The following is the next bits of manuscript I’ve written for my ttrpg setting Falezir.
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 this post we’ll learn more about two more types of Khodo from the Regions of Cassis and Druir. Interested in learning more? check out my Lore 24 posts to see the initial writing I did to build out this setting.
(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
Cassian Intro (002.4.1)
Hailing from the Southern ports in the foothills of Mount Ahnkin, the Cassis region is the major hub for trade and industry in all Falezir. The Khodo living here are industrious and intelligent. However, their projects tend to be the only focus of their desire and attempting to spur them into action other than their current invention or research is difficult. While polite, they can be stubborn and a key to negotiations is to bring confections or pastries from a local shop. The Grand Citadel is where most Cassian Khodo call home although you can find smaller port towns full of smiths and ateliers up and down the coast.
Physical Traits and Mannerisms (002.4.2)
The shortest order of Khodo, Cassians bear a weary appearance with slight hunched backs and statures of four to five feet tall. While they do bear smooth scales on the underside of their bodies, most of the top is covered in a pelt of white, black, or grey fur. They tend to neglect their physical appearance as it detracts from their work. Symptoms of this include unkempt facial hair and robes that are afflicted with wear. When engrossed in work or speaking with others about their projects, they exude a youthful energy and can sit for hours trading ideas with peers. Having a Cassian Khodo’s good graces can do well for maintaining your equipment and being on the forefront of new Khodo revelations.
Special Abilities (002.4.3)
If one were looking for a Khodo to find a creative solution to a problem, one need to look no further than the brilliant Khodo from the Cassis Region. While they bear tender personalities and poor vigor, their minds excel in both intellect and seasoned experience. A Cassian Khodo remembers quite a lot as they practice a mental art where they imagine impenetrable spaces into which they store the bits of information they may need later. A Cerebris is personally constructed and helps defend against psychic interference as well as providing a keen memory. I even found one Khodo stuck in a stupor as they read and reread the same page. Later they extolled to me that the arithmetic on that page brought about a ransacking of their inner mind as they attempted to find another connecting bit of experimental data. Apparently, the Cassian Khodo’s mind can sometimes reflect their outer disorganization as well. It reminded me to clean out my travel pack lest I need something in an emergency.
Typical Formes (002.4.4)
An inspired Khodo from this region will often work through their imaginations through the mechanical arts. They make great tinkerers who can turn out amazing works of intricate mechanical whimsy. Their studious nature and ability to recall information allows them to excel at diplomacy. A Cassian diplomat who is cunning and focused is an enemy I wish not to face in the halls of the High Council. Lastly, given their propensity for experimentation, they often find themselves dabbling in the runic arts as magi who combine geological knowledge with ancient Khodo knowledge to spur mystic imaginings into reality. You would be wise to not underestimate a dragonborn from this region as they will constantly surprise you with new and exciting experiments.
Druir Intro (002.5.1)
Grassy plains and rolling hills lead to the stony beaches of the East where the Druir Khodo call home. Most Khodo are known to wander and set up temporary homes before finding wanderlust agai. However, the people of Druir make this nomadic way of life a conscious practice. To raise their renowned horses and herd the ancient aurochs that roam the plains, they rarely lay down permanent settlements. In this manner the plains are dotted with small temporary villages of large tents made from auroch hide. These will move with the weather patterns and rotate throughout the region trading with their neighbors to the North and West, Banu and Cassis respectively.
Physical Traits and Mannerisms (002.5.2)
Standing nearly as tall as the Banu Khodo, those from Druir stand around seven to eight feet tall and bear agile, muscular bodies. They bear long flowing manes of red, brown, white or grey that grow from parallel rows of horns that taper down their backs. Although stoic and vigilant, the Druir Khodo are generous and loyal to their kinsman. Their roaming nature brings them into contact with many Khodo from the other four regions as well as dangerous beasts or the barbarous Nocturnal Tribesman. Their sense of community must be strong to have lasted all these centuries.
Special Abilities (002.5.3)
Wardens of a broad region of land, the Druir, take a holistic approach to their exchange with the environment. They take only what is needed and use as much as possible before returning what’s left to the land as an offering to the Mother Goddess after whom the Khodo derive their name. From their work both raising and hunting animals they possess two unique skills I have yet to see among other Ilkhodaji. Druir Khodo possess the ability to both Tame and Ride beasts with astounding proficiency. I once witnessed a spry elder encounter a wild stallion who’s indignant nature had caused some harm to the aurochs grazing in a new pasture. Over an afternoon, Yamissa corralled the horse, drawing it’s attention, earning it’s trust and eventually fitting it with a spare leather saddle her son had just finished. It was an inspiring sight to witness Yamissa slowly build that connection and overcome the wild stallion’s territorial nature.
Typical Formes (002.5.4)
This clan takes their responsibilities to both the land and each other seriously, and they can hold their own in a skirmish. Working the land and building connections with animals can become great passions that produce Shamans of the land. They know how to both give and take life. Throughout my time with the Druir, there were several members who served as Watchers. Through their vigilance they could, at moment’s notice, charge forward in their tough hide armors and serve as bulwarks for the rest of the clan to mobilize. While I did not witness such an event, it is said, these Khodo take upon themselves certain vows and train their bodies and minds towards them. Once a camp is mobilized, an observer would do well to stay out of the way of the Druir Cavalry who charge through the enemy ranks on their steeds armed with scimitars or bows. Once the enemies’ ranks are broken they quickly and efficiently dispatch or capture them.
(End of manuscript for part 3.)
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.
Until next time, be well and be kind to one another.