Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron

(Nancy Kaufman) #1

20 CHAPTER 1 | IF IT EXISTS IN D&D, THERE’S A PLACE FOR IT IN EBERRON


EBERRON AND THE MULTIVERSE
Eberron has always been a part of the multiverse.
Eberron is surrounded by its thirteen planes.
These planes play an important role in the
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in and out of alignment with Eberron. But the
Astral and Ethereal Planes surround and enfold
Eberron, and if someone ventures into the Deep
Ethereal it’s possible to pass beyond Eberron’s
closed system and step into the Great Wheel or
the World Tree.
As a DM, it’s up to you to decide whether such
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whether threats from other settings will make
their way into Eberron. Most people consider the
tale of the Progenitor Dragons to be a fable: a
myth to explain the underworld and the golden
ring in the sky. But what if it’s true? What if
three divine beings joined together to build
a new creation in the depths of the Ethereal?
Elves, orcs, dragons; all of these could have been
created in the image of the creatures of the Great
Wheel but given a chance to develop beyond
the reach of Lolth and Gruumsh. The Ring of
Siberys could in fact be a [PQMTL: a defense that has
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If you’re not interested in connecting Eberron
to other settings, then that shield is still intact.
But if you do want to incorporate elements from
other realms, this shield is starting to fail. Perhaps
House Cannith will build a planar gateway and
accidentally bring the Blood War into Eberron.
Maybe Tiamat has only just discovered Eberron
and is slowly corrupting its dragons. Ultimately,
it’s up to you. You can avoid any contact between
Eberron and other settings. You can explore
the idea of that contact being recent and new
(perhaps linked to the Mourning, either as cause
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has always been travel between these realms,
adjusting things to incorporate these ideas.
If you choose to explore the idea that contact
between settings is recent and limited, consider
what that might mean for everyone involved. In
the Great Wheel Asmodeus is an ancient threat,
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great deal of lore to be discovered. If Asmodeus
has just discovered Eberron, the sages know
nothing about him. He has no power base to
work with and will have to recruit new followers.
And you might see unusual alliances forming
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join forces to drive out the outsider. As with
everything else, Eberron provides an opportunity
to explore existing things in a new way.

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A few things to bear in mind as you step into
Eberron...
Dragons have a civilization humanity
knows almost nothing about. Shapeshifted
dragons may be secretly manipulating human
civilization.
Elves are split into two cultures. The
reclusive Aereni are gifted wizards ruled by
their undying ancestors. The Valenar elves
are ruthless warriors who strive to be avatars
of ancient heroes. Other elves live among
humanity and have adopted its customs.
Gnomes are schemers and scholars
who maintain order through intrigue and
assassination.
Goblins once had a mighty empire, and
a tradition based on honor and martial
discipline. Their civilization was crushed
by the daelkyr and their land was stolen by
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have good reason to loathe the people of the
Five Nations.
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dinosaur-riding rangers and barbarians.
Orcs are a proud and primal people. While
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from aberrations... while others have fallen
prey to the madness of the daelkyr.
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