Across
- 2. In the reckonings of most worlds, _____s are the youngest of the common races, late to arrive on the world scene and short-lived in comparison to dwarves, elves, and dragons. Perhaps it is because of their shorter lives that they strive to achieve as much as they can in the years they are given. Or maybe they feel they have something to prove to the elder races, and that’s why they build their mighty empires on the foundation of conquest and trade. Whatever drives them, _____s are the innovators, the achievers, and the pioneers of the worlds.
- 4. _____s rely on skill, stealth, and their foes’ vulnerabilities to get the upper hand in any situation. They have a knack for finding the solution to just about any problem, demonstrating a resourcefulness and versatility that is the cornerstone of any successful adventuring party.
- 6. _______s are seekers of the knowledge that lies hidden in the fabric of the multiverse. Through pacts made with mysterious beings of supernatural power, _______s unlock magical effects both subtle and spectacular. Drawing on the ancient knowledge of beings such as fey nobles, demons, devils, hags, and alien entities of the Far Realm, _______s piece together arcane secrets to bolster their own power.
- 7. Whether scholar, skald, or scoundrel, a ____ weaves magic through words and music to inspire allies, demoralize foes, manipulate minds, create illusions, and even heal wounds.
- 9. Whether calling on the elemental forces of nature or emulating the creatures of the animal world, _____s are an embodiment of nature’s resilience, cunning, and fury. They claim no mastery over nature. Instead, they see themselves as extensions of nature’s indomitable will.
- 14. The comforts of home are the goals of most ________s’ lives: a place to settle in peace and quiet, far from marauding monsters and clashing armies; a blazing fire and a generous meal; fine drink and fine conversation. Though some ________s live out their days in remote agricultural communities, others form nomadic bands that travel constantly, lured by the open road and the wide horizon to discover the wonders of new lands and peoples. But even these wanderers love peace, food, hearth, and home, though home might be a wagon jostling along a dirt road or a raft floating downriver.
- 15. Whatever their origin and their mission, _______s are united by their oaths to stand against the forces of evil. Whether sworn before a god’s altar and the witness of a priest, in a sacred glade before nature spirits and fey beings, or in a moment of desperation and grief with the dead as the only witness, a _______’s oath is a powerful bond. It is a source of power that turns a devout warrior into a blessed champion.
- 18. For some, their rage springs from a communion with fierce animal spirits. Others draw from a roiling reservoir of anger at a world full of pain. For every _________, rage is a power that fuels not just a battle frenzy but also uncanny reflexes, resilience, and feats of strength.
- 19. Kingdoms rich in ancient grandeur, halls carved into the roots of mountains, the echoing of picks and hammers in deep mines and blazing forges, a commitment to clan and tradition, and a burning hatred of goblins and orcs—these common threads unite all ______s.
- 21. ______s are intermediaries between the mortal world and the distant planes of the gods. As varied as the gods they serve, ______s strive to embody the handiwork of their deities. No ordinary priest, a ______ is imbued with divine magic.
Down
- 1. A constant hum of busy activity pervades the warrens and neighborhoods where _____s form their close-knit communities. Louder sounds punctuate the hum: a crunch of grinding gears here, a minor explosion there, a yelp of surprise or triumph, and especially bursts of laughter. _____s take delight in life, enjoying every moment of invention, exploration, investigation, creation, and play.
- 3. ________s carry a magical birthright conferred upon them by an exotic bloodline, some otherworldly influence, or exposure to unknown cosmic forces. One can’t study this magic as one learns a language, any more than one can learn to live a legendary life. No one chooses this magic; the power chooses the ________.
- 5. Walking in two worlds but truly belonging to neither, ____-____s combine what some say are the best qualities of their !@# and !@#$% parents: !@#$% curiosity, inventiveness, and ambition tempered by the refined senses, love of nature, and artistic tastes of the !@#$s. Some ____-____s live among humans, set apart by their emotional and physical differences, watching friends and loved ones age while time barely touches them. Others live with the elves, growing restless as they reach adulthood in the timeless elven realms, while their peers continue to live as children. Many ____-____s, unable to fit into either society, choose lives of solitary wandering or join with other misfits and outcasts in the adventuring life.
- 8. ______s are supreme magic-users, defined and united as a class by the spells they cast. Drawing on the subtle weave of magic that permeates the cosmos, ______s cast spells of explosive fire, arcing lightning, subtle deception, and brute-force mind control. Their magic conjures monsters from other planes of existence, glimpses the future, or turns slain foes into zombies. Their mightiest spells change one substance into another, call meteors down from the sky, or open portals to other worlds.
- 10. Born of !@#$%^&, as their name proclaims, the __________ walk proudly through a world that greets them with fearful incomprehension. Shaped by !@#$%^&* gods or the !@#$%^s themselves, __________ originally hatched from !@#$%^ eggs as a unique race, combining the best attributes of !@#$%^s and humanoids. Some __________ are faithful servants to true !@#$%^s, others form the ranks of soldiers in great wars, and still others find themselves adrift, with no clear calling in life.
- 11. Far from the bustle of cities and towns, past the hedges that shelter the most distant farms from the terrors of the wild, amid the dense-packed trees of trackless forests and across wide and empty plains, ______s keep their unending watch.
- 12. To be greeted with stares and whispers, to suffer violence and insult on the street, to see mistrust and fear in every eye: this is the lot of the ________. And to twist the knife, ________s know that this is because a pact struck generations ago infused the essence of Asmodeus—overlord of the Nine Hells—into their bloodline. Their appearance and their nature are not their fault but the result of an ancient sin, for which they and their children and their children’s children will always be held accountable.
- 13. Questing knights, conquering overlords, royal champions, elite foot soldiers, hardened mercenaries, and bandit kings—as _______s, they all share an unparalleled mastery with weapons and armor, and a thorough knowledge of the skills of combat. And they are well acquainted with death, both meting it out and staring it defiantly in the face.
- 16. Whatever their discipline, ____s are united in their ability to magically harness the energy that flows in their bodies. Whether channeled as a striking display of combat prowess or a subtler focus of defensive ability and speed, this energy infuses all that a ____ does.
- 17. Whether united under the leadership of a mighty warlock or having fought to a standstill after years of conflict, !@# and !@#$% communities, sometimes form alliances. When these alliances are sealed by marriages, ____-___s are born. Some ____-___s rise to become proud leaders of !@# communities. Some venture into the world to prove their worth. Many of these become adventurers, achieving greatness for their mighty deeds.
- 20. _____s are a magical people of otherworldly grace, living in the world but not entirely part of it. They live in places of ethereal beauty, in the midst of ancient forests or in silvery spires glittering with faerie light, where soft music drifts through the air and gentle fragrances waft on the breeze. ____s love nature and magic, art and artistry, music and poetry, and the good things of the world.