Mindphlayers & Metaphysicians

Create philosophical characters and adventures with this supplement for the world’s greatest roleplaying game

2nd Edition

Sample file

1 Credits Contents

Design: Ricardo Peraça Cavassane (with contribu- I. What is Philosophy? ...... 3 tions from Lilian Cristiane da Silva on concepts of Why Philosophy? ...... 4 magic items). The Areas of Philosophy ...... 4

Layout and Cover: Ricardo Peraça Cavassane. II. Philosophers ...... 5 Adventuring Philosophers ...... 5 Cover Illustration: Publisher’s Choice Quality Stock Races ...... 6 Art © Rick Hershey / Fat Goblin Games; Wizards of Classes ...... 12 the Coast. Personality & Backgrounds ...... 14 Skills & Feats ...... 17 Interior Illustrations: Wizards of the Coast. Factions & Patrons ...... 18

III. Philosophizing ...... 19 Resources The Problems of Philosophy ...... 19 The Applications of Philosophy ...... 20 Creature Catalogue by Graeme Morris, Phil Gallagh- er, and Jim Bambra; Lords of Madness: The Book of IV. Magic & Philosophy ...... 23 Aberrations by Richard Baker, James Jacobs, and Steve The Schools of Magic ...... 23 Winter; Monster Manual II by Rich Burlew, Eric Cagle, Spells ...... 23 Jesse Decker, Andrew J. Finch, Gwendolyn F. M. Kes- Magic Items ...... 24 trel, Rich Redman, Matthew Sernett, Chris Thomas- son, and P. Nathan Toomey; Monster Manual III by Ed V. Other Philosophers ...... 27 Bonny, Jeff Grubb, Rich Redman, Skip Williams, and Monstrous Philosophers ...... 27 Steve Winter; Player’s Handbook 3: Psionic, Divine and Non-player Philosophers ...... 39 Primal Heroes by Mike Mearls, Bruce R. Cordell, and The Enemies of Philosophy ...... 41 Robert J. Schwalb; Spelljammer Appendix: Monstrous Compendium by David “Zeb” Cook, Steve Winter, and VI. Philosophy in Theros ...... 44 Jon Pickens. Subjects & Problems ...... 44 Meletian Philosophers ...... 44 Setessan Philosophers ...... 47 Akroan Philosophers ...... 47 Other Theran Philosophers ...... 47 Theran Philosophers’ Stats ...... 48

Index ...... 50

Sample file

On the Cover A halfling sage tries to decipher a script engraved on a medallion. 2 indphlayers & Metaphysicians I. What is Philosophy? is a guide for adventures using the fifth edition of Dungeons & Dragons In the context of M&M, philosophy means the me- in which the player characters ex- thodical, continued and undogmatic thought on very Mplore ruins of ancient civilizations, sneak into secret important matters, like what is the nature of reality, libraries of powerful empires and even enter portals what makes an action good and what is the source of to other planes of existence, seeking not (only) power magic. Philosophy is not necessarily opposed to reli- and wealth, but (also) knowledge and wisdom. gion and other traditions, insofar as they accept the M&M presents ideas for players and DMs who scrutiny of philosophers on their doctrines. want to center their adventures on the search for The main enemies of philosophy are, therefore, philosophical knowledge and the consequences of dogmatic and dishonest thought, or no thought at such findings for themselves and for the world around all. Philosophers must question – or at least suspend them, or who just want to add a philosophical touch belief on – everything that is deemed certain, in to characters’ goals and motivations. The goal of order to establish a firmer knowledge or, when they M&M is to do so with a minimum of new rules and believe such knowledge is not possible, in order to features, using mostly what has so far been presented enable thought and action to proceed unhindered by as official content. dogmas. Those who do not want people to form their When anything from a non-core book (Players own opinions or who want people to believe blindly in Handbook, Monster Manual, and Dungeon Master’s certain ideas see philosophers as enemies more haz- Guide) is cited, its source is indicated as follows: ardous to their position than plagues, monsters and armies, for philosophy can clear the minds and hearts EEPC • Elemental Evil Player’s Companion of men and women of lies and coercion. ERF • Expanded Racial Feats Political revolution and personal freedom are not MToF • Mordenkainen’s Tome of Foes always the goals of the philosophers: many of them MOoT • Mythic Odysseys of Theros “only” want to apprehend the rules that bind reality SCAG • Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide or to understand how can mortals manifest magical TCoE • Tasha’s Cauldron of Everything powers which supposedly come from the gods them- TTP • The Tortle Package selves; also, many of them are not idealized free-spir- ToA • Tomb of Annihilation its, but rather scholars of ancient traditions or pious VGtM • Volo’s Guide to Monsters worshippers of the gods whose philosophical works XGtE • Xanathar’s Guide to Everything consist in shedding light on the meaning of sacred texts or discussing in depth minor details of religious At first, adventures dealing with such themes may doctrines. However, even the most theoretical endeav- seem too far-fetched and inappropriate to the fantas- ours of philosophy may have important consequences tic and heroic tone of D&D. However, we will try to for established powers, and some may feel threatened show how the quest for ideas of M&M can add a lot just by the idea that their lifework (be it philosophi- to your usual D&D campaign – especially if it is set cal or not) may be contradicted – and for that reason, in the world of Theros. many times the deadliest enemy of a philosopher is another philosopher. Ricardo Peraça Cavassane That said, it is important to note that some philos- (Philosophy Master specialized in Wittgenstein and ophers will do whatever necessary to put their hands Dungeon Master specialized in Wights n’ Stirges) on a rare book, or to make sure their own book gets published – and not that piece of rubbish written by their stupid rival –, or even just to look like they won an argument. The skills of a philosopher can also be employed for evil purposes, as well: the knowledge of the many forms of arguments and fallacies, for example, can be used as a rhetorical device to deceive and manipulate; the theories and arguments of philosophers may be used to corroborate the acts and poli- Samplecies of vile tyrants; and the wisdomfile that comes with philosophy may be used not to spread self-confidence and enlightened optimism, but hopelessness, distrust and despair. So, as everything else in the worlds of D&D, philosophy comes in all alignments.

3 Why Philosophy? The Areas of Philosophy

Philosophy may be introduced in D&D via M&M in In the context of the fantastic worlds of D&D, phi- many ways – and for many reasons. losophy may be pursued not only for the personal The first and simplest one is as a motivator for the wisdom it brings, but also for the applications of the actions of PCs and NPCs: player characters, for exam- knowledge it brings. In M&M, philosophy is divided ple, may seek adventure in order to find the meaning in the following areas: of life, in order to solve an ancient enigma concerning a prophecy, or in order to better understand magic, • Aesthetics & Philosophy of Arts. The study of the nature or religion. In this form, philosophy may con- beautiful or sublime character of a natural, artistic or sist merely in a role-playing device, and the reason for even magical object may be useful for artists of many its inclusion is the enrichment of character back- sorts. grounds and motivations. • Epistemology & Philosophy of Sciences. The study The second one is as the centerpiece of the main of the rules of scientific knowledge, whether they conflict of an adventure: a sage might hire the PCs concern ancient alchemy, clockwork engineering or to find a long-lost philosophical tome whose con- aberrant biology, may be useful for scientists and tent will prove to be politically dangerous; a villain artisans of many sorts. wants to spread her nihilistic philosophy in order to • Ethics & Philosophy of Politics. The study of good, please an evil god; or a conflict between two parties evil, law and chaos, as well as of the structures of the defending opposite ethical positions threatens to many forms of government, may be useful for those cause a civil war. In this form, philosophy enters the who want to lead – or not to be leaded. game properly: PCs may be required to make checks • Logic & Philosophy of Languages. The study of to decipher and understand philosophical texts, for the laws of reasoning and argumentation and of the example. The reason to do this is to create interesting general characteristics of languages may be useful for and surprising adventures, in which interaction is as those for whom language is a tool or a weapon. important as combat and exploration, and which give • Metaphysics & Philosophy of Magics. The study of the players the opportunity to role-play their (possi- the nature and laws of the cosmos and of the magical bly conflicting) world-views. energies manipulated by all sorts of magic-users may The third one is as a common theme around which be useful both for them and for those who deal with the whole campaign orbits: player characters adven- them. ture in order to acquire wisdom and expand their • Strategy & Philosophy of Wars. The study of knowledge through direct experience of the world; in strategies, tactics and logistics of combat, as well as of order to find the lost writings of a thinker they study the reasons to wage war or not may be useful both for or to converse with other sages on puzzling problems; warriors and pacifists. in order to spread their philosophies and shape the • Theology & Philosophy of Religions. The study of ideologies of cities and nations; etc. The antagonists gods, godlike entities and of those who adore them they face, on the other side, may want to prove their may be useful both for the followers of a church and intellectual dominance even if they are half-witted for the enemies of a cult. liars; to make society mirror their thought even if by force; or even to make magic bend to their cosmo- In the section Philosophizing, we will describe the logical vision. In this form, philosophy is fully incor- rules concerning the applications of philosophy. porated into the game, and reading this supplement becomes important for both players and the DM. The reason to make a whole campaign about intellectual pursuits is because you love both philosophy and Science & Philosophy D&D – as we do! In its beginnings, there was no major distinction between philosophy and the sciences. Today, the relation between the them is, as everything with philosophy, a matter for discussion. In the context of M&M, philosophy is closely related to science, but also independent from it. So, while one philosopher might be a thinker of Samplethe ethics and politics of her filetime, writing manifestos and participating of public discussions, with no interest for alchemy or astronomy, another might be a scholar of the laws of magic who wants to understand how the universe works not through reason alone, but also by conducting arcane experiments and empirical observa- tions. 4 • A mastermind rogue who manipulates a whole II. Philosophers kingdom with elaborated lies and assassinations… • A mind flayer ulitharid who diverges with his elder In M&M, a philosopher player character can be: brain about the fate of the colony and of the humans around it… • An aasimar paladin, with a cryptic and enigmatic • A necromancer wizard seeking lichdom in order to guide, who seeks to understand her mission… continue his lifework on the laws of metamagic… • An artificer who ponders on the ethical issues of • An oathbreaker paladin whose personal mission is creating automatons... to preach nihilism and hopelessness… • A dragonborn sorcerer who wants to understand • A yuan-ti abomination who seeks to reach anath- what is her and her clan’s role in the worldly order… emdom and become a god through reason alone… • A dwarven paladin who searches for the exact … And many others. meaning of concepts such as justice and goodness… • An elven wizard who wants to comprehend the The following subsections concern the race, class, fundamental laws of magic and reality… and background options which are more appropriate • A githzerai sorcerer who wants to understand the to philosopher PCs and NPCs, as well as other features psionic bonds between mind and matter… of characters important to the search for wisdom • A goliath fighter who wanders the world spreading (monstrous philosophers and the enemies of philoso- his philosophy of personal freedom and power… phy will be treated on their own sections). • A half-elf cleric who believes in a single god and who preaches that all people are inherently equal… • A human bard who wants to grasp the meaning of Adventuring Philosophers life and existence… • A tabaxi bard who enjoys inquiring people on a May be considered philosophers in the context of variety of subjects only to show them that they are M&M any characters who dedicate some time to the wrong… study of philosophy, which usually means reading, • A Theran wizard who practices the philosophy of discussing and writing about texts of living and dead the Elpidian school by helping those in need with his philosophers, but also writing new arguments and magic... thesis about already existing or even new philosoph- • A tiefling monk who contemplates on the problems ical problems and concepts. Most philosophers begin of evil and suffering… by studying other philosophers and just later in life • A water genasi wizard who has a theory about how write original essays and treatises. Lecturing and everything comes from and returns to water… public speaking are also involved in the practice of … And many more! philosophy, and those are all some philosophers do. Adventuring philosophers may do all that, but they Antagonistic non-player characters who practice or also travel the world seeking for long lost scrolls of oppose philosophy, on the other side, may include: ancient philosophers, interviewing wisemen on a par- ticularly troubling question, spreading their wisdom

• An Akroan hoplite exiled by adoring Mogis, who and fighting ignorance, preconception, dogmatism, believes philosophers are responsible for the deca- tyranny, obscurantism, relativism, nihilism, etc. They dence of Akros... may have been adventurers before they were philoso- • A barbarian zealot who brutally enforces the doc- phers, and had to deal with conceptual problems due trines of his church… to the motive, nature and consequences of their quest • A college of whispers bard who spreads fear and (be it a search for a powerful yet dangerous and costly despair though false news of war and disease… spell which shall be used to save a loved one, a rebel- • A githyanki nihilist who saw the truth that a life lion against a tyrant who brought peace and pros- of raiding and warring is as meaningless as one of perity by seizing her people’s rights, or stealing from tedious peace… the rich and giving to the poor in a plutocrat, cor- • A gynosphinx who no longer serves her god and rupt and unjust city), or they were philosophers first who keeps secrets that could give rise to a sacred and the way they conceived philosophy compelled war… them towards a life of adventure (like a philosopher • A kuo-toa archpriest who wants to rule more than who believes that only true love gives life meaning, Sampleor who believes that anyone filewho does not actively his fellow fishmen by conceiving the absolute god… • A leonin iconoclast who will do anything so the rebel against a tyrant participates in tyranny, or who Theran people will no longer put faith in their gods... believes virtue lies in having nothing for oneself and • A lonely beholder who has spent his entire life helping people in need). accumulating knowledge about immortality and theo- rizing about the continuity or not of his existence…

5 Races Bugbear Bugbear VGtM philosophers are almost unheard of. The culture (and sometimes the biology) of each race may influence the philosophical world-views of their Centaur individuals, or of individuals of other races that were Theros centaurs MOoT are divided in two bands, and influenced by a certain race’s traditions. philosophers are rare in both of them. Here are presented some guidelines for creating If a Lagonna band centaur becomes interested in philosopher characters of (almost) all official races, as philosophy it will probably happen during the pro- well as of a race that has not yet seen the official light toporos, the journey of self-discovery their young go of this current edition. through, and the centaur philosopher will probably choose not to return to the band, where such talents Aarakocra may not be so useful. Those centaur philosophers Aarakocra EEPC philosophers share, both literally usually become generalists, as their curiosity guides and figuratively, a privileged position in relation to them from area to area, never settling down on a land-dweller thinkers. Their aerial lifestyle enables single subject. them to see the greater picture and the complex, A Pheres band philosopher, by her turn, will either far-reaching relations between beings and concepts; be concerned solely with strategy, and will thus be a at the same time, however, it shapes their views and valuable member of the band, even being able to as- ideas, making it difficult for them to accept or un- sume the leading role of charger, or will be a renegade derstand concepts proper of earthbound, sedentary concerned with any subject other than war. cultures, such as property, right or contracts. Their philosophers usually defend the ideals of freedom Dragonborn and diversity, arguing vehemently in favor of ethical The devotion to their clans, their concept of honor plurality – for no value is carved on stone for them –, and their constant quest for self-improvement are and against imprisonment or execution as forms of not elements of the dragonborn culture that their legal punishment. Most aarakocra thinkers also share few philosophers usually discuss, although they find a conception of language in which meaning is socially pleasure in reassuring those ideas from time to time. and evolutionarily constructed, probably because of When dragonborn decide to dedicate themselves to the role that chirps and other vocalizations play on philosophy, however, they take the activity to a level their own speech. of excellence rarely seen. Their philosophies deal with problems of the whole spectrum of ideas, but Aasimar usually with an ethical overtone that hints towards The celestial-touched aasimar VGtM are, in a sense, the concepts of community, greatness, integrity and the embodiment of many philosophical problems, perfection. Among dragonborn philosophers, there and most often meditate on those problems through- are also those who commit themselves to the hercu- out their lives. The core of these problems lies in the lean task of an exegetical commentary on the philos- conflict between their mortal lives and perspectives ophies of the dragons themselves, usually focusing and the eternal values their immortal patrons wish on the works of a dragon philosopher related to their them to enforce. Inevitably faced with enigmatic draconic ancestry. dream-messages and ethical dilemmas, aasimar are forced to ponder upon philosophical problems such as Dwarf if mortals really do possess free will or what is in fact Dwarves are a traditionalist and devout race, obedient the nature of good and evil. For some, those medita- to strict laws and commandments, dedicated to hard tions are a small – although necessary – part of their work on stone and metal, and these defining traits mission, as slaying evil foes is of the highest prior- make their rare philosophers the most rigorous ones. ity. For others, philosophy is essential to what they Most dwarves are too arrogant, proud and stubborn are and do, and those usually try to collaborate with to think that they need to explain – or that they need philosophers of other races in their investigations on to be explained to – what their laws, traditions and ethics, law, politics, war, etc. religious doctrines mean, and most are too pragmatic Protector aasimar are way more inclined to philos- and straightforward to spend their time on theoretical ophy thanSample scourge ones; there are also many thinkers reasonings with few practical file applications. However, among fallen aasimar, who obviously have diamet- some dwarves take these characteristics to another rically opposed views from their fellow thinkers (in level, and see philosophy as a way to attain an ab- fact, there is more than one story where an aasimar solutely certain and perfectly exact knowledge, be it has fallen after meditating on certain philosophical on metaethics – like defining concepts such as order questions). and justice –, aesthetics – like finding the laws that explain why the dwarven style is the most beautiful –, metaphysics – like how dwarves are ultimately 6 and fundamentally made out of stone –, etc. Thus, Firbolg dwarven philosophers almost always want to better The discovery of a piece of philosophy written by a understand their already established codes, doctrines firbolgVGtM is a very unusual event. The first reason and traditions, and those who think beyond or even for this is, of course, the rarity of firbolg philosophers: against these ancient dogmas are considered pariahs. those guardians of the woods, although wise and Among dwarven subraces, hill dwarves are the prone to calm contemplation, prefer working with most prone for doing philosophy, for they have their hands to working with their minds. The sec- greater intuition, and also because they are a bit more ond reason for this is the introspective and reclusive free-minded than their mountain cousins. A gray character of the race: firbolg philosophers usually do dwarf SCAG/MToF philosopher, if there is any, would not leave writings, and when they do so, they usually probably be inclined towards nihilism and obscurant- keep their notes – mostly written in a combination ism. of Elvish and Giant – for themselves, or share it only If you want your dwarven character to come from a with fellow members of their clan. The third reason clan of philosophers, pick a clan name like Deepthink- for this is the fact that firbolgs rarely sign their writ- er, Sharpmind or Truthfinder. ings, leaving the reader speculating about the identity of the author (and probably attributing it to an Elf elf). Besides those facts, philosophers who deal with Elves are naturally inclined to do philosophy: a race questions regarding the relation between mortals and with a very long lifespan, which allows for deep and the natural world often seek – mostly without success meticulous thinking on all matters and leads to a – the advice of a firbolg. comprehensive and profound worldview; with a rich culture, which seeks perfection in all arts, sciences Genasi and crafts, including magic; with a thoroughly doc- Genasi EEPC are mostly known among other thinkers by umented history, kept in books in vast libraries and their physicalists, philosophers who dedicate them- in songs passed on through generations; with an selves to determining which is the ultimate substance inclination towards patient diplomacy and strategy of all matter, but genasian philosophy is not only over reckless aggression; with a natural tendency about studying the elements. Genasi philosophers towards freedom of thought and action, and love for – more commonly found among the earth and water knowledge and truth… All their traits make them the subraces than among the air and fire ones – may in- race with the most philosophers, for many of them herit the philosophical culture of their parents’ race, dedicate their lives to academic philosophy and most thus dealing with any kind of problem, or may feel of them have some knowledge of it and practice it inclined to deal with questions proper to their dual in their way of seeing things. They even possess an nature, whether by adopting a dualistic worldview, by innate ability who allows them to make philosophy as expanding it into a perspectivist pluralism, or by re- no one else does, for some elven philosophers master jecting it and becoming holistic monists. Those modes the discipline of using their meditative trance to solve of thought reflect not only on their understanding of difficult enigmas, to engender complicated thought physics and metaphysics, as we have already cited, but experiments, to contemplate on complex concepts, also on their ethical and political views. Thus, some etc. may be individualistic pragmatists who believe in Among elven subraces, high elves, due to their personal freedom and in an eternal struggle between naturally acute intellect and their inclination to- wills, while others may be deontologists who believe wards academic activities, are the most susceptible in duty and adherence to a cosmic order teleologically to be philosophers. There are a lot of wood elven and directed towards perfect balance. eladrin MToF philosophers too, but they tend to be more intuitive and unacademic. Drow philosophers Gith usually see philosophy as a tool for persuading and The schism that separated the githzerai MToF from the deceiving, and also for justifying their actions; and githyanki MToF generated two diametrically opposed MToF shadar-kai philosophers are investigators in ser- cultures, and while philosophy is at the core of the vice of the Raven Queen. first, it is de facto almost nonexistent in the second. Philosophy is an important part of the monastic Samplelives of the githzerai. They studyfile the teachings of Zerthimon, the laws that govern mind and matter, the ethics of discipline, resilience and self-government, and the principles of just, necessary war. There are certainly common concepts and methodologies in the philosophies of most githzerai thinkers, but as long as union and reverence to Zerthimon is maintained, different forms of thought are allowed. However, 7 rebellious or radical ideologies, like that of the Sha’sal Goblin Khou, are considered heretic. A goblin VGtM philosopher would be a strange sight. The githyanki, on the other hand – when they are not raiding and plundering –, sometimes engage in Goliath pseudo-philosophy: they promote symposia on phil- Goliath EEPC/VGtM philosophers exist, at least in osophical questions, which never come to a conclu- legends. One story for example, tells the deeds of a sion; they write some loose verses, catchphrases or mighty warrior who not only leaded her clan through paragraphs of philosophical texts, but never finish a the harshest of winters, claiming victory over victory poem or essay. As all other intellectual, artistic and against duergar, frost giants and even white dragons, scientific endeavors of the githyanki, their philosoph- while also writing a – now lost – philosophical tome ical efforts are weak, undisciplined and abandoned on the improvement of oneself and one’s communi- halfway through. ty through the constant overcoming of internal and external obstacles. Another myth, famous among Gnome monks, narrates the life of the son of a tribal chief The naturally inquisitive mind of gnomes makes them who was abandoned in a cave for his pacifism and his good candidates to philosophizing, especially rock love for all lifeforms, who survived long years only gnomes; for most forest gnomes are interested in all by drinking the water that dropped from the stalac- knowledge that involves nature and its creatures, and tites and by eating the moss that grew on the cave some even may find it important to rigorously clas- walls, quietly contemplating the meaning of all life sify plants, animals and monsters and to understand and death, of all pleasure and suffering, and how he what makes them the way they are, what explains returned to his tribe decades later to lead them, as his their characteristics and powers, and how should one fate determined. act towards them, but most of them are inclined to a more pragmatic kind of knowledge. That can also Half-Elf be said about rock gnomes; however, they often face Half-elf philosophers are common, both among those themselves with theoretical obstacles to their work who live in urban centers – who usually dedicate EEPC/ that invite them to philosophize. Deep gnomes themselves to ethical, political or religious problems – SCAG/MToF , by their turn, are even more practical, due to and among those who wander the wilds – who usually their harsh lives in the underworld, and although they meditate on the cycles and regularities of nature. are more smart than other gnomes, they very rarely Half-elf diplomats and ambassadors, common occu- end up being philosophers. pations among them, benefit from studying the laws If you want to role-play a gnome philosopher, con- of logic and rhetoric and the legal philosophies of the sider giving her a nickname like Lostgaze, Scrollworm many nations they deal with. Also, some half-elven or Whyasker. thinkers, motivated by the issues their half-breed nature imposes on them, deal with the problems of equality, community and identity.

Half-Orc Half-orcs VGtM who become philosophers may try to avoid dealing with the questions concerning their race and to focus on whatever subjects are considered relevant in the school of thought they are a part of, but eventually having to reflect on the influence of Gruumsh on themselves, or may delve deep in the ethical, metaphysical and theological problems concerning their nature. Regardless of their approach to philosophy, most half-orc thinkers agree that neither them nor the orcs themselves are inherently bound to a life of brutality nor are in any way less free than Samplemembers of any other race. file

8 Halfling Creativity & Philosophy Halflings are typically too simpleminded and practi- Removing an entire faculty from a race is a bold move. cal to delve into philosophical questions. Sometimes, For what exactly is and what is not creativity? How can however, an eccentric and secluded halfling noble someone role-play a character entirely devoid of it? We could try to become a philosopher, especially if other believe the answer will vary from table to table, but we halflings (or humans) think she could never be capa- chose the interpretation that the kenku cannot come up ble of such a task. with new ideas and concepts, but are able to combine A halfling who attempted to do this would more those that they read or heard somewhere else in their probably be a stout than a lightfoot one. own compositions, not in a subtle way, but in a manner that would have them considered plagiarists by modern Hobgoblin western standards. Such interpretation is not prohibitive Unlike other goblinoid species, hobgoblins VGtM value of them being philosophers (so members of any race the study of philosophy, especially of questions con- can engage in philosophy), only of them being – at least cerning politics and strategy, not only to their own from a certain perspective – good philosophers. benefit, but also in order to better understand other peoples and their societies. Kenku Human The kenku VGtM lack creativity – stripped away by Humans are known as a short-lived race, and fre- their former master –, a core ability for a philosopher; quently seen as short-tempered and short-sighted, so they excel at reproduction, though. These traits make it is a surprise to many – especially to elves and other them great book copyists and scribes, a work most intellectually inclined races – that philosophy is an of them consider dull. However, some kenku use this important element in almost all of humans’ innumer- skill to make collages and combinations – be them ably different ethnicities, nations and cultures. This simple juxtapositions or logically complex edifices of happens because in philosophy humans find an activi- theses, antitheses and syntheses – in the attempt to ty in which they can achieve both their short-term, create new works of philosophy (this raises a polemic individual and egotistical as well as their long-term, discussion about if those kenku have recovered a bit collective and altruistic goals, for this conflict be- of their creativity, or if this is not a creative activity at tween the will of one versus the will of many is in the all). Most philosophers would consider this plain pla- core of human culture. On the individual level, philos- giarism, but others see some potential in this attempt ophy allows one to attain great power through knowl- to create original thinking inside the rigid boundaries edge of the truth and through convincing rhetoric, imposed by an ancient and powerful curse. Those and humans use this power especially to exert politi- kenku thinkers sometimes deal with epistemological cal influence, be it directly or from a greater distance, problems concerning creativity itself, or ethical prob- be it in order to maintain the status quo or to light lems on freedom and autonomy. the flames of revolution – for humans above all other There are also some kenku (those with the Master ERF races learned that philosophical skills can be used not of Mimicry feat) who can mimic someone else’s only to explain and clarify, but also to deceive and skills for a short period of time, and thus they are able bewilder. On the collective level, philosophy allows to engage in a discussion with a philosopher of help a one to transcend its own limitations and contribute to philosopher solve a particular problem, even though a greater wisdom, for among humans there are many they are not philosophers themselves. academies, colleges and universities in which philosophers and other scholars can work together, usually Kobold around a common conundrum; and even the works of Kobold VGtM philosophers are rare, but they do exist. those solitary wisemen and wisewomen, whose phil- Some try to understand a certain dragon’s philosophy, osophical achievements are rarely recognized during usually only being able to scratch the surface of it, but their lifetimes, can have a long lasting influence once nonetheless proudly declaring themselves a “disciple” they are discovered by a more eminent philosophical of the said dragon philosopher. Others are priests figure or by a noble interested on intellectual matters. of Kurtulmak who are forced into philosophizing in order to be able to gain some understanding from the Samplefew scraps of sacred text leftfile by the former priests of the imprisoned god. Finally, there are those who delve a bit deeper in the study of arcane knowledge and thus also deal with metaphysical questions.