Wayfinder's Guide To Eberron

Wayfinder's%20Guide%20To%20Eberron

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WAYFINDER’S GUIDE TO EBERRON

Explore the world of Eberron in this campaign prototype

for the world’s greatest roleplaying game

WAYFINDER’S GUIDE

TO EBERRON

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

THE WAYFARER’S GUIDE TO EBERRON

II

Ù®ãÝ

Lead Designer: Keith Baker

Design: Ruty Rutenberg

ĚĚŝƟŽŶĂůĞƐŝŐŶ͗ Jeremy Crawford, Mike

Mearls, Kate Welch

ƌƚŝƌĞĐƟŽŶΘ/ůůƵƐƚƌĂƟŽŶ͗ Lee Moyer

ŽŽŬĞƐŝŐŶ͗Will Hindmarch

ĚŝƚŽƌƐ͗ Kenna Conklin, Will Hindmarch, Ruty

Rutenberg

ŽǀĞƌ/ůůƵƐƚƌĂƚŽƌ͗Chippy

/ŶƚĞƌŝŽƌ/ůůƵƐƚƌĂƚŽƌƐ͗'ƌĂĐĞůŝƐŽŶ͕DŝƚĐŚŽƟĞ͕

Rich Ellis, Steve Ellis, Tomas Giorello, Howard

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Wayne Reynolds, Anne Stokes, Mark Tedin,

Francis Tsai, Brian Valenzuela, Anthony S.

Waters, Charlie Wen, James Zhang

This book includes some rules and spells that

originally appeared in Xanathar’s Guide to

Everything (2017).

WůĂLJƚĞƐƚĞƌƐ͗ Teos Abadia, Kurt Caceres, Chelsea

Caine, Cory Casoni, Wayne Chang, Charlie

Chu, Kenna Conklin, Ryan Conklin, Jenny

Conlee, Chris Funk, Dan Garrison, Hrishikesh

Hirway, Jason Hobson, Noura Ibrahim, Kym

:ĂĐŬƐŽŶ͕dĂůŝĞƐŝŶ:ĂīĞ͕:ŽŶĂƚŚĂŶ<Ğůƚnj͕ĞƌĞŬ

Mears, Jason Charles Miller, Marc Mohan,

>ŝŶĚƐĞLJDŽƌƚĞŶƐĞŶ͕DĂƌƚLJDŽƌƟŵĞƌ͕ŝŐ

EĞƵƚƌŽŶ͕<ĂŝEŽƌŵĂŶ͕^ĂƟŶĞWŚŽĞŶŝdž͕DŝůLJŶŶ

^ĂƌůĞLJ͕ƵƐƟŶ^ĐŽŐŐŝŶ͕<ƌŝƐƟĂŶ^ĞƌƌĂŶŽ͕

Eugene Simon, Jimmy Tamborello, Shana

Targosz, Ivan Van Norman, Kyle Vogt, B Dave

tĂůƚĞƌƐ͕^ĐŽƩtĞůŬĞƌ͕ŝŶŽƌĂtĂůĐŽƩ

^ƉĞĐŝĂůƚŚĂŶŬƐ to the people who helped bring

Eberron to life, including Peter Archer, Mary

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ĂůůŽƚŚĞƌtŝnjĂƌĚƐŽĨƚŚĞŽĂƐƚƉƌŽĚƵĐƚŶĂŵĞƐ͕ĂŶĚƚŚĞŝƌƌĞƐƉĞĐƟǀĞůŽŐŽƐĂƌĞƚƌĂĚĞŵĂƌŬƐŽĨtŝnjĂƌĚƐŽĨƚŚĞ

Coast in the USA and other countries.

This work contains material that is copyright Wizards of the Coast and/or other authors. Such material is used

with permission under the Community Content Agreement for Dungeon Masters Guild.

All other original material in this work is copyright © 2018 by Keith Baker, and published under the Community

Content Agreement for Dungeon Masters Guild.

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

THE WAYFARER’S GUIDE TO EBERRON III

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION ..........................................................4

CHAPTER ONE: WHAT IS EBERRON? ............. 5

A Magical World .......................................................6

Pulp Adventure ..........................................................7

Neo-Noir Intrigue ......................................................9

The Last War ............................................................12

The Mourning ...........................................................14

Ancient Mysteries ......................................................17

If It Exists In D&D,

There’s A Place for It in Eberron ............................19

CHAPTER 2: WELCOME TO KHORVAIRE ..............21

Nations of Eberron ....................................................22

Aundair .....................................................................23

Breland .....................................................................24

Cyre (The Mournland) .............................................25

Darguun ...................................................................26

The Demon Wastes ...................................................27

Droaam .....................................................................28

The Eldeen Reaches ..................................................29

Karrnath .................................................................... 30

The Lhazaar Principalities ........................................31

The Mror Holds ........................................................32

Q’barra ......................................................................33

The Shadow Marches ...............................................34

The Talenta Plains ....................................................35

Thrane .......................................................................36

Valenar ......................................................................37

Zilargo .......................................................................38

Everyday Life.............................................................39

MAGIC IN KHORVAIRE ......................................41

Magewrights ..............................................................42

Wandslingers .............................................................43

The Magical Economy .............................................44

Faiths of Khorvaire....................................................48

Distant Lands ............................................................52

Eberron: Above and Beyond .....................................55

CHAPTER 3: RACES OF EBERRON ...........................59

Changelings ...............................................................60

Shifters .......................................................................64

Warforged ..................................................................67

Dwarves .....................................................................71

Gnomes .....................................................................76

Half-Elves ..................................................................77

Half-Orcs ................................................................... 78

0ITÆQVO[.....................................................................79

Humans .....................................................................82

Other Races ...............................................................83

CHAPTER 4: DRAGONMARKS ..................................89

Creating a Dragonmarked Character .......................90

Dragonmarks and Backgrounds ................................90

The Powers of the Mark ............................................91

Dragonmark Appearance ..........................................92

Background ...............................................................94

The Mark of Detection ..............................................96

The Mark of Finding .................................................97

The Mark of Handling ..............................................98

The Mark of Healing.................................................99

The Mark of Hospitality ............................................100

The Mark of Making .................................................101

The Mark of Passage .................................................102

The Mark of Scribing ................................................103

The Mark of Sentinel ................................................104

The Mark of Shadow ................................................105

The Mark of Storm ...................................................106

The Mark of Warding ...............................................108

Greater Dragonmarks ...............................................109

Aberrant Dragonmarks .............................................111

CHAPTER 5: MAGIC ITEMS .......................................113

Magic Items ...............................................................114

CHAPTER 6: SHARN, CITY OF TOWERS ..................123

Sharn Backgrounds .................................................124

The Shape of Sharn ..................................................131

Central Plateau Quarter ............................................134

Dura Quarter ............................................................135

Menthis Plateau Quarter ...........................................136

Northedge Quarter ....................................................137

Tavick’s Landing Quarter .........................................138

Sharn: Above and Below ..........................................140

Things to Do in Sharn ...............................................141

Criminal Activities in Sharn ......................................144

Starting Points ..........................................................147

Starting Point: Callestan ............................................148

;\IZ\QVO8WQV\"+TQٺ\WX ..............................................150

Starting Point: Morgrave University .........................152

A Quick Sharn Story .................................................155

The Streets of Sharn ..................................................157

APPENDIX A: FURTHER READING ..........................134

Eberron Sourcebooks ................................................134

Eberron Novels ..........................................................135

APPENDIX B: GLOSSARY ...........................................137

APPENDIX C: DRAGONMARKED HOUSE CRESTS . 142

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

THE WAYFARER’S GUIDE TO EBERRON

4

INTRODUCTION

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EBERRON WAS BORN IN 2002 WHEN

Wizards of the Coast launched

a worldwide search for a new

campaign setting. I imagined a

world of swashbuckling adventure

and dark fantasy, a place where magic formed

the foundation of civilization. Over the course of

the next year I worked with a team of amazing

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that core idea, and the end result was the -JMZZWV

+IUXIQOV;M\\QVO In the years that followed, a

host of authors, designers, and dungeon masters

across the world have continued to expand and

explore this setting.

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DUNGEONS & DRAGONS, providing an overview

of the core themes of the setting and the rules to

connect them to current campaigns. It explores

the continent of Khorvaire and the great city of

Sharn. <PM ?IaÅVLMZ¼[/]QLM provides ideas and

hooks for compelling adventures, as well as an

appendix with a list of sources you can use to

learn more about the setting.

Bear in mind: this book presents Uavision

of Eberron. This is the world I run at my own

table, and the way that I’ve converted its ideas

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is presented for playtesting and to spark your

imagination. The game mechanics are in draft

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D&D Adventurers League events. If Wizards of

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appear in a D&D book. Beyond that: Eberron

is aW]Zworld as much as it is mine. I hope that

this book provides you with

inspiration, but don’t

be limited by my

ideas or decisions.

Think of this

as something

you can

build upon,

not a codex of

absolute law.

Welcome

to Eberron:

let’s explore!

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 1 | WHAT IS EBERRON? 5

CHAPTER ONE: WHAT IS EBERRON?

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WHAT IS EBERRON? IT’S A WORLD

bound by a golden ring

and surrounded by twelve

moons. It’s the intersection of

thirteen planes of existence,

which shift in and out of alignment. It’s a place

where magic has been harnessed as a tool—used

to build cities, to sail ships through the skies, to

create both wonders and weapons.

Eberron embraces swashbuckling action and

pulp adventure and adds a layer of neo-noir

intrigue. Stories don’t always end well and there

isn’t a perfect answer to every problem. The

Last War turned old allies into bitter enemies

and destroyed an entire nation, leaving terrible

scars behind. Crime and corruption lurk in the

great cities of Khorvaire. Hidden dragons shape

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the dreams of the unwary. Human greed and

ambition may prove more dangerous than any

devil or demon. But through this darkness, there

are opportunities for a group of bold adventurers

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This chapter explores these core themes

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characters you create in Eberron. Here’s a quick

overview of what lies ahead.

• A Magical World. From warforged

and airships to the mighty dragonmarked

houses, magic is a part of the world and its

stories.

• Pulp Adventure. Whether you’re

leaping from an airship or battling demons

in forgotten ruins, Eberron encourages

cinematic action and swashbuckling

adventure.

• Neo-Noir Intrigue. Eberron is a world

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and villain is easily blurred, and even the

champions of the light may have things

they regret.

• The Last War. Eberron has just emerged

from a century-long civil war, and the scars

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shape your story?

• The Mourning. This mystical cataclysm

destroyed an entire nation and created a

deadly wasteland in the heart of Khorvaire.

The Mourning brought the war to an end,

but it is a mystery and a threat that looms

large over Eberron.

• Ancient Mysteries. Powerful artifacts

are hidden in the ruined cities of giants.

Dragons and demons scheme in the

shadows, unraveling a prophecy that could

shape the future. These ancient mysteries

can be a source of fantastic adventures and

terrible danger.

• If it exists in D&D, it has a place in

Eberron… But it may not be the place

you’re used to.

These elements are all part of Eberron, but

you don’t have to use all of them in every story.

As you go through this chapter, decide which

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want to tell.

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 1 | A MAGICAL WORLD

6

A MAGICAL WORLD

The creation myths say that magic is the

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from the golden ring in the sky. Whether this

is truth or mere myth, magic pervades the

world.

Magic as a Tool. In Eberron, arcane

magic is a form of science. The spells and

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developed and honed over centuries, and

those principles have been incorporated into

daily life. Magic is used for entertainment,

transportation, communication, warfare, and

much more. While magic is widespread, there

are limits to is power. You can book passage

on an airship or get an illness cured by lesser

restoration, but resurrection, teleportation, and

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are rare and remarkable; most common magic

is performed by a working class of magewrights,

professional spellcasters who master a small

handful of rituals or cantrips. The magical

services available in Khorvaire are discussed

in more detail in chapter 2, along with the

availability of magic items.

Dragonmarked Dynasties. The magical

economy is dominated by a handful of powerful

families and the guilds they maintain. These are

the dragonmarked houses, barons of industry

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These dynastic houses derive their power

from their dragonmarks: arcane sigils that

are passed down through their bloodlines. A

dragonmark grants limited but useful magical

abilities, and over the course of centuries the

houses have used these powers to establish

powerful monopolies. House Jorasco dominates

the medical trade with its Mark of Healing,

while only someone with House Lyrandar’s

Mark of Storms can pilot an airship. Chapter 3

provides more details about dragonmarks and

the dragonmarked houses, along with rules for

creating dragonmarked characters.

òÙùùD¦®

Here are a few examples of how magic is

integrated into everyday life in Khorvaire.

The lightning rail uses bound elementals

to drive a train of carriages along a path of

conductor stones. The rail links most major

cities and is a simple way to travel long

distances.

An elemental airshipXVHVDÀUHRUDLU

elemental, bound into a ring that holds

the ship aloft and provides motive force.

The airship is a recent innovation that is

transforming the business of transportation.

Everbright lanterns use FRQWLQXDOÁDPH

WROLJKWWKHVWUHHWVRI.KRUYDLUH7KHÁDPH

never goes out, but metal shutters allow a

lantern to be dimmed or shut down.

Speaking stones allow communication

between distant communities. A short

message can be sent from one stone to

another, functionally similar to a telegraph.

Warforged are sentient humanoid

golems. Developed during the Last War,

warforged were created as weapons. The

Treaty of Thronehold forbid the creation of

new warforged, while granting freedom to

the golems that survived the war. Rules for

making warforged characters can be found in

chapter 3.

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 1 | PULP ADVENTURE 7

PULP ADVENTURE

Eberron is a world of swashbuckling adventure

IVL\_WÅ[\MLIK\QWV?PM\PMZaW]¼ZMI,5

developing an adventure in the world or a

player preparing to explore it, here are a few

things to consider.

Exotic Locations. Lightning rails, airships,

and other forms of transportation can facilitate

travel to exotic locations. Adventures could

take you to the colossal ruins left behind by the

giants of Xen’drik, the warped landscape of the

Mournland, or the dark demiplanes within the

underworld of Khyber. Even if you prefer to stay

QVI\W_VaW]KW]TLÅVLaW]Z[MTNQV\PMUQTM

PQOP\W_MZ[WN;PIZV°WZ\PMIVKQMV\OWJTQV

tunnels that lie beneath it.

What Are the Stakes? What’s better than

a battle on the deck of an airship? A battle on

the deck of an airship \PI\¼[IJW]\\WKZI[P Look

for ways to raise the stakes of a scene, so players

feel that every decision matters. This could be

driven by the consequences of failure: through

your actions, you’re protecting your friends, your

house, or your nation. It could be about time: <PM

ITIZU¼[JMMV\ZQOOMZMLIVLaW]WVTaPI^M[Q`ZW]VL[JMNWZM

[MK]ZQ\aIZZQ^M[ Such things can even be incidental.

,QLaW][\IZ\IÅOP\QVIVITTMaJMPQVLIJIZ'

6W_aW]VW\QKM\PMLZ]VSWOZM[TMMXQVOQV\PMKWZVMZ°QN

PM_ISM[]X\PQ[KW]TLOM\]OTa

Player Characters Are Remarkable.

Eberron is a world in need of heroes. Lingering

tensions of war remain. From the fanatics of

the Emerald Claw and the mad cults of the

,ZIOWV*MTW_\W\PMÆM[P_IZXQVOLIMTSaZ

IVLIVKQMV\IZKPÅMVL[-JMZZWVNIKM[UIVa

\PZMI\[°IVL\PMZM¼[VWWVMW]\\PMZM\W[\WX

them. In Eberron, the gods are distant and

don’t directly intervene. The Silver Flame is a

divine force of light, but it can only act through

mortal champions. The few powerful benevolent

NPCs have limitations: the Keeper of the Flame

loses her powers if she leaves her citadel. The

UQOP\aOZMI\LZ]QLQ[°_MTT°I\ZMM5W[\WN

the powerful people in the setting are driven by

[MTÅ[POWIT[1N\PM<IZZI[Y]MKWUM[\W;PIZV

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 1 | PULP ADVENTURE

8

there’s no one else to deal with the problem: the

fate of the city is in your hands.

This is something to consider in developing

your character and choosing your background.

If you take the soldier background, you can be

more than just a grunt. What did you do during

the Last War? What was your greatest triumph

or most tragic defeat? If you’re a spy, are you a

prized agent or did you break loose from your

organization after they pushed you too far? Don’t

just think of your character as a set of numbers:

even at 1st level, you’re remarkable.

Hero Points. The heroes of pulp adventure

are often able to overcome seemingly impossible

WLL[7VM_Ia\WZMÆMK\\PQ[Q[\W][M\PM

optional hero points rule from chapter 9 of the

,]VOMWV5I[\MZ¼[/]QLM This is optional; hero points

change the balance of the game and give player

characters an opportunity to turn certain failure

into success. It’s a way to make heroes feel

largely than life, but it’s not a good match for

every story.

Remarkable Villains. One reason the world

needs heroes is because it already has villains. It

may be a long time before you’re ready to face

the archlich Erandis Vol in battle. But part of

\PMÆI^WZWNX]TXIL^MV\]ZMQ[\WPI^MZMK]ZZQVO

villains who are closely matched with the

heroes—rivals who advance in power as you do.

One way to create a compelling villain is for the

DM and players develop the villain’s backstory

together. As a DM, you might ask a player: ?PMV

aW]NW]OP\QV\PM4I[\?IZ0ITI[5IZ\IQV[MZ^MLQVaW]Z

]VQ\°]V\QTPMJM\ZIaMLaW]?PI\LQLPMLWM`IK\Ta'

Likewise, even when a pulp villain appears to

die, they can have their own remarkable escapes

from death. Perhaps Halas had a ring that cast

an illusion of his death while actually stabilizing

him, or cast NMI\PMZNITTwhen he leapt from that

tower in Sharn. Here as well, as a DM you could

engage the players: 1\¼[0ITI[5IZ\IQVITTZQOP\

0W_LWyou\PQVSPM[]Z^Q^MLaW]ZTI[\MVKW]V\MZ'

This isn’t something every group will enjoy,

and you never want players to feel as though they

can’t succeed. But for some groups, this sort of

collaboration can produce a compelling story and

a sense of investment in the world.

KÖã®ÊÄ½Zç½͗

Äò®ÙÊÄÃÄã½½ÃÄãÝ

)ÅOP\JZMIS[W]\QV<PM+I\*Q[K]Q\<PM

OVWUMZWO]MTMIX[NZWU\PMTIVLQVOIVL[_QVO[

IKZW[[\PMZWWUXI[[QVOW^MZ\PMPMIL[WN\PM

[]ZXZQ[ML\P]O[\WTIVLQV\PMXMZNMK\XW[Q\QWV

NWZI[VMISI\\IKS<PM[PQN\MZJIZJIZQIV[\ZQSM[

IUQOP\aJTW_\PI\SVWKS[PMZMVMUaQV\W\PM

JTIbQVOPMIZ\P#\PMJIVLQ\[PZQMS[I[\PMÆIUM[

[XZMIL\WPQ[KTW\PM[

Combat can feel very mechanical. ,PRYH

IHHW,PDNHDQDWWDFNUROO,XVHDUHDFWLRQ One

way for the DM to encourage more cinematic

action is to present a list of Environmental

Elements. In a tavern, this list could include

Chandelier, Plate Glass Window, Roaring

Fireplace, Tray of Drinks, Drunk Patron. If

\RX·UHÀJKWLQJLQDQDQFLHQWWRPEWKHOLVWFRXOG

be Pile of Gold Coins, Scattered Bones,

Rotting Tapestry, Moss-Covered Statue.

Each turn, a player can work one of these

elements into their description of their action.

The primary purpose of this is to give players

ideas; interesting details to use while describing

their actions. But if a player comes up with a

particularly clever way to use an element, the

DM could grant advantage on a check or attack

UROORUVRPHRWKHUEHQHÀW7KHURJXHQHHGVWR

cross a room full of enemies and wants to swing

RQWKHFKDQGHOLHU"$VWKH'0,·GOHWWKHP

make a simple Dexterity (Acrobatics) check to

avoid opportunity attacks, essentially getting a

free Disengage action.

Environmental elements are always

optional and largely cosmetic. As a DM, you

GRQ·WKDYHWRJUDQWDERQXVIRUHYHU\XVHRIDQ

element. But presenting a list can help players

think of the location as more than just squares

on a map and challenge them to add more

FLQHPDWLFÁDLUWRWKHLUDFWLRQV

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 1 | NEO-NOIR INTRIGUE 9

NEO-NOIR INTRIGUE

While Eberron embraces the swashbuckling

action of pulp adventure, it also draws inspiration

NZWUVMWVWQZIVLPIZLJWQTMLÅK\QWV1\¼[I

world where stories don’t always end well, where

there isn’t a perfect solution for every problem.

In developing characters or stories in Eberron,

consider the following concepts.

Shades of Gray. In Eberron, it’s not always

easy to separate the heroes from the villains.

Good people can do terrible things, while cruel

or heartless people may be serving the greater

good. An inquisitor may torture

innocents in a quest to root out a cult

of the Dragon Below; but if she’s

stopped, the cult will survive and

ÆW]ZQ[P)OZW]XWNWZK[IZMZIQLQVO

a human settlement; but the settlers

have built their village on land sacred to the

orcs and may be disrupting wards that hold

M^QTI\JIa<PMPMZWM[ÅVLIXW_MZN]TUIOQK

weapon in an ancient tomb; but this artifact is

the sword of an ancient hobgoblin general, and

his descendants want it back. There are ways to

resolve these problems, but the answers aren’t

always simple or obvious.

There can certainly be times when decisions

are straightforward. If the Emerald Claw is about

to detonate a necrotic resonator that will kill half

of Sharn, they need to be stopped. But a good

Eberron story challenges you to think about your

actions, and the simplest solution may not be the

best one.

Human Motives. 6W\M^MZaKWVÆQK\Q[I

ÅOP\JM\_MMVTQOP\IVLLIZSVM[[1V-JMZZWV\PM

vast majority of people are driven by simple

motives: Greed. Fear. Pride. Ambition. One

person just wants to get some gold in their

pocket. Another wants to impress their

paramour. A leader forcing the Five

Nations into war is driven both

by fear of their neighbors and the

sincere belief that Khorvaire would

JMJM\\MZWٺ]VLMZ\PMQZZ]TM

There are ancient and primordial forces at

work in Eberron. But there are also misguided

patriots, religious extremists, and dragonmarked

houses looking to wring a few more pieces of

gold out of Khorvaire. There are spies who

will do anything to protect their nations and

petty criminals trying to build empires. There’s

IXTIKMQV-JMZZWVNWZ[MTÆM[[PMZWM[IVL\Z]Ta

vile villains, but there’s a lot of middle ground in

between.

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 1 | NEO-NOIR INTRIGUE

10

Everyone Has Regrets. Player characters

are remarkable people, but that doesn’t mean

they’re perfect. 5E already encourages you to

XQKSIÆI_NWZaW]ZKPIZIK\MZ[WUM\PQVO\PI\

PMTX[LMÅVMaW]ZUW\Q^I\QWV[*]\QNaW]_IV\\W

ILLITQ\\TMPIZLJWQTMLÆI^WZ\WaW]ZKPIZIK\MZ

you might consider a few additional aspects: Do

you have a debt you need to repay and, if so, do

you need to resolve this in a week or in a year?

Did you make a tragic mistake, and if so, is it

something you can ever undo? The Regrets table

provides a few examples of missteps that might

haunt you.

The Balance of Pulp and Noir. As a

setting, Eberron works with both pulp and noir

themes. This is a spectrum: on one end you have

over-the-top swashbuckling adventure—battling

incarnations of evil on the deck of a burning

airship! On the other end you have gritty hard-

boiled action in the alleys of Sharn, a brutally

human scenario where there’s no easy choices.

The most interesting path often lies between the

two extremes, but don’t be afraid to focus on one

end of the spectrum if that’s what suits your story.

Z¦ÙãÝd½

1d10 ZĞŐƌĞƚ

1 While you were serving in the Last

War, you were forced to abandon

an injured comrade. You don’t know

if they survived.

2 You placed your faith and your

fortune in the hands of a lover who

betrayed you. You don’t know if you

can ever trust anyone again.

3zŽƵŵƵƌĚĞƌĞĚĂƌŝǀĂů͘zŽƵƌĂĐƟŽŶƐ

ŵĂLJŚĂǀĞďĞĞŶũƵƐƟĮĞĚ͕ďƵƚLJŽƵƌ

ƌŝǀĂů͛ƐĨĂĐĞƐƟůůŚĂƵŶƚƐLJŽƵ͘

4 Someone put their trust in you and

you betrayed them for personal

gain. You may regret it now, but

you can never repair the damage

you’ve done.

5 You squandered your family’s

fortune and brought shame and

ruin to your household.

6 zŽƵĞŶŐĂŐĞĚŝŶĐŽǀĞƌƚŽƉĞƌĂƟŽŶƐ

ĨŽƌĂŶĂƟŽŶ;ĞŝƚŚĞƌĂƐĂƐƉLJŽƌ

soldier). While you were serving

your country, you did unforgivable

things.

7 You abandoned your family to

pursue a life of adventure. Your

village was destroyed in the war and

you don’t know if they survived.

8 You made a bargain with an

ĞdžƚƌĂƉůĂŶĂƌĞŶƟƚLJƚŚĂƚLJŽƵŶŽǁ

regret.

9 You made a promise to a child or a

lover that you failed to keep.

10 zŽƵǀŽůƵŶƚĞĞƌĞĚĨŽƌŵLJƐƟĐĂů

ĞdžƉĞƌŝŵĞŶƚƐ͘dŚĞƐĞŵĂLJďĞ

ƌĞƐƉŽŶƐŝďůĞĨŽƌLJŽƵƌĐůĂƐƐĂďŝůŝƟĞƐ

;ƐŽƌĐĞƌĞƌƐƉĞůůĐĂƐƟŶŐ͕ďĂƌďĂƌŝĂŶ

rage), but you don’t know if there

ǁŝůůďĞƐŝĚĞĞīĞĐƚƐ͘

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 1 | NEO-NOIR INTRIGUE 11

ãÝd½

1d10 Debt

1zŽƵĐŽŵŵŝƩĞĚĂĐƌŝŵĞĚƵƌŝŶŐƚŚĞ

Last War, and now you’re being

blackmailed by someone who has

ƉƌŽŽĨ͘zŽƵƌĂĐƟŽŶƐŵĂLJŚĂǀĞďĞĞŶ

ũƵƐƟĮĞĚ͕ďƵƚƚŚĞůĂǁǁŽŶ͛ƚĐĂƌĞ͘

2 You’ve got a gambling problem. If you

can’t repay Daask (see chapter 6),

you’re going to be playing tag with a

cockatrice.

3 You own an uncommon magic item,

but you had to sell it to a pawn shop.

If you can’t reclaim it within the

ŵŽŶƚŚ͕ƚŚĞLJ͛ůůƐĞůůŝƚŽī͘

4 You were making a delivery on behalf

of the Boromar Clan (see chapter 6)

and you lost the merchandise.

5 Someone knows the whereabouts of

a sibling or loved one you thought lost

ŝŶƚŚĞDŽƵƌŶŝŶŐ͕ďƵƚƚŚĂƚŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƟŽŶ

is going to cost you.

6 zŽƵŚĂǀĞĂĚĞŐĞŶĞƌĂƟǀĞĚŝƐĞĂƐĞƚŚĂƚ

can’t be cured by mundane means.

If you can’t get a ůĞƐƐĞƌƌĞƐƚŽƌĂƟŽŶ

soon, you’re going to start showing

symptoms.

7 Your family lost everything in the Last

War. 200 gp would get them a stake in

a new (farm/inn/stagecoach).

8 You’ve got a price on your head.

hŶƟůLJŽƵƐĞƩůĞƚŚŝŶŐƐǁŝƚŚ,ŽƵƐĞ

dŚĂƌĂƐŚŬ͕LJŽƵ͛ĚďĞƩĞƌŬĞĞƉĂŶĞLJĞ

out for bounty hunters.

9 You’ve got an opportunity to join an

ŝŶŇƵĞŶƟĂůƐĞĐƌĞƚƐŽĐŝĞƚLJ͘ƵƚLJŽƵ͛ǀĞ

only got one month to raise the

membership dues.

10 Roll again. It’s not your debt: it’s

you’re lover’s problem. Can you solve

the problem before they have to face

the consequences?

WHY DO YOU NEED

200 GOLD PIECES?

)ÆI_WZZMOZM\Q[[WUM\PQVO\PI\[PIXM[aW]Z

personality, something that plays an ongoing role

in your story. But perhaps you have a problem

that needs to be resolvedZQOP\VW_

This is entirely optional: As a player, you

could choose to roll or select an option from the

Debts table.

Why would you possibly want to take on a

debt? It’s a way to add depth to your character

and to provide a compelling, immediate motive

for adventuring—you’re not just out to get rich,

you needOWTL\WOM\\PI\JW]V\aWٺaW]ZPMIL

It’s also an opportunity to establish something

that can be part of your character moving

forward. If you’re trying to reclaim a magic item

from a pawn shop, it lets you establish that your

character PI[ that magic item—which could be

an heirloom, something you created, a gift from a

mentor—you’ve just temporarily lost it. If you’re

trying to raise money to join a secret society,

it establishes that your membership in this

organization may be a part of the story later on.

Establishing a debt requires collaboration and

approval by both player and DM. Work together

to develop the details: who is blackmailing you?

What’s this secret society? What’s the story

behind the magic item you’ve pawned, and what

sort of item is it? As a player, you present ideas

J]\\PM,5PI[ÅVITIXXZW^IT

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 1 | THE LAST WAR

12

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2

THE LAST WAR

For hundreds of years the continent of Khorvaire

was united under the Kingdom of Galifar. This

came to an end with the death of King Jarot in

!A3R][\W^MZIKMV\]ZaIOW+WVÆQK\W^MZ

the succession spiraled into outright war between

the Five Nations.

The Last War was a bitter struggle that forever

changed the shape of Khorvaire. It was a

century marked by shifting alliances, with years

of stalemate interspersed with periods of intense

KWVÆQK\<PQ[OZ]MTQVOKWVÆQK\TMN\LMMX[KIZ[WV

the land and the people, but there was worse

to come. On Olarune 20, 994 YK the nation

of Cyre was consumed in a magical cataclysm

now known as the Mourning. The cause of the

Mourning remains unknown, and many fear that

it was a consequence of the extensive use of war

magic. Shock and fear brought the nations to the

negotiating table, and the Last War came to an

end in 996 YK with the Treaty of Thronehold.

While many celebrated the end of the war,

W\PMZ[ZMUIQV]V[I\Q[ÅML_Q\PQ\[W]\KWUM

No one won the war, and deep scars remain.

War-torn villages and towns are still rebuilding.

Once fertile farmlands are scorched and ruined.

There are refugees in every major city. And

even though people optimistically refer to it as

\PM4I[\?IZ, most believe that it’s only a matter

of time until it begins anew. The mystery of

the Mourning is the only thing holding the

warmongers at bay. If the secret of the Mourning

can be uncovered—if it can be proven that the

Mourning couldn’t happen again, or if its power

could be harnessed as a weapon—the Last War

could begin again. As such, the nations remain in

a cold war as each makes preparations and seeks

IL^IV\IOM[QV\PMKWVÆQK\\PI\KW]TLTQMIPMIL

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 1 | THE LAST WAR 13

MILITARY BACKGROUNDS

The current year is 998 YK. The Last War lasted

for over a century and only came to an end two

years ago. As a player character in Eberron, you

possess remarkable skills. Did you take part in

the Last War, and if so, in what capacity? If you

fought, which nation did you serve? Were you

honorably discharged, or did you abandon your

cause? If you didn’t take part in the war, why

LQLV¼\aW]ÅOP\IVL_PI\LQLaW]LWQV[\MIL'

The following table provides ideas about how

IJIKSOZW]VLKW]TLZMÆMK\IKWVVMK\QWV\W\PM

Last War. Feel free to change the suggested

backgrounds. While charlatan is an obvious

background for a spy, you could easily adapt

criminal or urchin to the same role.

D®½®ãÙù»¦ÙÊçÄÝ

1d10 DŝůŝƚĂƌLJĂĐŬŐƌŽƵŶĚ

1 You were a common soldier, facing

the enemy on the front lines of the

interminable war. (Soldier)

2 You served on the open seas, whether

ĂƐĂŵĂƌŝŶĞ͕ĂŶĂǀĂůŽĸĐĞƌ͕ĂƉƌŝǀĂƚĞĞƌ

or a smuggler. (Sailor)

3 You commanded troops and led soldiers

ŝŶƚŽďĂƩůĞ͘tĞƌĞLJŽƵĂŐŽŽĚůĞĂĚĞƌ͕

or are you haunted by your failures?

(Soldier or noble)

4 You were a spy, gathering intelligence

ĨŽƌLJŽƵƌŶĂƟŽŶ͘ƌĞLJŽƵŽƵƚŽĨƚŚĞ

ďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐ͕ŽƌĐŽƵůĚLJŽƵƐƟůůďĞĐĂůůĞĚ

back in? (Charlatan)

5 You were tasked with maintaining

morale and raising the spirits of your

soldiers. (Entertainer)

6 You provided spiritual support to your

troops. Were you always devout, or did

LJŽƵĮŶĚLJŽƵƌĨĂŝƚŚŽŶƚŚĞďĂƩůĞĮĞůĚ͍

(Acolyte)

7 You used your remarkable knowledge as

part of a military think tank… or perhaps

you provided arcane support on the

ďĂƩůĞĮĞůĚ͘;^ĂŐĞͿ

8 zŽƵǁĞƌĞĂƐŵƵŐŐůĞƌŽƌĂƉƌŽĮƚĞĞƌ͕

taking advantage of the war to line your

pockets. (Criminal or charlatan)

9 zŽƵŽƉƉŽƐĞĚƚŚĞǁĂƌ͘dŚĞĂĐƟŽŶƐLJŽƵ

took to protect the innocent have made

you a local legend. (Folk hero)

10 zŽƵƵƐĞĚƚŚĞĐŽŶŶĞĐƟŽŶƐŽĨLJŽƵƌ

ŝŶŇƵĞŶƟĂůĨĂŵŝůLJƚŽĂǀŽŝĚŵŝůŝƚĂƌLJ

service. Are you haunted by this, or do

LJŽƵƌĞŵĂŝŶŝŶĚŝīĞƌĞŶƚ͍;EŽďůĞͿ

¥¥ãÝÊ¥ã«tÙ

+HUH·VDIHZRIWKHPDMRUHIIHFWVRIWKH/DVW

War.

Dragonmarked Power. The dragonmarked

houses sold their services to all sides and

PDGHFRQVLGHUDEOHSURÀWVIURPWKHZDU7KH

Five Nations are divided and dependent

RQWKHVHUYLFHVRIWKHKRXVHVDQGLW·V

questionable if any one nation can impose its

will upon them.

Karrnathi Undead. When a series of

famines and plagues crippled the nation of

Karrnath, it embraced the Blood of Vol and

introduced undead into its armies. The religion

was largely abandoned towards the end of the

ZDUDQGPDQ\RIWKHXQGHDGZHUHFRQÀQHGWR

crypts, but some are still in use.

Magical Innovation. Over the course of a

century of war, the nations and dragonmarked

houses developed new spells and tools for use

in the war. Airships and warforged are recent

developments, and the wandslinger tradition

emerged from the war.

The Mourning. This magical cataclysm

destroyed Cyre and brought the war to an end.

Cyre is a vast, unrecoverable wasteland and

those Cyrans who survived the disaster are

scattered across Khorvaire.

New Nations. Before the Last War, Galifar

laid claim to all of Khorvaire. A host of new

states emerged over the course of the war.

These include the goblin nation of Darguun,

the elf kingdom of Valenar, the druids of the

Eldeen Reaches, the monsters of Droaam,

and more.

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 1 | THE MOURNING

14

THE MOURNING

The nation of Cyre was once the heart of the

united kingdom of Galifar. The Last War took

a heavy toll on Cyre and its citizens, serving as

the battleground where all of the Five Nations

crossed swords. But no one was prepared for the

disaster that struck in 994 YK.

Accounts of the Mourning vary. Some say that

IJTQVLQVOTQOP\MVO]TNML\PMJI\\TMÅMTLVMIZ\PM

Saerun Road. Others say that the dead-gray

mists began in the capital city of Metrol and

spread out from there. What is known for certain

is that within the space of one day the nation

of Cyre had been engulfed in a wall of mist,

and that anything caught within the mists was

PWZZQÅKITTa\ZIV[NWZUML7^MZIUQTTQWV+aZIV[

were killed on the day of Mourning. Those who

[]Z^Q^ML_MZM\PM[WTLQMZ[ÅOP\QVOQVMVMUa

territory, those living on the borders who were

IJTM\WÆMMNZWU\PMIL^IVKQVOUQ[\[\PW[MNM_

who were able to escape the interior through

magical means. On Olarune 20, 994 YK, the

nation of Cyre ceased to exist.

The Mourning threw Khorvaire into a state

of shock. Who could unleash such power? Was

this a weapon, and if so, when would those

responsible issues their demands? Were its

borders stable, or could they expand at any

moment? What was to be done with the Cyran

refugees surging into every adjacent nation?

Fear of the Mourning brought the Five Nations

to the negotiating table, and in 996 YK the

Treaty of Thronehold ended the Last War. But

all of those questions remain unanswered. No

one knows the cause of the Mourning or whether

it could suddenly expand anew. Breland opened

its borders to refugees, and Prince Oargev serves

as de facto ruler in the territory now called New

Cyre. Despite its grand name, New Cyre is little

more than a vast refugee camp. Other refugees

are scattered across Khorvaire; some are treated

with pity, others with suspicion or anger. And

fear of the Mourning hangs like a shadow across

Khorvaire. +W]TLQ\PIXXMVIOIQV'1[\PQ[PW_\PM

_WZTLMVL['

THE MOURNLAND

A wall of dead-grey mist surrounds the remnants

of Cyre. Beyond the mists lies a land twisted

by magic, a wound that will not heal. The land

is blasted and strangely transformed. In some

places the ground has fused into jagged glass. In

others, it is cracked and burned. Broken bodies of

soldiers from various sides litter the landscape—

soldiers whose dead bodies refuse to decompose.

The Mournland is a vast open grave.

In the Mournland, the wounds of war never

PMIT^QTMUIOQKITMٺMK\[TQVOMZIVLUWV[\MZ[

mutate into even more foul and horrible

KZMI\]ZM[)ZKIVMMٺMK\[KWV\QV]M\WZIQV]XWV

the land, magical storms that never dissipate.

Stories speak of living spells—war magic that has

\ISMVXPa[QKITNWZU[MV\QMV\ÅZMJITT[IVL^QTM

cloudkills that endlessly search for new victims.

)VOZaOPW[\[KWV\QV]M\WÅOP\\PMQZÅVITJI\\TM[

The only thing that’s predictable about the

Mournland is that nothing is predictable; any

sort of monster or horror could be found within

its borders. And yet, it also holds the wealth

and treasures of an entire nation, along with

the secrets of House Cannith and everything

else that was left behind. It’s dangerous. It’s

mysterious. But it’s also a dungeon the size of

a nation, with opportunities for those brave

enough to enter the mists.

THE MOURNING AND YOU

The Mourning transformed Khorvaire. Shock

and fear brought an end to the Last War. In

making an Eberron character, think about the

impact it had on you. If you’re from Cyre, what

did you lose in the Mourning? Family? Friends?

Are there heirlooms or treasures lost in the mists

that you’re determined to regain, or loved ones

you hope to someday see again? Do you feel

loyalty to your nation and hope to see it restored,

or have you burned Cyre out of your heart?

Even if you’re not from Cyre, the Mourning

may have had a profound impact on you. Are

you afraid that the Mourning could expand,

or do you prefer not to dwell on such things?

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 1 | THE MOURNING 15

If you’re religious, did the shocking tragedy of

the Mourning cause you to question your faith,

WZLQLQ\ZMQVNWZKMQ\'1NaW]¼ZMIVIZ\QÅKMZWZI

_QbIZLIZMaW]QV\MZM[\MLQV[\]LaQVOQ\[MٺMK\[

UWZMKTW[MTa°UQOP\aW]M^MVPWXM\W]VZI^MT

its mysteries yourself? Do you see it solely as a

tragedy, or do you hope that this awesome power

could somehow be harnessed and controlled?

Beyond this, player characters are remarkable

people. Perhaps you were caught in the

5W]ZVQVOIVL[]Z^Q^ML\PMM`XMZQMVKM°J]\Q\[

MٺMK\[ZMUIQV_Q\PaW]+WV[QLMZ\PM[MQLMI[

• As a barbarian you could have been a

simple peasant caught in the Mourning.

Everyone else in your community was killed,

but their spirits were bound to you. Your

barbarian rage represents you channeling

these vengeful ghosts. Is there a way to lay

\PM[M[XQZQ\[\WZM[\',W\PMaPI^M]VÅVQ[PML

business they want you to resolve?

• As a sorcerer your arcane powers could be

the result of your exposure to the Mourning.

Were you physically transformed as well,

or are your powers the only manifestation

of the Mourning? Are you comfortable

using your abilities, or are you afraid that

you may be increasing the power of the

Mourning with each spell you cast?

• As a warlock your patron could be

interested in the Mourning and drive you

to learn more about it. Your patron could

even be part of the Mourning—whether

a collective of spirits killed on the Day of

Mourning, or even a dark and enigmatic

power that might have been responsible for

this tragedy. If you take the latter approach,

do you feel that by using your warlock

powers you are serving the Mourning?

Or could it be that you’re siphoning your

powers from it and believe that you are

actually weakening it with your actions?

• As a member of an unusual race, you could

say that you are actually a creation of the

Mourning. Perhaps your tortle was IVIK\]IT

\]Z\TMtransformed on the day of Mourning.

7ZUIaJMaW]Z\QMÆQVOQ[\W]KPMLJa\PM

dark power of the Mourning instead of by

an infernal power.

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 1 | THE MOURNING

16

WHAT CAUSED THE MOURNING?

<PMZM_QTTVM^MZJMIVWٻKQITIV[_MZ\W\PM

cause of the Mourning. As a DM in Eberron, we

want aW]\WLMKQLM\PMKI][MWN\PQ[\ZIOMLa°

or if you prefer, to leave it as a mystery that

will never be solved. With that said, people in

Eberron itself have many theories about the

cause of the Mourning; it’s up to you to decide if

any of them are correct.

• The Mourning was the result of a century

of extensive use of war magic. If the nations

continue to use these magics, the Mourning

will expand.

• The dragonmarked House Cannith made

a fortune selling magical weapons to all

sides during the Last War. The Mourning

was the result of research gone horribly

awry. The secrets can be found in a

Cannith research facility within the

Mournland. If this knowledge could

JMZMKW^MZMLIVLZMÅVMLQ\KW]TL

produce a terrifying weapon.

• The Mourning was triggered by the release

of an ancient demon overlord trapped

[QVKM\PMLI_VWN\QUM<PQ[UQOP\aÅMVLQ[

lurking in the Mournland and building its

power, but soon it will be ready to act.

As a DM, the question you need to ask is

whether you _IV\the mystery of the Mourning

to be solved, and what the consequences would

be. Right now, fear of the Mourning holds war

I\JIa1NQ\¼[KWVÅZUML\PI\\PM5W]ZVQVOQ[VW

longer a threat—or if one nation manages to

harness its power—the war could begin again.

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 1 | ANCIENT MYSTERIES 17

ANCIENT MYSTERIES

7]Z_WZTL_I[JWZVQV[\ZQNM<PM\PZMM

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NWZM^MZPWTL\PMLIZSVM[[_Q\PQV)VL

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[W]ZKMWNITTUIOQK

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ÅZ[\WNUIVa_IZ[\PI\[PIXMLW]Z

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[XZMILKPIW[IKZW[[\PMTIVL?M

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LMUWV[\W\PQ[LIa*]\\PMaP]VOMZ\WM[KIXM

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IT_Ia[JM^QOQTIV\

+Q^QTQbI\QWV[ZW[MIVLNMTT<PMOQIV\[WN@MV¼LZQS

_WZSMLOZMI\UIOQK[M^MVLM[\ZWaQVOWVMWN

\PMUWWV[<PQ[ZI[PIK\QWVTML\PMZMKT][Q^M

LZIOWV[\W]\\MZTaLM[\ZWa\PMOQIV\VI\QWV[IVL

\PMKWV\QVMV\WN@MV¼LZQSZMUIQV[ZI^IOMLJa\PM

MXQK[XMTT[]VTMI[PMLQV\PQ[JI\\TM1V3PWZ^IQZM

\PMMUXQZMWN\PMOWJTQV[_I[JZW]OP\LW_VJaI

KWVÆQK\_Q\P\PM^QTMLIMTSaZ<PM[MÆM[P_IZXQVO

TWZL[WNUILVM[[_MZMM^MV\]ITTa\ZIXXMLQV

3PaJMZJa_Q[MWZKQ[PLZ]QL[J]\Z]QV[IZMITT

\PI\ZMUIQVWN\PI\OZMI\MUXQZM

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 1 | IF IT EXISTS IN D&D, THERE’S A PLACE FOR IT IN EBERRON

18

Modern civilization is built on the bones of the

past, and these ancient mysteries may have a

dreadful impact on the future. Many of the

modern cities of Khorvaire are built on the

foundations of ancient goblin cities and fortresses,

and these may still hold aberrant threats from

the war that destroyed their civilization. Older

still are the ruins once inhabited by rakshasa

IVLW\PMZÅMVL[IVL\PM[MUIaPWTLIZ\QNIK\[

and other treasures far beyond the capabilities

WNIVaUWLMZVIZ\QÅKMZ*]\\PMZMQ[UWZM\W\PM

past than treasures waiting to be found. Stories

[Ia\PI\LMUWV[IVLLZIOWV[IZMÅOP\QVOITWVO

cold war in the shadows. These tales speak of

a Draconic Prophecy°PQLLMVZM^MTI\QWV[

that grant the power to shape the future. Hidden

LZIOWV[]VLMILMT^M[QUUWZ\ITÅMVL[#ITT

UIaJMÅOP\QVO\WLM\MZUQVM\PMXI\PWN\PM

Prophecy, and player characters may be pawns

in this great game. As one of the heroes of the

age, you surely have a role in the Draconic

Prophecy. Will you be a tool of one of these

ancient forces, or will you master the game and

determine your own destiny?

DARK FORCES

Dragons and demons are just a few of the

dangerous forces at work in the world. The

daelkyr came to Eberron from the Plane

of Madness. They came with armies of

IJMZZI\QWV[¸NWZKM[KWUUIVLMLJaUQVLÆIaMZ[

and bolstered by beholders. They shattered

civilizations and spread horrors across Khorvaire.

The daelkyr were ultimately bound in Khyber

by druidic magic. They linger in the darkness—

the Lord of Eyes, the Prince of Slime, Dyrrn

the Corruptor—creating new aberrations and

waiting for the day they can unleash their full

power on the world above.

While the daelkyr themselves can’t return to

the surface, their minions can. This leads to the

Cults of the Dragon Below, mad mortals who

_WZS_Q\PUQVLÆIaMZ[IVLTM[[MZIJMZZI\QWV[

A cult of the Dragon Below can spring up

anywhere, as a seed of madness takes root in a

KWUU]VQ\aWZKW]Z\°IVL[XZMIL[

As if dragons and demons aren’t trouble

MVW]OP[\WZQM[[Ia\PMZMIZMÅMVL[T]ZSQVOQV

mortal dreams. According to these tales, the

Dreaming Dark is an alliance of nightmare

[XQZQ\[NZWU\PMXTIVMWN,IT9]WZÅMVL[\PI\

feed on mortal fear and manipulate through

dreams. Some stories say the Dreaming Dark can

possess people through their dreams, while others

claim they have psychic agents hidden across

Khorvaire.

Beyond the enigmatic daelkyr and the

Dreaming Dark, other threats have arisen in

the past century, spinning out of the strife of the

Last War. The Lord of Blades is a warforged

QV[]ZOMV\ILMILTa_IZZQWZIVLIZ\QÅKMZ_PW

seeks vengeance against the humans who

created his people as weapons for their war. The

Aurum is a cabal drawn from the wealthy elite

who seek to turn gold into greater power. The

Emerald Claw was an elite military unit that

served Karrnath during the Last War. Disavowed

by their king, the Emerald Claw engages in

guerrilla strikes across Khorvaire, and includes

necromancers, vampires, and undead bound to

their service. Some say the Emerald Claw serve

an ancient lich known as the Queen of Death,

that their true goal is to place her on the throne

of Karrnath and the Five Nations.

These are just some of the dark forces working

in the shadows of Eberron. There are hungry

lycanthropes, clever doppelgangers, and cults

devoted to the Dark Six. There are stories of a

cabal of assassins with aberrant dragonmarks

and elves twisted into creatures of nightmare.

And that’s not to mention the mundane crime

and corruption that can be found in any major

city. It’s a dangerous world—hopefully you can

handle it!

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 1 | IF IT EXISTS IN D&D, THERE’S A PLACE FOR IT IN EBERRON 19

IF IT EXISTS IN D&D,

THERE’S A PLACE FOR IT IN

EBERRON

°*]\1\5Ia6W\*M\PM8TIKMAW]¼ZM=[ML<W

Eberron draws on the core elements of ,,.

It’s a world of wizards and rogues, a setting

_Q\PPITÆQVO[IVLL_IZ^M[IVLMT^M[?IV\IV

otyugh? Orcs? Goblins? Paladins? They’re all

there. Eberron draws on the same basic elements

as other settings, but it often diverges from the

traditional archetypes assigned to those things. A

few factors here:

6WÅ`MLITQOVUMV\[ Mortal creatures

are shaped by their culture and personal

circumstances. An orc is just as likely to be lawful

good as chaotic evil, depending on their personal

PQ[\WZa)OWTLLZIOWVIJMPWTLMZIPITÆQVO#

you can’t make automatic assumptions about

any of them. In part this is because of Eberron’s

distant gods. Orcs aren’t driven by Gruumsh’s

fury, and the gnolls aren’t tied to Yeenoghu.

The exceptions to this rule are creatures whose

identities are shaped by magic. Fiends and

celestials embody pure ideals of good and evil;

lycanthropes are driven by a curse.

Monsters aren’t always villains, and

the villains aren’t always monsters. Many

of the gnolls of Droaam are more honorable

than the human mercenaries of House Deneith.

In Karrnath and Aerenal, undead are used as

tools. You certainly KW]TLÅVLaW]Z[MTNÅOP\QVOI

UMZKQTM[[UQVW\I]ZQV\PM[T]U[WN;PIZV°J]\

you’re just as likely to cross swords with a cruel

PITÆQVOK]\\PZWI\

There’s a place for everything in

Eberron… but it may not be a prominent

place. Kenku aren’t mentioned in any of the

canon sourcebooks of Eberron. There’s many

ways to add kenku into Eberron, but that doesn’t

mean that there needs to be a kenku nation

WZ\PI\SMVS]PI^MXTIaMLI[QOVQÅKIV\ZWTM

in history; it may be that a dozen kenku were

thrown out of the Faerie Court of Thelanis and

these are all the kenku in the world. So just

because it’s possible to put anything you want in

the world, don’t assume that the streets of Sharn

IZMIbWWÆWWLML_Q\PM^MZaKPIZIK\MZZIKM\PI\¼[

ever been suggested.

Chapter 3 provides advice on adding new races

to Eberron. Here’s a few other ways that you

can add something into Eberron with minimal

impact on the setting.

• It comes from the vast and largely

unexplored continent of Xen’drik.

• It was created or caused by the

Mourning—the mystical cataclysm that

destroyed Cyre—and has only been around

for four years.

• It’s a product of the underworld of Khyber,

the source of many aberrations and

monsters.

• It’s the result of recent experiments by

one of the dragonmarked houses or a mad

IZ\QÅKMZ

• It comes from one of the planes and slipped

into the world during a recent convergence.

Not everything has to exist in Eberron.

AW]KIVÅVLIXTIKMQV-JMZZWVNWZIVa\PQVO

But it’s also possible to say that something LWM[V¼\

exist in Eberron. For example, if you wanted to

use Gruumsh in Eberron, you could re-imagine

PQUI[WVMWN\PMLMUWVW^MZTWZL[WN\PMÅZ[\

age. You could decide that he’s the classic

Gruumsh, who has recently found his way to

Eberron from the core cosmology. But the DM

can always say ¹6W\PMZMQ[VW^MZ[QWVWN/Z]]U[PQV

Ua-JMZZWVº

This comes to a critical point. Nothing is set

in stone. Like every sourcebook that’s come

before it, this book is intended to be a source of

inspiration: use what inspires you, but always feel

empowered to change the world to better suit the

story you want to tell. There’s a place in Eberron

NWZM^MZa\PQVOQV\PI\M`Q[\[QV,,°J]\Q\¼[]X

to you whether to make use of it.

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 1 | IF IT EXISTS IN D&D, THERE’S A PLACE FOR IT IN EBERRON

20

EBERRON AND THE MULTIVERSE

Eberron has always been a part of the multiverse.

Eberron is surrounded by its thirteen planes.

These planes play an important role in the

[M\\QVOXZWL]KQVOLZIUI\QKMٺMK\[I[\PMa[PQN\

in and out of alignment with Eberron. But the

Astral and Ethereal Planes surround and enfold

Eberron, and if someone ventures into the Deep

Ethereal it’s possible to pass beyond Eberron’s

closed system and step into the Great Wheel or

the World Tree.

As a DM, it’s up to you to decide whether such

\ZI^MTQ[\ZQ^QITTaMI[aWZITTJ]\QUXW[[QJTM°IVL

whether threats from other settings will make

their way into Eberron. Most people consider the

tale of the Progenitor Dragons to be a fable: a

myth to explain the underworld and the golden

ring in the sky. But what if it’s true? What if

three divine beings joined together to build

a new creation in the depths of the Ethereal?

Elves, orcs, dragons; all of these could have been

created in the image of the creatures of the Great

Wheel but given a chance to develop beyond

the reach of Lolth and Gruumsh. The Ring of

Siberys could in fact be a [PQMTL: a defense that has

PQLLMV-JMZZWV[QVKMQ\_I[ÅZ[\KZMI\ML

If you’re not interested in connecting Eberron

to other settings, then that shield is still intact.

But if you do want to incorporate elements from

other realms, this shield is starting to fail. Perhaps

House Cannith will build a planar gateway and

accidentally bring the Blood War into Eberron.

Maybe Tiamat has only just discovered Eberron

and is slowly corrupting its dragons. Ultimately,

it’s up to you. You can avoid any contact between

Eberron and other settings. You can explore

the idea of that contact being recent and new

(perhaps linked to the Mourning, either as cause

WZMٺMK\7ZaW]KIVKPWW[M\W[Ia\PI\\PMZM

has always been travel between these realms,

adjusting things to incorporate these ideas.

If you choose to explore the idea that contact

between settings is recent and limited, consider

what that might mean for everyone involved. In

the Great Wheel Asmodeus is an ancient threat,

_Q\P_MTTM[\IJTQ[PMLK]T\[TQVM[WN\QMÆQVO[IVLI

great deal of lore to be discovered. If Asmodeus

has just discovered Eberron, the sages know

nothing about him. He has no power base to

work with and will have to recruit new followers.

And you might see unusual alliances forming

IOIQV[\PQUI[JW\PKMTM[\QITIVLÅMVLUQOP\

join forces to drive out the outsider. As with

everything else, Eberron provides an opportunity

to explore existing things in a new way.

&î½®Ù&Ý͕hÄ¥î½®ÙZʽÝ

A few things to bear in mind as you step into

Eberron…

Dragons have a civilization humanity

knows almost nothing about. Shapeshifted

dragons may be secretly manipulating human

civilization.

Elves are split into two cultures. The

reclusive Aereni are gifted wizards ruled by

their undying ancestors. The Valenar elves

are ruthless warriors who strive to be avatars

of ancient heroes. Other elves live among

humanity and have adopted its customs.

Gnomes are schemers and scholars

who maintain order through intrigue and

assassination.

Goblins once had a mighty empire, and

a tradition based on honor and martial

discipline. Their civilization was crushed

by the daelkyr and their land was stolen by

KXPDQLW\7KH\DUHQ·WLQKHUHQWO\HYLOEXWWKH\

have good reason to loathe the people of the

Five Nations.

+DOÁLQJVcan be found as merchants and

LQQNHHSHUVEXWLQWKHLUKRPHODQGWKH\·UH

dinosaur-riding rangers and barbarians.

Orcs are a proud and primal people. While

WKH\·YHQHYHUEXLOWJUHDWFLWLHVWKH\ZHUHWKH

ÀUVWGUXLGVRI(EHUURQ0DQ\FRQWLQXHWKHVH

DQFLHQWWUDGLWLRQVDQGÀJKWWRSURWHFW(EHUURQ

from aberrations… while others have fallen

prey to the madness of the daelkyr.

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 2 | 21

CHAPTER 2: WELCOME

TO KHORVAIRE

2][\WVMKMV\]ZaIOW/ITQNIZ_I[[aVWVaUW][

_Q\P3PWZ^IQZM<PQ[UIX[PW_MLWVMOZMI\

VI\QWVPIZUWVQW][IVL]VQ\ML8MZPIX[\PI\¼[

W^MZ[\I\QVO\PQVO[0]UIVQ\aVM^MZKZW[[ML\PM

/ZIa_ITT5W]V\IQV[WZM`XTWZML\PMR]VOTM[

WN\PMMI[\<PM.Q^M6I\QWV[IT_Ia[PIL

K]T\]ZITLQٺMZMVKM[IVL\PW[M_PWaMIZVMLNWZ

QVLMXMVLMVKM*]\[\QTT\PMUIX[PW_ML][I\W]Z

JM[\"WVMVI\QWV]VQ\MLQVIKWUUWVKI][M

6W_1TWWSI\\PMUIXIVL1LWV¼\ZMKWOVQbM

Ua_WZTL/ITQNIZPI[JMMV[PI\\MZML<PM.Q^M

6I\QWV[IZMQZZMXIZIJTa[M^MZML<PMZMIZM[W

UIVaVM_ZMITU[¸SQVOLWU[WNMT^M[IVLOWJTQV[

M^MV\PQ[[WKITTML»VI\QWVWNUWV[\MZ[¼+IV

Q\XW[[QJTaTI[\')VLQNVW\_QTTQ\JMIVW\PMZ

_IZ\PI\JZQVO[Q\LW_VWZ_QTT\PM5W]ZVQVO

KWV[]UM][ITT'

—Lyrian Das, Morgrave Historian

XEN’DRIK IS A LAND OF RUINS AND

mysteries. The dragons of

Argonnessen have no love for

lesser creatures. The psychic

tyrants of Sarlona maintain strict

control over their borders and their people. So,

most player characters begin their adventures on

the continent of Khorvaire. While humans make

up the majority of the population in the civilized

nations of Khorvaire, the continent is home a

wide range of peoples and cultures. Once largely

]VQÅML]VLMZ\PM3QVOLWUWN/ITQNIZ\WLIa

Khorvaire is split into many nations—some old,

others newborn from the crucible of war.

This chapter provides an overview of the

nations of Khorvaire, along with a glimpse of

common life, magic, religion, and the world—

and planes—that lie beyond it.

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 2 | NATIONS OF EBERRON

22

NATIONS OF EBERRON

This section provides an overview of the nations

of Khorvaire. The focus is on what you need to

know to create characters and NPCs from these

places. If you want more details on the culture,

history, and geography of the nations, you can

ÅVLILLQ\QWVITZM[W]ZKM[QVIXXMVLQ`))[aW]OW

forward, here’s a few useful things to bear in mind.

The Five Nations. Aundair, Breland, Cyre,

Karrnath and Thrane are collectively referred

to as the Five Nations. These nations formed the

heart of the Kingdom of Galifar, and while each

has a unique cultural identity they are built on

this shared foundation. Families are spread across

the Five Nations; the rulers of the Five Nations

are tied to the Wynarns, the royal bloodline of

/ITQNIZ,M[XQ\M\PMQZLQٺMZMVKM[IV)]VLIQZQIV

has more in common with a Thrane than they do

with a Zil gnome or a Lhazaar pirate.

Aside from Cyre—which was destroyed in the

Last War—the Five Nations remain the largest

and most powerful countries in Khorvaire.

The Treaty of Thronehold WٻKQITTaMVLML

the Last War. The treaty recognized the following

nations as sovereign states: Aundair, Breland,

Darguun, the Eldeen Reaches, Karrnath, the

Lhazaar Principalities, the Mror Holds, Q’barra,

the Talenta Plains, Thrane, Valenar, and Zilargo.

These nations abide by a common set of laws

and maintain diplomatic relations. The Demon

Wastes and Shadow Marches are regions that

PI^MVW]VQÅMLOW^MZVUMV\_PQTM,ZWIIUPI[

declared itself to be a nation but has yet to be

recognized by the others.

Getting Around. The Five Nations are

connected by an excellent system of roads, and

travelers can always make their way by horse

or coach. Major cities are tied together by the

lightning rail of House Orien, which allows you

to avoid the perils—and tedium—of the roads.

If speed is an issue, you can book passage on a

Lyrandar airship. This is the fastest way to travel,

but also the most expensive. Refer to the “Magic

in Khorvaire” section for more travel options.

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 2 | AUNDAIR 23

AUNDAIR

Capital: Fairhaven

Noted for Arcane magic, cheese, education,

fashion, grains, wine

Aundair is a realm of grand cities surrounded

by fertile farmlands. Its legendary founder was

devoted to the acquisition of knowledge and

\PM[\]LaWNUIOQKIVL\PMÆWI\QVO\W_MZ[

WN)ZKIVQ`IZM\PMÅVM[\QV[\Q\]\MNWZUa[\QKIT

study in Khorvaire. Magic is a part of daily life

throughout the Five Nations, but it is especially

common in Aundair; the nation produces more

magewrights and wandslingers than any other.

From the nobles in the towers of Fairhaven to

the common folk working the vast vineyards of

Bluevine, Aundairians value wit and wisdom.

)]VLIQZQIV[XZMNMZÅVM[[M\WJZ]\MNWZKMIVL

IXXZMKQI\MK]VVQVO_WZLXTIaIVLÅVMNI[PQWV[

The Sovereign Host is the dominant faith of

Aundair, with a particular devotion to Aureon.

However, the Silver Flame also has a deeply

devoted following—some might say overzealous

or extreme.

Aundair is ruled by Queen Aurala ir’Wynarn.

Aurala is a just ruler, but she has never

abandoned the dream of a Galifar reunited

under her rule. While Aundair is a small nation,

its arcane superiority allowed it to hold its own

during the Last War. Many believe Aurala

is pressing Arcanix to develop battle magic

that will ensure Aundair’s victory in whatever

KWVÆQK\[TQMIPMIL

INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT AUNDAIR

• <PMÆWI\QVO\W_MZ[WN)ZKIVQ`IZMIKMV\MZ

for mystical research. Bear in mind that

many of its sages specialize in ritual magic

IVLIJ[\ZIK\\PMWZa#Q\¼[VW\ÅTTML_Q\PPQOP

level wizards.

• Arcane magic is tied into many aspects

of Aundairian life—more so than other

nations. There’s a cleansing stone in

every village, and you might encounter

IVQUI\MLNIZUQVOMY]QXUMV\QV\PMÅMTL[

The Knights Arcane are an elite unit

of eldritch knights, and the Royal Eyes

of Aundair are spies that specialize in

divination magic.

• House Lyrandar is based on the island

of Stormhome, and House Orien has

its ancestral seat in the city of Passage.

Aundair is also home to Baron Jorlanna

d’Cannith of the House of Making.

• Some Aundairian nobles are bound by

arcane pacts handed down through the

generations. Only remarkable heirs—

such as player characters—develop the

full powers of a warlock. Most such lines

are tied to archfey, but you could explore

other paths.

AUNDAIRIAN CHARACTERS

Regardless of your Intelligence score, if you’re an

Aundairian you’re sure you’re the smartest person

in the room. Consider the following things.

Arcane Talent. If you’re not going to play

a magical class, consider being a high elf or a

variant human with the Magic Initiate feat.

?PM\PMZaW]TMIZVWٺMV[Q^MKIV\ZQX[IVLÅOP\

as a wandslinger or pick up a few practical

tools (XZM[\QLQOQ\I\QWVUMVLQVOUIOMPIVL), every

Aundairian should know a little magic.

Magic Beats Mundane. Why use your hand

when you could use UIOMPIVL? Who still uses a

bow when you could use a wand? “;W^MZMQOV[IJW^M

?aTTQ[?M¼ZMLIa[I_IaNZWU\PM-TM^MV\P+MV\]ZaIVL

aW]¼ZM[\QTT[PWW\QVOXMWXTM_Q\PXWQV\ML[\QKS['º

Show Some Style. Don’t settle for common

clothes and a squalid meal when you could wear

ÅVMOTIUMZ_MI^M and drink the best wine. If you’re

IÅOP\MZNWK][WVÅVM[[MIVL,M`\MZQ\aQV[\MIL

of crude strength. And never miss an opportunity

for a clever quip.

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 2 | BRELAND

24

BRELAND

Capital: Wroat

Noted for Industry, manufactured goods,

metalwork, processed ore; organized crime,

subterfuge

In the wake of the Last War, Breland is one

of the most powerful nations in Khorvaire.

Possessing a large population and abundant

resources, Breland leads the Five Nations in

industry.

The Brelish are known for their pragmatism

and independence. They lack the discipline of

Karrns or the faith of the Thranes, but they

M`KMTI\ÅVLQVOVM_IVLQVVW^I\Q^M[WT]\QWV[

to problems. The Brelish also have a talent

for intrigue and subterfuge. The King’s Dark

4IV\MZV[IZMWVMWN\PMÅVM[\QV\MTTQOMVKM

agencies in Khorvaire, rivaled only by House

Phiarlan and the Trust of Zilargo. The dark side

of all of these things is a strong streak of cynicism,

_PQKPITTW_[KZQUMIVLKWZZ]X\QWV\WÆW]ZQ[P

in Brelish cities and churches. The Sovereign

Host is the dominant religion of Breland, but

in general the Brelish aren’t as devout as their

cousins in other nations.

King Boranel ir’Wynarn of Breland rules in

conjunction with an elected parliament. Boranel

is a popular leader celebrated for his exploits

during the Last War. But his children have yet

to prove themselves, and there is a growing

movement that advocates abandoning royal rule

when Boranel passes.

INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT BRELAND

• The great city of Sharn is the largest

metropolis in Khorvaire. The City of

Towers is almost a nation in its own right

and is a hub for commerce and intrigue.

Chapter 6 provides more information on

Sharn.

• The Boromar Clan is the oldest and most

powerful criminal organization in Breland.

<PM*WZWUIZTMILMZ[PQXIZMPITÆQVO[_Q\P

ties to the Talenta Plains. Other notable

criminal organizations include the monsters

of Daask and House Tarkanan, an alliance

of assassins and thieves with aberrant

dragonmarks.

• Breland’s major cities are especially

cosmopolitan. Due to its proximity to

Droaam, its cities include more monsters—

ogres, orcs, goblins, and even sahuagin,

harpies, and gargoyles—then are seen

elsewhere in the Five Nations.

• Breland has accepted more Cyran refugees

than any other nation. The largest refugee

camp, New Cyre, has a population of over

four thousand and is being converted into

a town. Prince Oargev of Cyre considers

PQU[MTNISQVOQVM`QTMJ]\MٺMK\Q^MTaPM¼[

the mayor of this town.

BRELISH CHARACTERS

As you develop a Brelish character or NPC,

consider the following.

Slightly Shady. Many Brelish have a loose

relationship with the law. Even if you’re a hero,

you may have a few questionable connections

or friends in low places. Backgrounds such as

KZQUQVITWZKPIZTI\IV[XaIZMI_Ia\WZMÆMK\

this, regardless of your class. You could also be a

folk hero who’s challenged the laws to protect the

innocent, or an entertainer who’s played in every

dive in Sharn.

Innovative and Independent. Find your

own path in the world; don’t simply follow. As

a cleric you might challenge your church and

follow your own divine revelations. As an arcane

caster you could search for new techniques or to

unravel forgotten secrets.

Practical. Whether it’s about fashion, food, or

conversation, the Brelish tend to be practical and

pragmatic. Why spend a fortune on a fancy meal

when a simple one will do? You’ll use whatever

tool gets the job done, and you don’t see a need

NWZ]VVMKM[[IZaÆIQZ

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 2 | CYRE (THE MOURNLAND) 25

CYRE (THE MOURNLAND)

Capital: Metrol (destroyed)

Noted for )Z\QÅKMIZ\RM_MTZaU][QKWZI\WZa

philosophy; creativity, versatility

Destroyed at the end of the Last War, Cyre now

only exists in the hearts of the refugees scattered

across Khorvaire.

Before the war, Cyre was the seat of the kings

and queens of Galifar. The wealth of the kingdom

ÆW_ML\PZW]OP+aZMIVLQ\_I[IVM`][NWZ

commerce and culture. By tradition, Cyre’s

Princess Mishann had the rightful claim to the

throne of Galifar. While Cyrans take pride that

they alone were in the right in the Last War, they

unquestionably lost more to the war than any

other nation. As a Cyran, you stand on the moral

PQOPOZW]VLJ]\\PI\UIaWٺMZTQ\\TMKWUNWZ\

Cyrans like to say that their culture represents

\PMJM[\\PI\/ITQNIZPIL\WWٺMZ°_PQKPQ[

to say, a little bit of everything. Cyrans value

diversity and versatility, both in talents and

thought. Cyre couldn’t match Karrnath in

martial discipline or Aundair in the arcane

arts, but as a nation it was characterized by the

ÆM`QJQTQ\aWNQ\[NWZKM[

While the Sovereign Host was the dominant

NIQ\PWN+aZM\PM;QT^MZ.TIUMPILI[QOVQÅKIV\

following. Many survivors have questioned their

faith in the wake of the Mourning, but some

believe that this is a divine trial and a time when

faith is needed more than ever.

Queen Dannel ir’Wynarn was in Metrol on

the Day of Mourning and is presumed to be

dead. Her son Prince Oargev ir’Wynarn holds

court in New Cyre, a massive refugee camp set

up in Breland. Some refugees support Oargev

and the dream of a restored Cyre, while others

prefer to focus on the future instead of trying to

reclaim the past. As a Cyran you should decide

whether you hold tight to your national identity,

or whether consider yourself to be an adventurer

without a nation.

INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT CYRE

• Cyre was the ancestral seat of the

dragonmarked House Cannith, the house

of Making. The house maintained arcane

workshops across Cyre. Who knows what

treasures wait in Cannith vaults for those

who brave the dangers of the Mournland?

• Stories say communities of warforged live

in the Mournland, including the insurgent

called the Lord of Blades.

• ?PQTMVW\I[ÆIUJWaIV\I[)]VLIQZ

Cyran fashions involved bright colors

and OTIUMZ_MI^M. Some have made a

point of continuing this custom. Others

wear clothing cut in the Cyran style, but

entirely in black; this is generally known as

“Mourning wear.”

CYRAN CHARACTERS

When creating a character from Cyre, consider

the following.

What Have You Lost? Did you lose wealth

or status? Did you have family or loved ones lost

in the Mourning? Did you lose something you

could one day recover from the Mournland—

arcane research, an heirloom artifact? Consider

the impact this has on your background. As a

Cyran noble or soldier, your estates have been

lost and your army scattered; but you still have

the respect of your comrades or peers.

What Do You Hold Onto? Do you have a

trinket that embodies Cyre for you? Is your wand

or weapon an heirloom of your family? As an

entertainer or guild artisan, are you preserving a

particular Cyran tradition?

What Drives You? Are you determined

to solve the mystery of the Mourning? Do

you want to help other refugees? Or are you

only concerned with your personal survival? Is

there something you want to recover from the

Mournland, or would you prefer to never set foot

in it again? Do you hold a grudge against the

nations that fought against Cyre in the war, or

are you only concerned with the future?

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 2 | DARGUUN

26

DARGUUN

Capital: Rhukaan Draal

Noted for Goblinoid mercenaries

Goblins and their kin have always been part

of Khorvaire. Their ancient empire spread

across the lands now held by the Five Nations,

and many human cities are built on goblin

foundations. This empire collapsed into savagery,

and when humanity arrived, goblins were driven

from their ancestral lands or enslaved. Galifar

ended the practice of slavery. But goblins have

long been a disenfranchised people, living in

the shadows of the Five Nations or in wild lands

shunned by humans.

The land that’s now Darguun was once part

of Cyre. The hobgoblin clans known as the

Ghaal’dar were based in the Seawall Mountains,

but during the Last War the demand for

mercenaries drew an ever-increasing number of

OWJTQV[W]\WN\PMUW]V\IQV[\WÅOP\NWZ+aZMIVL

Breland. Late in the war a brilliant hobgoblin

named Haruuc recognized that the goblins

had become the dominant power in the region.

Uniting the Ghaal’dar under his banner, Haruuc

seized the territory he was supposed to protect.

The Five Nations were unprepared, and Breland

quickly negotiated an alliance with Haruuc to

secure the border. Cyre fought the goblins until

the Day of Mourning, but when the Treaty of

Thronehold was forged the majority of delegates

chose to recognize the new nation of Darguun to

ensure peace.

Darguun is a young and volatile nation.

It is ruled by the hobgoblin Lhesh Haruuc

Sharaat’kor. Haruuc remains a brilliant

strategist and tactician, but many wonder if

he can maintain the web of alliances that hold

the Ghaal’dar together, and whether he or his

people will be content to abide by the terms of the

treaty. And there are stories of other goblins still

hidden in the mountains—the enigmatic “Heirs

of Dhakaan,” who could pose a threat both to the

goblins and Khorvaire itself.

Traditionally, the Ghaal’dar worshipped a

form of the Dark Six. House Deneith introduced

the Sovereign Host to the region, and some

goblins have embraced this faith, especially Dol

Dorn, Dol Arrah, and Balinor.

INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT DARGUUN

• Rhukaan Draal is the largest city in

Darguun. As the goblins have little

interest in the laws of the Five Nations,

Rhukaan Draal is a haven for fugitives and

smugglers.

• House Deneith has a strong presence in

Darguun. While no one will employ goblin

armies in the wake of Haruuc’s betrayal,

smaller units of goblin mercenaries are

valued for their ferocity and skills.

DARGUUL CHARACTERS

Darguun is a logical point of origin for goblin,

hobgoblin, or bugbear characters. When creating

a Ghaal’dar character from Darguun, consider

the following.

Constant Struggle. Among the Ghaal’dar,

you are constantly forced to prove your strength

and skill or to cede dominance to others.

Ghaal’dar rarely kill in a casual battle; you may

ÅOP\\WXZW^MIXWQV\J]\SQTTWVTa_PMVaW]U][\

Loyal to Your Clan. While you may challenge

your peers in times of peace, when blades are

drawn you stand by your clan—or those allies

you have bonded with—until death. Note that

the Ghaal’dar are an alliance of clans: this loyalty

doesn’t extend to warriors of W\PMZ clans.

Muut and Atcha. Your ancestors once forged

an empire even greater than Galifar. Perhaps

you believe that your people can reclaim this lost

glory. The Dhakaani were renowned for their

martial skill, but also for their discipline. 5]]\

roughly translates to “duty”—your duty to your

empire, your clan, your commander. Muut is

expected; if you have no muut, you have no place

in battle. )\KPIis closer to “honor”; it is your

personal honor, gained by doing virtuous deeds

that go beyond the expectations of muut.

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 2 | THE DEMON WASTES 27

THE DEMON WASTES

Capital: None

Noted for Fiends, pestilence, violence

Rivers of lava cut across plains of black sand

and volcanic glass. The only vegetation you can

see is blood-red moss and a thick layer of slime,

and that appears to be moving. A jagged rock

NWZUI\QWVUQOP\JMIXQMKMWNIVIVKQMV\_ITT°

or perhaps that’s just your imagination.

This is the Demon Wastes. Tens of thousands

WNaMIZ[IOWÅMVL[Z]TML3PWZ^IQZM<PQ[ZMOQWV

was the seat of power of some of the mightiest

IZKPÅMVL[PWTLQVOKQ\QM[WNZIS[PI[I[IVL

demons. These foul spirits were bound long ago,

but their power still lingers in this place. Vile

creatures continue to crawl up from the depths of

Khyber. And there are a handful of primordial

Z]QV[[][\IQVMLJaLIZSUIOQK°Z]QV[\PI\UIa

[\QTTJMPWUM\WÅMVL[IVL\PMQZ\ZMI[]ZM[

A mountain range known as the Labyrinth

separates the Demon Wastes from the Eldeen

Reaches. Due to ancient warding magic, any

foul thing that wishes to leave must pass through

the Labyrinth. These passes are guarded by the

Ghaash’kala, tribes of orcs sworn to contain the

evils of the Waste. The Ghaash’kala worship a

version of the Silver Flame that they call 3ITWS

;PI[P; they consider the people of the Five

Nations to be soft and naive.

The Carrion Tribes are savage barbarians

who dwell in the Wastes. Each tribe is devoted

\WWVMWN\PMIZKPÅMVL[IVL\PMaMVOIOMQV

endless battles against the Ghaash’kala and the

other Carrion Tribes. These people are mostly

humans, but there are corrupted orcs, half-orcs,

IVL\QMÆQVO[UQ`MLQVITWVO_Q\PIPIVLN]TWN

other races represented. The Carrion Tribes are

savage and cruel, and know almost nothing about

the world beyond the Labyrinth.

INTERESTING THINGS

ABOUT THE WASTES

• Stories tell of the lost city of Ashtakala, a

KQ\ILMTWNÅMVL[[\QTTXWX]TI\MLJaZIS[PI[I[

The libraries of Ashtakala contain arcane

secrets and details about the Draconic

Prophecy and its vaults hold untold

treasures.

• The Demon Wastes contain portals to

3PaJMZ¸[XMKQÅKITTa\WLMUQXTIVM[

within Khyber. These are similar to the

layers of the Abyss in the core cosmology,

unearthly realms populated by demons.

The Ghaash’kala raid these demiplanes to

get the supplies they need to survive.

CHARACTERS FROM THE WASTES

If you’re from the Demon Wastes, you likely fall

into one of two categories.

Ghaash’kala. You’ve been raised in one of

the harshest lands in Eberron and spent your

MV\QZMTQNMJI\\TQVOÅMVL[?PaPI^MaW]TMN\aW]Z

post? Have you had a vision from Kalok Shash?

Are you pursuing a rogue demon? Have you

been given a quest by the leader of your tribe?

Most of the Ghaash’kala are orcs or half-orcs.

They’re deeply devoted to their faith and might

be paladins (Vengeance or Devotion), clerics

(Life, Light, or War) or Zealot barbarians.

Hermit and outlander are logical backgrounds:

you know little about the ways of civilization, but

you have have insights and the skills to survive in

the harshest environments.

Carrion Tribes. Why have you left the

Wastes? Have you turned your back on the vile

traditions of your demon-worshipping clan?

7ZIZMaW]\PMKPIUXQWVWNWVMWN\PMÅMVLQ[P

Overlords—but sworn to hunt down and destroy

the servants of a LQٺMZMV\IZKPÅMVL_PWXW[M[

a more immediate threat to Khorvaire? Either

way, you are a stranger in a strange land: a

savage used to a constant battle for survival in a

world shaped by demons.

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 2 | DROAAM

28

DROAAM

Capital: The Great Crag

Noted for Monstrous mercenaries, byeshk

Droaam is a nation of monsters. It is ruled by

the Daughters of Sora Kell. Each of these three

hags is a legend in her own right, the subjects of

tales used to frighten children. Eleven years ago

they laid claim to the lands west of the Graywall

Mountains and founded the nation of Droaam.

While these barren lands were claimed by

Breland, Galifar had never tamed this wild

region. It had long been a haven for host of

creatures. Gnolls, orcs, and goblins are the most

common, but ogres, trolls, harpies, minotaurs,

UML][I[\QMÆQVO[KPIVOMTQVO[TaKIV\PZWXM[

and many more dwell in this region. In the past

these creatures fought one another more often

than they raided human settlements. Under

the leadership of the Daughters of Sora Kell,

\PMaPI^MJMMVOQ^MVVM_X]ZXW[M°IVL\PM

Daughters use an army of ogres and war trolls

to maintain order. To date, the other nations of

Khorvaire have refused to recognize Droaam,

and it was not part of the Treaty of Thronehold.

Most people believe that it can’t last—that even

the Daughters can’t hold this disparate alliance

together—but currently it is stronger than ever.

Droaam works closely with House Tharashk,

selling the services of monstrous soldiers and

laborers and bysehk ore, a form of metal with

magical properties. Beyond that, it is a frontier

nation that is still expanding. As Droaam

isn’t bound by the Treaty of Thronehold, it’s

become a haven for war criminals and deserters,

along with other criminals and mages pursuing

forbidden paths of magic.

Many of the monsters that make up Droaam

have their own unique subcultures. Most worship

the Dark Six, but there are other religious

traditions as well.

INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT DROAAM

• The city of Graywall lies on the border

between Droaam and Breland. The second-

largest city in Droaam, it is a center for

trade, a haven for Brelish criminals, and

a place where monsters and humans can

meet on largely neutral ground.

• <PM>MVWUW][,MUM[VMQ[KQ\aWN\QMÆQVO[

on the western shore of Droaam. It is the

TIZOM[\\QMÆQVOKWUU]VQ\aQV3PWZ^IQZM

with arcane traditions developed over the

course of thousands of years.

• Droaam uses the supernatural abilities of

its citizens as tools, just as the Five Nations

use arcane magic. The Daughters of Sora

Kell keep their people fed with troll sausage

and use harpy’s song to quell brawls. Think

about how a monster’s natural powers

could be put to practical use.

DROAAMITE CHARACTERS

5QVW\I]Z[WZK[OVWTT[\QMÆQVO[KPIVOMTQVO[

and other monstrous species all have a place

in Droaam. Consider these when making a

Droaamite character.

?PI\5ISM[AW],QٺMZMV\'The people of

Droaam aren’t just humans with horns or green

skin. Think about the strengths of your people

IVL_PI\UISM[aW]LQٺMZMV\NZWUP]UIVQ\a

both physically and culturally.

Are You Proud? Many citizens of Droaam

are proud of their nation. You know that the rest

of Khorvaire considers you to be a “monster”. In

Droaam, you are going to prove to them that you

and your kind are capable of things humanity

can’t even imagine. Or you might ignore this big

picture and be driven solely by your personal

desires or the goals of your family or warlord.

Backgrounds. The creatures of Droaam are

very diverse. A Droaamite kobold might be an

urchin rogue. A minotaur could be a outlander

barbarian with little knowledge of the outside

_WZTL_PQTMI\QMÆQVO_IZTWKSKW]TLJMI[IOM

well versed in history and arcana.

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 2 | THE ELDEEN REACHES 29

THE ELDEEN REACHES

Capital: The Greenheart

Noted for Agriculture, animal husbandry,

druidic magic

A stretch of fertile farmlands borders a vast,

]V\IUMLNWZM[\.IZUMZ[\MVL\W\PMÅMTL[_PQTM

tribes of shifters and circles of druids and rangers

roam the woods. These are the Eldeen Reaches.

Druids and shifters have dwelt in the Towering

Woods for thousands of years, but the eastern

farmlands of the Reaches were part of Aundair

until the Last War. The lords of Aundair

NWK][ML\PMQZZM[W]ZKM[WV\PM_IZMٺWZ\

ignoring banditry and other problems faced

by the farmers of the east. The Wardens of the

Wood—largest of the druid sects—came to the

aid of these farmers. Fifty years ago, the people of

eastern Aundair seceded and formed the Eldeen

Reaches. The Reaches were recognized as a

nation by the Treaty of Thronehold, but many

fear Aundair will try to reclaim the region.

Druidic magic is a central part of life in the

Eldeen Reaches. Most of its people seek to

live in harmony with the natural world, and

communities have a druidic advisor who helps

with planning and planting. The Towering

Woods are also home to tribes of shifters, who

maintain a nomadic existence. The Wardens of

the Wood maintain order and settle disputes,

and the Great Druid Oalian—an I_ISMVML

greatpine—is the spiritual leader of the Reaches.

INTERESTING THINGS

ABOUT THE REACHES

• The fey have a strong presence in the

Towering Woods. The region with the

strongest ties to the Faerie Court is called

The Twilight Demesne.

• The Gloaming is a region with strong ties

to Mabar. It’s charged with negative energy

IVLÅTTML_Q\P[QVQ[\MZ\PQVO[

• Varna is the largest city in the Reaches

and the seat of the dragonmarked House

Vadalis.

ELDEEN CHARACTERS

Druidic traditions are important to the people of

the Eldeen Reaches. Even if you’re not a druid,

aW]UIaNWTTW_WVMWN\PM[MÅ^MXI\P[)[I

variant human, you could take the Magic Initiate

feat to learn a little druidic magic.

Most of these traditions work with the druidic

Circles of Land, Moon and Shepherd; Beast

Totem barbarians; clerics with the Nature

domain; or rangers with the Hunter or Beast

Master archetypes. Other classes or archetypes

especially suited to a path are called out below.

The Wardens of the Wood seek to maintain

the balance between nature and civilization,

protecting each from the other.

The Greensingers see the magic of the fey

as a part of nature. They honor the archfey that

PI^MQVÆ]MVKMQV\PMQZZMOQWV[IVL\Za\WTQ^MQV

harmony with other fey creatures. Bards and

archfey warlocks are often found among the

Greensingers, and the Circles of Dreams works

well for Greensinger druids.

The Gatekeepers protect the natural world

from unnatural threats, such as aberrations and

ÅMVL[<PMaUIQV\IQVIVKQMV\_IZL[\PI\JQVL

the daelkyr in Khyber. Horizon Walker rangers

IVL)VKM[\ZIT/]IZLQIVJIZJIZQIV[Å\QVPMZM

The Ashbound are champions of the natural

_WZTLIVLÅOP\IVa\PQVO\PI\\PZMI\MV[Q\5IVa

of them consider arcane and even divine magic

to be such a threat. Ashbound sometimes attack

the holdings of dragonmarked houses and seek to

release bound elementals. Barbarians are often

found among the Ashbound, and Berserker and

Storm Herald are logical paths.

The Children of Winter believe that death

is a natural part of life. This leads them to

ÅOP\]VLMILJ]\IT[W\W\ISMIK\QWV[\PI\K]TT

the weak and strengthen survivors. Extremists

have spread plagues, especially in large cities.

Warlocks and Gloom Stalker rangers can be a

OWWLÅ\

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 2 | KARRNATH

30

KARRNATH

Capital: Korth

Noted for Ale, dairy, glass, livestock, lumber,

paper, textiles; undead, martial discipline

The people of Karrnath are stoic and grim.

Karrnath is a nation of storms and long winters,

and Karrns are accustomed to enduring hardship

without complaint.

First and foremost, Karnath is known for

its military tradition. Strength, strategy, and

discipline are the core values of Karrnath.

?PQTM3IZZVI\P¼[[WTLQMZ[UIaJM\PMÅVM[\QV

the Five Nations, they lack the magical support

of Aundair or Thrane, which evened the odds

during the Last War. Nonetheless, Karrns are

proud of their martial history, and most are

convinced that they would have eventually won

the Last War.

3IZZVI\P[]ٺMZMLI[MZQM[WN[M^MZMNWWL

shortages and plagues early in the Last War. This

caused the king to embrace the Blood of Vol as

the national religion. The priests of this faith

bolstered Karrnath’s forces with undead. The

current King, Kaius ir’Wynarn III, broke ties

with the Blood of Vol and has stopped creating

VM_]VLMILJ]\3IZZVI\P[\QTTPI[I[QOVQÅKIV\

number of skeletons and zombies in service.

Many Karrns still follow the faith of the Blood of

Vol and approve of the use of undead, but just

as many feel that this disgraces Karrnath’s proud

UQTQ\IZaPQ[\WZa°IVL\PI\\PMVMKZWUIVKMZ[

themselves might have been responsible for the

famines and plagues.

INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT

KARRNATH

• Rekkenmark Academy is the premier

military institute in Khorvaire; prior to the

4I[\?IZITTWN/ITQNIZ¼[WٻKMZ[\ZIQVMLI\

Rekkenmark.

• The Sovereign Host has regained its place

as the dominant religion of Karrnath, but

there is still a strong following for the Blood

of Vol. Atur, the so-called “City of Night”,

is the faith’s stronghold in Karrnath.

• The Nightwood is a massive forest with a

close tie to the Plane of Mabar. Monsters

and undead sometimes slip out of the

Nightwood to threaten the surrounding

regions.

• The laws of Karrnath are harsher than

those of the other Five Nations, closer to a

state of martial law.

• King Kaius III is a strong proponent of

peace, but many of the local warlords are

certain Karrnath could and should unite

Galifar, and there are whispers of a coup.

KARRNATHI CHARACTERS

Karrns are somber folk, and generally disapprove

of extravagance or excessive shows of emotion.

As you develop a Karrnathi character or NPC,

consider the following.

Military Service. Karrns have a strong

tradition of military service, and soldier or sailor

are appropriate backgrounds for any character.

The laws of Karrnath are harsh, and criminals

IVLKPIZTI\IV[PI^MILQٻK]T\\QUMPMZM<PM

Martial Adept feat is a way to give a character a

strong sense of military experience.

Martial Tradition. Karrnathi tradition

emphasizes teamwork, focus, and force. Heavy

armor and weapons are prefered. Battlemasters

and Champions are both sound archetypes for

ÅOP\MZ[_PQTM3IZZVI\PQ_QbIZL[IZM\aXQKITTa

Evokers or Necromancers. Heavy Armor Master,

Sentinel, and Tough are all logical feats for

Karrnathi warriors; Polearm Master or Shield

Master are also appropriate, depending on

personal preference.

The Dead. Undead soldiers have served in

Karrnath’s armies for decades. How do you feel

about the undead? Are you a follower of the

Blood of Vol who considers the undead to be a

practical tool? Do you have a relative or friend

currently serving? Or do you despise the Blood of

Vol and the use of necromancy?

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 2 | THE LHAZAAR PRINCIPALITIES 31

THE LHAZAAR PRINCIPALITIES

Capital: Regalport

Noted for ;PQX[Å[PUMZKMVIZQM[UMZKPIV\[

pirates

This loose confederacy of pirate lords, merchant

princes, and sea barons holds the northeastern

coastline of Khorvaire and the many islands

scattered across it. While they were recognized as

an allied nation under the Treaty of Thronehold,

the Principalities are a loose alliance. Each island

domain has its own traditions, values, and goals—

and each has a long list of vendettas and feuds

with other princes. Beyond this, anyone who can

win the support of enough ships and people can

claim a principality; if you want to establish your

own tiny kingdom, this is the place to do it.

<PM4PIbIIZIZM\PMÅVM[\[IQTWZ[QV3PWZ^IQZM

During the Last War, they served all nations as

privateers and engaged in piracy on the side.

With the end of the Last War they’ve largely

returned to the merchant trade, but there are still

pirates on the open seas.

The Lhazaars value their independence. This

is a place where anyone can rise to captain a

ship or even seize a principality. Leadership

is something earned, not given. High Prince

Ryger ir’Wynarn of Regalport seeks to forge

\PM8ZQVKQXITQ\QM[QV\WI]VQÅMLNWZKM0MPI[

\PMÅVM[\ÆMM\IVLQ\_I[PQ[MٺWZ\[\PI\[I_\PM

8ZQVKQXITQ\QM[ZMKWOVQbMLI\<PZWVMPWTL°NWZ

which he gave himself the title of “High Prince.”

But so far, the other princes have rejected his

proposals for a greater union.

There are principalities devoted to the Blood

of Vol and a few that favor the Sovereign Host.

Beyond this, the Lhazaar show little enthusiasm

for religion, though many will curse the Devourer

when a storm comes.

INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT LHAZAAR

• The Lhazaar Principalities have the largest

changeling population in Khorvaire. Many

of these are concentrated in the Gray

Tide, a domain founded by changelings.

However, changelings are found across the

Principalities and the Lhazaar are generally

used to them.

• The Wind Whisperer principality includes

a number of half-elves with the Mark of

Storm—excoriates and foundlings with

no tie to House Lyrandar. The Wind

Whisperers want to obtain airships, by any

means necessary.

• Dreadhold is an infamous island prison

maintained by House Kundarak. Said to

be inescapable, Kundarak houses both

infamous criminals and mystical threats.

LHAZAAR CHARACTERS

As you develop a Lhazaar character or NPC,

consider the following.

Seafarers and Swashbucklers. Most

Lhazaar spend more time at sea than they do

on land. Sailor is an appropriate background

for any Lhazaar, but you can also ask your DM

QNaW]KIV[_Q\KPI\WWTXZWÅKQMVKaNWZ^MPQKTM[

_I\MZXZWÅKQMVKa4PIbIIZIZMÆIUJWaIV\

people with little concern for the law, so

charlatan, criminal, entertainer, and folk hero

are all strong backgrounds.

Local Customs. Each principality is unique.

Each has its own martial traditions, fashions,

IVL[TIVO<PQVSIJW]\PW_aW]ZKPWQKM[ZMÆMK\

your principality. Your dwarf barbarian could

be one of the savage Cloudreavers. Your dashing

swashbuckler rogue could be a colorful Wind

Whisperer. The Bloodsail elves have a strong

\ZILQ\QWVWNVMKZWUIVKa°IVM`KMTTMV\UI\KPNWZ

your elf wizard. There are many principalities,

and you can always work with your DM to

LM^MTWXWVM\PI\Å\[aW]ZKPIZIK\MZ

Big Dreams. Whatever their circumstances,

the people of the Principalities are always looking

\W\PMN]\]ZM?PI\Q[Q\aW]_IV\'<WÅVLI

forgotten treasure hoard? To command your

own ship? To take your place as a prince? Think

big, and chase your dreams.

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 2 | THE MROR HOLDS

32

THE MROR HOLDS

Capital: Krona Peak

Noted for Dwarves, banking, mining (precious

and nonprecious metals), metalwork

Long ago, the Mror Lords were forced to swear

fealty to Karrnath and Galifar. In the early days

of the Last War, they declared their independence

and the sovereignty of the Mror Holds. That

declaration was less than a century ago and that

makes it fresh in the mind of many dwarves. The

Mror are proud of the wealth of their nation and

the talents of their smiths, of the skills of their

warriors and the strength of their impregnable

fortresses. The Mror star is rising.

?PMVP]UIVQ\aÅZ[\KIUM\W3PWZ^IQZM\PM

dwarves were locked in endless feuds. Over

the centuries, they turned their energies to

harnessing the astonishing natural resources

of their mountain home. The dwarves were

reborn as merchant princes. And along the way

they made a remarkable discovery: ruins of an

ancient dwarven empire. This forgotten realm

was destroyed by the daelkyr and its vast halls

are held by aberrations and other dark things.

Nonetheless, these ruins are another source of

pride for the Mror. They’re heirs of a mighty

empire that may one day rise again.

The Mror Holds are a loose confederation.

Twelve noble clans each govern a hold and have

a representative on the Iron Council, which

ZM[WT^M[LQ[X]\M[IVLQ[[]M[IٺMK\QVO\PMMV\QZM

nation. Each hold includes a number of lesser

clans, who owe fealty to the noble line.

The Sovereign Host is the dominant faith of

the Mror Holds. Kol Korran is the most beloved

of the Sovereigns, but Onatar, Olladra, Boldrei,

and Dol Dorn are also revered.

INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT THE

HOLDS

• The Mror Holds have deep reserves of

gold, silver, and other rare and precious

metals, along with iron and other ores.

• The Ironroot Mountains have long been

home to the Jhorash’tar, a clan of orcs.

The Jhorash’tar have been slowly driven

into the least hospitable regions of the

mountains. A few of the clans are seeking

to incorporate the Jhorash’tar into Mror

society, while others wish to drive them out

once and for all.

• There used to be a thirteenth royal clan.

Four hundred year ago, the dwarves of

Noldrunhold were wiped out; no one knows

if this was the work of the Jhorash’tar, a

rival clan, or some force from below the

mountains. Other clans have tried to claim

the Noldrun lands, but this has always met

with disaster.

MROR CHARACTERS

As you develop a Mror character or NPC,

consider the following.

Clan Focus. Is your clan known for

mercantile power or martial skill? Are you a

noble—even if you’re a few steps removed from

true power? Or are you a simple guild artisan

or soldier? Most Mror have embraced modern

martial techniques, but there are a few minor

clans that still cling to the barbarian traditions of

the past.

Holding onto the Past. Do you treasure the

legends of the ancient dwarf empire? As a Mror

IZ\QÅKMZaW]KW]TLJMI[IOMLM\MZUQVML\W

reclaim the lost techniques of the past. And how

do you feel about the Five Nations? Do you still

PWTLIOZ]LOMNWZ\PMQVLQOVQ\QM[[]ٺMZMLJaaW]Z

ancestors, or do you feel pity for this broken

kingdom?

Pride in Possessions. From the wealthiest

clan lord to the simplest miner, the Mror take

great pride in their possessions. Quality is more

important than appearance, and you are also

interested in the history of the things you carry;

QNaW]ÅVLIUIOQK_MIXWVaW]_IV\\WSVW_

the battles it has seen and the warriors who have

wielded it before you.

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 2 | Q’BARRA 33

Q’BARRA

Capital: Newthrone

Noted for Eberron dragonshards, rare herbs

Q’barra is a young nation on the edge of

3PWZ^IQZMIV]V\IUMLNZWV\QMZÅTTML_Q\P

danger and opportunity. During the golden age

of Galifar, no human ever bothered to cross the

Endworld Mountains to explore the vast jungle

JMaWVL?PMV\PM4I[\?IZJZWSMW]\IÆMM\WN

settlers came to Q’barra in search of a new home

far from the war. As this settlement expanded,

the settlers discovered massive deposits of

Eberron dragonshards. Over the last decade,

a wave of prospectors, wandslingers, refugees,

and fortune-seekers have descended on Q’barra,

along with brigands, deserters from the war, and

all manner of criminals and opportunists.

There’s one small complication: Q’barra

is home to a number of ancient civilizations

humans know nothing about: the lizardfolk of

the Cold Sun Federation, the dragonborn of

Ka’rhashan, and the confederacy of the Poison

Dusk. Most settlers know very little about

these cultures, and collectively refer to them as

“scales.” King Sebastes ir’Kesslan of Newthrone

has established a treaty with the Cold Sun

Federation, but communication has always been

LQٻK]T\<PMXZW[XMK\WZ[WN0WXMZMO]TIZTa

break the terms of the treaty. There have been a

number of clashes with the scales and many here

NMIZ\PI\IOZMI\MZKWVÆQK\Q[WV\PMPWZQbWV

Q’barra is split into three main regions. New

Galifar is the original colony; it has a feudal

structure and holds to the laws of the Five

Nations. Its capital city of Newthrone is the

largest city and port in Q’barra. To the north,

Hope is a collection of small mining towns. In

Hope, the law goes only as far as the people

willing to enforce it. And beyond these human

regions lie the unexplored lands of the scales.

INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT Q’BARRA

• There are ruins in Q’barra tied to the Age

of Demons. So far the settlers know little

of the history of this region, but the Poison

,][SPI[\QM[\WÅMVLQ[PXW_MZ[

• House Tharashk has a strong presence in

both Hope and New Galifar. Tharashk

is the primary buyer of Eberron

dragonshards, and also runs its own large-

scale mining operations.

Q’BARRAN CHARACTERS

Q’barra is home to the settlers and prospectors

from the west—mostly humans but including

members of all races found in the Five Nations.

It’s also a possible origin for dragonborn and

lizardfolk characters.

Settlers. Q’barra is an excellent place to

explore some of the traditional archetypes of the

classic Western. As a paladin, you could be a

TWVM[PMZQٺ[MMSQVO\WXZW\MK\aW]ZVM_TaNWZUML

mining village. Your cleric could be the town

preacher. As a sorcerer or bard with a criminal

background, you could be a dashing wandslinger

looking for trouble and gold. Q’barra can be a

land of opportunity for newly freed warforged

and Cyran refugees in search of a new home.

Lizardfolk. The lizardfolk have a primitive

culture that blends druidic traditions with the

beliefs of the Silver Flame. You may have been

sent to study the softskins—to learn about

them and potentially serve as an envoy for your

people. Alternatively, you could be following a

personal vision.

Dragonborn. The dragonborn live amid the

remnants of ancient glory. They have a proud

martial tradition, and a number of dragonborn

have ventured west in search of worthy

challenges. If you follow this path, you might

have served as a mercenary in the Last War.

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 2 | THE SHADOW MARCHES

34

THE SHADOW MARCHES

Capital: BIZI[P¼IS]VWٻKQIT

Noted for Eberron dragonshards, herbs

When most people think of the Shadow

Marches, they imagine a fetid backwater where

illiterate humans mingle with orcs and other foul

creatures, practicing strange rites by the light of

\PMUWWV[?PQTMÆI_ML\PQ[^Q[QWVQ[V¼\MV\QZMTa

inaccurate. The Shadow Marches are a desolate

land of swamps and moors. The homeland of the

WZK[Q\_I[[KIZZMLQV\PMIVKQMV\KWVÆQK\_Q\P

\PMLIMTSaZ<PM[MÅMVL[TMN\\_Q[\MLKZMI\]ZM[

and aberrations in the swamps, and sowed seeds

of madness that linger to this day. There are

indeed moonlit rituals in the Marches: some to

honor the daelkyr, others to maintain the wards

that keep them trapped in Khyber. Humans

KIUM\W\PM5IZKPM[TWVOIOWZMN]OMM[ÆMMQVO

a war in the distant land of Sarlona. Over time

the two cultures merged, forming the Marches as

they exist today.

The Marches had little contact with Galifar or

the east until a few hundred years ago, when a

House Sivis expedition made two discoveries: the

region contained valuable dragonshards, and a

number of clans had manifested the Dragonmark

of Finding. This led to the foundation of House

Tharashk, as these clans joined together to

master the economic potential of their mark and

leverage their mineral wealth.

The Shadow Marches aren’t a nation. No one

voice speaks for the clans and tribes, and most

of the tribes have no interest in dealing with

outsiders. House Tharashk is the largest faction

in the region, and their city of Zarash’ak is the

center for commerce.

House Tharashk is the main point of contact

between the Shadow Marches and the outside

world. Tharashk aside, it remains a collection

of tribes and cultists following their ancient

traditions in the shadows of the swamps.

INTERESTING THINGS

ABOUT THE MARCHES

• The Gatekeepers are a druidic tradition

that began in the Shadow Marches. The

defeated the daelkyr in the past, and

they are sworn to protect Eberron from

unnatural and extraplanar threats.

• The Cults of the Dragon Below are wildly

diverse, and often driven by madness.

Many worship daelkyr or have ties to

aberrations.

MARCHER CHARACTERS

As a character from the Shadow Marches,

you could choose to carry the Mark of Finding

regardless of whether you have ties to House

Tharashk.

As a Marcher, a critical question is whether

you have ties to one of the orc tribes or the

integrated clans.

The Clans blend the traditions of human and

orc, building towns and working with steel. They

still rely on skilled hunters, and they have their

own unique traditions of art and music. Rangers,

rogues, and bards all have a place in the clans,

and there are gatekeeper druids among them.

Some in the clans worship a limited form of the

Sovereign Host focused on Balinor, Boldrei, and

Arawai; this is a sound path for a Nature cleric.

The Tribes maintain traditions that

predate humanity. They’re nomadic hunter-

gatherers, and don’t work metals; they make

their tools from stone, hide, wood, and bone.

Tribal Marchers are mostly orcs, but there

are a few humans and half-orcs among them.

<ZQJIT5IZKPMZ[IZMÅMZKM_IZZQWZ[IVL[SQTTML

hunters with a close bond to the natural world;

barbarians, druids, and rangers all have a place

here. Outlander and hermit are both appropriate

backgrounds for a tribal Marcher.

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 2 | THE TALENTA PLAINS 35

THE TALENTA PLAINS

Capital: Gatherhold

Noted for 0ITÆQVO[TQ^M[\WKSLQVW[I]Z[

<PMPITÆQVO[WN\PM<ITMV\I8TIQV[TQ^MI[QUXTMZ

life than the people of the Five Nations. They

have no cities, no industrialized magic. But

\PMaLWPI^MLQVW[I]Z[<PMPITÆQVO[PI^M

domesticated the dinosaurs of the plains, and use

these creatures as mounts, livestock, and beasts of

burden. There is a sacred bond between a hunter

and their mount, and few people are prepared to

NIKMIZIOQVOPITÆQVOJIZJIZQIVZQLQVOIN]ZQW][

clawfoot raptor.

Talenta religion is based around reverence for

spirits, both departed ancestors and the spirits

of the natural world. Each nomadic tribe has

a TI\P—a chieftain who guides and protects the

tribe—but it is the shamans who consult the

spirits and choose the paths of migration.

In the past the tribes have stood alone, but

L]ZQVO\PM4I[\?IZUIVaPITÆQVO[KIUM

together under Lathon Halpum to defend their

land, and it is Halpum who won recognition for

the Plains as one of the Thronehold nations. The

Plains have only been considered a nation for

two years, and it’s still unclear what this means;

PW_M^MZQ\PI[ZM[]T\MLQVUWZM\ZIٻKJM\_MMV

the Plains and the outside world.

INTERESTING THINGS

ABOUT THE PLAINS

• Gatherhold is one of the only cities in

the Talenta Plains. All tribes come to

Gatherhold to trade, hold councils, and

settle disputes. House Ghallanda maintains

Gatherhold, but it is understood that

Gatherhold belongs to the people, not the

houses.

• House Ghallanda and House Jorasco

both began in the Talenta Plains and still

maintain connections to their ancestral

homeland. The dragonmarked bloodlines

are spread throughout the tribes, and you

KIVXTIaILZIOWVUIZSMLPITÆQVONZWU\PM

Plains who doesn’t work for the houses.

• Stories speak of ancient ruins that date back

\W\PMÅZ[\IOMWN\PM_WZTLIVLWNI^I[\

graveyard holding the bones of dragons.

TALENTAN CHARACTERS

:M^QM_\PMPITÆQVO[MK\QWVQVKPIX\MZNWZ

quirks and other things relevant to characters

from the Plains. Also consider the following.

Wild Warriors and Tricksters. You were

born in the wild, and your wits and your weapons

helped you survive. Talenta warriors are often

barbarians or rangers, relying on speed and skill.

However, cunning and charisma are equally

important, and bards and rogues certainly have

a place on the plains. Outlander is a logical

background, but you could easily be a bold folk

hero, a dashing entertainer, or a clever charlatan.

You could even be an urchin who was stranded

in a great city at a young age and adapted to

hunting in this stone jungle.

Surrounded by Spirits..MaÅMVL[\PM

ghosts of ancestors; these are all part of the

spirit world, and they’re all around you. Do you

believe that the spirits guide your actions? Do

you show respect to the spirits of a location?

Talentan shamans tend to be Shepherd or Moon

druids, often assuming the form of dinosaurs.

0W_M^MZaW]KW]TLZMÆMK\I[\ZWVOJWVL\W

spirits by playing an Archfey warlock, Nature

cleric, Oath of the Ancients paladin, or a Beast

Totem or Ancestral Guardian barbarian. Hermit

and Outlander are sound backgrounds, but

you could be an acolyte or a sage who consults

with spirits instead of reading books. Warriors

and shamans alike often wear masks in order to

present a particular face to the spirit world.

Dinosaurs. <ITMV\IPITÆQVO[PI^MIKTW[M

JWVL\W\PMQZLQVW[I]ZKWUXIVQWV[AW]KIVÅVL

additional information on this—and statistics for

a clawfoot raptor—in chapter 3.

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 2 | THRANE

36

THRANE

Capital: Flamekeep

Noted for ,Q^QVMUIOQK\PM;QT^MZ.TIUM#ÅVM

crafts, wool, textiles, fruit, livestock

The modern Church of the Silver Flame was

founded in Thrane, and most of the people of the

nation are devout followers of this faith. During

the Last War, the people of Thrane chose to set

aside the rule of the monarch and to embrace

the leadership of the Church. For the last seventy

years Thrane has been a theocracy. The head of

the state is 11-year-old Jaela Daeran, the divine

selected Keeper of the Flame; however, Jaela

looks to the Council of Cardinals to perform the

practical work of running the nation.

The primary purpose of the Silver Flame is

to defend the innocent from supernatural evil.

The faith has always had a militant aspect,

with battalions of templars and peasant militias

prepared to face undead, lycanthropes, or other

monstrous threats. But compassion and charity

are core values of the church, and the templars

are tasked to defend all innocents. Even during

\PM4I[\?IZQNIÅMVLQ[P\PZMI\_MZM\WIZQ[MQV

a Brelish village, Thrane templars would ally with

the locals to bring an end to the threat. With that

said, this is the ideal. There are zealous Thranes

who believe the Church is destined to reunite

Galifar under the Silver Flame, and corrupt

priests interested only in power and wealth.

Not all priests are divine spellcasters, and the

typical templar is a mundane warrior; however,

due to the deep faith of its people, Thrane has

more clerics, paladins, and divine spellcasters

than any other nation in Khorvaire.

INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT THRANE

• Flamekeep is the capital of Thrane and the

seat of the Silver Flame. The Keeper of the

Flame dwells in the great Cathedral of the

;QT^MZ.TIUM_PQKPPWTL[IXQTTIZWNÅZM

JWZV_PMV<QZI5QZWV[IKZQÅKMLPMZ[MTN\W

bind the demon Bel Shalor.

• Faith is a part of daily life in Thrane, and

divine adepts provide many important

services. However, arcane magic is still a

part of life in Thrane. The streets are lit

with everbright lanterns, and there are

magewrights and even wizards, just not as

many as in other nations.

• The feudal system of nobility remains in

place; it’s simply that ultimate authority

rests in the hands of the church. Queen

Diani ir’Wynarn is the “blood regent,”

serving as a symbolic advisor to the Keeper

of the Flame. There is a small fraction of

the population who would like to see the

traditional monarchy restored to power.

THRANE CHARACTERS

As you develop a Thrane character or NPC,

consider the following.

The Impact of Faith. Are you a follower of

the Silver Flame? Faith doesn’t require divine

UIOQKJ]\QNaW]_IV\\WZMÆMK\IKTW[MJWVL

to the Flame, you could gain a few divine spells

by taking the Magic Initiate feat. Archery is a

devotional practice of the Silver Flame, so as

a martial Thrane you might focus on archery-

related combat styles and spells or take the

Sharpshooter feat. Any Thrane could take the

IKWTa\MJIKSOZW]VL\WZMÆMK\I[\ZWVOKWVVMK\QWV

to the church, or the soldier background based

on service with the templars.

Church or Crown? Do you fully support the

theocracy? Or would you like to see Queen Diani

restored to the throne? There are many people

of faith who believe that miring the church in

politics distracts it from its true mission and

invites corruption.

Dealing with Darkness. The Shadow in

the Flame can tempt even the most virtuous

soul. How do you react when you encounter

corruption and greed? Are you a compassionate

person who seeks to lead people to the light, or

a zealot determined to crush all darkness? How

will you react when you encounter monsters—

minotaurs, ogres, gnolls—in a civilized setting?

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 2 | VALENAR 37

VALENAR

Capital: Taer Valaestas

Noted for Elves, mercenaries, horses

In the midst of the Last War, an army of warrior

elves seized this region from Cyre, invoking a

claim to the land from long before humanity’s

arrival on the continent. The elves of Valenar are

utterly devoted to the arts of war. Their cavalry

has no equal in Khorvaire, and they combine a

talent for magic with stealth and swordplay. Cyre

employed the Valenar as mercenaries and was

entirely unprepared for betrayal. When Cyre was

destroyed in the Mourning, no one wanted to

challenge the Valenar; in the interests of peace,

this elf kingdom was recognized by the Treaty of

Thronehold.

The elves are already pushing the limits of

the treaty. The Valenar constantly search for

worthy challenges. While some venture into the

Mournland or the untamed jungles of Q’barra,

Valenar warbands have launched raids into

Darguun and even Karrnath. While High King

Shaeras Vadallia has promised to rein in his

warriors, some believe that the elves will continue

\PQ[XZW^WKI\QWV°\PI\\PMQZUIQVQV\MZM[\Q[

KWVÆQK\_Q\PI_WZ\PaNWMIVL\PI\\PMa_IV\

Darguun or Karrnath to declare war.

Valenar is a feudal kingdom. The elves are

warrior princes, but they spend little time at

rest. They operate in small units called _IZJIVL[,

and those that aren’t patrolling the kingdom

are abroad seeking adventure. Most of the civic

administration is handled by half-elves. Some

of these are the children of Valenar elves, but

most are immigrants who’ve come from the Five

Nations in search of opportunity. Below this are

the natives. Once vassals of Cyre, now they’re

vassals of Valenar. Some hated the Cyrans and

welcome the elves. Others despise their new

leaders and are plotting against them. But life

hasn’t changed much for the commoners, and

most don’t actually care who wears the crown.

INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT VALENAR

• The dragonmarked House Lyrandar has

helped the elves build the infrastructure

of their kingdom. The half-elves have no

homeland, and some believe that the half-

elves of Lyrandar hopes to make Valenar a

haven for their people.

• The ancestors of the elves fought the

ancient goblins for control of this region

many thousands of years ago. Relics of

that struggle can still be found scattered

across Valenar and the Blade Desert: ruins,

PI]V\MLNWZ\ZM[[M[JI\\TMÅMTL[\PI\PI^M

slipped out of alignment with time.

VALENAR CHARACTERS

The elf section of chapter 3 provides additional

information about creating Valenar elves.

Whatever kind of character you’re creating,

consider the following.

Martial Role. Valenar has always been

on a war footing. As an elf, consider your role

in a warband. Are you a simple soldier? An

outlander scout? An acolyte devoted to the elven

ancestors, or a sage familiar both with Valenar

history and the lore of potential enemies? As a

half-elf you might be an entertainer, a sailor, or

IO]QTLIZ\Q[IV_WZSQVO\W[]XXWZ\\PMMTNIZUa°

or a charlatan seeking seeking intrigue and

opportunities. As one of the vassals, you could be

a guild artisan working for the elves, an urchin

born in Taer Valaestas, or even a folk hero

ÅOP\QVO\WXZW\MK\\PMKWUUWVNWTS

Dreams. What is it you hope to achieve as

an adventurer? Have you left Valenar behind,

or are your aspirations tied to the kingdom?

As a half-elf with Valenar blood, do you want

to be recognized as a true Valenar—granted a

bond to a patron ancestor, a place in a warband,

and a chance at immortality? Or are you more

interested in building a homeland for your own

people? As a native, do you want to work with

the elves or do you want to drive them out—and

if so, who do you want to replace them?

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 2 | ZILARGO

38

ZILARGO

Capital: Korranberg

Noted for Gnomes, alchemy, education,

elemental binding, entertainment, precious stones

Zilargo is the homeland of the gnomes, and

I\ÅZ[\OTIVKMQ\IXXMIZ[\WJMIXIZILQ[M<PM

streets are bright and clean. The universities and

TQJZIZQM[IZM\PMÅVM[\QV3PWZ^IQZM-^MZaWVM

seems happy and helpful, and crime is all but

]VPMIZLWN*]\BQT[WKQM\aQ[ÅTTML_Q\PTIaMZ[

of intrigue and blackmail that are often invisible

to human eyes. And below that lies The Trust,

a ruthless secret police force that eliminates any

threat to society.

Zilargo isn’t a tyranny. Each major city has a

democratically elected ruling council and a seat

on the Triumvirate that governs the nation; the

Trust reports to the Triumvirate. The Zil gnomes

built this system, and they are quite happy with

it. Their streets are safe, and as long as you play

by the rules of the game, the Trust won’t target

aW]7]\[QLMZ[ÅVL\PQ[KI[]ITIKKMX\IVKMWN

preemptive assassination to be terrifying, but the

Zil actually trust the Trust.

Every Zil gnome is in a web of intrigues. This

is condoned by the Trust, as long as no laws are

broken and the state itself isn’t threatened. It’s

ÅVMNWZIOVWUMKPIZTI\IV\WKWVVQ^MIVW\PMZ

gnome out of a jewel mine—as long as this is

accomplished through cunning, negotiation, or

deception rather than violence or outright theft,

and as long as the mine stays in Zil hands. The

same applies to adventurers planning schemes

in Zilargo: violence will get one targeted by the

Trust, but QV\ZQO]Mis perfectly acceptable.

The Trust itself is a network of spies and

assassins. Most agents of the Trust simply pass

information through dead drops; some estimate

that a third of the nation works for the Trust

QV\PQ[KIXIKQ\a?PMV\PM<Z][\QLMV\QÅM[I

threat, it acts preemptively. If a problem can be

solved without violence—by sharing a piece of

information, or a whispered warning sent via

UM[[IOM—that’s what they’ll do. But the Trust

won’t hesitate to eliminate a threat, whether with

poison, spell, or a blade. Typically, a target will

never even see the agent that kills them.

INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT ZILARGO

• The Library of Korranberg is considered to

JM\PMÅVM[\ZMXW[Q\WZaWNSVW_TMLOMQVITT

of Khorvaire.

• The Korranberg Chronicle is the leading

source of news in the Five Nations, and

gnome chroniclers travel across Khorvaire

in search of stories.

• The major cities of Zilargo have temples

and shrines dedicated to every religion.

Most Zil explore a few faiths before settling

on one; others practice multiple religions.

ZIL CHARACTERS

As you develop a Zil character, consider the

following things, along with the suggestions in the

Gnome section in chapter 3.

Family Ties. In a nation shaped by intrigue,

aW]PI^M\WPI^M[WUMWVMaW]KIVZMTaWV°

and for the Zil, that’s family. Unless you’re an

orphan, discuss your family with your DM.

What’s their business? Who’s your favorite

relative? Are you currently involved in any family

schemes? Family members may call on you for

help over the course of your adventurers, but

they can also be a resource for you.

Knowledge and Power. The Zil prize

knowledge above all else. Sage is a suitable

background for any Zil; charlatan and spy are

IT[WIXXZWXZQI\MZMÆMK\QVO\PMQZTW^MWNQV\ZQO]M

Classes that specialize in melee combat are rare

among the Zil. Rogues, bards, wizards, and

IZ\QÅKMZ[IZM\PM[WTLQMZ[WNBQTIZOW

One unusual option is to play a warlock whose

pact is with the Trust itself. You receive your

orders telepathically. Your class abilities can

ZMÆMK\[XMKQITQbML\ZIQVQVOWZOZIV\MLIJQTQ\QM[¸

the magical equivalent of super-spy gadgets!

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 2 | EVERYDAY LIFE 39

EVERYDAY LIFE

There are details you don’t need to know, but

that you might _IV\to know. When something

costs 1 CP, you can just say “one copper piece” but

do the people of Khorvaire have a name for

their coins? Is there a convention for naming

characters? This ?IaÅVLMZ¼[/]QLMis an overview.

If you want more information on a particular

subject, refer to the sources in the Appendix.

But for now, here are a few useful facts about

everyday life in Khorvaire.

THE CALENDAR OF GALIFAR

The Galifar calendar tracks the years since the

Kingdom of Galifar was founded, using the

abbreviation YK. The week is divided into seven

days, with four weeks to a month and twelve

months to a year. Despite the fall of Galifar, the

nations of Khorvaire still use this calendar.

The seven days of the week, in order, are Sul,

Mol, Zol, Wir, Zor, Far, Sar.

The twelve months are named after the twelve

moons that orbit the world:

1. Zarantyr (mid-winter)

2. Olarune (late winter)

3. Therendor (early spring)

4. Eyre (mid-spring)

5. Dravago (late spring)

6. Nymm (early summer)

7. Lharvion (mid-summer)

8. Barrakas (late summer)

9. Rhaan (early autumn)

10. Sypheros (mid-autumn)

11. Aryth (late autumn)

12. Vult (early winter)

King Jarot ir’Wyrnarn died on Therendor 12,

894 YK. The Day of Mourning occurred almost

exactly a century later, on Olarune 20 994 YK.

By default, a new Eberron campaign begins on

Zarantyr 1, 998 YK.

THE CURRENCY OF GALIFAR

Merchants and nobles often use letters of

credit to handle large transactions, drawing on

the reserves of the dwarvish banks of the Mror

Holds. But most day-to-day transactions use

coins of precious metal. With the collapse of the

Kingdom of Galifar, each of the Five Nations

began to mint its own currency, along with

the Mror bankers. However, while the designs

imprinted on these coins vary based on the

source, each of these forces has continued to use

the same metals, weights, and denominations set

forth in the days of Galifar, maintaining a simple

standard for commerce across Khorvaire.

• The crown (CP) is made from copper and

traditionally depicts the crown of Galifar

on one face. The crown is the lowest

denomination of coin minted under the rule

of Galifar, which spawned the saying “In

Galifar, even the beggars have crowns.”

• The sovereign (SP) is made from silver,

and bears the face of a living or recent

ruler. An unskilled laborer can expect to

earn a sovereign for a day’s work.

• The galifar (GP) is made from gold. It

bears the image of Galifar I, the founder of

the old kingdom.

• The platinum dragon (PP) bears the

image of one of the dragons of legend.

With a value of one hundred sovereigns,

these coins are used only by the wealthiest

citizens of Khorvaire, and the average

peasant may never see such a coin.

There are a number of other coins in circulation,

such as the double crown of Breland or the

[QT^MZ\PZWVMWN+aZM_PQKPPI[I^IT]MWNÅ^M

sovereigns. Still, all of the major nations make

use of the four basic coins described above.

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 2 | MAGIC IN KHORVAIRE

40

LANGUAGES IN EBERRON

In Eberron, languages are tied to culture and

geography as opposed to biology. A dwarf raised

in Breland might not actually know Dwarvish,

while the language of the giants is closely tied

to the distant land of Xen’drik. The following

optional rules are a way to explore this aspect of

the setting.

OPTIONAL RULE: COMMON LANGUAGES

Common is the language of the Five Nations.

The Mror dwarves speak Dwarvish and the

Aereni elves speak Elvish, but they know

Common as the language of trade.

In Eberron, there are a number of other

TIVO]IOM[\PI\[MZ^M\PQ[ZWTMQVLQٺMZMV\ZMOQWV[

or cultures. The DM may change the languages

I[[QOVML\WIUWV[\MZWZ68+\WZMÆMK\\PQ[

Giant is the common tongue of Xen’drik. It

is rarely encountered on Khorvaire. Monsters in

Khorvaire usually speak Goblin.

Goblin is the common tongue of Darguun,

Droaam, and the Shadow Marches, along with

most “monstrous” creatures in Khorvaire. It was

the language of the goblin empire that dominated

the continent before humanity arrived. Orcish is a

dead language; it may be encountered in ancient

inscriptions, but modern orcs speak Goblin.

Infernal is spoken by spirits that embody

M^QT<PQ[QVKWZXWZI\M[)Ja[[IT#ITTÅMVL[[XMISI

common language. Infernal is sometimes called

“Khyber’s speech,” while Celestial is “the tongue

of Siberys.”

Riedran is the common tongue of the

continent of Sarlona. Quori is spoken by the

kalashtar, spirits native to Dal Quor, and the

Inspired lords of Riedra.

OPTIONAL RULE: SWAPPING RACIAL LANGUAGES

This optional rule allows you to exchange a

TIVO]IOMOZIV\MLJaaW]ZZIKMNWZILQٺMZMV\

standard language. Your DM must approve the

TIVO]IOMaW][MTMK\<PQ[Q[I_Ia\WZMÆMK\I

character with no ties to the culture of their race.

0ITÆQVOQ[\PMTIVO]IOMWN\PM<ITMV\I8TIQV[#QNI

PITÆQVO_I[ZIQ[MLQV\PM5ZWZ0WTL[\PMaUQOP\

ZMXTIKM0ITÆQVO_Q\P,_IZ^Q[P\WZMÆMK\\PQ[

NAMES IN THE FIVE NATIONS

Naming conventions vary by nation. The Zil

gnomes always use three names—a given name,

a family name, and a clan name. Warforged

often use a single name. Within the Five Nations,

most citizens have a given name followed by a

surname. This surname is either a family name

or related to an occupation or region of origin.

So ;WZV.MTTPWZV, 3IZIWN?QVL[PQZM and Tellan

5IOM_ZQOP\IZMITTVIUM[aW]UQOP\ÅVLIUWVO

the common folk of the Five Nations.

The noble families of Galifar—along with

those granted land and titles by one of the

[W^MZMQOV[WN\PM.Q^M6I\QWV[¸ILL\PMXZMÅ`

ir’ to their surname. So the name ,IZZWQZ¼4IQV

tells you that this individual is a landed noble.

The Wynarns were the royal line of Galifar,

and the current rulers of Aundair, Breland, and

Karrnath are all heirs of the Wynarn bloodline.

Thus, Queen Aurala of Aundair is )]ZITI

QZ¼?aVIZV

)VW\PMZKWUUWVXZMÅ`Q[d’, used by

any heir of a dragonmarked house who has

manifested a dragonmark. So 5MZZQ`L¼+IVVQ\P

is a member of House Cannith who has

manifested the Mark of Making.

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 2 | MAGIC IN KHORVAIRE 41

MAGIC IN KHORVAIRE

Your airship soars through the skies,

approaching the mile-high towers of Sharn. You

disembark, walking down a street lit by M^MZJZQOP\

lanterns, and make your way to your favorite

/PITTIVLI\I^MZV1V[QLM\PMPITÆQVOJIZ\MVLMZ

uses XZM[\QLQOQ\I\QWV\WKPQTTIVLÆI^WZIVIZZIa

of exotic beverages. A Phiarlan bard entertains

the crowd with song and a dazzling display of

illusions. An argument between two veterans

escalates into violence: the Brelish tough

produces a knife, but the Aundairian duelist

already has a wand in her hand.

Magic is a part of life in Khorvaire. Arcane

magic is a form of science, and the Five Nations

are built on this foundation. Magewrights are

professional spellcasters who use rituals and

cantrips to provide a host of services. The

dragonmarked houses provide magical services

that are beyond the powers of a common

magewright. And manifest zones IZM[XMKQÅK

locations where the energies of the planes bleed

QV\W-JMZZWV#\PM[MITTW_LZIUI\QKMٺMK\[\PI\

can’t be replicated elsewhere, such as the colossal

towers of Sharn.

WIDE MAGIC, NOT HIGH MAGIC

While magic is widespread, the scope of magic is

limited Low-level spells are a part of everyday

life, but high-level magic remains remarkable.

Common Magic. Cantrips and 1st

level spells are commonplace. Magewrights,

wandslingers, and dragonmarked heirs can all

XZWL]KM\PM[M[WZ\[WNMٺMK\[IVLaW]¼TT[MM

the impact of this magic as part of everyday

life. Common magic items can be found in any

community and purchased in any major city,

XZW^QLMLaW]KIVÅVLI[PWXWZLZIOWVUIZSML

enclave that deals in what you’re looking for.

Common magic items generally range in price

from 50–100 gp.

Uncommon Magic. There are magewrights

and dragonmarked heirs who can cast 2nd

and 3rd level spells, and such services can be

JW]OP\°J]\VW\KPMIXTaAW]¼TTÅVLPW][M[

with arcane locks on their doors, but that’s a sign of

a wealthy owner. The same is true of uncommon

magic items. It’s possible to purchase these in

a major city, but selection and quantity will be

limited; in a smaller town, they’ll be more limited

still. Uncommon magic items typically cost

between 100–500 gp, though costs can be higher

based on scarcity.

Rare magic. Spells of 4th through 5th level

are beyond the reach of most people. People are

familiar with the concept of spells like teleportation

or raise dead, but few people have ever seen either

of these things actually performed. Only the

most remarkable magewrights have access to

such magic, so these services usually come from

\PMLZIOWVUIZSMLPW][M[¸[XMKQÅKITTaPMQZ[

with Greater Dragonmarks and dragonshard

focus items.

In theory, rare magic items can be purchased,

with prices ranging anywhere from 2,000 gp–

20,000 gp. In practice, these things are rare. A

rare magic item might be the prize of a collection

in a Sharn emporium, or the showpiece of

a House Cannith forgehold. It’s more likely

that such items will be acquired as rewards for

working with a powerful organization than

simply found for purchase in a store. Of course,

should you have a ridiculous sum of gold burning

a hole in your purse, you might be able to

commission House Cannith to create a rare item

NWZaW]°\PW]OP\PQ[_W]TL\ISM\QUM

Very Rare and Legendary Magic. Spells

WN\PTM^MTIVLIJW^MIZMTIZOMTa\PM[\]ٺWN

legends and folktales. The few people known to

wield this sort of power are themselves legends:

Mordain the Fleshweaver, the Keeper of the

Silver Flame, the Daughters of Sora Kell. If

encountered in the Five Nations, such magic

will likely be tied to an MTLZQ\KPUIKPQVMor a

manifest zone.

Legendary magic items are generally the work

of dragons or demons, or relics found in the ruins

of Xen’drik. Very rare magic items could be tied

to similar sources, or they might be masterworks

of the elves of Aerenal or Valenar heirlooms. It’s

unlikely that such a treasure would ever be sold.

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 2 | MAGEWRIGHTS

42

MAGEWRIGHTS

In Khorvaire, magic is a tool that’s incorporated

into many jobs. There are entirely magical

careers, such as the medium or the oracle. But

much of the time, mundane skill and magic are

combined together. A lamplighter can work with

mundane lanterns, but also learns KWV\QV]ITÆIUM

to create and maintain the M^MZJZQOP\TIV\MZV[that

TQOP\\PM[\ZMM\[)KPMNKIVPMI\IVLÆI^WZNWWL

with a cantrip.

A magewright knows one to four cantrips or

spells. Magewrights don’t use spell slots. Cantrips

can be used casually, but their spells are usually

cast as rituals—even if the spell doesn’t normally

have the ritual tag. When converting a spell

to a magewright ritual, it can have a casting

time of up to one hour. It’s also common for

a magewright’s ritual to have an additional

component cost in dragonshards, the fuel of

the magical economy. A typical cost would be

25 gp for a 1st level ritual, 50 gp for a 2nd level

ritual, doubled for each subsequent level; but this

is only a basic guideline. The point is that the

limitations on a magewright are time and money.

A locksmith can cast more than one arcane lock

in a day; but it takes an hour and 50 gp for each

lock they want to create.

While the common spell list is a starting point

for magewright spells, you can modify these spells

\WÅ\\PMRWJ;XMTT[][MLJaIL^MV\]ZMZ[IZMWN\MV

quite versatile. 8ZM[\QLQOQ\I\QWVcan heat or chill

IVWJRMK\TQOP\WZM`\QVO]Q[PIÆIUM*W\P\PM

lamplighter and the chef may know XZM[\QLQOQ\I\QWV,

but the chef’s version may only work on

food, while the lamplighter can only light or

M`\QVO]Q[PÆIUM[)VIK\WZUIaSVW_I^MZ[QWV

of \PI]UI\]ZOathat helps project their voice but

LWM[V¼\XZW^QLMIVaWN\PMW\PMZJMVMÅ\[)Z\Q[IV[

often know a version of O]QLIVKMthat only helps

with their particular art. This could also result

in a magewright having a spell that’s superior to

\PM][]IT^MZ[QWVWNI[XMTTZMÆMK\QVO\PMQZ\QOP\

focus. An oracle’s version of I]O]Zamight be able

to predict outcomes up to a week in advance,

as it’s hard to make a business out of predicting

events that occur in the next 30 minutes.

In dealing with a magewright, think about the

form their magic takes. A locksmith can perform

knock as a ritual. But they don’t just snap their

ÅVOMZ[<PMaUIa][MTMVO\P[WN_QZMWZQZWVZWL[

tracing patterns around the lock they’re dealing

with while murmuring incantations. An oracle

might work with cards or dice, or study charts of

planar conjunctions. The magewright performs

magic as both a job and a science.

Here are some examples of magewrights and

the services they provide. Not every healer can

cast TM[[MZZM[\WZI\QWVand not every oracle can cast

LQ^QVI\QWV—these are general guidelines.

• Chef. 8ZM[\QLQOQ\I\QWV(food only), X]ZQNaNWWL

drink (ritual), OMV\TMZMXW[M(ritual, food only).

Familiar with cook’s tools.

• Healer. 8ZWÅKQMV\_Q\P5MLQKQVMIVL

herbalism kits. ;XIZM\PMLaQVOLM\MK\XWQ[WV

disease (ritual), lesser restoration (1-hour ritual,

50 gp component cost).

• Launderer. 5MVLQVOXZM[\QLQOQ\I\QWV; both

WVTaIٺMK\NIJZQK

• Lamplighter. 4QOP\KWV\QV]ITÆIUM(1-hour

ritual, 50 gp component cost); uses tinker’s

tools to create and repair lanterns.

• Locksmith. Arcane lock (1-hour ritual, 50

gp component cost)SVWKS(ritual, 50 gp

KWUXWVMV\KW[\#XZWÅKQMV\_Q\P\PQM^M[¼

tools and tinker’s tools.

• Medium. ;XMIS_Q\PLMIL (ritual, 100 gp

component cost). Some mediums use a

form of UQVWZQTT][QWV to conjure an image

of the deceased. A medium might be

XZWÅKQMV\QV1V[QOP\\WPMTXUW]ZVMZ[LMIT

with grief—or in Deception.

• Oracle. )]O]Za(ritual, 50 gp cost); LQ^QVI\QWV

(1-hour ritual, 200 gp cost).

The term UIOM_ZQOP\[XMKQÅKITTaZMNMZ[\WIV

arcane spellcaster. In religious communities (such

I[\PW[MQV<PZIVMIL^MV\]ZMZ[UIaÅVLLQ^QVM

casters performing these same functions. Such a

divine caster is called an adept. Divine magic is

a gift instead of a science, and adepts typically

work on behalf of their faith rather than selling

their services.

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 2 | WANDSLINGERS 43

WANDSLINGERS

The Last War saw a dramatic increase in the

][MWNUIOQKQVJI\\TM)]VLIQZ_I[\PMÅZ[\

VI\QWV\WÅMTL]VQ\[WNIZKIVMLZIOWWV[J]\I[

the war continued cantrip specialists could be

found in the armies of most nations. Due to the

considerable training required to master magic,

this has remained an elite specialty. The common

soldier wields a spear or crossbow but it’s not

unusual to see a warrior with a sword on one hip

and a wand on the other. Within the army, such

a soldier is referred to as an arcaneer.

On the streets, they are called wandslingers.

)_IVL[TQVOMZQ[LMÅVMLJa\PMIJQTQ\a\W

cast I\TMI[\\_Wcantripstypically drawn from

the sorcerer or wizard spell list. A common

wandslinger also knows a single 1st-level spell,

which they can cast once per long rest. An

exceptional wandslinger may know up up to

three spells of up to 3rd level. A wandslinger’s

spells and cantrips are almost always combat

[XMTT[_Q\PIVQUUMLQI\MMٺMK\[]KPI[ÅZMJWT\

ZIaWNNZW[\J]ZVQVOPIVL[or [PQMTL

The critical limitation of the wandslinger is a

dependence on an arcane focus. A wandslinger

must have an arcane focus—a wand, rod,

[\IٺWZJWZKZa[\IT¸\WXMZNWZUUIOQK;WUM

_IVL[TQVOMZ[][MLQٺMZMV\NWK][M[NWZ\PMQZ

various cantrips, such as a wand for ÅZMJWT\and

a rod for J]ZVQVOPIVL[, but wandslingers can use

any arcane focus they get their hands on. As a

result, arcane focuses are regarded as weapons

throughout Khorvaire.

If you’ve got a wand tucked into your belt,

people may assume you know how to use it.

PLAYING A WANDSLINGER

´:DQGVOLQJHUµLVQ·WDFODVV$Q\RQHZKRFDQ

perform arcane magic could be considered a

wandslinger, and any character could acquire

DZDQGVOLQJHU·VVSHOOVHWE\WDNLQJWKH0DJLF

Initiate feat. As such, whether your character is

a wandslinger is really a question of style.

• Did you serve in the Last War? If so, who

GLG\RXÀJKWIRU"'LG\RXOHDUQRUKRQH

your magical skills as part of your military

training?

• Do you primarily view your magic as a

weapon, or do you hate being forced into

combat? Do you have a diverse range of

spells, or is your magic largely oriented

around combat?

• A player character is never required to

use an arcane focus when casting a spell.

%XWLI\RX·UHDZDQGVOLQJHU\RX·UHPRUH

comfortable with a focus in your hand.

Casting a spell without a focus takes

HIIRUW7KHUH·VQRPHFKDQLFDOSHQDOW\

DVVRFLDWHGZLWKWKLVLW·VMXVWVRPHWKLQJWR

consider when describing your actions.

As long as your DM approves, you could

justify the abilities of an arcane class as

being derived from wandslinger training as

RSSRVHGWRWKHXVXDOVRXUFH,I\RX·UHSOD\LQJ

a sorcerer or warlock, you could say that your

choice of Sorcerous Origin or Otherworldly

3DWURQUHÁHFWVVSHFLDOL]HGPLOLWDU\WUDLQLQJ

7KLVGRHVQ·WFKDQJHWKHZD\WKHVHIHDWXUHV

function; it means that instead of making a pact

ZLWKDÀHQG\RXUZDUORFNKDVDFRQQHFWLRQ

to an elite order of arcaniers that share these

abilities. Instead of dealing with the demands of

a patron, you might receive requests from your

former commander or your comrades from the

ZDU8OWLPDWHO\LW·VDERXWWKHVWRU\\RXZDQWWR

tell with your character. Are you an impetuous

GXHOLVWTXLFNWRGUDZ\RXUZDQGDWWKHÀUVW

provocation? A former soldier trained to use

magic as a weapon? Or an arcane scholar who

despises hotheaded wandslingers who know

nothing about the science of magic?

Identifying your character as a wandslinger

GRHVQ·WFKDQJH\RXUFODVVIHDWXUHV&KDSWHU

offers a wider selection of arcane focus items

that can add color to your character.

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 2 | THE MAGICAL ECONOMY

44

THE MAGICAL ECONOMY

With this general understanding of the sort of

magic that’s found in the world, here’s a closer

TWWSI\INM_XIZ\QK]TIZÅMTL[WNQVL][\Za

COMMUNICATION

The Couriers’ Guild of House Orien runs a

standard postal service, delivering messages by

horse and lightning rail. Sending a letter to a

central station in a major city costs a few copper

pieces. A direct delivery within a city could run

up to 5 sp. Sending a large or unusual package—

or a rushed delivery—costs considerably more.

Should you need to send a message more

quickly, you’ll turn to the message stations of

House Sivis. The basic tool is the [XMISQVO[\WVM,

which allows a dragonmarked operator to send a

short message to any other [XMISQVO[\WVM. Sending

a message through the stones costs 1 gp for

M^MZaÅ^M_WZL[QV\PMUM[[IOMIVL\ISM[WVM

minute for every ten miles between the station

and the destination. The gnomes at the receiving

station will transcribe the message; for an extra

gold piece, they’ll have a courier deliver it to

the intended recipient. Most large communities

will have a message station, but small villages or

frontier towns may not.

The [XMISQVO[\WVMnetwork is the backbone of

communication, but if it’s not fast enough, there

is one more option. A Sivis enclave UQOP\have a

heir who can perform [MVLQVO, which can send a

message instantly to any Sivis station—and even

allow a response, if the recipient is present and

waiting at the target station. If available, this

service generally costs 200 gp.

ENTERTAINMENT

While true bards are uncommon, magewright

entertainers learn to weave magic into their

performances. Illusion is a common tool, used

both to enhance a mundane performance or

as an art form in its own right. A gymnastic

performance might incorporate R]UXor NMI\PMZNITT.

<PMMٺMK\[WN\PM\PI]UI\]ZOacantrip—booming

^WQKMQVÆ]MVKMÆIUM[[XWV\IVMW][[W]VL[¸IZM

a boon for any actor. In general, think of ways

\PI\[]KPTW_TM^MTMٺMK\[UQOP\JMQVKWZXWZI\ML

into a performance.

The Dragonmarked Houses of Shadow

dominate the entertainment industry. House

Phiarlan operates west of the Mournland, while

House Thuranni is based in Karrnath and the

Lhazaar Principalities. Each house has its own

theatres, companies, and star performers, but

you don’t need a dragonmark to get into show

business; the houses train and license all manner

of artists and entertainers.

FASHION

When it comes to fashion, the most common

manifestation of magic is OTIUMZ_MI^M: clothing

imbued with illusion. This can involve concrete

images, such as a cloak lined with glittering stars

WZIOW_V_Q\PIXI\\MZVWNÆIUM[#\PM_MIZMZ

might even be able to adjust the intensity of

\PM[MÆIUM[_Q\PI_WZL5WZMMTIJWZI\MIVL

expensive) OTIUMZ_MI^M could even produce the

MٺMK\WNJMQVO_ZMI\PMLQVÆIUM[0W_M^MZ

OTIUMZ_MI^MKIVIT[WPI^MUWZMIJ[\ZIK\MٺMK\["

slowly shifting colors or a shimmering glow,

for example. /TIUMZ_MI^Mcan cost anywhere

NZWU\WOXLMXMVLQVOWV\PMMٺMK\#Q\¼[

stylish, but certainly a sign of wealth. Zilargo and

Aundair are the primary sources of OTIUMZ_MI^M,

and competition between designers has grown in

recent years.

MEDICINE

<PMPITÆQVO[WN0W][M2WZI[KWPI^MTWVO

dominated the business of healing. Most large

communities have a Jorasco healing house, and

even smaller communities often have a lone

Jorasco healer. The basic services provided by

Jorasco involve use of the Medicine skill and

herbal remedies. The next tier of treatment is

lesser restorationWٺMZQVOQUUMLQI\MZMKW^MZaNZWU

disease for those willing to pay the price. /ZMI\MZ

restoration is possible if the house has an heir with

the Greater Mark of Healing, though this gift

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 2 | THE MAGICAL ECONOMY 45

can only be used once per day. House Jorasco is

also the primary source of healing potions; the

quantity and quality available will depend on the

size of the healing house.

House Jorasco demands payment before it

renders any service. The Church of the Silver

Flame and priests of Boldrei often maintain

charitable clinics, but most of these facilities only

provide mundane healing.

Resurrection is possible in Eberron, but it’s

rare. House Jorasco has a handful of altars

WNZM[]ZZMK\QWV, and someone with the Greater

Dragonmark of Healing and 5,000 gp worth

of dragonshards can use one of these altars to

perform raise dead. Beyond this, there’s a few

divine healers with the power to raise the dead.

But no one uses this power lightly. Regardless

of the method used, it’s hard to pull someone

JIKSNZWU,WT]ZZPIVLQ\OZW_[UWZMLQٻK]T\

with each day that passes after death. Opening

a channel to Dolurrh can potentially result in a

malevolent spirit taking possession of the body;

in a general release of hostile ghosts; or even a

marut inevitable manifesting and attacking the

spellcaster. All of which means that resurrection

is possible for player characters and exceptional

NPCs, but it’s not a reliable service for the

general public. Most of the time, when someone

dies, they stay dead.

TRANSPORTATION

All the standard modes of transportation can be

found in Khorvaire. People use boats, barges,

horses, coaches, and more. If something moves

over land it’s likely run or licensed by House

Orien. If it moves along the water or through

the air, it’s likely connected to House Lyrandar.

Both houses license independent agents, so the

captain of a mundane galleon won’t necessarily

be a Lyrandar heir, but the Lyrandar seal on

a licensed ship assures you of the quality of the

vessel and its crew. Eberron also features some

unique modes of transport.

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 2 | THE MAGICAL ECONOMY

46

Elemental galleons use bound water

elementals to increase the speed of the vessel.

These have long been the mainstay of House

Lyrandar; an elemental galleon can maintain

a speed of 20 miles per hour, more than twice

the speed of a mundane ship of similar size. The

cost of such travel is likewise twice the cost of a

normal journey.

The lightning rail of House Orien is the

gold standard for overland travel within the Five

Nations. An elemental engine pulls a train of

linked coaches over a path of conductor stones,

maintaining a speed of 30 miles per hour. The

rail links most of the major cities of the Five

Nations, though the destruction of Cyre has made

travel between eastern and western Khorvaire

more challenging. A journey on the lightning rail

generally costs twice as much as an inn stay of the

same duration, with quality ranging between the

modest coaches shared by most travelers (1 gp/

day) and the wealthy luxury coaches (4 gp/day).

8MWXTM[I\Q[ÅML_Q\P[Y]ITQLIKKWUWLI\QWV[KIV

try to stow away on a cargo car, but Orien guards

discourage such behavior.

Elemental airships are the pride of House

4aZIVLIZ][QVOJW]VLIQZIVLÅZMMTMUMV\IT[\W

propel a vessel through the sky. Airships travel

between 20 to 40 miles per hour and have the

advantage of being able to cross any terrain.

Airships have only been in service for eight years,

and as a result many cities don’t yet have the

facilities required for docking or maintaining an

airship. However, airships are quickly becoming

the prefered method of travel for those who can

IٺWZL\PMU)QZ[PQX\ZI^MTOMVMZITTaKW[\[Å^M

times as much as an inn stay of the same quality

and duration.

Teleportation is the swiftest form of travel,

but also the most limited. An Orien heir with

the Greater Mark of Passage can cast teleportation

circle once per day; most major Orien enclaves

have permanent circles and can be used as

destinations. When this service is available, it

generally costs 1,000 gp.

All of these forms of advanced travel require

someone with the appropriate dragonmark—

the Mark of Storm for elemental galleons and

airships, or the Mark of Passage for the lightning

rail—to control the vessel. While it may be

possible to develop an airship that doesn’t require

a Lyrandar pilot, the Dragonmarked Houses are

quite protective of their monopolies.

WARFARE

5IOQKXTIa[IVQUXWZ\IV\ZWTMWV\PMJI\\TMÅMTL

House Cannith produces a wide range of siege

equipment and mystical weapons and made

a number of breakthroughs during the Last

War. Massive [QMOM[\Iٺ[ÅTT\PMZWTMWNIZ\QTTMZa

Semi-sentient warforged titans scatter squads

of infantry. Kundarak sappers spread OTaXP[WN

_IZLQVOto deny a region to an enemy. Wands and

rods haven’t replaced the swords or bows, but

elite arcaneers are becoming more common.

The armies of Aundair specialize in the use

of magic and have the greatest numbers of

wandslingers. Karrnath has long been known

for its military discipline, but also became

infamous for its widespread use of undead

soldiers. Thrane is renowned for its peasant

archers and use of divine magic, thanks to its

ÅMZKMLM^W\QWV\W\PM+P]ZKPWN\PM;QT^MZ

Flame. Cyre relied heavily on mercenary

services—including the Valenar elves and the

OWJTQV[WN,IZO]]V¸IVLÅMTLML\PMOZMI\M[\

number of warforged troops. Finally, Breland

had the best intelligence and industry of the

nations; it was also noted for the use of Zil

elemental weapons and for its ÆWI\QVONWZ\ZM[[M[.

CREATING MAGIC ITEMS

House Cannith has an enclave devoted solely

to wand production. This facility is equipped

with tools that amplify the Mark of Making

and channel planar energies; the artisans also

have access to a vast array of exotic woods and

materials. You can also create a wand, but you’re

starting from scratch and creating the tools you

need. Essentially, when House Cannith creates

magic items, it’s using factories; while your

IZ\QÅKMZQ[\PMMY]Q^ITMV\WN\PM\QVSMZMZ_WZSQVO

in the garage. You can create magic items, and

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 2 | THE MAGICAL ECONOMY 47

you can potentially create items that House

Cannith KIV¼\UISM°J]\Q\¼[OWQVO\W\ISMaW]

more time and gold than it takes for them. Here’s

an overview of the process.

The Schema. <PMÅZ[\[\MXQVKZMI\QVOI

magic item is to acquire a [KPMUIfor it. This is the

equivalent of a recipe or a blueprint; it explains

the process and components required to create

the item. If you can obtain a schema—from

House Cannith, the mystical library of Arcanix,

\PMKWTTMK\QWVWNIVM`XMZQMVKMLIZ\QÅKMZ¸

you’re ready to move on. Otherwise, you can

create a schema, but this takes time and skill.

An arcane spellcaster uses Arcana to create

schema. A divine caster uses Religion, while

a druid or ranger relies on Nature. You must

PI^MIUQVQU]U[SQTTJWV][¸aW]ZXZWÅKQMVKa

bonus plus your ability score bonus—in order

to develop a schema. You must maintain the

minimum skill bonus for the duration of your

_WZS[WIVMٺMK\\PI\QVKZMI[M[IVIJQTQ\a[KWZM

for a few minutes won’t help you.

^«ÃÙã®ÊÄZØç®ÙÃÄãÝ

/ƚĞŵZĂƌŝƚLJ tŽƌŬǁĞĞŬƐ DŝŶŝŵƵŵ^Ŭŝůů

Common 3 days +2

Uncommon 1 +4

Rare 3 +6

Very Rare 8 +8

Legendary 16 +10

This ability to develop a schema represents

remarkable talent. It could take House Cannith

years or decades to develop a particular schema;

the fact that you can accomplish this in weeks

ZMÆMK\[\PMQLMI\PI\XTIaMZKPIZIK\MZ[IZM

innovators. However, it is always up to the

DM to decide if you can create a particular

schema. The DM can always choose to exclude a

particular magic item from a campaign.

Rare Components. Any magic item requires

specialized materials—Eberron dragonshards,

rare woods or metals, exotic herbs or other

substances. While exotic, these things can

be purchased or obtained in any major city.

But creating a magic item from scratch often

requires rarer components that can’t simply

JMX]ZKPI[MLAW]UQOP\VMMLIÆW_MZNZWU

Thelanis, a feather from a couatl, or the scale

of a dragon. More often than not, such this will

require an adventure. You may not have to kill

something to obtain what you need, but you’ll

surely have to overcome a challenge. The Magic

1\MU1VOZMLQMV\[\IJTM[]OOM[\[PW_LQٻK]T\\PI\

challenge could be.

D¦®/ãÃ/ĦÙ®ÄãÝ

/ƚĞŵZĂƌŝƚLJ ZZĂŶŐĞ

Common 1–3

Uncommon 4–8

Rare 9–12

Very Rare 13–18

Legendary 19+

1\¼[XW[[QJTM\WÅVLIZIZMKWUXWVMV\M^MV

when you’re not looking for one. You could

discover an exotic Khyber crystal in the ruins of

IVIZ\QÅKMZ¼[_WZS[PWX<QUMIVL[\]LaKW]TL

yield suggestions as to what items could be made

with the component; for example, that Khyber

shard could be used to create an QZWVÆI[S or

LQUMV[QWVIT[PIKSTM[.

Creation. Once you have your schema and

any rare components, you’re ready to begin. The

DM can assign skills or tools that are required

for this act of creation, so that it requires both

XZWÅKQMVKaIVLIKKM[[\W\PM[M\WWT[AW]U][\

pay the basic costs of materials and services

required to make the item. And you must spend a

[QOVQÅKIV\IUW]V\WN\QUM_WZSQVOWVQ\#KZMI\QVO

ITMOMVLIZaQ\MUKIV\ISMIaMIZWNMٺWZ\

D¦®/ãÃÙ¥ã®Ä¦d®ÃÄÊÝã

/ƚĞŵZĂƌŝƚLJ tŽƌŬǁĞĞŬƐΎ ŽƐƚΎ

Common 1 50 gp

Uncommon 2 200 gp

Rare 10 2,000 gp

Very Rare 25 20,000 gp

Legendary 20 100,000 gp

* Halved for a consumable item

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 2 | FAITHS OF KHORVAIRE

48

The Magic Item Crafting Time and Cost table

provides a basic framework, but various factors

could reduce time or cost. Eberron dragonshards

IZMI[QOVQÅKIV\IUW]V\WN\PMKW[\WNUI\MZQIT[

A remarkable dragonshard could reduce the

cost of creating an item by 10 percent. A planar

convergence could reduce the time or cost

ZMY]QZML\WUISMIVQ\MU_Q\PIVMٺMK\\QML\W

that plane. Ultimately, this is a story, and there

are exceptions to every rule.

Complications. These rules for magic item

creation are derived from the system presented

in @IVI\PIZ¼[/]QLM\W-^MZa\PQVO<PQ[IT[WWٺMZ[

the idea that the creation of a magic item is a

complex procedure and that complications can

arise. If you use this rule, there’s a 10 percent

chance of a complication arising for every

Å^M_WZS_MMS[[XMV\WVKZIN\QVO\PMQ\MU

@IVI\PIZ¼[/]QLMpresents a number of possible

complications. Here are few tied to Eberron.

Ù¥ã®Ä¦ÊÃÖ½®ã®ÊÄÝ

d6 ŽŵƉůŝĐĂƟŽŶ

1 A Dragonmarked House takes an

interest in your work. Do they

view you as a threat, or are they

impressed by your techniques? Do

they want to buy the item, and what

will happen if you refuse?

2 A mishap creates a temporary

manifest zone.

3zŽƵŶĞĞĚƚŽĂĐƋƵŝƌĞĂŶĂĚĚŝƟŽŶĂů

rare component.

4dŚĞƐŚŝŌŝŶŐďĂůĂŶĐĞŽĨƚŚĞƉůĂŶĞƐ

interferes with your work; you must

wait for the current planar alignment

to change.

5zŽƵƌĞīŽƌƚƐĚƌĂǁƚŚĞĂƩĞŶƟŽŶŽĨ

one of the conspiracies of Eberron—

such as the Chamber, the Aurum, the

Emerald Claw, or the Lords of Dust.

6zŽƵƌŝƚĞŵƵŶĞdžƉĞĐƚĞĚůLJďĞĐŽŵĞƐ

ƐĞŶƟĞŶƚ͘

FAITHS OF KHORVAIRE

Religion plays an important role in Eberron.

While gods don’t physically manifest as they

do in other settings, people of faith believe that

divine forces play a role in everyday life. Beyond

this, shared beliefs help to unite communities and

\WXZW^QLMPWXMQVLQٻK]T\\QUM[

Appendix B of the 8TIaMZ¼[0IVLJWWSprovides

concrete details about the primary religions of

Eberron, including holy symbols and domains.

This section provides a more direct look at what

aW]ZNIQ\PUMIV[\WaW]IVLPW_\WZMÆMK\\PI\

devotion through your actions.

In creating a devout character, it can be

useful to think about the source of your faith.

Were you brought up in your religion, or did

you come to it later in life? Are you primarily

devoted to the principles of your religion,

or have you had a personal, transcendental

experience? Do you believe that you have a

LQ^QVMLM[\QVa\WN]TÅTTWZIZMaW][\QTT_IQ\QVO

for your purpose to be revealed?

«ÊÊݮĦÙ«ãùÖÝ

While the 3OD\HU·V+DQGERRNprovides a

EDVHOLQHIRUGRPDLQVLWGRHVQ·WLQFOXGH

paladin oaths or archetypes from other

sources. As new options are always

HPHUJLQJWKHUH·VQRZD\WRFUHDWHDQ

absolute list, and beyond that this is

VRPHWKLQJGULYHQE\DFKDUDFWHU·VVWRU\7KH

Oath of Devotion is a logical archetype for

a paladin of the Silver Flame, but a zealous

SDODGLQVSHFLÀFDOO\GHYRWHGWRSXUVXLQJHYLO

could easily take an Oath of Vengeance.

Likewise, the Forge domain should be an

option for priests of Onatar or the Traveler.

Consider your beliefs and your story and

choose an archetype that works with both.

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 2 | FAITHS OF KHORVAIRE 49

THE CHURCH OF THE SILVER FLAME

• The Silver Flame is force of light holding

foul demons at bay. Those who seek to

defend the innocent from evil may draw on

the power of the Flame.

• *I\\TM[]XMZVI\]ZITM^QT_Q\P[\MMTÅZMIVL

magic. Every mortal soul can be guided

to the light. Inspire and guide others to

virtuous behavior; force is a last resort.

• Listen to the Voice of the Flame but

beware the deceiving whispers of the

Shadow in the Flame.

The Church of the Silver Flame has a disciplined

hierarchy with a martial aspect. Friars and

ministers seek to guide people to the light, while

templars defend them from evil.

Eberron is a place where supernatural evil is a

very real threat. Demons possess the innocent.

Vampires lurk in the shadows. Aberrations can

emerge from Khyber at any time. Zealots may

go too far in the pursuit of evil and priests may

be more concerned with mundane power than

faith. But the majority of those who follow the

Silver Flame stay true to its principles. They seek

to lead virtuous lives, to protect the weak, and to

guide the wicked to the light.

The Church is based in Thrane but its

followers are spread across Eberron.

It’s up to you whether you support

the theocracy of Thrane or

whether you feel that it’s a

mistake to draw the Church

into politics. A number of

variant sects worship the

Silver Flame; you can always

ÅVLaW]ZW_VXI\P

Archery is a devotional

practice of the Silver

Flame, used both as a

means of meditation and

a martial art.

THE SOVEREIGN HOST

• The Sovereigns are with us at all times.

Onatar stands at every forge and Dol Dorn

is with you whenever blades are drawn.

• The Sovereigns shape the world. They

WٺMZ][O]QLIVKMIVL[\ZMVO\PJ]\_MU][\

learn to listen.

• Honor each Sovereign in its place and time.

If you hear one voice clearly, embrace their

path and embody their values.

As a follower of the Sovereign Host, you believe

that the hand of the Sovereigns can be seen in

all things. What others take to be intuition or

instinct, you see as the voice of the Sovereigns

WٺMZQVOO]QLIVKMAW]LWV¼\VMMLIJ[WT]\M

proof: the fact that there is a bountiful harvest is

proof enough of Arawai’s benevolence.

The Sovereign Host has a looser structure than

the Church of the Silver Flame. Many variations

and subsects of the faith exist. Many temples are

only loosely aligned—in a small village, a skilled

smith might double as the priest because people

believe he’s close to Onatar. A midwife might be

seen as speaking for Arawai and Boldrei.

You may feel a particular connection to one

Sovereign and, as a divine spellcaster, this could

drive your choice of domain or oath. But as a

vassal (the common term for a follower of the

Host), you are expected to

respect and honor all of

the Sovereigns.

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 2 | FAITHS OF KHORVAIRE

50

THE DARK SIX

The Dark Six and the Sovereign Host are

opposite sides of the same coin. If you believe it

one you inherently believe in the other; the only

question is whether you fear or revere the Dark

Six. The principles of the faith are the same:

just like the Sovereigns, the Six are with us at all

times. They shape the world and speak to those

who will listen.

In general, the Sovereigns represent values

tied to civilization: Law, community, trade,

industry, agriculture, honor in war. The Dark

Six embody dangerous concepts: Death, chaos

and change, the destructive powers of nature,

treachery in battle, dark magic and monsters,

passion and madness. Those who worship the

Sovereigns fear these things; those who revere

the Six embrace them and don’t consider them

to be evil. If you’re a barbarian, it’s the Fury

who unleashes your rage. If you’re an assassin,

you walk the path of the Mockery as opposed to

that of Dol Arrah.

The creatures of Droaam generally revere the

Dark Six. Humanity sees the Shadow as a villain

who gave the harpy her voice and the medusa

her gaze; to the harpy and the medusa, this

makes the Shadow a hero.

THE BLOOD OF VOL

• Each one of us has a spark of divinity

within our blood and our spirit. Find that

power within.

• Death is the end, Dolurrh is oblivion, and

if the gods exist they are cruel. Stand with

those you care for; all we have is this life

and each other.

Because of its association with necromancy and

the undead, many people believe that the Blood

of Vol embraces death and that its followers

wish to become undead. Neither of these things

are true. The Seekers of the Divinity Within

(as the faithful call themselves) don’t ZM^MZMthe

undead; they believe that once someone has

died you might as well put the corpse to use.

But the spark of divinity is tied to both blood

and soul, and the Seekers believe that the

undead can never fully harness its power. The

vampires and mummies of the Blood of Vol

PI^M[IKZQÅKML\PMQZKPIVKMI\LQ^QVQ\aQVWZLMZ

to guide and protect the living. They’re martyrs,

not something to envy.

Public opinion of the Blood of Vol is often

colored by the actions of the Order of the

Emerald Claw. This extremist sect serves a lich

known as the Queen of Death, and employs

undead and necromancy in acts of terror. Most

Seekers have no love for the Emerald Claw and

don’t support its actions.

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 2 | FAITHS OF KHORVAIRE 51

THE PATH OF LIGHT

• ?MTQ^MQVIVIOMWNLIZSVM[[?MU][\ÅVL

the path that leads to the light.

• Act with compassion and courage. Each

noble act is a step on the path.

• Hone your body and your mind. You are

the tool you will use to change reality.

The Path of Light is the faith of the kalashtar and

has few followers in Khorvaire. A Lightspeaker

seeks to KPIVOMZMITQ\a—in the big picture by

ushering in an age of light, while on the small

[KITMJaM`KQ[QVOVMOI\Q^MQVÆ]MVKM[IVL

performing good works.

While compassion is important, there are those

among the followers of the Path of Light who

believe in taking surgical action to eliminate

sources of evil. Where followers of the Silver

Flame believe that all mortals can be brought to

the Flame, some who follow the Path of Light

believe that it’s more expedient to eliminate an

QVNMK\QWVIVL\WITTW_I[W]T\WÅVL\PMTQOP\QVQ\[

next incarnation.

THE UNDYING COURT

• Our greatest champions and sages will

never be lost to us. Their wisdom guides us,

and their power protects us all.

• Honor our past. Respect our traditions.

Perfect your skills and you may earn your

place among the Deathless.

• Destroy those foul creatures that channel

the power of Mabar, for they consume the

essence of our world.

The elves of Aerenal refuse to allow their

greatest souls to be lost to Dolurrh. Using

powerful magic, they raise these champions

as LMI\PTM[[, a form

of undead imbued

with positive energy.

The Undying Court

is a council of the

deathless, ancient

elves who have guided

their descendants

for twenty thousand

years. As individuals, a

deathless councilor is

no more powerful than

a traditional lich. But

working in concert, the Undying Court creates

a pool of energy that empowers their divine

spellcasters.

Of all of these religions, the Undying Court

is the most grounded in reality. You can go to

Shae Mordai and seek an audience with the

Court. As a follower of the Undying Court,

consider why you are so far from home. Were

you sent from Aerenal with a mission? Is it for

the Court as a whole or are you acting as an

IOMV\WNI[XMKQÅKKW]V[MTWZ¸XMZPIX[aW]ZW_V

ancestor? Followers of the Undying Court despise

negatively charged undead, so without a concrete

mission, one should seek to destroy the undead

and the necromancers who rouse them.

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 2 | DISTANT LANDS

52

CULTS OF THE DRAGON BELOW

• There is a paradise within the world, a vale

bathed in the light of the Inner Sun. Earn

your passage with the blood of worthy foes.

• Our existence is a chrysalis state, preparing

us for transcendent immortality within the

bowels of the Gibbering Mouther.

• The Lord of Eyes sees all secrets. His

gaze elevates the worthy and slays the

unbeliever. Drive all doubt from your heart

and you will see reality through new eyes.

The Cults of the Dragon Below are wildly

diverse. The tenets above describe the beliefs

of three LQٺMZMV\cults, and the image of the holy

symbol is one common example—a piece of

volcanic glass—not something shared by all

cults. There are warlocks who draw power from

demon overlords and daelkyr cultists who serve

UQVLÆIaMZ[IVLJMPWTLMZ[7\PMZ[IZM[QUXTa

driven by deep convictions that others see as

madness. Outsiders use the term “Cult of the

Dragon Below” as a blanket term to describe

all of these things, but the cultists themselves

don’t use this name or see themselves as part

of a greater whole. New cults can spring up

anywhere at any time, as a seed of madness takes

root and spreads.

If your character is part of a cult, work with the

,5\WLMÅVMaW]ZXMZ[WVITJMTQMN[ITWVO_Q\P

the size and scope of your cult. Does your faith

have wide support across the Shadow Marches?

Or are you and your family the only people who

share your particular beliefs?

DISTANT LANDS

This ?IaÅVLMZ¼[/]QLM focuses on the continent of

Khorvaire and the city of Sharn. But Khorvaire

is only one continent of many, and in time

adventurers may wish to explore distant lands.

Here is an overview of the other regions of

Eberron. If you wish to know more, refer to the

sources presented in the appendix.

AERENAL

1V)MZMVITaW]UQOP\°

• Consult an elven archmage who’s been

dead for twenty thousand years.

• Battle sinister forces that have crawled into

Eberron from a realm of eternal night.

• Learn secrets of arcane magic unknown on

Khorvaire.

The massive island of Aerenal is the ancient

kingdom of the elves. Its jungles are a source

of strange and valuable lumbers: the soarwood

used for the hulls of airships, tough bronzewood,

even trees that remain alive after being felled.

Beyond this, the island is close to the planes of

1ZQIVIVL5IJIZ°ITTW_QVO\PMTQVM[JM\_MMV

life and death to become blurred. This can be

dangerous, with dark forces creeping in from the

plane known as the Endless Night. But it’s also

allowed the elves to perform feats of necromancy

unmatched in Eberron. Among the Aereni elves,

the honored dead walk among the living. Heroes

who died in glorious battle return to serve the

Sibling Kings. And in the depths of Shae Mordai,

the deathless lords of the Undying Court study

the shifting balance of the planes and the path of

the Draconic Prophecy.

While necromancy is a pillar of Aereni

society, it isn’t the dark force you’re used to.

The deathless undead of Aerenal are sustained

by XW[Q\Q^Menergy—the light of Irian and the

devotion freely given by their descendants. The

elves of Aerenal despise necromancy that draws

on the negative energy of Mabar, and agents of

the Undying Court are charged to seek out and

destroy vampires, liches, and other such undead.

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 2 | DISTANT LANDS 53

Aereni civilization is over twenty thousand

years old. They’ve watched nations of goblins

and humans rise and fall, secure in their island

sanctuary. The Aereni possess many secrets and

powers the Five Nations have yet to discover.

But the elves are more interested in practicing

and perfecting these ancient traditions than in

innovation and discovery. An Aereni wizard

UQOP\[XMVLILMKILMZMÅVQVO\PMXZWV]VKQI\QWV

of a single spell’s incantation. For now humanity

can’t match the power of the elves. If that balance

begins to change, will Aerenal take action?

ARGONNESSEN

In Argonnessen, you could...

• Clash with tribes of dragon-worshipping

barbarians.

• Explore an ancient city of dragons.

• Discover mighty artifacts and epic spells.

Argonnessen is home to the oldest civilization

on Eberron. The dragons wield epic magic, and

their homeland is shielded against divination and

teleportation. Tribes of barbarians roam Seren

Islands and the coastlines of Argonnessen; these

include members of almost every humanoid

race, perhaps collected by dragons in ages past.

These Seren barbarians worship the dragons

and protect the coasts from invaders. To date,

no one from the Five Nations has ever ventured

into the interior of the continent and returned to

speak of it.

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 2 | DISTANT LANDS

54

No one knows just how many dragons there

are in Argonnessen, but people tell stories of

^I[\KI^MZVKWUXTM`M[ÅTTML_Q\P\PM\ZMI[]ZM[

of fallen civilizations, of prisons holding bound

demons, of cities made from diamond and

adamantine. Is there any truth to these tales, or is

it all myth?

EVERICE AND THE FROSTFELL

In Everice or the Frostfell, you might...

• Discover an ancient civilization hidden

beneath the ice.

• Search for the survivors of a lost expedition.

• Find the source of a mysterious mystical

signal.

The poles of Eberron are almost as mysterious

as Argonnessen. Some dwarves believe that

their ancestors originally came to Khorvaire

from the Frostfell, but there’s been no contact

with Frostfell dwarves in modern times. Legends

[XMISWN]VLMILPWZLM[NZMMZWIUQVOÅMVL[IVL

terrifying monsters in these arctic lands.

SARLONA

In Sarlona, you could...

• 1VÅT\ZI\MIVMUXQZMZ]TMLJa

psychic overlords.

• Defend an ancient mountain

monastery.

• Disable a monolith used to control

the dreams of a city.

Tens of thousands of years ago, the

vast continent of Sarlona was the

cradle of human civilization. Three

\PW][IVLaMIZ[IOW\PMÅZ[\P]UIV

colonists set forth from Sarlona,

setting in motion the events that

would shape modern-day Khorvaire.

Once Sarlona was home to over

a dozen distinct kingdoms, but

today only two established nations

remain: the mighty empire of Riedra and the

mountain sanctuary of Adar. Riedra is ruled by

the Inspired, humans tied to extraplanar spirits

and imbued with psychic powers. Adar is the

homeland of the Kalashtar. Riedra maintains an

endless siege of Adar, and both nations have little

contact with Khorvaire.

XEN’DRIK

In Xen’drik, you could...

• Seek to destroy ancient mystical weapons

before they fall into the hands of villains.

• Battle savage giants in the ruins of their

ancient cities.

• Match wits with cunning drow in the

depths of a primordial jungle.

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 2 | EBERRON: ABOVE AND BEYOND 55

øÊã®D¦®͍

One idea suggested in this chapter is that

explorers can discover mystical secrets in

distant lands. But what does that PHDQ"

How do you give the Aereni elves or giants

RI;HQ·GULNVSHOOVQRRQHKDVVHHQEHIRUH"

Spells and magic items are constantly

being introduced in new sourcebooks and

online content. One option is for a DM to limit

access to some or all of this new material. If

a player wants to use a spell from ;DQDWKDU·V

*XLGHWR(YHU\WKLQJ, they have to ÀQGit.

When a character has an opportunity to learn

new magic—whether by studying with a

member of the Undying Court or reading the

FUXPEOLQJSDJHVRIDJLDQW·VVSHOOERRN³WKH

DM can allow them to exchange an existing

spell for a new spell.

This applies to arcane magic as well as

divine. The Silver Flame is worshipped

in many different ways around the world,

and the giants had their own form of the

Sovereign Host; while exploring an ancient

temple, a cleric could learn new ways to

invoke the power of the divine.

In the distant past, Xen’drik was home to the

civilizations of the giants. Now it is a place of

mysteries and ruins. The giants were destroyed

by the dragons of Argonnessen, and the epic

magics unleashed in that battle warped the land.

Space and time are unreliable in Xen’drik. But

it is a land that holds untold treasures, and the

richest source of rare Siberys dragonshards. In

addition to savage giants, Xen’drik is home to

the enigmatic drow and many other races and

creatures never seen in Khorvaire.

The port city of Stormreach serves as the

OI\M_Ia\W@MV¼LZQS1\¼[XZW^MVLQٻK]T\\W

maintain colonies within Xen’drik, though the

end of the Last War has created a new interest in

exploration.

EBERRON: ABOVE AND BEYOND

While planar travel is uncommon, it can help to

have an understanding of Eberron’s cosmology

IVLPW_\PMQVÆ]MVKMWN\PMXTIVM[KIVIٺMK\

your story.

THE MATERIAL PLANE

Eberron is the heart of the material plane. It

is surrounded by the Ring of Siberys, a band

of golden dragonshards. Beyond this, twelve

moons orbit the world. To date, no creature from

Eberron has ever explored the moons. None can

say whether they are lifeless rocks or thriving

worlds in their own right. Some sages believe that

the moons are actually connected to the planes,

or that they might even be physical extensions of

the planes, but this remains a mystery.

To date, no other planets have been discovered

within Eberron’s material plane. However,

the underworld of Khyber contains a host of

demiplanes: tiny pockets of reality that exist

within the underworld. As such, venturing below

the surface of Eberron can lead you to a network

WNKI^MZV[IVLXI[[IOM[°J]\QNaW]ÅVL\PM

right passage, it can take you to fantastic and

LMILTa_WZTL[QVPIJQ\MLJaÅMVL[IJMZZI\QWV[

and other children of Khyber. This is one way

to adapt material from 7]\WN\PM)Ja[[and

5WZLMVSIQVMV¼[<WUMWN.WM[ to Eberron. There

may be realms of demons and devils deep within

3PaJMZTWVOPMTLI\JIaJa\PMQVÆ]MVKMWN

Siberys and the Silver Flame.

THE PLANES OF EBERRON

The material plane is enfolded by thirteen

planes of existence. Many of these have aspects

of both outer and inner planes. All of the planes

overlap with Eberron in some way, and they

QVÆ]MVKMIVLIZMQVÆ]MVKMLJa\PMUI\MZQIT

XTIVM<PQ[QVÆ]MVKM_I`M[IVL_IVM[#[KPWTIZ[

often depict the planes as orbiting Eberron,

though this purely a metaphor for their shifting

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 2 | EBERRON: ABOVE AND BEYOND

56

QVÆ]MVKM?PMV\PMQVÆ]MVKMWNIXTIVMQ[

especially strong it is said to be coterminous.

?PMVQ\[QVÆ]MVKMQ[_MISIXTIVMQ[ZMUW\M

These states can be important for epic rituals,

the creation of eldritch machines or interaction

with extraplanar entities. There are also manifest

zones: places in the material plane where the

barriers are thin and where some aspects of a

plane can bleed through. Ghosts may linger in a

manifest zone to Dolurrh, while a manifest zone

tied to Lamannia might have wild vegetation

and enhance druidic magic.

Daanvi: The Perfect Order. Daanvi

embodies the ideas of law and order, civilization

IVLLQ[KQXTQVM1\Q[ÅTTML_Q\PXMZNMK\KQ\QM[IVL

KIZMN]TTaWZLMZMLÅMTL[_Q\PQUUWZ\ITKW]Z\[IVL

endless archives holding every law ever imagined.

Dal Quor: The Region of Dreams. With

a few exceptions (such as elves, kalashtar, and

warforged), mortal creatures touch Dal Quor

when they dream. The outer fringes of the plane

are morphic and shaped by the memories and

experiences of dreamers. There is a dark core at

the heart of the plane, shaped by the nightmare

force known as the Dreaming Dark. For reasons

unknown to the general populace, Dal Quor is

always remote and only touched in dreams.

Dolurrh: The Realm of the Dead. When

a mortal soul dies, it is drawn to Dolurrh. It is a

XTIKMLMÅVMLJaLM[XIQZIVLIXI\Pa#W^MZ\QUM

memories are leached out of the trapped spirits

until only a husk remains. While this seems bleak,

most religions maintain that Dolurrh isn’t the

end; it is a gateway to whatever lies beyond. Such

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 2 | EBERRON: ABOVE AND BEYOND 57

faiths assert that what appears to be dissolution is

the natural process of the soul moving to a higher

plane of existence that mortals can never touch:

joining with the Sovereigns, merging with the

Silver Flame, or simply rejoining the cycle of life

in a new form. Nonetheless, Dolurrh is a gloomy

XTIVMÅTTML_Q\P\PMTQVOMZQVO\ZIKM[WN\PMLMIL

When Dolurrh is remote it is impossible to

resurrect the dead. When it’s coterminous ghosts

become more common. Resurrection spells are

easier to perform, but carry the risk of bringing

back unwanted spirits.

Fernia: The Sea of Fire. This plane

MVKWUXI[[M[JW\P\PMZI_MTMUMV\ITNWZKMWNÅZM

and the idea WNÅZM"ÆIUM][MLI[I_MIXWVI[I

force that holds darkness at bay, as a destructive

power and force for change. It is home to all

UIVVMZWNÅZMMTMUMV\IT[IVLIT[W\WKMTM[\QIT[

IVLÅMVL[\PI\MUJWLa\PM[MQLMI[

Irian: The Eternal Dawn. A plane of light

and hope, Irian is the source of positive energy in

Eberron.

Kythri: The Churning Chaos. The plane

of chaos and change, Kythri is a morphic realm

QVKWV[\IV\Æ]`

Lamannia: The Twilight Forest. While

it is called a “Forest”, Lamannia embodies

primordial nature, and contains every possible

natural environment. It is home to massive

beasts, lycanthropes, elementals, and other things

\PI\ZMÆMK\\PMXW_MZWNVI\]ZM

Mabar: The Endless Night. Mabar is the

darkness that hungers to consume light and life.

It is the source of negative energy in Eberron,

and largely serves the same role as the Shadowfell

in the core cosmology.

Risia: The Plain of Ice. The counterpart of

Fernia, Risia embodies water, winter, and all the

ideas that can be embodied by them.

Shavarath: The Battleground. This is the

XTIVMWN_IZIVLQ\Q[OZQXXMLJaIKWVÆQK\\PI\

_QTTVM^MZMVL)ZUQM[WNÅMVL[IVLKMTM[\QIT[

have fought in Shavarath since the dawn of time,

I[[MZ\QVO\PI\\PMQZ[\Z]OOTM[IZMZMÆMK\MLQV\PM

balance of good and evil across all reality.

Syrania: The Azure Sky. Crystal spires

ÆWI\QVIXMZNMK\JT]M[Sa.IZU[IVLKITU

communities stretch across clouds. This is

\PMXTIVMWNXMIKMIVLITT\PQVO[\PI\ÆW]ZQ[P

in times of peace. This includes commerce;

the Immeasurable Market of Syrania draws

merchants and travelers from across reality.

Thelanis: The Faerie Court. Similar to

the Feywild of the core cosmology, Thelanis is

the plane of stories and the home of the fey. It

is one of the easiest planes to reach, and many

tales begin with a hero unintentionally crossing

into Thelanis.

Xoriat: The Realm of Madness. Xoriat is

alien, the plane of things that are fundamentally

unnatural. It challenges ideas of what is possible.

Some can look upon Xoriat and see it as a place

of revelations; but most mortals who come to

close to Xoriat fall prey to madness. Xoriat is

the source of many aberrations, along with the

terrifying daelkyr.

ASTRAL AND ETHEREAL

The planes of Eberron are bound together in

their own cosmology. But the astral and ethereal

planes surround and enfold them, functioning

exactly as they do in the core cosmology. If

you wish to facilitate contact between Eberron

and other settings, passage through the Deep

Ethereal is the simplest way to accomplish it. The

potential impact of contact between Eberron and

other realms is discussed in chapter 1.

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 2 | EBERRON: ABOVE AND BEYOND

58

CELESTIALS, GODS, AND FIENDS

Eberron has no parallel to the gods of other

settings. It’s possible that the Progenitor

Dragons were such beings, but many assume

that the Progenitor Dragons are entirely

metaphorical. As an Eberron DM, you decide

the truth of this.

The people of Eberron believe their gods are

omnipresent—not bound to a single coherent

form but rather present in all places at all times.

If you revere the Silver Flame, its power is

always with you. The Sovereign Onatar guides

the hand of every smith if they know how to

listen for his voice, and Dol Arrah and Dol

,WZVIZMXZM[MV\WVM^MZaJI\\TMÅMTLO]QLQVO

every soldier.

This means religion is driven by faith as

opposed to the concrete actions of deities. The

faithful JMTQM^M\PI\\PMQZ\ZQ]UXP[ZMÆMK\\PM

hand of the divine. They don’t expect a god to

physically show up and solve their problems.

Fiends and celestials certainly exist, however.

Some have powers rivalling deities in other

settings. Extraplanar immortals are generally

invested in the own planes and have little

interest in Eberron. There are demons and

archons battling in Shavarath, but they’ve been

ÅOP\QVOWVMIVW\PMZ[QVKMJMNWZMP]UIVQ\a

existed and they can’t leave their posts to fool

around in Eberron. Rare exceptions occur,

such as the Daelkyr or the Dreaming Dark, but

extraplanar immortals are mostly concerned

with \PMQZplanes.

As such, player characters are more likely to

encounter native immortals on Eberron: spirits

spawned by Khyber or Siberys.

The Overlords are the most powerful native

ÅMVL[)NM_WN\PMJM[\SVW_V7^MZTWZL["

• Bel Shalor, the Shadow in the Flame.

A spirit of corruption, Bel Shalor is said

to be bound in the temple-citadel of

Flamekeep. It whispers to all those who

follow the Silver Flame, trying to lead them

astray.

• Rak Tulkhesh, the Rage of War. The

embodiment of aggression, Rak Tulkhesh

feeds of hatred and drives mortals to battle.

• Sul Khatesh, the Keeper of Secrets. A

spirit of forbidden knowledge, Sul Khatesh

possesses a wealth of arcane secrets and

PQLLMVSVW_TMLOM°J]\PMZ[MKZM\[

inevitably lead to tragedy.

?PMVILIX\QVOM^QTOWL[WZIZKPÅMVL[\W

Eberron, one option is to make them Overlords.

For example, Tiamat could be an Overlord

embodying the pride and potential for evil within

dragons, while Lolth could be an Overlord who

preys on the elves.

The rakshasa are the most common native

ÅMVL[<PMa[\QTT[KPMUMQV\PM[PILW_[[MMSQVO

\WNZMM\PMQZ7^MZTWZL[0W_M^MZIVaÅMVL¸IVa

devil, demon, or other evil immortal—could be

a spawned by Khyber if it suits your story. Such

ÅMVL[UIaJMJW]VL\WIV7^MZTWZLWZ\PMaUIa

be independent incarnations of evil unleashed on

\PM_WZTL<PMUW[\XW_MZN]TÅMVL[IZMJW]VL

by the same powers that hold the Overlords at

bay, and interacting with or summoning such a

creature requires the use of magic.

What about native celestials? The primary

celestials of Eberron are the couatl. However, in

the dawn of time the vast majority of Eberron’s

KMTM[\QIT[[IKZQÅKML\PMU[MT^M[\WJQVL\PM

overlords. This is why Eberron needs heroes.

The Silver Flame holds the essence of this power,

but it takes a mortal champion to wield it.

Sebastian Kimble (Order #15417015)

CHAPTER 3 | RACES OF EBERRON 59

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