Important NPCs: (Many PCs will know these names)

Blackmar:

Illarana Blackmar (NG Half-Drow Bard 13): The current Queen of Blackmar is a Half-Drow and direct descendent of Tinara. Before accepting the crown, she had been in the training of priestesses of Athena, and continues Blackmar's tradition of benevolent rule, albeit with a martial focus, and of the strength of Elvish blood remaining part of the royal line. While not a warrior herself, she has a strong mind for trade and diplomacy, and seems to have a knack for staying a step ahead of many of her rivals by knowing a little bit about almost everything.

She is married to half-high elf Trinnian Daltigoth (LG Half-Elf Favored Soul 7/Knight of Blackmar 7), whose mother was a distant cousin to Tinara's own first husband, Justinar. Trinnian has accepted the post of Guardian of the North, leading the soldiers of the border to the Demon Valley rather than seeking to rule himself. Unlike the last known union of Blackmar and Daltigoth, the pairing is generally believed to be genuinely in love, and the two have produced three children.

Tisane Kintan (LG High-Touched Human Paladin 5/Knight of Blackmar 10): The current leader of the knighthood is a high-touched human, his long silver hair the only sign of his distant Elven heritage. While he resides half the year in Blackmar City, dealing with the bureaucratic elements of his job and overseeing the early training academy's new class of each year, he spends the late spring, summer, and early fall inspecting the forts or leading activities against enemies personally, typically in the northern or western forts.

Shannom Mayfair: (CG Half-Elf Scout 6/Order of Ash 10): By virtue of the amount of good he's done for the people of the land, Shannom has become one of the most authoritative voices among the Order of Ash. While the Order has few official leaders due to its widespread nature and preference for independence and reliance on the individual, seniority and contribution to the order acts as something of an unofficial ranking system. Shannom has repeatedly conflicted with the rulership of Blackmar, and especially some of the priesthoods, but has never committed an illegal act that they're willing to risk the outcry of the peasantry to arrest him for. Meanwhile, he regularly leads expeditions into the slaver territories and recovers stolen children, contributes great amounts of bandit loot back to the citizenry, and has exposed at least five crooked tax collectors. "Mayfair" has become a common curse word under the breath of Blackmar merchants, but with the possible exception of the high queen and General Kintan, there's likely no one more beloved across all of Blackmar, and in places, he's of even higher esteem.

Brelandia:

Darce and Arian Breland (CG Wild Elf Druid 16/Ranger 9 and NG Grey Elf Academy Mage 5/Wizard 12/Elven High Mage 5): The Queen and High General of Brelandia respectively, they make for an odd alliance, let alone marriage, but have ruled Brelandia for the past three centuries jointly. Darce is a Wild Elf who was raised by Orcish slavers before eventually fighting his way to freedom. Arian was a rare Grey Elf diplomat who sought peace for at least a small number of her family's followers with the Wood Elves and High Elves, and a place to research without some of the harsh oversight of the Library Council.

The two married shortly after their participation in the Demon War, standing as Tinara Blackmar's staunchest allies in overcoming the Demon Kingdom. Darce led the attack on the Sea Lords of the west, the Demon Kingdom's most influential and wealthy allies, establishing Brelandia and forming the first Wild Pack as his personal retinue during the final battles of the Demon Wars.

In concert with the elves and druids of the land, always strong, but formerly persecuted by the Sea Lords, the two established Brelandia, placing much of the country under druidic guidance, while Arian established her own mage's academy, with some help and only limited oversight from the Great Library, then opened its doors to almost all who would study there instead of restricting it to Grey Elves.

Darce, in turn, has never declared the Demon War over, taking the fight to the Demon Kingdom's strongest ally, and the land in the way of invading the Demon Valleys in force --- the Scar. The war has gone on for over two centuries now, and shows no sign of abating, though its now almost all border skirmishes and raids on both sides. The shorter lived races no longer see it as part of the larger conflict, and have dubbed it simply The Endless War.

A strong rumor says that the two have been prophesied to live 2,300 years together as the rulers of the land. Improbable as it may be, most Brelandians firmly believe it, and the two remain one of the strongest symbols and hopes in the world for Elvish reconciliation.

Galesong (Bronze Dragon, Wyrm/Druid 5): The oldest known metallic Dragon, this Wyrm Bronze Dragon is known to live in the seas off Brelandia's southwest coast, and is an acknowledged ally of the rulers of Brelandia. Three of her children study actively at the Brelandish mage academy, while a fourth from an older brood is part of the Reydlunite Druidic Circle.

Drachensreach Mountains:

Bannon Trollhammer (LG Mountain Dwarf Fighter 5/Karak Elite 5): The High King of Karak Trollhammer is the leader of the largest Mountain Dwarf population in the known world, and has a military at his call second in size only to the Knights of Blackmar, and second to none in training. Unfortunately, its almost constantly needed to protect the holdings of Karak Trollhammer. As is the tradition with the Trollhammer kings, he was a general of the armies for decades before his coronation. He never intended or expected to inherit, but his three older brothers were killed in battle. His sister Dirallan is the high priestess of Berronar, and his leading diplomat to other lands.

The Red Dragons: While none are known to be older than "Very Old", the Red Dragons continue to dominate the Drachensreaches as they always have. Conflicts with those on their borders, with the dwarves, with fire giants, and especially with one another have kept them from expanding far beyond the mountains, but they remain a constant concern when traveling through the mountains, with most of the valleys being safer than trying to traverse the mountains themselves --- but nowhere is known to be truly safe. Among those known to hold swatches of territory are Scorch (CE Adult Red) who is reputed to be working with a collection of Illithid, Balefire (CE Young Adult Red) who is said to have contacts and possibly allies within the Demon Valley, which lies just beneath his lair, Flamegrin (NE Very Old Red) who has long held territory near the Slavers' valley, trading them his protection and patience in exchange for slaves, Sunflare (NE Adult Red, Contemplative 10) who has devoted a great deal of her resources into becoming closer to the Elemental Powers of the plane of flame, and Volcanus (LE Old Red/Paladin of Tyranny 3), who is known to protect some sort of ancient ruin in the central mountains, far from any valley. There are others, and rumors of older dragons within the mountains persist, but remain unproven.

The Endless Desert:

Deios Akhamet (LN Jeweled People Aristocrat 14): Deios is the latest ruler of the Jeweled City, though in reality, while he deals with much of the trade and diplomacy (and excels at both), he has become quite well aware just how firmly the real power and control is in the hands of the priesthood. Like many before him, he briefly tried to rein in the power of the priests for his own benefit, and was soundly rebuked. Now he contents himself with being one of the world's richest and most powerful diplomats, and soothes his ego through displays of wealth and power. The Jeweled City is not a place for change.

Hallas Windhowl (N Desert Elf Bard 8/Scout 7): The leader of the largest of the Desert Elf caravans which travel between the lands of the east and the west, Hallas has alliances or marriages with almost every major family among the Desert Elves. A known weapons collector, those very strongly connected to the Desert Elves may well know he has recently made an addition, at unheard of expense, of a magical blade of a design no one has ever seen before. Most, of course, know nothing of him save that they prefer their contracts be negotiated with one of his inferiors, as Hallas is known to be an exceedingly skilled bargainer.

Stormrender (LE Great Wyrm Blue Dragon/Unholy Ravager of Tiamat 2/Dragon Ascendant 11): The "Lord of the Desert", or so the Desert Elves call him, is the biggest and most powerful known living dragon. A former consort to Tiamat, he has settled in long since with his mate, Tempest (LE Very Old Blue Dragon/Mystic Theurge 8), in the Eastern Desert. The two have an unusually strong bond for any dragons, let alone a pair of blues, and are almost inseparable, even sharing a hoard which neither distinguishes as belonging to one or the other in greater part. His long standing agreement with the Desert Elves has them paying a tax for free passage. No one else is safe from the massive dragon. (Stormrender is Colossal Size, bigger than even Great Wyrm Reds usually get) He rarely acts outside the desert anymore, and it's known that he never showed a great deal of interest in the Dragon Wars.

Fairweather:

Wendigone Feffelfeather (NG Gnome Bard 8/Gnomish Talespinner 10).: Well suiting the Halflings, and greatly annoying the gnome himself, the individual generally regarded as the most important individual in the region is the Gnome Wendigone "Weedy" Feffelfeather. While officially retired, and self-proclaimedly thoroughly enjoying his time as a senile old dotard, Weedy is still called upon far more often than he'd care for to act as a diplomat for affairs that affect entire nations. He's the only individual who has met with any success with dealings between Mountain Dwarves and Hobgoblins, which brings him to the north frequently when the Red Guard and the Karaks conflict, or try to work out issues regarding travel, and especially where the Dwarves have attempted to use Hobgoblin influence to limit the activity of some mountain Orc and Goblin tribes. Weedy himself often argues that anyone else should be able to handle it, specifically "Dwarves and Hobgoblins are easy, stuck in their ways. Now you try dealing with a wild pack of curious Halfling children --- now there's an unruly mob."

Ghost Hills:

Taman Eye-of-the-Moon (N Human Barbarian 7/Spirit Shaman 4): Chieftan of the largest nation of the Wolf Tribesmen, the greatest issue Taman faces these days comes not from hostile slavers, dragons from the mountains, kobolds under the hills or the restless ghosts of days past. Rather, it's the continuing growth of the population and influence of Blackmar that most often concerns him. The Wolf Tribes have held to their old ways, and for important reasons, for as long as the tale-tellers can recall. More and more of the children are venturing out towards the cities, seeking excitement beyond their borders, and either returning with the ways of the cities stuck in their heads, or not returning at all. And meanwhile, each year, Blackmar seeks to quietly shift the borders between the two lands a couple feet in their favor with their treaties and contracts and diplomats.

Whenever the great nation has been found doing anything overt, Brelandia has come to their aid without question or request for recompense, but the longer the Endless War drags on, the more worried the Wolf Tribesmen become that one day Brelandia will not have the time, resources or interest to answer them unless the Wolf Tribes join their neighbor and declare war --- which they remain reluctant to do with so many other enemies who'd love to take their land at any sign of weakness.

Gnomefort:

Beffelbobbin "Bob" Thimblewither (CG Gnome Ranger 7/Breachgnome 5): Bob is the standing mayor of Gnomefort on the sheer virtue that he doesn't mind staying in one place. He's not a great diplomat or speaker, but the Dwarves and Wood Elves both respect him, and among the gnomes, there's always extra diplomats and peacemakers around. The Grey Elves find him almost intolerable in general, finding his tendency of settling disputes or contracts by "armwrestle you for it?" ridiculous in the extreme, and his insistence on holding policy discussions in the local tavern where the commoners can listen in to be insulting and dangerous, but he keeps the peace. And if he were ever to be replaced, finding another gnome willing to take the job could take months if not years.

Hurricane Plains:

Ethias Michelos (NG Human Ranger 5/Hurricane Rider7): For the calm months of the year, Ethias is considered the leader of the largest settlement of the Hurricane Riders. During the stormy months, he leads his own group through their nomadic circuit through the plains, avoiding the storms. While himself content with this arrangement, as things have always been, he worries for his children, Daimas and Themmony. Daimas, 16, has begun speaking of venturing west to join the Brelandish mage academy in hopes of becoming a weather mage to research the Stormseas, while his daughter, Themmony, 14, has begun playing at being a sailor and archaeologist, traveling to the southern continent and seeking to learn more of the origins of the magic of the Stormseas there. While both remain centered around the seas that drive the lives of the riders, he worries that their explorations will bear fruit, and end up angering the seas that the riders have so long found ways to live with.

Midnight Gorge:

Zalttias Blackmar (CE Drow Scout 7/Shadow Dancer 8/Assassin 1): Zalltias is one of the most successful spies and assassins the drow of the gorge have in their campaign against Blackmar. He has long since proven his ability to slip undetected in and out of the Gorge, and has been responsible for the loss of many important knights. All of this remains a distant secondary concern for Zalttias, who seeks only to earn enough esteem in the eyes of the priestesses of Lolth that they might be willing to risk their favorite weapon against the surface and allow him to make an attempt on his great, great grand niece, the High Queen of Blackmar. Or, if he finds, as he suspects, that they will never be willing to risk such a valuable asset in such a dangerous quest, then he seeks the power to defy the priestesses and make his attempt anyway to begin to cleanse the stain on the name of Blackmar.

Raven's Reach:

Vanhilde Ravensdottir (N Ravenlands Human Sorceror 9/Barbarian 2): Vanhilde is a study in contrasts. She’s extremely proud of her distant heritage among the Northmen, which shows in her name and her 6'4 stature, but equally proud of her claim to be of the direct line of Jakob Ravensi, and her distinctively Ravensi black hair, which has never been cut. Educated and well-spoken, she has led the women's rulership council of Raven's Reach for almost a decade now, and is generally regarded as a wise voice and a great and persuasive speaker. Travelers from the south on missions of mercantile ventures or diplomacy note her more for her temper, however, ever since she tore off a would-be assassin's arm, and used it shortly thereafter to beat the leader of the caravan the assassin had traveled with black and blue. While the Jarl, Kaeven Tyersson (N Ravenlands Human Ranger 5/Fighter 8) is the acknowledged ruler of the lands, most people with dealings with the land, outside of matters of war, have to deal with the women's council.

Raven's Rest:

Jhonas Dimherzi (LN Ravenlands Human Bard 20/Epic Bard 2): Once a con artist in Ravenshold, Jhonas has been head administrator for the "resort country" of Raven's Rest for almost thirty years, and the country has prospered under his leadership. Phenomenally knowledgeable about almost everything under the sun, at least according to those who know him, where he has truly excelled has been in keeping the hands of the theives' guilds and the Midnight Children out of his country on any real effective level, and limiting the political intrigue to debates and arguments. Most often, assassins, thieves and con artists of all stripe simply disappear, or reappear without apparent memory of their visit but unwilling to return. For his own part, Jhonas is unfailingly polite, and knows the ways and etiquette of every known nation in the world and shifts from one to another seamlessly. He has allies in almost every corner of the civilized world, and almost no one who has appreciated the healing and relaxing properties of Raven’s Rest is willing to risk his ire.

Ravenshold:

King Ardan Varask (LN Ravenlands Human Aristocrat 4): Inheritor of the throne in recent times, Ardan has inherited the difficult task of balancing the constant conflicts of the Ravenlands. Surrounded by barbarian powers, but also the second most populous nation in the known world, tradition wars with the mercantile powers seeking closer ties to trading partners and progress, treaties with the Snow Elves conflict with the desires of those pushing for expansion of the cities, more roads and other such development, the dwarves remain constantly suspicious of the "new" order of leadership, and there's the never-ending presence of the thieves' guilds and the Midnight Children, seemingly able to reach anyone, anywhere, any time.

So far, he's managed to handle the conflicts through caution, and the charisma granted him by virtue of training and his Ravensi heritage. Even so, he has no heirs yet, and people on all sides are just waiting for a mistake from the young King.

Veddias Holchares (LE Dark-Touched Human Bard 4/Rogue 3/Midnight Children 10): Most know Holchares as a personable physician and collector of children's toys from around the world. Behind the scenes, he's the most accomplished assassin of the Midnight Children in modern times. The Assassin's guild believes he owes them his loyalty, but know of only a tiny handful of his missions, and think him more useful as a spy and researcher, and many pity that he will never achieve beyond the middle-ranks in the guilds. In truth, the Midnight Children removed all of the guild leadership who remembered his entrance or who took any great note of Holchares, save for those who also answered to them, thus allowing Holchares to be a primary filter of information to the guild, and ensuring the Midnight children know the most important information first. His success has ensured that the assassins' guild is mostly a tool of the Children, even if the theives' guild has managed to stay mostly independent. As a physician to the royal family, Holchares also has regular access to the royal families and many visitors of station, as well as their children.

The Scar:

Veza (LE Hobgoblin Fighter 8/Red Guard 10): Veza is the General of the Red Guard, the elite mercenary order of the Hobgoblin nation. While he offers strategy, advice, and occasional military strength to the tribal leaders of the most powerful Hobgoblin forces while carefully keeping the Red guard a neutral organization, in truth, he's carrying on the legacy of generations. As his great-grandfather, grandfather, and father before him, he's preparing his children to rule over the united Hobgoblin people and begin the grand campaign to retake real power for his people under a united banner, led by the Red Guard, as soon as the Endless War and High General Breland break the backs of the individual tribes. As with every one of his family before him, he gained his test of adulthood fighting the Brelandians to learn their strength, and ensure that they still believed one day Brelandia would win the endless war and crush the tribes, making them and the chaotic Orcs ripe for being regathered under one banner and one leader. He continues to deliver part of the profits of the loyal Red Guard into the coffers of the kings, but skims off the top of each and every assignment, locking the money away to fund the campaign that he figures perhaps his son will lead, or his grandson. In the end, it doesn't matter to Veza --- one day, the Red Hand will rule an empire greater than any the world has ever seen. Outside of this hidden knowledge, what is known of Veza is that every Red Guardsman everywhere will die at his command without question, and no king, no priest, no power holds greater sway over the elite of the elite among the warlike society.

Falgrod Torzca (CE Orc Barbarian 4/Cleric 4/Legbreaker 9): The highest recognized priest of Baghtru, Falgrod isn't a king or even general of any of the Orcish tribes. What he is is a kingmaker. While neither intelligent nor wise, he does have impressive force of personality, and more importantly, his strength is so far unmatched among the priesthood. Served by a trio of fanatically loyal trolls who were once a single troll that he tore apart bare-handed and grew into separate creatures, Falgrod declared his independence from his chieftan when he believed the leader made a weak decision, and led those who would follow him into the Scar in search of a stronger leader. Those who court his favor now face a delicate balancing act. The power he can bring to bear, especially in terms of influence among the Legbreakers is legendary, but to keep it, a chief has to be constantly proving his strength and courage beyond the bounds of any reasonable wisdom. So far, two tribes have broken while trying to meet the demands for strength from the high priest of the god of might.

Shield Hills:

Gertren Axefell (LG Hill Dwarf Warmage 15): Gertren is one of the few dwarves who have made the journey to the Brelandish Mage Academy, and there confirmed her dislike of Grey Elves, but also that she had an absolute knack for the magics of war. A hero of many conflicts with the Scar, Gertren's strong ties to Brelandia made her an ideal choice to act as a diplomat to them to design joint attacks on the Scar for the good of both nations. Eventually, this alliance turned her into a general, then high general of the armies of the Shield Hills. Finally, as she's beginning to grey, her combination of prowess and charisma has placed her at the head of the defenders' guild, which, in typical Dwarven fashion, also handles much of the diplomacy with outsiders other than Blackmar, who have managed to grow ties to the royal family themselves.

In times of conflict, Gertren still goes into battle wielding a pair of flaming burst waraxes, with handles enchanted to act as wands of fireballs through a mystery of Dwarven artifice. In other times, she keeps the axes on her back, just in case, even while handling delicate negotiations. Most people with much experience with the Shield Hills consider her the most familiar face of the Hill Dwarves.

Silver Valley/Silverwood:

Blight (NE Great Wyrm Green Dragon/Mindbender 9) Blight was a young adult during the last Dragon Wars, and, along with Stormrender and Winterkill, is one of the oldest known dragons in the world. He is noted for having forgone much of the pursuit of early wealth and status among dragons to actively study magic and encourage his sorcerous talents instead. He managed to hold out in the last days of the war, and built himself into a power in the Silverwood instead.

About 350 years ago he disappeared, and no one is sure where to. There has been no indication of his death, and magical searches turn up no results or indication he's died.

The popular rumor among many, though the Grey Elves scoff at it, is that he's somehow acquired an active library card, and is living, shapechanged, in the Silver Library.

Raelas Selanil (LN Grey Elf Academy Mage 3/Cleric 3/Mystic Theurge 12): The current high priest of Kirith Sotheril is also the head of the powerful library council. He has held his seat for over a century, and has remained a staunchly conservative voice on the council. He dislikes Arian Breland and her western Academy, but the amount of information the westerners bring in from the southern continent and concerning the other races of Elvenkind is too valuable to take any action against them. Those trained in the west will still generally meet with his disapproval.

Father Belzca/Veritas (LG Great Wyrm Gold Dragon): Veritas is said to have perished over 2,000 years ago, and the amount of people who know the truth can be counted on one hand --- all high monks of the Serpentine Order. One of the first travelers into the Southern Continent in his younger days, he's seen the threat the Yuan Ti pose, and knows their origins in the far south. He's also seen their influence in all but exterminating the Couatl. Returning near his original home in the mountains, Veritas took the form of a human, and began to study with an order of ascetic warriors who had ventured into the wilderness to separate themselves from the temptations of civilization while they learned to defend themselves from the agents of the Demon Kingdoms.

After switching identities a couple of times over the years, eventually he took over the order, and began to quietly forge them into a stronger organization dedicated to guarding the eastern borders against incursions of evil from the north and the east. When he and the high monks and priests who studied with him learned of an alchemical formula by which infusions of his blood, mixed with other elements could be used to change and strengthen the monks of the order, the Serpentine Brotherhood was truly born.

These days, Veritas has taken on the identity of Father Belzca, the high father of the order. He also remains just as dedicated to his mission of forming an organization of hidden strength to one day help protect the world from incursion by the Yuan-Ti and their allies.

Slaver Lands:

Pachorrus (NE Half-Orc Fighter 8/Scout 7): Pachorrus is the head taskmaster for one of the larger slaver bands in the Valley. He's fought Shannom Mayfair to a standstill three times, though he lost his left eye to the half-elf last time they fought. Aside from the Order, when it has its strongest leader about, few others have found ways to effectively even slow the slaver leader, who preaches a mix of stealth and martial prowess, to avoid where possible, and be able to fight a running battle. He knows every inch of his territory like no one else, and his people have many hidden places to meet back so they can scatter at any raid and fight with guerilla tactics to repel invasions.

He sells his catches indiscriminately to the Illithid, Drow, Giants, Demon Valley residents and one of the Red Dragons. The only slave-using power he actively avoids is the Scar --- the land of his Orcish father, as he doesn't trust the Hobgoblins in the slightest. The enmity now goes both ways, as he has so far killed three contingents of Red Guardsmen sent against him, though the last one did manage to rescue three of his prisoners, which deepens his dislike of them immensely. Between Blackmar and the Red Guard, Pachorrus has is the best known criminal in the northern world, and only an absolute terror of him keeps any of his men from trying to collect on the immense price on his head.

Southlands:

Kinyan Waro (LN Southern Human Favored Soul 8): Kinyan became famous in his town when the fishing boat he was working on was struck by one of the sudden storms common to the Stormseas. The boat overturned, and all hands aboard were thought killed, until Kinyan washed ashore, unconscious but unharmed. Since then, he's proven himself to be somehow favored by the Stormsea repeatedly, until finally being given the place of portmaster of the town where most trade with Brelandia goes through. He gets along well with the Brelandians, and has often made plans to travel there himself, before his superiors forbade the trip time and again, seeing his relations with the north and the blessings upon him as too valuable to risk tempting the seas.

He's begun to see himself as almost a prisoner now, and believes he's begun to hear the sea calling to him. In the meanwhile, he's a fairly cheerful prisoner, and most people from the north know his face better than that of any other individual of the Southern Continent.

The Wastes and North:

Winterkill Deceased CE Great Wyrm White Dragon): Winterkill didn't technically survive the war. Rather, the white dragon was hatched shortly thereafter from a clutch of eggs protected by druids, in the belief that the war turning against the chromatic dragons, and the depletion of their numbers could disrupt the world balance.

She has very limited druidic training, but has firmly attached herself to the general idea of "survival of the fittest" and the druids' concern for the deaths of too much of dragonkind. Since then, she has retreated to the far, far north, believing that those who reached her there would have to be some of the most powerful. And from these, has tried to select the strongest mates, regardless of their race. She has produced more half-dragons than any ten other dragons in known history, which have scattered far and wide.

(Northmen and a few Snow Elf PCs may know Winterkill was killed. Most others will have no way to know this.)