Welcome to Wildemount, a continent teeming with conflict, mystery, and adventure, brought to life from the imaginative world of Critical Role. For fans of Dungeons & Dragons and newcomers alike, the Explorer’s Guide to Wildemount PDF offers an unparalleled journey into this richly detailed setting, providing everything you need to embark on epic campaigns and create unforgettable stories. This guide transcends the original source material, delivering enhanced content and SEO optimization tailored for English-speaking audiences eager to explore every corner of Wildemount.
Unveiling Wildemount: A Land Forged in War and Intrigue
Wildemount isn’t just another D&D setting; it’s a living, breathing world shaped by a tumultuous history and simmering with present-day tensions. Originally crafted by Matthew Mercer as the backdrop for Critical Role’s second campaign, this continent is now yours to explore in intricate detail with the Explorer’s Guide to Wildemount PDF.
Imagine armies clashing on fog-shrouded battlefields, the echoes of ancient conflicts resonating through the valleys, and the whispers of hidden societies shaping the fate of nations. Wildemount is a land defined by its people – from the powerful rulers to the common folk caught in the crossfire – all striving to find their place in a world on the brink of war.
This guide is designed for both seasoned Dungeon Masters and eager players, whether you’ve followed every episode of Critical Role or are just beginning your adventure in Exandria. Even dedicated Critical Role viewers will discover uncharted territories and untold secrets within these pages, ensuring fresh and exciting campaigns.
For Dungeon Masters, the Explorer’s Guide to Wildemount PDF serves as your ultimate toolkit for crafting campaigns filled with war, political intrigue, and swashbuckling escapades. Set your adventures within a single region or span the entire continent, mirroring the epic scope of Critical Role. Discover new monsters, intriguing plot hooks, and introductory adventures ready to launch your players into the heart of Wildemount.
Players will find a wealth of new character options to seamlessly integrate into this dynamic world. The heroic chronicle system helps you forge backstories deeply rooted in Wildemount’s lore, while new subclasses and magic items empower your characters to face the continent’s growing dangers.
Nations of Wildemount: A Continent Divided
Wildemount is not a monolithic kingdom, but a tapestry of distinct nations, each with its own culture, ambitions, and conflicts. The Explorer’s Guide to Wildemount PDF provides in-depth explorations of these key civilizations:
The Dwendalian Empire: Austere Ambition
The raven soars over Rexxentrum, the heart of the Dwendalian Empire, a young and ambitious nation forged from strife in Western Wynandir. This empire, sprawling from a monolithic palace, is characterized by austere lands dotted with villages, ancient ruins, and untamed wilderness. Campaigns here are steeped in war and political maneuvering, as the empire constantly vies for dominance against the Kryn Dynasty. The Cerberus Assembly, a shadowy group hungry for power, adds another layer of intrigue to Dwendalian life.
The Clovis Concord: Freedom and Fortune on the Coast
Westward, the Menagerie Coast basks in sun-drenched beauty, home to the Clovis Concord, a republic of city-states. This tropical region, rich in history, boasts a vibrant, free-spirited culture that contrasts sharply with the empire’s rigid structure. Campaigns here often take to the seas, navigating the conflict between the Concord’s laws and the chaotic Revelry pirates. Explore lush jungles hiding ancient ruins and unravel the secrets of this vibrant coastline.
Tribes of Shadycreek Run: Survival in the Frozen North
Further north, in the Biting North, lie the Tribes of Shadycreek Run, a fractured coalition of thieves and scoundrels. Power is the only law here, as petty warlords, smugglers, and outcasts clash in the frigid wilderness. Campaigns in this region delve into morally gray areas, where survival, glory, and greed are paramount. Unbeknownst to these factions, primordial powers are stirring, threatening to engulf their petty conflicts in chaos.
The Kryn Dynasty: Light in the Wastes of Xhorhas
To the east, the Kryn Dynasty stands as a beacon of unity in the blighted wastes of Xhorhas. Composed of drow and other traditionally “monstrous” races, this empire safeguards a profound secret, one that could redefine your campaign. Set your adventures in Xhorhas to explore the war with the Dwendalian Empire, delve into political intrigue within the dynasty’s courts, or unearth secrets lost since the fall of the Betrayer Gods.
What Awaits You Inside the Explorer’s Guide to Wildemount PDF?
The Explorer’s Guide to Wildemount PDF is meticulously structured to guide you through every facet of this captivating setting. Here’s a glimpse into the wealth of content within:
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Chapter 1: Story of Wildemount: Unravel the continent’s history, from the mythic Founding to the Age of Arcanum and the devastating Calamity. Learn about the pantheon of Exandria, including the Prime Deities and Betrayer Gods, shaping the spiritual landscape of Wildemount.
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Chapter 2: Factions and Societies: Dive deep into the political players of Wildemount, from the Dwendalian Empire and Kryn Dynasty to the Clovis Concord and the Tribes of Shadycreek Run. Understand the motivations, goals, and internal dynamics of factions like the Cerberus Assembly, the Myriad, and the Library of the Cobalt Soul.
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Chapter 3: Wildemount Gazetteer: Explore detailed descriptions of Wildemount’s regions, cities, and points of interest. From the Menagerie Coast and Marrow Valley to the Greying Wildlands and Wastes of Xhorhas, this chapter provides NPCs, background information, and adventure hooks to spark your imagination.
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Chapter 4: Character Options: Equip yourself with new races, subclasses, and backgrounds tailored to Wildemount. Play as a Hollow One, master Dunamancy magic as a Chronurgy or Graviturgy Wizard, or become an Echo Knight Fighter. The heroic chronicle system allows you to create characters deeply connected to the setting.
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Chapter 5: Adventures in Wildemount: Kickstart your campaign with ready-to-play adventures set in various regions of Wildemount. “Tide of Retribution,” “Dangerous Designs,” “Frozen Sick,” and “Unwelcome Spirits” offer thrilling starting points for your players.
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Chapter 6: Wildemount Treasures: Discover unique magic items and powerful Vestiges of Divergence hidden throughout Wildemount. Unearth the Arms of the Betrayers, relics of immense power tied to the Betrayer Gods.
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Chapter 7: Wildemount Bestiary: Encounter new monsters and NPCs unique to Wildemount. Face Aeorian Hunters, Core Spawn, Frost Worms, and delve into stat blocks for Wildemount-specific creatures and NPCs like the Blood Hunter.
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Maps: Navigate Wildemount with detailed maps of the continent and its regions, including key cities like Port Damali, Rexxentrum, and Rosohna. Adventure maps for included adventures provide tactical layouts for encounters.
War in Wildemount: The Ash and Light Conflict
Wildemount is a continent on the brink, with tensions between the Dwendalian Empire and the Kryn Dynasty erupting into the War of Ash and Light. The Explorer’s Guide to Wildemount PDF acknowledges this central conflict, offering you the flexibility to make it a focal point or a background element in your campaign.
Whether your players become directly involved in the war, navigate its consequences, or operate in regions untouched by the immediate battles, the conflict provides a rich tapestry of adventure opportunities:
- Crime: War breeds chaos, allowing criminal organizations like the Myriad and Revelry pirates to thrive.
- Disaster Relief: Aid civilians displaced by war, escorting refugees or establishing new settlements.
- Law and Order: With military conscription straining law enforcement, adventurers can step in as mercenaries to maintain peace in cities and towns.
- Military Campaigns: Enlist with either the Dwendalian Empire or Kryn Dynasty and undertake missions on the front lines.
- Monster Uprising: Warfare disrupts the natural order, driving monsters from their lairs and creating new threats for soldiers and civilians alike.
- Trade and Opportunity: Become pawns in the schemes of opportunistic traders seeking to profit from the war economy.
Calendar, Time, and Daily Life in Wildemount
To immerse your players fully in Wildemount, the Explorer’s Guide to Wildemount PDF details the Exandrian calendar, holidays, seasons, and aspects of daily life:
- Exandrian Calendar: Understand the eleven months, seven-day weeks, and holidays that structure time in Wildemount. Align game sessions with in-game dates for a more immersive experience.
- Seasons: Experience the varied climates of Wildemount, from the temperate Menagerie Coast to the frigid Greying Wildlands.
- Holidays: Celebrate festivals like New Dawn, Zenith, Harvest’s Close, and Barren Eve alongside the people of Wildemount.
- Moons of Exandria: Gaze upon Catha and Ruidus, Exandria’s two moons, each imbued with lore and mystery.
- Currency, Languages, and Technology: Familiarize yourself with Wildemount’s economy, languages (including Zemnian, Marquesian, and Naush), and technology, which includes emerging black powder weaponry.
Your Gateway to Adventure: The Explorer’s Guide to Wildemount PDF
The Explorer’s Guide to Wildemount PDF is more than just a sourcebook; it’s an invitation to create, explore, and immerse yourself in a world brimming with potential. Whether you seek thrilling battles, intricate political games, or deep character stories, Wildemount offers a rich and rewarding D&D experience. Unlock the secrets of this war-torn continent, forge your own legends, and make Wildemount your own. Dive into the Explorer’s Guide to Wildemount PDF and begin your adventure today.
