Scales of Death
Lore
The continent of Librith. A thousand years of colonization. Eight races who survived it. The standstill that's about to break.
The Continent of Librith
Librith was once a peaceful land — home to eight native races who worshipped eight draconic deities and, for the most part, kept to themselves in relative peace. That peace ended a thousand years ago when a human invasion force arrived and allied with the elves of Erelion, who were already visitors in the land. Hit from both sides by a force they were unprepared to resist, the native races fought a long and costly war that eventually reduced their territory to a quarter of what it once was.
A peace treaty brought the bloodshed to an end. The human kingdom of Cadrye claimed the south. The elven empire of Erelion held the east. The survivors — the eight native races — were left with what remained: a territory the humans named the Wildlands, a name that stuck whether the natives liked it or not. In this reduced territory, they rebuilt. Kept their heads down. Strived to avoid further conflict with neighbors who had already proven what they were capable of.
Then, twenty years ago, something shifted. The eastern half of Cadrye rose against the western half, won, and formed the kingdom of Argen. It was a human kingdom defeating another human kingdom — but the lesson was clear to the native races watching from the Wildlands: the conquerors could be beaten. Border tensions have been rising ever since. Rumors say both sides are maneuvering toward something. For now it's a standstill. Just waiting for someone to blink first.
Setting
The Continent of Librith
System
D&D 5e
Era
1000 years post-invasion
Tension
Pre-war standstill
Powers of Librith
Human Kingdom · East
Cadrye
The original human conquest state. Established after the invasion a thousand years ago, it held unified power over the southern continent for most of that time. Twenty years ago its eastern territories broke away — a wound that shapes all of Cadrye's current politics.
Elven Empire · North
Erelion
The elven empire that allied with the human invasion force a thousand years ago. Long established in the north, Erelion holds significant territory and a long institutional memory. The native races remember whose side they chose. Erelion has not forgotten either — they simply consider it settled.
Human Kingdom · South · New
Argen
The kingdom formed twenty years ago when eastern Cadrye rose against and defeated western Cadrye. Younger, more ambitious, and proof to the Wildlands natives that the old powers are not invincible. Argen's existence has emboldened a generation.
Native Races · Contested Territory
The Wildlands
A name given by humans to what remains of the native races' original territory — roughly a quarter of what they once held. Eight races live here: the survivors of the invasion and everything that followed. They keep mostly to themselves, avoid conflict where possible, and watch the borders with justified wariness.
The Native Races
Eight races indigenous to Librith, each associated with one of eight draconic deities who shaped the continent before the invasion. The party is currently operating in and around Wildlands territory — the rabbitfolk of Cottonkeep are among the most visible of the native peoples in the region.
Wildlands · Known
The Rabbitfolk
Inhabitants of Cottonkeep, a city structured around six distinct districts — each with its own character and function. Penelope is rabbitfolk. The party has more contact with this community than they may fully realize.
Native · Unknown
Seven Others
Seven additional native races share Wildlands territory, each with their own history, relationship to the draconic deities, and response to a thousand years of reduced territory. Details emerge in play.
The eight draconic deities and their associated races are revealed through the campaign. This page updates as that lore is discovered.
Factions in Play
Antagonist · Dismantled
The Cult
An organization operating from a compound at the edges of the party's starting region. They held a prisoner for purposes the party chose not to investigate. The compound was cleared in Session 1. Whether they have reach beyond that location — and whether they were working alone — remains unknown.
Antagonist · Active
The Political Houses
Whoever arranged the Seanus marriage had resources: knowledge of Penelope's location, legal authority to enforce the contract, and the power to make it happen quietly. Seanus was a piece of something larger. His death will be noticed by whoever had plans for him.
Unknown · Present
The Presence in Penelope
Not a faction, exactly. But something with awareness and possibly agenda is sharing space with Penelope. It has not introduced itself. It was present during her captivity. What it did during that time is an open question.
Notable Locations
City · Wildlands
Cottonkeep
A rabbitfolk city organized into six districts: Silverscale Heights, Steelfoot District, Orchid Gardens, Haywhisker Hollow, Thistledown Markets, and Stoneburrow. Each district has its own character. Penelope operated here before she was taken.
Visited · Session 1
The Cult Compound
An underground complex — ritual chambers, holding areas, true believers. The compound was cleared. No one has returned to examine what was left behind.
Capital · Erelion
Eveburn
The fortified capital of the elven empire. Roads from across Erelion converge here. Significant enough to appear on both the continental and regional maps. The party has not been there.
Visited · Session 4
The Wedding Estate
A fortified estate at a political border, arranged for the marriage of Seanus and Penelope. The ceremony was interrupted before completion. There is a body. There are a great many shaken witnesses. There are political implications.
Open Mysteries
Questions the campaign has raised. Updated as the story progresses.
- What is the entity sharing space with Penelope — and what did it do while she was in captivity?
- What was the cult doing with their prisoner, and does the cult have reach beyond that compound?
- Who arranged the Seanus marriage, and what were they actually trying to achieve?
- Who will respond to Seanus's death — and on what timeline?
- Why was Penelope specifically chosen? Was it circumstantial, or does someone know what she carries?
- What does the political standstill between Argen and the Wildlands actually look like on the ground?
- What are the eight draconic deities — and are any of them still active in the world?