Earthdawn Players Guide (Fourth Edition)

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This page is provided for player and fan reference. Readers are encouraged to also check out the official FASA Wiki or purchase their own copy of the Earthdawn Fourth Edition Player's Guide.

The Therans have been driven from Barsaive, but we must remain vigilant. There are other enemies, and I have no doubt the Therans are waiting for an opportunity to return. ~Commander Sigrun Dalben, Addressing his troops after the Battle of Skypoint

Earthdawn Fourth Edition Player's Guide, © Fasa Games Inc.

The Earthdawn Fourth Edition Player's Guide was published by the reformed design team of FASA Games Inc. The series was rebooted with a 2015 Kickstarter drive, which raised nearly $110,000 on a $10,000 goal and amassing 1,019 backers. This page provides an overview of the books contents.

Introduction

This segment of the Player's Guide provides a high level overview of the Earthdawn setting, roleplaying games, and how to use the book.

To the Saddle Born

A short story focused on a young human named Davon, a potential future Cavalier, whose home of Aspen Grove is beset by raiders.

Game Concepts

This segment provides a nice introduction, or reintroduction, to many Earthdawn game systems, setting elements, and themes. Including:

The Namegiver Races

The Fourth Edition Players Guide provides an overview of Namegiver races common to the core setting of Barsaive. This includes:

Creating Characters

This section provides the primary system of character creation, including selecting a discipline, choosing a race, attributes, characteristics, talents/skills, and the final touches.

Disciplines

Lore, Advancement, and Half-Magic

This section covers the narrative background of the disciplines, and what seperates them from the more mundane professions that might seem similar. Advancement is also covered, as well as the Karma Ritual, and an explaination of Half-Magic.

The Core Disciplines

Talents & Skills

Two chapters are dedicated to Talents, or magically powered abilities Adepts are able to use and their more mundane Skill counterparts.

Workings of Magic

This section provides an overview of major setting thems like the cycles of magic, astral space, thread magic & weaving, True Patterns, and blood magic. Additionally, the Player's Guide covers:

Goods, Services, Legend Points, and the Circle Advancement System

In Earthdawn, silver is the primary common unit of currency, and multiple standard TTRPG tables for types of armor, weapons, more rare magical equipment among the standard expected offerings for the setting. Advancement is tracked via Legend Points, awarded by the gamemaster, and player's use them to advance their characters through Circles.

The Passions

The world of Earthdawn does not have or hold deities, as in other game settings, but powerful entities known as the Passions are called to in times of need. While those devoted to the cause of a Passion are called Questors and receive magical abilities from their patronage, many are their shrines and stories among the common folk. Historically, the Passions had been benevolent and known for their patronage of the growth of the people's of Barsaive, the Scourge has driven several mad.

  • Astendar, the Passion of romance and the arts.
  • Chorrolis, the Passion of wealth and trade
  • Florannus, the Passion of revelry, victory, and motion.
  • Garlen, the Passion of hearth and home.
  • Jaspree, the Passion of growth, wilderness, and love of nature.
  • Lochost, the Passion of slaves and rebels, who holds high the values of rebellion, change, and freedom.
  • Mynbruje, the Passion of justice and truth.
  • Thystonius, the rugged Passion of physical strength and valor.
  • Upandal, the Passion of construction, building, and planning.

The Mad Passions

  • Dis, once the Passion of order and work, now one obsessed with confusion, slavery, and cruel mastery.
  • Raggok, once know as the Passion Rashomon, who stood for leadership and perserverance, but now tends vengeance and jealousy.
  • Vestrial, once a trickster and prankster, this fallen Passion now seeks manipulation and deceipt.

An Overview of Barsaive

The Player's Guide provides an updated overview of Barsaive in the year 1579 Theran. This section includes introductions to the climate and geography of the region, as well as its politics. Updated descriptions are included of:

Vendors

References

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