There were many strange folk walking the trails of the world at the time of our heroes. In Greyhawk is the Guildhall of Personal Guardsmen, an order dedicated to protecting their charges at all costs. Search the back alleys of Rel Astra and you would have found professional wrestlers, thugs and bashers; all ready to use bare hands along with brute force to win the local crimelord's prize money. Watch the scattered courts of the Flanaess and you would, if you were very fortunate, find one of the few remaining Bards of the Old Lore. Travelling to the lands of savages would reveal barbaric warriors who draw upon the spirits of their ancestors to fuel their never ending desire for battle. In underground labyrinths were the Rune Mystics of the Mountain Dwarves and far below them within the crypt-keeps of the druergar could be glimpsed the Prophets of Toil.

The varieties of skill and varied array of powers served to remind all how magically enriched the world of Oerth would always be. Beyond those mentioned above were a great many more. Some were cruel and well known, such as the assassin and blackguard. Others, less easily found but also potentially far more noble including the Eldritch Warrior and Vassal of Bahumet. The mystical arcane archers and tricksters were not to be toyed with either. What follows is a small sampling of these archetypes so that you gentlereader might learn a little more about the people that helped shape the lives of our heroes.

FIGHTER (kensai & thug)
Two fighter variants. One is foreign and exotic, the other, all too base and common.

SORCERER (battle sorcerer & clandestine sorcerer)
Two variants on the spontaneous caster who each follow their own path to fortunes.
You will also find the notes on the few changes I made to the Sorcerer Core Class.

GUARDIAN (prestige class)
A protector and watchman who is willing to die for you, if you can meet his price.

JESTER (prestige class)
A humorous adventurer who inspires allies and overcomes enemies with a peculiar wit.

 

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Whispered
Secrets in the Shadows of Darkness

The call came out for the gathering. It was at the time of the new moon. Melodramatic-- yes, but tradition dictated the rules of the coven. Their numbers were no longer what they once were, the dreaded Iuz saw to that, but there time would come. The oldest of them, now known only as the Fiend-Master, gave her orders. None would question her demands on this occasion.

"Travel beyond our lands, join the armies of Furyondy, carry the banner of the Shield Lands, march with the legions of Nyrond. Within these groups, and the many others like them, we will make new allies while still supporting our current network. Contact will be maintained through secret channels and coded messages. We might be hurt, but our society has endured much over time and we will rule again.

"When you travel, don't settle for the typical wizard and fighter for your allies. Turn to orders like mine, we can find other monks who share my philosophy, Of that I can assure you. Seek out the Battlerager, the Duelist, the haunted Death Master. Hire the Guardians with no scruples. These rare groups of people hold many tricks in their repertoire, tricks unique to their calling.

"With their help we can rebuild the Society and improve upon our troupe of followers. There are still small bands of bugbears who are loyal to us, they have simply hidden for their own survival. When we call, these shock troops will be ready.

"The new groups though, that's where the key to great success lies. Seek them out in every corner. Many belong to small clicks, maybe less than a dozen will be trained in their craft, but their gifts are unparalleled. Go now my faithful. My friends. Go out into this world, our world, and do follow my command."

With her last words spoken, she turned and walked out of the light thrown by the group's bon fire. The soldiers and clerics were silent. The few surviving monks chanted a melancholy tone. By the rise of the next sun the word was spread to all the survivors. The forces of the society spread out. A disease of evil unleashed by Iuz's desire for conquest was spilled out onto the lands of the Flanaess.

--Vision seen by
the sorcerer Krael.
Only a breath
before he lost
his sanity

jjjk

LoG

ggg

LoG