Welcome to the Northern Strata.
Game Rules
System
OD&D, referencing the Littlest Brown Book as a base.
Character Creation
Characters start at level 1 with max HP. New characters start with 2 pieces of adventuring gear, 2d6 gold pieces, 1d6 torches, and a trinket. The trinket cannot be magical but can otherwise be whatever you want.
Character Classes
Fighter
Fighters are those who have trained in combat with physical weapons and armour of all types.
| d20 | Why did I take up arms? |
| 1 | Because the sword is the seed from which all motion flows |
| 2 | To flee the geometer lords |
| 3 | To rage against hierarchical regimes |
| 4 | To combat the mumblings and deceivings of scholars |
| 5 | Because it was commanded in a dream |
| 6 | As preparation for the end times |
| 7 | To sing the glory of wasps and orchids |
| 8 | To make audible the nonsonorous forces of the cosmos |
| 9 | As a childhood oath to the werewolves |
| 10 | To light a fire upon the rooted classes |
| 11 | To return the war machine to its Nomadic origins |
| 12 | To become a beetle or dog |
| 13 | To translate the violence of crustaceans into new forms |
| 14 | Because the secrets of irrational numbers must stay hidden |
| 15 | To become a bear or mineral |
| 16 | To attract the attention of anomalous gravitational forces |
| 17 | To write a poem of rhizomatic violence |
| 18 | To champion the existence of empty spaces and times |
| 19 | To transform heated, captured particles into new loves |
| 20 | To protect against the alien invaders |
Magic-User
Aspiring scholars and students who have trained in the use of magical scrolls and books. While few will make it to the rank of full scholar, many are able to sort out a meager existence through the ad hoc funding of various research proposals approved by the consortium.
| d20 | My mentor’s area of specialization was… |
| 1 | Geometric dissonance – the study of discordant tones and their effects |
| 2 | Fertile cohabitation – the mating habits of exotic plants |
| 3 | Geological vibrations – the formation and dissolution of minerals |
| 4 | Humanoidism – the nonhuman beyond the human |
| 5 | Atmospheric fluxology – the cooling and heating cycles of the Earth |
| 6 | Metaphysics – first philosophy, the study of being qua being |
| 7 | Formal logic – the manipulation of obscure ancient symbols |
| 8 | Monster studies – does evil come from within us, or from beyond? |
| 9 | Fungal anthropology – mushrooms at the end of the world |
| 10 | Cosmicolorism – the interactions between hues and cosmic forces |
| 11 | Ant imaginations – scent-based languages and their origins |
| 12 | Polar forces – magnetic spirits and their impact upon the tides |
| 13 | Antediluvian history – the tales of those who lived before the Deluge |
| 14 | Floral languages – the secret communications of plants |
| 15 | Anti-grammatical inscriptions – a formal and structural analysis of spell-writing methods |
| 16 | Crustacean nihilism – on the crab’s struggle for meaning |
| 17 | The Daimonion – the inner voice and its functions in moral life |
| 18 | Non-Euclidian geometry – the aberrant spaces beyond the fifth postulate |
| 19 | Madness – the study of butterflies |
| 20 | Dionysian dance – experimentations with life-affirming movements |
Cleric
When the gods were murdered, it was expected that the power of clerics would cease to work, but such was not the case. In the two thousand years since, the question concerning their origins has generated considerable debate.
| d20 | Where do my powers come from? |
| 1 | From the radiant energy of solar flares |
| 2 | From a single Being known only as the “unmoved mover,” cascading down through the hierarchy of beings |
| 3 | Ex nihilo |
| 4 | From the beauty infused within the human soul |
| 5 | Underneath the bridge between the finite and the infinite |
| 6 | The resonant waves of cosmic emotion |
| 7 | The principle of dust |
| 8 | Dark and unseen forces powering universal expansion |
| 9 | From the blooming of flowers |
| 10 | As channeled from the spinning gyrations of tectonic plates |
| 11 | From the sustained cruelty of humankind |
| 12 | As a gift from the divine creatures that fly into spiderwebs |
| 13 | From within the dreams of sleeping birds |
| 14 | A world of Shapes, through which our physical world is merely a shadow |
| 15 | From the passional collisions of white walls and black holes |
| 16 | From the blood of handsome bastards |
| 17 | The clapping of thunder |
| 18 | The suffering of the innocent |
| 19 | Evil intentions |
| 20 | True love |
Thief
In addition to their standard skills, thieves are highly accomplished at plagiarism. A successful check indicates that the thief may sell their work as legitimate research, improving their status among the scholarly. A failed check indicates that their work is likely to come under suspicion.
| Thief Level | Plagiarism (d6) |
| 1-2 | 1-2 |
| 3-6 | 1-3 |
| 7-10 | 1-4 |
| 11-14 | 1-5 |
Thieves also start with one text in their possession which they have plagiarized. Players may describe the text themselves or may roll on the Plagiarized Works table.
| d20 | Plagiarized Works |
| 1 | The Necronomicus – a book of dead spaces and dead times, causing all who read to be driven to painting |
| 2 | The Critique of Aberrant Reason, Firgilliad Romulus – An investigation into the question of to what extent human reason is capable of alien knowledge |
| 3 | Ethics, Demonstrated in Geometrical Order Sparuch Binoza – A derivation of ethical living through Euclidean principles |
| 4 | Phenomenology of Antimatter, H.G. Fegelius – A propaedeutic to the study of matter |
| 5 | Principles of Geosorcery, C. R. Lyell – An attempt to explain the changes of the Earth’s surface in reference to causes now in operation |
| 6 | The Book of Wounding, Ravicenna – The curing of the soul’s ignorance through the application of logic, natural sciences, mathematics, and metaphysics |
| 7 | Vitalism is Not Dead, Evil Anne – A rejection of dualist sorcery |
| 8 | XZ – A wide-ranging examination of several topics including political governance, heaven, and why human nature is bad |
| 9 | Observations Upon Experimental Necromancy, Margaret Blavendish – A defense of the freedom of rational matter and writing as honourable disease |
| 10 | Elements, Euclid – A mathematical treatise demonstrating proofs in plane and solid geometry, number theory, and incommensurable lines |
| 11 | De Anima Advena – An account of the souls of vegetative, animal, and alien beings |
| 12 | Novum Organum, Franziska Bacon – magnum opus on the experimental method |
| 13 | On the Revolutions of the Celestial Squares – A rejection of spherocentrism |
| 14 | Philosophie anatomique, G. Saint-Hilaire – On the formation of monstrosities |
| 15 | Leviathan – Develops the emergence of the absolute sovereign out of strife & whalesong |
| 16 | Singularities – poetic articulations of seaweed |
| 17 | The Lobster God – “She that binds with double articulation” |
| 18 | On the Origin of Lycanthropes, D.L. Hoffesmus – On the transformation and preservation of beings through desire |
| 19 | The Empire of the Steppes, Rene Grousset – On ‘slowness’ as a dramatic pole of Nomadic art |
| 20 | Abstraction and Empathy, trans. Dora Vallier – A rejection of 3-dimensional wizardry |
Gaining Experience
Characters receive 5 XP for every 1 gold piece recovered. The primary means of gaining gold is through (1) finding treasure, (2) scholarly contributions, or (3) mapping the strata.
(1) Finding Treasure
Treasure can be found in all kinds of places. It makes no difference whether the treasure is stolen from Lawful or Chaotic peoples.
(2) Scholarly Contributions
The Scholars seek written accounts and well-researched studies of the peculiar fauna and flora. Note that all research must be supported by appropriate evidence. If evidence is not sufficient, then it may lessen the scholarly impact. Plagiarism and/or falsification are both strictly prohibited and, if discovered, will result in severe punishment and loss of academic reputation.
Contribution Levels:
Minor – a small but notable addition to an existing body of literature, e.g., written insight into behavior of a known species, well-made anatomical diagram, or preserved specimen – 200-500gp
Significant – documented account of a rare but known species, e.g., detailed description of previously unknown behaviour, extended field study, or live specimen – 1000-2000gp
Major – demonstrable evidence of a previously unknown species, e.g., written documentation of its characteristics and classification, physical proof of morphology, or detailed analysis of widespread ecological impact on surrounding fauna & flora – 3000-5000gp
Groundbreaking – work that challenges the entire existing framework of study, e.g. evidence for new types of life, previously undiscovered connections between entirely separate natural categories, or rebuttals of widely accepted theoretical frameworks – 10,000gp or more
(3) Mapping the Strata
The Geometer Lords have issued a decree calling the surrounding regions to be charted. They are extremely particular about shape, and will pay extra for maps of hexes that contain pleasing symmetry. To calculate the value of a particular map, first add up the base value of each hex in the map. Then adjust this value by applying modifiers for shape and distance. Distance is calculated by measuring from the closest settlement along the map’s nearest edge.
Base Value
Steppe – 100gp
Tundra – 150gp
Forest – 200gp
Mountain – 500gp
Map Shape Modifier
Single – 1.0x
Trihex (3) – 1.25x
Ray (5 straight) – 1.5x
Flower (2x3x2) – 2.0x
Distance Modifier
3-6 hexes from settlement – 1x
7-12 hexes – 1.5x
13-21 hexes – 1.5x
22-40 hexes – 2.0x
41+ hexes – 5.0x
Saving Throws
The 5 standard saves are replaced with the following, in order:
Save versus Lines of Destruction or Death
Save versus Lecture
Save versus Frostbite
Save versus Roots and Trees
Save versus Black Holes
Downtime Activities
See the Downtime Activities reference.
Equipment
Adventuring Gear
| Type | Cost (gp) | Weight (lbs) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpenstock | 30 | 10 | Long wooden pole with iron spike tip. |
| Backpack | 5 | 2 | Small leather bag that can carry coins or other loose items. |
| Bedroll | 2 | 5 | Insulates against the ground. |
| Crowbar | 5 | 10 | Metal bar to assist with lifting or prying. |
| Firewood (1 night) | 1 | 25 | Provides a source of warmth. |
| Grappling hook | 25 | 8 | Metal hook, can be fixed to a rope. |
| Hammer, small | 2 | 1 | Can hammer spikes or shatter shin ice. |
| Heavy furs | 5 | 10 | Protects from wind and cold weather. |
| Ice axe | 5 | 2 | Climbing tool for steep terrain. |
| Ice pick | 1 | 0.2 | Assists in breaking and chipping at ice. |
| Oilcloth sheet (5×5) | 5 | 5 | Provides waterproofing to shelters. |
| Patten | 1 | 2 | Insulates against muddy ground. |
| Rations, dry (1 week) | 5 | 10 | Lasts for 1 month in cold temperatures. |
| Rope (50’) | 1 | 2 | Hempen, can hold weight of up to 3 people. |
| Shoe spikes (2) | 2 | 0.5 | Provides traction on icy surfaces. |
| Spectacles | 5 | 1 | Protects against harsh sunlight. |
| Telescope | 30 | 0.5 | Allows to see stars and distant objects. |
| Tent, large | 3 | 20 | Provides shelter for up to 4 people. |
| Tent, small | 3 | 10 | Provides shelter for up to 2 people. |
| Tinderbox | 3 | 0.5 | Used to light fires and torches. |
| Torch (6) | 1 | 5 | Lasts 1 hour, gives light in 30’ radius. |
| Waterskin | 1 | 0.5 | Carries water or other liquids. |
Snow Travel Methods
| Method | Hexes/day | Load (lbs) | Cost (gp) | Description |
| Snowshoe | 2 | 40 | 10 | — |
| Skis | 3 (flat), 4 (downhill) | 40 | 20 | — |
| Horse (riding) | 4 | 300 | 75 | HD 2. Requires shelter for cold weather. |
| Sled | 6 | 200 per dog | 50 | 1 musher, 4-12 dogs |
| Pulk | 2 | 1000 | 25 | Can be pulled by dog or skier |
| Sleigh | 4 | 2000 | 200 | 2 draft animals |
| Toboggan | 2 (flat), 4 (downhill) | 3000 | 50 | 1 person or animal |
Animals and Mounts
| Type | Load (lbs) | Cost (gp) | Description |
| Horse (draft) | 300 | 40 | HD 2. Requires shelter for cold weather. |
| Sled dog | 100 | 101 | HD 1. Can pull sleds or pulks. |
| War dog | n/a | 30 | HD 2. Attack 1 x bite (2d4). |
| Hunting dog | n/a | 25 | HD 1. Can track via scent. |
| Reindeer | 250 | 50 | HD 2. Can pull sleighs. Good at traversing snow. |
| Yak | 400 | 120 | HD 4. Able to navigate mountains. Resistant to cold weather. Can travel 3 hexes per day. |
| Musk ox | 2000 | 160 | HD 5. Cannot be ridden or pull sleighs but may be equipped with packs. Can travel 2 hexes/day. Resistant to cold. |
Antihistory
Two thousand years ago, philosophers murdered the gods. Pursuing them across the far edges of the Earth, Philosopher Queen Hypatia and her logician cults surveyed the high peak of Mount Vairon. As the last of His kind fell, a great chasm broke across his feet, growing into a twisted mass of fissures.
For fourteen centuries, the Northern Strata were abandoned by the forces of Civilization, and the vast steppes were home to no more than beasts and bird eggs. Then, after the proclamation of Zarathustra III, came wanderers, thieves, and scholars, seeking the heterogenous glory of knowledge and property. Mines ran far beneath granite mountains, and lines of profit were drawn and redrawn. Smooth spaces became striated.
Then, disaster. Little is known aside from the hurried inscriptions of lyric poets, a song about peacocks. The few who returned are said to have had fits of muffled laughter, to have always slept with a hammer.
Notable Dates
- 10,000 B.C.1 – Human civilization develops
- 7,000 B.C. – Neolithic revolution, formation of agriculture
- Year Zero – Philosopher Queen Hypatia slays Crom in single combat
- 1227 A.D.C.2 – Death of the Qhan results in Nomadic segmentation
- 1440 A.D.C. – Discovery of copper plates within Mount Aaron
- 1730 A.D.C. – Rise of the vampires until 1735
- 1837 A.D.C. – Eruption of the second anomaly, the Plasmic Flood
- 1874 A.D.C. – Barbara D’Aurevilly seals the third anomaly within the pages of The Crimson Curtain
- 1914 A.D.C. – Werewolves reintroduced to the Northern Strata
- 1953 A.D.C. – Founding of the Clinique du Mur
- ??? (Disputed) – Burning of the Library of Squares results in loss of the Archimedean calendar