Page 30 - Critical Role: Tal’Dorei Campaign Setting

tal’dorei campaign guide

The Factions and Societies

of Tal’Dorei

While the dominant cultures of the continent have carved structure and law from the rough clay left beyond the
Divergence, these cultures each comprise several smaller factions. Whether councils of traditionally-minded politicians
striving to maintain control in a world beset by chaos and danger, or a union of opportunists ever-vigilant to reap the
benefits of an exploitable populace, these factions drive and manipulate the social and political direction of Tal’Dorei.
The alliances and tensions that can rise between the following societies can guide your adventurers’ destiny across the
spectrum of heroism and villainy.
the arcana relationships

pansophical The Arcana Pansophical is respected, if somewhat feared,
in most human settlements. Syngorn and other elven
communities see the Pansophical as allies, as the roots of
All Tal’Dorei’s greatest mages fought the society began with Yurek within Syngorn itself. Kra-
at the Battle of the Umbra Hills. ghammer only respects members that are dwarves, and
They saw the incursion of demons treat the rest with mistrust.
and devils firsthand, and were
rightly terrified that the spawn figures of interest
of the Betrayer Gods could ever
return to the world. It was clear enchanter yurek windkeeper
that the Divergence did not Maker, Elf Wizard (Enchanter). Founder of the Arcana
wholly prevent supernatural Pansophical, Yurek generally stays within Syngorn as the
evil from infringing upon nexus of the order, acting as consultant to the Wardens
the world, and the mages of Syngorn.
of Exandria must prevent
future “surprises” of this alchemiSt oz gruude
nature. The mistakes of the Maker, Halfling Alchemist. A rather ornery halfling,
Age of Arcanum must never be Gruude’s interests lie in refining the latent magical ele-
repeated. Considering this, Yurek ments in the “dormant” world, traveling often to continue
Windkeeper, high enchanter of Syn- his research.
gorn and a well-respected arcanist,
reached out to the realm’s most trusted Seer gloria ioS
and capable mages, and together they Maker, Human Wizard (Diviner). One of the great oracles
formed a private society called the of divination, her visions have sent her to Vasselheim,
Arcana Pansophical. acting as a reaching arm of the organization.
goals maguS Seanor wileS
The chief priority of these powerful arcane specialists is Maker, Human Mage Tutor Extraordinaire. A hum-
to maintain the “Truth of Magic,” a strict code enacted ble-looking traveler, his specialty is finding fresh and
to never again allow the rampant misuse of magic seen in emerging talent and helping them refine their arcane gifts.
the Age of Arcanum. General members are referred to as
planerider ryn
“Guides,” while the higher circle of members who deal in
judgment and oversight are called “Makers.” At least one Maker, Tiefling Planar Studies Specialist. A keen student to
member is established at each place of arcane learning. Yurek who has grown into a master of planar travel and
Membership is largely kept secret unless out of arcane ley line patterns, Ryn is still mid-study, often dart-
necessity, though the existence of the order is relatively ing between realms to complete her research.
common knowledge. Anyone found to be practicing
magic is logged and checked up on routinely, as misuse tinkerer QuaSh dentdruggle
of magic is grounds for arrest, judgment by the Makers, Guide, Gnome Construct Specialist. Obsessed with the
and punishment outside of the local law. Even so, their development of autonomous and living arcane constructs,
reach and oversight are not without limits, and many dark he is holed up in his laboratory within Kraghammer.
and terrible dealings manage to go unseen by the Arcana
Pansophical.

chapter 1: campaigns in tal'dorei 29