DMing Chemistry

 Ei-Lanteans are a people rarely seen. Their homeland is to the West, but not on the islands, rather under the sea. For the Ei-Lanteans are a curious breed indeed, as they can breath water just as easily as air. They, however prefer to stay close to water, as their skin can dry out very fast, which is not only very uncomfortable, but can even lead to their death, if serious enough. Thankfully about one long bath a day is sufficient to stave off the worst. Ei-Lanteans are quite tall, almost all of them taller than 2 meters, but they are usually quite thin. Their skin colors range from deep blues to vibrant greens, with different colored markings that evoke the light glistening on the ocean waves. They have sharp, needle-like teeth, small noses and piercing eyes. They have gills on the sides of their torso, which are left open to the air (or water, as the case may be) in traditional Ei-lantean clothing. They have large, pointed ears, which they often decorate with piercings. They com...

 Dingoneks are dangerous freshwater predators. They have an armored, seal-like body with a feline head that sports enlarged canines. Their hides are spotted to offer camouflage. They can grow up to 6 meters long, and have been known to prey on adult hippopotamuses. They are ferocious carnivores, and have been known to attack boats. Thankfully Dingoneks are mostly confined to the jungles of the deep south, where they claim smaller lakes and rivers as their home. Usually solitary, they only form pairs in mating season, after which both parents go back to their original bodies of water. At any other times a resident Dingonek will attack any others that enter their territory. Dingoneks hunt much like a crocodile, though they usually go after larger prey. They are usually seen as diving protectors of the waters, and are offered animal sacrifice, after which they are much less aggressive, though it is unknown if this is because they accept the sacrifice, or because they are full, and don...

  Said form when a phoenix egg falls into a volcano, Phoenix Crystals are exceedingly rare to find. Most consider them a sort of naturally occurring magical item, though some posit that they were made by ancient sorcerers beyond our recollection. Whatever may be the case only a few has been found, and all efforts to create more have lead to failure. Phoenix Crystals are amber crystals with a flame suspended in the middle. they are slightly warm to the touch, and they can be used as the powersource of arcane rituals that would otherwise need a sacred flame. It is also said that the Metal Men are willing to pay almost nay price for one, but so far no-one has been willing to give up such a rare treasure. What even the least learned person, with no magical talent at all can use them for however, is unleashing great destruction. For when a Phoenix Crystal is broken, a giant bird made of flame jumps out, and flies directly away from the person who broke the crystal, burning everything an...

Invented by the orcs, the Artctorian Badge is a relatively common magical item, usually made of silver, depicting a bear on its hind legs. It is given to those that prove themselves worthy, usually generals or fleet commanders, and is generally considered to be among the highest honors one can achieve in orcish society. Arctorian Badges can have many different enchantments, but the most popular are personal protective spells, closely followed by the ability to talk to bears, as the ceremony in which they are typically awarded is framed as becoming blood-brothers with them. Badges bestowed upon exceptionally heroic individuals may have completely unique effects, and while the badges are usually either buried with their wearers or are donated to a temple upon their deaths, it is not unheard of for some to have been given one that was recovered from the tomb of a great hero, or has been given out by temple it is housed in for people seen as continuing the deceased's legacy. This has o...

 One of the easier ways around the limitations of war-monsters is to take direct control. Helms of Monster Command are the most popular way of achieving this. When put on, the wearer falls into a trance-like state, where they take over the body of the war-monster that the Helm is linked to, allowing generals to control these mighty beasts much better. Unlike most other magical artifacts, these items are often made on a larger scale, with armies having access to sometimes as many as a dozen.  Their main advantage is that they are relatively easy and cheap to make. They also don't need costly training to be used effectively, and the vulnerability of the wearer's original body means that even slaves can be forced to don them, turning them into effective soldiers. The main drawbacks are that they need to be keyed to a specific war-monster, and if the creature dies, the helmet needs to be re-enchanted. It is also remarkably easy for an enemy spellcaster to sever the connection bet...

  It is said that the best copper in the world comes from the island of Demros. While that may or may not be true, it is certain that the island exports a lot of copper. Located between the Orcish , Reptilian and Bronze Elven homelands, the isle is a natural meeting point between cultures, and also occupies a prime position to be a trading hub.  First settled by the orcs, Demros has since became a home a to many different peoples brought in by the siren song of trade and wealth. Many empires tried to control it, but not only could it always pay the best mercenaries, it could always call on the other empires to protect it, since if it were ever to fall under the yoke of a single empire, the shipments of copper would surely cease to the other great powers, or at least they would become much more expensive. Thus the continued neutrality of Demros is in the interest of all. Recently Demros has been hit hard by the Invaders , and for the first time in living memory its mighty wal...

  Sea serpents and their cousins, the river and lake monsters are the brood of Termak, demoness of the Waters Below. She was defeated by the gods, sealed beneath the earth, but her children escaped and multiplied to the point that almost all bodies of water house at least one monster. Despite their origins, these monsters usually leave people alone, only occasionally sinking boats, or eating those who swim carelessly. Most of the time a few sacrificed animals a month keeps them amicable enough, and they have no wish to interact with mortals beyond that. Sometimes however, they become a danger to all who would enter their waters, in which case they need to be put down. Slaying these mighty beasts is very much a task for the mightiest, or most foolhardy of warriors. The one place aquatic monsters are consistently hostile is the deep ocean. Once one sails a few days past the point they can see land from, they enter the territory of these deadly monsters, and they will try to sink any ...