Eberron, a campaign setting for Dungeons & Dragons, offers a unique blend of magic, technology, and political intrigue. The Wayfinder’s Guide to Eberron unlocks this world,
presenting a land shaped by dragonmarks, powerful organizations, and ancient mysteries. It’s a realm ripe for adventure!
What is Eberron?
Eberron isn’t your typical high fantasy setting. It diverges from traditional Dungeons & Dragons worlds by embracing a post-industrial revolution aesthetic, infused with potent magic. The Wayfinder’s Guide to Eberron reveals a continent where technology and arcane forces coexist, often intertwined. Think trains powered by elemental binding and lightning rails crisscrossing the landscape.
Unlike settings dominated by deities directly intervening in mortal affairs, Eberron’s gods are distant and largely uninvolved. Instead, power resides in dragonmarked heirs – individuals born with magical sigils granting them control over specific industries and abilities. These dragonmarks are central to Eberron’s economy and social structure.
The world is relatively young compared to other D&D settings, having undergone a significant cataclysm known as the Founding centuries ago. This event shaped the continent and left behind remnants of ancient civilizations, like the mysterious ruins of Xen’drik. The Wayfinder’s Guide emphasizes a world of exploration, intrigue, and moral ambiguity, where adventurers can forge their own destinies amidst complex political landscapes and powerful factions.
The Core Themes of Eberron
Eberron distinguishes itself through several key thematic elements, as detailed in the Wayfinder’s Guide to Eberron. Firstly, action and adventure take precedence; the setting encourages pulp-style narratives and swashbuckling exploits, moving away from purely epic, world-saving quests. It’s a world for daring heroes and resourceful rogues.
Secondly, moral ambiguity is central. Eberron isn’t a simple tale of good versus evil. Factions operate in shades of gray, pursuing their own agendas, and characters are often forced to make difficult choices with no easy answers. This creates a rich tapestry of political intrigue.
Thirdly, the power of industry and innovation is a defining characteristic. Dragonmarks and their associated guilds control vast economic empires, driving technological advancements and shaping society. Magic isn’t just about spells; it’s integrated into everyday life.
Finally, the exploration of mysteries permeates the setting. From the remnants of ancient civilizations to the enigmatic Quori of Dal Quor, Eberron is filled with secrets waiting to be uncovered. The Wayfinder’s Guide invites players to delve into these mysteries and unravel the continent’s hidden history.
A Brief History of the Continent
Eberron’s history, as outlined in the Wayfinder’s Guide to Eberron, is marked by cycles of civilization and cataclysm. The continent was once dominated by the giants, whose empire crumbled, leaving behind colossal ruins scattered across the land. Following their decline, the eladrin arrived from the Feywild, establishing a powerful, yet ultimately ephemeral, presence.
The rise of the dragons and the emergence of the dragonmarks ushered in a new era. Dragons forged a pact with humanity, granting them the dragonmarks – magical sigils that bestowed unique abilities upon specific bloodlines. These bloodlines formed the powerful Dragonmarked Houses, which came to dominate trade and industry.
A pivotal event was the Age of Demons, a period of chaos and destruction when fiends invaded Eberron through portals known as rifts. The heroic efforts of the Silver Flame and the combined forces of mortals and celestials eventually sealed the rifts, but the scars of the conflict remain.
More recently, the Last War ravaged Khorvaire, the most populated continent, for over a century. The Treaty of Thronehold brought an uneasy peace, but the political landscape remains fractured, and the threat of renewed conflict looms large, setting the stage for adventure.
Races of Eberron
Eberron boasts diverse races, beyond standard fantasy fare. The Wayfinder’s Guide to Eberron introduces unique peoples like the Kalashtar, Shifters, and Warforged, alongside variations of elves, dwarves, and humans.
The Twelve Dragonmarks and their Associated Races
Dragonmarks are a defining feature of Eberron, hereditary magical sigils manifesting on members of specific bloodlines. These aren’t merely cosmetic; they grant inherent magical abilities and tie families to powerful guilds. The Wayfinder’s Guide to Eberron details all twelve, each linked to a dragon and a corresponding race.
House Cannith (Mark of Making) – Humans, skilled artificers and inventors. House Deneith (Mark of Sentinel) – Humans, providing bodyguards and security. House Ghallanda (Mark of Hospitality) – Humans, renowned for inns and entertainment. House Jorasco (Mark of Healing) – Humans, healers and alchemists. House Kundarak (Mark of Warding) – Dwarves, bankers and protectors of wealth. House Lyrandar (Mark of Storm) – Half-elves, navigators and weather-masters.
House Medani (Mark of Detection) – Humans, investigators and diviners. House Orien (Mark of Passage) – Humans, couriers and transportation providers. House Phiarlan (Mark of Shadow) – Elves, entertainers and spies. House Sivis (Mark of Scribing) – Gnomes, communicators and translators. House Tharashk (Mark of Finding) – Orcs and Half-orcs, bounty hunters and prospectors. House Vadalis (Mark of Handling) – Humans, animal breeders and trainers.
These marks aren’t simply powers; they are a source of social status, economic opportunity, and inherent responsibility within Eberron’s complex society.
Kalashtar: The Dream-Bound
Kalashtar are a unique race in Eberron, born from a spiritual union between a human and a quori – a creature from the plane of dreams, Dal Quor. This binding isn’t a choice for either being; it’s a desperate act of resistance against the Dreaming Dark, a malevolent force seeking to dominate Eberron through nightmares.
The Wayfinder’s Guide to Eberron details how Kalashtar experience life with two consciousnesses, the human host and the quori spirit. This duality grants them heightened senses, resilience, and a connection to the dream realm. However, it also brings vulnerability, as the Dreaming Dark constantly seeks to sever the bond and corrupt the quori.
Kalashtar society is secretive and nomadic, constantly moving to evade the influence of the Dreaming Dark. They often take on roles that allow them to protect others, acting as guardians and healers. Their culture emphasizes mental discipline, spiritual awareness, and the importance of resisting corruption.
Playing a Kalashtar offers a compelling roleplaying experience, exploring themes of duality, sacrifice, and the struggle against inner darkness. They are a testament to the enduring power of hope in a world threatened by nightmares.
Shifters: Inheritors of the Wild
Shifters are a fascinating race in Eberron, descended from humans and lycanthropes, but unlike traditional lycanthropes, they don’t succumb to uncontrollable transformations. Instead, they possess the ability to manifest animalistic features, enhancing their physical capabilities in controlled bursts. The Wayfinder’s Guide to Eberron details the different shifter lineages, each tied to a specific animal spirit.
There are five primary shifter heritages: Beasthide (bear), Longtooth (wolf), Longstride (big cat), Swiftstride (horse), and Wildhunt (raven). Each heritage grants unique abilities and reflects the characteristics of their animal ancestor. Shifters can ‘shift’ into a heightened state, gaining increased strength, speed, or senses.
Shifter society varies depending on their heritage. Some live among human communities, concealing their abilities, while others form nomadic tribes, embracing their wild nature. They often serve as scouts, hunters, or protectors of the wilderness;
Playing a shifter allows for a dynamic character, blending human adaptability with animalistic instincts. They grapple with their heritage, balancing civilization and the call of the wild, making them compelling characters in Eberron’s diverse landscape;
Warforged: Living Constructs
Warforged represent a unique and poignant element of Eberron’s history. These sentient constructs were originally created by the giants during the Last War as tireless soldiers, built from wood, metal, and stone, infused with arcane energy. The Wayfinder’s Guide to Eberron details their origins and the struggles they face in a world that once saw them only as weapons.
With the end of the Last War, the Warforged were granted freedom, but now grapple with questions of identity and purpose. They lack traditional biological needs, requiring only periodic maintenance and energy replenishment. This often leads to existential contemplation and a search for meaning beyond their original programming.
Warforged possess incredible resilience and physical strength, but can be vulnerable to specific types of damage. They can customize their bodies with modular components, adapting to various roles and environments.
Playing a Warforged offers a chance to explore themes of sentience, freedom, and what it means to be alive. They are often outsiders, navigating a world that doesn’t fully understand them, making for compelling and emotionally resonant characters.
Magic in Eberron
Eberron’s magic is distinct, woven into the world’s fabric through dragonmarks and the power of the Dragon Prophecy. The Wayfinder’s Guide reveals how magic permeates daily life and fuels innovation.
Dragonmarks as a Source of Magic
Dragonmarks are hereditary magical sigils that manifest on members of specific families, deeply influencing Eberron’s society and economy. The Wayfinder’s Guide to Eberron details these fascinating marks, explaining their origins tied to the ancient dragons and their influence on the world.
These aren’t merely cosmetic; they are sources of potent magical abilities. Each of the twelve dragonmarks grants unique powers, ranging from healing and protection to crafting and transportation. Families bearing these marks often form powerful Dragonmarked Houses, essentially guilds that monopolize trade and services related to their specific mark.
The guide explores how these Houses operate, their internal politics, and their impact on the wider world. For example, the Mark of Making empowers artisans, while the Mark of Passage facilitates travel and logistics. Characters with dragonmarks can tap into these abilities, gaining advantages in their chosen fields. Understanding the dragonmarks is crucial for navigating Eberron’s complex social and magical landscape, offering both opportunities and challenges for adventurers.
The Wayfinder’s Guide also delves into the mysteries surrounding the dragonmarks, hinting at their deeper connection to the Draconic Prophecy and the fate of Eberron.
The Draconic Prophecy
The Draconic Prophecy is a central mystery in Eberron, a foretelling of the world’s fate intricately linked to the dragons and the dragonmarks. The Wayfinder’s Guide to Eberron unveils the fragmented pieces of this ancient prophecy, revealing its ominous implications for the continent and its inhabitants.
The prophecy speaks of three dragons – Khyber, Siberys, and Ysarra – and their roles in shaping Eberron’s destiny. It suggests a cycle of creation and destruction, with the dragons’ actions ultimately determining the world’s survival. The dragonmarks themselves are believed to be a key component of the prophecy, acting as both tools and signs.
The guide details the various interpretations of the prophecy, highlighting the conflicting agendas of different factions who seek to understand and potentially control its outcome. Some believe the prophecy is immutable, while others believe it can be altered through careful action.
Adventurers often find themselves caught in the middle of this struggle, unknowingly playing a role in fulfilling or averting the prophecy. The Wayfinder’s Guide provides Dungeon Masters with ample material to weave the Draconic Prophecy into their campaigns, creating a sense of epic scale and impending doom.
The Role of the Quori
The Quori are a fascinating and dangerous race originating from the plane of Dal Quor, the Realm of Dreams, and play a significant role in the power dynamics of Eberron, as detailed in the Wayfinder’s Guide to Eberron. These beings are intrinsically linked to dreams and possess the ability to manifest in the Material Plane through the dreams of others.
The Quori are not a monolithic entity; they are divided into various castes, each with unique abilities and motivations. The most prominent are the Kalashtar, who form a symbiotic bond with a Quori spirit, and the Darrovi, who seek to dominate and control the Material Plane.
The guide explores how the Quori influence Eberronian society, often operating from the shadows, manipulating events to further their own agendas. Their connection to dreams allows them to gather information, sow discord, and even exert control over individuals.
Adventurers may encounter Quori in various forms, from subtle dream intrusions to direct confrontations with powerful Quori lords. Understanding their nature and motivations is crucial for navigating the complex political landscape of Eberron and uncovering the secrets of Dal Quor.
Key Locations in Eberron
Eberron boasts diverse locales, from the towering city of Sharn to the ancient, monster-filled continent of Xen’drik. The Wayfinder’s Guide details these,
including the blighted Mournland, each brimming with adventure.
Sharn: The City of Towers
Sharn, the City of Towers, is arguably the most iconic location in Eberron, a sprawling metropolis built within and upon the colossal bones of a gargantuan, ancient beast. Described extensively in the Wayfinder’s Guide to Eberron, Sharn isn’t merely a city; it’s a vertical landscape of districts stacked upon one another, each with its own unique culture, laws, and dangers.
The city is divided into wards – Lower Dura, The Cogs, Upper Dura, and Skyway, among others – each catering to different social classes and offering distinct adventure opportunities. Lower Dura is a haven for smugglers and the desperate, while Upper Dura houses the wealthy and influential. The Cogs, a massive industrial district, hums with the energy of dragonmarked guilds, and Skyway offers breathtaking views… and perilous heights.
Sharn is governed by a complex system of city councils and watch organizations, often riddled with corruption and intrigue. Powerful factions, like the Boromar Clan and the Aurum, exert considerable influence over the city’s affairs. The Wayfinder’s Guide provides detailed information on these factions, allowing Dungeon Masters to weave intricate political plots into their campaigns. Adventurers can find themselves embroiled in gang wars, uncovering conspiracies, or simply trying to survive in this vibrant, yet dangerous, urban jungle.
The city’s unique architecture and social structure make it a perfect setting for investigations, chases, and social encounters. It’s a place where fortunes are made and lost, and where secrets lurk around every corner.
Xen’drik: The Ancient Continent
Xen’drik, as detailed in the Wayfinder’s Guide to Eberron, is a continent steeped in mystery and danger, a land that predates even the oldest civilizations of Khorvaire. It’s a place where the echoes of the giants – the ancestors of the current races – still resonate, manifested in colossal ruins and powerful artifacts.
Unlike the relatively “young” continent of Khorvaire, Xen’drik is a wild, untamed land, dominated by treacherous jungles, scorching deserts, and towering mesas. It’s a haven for monstrous creatures, forgotten gods, and the remnants of ancient giant kingdoms. The continent is divided into several distinct regions, each with its own unique challenges and rewards.
The most prominent feature of Xen’drik is the presence of the Mournland’s influence, a creeping blight that threatens to consume the entire continent. Explorers and adventurers venture into Xen’drik seeking lost treasures, uncovering the secrets of the giants, and attempting to understand the origins of the Draconic Prophecy. The Wayfinder’s Guide provides ample material for crafting expeditions into this perilous land.
Xen’drik is a prime location for exploration-focused campaigns, offering opportunities for dungeon delving, wilderness survival, and encounters with exotic cultures. It’s a place where the past is ever-present, and where the fate of Eberron may very well be decided.
The Mournland: A Scarred Wasteland
The Mournland, a central and haunting location in Eberron, as described in the Wayfinder’s Guide to Eberron, is a testament to magical devastation. Created during the Last War by a catastrophic magical event – the unleashing of the planes during the Battle of the Bulwark – it remains a perpetually storm-wracked and mutated wasteland.
Once a fertile valley, the Mournland is now a landscape of twisted metal, corrupted flora, and monstrous creatures born from the raw magical energies. The air itself is toxic, and the very ground seems to writhe with unnatural power. The Wayfinder’s Guide details the strange phenomena and dangers that await those who dare to enter.
The Mournland isn’t entirely devoid of life. Scavengers, desperate refugees, and those seeking lost artifacts venture into its depths, braving the horrors within. Rumors persist of pockets of survivors, mutated communities, and even remnants of the original inhabitants, forever changed by the disaster.
Exploring the Mournland offers a unique and challenging experience for adventurers. It’s a place of moral ambiguity, where survival often comes at a cost, and where the line between hero and monster can become blurred. The region is a constant reminder of the dangers of unchecked magical power and the lasting scars of war.
Adventure in Eberron
Eberron, detailed in the Wayfinder’s Guide, presents thrilling adventures! Players navigate complex political landscapes, uncover ancient mysteries, and confront powerful factions. Expect intrigue, exploration, and dynamic storytelling.
Common Adventure Hooks
The Wayfinder’s Guide to Eberron provides a wealth of inspiration for launching campaigns. A frequent hook involves investigating disturbances linked to the Dragonmarks. Perhaps a newly manifested mark is causing chaos, or a marked heir is targeted by rivals; Players could be hired by a Dragonmarked House to resolve the issue discreetly;
Another compelling starting point centers around the Last War’s lingering effects. Unexploded ordnance, refugee crises, or uncovering war crimes offer moral dilemmas and action-packed scenarios. The Mournland’s mysteries also beckon; a desperate search for a lost expedition, or a commission to retrieve a valuable artifact from its blighted depths, could propel the story.
Intrigue within Sharn, the City of Towers, is always a viable option. Players might become entangled in a power struggle between criminal organizations, uncover a conspiracy threatening the city’s stability, or be tasked with protecting a vital figure. Finally, rumors of Quori activity or Draconic Prophecy fragments surfacing can lead to epic quests, drawing the party into Eberron’s grander narrative. These hooks offer diverse entry points into the setting’s rich tapestry.
Factions and Intrigue
Eberron’s political landscape is defined by powerful factions, each with its own agenda. The Dragonmarked Houses, controlling trade and magic, are constantly vying for dominance, offering opportunities for alliances or opposition. The Chamber, a council of these Houses, attempts to maintain order, but corruption and hidden agendas are rife.
Beyond the Houses, organizations like the Aurum, a secretive network of wealthy individuals, manipulate events from the shadows. The Emerald Claw, a fanatical cult devoted to undeath, seeks to unleash a terrifying power. The Order of the Emerald Claw presents a constant threat, while the Trust, dedicated to uncovering and exploiting ancient secrets, operates with ruthless efficiency.
Intrigue is woven into the fabric of Eberron. Players might find themselves caught between competing factions, forced to make difficult choices with far-reaching consequences. A seemingly simple task could unravel a complex conspiracy, leading to betrayals, shifting alliances, and dangerous confrontations. The Wayfinder’s Guide to Eberron emphasizes that every action has a reaction, and trust is a rare commodity.
The Role of the Aurum
The Aurum, a clandestine organization in Eberron, represents the pinnacle of wealth and influence, operating far beyond the reach of common law. Composed of the richest and most powerful individuals across Khorvaire, they aren’t a house bound by dragonmarks, but a network built on sheer financial power and shared ambition.
Their primary goal isn’t domination through overt control, but rather the accumulation of wealth and the preservation of their status. They achieve this through subtle manipulation, investing in ventures, and exploiting opportunities created by the conflicts of others. The Aurum prefers to remain in the shadows, pulling strings and influencing events without revealing their hand.
Adventurers might encounter the Aurum as patrons offering lucrative, yet morally ambiguous, contracts. They could be tasked with retrieving artifacts, sabotaging rivals, or suppressing information. However, dealing with the Aurum is always a gamble; betrayal is a common tactic, and their interests are rarely aligned with altruism. The Wayfinder’s Guide to Eberron portrays them as a constant, subtle force shaping the continent’s destiny.