[Dusk Campaign] Info Thread (the playbook)

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Herein follows various information on the DUSK campaign.

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The starting city of our characters is Lagash; the scene is the city is preparing for the coming celebrations that will entail once the victorious General Clairvaux returns to the city. The General has returned from recently sacking another coastal city, Aral, and his ships are almost docked. The city is overall in a state of joy, because it looks like none of the General's ships have been sunk: wives of sailors and soldiers both are expecting to see the return of their husbands.

Indeed, it almost appears as though the General has more ships that what he started with...

Lagash

Lagash is a large coastal city run by a counsel of Aldermen. It is an extremely urban city, sprawling and dense, supported by trades. Lagash is protected by a large army lead by General Clairvaux, famous for recently conquering the city of Aral, across the Eastern Sea. The official gods of Lagash are SaintCuthbert, Zilchus and WeeJas, though the city is diverse enough that many other religions flourish.


Ghenova

Ghenova is the capital of of a decadent western empire. Once, it dominated much of the world, and only the equally ancient empires of Ur and Tztch prevented its expansion beyond the Southsea, but now it is in the eight hundredth year of its decline. The current ruler of Ghenova, the Sorcerer-King Zaggisiugal, is widely rumored to be insane, and not only permits but openly encourages open practice of all arcane arts, including necromancy. Anything - anything - can be bought in Ghenova, if you have the gold.


Corinn

Corinn is a small rural farming town, just outside of Lagash. The many corn farmers are the backbone of this community, but recently the amount of farms has been shrinking. Corinn worships [Pholtus exculsively and frowns harshly upon those who do not.

Innsmouth

Innsmouth is small port-side town north of Lagash. Recently, the Procan high-priest fell from grace in the eyes of the villagers with rumors of cult activity and was run out of town. There is word that travelers are being turned back from the gate, as of late.

Grottleby

Grottleby is a forest north of Innsmouth, just south of Hale. Talk of Hale logging the Grottleby forest has led to tensions between the town and the local druids.

Hale

Hale is feudal kingdom, with one large city and a few surrounding duchies. A strict military force protects it from it's larger neighbors. The size of the army is maintained by conscription. Lately, there is talk about who will inherit the throne. Whispers of the heir eloping is the source of many rumours in Hale. Heironeus is the main god of Hale.

Aral

Aral is an eastern city, recently acquired by Lagash. Once a great city, thriving on its' exotic trades, it is now all but been emptied of its' riches.

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Religion:

The "Holy Three," or the Patron Deities of Lagash:

St. Cuthbert

The Church of St. Cuthbert is of major importance in Lagash, being one of the Holy Three, with more converts to it every day, despite the zealous and stern nature of many of its priests.

St. Cuthbert is a Power of dedication, zeal, and devotion to the causes of law (primarily) and good (secondarily). Common sense, truth, and forthrightness are his watchwords. He opposes chaos and evil sternly, with no backsliding or compromise permitted. This is a stern Power who, with his priests, sees matters in black and white terms.  St. Cuthbert's priests are determined rivals of the priests of Pholtus.

St. Cuthbert appears as a red-faced, barrel-chested man of nondescript appearance, even looking like a simple yokel at times. He is famous for wearing a crumpled hat and a starburst of rubies set in a platinum brooch.

St. Cuthbert's Priests:

Priests of St. Cuthbert are stout, stern folk who take no nonsense and speak their minds plainly. It's not that they won't suffer fools gladly - they won't suffer them at all. Honesty and common sense are more prized than book learning and arcane knowledge. The faith is very practical, with attention to detail of everyday life and the concerns of common people. Since the war, military training and fitness are mandatory, much to the discomfiture of the more rotund members of the priesthood.

There are three orders of the priesthood: the Chapeaux, who wear crumpled hats and are zealots who seek converts to the faith; the Stars, who wear a form of the Power's chest medallion and seek to retain doctrinal purity among the faithful; and the Billers, the most numerous, who use a cudgel as a holy symbol and serve as ministers to and protectors of the faithful.

Services in honor of St. Cuthbert are often conducted in the small, wayside shrines and humble chapels he favors. Singing, prayer, recitation of edifying moral tales, and sharing of simple food (bread, milk, and gruel) are common.

WeeJas


Wee Jas is the Power of magic and death. She is portrayed as an attractive, well-dressed young woman, but her necklace - an ivory skull set against a ring of fine fire rubies - gives away her nature. Wee Jas is primarily lawful, but she inclines toward evil through her preoccupation with power.

Wee Jas is not widely revered beyond Lagash, and even then centers of her worship are scarcely attended. She is nevertheless one of the "Holy Three," of Lagash, alongside SaintCuthbert and Zilchus. However, funeral rites among outsiders, even the barbarians, usually involve a small offering to her to protect the soul of the departed. She is a protector of the dead, and her priests are only rarely allowed to command undead creatures, having to commune with Wee Jas to see if this is acceptable to her.

Services to Wee Jas include the reverent flattery of fine icons of her (she is a vain Power), offerings of finery and gems, and magical fires.


Wee Jas's Priests:

Wee Jas's priests are officiators at funerals, maintainers of graveyards, and ardent students of magic and arcane lore. The priesthood has rigid ordering and demands absolute obedience from its juniors.



Zilchus

Zilchus is a Power who oversees affairs of money and business, but is also a temporal power concerned with prestige and influence. He is one of the Holy Three of Lagash. Zilchus is a Power revered by those who are fair, scrupulous in their dealings, and honest; shady merchants do not look to this Power.

Zilchus is portrayed as a middle-aged, smiling man with thick curly brown hair and brown eyes, tanned skin, and a dignified demeanor. He is richly dressed, but without ostentation or finery. He carries a purse full of gold, and also a flail with which to chastise the dishonest.

Zilchus's faith has always been widespread throughout the Khaarokan and remains so, for when trade is brisk, honest dealings are more important than ever. Zilchus's aspect as a Power of prestige and influence is somewhat lessened by the rise of more martial deities, but his priests are still listened to by most rulers because of their honesty and diplomatic skills.

Zilchus remains primarily a Power revered by the well-to-do and noble, rather than the common folk. Services to Zilchus involve incense burning, small offerings of goods, sermons, and homilies.


Zilchus's Priests:

Many of the priests are themselves merchants, nobles, or in a position of temporal power; this is regarded as a sign of one's worth. Priests strive hard to mediation and diplomacy, and tend to get on well with priests of Rao (who gently chide them for their worldliness).

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Other Deities Worshipped by The Good Folks of the Earth:


Procan

Procan is the Power of the seas and oceans, weather, and navigation. He is very popular in port cities; Innsmouth once held a chapel to him. He is portrayed as a muscular, large man with blue-green skin and hair and golden eyes, armed with a great spear from which hangs fronds of seaweed. Procan is stormy and impulsive, prone to fits of temper, and is ever greedy for treasure, hoarding that which falls to the sea bed and jealous of the pearls and wonders of his own domain.

Fisherfolk and sailors seek to placate Procan. Small shrines to the Power are found in ports of any size. He has few worshipers, concentrated among those who live most of their lives or sea. Some sentient aquatic creatures worship Procan.

Services to Procan are always close to or upon the sea. They include offerings of gold or pearls cast into the waters, eating of fish and bread, and prayers for safe sea travel.


Procan's Priests:

This priesthood is a simple, everyday sort, attentive to the lives of those who must earn their living on the seas. They eschew formal ritual and dress simply. It is considered good fortune by seamen to have a priest of Procan aboard ship!



Ehlonna

Ehlonna has many aspects: huntress, ranger, woman of the woods, protector of elves and half-elves, fertility goddess. She is concerned with all aspects of woodland life including the protection of good humans and demihumans, especially (half) elves. She is depicted as a young, lovely female (human, elven, or half-elven, choosing which form she wills). In any form, she is recognizable by her startlingly deep blue-violet eyes and a very clear and fair complexion.

Ehlonna is kind and benevolent, but sternly opposes evil humanoids and marauders who despoil woodlands. Her faith is strong among the Highfolk (where she is the most widely revered Power), wood elves in general, and in many scattered woodland communities. Services of worship include simple repasts (often of uncooked, "natural" foods gathered in the woodlands), drinking of wine, and the playing of flutes, pipes, and lyres. If a bard is at hand to entertain, so much the better.

Ehlonna's Priests:

Ehlonna's priests are fine woodsmen, with males and females equally represented and regarded within loose hierarchies. They are skilled hunters and woodland spies, and work to protect woodlands against evil.



Heironeous
Patron Deity of the City of Hale

Heironeous is the champion of rightful combat and chivalrous deeds. He is the patron Power of those who fight for honor, justice, and the fair, good order of things. Clad in chain mail and hefting a great magical battle axe. Heironeus is portrayed as a youthful, tall man with coppery skin, auburn hair, and amber eyes, and is unsurpassingly handsome. He is a "beloved of the Gods"; his skin is said to be magically enchanted to break most weapons striking him, and he has many natural gifts given him by the Powers of lawful good.

Heironeus is typically a Power revered by officers, leaders, and paladins rather than a common warrior; but this is changing. Heironeus is strong as a fighter and as a protector, and this duality attracts many worshipers. He is widely revered throughout the nonevil lands of the Flanaess.

Services to Heironeus include triumphal singing of battle hymns, offerings made to a copper statue of the Power, (such statues adorn most of his finely decorated temples), and sharing of strengthening foods - meat, full-bodied red wine (in moderation) and spiced, stewed kara-fruit.


Heironeus's Priests:

This is a warlike priesthood that counts many elven and half-elven fighter/ clerics and many human priests who have attained much experience as warriors before becoming priests. The priesthood has a military organization and maintains excellent armories and systems of communication. Older priests are revered for their strategic skills and as teachers. Opposition of priests of the hated Hextor is mandatory. Possession of magical chain mail and/or a battle axe brings great kudos within the cult.


Fharlanghn

Fharlanghn is the Power of travel, distance, roads, and horizons. His feet are restless ever to wander the many worlds of the Prime Material, his eyes ever on the horizon.

Fharlanghn is portrayed as a middle-aged man with weathered and wrinkled brown skin and bright green eyes. He is plain-clothed and unencumbered, carrying only an iron-shod staff and a disc with a curved surface representing the horizon. The disc is made of many woods and is inlaid with jade and turquoise. A bright golden sun-disc is set into the object. Fharlanghn is known to use the disc for divinations.

His priesthood is small, a wandering fellowship. Services to the Power are always outdoors, preferably under a sunny sky, and involve telling of traveler's tales, sharing stories of good people, and bestowing blessings on the worshipers while drinking ale and sharing simple food.

Fharlanghn's Priests:

This is a small, wandering priesthood, ever eager to set foot on the road. The priests are practical folk, yet trusting and almost naive in their faith. Collecting tales of the road, recording them, or drawing scenes from far lands are the delight of these priests. They are kindly people who always offer generosity to other travelers. The priesthood does include some urban members, but these are often elderly priests whose traveling days are done.



Celestian


Celestian, the Star Wanderer, is said to be brother to Fharlanghn, the endless wanderer of the Prime Material. Celestian wanders the Astral, Ethereal and Inner planes, especially the Astral. He is depicted as a tall, lean man of middle years, ebony-skinned and dark of eye. His garments are inky black, but somewhere about him he has his symbol of seven "stars" (gems) which blaze with the colors of far suns. He affects meteors, comets, and similar heavenly bodies. As a form of Sky God, Celestian has influence over some aspects of light and weather. He is often called upon by Diviners.

His worshipers prefer rough travel to unknown lands and acquisition of knowledge.

Celestian's Priests:

This small priesthood is very studious and meditative, and also somewhat secretive and detached from everyday life. Acquisition of arcane lore and magical items that aid travel are important goals.

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Cruel Deities Worshiped by in Uncivilized Lands and In Secret by Nefarious Folk


Erythnul

Erythnul is the Power of capricious malice, envy, hatred, and fearful panic. His worshipers include many humanoids, for Erythnul smiles on fickle, wicked deeds from them them as much as from humans. Erythnul delights in the fear, rout, and terror of battlefields, and is himself depicted terrifyingly as a seven-foot brute, hairy and red-faced, with mad, staring green eyes. He can change from human to gnoll to bugbear to ogre to troll at will, and he carries a huge stone-headed mace. He is a summoner of creatures of battle, and if wounded, monsters spring from his blood.

Erythnul is worshiped by evil, embittered, cruel creatures. Services to him include playing of shrill and discordant reed instruments, the banging of gongs, and ritual drumming. Major rites include burnt offerings. Humanoids of the Bone March and the Pomarj include many devotees of Erythnul, as do evilly-inclined bands of bandits and brigands around the Khaarokan range.


Erythnul's Priests:

Erythnul's priests include many gnolls, bugbears, and ogres. There is no fixed hierarchy, and a junior may demonstrate his fitness to boss his fellows by dispatching an older priest (envy is a virtue, after all). The priests are bullies - hateful backstabbers and wanton killers - acting on evil impulse and revelling in bloodshed.



Hextor

Hextor, Scourge of Battle, Champion of Evil, is patron Power of many evil warriors and a few humanoids. Hextor is portrayed as a six-armed, gray- skinned, gray-haired man with fiery red eyes, although he can assume a more handsome form. As befits a many-armed warrior Power, he employs a variety of weapons, as do his priests.

Hextor is worshiped by evil warriors and assassins, mercenaries and murderers. His following has always been strongest across the sea, in the empire of Ur and beyond. Services to him include discordant music from wind instruments, shouting and screaming, and the striking of iron weapons. The greatest temples are built on sites of great battles and bloodshed.


Hextor's Priests:

These priests are skilled combatants and assassins, cruel and violent, bereft of subtlety while still being cunning and wily. The priestly hierarchy is rigid, dominated by strength and cruelty.


Nerull

Foe of All Good, Hater of Life, Bringer of Darkness, Reaper of Flesh - Nerull's formal titles bear eloquent witness to the horror of this cold, cruel, hateful Power. Nerull is not a god who sees death as ease, release, or quiet passing; he brings bloody slaughter, and is the deity of many who seek evil for their enjoyment and gain.

Nerull appears as a skeletal figure with a dull, rusty-red body and a skull-like head adorned with thick strands of blue-green "hair." His eyes, teeth, and nails are a putrid green. Known to fly at night, black-cloaked and cowled, his terrible reaper's staff-scythe strikes down all it sweeps through. Nerull is summoner of fiends, conjurer of darkness; his touch withers men and turns them to dust.

The worship of Nerull always occurs in complete darkness. The litany is ghastly, full of death and suffering. Bizarre and terrifying offerings are made on altars of rusty-colored stone. Nerull is known to have hidden temples in the kingdom of Ur. A scarce few well-hidden, subterranean temples may befoul the foothills in more civilized lands.

Even in the times of war and death, the common folk do not try to appease the Reaper. Any form of beseechment is thought to attract his fell green eyes to the supplicant, with life-ending results.


Nerull's Priests:

Nerull's priests are murderous, psychopatic, cold, cruel, and utterly evil. They are highly secretive, for obvious reasons. Priesthoods tend to be individual capsules without an overall hierarchy, except in evil lands.

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Important People, families and social groups:


People:

General Clairvaux

The top general of the Lagashian army, he recently was victorious over the city-state of Aral. After his successful military campaign, he returned to Lagash... and conquered it. He perished in a succesful counter-rebellion by the people of Lagash.

Zaggisiugal, the Sorcerer-king of Ghenova

His dealings in many of the regions blackmarkets are almost as well known as his rummoured insanity.

He not only permits but openly encourages open practice of all arcane arts in the Ghenovan empire, including necromancy.

Karlos Mago

A scion of the Mago family with an appetite for change. His agents flooded the city of Lagash after Clairvaux's death in an attempt to win over the populace and gain control of the government there. Personally, the man's strange affections drive off many, and his methods of "dealing" with individuals who get in his way are tragic, yet comedic. Being assaulted by one's own animated pants seems to be his latest gimmick, though there's been whispers of a few people that have "vanished" by far more nefarious means.

Councilman Redorak, exiled high council of Lagash.

He was banished by order of General Clairvaux. His body apparently turned up after the revolution in a field outside of Corrin.



Sargon

A minor lord of one of the fiefdoms beyond the Khaarokan mountain range that pays tribute to Ghenova.

Shia

One of the children from the mountain village near the Khaarokan mountain range who escaped the slaughter. It's said she now finances an adventuring team to retrieve artifacts for her?

The Puppet
A shadowy figure few are familiar with. Associated with Redorak.

Azul

A longterm prisoner of the sulphur mines of Lagash; he presumably escaped, claiming he had friends in Innsmouth once. Eyewitnesses say he was at the university of magic in Lagash taking books during the rebellion.

Anton von Houtten, long dead author of The Superhuman Gambit

One of the only authors to produce a work so profane, that nearly every religion in the world has marked his tomes for destruction. His work is memorable not in that it describes a horrific ritual for ascension, but that it describes hundreds of them in painstaking, scientific detail. The author has gone through the most secret, sacred rites to many religions and has categorically demonstrated them all to fail.


Agrippa, a seer of the Celestian faith whose works are widely criticized by most of his peers in the Celestian faith. His books are infamous in that nearly every self-declared intellectual claims to have them and have studied them, but very few of these same people have actually read them. For most they are just a pseudointellectual status symbol - and for some, they are frightening visions of horrors yet to come, of the doom and death of mortal things and the fall of an eternal night; of the unmaking of the world and the issuance of dark, ancient powers in corporeal bodies.


Seneca