Theros – D&D 5e Setting Guide

Create a mythical campaign in Magic the Gathering’s Theros setting

Why choose Theros for your campaign?

A world of myth and legend

Theros is deeply rooted in mythological storytelling, with every aspect of the setting tied to its pantheon of gods. The gods of Theros are tangible beings with unique personalities and agendas. They interact with mortals regularly, granting blessings or curses, and their influence drives much of the world’s conflict. Players can engage directly with these deities by earning their favor or being caught in their divine rivalries.

In this world, the deeds of mortals echo through history. Players have the opportunity to perform feats that might elevate them to legendary status, ensuring their names are spoken in reverence for generations. Whether they’re battling hydras or retrieving relics, every adventure feels like part of a grand epic.

Heroic themes

Theros emphasizes the concept of heroism. Players begin their journey with divine gifts or supernatural abilities that set them apart from ordinary mortals. As they progress, their deeds earn them renown, allowing them to grow in both power and reputation. The piety system rewards characters for embodying the ideals of their chosen deity, creating a direct link between their actions and the gods’ favor.

This heroic framework makes every decision feel weighty and every victory significant. Whether slaying a monstrous chimera or brokering peace between warring factions, players are always on the path to greatness.

Diverse adventures

Theros offers an incredible variety of adventures. Players can explore bustling city-states like Akros and Meletis, where political intrigue and cultural pride fuel conflict. Alternatively, they might venture into the untamed Nessian Wood to hunt mythical creatures, sail the Siren Sea in search of lost treasures, or journey into the Underworld to bargain with Erebos for a soul.

The diversity of locations and themes means there’s something for every playstyle, whether the group prefers combat-heavy campaigns or exploration-focused storytelling.

A living pantheon

The gods of Theros are integral to the setting, actively shaping the world through their actions. Each god has a unique personality, set of beliefs, and sphere of influence. This creates a dynamic backdrop for adventures, as players can align themselves with particular deities, oppose others, or navigate the chaos caused by divine rivalries.

The gods are not infallible, and their ambitions often lead to conflict. For example, Heliod’s pride might clash with Purphoros’s passion, while Thassa’s inevitability may disrupt Nylea’s balance. Players might find themselves mediating between gods or caught in the crossfire of their celestial struggles.

The gods of Theros

Theros’s pantheon consists of gods who are as deeply flawed as they are powerful, each embodying specific aspects of existence. They directly influence the mortal world, intervening in personal and societal affairs, and their rivalries often serve as the backdrop for quests and conflicts. These gods are both allies and adversaries, offering rich opportunities for storytelling.

Heliod (God of the Sun)

• Themes: Justice, pride, law, and light.
• Personality: Heliod embodies the radiant light of the sun and the ideals of order and law. He is commanding and noble, demanding reverence from mortals and other gods alike. However, his overwhelming pride often leads him to view himself as infallible, and his inability to acknowledge his own flaws can sow discord among his followers. Heliod prizes loyalty and sees himself as the ultimate arbiter of justice.
• Divine influence:
  Heliod’s followers include judges, warriors, and priests who enforce order in his name. His temples are grand and imposing, often situated in the centers of cities to symbolize the stability he provides. Heliod’s blessings manifest as radiant light, providing strength and clarity to those who serve him.
• Adventure hooks:
  1. Heliod tasks the party with recovering the Shield of Radiance, an artifact of justice stolen by agents of Erebos. The quest reveals Heliod’s prideful motivations and his unwillingness to compromise.
  2. The party is caught in the middle of a divine feud as Heliod accuses Purphoros of spreading chaos, demanding the adventurers take sides.
  3. A paladin of Heliod turns tyrannical, misinterpreting his god’s will. The party must decide whether to intervene or let Heliod’s justice take its course.

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Thassa (God of the Sea)

• Themes: Seas, storms, inevitability, and mysteries.
• Personality: Thassa embodies the ocean’s serenity and relentless nature. She is contemplative and calculated, seeing all events as part of an inevitable cycle. While slow to anger, her wrath is as devastating as a storm, and those who disturb her domain feel the full force of her power.
• Divine influence:
  Thassa’s temples are built along coasts and atop cliffs, where worshippers honor her with offerings cast into the sea. Sailors and fisherfolk often pray to her for safe passage, while scholars seek her wisdom to understand the secrets of the ocean.
• Adventure hooks:
  1. Thassa sends the party to retrieve the Trident of Depths, a divine relic lost in a sunken city. Along the way, they face rival treasure hunters and sea monsters.
  2. A kraken, one of Thassa’s champions, is wreaking havoc on coastal settlements, and the party must discover whether it acts on her will or has gone rogue.
  3. A cult worshiping Thassa clashes with coastal merchants over fishing rights, forcing the party to mediate a conflict that risks her wrath.

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Erebos (God of the Dead)

• Themes: Death, wealth, inevitability, and loss.
• Personality: Erebos is somber and brooding, ruling the Underworld with a grim but fair hand. He believes all life must end and takes a resigned view of mortal struggles. Though not malevolent, he is deeply possessive of the souls in his domain and punishes those who attempt to escape his grasp.
• Divine influence:
  Erebos’s followers include those who accept death’s inevitability, such as morticians, gravediggers, and philosophers. His priests comfort the dying and ensure that rituals honoring the dead are observed. Wealth also falls under Erebos’s domain, symbolizing the futility of mortal pursuits.
• Adventure hooks:
  1. The party must descend into the Underworld to rescue a soul wrongfully condemned, facing Erebos’s judgment and his Nyxborn enforcers.
  2. A group of necromancers has disrupted the balance between life and death, and Erebos tasks the party with restoring order.
  3. The adventurers discover a cursed treasure tied to Erebos, and they must decide whether to return it or risk incurring his wrath.

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Purphoros (God of the Forge)

• Themes: Creation, destruction, passion, and invention.
• Personality: Purphoros is a volatile artist who embodies the creative and destructive aspects of fire and metal. He is deeply passionate, often acts impulsively, and is equally capable of forging wondrous artifacts or leveling entire cities in a fit of rage.
• Divine influence:
  Purphoros inspires blacksmiths, artisans, and inventors, driving them to push the boundaries of their craft. His followers often work in the heat of forges, channeling his fiery creativity. His blessings are unpredictable, sometimes aiding and sometimes hindering his devotees.
• Adventure hooks:
  1. Purphoros commissions the party to forge an artifact of unimaginable power, but completing it may come at great cost to the world.
  2. A runaway creation, such as a Nyxborn automaton, is wreaking havoc, and the adventurers must stop it while uncovering its creator’s motives.
  3. The party discovers an ancient forge blessed by Purphoros, where they must navigate its dangerous trials to craft a divine weapon.

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Nylea (God of the Hunt)

• Themes: Nature, balance, and the wilds.
• Personality: Nylea is fierce and protective, guarding the natural world from the encroachment of civilization. She embodies the beauty and savagery of the wild, balancing her nurturing side with her role as a relentless hunter.
• Divine influence:
  Nylea’s followers include druids, rangers, and hunters who live in harmony with the natural world. Her temples are found deep in forests, and her rituals often involve offerings of food or the release of captured animals.
• Adventure hooks:
  1. Nylea tasks the party with hunting a mythical beast corrupting her sacred groves, testing their skill and resolve.
  2. A logging operation threatens one of Nylea’s sacred forests, and the adventurers must negotiate with or confront the intruders.
  3. A rival god’s followers attempt to defile a shrine to Nylea, and the party must protect it while unraveling their motives.

Iconic locations in Theros

Theros’s landscape is rich and varied, blending mythological grandeur with high-stakes adventure. Each iconic location offers unique storytelling opportunities, allowing adventurers to explore the culture, conflicts, and mysteries of this world.

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Akros: The city of warriors and gladiators

Akros is a militaristic city-state perched atop rugged cliffs, overlooking the wilds of Theros. Known for its martial traditions, Akros thrives on the strength of its warriors and the grandeur of its arena games. Gladiatorial combat is central to its culture, with the Colossus Arena hosting daily battles that entertain citizens and train future heroes.

• Adventure hooks:
  1. Arena trials: The party participates in gladiatorial games, facing off against deadly opponents, including beasts and rival champions. These trials might be part of a divine test, a political maneuver, or a path to earning Akros’s favor.
  2. Defending the city: Akros is often under threat from wild monsters or rival city-states. The adventurers might rally Akros’s forces to defend its walls or uncover a saboteur working from within.
  3. Political intrigue: While warriors dominate the culture, the ruling class plays a dangerous game of alliances and betrayals. The party could uncover corruption, broker peace between factions, or help a rightful heir reclaim power.

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Meletis: The city of knowledge and worship

Meletis stands as a beacon of enlightenment and divine faith in Theros. Its white marble temples and sprawling academies symbolise the city’s devotion to the gods and the pursuit of intellectual and magical knowledge. Scholars, priests, and philosophers gather here, debating the nature of the gods, exploring arcane secrets, and guiding the faithful.

• Adventure Hooks:
  1. Uncovering Secrets: The party could be hired to retrieve a lost artifact or tome from ancient ruins, with scholars providing cryptic clues and divine patrons offering guidance—or interference.
  2. Divine Conflict: Meletis’s temples honor many gods, but rivalries between followers can lead to violence or sabotage. Adventurers may need to mediate disputes or defend the city from divine punishment.
  3. Academy Quests: The group could aid a philosopher or mage in uncovering dangerous truths about Theros, perhaps unraveling secrets about Nyx, the gods, or forgotten civilizations.

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The Nessian Wood: The wild heart of Theros

The Nessian Wood is a vast and untamed forest, sacred to Nylea, the god of the hunt. This primal wilderness is home to majestic yet dangerous creatures, from hydras and manticores to Nyxborn beasts imbued with divine power. Its sacred glades and hidden groves harbor ancient secrets and serve as a haven for druids, rangers, and others who revere nature.

• Adventure Hooks:
  1. Sacred hunts: Nylea tasks the adventurers with tracking and defeating a mythic creature that threatens the balance of the wood, such as a corrupted hydra or an otherworldly predator.
  2. Protecting the wood: Lumberers, city-state expansion, or rival deities’ followers might endanger the Nessian Wood, and the party must defend it from destruction.
  3. Exploring mysteries: The party could uncover a forgotten temple or ancient shrine hidden deep within the forest, facing puzzles, traps, and guardians that protect its secrets.

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The Underworld: Erebos’s realm of the dead

The Underworld of Theros, ruled by Erebos, is a realm of shadows and finality. It is a bleak and mysterious place where souls dwell after death, divided into regions based on their deeds in life. Mortals rarely venture here, but those who do face unimaginable peril and the eternal watch of Erebos himself.

• Themes:
  1. Death, fate, and the boundaries of mortal existence.
  2. The price of challenging the natural order.
• Adventure Hooks:
  1. Reclaiming a soul: The adventurers might descend into the Underworld to retrieve a lost companion or fulfill a divine quest. This could involve bargaining with Erebos, overcoming his trials, and avoiding his wrath.
  2. Uncovering forgotten secrets: The Underworld harbors ancient knowledge and artifacts buried with the dead. Adventurers might seek these treasures, only to face the spirits of those who guard them.
  3. Escaping the underworld: If the party is trapped in Erebos’s domain, they must navigate its dangers, outwit its guardians, and find a way back to the mortal world—while evading Erebos’s champions and Nyxborn enforcers.

Character ideas for adventures in Theros

Theros is a setting that pairs well with specific classes and subclasses, allowing players to craft characters that align with the mythological themes of the world. Here’s an expanded version of the concepts, with suggested D&D classes and subclasses for each.

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Favored of Heliod: A Paladin or Cleric Tasked with Upholding Justice

Heliod’s champions are paragons of justice and order. As a paladin or cleric devoted to Heliod, your character embodies the ideals of honor, law, and righteousness. However, Heliod’s pride and uncompromising nature may lead to inner conflict as you grapple with what justice truly means.

• Recommended Classes and Subclasses:
  • Paladin: Oath of Devotion or Oath of Glory (to embody Heliod’s ideals of justice and heroism).
  • Cleric: Light Domain (to represent Heliod’s radiance and connection to the sun).
• Adventure Hooks:
  • Heliod sends you to recover the Scepter of Eternal Light, a divine artifact lost in a rival god’s domain.
  • You’re tasked with enforcing Heliod’s laws in a city-state, only to uncover corruption among his followers.
• Role-Playing Opportunities:
  • Struggle with Heliod’s prideful and rigid nature while trying to balance your sense of justice with your god’s demands.
  • Act as a beacon of hope for allies, inspiring them to rise above their challenges.

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Champion of Thassa: A Ranger or Druid with a Deep Connection to the Sea

Thassa’s champions protect the oceans, navigate their mysteries, and ensure their balance is upheld. Whether as a ranger or druid, you are attuned to the rhythms of the sea, embodying Thassa’s inevitability and serenity.

• Recommended Classes and Subclasses:
  • Ranger: Hunter or Fey Wanderer (for tracking and mystical connection to the sea).
  • Druid: Circle of the Sea (to embody Thassa’s dominion over the ocean and its creatures).
• Adventure Hooks:
  • Thassa tasks you with finding a lost underwater temple, guarded by sirens and sea creatures.
  • A rival deity stirs up violent storms, and you must calm the chaos while uncovering their motives.
• Role-Playing Opportunities:
  • Use your affinity with the ocean to solve problems creatively, such as calming a rampaging kraken or reading the currents to predict enemy movements.
  • Explore the philosophical tension between Thassa’s inevitability and your mortal companions’ desire to control their fate.

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Erebos’s Pawn: A Warlock Struggling with Their Dark Patron’s Demands

As a warlock bound to Erebos, the God of the Dead, you wield the power of the Underworld but are constantly reminded of its cost. Your character struggles with the moral weight of their pact, balancing their own desires with Erebos’s often self-serving demands.

• Recommended Classes and Subclasses:
  • Warlock: The Undead or The Hexblade (to represent your connection to Erebos and his dominion over death and inevitability).
  • Cleric: Death Domain (for a character who serves Erebos more directly as a priest).
• Adventure Hooks:
  • Erebos commands you to reclaim a soul that defied the natural order, but doing so requires condemning an innocent.
  • A rival god tempts you with the chance to break your pact, offering freedom at the cost of betraying Erebos.
• Role-Playing Opportunities:
  • Explore the tension between your dark patron’s demands and your personal sense of morality.
  • Use your knowledge of death to outmaneuver enemies, leveraging Erebos’s gifts in creative and unexpected ways.

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Nyxborn Hero: A Being Born of Divine Power, Destined for Greatness

Nyxborn heroes are mortal vessels of divine will, created by the gods to carry out their agendas. As a Nyxborn, your celestial origins set you apart, marking you as a symbol of your god’s ideals and a target for those who wish to control your power.

• Recommended Classes and Subclasses:
  • Sorcerer: Divine Soul (to represent your divine heritage and connection to Nyx).
  • Barbarian: Path of the Zealot (for a warrior blessed by the gods and driven by divine purpose).
  • Paladin: Oath of Glory (to reflect your role as a symbol of greatness).
• Adventure Hooks:
  • A prophecy foretells your role in a coming calamity, but its details remain unclear. You must piece together your destiny while fending off those who wish to manipulate it.
  • Your celestial origins make you a target for powerful mortals and rival gods who seek to control your power.
• Role-Playing Opportunities:
  • Wrestle with the expectations placed upon you by your divine creators. Are you truly free, or are you bound to fulfill their will?
  • Use your starry, otherworldly presence to inspire allies and intimidate foes, leaving a lasting impression wherever you go.