Page 32 - Critical Role: Tal’Dorei Campaign Setting

tal’dorei campaign guide

Upon returning, they ascend to the head of their tribe,
while the elder retires. This journey often takes years, and
should one such chosen Ashari not return within a rea-
sonable period, a next-of-kin is chosen of the same family
or an allied bloodline to take up the Aramente.

relationships
The Ashari maintain peaceful, if sometimes tense, rela-
tionships between the tribes. Beyond this, much of life
within the Ashari is hidden from outsiders’ prying eyes.
They’ve come to understand the necessity of good relations
with nearby cities, so occasionally members will visit and
trade with towns and people near their guarded fane. As
such, they maintain positive (if limited) relations with the
free cities of Emon and Syngorn.
The Ashari nurture a seed of disrespect and mistrust
for Kraghammer, as the dwarves constantly disregard
their warnings against reckless mining and because
their arrogance during the last eruption of the Terrah of a more “visceral” variety. The kingdom’s poor were
Rift led to widespread quakes and the collapse of an already fighting each other for scraps, so why not pay
entire mountain. them to literally fight to the death for their amusement?
Though some Ashari worship the Wildmother, they Some strong, charismatic ruffians used this opportu-
generally take caution with anyone who is largely devoted nity to gain social power for themselves, and chief among
to a non-nature aligned deity—particularly the Law- them was a rough-and-tumble entrepreneur from Kra-
bearer, despite her relationship with the Wildmother. ghammer named Bruel Sunderchin. Reaching out to his
network of lowlifes and cutthroats, Sunderchin became
figures of interest ringleader of an annual gladiator tournament that caters
expressly to Exandria’s wealthiest elite.
pa’tice, heart of the mountain Those who have become invested members of the
Human Leader of Terrah. Elderly leader of the earth Ashari, League’s events are anonymously delivered a golden coin
Pa’tice still shows vigor and strength to resist his age, stamped with their symbol in the weeks leading up to an
having led his people through many very tough challenges. event. These coins are required for entry into the events,
His stubbornness is legendary, and it’s said even death has and each of those who wish to join, whether as a patron or
been forced to wait until Pa’tice deems it his proper time. sponsor, requires a coin of their own.
goals
korrin of the zephrah
Half-Elf Elder of Zephrah. His wife Vilya was lost while The Brawlers’ League is always in search of hidden and
she took the Aramente, and when the previous Voice of well-guarded locations around Tal’Dorei (and some-
the Tempest died of illness, Korrin was forced to act as times other realms) to establish their annual event. A
Voice until his daughter Keyleth came of age and com- combatant or team is required to have a known and
pleted her Aramente. Gentle with those who show honor, cleared sponsor or manager to enter the event. There are
and merciless to those who threaten his people. two tiers of bouts; one tier has teams of six battling via
single elimination until a victor is declared. The other
keyleth, voice of the tempeSt
features single combatants fighting one-on-one, single
Half-Elf Leader of Zephrah. Hero of Tal’Dorei and elimination, until a victor is declared. Killing your
member of Vox Machina, Keyleth had completed her Ara- opponents isn’t encouraged, but isn’t explicitly discour-
mente and taken leadership among her people following aged, either. Bets are placed in person at the event, or
the destruction of the Chroma Conclave. Though a bit remotely (via arcane messages and sending stones) from all
shy and awkward at times, she has grown to embrace the around Exandria.
wisdom she’s acquired through her travels and exhibit her
quality as a leader. relationships
The Brawlers’ League is extremely illegal in all major
the brawlers’ league cities across Tal’Dorei. Should lawkeepers of any nation
discover the location of the annual event, the venue would
find itself swiftly strangled by the long arm of the law.
The brutal bloodsports of the Brawlers’ League began,
As such, magical protections and sentinels are placed
unsurprisingly, during the vicious Drassig Dynasty. In
throughout the event to prevent any unapproved entry, or
that cruel era, many of Emon’s affluent and indolent
to wipe the memory of those who do infiltrate.
social elite used their wealth to engage in entertainment

chapter 1: campaigns in tal'dorei 31