GM Only Notes for the Steel Realms

Posted on October 29, 2024 in Steel-Realms

The setting of the Steel Realms has some key features that explain how it came to be in its current state, and even informs its development for the future. Most of this is embedded in the lore and campaign information, but some issues are GM Only Notes for the Steel Realms. These are not critical for the Living World aspects or for game play within it, but for GMs wondering about certain events and entities, these issues may provide a more coherent context.

GM's Guide/Ref

Vaide’s Escape Exlixir (for ghouls)

Posted on October 27, 2024 in Steel-Realms

Although Lichryan Sanatives are for the protection and healing of the undead and undying forms employed by the Lich Lords, some that are not their servants have developed items accomplish the same or more. Clavel Vaide weas a ghoul of immense age and power, a thousand years old or more. He worked extensively to collect a volume of lore in these regards. Some of the items he recorded his experiments for are Exanimate Items.

Ghoul’s Change Elixir

The ‘ghoul’s change elixir’ (Vaide’s Escape Exlixir (for ghouls)) is a potion that was made by Clavel Vaide that can roll back the physical hunger characteristics and hunger of a ghoul that is not yet feral for a day cycle. It also has the effect of changing the countenance of the imbiber for the same time – a completely physical restructuring so they can mask their identity and aura perfectly – Clavel used them to escape several situations. It has no effect on already feral ghouls. It changes the physical appearance, so that a hungry ghoul may blend in for a moment or escape detection. Upon the living it wreaks a terrible cost, though in rare instances, the living may experience a permanent body change that is not accompanied by a toxic reaction or violent physical wound and alteration. A double dose upon the living ensures a violent physical change that is permanent and reduces the Essence of the imbiber. Over time, some have show taints of marks – though never where it can be seen casually.

This particular elixir works upon the the Undying, the undead, and even the awe-cursed Celestine heritage – it relieves their hunger for 3 day cycles and suppresses their nature (vs. Detect and Protection).

• On the living, it will cause permanent disfigurement. It can kill.
• Upon the Undying, it can cause permanent disfigurement. It can only kill on the worst possible outcome.
• Undead will benefit as normal, though only ghouls will gain a new visage.
• Celestine drinking these can die, can reduce or enhance their awe-curse slightly – permanently in a bad outcome

Where there is a scale, use the Save result: Success +1, Fail -1, Dire -2, Major +2, Devastating -4, Extraordinary +4.

= TAINTs and MARKS were seen in many (not all) cases of a normal person or Undying drinking one.

1. Looks; DC 12 Constitution save > Success = +1 category / Fail = -1 category
2. Decrepitude: Delayed vs. Accelerated
3. Appearance: Youthful vs. Wizened
4. Vigor (constitution, endurance, vitality)
5. Reactions (speed, dexterity)
6. Strength (muscle, might)
7. Appearance Feature
   1. Hair, Bald vs. Body Cover, Long vs. Short, Wire-like vs. Soft & Silky, Beard/Mustache/Goatee color and fullness
   2. Skin, Dry & Irritated / Scales / Slimy; Patchy vs. Complete
   3. Eyes Color, Shape, Position
   4. Height
   5. Weight
   6. Handedness Switch; # Fingers

Blue Willow Basin/Valley

Posted on October 27, 2024 in Steel-Realms

The Blue Willow Basin/Valley is framed/surrounded by the The Hawktail Hills in Pelmon.

Characters coming of age in/from this locale will shape their perspective to the primary experience of Cultural Experience of the Riverdans.

River Basin

The river valley once was a major tributary to the Nanford River, now its a fen ridden flood plain. The river is known as the Marshsail River – for the broken chunks of marshland that float down it.

Willow Uplands

Around the basin, and up into the hills that surround it, many trees grow. These include beech, birch, willow and others.

Tallow’s Deep

Posted on October 26, 2024 in Steel-Realms

Tallow’s Deep is a fortress of the Orrish in the south of the Tolkisson range, in the Grayjag spur. It is east of the duchy of N’lokrha. It is debated as its full disposition, though it it is definitely part of the Underlands of the Steel Realms. At times, the effect of The Deeping of the Steel Realms is seen and felt – even at times the full shadow of a Deeping Hollows. The entrance(s) to the legendary fortress are in turn guarded by the forces at the edge of the Black Hillz.

Originally it was carved out by the the goblin king Mogoglub as his personal domain and fortress. The numerous sons of dark one threaten to crush the hill, mountain and valley dwellers in the Grayjag spur range, east of the duchy and bring the protective evil shadow of the Curtain of Night over the mountains.

It was so resilient and indefatigable initially, it was believed by the greatest and wisest of sages that it was protected by the magic of the Murkenstone, relic of Everdark.

History

Call to Arms: In CY ????, the need to capture the underground fortress of Tallow’s Deep to occupy it and keep the hordes from overrunning the outnumbered forces of Ynth and Rockholm. King Arfenon of Ynth was personally in charge of the defensive force. King Arfenon desperately awaits the aid of the heroes of the realm. The forces of Arfenon cannot hold out unless the forces at Tallows Deep are crushed so that the soldiers of Gladnor can secure and occupy the fort for defense. The armies will clash in the foothills, and the heroes are needed to enter stealthily, and kill the goblin king. This will close the gateway forever, as the king has tied his life force to the Curtain of Night. After this, the twin “Towers” in the Black Hillz were built to keep the Orrish in check.

= FAILED! Mogoglub is now a lich?