Welcome to Curious Quill, an original content resource for d20 roleplaying.

The Quill has spent a lot of time describing the people and beasts of fantasy realms, in the land of Taluma but could be in any land. For the summer season we are going to look at some Expanded Rules options for 5e that for the Taluma setting, but can be used in any campaign.

Lore Kevin Frank Lore Kevin Frank

Mortals:Gargants

The Quill already spent a season each on the ‘civilized’ people including: dwarves, elves, urchins (smalfolk) and orcs; along with humans. There are other mortal beings across the land. Mortals are considered to be sentient people who have a finite existence and are subject to death: they are not immortal.

After the Rivening when the cloud, fire, frost and stone giants were created, the Caelestine were able to further enhance a few of them who were able to accept the fifth element of aether which is the thunder and evolve into storm giants. Over time, those giants that were not granted an element devolved into what we know today as hill giants.

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Lore Kevin Frank Lore Kevin Frank

Mortals:Fiends

The Quill already spent a season each on the ‘civilized’ people including: dwarves, elves, urchins (smalfolk) and orcs; along with humans. There are other mortal beings across the land. Mortals are considered to be sentient people who have a finite existence and are subject to death: they are not immortal.

Our first classification of mortals are fiends. Fiends are mortals with infernal heritage, originally the offspring of demons and devils. This includes demonkin or lesser demons, who are the result of two infernals or an infernal and another mortal mating, and the orc and their kin who are offspring of demons and mortals.

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Lore Kevin Frank Lore Kevin Frank

Construction Werk: Customizing Traits

There are often many ways to build characters with similar abilities, and finding the best option(s) to choose can be challenging, but challenging can be fun and rewarding. In the Construction Werk feature we will look at various tips and recommendations on the early phases of creating a character versus builds into even the early levels. This is about creating a solid foundation for your character.

This time we will look at how to use your imagination and creativity to, with the DMs approval, change the descriptions of things as long as they have the same effects.

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Lore Kevin Frank Lore Kevin Frank

Sub-Classes: Alternative ‘Rogue’ Builds

In the substitute classes (Sub-Classes) features we will look at ways to make different classes work in similar ways through combinations of backgrounds and class and subclass selections along with class feature and spell selection. This time we will look at how to build characters similar to the rogue class: a martial melee weapon martial fighter with stealth, mobility, many skills, and the ability to increase their damage.

Read More about making an skulker.

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Lore Kevin Frank Lore Kevin Frank

Construction Werk: Character Themes

There are often many ways to build characters with similar abilities, and finding the best option(s) to choose can be challenging, but challenging can be fun and rewarding. In the Construction Werk feature we will look at various tips and recommendations on the early phases of creating a character versus builds into even the early levels. This is about creating a solid foundation for your character.

This time we will look at how to build characters by using a theme or motif for the character and making selections based on that.

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Lore Kevin Frank Lore Kevin Frank

Construction Werk: Feat vs. Multi-Class

There are often many ways to build characters with similar abilities, and finding the best option(s) to choose can be challenging, but challenging can be fun and rewarding. In the Construction Werk feature we will look at various tips and recommendations on the early phases of creating a character versus builds into even the early levels. This is about creating a solid foundation for your character.

This time we will look at a possibly big decision, whether to multi-class or get your first Feat.

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Lore Kevin Frank Lore Kevin Frank

Sub-Classes: Alternative ‘Barbarian’ Builds

In the substitute classes (Sub-Classes) features we will look at ways to make different classes work in similar ways through combinations of backgrounds and class and subclass selections along with class feature and spell selection. This time we will look at how to build characters similar to the barbarian class, a melee weapon fighter that can increase their damage.

Read More about making an alternative raging warrior.

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Lore Kevin Frank Lore Kevin Frank

Construction Werk: Order of Operation

There are often many ways to build characters with similar abilities, and finding the best option(s) to choose can be challenging, but challenging can be fun and rewarding. In the Construction Werk feature we will look at various tips and recommendations on the early phases of creating a character versus builds into even the early levels. This is about creating a solid foundation for your character.

This time we will look at our recommended order to make your initial selections at 1st-Level, which is applicable even if your campaign starts at a higher level.

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Lore Kevin Frank Lore Kevin Frank

Sub-Classes: Alternative ‘Paladin’ Builds

In the substitute classes (Sub-Classes) features we will look at ways to make different classes work in similar ways through combinations of backgrounds and class and subclass selections along with class feature and spell selection. This time we will look at how to build characters similar to the paladin class, combining melee weapon combat with divine/radiant magic.

Read More about making an alternative radiant warrior.

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