The Cavern of the Forgotten Song (Playtest Blurb)

Beyond the untainted water of Prism Falls lies a dark and dangerous cave. For many generations it was ignored, for it was clearly haunted by some terrible ghost of the old world. This fact was made clear by the strange song that echoes from within. Even the most foolish among the locals knew such a place was to be avoided.

Alas, the same can not be said of the most foolish of travelers...

Not three months have passed since a trio of wizards entered the Cavern in hopes of unearthing some dark secret. No advice could dissuade them, no warnings could clear the poisonous greed from their eyes. Now the song swells in volume, drawing innocents in and guiding horrors outward. Fearing the worst, adventurers from throughout the province and beyond form an alliance to enter the terrible place together.

Will they end the threat the Echoing Cavern? Perhaps unearth the power the Wizards sought? Or will they to vanish, like the others before them...?

Assemble, Vagrant Heroes!

A stalwart Tenebrate Warrior who tires of the suffering of his people, be it from their shadowed home or some strange phantom melody.

A compassionate Mechanoid Knight, awoken from a long slumber to find that her duties as a protector are not over, nor her strength obsolete.

A determined Chib Troubleshooter and his boon companion, who have decided that the big folk just aren't up to this daunting task and that the treasures within the cave are likely worth seeking.

A reckless Promethean Battle Caster, who seeks to undo the damage done by her former companions and test her own might against their wayward magics.

A strange girl from the Other World, whose heart born powers are mighty enough that her companions can easily forgive her unerring fixation on the "selfie."

And a mischievous little pixie who can't resist such an adventure, even if it does mean revealing themselves to both mortal and monster. (Portrait Forthcoming) 

Updated Calling Table

One of the things I was working on today. You can totally just pick your character's calling, but I think having the option to roll it randomly is always nice.

BEES!! (a magic spell)

Path: Verdant

Rank: 2nd

Tell: Magic users with this spell prepared tend to drag their z's out noticeably and somewhat obnoxiously. 

Flare (bee)
The caster summons a single bee that catapults towards a chosen target within thirty feet or so. Said insect flutters about and stings the victim mercilessly, saddling them with a Snag on all rolls in till the little pest is dealt with. Swatting one requires a successful attack against a Defense score of 14, which destroys it instantly.

Only one such bee may be summoned at any given time, but the caster may willing cancel this effect whenever they like or summon another if it is squashed.

Burst (BEEEEES) 
The caster brings a swarm of buzzing menaces into the world and designates a target within their sight. The Swarm pursues the victim tirelessly and has a speed rating of Fast. The target loses a Heart on each round that the bees are able to catch or remain on them. The Caster must stay focused to direct the swarm, but may cancel this spell at any time. Otherwise, it remains in effect until one of the below circumstances comes to pass.

• The Caster is hit and fails their check to maintain the spell, or the Caster loses track of the Target
• The Swarm is hit with any attack that effects an area. This will destroy them instantly.
• The Target dies or the Swarm is otherwise unable to pursue and attack them. Note that they can be surprisingly patient. Submersing oneself in liquid will generally result in the creatures hovering patiently nearby, waiting for their prey to emerge.

(A quick reminder/refresher on Break!! general and spell practices; a Path is a category of magic, Magic Users may Prepare a handful of spells a day, a Snag means you roll two dice and pick the least favorable result of the two, you may use a Flare effect as long as the spell is prepared, and a Burst effect is more potent but expends the spells energy when used, making it no longer prepared)

Credit goes to this guy who came up with the original version of the spell.

Should be posting a general rules reference sheet for y'all's approval soonish.

Murder Princess

The Kingdom of Shard, Southeastern Province

(This part of Shard is being included within the GM's guidebook as a sort of sample/pre-made area for reference, and is currently being tested out by me in various games.)

Built over the ruins of Old Akenia, Shard is one of the few bastions of civilizations left in the Wistful Dark. The Kingdom is actually a loose confederation of city states, ostensibly ruled by King Arcturus and guided by the Church of the Sacred Chain. Reality is of course, grimmer; the king is a mere figurehead, while the church maintains a draconian peace via an ubiquitous and aggressive knightly order. Most do not complain - people generally do very little travelling, rightfully frightened of the Shadowed Lands between the light of the Star Shards. And as long as dues are paid, the various Overlords and City Councils are left mostly to themselves.

The Southeastern Province of Shard is a rather busy cut of land. All three of the Kingdom's settlements in the area have a heavy mercantile presence, leaving it's primary roads well guarded maintained, and traveled. It makes an optimal place for would be adventurers to begin their travels.

Well, as optimal as the Wistful Dark can be at least.

Some notable locations in the Southeast Province;

• The Province's main road is known as The Waning Path. It connects all three major settlements, and is rigorously patrolled and maintained by both the Knights of the Sacred Chain and mercenaries funded by various other factions. 
• Spire City was constructed among the ruins of an ancient tower and the town around it, benefiting from the amenities afforded to the people of the previous era. It has since blossomed into a cosmopolitan locale, with a brilliant Star Shard fitted to the top of the spire that the city is named for.
• Torm began as a very small settlement that expanded very rapidly. The people there live happily, surrounded by arable land attributed to venerable oak tree that grows in the northernmost part of the city. Local superstition is that a benevolent spirit resides within, though the Church discourages quietly discourages this notion.
• The Chib village of Homble is a much smaller place than either, but no less important. It lies near the crossroads of The Waning Path, and serves as a resting point for anyone travelling between Torm, Spire or the Shadowed Coast. Home to "Merona's Arcane Bakery", owned by one of the villages only human residents.
• There are rumors of a Tenebrate Settlement being erected in an area that was once a ranch owned by "Cavalier Cecil", a famous tamer of exotic beasts. While they keep mostly to themselves, there have been escalating incidents with the village of Homble that show no signs of stopping.
• Behind a waterfall on the Ink River lies The Cavern of Forgotten Songs. True to it's name, strange music in ancient tongues echo from within. The place is rumored to house numerous secrets and treasures, but those who return from the place do so with glassy eyes and a ceaseless hum on their lips.
• An ageless sage named Allyn lives alone in a small house along the main roads, with naught but a star gem lamp and an extensive library to keep him company. He is no hermit however, and is known to show ample hospitality to friendly travelers,
• To the north are The Woods of Mask, a forest filled with trees - as odd as it seems, this is something of an oddity in a Shard, whose mostly dark landscape is dotted with enormous fungal growths rather than conventional plants. It is rumored that a radiant lake lies in the center of these grand woods, protected by a Dryad and her fearsome retainers.
• To the south is Fort Agrah, named for a traitorous lord who refused aid to outsiders during the second cataclysm. It is said his heart grew so cold that it froze his sanctum as well as transforming him and his knights into terrible, deathless wretches. Recent travelers have been attacked in the area surrounding the fort, many dragged away by voiceless knights in frostbitten armor.
• In the east lies a Crumbling Shrine, where a half summoned Asura lies in tremendous pain, the scent of it's blood drawing terrible Night Beasts towards it. It is rumored that those who brave the shrine and find the Asura can hear the answer to any question, as long as they are willing to provide the creature with a bit of flesh and blood to help continue the construction of it's material body.
• An old Orihalcum Mine is within a days walking distance from Spire; while it has been abandoned by craftsman, criminals often used the place as a meeting and storage spot. Its no longer theirs without contest, however. A persistent group of goblins managed to drill their way into the lowest parts of the mine, and have entered a protracted turf war with the fugitives who had been residing there.

Baby boss

Character sketches 3

Character sketches 2