# The World of Telrhin

> Telrhin is an original sword-and-sorcery tabletop RPG campaign setting active since 1981. It features a late-medieval, magic-and-dragons fantasy world built on a dark cosmology: two entwined creator gods, a dying "Great Dream" drifting toward an apocalyptic "Edge of Waking," and divine entities that secretly feed on mortal death to survive. This site serves as the personal repository for the setting and its active campaigns.

The site documents over 40 years of home-grown campaign material (the city-state of Larakan, the Boradun burrowdelfs, the fallen Destinite Empire), custom rule adaptations (Stabmaster, Fat Dragon, "Stabdragon," and Dragonbane variants), and active campaigns (Endorian Bay in Dragonbane, Hill East in D&D 5E). Deep reference material - including the full Field Guide, the complete Encyclopaedia Telrhinica database, full campaign logs, and navigation menus - is gated to authenticated players. The public blog contains lore excerpts, design essays, and campaign histories. Author: Christian Aldridge.

## Start Here

- [Homepage](https://www.telrhin.com/): Setting overview detailing cosmology, active campaigns, house rules, and site architecture.
- [About](https://www.telrhin.com/about): Background on the project, author, and contributors; distinctions between public pages and gated player content.
- [Blog Index](https://www.telrhin.com/blog): Comprehensive archive of public lore, worldbuilding essays, and campaign logs.

## World & Cosmology

- [The Dream-Dark Sky](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/sky-above): Celestial bodies, moons, and astronomical phenomena of the setting.
- [Divine Empress](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/divine-empress): The Divine Empress and her political/theocratic role across the mortal realm.
- [Serpent Earth](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/serpent-earth): The creation myth of the Serpent Earth and the world's drift toward the cosmic "Edge of Waking."
- [Severed Queen](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/severed-queen): Profile on Talon, the Severed Queen, who schemes to shatter reality and awaken the Serpent Earth.
- [The Fall of Eloche](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/eloche): History of Eloche, the First City torn from the mortal soil by the gods.
- [The World Story](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/world-story): Core mythic structure and foundational narrative arc of the Serpent Earth.
- [The World: A Bedtime Story](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/world-bedtime-story): Narrative in-universe origin tale depicting how Telrhin was created.
- [The Central Story](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/the-central-story): The central narrative thread driving conflicts across the setting.
- [Origins](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/origins): Early design history and roots of the Telrhin campaign world.
- [Revisiting the Origin Story](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/revisiting-the-origin-story): Retrospective design essay on refining the setting's cosmogony.
- [Philosophy in a World of Gods and Magic](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/philosophy-in-a-world-of-gods-and-magic): Exploration of existential thought and mortal belief in a realm of tangible divinity.
- [The Gods Want You to Die](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/the-gods-want-you-to-die): Deep dive into the parasitic nature of the gods and their reliance on mortal soul harvest ("The Dying Glow").
- [Lost Gods](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/lost-gods): Overview of forgotten, dead, or dormant deities within the pantheon.
- [Tala the Wise](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/tala-the-wise): Lore regarding the mythical figure of Tala the Wise.
- [Court of Kalidahr](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/court-of-kalidahr): Fae court intrigue, politics, and the court of Kalidahr Irongrip.
- [Three Worlds](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/three-worlds): Cosmology of the Three Worlds: Prime (mortal plane), Umbra (spirit realm), and Ember/Oneiros (dream echoes).
- [Valek Social Factions](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/valek-social-factions): Political factions, cultural dynamics, and power struggles within Valek.
- [Normal Folks in a World of Monsters](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/normal-folks-in-a-world-of-monsters): Everyday civilian survival and commoner life in a perilous fantasy landscape.
- [The Pox Crain](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/the-pox-crain): Exploration of the ominous geographical landmark known as The Pox Crain.
- [God Meat / Sylas Cult](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/god-meat-sylas-cult): Dark rites of the Sylas Cult and the disturbing magical implications of god-flesh.
- [Rakshem](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/rakshem): Regional geography, landmarks, and regional threats of Rakshem.
- [The Ninth City](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/the-ninth-city): Exploration and lore surrounding the mysterious Ninth City in the Dream World.
- [City of Pearl](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/city-of-pearl): Urban guide and background for the coastal or desert settlement of Pearl.
- [Quartz Sea](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/quartz-sea): Environmental hazards, trade routes, and ecology of the Quartz Sea.
- [Paths of the Chimerum](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/paths-of-the-chimerum): Magical ley lines and transit routes along the Chimerum.
- [Kobolds](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/kobolds): Unique biological and cultural reworkings of kobolds in Telrhin.
- [De-Elfing the Fantasy World](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/de-elfing-the-fantasy-world): World-design notes on subverting standard Tolkien fantasy tropes for elves and humanoids.
- [Indago](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/indago): The conceptual philosophy of exploration and discovery underpinning the world.
- [What's Fashion if not a Codpiece](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/whats-fashion-if-not-a-codpiece): Cultural dress, aesthetic styles, and social signaling in mortal cities.

## Campaigns, Actual Play & History

- [Valley of Drowned Kings](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/valley-drowned-kings): History, ruins, and hazards within the Valley of Drowned Kings.
- [Ravines and Other Killers](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/ravines-and-other-killers): Wilderness navigation hazards and environmental perils.
- [Telrhin Podcast](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/telrhin-podcast): Audio introduction covering broad world concepts and campaign milestones.
- [Back Alive](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/back-alive): Campaign journal update following a major party near-death experience.
- [Encyclopaedia Telrhinica](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/encyclopaedia-telrhinica): Architecture and historical records of the 40-year campaign archive.
- [The Adventure Log Lives](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/the-adventure-log-lives): Retrospective archive detailing the original 40-issue tabletop gaming zine.
- [Tempest Newzine](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/tempest-newzine): Archive records of the vintage gaming newsletter Tempest.
- [Seven Years](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/seven-years): Retrospective milestone essay on a seven-year tabletop campaign cycle.
- [The Hackled Pint](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/the-hackled-pint): Narrative fiction and campaign origins rooted in a key gathering tavern.
- [Tavern Tales](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/tavern-tales): Anecdotes, roleplaying encounters, and rumors collected from campaign taverns.
- [Rope Bridge, Frying Pan](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/rope-bridge-frying-pan): Play report detailing chaotic tactical mishaps during a dungeon run.
- [Rahman Campaign Continues Afoot](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/rahman-campaign-continues-afoot): Play session notes from the ongoing Rahman anti-hero campaign.
- [Midsummer](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/midsummer): Seasonal session log recapping summer gaming arcs.
- [Re-designing an FRPG World](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/re-designing-an-frpg-world): Structural reflections on overhauling an existing game world for modern play.

## Game Systems & House Rules

- [Dragonbane Options](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/dragonbane-options): Custom house rule adaptations used in the Endorian Bay campaign.
- [All the DMGs](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/all-the-dmgs): Retrospective comparison of D&D Dungeon Master Guides across multiple editions.
- [Arduin Crit Table](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/arduin-crit-table): Adapted Arduin critical hit mechanics integrated into combat resolution.
- [Fat Dragon](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/fat-dragon): Narrative-driven, rules-light house rules designed for story-first campaigns.
- [Stabmaster](https://www.telrhin.com/blog/stabmaster-8): OSR-adjacent, high-lethality combat rule system.

## Optional

- [Bluesky (@studiozut)](https://bsky.app/profile/studiozut.bsky.social): Author updates, quick lore sketches, and public table discussions.