General Campaign Notes
So, rather than send out copies of this, here are some of the campaign basics, for reading at your leisure. This will be updated periodically, so do recheck once in a while.
Races:
Humans, as per standard.
Alfar, the Other Race, are descended from one of Frey’s sons who was so consumed by his lust for knowledge of the Runes and Leys that his Wyrd was tied to the world’s magic, and warped unrecognizably.
As such, no alf has a Wyrd score. Instead, they are attuned to the ebbs and flows of magic, and are therefore able to advance weapons, armor, and artifacts more quickly than their human counterparts. (mechanic not yet set)
Their loss of Wyrd has also left them disconnected from Midgard, Jötunheim, and Asgard, and they are unable to enter the Realms without striking a bargain or submitting to a binding, leaving free only in Alfheim, which is a halfway-world accessible from highly magical areas which form weak points in reality.
Their magical connection has altered their physical appearance as well, though the specifics differ by clan. They range from short and squat, to unnaturally tall and thin. Most alfar find those of other clans repugnant, so there has been little intermixing, which has allowed minor physical differences to grow into monstrous appearances.
Dwarves, a subset of the alfar known as Svartalfar (dark elves), made a bargain permitting them permanent access to the Realms in exchange for sharing the secret of smithcraft with the other races. They prefer to live in the dark, since it reminds them of Alfheim’s permanently gray atmosphere, but are not incapacitated or injured by sunlight.
Jötnar are powerful, humanoid beings, ranging in stature from human standard to incredibly large. Of their several sub-races, the most common are the frost giants.
A PC jötun should have a specific grievance they want addressed: jötuns are loathe to take an active role in the world outsided Jötunheim, preferring to simply mess with any beings that come their way.
WYRD
Level Effect/description
1 +1 magic kenning; PC’s of this level are just starting
2 +1 character kenning; PC’s of this level have traveled and are
known in more than one village.
3 +1 item kenning; known for skill, not just recognized
4 +1 magic kenning; fame spreads, mentioned in skaldic poetry
5 +1 character kenning OR gain companion, player’s choice;
lesser kings show interest in you, and you may gain acolytes,
apprentices, etc.
6 +1 kenning to each of 2 different items; greater kings show
interest
7 +1 magic kenning; Jötuns begin to show interest
8 +1 Patronage kenning (character kenning
borrowed/stolen/gifted by a god or powerful Jötun); one or
more gods take a personal interest
9 +1 Artifact kenning (as item, but stronger); gods directly
intervene, dealings w/ powerful Jötnar
10 In the midst of fulfilling your destiny: the world hangs in the
balance as you fight to decide your ultimate fate. Kennings
you attempt automatically succeed.
Kennings can be use a number of times per encounter equal to Wyrd/3 + 1, rounded down.
When Wyrd is spent on a trick, that trick contributes to next kenning?
Sample Magic Kennings:
Lover of Seasons - everyone in AOE gains resist 5 against all energy, plus effect of endure elements. Lasts 5 rounds.
Crow-Feeder - anyone killed by a Crow-Feeder spell cannot be brought back by magic less powerful than Resurrection.
Winter-Hearted - Anyone affected by the spell takes caster level in cold damage, in addition to other effects. No save, SR yes.
Sample Character Kennings:
Legendary Strength: Gain a bonus to Strength equal to Wyrd for 1 round.
Radiant Leadership: Allies gain + (Wyrd/3, min. +1) to all attacks for 3 rounds.
Sample Item Kennings:
Beard-Trimmer (weapon only): Someone hit with this weapon is weakened with age for 3 rounds, taking -2 to attack rolls, saving throws, and skills.
Tree-Feller (weapon only) : Attacker may make a free trip attempt as part of this attack; if it fails, cannot be tripped in return.
Huntmaster (any item): By giving up one of his per encounter uses for an entire day, the wearer/wielder of this item can survive without food or water for that day.
Lightfoot: +(Wyrd) to hide and move silently for one encounter
Sample Artifact Kennings
Staff of Power (held items only): bearer can cast a spell from spell list even if it’s not on spells known list, only use this kenning 1/encounter.
Penetrating Might (weapon only): On hit, the target is also subjected to a targeted Greater Dispel Magic (CL=character level)
Sample Patronage Kennings (only usable once per encounter):
Blind Lord (Odin): free action to target one enemy with gaze attack; that enemy is blinded, no save.
Raven-Priest (Odin): enemies you kill this combat have their souls permanently destroyed.
Even-Handed (Tyr): Half the damage dealt to you is reflected back at those who caused it; lasts one round.
Hammer-Kin (Thor): Gain +5 to attack and damage rolls with hammers for 3 rounds.
Builder (Thrym): Wall of Stone as a spell-like ability, caster level = character level
Father of Monsters (Loki): Summon Monster VIII as a spell like ability, caster level = character level
