The Shattering
The fallen leaves tell a story. The great Elden Ring was shattered. In our home, across the fog, the Lands Between. Now, Queen Marika the Eternal is nowhere to be found, and in the Night of the Black Knives, Godwyn the Golden was the first to perish.
Soon, Marika's offspring, demigods all, claimed the shards of the Elden Ring. The mad taint of their newfound strength triggered the Shattering. A war from which no lord arose. A war leading to abandonment by the Greater Will.
Arise now, ye Tarnished. Ye dead, who yet live. The call of long-lost grace speaks to us all. Hoarah Loux, chieftain of the badlands. The ever-brilliant Goldmask. Fia, the Deathbed Companion. The loathsome Dung Eater. And Sir Gideon Ofnir, the All-Knowing. And others whom grace would again bless. Tarnished of no renown. Cross the fog, to the Lands Between. To stand before the Elden Ring. And become the Elden Lord.
Welcome Tarnished
Welcome Tarnished. The Lands Between beckon you to seize your destiny. This guide serves as your reference for adventuring throughout the world of Elden Ring.
The rules presented here use Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition as their foundation. Familiarize yourself with the core rules before continuing. Whenever a conflict exists between the rules of 5th Edition and the rules presented in this handbook, the rules in this handbook take precedence.
Rule Changes Overview
Learning Spells
Spellcasters do not automatically learn new spells when they level up. Spells must be discovered throughout the world. This includes spells gained from class features, subclasses, and feats.
Sorceries and Incantations
All spells are divided into two categories:
- Sorceries — Arcane magic learned through study of the cosmos.
- Incantations — Divine prayers and sacred stories tied to gods and powerful beings.
Class access is divided as follows:
- Wizards, Sorcerers, Warlocks, Eldritch Knights, and Arcane Tricksters learn Sorceries.
- Clerics, Druids, Rangers, and Paladins learn Incantations.
- Bards choose one magical tradition when they gain their first Bard level.
Spell Points
This campaign uses the optional Spell Point system from the Dungeon Master's Guide. Spells, weapon skills, and magical abilities all draw from point-based resources.
Weapon Skills
Weapons of quality retain memories of their former wielders. These Weapon Skills grant unique actions, passive abilities, and combat techniques.
Martial Spell Points
Martial characters receive a separate pool of Martial Spell Points used to activate Weapon Skills.
Runes
The people of the Lands Between use Runes rather than gold or silver. Runes serve as currency and are often acquired through exploration and combat.
Resting
Long rests may only be taken at Sites of Grace. Short rests may be taken normally.
Erdtree Rebirth
As long as Grace guides you, death is not permanent. A fallen Tarnished is reborn at the last Site of Grace they rested at.