NarateerForging legends together
  1. 01Choose a Bloodline
  2. 02Compare 3 Origins
An Etsai man and woman in practical leather armour examine a darkened leaf beneath the Withered Root, carrying a salt pouch and spear.
Etsai Bloodline

Bloodline Traits

  • Vitals Adjusted: Gain +1 to any Vital of your choice.
  • Popular Classes: Any.
  • Languages: Etsai, Trade.

Adapt on the Fly

Once per Rest, after an Etsai fails a Skill Check, they may add +1 dot to the final result and recalculate the outcome. This may turn the failure into a success or improve its Degree of Failure.

Adaptable Skills

When a Story Milestone is resolved, an Etsai may reduce one trained Skill by 1 level and increase a different Skill by 1 level. The receiving Skill cannot exceed its Linked Vital or be higher than the source Skill was before the transfer.

Physical Characteristics

  • Height: Males commonly stand 160–200 cm; females commonly stand 150–190 cm.
  • Weight: Males commonly weigh 55–115 kg; females commonly weigh 45–100 kg.
  • Maturity and Lifespan: Etsai reach physical maturity around 18 years and typically live 70–90 years.
  • Eye Colour: Most commonly dark brown, brown, grey, or blue.
  • Hair: Most commonly black or dark brown, typically worn short or tightly braided.
  • Unique Traits: Skin tones vary widely. Ritual scars from the Cleansing of the Tainted mark some of the devout, while others wear or tattoo the Withered Root emblem as a symbol of their oath to purity.

History and Current Status

  • The Etsai arose after Eden’s fragmentation and dedicated themselves to Yahweh’s unyielding law. Paladins of the Root uphold purity through holy retribution, eradicating corruption within Etzrael.
  • Their authoritarian theocracy is led by the Order of the Unyielding Hand and demands strict adherence to divine law.
  • Today, Etsai paladins crusade against Loki’s curse in an effort to cleanse chaos and restore Eden’s sanctity.
  • Their strict code of purity extends beyond Etzrael whenever another realm is suspected of corruption.

Personality Traits

  • Fanatical and Stern: Etsai follow Yahweh’s law without compromise or leniency.
  • Devout and Relentless: They view their mission to reclaim Eden’s purity as a sacred duty.
  • Unforgiving and Vigilant: They watch outsiders closely for signs of impurity.

Cultural Traits

  • Values: Duty, purity, retribution, self-sacrifice, and absolute obedience to Yahweh’s law.
  • Social Dynamics: A strict theocratic hierarchy governs every aspect of life under the Order of the Unyielding Hand.
  • Traditions: Cleansing of the Tainted trials purge impurity. Ceremonies honour the Withered Root as both holy relic and symbol of their unending burden.
  • Religion and Beliefs: Etsai faith treats Yahweh’s law as the cure for spiritual affliction. The Withered Root, once the Tree of Life, is a sacred and tragic symbol of their obligation to purify and redeem Etzrael.

Relationships With Neighbours

  • Zamarai: Mortal enemies; Etsai regularly crusade to destroy those they regard as demonic abominations.

Step 2 of 2

Choose your Etsai Origin

Your Bloodline establishes what you inherited. Your Origin establishes the life you lived before adventure. Compare these three, then open one for its complete starting package.

01Zealot of the Withered RootTrained by the Order, I guard Etzrael’s purity, standing as a bulwark against corruption.
  • Background: “Trained by the Order, I guard Etzrael’s purity, standing as a bulwark against corruption.”
  • Narrative Prompt: “What drives my devotion to cleanse, and what corruption concerns me most?”
  • Starting Skills (Level 1 each):
    • Melee: Proficient in armed combat.
    • Athletics: Endurance across rugged terrain.
    • Observation: Uncovering traces of impurity.
  • Starting Equipment:
    • Spear or Arming Sword: Choose one standard weapon profile; the blessing adds no hidden damage.
    • Leather Armour: Soak 1, Bulk 1.
    • Withered Root Amulet: Recognised proof of an Etsai purity oath and a holy focus; it grants no bonus by itself.
  • Starting Resources:
    • Sacred Relics: Revered tokens worth 4 Dritch to an appropriate believer.
    • Basic Currency: 8 Dritch.
  • Role-Playing Traits: Zealous, dutiful to the Order, distrustful of other realms and their customs.
Open in Chapter 8
02Devotee of the Cleansing FlameRaised in Etzrael’s doctrines, I call to Yahweh’s light to expel corruption and uphold order.
  • Background: “Raised in Etzrael’s doctrines, I call to Yahweh’s light to expel corruption and uphold order.”
  • Narrative Prompt: “What keeps my faith unwavering, and what impurities do I fear remain?”
  • Starting Skills (Level 1 each):
    • Influence: Commanding presence.
    • Occult: Detects signs of spiritual impurity.
    • Performance: Leading cleansing rites and formal invocations.
  • Starting Equipment:
    • Cleansing Flame Pendant: A recognised Etsai holy focus that establishes the bearer’s religious affiliation.
    • Ritual Staff: A ceremonial focus using the Quarterstaff profile when wielded as a weapon.
    • Ceremonial Robes: Heavy ordinary clothing; they are not armour.
  • Starting Resources:
    • Consecrated Relics: Tokens of past rites worth 4 Dritch to an appropriate believer.
    • Basic Currency: 8 Dritch.
  • Role-Playing Traits: Unwavering, morally strict, views the faith as a means to purify all realms.
Open in Chapter 8
03Zamarai HunterTrained to hunt Zamarai abominations, I stalk them through corrupted ground, read their signs, and strike with consecrated spears before they close.
  • Background: “Trained to hunt Zamarai abominations, I stalk them through corrupted ground, read their signs, and strike with consecrated spears before they close.”
  • Narrative Prompt: “What feeds my pursuit of the Zamarai, and what sacrifices am I unwilling to make?”
  • Starting Skills (Level 1 each):
    • Observation: Finds signs of corruption.
    • Ranged: Striking abominations with thrown consecrated spears.
    • Stealth: Stalking abominations without revealing the hunt.
  • Starting Equipment:
    • Sacred Spear: A weapon using the Spear profile; its consecration adds no hidden damage.
    • Leather Armour: Soak 1, Bulk 1.
    • Purifying Salts (2 uses): Expend one use before an Observation check to identify signs of corruption or an Alchemy check to contain or cleanse it to make that check with Advantage. The salts do not automatically remove magical corruption.
  • Starting Resources:
    • Exorcist Relics: Recognised proof of completed rites that can secure ordinary access or assistance within Etsai religious institutions.
    • Basic Currency: 8 Dritch.
  • Role-Playing Traits: Zealous in pursuit of purity, vigilant against any hint of corruption, and deeply distrustful of the unknown.
Open in Chapter 8