Varisia Campaign

In most forests, a bramble called tomb herald - because it grows near burial grounds - is prized by bugbears. When eaten (a painful experience), the thorny bush slightly enhances the monster's ability to smell fear. When fermented into a spirit, the bramble's power increases in potency. When a bugbear is drunk on bramble-sick during a hunt and catches the scent of a victim's fear, it temporarily gains a +2 morale bonus on all attack rolls and skill checks (for as long as it smells pungent fear from a foe within 30 feet). The drink makes the imbiber very ill once its effects wear off (1d4 hours after consumption), causing it to be nauseated for 24 hours. Many bugbears are willing to tolerate this in exchange for the power of the brandy. More than a few adventurers have happened across a bugbear after a night of indulgent bramble-sick-enhanced hunting and found their quarry particularly easy to defeat.

Adventurers in Varisia employ a wide variety of weapons, armor, and gear unique to Varisia. Here are but a few of the most common tools and armaments found in the region. Shoanti Barbarian Chew: Adventurer's Armory, page 18. Dogslicer: This short, curved blade is favored by goblins, who often drill numerous holes into it in an attempt to reduce its weight. If a wielder rolls a natural 1 when attacking with a dog slicer, the weapon gains the broken condition. Masterwork and magical dogslicers do not have this flaw. Most dogslicers are sized for Small creatures. Dogslicer stats can be found in the Adventurer's Armory, front inside cover. Earth Breaker: The crude metal of this massive hammer's head ends in multiple blunt spikes that channel the momentum of a powerful swing. Earth breaker stats can be found in the Adventurer's Armory, front inside cover. False Jewelry: Favored by rogues in statuesque Magnimar, these adornments hide tiny secret compartments....