As adapted for Valiant from Art of the Neat TPK. And if you haven’t gone and seen some of the wacky things he comes up with, you should!
Description: Ridgebacks are massive lizards covered in long spines. They easily reach 20 feet in length, about half of that being tail. With large, leaf-shaped serrated teeth, these creatures are well respected by those that encounter them.
Ecology: Carnivorous, Ridgebacks are found largely in equatorial wetlands wherethere is enough food to support them. Agile climbers, ridgebacks can scale the larger trees in these habitats but stay near the ground in colder weather and burrow. Rarely, ridgebacks have been tamed as mounts but few have the skill to care for them properly.
Tactics: If annoyed, the ridgeback will Read More »
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All the languages in and near Kyanfir developed from the old empire of Mano-Ade where the main language was Iuze. Influenced by distance and various nomadic tribes, each country eventually developed its own form and dialect. The Church of the Thirteen Gods uses classical Iuze in both written and spoken liturgy, providing a common language for translation and trade.
Most in Kyanfir speak a dialect known as Hezrei, influenced by the pirate nomads that raid the middle of the country each winter and the coastal cities each summer who speak a gutteral tongue called Dzek. Those near Nuray may be fluent in Ibuil and Jannasberre has a considerable number of Ihreun speakers from Kai-Alti. Only scholars speak Ierae, the most common language of the elven barbarians, and Enel of the nomadic Reptile Folk.
As Goddess of the Wind, Enal sees everything, hears everything that the wind touches and as a Goddess, is intelligent enough to put it altogether to divine the future from the present. Clerics of Enal can be gifted witha small portion of her knowledge and a small industry has sprouted around these Oracles. Read More »
Image by Getty Images via Daylife
- Zentzsu do not talk about being Zentzsu. Ever. Death will not save you.
- Zentzsu do not kill other Zentzsu or anyone else affiliated with them.
- Zentzsu will work together professionally when the opportunity presents itself. All work for the same goal.
- Zentzsu will help other Zentzsu get free of the authorities or kill them if they cannot be freed.
- Zentzsu will share all information freely.
These are the main codes of a guild both secret and feared. The Zentzsu Guild is a network of assassins who secretly worship Islan Xanti. Most of the time, these people are quiet and unassuming as they go about their lives. But when Islan Xanti wakes, when he needs hands to do his work in the world, the Zentzsu transform Read More »
As inspired by the art of Benita Winckler
Mia pushed a gold feather back from her face as the words blurred yet again on the page in front of her. She sighed and inserted a small piece of parchment before closing the leather-bound volume. This just wasn’t working, and she stood, concluding that she was unable to muster the required concentration to make Thurn runes legible. A few steps took her to the window, where she could look down on the mountainside. She brought one hand up to massage the bridge of her nose as a small emerald dragon curled it’s way up and around her wrist, it’s tiny face a study in sympathy.
“Well, Io, translating that text is a lost cause right now.” She stated.
The green serpent trilled and Read More »
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Deep in the desert to the east of Kynafir, there are rumors of a race of men with reddened skin. One tale relates a great canal stretching from the sea into the desert to a great city where magic is common and the Gods are reviled. Great wonders are commonplace - beams of colored light striking out to kill a foe, huge flying ships floating far above the sands, spindly towers that meet the sky.
Many of the tales tell of ruins in the desert along the canal as well where great treasures rest guarded by terrible lizards who battle each other day and night. Even the Reptile Folk avoid the area believing it cursed by the desert spirits.
Image by marinegirl via Flickr
“Slightly taller than Humans, Reptile Folk prefer scrubland on the edges of deserts. Their nomadic lifestyle and natural armor has made them terrific hunters and trackers. This innate protection also supports their belief that they are superior to all other life in the world.” - Excerpt D6 Fantasy
The People, as they call themselves, are nomadic pastoralists who herd animals on the edges of the great deserts of Valiant all over the world, and a large part of their material and social culture is related to the needs of these animals. They rely on the management of herd animals for their primary products of meat and skin, and for their secondary products such as wool or hair, milk, blood, dung, traction, and transport.
The People are ogranized into Read More »
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Long ago, lost in time, was a great and ancient empire called Mano-ade. Mano-ade was so old, no one can remember its beginning other than a few stories of heroes and gods.They were an educated people who worshipped the Thirteen Gods and easily fought off nomads, pirates, bandits and other hazards. Mona-ade was so great they chose to spread their power in colonies - Kynafir, Banodia, Kai Alti, Vanya, Nuray, Rayen and Ki-alai.
Power in Mano-ade became ruthless and cruel, tramping on the colonies to feed and enrich the people of the Empire. Some colonies rebelled, causing the legions to go in and put them down, capturing many as slaves that were then shipped to the Empire to be sold.
Not many years after this, Read More »
This map delineates the political boundaries of countries on Valiant. White spaces are either unclaimed or unknown at this time. Click on the map to see full size. Boundaries include lands claimed in winter.
Image via Wikipedia
Holidays can be secular as well as relgious and New Year’s Day is the most common secular holiday amongst the cultures of Valiant.
Most cultures on Valiant begin the year on the first day of spring, or 1 Pyrrand (month of waters). Common practices include fasts, festivals, some minor religious observances, making resolutions, cleansing rituals, sporting events, parades and fireworks. Many people also observe a variety of superstitions to bring luck in the new year by avoiding certain food or drink, being in the company of friends, the giving of rings, eating food shaped like a ring
In Kynafir, New Year’s Day is most commonly celebrated with jousting tournaments, throwing horseshoes, inviting friends over, cleansing rituals and making resolutions. The most common resolution is Read More »
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