Uncover ancient technology as we dive into unsettling lore and get you a closer look at the newest Epic Encounters sets - Sanctuary of the Steelborn and Realm of the Titan.
Can you uncover the mystery of the Steelborn?
The creation of the Steelborn is a mystery without an answer.
No clues exist as to why they were manufactured, nor the identity of their unknown creator. If we assume that they were assembled by a long forgotten wizard or artificer, then the following question must be… why?
It’s widely believed the Steelborn were intended to be engines of war, built for a conflict that never came. Another theory is that their creators sought to devise a method for escaping the weakness of their flesh, bone and mortality.
Perhaps there was no purpose, and their creation was driven by the conviction of an inventor so enthralled by their own genius that they never sought a reason for their actions. Alternately, did the Steelborn simply emerge, without memory of their own origins, from another plane of reality?
All these notions and more have been contemplated by the scholars of the world, but no satisfactory conclusion has ever been reached.
The Steelborn themselves offer no answers. They simply continue to move forward across the land within their vast carriages, the ultimate destination of their passage entirely unknown. They’re notoriously insular, only venturing forth from their iron sanctuaries in order to fulfil a specific objective or goal, one that is oftentimes entirely incomprehensible.
Some fear the Steelborn ultimately intend to convert every living humanoid into a version of themselves, removing living flesh and replacing it with cold iron and steel. Others claim that the Steelborn seek their maker in an attempt to find purpose in their existence, and prevent their own extinction.
Many consider the Steelborn to be peaceful, trading with them and exchanging ingots of iron for coin. Yet there are rumours, tales of villages razed to the ground, the inhabitants butchered with merciless efficiency. Though there seems to be no clear reason for the Steelborn to attack such places—each settlement is small, insular, and relatively insignificant.
And yet there are no survivors to these brutal attacks, and no evidence as to a motive. So illogical are the tales that many doubt the claims of those who have tracked the Steelborn and claim to have glimpsed the ruination left in their wake.
What’s the truth? Nothing's known for sure, but you’re going to change all that.
Two Chilling New Epic Encounters
Sanctuary of the Steelborn and Realm of the Titan are the latest releases in the Epic Encounters range. Just like other Epic Encounters sets, they’re designed to work both as standalone encounters (providing ideal one-shot adventures), as well as alongside each other as part of an epic, longer campaign.
In Sanctuary of the Steelborn the player characters have been pursuing a Steelborn carriage across the land, and finally caught up with their quarry as it stops at the edge of a forest clearing.
It’s up to them to work out the best way to get past the Steelborn guards and gain access to the carriage interior and the secrets inside—but regardless of how they choose to do it, the Steelborn will not be easy to overcome.
Once inside the cold metal walls of the forbidden Steelborn sanctuary, it's up to your adventurers to uncover the ominous mysteries surrounding the inhabitants of this unpredictable place, with danger lurking around every corner.
In Realm of the Titan your players will investigate the legend of a titanic Steelborn creature—a metal colossus that would surely be so heavy it might never move. And even if it were able to do so, it would surely sink so deep into the snow that it might never be freed.
Yet, stories of the colossal steel figure persist. The legend goes that only in years when winter draws closest and the air grows exceptionally cold, the Titan strides down from the frozen mountains to stalk through the valleys. When it does, the destruction in its wake is always absolute, a trail of collapsed trees, buildings and entire settlements vanishing beneath its iron stride.
Can your players stand against this colossal ancient Titan, or will they be ground to icy dust beneath its unrelenting march?
Bringing Epic Encounters to the Table
Created to save experienced Game Masters time, and to give new Game Masters an easy way to add epic encounters to roleplaying campaigns, every Epic Encounters set is a complete adventure-in-a-box that includes everything from stats, story hooks, and tips to maps, tokens, and of course, highly detailed miniatures.
Each set offers scalable encounters to fit with any level of adventuring party or campaign. Whilst bosses (such as our huge Titan, here) have suggested attack patterns, with unique behaviour and special rules to keep things interesting and make for cinematic and spectacular battles.
Whether you’re a time-strapped GM or a new GM still learning the ropes, these sets are the perfect addition for your game nights, that’ll take care of all that hard work for you.
Sanctuary of the Steelborn and The Realm of the Titan are available to pre-order now.
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