TEXT: EN World EN5IDER | Bloodkeepers’ Barricade
  EN World EN5IDER | Bloodkeepers’ Barricade
   
  writing Josh Gentry
   color art Kim Van Deun
   
  editing James J. Haeck
   
  layout Eric Life-Putnam
  T
  he following is parT 
  of En Obscurus, a 
  series focusing on 
  clandestine organizations that 
  can be dropped into a campaign 
  with minimal preparation. 
  Much like its sister series Brute 
  Forces and Collegia Magia, 
  each article in the series offers 
  benefits to member PCs, and 
  tools for the GM to incorporate 
  the faction into the campaign. 
  This installment features Clan 
  Arrowheart, a smuggler’s guild 
  with penchants for decadence 
  and vigilante justice!
  EN Obscurus
  Clan 
  Arrowheart
  
  Bloodkeepers’ Barricade | EN World EN5IDER
  Bloodkeepers’ Barricade | EN World EN5IDER
  Introduction
  It is said that in remote Moonbright Lagoon, there 
  is a shrine to a goddess who will bring good 
  luck to couples daring enough to consecrate (or 
  consummate) their vows before her. Other tales 
  say that to visit this lagoon is to invite the wrath 
  of nature and brigands alike. The truth, of course, 
  is somewhere between: The lagoon’s cave is home 
  to smugglers known as Clan Arrowheart, who 
  spit on all laws but that of Love. Their patron 
  goddess, the nymph who presides over the lagoon, 
  protects Clan Arrowheart in their less-than-legal 
  businesses. In turn they enact Moonbright’s holy 
  justice against violators, abusers, slavers, and any 
  defiler of Love!
  Class Relationships
   
  ▶ Bard. Minstrels throughout the land sing an 
  occasional song about this guild, be that for 
  their heists, rare lagoon, exotic proclivities, 
  or heroics in the name of love. For their 
  talents and infinite mischief, bards in the 
  guild find themselves much adored.
   
  ▶ Monk. Most monks reject the wanton 
  Clan Arrowheart outright. However, some 
  contemplators—drawn by radical promises 
  of liberation—embrace the guild’s most 
  profound transcendent practices. They 
  defend love because it is the purest truth of 
  the multiverse.
   
  ▶ Ranger. Even though most rangers prefer 
  isolation from society over criminal activity, 
  many find Clan Arrowheart a welcoming 
  home. On raids they practice both their 
  preferred fighting styles, and at home they 
  connect deeply to nature.
  Open Game Content
  The game rule information in this article is designated Open Game Content. All of the other material in this article, 
  including maps and illustrations (including illustrations in the public domain), narrative and descriptive 
  text, character and place names, trade dress, “EN Publishing,” “EN World,” “EN5ider,” EN Publishing 
  product and article titles, and EN World and EN Publishing logos, are designated Product Identity.
  EN
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  ▶ Rogue. Clan Arrowheart would be little 
  more than a remote bacchanal without its 
  thieves and plunderers. Lawless though 
  these rogues may be, they still prefer not to 
  kill anybody… Besides those designated by 
  the goddess for punishment. 
   
  ▶ Warlock. The nymph will gladly enter into 
  a pact with seekers worthy enough to join 
  Clan Arrowheart. Depending on the terms of 
  their contract, Moonbright may function as a 
  celestial, an archfey, or even a Seducer*. 
   
  ▶ Divine classes. Even though most divine 
  classes focus on major deities, any cleric, 
  druid, or paladin who devote body and soul 
  in service to the nymph Moonbright will find 
  fulfillment and power. Her portfolios include 
  romance, nature, nighttime, freedom, excess, 
  and justice.
  Background Expansion
  Members of Clan Arrowheart can take the 
  following trait options, replacing the normal trait 
  from your background. Additionally, you can 
  replace one your background’s proficiencies with 
  an optional proficiency below. 
  Optional Proficiencies: Shortbow, longword, 
  thieves’ tools, Stealth, Persuasion
  * Josh Gentry, “Friends Close, Enemies Closer,” EN World EN5ider, https://www.patreon.com/posts/friends-close-3880329
  
  EN World EN5IDER | Bloodkeepers’ Barricade
  EN World EN5IDER | Bloodkeepers’ Barricade
  Optional Bonds and Flaws
  d6
  Bond
  1
  Our families would never accept our union, but my 
  lover and I found new kindred with Clan Arrow-
  heart.
  2
  My heart and body are as free as a breeze gently 
  caressing the cheek of a distant land.
  3
  Clan Arrowheart rescued me from attack, abuse, 
  or servitude. This is a debt I now repay in kind.
  4
  Every full moon, I celebrate in the most excessive 
  and exotic manner I can contrive.
  5
  I don’t need to marry; Clan Arrowheart is all the 
  family I need.
  6
  In spite of whatever you’ve heard about Clan 
  Arrowheart, I’m not like that! I’m … still on the 
  lookout for my one true love.
  d6
  Flaw
  1
  I don’t open up to others until I see what I have to 
  gain.
  2
  I’m loud and bawdy, and I don’t care who knows 
  it!
  3
  People are my playthings, and I speak to them as 
  such. Isn’t that right, my pet?
  4
  I’m prone to giving verbose speeches about what-
  ever I feel strongly about.
  5
  I’m a braggart and a showoff. Look what I can do!
  6
  When someone crosses me, all I can think about is 
  revenge.
  New Feats
  Arrow-Fist Style
  Prerequisite: Character level 4th, proficiency with 
  shortbows and the Acrobatics skill
   Using a shortbow and holding arrows in your 
  off-hand, instead of drawing constantly from your 
  quiver, increases your close-quarters and acrobatic 
  archery. You gain the following benefits:
   
  ▶ You can make a single shortbow attack as a 
  bonus action.
   
  ▶ You can make an opportunity attack using 
  your shortbow when a creature leaves your 
  melee reach. You can do so a number of 
  times equal to your proficiency modifier, and 
  regain all uses when you complete a short or 
  long rest.
   
  ▶ You can hold up to four arrows and your 
  shortbow simultaneously. Doing so does not 
  inhibit your ability shoot your shortbow or 
  interact with objects.
  Mirror-Blade Style
  Prerequisite: Character level 4, Strength 13, 
  Dexterity 13
   Training each side of your body equally 
  increases your two-weapon fighting capability. 
  You gain the following benefits:
   
  ▶ When using two-weapon fighting, your 
  off-hand weapon need not have the Light 
  property. 
   
  ▶ You can use this feat to use two-weapon 
  fighting during an opportunity attack, 
  making both attacks as part of your reaction. 
  You can do so a number of times equal to 
  your proficiency modifier, and regain all uses 
  when you complete a short or long rest.
  Vigilante’s Smite
  Your personal sense of justice fills you with the 
  power to hunt and destroy criminals. You gain the 
  following benefits:
   
  ▶ As an action, you can declare one creature 
  you see within 60 feet to be a defiler. During 
  the next hour, as another action, you can 
  detect the defiler’s general direction and 
  distance from you. This effect ends if the 
  creature dies or if you two are no longer on 
  the same plane. You can use this ability once 
  between long rests.
   
  ▶ When you hit the defiler with a weapon 
  attack on your turn, you can deal extra 
  radiant damage to it. The extra damage is 
  a number of d6s equal to your proficiency 
  bonus. You can apply this extra damage once 
  between long rests.
  
  Bloodkeepers’ Barricade | EN World EN5IDER
  Bloodkeepers’ Barricade | EN World EN5IDER
  Significant NPCs
  Moonbright, Lagoon Goddess 
  (Chaotic Good)
  The nymph who oversees her namesake lagoon 
  and its nearby caves. Some report her as having 
  opaline skin, elfish ears, and ivy for hair. She has 
  also appeared as a vision with onyx flesh and 
  seafoam locks. She only reveals herself on the 
  full moon, though she makes her will known to 
  worshipers through omens and whispers.
   
  ▶ Trait: Each time she appears, she dons a 
  different guise based on the diverse elements 
  of her lagoon.
   
  ▶ Ideal: Transcendent love. “Love takes many 
  forms, and I condone them all. Wage love in 
  my name.”
   
  ▶ Bond: She will join receptive worshipers she 
  deems worthy in acts of compassion, justice, 
  and revelry. 
   
  ▶ Flaw: Moonbright does not tolerate and 
  will never forgive abusers of nature and 
  humanity. 
  Captain Colter Swailes, Guild Master 
  (Chaotic Neutral)
  This amber-complected human of stout build has 
  short graying hair and goatee. Being in his mid-
  forties, this former corsair joined the guild when 
  his high seas bounty grew too large. He is now 
  the de facto guildmaster who plans major raids, 
  handles contracts, and allocates Clan resources.
   
  ▶ Trait: Gruff. He speaks in a bit of a growl, 
  and his tone seems irritated even when he’s 
  pleased.
   
  ▶ Ideal: Professionalism. “Name a good and 
  it’s yours, for a price. If you want slaves or 
  assassins, best not even ask.”
   
  ▶ Bond: The orgiastic worship of Moonbright 
  amuses him and he tolerates it as an act of 
  alliance. (He even joins in sometimes.) He 
  holds no personal loyalty to the nymph. 
   
  ▶ Flaw: Unlike the rest of the Clan, he has no 
  compunction against taking lives of those 
  who get in his way.
  Quest Hooks
  Moonbright Lagoon is a safe harbor for decent 
  people against the law and the forces of evil. PCs 
  may seek refuge here on an illicit mission of their 
  own, to receive the goddess’s blessing, or upon 
  the rumor of exotic delights. Conversely, the 
  enemies of Clan Arrowheart would be happy 
  to raid their base, if only they knew its hidden 
  location. GMs can also use the following prompts 
  to connect the party, Clan Arrowheart, and the 
  larger campaign world.
   In general, the NPC who issues a given quest 
  will give it their own twist. Quests issued by the 
  guild master will naturally focus more on theft 
  and the safe transportation of illicit goods. On the 
  other hand, quests issued by the lagoon goddess 
  will emphasize the defense of the innocent and 
  vengeance against those who violate the laws of 
   * Josh Gentry, “Collegia Magia: Granspire Seminary,” EN World 
  EN5ider, https://www.patreon.com/posts/collegia-magia-7901247
  Rumors
  1. The arrow to the heart is a common enough 
  tattoo, but mind where it appears. It’s the guild’s 
  calling card. (True.) 
  2. Stamp a letter with the arrow-to-the-heart, and 
  pass it to someone in the know… It’ll reach the 
  Clan. (Typically true.)
  3. Tell the Clan your woes in love. They even serve 
  as a matchmaking service! (False.)
  4. Clan Arrowheart? Pft. Hooligans in an orgy cult. 
  (True, but they are nonetheless professionals.)
  5. The sacred lagoon of Clan Arrowheart is espe-
  cially gorgeous on a full moon night… If you can 
  even find it, and live to tell the tale. (True.)
  6. The Arrowhearts think they’re so righteous, but 
  they still deal in deadly poisons! (False.)
  7. To join the Arrowhearts, I heard you have to 
  perform… human sacrifice! (False.)
  8. The notorious Captain Swailes famously died 
  in the naval battle against his rival Captain 
  MacKensey*, after both ships sank! (Mostly true; 
  both survived.)
  
  EN World EN5IDER | Bloodkeepers’ Barricade
  EN World EN5IDER | Bloodkeepers’ Barricade
  love. Additionally, Clan Arrowheart’s extensive 
  network of couriers ensures that letters addressed 
  to the guild arrive; such letters often petition the 
  guild for help in acquiring goods or in resolving 
  relational conflicts.
  Low-level: The Delivery
  This quest begins in one of two ways: either Clan 
  Arrowheart instructs the PCs to accompany a 
  cargo shipment safely to town, or else the PCs 
  receive a vision of Moonbright instructing them 
  to a fated location (where they will prevent the 
  cargo shipment from certain doom). In any case, 
  the characters must safeguard the shipment to 
  its destination, and likewise ferry the return 
  shipment to safety. 
   Clan Arrowheart rewards PCs for any letter 
  deliveries and cargo shipments they make on their 
  own initiative. If any of these shipments involve 
  slave trade or deadly poisons, Clan Arrowheart 
  would be pleased to hear of that shipment’s 
  disruption. Punishing evildoers is too frequent 
  to entail monetary reward, but it always curries 
  favor with Moonbright’s.
  Mid-level: The Orcish Princess
  The local Willowscar orc tribe are relatively 
  peaceful and druidic, but their chief’s daughter 
  Ukthina has been kidnapped by the human noble 
  Challyn family. The Willowscar now prepare 
  for war, but they can be pacified if their princess 
  is returned before the full moon. She is held at 
  Challyn family estate, which is ripe with fine 
  goods fit for plundering.
  Mid-level: The Chalice of Seals
  An ally of the PCs reveals a great sadness in their 
  life: that he or she is barren. In turn, Moonbright 
  reveals to the PCs, in a vision or in person, the 
  secret location of the fabled Chalice of Seals. The 
  Chalice has the power to grant or revoke fertility 
  from whatever being drinks from it. It may be in 
  a sunken palace, an ancient witch’s shrine, or the 
  dread Festung.*
  A Brief History
  For hundreds of years, smugglers and pirates who 
  knew about the elusive Moonbright Lagoon have 
  used it as a base of operations. Nearly as long 
  has been the use of its cave and the worship of 
  its goddess. Knowledge of the lagoon has passed 
  from faction to faction and from ship to ship, 
  causing periodic bloody skirmishes over control 
  of the lagoon.
   That is, until the earliest days of Clan Arrow-
  heart. A ship of smugglers found favor with the 
  nymph, whose bond with the crew allowed her 
  to reshape the lagoon into a luscious, hidden 
  paradise. Her new extended family defended 
  the location from invaders, until the location 
  became but a whisper among the well-informed. 
  That Captain Swailes became stranded on the 
  Lagoon’s beach is either sheer luck, or a miracle 
  Moonbright won’t admit to enacting. e
   * Josh Gentry, “Collegia Magia: The Festung,” EN World EN5ider, 
  https://www.patreon.com/posts/collegia-magia-12612341 
  
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