Introduction to The Compass of Terrestrial Directions Vol.1:

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The Compass of Terrestrial Directions Volume 1: The Scavenger Lands is the next title for Exalted Second Edition, releasing to stores around the world during the week of May 29th. For fans who are craving a preview of the impending release, check out this excerpt, presenting the Introduction to the Scavenger Lands book.

Introduction

An association of men who will not quarrel with one another is a thing which has never yet existed, from the greatest confederacy of nations down to a town meeting or a vestry. —Thomas Jefferson, Letter, June 1, 1798

Since the fall of the Dragon-Blooded Shogunate eight centuries past, the Scavenger Lands have forged their own destiny in defiance of both the odds and the forces of the Scarlet Empire. Shattered by the twin blows of the Great Contagion and the subsequent invasion by the Fair Folk, the former River Province of the Shogunate rebuilt itself, eschewing the Realm's help and its dominance. Defending their independence again and again over the centuries, the states of the Scavenger Lands have grown into economic powerhouses and bastions of freedom that are the envy and inspiration of the rest of the free world.

HOW TO USE THIS BOOK

The Compass of Terrestrial Directions, Vol. I—The Scavenger Lands is a setting book designed to provide players and Storytellers with all they need to play games set in any of the numerous states of the Confederation of Rivers. From the deiocracy of Great Forks to the Realm puppet-state of Greyfalls, from the military dictatorship of Lookshy to the myriad tiny nations that make up the so-called Hundred Kingdoms, there are settings aplenty for every type of group and style of play, complete with dominion traits for Exalted's optional Mandate of Heaven rules.

Chapter One: The History of the Scavenger Lands

This chapter offers a detailed overview of River Province history. From its First Age origins as the breadbasket of the Old Realm to its present incarnation as the defi ant Confederation of Rivers, this region has always infl uenced the affairs of nations Creation-wide.

Chapter Two: The Heart of the Scavenger Lands

This section focuses on Nexus, the most populous city of the Scavenger Lands. Crouched like a bloated spider at the confluence of the River Province's three greatest waterways, the lawless city of Nexus exerts enormous infl uence on the Scavenger Lands and beyond through its web of trade routes spun by economic powerhouse, the Guild.

Chapter Three: Warlords of the Scavenger Lands

Chapter Three focuses on Lookshy and one of its martial allies, the Marukan Alliance. From the fortress-city of Lookshy, the mighty Seventh Legion sallies forth to defend the Scavenger Lands from its many enemies, be they imperial legions, barbarian invaders or even the unfathomable Fair Folk. Yet the Seventh Legion does not operate alone. Tied by treaty to the other states of the Confederation of Rivers, the fi eld forces of Lookshy have often operated alongside the armies of other River Province nations. One of its most respected allies is also detailed here, Marukan, home of the rightly feared horselords.

Chapter Four: The City of Temples

This chapter concerns itself with Great Forks, one of the Confederation's most powerful states and one ruled directly by three powerful gods: Spinner of Glorious Tales, Weaver of Dreams of Victory, and Shield of a Different Day. Eschewing the Immaculate faith, the people of Great Forks share their city with a number of minor divinities and God-Bloods, many of whom immigrated to the city because of its renowned tolerance.

Chapter Five: Empire of the Dead

This section covers Thorns, a totalitarian state suffering under the despotic rule of the Deathlord Mask of Winters. Once loyal subjects of the Realm and devout followers of the Immaculate faith, Thorns' people now slave for the Deathlord and his Abyssal champions and are forcibly converted to the blasphemous ancestor cult.

Chapter Six: Last Bastion of the Scarlet Empire

Chapter Seven concerns itself with the fi nal outpost of the Realm in the Scavenger Lands, Greyfalls. Ceded to the Empress by the treaty ending the Realm's third invasion of the River Province, Greyfalls was long considered a provincial backwater to which were sent the dregs of Realm society. Thanks to the efforts of House Nellens, however, the country has enjoyed a rebirth of sorts and now threatens to use its newfound economic and military might to expand into sovereign Confederation territory.

Chapter Seven: The Empty City

In the heart of the Hundred Kingdoms lies the lost First Age city of Denandsor. Protected by a cursed miasma and an army of robotic guardians, its greatest treasures still wait to be uncovered by the Exalts clever or tenacious enough to best its defenses.

Chapter Eight: Gods and Monsters of the Scavenger Lands

The Scavenger Lands is a dangerous place, and this chapter outlines some of its deadliest denizens. From the Emissary of Nexus to giant maggots that crawl beneath the flesh of the Mask of Winters' corpse-fortress Juggernaut, over 25 threats native to the region are given full traits for use in Exalted series. [Note from webmaster Conrad Hubbard: The Emissary is not given "full traits," but is given five different writeups for Storytellers to use to customize their chronicles.]