Page 31 - Critical Role: Tal’Dorei Campaign Setting

tal’dorei campaign guide

tHe trutH of Magic

The Pansophical’s myriad rules on the use and misuse of magic are detailed at length in centuries of amendments to
the full text of the Truth of Magic. Though the Truth’s bizarre intricacies are left up to the GM, the Truth’s preamble
establishes three unbreakable edicts:
“In the eternal interest of the preservation of harmony within the realm of Exandria, we, the Arcana Pansophical,
establish the Truth of Magic, and three edicts from which none shall stray. Those arcanists found in gross violation
of the Truth will be punished by the full extent of this order—beyond the reach of any local law.

Though the study of Necromancy shall be restricted to none in the interest of magical understanding, the
animation of the dead is a violation of the Truth.

The Arcane is a tool to be wielded for the good of the people. To use its power in the pursuit of wanton
destruction or murder is a violation of the Truth.

Though the jurisdiction of the Pansophical supersedes the power of local laws, a mage who willfully breaks the
laws of the land is in violation of the Truth.”

arcaniSt allura vySoren lands, and the people of the world struggled to combat the
elemental monsters that poured forth from the rifts. The tide
Guide, Human Wizard (Abjurer). Member of the Tal’Dorei
of elementals was eventually stemmed, but the world was
Council and retired adventurer, Allura has helped main-
gripped by fear—what would happen on the next solstice?
tain the political significance of the Arcana Pansophical
In the wake of the planar disturbance, a society of dru-
within Emon.
idic masters called the Ashari made a covenant to divide
elementaliSt drake thunderbrand and form four separate tribes to seal and watch over the
sources of these unleashed energies. The Pyrah Ashari left
Guide, Dwarf Wizard (Evoker). Driven to bind the phys-
for Issylra, and the Vesrah Ashari relocated to an island
ical elements of the chaotic planes to his will, Drake is a
cluster in the Ozmit Sea. The Terrah and Zephrah Ashari
prodigy of new incantations in the field.
remained within Tal’Dorei near their respective elemen-
tal rifts. A dozen generations later, the Ashari still hold
realmSeer eSkil ryndarien
watch over these tumultuous locations.
Former Member, Human Archmage. A Maker for most of
his life, he grew frustrated with the politics and limita-
goals
tions of the order and retired to Westruun to pursue his
own interests. Each Ashari Tribe is tasked with guarding a tear in the
planes between one of the elemental planes and Exandria.
the ashari Here, they strive to understand, master, and ultimately
subdue the ever-escaping elemental forces. They attempt
to bring balance to the surrounding lands and heal the rift
While the boundaries over time, though recurring cosmic events tend to reopen
between the planes are these wounds.
generally strong, there are The Pyrah Tribe oversees the Fire Elemental Rift in
some places across Exan- the valley caldera of the Sunderpeak Mountain range in
dria where the veil is thin Othanzia, on the continent of Issylra. The Vesrah Tribe
and occasionally sundered watches over the Water Elemental Rift on the Islands of
entirely. There are places in Anamn within the Ozmit Sea. On the southwest edge of
the world where the elemental the Cliffkeep Mountains, the Terrah Tribe stands vigi-
planes bleed into the Material lant over the Earth Elemental Rift, while in the windy
Plane, scarring the land with their Summit Peaks, the Zephrah Ashari keep the Air Ele-
primordial power and threatening mental Rift, while also watching over the Frostweald.
all surrounding life. During Due to the isolated nature of each tribe, they find it
one Celestial Solstice—a time necessary to maintain contact and influence with each
when the planar boundaries other. Each is led by a single elemental master, a title that
grow weakest—elemental is passed on by blood or honor for generations. As every
rifts of untold propor- new generation comes of age, the young leader-to-be must
tions burst open across take up an Aramente, or “noble odyssey.” They must set out
Exandria. Fires and and travel between all other Ashari tribes, meet with their
earthquakes ravaged the leaders, and train until an understanding and respect is
earned from the hosting tribe.

30 chapter 1: campaigns in tal'dorei