The Seas of Vodari (v1.3)

271 Pages·2020·63.342 MB·English

by  Shawn Ellsworth, Brandes Stoddard, Colin McLaughlin, Jack Houser, Michelle Houser, Mark Cookman, Tomas Gimenez Rioja

Swashbuckling & Sorcery
on the High Seas

Credits
Project Lead: Shawn Ellsworth Cartographers: Daniel Hasenbos, Jack Houser, Kate Woodall,
Designers: Brandes Stoddard and Colin McLaughlin and Dave Jumaquio
Contributors: Jack Houser, Michelle Houser, Mark Cookman, Playtesters: Ashley Q. E., Dave Jumaquio, Emily G.,
and Tomas Gimenez Rioja Emmanuel Villamor, Greg Benage, Jason Pollack, Joseph L.
Editing: Brandes Stoddard and Rabbit Stoddard Kirk, Marco Rotondi, Michael Teng, Sam Pike, Samuel Mather,
Consulting: Kevin Rae Tiffany Roberts
Layout and Typesetting: Dave Jumaquio
Illustrators: Mariam Trejo, Dave Jumaquio, and Stephen A special thank you to all 978 of our Kickstarter backers who
Garrett Rusk supported this project.
On the Cover
Mariam Trejo illustrates
Korfel, Ayo, Neresi, Phelan,
Jae, and Bree battling a
kraken that is attacking
their ship.
ISBN 978-1-56581-231-4
www.Tribality.com
Printed in Canada
© 2020 Tribality
(Innovaworks Inc.)
Tribality, Vodari, their associated logos, and the product name “The Seas of Vodari” are trademarks of Tribality (Innovaworks Inc.).
Product Identity: The following items are hereby identified as Product Identity, as defined in the Open Game License version 1.0a,
Section 1(e), and are not Open Content: All trademarks, proper names (characters, place names, new deities, etc.), dialogue, plots,
story elements, locations, characters, artwork, graphics, sidebars, and trade dress. (Elements that have previously been designated
as Open Game Content are not included in this declaration.)
Open Game Content: The Open content in this book includes all rules for races, class options, domains, spells, feats, magic
items, monsters, conditions, equipment, and all other descriptions of game-rule effects specifying die rolls or other mechanic
features of the game. No other portion of this work may be reproduced in any form without permission.
Table of Contents
Chapter I: Welcome to Vodari 7 Draga (Dragonborn) ..........................................106 Chapter VI: Ships & Cannons 161
Six Things You Should Know About Vodari ..8 Gnomes ................................................................106 Sample Ships ........................................................161
History of Vodari ................................................9 Goblinkin .............................................................108 Cannons ...............................................................176
Religion in Vodari ...............................................14 Half-Elves .............................................................108 Ship Upgrades .....................................................178
Life in Vodari .......................................................23 Half-Orcs ..............................................................108 Ships & Crews .....................................................180
Halflings ...............................................................109
Chapter II: A World to Explore 29 Chapter VII: Magic Items & Spells 185
Humans ................................................................110
Southern Nations ................................................29 Minotaurs .............................................................111 Magic Items..........................................................185
Arushi ...................................................................29 Sirens .....................................................................111 Spells .....................................................................191
Taevara ..................................................................32 Tieflings ................................................................113
Chapter VIII: Gamemaster Tools 197
Veraci ....................................................................36 Vodas ....................................................................114
Duels .....................................................................197
Xolen .....................................................................40 Additional Racial Options .................................115
New Actions for Combat ...................................199
Zavros ...................................................................45 Height and Weight ..............................................115
The Pirate Isles ......................................................49 Gambling ..............................................................199
Coral, Dagger & Reef ........................................50 Chapter IV: Character Options 117 Code of the Sea....................................................201
Fortana .................................................................51 Gunslinger .............................................................118 Visiting Ports ......................................................201
Ghost ....................................................................52 Arcane Gunmaster .............................................120 Seafaring Adventures .........................................206
Mirta & Morto .....................................................52 Musketeer .............................................................122
Chapter IX: Allies & Adversaries 213
Sharkfin ...............................................................53 Pistolero ................................................................123
Monsters .................................................................213
Tabulu ..................................................................55 Sniper ....................................................................124
Carnivorous Plant ...............................................214
The Colonies ..........................................................57 Barbarian ..............................................................126
Coral Golem ........................................................215
Faraway Chain .....................................................57 Path of the Buccaneer.........................................126
Deep Terror Shark ..............................................216
Liberty Chain.......................................................58 Bard ........................................................................126
Eels ........................................................................217
Vulcani ..................................................................60 College of Nature ................................................126
The Glass Menagerie ..........................................219
The Forest Realm ..................................................61 College of Shanties ..............................................128
Arachni .................................................................62 Cleric .......................................................................128 Kallidus .................................................................221
Aubori ...................................................................63 Spirit Domain ......................................................129 Mist Otters ...........................................................224
Druid ......................................................................130 Sea Dragons .........................................................226
Fernwa ..................................................................65
Circle of the Deeps .............................................130 Sea Monsters ........................................................230
Leafi .......................................................................66
Fighter ....................................................................132 Skeletons ...............................................................232
Luna ......................................................................66
Cannoneer ...........................................................132 Wereorca ..............................................................234
Silvari ....................................................................68
Corsair ..................................................................134 Wereshark ............................................................235
Marradi Archipelago ...........................................70
Monk .......................................................................135 White Whale ........................................................236
Draga.....................................................................70
Way of the Wild ..................................................135 Beasts ......................................................................238
Istori .....................................................................71
Paladin ...................................................................136 Huge Crab ............................................................238
Morndirn .............................................................72
Oath of Discovery ...............................................136 Monkey .................................................................239
Red Axe ................................................................75
Ranger ....................................................................138 Parrot ....................................................................239
Taggthirn ..............................................................75
Stormcloak ...........................................................138 Nonplayer Characters ........................................240
The North & Untamed Wilds .............................78
Rogue ......................................................................138 Arcane Gunmaster ............................................240
Ghak ......................................................................78
Mask ......................................................................138 Buccaneer ............................................................240
Nordaa ..................................................................80
Scoundrel .............................................................140 Cannoneer ...........................................................241
Iselaad ...................................................................83
Sorcerer ..................................................................142 Corsair .................................................................241
Khar ......................................................................86
Tidal Sorcery .......................................................142 Elemental Master ................................................242
Stonetusk ..............................................................88
Warlock ..................................................................143
Mask .....................................................................243
Zeth’Kur................................................................90
The Council .........................................................143
Mistwalker ...........................................................243
The Map’s Edge ......................................................92
Pact Boon .............................................................144
Musketeer .............................................................244
Jameson ................................................................92
Eldritch Invocations ...........................................144
Pirate .....................................................................244
Isle of Whispers ...................................................93
Wizard ....................................................................144
Pistolero ...............................................................245
Kraken ..................................................................93
School of Mistwalking .......................................144
Sailor .....................................................................245
Sanador ................................................................93 Backgrounds..........................................................146
Scoundrel .............................................................246
Sanctuary .............................................................94 Substitute Bonds ...................................................150
Sea Captain ..........................................................247
Stormwind Chain ...............................................95 Feats ........................................................................151
Shanty Bard ..........................................................247
Taur .......................................................................95
Chapter V: Equipment 153 Stormcloak ...........................................................248
The Teeth ..............................................................96
Heavy Armor .......................................................154 Tidal Sorcerer ......................................................249
Vesi’s Rage ............................................................97
Under the Seas ......................................................97 Weapons ...............................................................154 Warlock of the Council ......................................249
Adventuring Gear ...............................................156
Chapter X: Starter Adventure 251
Chapter III: The People of Vodari 101
Tools ......................................................................157
Appendix A: Monster Lists 264
Cursed Souls ........................................................101 Trade Goods ........................................................158
Dwarves ................................................................103 Trinkets .................................................................159 Appendix B: Nautical Terms 265
Elves ......................................................................104

Chapter I: Welcome to Vodari
Vodari is a world that grew out of various one-shots and full cam- Using this Book
paigns I have run for players over the years. I created this world to
provide my players with new experiences when traveling across the This book is the start of your voyage on The Seas of Vodari. Players
monster-filled wilderness between settlements. I thought that sailing will find options for creating and equipping swashbuckling characters
from location to location would make typical wilderness travel feel who are ready to set sail. Gamemasters will discover content to run
completely new. I filled Vodari with islands for us to explore, with the seafaring adventures in existing settings or Vodari.
next adventure just over the horizon. I wanted to run more than just Chapter I presents Vodari’s history, pantheon, and everyday life.
a pirate campaign, so I made sure to have islands and inhabitants that You’ll find a history of Vodari from its creation to the present, a pan-
varied widely from place to place. theon with sixteen gods, holidays to celebrate, and more.
Vodari was inspired by stories full of adventure, exploration, and Chapter II takes a tour of Vodari from the pirate islands of the
intrigue such as The Three Musketeers, Star Trek, Stardust, Pirates of south to the kingdom of the frost giants in the north. This gazetteer
the Caribbean, Zorro, Indiana Jones, The Mummy, The Count of Monte focuses on power groups, allies and adversaries, key locations, city
Cristo, and Treasure Island. The Seas of Vodari campaign setting was maps, and adventure ideas for dozens of islands.
created to support seafaring adventures focused on the crew of a ship Chapter III details the people of Vodari and offers rules for players
hunting sea monsters, exploring uncharted islands, visiting bustling to create cursed soul, sea dwarf, siren, minotaur, and voda characters.
port cities, following maps to buried treasure, and battling cutthroat Chapter IV provides additional player options, including the gun-
pirates. The setting is also well-suited to running campaigns in its slinger class with four subclasses, fourteen new subclasses for the core
large port cities, with swashbuckling heroes getting mixed up with rules classes, backgrounds, substitute bonds, and feats.
fierce rivals, notorious crime syndicates, evil cults, feuding nobles, Chapter V takes you on a shopping trip for swashbuckling and sea-
courageous rebels, and scheming politicians. faring equipment, including flintlock firearms, musical instruments,
Vodari contains all of the iconic things you expect in a fantasy adventuring gear, trade goods, and trinkets.
setting, but the familiar becomes surprising and new. Dungeons can Chapter VI details ship templates, ship modifications, cannons,
be found above and below the waves, in the form of caves, ship- and example ships with crews to launch onto the seas of your cam-
wrecks, and lost temples. From island to island, you’ll find variety and paign.
wonders, ranging from bustling ports filled with travelers from distant Chapter VII includes interesting and powerful aquatic and seafar-
lands to unexplored wilderness, ruins, monsters, and other dangers. ing themed magic items and spells.
Halflings live in villages made of interconnected boats and anything Chapter VIII is a resource for gamemasters to run swashbuckling
that can float. Dwarves are respected shipbuilders, sailing the seas in and seafaring campaigns, in Vodari or their own campaign world.
search of relics from their sunken homeland and battling an enemy This chapter provides rules for running duels, the Code of the Sea,
below in the Night War. Elves dwell high in the treetops and below random tables to fill out your world, and more.
the surface of the seas. Gnomes find themselves on opposite sides Chapter IX contains monsters, beasts, and nonplayer characters
of a battle between machines and nature. Goblins are as likely to be designed to fit a seafaring world, from the tropical seas of the south to
encountered as raiders riding waveskippers as working as a tinkerer the ice-covered waters of the north.
living in a city. Instead of land armies, Vodari has navies and pirates Chapter X provides The Island with No Name starter adventure.
that battle with flintlocks and cannons to control the seas. The most The adventure takes players on a treasure hunt to a mysterious island.
dangerous monsters are found in the seas, such as sea dragons and The options presented in this book build on the core fifth edition
white whales. Nature is as deadly as the most powerful monsters, with rules. Throughout the book, when you see the name of a spell or
furious hurricanes, catastrophic tsunamis, and fiery volcanoes. magic item in italic type or the name of a creature in bold type, that is
a cue pointing to the spell, magic item, or creature stats in this book
– Shawn Ellsworth or the core rules.
chapter 1 | welcome to vodari
7
Six Things You Should Know er edge of the continent sank to the bottom of the sea. The devastation
left only a scattered few to rebuild their civilization on the islands. To-
About Vodari day, adventurers find a broken world full of the ruins of the world that
once was. A massive storm still rages where the heart of the continent
once existed. The storm is so powerful that only settlements protected
Anyone visiting Vodari as a player or gamemaster should
by tall mountains or vast forests have survived its devastation over the
know the following. centuries.
iv. A world caught in divine conflict.
i. If it exists in a typical fantasy world, it can exist
If anyone needed proof of divine beings, a war among the gods spill-
in Vodari.
ing over into the mortal world was the ultimate confirmation. Vodari
Vodari has a place for all of the core elements of the world’s most was all but destroyed, and a raging storm hundreds of miles across
popular fantasy role-playing game. While it is a seafaring world full appeared where the vast continent of Varanu once was. After fighting
of islands, sea monsters, pirates, and endless ocean, heroes can still for millennia, the gods have struck an uneasy peace. To settle their
find dungeons, dragons, and other typical fantasy elements. Neverthe- quarrels, the gods of creation and destruction meddle and plot against
less, much of what is familiar had been altered, creating unexpected each other, using mortals as pawns to suffer the consequences.
experiences for old and new players. You’ll find dwarven shipbuilders,
halfling floating cities, gnomes divided and on the brink of war, a v. A world where magic is extraordinary.
goblinkin civilization, and more. In Vodari, magic is a mysterious force, with much of the lore forgotten
over the ages. Today magic is found in powerful artifacts, and in rare
ii. A dangerous place to explore.
individuals who access magic through prayer, ancient knowledge,
Adventurers in Vodari venture to port cities, treetop kingdoms, lost a pact, or a bloodline. Those with magical powers are exceptional.
ruins, mountain fortresses, and more. While most nations in the Schools that teach magic are rare, often available only to those of
southern islands live in relative calm and peace, Vodari is perilous. noble birth or obvious talent. Champions chosen by the gods and
Any voyage can go from routine to catastrophic with wind, waves, granted their divine gifts are special. The elite few who have access to
and rain capable of sinking any ship. To the north are the harsh lands powerful magic, through artifacts or their abilities, control much of
of the barbarians, orcs, giants and other monsters. To the west are Vodari.
the wild and mysterious forests. In the east, the dwarves war with an
enemy deep under their mountain realm. On the southern seas, you’ll vi. A world of technological wonders.
find pirates, giant sea monsters, crime-filled ports, and countless Powerful magic is unavailable to most people. In its place, ingenuity
unexplored islands. At the center, the wind, rain, and waves of Vesi’s has led to the advancement of non-magical technology, providing
Rage make travel anywhere nearby deadly. wonders not found in a typical fantasy world. The Great Leap recently
unleashed steam power, black powder, and other technology into the
iii. An ancient and broken world.
world, revolutionizing travel, manufacturing, and war. Alchemists
Long ago, a vast continent called Varanu was annihilated in a war of continue to develop new metals and materials. While most people
the gods. This cataclysm created such destruction that all but the out- embrace these advancements, some factions oppose their use.
chapter 1 | welcome to vodari
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