Manifest Zone: Exploring the World of Eberron

Eberron co-designer Bill Slavicsek and Eberron: A Chronicle of Echoes co-creator/co-host Rebecca Gray join Keith and Kristian to celebrate Eberron‘s 20th anniversary, recounting the journey from its original concept—Thrilling Tales of Sword and Sorcery—to the setting we all know and love today.

Scorpions, shadows and flames! Keith, Wayne and Imogen explore the cultures of the drow of Xen’drik. Time Markers 00:00:00 – Introduction00:01:36 – References3rd Edition Sourcebooks:Races of EberronSecrets of Xen’drikDragon Mag. 330 – The UmbragenDragonmarks: DrowDragonmarks: Drow, Dwarves and More!00:02:55 – What are the Drow of Eberron?00:04:00 – Qaltiar/Vulkoori and Wide Primal00:04:41 – Sulatar00:05:32 – Umbragen00:07:03 – Changes Since 3.5e00:09:54 – Umbragen Design History00:15:23 – Drow Stories00:30:51 – Drow PCs00:41:54 – The Sulatar Multiverse00:44:10 – Umbragen in Khorvaire00:46:03 – Close Thank you to Joseph Meehan for assisting with identifying the timestamps for the chapter markers.

With all their bribes properly paid, Keith, Wayne and Imogen are back to talk about the major criminal factions in Eberron. Time Markers 00:00:00 – Introduction00:02:10 – SourcesEberron: Rising from the Last War, pg 68-72, 245-259 Sharn: City of Towers, pg 149-156City of Stormreach, pg 71-74Eye on Eberron: Daask, Dungeon Magazine 194IFAQ: What are Doppelgangers?Explore Fairhaven, Dungeon Magazine #170, #173, #17500:04:10 – Noir vs Pulp00:07:51 – Arcane00:09:09 – The Law and PCs00:13:10 – Crime is Core to Eberron00:14:50 – The Tyrants00:15:50 – Nonhuman Criminals00:22:11 – Organized Crime as a DM00:26:02 – The Boromar Clan00:32:58 – Daask00:43:42 – The Tyrants (reprise)00:51:43 – House Tarkanan00:59:00 – Player Characters01:03:30 – Wrap Up Thank you to Joseph Meehan for assisting with identifying the timestamps for the chapter markers.

Once upon a time, Keith, Wayne and Imogen tell the story of Thelanis and the fey of Eberron. Time Markers 00:00:00 – Introduction Thelanis in PlayThelanis and the FeyThelanis in Play: ArtifactsThelanis in Play: CursesiFAQ: Historical Figures in Thelanis?The City of Silver and BoneFairy Tales in Eberron00:02:10 – What are the Fey00:03:13 – Dal Quor vs. Thelanis00:06:02 – Stories are Real00:07:17 – What is a Fey?00:09:24 – Eladrin00:12:50 – Feyspires00:15:12 – Fey Stories00:20:00 – The magic we wish was in the world00:21:45 – Why the Fey Matter00:28:14 – Geography of Thelanis00:30:00 – Courts of Thelanis00:33:03 – Stranded Feyspires00:37:32 – Fey Patrons00:42:33 – Non-Warlock Fey Patrons00:45:37 – Fey-touched characters without patrons00:49:44 – Greensingers00:52:21 – Fey Plots00:56:29 – Closing Thank you to Joseph Meehan for assisting with identifying the timestamps for the chapter markers.

Keith, Wayne and Imogen brave the Mists to explore the vast and numerous horrors of Eberron. Time Markers 00:00:00 – Introduction & ReferencesDragonmarks: Ghost Stories00:01:38 – What is Ravenloft?00:04:04 – Dread Domains in Mabar00:05:58 – What Is Horror?00:08:45 – Horror Techniques00:11:56 – Jump Scare vs Bomb Theory00:15:40 – Scaring Players vs PCs00:28:00 – Mechanics as Consequences00:35:43 – Horror Affecting Eberron00:38:37 – Dread Metrol00:44:42 – Non-Ravenloft Horror in Eberron00:46:13 – The Daelkyr00:54:27 – The Mournland00:56:20 – Folk Horror01:03:06 – Ghost Stories01:03:53 – Gothic Horror01:08:10 – Final Thoughts01:09:30 – Closing Thank you to Joseph Meehan for assisting with identifying the timestamps for the chapter markers.

Live at Ethereal Gary Con XIII, Keith, Wayne and Imogen are joined once again by special guest co-host Kristian Serrano to talk about our journeys in game design, and how we’d each break and remake Eberron. Time Markers 00:00:00 – Introduction00:02:25 – Keith’s Journey00:06:55 – Wayne’s Journey00:11:43 – Imogen’s Journey00:16:57 – Kristian’s Journey00:19:08 – Kristian Breaks Demographics00:21:39 – Imogen Breaks Breland00:24:21 – Wayne Breaks Everything00:26:15 – Keith Breaks History00:31:01 – Closing

The Trust assures all our listeners that Keith, Wayne and Imogen aren’t stirring up trouble during their deep dive into the lore of Eberron’s gnomes. Time Markers 00:00:00 – Introduction00:00:45 – Announcement – Live at Garycon + Savage Eberron with Kristian Serrano00:02:15 – ReferencesDragonshards: Gnomes of Zilargo, part 1Dragonshards: Gnomes of Zilargo, part 2Dragonmarks: The Gnomes of LorghalenDragonmarks: The Gnomes of Pylas PyrialDragonmarks: SvirfneblinIFAQ: The TrustDragon Magazine 406 – Eye on Eberron: The Trust00:03:26 – What is a Gnome00:09:23 – Freedom vs Security00:14:25 – Alchemy and Elemental Binding00:21:26 – The Trust00:31:54 – Fey Gnomes00:37:17 – Lorghalen Gnomes00:41:32 – Playing a Gnome00:45:53 – House Sivis00:50:39 – Picking the right origin00:54:33 – Closing Thank you to Joseph Meehan for assisting with identifying the timestamps for the chapter markers.

Keith, Wayne and Imogen open up the lab and get experimental… it’s time to talk artificers and arcane science! Time Markers 00:00:00 – Introduction00:01:39 – Topic and ReferencesDragonmarks: Arcane ScienceDragonmarks: Arcane ArtsDragonmarks: Arcane HistoryExploring Eberron, page 2900:05:51 – Wizards and Magic in Classic Fantasy00:07:08 – Artificers in the Eberron Campaign Setting book00:12:37 – 3.5e Artificer and Craft Reserve00:13:46 – 4e Artificer00:17:03 – 5e Artificer00:22:33 – Tools as a Focus00:29:13 – Arcane Science00:34:50 – Artifice in the World00:38:11 – House Cannith00:41:12 – Certification and Regulation00:47:24 – The Arcane Congress00:50:21 – Wizarding Circles00:52:00 – Beyond and Before Galifar00:56:22 – The Giants00:59:19 – Magical Pollution01:00:58 – Adapting Techniques01:02:47 – Demonic Artifacts01:03:48 – Sul Khatesh01:05:29 – Artificers without Arcane Science01:06:41 – Closing Thank you to Joseph Meehan for assisting with identifying the timestamps for the chapter markers.

Cold Sun and Poison Dusk threaten Keith, Wayne and Imogen as they explore the frontiers of Q’barra. Time Markers 00:00:00 – New Sponsor: KB Presents00:01:29 – ReferencesDungeon 182 “Backdrop: Q’barra”Dungeon 185 “Poison Dusk, Black Sun”Dragonmarks: A Q’barra CampaignDragonmarks: Lizard DreamsOn the Edge of Hope: Building a Foundation00:02:50 – What is Q’barra?00:04:55 – Design Purpose00:08:04 – Comparison to Xen’drik00:11:52 – Why go to Q’barra?00:13:50 – Edition Evolutions00:18:06 – New Galifar00:22:16 – Noble Politics in New Galifar00:24:41 – Hope00:27:07 – Ruins from the Age of Demons00:29:36 – The Edge of Hope00:31:25 – Lizardfolk and their Alien Nature00:34:43 – Rhashaak and Haka’torvhak00:36:10 – Masvirik the Cold Sun00:37:17 – The Cold Sun Federation00:38:04 – Lizard Dreams00:41:46 – First Contact00:43:34 – Colonialism and Property00:44:17 – Darmok00:46:22 – The Poison Dusk00:48:00 – Dragonborn00:55:16 – House Tharashk00:58:51 – Q’barra Adventurers01:03:17 – Closing Thank you to Joseph Meehan for assisting with identifying the timestamps for the chapter markers.

Keith, Wayne and Imogen stare into the witch’s pot to get a glimpse of the next D&D 5th Edition hardcover. Time Markers 00:00:00 – Introduction00:03:30 – Character Origins00:04:52 – Origin Feature Swapping00:07:45 – Nationality in Eberron00:10:42 – Alternate Ability Score Increases00:18:14 – Classes and Subclasses00:19:03 – The Armorer00:24:18 – The Barbarian00:25:31 – Path of the Beast00:28:41 – Wild Magic Barbarian00:31:26 – Bard00:32:29 – College of Creation00:37:11 – College of Eloquence00:38:47 – Cleric00:39:20 – Order Domain00:40:42 – Peace Domain00:42:48 – Twilight Domain00:44:47 – Druid00:45:18 – Circle of Spores00:48:14 – Circle of Stars00:49:58 – Circle of Wildfire00:51:17 – Fighter00:51:36 – Psi Warrior00:54:43 – Rune Knight00:58:53 – Way of Mercy01:00:23 – Way of the Astral Self01:03:12 – Oath of Glory01:05:24 – Oath of the Watcher01:06:25 – Ranger01:10:58 – Fey Wanderer01:12:11 – Swarmkeeper01:13:10 – Beastmaster Ranger01:13:38 – Phantom01:16:03 – Soulknife01:18:24 – Sorcerer01:19:14 – Aberrant Mind01:22:12 – Clockwork Soul01:24:28 – Warlock01:25:25 – Fathomless Patron01:27:03 – Genie01:28:18 – Bladesinger01:30:36 – Order of Scribes01:31:49 – The Rest of the Book01:34:58 – Closing Thank you to Joseph Meehan for assisting with identifying the timestamps for the chapter markers.

The Inspired graciously welcome Keith, Wayne and Imogen to the Unity of Riedra. Time Markers 00:00:00 – Introduction00:00:51 – ReferencesKeith Baker’s Dragonmarks:Riedra in 5eProvinces of RiedraProvinces of Riedra (Patreon Expansion)Cities of RiedraSecrets of SarlonaEscape from Riedra: An Across Eberron Adventure00:02:25 – What is Riedra?00:03:26 – Humans as Colonizers00:04:22 – Kalashtar and Inspired Design History00:06:25 – Optional Psionics00:08:14 – Humans as Invaders00:09:05 – Sarlona as Exotic and Mysterious00:10:15 – Riedra is not Asia00:11:43 – IC vs OOC Knowledge00:17:36 – Rebellion Against Authority00:19:57 – Old Civilisation and Secrets00:23:30 – The Dreaming Dark’s Takeover00:25:38 – The Path of Inspiration00:29:14 – Wide Psionics00:32:03 – The Riedran Mindset00:34:54 – Wide Psionics, Part 200:40:29 – Thought Police00:43:40 – Edgewalkers and Manifest Zones00:45:30 – How do you use Riedra as a DM?00:46:35 – Riedra in Khorvaire00:47:48 – Non-Kalashtar Rebels00:48:13 – Getting to Riedra00:49:23 – Legitimate Business00:52:00 – Escape from Riedra00:53:46 – PCs from Riedra in Khorvaire00:54:28 – Loyal Riedran PCs00:58:08 – Psionics in 5e01:03:50 – Closing01:04:21 – Blooper Thank you to Joseph Meehan for assisting with identifying the timestamps for the chapter markers.

Keith, Wayne and Imogen venture beyond the Shadowcrags to explore the ancient and terrible Demon Wastes. Time Markers 00:00:00 – Welcome and ReferencesRising from the Last War: The Demon WastesKeith Baker’s Dragonmarks:The Demon Wastes vs the MournlandThe Age of Demons and YouOrcs and the Ghaash’kala00:01:32 – Background Information00:06:18 – Before the First Release00:07:50 – Fiends of Khyber00:08:55 – Mordor00:09:20 – The Ghaash’kala Twist00:10:40 – The Overlords00:12:40 – The Demon Wastes as the Mouth of Khyber00:14:08 – Why Does This Matter00:15:30 – High level Play in Eberron00:17:00 The Wastes00:21:50 – The Mournland vs The Demon Wastes00:23:40 – The Labyrinth and the Ghaash’kala00:28:08 – Demonic invasions00:29:12 – The Lair of the Keeper00:35:20 – Ashtakala00:38:00 – The Lords of Dust00:40:30 – Demonglass00:41:15 – Lords of Dust Meetings00:42:19 – The Source of Fiends00:42:58 – Rakshasa00:46:24 – The Carrion Tribes00:50:55 – Carrion Tribe PCs00:53:55 – Historical Invasions00:54:48 – Demon Wastes Artifacts00:59:27 – Anyone can join the Ghaash’kala1:00:05 – Settling the Demon Wastes1:01:24 – Drawing Power from the Demon Wastes1:03:02 – Closing Thank you to Joseph Meehan for assisting with identifying the timestamps for the chapter markers.

Keith, Wayne and Imogen are joined by special guest Laura Hirsbrunner to discuss the content and process of Keith’s newest Eberron hardcover: Exploring Eberron. Time Markers 00:00:00 – Guest Appearance: Laura HirsbrunnerLaura Hirsbrunner’s Twitter00:00:50 – PreviewsSly Flourish’s Stream PreviewKB Presents TwitterExploring Eberron on the DM’s Guild00:01:50 – What is Exploring Eberron?00:04:02 – Book Content Overview00:05:10 – Chapter 1: Discover00:07:40 – Cyre00:08:10 – The Last War00:08:48 – Magic in the World00:09:43 – The Focus on Character Applications00:13:11 – Chapter 2: Races00:15:03 – Chapter 3: Faiths00:17:10 – Blood of Vol and the Silver Flame00:18:05 – The Sovereign Host00:19:54 – Cults of the Dragon Below00:24:37 – Chapter 4: Uncharted Domains00:27:51 – Wide Monster00:29:08 – The Thunder Sea00:34:21 – Evolution from the Original Eberron Draft00:37:21 – Sea Elves00:39:27 – Chapter 5: The Planes00:46:33 – Daanvi00:47:09 – Xoriat and the Maze of Reality00:53:03 – The Planes at all Tiers00:53:27 – Fernia, Risia and Developing Exciting Themes00:56:30 – Chapters 6-800:59:44 – Playable Sahuagin01:01:53 – Chapter 7: Treasures & Siberys Dragonmarks01:05:51 – Symbionts01:06:46 – Chapter 801:07:42 – Du’ulora Quori Art01:08:43 – The Forgotten Prince01:10:33 – On Being “Done”01:15:36 – What’s with the bananas?01:17:43 – The Map of the Planes01:20:30 – Favorites01:25:24 – Closing Thank you to Joseph Meehan for assisting with identifying the timestamps for the chapter markers.

Keith, Wayne, Kristian, and their new co-host, Imogen Gingell venture into the wilds of the Eldeen Reaches. Time Markers 00:00:00 – Introduction00:00:13 – New Co-host: Imogen Gingell!00:03:16 – Readings:Catching Up and the Eldeen ReachesDruids in Eberron00:04:02 – Druidic Magic as an Adopted Cultural Tool00:07:30 – Who Signed the Treaty of Thronehold on Behalf of Oalian00:09:59 – Oalian and the Wardens of the Wood00:11:10 – New Chapter00:12:13 – Druid-like Communities and Characters00:15:04 – Leveraging the Wardens of the Wood 00:18:26 – Wardens are the Protective Barrier between the Wild and the People00:20:11 – The Dangers of the Eldeen Reaches00:24:01 – Range of Adventures in the Eldeen Reaches00:28:23 – Fey and the Greensingers00:30:32 – Manifest Zones and Powerful Threats 00:34:28 – The Conflict with Aundair00:38:00 – Character’s Views on Aundair00:40:44 – Opportunities for House Vadalis00:43:01 – Archetypes of the Eldeen00:46:18 – How Did the Secession Affect You?00:46:52 – Characters Touched by the Fey00:47:39 – Concept: Lost Soldiers Emerging into a Changed World00:49:05 – Change Happens00:50:01 – Special Announcement00:55:56 – Wrap Up

Keith, Wayne, and Kristian delve deep into the Mror Holds to dig into the dwarves. Time Markers 00:00:00 – Introductions00:00:55 – Readings:Dwarves of the Mror Holds, Part 1Dwarves of the Mror Holds, Part 2Dragonmarks: DwarvesDragonmarkedExploring Eberron (Coming Soon)00:03:30 – Dwarves in Eberron vs. Traditional Settings00:06:16 – Dwarves and Craftsmanship00:08:40 – Exiles from The Realm Below00:13:11 – Using Symbionts00:14:43 – A Concrete Place for the Daelkyr00:16:41 – Dwarvish Artifacts00:18:15 – Dwarves in Exploring Eberron00:20:50 – How Dwarves Tell Stories00:24:00 – Using Lore to Create Characters00:26:46 – Symbionts and Darkblood Dwarves00:29:21 – Dwarf Stories00:31:21 – Colonizing the Realm Below00:33:50 – The War Below00:37:54 – Khyber’s Demiplanes00:40:22 – New Symbionts as Living Tools00:41:51 – The Jhorash’tar00:46:07 – Exploring Eberron for Players00:47:31 – Wildemount’s Heroic Chronicles00:49:05 – Dwarf Player Character’s Views and Stories00:53:19 – Dwarven Aging00:55:29 – Subraces, Darkblood Dwarves, and Rusty’s ‘Sunglasses’00:58:58 – Wrap Up Thank you to Joseph Meehan for assisting with identifying the timestamps for the chapter markers.

Keith, Wayne, and Kristian explore the culture and identity of Eberron’s half-elves. Time Markers 00:00:00 – Introductions00:01:13 – ReadingsThe Khoravar: Half-elves of KhorvaireDragonmarkedPlayer’s Guide to Eberron00:02:41 – History of Khoravar as a Distinct Race00:07:02 – Half-elf Lifespans00:09:34 – Eberron’s Half-elves vs. D&D’s Half-elves 00:12:00 – Giving Half-elves Their Own Story00:14:04 – No Nation of Khoravar00:16:11 – Building a Racial Identity00:23:40 – The Power of House Lyrandar as a “Nation”00:33:20 – The Subtlety of House Medani00:38:29 – Broader Khoravar Community00:42:14 – Half-elven Districts? 00:45:22 – Bridge between Two Worlds00:46:27 – Khoravar Cant00:49:30 – Exception to Nationality over Race00:50:46 – Playing a Khoravar vs. Newborn Half-elf00:53:09 – Your Half-elf Character’s Age00:54:31 – Do You Feel a Tie to a Dragonmarked House?00:54:50 – Are You Interested in Your Elven Heritage?00:55:51 – Where’s Your Family/Community Base?00:57:46 – Newborns Blending into Khoravar Communities01:00:21 – Khoravar Are Really Just Changelings!01:00:30 – Wrap up

Keith and Kristian examine the Treaty of Thronehold, how it has shaped the continent of Khorvaire, and what effects it can have in your campaign. 00:00:00 – Introduction00:00:34 – Readings?00:01:39 – Two Years before and after the Signing00:03:48 – New Nations and Shifted Borders00:09:52 – From Galifar to the Current Map00:14:40 – Galifar Code of Justice00:19:46 – Warforged as Citizens00:29:05 – Adhering to the Code of Galifar00:32:49 – Sentinel Marshals as Enforcers00:38:29 – Sidenote: Reinforcing the Treaty of Thronehold00:38:55 – Difference between Sentinel Marshal and Tharashk Bounty Hunter00:39:56 – Who Enforces the Treaty?00:42:05 – The Nations Still Figuring It Out00:44:08 – The Cold War and Adventuring Risks00:48:07 – How Much Weight Does It Carry in Your Campaign?00:50:14 – Warforged Breaking Indentured Servitude00:52:16 – Losses and Gains from the Treaty00:56:46 – Wrapping Up

Keith and Kristian venture to the outer regions of Khorvaire to study the various cultures of orcs and half-orcs. Time Markers 00:00:00 – Introduction00:00:17 – ReadingsDragonmarks: Orcs and the Gaash’kalaDragonmark 3/19/14: Orcs, Mean Streets and MoreThe Dragon Below TrilogyThe Binding StoneThe Grieving TreeThe Killing Song00:01:28 – What Sets the Orcs of Eberron Apart00:06:00 – Specific Orc Subcultures00:06:21 – Shadow Marches Orcs00:08:50 – Tribes, Clans, and House Tharashk00:13:14 – Player Motivations00:14:25 – Half-orc Status00:18:32 – Cults of the Dragon Below00:19:48 – The Jhorsh’tar00:23:05 – Droaam Orcs00:26:48 – Orcs in the Demon Wastes and the Ghaash’kala00:27:06 – New Chapter00:35:04 – Why Orcs are Great00:36:30 – Meme Reference: Gatekeeper vs. Valenar00:39:00 – Half-orcs: The Bridge between Worlds00:40:30 – For Players00:43:50 – Designing the Orcs of Eberron00:46:40 – Ghaash’kala and the Prophecy00:48:58 – Oracles of the Draconic Prophecy00:50:43 – Alternative Gatekeeper Seals00:54:24 – Wrap up Special thanks to Joseph Meehan for his assistance with capturing and submitting time markers on this episode.

Keith, Wayne, and Kristian talk about all of the exciting content and accessories to be released for Eberron and explore Eberron: Rising from the Last War.

Keith and Kristian are joined by Don Bassingthwaite, author of The Dragon Below and Legacy of Dhakaan trilogies of Eberron novels, to study the culture and history of the Dar. Time Markers 00:00:00 – Introduction00:02:17 – Readings:The Dragon Below TrilogyThe Binding StoneThe Grieving TreeThe Killing SongLegacy of Dhakaan TrilogyThe Doom of KingsWord of TraitorsThe Tyranny of GhostsDragonshards – Heirs of DhakaanDragonshards – Strike Force: DhakaanDragonmarks: GoblinsEberron Dhakaani goblin vocabulary dictionary00:05:54 – Advanced Goblins00:08:33 – Humanized but Still Very Different from Humans00:16:30 – Lawful Nature Contrasted with Orcs00:18:44 – Dhakaani Lacking Faith-based Magic00:24:02 – Don’s Inspiration for Legacy of Dhakaan00:25:22 – The Feel of Cultural Depth00:26:16 – Physical Presence of Goblinoid History00:29:51 – For GMS00:30:35 – Don’t Fall Back on Traditional Lore00:31:25 – Goblinoids Don’t See Themselves as Villains00:32:20 – Ancestral Dhakaani Ruins and Artifacts00:35:57 – Subvert Assumptions00:38:02 – Goblinoids as a Playable Race00:40:30 – Goblinoid Character Concepts00:46:56 – Advice for Visiting Rhukaan Draal00:50:25 – Concepts to Explore Further00:53:57 – Slavery in Darguun00:58:43 – Wrap Up