Iolis- Wayward Haven (4e Campaign Setting)
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The World
Iolis is the name for the World and the largest continent on the world. There are also smaller islands that have their own names out in the Landfalls. The main region of the world is called Landis, and is a flat disk where the edges drop off to the lower planes. The region of space beyond the edge is full of elemental energies and is called the Landfalls, and is comprised of smaller islands that have their own climates. The continents in Landfall have never been mapped out, and only the closest have been reached by the Wolfenfeniris airships.
Iolis floats in between the shadowgloom, the underworld and the faelands, suspended between life and death. The borders of the world are seas, and the waters fall off of the world at varying distances. The border regions of the world are the White and Sea of Souls in Zamonia, The Narrow Sea in Castil, the Sea of Flames in Zaithan, and the Dunelands in Resbur
After a long war against the Demon Lords, the New Gods succeeded in recreating the order of the world. The governments Alkiris and Westus have embraced the Old Gods, Kaldor and Wolfenfeniria worship the New Gods, and Alcelt has no official religion. Zamonia and Zaithan are at peace, and Resbur and Castil are in the midst of negotiating the ends of their wars. In this prosperity though, there are many people who have new opportunities to bend their country to their will...
History
Iolis was created after the cataclysm separated it from its previous plane of existence. Now stuck between the Faelands and the Shadowgloom, the world is trapped in a constant struggle for survival. Out of the shatters of its former world, four sub-continents have rinsen, Zamania, Zaithan, Resbur, and Castil. Within these sub-continents, 5 major governments have sprung up. Alcelt on Zaithan, Alkiris on Resbur, Westus on Castil and Kaldor and Wolfenfeniria both on Zamonia.
The five nations have always been at odds with each other. Numerous wars have broken out between Kaldor and Wolfenfeniria, Kaldor and Alcelt and Westus and Alkiris. The leaders of their nations seek better lives for their subjects, and are willing to accomplish that goal through any means necessary. Each nation is known for a major feature, such as the mineral deposits in Alcet, the farmland in Kaldor or the forests of Westus. Each of these nations will freely trade with others except during times of war, but leaders are always looking for a cheaper way to get the materials.
Many of the conflicts have arisen because of a conflict between the Demon Lords who have been lost to history, and the New Gods, those who are worshiped by the residents of Iolis. The battle is fought on Iolis by the Champions of the New Gods against the demon armies of the Demon Lords. The most recent war between them was the Zaithan Crisis, where the Hierophant of Zaithan were overturned by the rebel Freedom's Own rebel army and the Champion. Many of the details of this event have been lost to history with the names of the Demon Lords.
Iolis Planes
Iolis has a total of four plains including the plane Iolis. The plains are...
- Shadowgloom is the name that the residents of Iolis have given to the splinter of the Shadowfell. It is an exact copy of the Shadowfell except that the exits only lead back to Iolis, and not to another plane.
- Fealands ate the names that the residents of Iolis have given to the splinters of the Feywild. It is an exact replica of the Feywild except that all the exits only lead back to Iolis and not to another plane.
- The Underworld is a plane that can only be reached by falling off one of Iolis' edges. This land is a mirror of the world above, except that it is populated by devils and demons. The only way to get back to Iolis is to kill one of the Archdevils, a Balor or conduct a ritual that allows plane shifting.
Character Backgrounds
Each character gains certain bonuses to their stats as well as other bonuses such as languages. The assumption is that the characters are from one of the 5 nation states of Iolis, or a Landfall island. The following sections are for determining character backgrounds.
Nation States of Iolis and the Landfalls
There are five major governments in Iolis. Each one is independent from the others, but they are in the process of negotiating a lasting peace. The countries are...
| Subcontinent | Country | Races | Races Handbooks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Zamonia | Wolfenfeniria | Fenrirborn, Warforged, Wolfborn | See Link, Eberron, See Link | |
| South Zamonia | Kaldor | Elf, Half-Elf, Human | PHB1, PHB1, PHB1 | |
| Zaithan | Alcelt | Golaith, Half-Orc, Human | PHB2, PHB2, PHB1 | |
| Resbur | Alkiris | Dragonborn, Gnoll, Minotaur | PHB1, MM, PHB3 | |
| Castil | Westus | Eldarin, Hamadrayad, Satyr | PHB1, HotFW HotFW |
- Landfalls- Landfalls are islands that float in the space above the other planes. Every member from a Landfall island gains a +2 to two untrained skills, a +1 to a class skill and can choose an extra language that they can speak, but not read or write. Players form the Landfalls are not used to the customs of the Continent, and may have different customs. Landfalls have no set geography, so characters looking for very creative backgrounds can compose their own islands.
Races of Iolis
Iolis was once part of a larger world but was cut off a long time ago. There are many of the old races, but also there are some new races. Races tend to live in a certain nation, and is abbreviated after the race. If a player wishes to play a race that is not included, then they must take a background from the Landfall Islands. The list of playable races on the mainland of Iolis are with the nations.
Classes of Iolis
While Gods play a part in the lives of the residents of Iolis, they don't have much power to give to their followers. Instead, those who use divine powers have taken to taping into the life energies that run though the world to fuel their magic. With new runes to power their attacks, Divine classes and attack with any one of the elements instead of just radiance. The Arcane powers of the old world have been twisted into a new type of magic, cimpethe. Many of the old tomes on magic were lost, as well as their wells of power, so arcane magic now draws upon the surrounding elements. This means that if you have a match, you can use the match's flame to power a fire spell, but not an cold spell, and vice versa.
The main classes of Iolis are...
| Name | Common Countries | Where Published | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Artificer | Wolfenfeniria | Ebberon | |
| Tinkerer | " | " | |
| Battlesmith | " | " | |
| Ardent | Ka, Ac | PHB3 | |
| Enlightened | " | " | |
| Euphoric | " | " | |
| Avenger | Ka | PHB2 | |
| Isolating | " | " | |
| Pursuing | " | " | |
| Barbarian | Ak, We, Wolfenfeniria | PHB2 | |
| Beserker | " | Heroes of the Feywild | |
| Rageblood | " | " | |
| Thaneborn | " | " | |
| Thunderborn | " | Primal Power | |
| Whirling | " | Primal Power | |
| Bard | Ac, We, Wolfenfeniria | PHB2 | |
| Cunning | " | " | |
| Skald | " | " | |
| Valorous | " | " | |
| Battlemind | Ac | PHB3 | |
| Resilient | " | " | |
| Quick | " | " | |
| Chaplin (Cleric) | Ka | PHB1 | |
| Warpreist | " | Heroes of the Fallen Lands | |
| Storm Domain | " | HotFL | |
| Sun Domain | " | HotFL | |
| Death Domain | " | Heroes of Shadow | |
| Battle | " | " | |
| Devoted | " | " | |
| Druid | Ak, We, Wolfenfeniria | PHB2 | |
| Guardian | " | " | |
| Predator | " | " | |
| Sentinel | " | Heroes of Forgotten Kingdoms | |
| Protector | " | HofFW | |
| Swarm | " | PrP | |
| Summoner | " | PrP | |
| Assassin | Wolfenfeniria | Heroes of Shadow | |
| Executioner | " | " | |
| Fighter | Ak, Wolfenfeniria | PHB1 | |
| Great Weapon | " | " | |
| Guardian | " | " | |
| Knight | " | HotFl | |
| Slayer | " | HotFL | |
| Battlerager | " | Martial Powers 1 | |
| Tempest | " | Martial Powers 1 | |
| Ghost Warrior | Wolfenfeniria | see link | |
| Grim | " | " | |
| Silent | " | " | |
| Wrathful | " | " | |
| Ancient | " | see link | |
| Invoker | Ka | PHB2 | |
| Preserving | " | " | |
| Wrathful | " | " | |
| Monk | KaAc | PHB3 | |
| Centered Breath | " | " | |
| Stone Fist | " | " | |
| Paladin | Ka, Wolfenfeniria | PHB1 | |
| Avenging | Kaldor | " | |
| Protecting | Kaldor | " | |
| Cavalier | Kaldor | HotFK | |
| Sacrifice | Kaldor | " | |
| Valor | Kaldor | " | |
| Blackgaurd | Wolfenfeniria | HotS | |
| Domination | " | " | |
| Fury | " | " | |
| Psion | Ka,AC | PHB3 | |
| Telekinetic | " | " | |
| Telepathic | " | " | |
| Ranger | Ak,We, Wolfenfeniria | PHB1 | |
| Archer | " | " | |
| Two-Blade | " | " | |
| Beastmaster | " | MP1 | |
| Hunter | " | HotFK | |
| Scout | " | HotFK | |
| Rogue | Ak | PHB1 | |
| Brawny | " | " | |
| Trickster | " | " | |
| Aerialist | " | MP1 | |
| Cutthroat | " | MP1 | |
| Thief | " | HotFL | |
| Runepriest | Ka,Ac | PHB3 | |
| Defiant | " | " | |
| Wrathful | " | " | |
| Seeker | Ak, We, Wolfenfeniria | PHB3 | |
| Protecting | " | " | |
| Vengeful | " | " | |
| Shaman | Ak, We, Wolfenfeniria | PHB2 | |
| Bear | " | " | |
| Panther | " | " | |
| Eagle | " | PrP | |
| World Spirit | " | PrP | |
| Sorcerer | Ka Westus | PHB2 | |
| Dragon | " | " | |
| Wild | " | " | |
| Swordmage | Ac | Forgotten Realms | |
| Assault | " | " | |
| Shielding | " | " | |
| Warden | Ak, We, Wolfenfeniria | PHB2 | |
| Earth | " | " | |
| Wild | " | " | |
| Life | " | PrP | |
| Storm | " | PrP | |
| Warlock | Ac, Wolfenfeniria | PHB1 | |
| Deceptive | " | " | |
| Scourge | " | " | |
| Pacts(for top 2) | " | " | |
| Fey | " | " | |
| Infernal | " | " | |
| Star | " | " | |
| Binder | " | HotS | |
| Gloom Pact | " | " | |
| Star Pact | " | " | |
| Hexblade | " | HotFK | |
| Fey Pact | " | HotFK | |
| Infernal Pact | " | HotFK | |
| Gloom Pact | " | HotS | |
| Warlord | Ak, Wolfenfeniria | PHB1 | |
| Inspiring | " | " | |
| Tactical | " | " | |
| Bravura | " | MP1 | |
| Resourceful | " | MP1 | |
| Wizard | Ac, We,Wolfenfeniria | PHB1 | |
| Control | " | " | |
| War | " | " | |
| Witch | " | HotFW | |
| Full Moon Coven | " | " | |
| Dark Moon Coven | " | " | |
| Mage | " | HotFL | |
| Illusion | " | " | |
| Evocation | " | " | |
| Enchantment | " | " | |
| Necromancy | " | HotS | |
| Nethermancy | " | HotS |
Languages of Iolis
| Name | Script | Common Speakers | Common Locations | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canic* | None | Wolves, Fenirborn, Wolfborn (Any race with a wolfspeaker trait) | Wolfenfeniria | |
| Kaldorian | Rellanic | Humans, Half-Elves, Elves | Kaldor | |
| Lanic | Davek | Githzerai, Half-Orcs, Humans | Alcet | |
| Draven | Iokharic | Dragonborn, Goliath, Minotaur | Alkiris | |
| Isonic | Rellanic | Eldarin | Westus | |
| Yurmanyk | Barazhad | Fenrirborn, Wolfborn, Warforged | Wolfenfeniria | |
| Common | Common | All Playable Races | - | |
| Deep-Speech | Rellanic | Mind Flyers, Githyanki, Kuo-toas | - | |
| Draconic | Iokharic | Dragons, Dragonborn, Kobalds | - | |
| Dwarven | Davek | Dwarves, Azer | - | |
| Elvish | Rellanic | Elves, Eldarin, Fomorians | - | |
| Giant | Davek | Giants, Orcs, Ogres | - | |
| Goblin | Common | Gobins, Hobgoblins, Bugbears | - | |
| Supernal* | Supernal | Angels, Devils, Gods | - | |
| Primordial* | Barazhad | Efreets, Archons, Elementals | - | |
| Abyssal* | Barazhad | Demons, Gnolls, Sahuagin | - |
- *These languages cannot be learned until level 11. Canic cannot be learned except by the race feat wolfspeaker
Religions of Iolis
Because Iolis was separated from the old world, many of the gods have new names. In Iolis the gods and pantheons are...
New Gods
Kaldorian New Saints The new saints are the soldiers who fought against the rise of the Demon Lords before the Cataclysm.
| Name | Alignment | Bonus (Only if from Kaldor) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sal (Pelor) | Lawful Good | Bonuses based on Saints | |
| St. Dresden the Wise | Lawful Good | +1 to all Arcana Checks | |
| St. Murphy the Defender | Lawful Good | +1 to all Heal Checks | |
| St. Huygens the Reaper | Lawful Good | +1 to all Stealth Checks |
Wild New Gods The wild new gods are Primal Spirits that are the most important in the Wolfen belief system. Fenrir and the Erlking are responsible for the Fenrirborn and Wolfborn abilities and connections with wolves. The Lady of Sorrows is the goddess of shadows and the guardian of the dead. She seeks to maintain balance in the world, and often is working against the other two gods.
| Name | Alignment | |
|---|---|---|
| Fenrir | Good | |
| Erlking | Unaligned | |
| Our Lady of Sorrows | Unaligned |
Old Gods
Good
| Name | Allignment | Bonus (Only if from Kaldor) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avandra | Good | +1 to all Diplomacy Checks | |
| Bahamut | Lawful Good | +1 to all Endurance Checks | |
| Moradin | Lawful Good | +1 to all Dungeoneering Checks | |
| Pelor | Good | +1 to all Heal Checks |
Unaligned
| Name | Allignment | Bonus (Only if from Kaldor) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Corellon | Unaligned | +1 to all Insight Checks | |
| Ioun | Unaligned | +1 to all Arcana Checks | |
| Erathis | Unaligned | +1 to all Streetwise Checks | |
| Kord | Unaligned | +1 to all Athletics Checks | |
| Melora | Unaligned | +1 to all Nature Checks | |
| Raven Queen | Unaligned | +1 to all Stealth Checks | |
| Sheanine | Unaligned | +1 to all Bluff Checks |
Evil Gods These Gods offer no benefit to Kaldorians
| Name | Allignment | |
|---|---|---|
| Asmodeus | Evil | |
| Bane | Evil | |
| Gruumsh | Chaotic Evil | |
| Lolth | Chaotic Evil | |
| Tiamat | Evil | |
| Torog | Evil | |
| Vecna | Evil | |
| Zehir | Evil | |
| Cthulhu | Evil |
The Names in Parenthesis are the original god's name in the DM's Guide and Player's Handbook. Cthulhu is the god of chaos and madness.
Equipment
Players can buy and find basic equipment in the following lists in all of Iolis. If a character wants equipment that is not in this list, they can find certain people who will be willing to craft said equipment in major cities.
- The list of Melee Weapons for Iolis is Here
- The list of Ranged Weapons for Iolis is Here
- The list of Armors for Iolis is Here
- The list of Adventuring Gear for Iolis is Here
- The list of Magical Focuses is found Here
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