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Xen'drik

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Xen'drik is a continent found on the southern hemisphere of Eberron. It is the homeland of the giants, who built one of the most powerful civilizations in Eberron before the continent was devastated by the dragons of Argonnessen. Giant ruins still dot the jungles of Xen'drik. Many other peoples, including the drow, also call Xen'drik home.[1]

Geography[]

The continent of Xen'drik is a massive landmass south of the continent of Khorvaire, beyond Shargon's Teeth and the Thunder Sea and southwest of Aerenal.[1] It is believed to be larger in size than Khorvaire, but has never been fully surveyed.[2] South of Xen'drik is the land mass of Everice, separated by the Icemaw Sea.[3][4] The Sea of Lost Souls to the west, and the Dark Sea to the east separate Xen'drik from Argonnessen[4]

Parts of Xen'drik lie beneath the Ring of Siberys, making it the primary location where Siberys dragonshards can be found.[1]

Biomes[]

Jungles dominate the north-east of the continent. Deserts cover most of the north-west of the continent. The mountains are scattered throughout the continent, but are most extensive near the border of the icy waste. Along the southern coast is the icy waste.

Mountains

Settlements[]

Xendrikruin

A giant ruin in Xen'drik

Xen'drik is sparsely populated, and many of the creatures who inhabit the continent are nomadic or inhabit giant ruins.[1] Over the past two hundred years a few settlements around Xen'drik's Skyfall Peninsula have emerged as ports of trade with the other continents.[2] Many of these ports are ephemeral, but the two oldest and most notable are Stormreach and Dar Qat. The city of Stormreach has become the largest settlement on the continent and is become the primary entry point for expeditions into the vast continent from Khorvaire. Dar Qat is a Riedran outpost in Xen'drik.[5]

In addition to modern settlements, ruins dot the landscape throughout the continent – from the fallen city states of the giants to the drow and elven cities of ages past. Explorers and Adventurers who spend even a few months in Xen'drik will know of a dozen or more ruins.[6]

Settlements in Xen'drik
Dar Qat | Korthos | Last Chance | Smuggler's Rest | Stormreach | Tal Esk | Three-Barrel Cove | Zantashk


The Traveler's Curse[]

The Traveler's Curse alters Xen'drik temporally and spatially. The effect is that adventurers will find that maps sometimes fail them. On the positive side, sometimes the curse will cause a person to arrive where they need to be earlier than they anticipated. Or even better, the curse can cause a treasure seeker to find an unexplored ruin filled with treasure. No one knows what causes the curse. Interesting, it has less effect on natives to Xen'drik, like drow and giants.[7] And strangely, the Traveler's Curse has no effect on Thri-kreen.[8]

History[]

Age of Giants[]

Giants built a great civilization on Eberron eighty thousand years ago on the continent of Xen'drik, ushering in the Age of Giants. These first giants were much more powerful than modern giants, and known as "titans".[9] These giants sacked the feyspire of Shae Tirias Tolai, creating the modern day race of elves by enslaving the feyspire's eladrin inhabitants.[10] The giants and their slaves, mostly drow and elves, built sprawling cities and massive temples across the continent.[11]

After twenty thousand years of building their Empires in Xen'drik, giant explorers left the continent and started exploring the world and the seas of Eberron. Crossing the Dark Sea these giants encountered the ancient race of dragons for the first time on the shores of their homeland Argonnessen.[9] Fascinated by the much-younger race, eventually collections of dragons traveled to Xen'drik and began sharing their knowledge of magic and the arcane with the giants.[11][12]

The giants quickly mastered the lessons taught by the dragons and began constructing hundreds if not thousands of artifacts and locations that sixty thousand years later have not been equaled.[13] Eventually the dragons that had settled in Xen'drik returned home, leaving the giants and their slaves in peace.[9][12]

Using their magical talents, the giants began to dabble in darker paths the dragons avoided, learning blood magic and other dark abilities.[14][15] During this time, the giant's elf slaves also began to learn magic, both through instruction by their giant masters to be better servants, and secret observation and hidden experiments.[15][16]

Forty thousand years ago, the quori, living nightmares from Dal Quor, the plane of dreams, crossed the planes and encountered the giants in Xen'drik. Why the the quori entered the Material Plane is unknown, but the giants saw the quori as invaders, beginning a centuries-long conflict between the two.[14] A conclave of the greatest arcanists in all of Xen'drik was assembled and a weapon of cataclysmic power was unleashed, severing the connection from Dal Quor to the Material Plane.[11][16]

The side effects of the weapon were devastating to Eberron and especially Xen'drik. Magical curses, maladies, blights and turmoil devastated Xen'drik, and large parts of the continent plunged into the sea.[11]. Wars between the various empires erupted and the giant's elven slaves saw an opportunity to throw off their yoke and rise up against their masters. In the thousand years after the quori invasion, the giants were preoccupied with the rebellion of their former slaves.[16]

In desperation, the giants once again turned to the cataclysmic magic used to sever Dal Quor, but the dragons saw this as too far and intervened before the giants could use it. The full might of Argonnessen was brought to bear on Xen'drik, an act that devastated the continent, warping the landscape, and ruining the great giant cities.[5][12][16]

Aftermath[]

In the aftermath of this war the empires of the giants were no more. The great cities, temples and monuments of the giants were left for ruin.  Xen'drik was destroyed. For thirty-five thousand years the echoes of the conflict between the dragons and giants have distorted the lands of Xen'drik. The unleashed echoes of eldritch power created bizarre monsters and twisted landscapes in its path.[16] The elves fled to Aerenal, with the exception of the drow.[11] Giants devastated by the war were left shattered and hopeless, living in their ruins as shadows of their former glory.[11]

In the years since the Age of Giants, a number of civilizations have rose and fell on the continent. Evidence has been found of giant, sahuagin, and thri-kreen settlements near Stormreach during this time, but eventually these civilizations collapsed or were displaced by others.[17]

Around 576 YK, the Inspired lords of Riedra became interested in exploring Xen'drik for dragonshards and other resources. A hundred years later they founded Dar Qat as a port to ship these resources to Riedra.[18][19]

The first people from Khorvaire to travel to Xen'drik were pirates, who used Xen'drik as a base to raid Riedran and Galifaran shipping. However in 800 YK, the Kingdom of Galifar brought its military power to bear on the pirates. In 802 YK, Galifar negotiated with former pirates to establish the port of Stormreach as a trading post in Xen'drik.[17][20]

In the two centuries since then, adventurers and explorers from Khorvaire have delved into Xen'drik; those that returned brought with them fantastic stories of unimaginable wealth in the form of dragonshards and ancient artifacts hidden deep within the heart of the land.[5][16][20]

Notable Locations[]

Xen'drik
Ash Cauldrons | Bluespine Peaks | Dar Qat | Dowron's Shield | Dread Lake | Fangs of Argarak | The Hydra | Kapaerian Island | Marsh of Desolation | Mel-Aqat | Obsidian City | Pra'xirek | Ring of Storms | Scimitar Spires | Shargon's Teeth | Skyraker Claws | Sorrowdusk Island | Stormreach | Sun Pillars | Tal Esk | Tempest's Spine | Tharkgun Dhak | Three-Barrel Cove | Throne Gate Ruins | Titan's Teeth | Valley of Shadows | The Wasting Plain | Zantashk

Inhabitants[]

Secrets of Xen'drik chapter 5

Two adventurers encounter a snake idol and the yuan-ti themselves in the jungle of Xen'drik.

Xen'drik is home to all sorts of people and creatures, but the most prominent inhabitants are the drow and giants, long-disconnected from their glorious empire of the past.[21] Other residents of Xen'drik include abeils, catfolk, formians, raptorans, yuan-ti, and yak folk.[21][22] The deserts of Menechtarun are home to armands, asheratis, bhukas, and thri-kreen.[21][23] And Kapaerian Island near Xen'drik is home to the skarns and the rilkans.[21]

The Aerenal Elves also trace their origins to Xen'drik but have since left the continent behind.[1]

Drow[]

The drow prefer to remain in isolation from other cultures. The strength and numbers of each of these cultures has not been determined. Living throughout all of Xen'drik, three known distinct drow subcultures have arisen from the ashes of the cataclysmic end of the Giant empire.[24]

The most common drow culture to encounter are tribes and clans who worship Vulkoor.[24] These settlements can be found ranging from the Menechtarun desert to the jungles of Xen'drik.[25]

The Sulatar, an advanced drow culture, still utilize some of the knowledge, magic, and teachings of their former masters, and can be found in the ruins of the Obsidian City.[26]

The Umbragen have taken to a life deep within Khyber, beneath the Ring of Storms.[6]

There are also reports of many other drow cultures. There are drow to be found in the mountains of Xen'drik who ride on the backs of wyverns. Other drow in southern parts of the continent wield weapons that seem to be made of ice. The details on these and many other drow cultures are unknown.[27]

Giants[]

While most modern giants are a shadow of their counterparts in the Age of Giants, they are still one of the most prominent races in Xen'drik. Modern giants have split into various types, such as jungle giants or fire giants and can be found throughout Xen'drik.[21] A few giants are primordial giants, who more closely resemble the ancient giants.[28]

Most giants are part of small disorganized tribes, but a few larger factions of giants do exist, including the Battalion of the Basalt Towers, the Dominion of Purity, the Giants of Rusheme, and the Scriveners of the Sky.[29][30]

Sahuagin[]

Sahuagin are very common in the Thunder Sea and especially throughout Shargon's Teeth north of Xen'drik.[1][31]

Sahuagin raiders like to prey upon the ships traveling between Khorvaire and Xen'drik. A common practice to minimize the likelihood of being a victim of Sahuagin is for ship captains or owners to hire Sahuagin guides.[1][32] They can also be found in Stormreach's harbor.[8]

Thri-kreen[]

The Thri-kreen are a humanoid race that resemble a praying mantis. A small community of Thri-kreen can be found under the city of Stormreach and larger communities can be found in the Menechtarun desert.[8][21]

Yuan-ti[]

Yuan-ti are originally from Sarlona, but fled to Xen'drik to escape extermination by the Inspired. They favor living in giant ruins deep in Xen'drik's jungles, but some can also be found near Stormreach.[21][33][34]

Appendix[]

Gallery[]

Further Reading[]

References[]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Keith Baker, Bill Slavicsek, & James Wyatt (2004). Eberron Campaign Setting. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 223. ISBN 0-7869-3274-0.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 James Wyatt and Keith Baker (2009). Eberron Campaign Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 194. ISBN 0-7869-5099-4.
  3. ↑ James Wyatt, Keith Baker, Luke Johnson, Steven Brown (2006). Player's Guide to Eberron. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 66. ISBN 0-7869-3912-5.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 James Wyatt, Keith Baker, Luke Johnson, Steven Brown (2006). Player's Guide to Eberron. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 133. ISBN 0-7869-3912-5.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Keith Baker, Jeremy Crawford, & James Wyatt (2019). Eberron: Rising from the Last War. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 138–140. ISBN 0786966890.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Keith Baker, Jason Bulmahn, & Amber Scott (2006). Secrets of Xen'drik. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 52. ISBN 0-7869-3916-8.
  7. ↑ Keith Baker, Jason Bulmahn, & Amber Scott (2006). Secrets of Xen'drik. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 25. ISBN 0-7869-3916-8.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Keith Baker, Nicolas Logue, James Desborough, C.A. Suleiman (2008). City of Stormreach. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 11. ISBN 0-7869-4803-5.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Keith Baker, Jason Bulmahn, & Amber Scott (2006). Secrets of Xen'drik. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 8. ISBN 0-7869-3916-8.
  10. ↑ James Wyatt and Keith Baker (2009). Eberron Campaign Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 36. ISBN 0-7869-5099-4.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 Keith Baker, Bill Slavicsek, & James Wyatt (2004). Eberron Campaign Setting. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 224. ISBN 0-7869-3274-0.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Keith Baker, Scott Fitzgerald Gray, Nicolas Logue, & Amber Scott (2007). Dragons of Eberron. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 133–134. ISBN 0-7869-4154-5.
  13. ↑ David Noonan, Rich Burlew, & Frank Brunner (2005). Explorer's Handbook. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 149–150. ISBN 0-7869-3691-6.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Keith Baker, Scott Fitzgerald Gray, Nicolas Logue, & Amber Scott (2007). Dragons of Eberron. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 10. ISBN 0-7869-4154-5.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Bruce R. Cordell, Stephen Schubert, and Chris Thomasson (2005). Magic of Eberron. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 28–29. ISBN 0-7869-3696-7.
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 Keith Baker, Jason Bulmahn, & Amber Scott (2006). Secrets of Xen'drik. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 9. ISBN 0-7869-3916-8.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Keith Baker, Nicolas Logue, James Desborough, C.A. Suleiman (2008). City of Stormreach. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 9. ISBN 0-7869-4803-5.
  18. ↑ Keith Baker, Scott Fitzgerald Gray, Glenn McDonald, and Chris Sims (2007). Secrets of Sarlona. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 16. ISBN 978-0-7869-4037-0.
  19. ↑ Keith Baker, Jason Bulmahn, & Amber Scott (2006). Secrets of Xen'drik. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 20–22. ISBN 0-7869-3916-8.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Keith Baker, Jason Bulmahn, & Amber Scott (2006). Secrets of Xen'drik. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 14. ISBN 0-7869-3916-8.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 21.4 21.5 21.6 James Wyatt, Keith Baker, Luke Johnson, Steven Brown (2006). Player's Guide to Eberron. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 154. ISBN 0-7869-3912-5.
  22. ↑ Keith Baker, Jason Bulmahn, & Amber Scott (2006). Secrets of Xen'drik. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 61. ISBN 0-7869-3916-8.
  23. ↑ Keith Baker, Jason Bulmahn, & Amber Scott (2006). Secrets of Xen'drik. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 24. ISBN 0-7869-3916-8.
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Keith Baker, Jeremy Crawford, & James Wyatt (2019). Eberron: Rising from the Last War. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 22. ISBN 0786966890.
  25. ↑ Keith Baker, Jason Bulmahn, & Amber Scott (2006). Secrets of Xen'drik. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 68. ISBN 0-7869-3916-8.
  26. ↑ James Wyatt and Keith Baker (2009). Eberron Campaign Guide. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 196. ISBN 0-7869-5099-4.
  27. ↑ Keith Baker, Jason Bulmahn, & Amber Scott (2006). Secrets of Xen'drik. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 51. ISBN 0-7869-3916-8.
  28. ↑ Keith Baker, Jason Bulmahn, & Amber Scott (2006). Secrets of Xen'drik. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 80. ISBN 0-7869-3916-8.
  29. ↑ Keith Baker, Jason Bulmahn, & Amber Scott (2006). Secrets of Xen'drik. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 60. ISBN 0-7869-3916-8.
  30. ↑ Keith Baker, Nicolas Logue, James Desborough, C.A. Suleiman (2008). City of Stormreach. (Wizards of the Coast), pp. 124–125. ISBN 0-7869-4803-5.
  31. ↑ James Wyatt, Keith Baker, Luke Johnson, Steven Brown (2006). Player's Guide to Eberron. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 133. ISBN 0-7869-3912-5.
  32. ↑ Keith Baker, Jason Bulmahn, & Amber Scott (2006). Secrets of Xen'drik. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 12. ISBN 0-7869-3916-8.
  33. ↑ Keith Baker, Jason Bulmahn, & Amber Scott (2006). Secrets of Xen'drik. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 67. ISBN 0-7869-3916-8.
  34. ↑ Keith Baker, Nicolas Logue, James Desborough, C.A. Suleiman (2008). City of Stormreach. (Wizards of the Coast), p. 126. ISBN 0-7869-4803-5.

Connections[]


Continents of Eberron
Aerenal | Argonnessen | Everice | Frostfell | Khorvaire | Sarlona | Xen'drik
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