Tag Archives: Cities of Sundara

Encounters for Hoardreach: The City of Wyrms

Dragon
Some artwork copyright William McAusland, used with permission.

Four encounters for each of the districts of Hoardreach are given here. The encounters will work with the Pathfinder and 5E versions of the supplement.

North District

  1. A passenger skyship is coming into land at Skyport Park. Crew on the ground are preparing to make the ship safe and help passengers disembark.
  2. A bookseller with a wide selection of books is entering the Archive, looking to sell some to the organisation.
  3. Numerous lightning bolts stab down out of the sky in series, grounding themselves on the lightning rods that cover the district.
  4. Young kobolds are making a very realistic-looking dragon out of snow and ice.

The Sunrise District

  1. Lizardfolk are idly basking in the district’s warmth, chatting to each other and enjoying some light refreshments.
  2. In Cinder Square, several of the statues and shaped crystals on display are being packaged away, and sealed crates contain new pieces to be put out.
  3. From Glassreach comes an explosion of fire, which draws barely a glance from the locals.
  4. An ifrit is shaping a piece of molten glass into a new decorative piece.

Westgate

  1. There’s a splash as a large amphibious resident dives into the Swamp.
  2. Three goblins drunk on dragon’s blood are arguing with a large ogre who seems more amused than annoyed.
  3. A pseudodragon swoops down, followed by two more. They hiss, then fly off again.
  4. Several residents are getting into an argument over politics in Low Market. It appears to be mostly good-natured.

Old Lane

  1. Raucous members of a skyship’s crew are making their way into the Skycat Inn, welcomed by friendly calls.
  2. A tourist in Charcoal Plaza looks extremely ill after eating a dish they were advised was not suitable for their kind.
  3. Guards are escorting a merchant accompanied by several chests into the Accounting House.
  4. Someone who looks to be from out of town is carefully reading the signs and flags that aid navigation through the district.

East Town

  1. Light flashes out from the top of the Bastion at the highest point of the city.
  2. Above the district, a glider falters and nearly staggers out of the sky until its pilot recovers control.
  3. An explosion, followed by a gout of flame, causes some people to duck and look for the source whilst others continue on with their business, unaffected by the sound.
  4. A wyvern swoops down from above, buzzing the pedestrians below, seemingly entertained by this.

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Profanity Heralds Discovery

Profanity Heralds Discovery is an introductory piece of fiction for Silkgift: The City of Sails, one of the supplements for Cities of Sundara, which is available in versions for 5th Edition and Pathfinder.

Candle
Some artwork copyright William McAusland, used with permission

The shout was a combination of frustration and surprise. It wasn’t followed by an explosion, or a cry of pain, though, so it clearly wasn’t an emergency. Taggart put his tools down, took off the protective lenses he wore and ambled across the hall with his bow-legged stride. The night was dragging on, and the other workshops had emptied out for the night. It seemed that only he and his neighbor were burning moonlight oil, as the saying went. The dwarf rapped his heavy knuckles on the door frame of the workshop, and peered in.

“Everything all right, Ella?” he asked.

“I’ve still got all my fingers and toes, if that’s what you’re asking,” Ella replied. The dark-haired halfling was sitting on the work bench, her head in her hands and her feet dangling.

Taggart stepped over the threshold, taking in the scene. Ella’s workspace had the messy look of a well-loved kitchen, where the clutter had a thread of rhyme and reason to it if one tilted their head and squinted. Her burner had been banked, and on top of it was an iron pot filled with some kind of thick, viscous goop. It smelled like bone meal and sawdust, with a hint of potpourri.

“Bad result?” Taggart asked.

“I bumped the dried spider silk threads with my elbow,” Ella said. “Caught the bottle, but not before half of it spilled in.”

Taggart wrinkled his nose as a bubble burst in the gloop, releasing a puff of strangely scented air. He rubbed his mustache, smoothing it down over his lip. Ella blew out a long breath, moving her hands to the sides of her head, rubbing at her temples.

“There’s something somebody once told me that might be good to keep in mind, Ella,” Taggart said.

“What’s that?” the halfling asked, her eyes closed as she tried to stave off a headache.

“Profanity heralds discovery,” Taggart said, chuckling.

Ella looked up at him. Her expression was less than pleased. “Chalk it out for me? I’m not in a mood for riddles.”

Taggart glanced at the experiment again. He pursed his lips, drawing his thumb over his mustache again. When he was sure Ella was listening, not just humoring him, he smiled at her.

“Just because something you made doesn’t do what you want doesn’t make it useless. So think about that before you toss it in the midden heap and start over.” Taggart yawned, covering his mouth with his fist. “I was at a good breaking point anyway. You want to split a pot of dark?”

“Pretty sure I’m going to need it,” Ella said.

Taggart nodded, clumping back the way he’d come. Ella could hear him filling his kettle, and spooning out the strong tea he kept in a can. She glanced over at the thick glop her experiment had become, and frowned at it. She lifted the stirring stick, and watched as the liquid slowly dripped from the tip.

Was there something she could do with it after all?

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Species of Sundara: Dwarves (5E), Species of Sundara: Dwarves (PFRPG) and 100 Hooks and Rumours for Gods of the Fall II Now Available

Species of Sundara: Dwarves (5E)Species of Sundara: Dwarves (5E), Species of Sundara: Dwarves (PFRPG) and 100 Hooks and Rumours for Gods of the Fall II are now available to buy from DriveThruRPG.

Species of Sundara: Dwarves (5E) provides new options for dwarves, especially for the Sundara setting, but which can also be used in other settings.

Species of Sundara: Dwarves (PFRPG) is the same supplement, but with the options provided for the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game.

Characters may hear rumours when asking around and 100 Hooks and Rumours for Gods of the Fall II has 100 such for the Gods of the Fall setting. They are similar to the hooks in the setting book, According to Prophecy, but what prophecy they apply to, and whether they are true, is up to the GM.

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Encounters for Silkgift: The City of Sails

Silkgift: The City of SalesFour encounters for each of the districts of Silkgift are given here. The encounters will work with the Pathfinder and 5E versions of the supplement.

Great Ferry

  1. Cask’s Crossing starts to rise as it’s approached, temporarily putting a stop to the traffic crossing the river.
  2. In Confluence Square, a pair of ingeneurs are sending tiny balloons made from Archer cloth into the air. Miniature candles dangling below the balloons provide the lift.
  3. A merchant from out of town is buying a large shipment of Archer cloth, more than the shop they are purchasing it from can supply.
  4. An argument breaks out between a sailor and a fisherman, and it looks like their friends might get involved, as the Silkgift Constabulary move in ready to stop any trouble, net casters in hand.

Noonbrook

  1. Two gnomish workers are fixing a fountain that has stopped spraying water. Bits and pieces of fountain and various tools lie around them.
  2. One of the wind towers that directs air inside the homes and shops is emitting a howling noise. Someone is at the top of the tower examining the opening the wind enters through.
  3. A merchant falls from their ship into the waters of Peddler’s Wharf, to the amusement of some of those who see it.
  4. A water clock strikes the hour, marking it with a spray of water that forms a rainbow.

The Harbours

  1. A huge ship is pulling into dock, easily twice the size of the next largest vessel.
  2. A drunk staggers out of the Harbourmaster, catching themselves against a wall before slumping down.
  3. Fish spill from the net of a fishing boat as the rope holding up gives way, leading to shouts from the crew as the catch is spilled over the dock.
  4. A merchant on Barter Street is loudly hailing anyone who passes, telling everyone that it is their last chance to get some bargains before they have to leave the city.

Fool Street

  1. A blast from Nightmare Alley shatters the air and causes everyone to turn and look to see what has exploded.
  2. A convoy of huge wagons is making its way into the Ingeneurium along one of the roads that lead through the facility. It is accompanied by a large escort of the Silkgift Constabulary.
  3. Puffs of coloured smoke rise into the air, though it’s unclear just where they are coming from; it could be the Ingeneurium, Nightmare Alley or one of the smaller places.
  4. A delivery is being unloaded at Archer Dock, and several guards are keeping a careful eye out for trouble.

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Fixing the Problem

Fixing the Problem is a piece of fiction for Silkgift: The City of Sails, one of the supplements for Cities of Sundara, which is available in versions for 5th Edition and Pathfinder.

GearMormout Bronzeforger pondered the plans for the new water clock laid out on the table. He looked across at the workbench where several of the pieces of the clock were neatly laid out; carefully-wrought pieces of bronze in unusual shapes.

“Hmm.” ruminated the dwarf. Mormout knew what he was attempting to accomplish with the clock, which was planned for a new installation in Noonbrook, with a deadline that was rapidly getting closer, but something just wasn’t working quite right. There didn’t seem to be a fault in the plans, but the most recent test hadn’t worked correctly. Which is why the water clock was once again in pieces. Carefully arranged, well machined pieces, but pieces all the same.

“Hmm.” pondered Mormout again, repeating himself. “I wonder…”

The dwarf picked up one of the cogs that was used to drive the water clock. To the untrained eye, it looked perfectly fine. Beautifully machined, in fact. To Mormout’s eye, it looked good as well, but there was something about it…

Mormout retrieved one of his finer tools from the set of drawers positioned next to the table where the clock was laid out. He used it to examine the clock much more carefully. This time, he found it. An ever so tiny error in the machining, a slight burr to the cog that was stopping it working as smoothly as it should.

Mormout’s beard twitched in a slight smile. The equivalent of a broad grin on someone else. This was it; he was sure of it. He started making the cog as perfect as it looked.

The next test would be fine. No doubt about it.

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Species of Sundara: Elves (5E), Species of Sundara: Elves (PFRPG) and d66 Books for the Bleed Now Available

Species of Sundara: Elves (5E)Species of Sundara: Elves (5E), Species of Sundara: Elves (PFRPG) and d66 Books for the Bleed are now available to buy on DriveThruRPG.

Species of Sundara: Elves (5E) provides new options for elves, especially for the Sundara setting, but which can also be used in other settings.

Species of Sundara: Elves (PFRPG) is the same supplement, but with the options provided for the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game.

Not every book found is truly useful and d66 Books for the Bleed provides 36 books that can be used to flesh out a bookshelf, whether electronic or physical, in the Bleed setting of Ashen Stars.

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Cities of Sundara: Moüd Campaign Traits (PFRPG)

Lich
Some artwork copyright William McAusland, used with permission

Traits are abilities not tied to a character’s species or class. Campaign traits are designed to add a hook into a campaign, and these traits are designed for Cities of Sundara: Moüd (PFRPG).

Blood of Moüd: You are descended from the original inhabitants of Moüd that fled the city after the accident when the breach between the worlds was opened. The energies from the rift bathed your ancestors, giving some of those who fled a way with the undead. You gain a +1 trait bonus on weapon attacks made against undead, or with spells or channelled energy, whether to help or harm them.

Dorunna Born: You were born amongst the Dorunna nomads that live on the rim of the Trackless Quarter and are familiar with the desert that the City of Bones can be found in. You gain a +1 trait bonus for Survival in the desert and that skill is always a class skill for you.

Scholar of Moüd: You have spent a great deal of time delving into Moüd, its history and its libraries. You gain a +1 trait bonus to all Knowledge (history) checks made in Moüd. The bonus increases to +2 if the check relates to Moüd.

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What Can I Do With It?

What Can I Do With It? is an introductory piece of fiction for Silkgift: The City of Sails, one of the supplements for Cities of Sundara, which is available in versions for 5th Edition and Pathfinder.

Sailing Ship
Some artwork copyright William McAusland, used with permission

Ella was working late in her lab when she heard a familiar sound from down the hall; a low hiss followed by a kind of strangled growl. She cocked her head, waiting to make sure there wasn’t an explosion, and then climbed her step stool to get down her can of tea. She put the kettle on over her corner burner, and waited for it to heat. She took it off just as the pacing started, pouring two cups and adding the diffusers, along with cream and a little bit thistle dust for sweetener. Then she took the cups and walked down the hall. She was slower these days, but Garrick’s workshop wasn’t far.

Ella didn’t bother knocking, she just edged the door open with the toe of her boot. The long-haired shipwright’s apprentice was standing in front of an assembly that Ella recognized. He rounded on the sound of the door opening, the shout swelling up in his chest transforming into a long sigh as he saw it was Ella.

“I thought you went home a few hours ago,” he said. For him, that was the same as an apology.

“I don’t sleep much these days,” Ella said, holding out the much larger mug toward him. “Is that lubricant formula still not cooperating?”

“No,” he said, taking the mug. Garrick held it close to his face, but didn’t drink. He ran his calloused fingers through his hair, and stared at the results of his latest attempt. “Something’s going wrong. I don’t know if it’s the heat, or the sand quality, or-”

“Have you asked the important question?” Ella cut him off, sipping at her own tea.

Garrick stopped, frozen still as a statue. After a second he blew a sharp breath out of his nose, and took a sip of the tea. “What can I do with what I have?”

Ella nodded, and stepped past him, getting up onto a step stool to look at what was in his pot. It was a thick, oily sludge with bits of grit in it. She took a stirring stick, and prodded it. It was thick and heavy, almost like tar as she lifted some up.

“Is it tacky when it dries?” she asked.

“No,” he said. Then he took another sip of his tea, his eyebrows meeting.

“And the grit?” Ella asked. “Does it make for a solid grip?”

“Fairly,” Garrick said, a frown on his mouth as well as his brow. Ella waited, but for all the sparks she could see going off in his brain, nothing was catching just yet.

“You spent two years tooling a shipyard, Garrick,” Ella said, sipping her tea. “What would you do with it?”

He opened his mouth, but whatever words he’d been about to speak in haste were belayed as his brain caught a grip. He glanced over at the resin, and his eyes narrowed. Finally he said, “If it seals better than tar, it would be a godsend for a deck in a squall.”

“Start with a gangway,” Ella said, climbing back down and smiling at him. “Then work your way up from there.”

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Encounters for Moüd: The City of Bones

Moüd: The City of BonesFour encounters for each of the districts of Moüd are given here. The encounters will work with the Pathfinder and 5E versions of the supplement.

North District

  1. A pair of black-robed figures are tending to some flowers in the Garden of Purity, with the merest glimpse of bony hands or skulls.
  2. A number of skeletal elephants are leaving the Death House, accompanied by some grey-clad guild members.
  3. Chattering acolytes of the Silver Wraiths are entering the College of Bones after what sounds like a field trip with a couple of the masters of the guild.
  4. Two masters of the Silver Wraiths are sitting on a bench in the Garden of Purity, enjoying the view whilst they amicably argue over the merits of different necromantic spells.

Elmbarrow

  1. A merchant and a potential customer are haggling in the Dead Market, with raised voices and many gesticulations of their arms.
  2. A young couple holding hands are heading into the Weeping Hollow, quietly whispering in each other’s ears.
  3. A pair of Silver Wraiths are arguing with a merchant. They appear to be disputing the merchant’s claims about what is being sold.
  4. An ink-stained scholar in ragged robes is hustling along with a package of books that appears to be where they’ve spent the money saved on clothing repair.

Lighthall

  1. Grey-armoured guards are inspecting an individual seeking entrance into Silver Hall.
  2. Two people sat at a table in the Oasis are quietly talking to each other. One passes something to the other, keeping it hidden as they do.
  3. A skeleton in ancient livery offers a silver tray of drinks to a guest at the Three Kings.
  4. Someone who looks like they are newly arrived in Moüd is carefully studying the inscriptions on the massive rustless iron pillar in the centre square.

West Gate

  1. One of the elephant trains of the Silver Wraiths is arriving at the gate and guards are porters are moving towards it to unload and admit any passengers.
  2. Delicious smells waft by on the breeze, emanating from the Smokehouse, and a number of people seem to decide that they are hungry.
  3. Stacks of building materials start to slide and a pile of sandstone blocks falls down, with some shattering when they hit the ground.
  4. A pair of twins are performing feats of acrobatics on and around a very large man, possibly with giantish blood in his veins, for the entertainment of newly arrived travellers.

The Outer District

  1. A street merchant is trying to sell charms to passers-by, claiming that they protect against the forces of necromancy.
  2. Someone is negotiating with Haroud Makur at the Ravenhouse, looking to purchase the services of a number of ravens to send letters to various places.
  3. A caravan of camels loaded high with goods arrives at Smallgate, dusty and dry from the desert.
  4. A grey-cloaked Silver Wraith is passing through and several residents make warding symbols as they pass.

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Gods of Sundara (5E), Gods of Sundara (PFRPG) and 100 Books for Gods of the Fall Now Available

Gods of Sundara (5E)Gods of Sundara (5E), Gods of Sundara (PFRPG) and 100 Books for Gods of the Fall are now available to buy from DriveThruRPG.

Gods of Sundara (5E) introduces the pantheons of Sundara, with details on ten gods, the cosmos of Sundara and the principles of the gods, together with a new player species.

Gods of Sundara (PFRPG) is the above supplement for the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game.

Not every book found on a shelf is truly useful or valuable and 100 Books for Gods of the Fall Now Available has 100 such books for Gods of the Fall. These could be found on shelves, in libraries or amongst the possessions of a bibliomancer.

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