Page 108 - Eberron -Rising from the Last War_Neat

Extensive use of magic has repaired most of the dam­ B R E L A N D
age to the cities of Aundair, but the countryside remains
scarred by the war, especially along the border with Capital: Wroat
Thrane. The Crying Fields are a region of farmlands Hallmarks: Espionage, industry, metalwork, organized
permanently scarred by magic and haunted by restless crime, subterfuge
spirits. Aundairians claim their nation is stronger than In the wake of the Last War, Breland is one of the most
ever, but some worry about the long-term impact of the powerful nations in Khorvaire. Possessing a large popu­
loss of the Eldeen farmlands and the Crying Fields. lation and abundant resources, Breland leads the conti­
Now, Aundairians debate over differing views of their nent in industry.
nation's future. Some believe the first focus should be The Brelish are known for their pragmatism and in­
reuniting Aundair and the Eldeen Reaches, whether dependence. They lack the discipline of Karrns and the
through diplomacy or force. Others consider Thaliost faith of the Thranes, but they excel at finding innovative
to be the pressing issue. And still others support Queen solutions to problems. The Brelish also have a talent
Aurala's claim to the throne of Galifar. When creating for intrigue and subterfuge. The King's Dark Lanterns
an Aundairian, consider whether you have ties to any of is one of the finest intelligence agencies in Khorvaire,
the affected regions and if this influences your opinion rivaled only by House Phiarlan and the Trust of Zilargo.
of Thran es or druids. The dark side of these aptitudes is a strong streak of
cynicism, which allows crime and corruption to flourish
in Brelish cities and temples. The Sovereign Host is the
dominant religion of Breland, but in general the Brelish
THE KORRANBERG aren't as devout as citizens of other nations.
C M � O N I C l ( with an elected parliament. Boranel is a popular leader
King Boranel ir'Wynarn rules Breland in conjunction

A
W I Z R D WAR celebrated for his exploits during the Last War, but his
children have yet to prove themselves, and a growing
movement advocates for abandoning royal rule when
B R E W I NG AT Boranel passes. I
I N T E R E S TING TH N GS
A R C A NI X ? ABOUT R E L A N D i
B
Sham is the largest city n Khorvaire. Almost a nation
in its own right, the City of Towers is a hub for com­
Before the war, the Arcane Congress served all Galifar. merce and intrigue. Chapter 3 provides more informa­
The most promising students from across Khorvaire tion on Sham.
came to study at Arcanix, and students from Khorvaire, • The Boromar Clan is the oldest and most powerful
Cyre, and Aundair worked together to win honor in the criminal organization in Breland. The Boromar
T r ials of the Ninefold Path. Known to students simply halfling leadership maintains ties to the Talenta
as the Nine, this contest pits students of the eight tra­ Plains. Other notable criminal organizations include
ditions against one another in a series of arcane chal­ the monsters of Daask and House Tarkanan, an
lenges, along with a ninth bracket for those who have
yet to select a tradition. T e amwork, independence, mem­ alliance of assassins and thieves with aberrant drag­
orization, innovation-the Nine challenges competitors on marks (see chapter 4 for more about these crime
on many levels, and the finest wizards of Galifar were syndicates).
invariably champions of the Nine. Breland's major cities are highly cosmopolitan. Due
Thanks to the T r eaty ofThronehold, students of all na­ to its proximity to Droaam, Breland's cities include
tions once again study side by side in the towers of Arca­ more monsters-ogres, ores, goblins, and even sa­
nix. But no treaty or ritual can easily dispel the tensions huagin, harpies, and gargoyles-than elsewhere in the
of a century of war. Over the last year we've reported on Five Nations.
a number of hate crimes in the towers fueled by national­
ist passions. Optimistic teachers hope that the Nine will BRELISH H ARACTERS
C
showcase the diversity that has evolved over the course
of the past century-highlighting Karrnathi advances in As you develop a Brelish character or NPC, consider the
necromancy and evocation, Cyran illusions, and more. following qualities:
But privately, professors f e ar that the competitive aspect Slightly Shady. Many Brelish have a loose relationship
of the Nine will inflame nationalist tension. Some even
believe that the lives of foreign students could be endan­ with the law. Even if you're a hero, you might have
gered should they defeat Aundairian champions. questionable connections or friends in low places.
Only time will tell if the Nine can bring us together as Backgrounds such as criminal, spy, or charlatan can
it once did, or if it will drive us further apart. reflect this tendency, regardless of your class. You
could also be a folk hero who challenges the laws to
protect the innocent, or an entertainer who plays in
every dive in Sham.
Innovative and Independent. Find your own path in the
world; don't simply follow established traditions. As

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