[Open Post] The Dromir

Warden+

Hello All Patrons!

This is an open post, and something we’re going to be doing more frequently moving forward. As we mentioned during our soft launch many moons ago, we’re shifting our content release approach. Rather than daily and consistent posts, we’re focusing on more in-depth looks at upcoming content and work-in-progress previews for the next release, then release everything else all at once at month end.

 Today, we’re excited to bring you the first of these deep dives – an unsettling new creature coming in Daragaard Part 3: the Dromir.

A rare and incredibly unsettling breed of fey, warped inhabitants of the unseelie court are the Dromir. They once solely inhabited isolated, gloomy locations like long-abandoned tunnels, shady woodlands, and neglected ruins, contrary with the vast majority fey. But recently, these sinister creatures have begun to appear in towns and cities across Daragaard, spreading panic and chaos wherever they are rumoured to linger. While many stories about the unseelie fey describe their cruelty or deceit, the Dromir are particularly terrible given their ability to vanish completely from memory. The form of a Dromir is obvious when you are facing it directly; it is gaunt, inky, and truly disturbing. However, if you look away for even just an instant, even just close your eyes, you won't recall anything at all. Not only does the Dromir vanish from sight, but it also vanishes from the brains of those who turned their heads, leaving behind nothing except unexplained feelings of terror and confusion. Witnesses frequently end up bleeding, hurt, or in a different position and don't remember how they got there. This isn’t a “where did it go” type of forgetfulness but a full on “what was I just doing” or even “why am I suddenly hurt” kind of amnesia.

No one knows why the Dromir have begun to enter populated areas, but their presence has caused towns to panic. Individuals wake up with significant cuts, bruises, and scratches that cannot be explained, yet they have no recollection of how they obtained them. Others are found wandering in a daze, unable to recall how they ended up where they were. There are increasingly unsettling tales of sickly thin tall black figures caught in the corner of people's eyes, frequently followed by bewilderment and terror, as though a shadow possessed them and touched their souls. 

How To Handle The Dromir

Keep your eyes on the creature if spotted. Don't avert your gaze or blink. Make sure that at least one person in your group always sees it, or else the monster can completely disappear from your collective memory. COMMUNICATE!

When playing against a Dromir, the players will undoubtedly want to keep their eyes open the entire time. After all, they run the risk of completely forgetting the creature's existence the moment they avert their gaze, even for a brief moment, making them open to assault. We suggest using Constitution saves to depict the challenge of looking straight at the Dromir without blinking in order to convey the stress and intensity of keeping continuous attention. After two rounds of staring at the Dromir, each player must make a DC 10 Constitution save to keep their eyes open. The DC increases by 2 for every additional round (e.g., DC 12, 14, and so on). On a failed save, the character blinks or averts their gaze involuntarily, triggering the Dromir’s Unseen Presence effect and requiring a DC 16 Wisdom save to remember it exists.

Yes. Thank you Mingle. He's right though, so DM tips for you if you're going to run a Dromir encounter - you have to really get your DM skills out.

Encourage Minimal Metagaming. Player immersion is essential for a successful Dromir encounter. Players should act like they have forgotten the monster if they fail their Wisdom save; they should not plot or talk about where it is. Stress that everyone benefits from a more exciting and engaging experience when the creature's affect is respected.

• VTT Tip: For virtual games, remove the Dromir’s token from view for any players who fail their Wisdom save to remember it, enhancing the disorienting effect.

Build Tension with Descriptive Detail. As players try to keep their eyes fixed on the Dromir, focus on descriptions that reinforce the strain and eerie discomfort of prolonged focus. Describe experiencing burning muscles, wet eyes, and the unnerving feeling that "something is missing" everytime they turn their head away and are unable to recall the Dromir.

Become a Warden

Check out the Warden Tier if the Dromir has captured your attention and you're looking for even more bizarre creatures and intense experiences. There are a ton of monsters from Daragaard Parts 1 and 2, and we'll be giving all creatures and beasties additional details in the future (like this post!). We're also playing around with animating the tokens so, watch this space!

For those that haven't seen our Warden offering, it's tokens, Top Down and Portraits (seen above), the concept images, the statblocks and possible variations in the monthly PDF! It's all good stuff check it out - link above!

For those Wardens and Chronicle Keepers seeing this - don't worry, you cen get all the good stuff by following the link at the top or, RIGHT HERE.

From Euphoria

Oh god, I'm sorry, okay? I know this thing is nightmare fuel, but blame the Athana players! During a brainstorming session our Bladesinger casually said, “the Silence from Doctor Who… but terrifying.” So here we are. The Dromir is what happens when inspiration strikes at strange times and in strange forms, creating this eerie, Slender-Man-meets-Silence creature. Between memory manipulation and eerie silence, encounters with them are designed to push players and DMs into a mix of terror, humour, and absolute chaos. If you think your group can handle it, try it out—but fair warning, this is not a creature for those who love to metagame. 👀 

Thank you for your continued support and patience guys, starting up an entire new company for this is, well it’s hard! Thank you though you’re all awesome <3

Wait… what was I talking about? 

Thanks all - Euphoria!