Masters of Shadow and Skill
Rogues in Eldara represent those who thrive in the spaces between law and chaos, light and shadow, using cunning, stealth, and specialized skills to achieve their goals. Unlike other classes, most rogues rely primarily on natural talent, training, and wit rather than magical abilities. However, some exceptional rogues do develop limited connections to The Aetheric Weave (Magic) through their mastery of shadow, deception, or their ability to move unseen through the world.
Good-Aligned Rogues: Shadows in Service of Light
Divine Connection: Good rogues use their skills in service of justice, protection, and the greater good. They may work as spies for righteous causes, thieves who steal from the corrupt to help the innocent, or investigators who uncover hidden truths.
Common Worship:
- Belron, Defender of the Just - Using stealth and cunning to serve justice
- Miralin, God of Knowledge - Gathering information and uncovering hidden truths
- Seliana, Guardian of Hearth - Protecting communities through covert means
- Thanriel, God of Passage - Moving unseen through the boundaries between places
Practices: Serve as spies for good causes, investigators of corruption, protectors who work from the shadows, and thieves who redistribute wealth to the needy.
Evil-Aligned Rogues: Agents of Shadow
Divine Connection: Evil rogues embrace deception, theft, and manipulation for personal gain or to serve dark masters. They thrive on sowing discord, spreading corruption, and exploiting the weaknesses of others.
Common Worship:
- Nefril, God of Deception - Masters of lies, false identities, and misdirection
- Malikar, God of Discord - Sowing distrust and turning allies against each other
- Zevra, Mistress of Treachery - Embracing betrayal and exploiting trust
- Karash, God of Corruption - Using their skills to spread moral decay
- Vyrr, Patron of Forbidden Arts - Stealing magical knowledge and dangerous secrets
Practices: Serve as assassins, spies for corrupt organizations, thieves and con artists, cult infiltrators, and agents of chaos.
Neutral Rogues: Professional Shadows
Divine Connection: Neutral rogues view their skills as a craft to be perfected, pursuing their profession without strong moral convictions. They may serve whoever pays best or simply seek to master their abilities for their own sake.
Common Worship:
- Olvar, God of Craftsmanship - Perfecting the arts of stealth, lockpicking, and thievery
- Thanriel, God of Passage - Moving between places and social boundaries
- Miralin, God of Knowledge - Valuing information as the ultimate currency
- Nefril, God of Deception - Appreciating deception as a necessary tool rather than evil
Practices: Serve as professional thieves, spies for hire, information brokers, smugglers, and independent operators who work for the highest bidder.
Rogue Archetypes and Specializations
Rogues often specialize in specific aspects of their shadowy profession:
- Arcane Tricksters - Rare rogues who develop magical abilities, often through study in Noldruun
- Assassins - Masters of death, frequently serving Thanriel or dark powers
- Masterminds - Criminal leaders and spymasters who manipulate from behind the scenes
- Scouts - Information gatherers and infiltrators for various organizations
- Thieves - Classic burglars and pickpockets, masters of stealth and sleight of hand
Shadow Skills and Limited Magic
While most rogues rely on mundane skills, some develop limited connections to The Aetheric Weave (Magic) through their mastery of shadow and stealth. These rare individuals learn to blend their natural abilities with minor magical enhancement, creating effects that blur the line between exceptional skill and supernatural ability.
The strength of a rogue’s abilities depends primarily on their training, natural talent, intelligence, and experience navigating the complex social and physical landscapes of their chosen profession. Those who do develop magical abilities typically focus on enhancing their existing skills rather than learning entirely new magical disciplines.