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War in Heaven (myth)

Bennettj — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 15:58:56 GMT

Wood Elf

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Firenewt

Bennettj — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 15:55:38 GMT

Palaeolithic Period

Bennettj — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 15:55:06 GMT

Elf Race & Physiology

Bennettj — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 15:54:23 GMT

World History

Bennettj — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 14:43:10 GMT

Use of Legitimate History

Twitch (cantrip)

Tao alexis — Sat, 30 May 2026 01:03:53 GMT

Introduction

Bennettj — Fri, 29 May 2026 19:47:42 GMT

Bestiary

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Human Race & Physiology

Bennettj — Fri, 29 May 2026 14:58:58 GMT

Wood Elf

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History

Vol. 1 - Introducing Gameplay

Bennettj — Fri, 29 May 2026 13:45:27 GMT

Peoples

Wind Force

Bennettj — Fri, 29 May 2026 13:43:41 GMT

Unreality (sage field)

Bennettj — Fri, 29 May 2026 13:43:09 GMT

Coin (monetary unit)

Bennettj — Fri, 29 May 2026 13:42:45 GMT

Chill (cantrip)

Bennettj — Fri, 29 May 2026 13:42:01 GMT

Illusionist Sage Abilities

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Unreality

Chalet (structure)

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Anachronisms

Farmland

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Society

Character Background Generator

Bennettj — Fri, 29 May 2026 13:39:39 GMT

Acolyte

Bennettj — Fri, 29 May 2026 12:05:00 GMT

Abracadabra & Abraxas

Bennettj — Fri, 29 May 2026 12:04:39 GMT

Slow Poison (spell)

Bennettj — Fri, 29 May 2026 12:01:43 GMT

Strategies for Curing

Beast Origins (sage ability)

Bennettj — Fri, 29 May 2026 11:58:19 GMT

Wetland (range)

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Mosses & Ferns (sage study)

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Expert Status

Sea Life (sage study)

Bennettj — Fri, 29 May 2026 11:53:56 GMT

Identify Clean Water (sage ability)

Bennettj — Fri, 29 May 2026 11:53:10 GMT

Identify Amphibians & Reptiles (sage ability)

Bennettj — Fri, 29 May 2026 11:52:45 GMT

Scaly Behaviour I (sage ability)

Bennettj — Fri, 29 May 2026 11:47:15 GMT

Vol. 1 - Introducing Gameplay

Bennettj — Thu, 28 May 2026 19:32:09 GMT

Parley & Negotiation

Bennettj — Thu, 28 May 2026 19:31:37 GMT

Location of Parley

Block Hex

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Military Maps

Dog (wild)

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Serenade (spell)

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Scandal

Barrens (range)

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Direction (sage study)

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Senses I (sage ability)

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Hearing

Crocodile

Bennettj — Thu, 28 May 2026 19:27:38 GMT

Jaguar

Bennettj — Thu, 28 May 2026 19:26:58 GMT

Moray Eel (giant)

Bennettj — Thu, 28 May 2026 19:26:26 GMT

Cougar

Bennettj — Thu, 28 May 2026 19:25:55 GMT

Brobdingnagian Lizard

Bennettj — Thu, 28 May 2026 19:25:30 GMT

Scouting (sage study)

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Detect Hidden Creature (sage ability)

Bennettj — Thu, 28 May 2026 19:22:44 GMT

Massmorph (spell)

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Reveal Approach (sage ability)

Bennettj — Thu, 28 May 2026 19:21:33 GMT

Boa Constrictor

Bennettj — Thu, 28 May 2026 19:19:17 GMT

Leucrotta

Bennettj — Thu, 28 May 2026 19:18:53 GMT

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 [[File:War in Heaven.jpg|right|525px|thumb]]
-'''The War in Heaven''' was a cosmic battle in which the loyal heavenly hosts defeated the rebel angel Lucifer (Satan) and his followers, leading to their expulsion from heaven and the establishment of divine order.  According to tradition, this event took place somewhere between 705 and 691 BC., as revealed by the Hebrew prophet Isaiah.  This celestial war, waged beyond the mortal realm, resulted in the fall of Lucifer and his followers, who were cast from the divine heavens into the lower realms. The war's repercussions rippled through history, shaping the mortal world and influencing the rise and fall of empires.
+'''The War in Heaven''' was a cosmic battle in which the loyal heavenly hosts defeated the rebel [[Angel|angel]] Lucifer (Satan) and his followers, leading to their expulsion from heaven and the establishment of divine order.  According to tradition, this event took place somewhere between 705 and 691 BC., as revealed by the Hebrew prophet Isaiah.  This celestial war, waged beyond the mortal realm, resulted in the fall of Lucifer and his followers, who were cast from the divine heavens into the lower realms. The war's repercussions rippled through history, shaping the mortal world and influencing the rise and fall of empires.
 __TOC__
 The war erupted as Lucifer, once among the greatest of the divine hierarchy, defied the celestial order and sought to overthrow the rule of the Supreme Deity. His rebellion sparked a brutal struggle that raged across the divine realms, reshaping the heavens and casting ripples through the mortal world.  For fourteen years, the battle consumed the celestial plane. The war saw entire dominions reduced to ruin, as once-loyal angels turned against their brethren. Michael and his forces fought tirelessly to preserve divine law, while Lucifer's legions sought to unseat the established order and remake creation in their own vision. The conflict reached its climax in 691 BC, upon the radiant heights of the Eternal Spire, where Michael, wielding the divine blade Celestia, struck down Lucifer in single combat. Defeated and broken, Lucifer and his followers were cast from heaven, many imprisoned in the infernal depths of Hell, while others scattered, taking refuge in the dark corners of existence.

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 For a long period after these migrations, elvish communities remained fragmented, with little continuity between their settlements. However, during the Neolithic, these groups began to transition toward agrarian societies. By the 8th millennium BC, wood elves faced a demographic crisis due to declining birthrates, diminished food sources and the disappearance of large game. This period of instability prompted adaptations in their way of life, including changes in diet, the development of herbal medicine and increased cooperation within elvish communities and with neighboring human groups. Along the Sirion River — referred to as the Mississippi by others — small villages formed, marking the beginning of a more structured and interdependent society.
-Through the Neolithic period, wood elves reacquired knowledge of archery and developed methods to manage large deer populations, ensuring a stable food source. As their numbers grew, winter elves to the north began repopulating Beringian lands, reestablishing ties that would later give rise to the Anduin people. Around 4500 BC, the foundations of [[Ancient Beleriand|Beleriand]] as an elvish cultural center began to take shape. Though their metallurgy remained in an early stage, elvish language reached a high level of sophistication, enabling nuanced communication within their own communities and with neighboring human tribes. This linguistic development facilitated the emergence of elvish ambassadors, who established relations with groups such as the Adena and Hohokam, among other early societies.
+Through the Neolithic period, wood elves reacquired knowledge of archery and developed methods to manage large deer populations, ensuring a stable food source. As their numbers grew, winter elves to the north began repopulating Beringian lands, reestablishing ties that would later give rise to the [[Anduin]] people. Around 4500 BC, the foundations of [[Ancient Beleriand|Beleriand]] as an elvish cultural center began to take shape. Though their metallurgy remained in an early stage, elvish language reached a high level of sophistication, enabling nuanced communication within their own communities and with neighboring human tribes. This linguistic development facilitated the emergence of elvish ambassadors, who established relations with groups such as the Adena and Hohokam, among other early societies.
 These interactions led to the gradual spread of elvish settlements beyond their core lands, with small groups establishing themselves in carefully selected locations from the southern bayous to the St. Lawrence basin. These settlements rarely exceeded a few hundred elves, yet their influence on local cultures was significant, shaping trade, diplomacy and the transmission of knowledge across the region.

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 Taking advantage of the many volcanoes of their lands, firenewts build villages in natural subterranean caves located in semi-active volcanoes.  They live on a meat diet of grubs raised in pits and sulphur, which they consume like humans eat salt.  Firenewts are fond of any sort of meat and often view combat with other races as an opportunity to feast upon the enemy dead.
-Because they generate their own heat, they are comfortable living in the cold, wet climate of Gilyakia.  They are able to swim for long distances, managing 200 mile journeys over a period of three continuous days.  They will make this effort only when raiding, most commonly the mainland or Hokkaido, with which the firenewts often war.  There are firenewts that dwell under volcanoes from Anduin to as far south as Formosa.
+Because they generate their own heat, they are comfortable living in the cold, wet climate of Gilyakia.  They are able to swim for long distances, managing 200 mile journeys over a period of three continuous days.  They will make this effort only when raiding, most commonly the mainland or Hokkaido, with which the firenewts often war.  There are firenewts that dwell under volcanoes from [[Anduin]] to as far south as Formosa.
 == Advantages ==

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 [[File:Palaeolithic Period.JPG|right|525px|thumb]]
-The '''Palaeolithic Period''' spans from roughly 200,000 years ago to 12,000 <small>BC</small>. It is divided into two broad epochs: the Lower Palaeolithic, covering the stretch from 200,000 to approximately 40,000 years ago; and the Upper Palaeolithic, beginning thereafter and continuing until the dawn of agriculture and early civilisation. Throughout the Lower period, the only known sentient species inhabiting the Earth of the game world were members of the '''[[Human Race & Physiology|human race]]''', who dwelt primarily in the regions of East Africa. It was not until the late stages of this era that the first primeval '''[[Elf Race & Physiology|elves]]''' appeared, their earliest traces emerging in the eastern expanse of the Anduin region, deep in the Siberian frontier, sometime between 50,000 and 45,000 <small>BC</small>.
+The '''Palaeolithic Period''' spans from roughly 200,000 years ago to 12,000 <small>BC</small>. It is divided into two broad epochs: the Lower Palaeolithic, covering the stretch from 200,000 to approximately 40,000 years ago; and the Upper Palaeolithic, beginning thereafter and continuing until the dawn of agriculture and early civilisation. Throughout the Lower period, the only known sentient species inhabiting the Earth of the game world were members of the '''[[Human Race & Physiology|human race]]''', who dwelt primarily in the regions of East Africa. It was not until the late stages of this era that the first primeval '''[[Elf Race & Physiology|elves]]''' appeared, their earliest traces emerging in the eastern expanse of the [[Anduin]] region, deep in the Siberian frontier, sometime between 50,000 and 45,000 <small>BC</small>.
 __TOC__
 With the arrival of the Upper Palaeolithic, further divergence in sentient species begins to appear. Though exact dates are uncertain, it is widely believed that the earliest '''[[Svirfneblin|svirfneblin]]''', or deep gnomes, began to manifest beneath the crust of Europe between 30,000 and 27,000 <small>BC</small>, forming isolated pockets of underground communities far from the surface world. Roughly ten millennia later, between 20,000 and 18,000 <small>BC</small>, the first "cave humanoids" began to emerge across the uplands and valleys surrounding the [[Kodar Mountains]], likely radiating outward from hidden grottoes and fissures. These included primitive strains of '''[[Bugbear|bugbears]]''', '''[[Ogre|ogres]]''' and '''[[Orc|orcs]]''', each developing in semi-isolated contact zones.

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 Colonialists of the Americas have described encounters with a less organized and civilized race of elves, commonly called "[[Wood Elf|wood elves]]," dwelling among the Appalachian cordillera and valleys beyond. Though plainly elves in appearance, these are shorter, with pale grey eyes and more hunter-green in colour. While civilized and skilled, the wood elves of America are far less culturally advanced than the winter elves of Europe.
-A third group, more obscure, is known to occupy the coasts of the Bering Sea, north of Kamchatka. Only a little is known about the elves of Anduin.  Because they dwell in arctic lands like the Ulthuans, it's believed that these elves form a primitive culture — and may be part of the tribes from which the elves from Ulthua originated.
+A third group, more obscure, is known to occupy the coasts of the Bering Sea, north of Kamchatka. Only a little is known about the elves of [[Anduin]].  Because they dwell in arctic lands like the Ulthuans, it's believed that these elves form a primitive culture — and may be part of the tribes from which the elves from Ulthua originated.
 Players are able to choose the elven race as [[Character Creation|an option for their characters]], the choice being an elf of the winter elven background. Players cannot choose a wood elf as a character option. Some advantages described below apply to all elves, but players do not receive any [[Sage Ability|sage abilities]] from this race that are described below.

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 == Use of Legitimate History ==
-The goal is to establish a historical framework that feels familiar to players, allowing them to act within a recognizable and predictable cultural and technological context. This is achieved by presupposing that, even within an alternate timeline shaped by fantasy elements, the broad arc of world development — cultural shifts, technological advances, political evolution — remains fundamentally the same. This assumption holds true both for ancient history and for the game world's present, set in the 17th century.
+The goal is to establish a historical framework that feels familiar to players, allowing them to act within a recognizable and predictable cultural and technological context. This is achieved by presupposing that, even within an alternate timeline shaped by fantasy elements, the broad arc of world development — cultural shifts, technological advances, political evolution — remains fundamentally the same. This assumption holds true both for [[Ancient History|ancient history]] and for the game world's present, set in the 17th century.
 To support this, the "butterfly effect" — the idea that even small changes can lead to massive, unpredictable consequences — is deliberately and entirely disregarded. A useful explanation for this is the existence of actual Gods, whose active presence in the world provides a kind of divine inertia or predestination that guides events toward familiar outcomes. The hand of the divine ensures that, despite the presence of [[Spellcasting|magic]], [[Humanoid|non-human races]] and supernatural forces, the world still broadly follows the path we recognize from our own history.

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 [[File:Twitch (cantrip).jpg|right|560px|thumb|Cantrip image unavailable]]
-'''Twitch''' is a cantrip that induces involuntary jerks and spasms in the recipient unless a [[Saving Throws|saving throw against magic]] is achieved.  In effect, the character is unable to attack other persons in combat or take other actions, in effect causing them to be [[Stun Lock|stunned]].
+'''Twitch''' is a cantrip that induces involuntary jerks and spasms in the recipient unless a [[Saving Throws|saving throw against magic]] is achieved.  In effect, the recipient is unable to attack other persons in combat or take other actions, in effect causing them to be [[Stun Lock|stunned]].
 {{Spelltable

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-'''Owner:''' Alexis Smolensk
+'''Owner:''' [[Alexis Smolensk]]
 '''Blog:''' [https://tao-dnd.blogspot.com/ Tao of D&D]
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 '''Purpose:''' House rules for an original manifestation of Dungeons & Dragons
-'''Setting:''' Earth, Year 1650 — with considerable fantasy-based changes.
+'''[[World (Alexis' game setting)|Setting]]:''' Earth, Year 1650 — with considerable fantasy-based changes.

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-The list of creatures below comprise those monsters that are used in Alexis' Campaign, and include most of the monsters from the original Monster Manual.  Some monsters from the Fiend Folio and the Deities & Demigods are also included, with additional works of my own creation.  Where possible, I've expanded on the monster details and increased the clarity on how special attacks work.
+The list of creatures below comprise those monsters that are used in [[Alexis Smolensk|Alexis']] Campaign, and include most of the monsters from the original Monster Manual.  Some monsters from the Fiend Folio and the Deities & Demigods are also included, with additional works of my own creation.  Where possible, I've expanded on the monster details and increased the clarity on how special attacks work.
 __TOC__
 This is ongoing work and will regularly be updated when time allows.  I don't expect the list will ever be "complete," but I would like to greatly increase the content before the end of 2020.

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 Humans, the most widespread and dominant humanoid race on Earth, also hold the distinction of being the oldest, with a [[World History|history]] stretching back millions of years. The ever-expanding human population poses a significant threat to the control of territories by other species, leading to the perception of many that humans are a scourge and a menace.  Humans, for their part, often view the lands of other cultures as ripe for conquest and expansion, thus justifying those fears that others hold.
-The migratory patterns of humans align with our understanding of the real world. Contrary to being created by a "Christian" god, humans evolved over time and subsequently dispersed across the globe.  In [[Alexis Smolensk|Alexis']] [[World (Alexis' game setting)|game world]], the migration into the Americas transpired some 18,000 years ago, slightly ahead of [[Elf Race & Physiology|elvish]] movements out of destroyed [[Beringia|Beringia]].
+The migratory patterns of humans align with our understanding of the real world. Contrary to being created by a "Christian" god, humans evolved over time and subsequently dispersed across the globe.  In [[Alexis Smolensk|Alexis']] [[World (Alexis' game setting)|game world]], the migration into the Americas transpired some 18,000 years ago, slightly ahead of [[Elf Race & Physiology|elvish]] movements out of destroyed [[Ancient Beringia|Beringia]].
 == Appearance ==

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 == History ==
-Wood elves trace their origins to the ancient kingdom of Beringia, which flourished between 35,000 and 20,000 years ago. During the Upper Palaeolithic (approximately 12,000–15,000 years ago), various elvish tribes migrated into the New World as glacial retreat allowed passage across the ice bridge that once connected their ancestral lands. Some grey elves remained in Beringia, preserving their traditions and magic, while others established settlements in the north, becoming the winter elves. Another group moved into the temperate woodlands of the Mississippi Valley and the Great Lakes region, where they became known as wood elves.
+Wood elves trace their origins to the ancient kingdom of [[Ancient Beringia|Beringia]], which flourished between 35,000 and 20,000 years ago. During the Upper Palaeolithic (approximately 12,000–15,000 years ago), various elvish tribes migrated into the New World as glacial retreat allowed passage across the ice bridge that once connected their ancestral lands. Some grey elves remained in Beringia, preserving their traditions and magic, while others established settlements in the north, becoming the winter elves. Another group moved into the temperate woodlands of the Mississippi Valley and the Great Lakes region, where they became known as wood elves.
 For a long period after these migrations, elvish communities remained fragmented, with little continuity between their settlements. However, during the Neolithic, these groups began to transition toward agrarian societies. By the 8th millennium BC, wood elves faced a demographic crisis due to declining birthrates, diminished food sources and the disappearance of large game. This period of instability prompted adaptations in their way of life, including changes in diet, the development of herbal medicine and increased cooperation within elvish communities and with neighboring human groups. Along the Sirion River — referred to as the Mississippi by others — small villages formed, marking the beginning of a more structured and interdependent society.
-Through the Neolithic period, wood elves reacquired knowledge of archery and developed methods to manage large deer populations, ensuring a stable food source. As their numbers grew, winter elves to the north began repopulating Beringian lands, reestablishing ties that would later give rise to the Anduin people. Around 4500 BC, the foundations of Beleriand as an elvish cultural center began to take shape. Though their metallurgy remained in an early stage, elvish language reached a high level of sophistication, enabling nuanced communication within their own communities and with neighboring human tribes. This linguistic development facilitated the emergence of elvish ambassadors, who established relations with groups such as the Adena and Hohokam, among other early societies.
+Through the Neolithic period, wood elves reacquired knowledge of archery and developed methods to manage large deer populations, ensuring a stable food source. As their numbers grew, winter elves to the north began repopulating Beringian lands, reestablishing ties that would later give rise to the Anduin people. Around 4500 BC, the foundations of [[Ancient Beleriand|Beleriand]] as an elvish cultural center began to take shape. Though their metallurgy remained in an early stage, elvish language reached a high level of sophistication, enabling nuanced communication within their own communities and with neighboring human tribes. This linguistic development facilitated the emergence of elvish ambassadors, who established relations with groups such as the Adena and Hohokam, among other early societies.
 These interactions led to the gradual spread of elvish settlements beyond their core lands, with small groups establishing themselves in carefully selected locations from the southern bayous to the St. Lawrence basin. These settlements rarely exceeded a few hundred elves, yet their influence on local cultures was significant, shaping trade, diplomacy and the transmission of knowledge across the region.

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 === Peoples ===
-For those with no experience with AD&D, the discovery that their "races" and that players are expected to decide which they are without context, before moving on from here, can be off-putting. "Race" has become anachronistic in this day and age, though it is the game's language — therefore I feel it would be best to say that players at this stage of character creation are asked to choose, at this time, what "people" to which they'd like their characters to belong.
+For those with no experience with AD&D, the discovery that their "races" and that players are expected to decide which they are without context, before moving on from here, can be off-putting. "Race" has become [[Anachronism|anachronistic]] in this day and age, though it is the game's language — therefore I feel it would be best to say that players at this stage of character creation are asked to choose, at this time, what "people" to which they'd like their characters to belong.
 While it would be convenient to ignore the archaic toxicity of AD&D race-rules—the assumption that humans are "superior," the tiresome presupposition of antipathy between dwarves and elves—it would be irresponsible to do so. What fictional peoples think or believe in the game's setting are not "rules," they are the opinions of narrow-minded persons and we need not give them credence. We have already explained that a "rule" is boundary the players should observe, as something applied consistently and predictably by any DM, regardless of their background. Therefore, things in AD&D that attempt to describe what  peoples choose beyond strict game details that provide defined affordances—or benefits, if one prefers, can be discarded. We need not give time to them nor credibility.

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 '''Wind Force''' describes the strength of the wind as it affects the movement of ships in naval combat, pressure upon the rigging and, in extreme cases, the vessel's immediate safety. For game purposes, wind force is divided into grades, each describing the practical effect of the wind upon ships and the surrounding sea.
 __TOC_
-These grades are expressed by the shown Beaufort scale, which although anachronistic for D&D, is nevertheless too useful a tool to ignore. The images make clear what can be observed and the visual effects upon the sea and structures. In ship manoeuvring, as wind force increases, the sea rises, steering becomes more demanding and the risks of collision, fouling, falling overboard and physical damage to the ship's structure become more severe.
+These grades are expressed by the shown Beaufort scale, which although [[Anachronism|anachronistic]] for D&D, is nevertheless too useful a tool to ignore. The images make clear what can be observed and the visual effects upon the sea and structures. In ship manoeuvring, as wind force increases, the sea rises, steering becomes more demanding and the risks of collision, fouling, falling overboard and physical damage to the ship's structure become more severe.
 == Effects on Movement & Spells ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:43, 29 May 2026
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	:* '''[[Planar Travel & Gating (sage study)\|Planar Travel & Gating]]''': knowledge of how to transition self and others from one existence to another, granting the wherewithal to cross into the [[Ethereal Plane (inner plane)\|ethereal]] or across the [[Astral Plane]].		:* '''[[Planar Travel & Gating (sage study)\|Planar Travel & Gating]]''': knowledge of how to transition self and others from one existence to another, granting the wherewithal to cross into the [[Ethereal Plane (inner plane)\|ethereal]] or across the [[Astral Plane]].

−	:* '''[[Steam & Gasgear (sage study)\|Steam & Gasgear]]''': enables the manufacture of anachronistic or retrofuturistic technology, using steam and other gasses, gears, valves and ingenuity.	+	:* '''[[Steam & Gasgear (sage study)\|Steam & Gasgear]]''': enables the manufacture of [[Anachronism\|anachronistic]] or retrofuturistic technology, using steam and other gasses, gears, valves and ingenuity.

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 __TOC__
-For game playability, by will of the gods, every coin of each type — [[Gold (metal)|gold]], [[Silver (metal)|silver]] or [[Copper (metal)|copper]] — has the same dimensions and value, though they may have different images on the actual coin.  While anachronistic, attempts in the past to create individualised coinage, with multiple values that must be exchanged when moving from one kingdom to the next, proved possible but offered no meaningful contribution to the game's play.  After testing this variable system for two years, with no appreciable results, the current system was adopted.
+For game playability, by will of the gods, every coin of each type — [[Gold (metal)|gold]], [[Silver (metal)|silver]] or [[Copper (metal)|copper]] — has the same dimensions and value, though they may have different images on the actual coin.  While [[Anachronism|anachronistic]], attempts in the past to create individualised coinage, with multiple values that must be exchanged when moving from one kingdom to the next, proved possible but offered no meaningful contribution to the game's play.  After testing this variable system for two years, with no appreciable results, the current system was adopted.
 == Characteristics ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:40, 29 May 2026
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	'''Bread-3''': residents are variously [[Freeholder\|freeholders]] with land rights, [[Tenant Farmer\|tenant farmers]] paying taxes to a landlord or serfs subject to a local [[Squire\|squire]], [[Knight's Fee\|knight]] or minor [[Nobility\|noble]]. Serfs dwell in hovels; tenant farmers in daub & wattle houses between 300 and 450 sq.ft. Freeholder dwellings are some 50% larger than those of tenants and incorporate wooden floors and support beams above an underground cellar. Tenant and freeholder farms include a semi-enclosed yard, with ancillary cowshed, coop, pig pen, and roofed outhouse. As hex type increases, yards become more developed, accumulating up to 7 or 8 buildings, including a [[Barn\|barn]].		'''Bread-3''': residents are variously [[Freeholder\|freeholders]] with land rights, [[Tenant Farmer\|tenant farmers]] paying taxes to a landlord or serfs subject to a local [[Squire\|squire]], [[Knight's Fee\|knight]] or minor [[Nobility\|noble]]. Serfs dwell in hovels; tenant farmers in daub & wattle houses between 300 and 450 sq.ft. Freeholder dwellings are some 50% larger than those of tenants and incorporate wooden floors and support beams above an underground cellar. Tenant and freeholder farms include a semi-enclosed yard, with ancillary cowshed, coop, pig pen, and roofed outhouse. As hex type increases, yards become more developed, accumulating up to 7 or 8 buildings, including a [[Barn\|barn]].

−	'''Bread-4 & better''': land becomes increasingly occupied by [[Estate\|estates]], increasing the number of serfs and tenant farmers, while freeholders become increasingly scarce until collectively the class owns a mere 1 in every 20 acres. Likewise, serfs and tenants suffer from heavy obligations and taxes, so that their lives are less comfortable than the farmers of less developed areas. Without capital, however, a tenant has little choice but to endure or abandon farming, while serfs are often forced by law to remain tethered to their land. In this, the farming culture resembles the 14th century more than the 17th; the anachronism is intentional.	+	'''Bread-4 & better''': land becomes increasingly occupied by [[Estate\|estates]], increasing the number of serfs and tenant farmers, while freeholders become increasingly scarce until collectively the class owns a mere 1 in every 20 acres. Likewise, serfs and tenants suffer from heavy obligations and taxes, so that their lives are less comfortable than the farmers of less developed areas. Without capital, however, a tenant has little choice but to endure or abandon farming, while serfs are often forced by law to remain tethered to their land. In this, the farming culture resembles the 14th century more than the 17th; the [[Anachronism\|anachronism]] is intentional.

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 [[File:Chill (cantrip).jpg|right|525px|thumb]]
-'''Chill''' is a [[Cantrip|cantrip]] that lowers the temperature within its area of effect by up to 30 degrees relative to the ambient conditions. As the term “degree” is anachronistic for the D&D setting, the effect is typically described as making the target noticeably "colder."
+'''Chill''' is a [[Cantrip|cantrip]] that lowers the temperature within its area of effect by up to 30 degrees relative to the ambient conditions. As the term “degree” is [[Anachronism|anachronistic]] for the D&D setting, the effect is typically described as making the target noticeably "colder."
 {{Spelltable

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 * '''[[Planar Travel & Gating (sage study)|Planar Travel & Gating]]''': knowledge of how to transition self and others from one existence to another, granting the wherewithal to cross into the [[Ethereal Plane (inner plane)|ethereal]] or across the [[Astral Plane]].
-* '''[[Steam & Gasgear (sage study)|Steam & Gasgear]]''': enables the manufacture of anachronistic or retrofuturistic technology, using steam and other gasses, gears, valves and ingenuity.
+* '''[[Steam & Gasgear (sage study)|Steam & Gasgear]]''': enables the manufacture of [[Anachronism|anachronistic]] or retrofuturistic technology, using steam and other gasses, gears, valves and ingenuity.
 <br>

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 Occasionally, however, a chalet is seized by a creature capable of deactivating the glyphs. In such cases, it may become a winter lair from which the occupant preys upon those in the lower valley. Expeditions sent to clear out such infestations are dangerous owing to the cold and prodigious snowfall, but they are sometimes organised all the same. Multiple parties may be dispatched at once, each assigned to investigate a suspected occupied chalet and either deal with the threat or report back to the local [[Village|village]] or [[Town|town]].
-== Anachronisms ==
+== [[Anachronism|Anachronisms]] ==
 The common perception of a beautiful "chalet" made entirely of wood, enriched with carvings and built as a private home is an 18th-19th century phenomenon, far post-dating the game world. Details concerning what these structures were in the 1600s are scant and unreliable... but for game purposes, the ideal of a pretty Alpine building should be discarded from the players' imaginations.

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 All must start somewhere, so we might as well learn how tall the character stands and how much he or she weighs.
-'''Weight''' describes the character's mass in imperial pound units.  Metric is not used because it's a late 18th-century creation ... and therefore anachronistic to the context of a Medieval or Renaissance fantasy realm.  Yes, other anachronistic things are embraced by the Generator, but it's believed that understanding the unpleasantnesxs of using imperial units can act to help player's understand the mindset of people in the game setting.  Imagine what it must have been like for people long ago, who had no choice in how to measure things.  Additional weight, if it exists, may be lost according to rules associated with kicking an [[Addiction (malady)|addiction]], but the weight loss will have no special effect upon the character’s strength or [[Constitution (ability stat)|constitution]] [at this time, as rules for this do not exist].
+'''Weight''' describes the character's mass in imperial pound units.  Metric is not used because it's a late 18th-century creation ... and therefore [[Anachronism|anachronistic]] to the context of a Medieval or Renaissance fantasy realm.  Yes, other anachronistic things are embraced by the Generator, but it's believed that understanding the unpleasantnesxs of using imperial units can act to help player's understand the mindset of people in the game setting.  Imagine what it must have been like for people long ago, who had no choice in how to measure things.  Additional weight, if it exists, may be lost according to rules associated with kicking an [[Addiction (malady)|addiction]], but the weight loss will have no special effect upon the character’s strength or [[Constitution (ability stat)|constitution]] [at this time, as rules for this do not exist].
 Height is measured in feet and inches.  This describes the distance between the ball of the foot to the top of the character's head, when the individual is standing erect.  This is a factor in the character's reach, as well as the character's ability to employ certain weapons.  The practical length of a [[Pike (weapon)|pike]], for instance, is three times the character's height.  A [[Pole-arm (weapon)|pole-arm]], [[Spear (weapon)|spear]] or [[Javelin (weapon)|javelin]] can be up to 1½ times a person's height.  Most other weapons cannot be longer than a character is tall.

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 [[File:Acolyte.jpg|right|490px|thumb\]]
-An '''acolyte''' is a [[Cleric (class)|clerical]] [[Attendant (servant)|attendant]], usually the 1st level of [[Experience Level|experience]], who has achieved sufficient [[Religious Level Training|religious training]] to be [[Ordination (sage ability)|ordained]], which is to say capable of casting [[Cleric 1st Level Spells|1st level]] [[Clerical Spell Acquisition|cleric spells]].  Upon ordination, he or she receives an appropriate [[Religious Symbol|religious symbol]], be it a token, badge, relic, totem, amulet or fetish — in Roman Catholicism, this is a candle and a cruet, or container meant to hold wine or water for the sacrament.  The cruet can be used to preserve resting [[Holy Water|holy water]] from a church font.  The candle, when lit, enables the acolyte a +1 [[Roll to Hit|to hit]] and [[Saving Throws|save]] when defending [[Holy Ground|holy ground]].
+An '''acolyte''' is a [[Cleric (class)|clerical]] [[Attendant (servant)|attendant]], usually the 1st level of [[Experience Level|experience]], who has achieved sufficient [[Religious Level Training|religious training]] to be [[Ordination (sage ability)|ordained]], which is to say capable of casting [[Cleric 1st Level Spells|1st level]] [[Clerical Spell Acquisition|cleric spells]].  Upon ordination, he or she receives an appropriate [[Religious Symbol|religious symbol]], be it a token, badge, relic, totem,  [[Amulet|amulet]] or fetish — in Roman Catholicism, this is a candle and a cruet, or container meant to hold wine or water for the sacrament.  The cruet can be used to preserve resting [[Holy Water|holy water]] from a church font.  The candle, when lit, enables the acolyte a +1 [[Roll to Hit|to hit]] and [[Saving Throws|save]] when defending [[Holy Ground|holy ground]].
 Traditionally, more powerful religious symbols are granted as a cleric gains in levels and commits his or her self to pre-established achievements — these vary from [[Religion|religion]] to religion.  Because the cleric of a given religion has a relationship with their particular religious group, they are free to petition higher members of the religion for favours such as much-needed clerical spells.  A lost symbol can be renewed through petition to these same persons, who once met are able to replace the object within 4-14 days.

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 '''Abraxas''' is a word whose letters, when written in Greek and read as numbers, make up 365.  It was written on stones used as charms.  As a name, Abraxas was used by the Basilidian Gnostics for a god, regarded as supreme, whose emanations were numbered 365 heavens.
-'''Abracadabra''', like Abraxas, is a word found inscribed on stones which were worn as amulets or charms against evil.  The Basilidian Gnostics (Basilides flourished c. 120-140) employed it as a magical formula to invoke the help of beneficent spirits against misfortune and disease.  The formula was usually arranged in a triangle formed by writing the word eleven times, once completely and then shortened each time by a letter.  The word is applied contemptuously to superficial solutions, which attempt to dismiss complicated or insoluble problems.
+'''Abracadabra''', like Abraxas, is a word found inscribed on stones which were worn as  [[Amulet|amulets]] or charms against evil.  The Basilidian Gnostics (Basilides flourished c. 120-140) employed it as a magical formula to invoke the help of beneficent spirits against misfortune and disease.  The formula was usually arranged in a triangle formed by writing the word eleven times, once completely and then shortened each time by a letter.  The word is applied contemptuously to superficial solutions, which attempt to dismiss complicated or insoluble problems.
 An amulet so inscribed properly, warded off lethal diseases, and was able to stave off misfortune, or so it was believed.

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 == Strategies for Curing ==
-Once the recipient is affected, the party has a limited window to act. If enough [[Potions|potions]], healing magic or other restorative effects can be applied, it may be possible to outheal the poison's effects, ensuring the victim can endure its full damage without dying. Alternatively, if a neutralise poison spell is secured, the poison can be completely counteracted, preventing any further harm. In cases where the poison is localised, such as a venomous bite or limb-affecting toxin, amputation may be a desperate but viable means of stopping the poison’s spread while the spell suspends its progression. Herbal remedies may also be effective, depending on the nature of the poison.
+Once the recipient is affected, the party has a limited window to act. If enough [[Potions|potions]], healing magic or other restorative effects can be applied, it may be possible to outheal the poison's effects, ensuring the victim can endure its full damage without dying. Alternatively, if a neutralise poison spell is secured, the poison can be completely counteracted, preventing any further harm. In cases where the poison is localised, such as a venomous bite or limb-affecting toxin, [[Amputation (sage ability)|amputation]] may be a desperate but viable means of stopping the poison’s spread while the spell suspends its progression. Herbal remedies may also be effective, depending on the nature of the poison.
 The spell has no reverse, meaning it cannot be used to accelerate the effects of poison, making venom or toxins act more quickly. The spell functions only as a delaying effect.

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 == Greater Beasts ==
-Throughout the game setting, there are unique individuals among traditionally-sized beasts who are vastly larger and more powerful than their lesser cousins.  The [[Ouruboros]], for example, is a one-of-a-kind beast related to the [[Amphisbaena Snake|amphisbaena snake]], so gigantic that it must dwell upon the [[Astral Plane|astral plane]], for it's much too large to exist on Earth.  Another such example would be the three-headed dog [[Cerberus]].  Such creatures are still "beasts," but their existence verges upon having a [[Demi-gods (sage study)|demi-god]] status, as well as considerable [[Intelligence|intelligence]] as well.
+Throughout the game setting, there are unique individuals among traditionally-sized beasts who are vastly larger and more powerful than their lesser cousins.  The [[Ouruboros]], for example, is a one-of-a-kind beast related to the [[Amphisbaena|amphisbaena snake]], so gigantic that it must dwell upon the [[Astral Plane|astral plane]], for it's much too large to exist on Earth.  Another such example would be the three-headed dog [[Cerberus]].  Such creatures are still "beasts," but their existence verges upon having a [[Demi-gods (sage study)|demi-god]] status, as well as considerable [[Intelligence|intelligence]] as well.
 Knowledge of these beasts is also given to characters with the ability, offering insight into where these great beasts may be encountered, how they may be confronted or perhaps met with an expectation of peaceful [[Parley & Negotiation|negotiation]].  Having lived for a long time, these creatures often have knowledge of things that cannot be learned anywhere else.

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 :* Standing water in wetlands can range from pure, clear water fed by [[Aquifer|aquifers]] to [[Brackish Water|brackish]] water, depending on the water source and local conditions.
-Wetlands are vital for the abundance of life they sustain, serving as havens for amphibians, birds, fish and insects that thrive in their damp and waterlogged conditions. These areas are rich in natural resources, offering plentiful hunting for game birds, amphibians and other creatures that dwell in the mud and water. Fisherfolk may find shallow pools teeming with fish, though the challenge lies in navigating the thick, clinging mud or the dense vegetation that often encroaches on the water. Adventurers crossing wetlands will frequently encounter swarms of biting insects, treacherous ground that may give way underfoot, and hidden pools that threaten to swallow wagons, mounts or travelers whole.
+Wetlands are vital for the abundance of life they sustain, serving as havens for [[Amphibian|amphibians]], birds, fish and insects that thrive in their damp and waterlogged conditions. These areas are rich in natural resources, offering plentiful hunting for game birds, amphibians and other creatures that dwell in the mud and water. Fisherfolk may find shallow pools teeming with fish, though the challenge lies in navigating the thick, clinging mud or the dense vegetation that often encroaches on the water. Adventurers crossing wetlands will frequently encounter swarms of biting insects, treacherous ground that may give way underfoot, and hidden pools that threaten to swallow wagons, mounts or travelers whole.
 Wetlands are generally inhospitable to human and demi-human settlement.  Houses built in these areas must be elevated above the waterline, typically requiring stilts or platforms to avoid the persistent damp and the rising water during floods. Roads, when they exist, are often narrow wooden causeways or rough stone paths, which are prone to being overtaken by the mire. For this reason, travel through wetlands is slow and arduous, and small paths or animal trails are often the best means of navigation. Bandits, escaped prisoners, and other outlaws are known to use wetlands as hideouts, as the terrain provides excellent natural defenses and discourages pursuit. A wetland's value as a barrier can be both a blessing and a curse for adventurers — while it may provide cover from enemies, it can also conceal dangerous creatures, such as giant amphibians or lurking predators, waiting just below the surface.  In [[Rural (range)|rural]] environments, they are typically treated as [[Hinterland|hinterlands]], supporting limited human activity while preserving their natural functions.

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 * '''[[Necrotic Salve (sage ability)|Necrotic Salve]]''': produces an anti-[[Necrotic Damage|necrotic]] healing agent that restores 1-4 points of necrotic damage per application.  No more than one application may be safely taken per day.
-* '''[[Terrarium (sage ability)|Terrarium]]''': enables cultivation of a natural area to make it into a habitat for certain mollusks, spiders, insects, amphibians or reptiles, including their giant forms.  Requires one month's labour per acre, with the area acquiring desirability after six months after.  Once this has occurred, whether introduced or happening to find it's way to the spot, the creature becomes a permanent resident.  No limit on how many acres can be transformed exists, except as a matter of time.
+* '''[[Terrarium (sage ability)|Terrarium]]''': enables cultivation of a natural area to make it into a habitat for certain mollusks, spiders, insects, [[Amphibian|amphibians]] or reptiles, including their giant forms.  Requires one month's labour per acre, with the area acquiring desirability after six months after.  Once this has occurred, whether introduced or happening to find it's way to the spot, the creature becomes a permanent resident.  No limit on how many acres can be transformed exists, except as a matter of time.
 <br>

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 :* Sea Mammals: dolphins, elephant seals, hippocampus, manatees, porpoises, sea cows, sea lions, walruses, whales
-Note that amphibians or reptiles are not included in this knowledge study. Examples for the above orders are not complete.
+Note that [[Amphibian|amphibians]] or reptiles are not included in this knowledge study. Examples for the above orders are not complete.
 Each time the character rolls for more knowledge points in this study, the new roll may be applied to a different order from that already chosen. The character has no meaningful knowledge whatsoever of any sea life order outside their assigned knowledge points.

@@ Line 44: / Line 44: @@
 :: The clarity of the water allows one to see the bottom, where smooth stones, pale sand or patches of green aquatic plants may be visible. Small fish and insects often thrive in such an environment, further indicating the water's freshness.  Some algae growth is common but does not always indicate contamination.  A pond located near animal paths or nesting grounds may contain traces of defecation, decomposing carcasses or insect larvae.
-: '''Clear lakes''', which are fed by rivers, will have a purity rating of 10 to 18. Like clear ponds, their safety depends on the landscape and vegetation.  A high-altitude glacial lake will be fresher than a lowland basin, where runoff and organic debris may collect.  However, a lowland lake, especially one surrounded by forests or grasslands, will contain more organic material, such as decaying leaves, silt and algae.  Such lakes provide a habitat for fish, waterfowl and amphibians, which are generally signs of drinkable water.
+: '''Clear lakes''', which are fed by rivers, will have a purity rating of 10 to 18. Like clear ponds, their safety depends on the landscape and vegetation.  A high-altitude glacial lake will be fresher than a lowland basin, where runoff and organic debris may collect.  However, a lowland lake, especially one surrounded by forests or grasslands, will contain more organic material, such as decaying leaves, silt and algae.  Such lakes provide a habitat for fish, waterfowl and [[Amphibian|amphibians]], which are generally signs of drinkable water.
 :: However, their larger size means contamination can be widespread and one polluted tributary can taint the entire body of water. The most common risks include runoff from farmlands, human settlements and animal waste entering through feeder rivers.  It is safer if collected away from marshy edges or inlets where debris gathers.

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 See also,<br>
-[[Amphibians]]<br>
+[[Amphibian]]<br>
 [[Animal Life (sage field)]]<br>
 [[Reptiles]]<br>
 [[Category: Sage Abilities]][[Category: Reviewed]]

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-'''Scaly behaviour I''' is an [[Knowledge Points|amateur]]-status [[Sage Ability|sage ability]] in the [[Sage Study|study]] of [[Amphibians & Reptiles (sage study)|Amphibians & Reptiles]] which allows limited prediction of an amphibian or reptile's attack and movement in animals of [[Intelligence (ability stat)|semi-intelligence]] or less. This skill is gained through pattern recognition after observing thousands of amphibians and reptiles over the space of a lifetime.
+'''Scaly behaviour I''' is an [[Knowledge Points|amateur]]-status [[Sage Ability|sage ability]] in the [[Sage Study|study]] of [[Amphibians & Reptiles (sage study)|Amphibians & Reptiles]] which allows limited prediction of an [[Amphibian|amphibian]] or reptile's attack and movement in animals of [[Intelligence (ability stat)|semi-intelligence]] or less. This skill is gained through pattern recognition after observing thousands of amphibians and reptiles over the space of a lifetime.
 When in [[Melee|melee]] with an amphibian or reptile, a character will have the benefit of knowing, prior to declaring an action in that round, what the animal means to do next — attack the character with fangs, tail or claw, take flight, turn and attack an opponent to the right and left of the character, give ground and so on. This prescience — one round in advance — will provide the character with some knowledge should the character decide to break off the combat first, cast a spell (knowing the animal will not attack) or take another appropriately timed answer.
 Upon becoming an amateur, prediction is limited to only one action from one animal per round. For example, if a animal were to attack with both left and right claws, then the character would only be able to know, by choice, either the left or the right. However, for each additional 10 points of knowledge a character gains, an additional action in a given round can also be known (an scaly animal with four attacks could be fully predicted if the character possessed 40 points of knowledge about amphibians and reptiles).

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 Even in its earliest printing, AD&D recognised that the thief class was something that needed to be laundered as a thing morally neutral. Yet while one book tells us that as a profession, thieves are neither honourable nor dishonorable, another provides an infamous illustration on page 24: with one thief dead before a chest of treasure, murdered by another, the caption reads, "There is no honor among Thieves..." It is obviously not the apology we are given by an uncomfortable author, but the picture, that tells us the truth about the thief character.
-Nevertheless, the class is built from affordances that, while the setting might treat as offensive, are of great value to a player party: concealment, gaining access, light fingers and ambush — not to mention the ability to contact and converse with a connected underworld and needful black market. These are useful procedures in a dangerous world, regardless of whether these skills are considered right by polite society. Sometimes, a party has to get their hands dirty.
+Nevertheless, the class is built from affordances that, while the setting might treat as offensive, are of great value to a player party: concealment, gaining access, light fingers and  [[Ambush|ambush]] — not to mention the ability to contact and converse with a connected underworld and needful black market. These are useful procedures in a dangerous world, regardless of whether these skills are considered right by polite society. Sometimes, a party has to get their hands dirty.
 Because the thief is physically the weakest member of the party — better in combat than the magic-user or illusionist, but without the ability to produce the raw power of those classes — they must survive much of the time by withdrawal or by avoidance. Where possible, they'll seek to get behind an enemy, where they can attack in their best manner: a neatly done stab in the back, however cruel. For many thieves, this ability to "back stab" is their bread and butter. We shall explain how it works shortly.

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 :* '''[[Roads & Routes|Open road]] (-2).''' Assumes a location outside an urban or rural range, effectively a hinterland or wilderness, where distrust makes negotiation more difficult. The danger in talking or trusting strangers inherently lowers the charisma of those speaking.
-:* '''[[Type-8 Hex|Wilderness]] (-3).''' An inherently hostile, uncertain place, where most people encountering others must always be on guard. Whether it's fear of ambush, the urgency of travel or simply the discomfort of being outside civilisation, negotiations are much more difficult in such conditions.
+:* '''[[Type-8 Hex|Wilderness]] (-3).''' An inherently hostile, uncertain place, where most people encountering others must always be on guard. Whether it's fear of  [[Ambush|ambush]], the urgency of travel or simply the discomfort of being outside civilisation, negotiations are much more difficult in such conditions.
 :* '''Listener's workplace (-1).''' Establishes the person on their own ground's tendency to resist requests from outsiders wanting to promote their wishes or intentions.  Moreover, negotiating with someone while they.re busy, focused, or under obligation reduces engagement and makes them less open to persuasion.

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 Attacker encampments and siegeworks are distributed in their own hexes, with the main siege camp positioned outside of effective missile range, often spanning multiple hexes if the force is large. Advanced siege positions, including trenches, trebuchet emplacements and battering ram staging areas, move closer to the city, creeping hex by hex as the siege progresses. Stockpiles, command posts and support camps are placed further back, controlling logistics within the siege network.
-The surrounding natural terrain is also structured by block hexes, influencing the battlefield. Open field hexes allow easy movement but expose forces to missile fire. Forested hexes provide cover and opportunities for ambush. Hills, marshes and river hexes create obstacles that impact strategic positioning. Road and bridge hexes define access routes, controlling reinforcements or supply lines. If reinforcements are expected, their likely arrival path is assigned a road hex, dictating their approach to the battle.
+The surrounding natural terrain is also structured by block hexes, influencing the battlefield. Open field hexes allow easy movement but expose forces to missile fire. Forested hexes provide cover and opportunities for  [[Ambush|ambush]]. Hills, marshes and river hexes create obstacles that impact strategic positioning. Road and bridge hexes define access routes, controlling reinforcements or supply lines. If reinforcements are expected, their likely arrival path is assigned a road hex, dictating their approach to the battle.
 == Sub-blocks ==

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 They have an exceptionally tight-knit social structure, with an unusually high ratio of males to females. Pack cohesion is critical for survival, as they rely on cooperation for hunting, rearing pups and defending territory. Unlike many canines, wild dogs lack a strict dominance hierarchy and conflict within the pack is minimal. Breeding is not tied to a single season, and only the dominant female typically produces a litter, while the rest of the pack assists in raising the young.
-Wild African dogs are endurance predators, specialising in the relentless pursuit of medium-sized hoofed animals. They hunt with extraordinary coordination, using silent approach tactics before launching into an all-out chase. Unlike many predators that rely on ambush or brute force, wild dogs wear down their prey over long distances, running it to exhaustion before delivering the final attack. Packs will often divide into separate hunting parties, flanking prey from multiple directions to cut off escape routes. Wildebeest, wild boars and zebra foals are taken on occasion, but gazelles and antelopes remain their preferred prey.
+Wild African dogs are endurance predators, specialising in the relentless pursuit of medium-sized hoofed animals. They hunt with extraordinary coordination, using silent approach tactics before launching into an all-out chase. Unlike many predators that rely on  [[Ambush|ambush]] or brute force, wild dogs wear down their prey over long distances, running it to exhaustion before delivering the final attack. Packs will often divide into separate hunting parties, flanking prey from multiple directions to cut off escape routes. Wildebeest, wild boars and zebra foals are taken on occasion, but gazelles and antelopes remain their preferred prey.
 Though they are among Africa's top predators, they face stiff competition. [[Lion|Lions]] actively target wild dogs, often killing them on sight without consuming them. [[Hyena|Spotted hyenas]] regularly trail wild dog packs, waiting for the opportunity to steal their kills, though they rarely confront them directly unless numbers are in their favour. Against other social carnivores, African wild dogs rarely lose a fight — when forced into a corner, their pack discipline and coordination make them formidable.

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 Meanwhile, the number of friends and family members of those who are cast aside — or who continue to write home about the scandalous multi-lover arrangement — will steadily grow. The more individuals affected by serenade, the greater the likelihood that word will spread, attracting unwanted attention from concerned relatives, protective siblings or outraged parents.
-As a result, the caster may find themselves facing increasing opportunities for confrontation, ranging from heated arguments and social ostracization to outright duels or ambushes. Townsfolk may whisper, reputations may suffer and in some cases, entire families may take it upon themselves to put an end to the caster's romantic entanglements by force. The longer serenade is used indiscriminately, the greater the risk of unintended consequences — especially if multiple affected lovers hail from the same region, noble house or community.
+As a result, the caster may find themselves facing increasing opportunities for confrontation, ranging from heated arguments and social ostracization to outright duels or  [[Ambush|ambushes]]. Townsfolk may whisper, reputations may suffer and in some cases, entire families may take it upon themselves to put an end to the caster's romantic entanglements by force. The longer serenade is used indiscriminately, the greater the risk of unintended consequences — especially if multiple affected lovers hail from the same region, noble house or community.
 The spell, therefore, has far-reaching consequences — though this is hardly unexpected, as affairs of the heart often lead to complications.

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 [[Agriculture (technology)|Agriculture]] is nearly nonexistent, as only certain river valleys and deltas provide sufficient moisture for crops. [[Settlements]] in barrens tend to be small, widely scattered and temporary, with nomadic herders making up the majority of human inhabitants. The ability to move quickly and efficiently over great distances is essential, as a single year of drought or overgrazing can force entire populations to relocate.
-Despite their barren appearance, these lands are rich with hidden life. Rodents and burrowing animals proliferate beneath the surface, forming vast underground warrens that can house tens of thousands of individuals, stretching over hundreds of square miles. These creatures serve as a crucial food source for larger predators, many of whom hunt by burrowing themselves, waiting to ambush passing prey.
+Despite their barren appearance, these lands are rich with hidden life. Rodents and burrowing animals proliferate beneath the surface, forming vast underground warrens that can house tens of thousands of individuals, stretching over hundreds of square miles. These creatures serve as a crucial food source for larger predators, many of whom hunt by burrowing themselves, waiting to  [[Ambush|ambush]] passing prey.
 For [[Travel|travellers]], barrens present unique dangers. Large predators patrol these open spaces, striking from above or below, using flight or burrowing to avoid detection until they attack. The sheer lack of natural cover leaves travellers exposed to threats from every direction, from roving beast packs to sudden dust storms that can strip flesh from bone. Despite this, the barrens remain an important corridor for trade and migration, offering unobstructed routes across vast distances, so long as one can endure the harsh, unforgiving conditions.