Ehaba is an elf who has made his home within the Derkwuds, somewhere beyond the paths most travellers know and deeper than sensible people willingly go. Around Draktun and the roads skirting the forest, his name is spoken quietly, although he’s most commonly known as Lord of the Crows. He was not always feared. Ehaba was once simply clever, curious and far too willing to investigate places others had already decided were best left alone. The Derkwuds fascinated him: the mist that distorted sound, the black structures that predated known
Read more →Meet the People of Aranthaes
From rulers and merchants to innkeepers, adventurers, priests and rogues, the people of Aranthaes are every bit as important as the places they inhabit.
Explore the NPCs who bring the city and island to life, each with their own background, personality, loyalties and ambitions. Characters include playable D&D stats, making them ready to drop into an Aranthaes campaign or adapt for adventures of your own.
Casrius grew up in the slums of Aranthaes Wynds. His parents died when he was young, leaving him to fend for himself on the streets. Casrius learned how to pick pockets and steal to survive, and eventually joined a gang of thieves in the city. He quickly rose through the ranks and became one of the gang’s most skilled members. However, he grew tired of the constant danger and lack of respect he received from his fellow thieves. Casrius decided to strike out on his own and use his skills
Read more →Rilith Jol’gonas was born to a tiefling mother and human father in the slums of Aranthaes Wynds. Despite the challenges of her upbringing, Rilith showed an early aptitude for the divine, and her raw talent was quickly recognized by the Church of the Mother. She was taken in as a novice and began her training as a cleric with the Mother’s Children. Over the years, Rilith rose through the ranks of the church and became a powerful force for good in the city. She is known for her compassion and
Read more →Orilia was born into a wealthy family of tiefling merchants, the Thornes, one of the few “true-born” Aranthean lineages. She learned the art of trade from a young age and quickly proved herself to be a skilled negotiator. As she grew older, Orilia began to develop a taste for risk and intrigue, rapidly growing her business by any means necessary. Orilia’s business is now one of the largest and most successful in the city. She owns a network of textile mills, which produce high-quality fabrics that are sold throughout the
Read more →Lady Bune is an ancient, powerful and benevolent deity who bestows her wealth and knowledge upon those who seek her aid. A draconic demon, she chose to leave the infernal realm and has since taken a millennia-long journey of transformation to become the beloved goddess she is now. Lady Bune is at the heart of Aranthaen religion, which plays a pivotal role in every aspect of society in the city she is said to have formed thousands of years ago. Although demonic/draconic by nature, her ability to shape-shift means she
Read more →Morgath is a tiefling warlock whose pact with Lady Bune binds her as both servant and devotee. Born in the shadowed alleys of Aranthaes Wynds, Morgath survived by her wit and charm until she encountered what she felt to be a vision of the Lady herself, whispering promises of power in exchange for fealty. Since that day, Morgath has worn her infernal bloodline proudly, her scarlet eyes a constant reminder of her covenant. She acts as a subtle agent within the city, whispering counsel to merchants, politicians, and zealots alike
Read more →Grim is a half-orc assassin whose reputation in Aranthaes’ underworld is matched only by the silence that follows his work. Taken in by Orilia Thorne after his mercenary band was destroyed, he was reshaped into her blade in the dark—an enforcer who removes obstacles with precision and brutality. Grim is cold and methodical, with little interest in gold or glory. His loyalty lies entirely with Orilia, who he views as both patron and redeemer. He avoids unnecessary words, communicating with nods, gestures, or the faint scrape of his daggers being
Read more →Valtor is a dragonborn sorcerer from the distant eastern lands, where his people live among mist-shrouded mountains and ancient shrines dedicated to dragon ancestors. He carries himself with a calm, formal dignity, speaking little but always with purpose. Strangers in Aranthaes whisper that he came across the sea not for wealth, but to pursue a vision of fire and storm that guided him away from his homeland. Though outwardly disciplined, Valtor is driven by a restless hunger for mastery of elemental forces. His fire-wreathed magic has already earned him notoriety
Read more →Sariel was born from violence, the daughter of a human mother and a demon who came during an attack that left her village scarred. Her appearance made her parentage impossible to hide, and from childhood she carried the fear, suspicion and resentment that others attached to what she was. She first turned toward faith because she wanted certainty that her choices could matter more than her blood. For a time, they did. Sariel served, learned and healed where she could, but years of rejection gradually hardened into anger. Eventually she
Read more →“Nyx” is a skilled half-elf rogue who serves as Orilia Thorne’s personal assistant, scout, and infiltrator. Her nimble fingers and sharp mind make her an expert at picking locks and disarming traps, and her shadowy abilities allow her to move unseen and unheard through even the most dangerous environments. Born far beyond the island’s shores, Nyx grew up in a world where quiet hands and a quick escape were worth more than coin. She survived by learning to read danger in a heartbeat – the twitch of a guard’s eye,
Read more →Eryndor is Lord Commander of Aranthaes City Guard. She was born and raised in Aranthaes and has dedicated her life to protecting the city and its people. Eryndor trained in the ways of combat and the tenets of her faith from a young age, and being taught by legendary commander Godwin Harewood, she quickly rose through the City Guard’s ranks. She is known for her devotion to justice and her willingness to lay down her life for the greater good. She is solely focused on her duties as the leader
Read more →The Aranthaes City Guard is a formidable force that serves as the city council’s military – responsible for protecting the city and larger island from both external threats and internal crimes. Unlike the private merchant police or religious police forces with their specific fields of operation, the City Guard is dedicated to the defense of all Aranthaens. The City Guard is well-funded and well-equipped, with access to some of the best weapons and armor available. They are known for their strict adherence to the law and their intolerance for corruption
Read more →As a wealthy merchant city, Aranthaen businesses are keen to protect their stock and trade with more favor than that provided by the City Guard. Over the space of several years they have built up a significant private police force – not so much focused on the rule of law, but rather a keen dedication to looking after their paymaster’s interests. The Merchant Police are divided into four main battalions, each sponsored by a wealthy merchant family or business cooperative, and with a key exception of The Merchant Volunteers each
Read more →The Blood Moon Tribe is a ferocious horde of orcs that terrorizes the trade routes around Aranthaes. They are infamous for their brutality and willingness to use extreme methods to intimidate and kill their enemies. They are led by an orc warlord named Gromm, who is known for his tactical prowess and his merciless treatment of prisoners. The tribe is comprised of a mix of powerful warriors, skilled archers, and fearsome spellcasters. They often employ shamans and witches who use their dark magic to cast powerful spells that can cripple
Read more →The Iron Fist Clan is a well-organized orc horde that has terrorized the surrounding lands for years. They are known for their brutal tactics and skilled warriors, and have built up a fearsome reputation among travelers and merchants alike. Led by the fearsome chieftain Gorgoth Ironfist, the clan is made up of several tribes that have banded together for strength in numbers. Gorgoth is a towering figure, even among his own kind, and wields a massive battle axe that has claimed the lives of many of his enemies. The Iron
Read more →The Red Cloaks are the most feared, sophisticated, and far-reaching criminal syndicate in all of Aranthaes – a clandestine empire with it’s hands across trade routes, town councils, merchant guilds, and the island’s hidden underbelly. Recognizable by their crimson cloaks, the organization blends the discipline of a private army with the secrecy of a shadow-guild and the rigid hierarchy of a modern organized crime family. And they are everywhere. Red Cloaks Origins and Evolution The Red Cloaks have been on Aranthaes for hundreds of years, starting as a loose
Read more →The Black Blades are a group of highly skilled swordsmen who terrorize trade routes to and from Aranthaes. They are known for their swift and deadly attacks, leaving no survivors behind. Their tactics are precise and calculated, and they use their speed and agility to outmaneuver their victims. They are also very secretive and efficient, rarely leaving behind any clues or witnesses. The Black Blades are said to be led by a charismatic and ruthless leader known only as “the Blade.” Little is known about this enigmatic figure, other than
Read more →The Dragon’s Hand is an independent guild of fighters and adventurers that operates within the city of Aranthaes and surrounding areas. Their primary mission is to protect Lady Bune‘s church and personnel, keeping them safe from harm. The guild is made up of experienced and skilled fighters who are dedicated to their cause. The Dragon’s Hand is well funded by the Defenders of the Mother. This support allows members of the Dragon’s Hand to access fully paid for weapons, armor, and training that they need to effectively carry out their
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