Sphere, and group that worshipped a god called Shemori. Shemori was really Heirmos and the name Shemori was an anagram of Heirmos.

Justinian spoke about how goblins, orcs, and the other so called evil species were misunderstood had the right to live among the cities of the civilized species. His following grew and spread across the kingdom of Voldam where eventually humans, elves, dwarves and all the other peoples of the land became enslaved to the orcs and goblins. This had been Justinian's goal all along, and he intended to take over more kingdoms.

A group of heroes known as the Jade Ravens eventually defeated Justinian and the Greater Co-Prosperity Sphere, killing Justinian in an epic battle. Though defeated the damage had been done. Voldam is a region still recovering, with many areas still controlled by evil forces and the remnants of the Greater Co-Prosperity Sphere. Heirmos petitioned Oroc and Abuldur to grant Justinian godhood. He had provided a home for Orocs beloved orcs, and had guaranteed years of war for Abuldur to watch over. The two gods agreed and with Heirmos raised Justinian to godhood with the name of Shemori. Shemori's totem is a snake with 4 heads.

Heroes to gods

Grimm (Chaotic Neutral) God of Seas & Storms

Grimm was a half-orc cleric and member of the Jade Ravens. Grimm was a demigod son of the Sea God Selgore and a orc woman. Grimm was unaware of the true nature of his father but had a natural affinity for the sea. His father Selgore was tricked and trapped by the greatwyrm Garaug Thaul. Garaug Thaul had found a way to consume a god's life force and did this with Selgore in an effort to become the most powerful creature in A'Riil.

As a member of the Jade Ravens Grimm helped defeat Justinian. Grimm and the Jade Ravens then went to battle with Garaug Thaul. Some members of the Jade Ravens died in the battle, but Grimm was one of those that survived and eventually defeated the greatwyrm. When Garaug Thaul died the life force of Shemori flowed into Grimm and revealed to him his demigod heritage.

Grimm returned to the seas after the defeat of Garaug Thaul, and was said to sail to lands beyond the known lands where he established a home for orcs and half-orcs that wished to leave the cycle of war with the other species and find their own way of life. Under Grimm's rule as King the orcs prospered in their new land, and others who found their way to this newland were welcomed. Grim ruled until his daughter Ivu was old enough to take over his throne. Grimm then departed for the realm of the gods where he became the new god of seas and storms.

Shosa (Chaotic Good)

Goddess of Dance and Song

Shosa was born among the Faun in the Yeemledell forest but unlike her kin Shosa preferred the city to the forest. She befriended a human bard named Fluke that was passing through Yeemledell and decided to travel with him. Fluke became a mentor to Shosa and she learned the bardic trade from him. She quickly surpassed her mentor in skill and following.

Shosa became a sought after talent playing for royalty and common folk alike though her preference was the latter. Shosa was invited to play in Zyet by the tyrant emperor Thaxes, but Shosa refused. Thaxes angered by this sent out assassins to capture Fluke. He told Shosa that if she did not play Fluke would be put to death, but if she agreed to play for his court for 7 nights he would release Fluke. This was in fact a trap and he planned to capture Shosa and keep her as his own.

Shosa agreed to play for Thaxes telling him she would arrive in one month. She secretly entered the city a few days later and started performing at taverns and inns. Thaxes found out about this and sent his agents to try and capture her, but she was always one step ahead. Shosa's performances riled up the people of Zyet and Thaxes thugs beating up people in search of Shosa further inflamed them. Then there was a rebellion. Shosa helped overthrow the tyrant emperor to the delight of the goddesses Mercy, Farrah, Emelora, and Arin. They elevated Shosa godhood and she became the goddess of dance and song.

Akaioji The Battle Master

(Neutral Good)

God of Tactics and fortitude

Amosumera the rogue

(Chaotic Good)

Goddess of Bravery and daring

Allowyn's first born

Hawkwyrm the Champion

(Neutral)

God of Contests and fire

Hulong the Paladin

(Lawful Good)

God of Valour and goodwill

Rahantar the Bard

(Chaotic Good)

God of Music and performance

Xinglong the Samurai (Lawful Good)

Goddess of Honour and protection

The tree of life, Willowyn, is what gives breath to all of the species of the world. The first species to grow from Willowyn's seeds were dragons. That the first species to breath were in the same image as Allowyn is no coincidence. Allowyn believed all of the dragons would be good natured like herself but all things that arise from the tree of life are mortal, and mortals are complicated creatures. When Allowyn shunned her son Hiermos's creations it angered him and he devised a plan to trap his mother and corrupt the Willowyn so that A'Riil would be shaped to his own pleasing. When he trapped Allowyn The wise dragon Yun Ling gave a prophecy that six of the first born dragons would cast Heirmos into the underworld. To stop the prophecy from coming true Heirmos tricked Emelora into stealing the wings and tails of the six in the prophecy. They became the first dragonborn of A'Riil.

The firstborn were angered at the theft of their wings and tails and together set out to find a way to get them back. They found that the only way to regain what was stolen was to pass through the Dragon Gate at the top of Blackrock Volcano. The six set out to the volcanic island and started their ascent. Heirmos caught wind of their plan and sent some of his most fierce champions to stop the firstborn. When the group of dragonborn heroes reached the island an avatar of Baldon told the group that haste was needed. Heirmos had started an attack on the Willowyn hoping to corrupt the tree of life. The stakes raised the group climbed the mountain, to regain their wings, and save the Willowyn.

The dragonborn siblings came to a ancient temple that had fallen to ruin and the path up the mountain was magically blocked by three locked doors. They searched the ruins of the temple for a key and found what appeared to be an old garden that was now filled with sand. In the sand were four broken pillars that were a puzzle that needed to be solved. On the first pillar was a bowl of sand, on the second a broken quil, on the third a broken sword polished to a mirror like shine, and the last a set of runes. Heirmos had crafted the puzzle and placed sand demons among the pillars that would attack with every wrong answer. Hawkwyrm studied the runes and the language looked familiar but he did could not quite understand it. The group decided to use the quil to write the runes in the sand in the bowl.

The group's first answer was wrong and the sand demons attacked. They blasted the heroes with a searing sand and slashed at them. Rahantar used the power of his magical lute to smash a demon with a thunderous note. Akaioji and Hulong worked together to defeat the second demon, while Hawkwyrm, Rahantar, and Xinglong defeated the other three demons. They had won the fight but had sustained wounds in the fight. They knew another wrong answer would provoke another fight. They could not survive many more fights. Together they thought about the puzzle and realized that they needed to incorporate all four parts. Eventually they used the sword as a mirror to look at the runes, Hawkwyrm recognized the word. It was written in an ancient language used by gods, it had been inscribed on the pillar using a mirror to disguise it. It was simply one word reveal. The mirrored word was written into the sand using the quil. A fifth pillar rose from the sand with a key inside a hollow in the pillar. The opened and passed through the first door, once again heading up the mountain path.

The group came to a vast chasm where magically floating platforms could provide a bridge to cross the chasm if the were close enough. To move the platforms were six levers that if pulled in the right order would create a bridge. Each lever had a symbol. At first the group believed the pattern was that of the sun passing through the sky and were about to try pulling when doubt crept in. They changed their answer and they were wrong. The ground disappeared below and the fell 50 feet landing at the start of the path up the mountain. They tried another pattern but had the same result. Injured from the demon battle and two very steep falls the group set up the mountain again. The third time they decided to try what they had thought of first and this proved to be correct. Heirmos was angry at their success and sent drow assassins to stop the group from passing through the second door that waited on the other side of the bridge. The dragonborn fought the assassins but were still weary from the fight with the sand demons. Amosumera and Hawkwrym were badly wounded and poisoned by the drow weapons. It was a tough battle but they managed to prevail over the assassins. Amosumera and Hawkwrym were dying from the poison, but Hulong was able to use healing magic and save them.

Before they could reach the third door they were attacked by evil giants and a horde of orcs. The fight was brutal. Amosumera and Akaioji took on the largest of the three giants and were near death. Xinglong the fearless samurai warrior fought one giant by herself, though injured badly she was able to defeat the monster. Hulong and Rahantar fought the third giant but the orcs surrounded them making the fight difficult. Hulong was struck with a mighty blow and fell to the ground dying. Rahantar was able to use magic to spare Hulong from dying. Hawkwyrm was doing his best to fight the orcs but badly outnumbered he took many wounds, but for each wound he took an orc was felled. Hulong still near death managed to strike a decisive blow against the giant and Xinglong appeared at her brothers side to help finish the giant. Injured and tired the group solved the final puzzle and passed through the dragon gate. Restored back to their dragon form they flew to they Willowyn and fought against Hiermos's forces. The freed Allowyn and with their combined strength were able to banish Heirmos to the underworld. The Willowyn survived but part of the tree was corrupted meaning that Heirmos and evil would always touch the world. The six dragons became immortal and now rest among the gods.