Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time is finally being made into a TV series, something which I have serious doubts about. It's a series I first started reading about 20 years ago and I have a lot of affection for.
I've recently convinced two old mates (both Wheel of Time fanboys) to play dungeons and dragons 5e, and they asked if I could set the world in "Randland".
Fitting the D&D 5e mechanics into the Wheel of Time setting isn't particularly difficult, but it does require some extra roleplaying.
*****SPOILERS ALERT*****
I have set the story in a completely different turning of the wheel. In this turning, Padan Fain dies before he reaches Emonds field and so does not alert the dark one to the presence of Rand, Mat, and Perrin in the Two Rivers.
Without the distraction of capturing the boys and the wasted resources this entailed, the Shadow actually has more early success. The boys are essentially left in Emonds field, unaware of their significance.
A year after the events of Emonds field as told in the Eye of the World, Trolloc armies and their Dreadlord leaders surge from the blight and quickly overcome the Borderlands. It is not until the armies of the shadow reach Tar Valon that they are finally halted. At this point, an uneasy stalemate is at play with no side able to achieve decisive victory.
To make matters worse, the Aiel have reunited the clans under a new leader, Coulidin, who they are claiming is the prophesied Car'an'carn. The Aiel clans quickly sacked Cairhien (whose armies are currently aiding in the defense of Tar Valon) and now lay siege to the Stone of Tear.
Bands of darkspawn have been seen raiding far south, but it was a surprise to everyone when the old destroyed fortress city of Manetheren stirs with life. The villagers have sent a message to Andor requesting help, but are too scared to investigate.
It is on the eve of Bel Tine, exactly one year after the events of the Eye of the World would have started, where we meet our two protagonists - Rand Al'thor and Lan Al'thor.
Rand and Lan are apparently twin brothers, but they were born outside of the Two Rivers and do not share likeness. Though both are tall, Rand has bright red hair and grey eyes, whilst Lan has grey hair and dark brown eyes.
Since the start of the new Trolloc wars, Rand and Lan have been trained by their father in martial affairs.
Lan is a fighter of the great weapon style and wields a longsword (versatile) with two hands. The long sword description matches the katana style blades wielded by Lan and Rand in the books.
Rand is a warlock and his patron is the fiend, though he has told Tam that his magic channels from Saidin, the pure source. I have made both Saidar and Sadin untainted in this turning of the wheel. If you have access to the paid D&D books beyond SRD, I think making Rand a hexblade warlock would be really fun.
On our first session I introduced my new players to the D&D system via a quick battle with crows (re-skinned giant rats) in Emonds field. After dispatching the rats and dropping off some tabac for the Bel Tine festivities commencing tomorrow, Rand, Lan, and Tam head home for the night.
After dinner the boys notice that the sheep seem to be upset by something. Tam ventures out to find out what happend when he is attacked by three Trollocs (a reskinned goblin) and a Myddraal (A shadow).
Tam implores the boys to run and they comply. Although Tam manages to take down two off the trollocs, he is no match for the Myddraal. The last time the boys see their father alive is when the Myddraal cuts his his throat.
The Myddraal shows no interest in Rand and Lan and the boys flee to Emonds field, arriving to scenes of chaos as the first rays of the sun shoot through the clouds. It's here that they learned that over a dozen trollocs and a Myddraal attacked Emonds field. They find Mat taking his last breath, and Perrin dead and bloodied.
The boys find Bran Al'vere, who is relieved to see them. He then lets them know that the Myddraal was only interested in Egwene and Nynaeve, whom they captured. Bran thinks they have been taken into the old fort city of Manetheren.
Rand and Lan are determined to avenge their fathers death and rescue Egwene and Nynaeve. They convince three other boys from the Two Rivers to join them (level 1 NPC fighter archers).
The old fort city is actually just the Sunless citadel fort map with the following changes:
You awaken in a cold sweat and quickly realize you are not at the campsite. You are in a room with a tall gnarled tree, and underneath sits a man dressed all in black.
He seems surprised to see you. The man speaks in a voice that rasps as if it has not uttered a word in centuries:
"Ahh so you're his loyal little hound simpering at his feet, more beast than man are you not?"
The man's voice now silky smooth with feigned concern :
" oh never fear, I have special plans for you, young wolf".
"A thousand lives we have lived, and a thousand times you have betrayed your friend".
With a smirk, he reaches out a withered hand and a bolt of pure light flashes from his finger tips. You awaken in a fright, the last thing you remember is the searing pain of your chest being burned out.
I've recently convinced two old mates (both Wheel of Time fanboys) to play dungeons and dragons 5e, and they asked if I could set the world in "Randland".
Fitting the D&D 5e mechanics into the Wheel of Time setting isn't particularly difficult, but it does require some extra roleplaying.
*****SPOILERS ALERT*****
 |
| I suggest new readers start with New Spring |
I have set the story in a completely different turning of the wheel. In this turning, Padan Fain dies before he reaches Emonds field and so does not alert the dark one to the presence of Rand, Mat, and Perrin in the Two Rivers.
Without the distraction of capturing the boys and the wasted resources this entailed, the Shadow actually has more early success. The boys are essentially left in Emonds field, unaware of their significance.
A year after the events of Emonds field as told in the Eye of the World, Trolloc armies and their Dreadlord leaders surge from the blight and quickly overcome the Borderlands. It is not until the armies of the shadow reach Tar Valon that they are finally halted. At this point, an uneasy stalemate is at play with no side able to achieve decisive victory.
To make matters worse, the Aiel have reunited the clans under a new leader, Coulidin, who they are claiming is the prophesied Car'an'carn. The Aiel clans quickly sacked Cairhien (whose armies are currently aiding in the defense of Tar Valon) and now lay siege to the Stone of Tear.
Bands of darkspawn have been seen raiding far south, but it was a surprise to everyone when the old destroyed fortress city of Manetheren stirs with life. The villagers have sent a message to Andor requesting help, but are too scared to investigate.
It is on the eve of Bel Tine, exactly one year after the events of the Eye of the World would have started, where we meet our two protagonists - Rand Al'thor and Lan Al'thor.
Rand and Lan are apparently twin brothers, but they were born outside of the Two Rivers and do not share likeness. Though both are tall, Rand has bright red hair and grey eyes, whilst Lan has grey hair and dark brown eyes.
Since the start of the new Trolloc wars, Rand and Lan have been trained by their father in martial affairs.
Lan is a fighter of the great weapon style and wields a longsword (versatile) with two hands. The long sword description matches the katana style blades wielded by Lan and Rand in the books.
Rand is a warlock and his patron is the fiend, though he has told Tam that his magic channels from Saidin, the pure source. I have made both Saidar and Sadin untainted in this turning of the wheel. If you have access to the paid D&D books beyond SRD, I think making Rand a hexblade warlock would be really fun.
On our first session I introduced my new players to the D&D system via a quick battle with crows (re-skinned giant rats) in Emonds field. After dispatching the rats and dropping off some tabac for the Bel Tine festivities commencing tomorrow, Rand, Lan, and Tam head home for the night.
After dinner the boys notice that the sheep seem to be upset by something. Tam ventures out to find out what happend when he is attacked by three Trollocs (a reskinned goblin) and a Myddraal (A shadow).
Tam implores the boys to run and they comply. Although Tam manages to take down two off the trollocs, he is no match for the Myddraal. The last time the boys see their father alive is when the Myddraal cuts his his throat.
The Myddraal shows no interest in Rand and Lan and the boys flee to Emonds field, arriving to scenes of chaos as the first rays of the sun shoot through the clouds. It's here that they learned that over a dozen trollocs and a Myddraal attacked Emonds field. They find Mat taking his last breath, and Perrin dead and bloodied.
The boys find Bran Al'vere, who is relieved to see them. He then lets them know that the Myddraal was only interested in Egwene and Nynaeve, whom they captured. Bran thinks they have been taken into the old fort city of Manetheren.
Rand and Lan are determined to avenge their fathers death and rescue Egwene and Nynaeve. They convince three other boys from the Two Rivers to join them (level 1 NPC fighter archers).
The old fort city is actually just the Sunless citadel fort map with the following changes:
- The citadal is above ground
- I've renamed all the skeletons, Kobolds, and Goblins to Trolloc
- Replaced Elite Kobolds, hobgoblins etc with Myddrraal
- Renamed Meepo to Narg, and
- Removed the white dragon.
- Renamed the Dragonpriest to Dreadlord.
I have given Rand and Lan unique dream sequences.
Here is Lan's:
He seems surprised to see you. The man speaks in a voice that rasps as if it has not uttered a word in centuries:
"Ahh so you're his loyal little hound simpering at his feet, more beast than man are you not?"
The man's voice now silky smooth with feigned concern :
" oh never fear, I have special plans for you, young wolf".
"A thousand lives we have lived, and a thousand times you have betrayed your friend".
With a smirk, he reaches out a withered hand and a bolt of pure light flashes from his finger tips. You awaken in a fright, the last thing you remember is the searing pain of your chest being burned out.
I intend at this point for the man in black to be a member of the Forsaken. Although this will depend on what the players choose. If they come up with a cooler idea I will just run with it.
I haven't planned out any encounters in the Grove section of the sunless citadal map. I'll probably have a forsaken down there with Egwene and Nynaeve.
Session update
The game has taken an unpredictable turn after the players have expressed the wish to play an evil campaign.
They have just killed Narg (Meepo reskinned) and are about to have a big encounter. This encounter has now been upgraded to deadly and will include a turned Egwene.
If defeated, the players will be captured and taken to a room with 13 Myrddraal, Egwene, and Ishamael.
I intended to play out events as such:
Round 1: Ishamael cuts their golden cord connection to the Creator
Round 2: Roll for Consitution.
Round 3: Roll for Wisdom
Round 4: Roll for Strength
If they fail all three rolls, then a thick dark cord will connect them directly to the Dark One.
If they succeed one of the throws, then a regular black cord to the dark one is formed.
If they succeed two of the throws, then a weak black cord to the dark one is formed.
If they succeed all three throws, then no black cord will form.
If they both succeed all three throws then I will have the Myrdraal die.
Regardless of the outcome of the rolls, after the ceremony, Egwene will agree to accompany the boys back to Edmonds field having been "rescued". But first, as a demonstration of loyalty to the Dark Lord, the boys must battle the three Edmonds fields boys that have followed them into the dungeon.
At Edmonds field, Egwene can relay information about the world. Careful questioning can reveal the following:
One PC failed only a single roll, while the other failed two roles.
They both rejected Egwene's offer of alliance. Egwene did not take their aggression kindly and has used a powerfully tied off weave of compulsion on them both. The compulsion is an ongoing urge to protect Egwene.
The two rivers boys were all killed.
Rand and Lan could not face the village and so have set off into the world in search of a way to rid themselves of the Dark Ones connection to them.
Session update
The game has taken an unpredictable turn after the players have expressed the wish to play an evil campaign.
They have just killed Narg (Meepo reskinned) and are about to have a big encounter. This encounter has now been upgraded to deadly and will include a turned Egwene.
If defeated, the players will be captured and taken to a room with 13 Myrddraal, Egwene, and Ishamael.
I intended to play out events as such:
Round 1: Ishamael cuts their golden cord connection to the Creator
Round 2: Roll for Consitution.
Round 3: Roll for Wisdom
Round 4: Roll for Strength
If they fail all three rolls, then a thick dark cord will connect them directly to the Dark One.
If they succeed one of the throws, then a regular black cord to the dark one is formed.
If they succeed two of the throws, then a weak black cord to the dark one is formed.
If they succeed all three throws, then no black cord will form.
If they both succeed all three throws then I will have the Myrdraal die.
Regardless of the outcome of the rolls, after the ceremony, Egwene will agree to accompany the boys back to Edmonds field having been "rescued". But first, as a demonstration of loyalty to the Dark Lord, the boys must battle the three Edmonds fields boys that have followed them into the dungeon.
At Edmonds field, Egwene can relay information about the world. Careful questioning can reveal the following:
- hand gestures to identify yourself to other dark friends
- how to find safe houses in the major cities
- a warning that shadowspawn that are not under the guidance of dreadlords or Myrddraal will not hesitate to kill you
- a warning to stay clear of Shadar Logoth as the Mashadar hates the dark one
- hint that Ishamael mentioned the eye of the world. Any that may find it would be greatly rewarded.
Post script
One PC failed only a single roll, while the other failed two roles.
They both rejected Egwene's offer of alliance. Egwene did not take their aggression kindly and has used a powerfully tied off weave of compulsion on them both. The compulsion is an ongoing urge to protect Egwene.
The two rivers boys were all killed.
Rand and Lan could not face the village and so have set off into the world in search of a way to rid themselves of the Dark Ones connection to them.
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