Mezzodaemon by Polvoi

 

 Ándraki vs. the Ice Giant

 Birthright Images

Cosmology of Aebrynis (Birthright Campaign Setting)

The Gorgon

 Ekur Today:

Adventure Area of Ekur:

Nations of the Grey Realms

 KHITAI

(The Celestial Empire)

Heir of the ancient Empire of Imaskar, Khitai (called Shou Lung by some) is a powerful but slumbering realm north of Zakhara, east of Semphar, and west of the Sea of Dust. A landlocked empire over 2,500 years old, Khitai is in human reckoning ancient. It is steeped in a combination of ancient Imaskari and Suel Magic that allows it mastery of many forms of magic which are practiced within the secretive Scarlet Circle; which are dire foes of the Black Circle of Set.

Population: 24,600,000

Capital: Paikang (pop. 1,200,000)

Ruler: Kai Tsao Shou

Major cities: Shu-Chen (pop. 760,000), Rou-Gen (pop. 370,000)

Exports: Silk, Spices, Drugs, Lotus, Charms and Amulets, Exotic Items (peacock feather fans, carved jade, porcelain)

Imports: Horses, Gold, Silver

Allies: Khazari (satellite)

Enemies: Hordelands, Kambulja

Religion: The Path of Enlightenment

Agdi the Demi-Divine

 Earl Agdi of Grundir

Agdi (“the Demi-Divine”); Svartskrømt “Prince”

Quasi-Deity of Rivland

Armor Class: -5

Move: 12” (see below)

Hit Points: 111

No. of Attacks: 3/2 or Spell

Damage/Attack: 2-8+9 or by Spell

Special Attacks: Spells, See below

Special Defenses: Spells, See below

Magic Resistance: 40%

Size: M (6’2”)

Alignment: Neutral (Evil)

Cleric/Druid: 3rd Cleric

Fighter: 5th Fighter

Wizard: 20th Wizard/15th Illusionist

Thief: 8th Thief

Bard: 10th Bard

Psionic Ability: 300 (5 Minor, 2 Major)

Att./Def. Modes: All / All

S: 18/66 I: 22 W: 20 D: 18 C: 16 CH: 18 CO: 22

Earl Agdi is likely the most dangerous man known upon the Storm Coast among the Vannulvir. If he were to focus his will, he could carve a great empire for his own designs; but he invariably becomes distracted by his magical researches or, nearly as often, the pretty face of a possible new apprentice. The Earl has had hundreds of concubines (perhaps thousands!) in his centuries long life; but no children have come to him because of the curse placed upon his household long ago by the Druids. The Earl is the last of his line it would seem. Whatever the truth of Agdi’s mother having been one of the Alven, the Earl has lived hundreds of years without aging. He looks little similar to the Alven however. His fiery hair and milky white skin are those of the Svartskrømt who swear to him; though his golden eyes hint at his immortal heritage.

On the few occasions that Agdi has entered combat, he does so in a storm of magical assault brought upon the heads of his foemen only after he has manipulated them with that same magic into an unorganized mess that cannot withstand his fury. Earl Agdi is nothing if not supremely patient and knowledgeable about nearly anything and everyone; within not only Rivland, but far afield as well. He is known within the Imperial Court of distant Sorcere; a place of mythical tales among the populace of Rivland.

Agdi, if he should somehow be taken by surprise, will use his magic to remove himself from harm’s way as quickly as possible. He has layers of magical contingency upon his person (that he has labored for centuries to perfect) to ensure that he is protected from nearly any conceivable assault on his person. The Earl of Grundir fights only when he wishes; and none have ever cornered him and forced any other result against his will.

Agdi possesses a powerful broadsword gifted to him at birth by an Aerkay Sorcerer (to effect better relations with the Witch Queen it is thought) called Dark’s Talon that functions as a +3 Sword of Life Stealing. Insulted by the “meager” gift, the Witch Queen imprisoned the Aerkay sorcerer within the sword, making it sentient with the following powers: Neutral Evil Alignment, Intelligence 17 (with speech: Aerkay, Alven, Common and Demonic, and telepathy), detects invisibility, magic and good in a 10’ radius at will and casts teleportation 1xday without need of a Place of Power (6,000 coins weight maximum, 2 segments to activate). Dark’s Talon has an Ego of 13 and Personality of 30 Points. The Earl rarely uses this sword personally, but has allowed powerful anti-heroes in his service to use it.

Agdi instead will often use his spells or any number of magical wands in his possession that he has created; among their number will always be a wand of fire, frost and lightning at the least for combat. His favored wand is his Wand of Conjuration which he uses to conjure Rock Trolls in preference to all other creatures (2 appearing). For his protection, Agdi wears Bracers of Defense AC: 2, a Ring of Free Action, a Ring of Spell Turning, and a Brooch of Shielding that holds his Cloak of Displacement and Boots of Striding and Springing. If hard pressed in physical combat, the Earl also carries another Broadsword +3 (from his vast treasure hoard) should a lieutenant be using Dark’s Talon.

The Earl’s magnificent castle is of seemingly various sizes (depending on the tale); but is likely a Demi-Plane with the “castle gate” simply being the entrance to the place. Agdi can relocate this entrance to appear where he wills upon the island of Grundir.

 HORK THE HORRIBLE

Hork “the Horrible” (and “the All-Eater”)

Frequency: Unique

No. Appearing: 1

Armor Class: -3

Move: 24”

Hit Dice: 40+40 (326 Hit Points)

% in Lair: 100%

Treasure Type: E x2

No. of Attacks: 2 (fists or kicks)

Damage: 45-60 (5d4+40)

Special Attacks: See below

Special Defenses: See below

Magic Resistance: Standard

Intelligence: Average

Alignment: Chaotic Evil

Size: L (75’)

Psionic Ability: Nil

S: 25* I: 9 W: 15 D: 10 C: 25 CH: 6 CO: 8

XP Value: 20,950

The greatest troll ever known is Hork the Horrible, a monster that is so large he can disguise himself as a small island or low lying hillock! He went into the Kragg Spine Mountains prior to the conclusion of the war fought between Earl Agdi and King Graal; and has probably been asleep for these many decades. If he is accidentally awakened, it would likely be the death of anyone nearby the great monster; who instead of rending his foes, swallows them whole (exactly as a purple worm) if he grabs them and then thinks to swallow! The chance is 100% on a natural 20, only 20% otherwise. Anyone slain or knocked unconscious by him is eaten at once!

Hork’s favorite attack against a massed group of foes (such as in battle) is to lurch forward and body slam himself upon a group and then roll from side to side crushing all around him. If he chooses to do so, he may attack any foe in a 50’ x 30’ area for 6d6 damage! He may not attack the following round and anyone set for a charge gets one free attack against Hork. He is smart enough to not attempt such tactics against large groups of spearmen or pikemen; but loves to do so against cavalry of any kind.