Table of Contents

Introduction...2
Setting Inspirations...3
A Brief Historical Account...4-5
A Rough Guide to Ulerland...!-"
So#e $acts A%out the &ueen...'
Religion...()-((
*i#e and *echnolog+...(2-(4
Social Ran,s of the Upper -lass...(5
.ourning and $uneral -ulture...(!-("
-lothing/ $ashion/ and 0the .ode1...('
-ri#e and 2unish#ent...2)-2(
*he .ilitar+...22
3iterature...23
4rgani5ations...24
.ores and .anners...25
.one+...25
.iscellaneous...2!
2opular Street $oods in 3o6edon...27
A Rough Guide to 3o6edon...2"-33
A Rough Guide to the 8orthlands...34-43
Ulerland9s -olonies in the
:iscoered -ountries...44-47
A Rough Guide to the Greater ;orld...4"-5(
.ap of Ulerland...52-53
.ap of the ;orld...54-55
.ap of 3o6edon...5!-57
-redits...5"
1
Ulverland
A Gothic Gaslight Fantasy
Setting
There was something awesome in the thought of the solitary
mortal standing by the open window and summoning in from the
gloom outside the spirits of the nether world.
Arthur Conan Doyle, Selecting a Ghost
What is it?
Ulerland is an island ,ingdo# of deca+ing castles/
fore%oding forests/ haunted #oors/ defiled
grae+ards/ and gloo#+ ancestral estates.
What lies beneath the surface?
*he conentions of the Gothic and Gaslight $antas+<
#ad #on,s/ ghosts/ illainous aristocrats/
#onstrosities/ and long-%uried secrets that can no
longer %e repressed= duelists and #onster hunters/
high6a+#en and assassins/ 6itch finders and pagan
cultists/ de#onologists/ #es#erists/ and e>orcists=
s6ash%uc,ling %attle against the forces of dar,ness=
i#possi%le stea#-po6ered inentions= the influence of
Ha##er horror fil#s/ the ?ictorian fin de si@cle/ and
#or%id #o#ents fro# real-6orld histor+.
What does it feel like?
A cold 6ind that chills +ou to the %one/ the taste of
copper+ %lood in +our #outh/ a shrill screa# %rea,s
the death-li,e silence of the 6itching hour.
2
Setting Inspirations
Literature
Ro%ert A. Ho6ard9s Solomon Kane stories= 4scar
;ilde9s The Picture of Dorian Gray= Bra# Sto,er9s
Dracula= .ar+ Shelle+9s Franenstein= Horace ;alpole9s
The !astle of "tranto= Adgar Allan 2oe9s Tales of the
Grotes#ue and $rabes#ue= Allen :atlo6 and *erri
;indling9s %ueen &ictoria's (oo of Spells= Bi#
8e6#an9s $nno Dracula= 4lier 2ot5sch9s
The )angman's Daughter= -herie 2riest9s (oneshaer
Film & Television
The (rotherhood of the *olf= &ampire )unter D= Penny
Dreadful= +ipper Street= Doctor ,eyll and Sister )yde=
(lac Sunday= The &ampire -o.ers= Sleepy )ollow=
Sweeney Todd= / Sell the Dead= *itchfinder General=
Pirates of the !aribbean= The Prestige= -e !he.alier D'0on
Comics
From )ell= The -eague of 01traordinary Gentlemen= Defoe2
3444= &ictorian 5ndead= The !ain Saga= The Scorpion=
(illy the Kid's "ld Timey "ddities= (altimore= Sebastian "
Music
8ic, -ae= Sopor Aeternus= .arissa 8adler=
Rasputina= -radle of $ilth= .oonspell= 8o> Arcana=
.idnight S+ndicate= *he Rohan *heatre Band= .+
:+ing Bride= Bing :ia#ond= *he *iger 3illies
Miscellaneous
!astle.ania and Darstalers= /nnistrad= the art of Harr+
-lar,e/ Coseph ?argo/ and Si#on .arsden= +a.enloft
3
A Brief Historical Account
The Ancient Era
:uring the Ancient Ara/ the island 6as ho#e to
Bell#en tri%es ethnicall+ and culturall+ si#ilar to the
people of the Shae Isle.
The Iron Era
;ith the co#ing of the Iron Ara/ the island 6as
conDuered and coloni5ed %+ the Iron A#pire.
Aentuall+/ the Iron A#pire 6ould fall to %ar%arian
inaders/ frag#ent into the arious Iron 2rincipalities/
and #ost of the A#pire colonials 6ould flee fro#
Ulerland 6hen cut off fro# the A#pire9s support.
The Wolf Era
In this era/ the southern Bell#en of the island 6ere
conDuered %+ %ar%arians fro# the northern lands of
the Grand -ontinent. *hese 0Uler#en1 used 6olf
i#ager+ that is still faored %+ the countr+ toda+. At
first the Uler#en 6on land in %attle/ %ut eentuall+
the+ inter#arried 6ith the island9s Bell#en populace
and their cultures inter#i>ed to for# the %asis of 6hat
6ill co#e to %e called Ulerlandian culture.
The Sword Era
.orgundian ,nights led %+ 3ord Ather inade and
anne> Ulerland for the .orgundian Dueen/ Analise I.
Instead of i#posing their culture on the populace/
these conDuerors assi#ilated to Ulerlandian 6a+s=
the onl+ note6orth+ .orgundian contri%ution to
Ulerlandian culture 6as the i#portation of ,nightl+
irtues and the ideals of chialr+.
4
The Frost Era
*he .orgundian inaders had %+ this ti#e full+
assi#ilated into Ulerlandian culture and lost their
ties 6ith .orgund+. $rostreaer #arauders %egan to
raid the northern to6ns of Ulerland. :esirous of a
cli#e #ilder than their o6n/ these $rostreaers forged
their o6n settle#ents in the 8orthlands. *he
8orth6all 6as %uilt to ,eep the $rostreaer threat
contained.
The Illumined Era
8e6 ideas/ philosophies/ and technological
innoations fro# the southern countries of the Grand
-ontinent %egan to filter into Ulerlandian societ+.
Resistant to change/ Ulerlandians are slo6 to adopt
these noel concepts/ %ut eentuall+ a #ania for ne6
e>periences set in= during this era/ Ulerland sent
e>plorers on state-%ac,ed e>peditions and funded
#ercantile entures to far-off locales.
The Blood Era
Spurred %+ the desire for noelt+/ Ulerland utili5ed
the ne6 ideas and technologies that first arried
during the Illu#ined Ara and %eca#e a #oderni5ed/
industriali5ed societ+. -olonies in other lands are
esta%lished/ and Ulerland e#erges as one of the
richest countries in the 6orld. Ho6eer/ this era is not
6ithout its an>ieties= a#pire lords fro# Harro6faust
esta%lish the#seles in the 8orthlands/ disrupting the
do#inion of the Bell#en and $rostreaer-descended
leaders/ and instituting a %lood-%ased s+ste# of
feudalis#. It is currentl+ +ear (!!! of the Blood Ara.
5
A Rough Guide to Ulverland
Ulerland can %e roughl+ diided into four districts<
Suthenbroo is the #ost ciili5ed region of
Ulerland/ and is ho#e to the ,ingdo#9s capital cit+E
3o6edonE6hich straddles the Rier Al%in. 3o6edon
is a spra6ling/ fogg+/ fortified cit+ that 6as
esta%lished %+ coloni5ers fro# the Iron A#pire in the
distant past. 3o6edon is the seat of goernance=
&ueen Ar5e%eta II and her 2arlia#ent rule fro# her
palace at .inister9s Rest. *he people of 3o6edon are
currentl+ aghast at the outrages of a serial #urderer
,no6n onl+ as the Gardener/ so called %ecause he cuts
the %loo# of +outh short for the 6o#en he catches at
night on the streets of the .adchapel %orough. *he
&ueen9s Bloo# %orough houses the Stained -athedral/
a spiritual center of the -hurch of the ;hite ;a+. *he
Stained -athedral also seres as the %arrac,s for the
Bnights of the ;hite Raen/ a religious order
co#prised of te#plars/ inDuisitors/ and 6itch finders
led %+ Sir Ro%ert Au%re+. *he countr+side of
Suthen%roo, is #ostl+ far#land and light 6oodlands=
these areas are #enaced %+ 6inter 6oles. It is
ru#ored that t6in necro#ancers/ Arion and Arianna/
are raising an ar#+ of the dead fro# Suthen%roo,9s
#an+ neglected ce#eteries. *he 4r>ha# Acade#+/
Ulerland9s pre#ier uniersit+ and one of the fe6
colleges that teaches 4ccult Science/ is also located in
Suthen%roo,.
6
Westenbroo is a region of far#lands and deep
6oods. Grand Bishop Culianna ?I holds s6a+ at the
great cathedral at -oenant. *he people are hard+ and
#i> their %elief in the Ulerlandian -hurch 6ith
superstitions and fol, #agic= this has earned the# a
reputation as a he>-%looded people. It is not
unco##on for the fol, of ;esten%roo, to leae gifts
on their doorsteps at night to appease the fe+. *he
people lie in fear of 6ere6oles/ %anshees/ 6ill-o9-
6isps/ and 6orgs. 4nce a +ear all of ;esten%roo,
engages in the regional $estial of the Blood .oon/
6hich cul#inates in a stoic hunt for 6ere6oles in the
6ild-lands. ;hile g+psies trael all of Ulerland/ the
0g+ps+ ,ing1 Bela :rachen #aintains a per#anent
ca#p in ;esten%roo,. *he countr+side is dotted 6ith
rings of standing stones/ %arro6 #ounds/ and
tene%rous fissures in the earth that are said to lead
do6n into lo6er planes.
Estenbroo is a land of rolling hills/ cold %eaches/ port
to6ns/ and seaside cities. *he ship+ards of Asten%roo,
are fa#ous for the sea6orthiness of their essels. It is
ru#ored that resurrectionists and #ad inentors pl+
their dia%olic trades under the coer of night in this
region of Ulerland. Asten%roo, is also ho#e to the
headDuarters of the Brotherhood of the Fe6/ a secret
societ+ dedicated to hunting and sla+ing undead
a%o#inations. *he people of Asten%roo, are said to %e
a %loodthirst+ lot= their faored for# of entertain#ent
is icious pit-fighting. 3ouisa de Grace/ a reno6ned
sculptor residing in the cit+ of Il6ich/ is eDuall+ fa#ed
for her char# as she is for the ices attri%uted to her
nocturnal ra#%les. Asten%roo, is also ,no6n as the
7
0hauntlands/1 as it suffers fro# the presences of
ghouls/ 6raiths/ and specters. Undead dragons and
unta#ed 6+ern hae een %een spotted off the
coasts. *he lonel+ Stor#,ir, *o6er is perpetuall+
shrouded in a iolent galeEnone 6ho hae entured
inside hae eer returned. Roadside shrines are not
unco##on throughout the countr+ and 6ilderness.
*he !orthlands are a fog-shrouded area of #oors/
%ogs/ and the treacherous 2enitent .ountains.
Separated fro# the rest of Ulerland %+ the
8orth6all/ the 8orthlands are not ruled %+ the
soereign of Ulerland= rather/ the people are pagan
6ildlings clad in tartan trousers and ,ilts. *he
6ildling clans are ruled %+ a#piric fa#ilies 6ho
originall+ hail fro# Harro6faust. *he a#pire
fa#ilies tend to leae goernance to the people9s local
clan leadershipEthe+ si#pl+ reDuire a %lood-tithe
fro# the populace. *6o of the undead ro+al fa#ilies
in the 8orthlands are currentl+ at 6ar 6ith each other<
-ount Se%astian on Barlo,/ 6ho rules his do#ain
fro# -astle .orthei#/ 6ages a protracted intrigue
against 3ad+ .adeline 3ochstein Gthe Sanguinar+
:uchessH/ 6ho controls the territor+ surrounding
.andershire .anor. *he 6ilds are ho#e to #onstrous
%ats and night#ares.
8
Some Facts About the Queen
She is un#arried= so#e hope that she 6ill
#arr+ the soereign of another nation to forge
a political alliance.
She is reclusie= she pu%licl+ defers to
2arlia#ent %ut pulls strings %ehind the scenes.
She is an adept sorceress/ as #agic is in her
%loodline.
Her i%rant red hair %etra+s the fact that there
is fe+ ancestr+ in her fa#il+ tree.
She has i#perial ai#s.
9
Religion
*he do#inant religion in Ulerland is the Church of
the White Wa". In the S6ord Age/ the -hurch
#anaged to conert #an+ people of Ulerland and
largel+ eradicate the pagan religions that e>isted
%efore its spread. :espite its do#inance/ heretical
sects and cults deoted to pagan deities or the 3ad+Is
de#onic foes Gthe -hurch sees little distinction
%et6een the#H still persist and are occasionall+ the
targets of the -hurchIs crusades/ inDuisitions/ and
6itch hunters.
*he 3ad+ of the ;hite ;a+ reered %+ the -hurch is a
fierce/ %ut nurturing/ 6arrior-#other goddess/
so#ething a,in to a cross %et6een .other .ar+ and
Coan dIArc. Her hol+ s+#%ol is a cross co#posed of
perpendicular s6ords. *he -hurch also accords near
de#igod status to a nu#%er of saintsEparticularl+
those 6ho 6ere #art+red. *he -hurch preaches the
gospel of a fe#inine diinit+ rather than a #ale god=
its hol+ te>t is called *he Boo, of the 3ad+. :ue to the
-hurch of the 3ad+Is #atriarchal traditions/ 6o#en
are a%le to attain ran, and po6er 6ithin its hierarch+.
At the head of Ulerland9s church is a Grand Bishop=
%eneath that Gin orderH are the Arch%ishops/ Bishops/
and 2riests. Hol+ orders of #on,s and nuns 6ho hae
left the #undane 6orld to pursue spiritual
conte#plation can also %e found throughout the
real#.
Sacra#ents co##onl+ perfor#ed %+ clerg+ of the
10
-hurch include %aptis#/ confir#ation/ confession and
the a%solution of sin/ eucharist/ hol+ ordination/ the
#arriage cere#on+/ last rites/ and the %urial cere#on+.
-lerg+ granted diine po6er %+ the 3ad+ #a+ also
perfor# healings/ %lessings/ and e>orcis#s.
*he #lverlandian Church is a soereign religious
entit+= the Western Church do#inates .orgund+/
-aligari/ .idian/ and the Iron 2rincipalities/ 6hereas
the Eastern Church co##ands the lo+alt+ of the
people in Harro6faust and the Rel#eenos A#pire. All
three churches reere the sa#e goddess/ %ut differ on
#atters of scripture/ rite/ and doctrine. *he ;estern
-hurch is led %+ a fe#ale 2ope/ 6hile the Aastern
-hurch has a .atriarch at its head.
$a%ans in Ulerland Gand throughout the 6orldH
generall+ 6orship nature spirits and deities associated
6ith the natural c+cle of life/ death/ and re%irth. *heir
spiritual leaders are druids and sha#ans. So#e turn
to the 6orship of dar,er entities/ such as deils/
de#ons/ and the Great 4ld 4nes. *hese cultists pa+
ho#age to their unhol+ #asters in return for occult
po6er.
An upstart religion/ the Children of the !ew Fire/ has
arisen in the .art+rlands= the fanatics of this faith
6ish to purif+ all other religions through conDuest/
fla#e/ and the s6ord.
*he Spicelands/ Bathai/ and the Island of Cade
.+steries all hae their o6n co#ple> s+ste#s of
religion and philosoph+.
11
Time and Technology
*o Duote Sha,espeare9s )amlet/ in this 6orld 0the ti#e
is out of Joint.1 ;hile the larger #etropolises of the
,ingdo# Gsuch as 3o6edon/ 4r>ha#/ and -oenantH
and the larger to6ns possess a decidedl+ 0dar,
?ictorian1 sensi%ilit+/ the countr+ illages are less
technologicall+ adanced/ and #ore in tune 6ith the
Aarl+ .odern era. *he unciili5ed reaches Gsuch as the
8orthlands and the near%+ Shae IsleH still e>ist in a
state of 0:ar, Ages %ar%aris#1= the further +ou #oe
fro# the ciili5ing glare of the ur%an gaslights/ the
father %ac, in ti#e +ou appear to trael.
;hile this disJointed disparit+ creates a tension 6ithin
Ulerland %et6een those still consu#ed %+ %ar%arous
superstition and those 6ho endorse rational
Anlighten#ent alues/ it is co##on ,no6ledge
a#ong Ulerlandians that supernatural threats are
real and actie in the 6orld. *hough feared and
distrusted/ #agic is ,no6n to %e a genuine
#anifestation of occult po6er. Ghosts are an accepted
for# of the past9s intrusion on the present. $orests
said to %e the haunts of 6ere6oles are aoided/ and
the realit+ of undeath is terrif+ingl+ eident in the
disused %urial grounds and a%andoned fortresses that
dot the ,ingdo#9s countr+side. ;elco#e to Ulerland
Ea #ortal real# caught %et6een the light and unhol+
dar,ness.
12
!otes on Technolo%" in #lverland
*he cities are lit %+ gaslight. *o6ns and
illages are #ore li,el+ to %e lit %+ torches/ if
the+ are lit at all at night. 4r>ha# is lit %+
#agical lanterns #aintained %+ apprentices
stud+ing the #agical arts at the 4r>ha#
Acade#+.
?ehicular transportation in the cities is
handled %+ horse-dra6n o#ni%uses and
carriages. *6o cities G3o6edon and Alder%urgH
hae underground rail s+ste#s. ;hereas
transportation in to6ns 6ill #ostl+ li,e %e %+
carriage/ in #ost rural areas onl+ 6agons and
carts are li,el+ to %e found for hire.
Stea#-po6ered trains connect the #aJor cities.
*here are also regular routes on 6hich
13
carriages trael= indeed/ carriage routes tend to
%e the onl+ serice that reaches out-of-the-6a+
locations.
*here is currentl+ a fad for traelling ia
%ic+cle.
Sea trael is done ia sail/ stea#ship G6hich
are rareH/ hot air %alloon Grarer stillH/ and
5eppelin Grarest of allH.
*elegraphs are e>pensie/ %ut can send
infor#ation 6ith re#ar,a%le speed. Si#ilarl+/
daguerreot+pes are price+/ %ut can #ost
faithfull+ capture an i#age.
*he printing presses hae %eco#e stea#-
po6ered/ allo6ing for the #ass-production of
%oo,s/ %roadsheets/ and penn+ dreadfuls.
$actories in cities and larger to6ns hae also
%eco#e stea#-po6ered. So#e areas are
e>peri#enting 6ith harnessing galanic po6er
to %olster industr+.
$irear#s are aaila%le/ %ut hae +et to full+
displace #ore traditional ranged 6eapons
such as %o6s and cross%o6s. G*reat pistols as
hand cross%o6s/ %lunder%usses as light
cross%o6s/ and rifles as hea+ cross%o6s.H
.an+ for#s of personal ar#or hae ta,en on
#ore fashiona%le shapes/ such as coats 6ith
protectie linings and co#%at-read+ corsetr+.
So#e ar#or is also #ade of e%onite/ a
hardened for# of ru%%er.
14
Social Ranks of the Upper Class
BingK&ueen
2rinceK2rincess
:u,eK:uchess
.arDuesK.archioness
AarlK-ountess
?iscountK?iscountess
BaronKBaroness
BnightK:a#e
15
Mourning and Funereal
Culture
:eath is %oth a stoicall+-e>pected finalit+ in Ulerland
and an occasion to sho6 the depths of one9s grief
through laish displa+.
A funeral procession that acco#panies the
dead to their final resting place is a long-
standing tradition in Ulerland. $or the rich/
this 6ould #ean that the coffin is transported
%+ a richl+-appointed hearse-coach/ %ehind
6hich 6ould trail the grieing fa#il+
#e#%ers/ %lac,-eiled professional #ourners
hired for the occasion/ and at least one
funerar+ iolinist. $or the poor/ the procession
#ight si#pl+ %e a sorro6ful #arch to the
grae conducted %+ the friends and fa#il+ of
the deceased.
*he dead in Ulerland are usuall+ either
%uried in coffins on hallo6ed ground or
16
ento#%ed in #ausoleu#s that hae %een
consecrated %+ priests of the 3ad+= %urial in a
%lessed location is fairl+ effectie preentatie
#easure that ,eeps the deceased fro# rising
again as the undead.
*he Bings and &ueens of Ulerland are al6a+s
interred in the #assie and spra6ling cr+pts
%eneath the Stained -athedral in 3o6edon.
*he upper classes tend to %e i##ured in
fa#il+ #ausoleu#s= the #iddle classes are
#ost freDuentl+ inhu#ed in graes #ar,ed
6ith a headstone or #onu#ent= the lo6er
orders are often consigned to an un#ar,ed
spot in the pauper9s field of a ce#eter+.
*he re#ains of Ri,ard I/ an Ulerlandian ,ing
of the $rost Ara/ are not ento#%ed %eneath the
Stained -athedral= rather/ the+ 6ere hastil+
%uried in .orgund+ 6here the ,ing fell
atte#pting to regain 6hat are thought to %e
ancient territories of Ulerland. Seeral
,nightl+ e>peditions hae %een atte#pted to
find his %ones so that the+ #ight %e laid to rest
in his natie soil/ %ut thus far eer+ #ission
has %een discoered and repulsed %+ the foul
.orgundians.
Upon the death of a fa#il+ #e#%er/ it is
custo#ar+ to go into a period of #ourning. $or
6o#en/ this #eans that the+ are e>pected to
6ear %lac, clothing and Jet Je6elr+ e>clusiel+.
$or #en/ this #eans adopting %lac, attire or
si#pl+ t+ing a %lac, ar#%and around the
sleee of one9s coat. *he length of the
#ourning period is deter#ined %+ one9s
17
relationship to the deceased. -hildren/ parents/
and #ore distant fa#il+ #e#%ers are to %e
#ourned for si> #onths= a 6ife is to #ourn her
hus%and for a +ear= a hus%and should #ourn
his 6ife for t6o +ears. .ourning #a+ %e
e>tended %e+ond its usual %ounds/ %ut neer
curtailedEe#erging fro# #ourning too soon
is to inite scandal.
Beeping #e#entos of the dead is popular
throughout Ulerland. In particular/ lengths of
hair #ight %e cut so that loc,s can %e ,ept in
loc,ets or 6oen into 6reaths. -a#eos and
portraits of deceased loed ones are also
treasured. $or those 6ho can afford it/ haing
daguerreot+pes ta,en of the deceasedEposed
as if in lifeEis currentl+ considered
fashiona%le.
;hile #ost Ulerlandians treat the dead 6ith
sole#n respect and regard ce#eteries and
%urial grounds as sacred/ there are cri#inals
6ho call the#seles 0resurrectionists1 or
0resurrection #en1 6ho e>hu#e corpses in
order to sell the# to #edical schools. *he
practice of dissection is crucial in learning the
surgeonIs art= although the %odies of cri#inals
are often handed oer to the #edical #en after
e>ecution/ the la6 of suppl+ and de#and has
created a grisl+ trade.
18
Clothing, Fashion, and
the Mode
;ell-heeled gentle#en are e>pected to 6ear
shirts/ trousers/ 6aistcoats/ hats/ and Jac,ets
6ith leather shoes or %oots 6hen in pu%lic/ at a
#ini#u#. In colder 6eather/ the a%oe 6ill %e
supple#ented 6ith a long coat or cloa,.
Gentle6o#en tend to 6ear ela%orate dresses
and go6ns 6ith leather shoes or an,le-%oots/
%ut #ultiple-piece s,irt and %louse
co#%inations are gaining ground in the
fashiona%le 6orld. So#e 6o#en are %rea,ing
6ith tradition entirel+ and are adopting
0refor#ed dress1< that is/ trousers and shirts
such as #en 6ear.
*he #en of the 8orthlands faor tartan plaid
trousers and ,ilts as a s+#%ol of regional
pride.
8o Ulerlandian feels accepta%le in pu%lic
6ithout a hat. .en currentl+ faor tricornes/
top hats/ and der%ies/ 6hile st+lish for#s for
6o#en see# to change 6ith the %ree5e.
2opular accessories for #en include 6al,ing
stic,s/ 6atch fo%s/ #onocles/ insignia denoting
clu% #e#%ership/ and heraldic Je6elr+=
popular accessories for 6o#en include fans/
parasols/ eils/ and Je6elr+ inlaid 6ith
precious ge#s.
19
Crime and Punishment
4nl+ larger cities such as 3o6edon and
4r>ha# hae professional police forces.
S#aller locales hae either priatel+-run
6atch#en or oluntar+ consta%ularies.
*he 3o6edon -it+ 2olice operate out of their
headDuarters at Scorchfield Fard and are
innoators in the art of cri#inolog+. *heir
#ethods include the use of fingerprinting and
the science of phrenolog+.
*he efforts of the arious police forces and
consta%ularies are supported %+ a nu#%er of
priate consulting detecties and
0inDuisities1 that 6or, for hire.
20
*rials in Ulerland are conducted %+ Jur+ in
front of a Judge. *hese trials are notoriousl+
short/ as Jur+#en tend to 6ant to get %ac, to
their o6n %usiness.
:efendants are not innocent until proen
guilt+= indeed/ a defendant #ust esta%lish their
o6n innocence to %e freed fro# the charges
against the#.
;hereas all cases are prosecuted %+ a
goern#ent-e#plo+ed %arrister/ fe6
defendants can afford legal counsel of their
o6n.
;ealth+ fa#ilies tend to hae solicitors on
retainer to hire legal aid 6hen necessar+.
Gaols in Ulerland are horri%le places= %oth
food and sanitation e>ist onl+ at a%+s#al
leels. Hard la%orEsuch as the tread#illEis a
co##on staple of Ulerlandian incarceration.
-ri#es such as treason/ #urder/ pirac+/ and
#aJor theft are punisha%le %+ pu%lic e>ecution.
Upper class cri#inals are %eheaded 6ith
s6ord/ a>e/ or guillotine. Aer+one else is hung
%+ the nec, until dead.
2u%lic e>ecutions dra6 enor#ous cro6ds of
curious/ #or%id onloo,ers. Ironicall+/ although
these e>ecutions are held in pu%lic as a 6a+ to
discourage cri#e/ the cro6ds that gather for
e>ecution are usuall+ thic, 6ith pic,poc,ets.
3esser cri#es are punished 6ith pu%lic
6hipping/ transportation to the colonies/ fines/
and i#prison#ent in gaols or prison hul,s.
21
The Military
*he co##on soldier or na+ sailor enlisted
%ecause it 6as an alternatie to a%Ject poert+.
So#e soldiers or sailors 6ere forced into
#ilitar+ serice to aoid a harsher prison
sentence.
In ti#es of trou%le 6hen 6ar see#s to %e on
the hori5on/ #en and 6o#en can %e press-
ganged into serice.
2ositions of co##and in the #ilitar+ are
freDuentl+ purchased fro# the goern#ent %+
upper-class #others or fathers as a ocation for
their second sons or daughters. *his #eans
that the leadership is freDuentl+ co#prised of
aristocratic 6helps 6ith no real #ilitar+
e>perience.
Ulerland is fa#ed for the %raer+ of its
caalr+.
Ulerlandian ar#+ ran,s< Grand .arshall/
General/ 3t. General/ .aJor General/ Brigadier/
-olonel/ 3t. -olonel/ .aJor/ -aptain/
3ieutenant.
Ulerlandian naal ran,s< Grand Ad#iral/
Ad#iral/ ?ice Ad#iral/ Rear Ad#iral/
-o##odore/ -aptain/ -o##ander/ 3t.
-o##ander/ 3ieutenant.
22
Literature
Five $o&ular $enn" 'readfuls
+ubies the !olor of (lood
The !urse of the (lac +oad
The 6ystery (eneath the Streets of -owedon
The (oys from +otwood
Patricia7 the De.il 6onarch of the Penanggalan
Five $o&ular $la"s in #lverland
$n $esthete 5pon the Sea Ga traged+H
The /mportance of Smelling the (lood8roses
Ga co#ed+H
$ Slaughter of Shar 6en Ga grand guignolH
The Family is a Disease Ga pla+ of social issuesH
$ )usband for a 9oung *idow Ga ro#anceH
Five Im&ortant !ovels
The Schoolmistress's -ament Gthe tale of a
%eleaguered school teacher 6ho eentuall+
#arries a BaronH
The (oyish $d.entures of -atham Such Ga co#ing
of age stor+H
The Drowned &illage Gthe stor+ of t6in si%lings
tr+ing to sae their illage fro# an i#pending
floodH
!limbing the -adder of Kni.es Ga satire of upper-
class lifeH
!arnations at Dus Ga horror noel a%out the
undead threatH
23
Organizations
*he Bnights of the ;hite Raen are an order of
religious 6arriors s6orn to destro+ the
ene#ies of the -hurch of the 3ad+. *he ;hite
Raen Bnights #a,e 6ar against the infidel in
the .art+rlands/ and root out heretics at ho#e.
Ho6eer/ there are persistent ru#ors that
so#e #e#%ers of the order secretl+ %elong to
de#onic and dia%olic cults and are su%erting
the ,nighthood fro# 6ithin.
*he Brotherhood of the Fe6 is an organi5ation
deoted to hunting and ,illing the undead.
*he Brotherhood includes co##oners 6ho
gather infor#ation/ acade#ics 6ho research
the 6ea,nesses of the undead/ and
adenturers 6ho lead the actual assaults
against the unDuiet dead.
*he *hrice-:a#ned 2enitents are an order of
#on,s and nuns 6ho trael the land see,ing
cursed artifacts/ 6hich the+ safeguard in their
fortified aults so that the+ do not fall into
innocent hands.
4ld Graha#9s Gang is an infor#al thiees9
guild lead %+ the infa#ous and se#i-#+thical
4ld Graha#. His thiees are all children= 6hen
the+ reach their seenteenth +ear/ the+
#+steriousl+ disappear.
*he t6o #aJor political parties in 2arlia#ent
are the Blue Bloods and the 2o6dered ;igs.
*he Blue Bloods do#inate the 3ordl+ House/
6hile the 2o6dered ;igs hae tended to hold
#ore seat in the -o##on House.
24
Mores and Manners
3earning decoru# is as i#portant as literac+
and the sciences.
;hen isiting the ho#e of a genteel person/
one should al6a+s present a calling card to the
help first.
4ne should al6a+s %o6 %efore tipping one9s
hat.
-ourting couples of distinction should al6a+s
%e acco#panied %+ a chaperone.
It is rude to dance three dances 6ith the sa#e
partner.
*o 0cut1 so#eone %+ refusing to ac,no6ledge
their presence is a grae slight.
Foung #e#%ers of the upper classes are to %e
presented to the court %efore their first social
0season.1
A duel #ust hae seconds present to #a,e
sure that all for#alities are adhered to
properl+.
*ea and light refresh#ents should %e sered to
all guests.
Money
-oins are #ostl+ co##onl+ #ade of copper or
siler.
Gold 6as once found onl+ in coin for#/ %ut
no6 it is #ore co##on for %an,s to issue
paper 0gold notes1 of arious deno#inations.
25
Miscellaneous
Aer+ ciili5ed #an and 6o#an in the 6orld
spea,s the -o##on tongue %ecause of the
e>istence of the 3e>icos Spire in the
.art+rlands. In the Ancient Ara the Spire 6as
erected %+ 6ise .atriarchs 6ho perfor#ed a
ritual upon it that grants the 6orld9s deni5ens
,no6ledge of a shared language.
Unfortunatel+/ this shared language has done
little to end factionalis# and 6ar as the
.atriarchs had hoped it #ight.
:ragons are not natural creatures= rather/ the+
are #anifestations of hu#an sin.
-haracters 6ho are eles/ halflings/ gno#es/
and the li,e are not #e#%ers of their o6n
cultures. Instead/ the+ are changelings left
%ehind 6hen the fe+ steal hu#an infants fro#
their cri%s. Half-eles are the product of #ortal
#en falling in loe 6ith the fe+.
-haracters 6ho are d6ares 6ere %orn
#isshapen and #angled of li#% due to the
presence of %lac, #agic in the icinit+ of their
conception.
:ragon%orn 6ere not %orn as such= rather/ the+
%eca#e dragon%orn %ecause the+ are haunted
%+ so#e great sin the+ hae co##itted.
*ieflings had a parent 6ho consorted 6ith a
de#on or deil fro# the lo6er planes.
-haracters 6ho are half-orcs hae the tainted
%lood of l+canthropes in their ancestr+.
;arforged are singular creations of #ad
scientists and rogue inentors.
26
Popular Street Foods in
Lowedon
Cac,et potatoes
Roasted chestnuts
*ea and coffee sered in tin cups
4+sters
Hot eels and peas
.eat pies
.uffins and %uns
27
A Rough Guide to Lowedon
T"balt(s Tree
*his #assie tree rooted at the edge of Ad6ard9s 2ar,
has seen gallo6s %uilt into its %ranches. *he pu%lic
e>ecutions that ta,e place at *+%alt9s *ree dra6
#assie cro6ds of onloo,ers. It is currentl+ in fashion
for cri#inals to 0die 6ell/1 that is/ those to %e e>ecuted
are e>pected to appear %efore the pu%lic in their %est
finer+ and to face their fates 6ith chee,+ aplo#%.
*hose 6ho are slated to dance 0*+%alt9s Cig1 are
cheered %+ the asse#%l+ if their final 6al, is full of
s6agger and good hu#or.
)anter(s Bench
Ranter9s Bench is an area 6ithin Ad6ard9s 2ar, in
6hich #+stics/ philosophers/ preachers/ and political
agitators gather to gie ser#ons and speeches to the
cro6ds that gather there. Ranter9s Bench is a uniDue
area of 3o6edon in that an+ and all speech is
per#itted thereEeen treasonous or heretical ideas
28
#a+ %e espoused there 6ithout fear of direct
retaliation.
Blac *ate Cemeter"
4ne of the oldest and #ost prestigious %urial grounds
6ithin 3o6edon/ Blac, Gate -e#eter+ has %een
sealed and enclosed %+ stout 6alls of stone for oer a
decade. $or reasons as +et un,no6n/ the dead laid to
rest in Blac, Gate rose fro# their graes= no6 the+
6ander the ce#eter+/ 6aiting for a #ad#an9s hand to
release the# fro# their prison so that the+ #ight
deour those 6ho call the cit+ ho#e.
The Tower of the $enitent
4nce a ro+al residence/ this fortress is no6 used as a
prison for cri#inals of the upper classes. It is ,no6n
that seeral of the prisoners ,ept here are incarcerated
for political reasons rather than haing co##itted an+
actual acts of treason. Ru#ors circulate that a secret
prisoner is ,ept 6ithin a hidden cell/ her face
o%scured %+ an iron #as,.
Madcha&el
*his %orough in the east of 3o6edon is ho#e to the
poorest of the poor. *he district oerflo6s 6ith
i##igrants fro# Harro6faust and -aligari. -ri#e is
ende#ic to the area/ and pu%lic drun,enness and
iolence are facts of dail+ life. *he sDualor of the area
see#s insur#ounta%le= those 6ho lie in this district
rarel+ hae sta%le housing/ and #ost spend their
nights in co##on roo#s and doss housesEif the+9e
earned enough coin during the da+ to afford it. If the+
haen9t/ the+ ta,e their chances sleeping in the streets.
29
2rostitution is also ra#pant= #ost 6o#en Gand #an+
#enH use prostitution to supple#ent their #eager
6ages. *he district is currentl+ the hunting grounds of
a serial #urderer 6ho has %een du%%ed 0the
Gardener1 %+ the press.
+adehouse
*his doc,land %orough is pri#aril+ inha%ited %+
i##igrants fro# Bathai and the Island of Cade
.+steries. Because the residents of Cadehouse are
loo,ed do6n upon due to co##on Ulerlandian
preJudices/ the district is a poor one and its
constituents largel+ su%sist on #enial la%or. Ho6eer/
arious cri#inal organi5ations fro# the Aast hae also
arried and ta,en root in Cadehouse= the+ run
ga#%ling operations and opiu# dens that are open
secrets in Cadehouse.
Am&his
A %orough of theaters/ opera houses/ and ca%arets in
the 6est end of 3o6edon/ A#phis is the pla+ground
of the #onied elite. 4f course/ A#phis also hosts a
nu#%er of less licit entertain#ents= it is said that a
ariet+ of speciali5ed %rothels operate in the region
that cater to er+ specific and rarefied tastes.
!est
3ocated south of the Al%in Rier/ 8est is a dilapidated/
6or,ing-class %orough. *hough the area isn9t nearl+
as do6ntrodden as .adchapel/ it is notorious for
har%oring #an+ thiees9 guilds. *he #ost infa#ous
organi5ation operating out of 8est is 4ld Graha#9s
Gang/ a pac, of thieing children controlled %+ the
30
ile 4ld Graha#. 8est is also a district ,no6n for its
fences= if +ou hae stolen goods +ou 6ish to dispose
of/ 8est 6ill li,el+ suppl+ +ou 6ith an interested
%u+erEproided +ou don9t as, too #an+ Duestions.
,ueen(s Bloom
A 6ealth+ %orough inha%ited #ainl+ %+ aristocrats
and high-ran,ing #e#%ers of the -hurch/ &ueen9s
Bloo# is largel+ insulated fro# the horrors that so
often plague the rest of the cit+. 3ocated 6ithin the
district is Ar5e%eta9s palace/ .inister9s Rest/ 6hich is
patrolled %+ the elite ;olf Angel Guard. &ueen9s
Bloo# is also ho#e to the Stained -athedral/ the
current %arrac,s for the Bnights of the ;hite Raen.
The ,ueen(s School
Situated near the #ercantile district and the courts of
la6/ the &ueen9s School is the pre#ier uniersit+ in
3o6edon. .ost of the facult+ are learned #e#%ers of
the clerg+= indeed/ a functioning chapel deoted to the
3ad+ of the ;hite ;a+ is at the center of the college.
$or such a recent construction/ the interiors of the
%uildings that #a,e up the school are perple>ing and
la%+rinthine in internal structure= ru#ors a%ound
a%out hidden roo#s and secret passages. *he grounds
of the &ueen9s School are guarded %+ seeral stone
gole#s shaped li,e fierce lionsEgifts fro# the
#agisters of 4r>ha# Acade#+.
The $ale -belis
*his chal,-6hite #onu#ent 6as a gift fro# the
8ecropolitan of .ord-Staian to the soereign of
Ulerland. It 6as a strange and une>pected gift= it is
31
currentl+ erected upon the north %an, of the Al%in
Rier. Interestingl+/ the Dueen9s alche#ists are una%le
to deter#ine 6hat su%stance the 2ale 4%elis, is #ade
ofE%ut 6hateer it is/ it is oddl+ 6ar# to the touch
no #atter 6hat the 6eather.
The .orrowhoc As"lum for the Insane
A lonel+ edifice located far in the southern reaches of
3o6edon/ the Horro6hoc, As+lu# 6as founded %+
:r. 2hilip Horro6hoc, in hopes of creating an
esta%lish#ent that could adance the %urgeoning
science of #ental surger+. Ho6eer/ it Duic,l+ altered
fro# the course of :r. Horro6hoc,9s drea# to a place
6here the #ost iolent of cases 6ere loc,ed up
shoulder to shoulder 6ith inconenient relaties.
:readful things are said a%out the current
ad#inistration that runs the as+lu#= 6hispers a%ound
of secret e>peri#ents that happen deep %elo6 the
pre#ises.
The Lowedon Museum
A #agnificent %uilding st+led after the ancient
patterns of the Rel#eenos A#pire/ the 3o6edon
#useu# houses the cultural treasures of Ulerland.
-ontentiousl+/ it also houses the cultural treasures of
other nations that 6ere 0li%erated1 oer the +ears %+
Ulerlandian e>plorers and conDuerors. *he #useu#
contains paintings fro# .orgund+/ #ar%le statutes
fro# Rel#eenos/ and sarcophagi fro# .ord-Staian
as part of its per#anent displa+s.
Cruciform Station
*he southern-#ost ter#inus of Ulerland9s largest
32
railroad line/ 6hich connects 3o6edon to
Gallo6s%urgh. 4ther #aJor stops on the line are
Alder%urgh/ .iden%roo,/ -oenant/ and 4r>ha#.
Although it has onl+ e>isted for %ut a decade/ the
-rucifor# 3ine is alread+ said to %e haunted %+ the
specters of those 6ho died la%oring upon its
construction.
-r/ham Circus
A pro#inent ring road in the -enter -it+ district/
4r>ha# -ircus is festooned 6ith a ariet+ of shops/
taerns/ and eateries. A#ong its #ost fa#ous
attractions are the :roer9s ;heel and the Ald Shoppe.
*he :roer9s ;heel is a pu%lic house freDuented %+
the intelligentsia= pla+6rights/ poets/ and
philosophers gather there to drin, a%sinthe and find
inspiration. *he Ald Shoppe is a curious little store
that sells antiDues and oddities= each ite# the+ sell has
a length+ stor+ attached to it.
The Coronet Theater
*hough A#phis is 6idel+ ,no6n as the theater
district du Jour/ the -oronet *heater is a theater 6ith a
long histor+ that still re#ains popular toda+. 4nce
freDuented e>clusiel+ %+ the no%ilit+/ the -oronet
no6 sta+s open %+ #i>ing theatrical entertain#ents
on the 6ee,ends 6ith 6ee,da+ %outs of %are-,nuc,le
%o>ing and %ear-%aiting. It is said in so#e circles that
the -oronet ca#e %e hired out priatel+ for those
6ishing to see a nastier sort of %loodsport.
33
A Rough Guide to the
Northlands
The Slau%htered Son
$ prosperous wayside inn and ta.ern situated on the main
trade road
*he Slaughtered Son is operated %+ Alfric
Haus#uller/ a defroc,ed priest of the 3ad+ of
the ;hite ;a+/ 6ho is ,no6n to hae
connections 6ith the #a+ors of Hearth and
-e#%er.
Sign+ Haus#uller/ Alfric9s daughter/ runs a
%rothel 6ithin the Slaughtered Son. She is
attended %+ a #ute #anserant of terrif+ing
si5e and aspect.
A troupe of #usicians is e#plo+ed as
entertain#ent for the taern9s guests= %ut one
of the# is not at all 6hat she see#s.
An enchanted ring 6as lost in the fra+ of a
particularl+ raucous %ra6l 6ithin the
Slaughtered Son. It re#ains %ehind the %ar/ its
po6ers untested and unrecogni5ed.
The Tem&le of the Sheathed Sword
$ ruined temple to the -ady of the *hite *ay founded by a
penitent night full of remorse for the li.es he too in the
6artyrlands
4n a certain night eer+ +ear/ the te#ple is
surrounded %+ a ghostl+ procession of
6arriors 6ho 6ail and de#and Justice.
It is ru#ored that the ,night 6ho founded the
te#ple %uried a stolen treasure of great alue
6ithin the te#ple9s cr+pts/ %ut fe6 hae %een
34
%rae enough to enture into its depths. 8one
hae returned.
A +oung girl has %een repeatedl+ sighted
running and dancing a#ong the graes of the
%urial grounds that surround the te#ple. So#e
sa+ she is of the 6ere%lood.
Although the te#ple 6as founded to honor the
3ad+/ there are signs 6ithin its 6alls that the
congregation that gathered there turned to the
ile 6orship of deils.
The Funeral Barrows of the 0ell 0in%s
$ncient burial mounds and catacombs of a forgotten age
Ghouls/ %og #u##ies/ and 6ill-o9-6isps
openl+ haunt the %arro6s fro# #idnight to
da6n.
A Bell 6ar%and fl+ing the Red *us, %anner has
%egun using the %arro6lands as its
enca#p#ent.
*6o de#ons hae agreed to #a,e the %arro6s
the site of their %attle for supre#ac+. A #ortal
6i5ard pla+s %oth sides/ hoping to entrap the
ictor and %end it to his 6ill.
It is ,no6n that those 6ho sta+ too long
a#ong the %arro6s ineita%l+ go #ad fro#
grief. .elanchol+ seeps fro# their er+ soil
itself/ and the air hides a #ias#a of %lac,
sorro6.
The Cra%fastness
$ decadent town of Frostrea.er immigrants built high upon
the mountains
Carl Grun6ald e#plo+s the #ost icious
35
#e#%ers of the Stor#%olts/ his personal
%od+guard/ as assassins against the other no%le
houses of the -ragfastness. *hough this
practice cannot %e proen/ it is 6ell ,no6n and
6ill inspire iolent reprisals fro# the other
$rostreaer lords.
A great deil sleeps %eneath the -ragfastness.
*he deil9s drea#s infect the sleep of the #ost
6ea,-6illed $rostreaers/ turning their
thoughts to ,in-#urder.
*he fighting #en and 6o#en of the
-ragfastness hae gro6n indolent and la5+=
the+ hae forgotten their training and the tales
of their forefathers9 alor slips dail+ fro# their
#inds. *he -ragfastness is particularl+
ulnera%le at this #o#ent.
Grun6ald9s Jester is the onl+ #an not of
$rostreaer %lood allo6ed to per#anentl+
reside in the -ragfastness. He is a #isshapen
%rute called $rao#ar/ and his illusions
entertain the Carl #ightil+.
The Silent Forest
$ deep forest that hides elf8homes and the strange worings
of the fey
;hile the eles hae no for#al goernance/
the+ all ta,e heed of the 6ords of 3illian/ a
+oung leanan sidhe oracle 6hose isions guide
all #aJor decisions #ade %+ the elfin people.
A %and of capering i#ps disguised as sprites
trael fro# elf-ho#e to elf-ho#e/ encouraging
the eles to indulge in orgiastic de%aucher+ for
an untold purpose.
36
*he Scarred 4nes/ the #ost unta#ed of all the
fe+ of the Silent $orest/ har%or a fugitie fro#
Justice na#ed As#a 6ithin their ran,s. *he+
6ould fight to the death to see that she does
not face the clai#s of the Ulerland9s la6s.
Secreted 6ithin a hollo6 hill is the entrance to
a land of eternal spring.
Cember
$ thri.ing town of fatalists. /t is go.erned by mayor )arald
$lblotter
*he -hild of Blasphe#+/ a tric,ster de#on/
6anders the streets of -e#%er in a ariet+ of
guises/ loo,ing to #a,e #ischief.
A guild of thiees/ cutthroats/ and assassins
,no6n as the Blac, Bnies operate a
protection rac,et that effectiel+ controls trade
6ithin the cit+.
*he ;+r#hunters/ a ,nightl+ order dedicated
to the sla+ing of dragons/ has %arrac,s 6ithin
-e#%er= each +ear the+ sall+ forth fro# the
to6n on a DuestEthe+ do not return until the+
hae slain a 6+r#. *he+ drag the corpse of the
dragon ho#e 6ith the#/ 6hich %egins a 6ee,-
long festial of drun,enness and reelr+ in
6hich the dragon is rituall+ eaten.
*he *o#as .c2hail/ an elderl+ #an 6ho
teaches #agic to e>ceptional +ouths/ has a
to6er 6ithin the cit+9s 6alls.
37
The Acwel .ome
$n abandoned manor house nown to be haunted by
un#uiet shades
*he decrepit #anor is inha%ited %+ the
%loodthirst+/ spectral Ac6els/ a fa#il+ of once-
prosperous #ariners.
Hidden 6ithin the Ac6el Ho#e is an
enchanted a>e 6rested fro# a forgotten stor#
giant ,ing.
$inan S,agsdar/ the i#petuous son of a
6ealth+ #erchant fa#il+/ offers great 6ealth to
an+one %rae enough to retriee the %oo,s
fro# the Ac6el li%rar+.
.aida *hreestaes/ a +oung priestess of the
3ad+/ 6ishes to %ring peace to the ghosts that
d6ell 6ithin the Ac6el Ho#e. She 6ill %arter
her healing s,ill to a part+ of adenturers
6illing to act as her guard 6hen she entures
inside the #anor.
The )uins of -swine(s 0ee&
$ shattered fortress now home to the enemies of ci.ili:ation
*he 6estern half of the ,eep is oerrun %+
$rostreaer %ar%arians 6ho rall+ under the
$enris-rider %anner= the+ are led %+ -alder of
the Blood+ -leaer.
*he eastern half of the ,eep is under the
do#inion of 3ucan Binsla+er/ a fallen paladin
and his corrupted ,nightl+ retinue. *he+ hae
an uneas+ truce 6ith -alder9s horde.
An ancient ,night pledged to sere the 3ad+9s
cause lies loc,ed 6ithin a %loc, of #agical ice
6ithin the ,eep. ;ho#eer frees hi# 6ill %e
38
gifted 6ith a po6erful #agical s6ord forged
%+ the d6arf ,ings of old.
*he $enris-riders hae recentl+ %een
approached %+ de#onologists/ 6ho 6ish to
conince the# to %rea, truce 6ith 3ucan
Binsla+er so that the+ #a+ hae rule oer the
,eep9s eastern section.
The Caclin% Woods
These deep and disorienting woods are the ancestral home of
goblins
At the edge of the forest sits *arn#ore A%%e+/ a
#onaster+ ho#e to filth+/ i#poerished #on,s
6ho safeguard ancient to#es of i##ense
learning.
A %itter +oung #an na#ed Bran6ic, .ac-or,
has %egun to for# his o6n lo+al coterie of
go%lin spell6eaers.
.ale, $oultongue/ the go%lin ,ing/ holds s6a+
oer his go%lin ,in %ecause he is un#atched in
the po6ers of s,aldsong. So %lac, is his speech
that his l+rics can literall+ consu#e a #an9s
soul.
*he ;itch#oon -lan of go%lins has a%ducted
the daughter of a pro#inent 6arrior fro#
-e#%er.
Ma%&ie
$ de.eloping township growing wealthy through logging
run by (urgomeister Graff
Beorn Arro6son/ a +oung s,ald/ attracts
traelers fro# across the 8orthlands 6ho 6ish
to %e stirred %+ his inspired erse.
39
:ruidic priestesses 6ish to reie the 4ld
;a+s and %ring the sacrifice of captured
ene#ies %ac, into the religious rites practiced
in .agpie.
2earce/ +oungest son of *redan 4ath#a,er and
no%le of Hearth/ has run a6a+ to .agpie 6ith
his for%idden loer. A %ount+ is upon their
headsE2earce 6ould %e returned to his father
for a s#all fortune in gold/ 6hile an eDual
a#ount of coin 6ould %e gien for the loer9s
death.
Sofia/ a child 6ho 6as the onl+ surior of a
raid on her fa#il+9s g+ps+ caraan/ is currentl+
under the care of a +oung 6ido6. *he child
,no6s a ghastl+ secret/ though it lies loc,ed
6ithin her trau#ati5ed #ind.
The Caves of 0enwa"
$ comple1 of natural ca.erns and car.ed underground
chambers that ser.e as the hideout of the Swords of Shadow7
a ruthless gang of bandits led by a murderous warloc
Benan Bell,enne+/ a %lood-thirst+ 6arloc,/
i#%i%es sorcerous drugs and has congress 6ith
succu%i= he trades pleasure for the
6herea%outs of 6ealth read+ for the ta,ing.
Bell,enne+9s control of the S6ords of Shado6
is contested %+ 8orel -utpurse/ a talented
thief 6ho decries all 0deities1 as false
deceiers.
Hidden 6ithin the ran,s of the S6ords of
Shado6 is Aostra Rierford/ an apprentice
s#ith 6ho stole so#ething of great i#port
fro# her #aster.
40
*he #ost feared #e#%er of the S6ords of
Shado6 is 4>a S,ull%rea,er/ a hul,ing %rute
and for#er gladiator 6ho has neer %een
%ested in co#%at.
$endra%on(s Foll"
$ ghost town through which the wind seems to whisper
innumerable names
A dar, to6er lies at the center of 2endragon9s
$oll+. ;ithin its %lac,ened 6alls the soul of a
dead 6i5ard stries to %e re%orn.
4ne of the fe6 liing inha%itant of
2endragon9s $oll+ is a necro#ancer 6ho
6ishes to trap the soul of the to6er9s ghostl+
guardian.
*he to6n9s re#aining %uildings sho6 signs of
da#age fro# an other6orldl+ source. In truth/
the to6n 6as ripped apart and its deni5ens
,illed %+ the unleashed po6er of the pri#al
ele#ents.
2endragon9s $oll+ is also currentl+ inha%ited
%+ an antiDuarian e>plorer na#ed Chonil
.ac:ouglas= Chonil see,s entr+ into the dar,
to6er so that he #ight presere an+
,no6ledge hidden 6ithin.
)aven(s )each
$ stretch of barbarous territory where warbands7 hordes7
and frost giants do battle with each other for sur.i.al
*he largest clan of Bell %ar%arians is led %+
;ilona ;olfcla6/ a fierce/ red-haired 6arrior
6o#an guided %+ an ancestral spirit.
*he Bnights of the ;hite Raen #aintain a
41
s#all ,eep 6ithin Raen9s Reach.
.ost feared are the #a##oth-riding frost
giants of the Hoar%eard clan.
A group of flagellants ,no6n as the Red
-rucifiers trael the %readth of Raen9s Reach
loo,ing for 6itches and 6arloc,s to e>ecute.
Carnifu%e
$ defaced temple now used as a place of worship by an
insane cult of demon worshippers
-arnifuge is ruled %+ ;arian of the Hand and
his in%red fa#il+. ;arian is a raing prophet/
and he encourages eer+ unhealth+ appetite
6ithin his faithful floc,.
Uncann+ creatures not %orn of nature pro6l
the 6oods near%+ the -arnifuge.
?erge ;indthorn has %rought his latest 6ife to
Join the co##unit+ at -arnifuge. She is in
grae danger.
*he Uncounted .id6ies/ a group of stealth+
6o#en/ hae a sche#e to rescue Udela/
?erge9s endangered 6ife/ fro# the clutches of
the -arnifuge cult/ %ut the+ reDuire aid if their
plan is to %e e>ecuted successfull+.
The Fortress of Bone
$ blea7 fortified eep in which an army gathers to mae
war against manind
4ne of the leaders of the ar#+ that gathers at
the $ortress of Bone is Sigfried Bloodroarer/ a
great/ %ello6ing #inotaur 6hose strength and
ferocit+ inspire lo+alt+ through fear.
*he other leader of the ar#+ gathering at the
42
$ortress of Bone is ;otanis the Sl+-e+ed/ a
dro6 of cunning and t+rannical disposition.
He is a #aster of stratage#.
;otanis is ar#ed 6ith an enchanted short
%lade called 3ifecutterEthe %lade has acDuired
a taste for innocent %lood.
It is ru#ored that the $ortress of Bone conceals
an eil spring of deadl+ poison.
.earth
$ populous town of the ;orthlands< a center of trade and
intrigue
Hestr Ro+alton/ a perfu#er e#plo+ed %+
*redan 4ath#a,er/ is an acco#plished
alche#ist= so#e of her #ore e>pensie
perfu#es pro#ise to grant the 6earer
e>traordinar+ pro6ess.
At night/ the streets of Hearth are haunted %+
the reani#ate corpse of a great hound.
.a+or *redan9s adiser/ the sorceress .orgeta/
is #ad 6ith the desire to ,no6 eer+thing that
can %e ,no6n. She 6ould gie #uch to %e
escorted to the fa%led *ree of Bno6ledge/ so
that she #ight finall+ co#prehend the 6a+ of
all things.
A #as,ed #an fo#ents reolutionar+
thoughts a#ongst the poor residents of
Hearth.
43
Ulverland's Colonies
in the Discovered Countries
Solemnit"
$ bustling township growing wealthy from salt mining<
howe.er7 this new8found prosperity is undercut by the
burgeoning witch hysteria growing within the community
St. Cohn .asters/ a fire%rand preacher of the
;hite ;a+/ has arried in Sole#nit+ to ferret
out the coen of 6itches %la#ed for eer+
#iscarriage/ failed crop/ and #isfortune that
%efalls the citi5ens.
$erris .c3orde/ a gnarled and deranged #an/
is St. Cohn .asters9s agent in sniffing-out
deiltr+ in Sole#nit+= .asters ,eeps hi# on a
leash and treats hi# li,e a dog/ %ut .c3orde
can s#ell 6itcher+ as surel+ as a hound s#ells
ga#e.
Good+ ;ar6ic,/ a reno6ned %eaut+ 6ith
golden hair and clear e+es/ runs a pu%lic house
6ithin the to6nship. It9s ru#ored that she
stores s#uggled goods in the %ase#ent of her
esta%lish#ent/ or da%%les in a far less saor+
trade do6n in its depths.
Bonfires of hellish fla#es hae %een seen
flic,ering deep 6ithin the 6oods around the
to6nship= these are %elieed to %e the #ar,s of
the 6itches9 sa%%ath.
Thirteen Blades
A curing roadEeach cure is one of the 0%lades1 it is
na#ed afterEthat connects Sole#nit+ to Sharpe9s
?alle+= fe6 dare to trael this road at night for fear of
44
%eing attac,ed %+ ani#ate shado6s.
Bourbon 1ale )oad
*his road eers north and 6est fro# Sharpe9s ?alle+
and seres as a route %+ 6hich the far#ers attached to
re#ote hinterlands %ring their produce to #ar,et.
;a+farers report that defiled re#ains hae %een
found in seeral clearings along this road= ru#ors of
6itch-cult actiit+ a%ound in the region.
The Floatin% Cha&el
*his place of 6orship is the sole %uilding dotting a
s#all island on 3a,e 4neiric. It is #aintained %+ a
s#all splinter congregation of the -hurch 6ho %eliee
free loe and %iga#+ to %e no sins.
Shar&e(s 1alle"
$ struggling farming community and way station between
Solemnity and Port 0sterburg
2aul Bil#ason/ an apothecar+ clad in curiousl+
out-of-fashion clothes/ sells a tonic ru#ored to
cure #ost ail#entsEincluding the plague.
Spectral 6ar parties of natie %raes arise in
the #oonlight to #a,e 6ar once again on the
settlers fro# Ulerland 6ho no6 %uild on
their ancestral lands.
A rust+ gi%%et hangs at the crossroads 6here
the *hirteen Blades and Bour%on ?ale Roads
#eet= it is said that on #idnight of the first of
each #onth a gate6a+ to a fe+ #ar,etplace
6here go%lin #erchants sell #arelous fruits
opens %eneath it.
*he S6ord of St. Stephen of the $ields/ a
45
#agical artifact sacred to the -hurch/ has %een
%rought to Sharpe9s ?alle+ under #+sterious
circu#stances.
Buc(s )oad
Strange effigies of 6ic,er and t6ine are often found
#+steriousl+ tied into the %ranches of the trees that
line this road connecting Sharpe9s ?alle+ to 2ort
Aster%urg. *raelers report %eing attac,ed %+ shagg+
fe+ creatures 6ho steal a6a+ 6ith the decapitated
heads of their icti#s.
Miser" Lane
*his road is another route that stretches %et6een
Sharpe9s ?alle+ and 2ort Aster%urg. Appro>i#atel+
half6a+ %et6een the t6o #aJor settle#ents is
?arn6orth9s As+lu# for the .entall+ Unsound. *his
road is said to %e haunted %+ the 06hite ladies1 of the
elen fe+/ hell hounds/ and o6l%ears.
The Stone $ro&het
*he Stone 2rophet is an i##ense statue of a sphin>
found upon the %an,s of the Sas,atoo Rier. *he
naties of the region clai# that the Stone 2rophet 6as
in place long %efore their arrial in the area. So#e sa+
that the Stone 2rophet is a %urial #onu#ent to a
forgotten natie chieftain/ and that untold treasures
are secreted 6ithin it.
$ort Esterbur%
$n island8bound city of crime and opportunity o.er which
Fort 0sterburg stands grim .igil
2ort Aster%urg is attracting #an+ i##igrants
46
6ho %elong to heretical and persecuted
%ranches of the -hurch of the ;hite ;a+.
3ad+ .arigold $it5Si#ion/ estranged 6ife of
the adulterous Sir Reginald $it5Si#ion/ plots
her hus%and9s disgrace and do6nfall.
8atie tri%es displaced %+ Ulerland9s
colonists #eet in the 6ilderness to discuss
6hether $ort Aster%urg should %e oerrun %+
force or %+ a great 6or,ing of sacrificial #agic.
*he Ragged Rider/ the ghost of a -aligarian
#ercenar+/ rides his spectral steed through the
cit+ at night/ clai#ing the souls of those he
chances to #eet in Aster%urg9s streets.
47
A Rough Guide to the
Greater World
Across the Ice Sea to the north of Ulerland is
Frostreave= it is ho#e to clans of %loodthirst+ raiders
in its gri# northern territories and decadent no%les
that rule their serfs 6ith an iron hand in the ur%an/
southern areas. Hans Ri#eheart/ cares #ore for
pursuing his o6n de%auched pleasures than the
6elfare of his people. $rostreaers are o%sessed 6ith
oracles and isions= $rostreae is a land of near-
perpetual 6inter due to an ancient curse. *he ,ing of
$rostreae/
Across the Sea of Bells to the 6est lies the Shae Isle/ a
for%idding land of 6oad-painted saages/ hags/ and
fo#orians. ;hile the eastern coast of the Shae Isle has
%een coloni5ed %+ Ulerlandian aristocrats/ re%ellion
against the non-natie landlords is a constant threat.
Across the -hannel of Blue *ears to the south is the
hated ,ingdo# of Mor%und"/ ruled %+ the 0.ad
Bing1 :agon I= .orgund+ is the eternal ene#+ of
Ulerland/ and it is 6ell-,no6n that the ro+alt+ of
.orgund+ #ate 6ith slaadi. *he people of .orgund+
freDuentl+ engage in iolent re%ellion to atte#pt to
free the#seles fro# their corrupt no%ilit+9s reign.
4ne attraction that dra6s #an+ to 3u5ia/ .orgund+9s
capital/ is the ?erte *heaterE6here illusionists use
#agic to delight and terrif+ the patrons.
4ther nations on the Grand -ontinent include .idian
Gruled %+ &ueen Aangelia II/ capital cit+< AlloniaH/ the
48
A#pire of -aligari Gruled %+ A#peror 4laf I?/ capital
cit+< .ortonH/ Harro6faust Gruled %+ Bing .a>i#ilian
I of the a#piric on Barlo, fa#il+/ capital cit+<
2eshtarH/ the Iron 2rincipalities Gruled %+ pett+ princes
and 6arlords/ i#portant cities< the hol+ Rhe#a/ the
6ealth+ $lorichio/ and the canal-laced ?enu5H/ and the
Rel#eenos A#pire Gruled %+ -assandra ?II/ capital
cit+< AtharH.
Midian has onl+ recentl+ e#erged fro# a ciil 6ar
that diided the nation= indeed/ it is still a la6less land
of %oo# to6ns and %orderlands 6here %andits pro6l
unchec,ed. :efending one9s honor %+ dueling 6ith
pistol or s6ord is a national o%session of the hot-
headed and i#passioned people of .idian.
*he Cali%ari Em&ire is plagued 6ith addiction Gdrin,
and opiu# usage are rifeH/ cri#e/ and hedonis#. *he
-aligari A#pire is internall+ rien %+ racial tension= a
people 6ithout a ho#eland/ the Ald#en/ are forced to
lie in ghettos and are su%Ject to preJudice and
oppression %+ the #aJorit+. Ho6eer/ it is 6hispered
that one of the Ald#en9s spiritual leaders is crafting a
#ight+ auto#aton fro# cla+ to aenge the 6rongs
done to his people.
.arrowfaust is a land of ignorant superstition ruled
%+ cruel a#pire counts= it is also a real# of su%li#e
natural %eaut+. *he rule of Harro6faust9s a#pires is
contested onl+ %+ a ne6l+-arried coterie of death
,nights. :ue to the high nu#%er of undead 6ithin its
%orders/ Harro6faust is the focus of the Brotherhood
of the Fe69s actiities.
49
*he Iron $rinci&alities are a collection of
independent/ #ercantile cit+-states. Intrigue and
su%terfuge a%ound here. In the Iron Ara the
2rincipalities 6ere once the heart of the Iron A#pire.
*he cit+-state of Rhe#a is ho#e to the Gilded
-athedral/ the center of the ;estern -hurch9s po6er.
*he )elmeenos Em&ire is a fractured and hide%ound
real# of %aroDue and co#ple> social custo#s that is
near-i#possi%le for outsiders to understand= to #ost/
its 6a+s loo, li,e #adness. *he gold-spired cit+ of
Lantiu# is ho#e to the .osaic *e#ple/ the seat of the
Aastern -hurch.
*o the east are the Mart"rlandsEcurrentl+ ruled %+
Sultan Sula#anE6here the faithful of the 3ad+
Gparticularl+ the Bnights of the ;hite RaenH go to do
%attle against the %lasphe#ous -hildren of the 8e6
$ire. *he .art+rlands is the region 6here the -hurch
of the ;hite ;a+ first arose= as such/ it is sacred to
#e#%ers of that religion and #an+ feel that it #ust %e
li%erated fro# the infidels 6ho currentl+ reside there.
*here are #an+ s#all nations/ cit+-states/ and tri%al
lands 6ithin the .art+rlands= this collection of polities
are %arel+ held together %+ the Sultan9s #ilitar+ #ight.
$urther east are the strange ,ingdo#s of the
S&icelands/ 6hich Ulerland has coloni5ed
e>tensiel+. *hough regarded as saages/ the people
of the Spicelands are an a%le source of la%orE%ut
ru#ors of an uprising chill the souls of the
Ulerlandians 6ho ad#inister the countr+9s #an+
dierse territories.
50
South of the Grand -ontinent is *ond/ a land of
une>plored Jungles and deserts= the northern#ost
,ingdo# of that land is the death-o%sessed Mord2
Stavian/ 6hich is ruled %+ a lich-lord ,no6n as the
8ecropolitan. In recent +ears/ Ulerlandian e>plorers
hae %raed the undead horrors of .ord-Staian to
raid the p+ra#ids and to#%s of the countr+9s ancient
pharaohs.
In the far east is the 0athai Em&ire/ ruled %+ Lhen Fi
3i#/ the 0-elestial A#press/1 6ith 6ho# Ulerland
has adantageous trade relations.
South of Bathai are the Scaven%er Lands/ 6hich are
ho#e to 6arli,e no#adic tri%es fa#ed for their s,ill at
#ounted archer+.
Aen farther east is Bastillia/ an island prison colon+
to 6hich Ulerland transports its 6orst cri#inals.
A%oe Bastillia is the isolationist/ oni- and ,appa-
infested Island of +ade M"steries/ 6hich is ruled %+ a
supposed de#igod ,no6n as Lun/ the 0Solar
A#peror.1
*o the far 6est are the 'iscovered Countries/ t6o
continents currentl+ %eing coloni5ed %+ Ulerland/
.orgund+/ $rostreae/ and .idian. 4ne of the #ost
i#portant areas of the :iscoered -ountries is the
*hael Isles/ a chain of islands rich in sugarcane under
the colonial goernance of .orgund+.
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
Credits
All te>t/ #aps/ and setting ideas %+ Cac, ;. Shear
*han,s to -hris 2. $or editorial assistance
$ull-page illustrations and coer %+ Harr+ -lar,e
S#all illustrations ta,en fro# arious period sources
$onts usedE2alatino 3inot+pe/ 3i%re Bas,erille/ and
:eutsch Gothic
58