First off, when I talked about the Sartval earlier this week I meant to link the chapters of Magus they appear in as well. They first appear in Chapter 10 and Pentaz’ full experience with them ranges from there to Chapter 17(a span that also covers his introduction to Buscidia). So if you want to read a bit more about that savage race of dwarves in action click the link above.
After a bit of a wall my campaign has started to pick up a little steam again, though we’ll need a great deal more if we’re going to make it so I’m hoping I can convince more of you who have followed but not ordered yet to do so. As stated at the beginning of the campaign, for every 25 readers I’ll post a new chapter. We’re only 8 more people away from the next chapter, and if we can hit 100 readers by 9/18 I’ll post 3 bonus chapters beyond those for each set of 25 people.
Moving on from the sales pitch though, I’m continuing my discussion of the different types of dwarves in my world. Next on the list are the Ansvari, their representative in Exile, Magus being Talari. She’s a bit of an intellectual, explorer, and a more knowledgeable magus than Pentaz, and she’s pictured below in the wonderful new art from Lho Brochoff. She doesn’t come in until the last act (quarter really) of the story, but if I get to post the bonus chapters mentioned above I will release 3 of those featuring her. She is one of the main characters in the sequel - Exile, Hunted, and most every Exile book to follow. I’ve linked this previously but I feel it deserves linking again in case you want to read an interaction from her childhood between Talari and her grandmother.
The Ansvari as a people are perhaps the least traditional Dwarves. They tend to live on wide open plains or sylvan glades, organized into loose tribal societies unofficial led by an elder and/or shaman(sometimes this is the same person).
They are a hunter/gatherer people who hold the spirits of nature, both elemental and otherwise, in deep regard. They don’t necessarily worship these spirits, but they always respect them. In truth they have much in common with the Wilder Elves, though they do put more importance on physical prowess than the Elves. Many Ansvari practice at least minor household magic, though not to the extent of the Elves. They also tend to be a curious people, though they usually limit their fields of study to those of the natural or magical world.
The bulk of the Ansvari tribes originally lived in a region of the Melexi empire now occupied by southern Zaltruscas and western Hanaen. As the Zaltruscan empire spread it demanded that the Ansvari cede their land and pledge their allegiance to the Empire. Most refused leading to a ruthless invasion by the Zaltruscans. In the conflict over half the resisting tribes were eradicated, prisoners executed in town squares or made to fight hopeless battles in the arenas to serve as examples.
Those tribes which survived only did so by fleeing east across the World’s Cleft River and taking refuge in the free Counties of Hanaen. Some of these tribes have found welcoming homes there, though a few such at Talari’s tribe, the Niajiry, are forced to live as little more than squatters in a county whose lord detests them.
I’ll leave my description of them at that, and as with the previous Dwarven subgroups I’ll post up a prototype of a 5th edition D&D racial option of them for anyone interested. As for the rest of you, I want to once again thank you for your time and support, and my sincere wish that you keep reading and enjoying.
- Ability Score Increase: +1 Intelligence, +1 Wisdom, +1 Constitution.
- Age: Typically reach adulthood at around 60-70 years and live up to 450-500 years(though most die in battle before this).
- Alignment: Can be any alignment, but most commonly are NG.
- Size: Medium, stand between 3’10" - 4’6", though on vary rare occasions there may be an individual who reaches as tall as 4’8".
- Speed: 25’.
- Cantrip: Choose any 1 from the Druid or Wizard list. If chosen from the Druid list then Wisdom is you spellcasting ability; if chosen from the Wizard list then Intelligence is your spellcasting ability.
- Armor Training: Proficient with Light armor.
- Weapn Training: Proficient with Pike, Rapier, Longbow, and Shortbow.
- Tool Training: Proficient with any 1 of the following - Leatherworker’s tools, Weaver’s tools, or Woodcarver’s tools.
- Skill Training: You are proficient with 3 chosen skills from the following list - Arcana, Nature, Perception, Religion, Stealth, and Survival.
- Languages: Common, Dwarvish and 1 of the following - Draconic, Elven, Primordial, or Sylvan.
Also, to those of you who have been reading these D&D options each time, I would like some input. A good friend of mine who has been playing in my D&D games for over a decade recently suggested I start taking advantage of the OGL to release a portion of Exile, Magus’ world for purchase online as a campaign setting. Would this be something you’d be interested in? Message me either here or through my Facebook page to let me know(or through Twitter - @thoasoold, but I’m bad about forgetting to check Twitter messages).
