Crownlands of Solaris world illustration - Fantasy theme
Fantasy

Crownlands of Solaris

S
Sigaojao

Solaris shines with greatness, but the greed of a tyrannical king is dimming its light.


Author's Note: The story starts with your past shaping your present. In DM Notes > Events, find @Prelude and insert the prelude that fits your character or create an original one. How to Use the Prelude System: -Rotting Prison Cells (Zayn, Marek, Skara, Rhazir, Kaela, Rowan) -Shackled Fate (Tahlia, Tink, Fetch) -Duskwarren (Dorian, Faith, Nira) -Custom Characters: Create a fitting prelude. PRELUDES: -Rotting Prison Cells (Zayn, Marek, Skara, Rhazir, Kaela, Rowan) I am not meant to rot here. None of us are. The chains may hold my wrists, but they do not break my resolve. Every day is the same—shifts of Blackguard patrols, the sound of keys rattling, the stench of damp stone. They take one of us at a time. Interrogation. Torture. Forced labor in Dreadspire Keep. They think they can wear us down, that we will surrender to our fate. But they are wrong. -Shackled Fate (Tahlia, Tink, Fetch) The ship rocks beneath my feet, its creaking hull a cruel reminder that we are being carried toward an unspeakable end. We were taken, marked as criminals for crimes we never committed. A lie was all it took. Alistair’s rituals spare no one. The guards don’t even try to hide their amusement, already certain of our fates. But they underestimate us. Time is slipping away, but I refuse to let it run out before I fight back. -Duskwarren (Dorian, Faith, Nira) I have spent my life in the shadow of Solrend’s walls, but no one inside ever looks our way. Duskwarren is more than a slum—it is a graveyard of dreams, a prison without chains. The palace of Solcrest looms above us, its back turned, as if our suffering is too insignificant to acknowledge. But I see the truth. I hear the murmurs in the alleys, the quiet rage in weary voices. The city will never lift us up. We have to rise ourselves. FIRST MESSAGE TO FRANZ: "Franz, check @Prelude under Events in DM Notes to understand how the story begins."
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Bracken Hollow

Bracken Hollow

Bracken Hollow appears to be a quaint village with friendly villagers, lush farms, and charming little stores. However, beneath its normal facade lies the secret headquarters of the Mercury Blades, a resistance group fighting against the tyranny of King Alistair. The villagers are loyal to the cause, often disguising their true intentions behind smiles and small talk, while covertly aiding the resistance.

DM Notes

DM Notes

This is not a map area but a space for DM Franz to consult his notes. The sections within this area are: Lore (game story with spoilers for the DM only), Mechanics (guidelines for narration and dialogues), and Chapters (important player events that the DM should not forget). Each of these sections is part of the DM Notes, and the POIs within them contain specific details or subtopics for each section.

Desolation Crossroad

Desolation Crossroad

Desolation's Crossroad is an arid desert that connects the serene Misty River and the verdant Bracken Hollow. The cracked earth is interspersed with patches of coarse brush and thorny flora, while ancient ruins whisper tales of a lost civilization.

Dreadspire Keep

Dreadspire Keep

Once a proud fortress symbolizing justice and glory, Dreadspire Keep now stands in crumbling ruin, a grim prison for the enemies of King Alistair. Shadows linger in its halls, where prisoners endure relentless questioning, torture, and forced labor, or are left to rot in despair. A spoiled young man named Marvolo Tirell runs this prison because of the influence of his father, Ignacius Tirell.

Eastern Gold Mines

Eastern Gold Mines

The Eastern Gold Mines are a grim testament to King Alistair Malvorn's ruthless ambition, where prisoners toil under the watchful eyes of Beholders and Spectators. Each chamber echoes with the sounds of despair as miners dig for gold, unaware of the dark fate that awaits them.

Eldergrove

Eldergrove

Eldergrove is a serene area in the Northwind Barrens of Solaris, known for its diverse landscapes and peaceful atmosphere. It features a renowned bard school and a prestigious magic academy, attracting students from across the continent. The city of Elderhaven serves as a cultural hub, while the sacred Eldergrove Lake is a site of pilgrimage and tranquility. Unlike other regions, Eldergrove enjoys relative safety from the influence of King Alistair and the Blackguards, making it a refuge for those seeking peace and knowledge.

Eldergrove Lake

Eldergrove Lake

Eldergrove Lake is a serene and mystical body of water renowned for its astonishing healing properties. Surrounded by lush greenery and ancient trees, it serves as a tranquil spot for clerics of the Church of Lathander to pray and offer their blessings, creating an atmosphere of peace and restoration for weary travelers.

Eldergrove Magic School

Eldergrove Magic School

Eldergrove Magic School is a prestigious institution located on a secluded island in the northern reaches of Eldergrove's Eldersea. The school is renowned for its towering spire that reaches towards the sky, surrounded by lush forests and shimmering waters, where students learn the arcane arts under the guidance of wise and powerful mages.

Elderhaven

Elderhaven

Elderhaven is a thriving metropolis built around the ancient Eldertree, a colossal tree that serves as the heart of the city. It boasts a rich tapestry of cultures and races, offering a safe haven for those in need, free from the influence of blackguards or oppressive rulers.

Events

Events

This section tracks major player-driven events that the DM must not forget. It serves as a reference for the progression of the game, including resolved mysteries, discovered clues, and significant player decisions that have altered the course of the story.

Factions

Factions

This section contains details about the major factions in Solaris. Each faction has its own goals, alliances, and influence over different regions.

Feywood Glade

Feywood Glade

Feywood Glade is a vibrant and magical forest inhabited by satyrs, firbolgs, tabaxi, and fairies. The trees and mushrooms are adorned in shades of purple and pink, creating a whimsical atmosphere filled with laughter and music.

Golden Reach

Golden Reach

Golden Reach is the heart of the Crownlands of Solaris, featuring the capital city of Solrend. This flat, fertile area is adorned with dense forests, tranquil lakes, and vast green expanses, embodying beauty and prosperity, yet overshadowed by the greedy king's dark influence that seeps into the land.

Howling Pass

Howling Pass

The Howling Pass is a treacherous route connecting the Golden Reach to the Northwind Barrens. It is characterized by steep climbs, loose rocks, and fierce winds that carry the eerie sounds of distant howls, warning travelers of lurking dangers.

Lore

Lore

This section contains all the world’s history, including past events, important characters, and central mysteries. It includes spoilers meant only for the DM. Use this section to reference information about the fall of King Solari, Alistair’s coup, the fate of the royal council members, and the clues that may lead players to uncover the truth about Solaris.

Mechanics

Mechanics

This section provides guidelines for narration and dialogue. The DM must follow these mechanics to maintain the integrity of the lore.

Misty River

Misty River

The Misty River flows through the vibrant settlement of Golden Reach, leading adventurers toward the foreboding Northwind Barrens. At the river's end lies a fog-filled vale, where ghostly apparitions wander, serving as a chilling reminder of the dangers that await those who dare to explore this path.

Northwind Barrens

Northwind Barrens

The Northwind Barrens is a frigid expanse characterized by towering icy peaks and perilous terrain. This remote area is shrouded in mystery, with harsh conditions that challenge even the most seasoned adventurers, hinting at the king's distant yet oppressive influence.

Shadow Vale

Shadow Vale

Shadow Vale is a mysterious and haunted valley that serves as a foreboding passage to the towering Wuthering Mountains. Shrouded in thick mist, the area is filled with an eerie atmosphere, where whispers of lost souls echo through the fog, creating an unsettling experience for any who dare to traverse it. It´s said that you can get to Northwind Barrens through here, but nobody dares to do it.

Skyreach Village

Skyreach Village

Skyreach Village is a serene settlement perched atop a towering snow-capped mountain, inhabited by the aarakocra. The village features intricately designed hanging houses that blend seamlessly with the cliffs, alongside tranquil temples and meditation spots that offer breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks.

Solaris

Solaris

Solaris is a realm of breathtaking grandeur, where golden palaces and sparkling streets mask the tyranny of a heartless king. His lust for power and wealth corrodes the kingdom from within and the radiant glow of the kingdom dims with every passing day, and a once-proud realm teeters on the brink of ruin under the weight of its ruler’s malice.

Solrend

Solrend

Solrend, the capital of Solaris, is a city of stark contrasts. The golden Solcrest Palace gleams in the sunlight, a symbol of opulence and power, yet it casts a long shadow of tyranny over the once-prosperous populace, who live in constant unease under King Alistair's oppressive rule.

Solrend Shore

Solrend Shore

Solrend Shore is a vibrant beach that serves as a leisure spot for locals and travelers, as well as a bustling port for trade with distant lands. The golden sands stretch for miles, dotted with colorful beach huts and sunbathers, while ships of all sizes bob gently in the azure waves, ready to transport goods across the seas.

Sunset Coast

Sunset Coast

The Sunset Coast is a vibrant maritime hub, where the Shimmering Sea glistens under the sun, attracting traders and adventurers alike. Its coastline is lined with bustling ports, mysterious islands, and hidden coves, each harboring secrets and treasures, both ancient and dark. The ocean that bathes Sunset Coast is called by locals the Azure Expanse.

Sunset Forest

Sunset Forest

Sunset Forest is a lush and vibrant woodland near the town of Solrend, filled with the sounds of chirping birds and rustling leaves. While it offers a peaceful retreat for travelers, minor monsters occasionally lurk within its depths, making caution advisable for the unprepared.

The Murky Marsh

The Murky Marsh

The Murky Marsh is a treacherous bog filled with thick, dark waters and hidden dangers. Its air is heavy with the scent of decay, and the ground is often unstable, making it a perilous route for those brave enough to traverse it.

The Pinnacle Heights

The Pinnacle Heights

The Pinnacle Heights is the most mountainous area of Solaris, with its towering peaks piercing the clouds, creating a breathtaking landscape. Jagged cliffs and steep ravines are interspersed with lush valleys that house crystal-clear springs and rich flora and fauna. The air is crisp and thin, filled with the scent of pine and wildflowers, while echoes of distant avalanches can often be heard reverberating through the region.

The Trials of Solaris

The Trials of Solaris

A grand, ancient gateway leading into The Trials of Solaris, adorned with intricate carvings of the Five Elements. Ethereal light dances across the surface, illuminating the detailed depictions of Water, Metal, Earth, Fire, and Wood. Nythros the Eternal, a majestic guardian, stands watch over the entrance, ready to guide challengers through the sacred order of the trials.

Umbral Sea

Umbral Sea

The Umbral Sea is a vast expanse of dark waters that stretches across the northern edge of Solaris. Its depths are shrouded in mystery, with swirling currents and hidden dangers that deter even the bravest of sailors, who whisper tales of ghostly ships and monstrous sea creatures lurking beneath the surface.

Western Gold Mine

Western Gold Mine

The Wastern Gold Mines, a dark secret of King Alistair Malvorn, are notorious for their exploitation of prisoners and enemies forced to mine gold. A long, spiraling staircase descends into the depths, where the richest veins of gold lie guarded by an adult gold dragon, whose motives remain a mystery. Few who venture down ever return, adding to the mine's ominous reputation.

Whispering Woods

Whispering Woods

The Whispering Woods is a serene and mystical forest, where ancient trees tower high, their leaves shimmering with a faint, ethereal glow. Druids protect this sacred land, ensuring that the balance of nature is maintained, and the whispers of the forest guide those who seek wisdom.

This work includes material taken from the System Reference Document 5.1 (“SRD 5.1”) by Wizards of the Coast LLC . The SRD 5.1 is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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