The following is the next bits of manuscript I’ve written for my ttrpg setting Falezir.
In this post we’ll check out some fun roll tables and an introduction to a “foreign” ancestry, or Gaidaji, the Humans.
(A letter from the writer on old parchment hastily shoved into the front of his journal.)
Dear Reader,
If you are reading this journal, no doubt I have died, and you have looked through my belongings to find such an important tome. Perhaps I’ve managed to submit my discoveries to the Great Archive Ars Fabula of Elezir. No matter. Within these pages is written some of my findings from my travels in the enigmatic land of Falezir. I wish for my conclusions to forge a safer path to peace with the peoples of this continent.
May you learn something important from these noble dragon folk- or not, no matter to me as I’m likely dead!
Be well,
Gradacious Leonheart II
Differentiation in Characteristics (002.6)
As I discussed previously, the Khodo people fall within 5 varied types. However, not every Khodo is the same. This proud ancestry boasts numerous variations in phenotype. Follow through the following tables to discover unique differences I observed during my time in Falezir.
Scale color and scale type, tail type, eye color, hair color, scars.
Gaidaji- Those not of Khodo (003)
All along the shores of the Falezir coast are dots of foreign civilization. Some were refugees seeking a better life. Some mean to seize a better life for themselves. The word for foreigner in the Falezir tongue is Gaidaji. For a long time, the term was used withing the Khodo community as slander for those of opposing tribes. However, it seems events in their history united them beyond such infighting. A homogenous community, the Khodo would not reuse the term for several centuries and at that time, they had grown into a more communal group. The term lost its derisive nature and became a word for the objective notion for someone not of their own lineage.
Humans: Intro- Short lives, great feats. (003.1.1)
While not the first to land on the Falezir shores, Humans made a lasting impression on the Khodo. Spurned by our relatively short lives, we Humans tend to rush through our lives vying for greatness. For most of human history the struggle to be remembered drove many to do great things. Some pursued great yet terrible ends for the sake of carving their legacy into the Southern lands of Elezir. Now we gather under the unified rule of the Bertrand Empire of Auguste Bertrand III and the Senate for the good of humankind.
Physical Traits and Mannerisms (003.1.2)
Humans typically stand between five and seven feet with statures developed from the work they perform. From the traditions of the tribal times, Humans vary greatly in their appearance. Long ago it was found that familial marriage brought about sickly children and the Humans wrote into their laws protections against such deficiencies. Humans tend to be bold in their demeanor and carry about them a drive with the understanding that their short lives are fragile compared to the ancient Elves of the Desert lands. Humans developed a polite manner of dealing with each other as a means of avoiding conflict and great traditions of hospitality arose from such occurrences. This intrinsic understanding of their lifespan has given Humans a bit of a chip on their shoulder. A chip which often manifests as detest for the long-lived races.
Special Abilities (003.1.3)
As a means of survival, humans have trained and developed themselves into a capable ancestry. They strive to achieve whatever they set their minds to regardless of the struggle it may take. From a young age, Humans are encouraged to pursue many passions and to give an honest effort to anything they try. This struggle builds camaraderie and a great culture of collaboration which makes Humans adaptable. When a human attempts something they’re not necessarily proficient in, they attempt to try multiple times, even if they may not have the best natural ability towards that end.
Typical Formes (003.1.4)
Human culture tends to revere the land as a utility, rather than a sacred being. This view of nature typically precludes them from touching the natural weave of energy all around us. However, a tradition of working magic through rigorous study thrives. The Magi understand there is a natural knitting of magical energy around us and seek to use various techniques to tap into the resource using brutish force. Their years of study produces minds capable of remembering great amounts of spells. The human proclivity towards expansion has produced a great many warriors among the Bertrand Empire. Young adults are encouraged to train in their teens to prepare for service as adults in the Army. They’ll undergo further training to hone their skills. Within the standing army, some are tapped to take great oaths to allegiance or to the cause. This separation takes strong warriors and gives them elite training to produce knights. The presence of a knight on a battlefield can change the tide as their mere presence tends to invigorate the warriors. Their grand armor and heavy weapons strike fear in their foes.
(End of manuscript for part 4.)
I’m posting here in the hopes to receive feedback and hopefully generate some excitement for this project. I’m pulling this information directly from my first draft manuscript as a rough layout idea for the end product as well. If you are someone who’s done this before, I’d love to hear tips from you or get a peek into your writing process.
For context, these first sections will be character options. A Game Master kit will take the other half of the end product including a lot of information on the setting and how to adapt it to your table.
In an effort to get a handle on the entire process for making a ttrpg, I’m choosing to produce this in a DIY fashion. I’m researching and writing at this time and eventually I will move onto art, layout design, sales and production. Doing things this way I’m further developing my skills and reducing the overall costs for such a project to hours of my free-time spent doing something I’m enjoying. I suffer from having a multi-passionate brain that craves creativity in various forms so taking on a project for a hobby I love is really scratching a creative itch I’ve had for a long time.
This is a passion project I’m doing in my spare time and I’d love to eventually use this experience to make ttrpgs a career. However, for now I’m happy to receive any support you can afford. Whether it’s a share, a like, a comment, a cup of coffee or constructive critique, I appreciate anything I’m given. If you’re so inclined, please follow or subscribe for more of this project, my transcripts of older lore writing (I’m adapting to this project), inspiration posts and general game advice.
Interested in learning more? check out my Lore 24 posts to see the initial writing I did to build out this setting.
Until next time, be well and be kind to one another.