Page 60 - Critical Role: Tal’Dorei Campaign Setting

tal’dorei campaign guide

crime
PlainScoW
A well-rooted faction of the Clasp has controlled and
efficiently run their shadowy trades for decades right
Native to Dividing Plains is the hulking plainscow, an
under the Shields’ noses. Their network of fences runs
exceptionally sturdy beast of burden and used by the
from coast to coast, Stilben to Emon, and they are
people of central Tal’Dorei for centuries. Though herds
known to deal with humanoids, orcs, and gnolls alike if
of wild plainscows still roam the prairies, domesticated
it means a profit. Their hideout is secreted away behind
plainscows are now used as mounts, pack animals, and
the storefront of the Wayward Pony, a popular inn
sometimes even livestock. Plainscows are unusually
owned entirely by Clasp agents.
empathetic for beasts, and often bond with a rider
geography for life. Plainscows stand 6 feet tall, weigh about two
tons, and live for 70 years. They can be bought in
Miles of farmland and fields surround Westruun’s tower- Westruun for 200 gp and have a carrying capacity of
ing walls—except to the west, where the city is bordered 1,500 pounds.
by the Bramblewood and dwarfed by the mist-shrouded
peak of Gatshadow. The city’s interior is divided into Plainscow
six wards. Large beast, unaligned
the Scholar ward Armor Class 13 (natural armor)
Hit Points 42 (5d10 + 15)
The Scholar Ward is Westruun’s northwestern ward,
Speed 40 ft.
and is home to the Cobalt Reserve, Tal’Dorei’s largest
library and repository of information. This vast archive Str dex con int wiS cha
is defended and maintained by a live-in monastery of 18 (+4) 8 (-1) 16 (+3) 2 (-4) 10 (+0) 6 (-3)
Knowing Mother-worshiping monks known as the
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing
Cobalt Soul. Across the way lies the comparably small
from nonmagical attacks
College of the Savvy, a school for the arts founded by
Skills Insight +2
the renowned bard and champion of intuition referred
Senses passive Perception 10
to only as the White Duke. Beyond the Reserve, the Languages —
Scholar Ward also holds Tal’Dorei’s newest (and Challenge 2 (450 XP)
the Dividing Plains’ only) general university, the
Westhall Academy. Trampling Charge. If the plainscow moves at least 20 feet
straight toward a creature and then hits it with a hooves
the temple ward attack on the same turn, that target must succeed on a DC 14
Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. If the target is
The Temple Ward is a small, southern ward where all
prone, the plainscow can make another attack with its hooves
people are afforded free worship within various sanctu-
as a bonus action.
aries. Though the most important gods of the Dividing
Plains are the Lawbearer, the Wildmother, and the actionS
Platinum Dragon—and they certainly have the Temple Hooves. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Ward’s largest shrines—the residents of the Temple Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) bludgeoning damage.
Ward welcome all faiths. Westruun’s smallest temple is
the Ruiner’s “Empty Socket,” maintained by the handful
of orcs in Westruun, and its largest is the Lawbearer’s
“First Bastion,” an opulent temple supported by a steady forum for public gatherings and bears a fountain depict-
influx of gold from by the local government. The First ing Palest Westruun, the founder of the city, atop an
Bastion was a secret home for refugees during Kevdak’s onyx horse.
occupation, and many Westruun survivors have turned
the reSidential ward
to the faith of the Lawbearer after being protected by
her grace. The Residential Ward fills the northeastern section of
Westruun, and is the city’s most densely-populated—
the opal ward
some would say overpopulated—ward, housing over
The Opal Ward is the center of the city and the heart of two-thirds of its population. There are no major locations
its law and governance. The ward has no residential hous- in this ward, though countless petty criminals make their
ing, but is home to Margrave’s Keep, the Hall of Reason, homes here, and the Shields are stretched too thin to
and the public square. Margrave’s Keep, a squat mansion properly deal with them. Unlike in the Temple Ward, free
that houses the Margrave , is buttressed against military expression of religion is frowned upon here, even within
barracks and housing for Margrave Zimmerset and his the privacy of one’s own home. Though the Lawbearer,
family. The Hall of Reason is a beautiful courthouse in the Wildmother, and the Platinum Dragon are all benev-
High Elven style, and bears a marble statue of Bahamut, olent deities, many of their Westruunian followers are not
God of Justice, before its steps. The public square is a particularly tolerant of other faiths.

chapter 2: gazetteer of tal’dorei 59