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Understanding the Eberron Campaign Setting

What is Eberron?

Eberron: A planet unlike any other – and perhaps Dungeons and Dragons most iconic setting. A unique world with story hooks, species, classes, and a magic system entirely new to the larger meta of D&D, Eberron is a campaign setting created by award-winning game designer Keith Baker as the winning entry in Wizards of the Coast's 2003 Fantasy Setting Search. Thanks to over 20 years of materials for players and GMs alike, Eberron has been a fan favorite since its 3rd edition campaign setting release. Easily one of the most recognizable alternatives to the typical D&D setting, fans of Eberron campaigns have enjoyed countless adventure modules and sourcebooks, from "Rising from the Last War" to the recently released "Frontiers of Eberron: Quickstone," now available on DMsGuild.

Key Themes and Characteristics of Eberron

Eberron stands apart from Faerûn in more than just name. While key components of D&D 5e are present in the world of Eberron, the setting comes with a vibrant history, resulting in a unique and diverse socio-cosmology across its many continents and peoples. While Eberron is a second home to the familiar faces of Faerûn (Halflings, Elves, Orcs, and Humans), the setting is also the birthplace of several of D&D's most popular newer species - the Changeling, the Shifter, and perhaps most notably, the Warforged. 

According to Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron (Chapter 3, p. 67), in Eberron, Warforged "were built to serve and to fight. For most of their existence, warforged had a clearly defined function and were encouraged to focus purely on that role. The Treaty of Thronehold gave them freedom, but many warforged struggle both to find a place in the post-war world and to relate to the creatures that created them."

Magic System

What makes an Eberron campaign different is more than just the character options and cosmetic changes in the setting. Unlike the traditional magic system most D&D players are accustomed to, Eberron offers a system commonly referred to as "wide magic." In Eberron, magic is "widespread," meaning everyone from commonplace citizens to campaign questing wayfarers live in tandem with low-level magic and magic items, weaving their arcane knowledge into everyday life with various practical applications as if it were a simple tool. The Eberron world blends the traditional medieval fantasy setting with the core themes of steampunk and neo-noir, resulting in a world chock-full of sprawling cities, soaring airships, sentient technological beings, and plenty more to discover.

Landmarks and Wonders of Eberron

The Eberron map is one of many lands and kingdoms, each with its own cultures and histories. While most Eberron adventures and campaigns take place in the sprawling continent of Khorvaire, the setting offers much more to explore beyond the coasts.

Khorvaire

Most Eberron campaigns take place in Khorvaire, which is often considered the focal point of the setting. Home to the Five Nations once united under the Kingdom of Galifar, Khorvaire has seen its share of bloodshed and conflict after The Last War split the houses apart, throwing the people of Aundair, Brelend, Cyre, Karrnath, and Thrane into a ruthless war that scarred the land with the remains of their ceaseless battle. 

Today, the people of Khorvaire exist under an unstable treaty. Waiting with bated breath as The Last War threatens to haunt the Five Nations again. The latest entry in the saga of Khorvaire comes in the recently released "Frontiers of Eberron: Quickstone" on the border between the neighboring nations of Brelend and the newly emerging nation of Droaam. Bubbling with tension, the border town residents stand ready to defend the frontier from the mysterious inhabitants on the other side.

Character Creation in Khorvaire: The people of Khorvaire are united under a banner, not species. Feel free to roll a character of any species when choosing which nation to originate from. 

Aerenal

No matter the setting, Elves always need their ancestral homeland. Described as the "ancient kingdom" of the Elves, the massive island of Aerenal is a jungle land full of ancient knowledge and arcane secrets. Aerenal is the perfect setting to run a horror campaign, full of encounters with ancient necromancers and undead Elven spirits. 

Character Creation in Aerenal: Aerenal is more than just necromancy and eldritch horror. While some may dip into more evil sources of power, the Elves of Aerenal value positivity and see death as a natural force of life. Aerenal is a natural pick if you're rolling an Elf with a penchant for the arcane.

Xen'drik

Xen'drik was once the land of the Giants. Now, Xen'drik is nothing but the ancient remains of a distant war between the native Giants and the invading Dragons of Argonnessen. While there is little chance of encountering a survivor of this conflict, Xen'drik holds untold treasures and relics of priceless value. Adventurers travel far and wide to uncover ancient mysteries and artifacts in the region despite the reception from the natives, in particular the Drow. 

Character Creation in Xen'drik: Xen'drik is home to Eberron's more obscure species. If you're making a Drow character or any variant Human or Elf, Xen'drik is a good place to start them off.

Argonnessen

Home to the most ancient civilization of Eberron - the kingdom of the Dragons. Argonnessen is a land protected by high-level divination and teleportation magic, shielding itself from possible invaders or armies. The Dragons of Argonnessen are some of Eberron's most practiced magic-users who wield their epic magic to significant effect. 

Character Creation in Argonnessen: Argonnessen is a great place to start a draconic character - or even a dragon itself! But don't limit yourself to dragons when it comes to your character inspiration. Argonnessen is home to wandering bards of Barbarians of various species, making the island a natural pick for martial class characters.

Sarlona

Sarlona is known as the "cradle of human civilization" in Eberron. Once home to over a dozen distinct kingdoms, the vast and sprawling continent of Sarlona stood tall as the pinnacle of human culture. Today, Sarlona is home to only two remaining nations - "the mighty empire of Riedra and the mountain sanctuary of Adar." 

Character Creation in Sarlona: Characters from Sarlona hail from one of two nations, each with its respective benefits. Humans from Riedra, known as "the inspired," are gifted with the ability to commune with extra-planar spirits, while Humans from Adra, known as "Kalashtar," commune with spirits of the dream realm. Sarlona is a great place to start a Human character with a connection to the many planes of Eberron. 

Everice and The Frostfell

The two poles of Eberron are both uncharted regions of frost. Of the two, Everice is distinguished mainly by its purportedly sprawling reach. While largely unexplored, many claim it stretches across multiple landmasses, forming a single continent-sized ice sheet.

Frostfell, the northern counterpart to Everice, is the subject of debate amongst Dwarven historians. Some believe Dwarven presence in Khorvaire comes from their ancestors' pilgrimage from the Frostfell, while others dismiss this as baseless conjecture.

Character Creation in Everice and The Frostfall: There aren't many people in Eberron's north or south poles, but ice-themed creatures such as Frost Giants and Ice Mephits might populate the otherwise inhospitable region. Or maybe the Dwarven theories are correct, and an ancient culture of Frost Dwarves exists beneath the ice?

Essential Eberron Books for Players and GMs

If there's one essential book for DM's and players alike, it's "Rising From the Last War"—the official sourcebook for Eberron 5e. 

Eberron: Rising From the Last War

The official sourcebook for the Eberron setting includes:

• DM Resources
  • Lore, 90+ pages on Khorvaire history and culture, additional regions, adventure hooks, base rules, optional rules, and more
• A Level 1 Starter Adventure
  • "Forgotten Relics" set in Sharn: The City of Towers
• The Artificer Class
  • Eberron's official 5e class has three subclasses: Battlesmith, Artillerist, and Alchemist.

Plus, there are plenty of new backgrounds, NPCs, monsters, maps, and more to discover. Whether you're a DM or a player, Rising From the Last War is the complete setting book for the ideal Eberron campaign.

Wayfinder's Guide to Eberron

A 175-page book that serves as an introductory guide to the setting for both players and DMs. Providing foundational information on the setting, themes, rules, and locations, specifically, a deep dive into Sharn: The City of Towers.

Frontiers of Eberron: Quickstone

The latest release in the world of Eberron is shaping up to be the ideal introductory material to the setting. Inspired by the old western, Frontiers of Eberron: Quickstone is an exciting new adventure and campaign guide set in the small border town of Quickstone. In this 32-page adventure, players are taken from their 1st level to their 5th as they investigate disappearances at a mining camp set against the backdrop of the rising threat of Droaam, a region that the Five Nations previously wrote off as a lawless land of monsters and evildoers -- recently emerged as a legitimate power in Khorvaire. Inspired by the Western, Frontiers of Eberron is all about the wild frontier, with new game mechanics like Arcane Showdowns, introducing initiative-based spellcasting duels, or all-new playable subclasses like the Wandslinger Specialist. 

Tools for Dungeon Masters

Dungeon Masters looking to run a game in Eberron have a vast pool of tabletop content to pull from with new mechanics, features, maps, and more available at the Roll20 Marketplace. Eberron presents an entirely clean slate for DMs accustomed to the world of Toril, but don't be overwhelmed! Rising From the Last War is updated to 5e rules, and Frontiers of Eberron: Quickstone is updated to 5.5 - meaning the Eberron setting comes with all the same rules DM's are comfortable with. 

Frontiers of Eberron: Quickstone - Roll20 Conversion

The best way to get your Eberron campaign up and running on Roll20 is with its latest release. Available on the Roll20 Marketplace, the Frontiers of Eberron: Quickstone adventure comes with built-in conversions, meaning everything from your character sheet to tokens and more is ready for Eberron from the minute you launch. 

Frontiers of Eberron: Quickstone includes:

• Digital Rulebook
• Character Sheets
• Digital Token Pack
• Adventure Addon 

Plus, additional content!

Converting Existing Adventures

Want to convert 3.5 legacy content or an existing 5e adventure like Curse of Strahd into something fit for the world of Eberron? Start with one of these major elements:

• Replace locations (e.g., Waterdeep with Sharn)
• Swap out NPCs and organizations for Eberron equivalents
• Adjust plot hooks and tweak narrative to fit Eberron's politics and wide magic system 

DM's looking to dig a little deeper into Eberron books and materials can find these resources and more on the Roll20 Marketplace:

• Eberron: Rising from the Last War
• Exploring Eberron
• Chronicles of Eberron

Eberron Adventures Await

If you still haven't explored the Eberron setting, Frontiers of Eberron: Quickstone is the perfect jumping-off point. With a level 1-5 adventure centered around the politics of Khorvaire, Frontiers of Eberron presents a strong starting zone for players and DMs looking for introductory materials to immerse themselves in the complex lore of Eberron. Pick up your copy at the Roll20 Marketplace and discover a familiar and entirely new world ready for adventure. The definitive setting for Western, neo-noir, and political intrigue campaigns, Eberron is the go-to pick for Dungeons and Dragons players looking to shake things up while remaining true to the game they know and love.