Next-Level D&D Presents: Echoes of Kalaz-Ka

About the adventure

Far to the west of Frostfall, a peninsula lurches over the endless crests of the Aoevynn Ocean. Crafted entirely of gem-laden stone, the glorious city of Kalaz-Ka is a crown upon the cold, rocky Kalazi Hills. Once the ancestral home of the Hill Dwarves, Kalaz-Ka has been rebuilt many times over its history due to war after war ravaging its walls. Perhaps as much a testament to Dwarven ingenuity as their stubborness, the sprawling streets of Kalaz-Ka still stand, where merchants peddle their worldly wares, keeping their eyes peeled for sticky-bearded urchins. For nearly fifty years, none have breached the walls, and Kalazi Warriors have grown weak without axes in their hands. Ruled by a Council made up mostly of Dwarven patriarchs, Kalaz-Ka is nevertheless home to a substantial population of Humans, Rabbitfolk, Tieflings, Earth Genasi, and a curious race known as the Warforged--mechanical humanoids built by the Kalazi to be warriors, scouts, and companions. Rare in most of the world given their status as slaves and property, two thousand Warforged were the saving grace of the Fourteenth Great Kalazi War, and so they were freed from their bindings. This group of free Warforged calls itself the Union of Liberated Stone, and has found mixed success in their eventual goal to elect one of their own to the Kalaz-Ka Council and help decide the future of their race. Just as old as the city itself are the endless tunnels beneath Kalaz-Ka--the largest and most protected entrance to the Underdark on the surface of the world. Filled to the brim with all manners of light-fearing monsters and mutated beasts, the fungal forests of the Kalaz-Ka Tunnels are home to stern Duergar who have only recently solidified a ceasefire with their surface-dwelling cousins. Horrid creatures have been rising from the depths in great numbers, say the Duergar, an unexplainable phenomenon that has left Kalaz-Ka on edge. While the Dark Dwarves have never been allies to the Kalazi, out of necessity, they've called for the Council's aid and have begrudgingly found shelter in the lowest parts of the city. Near the city, the Gnolls of the Umbersnout Doldrums have seen a similar uptick in violence. Long-standing enemies of the Kalazi, the Gnolls have been offering themselves up to indentured servitude in order to escape otherworldly happenings in their meteor-scarred home, much to the distaste of old Kalazi Councilmen. Living now in the outskirts of the city and forced to mine the very starmetal deposits they once considered holy, the Gnolls are simmering at being manipulated but are forced to continue due to fear of being removed from the only safe place for their litters. In all directions from Kalaz-Ka are ancient nations in various states of disrepair and growth; northward, the Akari Tundra was once inhabited by a long-lost Kingdom so old that even the Kalazi speak about it in whispers and stories. Now composed of ruins amidst the snow and evergreen trees, only ice-encrusted horrors remain roaming the tundra; remnants of an ancient battle that left none alive to tell the tale. To the South, the peak of Mount Haruspex crests against the clouds, never carved and protected by stoic reptilians of various shapes and sizes that domesticate dinosaurs for battle. Preferring to stay out of worldly affairs, these Reptilian humanoids have protected this mountain since any historian can remember. In between lays the grassy expanse of the Tuz'Ch'Nak Plains, the spawning ground of an insectoid race that rarely communicates with its neighbors, seeking only to feed and grow its numbers in an ever-buzzing swarm of chitinous swords and glittering wings. Ancient enemies of the Saurians, conflicting historical tales preclude most historical information about these voracious, many-limbed insects, though the few that escape the psionic control of their Brood Queen claim they were once a peaceful society. Many of these nearby nations have waged war with Kalaz-Ka before. All of them have lost. And yet, biding its time to strike is a brand new enemy, waiting to tear down the walls once and for all.

Additional Details

How to prepare

DM Ryan is available to assist you with the character build on our Discord server in the days leading up to the game. https://discord.gg/Te4vHkK

What I provide

Our professional DM will bring a rich and masterful story and all needed VTT assets.

Gameplay details

This game contains thematic material and is advertised as an 18+ experience. High fantasy with militaristic elements. Time travel. Impossible choices. Puzzles. Politics and intrigue. Dimensional horrors. Airships. Ancient Mountains.

Content warnings

(none)

Safety tools used

(none)

How will character creation work

Please create your character using these Guidelines: -Level 2 -Max HP per level (max hit die plus your CON modifier each level) -Point Buy Stats -Anything Officially Printed is OK -Tasha’s Optional Rules in Effect -Custom Races Available! (see below) -Ask me about Unearthed Arcana or Homebrew Content! -No Encumbrance -Milestone XP -Pick one Common magic item that is not a potion. -Pick one Custom Background! (see below) Fire Islander, Frostfall Traveller, Drow Refugee, Forester, Kalazi Government Official, Kalazi Artisan Corps, Kalazi Soldier, Union of Liberated Stone (not just warforged), Former Gnoll Slave, Firstwalk Gemborn, Nak Hive Escapee, Saurian Spy, Frost-Touched Outcast, North Sea Fisherman, Underdark Nomad, Starmetal Miner

Players can expect

• Find a game to join solo or search for a professional game master for you and your friends/coworkers/family.
• Book your session and wait for the Game Master to approve you.
• If you don't have a blast with your first game, your next game is on us.