Player's Guide to Ashes of Aljashe

Introduction

In a world still recovering from the breach of Xhamen-Dor’s seal, the delicate barrier known as the Outer Rift now leaks eerie, otherworldly energies into Argos. This ancient rift, once a steadfast divide between mortal realms and unfathomable cosmic forces, has left a quiet but persistent mark on the land.

In the midst of this cosmic uncertainty, the city-state of Aljashe faces its own trials. A swift coup by the ancient dragon Azuraq has transformed Aljashe into a kleptocracy, where influential guilds pay heavy tribute to their new dragon overlord. While Azuraq’s rule has reshaped the political landscape with its own brand of corruption and intrigue, it is the lingering threat from the shattered Outer Rift that forms the true heart of the mystery.

You and your fellow adventurers are drawn into a campaign where the echoes of an ancient, cosmic disturbance blend with the tangible struggles of a city under draconic dominion. Will you uncover the secrets behind the Outer Rift, confront the creeping influence of otherworldly forces, and navigate the murky politics of Aljashe? The future of Argos rests in your hands.

The Doomsday Report

The Fall of the Nereus

On the 23rd of Rainwane, 995 Common Era, the highly secure and covert prison known as the Nereus fell under a meticulously orchestrated attack. Testimonies from key witnesses - Julius Mortimer, a renowned wizard and researcher; Kaeleris Syne, the sovereign-appointed inspector from Ordo; and Alcazar Moran, High Inquisitor and former Herald of Laxus - reveal a plan that was meant to be executed with military precision. As the assaulting forces breached The Nereus, the visiting Ordo contingent, commanded by Marcio Firenz, was to execute a pincer maneuver, flanking the attackers. Marcio’s conspicuous departure from the Daru Isles with his regiment was intended to signal that Ordo reinforcements would be too distant to intervene - an illusion that would soon shatter.

What no one anticipated was that The Nereus held more than political prisoners - it was also the prison of a Great Old One known as Xhamen-Dor. When the seal was broken, the prison collapsed into the sea, and the ancient horror was set free. Survivors spoke of an inexplicable, bone-deep chill, haunting echoes that invaded their minds, and a host of unsettling physical anomalies that defied explanation.

Divinity's Edge

In the weeks following the catastrophe, the very fabric of Argos began to unravel:

In the wake of these calamities, nations across Argos united in an unprecedented coalition. Divinity's Edge - a party composed of divine heralds - was entrusted with the monumental task of quelling the threat of Xhamen-Dor. Armed with vast resources and granted governing authority, they spent an entire year gathering intelligence and formulating a strategy. Their findings were dire: Xhamen-Dor had burrowed into the very core of Argos, siphoning the planet’s resources to fuel his malevolent resurgence.

Tragically, Divinity's Edge failed in their initial attempt to destroy Xhamen-Dor - not due to a lack of power, but because of a catastrophic failure in teamwork. The heralds, unable to coordinate their efforts, turned on one another in the chaos of battle. The gods, long bound by a pact of inaction, were incensed by the betrayal and bloodshed. As divine debates raged, worship across Argos plummeted, and the once-unquestionable grip the gods held on order was irrevocably shattered.

The Reckoning of the Gods

With Argos teetering on the brink of ruin, the gods found themselves at a precipice of despair and fury. Desperate to salvage the mortal realm, some united for a final, desperate act of intervention. In a cataclysmic ritual of blinding light and unbridled power, they forcefully expelled Xhamen-Dor from Argos. However, the cost was staggering:

A Cry for Champions

Now, as Argos trembles beneath the weight of its wounds - with the earth splitting, skies tearing asunder, the essence of life fading, and creatures form beyond invading - a desperate cry rises from every scarred valley and forsaken ruin.

In this shattered world - where faltering gods and a neglected mortal realm collide - the destiny of Argos now rests in the hands of those brave enough to confront divine indifference and the creeping chaos unleashed by the shattering of the outer rift.

A Brief History of Aljashe

aljashe.webpright

Settlements in Aljashe

The following section contains a list of relevant settlements in Aljashe, followed by a brief description. See also the attached image of Aljashe at the end of the section (right click, open image in new tab for a closer look)

Your Character

The characters begin at level 2.

The following character options are the recommended character options for this campaign. You can also pick options outside of these, but these are the options which are most likely to be appropriate for the campaign.

Enter your search text in the box above

Select a result to preview