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Book of Eldritch Might III: The Nexus
The Families of Sanneth Family ties and bloodlines are extremely important in Sanneth. The seven major families of import all claim as ancestors one of the seven heroes that overcame Ravvan. Each of these families has potent powers resulting from their heritage, brought to the fore by an activate bloodline power† spell (see page 86). Characters enjoy either the minor or major bloodline ability described for their family below, depending on their level, as detailed in the spell. The powers remain active only while the duration of the spell lasts.
Aovaunt Markul Aovaunt was an elf paladin. His family, all elves (and the occasional half-elf), lives in Sanneth today, having taken up all sorts of occupations. A number of the Aovaunt family members today study wizardry. Each usually possesses at a least a modicum of their ancestor’s nobility, however, as well as his attachment to order and goodness. Minor Bloodline Ability: Foes within 25 feet who are not of your alignment make attack rolls, saving throws, and checks at a –2 circumstance penalty. Major Bloodline Ability (Fire of the Aovaunt): Foes within 25 feet who are not of your alignment suffer 1d6 points of fire damage per round.
Drellos The Drellos family is a dwarven clan that traces its bloodline to Urnor Drellos, a dwarven fighter of great skill and repute. He was also a cleric of Erred, a god of valor and trust. These dwarves still serve Erred and fund the temple of Erred in Sanneth. Most, however, have taken up the martial path, and the Drellos family is known today for its skill at arms. Kalla Drellos, who passed on recently due to age, was one of the greatest weaponsmiths of all time, and her handiwork remains in the family armory. They also keep a small portion available for sale. Kalla, a cleric as well as a smith, sometimes worked with an arcanist to create weapons of great might. She also loved to work with adamantite. Drellos weapons enjoy quite a reputation throughout Sanneth and elsewhere. Minor Bloodline Ability: You gain one extra attack per round at half your highest attack bonus. Major Bloodline Ability: You gain one extra attack per round at your highest attack bonus.
Ethrochal Today, the family of Ethrochal maintains the pods of domesticated sohr kept by Gar Sanneth. Their family seems to possess a strange dichotomy, for the males often have a predilection toward martial arts and monkish training (some are fighters with Improved Unarmed Attack) while the females often have great skill with animal handling and become druids or rangers. Their heroic ancestor, Villania Ethrochal, was a female monk.
Minor Bloodline Ability: You gain evasion. If you already have evasion, you gain a +6 luck bonus to Reflex saving throws. Major Bloodline Ability: You gain improved evasion. If you already have improved evasion, you gain a +10 luck bonus to Reflex saving throws.
Palat The Palat family has ruled Sanneth for over three generations. Although their ancestor Millis Palat was a rogue, her family has become known more for its diplomatic and administrative abilities than anything else. The family is known for being wealthy, stylish (trend-setting, even), and charismatic. The beautiful and intelligent Vaisson Palat currently leads the family and the city. She is also a 5th-level rogue/4th-level aristocrat. Minor Bloodline Ability: You gain +1d6 sneak attack. This either grants you the ability to make sneak attacks or stacks with your normal ability. Major Bloodline Ability: You gain +2d6 sneak attack. This either grants you the ability to make sneak attacks or stacks with your normal ability.
Scarth The Scarths revere the Lady of the Clouds, Monettica. Even today, they are the driving force behind her temple in Sanneth. A member of the family has always maintained the position of high priest there, including their heroic ancestor: the first High Priest of Monettica in Sanneth, Jeret Scarth. This family, made up mostly of clerics and sorcerers, became proficient in creating creatures of the mist (see page 84). These creatures, sacred to their goddess, guard the family manor and perform various tasks for them. Occasionally, the family uses its creations in a mission for the good of the city. Minor Bloodline Ability: Physical and magical attacks pass through you as if you were partially mist and had damage reduction 10/magic and spell resistance 15. Major Bloodline Ability: Physical and magical attacks pass through you as if you were partially mist and had damage reduction 15/magic and spell resistance 20.
Tephaon This family possesses a strong proclivity to sorcery, perhaps traced back to interactions with semidivine elemental beings called the Scions of Storm and Earth in ages past. The Tephaon family claims that Gar Sanneth herself had their blood in her veins, and records showing that she interacted with the Scions of Storm and Earth suggest it is at least a possibility. Locals usually characterize this family as arrogant and haughty, yet protective and generous at the same time. The Tephaons themselves admit to looking upon the people of Sanneth as lessers who need to be watched over and cared for. Their ancestor, known only as Tephaon, was a sorcerer with a staff of power. Long since exhausted in its power supply, the staff now hangs above the mantel in the family’s manor house.
