Introduction

Under Pale Summit's Shadow

It's nearly the midsummer's festival! Farmer's have finished planting grain and now wait for the harvest. Nobles sweat under their formal robes. In the short absence of hard work, residents from as far as Port O'Dao travel to celebrate the weather, trade exotic goods, and commemorate those fallen under the shadow of Pale Summit.

You, in one way or another, have decided to join the festivities. Maybe you have made the journey in years past and now want your family to experience the party. Maybe you have enough extra gold this year to join one of the protected caravans from Port O'Dao. Maybe you are one of the organizers of the midsummer's festival. No matter your current situation, the festival is in three days time.

Some Meta World-Building Notes

Your character may or may not know it, but it would be unfair to you as a player to not mention some of the race and class restrictions on Nuencia. Although the populace varies wildly in the wilderness and outlands, the cities generally frown on the "strange" races. Dragonborn folks, anyone with noticeable Orc blood, or Tieflings, in particular, would have a hard time in the larger, racist, cities. Beyond race, casters have a tendency to draw strong reactions from those around them. Some cities or villages may bar divine magic, some peasants may fear all magic, and most everyone will look down on those who attach themselves to otherworldly "patrons." Don't let this knowledge stop you from making a character of these races or classes!

Let's Make Some Shit Up

Here are some questions to ruminate on as you create your level one character. If you have any other ideas, don't let these ideas stop you from pursing them! Please limit your character to the rules found in the Player's Handbook and Xanathar's Guide to Everything (or we'll agree on other additions).

• What is your profession? Although you are a level 1 adventurer, you do not need to be a nobody. Many nobles have no idea how to summon fire, and many peasants would shit themselves to see a celestial horse gallop through town. Is your power new to you, something you hide, or something you have always had but never trained?

• Why have you decided to come to the midsummer's festival? For many, it's one of the longest treks they've taken, but everyone who has been talks of the magical shows and princely shoulders they rub near. For some of lower classes, it really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Caravans from major cities offer safe travel to and from the festival for a modest sum.

• Where are you right now? You must be no more than 3 days (72 miles or so, unless you are running late and have to travel through the night) from Pale Summit, where the festival is held. Are you in the nearest town, laying low at the sleaziest inn? Are you starting the party early?

• Who is with you? Are you already friends or traveling acquaintances with one of the other heroes?

• Beyond survival, what do you hope to accomplish in life? Do you want to find a University to study your newfound craft? Perhaps you wish to afford and settle on a stretch of land and farm it to prosperity. Or, maybe, you intend to get in with the ruling classes ... or into their pockets.