The World Tree

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The World Tree

"More sacred than Gods and Goddesses is the embodiment of nature itself: The World Tree. But the Tree's destruction is at hand. Ancient dark forces from universes far beyond are seeking its destruction. Cannibal tribes rise from the south, threatening the stronghold of Daerum and all of Ethir! Never-ending dungeons, monstrous villains, bloody encounters, and action of epic proportions await you! Save the world (or more importantly, your skin)!

Prepare yourself adventurer. The world lies within your hands." -The World Tree Campaign Introduction

The World Tree is a massive campaign built originally for D&D 4e in 2013 by user Tank7563. Now, it is a complete adventure for 5e filled with 14 potential "acts" or modules that make a single cohesive story surrounding the World Tree and Magnus' evil forces.

Plot Summary

The World Tree is set within its own campaign setting, but holds true to D&D's setting of planes and race desprictions (with an exception to the Drow, being descendants of the moon). In The World Tree, the adventurers encounter a number of decision points and problems while attempting to locate the World Tree and trying to stop Magnus. As the scenario begins, the players are told that a powerful necromancer named Magnus is attempting to find and destroy the World Tree, effectively destroying all life on the Material Plane. Player characters must survive the wrath of Magnus, the cannibals from the southern powers, and other dark organizations to save all life in the world.

The module is divided into 16 story arcs (described as acts) and 48 scenes, beginning with a summoning of the characters and ending with the saving of The World Tree, should the players succeed.

The World and the Planes

In the World Tree adventure, there are only a few characteristics that are different from the D&D setting. This concept is to be able to release the Dungeon Master and the players from the exact history of the realm by rewriting it, but allows for other adventures to be involved within the setting.

Religion and Deities

Worship of the gods has been a less than common occurrence, with only simple holidays to celebrate the greater deities. These deities have been described in different regions as being related to one another, with Katasis, goddess of the sun, and Vareus, god of moonlight creating them. The following is an excerpt from the lore:

"Katasis and Vareus fought for ownership of the skies for ten centuries; the sparks of their blades creating the stars in the dark sky. After the passing of the ten-day, they defeated one another, with the pieces of their spirits forming the sun and moon, greater and lesser deities, and the soul of the sentient beings."

These deities are divided into three categories: The Great Divine, The Warspawn, and The Lesser Five.

The Great Divine

The second generation of gods, created from the will and drive of Katasis and Vareus. This category holds all gods and goddesses who were either formed from these two (except for Penur, son of Althum and Hasdum). These deities have little to no impact on the Material Plane or echo planes, sending their Warspawn, Lesser Five, or devout followers to do their bidding.

Name Description Alignment Description
Penur God of Justice Lawful, Good Pictured as a large man with six arms, bald, and covered in glowing tattoos. It is said he can read the hearts of all beings. Worshiped by paladins, guards, military figures, some clerics, monks, and fighters.
Gielel Goddess of Fate Neutral Pictured as a woman with writhing gray hairs of tentacles. She is also sometimes pictured as a large wasp. Those who handle money are commonly associated worshiping Gielel; however, many others of all backgrounds worship her.
Hasdum Goddess of Healing Good Said to be a maiden with indigo eyes and white skin in human form. Doctors, alchemists, and some clerics, paladins, and druids worship Hasdum.
Adriel Goddess of Magic Neutral Adriel is often said to be a variety of beings, most often a cloud. Those who worship her are often associated as sorcerers and others who have "the gift" naturally occurring inside them.
Althum God of War Lawful, Evil Pictured as a large man in bright armor, often depicted next to Penur. He wears an amulet and carries an ax made of bear bones. His worship is associated with nations in war time and those who have an "inner-battle" to fight.
Gagaur God of the Underworld Evil Gagaur is depicted as having the head of a lizard carrying a skull. Worshiped by creatures of the Underdark and the Shadowfell.
Nazuma Goddess of Deceit Chaotic, Evil Also known as the Deceiver, Nazuma is one of Vareus' true selves. She is worshiped by thieves, charlatans, and some drow. (Note: in this setting, drow are said to be direct descendants of Vareus, not Nazuma).
Nimrielye Goddess of Time Good Nimrielye is believed to be invisible. She is never depicted with the other gods, but is often found within the border or the key of the deities' depiction.
Ra-Orn Spirit of Nature Neutral The embodiment of the world tree, rather than the physical tree itself. Animus Mundi or spirit of the World.

The Warspawn

The Warspawn are any deity that have been created by one of the Great Divines. Powerful and sentient, these beings

Name Description Alignment Description Creator
Law Demigod of Unity and Order Lawful, Good Once a philosopher, Law is the first ruler of the known world and brought order and unity to the sentient races. Penur
Courage Demigod of Honor and Courage Neutral Once a warrior, Courage banished Adonizar to Pandemonium and is commander of Penur's armies. Penur
Adonizar God of Chaos Good Althum's only free creation, Adonizar created the realms of Limbo, Pandemonium, and the Abyss and twisted the minds of goblinoids, orcs, ogres, and giants in the Material Plain. Althum
Krazak God of Destruction Good Dwelling within Acheron, Krazak is the brunt of Althum's forces. He created the Tarrasque and the Kraken. Gagaur
Golammor God of Tyranny and Domination Good Golammor is the forger of Althum's armies and lord of the Nine Hells. It is said that he created Beholders and Mindflayers Gagaur
Muriel God of Hunting Neutral Often pictured as a tiger, Muriel has cat-like eyes, camouflage skin, and a sling. Druids, barbarians, and rangers worship him. Ra-Orn
Turrux God of Stone and Earth Neutral Turrux is the creator of the land and seas, filling them with minerals and resources. Also creator of earth and water elementals, Barrundin, and Alamah. Guardian of the Elemental Chaos. Ra-Orn
Reviril Goddess of the Sky Lawful, Evil Reviril is the creator of the new sun, new moon, and sky and scavenged the pieces of Katasis and Vareus. She also created Sanus and Aluna and keeps them spinning in the sky. The World Tree/Ra-Orn
Dravum Demigod of Murder Evil Dravum is the son of Nazuma after she tricked and killed his orc father. He protects the Underdark and Nazuma. Nazuma
Vuralum Demigod of Deceit Chaotic, Evil The first Rakshasa, Vuralum twists Enweg's words to Nazuma's will. He is also the only deity to know where Nimrielye is located. Nazuma
Dania Goddess of Love and Beauty Good Dania is one of Gielel's creation and is the creator of Devas and Angels. Gielel
Morahk Titan of Beast and Disaster Neutral A creature of perpetual pain and suffering, Morahk harbors plague and disease. He is the creator of kobolds, gnolls, kuo-toas, sahuagin, and lycanthropes. The World Tree/Gielel
Belvaraz Abomination of Fear Neutral A creature of the underworld, Belvaraz holds dominion over Carceri and created the first demons. Gagaur
Tobarum God of Death Neutral Gagaur's pet, Tobarum rules over Gehenna, where he creates his undead hordes of banshees, ghosts, and wraiths, and also created the first vampires. Gagaur
Enweg Lesser God of Knowledge Good Enweg is pictured draped in a robe of scrolls working as a scribe. He is pictured within colleges and guilds where knowledge holds values, but is never depicted with the primary gods. Worshipers of him include wizards and those who seek training and knowledge of crafts or magic.

The Lesser Five

Name Description Alignment Description Creator
Alamah Goddess of Winter and Water Lawful, Good Alamah controls winter and spring to keep Barrundin from becoming too powerful. Turrux
Barrundin God of Agriculture and Civilization Neutral Also known as the "God of Prosperity, Barrundin helps the sentient races to a civilized future and keeps Alamah from claiming total dominion. He controls summer and autumn. Turrux
Sanus God of the New Sun Good Sanus provides light and fire for the Material Plane, providing balance for Aluna Reviril
Aluna Goddess of the New Moon Neutral Keeper of Darkness, Aluna provides darkness to the Material Plane, keeping Sanus balanced with herself. Reviril
Zorum Titan of Shadow Neutral A gift for Nazuma, Zorum is the keeper of shadows and haze. His home is within the Underdark, but spies on the surface for Nazuma's rising. Aluna

Race and Skills

Races in the World Tree campaign are identical to races found within 5th edition, except for the history of the Drow (which are said to be descendants of Vareus, or "moon people"). Racism is not very significant in this campaign, with orcs being considered sentient beings (though many tribes are evil, not all share this alignment). The races of the world have been mixed for hundreds of years, with only minor racism existing between the elves and dwarves.

Setting

Primarily, this campaign is centered between four "powers" or nations with smaller self governed lands. The World Tree begins within the country of Ethir, centralized in the continent of the "known world" (with the ability to add other continents and areas).

Kusha

Map of Kusha

The northern most continent of the four, Kusha is known as the "land of merchants". Based loosely off of ancient middle eastern culture, the landscape is primarily comprised of desert and coastal landscapes with grasslands along the Ethirian border. Predominant races in this region include in order of population size: Humans, Half-elfs, Half-orcs, Tieflings, and Aarakocra. All other races are part of an extreme minority due to climate and emphasis on social values. More information will be added to this country as play continues in the area.


Points of Interest

Ethir

The trading hub of the four powers, Ethir has been laid victim to more natural and man-made disasters than of the other powers combined. Ethir is landlocked except for its western border, with Kusha to the north, Old Axas to the south west, Ikhael to the south east, and unsettled territory passed the Khim Mountains that divides the country. Ethir is closely related to the typical campaign social ideas, populations, culture, and government systems, containing the extensive Shunarai Woods, miles of grassland, frozen mountain peaks, and inhospitable lava pits.

Points of Interest
Map of Ethir
  • Ael'Dea: Founded town after Daerum was the capitol in 603. Primarily elven and human based, but there are also large populations of dwarves and gnomes present. Serves as a safe haven between the coastal cities and the capital.
  • Blackbriar: Ethir's most southerly city, Blackbriar is one of the largest producers of produce and crops in Ethir.
  • Coaldust: One of the few cities in Ethir to be located among the Khim Mountains, Coaldust is largely a dwarven community with mines stretching deep into the mountains.
  • Daerum: The nations capitol as of the year 600. Daerum is located next to the grasslands and deserts southwest of the Khim Mountains, containing the largest magic college in the known world, the Daerum Wizards College.
  • Danarus Pass: The "pit of the mountain range" allows for travelers to easily travel over the mountain to the small villages of Ethir. Also is claimed to be a commonplace for the Gray Company.
  • Grayhedge: An industrialized city, Grayhedge was carved by ancient dwarves and humans working side by side. Presently, Grayhedge is home to many poor and shady services and citizens.
  • Huion: Per resident, Huion holds the highest crime rate and also holds the second highest population in Ethir (with the capital surpassing it). Huion is primarily known for its excellent artisan guilds and dark criminal undergrounds.
  • Kelvarland: A small village of druidic elves. Not much is known of them, but few have been allowed to study along with them, gleaning as much knowledge as they deem necessary.
  • Khim Mountains: A mountain range in the center of the capital, forming a 3-armed star. Those who wish to travel over must be willing to suffer the negative degrees of cold.
  • Rivermouth: A small merchant village just before the borders of Kusha. Rivermouth is also known at "the last on the route to Kusha".
  • Saltvale: Located southeast of the Danarus Pass, Saltvale is a small village of dwarves and humans, mining the salt from the heart of the Khim Mountains and selling them to local traders and merchants.
  • Shunarai Woods: A forest with perpetual darkness. It is said that many who attempt to travel through the darkness will never see the light again.
  • Thal: Location of the previous capitol and homeplace of the Thal Council (sometimes referred to as The Thal). Serves as a "utility city" between inland services and sea ports.
  • Tsar Outpost: An elven outpost outside of Thal. Only those who bear the mark of the Thal Council can enter the premises of the mansion made fortress.
  • Valea: Beginning segment of the adventure, Valea is a small sea port on the western shores of Ethir. Those who visit this town do so for family and friends or for the The Salty Dog.
  • Waterbright: Primarily a human community, Waterbright lies on the western shores of Ethir. The finest shipwrights in the world are said to reside here, producing vessels for Kusha and Ethir.
  • Westernhaven: A small elven village west of Grayhedge, Westernhaven is known for its Festival of the Proud, where performers and participants gather from all over the four powers.

Ikhael

The innovation and craft of the four powers, Ikhael is home primarily to dwarves, gnomes, and drow of all kinds, with specific interest on technological advances and master architectural cities.

Points of Interest
  • Araven: "Twisted Birds"
  • Barakundi: Translated to "Fortified Door Guard" in the common tongue, serves as the only above ground city of the dwarven empire where Ikhael council members meet and pass laws. Barakundi is carved into the mountainside with troughs and gutters of water form a unique architectural work of art.
  • Bluetin:
  • Felgrim: "Dark Chances"
  • Glomir: "Glorik's Home"
  • Gromzhuf: "Power River"
  • Guzharr: "Fire Drink"
  • Hazelmyre:
  • Kaldur: "Strong/Rock Ale"
  • Karazruvalk: "Strong River"
  • Karagrim: "Unyielding River"
  • Kazaruf: "The Fortified Dome"
  • Kolzank: "Black Divide
  • Miria: "Mining Home"
  • Mordan Drin: Underground dwarven city located under the cave lake of Kolthragh in the Khim Mountains. Glowing fungus and insects shine through the lake into the glass that illuminates the entire city.
  • Rhunvarf: "Rune Hound"
  • Silverthorn:
  • Skarrenrik: "Blue King"
  • Steza: "Water Sight", Steza is a sea port of the south western borders of Ikhael, once housing the popular Myconid Mines, which has been abandoned for many years.
  • Stromez-Elgram: "Weak Stream (Stream Weak)"
  • Yardron: "Western Thunder"

Axas

Referred to as "Old Axas", Axas was predominately a war-like nation, being home to many orcs, goblins, gnoll, cannibals, lichs, and others who feast on sentient humanoid flesh. During the Time of Chaos, Axas was laid to waste by the armies of the Ashen Warrior, effectively annihilating this power into a wasteland, still unclaimed by the other three powers.

Points of Interest

The Trinity Islands

A small cluster of three hospitable islands located in the bay between Ethir and Kusha. The Trinity Islands are self governed, with each island varying from one another.

The Isle of Dread

A magnet for criminals and charlatans, this island is home to many pirate kings, criminal organizations, and refugees.

The Isle of Life
The Isle of Banishment

Act listing

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