Classes in Kanadire

A wide range of player classes are available for character creation in Kanadire. In addition to the standard classes described in the Player's Handbook, one additional class, the Artificer, is also allowable. Some additional background on each class and how characters may connect to the Kingdom of Shadowspeak can be found below.

Artificers

Artificers have only recently begun to ply their trade in the Kingdom of Shadowspeak. An odd combination of mechanical and arcane crafting, artificing relies on capturing and manipulating magical energy and tinkering with mundane objects. Some individuals who initially train as wizards turn to artificing, ultimately, as do some rogues and bards. Gnomes are the most common artificers, but elves and humans can also specialize in the unusual work. The massive and uncontrolled release of magical energy during the Crepitus Magnum provided significant amounts of raw material for artificers. Note: Artificers do not begin with the optional Firearms Proficiency. Players wishing to learn this proficiency should share this with the DM. Artificers can be found among the following organizations:

• the Underwall Tinkers- the sheer amount of engineering knowledge among the Tinkers is superior to any other organization in the kingdom
• the Keepers of Secrets- the knowlege sought and protected by this group is combined and imbued in new ways by those members who have the aptitude
• the Merchants' Alliance- the largest trading guild in the realm relies on its artificers to create expensive products and equip its leaders with powerful items

Barbarians

Barbarians can be found defending (and attacking) the more rural settlements of Shadowspeak. The frontier settlements of Masis and Capsdale have a large number of barbarians, but so, too, does the half-orc city of Kordor. Barbarians can be simple farmers who are in charge of defending their homes from wolves and bandits or they can be trained warriors. Several well known barbarians are:

• the Dhorn Kumachtach- the elite dwarven berserkers responsible for defending Gordunshome
• the Starkstans- the town guard of Masis who mimic the Frost Giants of Northern Balusdale in their fighting style
• the Mucken Udarek- the scarred pit fighters and raiders of Kordor

Bards

Bards tend to travel across the Kingdom of Shadowpeak, but especially along its major trading route between Castlebar and Talus. Bards can be heard singing and performing in taverns and inns every night in major cities, and Lionsmane is home to several score at any given time. While some bards receive formalized training, others train in a more organic manner. Some study under an official mentor while others merely hone their arcane craft whilst travelling the road. Bards are known to frequent the following locations:

• the Honeyed Lute- a large and success tavern in Lionsmane that survived the Kings' War
• the Mage University- the preeminent center of all arcane training in Shadowspeak
• the Melodiam Lucet- the only shop dedicated to the sale of musical instruments, located in Talus

Clerics

Clerics channel the divine power of deities into manifested power on the prime material plane. They also don armor and wade into physical combat as the situation requires. Most clerics spend at least a season as an acolyte with their order, but this period of devout training can take different forms. A wide range of clerical orders exist in Kanadire but several are more prevalent than others. The most well-known groups of clerics are:

• the Clerics of Shinhalla- a large order of healing priests founded by Sullivan Firewine, Champion of Shinhalla
• the Clerics of the New Day- a relatively new order of clerics focusing on supporting war refugees in Lionsmane
• the Protectors of the Scrolls- the worshippers of Fasmordias who defend orderly trade across the Kingdom

Druids

Druids harness the power of nature and utilize it, typically, to defend balance with the natural world. Using a combination of divine magic, shapechanging, and influence over beasts, druids can become formidable allies (or foes). Druids will often join a "circle" or "grove" at which they will increase their connection to nature and expand their magical abilities. The locations most strongly associated with druids are:

• Gullin - this village is agricultural center of Central Shadowspeak and is strongly supported by a number of local druids
• Northup- this settlement near the center of the Verdegrant Forest is regularly visited by druids
• Furriers' Crossing- an important respite for merchants, it also serves as the the third corner of the Green Triangle

Fighters

Fighters represent the most common class across the Kingdom of Shadowspeak. While some learn to fight with arms through pure experience, others pursue formalized training. Still others combine these approaches through joining with more experienced mercenaries or adventurers. While no one place in the Kingdom is more likely than another to attract fighters, the following groups are the most widely-known to have fighters among their membership:

• the Takers - the former Shon-turian forces are loosely organized but have hundreds of fighters in their ranks
• the Gold Lions- the elite guards of Lionsmane are some of the most well-trained fighters in all of Kanadire
• the Giant Fellers- a mercenary guild that focuses on taking contracts for large monsters across Southern Balusdale

Monks

Monks are not the most common class in the Kingdom of Shadowpeak, but at least one small organized group of them exists and is growing, and a significant number of others individuals have traveled from other places in Kanadire to Southern Balusdale. Monks are less Eastern in their appearance and function in Kanadire than in other settings. Pugilists with an otherworldy personal grit and inner strength, these focused warriors are not found solely among one or two races. Monks must train, at least initially, with another trained in the art of unarmed combat. Monks can be found most frequently at the following locations:

• Inglenook- a city of great reverence for Shinhalla, a sect of monks worshipping Shinhalla emerged during the Kings' War
• Capsdale- this settlement in the desert has a reputation for minimalist warriors due to the lack of available ore
• Talus- the largest port on the continent of Balusdale is a regular arrival point for monks from everywhere in the realm

Paladins

Paladins represent a higher calling than most other pursuits in that paladins must devote countless hours to both divine worship but also to physical combat. Paladins do not exist outside formally organized orders except in the rarest of conditions and none exist without an explicit connection to a deity. Paladins frequent settlements with temples, but also areas in need of heroes. Universally regarded as honorable and just, it is often paladins that are observed resisting the spread of the Takers across the Kingdom following the Crepitus Magnum that ended the Kings' War. The following groups are either comprised of paladins or have paladins among their members:

• the Judges- Remantil's formal order of worshipers is comprised primarily of paladins rather than clerics
• the Order of Shattered Bones- this ambitious group has significant paladin membership
• the Gorget- this group of mindful mercenaries relies on a number of key paladin members

Rangers

Rangers can be found spread across the Kingdom of Shadowspeak. As much of the kingdom is frontier, rangers can be found in all settlements, large and small. There is no singular path that rangers tread, and the journeys are as unique as those who walk them. Individuals of all races and backgrounds become rangers, and while many may reside far from large cities, others choose to live in urban settings. A number of organizations are comprised largely, or exclusively, of rangers, including the following:

• the Folha Vore- these woodsmen live deep in the Verdegrant Forest far from the reach of the war and those involved
• the Gathermen- a loosely-organized group of men and women that prefer a simpler life away from urban developments
• the Underwall Tinkers- a group of refugees and veterans of the Kings' War that reside in the remnants of war-torn Lionsmane
  

Rogues

Rogues are a part of every settlement across the Kingdom of Shadowspeak. While some may be petty criminals, others merely rely on stealth and subterfuge to attain their heroic goals rather than brute force. Regardless of motivation, many rogues rely on a combination of training that is both practiced under another who is more skillful and refined in isolation. Rogues can be of any race or from any particular part of the kingdom. Any place where individuals live, rogues are there. Organizations employing rogues, however, are rarely intentionally overt about such membership.

Sorcerers

Sorcerers rely on innate magical ability rather than traditional training and study to unleash their arcane power. As such, they are not necessarily found in the same locations as other spellcasters. Sorcerers can come from any race or part of the kingdom, but as the talent required to become a sorceror is rare, they are larger in number where there are larger settlements. Sometimes referred to as "hedges" due to their lack of formal training, experienced sorcerers are formidable. Sorcerers are known to belong to the following groups:

• the Keepers of Secrets- this group draws on the arcane acumen of all types of casters
• the Takers- small units of fireball-hurling sorcerers were an important part of the Shon-turian army and now comprise this group
• the Purple Shivs- while little is known about this group, the presence of sorcerers among them is assured

Warlocks

While all arcane casters are respected among the general citizenry, warlocks are feared. In a kingdom which has only returned to traditional religion within the last century, those who overtly interact with ancient dark, and possibly malevolent, forces are not to be trusted. Elves, humans, and halflings are the most common warlocks, but all races are known to have warlocks among them. Warlocks do not rely on anyone but themselves and their patron, so they don't often organize in large groups, but they are most commonly found in the following locations:

• Lionsmane- while the capital city of Shadowspeak has the most residents, it also has the most who are willing to engage in a risky agreement with an unnamed powerful entity
• Talus- the port city attracts the widest range of powerful people in the kingdom
• Weylyn- the small coastal town has an interesting number of powerful locations nearby that draw the interest of warlocks

Wizards

Wizards are traditionally believed to be the most powerful characters across the kingdom of Shadowspeak. Traditional study is the cornerstone of successful wizarding, and most choose to attend, at least for a time, at the Mage University in Thornvine. Elves, Gnomes, and Humans are the most common wizards, and half-orc wizards are extremely rare, but any wizards of all races are known to exist. Some of the most notable wizards in Shadowpeak are associated with the following groups:

• the Keepers of Secrets- the group that guards the great arcane knowledge of the kingdom and maintains the Great Library of Lionsmane
• Nobli Deum- the ruling elite of Lionsmane keep a number of powerful wizards in their employ at all times
• the Silverminders- this devoted group maintains the tower of Timuron Silvermind north of Lionsmane