The Great Waste before and after the coming of the Prince of Leaves (the length of one square is equivalent to thirteen miles).
This wiki describes the lands surrounding the Great Waste, a setting for a 3.5ish Dungeons and Dragons campaign.
If you wish, here you can find the lore of the unruly lands, warring factions and forgotten places. You can also read about the mighty relics, ancient deities and unfathomable passions that have shaped the history of this broken world.
The wiki can also be explored comprehensively from the categories index (which you can usually find at the bottom of a page), from which you can also learn about many strange characters - including heroes, villains, Corhyrian aristocrats, the ever-growing list of the dead, and more. If you want to just wander, why not visit a random page? If you get lost, you can always click on "Khreeshan's Wiki" at the top of the screen to return here to the home page.
Our story began when two player characters named Vantis and Lannus meet on the road from Ramandu's Rock toTal Dara. Vantis and Lannus also briefly interacted with another more incongruous player character - the enigmatic half-orc Blakula. The party was just two for quite a while, but they were eventually joined by a fourth player character Rexxar. You can also follow their adventures by perusing the historical works of Yurian Darkheart.
If you enjoy your time on this wiki, you might also be interested in a hybrid Dark Souls D&D campaign created by the same author, as well as some of the author's own player characters from other campaign settings, which can be found here and here.
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Following an obvious trail, stream or similar feature is relatively safe, but travellers moving across trackless land are in danger of becoming lost, especially in conditions of poor visibility. To avoid becoming lost, travellers must succeed on a survival check once per hour. The difficulty of this check depends on whether the terrain is wasteland (DC14), petrified forest (DC21) or a great desert (DC30, or DC36 during a sandstorm). Navigating by night is usually easier, because a skilled character can use the stars to discern north with a DC10 survival check. However, as the Lord of the Wastes is capable of obscuring the stars if he desires, this strategy is not without weaknesses. Travellers do not immediately realize that they have become lost. Once per hour of random travel, one must make a DC20 wisdom check to realize that one's direction is uncertain. Finding a new direction once lost requires another survival check (original DC+2 per hour of random travel). If the traveller fails this check, he becomes lost again.
On long journeys, only about eight hours of the day are usually spent travelling. The rest of the daylight hours are spent making and breaking camp. If characters are willing to risk damaging themselves, however, they can attempt to walk for longer than this. On a forced march, characters must make constitution checks (DC10, +2 per extra hour) or take d6 points of subdual damage and become fatigued. A mount can also be made to move at a forced march, but the creature's constitution checks automatically fail, and the damage it takes is lethal. A character on foot walks about three miles an hour (24 miles per day) and a mounted character moves at about 5 miles per hour (40 miles per day). However any kind of difficult terrain forces travellers to move at only half speed. For example, it takes mounted characters a week to traverse the 140 miles between Daln and Tal Dara.
A good waterskin holds a gallon of water. If it runs dry or is pierced by arrows, a traveller in the desert faces a terrible ordeal. As the body loses fluids, biological processes begin to break down. This leads to pallor, shaking, nausea and eventually a complete collapse of the nervous system. Though dehydration can occur in any environment, the combination of high heat and low humidity typical in the waste makes it a constant threat there. Characters normally require a gallon of liquids per day, but can go without for 24 hours plus a number of hours equal to their constitution score. After this time, the character must make a constitution check each hour (DC10, +1 for each previous check) or take d6 points of subdual damage. Characters who have taken subdual damage from lack of water are fatigued (taking a -2 penalty to strength and dexterity). Subdual damage from thirst cannot be recovered until the character gets some water. In particularly hot environments, the body requires more water. When the temperature rises past 33 degrees, characters require 2 gallons of water per day and can survive without water for 12 hours plus a number of hours equal to the constitution score. When the temperature rises past 44 degrees, characters require 3 gallons of water per day and can survive without water for 6 hours plus a number of hours equal to their constitution score. When the temperature rises past 61 degrees, chracters require 4 gallons of water per day and can only survive without water for 3 hours plus a number of hours equal to their constitution score.
The Provider and the Prince of Leaves
Heatstroke and Sandstorms[]
In the arid, cloudless environment of the waste, there is no barrier against the sun's blaze. Characters can take damage from extreme heat, a condition generally referred to as heatstroke. At lower temperatures this is damage is subdual, but it instantly becomes lethal for those who fall unconscious. Any character who takes damage from heatstroke is considered fatigued, and takes a -2 penalty to strength and dexterity. Damage from heatstroke (including the fatigue) cannot be removed until a character is returned to a more comfortable environment - for example by reaching shade, surviving until nightfall or being drenched in water. Only then does the character respond normally to healing, and only once the damafe is healed do the fatigue penalties end.
When the temperature is between about 33 degrees and 43 degrees (the usual daytime temperature in the waste), unprotected characters must make successful fortitude saves each hour (DC15,+1 for each previous check) or take d4 points of subdual damage. Chacters wearing any kind of armour take -4 penalties on their saves. Characters who have heat protection 1 are safe at this temperature range. When the temperature rises above 44 degrees (usually around noon) characters must make fortitude saves every 10 minutes (DC15, +1 for each previous check) or take d4 points of subdual damage. Characters wearing armour again take -4 penalties on their saves. Characers with heat protection 2 are safe, and characters with heat protection 1 need only make saves once an hour. When the temperature rises above 61 degrees, characters take d6 points of lethal damage every 10 minutes (no save). Characters must also make fortitude saves (DC15,+1 per previous check) every 10 minutes or take d4 points of subdual damage. Characters wearing armour take -4 penalties on their saves, and those wearing metal armour can be burned. Characters with heat protection 3 are safe, and those with heat protection 2 take damage and make saves only once per hour.
The survival skill does not grant any level of heat protection. However, with a DC15 survival check, a character gains a +2 bonus on all fortitude saves against heatstroke. This bonus rises to +4 if the character remains stationary. Characters gain heat protection 1 by wearing a desert outfit, by taking the heat endurance feat, by having dark skin or by applying Ramandu's ointment. Creatures with heat protection 2 include desert animals and monsters who live in the waste. Characters can gain heat protection 3 with heat endurance spells or by constructing an improvised shelter. These levels of protection do not grant any kind of fire resistance, but fire resistance, but fire resistance applies to the damage dealt by heatstroke.
Sandstorms in the desert can be very dangerous. During an ordinary sandstorm, characters take a -4 penalty on all perception checks and a -8 penalty on all ranged attacks. The swirling sands reduce visibility to d10 by 5 feet, extenguish all open flames and deal d3 points of subdual damage per hour. Sandstorms usually last about 2d4-1 hours. Occasionally these storms develop into something more severe - greater sandstorms which extinguish all open or protected flames, reduce visibility to d4 by 5 feet and deal d3 points of lethal damage per round. Characters in a greater sandstorm take a -8 penalty on perception checks, cannot make ranged attacks at all and have to make a DC18 fortitude save each round to avoid being knocked to the ground. When a greater sandstorm dies down, the ground is covered in 2d3-1 feet of sand. Exposed characters in a sandstorm might begin to choke. A cloth or scarf worn across the nose and mouth protects the character from suffocation for a number of rounds equal to ten times their constitution, whereas an unprotected characted risks suffocation after a number of rounds equal to only twice their constitution. When a character risks suffocation, they must make a successful constitution check (DC10,+1 per previous check) each round or begin suffocating. During the first round of suffocation, the character falls unconcscious. During the second round, the chracter is dying. During the third round, the character suffocates to death.
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To the south of the wastes there is a great ocean, and without a ship characters must make swim checks each round, depending on current (DC10 in calm water). As long as they make the check, they can move and fight that round. Without a natural swim speed, the most that any character can achieve is half their normal walking speed. Failure means they tread water, losing dexterity bonus to AC and giving opponents +2 to hit, but they can still try and attack. If they fail hard enough, they begin sinking. When underwater characters can hold breath for a number of rounds equal to twice their Constitution score. After this they must make a DC 10 Constitution check every round in order to continue holding their breath. Each round, the DC increases by 1. When the character finally fails their Constitution check, they begin to drown. In the first round, they fall unconscious (0 hp). In the following round, they drop to -1 hit points and is dying. In the third round, they drown. Characters must also contend with pressure when deep underwater. For every 100 feet of depth accumulated above 100 feet, characters take d6 subdual damage per round. Slashing and bludgeoning weapons are at -2 to hit and deal half damage underwater. The same is true for piercing weapons only if the wielder fails their swim check. Ranged attacks take a -4 to hit and damage for every 5 ft of water they pass through, except for crossbows which take only -2, as well as half damage. Casting spells is also difficult, considering the components required.
Great Waste Equipment[]
Corhyrian Woven Armour - Made from silk and other fabrics, Corhyrian woven armour is the perfect protection for desert travellers. Air trapped between layers allows the skin to perspire, while the material itself absorbs moisture easily and dries quickly. The wrapped layers are surprisingly effective against weapons, granting a +2 bonus to armour class. The armour is light and flexible, having a maximum dexterity bonus of +6, a spell failure chance of 10% and no armour check penalty. Woven armour does not impose the usual -4 penalty on fortitude saves made against heatstrokes, and does not negate the benefits of a desert outfit. Expertly made from valuable materials, it costs about 1000 gold pieces.
Ramandu's Ointment - A soft creamy white ointment used by Thranish travellers traversing the Great Waste. One bottle of ointment is enough to cover one character for one day. Applying the ointment to the skin grants heat protection 1. One bottle costs about 50 gold pieces.
Asheran Sandspears - Made by the sand elves of Ashera, these sandspears are martial two-handed weapons which deal d8 points of piercing damage, triple damage on a critical hit. They can be thrown up to 30 feet without difficulty. Asheran hunting spears don't have reach. Sand elves gain a +2 bonus on damage rolls made with Asheran sandspears.
Asheran Mask - Beings such as minotaurs, gnolls, kenkus and rakshasas all have the faces of animals. The sand elves of Ashera believe that this form of is scared and wear masks while fighting and hunting in an attempt to emulate these creatures. These masks usually resemble the faces of canines, cats, snakes or birds. Some elven masks are enchanted, granting strange powers to those who wear them. Elven masks are not usually available for purchase.
Great Waste Feats[]
Wall Walking (requires 4 levels of Stargazer) - You can move across a vertical surface for up to 20 feet without making a climb check. You add 10 feet to this distance at Stargazer level 6 and every second level thereafter, up to your maximum speed. A Stargazer can take this a bonus feat in place of the slow fall ability.
Howling (can only be taken by Howlers at first level) - As a result of your clan's breeding habits, you can screech once per day, and any enemies must make a will save (DC10 + your charisma bonus + your level) or become terrified.
Heat Endurance (requires base fortitude save+2) - You gain a +2 bonus on saving throws against fire effects, and heat protection 1. At third level, a ranger can take Heat Endurance as a bonus feat in place of Endurance. If he already has Heat Endurance, the ranger gains Improved Heat Endurance instead, without needing to meet the prerequisites.
Improved Heat Endurance (requires base fortitude save +2, Heat Endurance) - You gain fire resistance 5, which stacks with any fire resistance you already have. You gain heat protection 2.
Wastewalker - Your movement is not impeded by the shifting sands. At seventh level a ranger can take wastewalker as a bonus feat in place of the woodland stride ability.
Sand Camouflage (requires hide 5 ranks, Wastewalker) - As a standard action, you can quickly camouflage yourself in any area of sand that is at least an inch deep, gaining a +5 bonus on hide checks. In areas with more than a foot of sand, you instead gain a +10 bonus on hide checks.
Righteous Wrath, Greater [Exalted Feat] (requires a rage or frenzy ability, Righteous Wrath as well as any two other Exalted feats) - Your rage is empowered with greater divine fury and engenders greater fear in your opponents. You may use Righteous Wrath whenever you deal damage with a melee attack against an evil foe while you are raging, even if you have you have already used the ability during this rage (if you fail to affect a creature the first time you hit it, you cannot affect it in that encounter). The DC of your Righteous Wrath is changed to 10 + your character level + your charisma modifier). If you deal damage to an evil foe who is currently shaken as a result of your Righteous Wrath, that creature must try again to make a successful Will saving throw or the penalties they suffer from the shaken status are increased to -4 (if you fail to affect a creature the second time you hit it, you cannot affect it again in that encounter). If you take this feat, you do not need to take Intimidating Rage or Destructive Rage in order to qualify for the frenzied berserker prestige class. Frenzied berserkers with Greater Righteous Wrath suffer most of the drawbacks associated with a frenzy. However, they can choose to voluntarily end their frenzy at any time if there are no evil combatants present.
Races of the Great Waste[]
Sand Elves - Medium, +2 dexterity, -2 constitution, sleepless, bow proficiency, sandspear proficiency, scimitar proficiency, +2 stealth, +2 perception, +2 damage with sandspears, +1 damage with scimitars
Hobgoblins - Medium, +2 dexterity, +2 constitution, darkvision
Orcs - Medium, +4 strength, -2 intelligence, -2 wisdom, -2 charisma, darkvision
Sand Dwarves - Medium, +2 constitution, -2 dexterity, reduced speed, stability, +2 charisma, +2 diplomacy
Kenkus - Small, -2 strength, +2 dexterity, mimic, +2 stealth, darkvision, increased speed, hold medium weapons
Half-elves - Sleepless, Elf blood, Medium, +1 stealth, +1 perception, initiative +4
Dark Elves - Sleepless, SR11+class level, +2 intelligence, +2 charisma, darkvision, medium, -2 constitution, +2 dexterity
Gnolls - +6 strength, +2 dexterity, +4 constitution, medium, darkvision, 2d8 (2/4 attack progression, skill progression 2, good fortitude saves, one feat), +2 natural armour
Minotaurs - +8 strength, +4 constitution, -4 intelligence, -2 charisma, large size (-1 penalty to armour class, -1 penalty on attack rolls, -4 penalty on stealth checks, reach 10), 6d8 HD (4/4 attack progression, good reflex and will saves, skill progression 2, three feats), +5 natural armor bonus, gore d8, powerful charge (4d6+1.5 strength), natural cunning, scent, darkvision, level adjustment +6
Ability Scores[]
As Khreeshan's Waste is populated with dangerous creatures, heroes traversing it must be similarly powerful. Players generate their character's abilities using a point buy system. All abilities begin at 8, but players may allocate 34 additional points however they wish before apply racial modifiers. No ability can be increased above 18 before applying racial modifiers, and no mental ability (intelligence, wisdom, charisma) can be lower than 6 after applying racial modifiers.
New Prestige Classes[]
FURIOUS AVENGER (RAVAGER VARIANT)
A fierce and unrelenting foe of the wicked, a furious avenger is an individual whose passion constantly drives him to pursue and confront evil. Often living solitary lives of violence, furious avengers constantly move to oppose the next monster or villain, never resting too long in one place.
Most furious avengers have witnessed a terrible act of evil which drove them to this, waking in them a terrible and unwavering anger and keeping them from taking pleasure or satisfaction from a mundane life. Instead they fight on and on in a desperate attempt to make the wrong they witnessed somehow right again.
Furious avengers often come from the ranks of the more martial classes, as the offensive abilities of this prestige class enhance combat skills. For spellcasting classes, these abilities could also be used effectively in conjunction with touch spells. Former monks who were unable to discipline their emotions and strayed from the lawful path sometimes become furious avengers.
REQUIREMENTS
To qualify to become a furious avenger, a character must fulfil all the following criteria.
Alignment: Chaotic good, chaotic neutral, neutral good.
Base attack bonus: +5
Feats: Power Attack, iron will, as well as either righteous wrath or improved unarmed strike
Other: Must have witnessed or encountered a terrible evil.
CLASS FEATURES
Hit Die: d10
Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier (a furious avenger uses class skills from all of his other classes as class skills)
Weapon and armour proficiency: Furious avengers are proficient with all simple and martial weapons, with all types of armour, and with shields.
Touch of Fury: When evil finally comes within reach, the mere touch of a furious avenger can (once per day) transmit their rage in the form of an explosive burst of energy. A furious avenger can make an unarmed touch attack against an evil enemy that causes d8 hit points of damage, plus one point per level of furious avenger. Weapon attacks can also transmit this rage, but only at the rate of d4 extra points of damage, plus one point per level of furious avenger (natural weapons and unarmed attacks transmit the full damage). A furious avenger may make one additional touch of fury attack per day for every three levels above 1st. A furious avenger does not need to declare he is using this skill in advance.
Overwhelming Aura - Evil enemies within the stated distance of the furious avenger suffer a -2 morale penalty on all saves as long as they remain within range. This is a supernatural ability, usable a number of times per day as given on the table.
Vengeful Blow - Your familiarity with evil means you will not hesitate to do what is necessary to defeat it, and when you find an opening you strike with a brutal precision. You must declare you are using vengeful blow before you make any attack rolls. If you miss all your attacks in the round, you lose one use of vengeful blow. If you strike an evil creature at all successfully, you deal d4 points of temporary constitution damage to your target in addition to normal damage for one of those attacks. You may use Vengeful Blow once per day for every three levels of furious avenger you have attained.
Harsh Judgement - With just a touch, you can force evil enemies to see themselves through your eyes and confront the terrible reality of their existence. Once per day, if you strike an evil enemy with a touch attack, unarmed strike or natural weapon (weapon attacks cannot transmit harsh judgment) then you can force them to make a fortitude save (DC14 + furious avenger level) or face your judgement (you can choose whether to kill or disable them). Even if the fortitude save is successful, the subject takes 3d6 points of damage.
Greater Harsh Judgement - When a furious avenger reaches 10th level, the DC of his harsh judgment increases by 4 to DC18 + class level. The damage dealt despite a successful save increases to 5d6.
LEVEL BASE ATTACK Fort Reflex Will SQ
1 +1 +2 +0 +0 Touch of fury 1/day
2 +2 +3 +0 +0 Overwhelming aura 10' 1/day
3 +3 +3 +1 +1 Vengeful blow 1/day
4 +4 +4 +1 +1 Touch of fury 2/day
5 +5 +4 +1 +1 Overwhelming aura 20' 2/day, harsh judgment
6 +6 +5 +2 +2 Vengeful blow 2/day
7 +7 +5 +2 +2 Touch of fury 3/day
8 +8 +6 +2 +2 Overwhelming aura 30' 3/day
9 +9 +6 +3 +3 Vengeful blow 3/day
10 +10 +7 +3 +3 Greater harsh judgement