Message from the creator
Hello, I am Mac, and welcome to Gevadun. I created this custom fantasy setting in 2021 and have been working on it consistently ever since. While it was designed with D&D 5E in mind, I believe it can work well with most fantasy RPG systems. I wanted to craft a world that was entirely my own for running tabletop RPGs, as I felt strange trying to run a game in someone else's setting. A quick shout-out to Ed Greenwood, Gary Gygax, Keith Baker, and all the other amazing creators of fantasy worlds! What started as a couple of maps I generated to give my players an idea of their surroundings has evolved into a passion project that I have been enamored with for years. I hope you find this setting interesting. For any DMs out there looking for a new world to explore, feel free to give Gevadun a try!
The inspiration for Gevadun came from a wide range of sources—probably too many to list comprehensively. Gevadun exists in a space between high fantasy (similar to Tamriel from the Elder Scrolls) and sword and sorcery (akin to Conan the Barbarian). Some of the key influences include the Dark Souls franchise, the Elder Scrolls series, the movie Highlander, and the music of bands like Gloryhammer, Powerwolf, Windrose, Brothers of Metal, and Rhapsody of Fire. A trip to the beautiful state of Alaska also played a significant role in shaping my ideas and inspiring me for the setting. While there are many more inspirations worth mentioning, these are the ones that stood out to me the most. The name "Gevadun" came to me while I was listening to the Powerwolf song "Beast of Gevaudan," which is about a mysterious creature that once roamed the now-defunct French county of Gevaudan. Interestingly, after making considerable progress on Gevadun, I realized I had misspelled "Gevaudan." Consequently, the name "Gevadun" stuck. For those interested, the pronunciation of Gevadun is Jev-Ahh-Done.
For those new to the setting, I recommend reading the primer below before visiting the Cosmology Tab; this will give you a baseline understanding of the setting. The Cosmology Map tab at the top of this page shows the eight current realms of Gevadun, each with a pin that will take you to that realm's page. That page will have a tab with the main map; some will also have a political map tab, and an overview tab will be available. These will give you the basic information about the realm. After exploring some realms, players, and DMs interested in using the setting should check out the Gevadun Mechanics tab, the New Playable Races tab, and the Fishing Rules tab. For those who want more lore, check out the Deities tab and People and Organizations tab. Many tabs are folders, so look for a dropdown arrow, as it will display more content.
That's it from me. Please enjoy exploring my setting. I will keep the campfire going, and I can't wait for you and your party to join me and tell me stories about your adventures across the realms of Gevadun!
Prelude:
The Realms of Gevadun are filled with mystery, discovery, intrigue, adventure, and indeed danger. These mighty realms are situated in the middle of The Deep Astral Sea, an infinite magical ocean that stretches endlessly in all directions. Great events are always happening in Gevadun; heroes emerge from both noble families in castles and peasants on the prairies. Villains plot and scheme to gain power and subjugate the weak. Monsters roam the wild terrain, stalking the mortals of the realms. The Foul corrupt and twist the world, while The Divine strive to push them back into the shadows. Kings and queens send their armies to battle, and conquerors claim vast tracts of land. Whether you are a peasant in a hut, a mage in a tower, a knight on a quest, or a king on a throne, there is always something extraordinary happening in Gevadun that you could be a part of.
Gevadun is a world of stories; incredible tales unfold in every corner of the realms. In The Shattered Peaks, a Dragonborn might seek the love of a full-fledged dragon far beyond his reach. In Felder, an Ork could embark on a quest of vengeance to avenge his murdered family. Or perhaps a young girl might set out across the realms to prove herself to her family. Whether the tale ends on a wholesome note or concludes in tragedy, it can unfold in Gevadun.
Gevadun is a brutal land, unforgiving and often taking lives in an instant. The actions of The Foul and cruel individuals add to the difficulty of living in a landscape that is mostly untamed and savage. It is the deeds of the good and gracious that make the world a better place to live. The wild lands may be beautiful, but they are also treacherous and should always be treated with respect. For every moment of breathtaking scenery, there lurks the danger of beasts, villains, and far worse.
The only question remains: what will you be? Will you be an observer who reads the tales of those who have triumphed in Gevadun? Will you be a storyteller, sharing the legends of Gevadun's most heroic figures? Will you be a master of ceremonies, narrating and leading a party of adventurers on a grand quest across the realms? Or will you be an adventurer who travels the lands of Gevadun in search of glory and fortune, making good friends and powerful enemies along the way? No matter what path you choose in Gevadun, embrace the adventure. The world is waiting to be explored, so get ready to discover it!
Live for the adventure, friends. I will see you around the campfire.