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Pathfinder Campaign SettingA Cursed Land Rule of FearFor thousands of years, the Immortal Principality of Ustalav has labored beneath the legacy ofits dark past. Within the shelter of its mist-shrouded hills and decaying, decadent cities, thingsthat have no right to live stalk the night, and superstitious residents lock their doors tightagainst the howls and scratchings that summon them forth. Vampires, werewolves, undeadmonstrosities, and stranger things make their homes here, and even those fools whoignore such threats tremble at the thought of the Whispering Tyrant, the nation’s formerconqueror, who even now shifts restlessly beneath his prison-tower of Gallowspire.Though most of Ustalav’s citizens are ordinary men and women, canny urbanmerchants, or fallen nobles coasting on their last shreds of wealth and reputation, noone here dares peer too far into the shadows, for fear of what might be looking back.Rule of Fear provides a comprehensive overview of the nation of Ustalav, a realmof urban intrigue and gothic horror, and the setting of Pathfinder Adventure Path’sCarrion Crown Adventure Path. Inside this book, you’ll find: A complete overview of 13 adventure-packed counties, from the ghosthaunted wastelands of Virlych to the bustling ports of Caliphas, includingdetailed descriptions of significant locations, notable personages, andthe rulers of each region. In-depth gazetteers of seven major cities, including key locations, citystat blocks, and local rumors to draw your players into the action. Six conspiracies and secret societies, and how they fit into Ustalav’sbaroque government. Eleven terrifying adventure locations, plus details on their masters,inhabitants, and supernatural hauntings. Information on local superstitions, secrets about notable families(and the unspeakable curses they bear), tips for running classic horrorthemed campaigns, and more!Rule of Fear is intended for use with the Pathfinder Roleplaying Gameand the Pathfinder campaign setting, but can easily be incorporatedinto any fantasy game setting.ofRule Fear TMpaizo.com/pathfinderPrinted in China PZO9231F. Wesley Schneider
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Rule of FearA Pathfinder Campaign Setting SupplementThis book works best with the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook.Although it is suitable for play in any fantasy world, it is optimized for use inthe Pathfinder campaign setting.Table of ContentsIntroductionHistoryCountiesCities and SettlementsLegends and Hauntings2483652CreditsAuthor F. Wesley SchneiderCover Artist Alex AparinInterior Artists Eric Belisle, Tyler Walpole, and Chris WaltonCartographer Rob LazzarettiCreative Director James JacobsSenior Art Director Sarah E. RobinsonManaging Editor F. Wesley SchneiderDevelopment Lead James L. SutterEditing and Development Judy Bauer, Christopher Carey,and Erik MonaEditorial Assistance Jason Bulmahn, Rob McCreary, andSean K ReynoldsEditorial Intern Michael KenwayGraphic Designer Andrew VallasProduction Specialist Crystal FrasierPublisher Erik MonaPaizo CEO Lisa StevensVice President of Operations Jeffrey AlvarezDirector of Sales Pierce WattersFinance Manager Christopher SelfStaff Accountant Kunji SedoTechnical Director Vic WertzMarketing Manager Hyrum SavageSpecial Thanks The Paizo Customer Service,Warehouse, and Website TeamsPaizo Publishing, LLC7120 185th Ave NE, Ste 120Redmond, WA 98052-0577paizo.comThis product makes use of the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Core Rulebook, Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Bestiary, Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Advanced Player’s Guide, PathfinderRoleplaying Game GameMastery Guide, and Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Bestiary 2. These rules can be found online as part of the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Reference Documentat paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd.Product Identity: The following items are hereby identified as Product Identity, as defined in the Open Game License version 1.0a, Section 1(e), and are not Open Content: All trademarks,registered trademarks, proper names (characters, deities, etc.), dialogue, plots, storylines, locations, characters, artwork, and trade dress. (Elements that have previously been designatedas Open Game Content or are in the public domain are not included in this declaration.)Open Content: Except for material designated as Product Identity (see above), the game mechanics of this Paizo Publishing game product are Open Game Content, as defined in the OpenGaming License version 1.0a Section 1(d). No portion of this work other than the material designated as Open Game Content may be reproduced in any form without written permission.Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Rule of Fear is published by Paizo Publishing, LLC under the Open Game License version 1.0a Copyright 2000 Wizards of the Coast, Inc. Paizo Publishing, LLC,the Paizo golem logo, Pathfinder, and GameMastery are registered trademarks of Paizo Publishing, LLC; Pathfinder Adventure Path, Pathfinder Campaign Setting, Pathfinder Chronicles,Pathfinder Companion, Pathfinder Module, Pathfinder Player Companion, Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, Pathfinder Society, and Titanic Games are trademarks of Paizo Publishing, LLC. 2011, Paizo Publishing, LLC.Printed in China.
Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Rule of FearIntroductionall. There’ve been nuts claimingAs you’ll be taking over the case, you might as well have itve never laid our handsto be him for over a hundred and twenty years now, but we’ks, same reports of thaton any of them. The killings just go on and on—same crazy tricat the scene. The blood trailcreepy beaked mask, and always another taunting letter foundlem now. Here’s hoping it’sstretches from Caliphas to Karcau and back again. It’s your probnot your last one.—Aldimain Caise, Caliphas Constabulary—Retired31 Arodus 4588: CaliphasGood Sirs,I shall let my work serve as an introduction. Although Idon’t expect many to see it as such in these depraved days,the great art I leave behind will eventually be viewed as theefforts of a hero—skirmishes in a war against a depravedcommon soul. The sick limb must be amputated lest itpoison the whole. I endeavor toward that end. You shallknow me by my knife, but never my face.17 Pharast 4594: SturnidaeGoodly Guests,My sincerest apologies for leaving things in such a state.I find myself quite unaccustomed to preparing my meals,and my presentation leaves much to be desired. I commendthis good man, a butcher by trade—oh irony!—to your mostcourteous attentions. Neither his wife nor children shouldbe much vexed by his departure, as it’s on their silent appealthat I’ve removed him from the public throng. I hope youwill forgive me for taking the choicest cuts for myself,though I promise to share before week’s end. Bon appetit!16 Lamashan 4621: KarcauDetective,I have solved an unvoiced complaint among attendeesof the Dyemeir Orchestra this evening. Just as a drop ofurine taints a whole bowl of pure cream, so too does af lawed note sour an entire symphony. With my actionI have increased not just the precision of Karcau’s mostillustrious ensemble, but the sum mellif luousness of apeople that so often mistake harmony for virtue.2
Introduction20 Arodus 4651: CaliphasRules of FearDear Boss,It is good and right to be home after so long a journey.I wonder if you remember these walls, or if you shall evenreceive this note, as too often the lesser sort abscondswith my missives. Know that always they have been foryour eyes alone. Here we f ind the nameless chaff of thegutters, and with her own blade I have returned her tothe sewers from which she crawled. Not the homecominggala I would have preferred, but what I miss in pomptonight I’ll amend by the duration of my occupation andthe magnitude of my work.Ustalav lends itself to tales of mystery and lurkingdread, a theme different from many of the other landsin the Pathfinder campaign setting. GMs seeking to addelements of such uneasiness and fear into their gamescan do much around their game tables to infect playerswith a bit of their PCs’ foreboding. At the start of everynew chapter, readers will find sidebars marked “Rule ofFear,” with suggestions on how a GM might add elementsof dread to their game. Subtlety is a watchword for all ofthese suggestions, and be sure to gauge players’ reactionsto any change to make sure it’s a positive addition tothe game. GMs can find more suggestions to addverisimilitude and mood to their game in the PathfinderRoleplaying Game GameMastery Guide.24 Desnus 4679: ArdisSleuth,I’ve been loath to come to this hole, as I’ve heard talesof its rampant disease, and I feared that should I beginmy work here there would be no occasion for its end. Butopportunity has driven me to perform at least a cursorydiagnosis of this patient, and the prognosis is—asanticipated—mortal. As you can see here. I have arrangedthis ludicrous lothario in a tableau summarizing his life.In the faces of the cherubs I’ve arranged, you—or yourmore erudite experts—should recognize the seven virtuesof ancient Thassilon, of which this cad personified themajority. I would carry on excising the fat of Ardis’s toppledsocial strata, but I expect time and the murmuring massesto do much of that work for me in the coming years. Fornow, consider this but a house call, but rest assured of myreturn and more serious residence in the time to come.Building TerrorThis book was created concurrently with PathfinderAdventure Path’s Carrion Crown Adventure Path, whichtakes a terrifying tour through the counties of Ustalav.With six volumes and more than 550 pages of content, thatseries draws upon much of the background and flavor ofthis guide, while also delving into many of the nuancesreferenced herein, with chapters on hauntings, settlements,secret societies, monsters, and characters native to Golarion’srealm of gothic horror. Even for readers not interested inplaying the adventures of that campaign, its breadth allowsmany of the menaces presented herein to take form inrules and stat blocks perfect for use in any horror-themedcampaign. GMs can also find many of the maps in thesepages enhanced and enlarged in the Carrion CrownPoster Map Folio, turning them into perfect handouts foradventurers, and can seek further inspiration for this settingin the Pathfinder Tales novel Prince of Wolves.1 Abadius 4700: TamrivenaCentennial Survivor,A new century bears the burden of revelation, anew beginning for the tasks at hand and impendingurgency for work left to be completed. You almost hadme in Versex, and so I’ve perfected my art in silenceand darkness for these long years. But, in honor of thismomentous date, I return to public life with renewedvigor and a new masterpiece. Always should the shielddefend the arm that bears it, lest it be a mere weight uponthe body. By the light of a new age I’ve removed just sucha weight, and made a message to the squabbling rulersof this frightened burg. Your titles and frippery will notabsolve you, and even the judges will be judged.belle by what remains. Stay vigilant, my cagey sleuth, forif this example holds for all the company you keep, perhapsmy next visit shall be to your home. All my best to Lisaraand the children.1 Abadius 4710: CaliphasOld Friend,I saw. And I’ll be coming soon. This is but a sample ofthe Hell you’ve unleashed for yourself. Had you remainedtrue, perhaps we could have avoided the inevitableencounter, but such regrets are for a time past. Youshould be honored, though, for you are the f irst, and Idoubt the last.22 Neth 4704: CourtaudDevoted Hunter,These two found their delight in abomination, hidingin the shadows of this glorif ied backwater, and with thepromise of the same I led them to their end. Now, by f ireand wax, they f ind their rancid bliss together, held indeath’s embrace eternal. I think you’ll know the blushingAs always,Dr. D.31
Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Rule of FearHistoryArdurras proved himself heir to the blood of heroes that day, cuttingdown orcs and returning corpses to Pharasma’s bosom by the score. It wasrecognition that finally halted his blade. Tyrus Ildimion had served in hisguard for a season, a lad whose bravery marked him as noble even if his blooddid not. Now the youth gaped at his side, eyes empty, hands outstretchedas if pleading, the gushing wound of an orc hatchet cleaving his brow. AsArdurras met the former man’s blank stare, his blade faltered. Around theking, the battle turned, with every knight cut down adding to the invaders’ranks. As swiftly chilling hands grasped for Ardurras’s flesh, so too did theyclutch his heart, and the dead claimed their kingdom’s crown.—Ailson Kindler, “In the Council of Corpses”4
HistoryAn ancient land, Ustalav bears a history stretchingback more than 2,000 years, an epic
Rule of Fear A Pathfinder Campaign Setting Supplement Author F. Wesley Schneider Cover Artist Alex Aparin Interior Artists Eric Belisle, Tyler Walpole, and Chris Walton Cartographer Rob Lazzaretti Creative Director James Jacobs Senior Art Director Sarah E. Robinson Managing Editor F. Wesley Schneider Development Lead James L. Sutter
![Fear Nothing [039 5.0] By Dean R. Koontz](/img/5/fearnothing.jpg)
