A Violent Game As with many tabletop roleplaying games, simulated combat can become a regular part of play. The most heroic adventurers often find themselves slaying dangerous monsters if not also meting out vigilante justice. Other groups of characters might exploit increasingly powerful abilities for far less altruistic purposes. Every adventurer feels some personal potential to make a difference in life-and-death situations. Nearly all already have experience at dealing death.
Each campaign will feature its own mix of incentives and rewards. That said, combat victories traditionally place high on the list of ways an adventurer might cultivate power and prestige. Not only do ordinary campaigns quickly turn new player characters into hardened combatants, but these characters also face risk of death. In a world where ancient dragons exist and giant beasts are not even particularly rare, a group of capable and well-balanced adventurers can find themselves overwhelmed by opposition. Player character death is a real possibility during all but the most peaceful adventures. |
Running a campaign well requires satisfying an extraordinary array of demands. You must decide which rules are optional, and you must make final determinations whenever rules are adjudicated. If running well-prepared material, you are responsible for its interpretation and, where appropriate, its modification. If working from sparse notes or entirely improvising, constant adaptation and spontaneous creativity are both needed. You must also facilitate play, supporting a healthy group dynamic even while repeatedly exposing that group to stressful situations. An adversarial yet collaborative participant, a fair yet firm judge, a coherent yet flexible storyteller – presiding over any portion of a campaign involves simultaneously performing several complex roles.
Preparing for this endeavor has great value. Studying the features and spells of your player characters makes it possible to tailor challenges to the particulars of their abilities. General review of classes, monsters, races, and spells sheds light on the countless possibilities available when designing encounters. Details about relevant cultures and religions can do much to guide coherent narratives. All this reading becomes even more effective when paired with a little writing. Compiling all the critical information in one place constitutes preparation for a combat encouter. That task is also an opportunity to script unusual behaviors or individualize notable figures before the party makes first contact.
Managing each session is fraught with challenges and compromises. Seconds become precious when commanding the attention of a group. Lengthier exercises in the calm of preparation might save much less time than they require, but this savings is realized in the thick of gatherings when every moment could be precious to each individual present. Sessions meant to involve figurines on physical terrain should minimize group time consumed by related logistics. Even sessions entirely confined to the theater of the mind can benefit from extensive notes prepared in advance. Some people excel at narrative improvisation, some people excel at tactical wargaming, and some people excel at voice acting; but every Dungeon Master (DM) benefits from a foundation established through forethought and material readiness.
↟ Contents ↟ ↡ Index ↡ ↑ Preface ↑ → Introduction ← ↓ Characters ↓
Humanity at the Heart Theatron is chiefly a world of human beings. Centuries prior to the Great Consolidation, humanity already surpassed the population of all other adventuring races combined. Humans now constitute over
90% of the three largest empires in the world as well as the majority of many kingdoms, federations, city-states, and tribal lands. Yet humanity is no monolith. Twenty-six human languages are each presently spoken by more than one million people. Each ethnic group is a product of unique history, politics, and traditions. Even terrain and climate shape the cultures of people who all are ultimately sustained by the land.
Every biological variation among major human ethnicities is purely cosmetic. Cultural forces promote some abilities over others. These emphases are reinforced everywhere from folklore to training techniques. Thus major ethnic groups possess reputations for particular endowments woven deeply into their cultural identities. When raised among non-humans and given no particular encouragement to conform with any ethnic stereotypes, heritage appears to have no bearing on the potential and actual abilities of individual humans. Ethnicity is an important part of self-image for many people. Even so, it provides no physiological advantages.
Most sages understand this. Scholars are often curious about all things foreign and quick to overcome personal prejudices. Others may lack this trait. Political leaders rarely resist appeals to ethnic unity (if not also legal favoratism) in order to secure the loyalty of their own people. Unflattering portrayals of outsiders can be an easy way to entertain a crowd inclined toward ethnic pride. Wherever war looms, hostility toward the people governed by an opposing power is likely to follow. Even though all human beings are essentially the same, pandering and divisiveness can become paths to popularity while obscuring the deeper truth – humans of all ethnicities are created equally.
Non-human Peoples Bodily variations of the non-human races are more than skin deep. Some tower over humanity while others never approach
3' in height. Some races grow natural weaponry. All fey and fiends harbor active magic in their blood. Dwarves, elves, halflings, and humans were created to perform specific duties for dragons. Those four races have some sense of kinship despite different physiologies and perspectives on the world. Other non-human races can be more profoundly alien. Individuals entirely unfamiliar with a race may be disturbed by some routine behaviors or startled by the appearance of ordinary members of that race.
Even so, the twenty-five adventuring races are all broadly understood to be people. In the modern era, the rules of magic are perfectly inclusive on that point. The laws of mortal regimes and the selection criteria for private groups do not always comport with this understanding. Tireless elven diplomats secure adventuring fey legal status equal to humans in nearly every surface realm. Dwarves and halflings enjoy similar goodwill as valued contributors to industry and commerce. Well-established governments tend to have explicit policies dealing with each adventuring race. Provisions for obtaining legal and social acceptance are typically included in these policies. Most governments would consider it folly to make enemies of an entire race of people.
After all, each adventuring race is the source of many living heroes and villains. Most aristocracies extend invitations to non-humans distinguished by great achievements and proven loyalty. Enclaves of non-humans often trace their origins to such an exemplar able to provide leadership and security. Yet some non-human stereotypes reflect underlying realities. Minotaurs will not salute any authority they could easily claim for themselves. Bugbears unable to shelter indoors will dig a personal hole and rest under a pile of debris. Dragonborn, kobolds, and lizardfolk sometimes make celebratory meals from freshly fallen foes. Non-human adventurers can encounter many complications in the human world.
Monsters Abound Lasting comfort requires vigilant defenders. The Archfey and their dragon adversaries developed all sorts of creatures to battle each other across millennia of magical experimentation. These projects are rare in the modern era, yet bizarre creations continue to escape into the wild even today. Respected institutions sometimes allow certain types of monsters to live openly in cities. Most urban monsters live covertly in secret lairs and/or by way of magical disguise. Some even benefit from networks of supporters active in the community. Orderly cities offer bounties to a guild or cadre of heavily regulated monster hunters. The least secure places have even greater need for this service, though many lack the funds to sponsor large bounties.
Monsters in less populated locales draw adventurers for many reasons. Some preside over hoards of treasure either long forgotten or slowly accumulated. Others serve as guardians of natural wonders or abandoned structures. The Thousandfold Drama during the Age of Heroes saw countless sites lost to conquering armies, divine curses, natural disasters, or rampaging hordes. Those not promptly reclaimed often became lairs for the deadliest creatures in the area. Far from city walls, dangerous monsters roam freely with no disguise. Where governments falter or clash, locals must provide their own security. Danger is intensified as bandits and outlaws share rough territory with monsters that no aristocratic authority would abide.
Political leaders are expected to deal with any deadly monsters prowling their lands. The best military organizations respond quickly to reports of trouble near major roads or outlying settlements. Many palaces feature trophy rooms where preserved remains and dramatic sculptures are staged to glorify ancestors and the monsters they killed to tame surrounding territory. Some aristocrats respond well to impressive trophies offered in tribute. Major universities, religious institutions, and noble houses all sponsor quests to recover items that convey prestige. Often these retrievals have not already been completed because formidable monsters claimed the lives of parties to previous attempts.
Opposition and Confrontation There are also goals defended by more conventional adversaries. Uncovering secrets of great value often requires doing battle with the keepers of those secrets, even if they are people. The endless intrigues of royal courts quickly make persistent participants into formidable figures. There are also all manner of clashes that welcome public participation, from armies locked in struggle to religions striving to attract new followers. Some individuals develop impressive abilities despite rarely encountering monsters of any kind. Artists, entertainers, evangelists, merchants, messengers, politicians, researchers, smugglers, and thieves are among those who experience serial adventures while dealing mostly with civilized people.
Minor neighborhoods and ordinary towns see little internal conflict. Effective leaders will settle any disputes slow to resolve on their own. Larger communities inevitably see factions forming as organized interests compete and popular values diverge. Heavy-handed authorities create enduring rifts. Fringe groups of outsiders become less marginalized when their numbers grow or their leaders thrive. Some organizations feel a duty to seek out and challenge traditional counterparts. Every metropolis sees a proliferation of popular faiths, privileged families, productive industries, and secret societies pursuing their own agendas. Managing any huge and diverse population is less about achieving harmony than successful harm reduction.
Authorized urban monster hunters may be obligated to promptly heal victims and extinguish fires to the best of their abilities. All who serve a noble cause are expected to behave appropriately while in the public eye. Even where duelling is not legal, most bystanders will be astute enough to move away from any active combat. Far from any regulatory oversight, heroes and villains alike are not restrained by any taboos against cruelty, malediction, necromancy, poison, weaponry, or witchcraft. Yet each of these things can create conflict if observed by survivors in jurisdictions with relevant bans. This may force a choice – become identified as an outlaw or kill witnesses like the most dangerous outlaws often do.
Growth Through Struggle The fate of no living mortal is carved in stone. Each sunrise brings with it opportunities to make change. Even the most desperate souls might yet connect with the power of prayer. Those who are already fit and free have the means to leave their mark on the world. Successful efforts also leave marks of their own on adventurers. Those steadfast in their beliefs and loyalties will strengthen those bonds. Figures more inclined toward shifting allegiances and values will become familiar with new perspectives on the world. Be it a winding journey across a broad spectrum of attitudes or an unyielding pursuit of a singular ideal, each meaningful advance contributes to the development of new or enhanced abilities.
| ADVENTURING CLASSES |
| | Martial | | Magical |
| † | Barbarians | ♪ | Bards |
| ♥ | Fighters | ✠ | Clerics |
| ∅ | Monks | ♣ | Druids |
| ∞ | Paladins | ≬ | Sorcerers |
| ✶ | Rangers | ★ | Warlocks |
| ♠ | Rogues | ∢ | Wizards |
The earliest spellcasting dragons devoured large numbers of other mighty creatures to accumulate power. Slaughtering entire armies of dragons provided a path to immortality for the Archfey. Many thousands of clerics, fighters, magic-users, and thieves each battled their way to legendary prowess during the Age of Heroes. Hardship and violence have always seen survivors emerge with a measure of personal growth. The gods of the modern era inspire their worshippers with narratives crafted to promote mortal conflict. Though some territories have experienced centuries of peace, great nations go to war with the largest armies ever assembled. Those who seek a fight often need do little more than to choose a side in some ongoing clash.
The most prodigious adventurers begin to make their mark before coming of age. Others are already elderly when they answer the call to action. A typical origin sees institutional studies or military service preceding a series of adventures. No two stories are precisely the same, though each pairs a mix of exceptional challenges with exceptional rewards. Victories drive personal empowerment. Tremendous capabilities become available to the most accomplished adventurers. Heroes may grow into superheroes while villains grow into supervillains. Many other persons of great power do not fit neatly into either archetype. All are unified by a string of triumphs over tests most people would sooner avoid than attempt.
↟ Contents ↟ ↡ Index ↡ ↑ Introduction ↑ → Difficulty ← ↓ Risks ↓