The mysteries of Blackclaw Mountain call to you–sometimes literally. You know the Grendleroot connects the mountain to other worlds and beings through eldritch power. These entities leave mysterious messages in the mountain that you are determined to decipher. As a Grendleroot scholar, you studied the strange, maddening lore about the mountain, scouring it for answers.
Your reason for choosing to study the Grendleroot is your own. It could be you search for someone you lost to the mountain, you desire to control the eldritch power contained in the Grendleroot, or you simply can’t resist the mysteries the mountain has to offer. Whatever the reason, your studies helped you touch the mountain’s otherworldly madness, and you sometimes hear the words of the eldritch powers connected to the Grendleroot.
- Skill Proficiencies: Arcana, History
- Languages: Two of your choice
- Equipment: A small bag of sand, a bottle of ink, a quill, a journal, a mysterious tome written in a forgotten language found in Blackclaw Mountain, a set of common clothes, and a purse containing 25 gp
Many sages study the Grendleroot and never experience the madness connected to Blackclaw Mountain firsthand. You are one of the few who has. What caused your first brush with the Grendleroot’s madness and connected you to Blackclaw Mountain? You can choose or roll on the Grendleroot First Touch table to answer this question, or let the options on the table inspire your story.
| d6 | Grendleroot First Touch |
|---|---|
| 1 | You read the journal of another Grendleroot scholar, exposing you to the Grendleroot’s madness. |
| 2 | You deciphered a coded message carved on the walls of tunnels in Blackclaw Mountain, exposing you to the Grendleroot’s madness. |
| 3 | You first experienced the Grendleroot’s madness during a dream when you slept in the mountain. |
| 4 | A warlock with a pact of the Black Star awakened your mind you to the Grendleroot’s madness. |
| 5 | You touched an artifact found in Blackclaw Mountain that awakened your mind you to the Grendleroot’s madness. |
| 6 | You ate a unique fungus found in Blackclaw Mountain, exposing you to the Grendleroot’s madness. |
Whenever you take a long rest in Blackclaw Mountain, at the end of the rest you experience a message from the eldritch powers connected to the Grendleroot. The message you get could be vague or need to be deciphered and could be a vision, whispers, or any other form the GM chooses. This message contains a warning or piece of information that pertains to an upcoming adventure.
Additionally, when you enter a new location in the mountain, you immediately know a single piece of lore about the location provided by the GM. The lore could be about hazards or monsters rumored to be in the area, edible or harmful fauna or flora, or a historical fact or legend about the place.
Suggested Characteristics
Grendleroot scholars touch madness with their minds, giving them strange idiosyncrasies. They tend to be distracted and temperamental, as their thoughts are often consumed with the mysteries of the mountain. The most in control scholars are still eccentric, and those with no control are downright crazed.
| d8 | Personality Trait |
|---|---|
| 1 | I mutter to myself about the mysteries I have yet to solve. |
| 2 | I often get distra… what were we talking about? |
| 3 | I speak so quickly that almost no one can keep up with me. |
| 4 | Speaking of toast, you can always count on me for a non sequitur. |
| 5 | I really don’t like being touched, okay? |
| 6 | I don’t care about my personal appearance. |
| 7 | I have a catch phrase (like “Great Scott!”), which I yell whenever I discover something or solve a puzzle. |
| 8 | I rarely provide context when I present my thoughts and ideas. |
| d6 | Ideal |
|---|---|
| 1 | Knowledge. If I can unravel the Grendleroot’s mysteries, I can solve any puzzle. (Any) |
| 2 | Power. If I can harness the Grendleroot’s magic, all will bow before me. (Evil) |
| 3 | Greater Good. I am sacrificing my mind studying the Grendleroot so others can benefit without harm. (Good) |
| 4 | Discovery. I want to uncover a secret that will change the world for the better. (Good) |
| 5 | No Limits. People should be able to study any subject they choose, regardless of taboos. (Chaotic) |
| 6 | Beauty. The chaos of madness is the only true beauty in this world. (Chaotic) |
| d6 | Bond |
|---|---|
| 1 | I consider one of the Grendleroot’s voices a personal friend. |
| 2 | I have a recurring dream about the Grendleroot. |
| 3 | A shard of the Grendleroot is embedded in my body. |
| 4 | I have a student who is learning the mysteries of the Grendleroot from me. |
| 5 | My mentor has not been heard from since delving into the mountain on an adventure. |
| 6 | I have a favorite cavern in Blackclaw Mountain where I can most clearly hear the voices of the Grendleroot. |
| d6 | Flaw |
|---|---|
| 1 | My mood changes for absolutely no reason. |
| 2 | My temper is shorter than a kobold. |
| 3 | I place no value on the opinions of others. |
| 4 | I don’t have time to bathe because there are mysteries to be solved! |
| 5 | I talk around the problems I have with others rather than speaking directly. |
| 6 | Personal space isn’t something I understand. |
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