Heroes, Hermits, Villains & Thronesmen
Tomes of Essentia
Legendary figures whose deeds shaped Essentia. Each hero, hermit, villain, and thronesman is built to the rules as written. Their Traits are TST scores against the 199 total and individual cap of 100. PROTS, Initiative, Hit and damage resolve on the formulas in the Basic Rules. What is recorded here is what the archives know. What they would tell you, if they chose to speak, is quite another matter.
Archived Character Records
These records preserve the named characters formerly shown through the retired character-sheet format. Their source sheets are gone; the character facts that were documented in the archive remain here.
[Portrait]
Brunn
Dwarf Barbarian · Character Customizer Example
Brunn is the completed character-customizer example: a Dwarf Barbarian shown with a portrait, background, abilities, equipment, and profile details. The archived source identified Brunn’s role and ancestry but did not preserve a complete numeric stat block in text.
[Portrait]
Kaida
Drāco Blood (Red) Barbarian · LVL 30 · Growth 8 · Legend
Kaida is a Standard-size, fully completed progression example. The archived record gives her Fortitude 40, Willpower 16, Constitution 38, and Wit 14. Her Life is 965 and Mana is 502. Her Apex is derived from Fortitude and allocated as 25 Life, 10 Stamina, and 5 Endurance; her Spirit is allocated as 10 Life and 6 Stamina.
[Portrait]
Torv
Barbarian Mountaineer · LVL 30 Progression Example
Torv is the archived attribute-progression example. His Physique reaches the per-attribute cap of 50 by LVL 25; during the final five levels, his progression shifts to Fortitude, adding up to 10 more score there. Any remaining points at LVL 30 go to talents, skills, or Traits.
The Hermits
Hermits dwell at the edge of civilization, shaped by solitude, hardship, and truths others cannot bear to face. They carry wounds both seen and hidden. More than meets the eye, each harbors surprising depths, power, wisdom, and secrets that could shake kingdoms if ever spoken aloud.
[Portrait]
Valdris the Shattered
Orcus Barbarian · LVL 30 · Divine
Valdris carries the wounds of the Cataclysm in both body and spirit. A warrior of legendary rage who carved a domain from volcanic wastelands, he now tends his Shattered Forge with the same fury he brings to battle. His companions fear his anger; his family loves him anyway. What was rebuilt from ruins bears his name.
[Portrait]
Selwyn Moonwhisper
Wood Elf Marksman · LVL 30 · Divine
Selwyn retreated into the Whisperwood after a tragedy that shattered his heart. Now a guardian of the deep forest, he speaks only with the ancient trees and the creatures that dwell between moonlight and shadow. Few have glimpsed him. Those who have claim his eyes hold centuries of sorrow and terrible knowledge.
[Portrait]
Lyrian Stonebinder
Dwarf Avenger · LVL 30 · Divine
Lyrian dwells in a monastery carved from living stone, seeking enlightenment through discipline and meditation. Though he renounced violence, none have forgotten what he was, nor what he remains capable of. His silences speak louder than words, and those who seek him out rarely leave unchanged.
[Portrait]
Thalia Starborne
Half-Elf Sorcerer · LVL 30 · Divine
Thalia withdrew from society after her magical potential nearly consumed her bloodline. She now dwells in an isolated tower among the stars, studying cosmic forces beyond mortal comprehension. Those who visit speak of seeing things in the sky that defy explanation, and of Thalia's knowing smile.
[Portrait]
Korrin Ironheld
Dwarf Fighter · LVL 30 · Divine
Korrin abandoned his clan's honor and retreated into the deep mountains, where he guards a sacred forge that no one may touch. He has taken a vow of silence and solitude, yet rumors persist of the impossible weapons that occasionally appear in the hands of those deemed worthy by forces unknown.
The Heroes
Heroes stand against the darkness, their deeds recorded in legend. They walk openly in the world, claiming their power and their names. Among them walks Marcellus Ferox, the Foremost, a knight whose oaths have etched themselves into the very fabric of Essentia's fate.
⚔ Featured Legend ⚔
⚔ Featured Legend ⚔
[Character Portrait Placeholder]
Marcellus Ferox
Human Fighter · LVL 30 · Divine · Sir Knight of the Realm
Marcellus Ferox began life in shadow and despair. Born into neglect and suffering in a thuggish village,
he learned early that only strength and resilience could offer escape. Every hardship became discipline;
every scar became purpose. He rose from street life to join the Noble Forces, then was dragged into hell itself
by a Hell Orcus platoon. He fought his way out of the infernal depths, enslaved by Kestrull in their coliseum,
cast into the void of space, and rescued by a rogue faction of Drevane. Now, knighted by King Percius himself,
Marcellus walks a path etched in blood and sacrifice. His oaths: to find his family and bring them to safety,
to recover their bodies for purification, and to destroy every Hell Orcus that bears the mark of his family's killers.
Alignment
Moral
Archetype
Wanderer
PROTS
96
Primary Class
Vigilante
Secondary Classes
Predator
Talents (TST)
Weaponry 50 · Endurance 32 · Survival 17
Traits (TST)
Strength 100 · Toughness 62 · Courage 37
Vitality
Life 66 · Stamina 48 · Apex 32 (Split)
The Path Through Fire: A Hell Orcus platoon dragged Marcellus into the infernal depths itself,
where he fought through legions of demonic foes and evaded damnation through sheer will and steel. An Omnè-crafted
portal trap cast him into the cold void of space, where he was discovered and sold into slavery to the Dominion of
Kestrull. As a gladiator in their coliseum, he faced raging bears, cunning minotaurs, and armed opponents, and never
lost a single match. His mythic reputation earned him a cruel semblance of freedom, spurring his escape. He killed
several Kestrull guards and collapsed in the Bottomless Swamp, where a rogue faction of Drevane found him and
restored him to life.
Oaths of Blood and Sorrow: Marcellus carries the weight of his lost family. He has heard that his
village was taken hostage by the very Hell Orcus who dragged him into the abyss.
His Family's Fate (Spoiler)
His oaths: to find his family and bring them safe into the hands of the Noble Forces, or if slain thereafter the villages Hell Orcus raid, recover their bodies for purification, and to destroy every Hell Orcus that bears the mark of his family's killers.
🔱 Readied Weapon
Vow of Vengeance
A greatsword forged in the flames of Kestrull's own forges from metal taken from a guard's
blade. The steel is dark as charcoal and etched with symbols in the Drevane tongue, ancient glyphs meaning "Return,
Remember, Reclaim." With every swing, Marcellus feels the weight of every slave he fought beside and every family
member lost to hell's cruelty. Divine rank, 2-handed, 30d6 + 62 Damage.
✦ Divine Armaments
Plate of Resurrection (Divine)
Dark iron plate inscribed with prayers in three languages: human, Yawnie, and the forgotten
tongue of the infernal realm. It remembers every death Marcellus should have suffered. When he falls below 15 Life,
the plate glows and grants +4 to all Defensive rolls until his next turn.
Talisman of the Drevane (Legendary)
A charm carved from bone and woven with hair from three Drevane shamans who found him broken
in the Bottomless Swamp. Grants healing of 1d8 + Wisdom once per day and allows Marcellus to sense nearby Drevane or
those with Drevane blood, granting him passage and shelter among the rogue faction that saved his life.
🏰 Estate & Sanctuaries
The Reclaimed Hold, Border Marches between Noble and Kestrull Territory
The Gladiator's Ring: A training circle carved from stone where Marcellus
practices daily. Every scar from his time in Kestrull's coliseum is recreated on training dummies so he might master
every opponent he ever faced.
The Vault of Names: A chamber holding records of every slave Marcellus fought
beside. Each name is carved into stone. He has sworn an oath to memorialize them all before his death.
Yawnie Sanctuary: A portion of the Hold reserved entirely for his Yawnie
companions. Built in their style with running water channels and moss gardens. A sacred space where shamanic rituals
are performed.
The Armory of Conquest: Weapons collected from every arena opponent he defeated,
organized by region. Hundreds of blades, each a memory of a kill or a test survived.
War Room: Maps marking every known Kestrull settlement, marked with tactical
notes and strategic positions. His plans for eventual conquest are detailed in encrypted journals.
👨👩👧👦 Family & Guardians
The Yawnies: Five surviving tribal members who escaped Kestrull's massacre.
They are his only true family, bonded by shared survival and shamanic teaching. They teach him magic, healing, and the
old ways.
King Percius: His sovereign who knighted him Sir Marcellus after hearing his oath.
The King has tasked him with recovering the lost crown, a sacred duty that now drives his every action.
Sir Lucas, the Revered Knight: The paladin who personally knighted Marcellus
and serves as his mentor in the ways of chivalry and honor, concepts foreign to his earlier life.
Guardian Shamans: Yawnie elders who continue to guide his development in
ancient magic and meditative combat techniques. He is now a shaman-warrior, a bridge between two worlds.
✨ Animated Wayfarer
Liberator - Mechanical War-Beast (Behemoth Class)
Void Chambers: Grants understanding of spatial navigation.
Teaches how to survive in airless environments.
Infernal Forge: Reveals techniques for tempering weapons in
magical flames. Weapons treated this way gain +1 to Hit rolls.
Crown Pathways: Maps routes to locations where pieces of the lost crown
are rumored to exist. Unlocked through recovering specific artifacts.
Yawnie Mysteries: Grants access to shamanic spells and healing rituals
unknown to human mages.
🔮 Secret Places & Discoveries
The Void Node
Somewhere in the space between worlds exists a rift where Marcellus was cast. He has spoken to no one
of it, but possesses a fragment of something found there, a crystalline object that hums with an energy
unknown to Essentia's scholars. It is locked in his most private chamber.
Beelzebub's Mark
During his time in the infernal realm, Marcellus was marked by the Arch devil himself,
a symbol burned into his shoulder that only shamans can see. Whether it grants power or curse remains unknown.
The Gladiator's Paradox
While training in the coliseum, Marcellus realized he lost a match against a Minotaur
three times in his memory, but no Kestrull record shows any loss. He is beginning to suspect the infernal realm
left him trapped between multiple realities, and memories of other timelines bleed through.
👥 Companion Slots
[Companion Portrait]
Tiny Slot
Echo
Void Sprite
A creature born in the space between worlds. Whispers warnings of danger and can momentarily make
its bearer invisible.
[Companion Portrait]
Small Slot
Kesh
Yawnie Scout
A young Yawnie tracker bonded to Marcellus. Excellent at locating enemies and gathering intelligence.
[Companion Portrait]
Standard Slot
Vorn
Swamp Warden
The creature that first pulled Marcellus from the Bottomless Swamp. A hybrid beast of scales and fur,
loyal unto death.
[Companion Portrait]
Behemoth Slot
Liberator
Mechanical War-Beast
His animated Wayfarer, capable of transforming into a devastating combat form. Rarely used except
in direst circumstances.
The Nine Pillars of Legend
Eight more heroes walk beside Marcellus, each a pillar supporting the realm of Essentia. Built to the rules as written, each stands at LVL 30, Divine rank.
The Nine Pillars of Legend
The following nine heroes stand as pillars supporting the realm of Essentia. Each has earned their place through courage, sacrifice, and deeds that will echo through the ages.
[Character Portrait Placeholder]
Valdris the Shattered
Orcus Barbarian · LVL 30 · Divine
Valdris carries the wounds of the Cataclysm in both his body and spirit. A warrior of legendary rage,
he has carved a domain from volcanic wastelands and now tends to it with the same fury he brings to battle.
His companions fear his anger; his family loves him anyway. The Shattered Forge bears his name because
what stands there was rebuilt from ruins.
Alignment
Moral
Archetype
Hermit
PROTS
92
Race & Class
Orcus · Barbarian · Destroyer Path
Talents (TST)
Havoc 45 · Brawler 38 · Fierceness 12
Traits (TST)
Strength 100 · Toughness 54 · Courage 45
Vitality
Life 58 · Stamina 42 · Apex 28 (Split)
🔱 Readied Weapon
Kinburst
A volcanic iron axe forged in his own smithy, its handle bears his family's mark burned into the wood.
As Valdris grew in power, Kinburst seemed to grow with him. Its edges remain sharp after countless battles,
and the metal glows faintly amber during combat. Divine rank, 2-handed, 28d6 + 56 Damage.
✦ Divine Armament
Plate of the Ironheart (Divine)
Black iron plate etched with ancestral runes. When Valdris takes Vitality damage, the runes
flare and reduce the next incoming damage by 1d6.
🏰 The Shattered Forge Estate
Volcanic Wastes, Central Realm
Forge-Hall: The central anvil still radiates heat. Trophy wall displays weapons of fallen rivals, each with a burned nameplate.
Vault: A sealed stone chamber holding obsidian coins and a meteorite containing memories of his ancestral homeland.
Training Grounds: Practice dummies carved from petrified wood. A combat ring marks where ceremonial duels are fought.
Stable: Four warhorse-elk hybrids, reserved for ceremonial processions that shake the earth.
👨👩👧👦 Family & Guardians
Gressa (Wife): An orcus warrior managing forge operations and teaching children combat.
Three Children: All showing unexpected bardic talent. The youngest charms the furnaces with song.
Mother-in-Law: Tends the smokehouse; her herbal remedies are sought across the realm.
Throk (Guardian): A stone elemental bound to the property. Speaks only in resonant rumbles.
✨ Animated Wayfarer
Pyroclast - Mechanical Fire-Drake
Ancient Forge Site: Teaches weapon enhancement and tempering.
Lava River Secret: Grants Heat Resistance. River hot enough to forge steel in its currents.
Ancestor's Blessing: Reveals family tree carved into stone, three hundred years of lineage.
🔮 Secret Place & Discovery
The Obsidian Cavern
Beneath the Vault lies a hidden chamber. Inside, a mirror pool reflects starlight despite being underground.
Bathing in its waters shows visions of his homeland before the Cataclysm, vast forests, cities of crystal, peoples long vanished.
Kinburst's Soul Bond
Valdris discovered that Kinburst responds to his raw emotion with perfect clarity. The hotter his rage, the brighter the blade glows.
The weapon might be bonded to his very soul.
👥 Companion Slots
[Companion Portrait]
Tiny Slot
Ember
Fire Sprite
Hovers near the forge. Keeps flames exactly where Valdris needs them.
[Companion Portrait]
Small Slot
Slag
Stone Mole
Burrows through volcanic rock searching for rare ores. Communicates through tremors.
[Companion Portrait]
Standard Slot
Scorrath
Magma Basilisk
A creature of living rock and flame. Rarely leaves the estate but fights at Valdris's side.