The swamp village of Kith’takharos prospers by harvesting rare and unusual plants. The Order of the Jade Leaf processes the plants into valuable drugs that it sells to a consortium of merchants called the Transit Guild. The Transit Guild then distributes the drugs to the world beyond the swamp.
Any visitor to Kith’takharos would soon learn these facts. But long time residents understand the situation is not that simple.
First, multiple factions contend for power in and around Kith’takharos. Even though the Order of the Jade Leaf trades with the Transit Guild, these organizations are not friends and their mutual tension permeates Kith’takharos. Outlaws called poachers ambush plant harvesting teams and product shipments. The natives, reptilian humanoids known as Swamp Men, claim most of the swamp as their own.
Although the Bright Water tribe of Swamp Men remains at peace with Kith’takharos, other tribes such as the Blood Scar count both Kith’takharos and the Bright Water as enemies. Few inhabitants of Kith’takharos understand the Swamp Man culture or language, and the natives remain mysterious.
Second, the swamp itself presents a constant challenge, from the brutal heat and humidity to exotic plants and animals. The murky water breaks up the land into a multitude of islands. Most journeys of any distance use small flat-bottomed skiffs propelled by wooden poles. Travel seldom follows a straight line, and ten miles as the crow flies can easily require a day of circuitous poling. Fresh water is often difficult to find.
Third, a thousand years ago the reptilian civilization of the Harlass Orn dominated the swamp. The Harlass Orn then utilized magical techniques with unintentional side effects that allowed extra-dimensional creatures known as Veilwalkers to enter normal space. The Veilwalkers and their constructs destroyed the Harlass Orn and forced the survivors into hiding. The Swamp Men revere the Harlass Orn as their Forebears, and each tribe retains some Harlass Orn artifact as part of its identity.
The Harlass Orn shaped the swamp into what it has become. They created the plants coveted by the Order of the Jade Leaf and the Transit Guild, as well as some of the more unusual animals. Their ruins are scattered across the swamp, offering both treasures and danger for bold explorers. No Swamp Man or inhabitant of Kith’takharos understands why the Harlass Orn civilization fell.
These are the raw materials from which we create Kith’takharos adventures.
Introduction
Adventuring in Kith’takharos – What brings adventurers to Kith’takharos?
Adventure Ideas – Ideas that range from suggestions to partially fleshed-out stories.
Environment
Harlass Orn – This fabled race once ruled the swamp.
Kith’takharos Region – Explore the geography, climate, and denizens of the swamp.
Life in Kith’takharos – Learn about the history, economy, and society of Kith’takharos.
Order of the Jade Leaf – The organization that protects Kith’takharos, manages the swamp plant trade, and unravels the mysteries of the swamp.
Swamp Men – The reptilian humanoids that control most of the swamp.
Transit Guild – A consortium of merchants with a monopoly on the distribution of swamp plant products.
Places
Kith’takharos Village – A tour of the village and its most prominent landmarks.
Places of Interest – Well known ruins of the swamp, including the Harlass Orn capital, the Old Bridge, the Old Temple and Stonefall Point.
Port Lissup – A town upriver from Kith’takharos, often called the Gateway to the Eastern Frontier.
NPCs
Entrepreneurs – Alma, Vladimar Batu, Stavros Cennish, Cylene Edarrion, Cyrus Morgan, Lauralin Nightsinger, Niki Ocnita, Patch
Nobility – Therese Salmissra, Victoria Salmissra, Sarruk Urzy
Order of the Jade Leaf – Xanthus Bome, Yavanna Culand, Anselm “Harp” Harpending, Harl Lungan, Christophe Moreau, Jorian Odessa, Dorian Orsova, Chios Sartar, Scout, Koran Thelig
Poachers – Huygens Tierney, Poacher
Swamp Men – Argosh, Eshosh, Hainish, Harrillon, Scout, Shaman, Tshinima, Warrior
Transit Guild – Federico de Soya, Meryl Dunestal
Other – Lan Cennish, Aetius Charaton, Taryn Hobert, Jontour, Anes Mabrouk
Creatures
Bren’pushar – A Veilwalker construct of metal and gears.
Carnivorous Lizard – This common reptile consumes any type of meat, including people!
Pitch – A construct of shadow almost impossible to spot in the darkness.
Radiant Spider – The formidable arachnid spins flammable webs.
Snakevine (F’lunin) – The feared carnivorous plant.
Stone – An patient and implacable Veilwalker construct made of stone.
Swamp Dragon – A large aquatic reptile that can overturn a small boat.
Swamp Leech – Although this bloodsucker seldom kills, it is always a nuisance.
Swamp Spider – Poisoned travelers can find themselves carrying the young of these large spiders.
Items
Aetherogenic Pocket – An extra-dimensional storage space.
Breath Moss – An unusual plant used in underwater breathing apparatus.
Chal’far Fal D’orn – The favored weapon of Harlass Orn warriors.
Dream Sap – Swamp Man shamans drink this to induce sleep and dreams.
Flat Bottom Skiff – The most common swamp boat comfortably seats six.
Illumination Gem – A magical light source that fits in the palm of the hand.
Impero Orbis – Magical rings worn by soldiers of the ancient Empire of Orbis Tertius.
Poison Box – A small container that holds poison for arrows or crossbow bolts.
Swamp Plants – The most useful plants, their properties, and the drugs derived from them.
Swivel-Mounted Crossbow – Jade Leaf patrol boats are equipped with this massive bow.
Web Bomb – The Order of the Jade Leaf crafts these weapons from radiant spider webs.