The Lost Citadel Roleplaying Is ©2020 Green Ronin Samplepublishing, LLC

Sample file FIFTH EDITION ROLEPLAYING IN A WORLD RAVAGED BY DEATH

Sample file Credits Design: Keith Baker, Natania Barron, Jaym Gates, Jesse Heinig, Rhiannon Louve, Ari Marmell, Malcolm Sheppard, and C.A. Suleiman Fiction: Elizabeth Hand and Carina Bissett Development: C.A. Suleiman Additional Development: Ari Marmell Proofreading: Samantha Chapman Art Direction and Layout: Anna Urbanek and Mark Kelly Cover Art: Todd Lockwood Cover Design: Shawn T. King and Hal Mangold Interior Art: Rael Dionisio, Stanislav Dikolenko, Maurizio Giorgio, Kyna Tekk, Francesco Di Pastena, Sveteslov Petrov, Fabio Rodrigues, Julian Lesne, Mirko Failoni, Matt Stikker, Biagio D’Alessandro Cartography: Andrew Law and Jared Blando The Lost Citadel Logo: Design: Mark Kelly Lost Citadel Executive Editor: C.A. Suleiman Publisher: Chris Pramas Team Ronin: Joseph Carriker, Crystal Frasier, Jaym Gates, Kara Hamilton, Troy Hewitt, Steve Kenson, Ian Lemke, Nicole Lindroos, Hal Mangold, Chris Pramas, Evan Sass, Marc Schmalz, Malcolm Sheppard, Will Sobel, Owen K.C. Stephens, Dylan Templar, Veronica Templar, and Barry Wilson Thanks to the Citadel’s first family of writers: Kealan Burke, Brian Hodge, Elizabeth Massie, Mercedes M. Yardley, Natania Barron, Erin Evans, Jaym Gates, Jess Hartley, James Lowder, Ari Marmell, Janet Morris, Chris Morris, Malcolm Sheppard, and Damien Walters. Special Thanks to all our LCRPG playtesters. Your feedback and enthusiasm have been amazing.

Green Ronin Publishing The Lost Citadel Roleplaying is ©2020 Green Ronin SamplePublishing, LLC. All rights reserved.file References to other 3815 S. Othello St. copyrighted material in no way constitute a challenge to the Suite 100, #311 respective copyright holders of that material. Green Ronin and their associated logos are trademarks of Green Ronin Seattle, WA 98118 Publishing, LLC. The Lost Citadel and The Lost Citadel logo www.greenronin.com THELOSTCITADEL.COM are © 2019-2020 C. A. Suleiman. 2 Contents

ocuous Umbra hapter II Class Features ...... 58 A Fable of Characters of Rackets...... 60 Fighter...... 62 the Lost Citadel 6 the Lost Citadel 33 N C A City of Cudgels and Blades. . 62 Class Features ...... 62 THE RACES OF REDOUBT 34 Martial Archetypes...... 63 hapter I Paladin, Zileskan...... 65 The Ascension What’s In, What’s Out...... 34 To Light a Candle...... 65 of Death C 19 The Meliae...... 34 The Warrior’s Way...... 66 Dwarf...... 35 Creating a Paladin...... 66 Children of Stone ...... 35 Class Features ...... 66 THE FIRST ASCENSION 20 Bloodied but Unbowed. . . . . 35 Sacred Oaths...... 68 From the Eternal Sea...... 20 Freeholds and Feuds...... 36 Penitent...... 72 The God of the Mountain. . . . . 20 Dwarf Names...... 36 To Stand Against the Darkness . 72 Out of the Steppes...... 21 Dwarf Traits...... 36 A Lonely Quest...... 73 Elf...... 38 Creating a Penitent...... 73 THE SECOND ASCENSION 22 A People of Autumn ...... 38 Class Features ...... 74 Ibaria: Empire of the Art. . . . . 22 The Weight of Sorrow...... 39 Roads of Atonement...... 78 The Menhada Dynasties. . . . . 22 Scrabbling in the Corners. . . . 39 Ranger, Zileskan...... 80 The Angat Republic...... 22 Elf Names...... 40 Bound to a Broken Land. . . . . 80 The Venmiran Guard ...... 23 Elf Traits...... 40 Fearless is Free...... 81 Akritopa Province Ghûl...... 42 Creating a Ranger...... 81 and the Ouazi...... 23 Strong and Furred...... 42 Class Features ...... 82 The Dwarven Ellikrall...... 23 Silent and Fearless...... 42 Ranger Archetypes ...... 84 Venmah ...... 24 Septs and Initiations ...... 42 Rogue ...... 87 The Meliae Strongholds. . . . . 24 Ghûl Names...... 43 Necessity Knows No Law . . . . 87 Ghûl Traits...... 43 The Surinzan ...... 25 Class Features ...... 87 Redwalker...... 45 Roguish Archetypes ...... 87 THE FALL 25 Human...... 46 Sage...... 89 The Omens ...... 25 Angat ...... 46 Keepers of Secret Knowledge. . 89 The Turning of the Art...... 26 Menhada ...... 47 Sacrifice is Key...... 89 Ouazi ...... 49 The Second Godless Plague. . . . 26 Creating a Sage ...... 90 Surinzan ...... 50 Class Features ...... 90 Fire’s Failure and Venmir...... 51 Mystical Studies...... 93 Unquiet Graves ...... 26 Human Traits...... 52 Warlock, Zileskan...... 98 Ibaria’s End and Saratsa’s Folly. . 26 Pledged, Body and Soul. . . . . 98 The Madness of the Meliae. . . . 27 CLASSES OF THE LOST CITADEL 54 Fear and Suspicion...... 99 The Defiling of Venmah Creating a Warlock...... 99 and the Last Redoubt...... 28 What’s In, What’s Out...... 54 Class Features ...... 100 THE AGE OF REDOUBT 28 Pneuma ...... 54 Otherworldly Patrons...... 104 Barbarian...... 55 New Invocations...... 107 The Silent Siege...... 28 The Mean Streets...... 55 Warrior Monk...... 108 Labor and Death...... 29 Class Features ...... 55 The Purified: The Accord ...... 29 Primal Paths...... 55 The First Warrior Monks. . . . 108 The Order of Things...... 30 Beguiler...... 57 Arts of Strife...... 108 Roots of Deception ...... 57 Creating a Warrior Monk. . . . 109 Beguilers in Redoubt ...... 57 Class Features ...... 110 SampleCreating a Beguiler...... 57 Martialfile Secrets...... 112

3 FEATS 115 hapter III The Foresters...... 167 Drink, For You Know the Bastion of Purity...... 115 Life in Redoubt Manner of Your Death . . . . . 168 Ghûl’s Mending Tongue. . . . . 115 147 C Wages...... 168 Herbalist’s Touch ...... 115 The Ash Farm...... 169 Life Among the Dead...... 115 The Census...... 171 Martial Arts Training...... 115 LIFE AMONG THE DEAD 148 Organization...... 171 Mystic Purity ...... 116 Food...... 148 Hidden Motives?...... 171 Ouazi Girga Eye...... 116 Fruits and Vegetables...... 148 Surinzan Sleaghar Dance . . . . 116 The Church...... 172 Protein...... 148 Well-Connected...... 116 The Five Arms...... 172 Drinking...... 149 Ritualist...... 116 The Academy of Voices. . . . . 174 Jobs and Guilds...... 149 The Crown of Blood...... 175 BACKGROUNDS 117 Government Work...... 149 The Red Trade ...... 175 Guild Work...... 149 Beast-Keeper...... 118 The Ludi, the Pits, Free Labor...... 150 Death Worker...... 119 and their Lords...... 176 Destitute ...... 120 Wealth...... 150 The Forerunners...... 177 Herbalist...... 122 Coinage ...... 150 Forerunner Life...... 177 Laborer...... 123 Bartering...... 150 The House of Mercy...... 179 Martial Scholar ...... 124 Slavery...... 151 House of Mercy Hierarchy. . . . 179 Mystic...... 126 “Voluntary” Slavery...... 151 Holy Relics ...... 180 Scout...... 128 Punitive Indenture...... 152 Herb Network...... 180 Scrapper ...... 129 Slavery by Birth...... 152 Political Involvement...... 180 Slave...... 130 Illegal Slavery...... 152 Charity...... 181 Entertainment...... 153 The Iron Moon...... 181 MARTIAL SCHOOLS 133 Taverns ...... 153 Reputation and Perception. . . 181 Martial Schools in Redoubt. . . . 133 The Gladiatorial Arenas. . . . . 153 Methods and Operations. . . . 181 Martial Opportunity Points. . . . 134 Street Performers ...... 154 Iron Moon Hierarchy ...... 182 Armor and Martial Theater...... 154 The Militia...... 184 Opportunity Points...... 134 The Undertakers...... 155 Every Available Adult...... 184 Martial Ways and Exploits. . . . 135 Rendering...... 155 Militia Organization...... 184 Universal...... 135 The Black Market ...... 156 Calling Out the Militia. . . . . 184 Brilliant Sphere (Grappling) . . 136 Fissures ...... 156 Interactions with Courtier’s Claw Other Groups...... 185 (Light Melee Weapon)...... 137 THE ECONOMY The Undertaking...... 186 Deathbreaker (Against Undead). . 137 OF REDOUBT 157 A Never-Ending Cycle...... 186 Iron Gate (Long Blades). . . . . 139 Lifestyle Expenses...... 157 The Organization...... 187 Shatterbone (Blunt)...... 140 Food, Drink, and Lodging. . . . . 157 The Watch...... 189 Storm’s Eye (Staff, Spear, Self-Sufficiency...... 157 Watch Organization ...... 189 and Pole Arm)...... 140 Services...... 158 The Watch and Strikehand (Unarmed). . . . . 141 Availability of Goods and Services 158 the Magisterium...... 191 Woodfell (Axes) ...... 141 Connections...... 159 The Watch and the People. . . . 191 Of the Eleven Gardens...... 143 Business Connections...... 159 The Watch Gatehouses. . . . . 192 Beggar’s Crook...... 143 Social Connections...... 160 Watch Story Hooks ...... 192 Brand Against Damnation. . . . 143 Losing Connections...... 160 RELIGIOUS BELIEFS 193 Coilhand ...... 144 Claiming a Title...... 160 Jeweled Cannon...... 144 New Weapons and Equipment . . 161 The Faith...... 193 League of Honor...... 145 Weapon Properties...... 162 In the Beginning ...... 193 Followers...... 193 GOVERNING AT Since the Fall...... 193 THE WORLD’S END: The Angat Church of Man. . . . . 194 THE MAGISTERIUM 163 The History of the Church. . . . 194 Sitting in Judgment...... 164 The Church Hierarchy. . . . . 194 The Magisters...... 164 The Church and the City. . . . 194 Tribunals and Magistrates . . . 165 Growth and Practices of The Long Arm of the Church ...... 194 the Magisterium...... 166 The Church of SampleExquisite fileMemory...... 195

4 Tribes of Two Moons...... 196 THE OUTER CITY 232 A World of Woe...... 255 Aurib...... 196 Monsters of Woe...... 255 Newtown West...... 232 Milijun...... 196 Domains of Woe...... 256 The Wall and the Farms. . . . . 232 Rituals and Practices...... 196 The Curse of Magic...... 257 The Neighborhoods...... 232 Cults of Idolatry ...... 198 The Well of Woe...... 258 Mud Magisterium ...... 234 Hafod, the Father of Heroes. . . 198 Marks of Woe ...... 258 The Downs...... 235 Jirhal, the Obsidian Queen. . . 198 The Dead Rise...... 260 Empty Promises...... 235 Amarset the Relentless. . . . . 199 Kingdom of the Nail...... 235 Bilquir, the Pestilent Father. . . 199 WIELDING MAGIC 261 Potter’s Row ...... 236 Moti, Vadan, and Shairya: Zileska Rituals...... 261 Saltyard...... 237 Whispering Echoes...... 199 Tidewater...... 237 Spell List ...... 262 Ancestor Worship...... 200 Beguiler, Siren...... 262 The Farms...... 238 Adherents...... 200 Sage...... 262 The Livery Collective...... 238 Practices ...... 201 Sage, Ascetic...... 262 Milijun’s Dune...... 238 Schismatics...... 202 Sage, Priest...... 262 The Kolobus River...... 239 Aurib-Naa, House Sage, Witch...... 262 The Outer Wall...... 239 of the Moon God...... 202 Warlock ...... 263 Veridilith, the Ash Farm . . . . 240 The Elldimun...... 202 Non-Class-Specific Ritual Spells 263 Aurib-Naa...... 240 The Gihardu and Lisanurists. . 202 New Spells...... 264 Leadership...... 240 The Jepourah...... 202 The Lift Gate...... 240 Church of the Bone Father . . . 203 ZILESKA MAGIC ITEMS 272 The Wall...... 241 The Fire...... 241 New Potions ...... 272 New Weapons...... 273 HAPTER IV The Jepourah Compound. . . . . 242 Population...... 242 New Wondrous Items...... 274 The Last City Culture...... 242 205 C Locations...... 243 HAPTER VI THE UNDERCITY 243 The Dead THE INNER CITY 206 Venturing Below ...... 243 C 277 The Old City...... 206 The Foundation...... 244 The Catacombs...... 244 The Wall...... 206 The Kingdom Below ...... 244 Manors of Wealth and Taste. . . 206 THE NATURE Open Graves of the Past. . . . . 208 BEYOND THE CITY 246 OF UNDEATH 278 Old City Militia Headquarters. . 209 The Forest...... 246 A World of Evil...... 278 The Stables...... 209 The Rift ...... 247 The Dead You Know ...... 278 The White Citadel...... 209 The Mountain...... 249 The Four Orders...... 278 The Square...... 212 Westside...... 214 LOST CITADEL Population...... 214 HAPTER V MONSTERS 279 Culture...... 214 Zileskan Magic Ashborn...... 281 Locations...... 215 Dank Crawler...... 282 The Preservation Council. . . . 218 C 251 Dread Eremite...... 283 Southside...... 220 Forlorn Child...... 284 Population...... 220 Gloomwraith...... 285 Culture...... 220 THE NATURE OF MAGIC 252 Crime...... 221 Grim Aggregate...... 287 Spells ...... 252 Locations...... 221 Grisly Remnants...... 289 Magical Items...... 252 Family Feuds...... 222 Vile Limb...... 289 Uncontrolled Power...... 252 Eastside ...... 224 Viscera...... 289 Backlashes...... 252 Population...... 224 Misery Mob...... 290 Growing Pains ...... 253 Culture...... 225 The Prince of Tears...... 292 Locations...... 225 THE PRICE OF MAGIC 254 Shambler...... 295 Dockside...... 230 Clinging Shambler ...... 296 Sacrifice...... 254 Upriver, Downriver...... 230 Crawling Shambler...... 296 Pacts...... 254 The Farmers’ Market...... 230 Tormented Stalker...... 297 The Meat Authority...... 230 WOE 255 Vile Maw...... 298 The Rafting Guild...... 231 SampleBasic Mechanics ...... 255 file The Southern Ludus...... 231 CHARACTER SHEET 300 Recovering Pneuma Points. . . 255

5 Sample file Nocuous Umbra SampleA Fable of the Lost Citadel file by Elizabeth Hand Sample file alo died on the third day out. A She did the same thing with Kalo’s body, revnant dropped on him from the first removing his flint, compass stone, and Klimbs of a towering black spruce: rope, and adding his meager store of food a creature that was nothing but to her own. After his body had disappeared skeletal remains, not a shred of tissue or from view she cleaned herself as best she ligament that Rifka could see. It appeared to could, then turned and hurried north through fall upon Kalo by accident, swift as a spider the forest, always keeping the river within swinging from its thread, and disarticulated sight or hearing. She tried not to think of Kalo with the same detached precision. Kalo’s head and body reuniting beneath the Rifka had been at the river’s edge, filling water, to somehow make their way back to her gourd canteen. When she heard Kalo’s shore in pursuit of her; or, worse, aligning scream she raced to the closest tree and with the revnant’s shattered bones to form shimmied up it, bolas in hand. She finished some new, even more monstrous creature. off Kalo first, one of the stone weights Such thoughts were children’s midnight striking his temple as the rope wound twice fancies. They would have earned her a round his neck. She knew he was dead by smack across the cheek back in the guild’s the sound his skull made as it struck the subterranean training room, with its smells boulder beneath the spruce. of moist earth and urine, iron and sweat. Rifka hadn’t been a child for many years. Before the revnant could feast upon him, Neither had Kalo. In their specialized unit, she downed it with the second bolas. Not as Foresters only ever ventured outside of the clean a shot. Still, she succeeded in severing city in pairs, never alone or in groups. If its mandible, which rendered it impossible one was killed, the other would continue with for it to feed on Kalo’s corpse, or anyone the journey, alone. If she died as well, no else’s. She lowered herself from the tree she’d one would be sent in pursuit. Each Forester climbed, snatching up a large rock as she trained since birth for their engagement with ran towards the revnant. In less than a the world outside of Redoubt. In Rifka’s unit, minute she’d reduced it to scattered shards each Forester specialized in a single area of of bone like driftwood. She disposed of these expertise. Most died while employing it. within minutes, tossing some into various points of the river, others down the ravine Rifka and Kalo had studied fungi and near which she and Kalo had made their related organisms: mushrooms, slime molds, camp the night before. The rest she threw as stinkhorns, toadstools, tree corals. Kalo far as she could into the forest. specialized in edible fungi, Rifka in medicinal organisms, including those with hallucinogenic By then she was panting, from terror and or magical properties. For the last three grief as much as exhaustion, and she still had years, a drought had afflicted Redoubt. to dispense with Kalo’s corpse. She retrieved There had been no mushrooms — the loss of the obsidian knife he wore, its blade half the a considerable food source for much of the length of her forearm; turned him onto his city: from Newtown’s ghettos, where soups stomach and placed one of her booted feet and stews were fortified with fresh or dried upon his back; then grabbed each of the bolas’ earthballs; to the estates of Westside, where stone weights and pulled the rope between cooks prized black trumpets and the first them with as much strength as she could mouse-ears that carpeted the grass after the muster, until she felt the muscle fibers of spring rains; to Thoranxyx, the innermost Kalo’s neck give way like a rope fraying. sanctum of the White Citadel, a place only She severed his head from his body, rumored to exist (though Rifka knew that stumbled back to the river bank, and threw in fact, it did), with its cult of etiolated it into the water, as though lobbing a larger, priestesses whose silvery eyes could gaze heavier bola. She watched it sink beneath the seventeen days into the future and centuries smooth black surface and rise again almost into the past, but only after imbibing a tea immediately, the blood washed from Kalo’s made from the cortina of the Nocuous Umbra features along with any expression other than — the most deadly, delicate, and (perhaps what might have been interpreted as mild surprising) delicious of all Zileska’s fungi. fatigue. Then the head was gone, borne with This was the object, and purpose, of Samplethe Kolobus’ current south, back to the city. Rifka’s quest. file