medieval adventures living rulebook v0.98

8/20/2019 Medieval Adventures Living Rulebook v0.98

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Medieval Adventures Living Rulebook


ByChris Visser and Nicole Abvajee

Based on contributions by: Jacques Botes

David Braude

Hendrik de Ridder

Karien Ferreira

Christiaan Hattingh

Daniel osthui!en

Richard van den Heever

"arie #essels

This book contains parts from the SOLAR andbook and are copyrighted by the SouthernOrgani!ation of Live Action Re"enactments #ncorporated $http:%%solarinc&org'& This volume in no(ay challenges that copyright and any reproduction of the content of this document has to be

approved by the Authors to ensure that the copyright of the party mentioned above is not violated&

The use of this book re)uires a copy of the latest version of SOLAR andbook* available athttp:%%solarinc&org

" + "


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Table of Contents

+& #ntroduction

,& The -orld

+& Overvie(+& istory,& .ulture

,& The ouses+& ouse .orvinius,& /omocile 0eneficii1& ouse orgus2& ouse Skaven3& Talo /4Lua

1& Ma5or #ndependent Organisations+& The Tribe of the Burning Sands

,& The Archbarony of the 6loom .liffs1& 6ame Basics

+& Safety,& -hat to e7pect1& -hat to keep in mind

2& .haracter .reation+& 8uickstart,& Races1& .lasses2& ouses and Organi!ations3& Skills

3& 9)uipping our .haracter+& .ostumes,& -eapons1& Armour2& Spell Books3& Laboratories

;& Magic+& Basics,& .elestial Magic1& 9arth Magic2& oisons+& Basics,& Alchemy1& >oisons

?& Traps

Appendi7 # " Starting Spell Lists " .elestial

Appendi7 ## " Starting Spell Lists " 9arth

Appendi7 ### " Starting Alchemical Solution


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-elcome to the Medieval Adventures Living Rulebook* your guide to Meadal and ho( you can build your character in it& -e kno( that that4s )uite a mouthful so (e4ll break it do(n&


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The World Of Meadal

2.1. Tieline Overvie! of "vents

#ear "vent

?CB0 /aciana and Liviu /a4Lua are cast out from human lands

;2B0 The Talo /a4Lua is officialy recognised

21B0 The forefathers to ouse .orvinus provide sanctuary to the 6ypsies

2CB0 The human barons give the Talo /a4Lua* five ships to leave their lands

,1B0 The Maricu tribe 5oins the Talo /a4Lua

+3B0 Bain .orvin starts the line of .orvinus

The Talo /a4Lua suffer heavy losess during the Battle of the Bling

+2A0 The Scoala are founded

+,A0 The Talo /a4Lua defeat the raiders at the Battle of the 9nlightened

1B0 The 97odus Begins

CA0 The 0eil is raised

ouse


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1EA0 The Archbarony reemerges as mercenaries

2,A0 6regor the 6reat kills a 6reen .loak and his lands are stripped bare&

Lord Raven @The Mad@ takes control of .orvinus

23A0 The Army of 97iles arrive in Talo /a4Lua Lands

2;A0 The Army of 97iles liberate their families and 5oin the Maricu tribe2?A0 Lord Raven @The mad@ dies (hile trying to invade /omicille 0eneficii

2EA0 The chancellor of .orvinus assumes control

3,A0 0ictoria


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2.1.1. A $rief %istor&

nce$ long be%ore the Veil &as 'ade to %all$ the continent o% "eadal &as o(en to all)

*t &as not sa%e and it &as not (er%ect but i% +ou &ere brave or s'art +ou could 'ake the long

di%%icult journe+ %ro' even the *cetooth ,traits in the north to the Korinant *sles in the south) -ou

could survive the s&i' in the Ri'bo& cean in the east or e.(erience the untold &onders o% the

Hulair Cli%%s to the %ar &est) -ou could do all this and the roads &ould &elco'e +our (assage)

But that &as$ o% course$ be%ore the rise o% the Dragon King/

0he hu'ans had clai'ed the north$ their cities great lu'bering creatures ever gro&ing and ever

cautious o% their neighbors) 0o their east &as the D&en12arrog 1 tribe lands o% the rc ld%athers

and their o%%s(ring 1 and to&ering over that &ere the "idrinacht "ountains$ a s(arse andunco'(ro'ising territor+ %e& but the native ogres could survive) For as long as an+ could

re'e'ber$ the boarders bet&een these three &ere ever changing in their constant battles over

territor+$ %ailing to %ind (eace and blinding the' to the encroaching threat until it &as too late)

Central o% the great land &ere the %ar 'ore tranquil 2reenhol' groves$ the ancestral ho'e o% the

3lves) A (lace &here$ it &as said$ the trees touched the ver+ heavens and the %orest itsel% chose

&hether or not to o(en and let (ass those it called %riends) 0o the &est$ a'idst the o(en sea o%

golden grasslands &ere the 'oving cities o% the ,arr 1 the Rro'brrodi) A (lace &ar'ed b+ cli'ate

and (eo(les$ the great cites halting onl+ &hen the &ar1song %illed in their veins$ calling the' to the

borders o% grassland and trees to dance once 'ore &ith their old elven neighbors

3ast o% 2reenhol'4s giants o% bark and lea% the territor+ broke &a+ to the t&ilight (eo(les$ the Fa+)

Here &as still %orest +es but one o% thickness and shelter and not the height and 'ight o% the

2reenhol') Here the trees here &ere indi%%erent to travelers$ their %ae inhabitants less tolerable

then the elves to strangers) Hidden a&a+$ dee( &ith in this unna'ed &ood &as the %orbidden

Kingdo' o% ,hen1Anthis 5 a (lace o% secrets and %e& kno&n truths) 0his &as the sel% (roclai'ed

Kingdo' o% the %e+ &here non1Fa+ &ere not &elco'e and even no&$ a centur+ (ast since the great

blight$ the Fe+ kee( silent the secrets o% their true ho'e and s(eak not &ith outsiders o% their &ill

not s(eak o% their once1ho'e)

At last to the ,outh$ choosing %air division over &ar in s(litting their land$ one once %ound the

Hoblings and D&arves$ to the south1&est and south1east res(ectivel+) 0&o (eo(le &ho$ even so longa%ter the great blight$ kno&ing the su%%ering o% the 'an+ (eo(le4s o% "eadal$ still change little

a'ong their o&n &a+s) n even s'aller o%%erings o% land the+ kee( (eace &ith the other races6 the

D&arves continuing to live no& as the+ did then and the hoblings$ still building to&ns and ho'es

around their tradition o% stories and tale1houses)

*t &as not (er%ect and it &as not sa%e but all this changed &ith the rise o% the Dragon king) All lost

their ho'es$ their lands and %or %ar %ar too 'an+ to count$ their ver+ lives to his &ake)

,o'e s(oke o% hi' as a necro'ancer o% great (o&er$ un'atched in the ages) ther called hi' a

%orgotten evil$ reborn and ada'ant in his revenge and control) No one kne& &here he ca'e %ro')

No one kne& %ro' &hence he called his %earso'e beasts and ar'ies6 but his hordes &ere endless$

his 'erc+ non1e.istent and &hen his &ar began none &ere (re(ared to stand)

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First to %all &ere the orcs and ogres as he attacked %or' the north) He added their nu'bers to his

ar'ies as the+ gave in to his &ill and joined the' to the giants he brought &ith hi') *n t&elve short

+ears$ barle+ the li%e o% a +oung child$ all the hu'an cities had %allen$ their lands had been lost and

kno&ing the North &as secured$ the disease o% the dragon king s(read do&n&ard over the land o%

"eadal)

"ost hu'ans &ho survived &here 'ade to join &ith his ar'+ but a %action o% the hu'ans %led totheir 3lven allies to the south and took re%uge in the (rotected %orests o% the 3lves sa%e %or a ti'e

&hile the+ (re(ared to strike back) 0he sa%et+ did not last ho&ever)

0he Dragon King and his ar'+ reached the %orests and &as sto((ed there b+ the enchant'ents

&oven 'illennia (ast b+ the ancients o% the Fa+$ (rotecting the 3lven %orest and the %e+ kingdo' o%

,hen1Anthis) ,eeing this &all o% goodness he turned to his necro'ancers calling u(on the' to bring

%orth a %orce %ar 'ore evil then &ar) He le%t the' to call u(on their arts and bring %orth the taint o%

corru(tion to these &oods$ to &eave their rituals and 'agic4s to his (ur(ose) As the+ surrounded

the %orest o% the ,hen1Anthis$ their 'aster 'oved on to conquer the unshielded Rro'brrodi)

0he ,arr cared not %or his evil$ &ould not sub'it be%ore his ever gro&ing ar'+ and re%used to %leetheir land or +ield their (eo(le) 0he great #orrier Cats stood together to 'eet the Dragon king on

their ho'e soil and &ere crushed b+ his ar'+) 0he cat1races &ere al'ost co'(letel+ annihilated b+

their re%usal to retreat but still the Dragon kings ar'ies 'arched %or&ard)

,outh&ard the Dragon King and his ar'+ burned their &a+ through the (eace%ul hoblings

ho'eland as i% their &as no resistance at all %or' these (eo(le o% (eace and as the+ reached the

%oothills o% the D&arven Neverstone 'ountains$ the D&arves %ortress ho'e$ the taint he trusted to

his necro'ancers had clai'ed the Fa+ kingdo' and the in%ection &as s(reading %ast to elven trees

o% 2reenhol')

0he Dragon4s %orces continued the devastation south$ easil+ destro+ing the lands o% the (eace%ul

Hoblings) A%ter burning all o% the Hobbling lands$ he reached the %oothills o% the Neverstone

"ountains 1 the %ortress ho'e o% the D&ar%s) 0o all hold and rising tensions the d&arves held %or

al'ost t&o +ears$ but a%ter that short ti'e$ a blink o% an e+e to 'an+$ even the+ began to sli($ began

to slo&l+ %all) And all races o% 'en so that ti'e &as running out %or "eadal$ their &orld &as

ending)

*t see'ed that the end o% the entire &orld &as u(on "eadal) 0he races ca'e together in

des(eration) 0ogether the+ conceived a (lan to save at least a s'all (ortion o% their &orld$ and &ith

it the'selves)

0he elven and hu'an 'ages had &orked in those short %e& +ears$ researching and (re(aring a ne&

'agic to strengthen the &ards o% 2reenhol'$ to tr+ and kee( their sanctuar+ even as it &as being

encroached b+ the taint o% corru(tion) At last the+ had %ound a s(ell o% (rotection$ one strong

enough to hold back even the Dragon King$ i'(enetrable to his %orces and corru(tion) 0he

discover+ ho&ever ca'e to latte$ 2reenhol' &as all but lost to corru(tive 'agic4s and the ritual

could not be cast on corru(ted lands)

0he ti'e had co'e %or their last 'ove in the ga'e and &ith it all the %ree races joined together

'arching through the burned and d+ing lands o% the Hoblings$ &inning back those lands through

blood and braver+) All joined in that arch save a s'all detach'ent o% noble volunteers &ho instead

'oved north again$ dra&ing the Dragon King4s e+e and luring his %orces to the' so that all other (eo(les 'a+ survive)

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0he greatest re'aining 'ages o% all the races stood then) n the banks o% the #his(er'ere River$

shielded b+ countless %ree (eo(les$ using their lives to bu+ the 'ages the needed ti'e) 0he ,(ell &as

cast and the Veil rose) A 2reat &all o% %orce stood$ se(arating the ,outh 7ands %ro' all the rest o%

%allen "eadal$ cutting this s'all (eninsula %ro' the greater continent$ and saving the last o% the

(eo(le4s lives)

0he Dragon king and all his ar'ies and all his 'en could not shatter the &all$ could not evenbreach it$ his ,outhlands %orces stranded and scattered on the ,outhern side o% the veil a'ong the

dis(laced and angr+ %ree (eo(les) 0he ,urvivors &ere sa%e)

*n the (lace &here the s(ell &as cast$ a site gave birth to a to&n$ athbridge$ na'ed %or the accord

all took u( and signed) 0he hu'ans &ould take the ne& &estern lands o% the 8eninsula$ elves and

Fa+ &ould share the 'iddlelands and the D&arves &ould hold to their Neverstones 'ountains as

the+ had in those last %e& +ears$ the veil close to their rear a re'inder o% &hat the+ had done$ and

&hat threat still la+ be+ond the Veil)

0he &ild races$ as the+ al&a+s had asked onl+ %or the right to travel and no lands o% their o&n$ and

this the+ &ere %reel+ given)

0he hu'ans divided their land into %ive (ortions$ i'agined borders %or the %ive surviving houses o%

'en)

House Do'icile Vene%icii &ould take the lands in the u((er &estern'ost reaches o% the veil$ in

order to ensure that the 'agical barrier al&a+s stands)

House ,kaven &ould stand as the &atchers o% the area to the north o% the veil) 0he+ took a s'all

(iece o% land at the veil4s edge &ere it &as %ound that the veil &as at its thinnest and it &as (ossible

%or (eo(le &ho kne& ho&$ to cross and co'e back)

0he ,ea and it4s islands belonged to the (eo(le o% the 0alo Da97ua$ their great nav+ guarding

against attack %ro' the &aves)

House Corvinus took the lands bordering those o% the 3lves$ the D&ar%s and the hu'ans and &ere

charged to 'ake sure that the lands and their (eo(les re'ained uni%ied should threat ever again

arise)

0he largest area &as given to House Horgus$ to build the strength o% the hu'an lands to its %or'er

glor+$ and as the bread basket o% the south$ later %ound to be 'istake as those &ith too 'uch land

and &ealth sought to re'ove the boarders and join all hu'ans and houses under their rule) ,oon

be%ore the atte'(t &as 'ade ho&ever b+ chance$ or (erha(s the touch o% the other houses$ Horgus

itsel% s(lit %urther into the &arring %actions &hich e.ist toda+$ the seat o% Horgus united i'(loding

under the &eight o% it4s o&n (ett+ squabbles)

:ntil toda+ 'an+ s(eculate on ho& this ca'e to (ass$ that such a strong nation could si'(l+ %all in

on itsel%) ,o'e sa+ that the scholars o% Do'icile Vene%icii cast s(ells that clouded the 'inds o%

Horgus) ,o'e sa+ that ,kaven cre(t in and eli'inated the leaders that could kee( control o% the

house) thers talk o% 0alo Da97ua giving s'all %actions o% Horgus (o&er%ul &ea(ons and

&his(ering to the' o% (o&er) And there are ru'ours that the 'essenger birds o% Corvinus &ere seen

%l+ing overhead$ &ith Corvinus troo(s hel(ing s'all dissident %actions %ight against the house and

&in) 0hese$ like so 'an+ stories in "eadal$ &ere born o% course b+ ru'our and &his(er &ords)

8erha(s it is %or the best that the truth o% the 'atter never be kno&n)

#hat is truth ho&ever is the #ar o% Blight is ;


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0he Dragon King still lives and as al&a+s is still to be %eared)

2.1.2. Culture

The lands of Meadal are populated by the humans fleeing the /ragon Fing* as (ell as the manyraces they displaced (hen they arrived and raised the 0eil& This environment has led to most of thedomains in the land being very tolerant of most other races& The elves* d(arves* fae and sarr areoften found living right ne7t to and amongst the humans (ho settled& 6roups like the dae* (ildraces and those gobliniod decent* are treated (ith a guarded mistrust by some* but accepted by othergroups of humans&

The cosmopolitan nature has also led to the usage of a common language by it4s inhabitants* both(ritten and spoken& Some of the older races still use their o(n language amongst themselves andthe various regions each have their o(n dialects* but (hen dealing (ith others .ommon is spokenalmost e7clusively&

The humans that settled behind the 0eil brought and founded their o(n bloodlines kno(n as theouses& The ouses in turn craved out the most po(erful domains for themselves and the leadersof the ouses claimed the title of /uke& The /ukes in turn formed a council (here they attempt toresolve matters peacefully and have so far kept violence to a minimum& The baronies that make upthe area that used to belong to ouse orgus ho(ever continuously battle amongst each* as each(arlord tries to unite the fractured domain&

All the duchies use a silver based currency* (here ten silver s are e)ual to one gold coin& #t (asdecided by /ucal council* that in order to maintain strong trading ties a single currency (ould beused and that no lord4s face (ould grace these coins& #nstead the coins resemble small* groovedrods* (ith gold coins (eighing close to an ounce each& The grooved design has made the coinse7ceptionally hard to forge for counterfeiters&

The guilds"men (ho fled the forces of the /ragon Fing* (ere granted protection by the variousouses and (ere often absorbed into the ouses& This has led to precious fe( guilds still being inoperation in Meadal* but they are slo(ly starting to re"merge from the shado( of the ouses andstaking their claim&

The rise of groups such as the


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2.2. The %ouses

2.2.1. %ouse Corvinius

=Honour is our burden and &e gladl+ bear it=

.urrent ead of ouse: /uke Raven .orvinus

ouse symbol: A black raven flying against a blue sky.olours: Black* Blue and Silver

ouse .orvinus and it4s people are kno(n for their un(avering belief in honour above all things*even if it (ould be to their o(n detriment& They don4t back do(n from a fight* steal or break anoath& Their commitment to this belief has been proven over and over gain* during the illustrioushistory of the ouse starting (ell before the rise of the /ragon Fing&

The reputation of the ouse has led to the other ouses trusting them (ith the maintaining andeffective communication net(ork& #t is not uncommon to find a minor member of the ouse* inanother duchy* tending to the messenger ravens that form the backbone of this net(ork&


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settle disputes* especially in cases (here the d(arves and elves are involved (ith an outside party*as the ouse has buildt a special rapport (ith the t(o former races&

9ach citi!en has their duty and abandoning that duty* puts others at risk& Res(ect +our neighbour$ do not steal or take his li%e> Stealing from another citi!en and taking their

life amount to the same thing are a punished e)ually&-our &ord is +our bond> -hen an oath is taken al(ays ensure that it can be kept* for breaking brings great dishonour upon you& Honour in all things> ou are nothing (ithout honour* don4t let though any action or inaction*dishonour stain your soul&0he dead shall la+ in (eace> Decromancers and anyone (ho (ould defile the dead* is hunted do(nand punished (ithout mercy&

(ubgrou)s'

The orders that e7ist (ithin .orvinus are very speciali!ed and all kno(ledge of that order is heldsecret by it4s members& #t is completely unheard of for anyone to change orders and due to theculture of the ouse and it4s people* fe( ever feel the pull to do so& The only task not performed bya single order is that of message delivery* all of ouse .orvinus4 people see it as their scared duty toensure communication throughout the lands after all: any raven can carry message* the colourdoesn4t matter&

Members of the ouse ho(ever fre)uently assemble groups consisting of a mi7ture of orders*depending on the task at hand& These groups may last until the task is resolved* (hile otherscontinue on serving together for decades&

0he Fo.es> Members of this order protect the (ilds and border of .orvinus lands& They are oftenseen as the most free spirited and friendly of all the orders* unbound by many of the restrictions

placed on others& Along (ith the O(ls they also take care of the rookeries* (hose ravens form the backbone of the ouse .orvinus message net(ork&0he &ls> Scholars and record keepers* the O(ls record the histories Meadal and their o(nouse& Some of them study the magical arts* others alchemy and even poisons in order to protectthe lands of Meadal&0he 8anthers> One of the largest subgroups in the lands of ouse .orvinus* the order consists of itnoble knights* (arrior templars and all of those (ith a martial bend& The order responds to theintelligence gathered by the #t is said that it better to have a bounty hunter after you than a member of the

ounds& Motivated by a higher cause* they hunt do(n those (ho escaped the arm of the la(& They(ill cross any border and endure any hardship to bring their )uarry to 5ustice&

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%istor&:

The history of ouse .orvinius began in 21B0* (hen a small* honourable barony stood against allothers and provided sanctuary to gypsies fleeing prosecution& -hen the gypsies (ere The endearedg given ships during the 6ypsy 97odus they gave their o(n flagship* (hile other4s vessels that (ere

barely sea(orthy& All of these gestures endeared the barony to the gypsy matron and she offered

her daughter4s hand in marriage& The t(o groups gre( closer and stronger as they benefitted from(orking together&

The prosperity of the barony attracted the notice of a young robber baron* by the name of Bain.orvin in +3B0* (ho easily con)uered the peaceful people& #n a strange turn of events* the robber

baron changed and became more and more like the people he con)uered& ustice and honourgradually replaced the violence and greed* he had kno(n his entire life& e founded ouse.orvinus* the barony gre( even further* even gaining the title of /uke&

As the armies of the /ragon Fing spread across the lands in 1B0* the gypsies returned to ouse.orvinius* (ith tales of a land far the south* unsettled by man& Armed (ith this kno(ledge and

together (ith /uke Amriste orgus* they united those fleeing and led the refugees south to the promised land&

After the 0eil (as raised* Lord Raven as he became kno(n* proposed the forming of a councilcomposed of the dukes of the ne( land* a(ay from the /ragon Fing& The dukes sa( the (isdom inthe formation of such a council and appointed ouse .orvinus in charge of maintaining peace and

5ustice bet(een them& is legacy finally secure* the first Raven passed a(ay in 1A0 and the ousetook the title of Lord Raven for all it4s dukes from then* to honour him for everything he did for his

people&

The ne7t Lord Raven kno(n as @The ust@* began strengthening the ouse from (ithin& eformali!ed the orders that his grandfather founded and gave them their current names& #n =A0 asthe duchy of orgus collapsed* the he took in those (ho craved order over the chaos in orguslands& e improved ties (ith d(arves after a baron from that la(less region* threatened (ar overan imagined slight and sued for peace bet(een them&

Lord Raven @The Mad@ assumed control over the ouse in 2,A0& e took offence at the practice ofnecromancy in /omicille 0eneficii and decided to launch a crusade to bring /omicile 0eneficii andall the other duchies under .orvinus rule in 2?A0& Shortly after crossing the border (ith his amry*he passed a(ay under mysterious circumstances* leaving no heir&

The then Arch chancellor took over the reigns of the ouse in 2EA0& e endeavoured to repair thereputation of the ouse and used diplomacy to resolve disputes (ith the other duchies* instead ofthe blade& Lady 9leanor .orvinius (as married to 0ictor Skaven and Lady .orvac to /uke Lucas


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did& e continued (here his predecessor left of* rene(ed ties (ith Talo /4lau and the t(o groupsmade their alliance permanent& /isappearing in E1A0 under very* mysterious circumstances* he leftthe ouse in the hands of his son* the current Lord Raven&

" +1 "


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2.2.2. *oicile +eneficii

Kno&ledge$ 8o&er$ 8rotection All kno&ledge is &orth having

.urrent ead of ouse: /uchess Lyria


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De7t to the /ucal ouse* the most po(erful group in /omicille 0eneficii lands is the .ouncil ofMagi* made up of the leaders of the various schools of Magic* the .ouncil oversees the study andgro(th of the Art& The individual orders oversee their members and since the -eek of the /ead*

bring rogue practitioners into the fold* by force if needed& Members of the orders receive access tothe libraries and facilities of their order to aid in their studies* as (ell employment on a contract

basis& All practioners of the Art are also re)uired to spend t(o (eeks in a year (ith a regiment and

practice combat casting* should the ouse need to draft them in times (ar&

La!s'

>unishment is al(ays economic and those (ho cannot pay the price* are shipped to labour camps&97treme cases such as treason ho(ever* can be sub5ect to the death penalty by the /ucal decree&

Beyond the usual crimes of murder and theft* the follo(ing la(s also apply in the lands of/omicille 0eneficii:

All Kno&ledge is #orth Having : A central tenant of /omocille 0eneficii* the (anton destruction of

kno(ledge in any form is punished harshly&0he sin o% one is the sin o% all : The orders of Magic are held accountable for the actions of theirmembers and treason is met (ith death&

3.ter'inate all ver'in: All goblins are to be killed on sight&

(ubgrou)s'

The largest subgroups in /omicille 0eneficii are the Orders of Magic* divided along the lines of

specialty&rder o% the ,tar> The largest of the orders* it studies .elestial Magic in all it4s forms and also produces a large number of magical scrolls for sale on the open market& Members of this order alsofre)uently tutor outsiders in the Art&rder o% the Fang> arnessing the the elemental forces* most of the career combat mages comefrom this order& Often vie(ed as hotheaded and brash by the other orders* their dedication to Art isnever )uestioned as they bodies bear the scars of their studies an victories&rder o% the Coil> The .onfinists that make up the order speciali!e in studying the defensive aspectof the Art& Their skills are in great demand both in the borders of /omicille 0eneficii and (ithout*raising (ards and casting protective spells for the right price&rder o% the Vi(er> The viper is seen as a (ise and patient being by the students of Art and those

that study 9arth Magic claim it as their patron& Maintaining an open mind to nature in all it4s forms*members of this order are fre)uently found in rural areas assisting farmers and studying nature init4s untamed form&rder o% Blood> The ealers of the order are al(ays in high demand and only supply their servicesthose (ho can afford them&rder o% the Field> The smallest order* those that practice /ruidic Magic are rarely seen in citiesand attempts to steer clear of the politics in the .ouncil&rder o% Bone> 9ver since the Dight of the /ead* the order of necromancers have had a close eyekept on them& The order lost allot of research during the purge* but there is never a shortage ofscholars looking for po(er over death&

Dot all the subgroups in /omicille 0eneficii lands are magical in nature there is also the Knights o%the ,un an order of knights and templars s(orn to ouse


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sacrificing their lives for the line of


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obliterated the army&


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2.2.,. %ouse %orgus

.urrent ead of ouse: .urrently none&ouse Symbol: Lost in pages of history&.olours: .urrently none&

Once the largest and one of the oldest houses in Meadal* they (ere given the largest parcel of anyduchy after the 0eil (as raised& Shortly after ho(ever the ouse raised an army and attempted to

bring all the other duchies under their heel& The ouse ho(ever collapsed 5ust as they made theirmove to overthro( the others& .haos erupted in it4s ranks and tore the once great apart&

Do( there e7ists around five score Baronies that actively lay claim to la(less lands* but even thatnumber has only recently* become more or less constant& 9very fe( years a (arlord manages torise to prominence and unite a fe( of the baronies* craving his domain out of the chaos* only tohave the fragile alliances collapse upon his death& The only other event that allies the constantlyfighting factions (ith one another is an e7ternal threat& 6enerals from most of the duchies hasattempted to e7pand their domains into the old orgus lands* only to be repelled by the natives

putting their differences aside* long enough to repel the invaders&

ouse orgus (as kno(n for it martial pro(ess and (as even referred to as the ouse of -arriors&Today ho(ever that distinction is gone* as those fleeing the duchies for (hatever reason broughttheir ideas (ith them& Sorcerers and merchant princes are found alongside noble knights*

barbarians and mercenaries in the shattered duchy&

The noble houses still ruling Meadel as a sign of respect for the memory of ouse orgus and (hatis did to establish the nation* left a seat available should a ne( /uke of orgus arise& ntil such atime* a lodge is set aside at council meetings for any baron* (ho (ishes to petition the council andmake their voice heard&

Culture'

The lands that used to belong to ouse orgus* consist of a large number of baronies and citystates* each fighting to e7pand it4s borders& The unclaimed lands in bet(een home to barbarians*

bands of ogres* goblins and (orse trying the reclaim the land from the humans (ho displaced thema hundred years ago& Long standing feuds bet(een the various groups ensure that none gainsdominance* (hen rogue barons from the /uchies ho(ever try to bring the lands under the heel oftheir duchy ho(ever they )uickly band together to repel the invader before resuming the feud&

/efining a single culture is ne7t to impossible as it many differ from barony to barony and even fief

to fief& Since the fall of orgus* those (ithin it4s old borders have diversified* from baronies ruled by religeous orders of knights to merchant princes and even a rumoured cabal of necromancers&The (ealth and infrastructure of each barony varies 5ust as much* (ere some barely scrape by*others like the


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La!s'

There no la(s specific to any barony and travellers are encouraged to check the la(s of the baroniesthey plan to visit&

(ubgrou)s'

/ue to the tumultuous environment fe( subgroups survive for very long* those that do becomeMa5or #ndependent Organisations and are detailed later on& That said the is one group that bearsmentioning* 0he Burned 7egion)

Legend states that these (ere once the most loyal troops of ouse orgus* fighting until the bitterend as their (orld collapsed around them& They held out in their mountain fort for more thanfifteen years* before they succumbed to madness* (hen a (arlord burned the fort do(n aroundthem& The men and (omen (ho survived* (ere scarred beyond reckoning both physically andmentally& 0engeance burned in their hearts as they regrouped and set out to destroy everything they

sa(& The initial assault (as broken by a lose alliance and the group scattered into the (inds&

0illagers still fear them as small groups from the Legion descend upon to(ns raiding and burningas they pass through& Do one kno(s ho( they continue to e7ist to this day and the fe( survive thecleansing raids are driven mad by (hat they sa(&

%istor&'

/uke Amriste orgus led the largest contingent of human settlers fleeing the (rath of the /ragonFing& /o!ens of Barons and scores of knights added their banners to his and together (ith the/uchies they carved out the lands that became Meadal& ouse orgus received the largest parcel ofland (hile dividing up the land bet(een the /uchies* due to the number of his vassals and hisleadership in establishing Meadal& e (as seen a (ise and 5ust man and the perfect choice to rulethe bread basket of Meadel&

After his close friend ames


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on top of him scarring him for life and to compound matters his grandfather4s s(ord disappearedduring his recovery and very soon his generals (ere at each other4s throats again& e spent hisremaining years a landless cripple* relying on the kindness of those still loyal to him&

3;A0 sa( the rise of another (arlord once again focussed on reuniting the baronies& Marie orgusclaimed to be guided by the ghost of her great"great"grandfather spreading a message of unity and

peace amongst the factions* all the (hile searching for his s(ord& She failed to do complete herdream ho(ever* (hen in ;+A0 she burned at the stake as a (itch* before she could conclude hernegotiations (ith a barony (hose name has been lost in the years of (ar&

#n ??A0 a group of guild4s took the city of eavensgate bordering the three baronies of Bas"Larog*Fildanis and the Thornlands and declared the city that had been contested through the years by the

baronies as a


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2.2.-. %ouse (kaven

Overvie!'

7o+alt+ is a kni%e9s edge)

.urrent ead of ouse: /uke Markus acob Skavenouse Symbol: The /agger on The -hite and on The Red eople from Skaven lands are fre)uently seen as spies* thieves and assassins* by the other /uchies&ouse Skaven inflicts fe( la(s on it4s people* valuing their loyal to the ouse above all else&6roups such as the Blades of Skaven re(ards those (ho serve loyally (ith membership* (hile theBrotherhood of the and protects those loyal sub5ects (ith their lives&

Culture:

Skaven lands are the most cosmopolitan of all the /uchies* accepting anyone no matter their race*status or past misdeeds& Races such as the /rae* (ho (ould be treated (ith suspicion in otherlands* live openly amongst the populace& ouse Skaven still remembers the sting of prosecutionthat almost decimated thier line completely and (elcomes the outcasts of from other lands hopingto make an honest living&

La(s are fe( ho(ever* so an honest living in Skaven lands might not be seen as such in another/uchy& .age fighting and other violent forms of entertainment flourish in the slums* pitting

combatants against each other and even blood thirsty monsters* (hile bookkeepers make their o(nkilling on the side& >oisons* drugs and prostitutes are freely available and many a slum lord has

buildt their o(n little empire preying on the (eak& -hile slavery itself is illegal* those unable tofend for themselves )uickly become indebted those (ho can* be they a madam* crime lord or (orse&

6roups like the the Brotherhood of the and maintain 5ustice in the chaos* defending those in needand providing a voice for those (ho have none& Orphans are rounded up and taken care of in themany orphanages maintained by ouse Skaven* (here they are taught a trade* so they may fend forthemselves one day& Rumours abound ho(ever that these orphanages are merely recruiting spots forthe more sinister groups in Skaven society&

Loyalty is one of the fe( virtues pri!ed in Skaven Lands& Once you have the trust and loyalty of aSkaven* you have an ally for life& Break that trust* ho(ever and you have made a dangerous enemyand gotten involved in a 0endetta& Among those of means the 0endetta is seen as an art form* thesystematic destruction of the betrayer4s life* as sublime as a master4s (ork* (hile for those (ithout

betrayal is dealt (ith )uickly and brutally&

All of these factors contribute to the reputation that those from Skaven lands are an untrust(orthyand cagey lot& Their strong survival instinct* particularly in city d(ellers* lead them to trust veryfe( people and vie( strangers (ith a mi7ture of suspicion and opportunity& -hile this may alienatesome outsiders* it4s has fostered a culture of loyalty and hardiness found rarely outside it4s borders&

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La!s'

.ompared to the lands of ouse .orvinius* ouse Skaven has very fe( la(s& An e+e %or an e+e> #f any freeman in Skaven lands feels that they have been (ronged they areallo(ed to bring the charges before a member of the Brotherhood of the and& The knight (ill thendetermine (ho the guilty party is and a suitable punishment& >unishment is al(ays relevant to the

crime* murderers tend to be e7ecuted and thieves* fined or forced to (ork of their debts (hile somehave been kno(n to lose the offending hand&

House ,kaven above all> Betraying the ouse in any form is dealt (ith s(iftly and harshly* nomatter (ho the perpetrator is& 9ven lesser crimes against the line of Skaven are seen as treason andthe punishment decreed by the offended noble&

(ubgrou)s'

0he Blades o% ,kaven> Anyone in Skaven lands* no matter their station can become a Blade& Theyhave to ho(ever prove beyond a shado( of a doubt that they are prepared to pay the ultimate price

and go any e7treme for ouse Skaven& The order treats it4s members like family and all themembers are e7pected tolive up to the creed* 7o+alt+ above Honour) Brotherhood o% the Hand> >eace* ustice and onour* may seem out of place in ouse Skaven*

but the Brotherhood of the and stand for those e7act ideals& They (ere formed by /uke acobMarkus Skaven to protect the people of the /uchy and give a voice those (ho have none&Oathbound to the /uke and it4s people* they form one of the pillars of ouse Skaven today&

Brotherhood o% the Fla'e> The order (as founded during the early days of ouse Skaven* as it4smost prestigous order* until they assassinated /uke 0ictor Skaven& After going underground foralmost ten years* the order of /ark Fnights (ere brought back into the fold& The reformed order isallo(ed to pursue the darker avenues of po(er* provided that they s(ear fealty to ouse Skavenand it4s /uke and neutralise threats as determined by the ouse&


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e7plore other avenues of po(er& She retired from politics in ,=A0 in order to raise her t(o sons*0ictor and /aron* leaving her brother Micheal in charge of the house& She continued to focus on

building the order* before handing the reigns over to her son /aron on her death bead&

Micheal assumed the role as regent from his sister and ruled the lands of the duchy (ith an iron fistfor ,3 years& e strove to strengthen ties (ith the other duchies by marrying his youngest brother

Markus to Lady 6enevive


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2.2.. Talo *a/Lua

Blood &i(es out dishonour) 0he sea is thirst+) ,he &ill (rovide)

Current %ead of %ouse' ScarH* The ustice of the Sea%ouse (&bol' A skull (ith a scale resting on top of it&Colours' Black* -hite* #ndigo

The people of the Talo /a4Lua are fre)uently seen by outsiders as thieves and pirates& Dothingcould be further from the truth ho(ever and calling them that causes great offence& They follo( astrict code of honour (here their (ord is their bond and their loyalty to each other is unmatchedoutside the ouse&

Through the years the gypsy people that make up most of Talo /4Lau have been persecuted(herever they (ent* but those (ho aid them (ere never forgotten& Those (ho have earned theirtrust* make allies forever and those (ho betray it* find retribution* s(iftly and brutally&

The Talo /a4Lua and its people ho(ever do not let the past sour their dealings today& All across

Meadal their caravans bring ne(s and trinkets from afar and their navy keeps the seas safe from theforces of the /ragon Fing&

Culture'

Most of the people of the Talo /4Lau hail from gypsy stock and this brings (ith it a great reverencefor family* honour* life and beauty& The greatest of these is family* even today the various gypsyfamilies that compose the ouse remain close knit and prepared to do anything for one another&


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La!s'

0ery fe( formal la(s e7ist among the Talo /4Lau& Minor cases are handled internally by the ship orcaravan& Larger cases* especially those of honour can be brought before the ustice of the Sea&udgement is s(ift and in cases (here the accused is found to be (ithout honour* fatal& All thefamilies of the Talo respect the ustice of the Sea* for her (ord is la(&

(ubgrou)s'

Acadamie Bleumarin: The naval academy of the Talo /a4Lua* also kno(n as the AcadamieBleumarin and (as founded in +CB0 by Ru7andra and Travian /a4Lua& #t4s main ob5ective* to

protect the Sea from those (ho (ould defile her Scoala: After the Battle of the 9nlightened* the seers of Talo /a4Lua became more than simplefortune tellers and earned a place of honour aboard the vessels of the navy& Their visions guide thevessels (hen to strike and (hen to flee* allo(ing the Bleumarin to strike fear into the hearts of it4senemies&Straluci: Mastering the forces of nature* the mages of Talo /a4Lua aid their cre(s in harnessing the

po(er of the (ind and seas* (hile storms destroy the vessels of their enemies& Those Straluci (hotravel on land based caravans* provide a similar role as protectors of the caravan&/e 97ilatii: The guardians of the people of the Talo /a4Lau* an order of knights s(orn to protect theislands of the Talo&Maricu: Dot all the people of Talo /a4Lua are sailors and the ma5ority of those come from theMaricu clan& They farm the fertile islands of the archipelago and are a particularly hardy group of

people* prepared to defend their islands to the last man& They are a human tribe& %istor&'

The first time the /a4Lua family4s name occurs in recorded history (as in ?CB0* (hen the gypsiescomprising the caravan of /aciana and Liviu /a4Lua (ere cast out from human lands& The familyand it4s caravan thus started their slo( migration south(ards& They continued to gro( and by ;2B0the line of /a4Lua (as established and the group started to refer to themselves as Talo /a4Luameaning @ouse /a4Lua@ in their native tongue&

#n 21B0 tensions (ith the human barons* forced them to seek refuge (ith the forefathers of ouse.orvinus* forging the beginning of a long history of cooperation bet(een the t(o groups& Thehuman baronies came to a decision in 2CB0 on ho( to to deal (ith (hat they called the @6ypsy>roblem@ and decided to give the Talo /a4lua (ith five ships to carry them on their (ay&

The Talo /a4Lua set sail further south(ard and discovered the islands that remain their home to this

day& These islands ho(ever (ere inhabited by the fierce Maricu tribe and after a fe( initialskirmishes* in ,1B0 both parties decided to put their differences aside and (ork together& TheMaricu tribe (ould farm the fertile islands* providing food for the Talo /a4Lua fleet and the fleet(ould protect them from aggressors and share their ocean"borne bounty&

>eace reigned for a short time ho(ever* until raiders started attacking the fleet and after a cripplingloss during the Battle of the Blind in +3B0 the Talo decided to take stock of (hat needed to bedone& Ru7andra* (ho (as ustice of the Sea at that time* started training her seers ho( to focustheir talents and use it to the benefit of the fleet& The first of the Scoala took the seas in +2B0 andthe tide of battle started to favour the Talo /a4Lua again&


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a separate entity from the trading fleet& The ne(ly formed fleet4s scouts kept an eye on the /ragonFing as his armies rose and in ;B0* they told their former allies in ouse .orvinus of a land to thesouth (here their people (ould be safe& #t (as at a Talo /a4Lua settlement (here the refugeesgathered* raised the 0eil in CA0* and the settlement became kno(n as Oathbridge&

The fall of ouse orgus affected the gypsies of Talo /a4Lua very little and they e7perienced a

period of peace again during those tumultuous times& The peace (as shattered in 1,A0 (hen akraken terrorised the islands of the Maricu and the beast (as only defeated* after a ritual (as

performed by the most po(erful Straluci& The ritual summoned a po(erful* black (hirlpool andimprisoned the beast at its bottom& The (hirlpool itself (as so po(erful that it tore an island to

pieces and into its inky depths& Today it is still there and is called 6uara Deagra by the Talo/a4Lua&

#t (as in 23A0 (hen a small army (as discovered* trespassing on a remote island& They (ereknights recovering from a fierce battle (ith a vile sorcerer* (ho forced them to abandon their lands&#nitially the t(o groups responded (ith violence to one another* but soon they sa( ho( (orkingtogether (ould benefit each other and they came to serve the Talo /a4Lua as @The Army of 97iles@&

The sorcerer (as no match for their combined might and the knights4 families (ere freed in summerof 2;A0& After their liberation* the knights and their families (ere absorbed into the Maricu clanand spread across the islands&

/isaster struck the Talo /a4Lua again in 31A0* (hen ten of the islands* attempted to seccede andthreathend to delve the Talo into civil (ar& The civil (ar ho(ever (as over over as )uickly as it

began* the @Army of 97iles@ rose up and proved themselves to their foster family& .rushing therebels (ithout mecry in the name of the ustice of the Sea* they (ere a(arded custodianship of theten islands (ho comitted the Tenfold Treason&


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2.,. Ma0or Inde)endent Organisations

2.,.1. The Tribe of the $urning (ands

ur &ord$ ur bond

Current %ead of %ouse' The .ouncil

%ouse (&bol' A tent flanked by t(o torchesColours' The Tribe has no official colours* although the different .lans tend to favour colour basedon (here they hail from&

Culture'

-hile the .ouncil is thought of as the Tribe4s leader* it rarely acts as a governing body* allo(ing the.lans to rule themselves& #n cases the council ho(ever decides to act their (ord is la( and anindividual may either accept their 5udgement or leave& Those (ho refuse to accept their 5udgementand refuse to leave are killed outright& 9nvoys of the council travel bet(een the clans* settlingdisputes and trade (ith outsiders on behalf of the Tribe as a (hole&

The Tribesmen see their (ord as their bond and (ould rather die than be called an oath"breaker&Their honour is absolute and an individual is held accountable to himself* then to his family* hisclan and finally the Tribe as (hole& Against outside threats the Tribe sets aside internal disputes andforms a united front until the threat as been neutralised&

A foundling is al(ays (armly received by the Tribe and treated as one of the family& .hildren inturn are left to their o(n devices and discover their o(n path* the elder al(ays ready to lend aguiding hand or advice (hen re)uested& Should the path they venture do(n threaten the Tribe inany (ay ho(ever* they are dealt (ith s(iftly* harshly and fre)uently* fatally&

Another trait amongst the people of the Burning Sands is that of (anderlust& #t is not uncommonfor one of it people to venture out in the (orld on their o(n* only to return after many years& At this

point ho(ever* fe( re5oin (ith their birth families and are accepted as into the ne( family as one oftheir o(n&

Slavery is also common in the Tribe and those (ho o(n slaves* are e7pected to treat them fairly and(ith respect& Those (ho abuse their slaves )uickly find then taken a(ay by the rest of .lan* forslaves are seen as 5ust another resource that must not be s)uandered a(ay& Slaves are captured(arriors and are released after five years&

La!s'

0he Council9s Rule is Absolute: Once the council has ruled on a matter there are only t(o options* beyond accepting it (ithout reservation: Leave or /ie& A "an9s #ord is his Bond> A promise that has been made is al(ays honoured and should it be broken* the oath"breaker is hunted do(n and killed&

Amongst the -ildings* there is another la( they hold in high regard: Res(ect Nature and those o% it> .ausing harm to another fey creature or nature is treated as a seriousoffence& The -ildings neither betray or inflict harm on each other* nor do they e7ploit nature for

profit&

" ,= "


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(ubgrou)s'

The .lans of the Tribe of the Burning Sands are divided amongst the areas they mostly travel andinhabit&0he 3ndless: The deserts are their home and the families of this .lan are amongst the oldest in theTribe&

0he ,ons o% 8lunder> The rolling savannah bordering the desert are home to this .lan of hunters& Recentlytheir numbers (ere decimated by an army of undead0he Dark> /eep inside the 5ungles bordering the great sea this .lan makes it4s home&0he #alkers> Staying mostly to the roads they travel from city to city* to(n to to(n and village tovillage* seeking trade and adventure&0he #ildlings> A ne( addition to the Tribe of the Burning Sands* they 5oined after their leader>rince Duada (ent missing& They have ho(ever not forsaken his teachings and strive to protectnature and those of fay decent&

%istor&'

Legend states that many centuries ago* the Tribe of the Burning Sands (as formed (hen groups ofnomads travelling the Sea of /ust banded together for mutual protection& The first amongst the

people* sacrificed their names for their Tribe and became kno(n as the Mind*


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2.,.2. The Archbaron& of the loo Cliffs

Coin$ Blood$ Honour

.urrent ead: Archbaron Ronarc Torc -ister ouse symbol: A striking* argent falcon over a lance on a field of sable&.olours: Black* 6reen and Silver

The Archbarony of the 6loom .liffs is kno(n for it4s brutal honestly and complete neutrality bothon the battle field and during negotiations& Deutrality is ensured in that the Archbarony refuses toally or declare enmity (ith any force* all dealings are strictly treated as business dealings& TheArchbarony supplies mercenaries for any si!e of conflict* from loyal bodyguards to entire legionsand numerous specialist contractors to those (ho can afford their services& Their reputation forefficiency on the field of battle has led other forces to re)uest )uarter upon seeing the distinctive

black banners and cloaks of the Archbarony&

Degotiations for the Archbarony are conducted by a number of negotiators named after thedistinctive green cloaks they (ear& These @6reen .loaks@ in addition to negotiating mercenary

contracts* also enter into trade agreements on behalf of the Archbarony* arrange for valuables to bestored in numerous vaults and provide letters of credit that can be e7changed at any of the ouse4strade houses& /ue to the (idespread nature of the trading houses and the robust communicationsnet(ork bet(een them* the ac)uisition of scarce resources can be s(iftly be arranged&

0ery little is kno(n to outsiders about the ArchbaronyIs internal (orkings* other than the Archbaronkeeping his o(n full court and that it is situated on the Southernmost peninsula bordering theSouthern Seas* the distinctive black cliffs of -orlds 9nd mountain range* give the Archbarony it4sname&

Culture'

#n the eyes of the Archbarony there are three groups of people* soldiers* clients and potential clients&Soldiers form the backbone of the Archbarony of the 6loom .liffs& nits fight together and earnmoney together* sharing in each other4s bounty and receiving the lion4s share of any contract& Raceor gender play no part in the internal politics of the 6loom .liffs* rank and status is determined by(orth& Soldiers* no matter their rank or standing all eat and sleep together in the same barracks andshare each others trials and tribulations& 9ven the ability to cast magic does not grant a soldieradditional privileges as magic is treated as any other (eapon&

pon reaching the age of t(elve every child in the Archbarony is sent* to train in art of battle andonce they complete their basic training& After completing their training at si7teen they may choose

to continue to serve as soldiers or become craftsmen& A ne( recruit born outside the Archbaronymay 5oin and is assigned to a unit and accepted as a soldier after four years& Soldiers* traders andcraftsmen (ho have served for ten years are counted as citi!ens of the Archbarony of the 6loom.liffs and are allo(ed to o(n property vote to elect someone into the council of 9lders&


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faced countless skirmishes in completely foreign lands* in the time the troops of other factions facedone or t(o back home and this reliance on each other breeds almost fanatical loyalty to unit andregiment& Rivalries e7ist bet(een various regiments* but s(ift resolution of any disputes by officersensure that they do not get out of hand&

Any @Lo(lander@* a person not from the mountains the Archbarony of the 6loom .liffs calls home*

is seen as a potential client& They tend to be treated (ith the same respect and the blunt honesty thatcharacterises contract negotiations& Someone (ho (ill not hire your regiment in the future meansthat your unit and regiment loses out on valuable contracts and advancement opportunities&

.lients are never lied too& A risk assessment is done before any contract is signed to ensure that the price is fair and the right amount of troops are supplied& #f a contract can not be fulfilled then the6loom .liffs (ill not enter into it& 9very contract contains strict terms on the duties* period ofservice and any additional clauses re)uired& .lients are accepted once they sign the contract& TheArchbarony (ill never fight their o(n troops* if t(o contracts come into contention then the thenthe Archbarony (ill not partake in the conflict& The Archbarony has to date not failed to complete acontract&

La!s'

The la(s of the Archbarony of the 6loom .liffs are summed up in their motto:

Coin> Respect another4s right to earn a living* pay your subordinates (ell and ensure that theArchbarony gets it4s due& our brothers in arms (ill give their lives for you and e7pect the same in return& ou are aunit and if treachery gro(s in your ranks* inform your superiors or the entire unit (ill 5udged&Treason and desertion are al(ays punished by e7ecution&

Honour>Treat clients fairly and be honest to them* failure to do so usually results in a fine& Treatyour superiors (ith respect* they have earned their rank through sacrifice to the Archbarony* the

punishment for insubordination is dependant on the nature of the infraction& Respect 9ach Others privacy& Living in close )uarters (hen in the field* one4s privacy is supported by all&

(ub grou)s'

2reen Cloaks> Traders and merchants* fre)uently used as diplomats to represent the Archbaronythey have come allong (ay since their inception more than fifty years ago& They are the face* thatmany of their customers associate (ith the regiments hired from the 6loom .liffs& Mercenaries are

not the only commodity they provide ho(ever and they (ill fre)uently trade commodities such a barley and ore in bulk through the net(ork of trade houses that criss cross the baronies&0he 3ngineering Cor(s> #dentified by the red trim on their tabards* this group attracts most of thed(arves in the Archbarony& Masters in the art of seigecraft* they specialise both in keeping (alls upand in cases (here they should come do(n* their destruction&0he Archbaron9s o&n> A special elite unit of soldiers that report to the Arch Baron personally& Theyare his personal guard and consists of members of all subgroups& This unit is also used at mostma5or diplomatic functions that the Arch Baron attends&0he 8ath%inders> A /ivision of the Archbaron4s o(n& .omprising entirely of rangers they providevital intelligence to the officers leading the regiments of enemy troop movements and are fre)uentlydeployed to cut off enemy supply lines&0he Healing Cor(s> Beloved by their fello( soldiers* these men and (omen keep the forces of theArch Barony of the 6loom .liffs fighting&

" 1C "


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eogra)h&'

%istor&'


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,. ae $asics

,.1. (afet&

,.1.1. The Most I)ortant (afet& Rule

The action at M9A/ can get very heated* people get hurt or are at risk of getting hurt and (ith thatin mind* there e7ists the OL/& As soon as you hear @OL/@* immediately stop (hat you aredoing and drop to one knee& This (ill allo( the marshals present to attend to )uickly attend to thematter* before calling @LA#D6 OD OD9&&& LA#D6 OD T-O&&& LA#D6 OD TR99J@ andallo( the action to continue (here it left off&

-e kno( this rule is in the SOLAR andbook* but it is so important (e need to mention it again&Anyone (ho does not comply (ith a OL/ (ill face disciplinary measures* no matter thecircumstances&

,.1.2. %eadbands

The follo(ing headband colours are reserved for administrative purposes are unavailable forcostuming&

• White. /enotes that the player is out of game and cannot be interacted (ith in any (ay&

• Orange. >layers (earing orange headbands are in5ured or for some other reason* unable toto praticipate in combat& #f such a player becomes involved in combat* both that player andthe attacker* resolve hits and misses through rounds of rock"paper"scissors* (ith the victor4sattackes being successful and the loser4s misses&

• $lue. A blue headband denotes that the player is currently a monster or a D>. and unable toreact as their character& pon seeing a player (earing a blue headband* another player mayask @-hat do (e seeK@ and the player (earing the blue headband (ill describe the monsteror D>.&

,.1.,. Cobat

#n addition to the hit locations mentioned in the SOLAR andbook* the lo(er legs and fore arms ofan opponent does count for the purposes of inflicting damage& >layers are re)uested to take care(hen striking at those locations* as they may cause in5ury&

,.2. What to e)ect

The standard structure of a M9A/ (eekend is as follo(s:

• After you arrive at the venue* you (ill be assigned a cabin& This cabin (ill usually be (ithother members of the in"game organisation you belong to& npack your e)uipment and puton your costume* including any armour your character (ears&

• #f you are a ne( player:

• Ask (ere to find the tavern and go there to complete your character generation& ou

(ill be handed your starting gold and a collection of tags that describe yourcharacter&

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• #f you are an e7isting player:

• 6o to the tavern* collect your gold and tags&

• >roceed to the Armour Marshal* (ho (ill e7amine your costume and provide you (ithappropiate armour tags& ou (ill receive armour tags* even if the only armour you are(earing is a robe&

• After everyone has completed their registration* there (ill be a simple (elcoming ceremony

at the tavern and the game (ill commence&• leaseconfirm ahead of time* if your event has a feast&

• >lay continues until +,:CC on Sunday* (hen it stops and /eregistration begins& Report to theAdmin ut* (here you4ll hand in your character4s tags and gold and an admin person (illnote any changes&

• After that you are free to pack up& -e (ould like to re)uest that you assist in cleaning upand leave the venue as you found it&

,.,. What to kee) in ind

>lease keep the follo(ing things in mind:

• Aside from the feast* if any* the events are all self catering& This includes bringing your o(ncutlery and crockery&

• /rink (ater and lots of it& ou can dehydrate very easily in the African sun* especially

during summer& Should you feel uncomfortable for any reason* take a break and have some(ater and recover&

• Stay in character& Dot 5ust (hen you need to achieve something& Staying in character at alltimes improves your e7perience* as (ell as that of those around you& ou (ill become betterat this over time* but only if you put in the effort&

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-. Character Creation

-.1. 3uickstart

So you4d like to )uickly get started building your characterK


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1& .hoose a class: $.lasses (ith $R' are Restricted and re)uire special permission to play'

+& -arrior: Skilled in the use of armour and (eapons+& Fnight$R': Doble (arriors (ith access to healing or life po(ers* but follo( a

strict code of conduct&,& /ark Fnight$R': .haos or even necromancy* combined (ith martial pro(ess*

tempered (ith their o(n code of conduct&1& Ranger$R': >rotectors of nature* skilled trackers and versed in nature magic&

,& Scholar: Students of all lore* but particularly magic* (ith various specialisationsavailable&

1& Templar: -arrior"mages skilled in both magic and (eapons&2& Rogue: ack"of"all"trades and fre)uent master of alchemy* poison and other more

unsavoury crafts&

2& .hoose an noble ouse or organi!ation:

+& ouse .orvinus: An honourable ouse of craftsmen and (arriors* (ith close ties to

the elves* d(arves and gypsies&,& /omicille 0eneficii: Fno(n for it4s mages* the ouse encourages the study of all

forms of magic&1& ouse Skaven: oints on skills for your characteras sho(n in .hapter 2 in the SOLAR andbook* keeping in mind any discounts for race oraffiliation&

;& Dote your starting Body >oints based on your class&

=& Dote your 2 Starting lives&

?& Build your gear&

E& ave


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-.2. Races

Most of the races mentioned in the SOLAR andbook in .hapter 2 are available for play& Asmentioned in that volume certain races are restricted* they remain restricted in Medieval Adventuresand are only available to play (ith permission&

-.,. Classes

All of the classes listed in the SOLAR andbook in .hapter 2 are allo(ed& >layers (ho (ish to play any of restricted (arrior classes* are encouraged to find an in"game teacher to guide them ontheir path and to only start out on their o(n (ith permission from Metaplot&

-.-. %ouses and Organisations

Aligning your character (ith one of the noble ouses or ma5or independent organi!ations* not only

provides you (ith a support structure* but access to teachers and discounts for certainskills& 9ach of the groups listed in this section have specific skills$ s(ells* reci(es and

%or'ulae that are provided at a discount to it4s members&

Belonging to such a group entitles you to the follo(ing benefits (hen building your character:

• #f a skill9s description mentions that it re)uires an academy to learn it* the group (ith the skill listed can be approached to teach the skill) Skills of this type a refered to as MasterSkills& Master Skills cost members of an organisation that have it listed* ,C gold and othersthe gold cost listed in the SOLAR andbook description&

• #f a group has any other skill listed members of that group may purchase the skill for oneless build point&

• Skills such as Alchemy and .raft >oison that have various recipes and formulae associated(ith them may also be researched at discounted rates by member belongs to groups (ith theskill&

• #f a group has a magic speciali!ation mentioned* members of that group* may research spellsof that speciali!ation at a discounted rates&

Should your character 5oin a group after character creation* you may only benefit from the group4sdiscounts after 5oining said group&

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-.-.1 The %ouses

-.-.1.1. %ouse Corvinius

ouse .orvinus is kno(n its e7)uisite craftsmanship across many different fields and encouragingits people to become masters in their chosen fields& Their close ties (ith the elves and their concern(ith (elfare of their people* have allo(ed them to become masters in their o(n schools of magic&


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the borders that (as once orgus&

To start an organi!ation you need:

• At least four members* but aren4t limited to ho( large you can gro(&

• A recogni!able symbol and a banner&

•

A short summary of the group4s history&

As your group gro(s and gains fame or noteriety* they (ill be included in this volume& -ho kno(smaybe you can even unite the lands of orgus under your o(n banner&

-.-.1.-. %ouse (kaven

ouse Skaven allo(s its people the freedom to persue their o(n destiny and because of this its people are kno(n for skills fro(ned upon in other lands& #ts people also travel far across Meadel fortheir lords and have taught themselves ho( to survive in any terrain&

Members of ouse Skaven receive the follo(ing benefits:

Skills:.reate >oison: Level +",C

Master skills:Master >oison"Maker Survival $Specific Region'9spionage $Specific'

-.-.1.. Talo *a/Lua

The Talo /a4Lua are sailors first and foremost and have learned to guide their ships by the stars andthe portents therein& #ts people have studied the secrets of alchemy and 5e(el cutting* selling their(ares (herever they travel& ears of prosectution have also made them (eary of outsiders andinfiltration&

Members of Talo /a4Lau receive the follo(ing benefits:

Skills:Alchemy: Level +",C

Astrologye(elcraft

Master skills:Master AlchemistMaster e(eller Master Seer Seamanship9spionage $Specific'

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-.-.2. Ma0or Inde)endent Organisations

-.-.2.1. The Tribe of the $urning (ands

The clans of the Burning Sands travel through many different types of terrain& This hardy people*has discovered numerous knacks and kno( e7actly ho( to use the land to their advantage&

Masters Skills:Survival

Other:3 Ma7 Body

-.-.2.2. The Archbaron& of the loo Cliffs

/isciplined troops are the the e7port the Archbarony of the 6loom .liffs are kno(n for and eventhe simplest farmer kno(s ho( to use a blade and march in formation& Their martial nature also

ensures that there are teachers capable of training their soldiers in all melee (eapons&

Skills:One"handed 9dged -eaponShield-eapons master One"anded-eapons master T(o"anded

Master Skills:Leadership

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-.. (kills

-..1. $asics and (kill Costs

Skill

Name:Warrior 4night5*ark

4night

Ranger Rogue (cholar Te)lar 6rere7uisite8s9

.reateTrap

; " ; 1 2 3 /isarm Trap

Master.hef

2 2 2 2 2 2.raftsman $e&gBaker'* Special

-..2 (kill *escri)tions

Create Tra):

6rere7uisite8s9' /isarm TrapThe .reate Trap skill allo(s a character to create and set traps& ou get one production point perlevel of .reate Traps that you have purchased& See the Traps section for the list of traps and costs tomake each& This skill also allo(s a character to set any trap* (hether they have made itor only found it&

Master Chef:

6rere7uisite8s': .raftsman $Baker'* SpecialThis skill allo(s the possessor to create a meal so hearty that it (ill greatly benefit the constitution

of the person (ho eats it $3 body for the (eekend'& The meal may be prepared offsite and out"of" play but it must be eaten in"play& 9ach such meal can feed up to five $3' people&0his skill 'a+ be (urchased u( to %ive ?@ ti'es$ each allo&s the skill to be used to create one ite'

(er event)

Special: #n order to learn this skill a character must pay a sum of t(enty"five $,3' gold pieces andmust find and gain permission to access the specific 6uild* niversity* .ollege* or Academy thatteaches this skill& The teacher of this skill may re)uire additional tasks in order to learn this such asdemonstration of cooking ability

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;. Magic

;.1. $asics

Spell casters start (ith a limited number of the spells listed in the SOLAR andbook& Refer toAppendi7 # and ## in this volume for more information on the spells available to starting characters&

#n order to gro( their spell books* characters much research their o(n spells or learn them fromother spell casters in game and inform a Magic Marshal of any changes&

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Manganes

,= Acid

T&)e' 6asCost' +,

*uration' #nstant

*escri)tion' The 1C Acid gas causes thirty $1C' points of damage to armour and%or body* uponcontact (hen the vial is broken& The vial must be thro(n at the intended target& This damage may be

blocked by a shield but not by a (eapon& This attack (ill affect most creatures* even those normallyonly affected by magic (eapons and attacks&

Ingredients' + incblende* , Orpiment* + Solanacaea* 1 A)ua Regia* , >hlegmatic Base* +Antimoni

Alcheical (olventT&)e' SolventCost' 2*uration' #nstant

*escri)tion' The Alchemical Solvent (ill negate an Oil of Slipperiness or >aste of Stickiness&

Ingredients' + Solanaceae* , inken* + >itchblende* + .holeric Base* 2 Sanguine Base

Antidote

T&)e' 9li7ir Cost' 3*uration' #nstant

*escri)tion' The Antidote eli7ir (ill neutrali!e the effects of any ingested or gas poisons that havenot become permanent&

Ingredients' 1 Brimstone* , .holeric Base* + Sanguine Base* + Melancholic Base

Antidote asT&)e' as

Cost' 1=*uration' #nstant

*escri)tion' The Antidote 6as (ill neutrali!e the effects of any ingested or gas poisons that havenot become permanent&

Ingredients' 1 Brimstone* + Solanacaea* + Sanguine Base* , Orpiment* + Melancholic Base

Cure >12 *aageT&)e' SolventCost' =

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*uration' #nstant

*escri)tion' The .ure +, /amage solvent (ill restore t(elve $+,' Body >oints and has the abilityto return an nconscious or Bleeding to /eath character to consciousness (ith t(elve $+,' Body>oints& This gas%eli7ir has no affect on a /ead or Slain character& This solvent must be applied to the(ounded character on a three"count& This gas%eli7ir has no affect on a /ead or Slain character&

Ingredients' + -hite .innabar* , Dikel* * + .holeric Base* , Sanguine Base

Cure >2 *aage

T&)e' 9li7ir Cost' ,*uration' #nstant

*escri)tion' The .ure , /amage eli7ir or gas (ill restore t(o $,' Body >oints and has the abilityto restore an nconscious or Bleeding to /eath character to consciousness (ith t(o $,' Body

>oints& This gas%eli7ir has no affect on a /ead or Slain character&

Ingredients' + 6um* , Dikel* + >itchblende* + .holeric Base* , Sanguine Base

Cure >2 *aage

T&)e' 6asCost' 2*uration' #nstant

*escri)tion' The .ure , /amage eli7ir or gas (ill restore t(o $,' Body >oints and has the abilityto restore an nconscious or Bleeding to /eath character to consciousness (ith t(o $,' Body>oints& This gas%eli7ir has no affect on a /ead or Slain character&

Ingredients' + -hite .innabar* , Dikel* + >itchblende* + .holeric Base* , Sanguine Base

Light

T&)e' SolventCost' +*uration' +, ours

*escri)tion' The Light solvent produces light (hen the vial is broken over an ob5ect to be lit* muchlike a Light $9*+' spell& The light produced by a Light solvent is diffuse and may not be used to

blind opponents& This solvent (ill last until up to t(elve hours or until daybreak* (hichever comesfirst& A Light solvent cannot be applied to (eapons& 6lo( sticks are the preferred phys"rep for aLight solvent& #f a flashlight is used* it must be covered (ith cloth* tissue paper* etc& to diffuse thelight&

Ingredients' + .amomile* + >hlegmatic Base* + Sanguine Base* 3 >hospor

Love 6oison ?@ AntidoteT&)e' 9li7ir Cost' =

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*uration' #nstant

*escri)tion' The Love >oison NE Antidote eli7ir negates the effects of Love >oison NE&

Ingredients' + Manganes* + -hite .innabar* + A)ua Regia* + inken* , Brimstone

Oil of (li))eriness

T&)e' SolventCost' 3*uration' + our

*escri)tion' The Oil of Slipperiness solvent* (hen applied to an item* makes that item unable to be picked up for one hour& -hen applied to an area* no one may enter the affected area (ithoutslipping& 9ach vial* about one ounce* (ill cover a +,"inch by +,"inch area& #t takes one $+' minute toapply this substance&

Ingredients' + 9ast Black Bean* + Solanaceae* + .amomile* + >hlegmatic Base* + Sanguine Base

6aste of (tickiness

T&)e' SolventCost' 3*uration' + our

*escri)tion' The >aste of Stickiness solvent acts as a glue for one hour& #t can also be used to pasteob5ects to someone so they cannot be removed for one hour& 9ach vial* about one ounce* (ill covera +,"inch by +,"inch area&

#f a player pastes a (eapon to his hand and that (eapon is destroyed $e&g&* a Shatter $.*1' spell or a/estroy $9*1' spell'* he cannot (ield a (eapon (ith that hand until the paste (ears off or isremoved by Alchemical Solvent or an nbind $96%/%*3' spell& Like(ise* if a player is /isarmed$.*+' or


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Cost' ?*uration' ntil used

*escri)tion' The 0orpal .oating ,* (hen applied to any (eapon* causes t(o $,' additional pointof damage for 1 s(ings upon initial contact (ith armour or body& This solvent may be applied toany (eapon* after (hich* the tag should be attached to the (eapon& 0orpal .oatings may not be

stacked (ith other solvents $be they alchemical or poison' and only one 0orpal .oating may be present on a (eapon& #t takes one $+' minute to apply this substance&

Ingredients' + Solanaceae* 1 Mondragora* + >hlegmatic Base* + A)ua Regia

+or)al Coating >,

T&)e' SolventCost' +,*uration' ntil used

*escri)tion' The 0orpal .oating 1* (hen applied to any (eapon* causes three $1' additional pointof damage for 1 s(ings upon initial contact (ith armour or body& This solvent may be applied toany (eapon* after (hich* the tag should be attached to the (eapon& 0orpal .oatings may not bestacked (ith other solvents $be they alchemical or poison' and only one 0orpal .oating may be

present on a (eapon& #t takes one $+' minute to apply this substance&

Ingredients' 2 Solanaceae* 1 Mondragora* + >hlegmatic Base* + inken

" 2; "


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oison skills& #f they should choose to do so ho(ever* they have a 3C

chance of failing to apply the poison correctly and poisoning themselves&All characters using ingested poisons must inform a Rogue Marshal* before using the poison&A character (ho does not have the .reate >oison skill at least at Level +C* cannot use poisons of the6as type (ithout poisoning themselves&

ulpit* /utchman4s Breeches

$lade +eno

T&)e' SolventCost' Special*uration' ntil used

*escri)tion' Blade 0enom is a special type of poison that may only be created by a Master >oison"Maker once per logistical day& This poison may be applied to the Master >oison"MakerIs(eapon$takes ;C seconds' for later use& Blade 0enom (ill allo( the Master >oison"Maker to call

" 2= "


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the P>oisonQ tagline for his ne7t $1'three consecutive s(ings& Dote that the ability to call theP>oisonQ tagline for $1' three s(ings (ill only (ork for the Master >oison"Maker himself* evenshould his (eapon be picked up by someone else&Blade 0enom vials produced daily may be saved for later use* sold* or traded but only a Master>oison"Maker may apply or use them& Any attempt to apply the poison by a character not

possessing this skill (ill result in the character accidentally poisoning himself* immediately taking a

/eath >oison directly to his bloodstream* bypassing the To7in Shield $9*3' spell& The Resist To7inskill applies normally& Dote that Blade 0enoms may not be stacked (ith other solvents $be theyalchemical or poison' and only one Blade 0enom may be present on a (eapon&Special: Only a Master >oison"Maker may produce or use this poison&

Ingredients' Lady4s Mantle* Snapdragon* .anada Snake Root and%or 6round #vy* .andelmasMaiden* .apon4s Tail

Cause 2 *aage

T&)e' #ngested

Cost' +*uration' #nstant

*escri)tion' The .ause ", /amage poison causes t(o $,' Body >oints of damage&

Ingredients' Dightshades* Buckeye* orsechestnut* Black -alnut

Cause 2 *aage

T&)e' 6asCost' ,*uration' #nstant

*escri)tion' The .ause ", /amage poison causes t(o $,' Body >oints of damage&

Ingredients' Red Oak* Black Locus* .ocklebur

Cause - *aage

T&)e' #ngestedCost' ,

*uration' #nstant

*escri)tion' The .ause "2 /amage poison causes four $2' Body >oints of damage&

Ingredients' >oison emlock* .ocklebur* >ig(eed* imson(eed* ohnsongrass

Cause - *aage

T&)e' 6asCost' 2*uration' #nstant

*escri)tion' The .ause "2 /amage poison causes four $2' Body >oints of damage&

" 2? "


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Ingredients' Red Maple* 9aster Lily* Lily of the 0alley* Mistletoe* Oleander

Cause 12 *aage

T&)e' #ngestedCost' 3

*uration' #nstant

*escri)tion' The .ause "+, /amage poison causes t(elve $+,' Body >oints of damage&

Ingredients' Rosary >ea* Lupine* Rhubarb* A!alea* .amomile* Tamarisk 6all* Bear4s Breach

Char

T&)e' #ngestedCost' 2*uration' #nstant

*escri)tion' The .harm poison causes the target to treat the attacker as though the attacker is his best friend in the (orld& The victim must stay by the attackerIs side and listen to his suggestions&Although the attacker is the victimIs best friend* the victim (ill not mindlessly follo( the attackerIsorders* nor (ill he do anything that he (ould not normally do* unless the attacker gives him a verygood reason $thatIs (hy itIs called role"playing'& #f the attackerIs party attacks the victim* theattacker must give a convincing reason (hy he is not helping to defend the victim* or the poison(ill be broken immediately&The charm may be broken by use of appropriate healing magic $see above'* administration of the

proper antidote* or the Sylvan oison* Love E >oison* .harm $.*;'*


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The charm effect lasts ten $+C' minutes&

Ingredients' -hite S(eetclover* Tobacco* Larkspur* Brackenfern* 6reen


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BorgetMeot

T&)e' #ngestedCost' ?*uration' #nstant

*escri)tion' The ig4s Tail* eart of -orm(ood

%allucinoid


*escri)tion' The allucinoid poison causes the victim to hallucinate for ten $+C' minutes& Thevictim cannot engage in combat or cast spells& se imagination (ith this one* and remember*(hatever you choose to hallucinate about* you have to do it for ten minutes&This poison may be cured by appropriate healing magic $see above' or the proper antidote beingadministered&

Ingredients' Blood(ort* arro(* olly* Mari5uana* -orm(ood

Instant *eath

T&)e' #ngestedCost' ?*uration' #nstant

*escri)tion' The #nstant /eath poison kills a living target instantly* as if struck by a Filling Blo(&The only (ay to save a character killed by this poison is by a Life $9%/* E' or Revive $*E' spell& #fa character is /esecrated* s(ap Life $9%/* E' for the *eath $9%/%D*E' spell&

Ingredients' Southern(ood* -oodruff* Black a(* Lily of the 0alley

Love

" 3+ "


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Ingredients' Betony* Orris Root* 6inseng* Black a(

6aral&sis

T&)e' #ngestedCost' ;

*uration' #nstant

*escri)tion' The >aralysis poison completely immobili!es the target for ten $+C' minutes& e maynot move any part of his body& Other characters may move parts of his body to pose him and mayalso give the victim a Filling Blo(& An nparaly!e $9*?'* other appropriate healing magic $seeabove'* or the proper antidote must be administered to remove the >aralysis&

Ingredients' >urslane* A Mulberry Tree4s Milk* orehound* 0ervain Sage* -oodruff

6aral&sis

T&)e' 6asCost' +,*uration' #nstant

*escri)tion' The >aralysis poison completely immobili!es the target for ten $+C' minutes& e maynot move any part of his body& Other characters may move parts of his body to pose him and mayalso give the victim a Filling Blo(& An nparaly!e $9*?'* other appropriate healing magic $seeabove'* or the proper antidote must be administered to remove the >aralysis&

Ingredients' >urslane* A Mulberry Tree4s Milk* orehound* >oke(eed

(lee)


*escri)tion' The Sleep poison causes the target to fall into a deep sleep for ten $+C' minutes& emay only be a(akened by shaking for ten $+C' seconds or by appropriate healing magic $see above'or the proper antidote being administered&

Ingredients' lantain* orehound

(lee)

T&)e' 6asCost' ?*uration' #nstant

*escri)tion' The Sleep poison causes the target to fall into a deep sleep for ten $+C' minutes& emay only be a(akened by shaking for ten $+C' seconds or by appropriate healing magic $see above'or the proper antidote being administered&

Ingredients' 9ye Root* 6oldenseal* ouseleek* Ash -eed

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(lo!

medieval adventures living rulebook v0.98

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