Most worlds are built from starstuff — loose particles older than time coalescing through either happenstance or design — eventually supporting life capable of asking questions about its own provenance. These worlds tend to require an eventual calming of bombardment, without which life might be snuffed out before it has a chance to grow. Some worlds, however, flourish within the chaos, settling into a tenuous rhythm and dancing amongst the cavalcade of shooting stars. Such worlds are emboldened by their near misses, but are also empowered by their interactions. Newly fallen starstuff, a raw and chaotic but foundational material, can carry enough energy to wipe out entire civilizations, snuff out all god-fearing peoples — or it can herald a rejuvenation, bringing power to all who might seek it.
The world of Mote is one such shining beacon, the beneficiary of the magical essence of a cataclysmic impact thousands of years ago upon a remote continent. People from far across the seas came to this promised land which they called Esterfell, slowly building new civilizations in a landscape untouched by awakened creatures and imbued with strange stellar energies. Even now, the children of Esterfell struggle to push against a powerful wilderness, eking out a relatively meager existence while building their empires in safer territories.
One nation, the Esterfell Accord, controls the central sea from which springs an energy that furthers their continuing development and growth. Another, Subros, grows wary and covetous of the Accord's power. While these two countries clash, smaller groups on the fringe attempt to maintain their territories and independence. The Verdancy — a vast stretch of untamed wildlands surrounding and bisecting the nations — looms as a potential conquest, but defies such efforts as a seemingly insurmountable challenge.
And through it all, the heart of a star pulses beneath the continent, its arcane power waiting to be challenged and conquered — or to strike down any foolish enough to seek it out.
- Antipelan Society
- The Chosen
- Edgewood Construction
- Gilded Purse
- Order of Istus
- Overseers of the Eager
- Reynard's Den
- Shorsta-Halasma
- Tealeaf Estate
This content was written to be compatible with Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. It makes the following modifications from the Systems Reference Document:
- "Species" is used in place of "race" and "ancestry" or "variant" in place of "subrace".
- This document uses new traits called Condition Resistance and Condition Vulnerability. Resistance to a condition means that a creature has Advantage on Saving Throws made to resist that condition, and vulnerability to a condition means that a creature has Disadvantage on such Saving Throws.
- Damage and condition resistance, vulnerability, and immunity are now grouped together as Resistances, Vulnerabilities, and Immunities respectively.
- Resistance, vulnerability, and immunity to Poison apply to both the damage type and the Poisoned condition.
Mote is © 2018 Mario Panighetti. Licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.
Certain materials are included under fair use exemption of the U.S. Copyright Law and are restricted from further use. These materials, including references to game mechanics, are not approved or endorsed by Wizards of the Coast and do not constitute any license or agreement with Wizards of the Coast.
All artwork for monsters sourced from the Halloween Zero-to-Thirty Challenge Rating Challenge has been commissioned specifically for that project, and all artists retain creative ownership of their respective works, including the right to sell copies. Modification and usage of such artwork is not permitted without express permission from the artist.
Player's Handbook © 2014 Wizards of the Coast LLC.
Elemental Evil Player's Companion © 2015 Wizards of the Coast LLC.
Systems Reference Document 5.1 ("SRD 5.1") © 2016 Wizards of the Coast LLC. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
Ghosts of Saltmarsh © 2019 Wizards of the Coast LLC.
Spelljammer: Adventures in Space © 2022 Wizards of the Coast LLC.