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Erevans Guide to Death and Beyond: An Overview

Erevans Guide to Death & Beyond is a comprehensive 350-page fifth edition supplement, delving into undead themes with detailed miniatures and challenging monsters․

This tome introduces new playable races, subclasses, necromantic spells, dark rituals, and cursed artifacts, offering a truly macabre experience for players and Game Masters․

Funded through a successful Kickstarter campaign by Archvillain Games, it’s a playtest document designed to redefine fear and explore the mysteries beyond mortality․

Erevans Guide to Death and Beyond emerges as a substantial work, a 350-page exploration into the darker facets of a familiar fantasy realm․ It isn’t merely an expansion; it’s a dedicated dive into the lore, mechanics, and narrative possibilities surrounding undeath within the fifth edition ruleset․

Born from the creative vision of Archvillain Games and brought to life through a successful Kickstarter campaign, this tome represents a significant undertaking to enrich the roleplaying experience for those drawn to gothic horror and grim fantasy․ The guide functions as a playtest document, inviting feedback and refinement as it shapes its final form․

Players and Game Masters alike will discover a wealth of new content, from playable races that embrace the undead condition to subclasses that harness necromantic power․ It promises a journey into a world where death is not an end, but a transformation, and where the boundaries between life and afterlife blur into chilling ambiguity․

The Kickstarter Campaign & Funding

Erevans Guide to Death and Beyond owes its existence to a successful crowdfunding campaign hosted on Kickstarter by Archvillain Games․ This campaign served as the primary source of funding for the project, allowing the creators to realize their ambitious vision for a comprehensive undead-focused supplement․

The Kickstarter not only secured the financial resources needed for development and production but also fostered a community of backers eager to explore the dark and mysterious world of Erevans․ Updates shared during the campaign and post-funding highlighted the progress of fulfillment, with backers receiving regular information about the delivery of their rewards․

The campaign’s success demonstrates a clear demand within the tabletop roleplaying community for richly detailed content centered around undead themes, and the ongoing fulfillment indicates a commitment to delivering a high-quality product to those who supported its creation․

Core Themes and Tone

Erevans Guide to Death and Beyond is deeply immersed in dark fantasy, exploring the complexities of mortality, undeath, and the blurred lines between life and oblivion․ The core themes revolve around power, corruption, and the consequences of tampering with forces beyond mortal comprehension․

The tone is decidedly macabre and atmospheric, aiming to evoke a sense of dread, mystery, and moral ambiguity․ It doesn’t shy away from the grim realities of undeath, presenting a world where raising the dead is not simply a mechanical process, but a fraught undertaking with significant ethical and spiritual implications․

Players can expect to confront challenging choices and grapple with the darker aspects of their characters and the world around them․ The guide encourages exploration of nuanced narratives, where villains aren’t always purely evil and heroes may be forced to compromise their ideals․

Playable Races in Erevans Guide

Erevans Guide expands character options with unique undead lineages: Dhampir, Revenant, Skeletal, and Ghost, offering distinct abilities and roleplaying opportunities for players․

Dhampir: The Half-Vampiric Lineage

The Dhampir, born from the union of a vampire and a mortal, represent a fascinating and conflicted existence within Erevans Guide to Death and Beyond․ These characters inherit a sliver of their vampiric parent’s power, granting them unique abilities while simultaneously battling the inherent cravings and weaknesses associated with their lineage․

Dhampir aren’t fully vampires, avoiding the complete restrictions of undeath, but they are far from ordinary mortals․ They possess heightened senses, increased strength and speed, and a limited capacity to manipulate shadows․ However, this power comes at a cost – a constant thirst that must be managed, a vulnerability to sunlight, and a societal stigma that often leads to isolation․

Playing a Dhampir allows for compelling roleplaying opportunities, exploring themes of identity, control, and the struggle against one’s own nature․ Will they embrace their dark heritage, seeking to master their vampiric abilities, or will they strive to live a life of virtue, resisting the call of the blood? Erevans Guide provides detailed mechanics and lore to support diverse Dhampir character concepts․

Revenant: Returned from the Grave

Within the pages of Erevans Guide to Death and Beyond, the Revenant emerges as a compelling playable race – those tragically and purposefully brought back from the brink of oblivion․ Unlike mindless zombies, Revenants retain their memories, personality, and a burning desire to complete unfinished business, often fueled by vengeance or a desperate need for closure․

The process of becoming a Revenant is rarely natural, typically involving powerful necromantic rituals or divine intervention with a dark price․ This return isn’t without consequence; Revenants are physically decaying, requiring constant sustenance to maintain their form and ward off complete dissolution․ They possess a chilling aura and often exhibit a detached demeanor, haunted by the memories of their past life and the trauma of death․

Playing a Revenant offers a unique roleplaying experience, exploring themes of loss, regret, and the pursuit of justice․ Erevans Guide details the specific mechanics governing their undeath, including their vulnerabilities and the methods they employ to stave off decay, making them a truly distinctive character option․

Skeletal: Animated Bones with Purpose

Erevans Guide to Death and Beyond presents the Skeletal race as more than just rattling bones; they are animated remains imbued with a spark of sentience and driven by a defined purpose․ Unlike the shambling undead hordes, these Skeletons possess intellect, personality, and the capacity for complex thought, though often filtered through the lens of their past lives or the will of their creator․

The animation of a Skeleton can stem from various sources – powerful necromancy, ancient rituals, or even a lingering fragment of the soul․ They are remarkably resilient to physical harm, lacking vital organs, but are vulnerable to bludgeoning and radiant damage․ Their forms are often customizable, reflecting their former professions or the aesthetic preferences of the one who raised them․

Playing a Skeletal character in Erevans Guide allows for exploration of themes like identity, mortality, and the nature of consciousness․ The guide details unique abilities and limitations, offering a challenging and rewarding roleplaying experience for those seeking a truly unconventional character․

Ghost: Ethereal and Unbound

Within Erevans Guide to Death and Beyond, Ghosts aren’t simply spectral remnants; they are unbound spirits tethered to the material plane by unfinished business, powerful emotions, or lingering regrets․ These ethereal beings possess a unique perspective on the world, able to phase through solid objects and perceive events unseen by the living․

However, their existence is fragile․ Ghosts are vulnerable to banishment and require anchors to maintain their presence, often tied to specific locations or objects of significance․ The guide details how a Ghost’s emotional state directly impacts their abilities, with intense feelings fueling their powers but also risking their unraveling․

Playing a Ghost character offers a compelling roleplaying experience focused on themes of loss, redemption, and the search for closure․ Erevans Guide provides unique mechanics for interacting with the world as an incorporeal being, presenting both challenges and opportunities for creative problem-solving․

New Subclasses & Character Options

Erevans Guide to Death and Beyond expands character possibilities with the Grave Domain Cleric, Pact of the Undying Blade Warlock, Necromantic Sorcery, and Way of the Shroud Monk․

The Grave Domain Cleric

The Erevans Guide to Death and Beyond introduces a compelling new divine path for Clerics: the Grave Domain; This subclass isn’t necessarily about causing death, but rather understanding and respecting the natural cycle of life and undeath, and safeguarding the boundary between worlds․

Grave Domain Clerics draw power from the solemn duty of overseeing the transition from life to death, acting as protectors of burial grounds and guides for lost souls․ They possess abilities that allow them to ward against undead, commune with spirits, and even temporarily bolster their own resilience with the chilling touch of the grave․

Expect features that grant advantages against undead creatures, spells focused on necromantic defense and control, and channel divinity options that manipulate the energies of life and death․ This domain offers a unique roleplaying opportunity for Clerics who wish to walk a path less traveled, embracing the somber beauty of mortality and the mysteries that lie beyond․

The Pact of the Undying Blade Warlock

Within the pages of Erevans Guide to Death and Beyond, Warlocks gain access to a chilling new pact: The Pact of the Undying Blade․ This pact isn’t forged with fiends seeking domination, but with entities deeply connected to the realm of undeath – ancient spirits, powerful liches, or even the very essence of mortality itself․

Warlocks who choose this path gain access to unique invocations and abilities centered around necromantic energy and the manipulation of life force․ They can enhance their blade with spectral power, summon shadowy weapons, and even temporarily cheat death, drawing upon the resilience of the undead․

The Pact of the Undying Blade offers a darker, more morally ambiguous path for Warlocks, allowing them to explore the boundaries between life and death․ Expect features that grant bonuses to necromantic spells, enhance melee combat, and provide unique roleplaying opportunities centered around a patron’s unsettling agenda․

The School of Necromantic Sorcery

Erevans Guide to Death and Beyond introduces a chilling new path for Sorcerers: the School of Necromantic Sorcery․ Unlike other magical disciplines, this school draws power directly from the energies of death, decay, and the negative plane․ Sorcerers of this school aren’t simply manipulating magic; they’re channeling the very essence of undeath․

This manifests in unique abilities that allow them to bolster their spells with necromantic power, animate the fallen, and even siphon life force from their enemies․ Expect features that enhance necromantic spells, grant resistance to necrotic damage, and provide the ability to temporarily raise skeletal minions․

The School of Necromantic Sorcery offers a darker, more potent path for those born with innate magical talent, allowing them to command the forces of death and become masters of the macabre․ It’s a path fraught with peril, but one that offers immense power․

The Way of the Shroud Monk

Erevans Guide to Death and Beyond presents the Way of the Shroud Monk, a discipline focused on manipulating the boundary between life and death․ Monks following this path don’t seek to conquer opponents through brute force, but rather to subtly weaken their life force and shroud them in an aura of decay․

This manifests in abilities that allow them to inflict necrotic damage with their strikes, temporarily drain an enemy’s vitality, and even briefly phase into a spectral form, becoming harder to hit and moving through obstacles․ Expect features that enhance unarmed strikes with necrotic energy, grant temporary hit points by siphoning life, and allow for swift, ghostly movements․

The Way of the Shroud is a path for those who embrace the inevitability of death, using its power to enhance their martial prowess and become silent, deadly assassins․

Undead Bestiary & Monsters

Erevans Guide expands the undead menagerie with terrifying creatures like Liches, Vampires, Zombies, and Wraiths, offering challenging encounters and redefining the meaning of fear․

Lich: The Undead Archmage

Within the pages of Erevans Guide to Death and Beyond, the Lich emerges as a formidable undead archmage, representing the pinnacle of magical ambition and dark preservation․ These aren’t merely powerful spellcasters animated after death; they are meticulous planners who undergo a complex ritual to achieve immortality, sacrificing their mortal forms to bind their souls to a phylactery․

The guide details the Lich’s creation process, emphasizing the immense magical power and chilling dedication required․ Expect comprehensive statistics, including expanded spell lists tailored to their arcane mastery, and unique abilities reflecting their centuries of accumulated knowledge․

Furthermore, Erevans Guide delves into the Lich’s motivations – often driven by a relentless pursuit of forbidden lore or a desire to impose their will upon the world․ Game Masters will find guidance on crafting compelling Lich villains, complete with lairs, minions, and intricate schemes․ The text also explores the vulnerabilities of a Lich, particularly the importance of destroying its phylactery to ensure its final demise, making encounters both challenging and rewarding․

Vampire: Classic Blood Drinker

Erevans Guide to Death and Beyond presents a detailed exploration of the classic Vampire, moving beyond simple monstrous depictions to offer nuanced portrayals of these undead predators․ The guide doesn’t shy away from the inherent darkness, detailing their need for blood to sustain unlife and the potent abilities granted by this gruesome sustenance․

Expect a comprehensive stat block, outlining strengths like enhanced speed, strength, and regeneration, alongside weaknesses such as sunlight and holy symbols․ Erevans Guide expands upon traditional vampire lore, introducing different “bloodlines” each with unique powers and societal structures․

Game Masters will appreciate the guidance on creating compelling vampire antagonists, including details on their lairs, thralls, and manipulative tactics․ The text also explores the internal struggles of vampires – the conflict between their predatory nature and lingering vestiges of their former humanity, offering opportunities for complex roleplaying encounters and morally grey narratives․

Zombie: The Endless Horde

Erevans Guide to Death and Beyond doesn’t simply present zombies as mindless, shuffling corpses․ Instead, it delves into the origins and variations of these undead, offering a diverse bestiary of rotting horrors․ From the freshly turned, retaining fragments of memory, to ancient, decaying behemoths, the guide provides a spectrum of zombie threats․

Detailed stat blocks are included, showcasing their resilience, immunity to many forms of damage, and relentless pursuit․ Erevans Guide expands beyond the typical slow-moving zombie, introducing faster, more cunning variants and even specialized zombies with unique abilities – perhaps remnants of their former professions or victims of dark rituals․

Game Masters will find resources for creating truly terrifying zombie hordes, including advice on swarm tactics, environmental hazards, and the psychological impact of facing an unending wave of the undead․ The guide emphasizes the sheer overwhelming nature of a zombie outbreak, making them a formidable challenge for any adventuring party․

Wraith: Specters of Vengeance

Within Erevans Guide to Death and Beyond, Wraiths are presented not merely as spooky ghosts, but as potent, vengeful spirits bound to the mortal realm by unfinished business and intense emotional trauma․ The guide details their chilling origins, often stemming from betrayal, murder, or profound loss, fueling their spectral existence․

These undead possess unique abilities, including incorporeality, life drain, and the power to instill fear․ Erevans Guide expands upon traditional Wraith lore, introducing variations tied to specific types of injustice or suffering, granting them specialized attacks and vulnerabilities․ Game Masters will find detailed stat blocks and lore to craft compelling Wraith antagonists․

The guide emphasizes the psychological impact of encountering a Wraith, highlighting their ability to manipulate memories and exploit emotional weaknesses․ Facing a Wraith isn’t just a physical battle, but a confrontation with the past and the consequences of unresolved conflicts, making them truly terrifying foes․

Magic & Spells

Erevans Guide to Death and Beyond expands necromantic spells, introduces dark rituals and ceremonies, and presents cursed items and artifacts for a truly immersive, macabre experience․

Necromantic Spells Expanded

Erevans Guide to Death and Beyond doesn’t simply rehash existing necromantic magic; it significantly expands upon it, offering a wealth of new spells for those who dare to delve into the darker arts․ Players can expect a diverse range of options, from subtle manipulations of life force to devastating displays of undead power․

These aren’t just damage-dealing spells, though potent offensive options are certainly present․ The guide introduces spells focused on control – binding spirits, animating constructs, and even temporarily wresting control of the recently deceased․ Utility spells allow for divination through necromantic means, the creation of protective wards fueled by negative energy, and the enhancement of undead minions․

Furthermore, the spells are designed with a thematic consistency, reflecting the lore and cosmology of the Erevans Guide world․ Many incorporate unique components or require specific rituals, adding a layer of complexity and immersion․ Expect to find spells that tap into the power of ancient burial grounds, utilize the essence of lost souls, or even bargain with entities from the Shadowfell․

Dark Rituals and Ceremonies

Beyond simple spellcasting, Erevans Guide to Death and Beyond presents a detailed system of Dark Rituals and Ceremonies, offering powerful effects at a significant cost․ These aren’t quick incantations; they are elaborate procedures demanding time, rare components, and often, sacrifices – not necessarily of life, but always of something valuable․

The guide provides numerous examples, ranging from rituals to create powerful undead guardians to ceremonies that allow communication with ancient, malevolent entities․ Each ritual is meticulously detailed, outlining the necessary components, the precise steps involved, and the potential consequences of failure․ These consequences can be severe, ranging from attracting unwanted attention from powerful beings to unleashing chaotic energies․

Rituals aren’t simply about power; they’re about narrative․ They provide opportunities for compelling roleplaying encounters, moral dilemmas, and dramatic twists․ The Erevans Guide emphasizes that performing these rituals should be a significant event in a campaign, with lasting repercussions for both the characters and the world around them․

Cursed Items and Artifacts

Erevans Guide to Death and Beyond doesn’t shy away from the dangers of power, and this is vividly illustrated in its extensive collection of Cursed Items and Artifacts․ These aren’t merely enchanted objects with a drawback; they are often imbued with sentience, malevolent spirits, or insidious energies that slowly corrupt the wielder․

The guide presents a wide array of cursed items, from seemingly innocuous trinkets that subtly influence behavior to powerful weapons that demand a terrible price for their strength․ Each item comes with a detailed history, a description of its effects, and guidelines for how it impacts a character’s personality and alignment․

Artifacts, in particular, are presented as relics of a forgotten age, often tied to powerful undead beings or dark gods․ Acquiring an artifact is rarely a simple matter, and wielding one comes with immense responsibility – and the constant threat of succumbing to its corrupting influence․ These items are designed to be campaign cornerstones, driving narratives and challenging players․

Game Master Resources

Erevans Guide provides tools for running dark fantasy campaigns, crafting undead NPCs, and seamlessly integrating its content into existing 5e worlds for immersive gameplay․

Running a Dark Fantasy Campaign

Erevans Guide to Death and Beyond excels at facilitating truly grim and atmospheric dark fantasy campaigns․ Embrace a tone of pervasive dread, moral ambiguity, and desperate struggle against overwhelming odds․ Encourage player characters to grapple with difficult choices where there are no easy answers, and the consequences are lasting․

Lean into the themes of mortality, loss, and the corrupting influence of power․ Utilize the expanded undead bestiary to populate your world with terrifying creatures, not merely as combat encounters, but as embodiments of the setting’s despair․ Focus on the psychological impact of facing constant death and decay․

Remember to emphasize the weight of necromantic magic and the ethical dilemmas it presents․ Consider how the presence of undead affects society, politics, and religion within your game world․ The guide’s resources allow for nuanced portrayals of undead, moving beyond simple monster tropes to create compelling narratives․

Creating Undead NPCs

Erevans Guide to Death and Beyond provides ample tools for crafting compelling undead Non-Player Characters beyond simple, shambling monsters․ Consider their former lives – what were their motivations, regrets, and relationships? These echoes of personality can inform their current behavior, even in a decayed state․

Utilize the variety of undead types presented in the guide; a wraith driven by vengeance will differ drastically from a lich seeking arcane knowledge․ Explore the reasons why they were raised – was it a curse, a ritual, or a desperate attempt to cheat death? This backstory adds depth․

Don’t shy away from giving undead NPCs complex goals and motivations․ Perhaps a revenant seeks to right a past wrong, or a vampire attempts to maintain a semblance of their former humanity․ The guide encourages moving beyond stereotypical portrayals, creating undead characters with agency and nuance․

Integrating Erevans Guide into Existing Campaigns

Erevans Guide to Death and Beyond isn’t designed to replace existing campaign elements, but to enrich them with dark fantasy themes․ Introduce undead slowly, perhaps as a consequence of a necromantic ritual gone awry, or a forgotten curse resurfacing․ Start with lower-tier undead like zombies, escalating to more powerful entities like liches as the story progresses․

The new subclasses and spells can be seamlessly woven in․ A cleric taking the Grave Domain could be responding to a growing darkness, while a warlock’s Pact of the Undying Blade might stem from a deal with a powerful undead entity․

Consider how the lore of your world reacts to the existence of these undead․ Are they feared, hunted, or even worshipped? The guide’s detailed bestiary provides a foundation for building unique undead encounters tailored to your campaign’s setting and narrative․