Spellcasters of the River Kingdoms


Kingmaker

Silver Crusade

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Pathfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Adventure Path Subscriber

Hi all, the following is a document I gave to my players as they are approaching 11th level and thus 6th level spells. In my game spells of this magnitude can't just be picked up at any old library, they require that the PC trade either some of their own spells or some magic items of worth. Some of these are from the AP (and support articles), some are from Guide to the River Kingdoms and some are made up whole-cloth. If you guys want to add some new spell casters to the list feel free.

...

During their younger years as wizards first come into their power they are often ignored by their most powerful peers (except rarely to groom a protege or promising talent). At some point around the time a wizard begins to unlock their 6th level valences they usually need to start seeking out other spell-casters of ability to trade spells with. This is of course a difficult balancing act: Wizards are incredibly jealous of their spellbooks and do not treat the trade of spells lightly.
Alternatively the Core Rulebook has rules for researching new spells, and a wizard with some resources may create spells wholecloth.

Now in no particular order:

Hollow Graves (Human Wizard 8) (Kyshahn)

Although not strictly speaking, a wizard of the 6th circle, Hollow is a member of the Pathfinder Society in good standing and thus capable of accessing centuries worth of ancient information. Of course the Grand Lodge in Absolom is some distance away from the River Kingdoms and such spells are expensive to procure. Hollow himself has actually devised a couple of lower level spells himself. One of which is described below.

Spoiler:

Hollow Graves' Bookworm
School: Necromancy; Level: Sorcerer/Wizard 1

CASTING
Casting Time: 1 Minute
Components: V, S, M (A woodworm)

EFFECT
Range: Special (See Text)
Target: One Library
Duration: Instantaneous

DESCRIPTION
You invest a worm with necromantic energy asking it a question on a single topic such as "Fish in the River Kingdoms" or "Burial Rites in High Azlant", sending the Worm to roam loose in the library, where it incorporeally digs through the books absorbing the information into itself. After 10 minutes the worm returns to you with as much information as the library could provide. The caster may then eat the worm to absorb its knowledge allowing you to make a Knowledge Check on that topic, and learn information higher than DC 10 (as if researching in a library), furthermore you gain a bonus to the check equal to your caster level (maximum +5), as long as the library contains information on that topic.

Razmir ( God? Wizard (Universalist?) 20 (possibly more)) (Razmiran)

Razmir is the ruler of Razmiran and a self-proclaimed living deity. In 4661 AR he appeared in lands which were part of the River Kingdoms claiming he had gained divinity through the Starstone. While he has no divine abilities, his incredible arcane power is enough proof of his godhood to many people. With his magic allowing him to reduce the city of Melcat to ash overnight, few can even question his immense power.
However, he is still mortal and still grows older every day. He even seeks to gain access to vials of the sun orchid elixir from Thuvia to stop his eventual demise, or at least stave it off until he gains true immortality.

Castruccio Irovetti; The King-In-Iron (Human? ??) (Pitax)While Irovetti plays the extent of his abilities fairly close to the vest, his mastery of Clockwork devices and the ability to animate golems and other constructs is second to none outside the Golemworks in Magnimar. Whatever manner of spellcaster Irovetti is, an arcane spell caster would do well to get a peak at the wily king's spell archives.

Sorren Wightmane (Human Diviner 11) (New Stetven)Advisor to Nicolai Surtova, Candros is the eccentric advisor arcane to the Dragonscale Throne, currently under the control of the Surtova Family in New Stetven. Candros himself is uninterested in temporal politics, throwing his lot in with the Surtova in order to have a peaceful place to conduct his research. Strong in Divination magic it is said he has little regard for necromancy and illusion magic.

The Old Beldame ( Human? Witch ??) (Kyshahn)

A powerful witch and once the mistress of Katrina, the Old Beldame has retained much of her eldritch power by keeping her true name a secret. She often requires strange bargains from those who seek to deal with her. The frog-man Centripides wants her dead.

Imeckus Stroon (Human Evoker 12) (Drelev)

The brother-in-law of Baron Hannis Drelev, and the Magister of the Barony of Drelev. Detailed and analytical what he lacks in imagination he makes up for in diligence. He speaks softly and listens closely but when his ire is raised he does not hesitate to drop powerful evocations upon his enemies. He is rarely without his Dust Mephit familiar "Woodhouse".

The Wriggling Man (Transmuter ??) (The River Kingdoms)

Occasionally throughout the River Kingdoms a creature known as the Wriggling Man has been known to purchase powerful scrolls and magic items from the vendors in places such as Mivon or Sevenarches. Where the Wriggling Man resides nobody knows, those who have met him report thusly: "He wears an ivory mask, set in a constant frown. Few have heard his voice as he insists on only speaking telepathically. Worms have been seen crawling out of his robes and gloves on the rare occasion he's paid for things himself.

Vordekai (Cyclops Wizard (universalist) 20)

Although atrophied long before his death the Cyclops Wizard Vordekai once wielded great power. His crumbling spell books may be pieced together to learn some spells of even greater power. These books contain the spells: 6th - create undead, mage's lucubration; 7th - epidemic, create lesser demiplane 8th - binding, 9th - interplanetary teleport. The DC to learn each of these spells is increased by +10, and takes at least 1 week per spell level due to the ancient and esoteric manner in which they are recorded and difficulty of reconstructing them with modern magical techniques.

The Godmother (Fey)

Zool's mysterious patron seems to have some connection to the gnome, and the cold lands of Irrissen. Though the Irrisseni witches have a fearsome reputation, they are also known to make compacts with powerful cold-type fey. A spirit of winter might be amenable to such a compact.

Norauth the Withered (Enchanter 13) (River Kingdoms - Mivon)

Currently he resides in a Lizardfolk village south of Mivon, where he is attended by the tribesfolk there. Norauth was struck by a terrible withering curse which afflicts him from the toes up, and currently is unable to walk. Usually he is carried on a bier by his Lizardfolk allies, he desperately seeks a cure but so far the curse seems resistant to Divine means of reversal.

Thwm The Knowing Tree (Treant Wizard (Universalist 3/Druid 3/Mystic Theurge 8)) (River Kingdoms - Uringen)

Living somewhere in the Embeth Forest near Uringen, Thwm the Knowing Tree was said to have grown from an acorn that fell from the Tree of Stars. Ancient and patient he has been known to take students from many different races, but only the most patient and long lived have learned much of value.

Djenga of Oroskirr (Elf Wizard (Universalist) 14 (Iobaria)

Djenga is a wizard of some repute who seeks entrance into the impenetrable sphere of Oroskirr, she bends all her magic towards that goal. A wizard promising aid in her quest to do so would gain much in a trade with her.

Hags (Witches)

The River Kingdoms are known to be home to many Hags, powerful monsters with potent casting ability. Although many of their deals may seem distasteful the potency of their magic can not be denied.

Naga (Wizards, Witches and Sorcerers)

There are many naga that call the swamps and rivers of the River Kingdoms home. Naturally magical Naga have been known to trade arcane secrets for treasure they might hoard.

Dragons (Wizards and Sorcerers)

Dragons are beings of pure magic, and Brevoy is lousy with legendary Dragons capable of weilding powerful arcane energies. Compacting with a Dragon is difficult to say the least. The white dragon Sjohvornor claims the northeastern Ice Steppes of Iobaria as his own personal demesne, and a canny wizard might be able to trade something for some of his arcane dragon secrets.

Daemons

(Wizards, Sorcerers) Daemons are one of the most notoriously difficult outsiders to compact with, due to their nature as nihilistic eaters of souls. Still the Oculus of Abaddon makes a powerful bargaining chip for any caster wishing to bargain.


Thanks for sharing, Dudemeister.

I've also thought about how the wizard in my group will get access to the more powerful spells.
While V's book is mentioned and getting his hands on Imeckus's book is not 100% sure, other such findings are rare.

I have actually thought about

Spoiler:
having Perlivash be a silver dragon in hiding (he would be the older brother of Amvarean come to inquire what fate his sister has befallen). While this would not put him into the spell level range of 6+, a dragon could serve as a similar broker to anything arcane as you've described Hollow Grave.

Are the blanks intentional? Or are you afraid some sneaky, sneaky players might be watching?

Ruyan.

Silver Crusade

Pathfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Adventure Path Subscriber

Yeah, this is a copy paste job of the document I sent to my players. There are some characters that I don't want them to know too much about at this point in the campaign. The Old Beldame has been leveling up along with the PCs, Hollow Graves has been leveling up a level behind.

All references to Kyshahn are my player's kingdom.

I actually rolled a random Silver Dragon encounter in Varnhold Vanishing, that Silver Dragon has become an ally of the PCs (he sent them to find his Aunt's lair and deliver a message - regarding the possible return of Choral). The PCs found Amvarean's lair and now have to give the bad news to her nephew. He'll be rewarding them with some choice magic items from his hoard. Also maybe leaving one of his own children to train in the PC's kingdom. (I have a player who is interested in playing a dragon).


Hm, tying the Silver to Choral is also a nice twist. Since my game is more fey-heavy, and my players are totally fed up with Jhod and his ways (he's a druid acting as priest of Erastil putting Nature first and demanding concessions for casting reincarnation on the baron and the high priest), I wanted to give them another ally and be able to foreshadow the BBEG.

Ruyan.

Shadow Lodge

Here are a few from my Campaign

Drosk Ruellis (Human Necromancer ?? / Agent of the Grave 5) - Member of the Whispering Way and puppet master of undead activities in the Stolen Lands. Has been looking for an artifact long-lost in the depths of the Hooktongue Slough, designed by Tar-Baphon: the Necrosis Configuration. With it, he can reform the remains of anyone or anything that has ever died within the radius of the Configuration's pulse when used, and create a massive horde of undead.

Shamus (Human Wizard ?? / Chronomancer ??) - A jovial spellcaster who pops in when he wants and leaves just as suddenly. He keeps the true nature of his magic a secret, but has given knowledge of a spell or two to those he deems worthy of knowing.


So far, I've added:

Eidric the bald

Spoiler:
(NE Human Necromancer 11)
with his two apprentices Krusk
Spoiler:
(NE Half-orc Sorc 4)
and Pirek
Spoiler:
(LE Kobold Sorc 5)
.
He is situated in Restov behind the facade of an inn named The Green Salamander near the city's harbor and was primarily designed to persuade our former High Magister not to buy wands of protection from good and similar items - he comes "all inclusive" with an underground laboratory with secret escape tunnels into the sewer system and a small spy network.
Eidric has funds far above his obvious capabilities and is a secret agent of ...

Ruyan.


While I don't run Kingmaker, my own home brew game is based in the River Kingdoms. I like your list, and will throw a few of my own in the mix as well.

Irovetti

Spoiler:
I have Irovetti of Pitax as a fighter/bard.

Ulizmila

Spoiler:
Ulizmila is a grand-daughter of Baba Yaga, and daughter of Kostchtchie. She escaped banishment when her mother's reign came to an end and now poses as Mother Nightmoss in the Embeth Forest (among other guises). She is a half-fiend, Ulfen witch 18.

Holgast

Spoiler:
Holgast is a villain in my game. He started out as a cleric of Zon-Kuthon but then switched to wizard (necromancer) and then into mystic theurge. I forget his exact levels, sorry.

Makoz

Spoiler:
Makoz is a Taldan wizard living in Mimere in Hymbria who makes his living as a quiet sage to those needing his expertise in all things arcane. He is very subdued and could possibly be a high level wizard, but would never use more force in a violent situation than necessary. I always figured he was max level 13, although I never statted him up.

Vordekai

Spoiler:
The ancient cyclops lich is not so decrepit in my game, but I made him into a diviner who only wants to be left alone. He is a lich wizard 20 (and at full power) who will demolish interlopers who don't take the hint he doesn't want to be bothered.

Strong arcane casters are pretty rare in my home brew game in the River Kingdoms. Thanks!

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