The Lost Tome of Astinus

D&D 3e (3.0/3.5) Rules

by Meltdown

Author's Note: This is simply a teaser guide to a larger project I have in mind. Presented as the lost books of Astinus, I would like to describe a third continent to the D&D setting. If you approve, this setting will be the birth place of the Chaos elements, as well as how they are involved with the rest of the world. While most, if not all, of this is non-canon, I believe it will add a certain element to games that wish to explore more the chaos war.

Across the plains of the Outback, deep in the thick, verdant grasslands, is a tribe of wild bush warriors named the Kajinee. These people are a diverse and cultured group, with many habits and styles unseen by humanity.

Geographic Range

The Kajinee have settled across the grasslands and wilds of the Outback. This is on a southern tip of one continent or another, between a low mountain range and the southern seas. This rolling landscape is dotted with giant red wood trees, some ash and a lot of scrub brush. There are several valleys, hundreds of gullies of varying sizes, and a plethora of hollows riddleing the country side like cork board. The fruit that grows here is found on either bush or vine, but is also known to be found underground. Some parts of the grasslands are thicker then the others, with some fifty miles of weeds rising up higher then any mans head. Some areas however, are deserts all the same.

Wild antelope, bulls and cattle, and a lot of birds make this place home.

The beaches just before the sea are long and deep, an ocean of rocks and blue tinted sand. The sand on this side of the country is an odd shade of blue, because of the minerals interactions with the red dirt so common in the interior of the location. When heavy rain storms pull in from the coast, floods of red mud pour down through the beaches, leaving the sand to glow blue. The beaches eventually taper off into the sea. The beaches are home to many types of life, stretching from crab to sea gull.

After about a 30 mile decline, the land under water plummets to the depths of the salty sea. The shelf acts almost as a barrier from the tsunami.s that rage out in the deeper ends of the sea. However, once or twice a year, a few squalls tear across the beachs, and for a few months, seasonal rains turn the interior into a muddy mess. Rivers from the mountains trail down into the seas here, which helps account for the wasted fertility of the valley. Many crayfish live on the banks of the rivers, and every type of fish is found in the seas.

Biogeographic Regions

The Kajinee are one of the oldest inuit tribes of the Outback. Their long story begins further up north then they are now, in a time before recorded history. They had existed for many centuries hidden under fur and ice, in a blizzard landscape. They had made their homes from stone, and their clothes from the bear they preyed on. Eventually, the intense cold could no longer sustain life, so they began to migrate with their food supply. They followed the animals down into the jungles, where the mammoth beasts could no longer fight. Hunting them to extinction, the Kajinee looked for a new source of meat.

The jungle lands held many animals for them to feed upon, and they were happy. Of course, as their civilization grew, so did their curiosity. They began to construct small boats, which they used to fish with. Soon, they came upon islands, and those too were settled. As they sailed further away, the jungle empire died out, but new life was found on other land masses. After a long time, the Kajinee sailed deep into the south, settling in the wilds of their new home. It is believed they plan on remaining in this new place for some time now.

The Kajinee are an ethnic blend of several people, as they have assimilated a few dozen cultures in their several hundred years of exploration and migration.

They have adapted and consumed many different types of people through peace and war, slavery and barbarism.

It is often assumed by scholars that the term Kajinee is not the original name, but rather the name of a dominate group who took the original tribe over.

However, what is known is that the Kajinee express many traits of their ancestors in appearance and attitudes. From the north they draw their thick red, brown and gold hair, which was braided, shaved and dreaded deep in the jungles. Their skin is pale and dead in the shade, but quickly browns after any length of time in the halo of sunlight. Their eyes are slanted and small, almond in shape and color. The bone structure of the Kajinee is small, yet strong and account for most their weight.

Habitat

The Kajinee live in a few places across the grasslands, ranging from the rock wall villages near the mountains and hovels built under the giant red woods.

Kavar (pop. 800; est.): This town is installed into the side of the mountain crags, with entire thorps existing in caverns running for miles in the thick stone. These people feed off fungi, birds and the cattle that graze at the foot of their home. Deep in their caves, a river runs underground, which they use to for daily functions. This river also drains into the valleys and the sea. Wooden catwalks and causeways run along the side of the walls, connected each section of the village. The village is divided by cavern for functions, like an ant colony, with divisions for craft work, living and storage. These people often use spears and javelins in war, along with the standard bow and knife. They prefer to wear leathers and feathered fetishes. Each year, they hide in their caves to escape the deluge of rain.

Nam|r (pop. 7-600; est.): Along the beaches, a clutch of Kajinee have made their claim for the sea, after building a chain of thatch huts and assorted dug outs. The people of Nam|r are spread across the sands and water ways, never really concentrated in one place. They prefer to hunt by spear and net in the waves, and often times live on the water in giant raft boats. They mostly consume fish, crustaceans and some bird and fruit. When the seasonal squalls hit, they lock themselves up in their dugouts. When the land slides come, they have been known to sail out to sea. After the rivers flood, they collect crayfish for soups, and comb the beaches for blue crystals to sell to travelers as good luck charms. These people wear shells, feathers, and giant crab plates.

Ogvl (pop. 200; est): The infamous red tree tribe. These people live in a very well known location, which happens to be a stand of gigantic red woods. This location is so prolific because it stands out from the endless sway of grass and low brush. The Kajinee have dug out the hill under these majestic trees, and built their homes under them. In this way, they actually live under the trees themselves. They made their homes from the clay dirt they dug up, along with some wood for support. They have also dug out an elaborate set of tunnels to connect each home. At the center of this is a large communal warren, which also allows access to the outside commons. The commons is the center square of all Kajinee living, and a gathering place of all the tribes. When the squalls come in land, they simply seal their gates or go under ground. When the mud flows come, they climb the trees. They eat the antelope of the plains, as well as the cattle and birds. They wear little more then mud, bone and shells from the giant ants that live in a few spots. They hunt them for sport. They often dip their spears in the collected venom from the ants before battle with various enemy tribes from across the plains. These specific Kajinee are master guerrilla fighters, and are often confused for living plants.

Korobokuru (Dwarves)

The Korobokuru of the plains are a stark contrast to the Western ideal of these stout individuals. They dwell primarily in the jungles located deeper south then the panhandle of the plain, but have been known to dwell in the deepest warrens of the grasslands.

Either way, they live away from the influence of mankind, where they exist as a tribe of hunters and gatherers. The Plains are best suited for this purpose. They are around five feet tall, with long arms and bowed legs. Their appearance is always unkempt, with unruly, matted hair and beards. Their skin is particularly ruddy and coarse to the touch.

Man and the Dwarves seem to have very little time for each other, each considering the other to be primitive. Therefore there is contempt between the two, making Dwarves unwelcome within human society, and vice versa. However, they have a sort of understanding with the Kajinee tribe of humans, and do enjoy their company on occasion.

Shikome (Hobgoblins)

While they are termed as hobgoblins in the West, the Shikome are a barbarous and sadistic race of goblinoids. Bloodthirsty and cruel, they are one of the most warlike races in the Eastern World. Their only purpose is to kill of anything that isn.t already dead. Physically, they are slightly taller than the common man, and much stronger, with muscular builds.

Their bloodshot eyes are cruel and piercing while their teeth are sharp and jagged. The Shikome have little time for any other activities besides destruction and war. Shikome bandits are common in the mountains, making these areas impossible to travel without a heavy guard. Their wars with the Kajinee are legendary, with some battles traversing the length of the plains over a period of months. The Shikome reproduce much like rabbits, and so, the Kajinee and mudslides work in tandem to eradicate this foe from their lands. They often decorate themselves in the skins and bones of their enemies, and often wear ugly colors like mustard and vomit. These creatures brains only function on an evil primordial level, are incapable of crafting anything more then crude, bent weapons. Brutal, ugly and savage, the Shikome are a menace to the plains in general.

This item has been published here with permission from the author(s) and may not be reproduced without permission. This is a fan submission and its contents are completely unofficial. Some characters, places, likenesses and other names may be copyright Wizards of the Coast.