Explore the dreams of the multiverse in The Grephearon! New Setting and Subclass! (Patreon)

Hey heroes!

First of all, thank you so much for your patience with this release. This is technically the release scheduled for the end of last month, but there were some pretty gnarly schedule upheavals that got in the way. However! You can fully expect the next setting, the one intended for September, to be released very soon, well before the end of October. We'll be back on track in no time.

Without further ado, enjoy (or really, prepare for) your dive into The Grephearon!

The Grephearon is a multi-dimensional realm and the source of all dreams throughout the cosmos. It is a semi-sentient realm ruled by a god-like entity called the Dream Shaper. The Dream Shaper employs those with powerful imaginations to serve as the plane’s artisans. The artisans toil within The Grephearon, designing the dreams and nightmares that eventually make their way into The Grephearon’s labyrinthine Dream Gallery. The Dream Gallery grants direct access to the subconscious of every dreaming creature in existence. An invader could exercise unparalleled and untraceable influence in the dreamer's plane, potentially causing effects that extend into the material world. Therefore, the Dream Shaper does everything in its power to prevent unwanted guests in The Grephearon.

The Grephearon is a separate plane of existence. Planar scholars believe it lies within the Deep Ethereal, hidden among its thickest mists. As such, it possesses many of the same qualities as the Ethereal Plane. The plane is built from protomatter, a magical material that encompasses possibility. The artisans in The Grephearon use this protomatter to shape dreams.

The Grephearon is, in short, the source of dreams. Good and bad. Tireless mages work within this bizarre pocket of the Deep Ethereal to concoct and manufacture the experiences of those who dream across the multiverse. These dreams appear in an endless gallery of paintings, which can, with some clever magic, be stepped into and interacted with. Of course, all manner of strange and unsavory creatures trapped within the labyrinth of paintings stalk its hallways, and the magic that's cast here runs the risk of behaving very strangely.

The subclass for the setting is the new barbarian path: the Path of Nightmares! Become that which you and your enemies fear most, stalking them in silence before appearing directly behind them all at once. Cast the invisibility and fear spells, or visit the dreams of creatures while you yourself remain sleepless. This is a really evocative subclass option that encourages thoughtful roleplay and tactical combat, all while smashing baddies and wracking their minds with bonus psychic damage and fear!

Speaking of the subclass, here's a reminder that we also have official subclass playtest sessions on the Discord! So please feel welcome to sign up for them and get early looks and hands-on time with them! As always, further revisions will be made here with published updates as they're released!

What's Included:

• 18 pages of non-euclidean labyrinths, magic anomalies, and dreamwalking mystery!
• Discover how to visit the dreams of creatures and shape their reality even upon waking! Avoid dream collapses or the traps laid out for you by wary dreamers!
• Bonus maps donated by Cze & Peku!
• 6 new statblocks of creatures that visit or even devour dreams!
• New barbarian subclass: the Path of Nightmares! Harness fear itself to wage war against any mortal that dares step in your way!

Credits

I was responsible for direction, design, and additional editing for this setting. However, this couldn't be possible without extra help. If you like this setting, consider supporting these other incredible creators:

DMDave — Writing, editing

TheArenaGuy — Monster design

Cze & Peku and Renflower — Maps

Aaron Riley — Subclass illustration

Damien Mammoliti — Monster Art

Benjamin Sommeregger — Cover art

Jelke Ludolphij — Additional layout

This release is also made especially possible by the extra generosity of $13+ Legendary Heroes! Thank you all so much for you support, and be proud of your place in the end credits! You've earned it!

Changelog

Barbarian v. 1.11

Revised the Apparition feature to remove any awkward stacking of saving throw procs when teleporting while invisible. Clarified when affected creatures would make the save with or without disadvantage (i.e. if they didn't see you before you teleported, but do see you now and are hecken spooked).