Welcome to the immersive world of Wildemount, a vibrant and richly detailed setting for Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. Whether you're a seasoned adventurer or a newcomer to tabletop role-playing games, the Explorer's Guide to Wildemount offers a treasure trove of lore, locations, and character options designed to bring your campaigns to life. This comprehensive guide aims to serve as your ultimate resource for understanding Wildemount’s geography, factions, cultures, and adventures, helping Dungeon Masters and players alike craft unforgettable stories in this dynamic universe.
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Introduction to Wildemount: A Land of Conflict and Promise
Wildemount is a continent located on the continent of Exandria, the world created by renowned Dungeon Master Matthew Mercer. It is a land filled with political intrigue, ancient ruins, powerful magic, and diverse civilizations. As the heart of the continent’s story, Wildemount offers a compelling setting for campaigns that range from epic battles between kingdoms to personal journeys of discovery.
Developed in collaboration with Matthew Mercer and published in Explorer’s Guide to Wildemount, this setting expands upon the lore introduced in Critical Role’s campaigns. The book provides detailed descriptions of regions, factions, notable NPCs, new subclasses, and magic items, making it an invaluable resource for Dungeon Masters and players seeking to explore this vibrant world.
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Geography and Regions of Wildemount
Understanding the geography of Wildemount is crucial for immersing yourself in its stories and adventures. The continent is divided into several distinct regions, each with its own culture, history, and significance.
The Dwendalian Empire
- Overview: A powerful and expanding empire, the Dwendalian Empire is a hub of political intrigue, military power, and scholarly pursuits.
- Capital: Rexxentrum, the political and cultural center.
- Notable features: The Empire is known for its formidable military, expansive cities, and a complex bureaucracy.
The Kryn Dynasty
- Overview: A theocratic society led by the Duskmeadow, the Kryn Dynasty is a society of drow that values magic, art, and freedom.
- Capital: Rosohna, a city built into the cliffs and illuminated by magical light.
- Notable features: The Kryn are known for their unique society, their use of the Luxon, a divine force that guides their destiny.
The Menagerie Coast
- Overview: A lush, tropical region along the southeastern coast, home to bustling port cities and diverse cultures.
- Major Cities: Trostenwald, Gwardan, and the city of Port Damali.
- Notable features: The coast is known for trade, pirates, and colorful marketplaces.
The Greying Wildlands
- Overview: A rugged, less-inhabited region characterized by forests and mountains.
- Features: Known for its wilderness, ancient ruins, and tribes.
The Xhorhas Waste and the Clovis Concord
- Overview: The wilderness area surrounding the city of Xhorhas, home to various tribes and factions.
- Major faction: Clovis Concord, a network of merchant cities and trade alliances.
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Factions and Power Struggles in Wildemount
Wildemount’s political landscape is complex, with numerous factions vying for influence, control, and survival. Understanding these groups can add depth to your campaigns.
The Dwendalian Empire
- Goals: Expansion, maintaining order, and political dominance.
- Leadership: Queen Dwendal, a formidable ruler.
- Conflict: Tensions with the Kryn Dynasty and other independent regions.
The Kryn Dynasty
- Goals: Freedom, spiritual enlightenment, and rebuilding their society.
- Leadership: The Luxon Beacons and the Duskmeadow.
- Conflict: Resistance against imperial expansion and external threats.
The Clovis Concord
- Goals: Trade, commerce, and maintaining economic stability.
- Leadership: A council of merchant guilds and city-states.
- Role: Acts as a neutral power broker and economic force.
Other Notable Factions
- The Ashari: Elemental guardians protecting the balance of nature.
- The Kryn Illuminators: Scholars and magic users advancing the Kryn society.
- The Cobalt Soul: A monastic order dedicated to knowledge and justice.
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Playable Races and Classes in Wildemount
The Explorer's Guide to Wildemount introduces new options for players to customize their characters, enriching gameplay with unique subclasses, backgrounds, and races.
New Subclasses
- Dancer (Bard Subclass): Focuses on performance and magic, emphasizing agility and charm.
- Echo Knight (Fighter Subclass): Harnesses the power of echoes to attack and move.
- Chronurgy Magic (Wizard Subclass): Manipulates time to control battles and outcomes.
- Graviturgy Magic (Wizard Subclass): Commands gravity to manipulate the battlefield.
Playable Races
- Kryn Drow: Unique to Wildemount, with distinct cultural traits and magical prowess.
- Grung: Amphibian humanoids with a mystical connection to nature.
- Hadoze: A race of desert-dwelling nomads with specialized traits.
New Backgrounds
- Luxon Adept: Those who serve or follow the Luxon, the divine guiding force.
- Cobalt Soul Initiate: Scholars seeking knowledge and justice.
- Wildemount Explorer: Adventurers seeking fortune and discovery.
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Magic Items and Spells Unique to Wildemount
The setting offers a variety of magical treasures and spells that reflect its rich lore.
Magic Items
- The Luxon Beacon: A divine relic that guides the Kryn.
- Rexxentrum’s Sigil: An emblem granting influence within the Empire.
- Wildemount’s Sigil of Power: A powerful artifact that boosts magical abilities.
Spells and Magic
- Chronal Shift: Allows manipulation of time, affecting combat and exploration.
- Gravity Well: Creates zones of altered gravity, disrupting enemies.
- Light of the Luxon: Healing and protective magic used by the Kryn.
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Adventure Hooks and Campaign Ideas in Wildemount
Wildemount is a fertile ground for a variety of campaign themes, from political intrigue to epic quests.
Political Intrigue and Espionage
- Players could serve as diplomats, spies, or rebels caught in the power struggles between the Empire and the Dynasty.
Exploration and Discovery
- Venture into ancient ruins, uncover lost magical artifacts, and explore uncharted wilderness.
Conflict and War
- Engage in battles between factions, defend cities from invasions, or lead a revolution.
Personal Journeys
- Follow character backstories intertwined with Wildemount’s lore, such as discovering ancestral ties to the Luxon or unearthing family secrets.
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Conclusion: Embark on Your Wildemount Adventure
The Explorer's Guide to Wildemount opens a gateway to an epic world brimming with potential. From its diverse regions and factions to new character options and magical treasures, Wildemount provides everything needed to craft compelling campaigns and memorable characters. Whether you seek political intrigue, high-stakes battles, or deep exploration, Wildemount invites you to set forth on your adventure and discover the secrets hidden within this extraordinary continent.
Prepare your party, craft your story, and dive into the rich tapestry of Wildemount—where every choice shapes the future of this dynamic world. Happy adventuring!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Explorer's Guide to Wildemount'?
'Explorer's Guide to Wildemount' is a campaign setting book for Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, providing detailed lore, geography, factions, and character options for the continent of Wildemount in the D&D universe.
Which new character options are introduced in the guide?
The book introduces new races like half-orcs and changelings, as well as new subclasses such as the Echo Knight and the Graviturge, along with a variety of background options tailored to Wildemount's cultures.
How does the guide expand on Wildemount's factions?
It provides in-depth descriptions of key factions like the Dwendalian Empire, the Kryn Dynasty, and the Clovis Concord, including their histories, politics, and influence to help GMs and players build compelling stories.
Are there new monsters or creatures in the guide?
Yes, the guide features new monsters and creatures native to Wildemount, such as the Kryn-specific shadow creatures and unique beasts that add flavor and challenge to campaigns set in the region.
Can players create characters aligned with specific factions?
Absolutely. The book offers faction-specific character options, backgrounds, and story hooks that encourage players to align with or oppose major factions in Wildemount.
What tone or themes does the guide emphasize?
It emphasizes themes of political intrigue, exploration, and conflict, capturing Wildemount's rich history, diverse cultures, and the ongoing power struggles within the continent.
Does the guide include adventure hooks or modules?
While primarily a setting guide, it provides adventure hooks, story ideas, and campaign advice to help Dungeon Masters craft engaging Wildemount adventures.
Is the guide suitable for new players and DMs?
Yes, it offers accessible content for new players and DMs, including lore summaries, character options, and guidance to help them dive into Wildemount's world.
How does 'Explorer's Guide to Wildemount' support world-building in campaigns?
It provides comprehensive details on geography, factions, NPCs, and lore, enabling DMs to create immersive and detailed campaigns set in the rich environment of Wildemount.
